The villagers caught wind of Fiore's excursion and those with a talent for sewing were scuring to make a dress for their Celestial. Fiore tried to stop them, but they all had sparkles in their eyes, looking forward to the fact they could serve their Celestial after all she had given them. Fiore saw as they hurried to find silkworms, dying powder, gems, dried flowers, needles, and a rainbow of threads. She was surprised at how quickly they got to work but smiled at how much fun they were having.

     Fiore was still in a sensitive mood, but she forced herself to walk to the village leader's cabin. How long has it been since she was last here? She approached and it was still lovely, the color of amber, runes carved in such a way it almost looked decorative but they were used as a protection spell. The leader's house emanated a mana-filled field that pulsated across a certain radius around the village. It ran automatically using mana from the surrounding life form while giving back once it passed through you. Fiore was always impressed with their resourcefulness, and the creative way they used their mana even if they did not have a talent, spells could still be used. Fiore entered the cabin and saw that familiar face, "Good afternoon Ms. Aya, you wanted to see me ", Fiore lowered her head.

      Aya turned horror written on her face, "My celestial, please,  there is no need for formalities with me please sit", Fiore followed suit. Fiore then snickered at Aya's expression, " I feel we always have this same back and forth, but you still call me 'My Celestial. So, what have you found ". Aya cleared her throat, "Of course, as you know we finally brought all of our written history from the underground caves and libraries. We were sorting them out and saw an old parchment with a language we don't understand, but the picture was that of the golem you mentioned". Fiore looked at the old parchment and instantly recognized the writing. 

     Fiore pondered, "Ms. Aya, did your village have ties with a celestial in the past". Aya thought back but came back blank, "I'm not sure, there are diaries of past encounters with one or two but never specify which one, but with this, one might have given us a plan for a spell". Fiore continued reading and saw the missing piece that made a golem move on its own: a perpetual flame. But, the only person who could create one was a celestial who could harness the power of an undying flame. Lucky for her she had a chance to meet someone like that very soon.

     

     Fiore began to feel like herself again as she interacted with the villagers and realized she saw new faces and even a few men who were given temporary refuge. She felt the small village would soon grow into a city in no time, and the very thought scared her. As she walked through the malformed streets she always felt the urge to scratch her skin until it was raw, her interactions no longer felt straightforward. The plesant looks they all gave her began to twist into something more sinister. When did she begin to fear her villagers? She shook away her thoughts and made her way to her tent, but that thought was stuck in the back of her head. She always wondered, "What do I look like to others".

     The weeks came and went there was only a day left until the Celestial summit, and Fiore was having the last touches made to his clothes. The design was meant to emulate one of the late Celestial's original dresses but modernized for mobility. The original garb was a star-light pink dress, it had a high-necked collar that draped over the chest with pink jewels cascading upwards, the bust was open and form-fitting with a square shape that dropped down with a tight silhouette, it was something that constrained the legs so the weaer would have to float, the extra fabric would give a more ethereal look. With Fiore, the collar stopped at the middle of the neck with the jewel motif changed for embroidered pink petals, the bodice covered her chest and arms, and finally, the bottom took a slight poofed appearance of a flower that stopped at her ankles. Everyone stepped back to admire her, then they all left as ordered.

     Fiore spent her remaining day in front of a mirror practicing her curtsey, as she imagined she could do it perfectly. She sighed at her apperence, she looked like a princess, yet, she preferred the clothes she usually wore, it made her feel closer to her mother than this dress ever could, still she felt guilty thinking that way. The villagers worked so hard, so she decided to focus on what was the truth: it really was a beautiful dress. But, she didn't want anyone to see her like this.

     The day arrived and a carriage was sent from the Empire, it looked to be made of pure obsidian with white accents embroidered on the spherical mass. The carriage lacked horses, but the letter attached explained it would move with a location already in mind. Fiore waved goodbye to the masses as she entered the carriage she saw how they wore their emotions on their sleeves; happiness, admiration, friendship, but as she stared, looking deeper, it was there, obsession co-dependence, lust. 

     She tore away her gaze as entered the carriage, and her father followed suit. She burried her face in her hands trying to calm down. Nyssa saw his daughter hyperventilate, she keeled forward trying to calm herself down, rocking herself back and forth. Nyssa felt helpless as he could only place his hand on her back as he tried to reassure her, "It's okay, you don't have to look at anything. I'll be right here". The carriage ride took two hours and every second, Fiore fought back tears, trying to compose herself. 

