Episode 2. The village of célestis

Camilla lived in a small village in the north of the Empire of Aetheris, with her aunt.

Her mother, Miranda, had died a few months after her birth. She had already been very ill, but Camilla’s powers, which appeared from birth, had allowed her to live a little longer.

Camilla had never truly known her.

Only fragments remained—stories, soft memories that were not even hers, and the gentle way her aunt spoke her mother’s name.

After Miranda’s death, Camilla’s father made a difficult decision.

He sent his daughter far from the capital, to an isolated village called Célestis.

Her father, Arthure Hunbert, was the duke of Aetheris. He knew very well what could happen if his daughter’s powers were discovered. He did not want her to be used by the imperial family or by people hungry for power.

So he chose distance.

Distance from danger…

But also distance from himself.

That is why he sent her to live in one of his domains, far to the north of the Empire.

There, Camilla grew up surrounded by nature, under the protection of her aunt Melinda, her mother’s twin sister.

Melinda tried her best.

She smiled often, spoke gently, and watched over Camilla with a quiet, constant care.

But sometimes, when she thought Camilla wasn’t looking… her expression would change.

A shadow of worry.

Of fear.

Camilla noticed more than people believed.

Camilla was not completely alone. She also had an older brother, who stayed in the capital with their father. He sometimes came to visit her, and those moments were the ones she cherished the most.

She would wait for him for hours… sometimes days.

And when he finally arrived, everything felt lighter.

Despite the distance, she loved him deeply.

The duke did his best to be present in his children’s lives, even if his responsibilities often prevented him from staying long.

And even when he came…

It never lasted enough.

One day, Melinda decided to take Camilla out for some fresh air.

— Camilla, my dear, stay right here, alright? said Melinda.

— I won’t move, you’ll see how good I’ll be! replied Camilla with a small smile.

— Alright, my dear. I’ll be right back.

They had gone for a walk in the forest, accompanied by several guards.

The air was calm.

Too calm.

What they did not know… was that one of those guards already knew Camilla’s secret.

Ordinary foxes only transformed at the age of twelve.

Yet, nature reacted almost at every step Camilla took…

Leaves shifted when she passed.

Branches bent slightly.

The wind lingered around her longer than it should.

And she was only seven when it began.

Only Arvendal could use their powers so early.

Even if it was unstable.

The guard named Reyes had understood.

He had been watching her.

Waiting.

He had joined their escort with a very specific intention.

If the opportunity came…

He would take her.

Because some people were willing to pay a fortune to capture an Arvendal.

Many believed these creatures were nothing more than legends.

Stories told to frighten children.

But if one truly existed…

It would be priceless.

That day, Melinda had taken Camilla out for a walk because her father had not come for her ninth birthday.

Camilla had smiled.

She had said it didn’t matter.

That she understood.

But Melinda saw through it.

She saw the way Camilla’s eyes lingered on the road…

As if still hoping.

So she brought her to the forest.

To distract her.

To give her something peaceful.

But somewhere nearby…

An ambush was already taking shape.

For a brief moment, Mélinda turned her back.

Camilla stepped away quietly.

A small flower had caught her attention.

She knelt down, reaching for it—

Suddenly—

Men appeared from all sides.

Everything happened too fast.

The guards didn’t even have time to react.

Blows. Shouts. Bodies falling.

Mélinda turned—

— Camilla—!

A sharp strike hit her head.

The world spun.

She collapsed.

Something shifted.

Something wrong.

The air grew heavier.

From the ground, vines burst violently, twisting and wrapping around some of the attackers.

They tightened.

Strangled.

Crushed.

The men shouted in panic.

— What is this?!

They turned—

And saw her.

Camilla.

Her green eyes… darkening.

Something inside her was breaking free.

Awakening.

But before it could fully surface—

A man rushed forward.

Slap.

The sound echoed sharply.

Camilla’s head snapped to the side.

She fell.

The vines froze.

Then stopped.

Her body went still.

Unconscious.

A man let out a low chuckle.

— So… you weren’t lying, Reyes.

His eyes gleamed as he looked at the small, fragile girl lying on the ground.

— We’re going to make a fortune with this one.

© Jameila pose – All rights reserved.

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