Ever since I was little, I thought about how I could change this kingdom and make it a better place to live. Ever since...

Every morning I would come up with a new idea to tell my parents and they would be glad to hear those "wonderful words" from me. Everyone would laugh and then praise me above all the guests. And my sisters.

Being born in a caring and loving family I was always told that I was "lucky", even by my own parents whenever they got angry.

I was happy. How dare I would feel trapped even for a second?

How dare I feel suffocating?

I was lucky...

I've always been the luckiest girl.

But no one really asked for my opinion. Whenever I tried to tell people something important, I practically needed to "raise my hand" and wait for my turn. Women where not any less than men. But the sole fact that I was "different", made 'them' wonder if I had been influenced by the evil spirits.

Then, the events that took place on the autumn I turned fourteen, where the ultimate proof that I needed to reafirm something:

"I really wasn't lucky at all".

"Take her to the bath. Over there. Careful". I heard a voice that came from the front.

"She... is not that light, honestly".

"I don't care, just put her there. One, two...hmpf".

It seems that at the time, I was just recovering my conscience. I didn't remember much before that. Only that the castle had been under attack, and a single arrow reached me shortly after.

"Hey, you know that is highly disrespectful if a man stares at the naked virgin body of a lady!"

"HOW DO YOU KNOW SHE IS A VIRGIN! THIS IS NOT THE MOMENT. SHE'S DROWNING IN SWEAT DAMNIT".

"OK, OK, JUST CALM DOWN, SHE'S DOING FINE. See?"

I heard two voices then. One, a husky voice which I was very familiar with. And another one, which was probably from a woman I had faced in dreams previously.

I remember wanting to open my eyes, however, above my countenance was this strong brightness that wasn't allowing me to do so. The husky voice was fracturing a little, until the sturdiness of the man ruled over his inconsistency.

The woman was kind of different, I could not read what she was... or what she meant by assisting me. Consequently, I became curious about that person's nature.

When the two of them stopped for a minute. One told the other that my body felt less hot, and that the feever had possibly decrease. As a consecuence, I recovered my full conscience and could understand my situation better.

"Hey...", said the husky voice.

"... hi", I replied.

"Well then, don't leave us hanging, tell us how you feel", exclaimed the woman.

"I... ah... UGH"

"Hey, don't move like that!"

"I guess that's a very good answer. Don't worry, the pain won't last forever. ONLY. If we can find more medicine, that is".

The lady with the scarlet hair spoke to me as we had known each other since a long time ago. It was fascinating.

"For Hera's sake, she'll be fine, just... we just need to find it... the medicine, yes, yes of course, we need more".

"Ezio. Who's the pretty mistress in the red dress?"

"Who? SHE? Don't you worry about her, that's just some old random woman that we found on our way here".

"WHO' YOU CALLING AN OLD RANDOM WOMAN?"

The one who was called random got angry, and shoved Ezio by the shoulder as she approached me. I thought of that as an act of her pure rudeness, but the moment her eyes encounter mine, I could not do anything else besides forgiving her.

"HEY. I like you, you just called me a pretty mistress right?"

"And what may your name be?"

"The name's Elissa. I think you already noticed, but this gentleman and I already know each other and he's the reason why I just helped you. What do you think?"

"You don't have to answer that", said the man involved.

Her head twisted to her left and her eyebrows lowered as she threatened me with her stunning eyes.

"What do I think? Well, first of all, I don't think I have the right to judge whatever your relationship is with Ezio. And second. I think you're misunderstanding something. However, I do feel something, and that is nothing more than my thanks for you". I looked her straight in the eyes.

"..."

She went silent then answered: "very well", while slowly walking away.

"I may have been away for too long, but... mind if I make a radical statement?"

"Go ahead, my lady".

"We are on the catacombs".

"Hatria..."

"NO. And Cyrus... where is Cyrus, Ezio?"

Fast footsteps were heard from the other side of the walls, the door opened, and immediately after, a boy with a hood yelled my name in distress.

"HATRIA", he took the hood off.

"My boy", I cried.

Ezio quickly grabbed a blanket to cover me. I was getting cold really fast while being merged in the water. But then Cyrus started to warm me up. I couldn't think of a more pleasent joy.

"Hatria, you are fine, right? Nothing serious to worry about?"

"Not for now. I think", interrupted Ezio.

"Elissa told me that I could see you now, and that you would be better in no time, is that also false?"

I glanced at Ezio, he was speaking through his pupils, and his pupils told me: "it's alright, really". And I believed him.

"Yeah, nothing to worry about".

"Thank Hera".

"This is no time to feel relieve, my little pumpkins, remember the big party that's being thrown by unknown guests up there?", added Elissa.

"Well, how can I forget that our own home is being under attack?"

"Ezio, we have to go! Now!"

"No, my king, it's still too early to do anything, besides, we can't let Hatria alone".

"Ezio, you promised that we would go back for the people once Hatria was safe! WE NEED TO GO"

"Do you really think she will be safe here?"

"Guys, come on, there's no time for this, we have to make a quick decision right about now!".

"I SAID, WE STAY".

"You have to listen to him!", Elissa stepped in.

"Thank you Eli-"

"No. You listen to your king Ezio".

"Wait, Elissa, what is this?"

"He is the one that rules this kingdom now, and you think that you still can give him orders? This is no house play, and he is not a child anymore... since he's the king of Dezierya. And a descendant of Hera".

"How do y-"

"Ezio. She's right. Please, just for once. Try trusting me".

"Ezio". I said. "I'll be alright. You have to go look for Evan, and bring help. We won't last that long before someone discovers the catacombs. Do you understand?"

The silence increased as Ezio started thinking. He for sure, had never been one for taking quick decisions. He didn't have all the answers, that was why, once in a while he needed someone to tell him:

"It's alright. Everything's going to be alright". I caressed his hair as gently as someone touching silk.

Until he finally spoke.

"Elissa, Cyrus. You do know that is an absolute risk that I don't want to take myself, right?"

"Or so we've been told", said Elissa.

"I understand, Ezio".

"-sigh- very well, shall we move to the main hall?"

"Wait, wait, wait... what's the plan?", suddenly asked Cyrus.

"The plan, my naive little prince, is not to die. And... to find Evan and the commander as quickly as possible".

"First take off your clothes Ezio".

"Wha-"

"You too my king. You shall use the hoods and the clothes that I had previously arranged for you". Elissa let a smirked out.

Ezio didn't seem to like the tone in her voice. His face let it show. 

"You and I are going to have a serious talk after this, Elissa". He said.

Both Ezio and Cyrus changed into the new clothes. After they were finished, their appearences looked a lot like the ones you could fine anywhere in the kingdom. Elissa also managed to get rid of that brightness that I had met her with.

"Don't let anyone in unless they know the code, alright?"

"For Hera's sake just go already".

"Take care Hatria", whispered Cyrus.

"You too".

Although Elissa was the only one who didn't seem to mind parting without saying goodbye.

Just one last time. I closed my eyes at the same time they closed the door.

"I'll be praying for you all".

-STEP-