     They finally arrived and Fiore finally let out a deep sigh. She saw her father look out the window astounded, she decided to look as well. The view made her eyes widen. The sky was black but billions of stars glittered in the abyss, a castle that looked to be made of marble that swirled with black and white fluid, waterfalls of sand that looked to go upwards into the sky and then become stars, it was nothing she had ever seen before. As the carnage stopped, she quickly stepped out and was met with gardens of blooming flowers, the soil she stepped on felt tertile yet not, it all welcomed her without a doubt. She felt a little bit of peace as she saw something familiar so far from home. 

     Nyssa took his daughter by the hand grounding her once again. "We can ask to look around if you want" Nyssa suggested. Fiore smiled, "Possibly l felt at home when I saw the gardens". A bit of confidence filled Fiore as she walked hand in hand with her father. The pair entered the castle with the only entrance they saw available to them. They saw a long hallway appear after the grand doors opened, suits of armor at every turn walls that looked like they were made of pearl, and paintings that seemed to move covering those same walls. Fiore seemed to wonder how cut off from the world had she been, as she was surprised by everything. They reached the end and stood in front of another door. They stopped and waited for it to open. Fiore felt nervous as soon as she heard the door hinges squeak open. A bright light blinded her, then when her eyes adjusted, she saw the glittering ballroom. Fiore looked around and saw glittering chandeliers, people that had come from far and wide, women with hair as lustrous as silver, and families of many. A room full of dazzling people who may have experienced the same things as she. She felt a smile creeping up but it stopped when she saw the two people at the center, one in a more ordinent military outfit around early 20's and the other around 16 or 17. She had never met them, but their features were familiar. Hair blacker than the abyss, a menacing aura, and white eyes except for the iris in the shape of a diamond. She held her head high as she went to greet them.

     The emperor stood at the center of the banquet hall as he waited for the last guest to arrive, and at his side was his brother. They both waited in anticipation and finally, the door opened to a beautiful display. A girl lovelier than either had ever seen dressed like a budding peony. The air around her felt like she could bring back the dead with a smile and as she stood in front of them she curtsied, but neither could move. "Your Majesty?", Fiore questioned. The emperor and his brother snapped out of their trance, "Yes, excuse my manners young Celestial. Welcome to the Empire of Time, I am Kai and this gentleman is Prince Victor, forgive our rude gesture, we just never knew what to expect from a nature Celestial".

     "No offense taken, I am just glad to be here."

     "Of course, please enjoy yourself for the time being. Also, we are missing our third brother for your welcome, but he's going through a rebellious phase, so if you encounter him and he's rude, tell us and we'll take care of it". Fiore snickered behind her hand and as the brothers saw that brilliant smile, they felt something warm bubble at their center. However, everyone in that banquette also noticed a brilliant light that had just walked in.

     Fiore was surrounded by children, women, and many, many of them non-Celestials. She tried to keep it civil because her father could talk freely to familiar faces, but it was difficult to handle such a crowd when she didn't know how they were affected. Compliment after compliment was thrown her way about her beauty, questions of where she was located, and her power. Everyone's voices began to meld and after a while, their faces changed. Suddenly she couldn't breathe, she needed to find a way out, yet she felt her feet were glued to the floor. She then felt a hand yank her away, her vision blurred, then a sudden stop, "Fiore are you okay", Nyssa shouted. Fiore looked around and she was in a dark hallway away from prying eyes, her father holding her hands. As she opened her mouth to say something, she heard the voices getting closer. She froze. Nyssa quickly pointed away from the incoming crowd, "Go to the garden, I know you'll be safe there". Fiore was shaking but she followed her father's advice.

     She ran through the halls, trying to feel the plants outside, zig-zagging through everything, passing through portraits and gaudy decor, and a painting of a beautiful woman with a sullen expression. More walls, and halls, until she was unable to go any further, finally falling to her knees, but she knew she was safe. Hidden from the world's view of her, she finally felt she could let it all go, she was tired and she finally let out a screech. Tears streamed down falling to the ground where Lilly of the Vallies grew in their place. She felt hopeless, unable to turn to anyone, but she just wanted someone she could talk to to at least not feel completely alone.

     "Excuse me, you are not supposed to be out here. Guest have to...", his voice trailed off as he saw a lovely aura. Fiore felt like her wish had been answered like a miracle, but she was afraid to turn around. "What will happen to the moment he sees me", she thought, but she took a breath. She never bet on anything in her life, yet she wanted to risk it all right now. She clasped her hands together as pleaded to the world above, to bet on someone and that their encounter would be different, "I just want to be seen". Fiore slowly turned and low and behold she recognized those diamond pupils. His hair had grown longer, he had grown taller, and his expression looked worried then hopeful as he began to recognize her, "Fiore, it's been so long".