Beginning

The next morning, the emperor was waiting for me. He provided me with a combat suit similar to his but of a discreet white streaked with light blue sparkling thread, and impregnated with a protective magic, while his was of a midnight blue color with old gold contours and streaked with black thread that he wore with a subjugating class.

- It is me personally who will accompany you in this task, he declared at once with confidence and an unshakeable will.

I was stunned, for I thought he would remain in his kingdom to ensure its safety and maintain the little hope it contained. Moreover, I expressed my doubts to him.

- Perhaps it is better that you stay? You are the ruler of this kingdom. If you leave with me, your subjects will be weaker even morally.

He smiled again, that infuriating smile... but so bewitching, yet it was no match, no match at all, for the smile of that other person who seemed to stop at nothing.

- I am their ruler, he said simply... that's enough...

I was ashamed to tell him, he who has reigned in such a noble way over his people for perhaps a quarter of a millennium, and I, such a weak human, knowing nothing of the virtues of humanity, dared to advise him how he should act.

- Forgive me Majesty...

He understood what I was trying to say. Then he looked at me strangely, and smiled at me. We went out on a balcony overlooking a vast forest, the wise men accompanied us to wish us with strong distinction and a visibly unbearable emotion a successful trip, showering us although with calmness of innumerable recommendations. Nobody else came, because it was useless.

And finally, Seiran straightened up to transform himself into a giant bird of prey and we flew towards the unknown horizons where perhaps remained, hoping it, this being born of a senseless love. It took them a long time to fly over the forest. And during this time Dania noticed his noble way of moving in the space, a fascinating and incomparable way.

- We are going to leave my kingdom soon, so get ready...

- Okay...

But I didn't care much about it because on his back I discovered new sensations, an amazing softness, a feeling of beauty caressing the body. I felt so much life just from his touch, in him really flowed all the life of his people, the love of his people. I could not help but smile with tenderness and appreciation. He made a movement that let me know that he guessed my thoughts. I blushed with shyness. Now that I think about it, this nightingale from Mom's story, the most wonderful creature in this enchanted forest to whom her friends and this cursed creature dedicated everything, had to look like her. Beautiful in all.

- Don't you have any questions to ask? he asked again, mocking.

- No, nothing...

- Not curious about the place we're going to?

- Well... I just prefer to trust you...

- Really?

- Alright then. I didn't think of that. Then tell me, if it is necessary...

- As I explained to you before, we...or rather I have been looking for him for about two centuries, in various fantasy cities, but to no avail.

- I am sorry to hear it again.

- Thank you. Unlike your world, here, planets do not exist. The worlds extend to infinity, separated by a double wall erected by the magic of the rulers of each neighboring kingdom, but portals have been created to allow the passage of travelers.

- Do you have passports like us?

- No, we don't need them. Each world or nation is defended by the guardians.

- The guardians...?

- They are extraordinary beasts, born of noble families, they are distinguished by specific symbols, depending on their kingdoms on the body.

- In your kingdom, they were your guardians, these huge birds of prey with shining armors, right?

- Yes, and most of them are childhood friends. I love them. And they are in a way my greatest weakness...

I didn't know how to direct the discussion, so I asked the first question that came to my mind.

- What about your parents?

I will never know if he intended to answer me because at that very moment, we reached the portal, and for a portal, it was gigantic, bigger, wider than the biggest building in the human world, a formidable work of magic and iron bordered on each side by colossal columns where statues of flying mythical beasts were standing. On the doors that opened slowly were white letters in stone, written in a circle. They shone, hypnotizing me, I don't know what happened next but when I came back to reality, I found myself in a very strange place. My surprise was at its peak when I realized that we were in the middle of a street, apparently wide and not too crowded. Quite amazing for a city, magical or human.

- Where are we?

- You've come to. sighed the emperor, relieved, kneeling beside her.

- I've been strangely absent. I murmured, feeling my whole body go numb. What happened?

- It's normal, it's your first crossing. My companion reassured me, circumspect. The borders are colossally charged with very powerful protective magic, as a ruler it's easy for me to bear this overflow of supernatural radiation. But as a human your body must suffer a little. After some time of repetition you will get used to it.

- I'd better, yes! What is this place?

- This is the realm of shadows, in the true sense of the word, nothing to do with the curse. Look at the people.

I stood up to see. And indeed, the people were quite special. Normal people didn't have shadows, but those who did had the appearance of being... empty.

- The people here have the specificity of being able to take two forms, according to their desire, being their shadow or being normal like us. They are born in their shadow form, and with growth they acquire the ability to take on body. Their powers are quite singular as you will see.

- Is there a difference in the way they feel?

- I don't know for sure since I don't have their ability. One of the only things I've learned is that when they are in their normal form they lose a lot of energy, and are very vulnerable if ever attacked. But in their shadow form they are really strong, their ability to use magic in this case is quite terrifying.

- It is really extraordinary...