A Day In the Life Pt. 1

Maia's digital alarm beeped like it was the end of the world. It tore her from her dreams, making her wish it was all over. No more wolves, or tribes, or wars.

Much to her disappointment, her eyes opened. Early morning daylight filtered in through the curtains, tainting everything in a bluish haze. It was about 6 am in the morning; much too early for a girl to be waking up.

But of course, Maia knew she was no ordinary girl. Her alarm was automatically wired to wake her up at this time everyday. Reynold always insisted, claiming it would keep her alert.

All it did was keep her awake and angry.

After what seemed like a long hour of consideration, Maia finally got up. Soon enough, her personal maid came knocking on the door.

"Come in!", Maia yelled as she had routinely done her whole life.

The maid poked her head through the door.

"Mr Reynold requests your presence in the living room, Miss Maia".

"Sure, I'll be there right away." Maia responded.

She found it very unfair that her father could summon her whenever he wanted to, and that she couldn't. Nevertheless, she put on her morning dress and strutted downstairs to the living room.

Reynold's mansion was insanely big, such that the average man would get lost within what seemed to be a never ending maze of halls and corridors. But Maia knew her way around.

She swiftly navigated the passages, shortly stopping to greet servants and workers as they milled about handling chores. At long last, she had reached the living room.

The living room, as one would expect, was a spectacle of opulence and luxury. The walls stretched over 15 feet to a ceiling adorned with gold chandeliers. The furniture was also gold, littered strategically across the vast expanse of a rich man's room.

Reynold sat like a king on a throne. Unsurprisingly, he actually had a throne. Maia proceeded to sit next to him. No matter how strict he got with her, she was never going to worship him like the other people in his life.

"Dad, can we skip training today. I didn't get much sleep last night and I'm currently really tired." Maia complained to her father.

Her father sighed, like he had been through this routine countless times before and was already getting bored.

"You know how important this is for you my dear. I keep singing it in your ears that you are going to be our next leader. I need you to be the sharpest, strongest and most powerful of the bunch. But of course, you will understand in time. One day all of this would make sense to you."

"So I guess that's a no, cos you could've just said that and not the whole speech thing."

"Get back to your room." Reynold snapped. He was a poor father who had to deal with a sarcastic demon as his daughter.

"No you can't just do that to me. You called me all the way here and you just want to send me back?" Maia protested.

"I suppose I also wanted to give you this."

With that he reached behind his chair and revealed an elegant bow and a set of arrows. It was made of a uniquely polished wood that glowed silver whichever way you looked at it. The string, looking sharp and taut, also glowed silver.

Maia balanced the bow in her palms. It felt light, but powerful, like nothing would survive a shot from it.

"Courtesy of my very own personal assistant. Diana, that's your cue."

An elegantly dressed woman in corporate attire rounded the corner to meet them. Her black hair was packed in a neat ponytail, and her stoic features revealed a serious and deadly personality, almost like an assassin. Maia shivered.

Just at the same time, the woman did the most unexpected thing. She smiled.

"Hello Miss Winters. So nice to finally meet you. As your father had said I'm his new personal assistant. You haven't seen me before because I work under the covers, not to the public's eye."

Maia turned to look at her dad, confused by what she was witnessing.

"Diana is in on the family business Maia. That's why you'll understand the reasons for her confidentiality. But she's under the wraps as my personal assistant for now, and she made this bow for you. Go on Diana."

"This bow was magically crafted by one of our early ancestors, and has been passed down generations to finally meet you. Mr Winters thought it would be a nice gift to motivate you into…you know…"

"Killing mythical creatures? Yeah that might not be happening anytime soon. Bow or not."

Maia had already seen this coming a mile away. And she was ready for it.

Reynold opened his mouth to speak.

"Allow me, Mr Winters." Diana said in a calm voice.

Maia was surprised. She had never seen anyone calm her father down like that.

Diana proceeded.

"Maia, is it okay if I call you that?"

"Well that would depend on how this conversation goes, wouldn't it?"

"Okay, Maia. Who said anything about killing mythical creatures. You never know, but you may just need this to defend yourself one day."

Maia reasoned Diana's words carefully. As much as she would have hated to agree, the woman had a point.

"And, the color theme of this bow and arrows, as you would have noticed, matches your hair color. That was my idea by the way. And also, check this out."

With that she took the bow and arrows from Maia. She nocked an arrow, drew her bow and aimed at the far end of the wall. Or so Maia thought.

"This bow has a special enchantment I'd like to show you. I'm aiming for the ceramic vase at the corner of the room by the way"

Maia watched closely. Even a non-archer would've known that Diana would miss that vase by over five feet. Her arrow was pointed in the freaking wrong direction.

Yet, Diana stood strong, like a hunter stalking her prey. Her eyes focused on the vase like it was the last thing between her and a good meal.

She took the shot.

The arrow streaked through the air. At first, it seemed like it was going to be a horrible miss. And then, almost like a strong wind took it off its course, it curved, guiding itself through the air like a heat seeking missile homing in on its target.

CLANK!

The arrow impacted with a powerful force, shattering the ceramic vase into bits. Maia was impressed.

"And voila. Your very own enchanted bow and arrows. Just keep your eyes on the prize, and you'll never have to worry about missing." Diana handed the bow and arrows back to Maia and curtsied. Maia cringed at the sight.

Although, between the well presented debate and the impressive demonstration she had just witnessed, Maia was starting to like Diana.

Reynold watched the two like he was watching two puppies play in his backyard. That proud triumphant look was everything. Everything that indicated to Maia that somehow, he had won this round. Her speechlessness alone was enough.

Diana broke the silence.

"If you want. Today I can show you the ropes on how to use your new legendary weapon. My supernatural power; after all, is that I never miss my target."