Synopsis:

Always drawn to the susurrus of an enchanting forest, Alyviah finds herself giving in to the xylophilia coursing through her not once, not twice, but too many times.

Surely, it mustn't be related to the arcane whispers of her parents or the handsome stranger she keeps stumbling upon, or the old tales of dragons and a curse no one knows anything about...right?

However, too many questions are unanswered, and too many things remain unexplained. And so, she finds herself forced to figure out not only her past but also her future...something Alyviah never thought she'd go through considering the sheltered life she'd had up until one night when she snaps out of a trance that consumed her, only to find herself in the middle of a war that's been brewing for years...a war that she had no idea about, yet played a huge role in.

Because, after all...Platinum shall rise with an unquenchable thirst for justice...and kingdoms shall fall.

Chapter One: Werifesteria.

Silky rivers of brown locks moved to the chaotic beat of rapid footsteps. Juvenile timid giggles rose to the air as feet slapped continuously on the jagged grounds. Blue skirts, too heavy, almost slowed her down as they whipped around slender and determinant legs.

Weaving through trees, leaves grumbled under her sandals as she mindlessly crushed them with each and every step she took deep inside the forest. It was inviting, entrancing, intriguing. It was calling her.

"Alyviah!" A faint call reached her ears, sparking annoyance and defeat to consume her. The frown marring her features was smoothed down; a forced smile took its place before falling off her face at her father's stern look. "What did we say about going in the forest?"

"I wasn't going anywhere." Mock innocence shone in amber orbs as she trudged begrudgingly toward him. His eyes narrowed, knowing fully well that his daughter was bluffing. She swallowed, waving her hands around. "I thought I saw a rabbit...or something. I was merely trying to chase it, father."

Muttering under his breath, her father exhaled deeply gesturing for her to help him carry the wood they've been collecting back home. "Well, I expect you not to repeat that again, Alyviah. The forest is-"

"Full of dangers and lurking monsters that kidnap little girls," her interruption was met with reprimanding eyes before she huffed. "I am not a little girl anymore, father."

"You'll always be my little baby, Aly." His face softened; voice so tender it soothed her growing curiosity but not enough to smother it. "Let's head home, sweetheart. It's getting late and your mother is waiting to start dinner." Sighing, her head moved involuntarily in slow nods before dragging her legs after him.

Trees were everywhere; it was impossible to ignore or not get carried away roaming around. Logs littered the grounds, fallen leaves swayed to a gentle breeze and sneaky insects crept around. A shudder raced down her spine, excitement growing every time her eyes landed on the scenery surrounding them.

It was ironic, however, that her parents forbade her from going deep in the forest in order to quench the ever increasing inquisitiveness and thirst for adventures but lived in the middle of it. Her need to discover, to wander, to roam, consumed her to the very core.

The small house peeked through the woven barriers of endless twigs and shadows as the pair advanced with wooden carriers perched on their backs. Alyviah found it amusing how the wood they've gathered was being led to its doom by those carriers of the same material. It was also a tad bit sad.

"Davette!" Her father groaned, his back aching from old age and having to carry heavy things around all the time. Footsteps could be heard inside the decent-sized cabin.

"If only my idea of moving where there's more civilization was considered instead of getting me scolded." The childish mumbles went unnoticed by neither of the parents.

"Someone is grumpy," the mother snickered, helping her grunting husband get rid of the unwanted extra weight on his shoulders. "Did you stop her again from wandering in the forest, honey?" The father only nodded, dragging both his and Alyviah's carriers inside.

Corpulent arms crossed over a generous chest as Davette pinned her child to the ground with unwavering brown eyes. Alyviah mirrored her mother's stance, trying her best not to falter until the distance between the two vanished and the girl found her ears being pinched in a slightly uncomfortable position.

Her stubbornness evaporated. "I'm sorry, mother." The words were rushed, feet tripping as she staggered in attempts to keep up with her mother's fast pace. "I won't repeat that again, I swear."

"Futile and unnecessary promises. You only listen to that brain of yours." Davette's response lacked emotions, no anger, disappointment or reproach. She was simply stating facts, which she disapproved of but knew not of a way to deal with the whole situation for forcing her desires on her daughter would only result in much worse consequences.

It wasn't long before darkness crept across the sky, pushing the drowsy sun away and scattering its own lanterns all over. Sleep evaded Alyviah, however. So, she lay awake staring at nothing in particular. Endless questions and thoughts raced through her head until her eyes fluttered shut.

It could've been a blink, an hour, or more, when Alyviah woke with a hammering heart. Startled, she jolted up wiping off the trickling sweat across a damp forehead.

Uneasiness flowed through a tense body, gaze darting around looking for the source of her discomfort. Yet, there was nothing but looming obscurity and timid rays of moonlight. Nimble fingers smoothed down unruly curls before pressing flat against her chest.

Shifting her weight on the balls of her feet, Alyviah tiptoed out of the room, careful not to make any sound that could possibly disturb her parents' sleep. She needed fresh air.

