Awakening

Callista

The sun's rays filtered through the open windows, rudely interrupting my slumber. I blinked and squinted, shielding my eyes from the unwelcome intrusion with the back of my hand. Mornings had never been my strong suit, even before I sought solace in the bottle. I was no morning person. Elizabeth, on the other hand, embraced the dawn, living up to her role as Aureliu's beacon of hope. Tch.

As I gradually woke, I noticed something peculiar – no hangover. Gavriel would be disappointed, but I couldn't find it in me to care. What truly intrigued me was the sensation in my body. My chest felt lighter, my limbs more delicate.

I rubbed my eyes, attempting to make sense of it all. To my astonishment, the remnants of a hangover were absent. My body felt unusually light, leaving me bewildered.

It took a moment, but my gaze eventually settled on my hands. They appeared smaller than I remembered, my chest transformed, and my legs felt slender and delicate.

I rushed to the mirror, unprepared for the reflection that met me. There, staring back, was a younger version of myself – the girl everyone had once believed would ascend to the throne as empress. How was this possible? The memory, long buried, flooded back into my consciousness.

I remembered pale gold eyes peering down at me from behind the rim of a teacup. That image was swiftly followed by memories of an eternal slumber – a death I had met. Elizabeth had poisoned me, and I had perished. But why was I here now? Was it a miracle, or perhaps a blessing from the gods?

The words from the fairy tales my mother had shared rushed back: "The gods sacrificed themselves and served the humans of their creation. The Aureliu family is blessed by the gods."

I was the last direct descendant of Helion. Could this be a second chance? A chance to redeem myself and save my family, an opportunity for both revenge and redemption. It couldn't be real, could it? I needed to find Helly.

I rushed out of my room, still trapped in my nightmare.

"Helly!" I yelled through the corridors, earning perplexed looks from the maids. "Helly!" I called out even louder.

"Miss, is there anything I can help you with?" Alfred, our butler, inquired.

"Helly. Where is he? Where's my brother?" I continued towards the training grounds.

"Lord Helio is still engaged in his morning exercises. I suggest you get changed and join him at breakfast," he advised, placing his hands on my shoulders and gently guiding me back toward my room. I didn't resist; I allowed him to lead me.

The maids bathed me and were now doing my hair and adding accessories to my already lavish dress.

"Remind me, what year is it," I asked as I stared into the mirror.

"Uhh, well, it's the year 1007 of the imperial calendar, my lady," one of the maids answered my odd question.

The year 1007. I was born in the year 1000 of the imperial calendar, which meant I was turning seven this year. This is the year... the year the Duke and Duchess Aureliu died. Mom... Dad.

"You," I said, whipping my head around to look at her. "Where are my parents?" I asked, fixing her with my gaze.

"T-the Duke and Duchess left for the villa in the south two days ago. They are due to return in two days or so."

Curse it.

I remembered this. They won't return home. If my assumptions are correct, Mom and Dad are already gone, and the messenger will arrive today or tomorrow. It's just like before. I'm too late.

"Leave," I calmly said after they were done, causing them to hesitate. "I said leave," I repeated a little louder, and they scurried out of the room.

"It's already started. They're already gone," I whispered, tears falling from my eyes.

I couldn't just sit around and mope. I couldn't save my parents, but I won't let anything happen to Helly. If Elizabeth was a fox, then I'd be a spider. They won't notice until it's too late. I'll stop them.

I need to compose myself. Even though my body is that of a seven-year-old, my mind is closer to twenty, and I know what's going to happen. I can still save Helly; I have three years until his death. I can prevent it.

I found my way to the dining hall after my mini breakdown. I needed to be calm and collected. I could do this. I sat to the left of the table's head.

"Morning, Helly," I said, giving my brother a warm smile.

"I heard you were walking around like a madman looking for me," he said as he lifted his fork to his mouth.

"Ohh, yes. I had a nightmare and was

  hoping you could comfort me," It wasn't a lie; it was just a more vague version of the truth.

"Is that so," he said, staring at me, causing me to nod. "Children," he sighed.

"Might I remind you that you yourself are still a child, brother? You're only three years my senior," I retorted, causing him to chuckle.

"You have swordsmanship training after this. Don't make your tutor wait too long."

"Of course," I said with a tight smile. He knew how much I dreaded swordsmanship training; I was horrible with the sword, having only reached the rank of Squire, second from the bottom. It was tedious. I was more adept at magic and had achieved fifth-class sorcery by age thirteen. I should focus more on magic.

I had clear goals: become a fifth-class mage in three years and manifest a god to serve me. Manifesting a god would be difficult in most cases, but I was aiming for a weaker god, the son of the sun god Apollo and the mortal woman Coronis. I wanted to manifest Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing.