The first light of dawn crept over Briarwood, casting the town in a golden glow that seemed almost too serene for the chaos Harper felt inside. The peaceful streets, the neat houses—everything about the town felt frozen in time, while her entire world teetered on the edge of change.Each step she took down the cobblestone path, the weight of her backpack grew heavier—not just with supplies for the journey, but with the gravity of what she was about to do.
She glanced back at her house one last time. The brick façade stood proudly against the lightening sky, the flowering garden swaying in the morning breeze. Her parents stood in the doorway, their faces a bittersweet blend of pride and quiet worry. They waved, and Harper's heart twisted.This was it.No matter what happened, things would never be the same again.She waved back, forcing herself to memorize every detail—their smiles already beginning to blur as she turned away.
With a deep breath, Harper walked toward the edge of the forest, the first destination in a journey she had no idea how to navigate. But there was no turning back.The gateway to Avaloria was waiting—and so was the destiny the stars had whispered of.
The forest greeted her with silence. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting shifting patches of gold on the mossy ground. Each step felt muffled, like the world itself was holding its breath.
An hour into the hike, she reached a clearing.At its center stood an ancient oak, its gnarled branches clawing toward the sky, its roots gripping the earth like the fingers of some forgotten god.This was the place Evelyn had described.
A faint hum vibrated through the air. Power pulsed here, ancient and undeniable.
Harper sat at the base of the oak, heart hammering against her ribs. She pulled out Evelyn's journal and the star charts, flipping through them desperately. The celestial alignments were clear—but how to open the gateway?It felt like staring at a puzzle with missing pieces.
Then her fingers brushed something strange—symbols carved into the bark, intricate and mesmerizing. They matched the celestial patterns etched into her pendant.Recognition lit a fire inside her.
She traced the symbols with trembling fingers, and a jolt of energy ran through her touch. The tree responded, the carvings pulsing faintly.
The pendant at her neck began to glow, growing warmer against her skin.
Harper stared, breath caught in her throat.This was it.
The symbols shimmered, and then—like a spark catching flame—it happened.
A soft, melodic hum filled the clearing, resonating deep within her chest. From the shadows between the trees, a figure emerged—shimmering and ethereal, woven from starlight itself. Constellations drifted in the folds of its form.
Harper froze, awe and terror warring inside her.
"Welcome, Harper Elizabeth Quinn," the being said, its voice a song on the breeze, ancient and ageless. "I am Seraphina Celeste, guardian of the celestial gates. I am Avalion, born of the old realms. And I have been waiting for you."
Harper blinked, stunned. "You… you know my name?"
Seraphina's blue eyes sparkled like twin galaxies. "The stars have whispered of your coming. The path to Avaloria is hidden to many—but not to you. You hold the key."
Harper instinctively clutched the glowing pendant. "This?"
Seraphina's form brightened in approval. "Yes. The pendant you wear carries the power to unlock the pathways between worlds. But the portal must be awakened by your will."
Harper's heart pounded. "What do I have to do?"
"Follow me," Seraphina said, turning and gliding deeper into the forest.
Harper hesitated only a second before trailing after her, the forest thickening around them. Every leaf, every whisper of wind felt charged with unseen energy.
They entered a secluded grove, where ancient stones formed a perfect circle. In the center, a pedestal cradled a crystalline orb, pulsing with soft blue light.
"This is the Celestial Nexus," Seraphina said. "To open the gateway, you must attune the orb with your pendant—and with your spirit. Balance is everything."
Harper stepped forward, throat dry. She raised the pendant, aligning it with the pulsing light.
The instant they connected, a brilliant flash exploded around her. Harper staggered back, but Seraphina steadied her with a touch as light as starlight.
The orb's hum deepened, vibrating through Harper's bones. The stones surrounding the grove ignited, glowing with a web of ancient power.The air shimmered, electric and alive.
"You are harmonizing with the celestial forces," Seraphina said, her voice proud. "The gateway listens."
Harper gritted her teeth, focusing all her will into the pendant.The orb flared, light swirling upward into the sky.
And then—there it was.
A rift, spinning into existence above the pedestal. A portal.
Harper gasped. Through the swirling light, she saw it: Avaloria. Floating islands adrift in a twilight sky, nebulae dancing across a horizon of endless stars.
It was breathtaking. It was real.
Seraphina's voice was gentle but commanding. "Step through, Harper. Your destiny awaits."
Without hesitation, Harper crossed the threshold.Wind and light engulfed her, a dizzying rush that stole her breath. For a moment, she floated between worlds.
When she landed, she found herself standing on a platform of glowing crystals, high above a shimmering sea of stars.Below, Avaloria stretched out in all its impossible beauty—lush forests, glittering lakes, waterfalls tumbling into the void.
Seraphina appeared beside her, a beacon of light in the new world.
"Welcome to Avaloria," she said. "Your journey begins now."
Harper looked out over the floating islands, heart pounding with wonder and fear. "What do I do first?"
Seraphina smiled, the weight of centuries shining in her gaze."Follow the Path of Stars to Starwhisper Academy. There, you will find knowledge, allies—and your true power. The Celestial Codex you seek lies hidden within Heartwood Forest. But beware: Avaloria tests all who enter. Trust yourself. Trust the stars."
Harper tightened her grip on her backpack and took a step forward.A pathway of glowing stones unfurled ahead of her, stretching toward a distant island bathed in light.
She wasn't just a girl from Briarwood anymore.
She was something more.
And her adventure had only just begun.