Thirty Days of Prosperity

Part 1: Proserpina, Chapter 2

A large swirling whirlpool shot out of the painting and sucked Proserpina in. She squeezed her eyes shut, scared of what was coming.

When she opened them, though, she found herself in a calm and beautiful place. It was strangely blue, as if she was underwater. Slightly dazed, she looked around. "Where am I?" She thought.

"You are in the land of Amphitha." a voice replied to her thoughts. Proserpina turned toward it. A beautiful woman was approaching her. Her voice was bubbly and misty, but somehow clear.

The voice, Proserpina thought.

"Yes, I am." The woman smiled, "My name is Aphelia, the ruler of Amphitha. You are finally ready to come. Do you know what talent you have, Proserpina?"

Proserpina shook her head. She had so many questions, so many thoughts. She was just so uncertain.

"Just as I thought." Aphelia looked at her warmly. "Come with me to the palace, and I will explain. You are a very special child, but you must learn to use your powers, my dear." She reached out her hand. Proserpina looked carefully at Aphelia, unsure of what to do. Then she took the hand of the queen.

When their hands touched, Aphelia immediately began hovering over the ground. Proserpina was, too, hovering. They floated lightly over the beautiful city of Amphitha. It was bizarre, but unique, in a good way. Finally, they reached what Aphelia called The Palace. It was the most splendid structure Proserpina ever saw, and ever could imagine.

Aphelia gestured toward the two massive front doors. "Go inside first, Proserpina."

Proserpina walked toward the double doors. Two burly creatures opened them for her, and gestured for her to enter. Once inside, she took a few seconds to register what she was seeing. The inside was even more gorgeous than the outside, with gold pillars in each corner of the rooms. She stepped into the grand circular area behind the foyer.

"To the throne room first." One of the burly creature says, "Her majesty orders." He gives a little push, and leads Proserpina though a few doors into a large room with a single throne, which, somehow, Queen Aphelia was already sitting on.

"Welcome to the Palace of Amphitha." Aphelia announces and smiles at Proserpina, her shining white teeth visible. "Now that you are here, I shall reveal to you what an extroardinary talent you posess."

Proserpina knew this was coming, and she knew everything must be real, but somehow, she didn't quite believe what Aphelia was saying. Diana had taunted her about how useless and hapless she was. How could she have an extroardinary talent? Wouldn't it already have been revealed? She was already ten!

But she listened anyway, because it was polite, and because she really did want to know.

"You, my dear Proserpina, are a magical being. You possess a strong magic bond of telepathy with the world. That is why you knew Order of Operations this morning." Aphelia explained, "But your powers are weak, and not in control yet. So you must be very careful, and keep this unknown where you live."

Proserpina nodded. This was beginning to make sense. It made more sense than everything else, at least.

Proserpina began to drift into her own thoughts, only half-listening to the rest of what Aphelia was saying. Only when there was a earsplitting Bang did she pay full attention.

Apparently, something big had attacked the palace, and it wasn't only Proserpina that was confused.