Grateful the door didn't betray her, the curious girl smiled at the blinking stars, holding back childish chuckles as she tried to blink back. "I'm no star. However, I believe I can shine like you." A soft smile stretched across her content face. Dreams that are yet to be achieved filtered through her head. Alyviah wanted to discover the world, to learn the unknown, to help others.

Others that she was yet to meet.

If only her parents weren't so adamant on keeping her caged in here, isolating all of them to a life of repetitive chores, loneliness and lack of contact with fellow living beings.

A pull, so strong, so strange, tugged at her weak defenses, luring her toward dim temptations of a sinister forest. Bare feet shuffled, eyes darting around the eerily silent woods. Almost in a daze, content to finally be able to roam freely, Alyviah paid no heeds to where her legs carried her, arms swaying limply by her sides.

It was hours when she finally came to her senses, the captivating lull of the endless trees vanishing. Heavy footsteps penetrated her ears, eliciting fear to grip at her limbs. Sobering up from the trance that overtook her, Alyviah was aware of an acute pain shooting up her legs, undoubtedly from all the walking, and an approaching danger.

She stilled, bracing herself against a tree, breaths lodged in her clamped up throat. Her ears perked up when the sounds neared before passing a good distance away from where she stood, but not far enough that she could sneak back home, unnoticed.

Inhaling as quietly as possibly, Alyviah filled her lungs with much needed air in order to soothe her erratic heart which went haywire the moment she dared sneak a peek at the source of her distress. All she was able to make out was a heavily equipped crowd marching with the upmost synchronization and concentration to an unfortunate destination.

Her thinly covered body shook in trepidations, the hairs on her limbs stood. She remained rooted to the spot. Alyviah never met other humans and didn't expect her first contact with them, albeit from afar, would be with a dangerous mass.

The urge to urinate was gnawing at her shaking legs. She wasn't gullible enough to strut over to them and strike a conversation, no matter how much she craved human contact. A curse nearly slipped out when an unintentional step backward resulted in slight, but surely audible, crunches that resonated all around her throbbing head.

Alyviah's eyes widened, silent tears glided down frozen cheeks when arms wrapped around her from behind, concealing her immobile body and pressing her to very welcomed but unfamiliar warmth.

"Shush," a rich masculine whisper barely reached her ears. A hand, large, firm, callous, yet gentle, covered her quivering lips. "Don't make a sound." His other hand was gesturing around. To whom? She had no idea, unable to focus on anything but the burning sensation that consumed her lungs from the lack of air. "I've got you."

Time ticked by, awfully slow, when his hold finally loosened around her. Alyviah fell to the ground, chest rising and falling rapidly. Shaky hands pressed to a numb face, noting the stickiness. "Lady, what brings you in this part of the woods?" Her gaze moved to an approaching robust man. "You shouldn't venture far in the unknown, especially when it's dark." Coldness seeped into her bones.

Her lack of response annoyed him. However, he understood. A sigh tumbled out, crouching down beside her. "Where do you live, lady? Maybe we can escort you back." Alyviah struggled to reign in her heart, shaky limbs and breaths. Her gaze, fixated on a spot by her palms as they lay sprawled, clenching and unclenching a handful of dirt.

"I'll handle it."

It was the guy that shielded her, risking his life and his associates on a spur of a moment, to salvage hers. Disheveled, wild strands obfuscating her face from curious penetrating eyes, Alyviah glanced at him catching the slight jerk of his covered head that was followed by the sound of footsteps as the large man left to join the others.

Unable to make out the color of his eyes, her tremors lessened the more he stared at her. A fire burned so deep and slow, tainting her cheeks a crimson red. The realization of her lack of decency fueled a blush to blossom almost burning her in its wake.

This so wasn't how she expected, or hoped, her first encounter with fellow humans would go like.

Pushing herself to her feet, the unnerving stranger reached out, grabbed her by the elbow and helped steady her. Cursing in her head, Alyviah regarded him with curious, guarded eyes. "Next time, don't wander by yourself in such unforgiving coldness and dangers. The forest is-"

"Full of dangers and lurking monsters that kidnap little girls," it was drilled into her mind since she first enquired about it. Amusement shone in his eyes, a smirk spreading. The masked and hooded figure nodded eliciting a frown to appear on Alyviah's face at her inability to gauge his reaction, emotions or what was going through his head.

"Alright, come with us. We'll help you get home." The man turned around, gesturing for her to follow. "The sun is about to rise-" Her sharp intake of air was all he heard before a flash of wild curls nearly slapped him in the face. He staggered back a few steps and watched her disappear.

The darkness enveloped her like it was where she rightfully belonged.

MEANING OF THE WORDS USED:

Werifesteria: old english word used to describe the impulse to wander the forest longingly in search of magic and mystery.

Alyviah: is pronounced as Ali-vee-yah and means a distinguished contented being finding satisfaction in justice, service and compassion.

Davette: means a determined good worker.

In Greek mythology, a drakaina (Ancient Greek: δράκαινα) is a female serpent or dragon, sometimes with humanlike features/ A female species that is draconian in nature, primarily depicted as a woman with dragon features.