The witch's smirk faded into a grim expression, as though the sisters' resolve had surprised her. The symbols around her dimmed, retreating back into the shadows.
With a decisive snap, Starlet closed the book, sealing the dark image away.
Silence filled the room, broken only by their ragged breaths.
"Tomorrow," Alexandra said shakily, "we find out the truth about that witch — and why she's in the map."
Starlet nodded, her resolve hardening. "Whatever secrets she's guarding... we'll be ready."
And as the candle's flame steadied once more, the sisters knew that their journey had grown far more perilous than they had imagined. But they were no longer afraid of shadows.
They were ready to face whatever magic — or menace — lay ahead.
They shuddered and hurriedly turned the page, desperate to escape the unsettling gaze of the witch. But what met their eyes next left them utterly speechless.
Starlet's hand froze mid-turn, her breath catching in her throat. Alexandra gasped, her fingers tightening around the edge of the table.
There they were — their own portraits, inked with astonishing precision across the pages. Starlet's long crimson-red hair cascaded in soft waves, and Alexandra's expressive blue eyes gleamed beneath the soft curls of her chestnut brown hair.
The illustrations weren't still; they shimmered faintly as though alive. Starlet watched in stunned disbelief as the image of herself moved ever so slightly, turning her head and gazing back at her with an expression of quiet determination. Alexandra's likeness mirrored her astonishment, lips parting as if about to speak.
"This... this isn't possible," Alexandra whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
Starlet's chest tightened. "Why are we in this book?" she asked, her fingers trembling as she traced the delicate lines of their images. The parchment felt warm beneath her touch, pulsing faintly like a living thing.
"I don't know," Alexandra admitted, "but it feels like... we belong here."
The thought was as thrilling as it was unsettling.
As they flipped through the pages, more scenes unfolded — vivid depictions of places they had never seen, yet somehow knew in their hearts. There was a towering crystalline waterfall bathed in moonlight, a meadow where golden flowers swayed in an unseen breeze, and a swirling portal shimmering with ancient magic.
In each scene, there they were — Starlet with her fierce resolve, and Alexandra with her quiet strength.
"It's like the book is... telling our story," Starlet murmured.
"Or writing it as we go," Alexandra added, her voice tinged with awe.
The realization sent a shiver down their spines.
"Do you think the book is magic?" Starlet asked, though she already knew the answer.
"It has to be," Alexandra said, her eyes wide with wonder. "But why us? What does it want from us?"
Before Starlet could respond, the book glowed brighter, its pages shimmering with golden light. The illustrations blurred and twisted, forming words that seemed to rise from the parchment itself:
*"The path is yours to choose, but beware—every choice shapes the tale."*
The sisters exchanged a glance, their hearts pounding.
"The book isn't just a guide," Starlet said breathlessly. "It's a challenge."
"And we're part of it now," Alexandra finished.
There was no turning back. Their adventure had already begun, and the book itself was watching — waiting to see what kind of story they would write.
Then, on one particular page, something unexpected appeared. Unlike the rest of the book, which had only mesmerizing pictures, this page held words—etched in elegant, swirling script that seemed almost alive.
Starlet leaned closer, her chest tightening with anticipation. Alexandra's eyes widened as they read the message together:
*"WELCOME TO LUMINARIN. YOUR MAJESTY, PLEASE COME TO SAVE US."*
The ink glimmered as though charged with urgency, each word pulsing with a strange energy.
"Your Majesty?" Alexandra whispered, incredulous. "They can't mean us."
Before they had time to ponder further, the book trembled violently beneath their hands.
"Starlet—what's happening?" Alexandra gasped, her voice trembling.
Golden light burst from the page, flooding the room with radiant brilliance. The sisters shielded their eyes, but the force was relentless, swirling around them in a dazzling vortex. The familiar walls of the library blurred and twisted as though dissolving into the golden storm.
"Hold on!" Starlet cried, grabbing Alexandra's hand tightly.
But there was no holding on.
The light surged, swallowing them whole. The air crackled with raw energy, and for a heart-stopping moment, they felt weightless, suspended between worlds.
Everything spun—colors, light, and sound blending into a chaotic symphony.
And then... silence.
The golden storm dissipated as quickly as it had come. The sisters collapsed onto soft ground, their breaths ragged.
Starlet blinked, her vision adjusting to the strange new light. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice unsteady.
"I think so," Alexandra said, sitting up and brushing grass from her gown. "But... where are we?"
Gone were the familiar walls of the palace library. Instead, they found themselves in a lush meadow bathed in shimmering hues. Towering trees with leaves that sparkled like gemstones swayed gently in an unseen breeze. Strange flowers bloomed in vivid colors, their petals glowing softly.
A crystalline river meandered nearby, its waters singing a melodic tune. Above them, the sky was painted with hues of violet and gold, dotted with stars that danced like fireflies.
"It's beautiful," Alexandra breathed, wonder filling her voice.
"But this isn't Andrellinia," Starlet said warily, her eyes scanning the enchanting landscape.
"No," Alexandra agreed, "this is... Luminarin."
The realization settled over them like a heavy cloak. The book's message had been no mere fantasy.
They stood breathless, taking in the surreal beauty around them. The world they had only glimpsed in vivid illustrations now unfolded in all its wonder—*Luminarin*.
Their adventure had truly begun.