CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE GODDESS AND HER KNIGHTS

Orange sun of the morning, the strong wind of the sea and the glittering water were some of Amaya's favorite things. On this small island of the Maldives, the sunrise was the most beautiful, according to her.

She stood tall, despite her actual height, on the wooden dock. With her wide beach hat, black long-sleeved lace midi dress, and a pair of one of her favorite sneakers, she basked under the sun, her light bronze skin glimmering. Despite the early hour in a place meant for relaxing, the beach where the dock was was crammed with people.

Amaya, however, disregarded them all, tuning out other noises aside from the crashing waves and howling wind. She had just arrived on the island for a little vacation, although she knew perfectly well that she would never have one whilst the whole world was in imbalance.

For an hour Amaya just stood there and stared; at the sky that turned brighter every passing second; the sea which glimmered. Not minding anyone else's business, Amaya just stood there, unmoving, as if she had become one with the surroundings. She ignored the passing stares directed at her and even the whispers. She always liked watching the sea. She could stand there for hours if anyone let her. It was one of her joys in life. But that joy soon interrupted, though Amaya's smile, instead of faltering, only grew wider, when she felt the presence approaching.

"My Goddess," a chorus of melodic voices tickled her ears and warmed her heart. Neither too loud nor too soft to be heard. The voices carried hints of respect and adoration. Worship, even. Not turning around, Amaya only gave a small nod and the people behind her just stood there, waiting for her to move, or say something.

Feeling like she had had enough, but also not enough, of the scenery, she finally turned around and saw the faces she had longed to see for years. She took them in one by one. Every detail. Every little change, as minor as a small freckle or a different haircut, escaped not her eyes.

Nine people stood before her. Nine people of the Myth.

Allerick. The King in the Myth. The Ruler of Earth and Everything Beyond. As handsome and regal as the day they first met centuries ago. With his golden hair like the sun and his blue eyes like the sky. He stood in front of the others. Big and tall. Shoulders wide enough to carry the whole world.

Mavi. Her favourite warlock. Not that there are many of them. Not anymore. He was The Protector of Earth and the World Beyond. With his sweet smile and bright blue eyes crinkling. Her raven-haired boy who was once so small and awkward, grew to be the most powerful being on earth. Feared by many and loved by just as much.

Morrigan. Oh, dear Morrigan. So powerful. So naive. So beautiful. The Priestess of the World Beyond. Her priestess. Having known pain and sorrow, she became more beautiful than a thorny rose. Just as dangerous. Her smile, almost cold but hid a deep love for the world which had hurt her and betrayed her the most. Yet Morrigan persisted. She lived. And she survived. How magnificent her daughter is.

Gwyneth. Just as gentle as the spring. always full of love and compassion. So beautifully strong and unwavering. Her loyalty and trust always saved those who have lost the world. Her dark skin glimmered under the sun, her smile giving off warmth to those seeking. Giving hope to those who needed it. Wise and kind. She was The Queen in the Myth, ruling the Earth and Everything Beyond alongside her King.

Amaya then turned to look at a younger boy. Looking uneasy and embarrassed. She gave him a smile and held out her hand, gesturing for him to approach. He did so with glee and his embarrassed smile turned into such joy as he took Amaya's hand. His dark brown eyes searching for permission. Such a child could never be denied. She gave him a butterfly, then. To appease his longing and distress of separation. As an apology. As a promise of never separating again.

He was Mairin. Still a child even after thousands of years. So innocent. So strong. Unyielding. Hidden in the depth of his soul is magic beyond imagining. May he stay innocent and strong for all eternity they have been blessed with.

Then there are the knights. Her beloved knights.

Luca. The Loyal Warrior. He was the Loyalty of the Earth. His heart, so pure and so ready to sacrifice. For love. For good. His handsome face unchanging even after all the years passed in pain and sorrow. So was his gentleness. His heart lies true always. A loyalty the world so not deserve from a man who had touched death more than once. A loyalty they have no way of repaying.

Grell. Oh Grell. Always the flirt. Look at those grins. His beautiful locks were his most powerful weapon. Or so he claimed. Grell. Amaya's most courageous Knight. He was the Courage of the Earth. He went far and beyond, through perilous lands and into the depth of hell to help those in need. His courage brought upon destruction of enemies and confidence to his comrades.

