When I woke up, I was alone, everyone too busy preparing for my departure. Probably waiting to say goodbye publicly. Fortunately, Stella had laid out a comfortable travelling outfit for me, though leaving me to my own devices for anything else. Sasha came into the room, nervously pacing about, watching me. There was a mood around the castle that felt heavy, she was aware of it.

“Don’t worry Sasha, I’m not gonna leave you here, it’s me and you.”

My things were all packed away the night before, so it was just me and my pet walking to the front of the castle. The halls were empty, everyone either hiding from my father’s wrath or waiting outside for me. I wondered if this would be the last time I walked through these dimly lit halls. The Hellion property may not be the most welcoming to look at, but it was my home. And now I’m being snatched from it and flown to a place never seen by another Sheol born person, probably not any Zion born either. The whole idea of it doesn’t fully register with me, I’m sure it will once I’m there.

Outside the jet was already prepared, ready for me to board. All the servants, and many of our guard, were standing on either side, bowing as I passed. Stella and Damon were at the end, both of my friends were teary eyed when I approached.

“Awe, you guys, don’t worry I’m sure I’ll see you two soon.” Even I didn’t believe that, no matter how much I wanted to.

Stella whined, “I’ll miss you so much,” she hugged me tightly.

Damon also joined our huddle, “Me too, Princess.”

Deep down, I wanted to cry and whine with my best friend, though I knew all too well I could not do that in front of so many subjects. Not to mention, my father wasn’t even three feet away. Parting from them, I stepped in front of my father. He had an unreadable expression, which was usual in public, but since I knew him better than anyone, I could tell he was incredibly sad.

“Daughter, you are completing a task even I couldn’t have asked you to go through. All of Sheol will thank you.” He lowered his voice, “And if anything were to happen, the entire country will come to break you out.”

I nodded, “Thank you father, I will make you proud, I’ll miss all of you.”

He hugged me and gave Sasha a ruffle on the head, before I knew it, I climbed the stairs to the small luxury jet, leaving them for the sky.

……………………………………………………

The inside of the Zion-issued jet was grand, not surprisingly, decorative, and bright. The seating was a light blue velvet that matched the mostly white interiors. Sasha and I looked very out of place compared to it. Like we were photoshopped into a picture. The ride for the first few hours was quiet, not one servant came from the front to greet or offer me something to drink. It was odd but I figured now is not the time to be demanding. The two representatives sat up front chatting quietly, probably going over useless things. And Sasha laid on a velvet cushion across from me, still looking very uneasy about her current situations. Me too.

I wasn’t sure how long had passed, but as some point I looked out the window and realized I wasn’t anywhere near home anymore. We had already gone over the boarder since all I saw below where shining white buildings, all beautiful and sun soaked. Surrounding themselves with spacious land. Very different from the wooded and rocky terrain of Sheol, a place I missed dearly already.

…………………………………………..

I was suddenly awakened from a rather uncomfortable nap by a woman lightly tapping my shoulder.

“Princess…Princess?”

I yawned, “Yes, what?” looking at her appearance, she was gorgeous, if she wasn’t wearing an obvious white colored maid attire, I would’ve assumed she was a high-class lady. She had beautiful light skin and long shining hair. A complete opposite aesthetic of my dark hair and eyes.

“We will be landing in ten minutes, if you wanted to freshen up.”

We are already here?

“Thank you.”

She bowed and walked back to the front cabin of the plane. Well, I guess they did have servants on here the whole time.

I got up to go to the restroom and fix my probable bedhead, when it hit me. Only ten minutes, till I meet a hidden kingdom and the Royals inside. Ten minutes and my bold decisions of last night become a reality and I’ll be completely alone. To fend for myself in a house of enemies.

As I got back to my seat, the two Zion men were pulling together their things, eyeing Sasha as she stood to stretch. We must be landing now. It felt as though my soul wanted to jump out of my body, but I knew I needed to be a big girl. Like my father said to me when I was little, I needed to look the part, no matter how scared or nervous I was, I needed to be the daughter of the most feared King. To never let people, see my true emotion. In retrospect, that’s probably not the healthiest thing to tell a child, but I was no normal child.

Minutes later, the servant woman came back out and announced that we had landed, and it was time to leave the plane. I hadn’t even realized we landed, nor that the jet’s window shudders had been drawn, must be so I couldn’t see exactly where we landed. Sneakily smart in my opinion, especially since I am ready to fight my way out of this strange place at any moment.

With Sasha following behind, I followed the two men out and down the stairs, greeted with a blinding sun.