Payton. Dear Payton. So big. So intimidating. But has the softest heart one may encounter. He was the Strength of the Earth, Amaya's strongest Knight. His silence, comforting. His words, encouraging. His strength lifted those who could no longer fight. Trust given will never be misused. He was the strength that held up the Earth and the world beyond.

Lovis. The Wisdom of the Earth. Wisest of all. A true Knight. By blood and action. His wisdom has brought them out of the darkness many times. He was the pillar of their sanity. Their shoulders to cry on. Their doubts will be cleared by his trust in the world and everything in it. His trust in magic. In love. In the strength of one's character.

Amaya looked at each and everyone of them with love. She gave them a smile. Warm and comforting. Filled with love and unspoken promises. Allerick, being their leader, stepped up and took her hand, kissed the back of it and gave her a dignified smile.

"Welcome back, My Goddess," he greeted her warmly.

"I am back," Amaya sighed, marveling in their familiarity, returning the smile to each and every one of them before Allerick guided her back to their private residence on the island. Away from the crowd of curious eyes and whispering gossips. "How was everything?" Amaya asked as they walked slowly along the stone path, up the hill, just a stone throw from the beach.

"You have been gone for an entire decade, what do you think?" Grell asked back, slightly unhappy but not condescending nor with any malice. That earned him a little smack to the back of his head from Lovis and Mavi. Both at the same time which made him even more unhappy but the grin never left his lips.

"Are you being sulky right now?" Amaya asked without having to turn around to know that he was pouting his pretty little mouth.

"Will you be staying for good now?" Mairin asked, ignoring Grell's pouting and sulking, as he turned to Amaya with a distressed look. So unbefitting of someone with a childlike face such as him. But indeed, like the rest of them, Mairin had lived longer than most beings after all.

"I promise to do everything I can to stay," Amaya said, caressing his head gently. Reassuring. But the worry didn't ease as Mairin fidgeted with his fingers.

"It took you longer this time," Mavi stated from Amaya's right. His voice was flat, so was his face. But Amaya knew better. He was worried. Like the rest of them.

They went inside the castle-like establishment. All natural stones and lights. Just like Amaya liked it. They led her to the living room and let her settle.

"Hmm…" Amaya hummed and settled herself on the wingback chair as Gwyneth brought her a glass of spring water to ease her parched throat.

"Do you want something to nibble on?" Gwyneth asked as she took back the glass.

"I do not know where to begin," sighing, Amaya leaned against the chair and closed her eyes as she started to list all of the food she has missed for the past decade, "I want a burger. Lots and lots of cheese. And bacon. Also pancakes with lots and lots of ice cream. Strawberry ice cream, please. And coffee. My God coffee. How I have missed coffee. Cakes, God, yes. I miss that chocolate cake from that little bakery in Paris, remember, Mavi?" she opened her eyes and turned to Mavi who stood in front of her with a grin. In his hand was a box of cake from said bakery.

Yelping and giggling, Amaya jumped up on Mavi who staggered and caught her as he steadied the box before it was taken by Amaya who ran with it to the kitchen. They all smiled and shook their heads in endearment before following suit.

Amaya was the eldest amongst them. Born even before the world took shape. Yet, she was only human for some thousands of years. The time she spent between being born and going into the world, she spent sleeping and absorbing the essence of the earth and the world beyond. Shaping her very magic and being.

She was carefree. Almost childlike. But she was anything but one. She was their mother. Their Goddess. Their reason for being. Their leader. Their Mother Queen. Yet, also, she was their child. Their sister. Their friend and everything else in between.

Amaya, on the counter, was busy cutting the cakes into equal pieces while Gwyneth went to get plates and cutlery. They stood around the counter and ate their cakes even though it was actually lunch time. But sustenance wasn't one of their worries. Their bodies have changed so the food they consume didn't really act like they were supposed to for mere humans. They ate because they liked it. They liked the taste. The normalcy. The nostalgia. A remembrance of a time when they were just like every other human on earth. Fragile. Mortal. Hungry.

The other people in the kitchen just watched as Amaya, Gywneth, and Mavi ate the cakes and reminisced about desserts of the world.

"May we talk now?" Allerick asked, not impatient, but pressing nonetheless.