Of all the myths and fairy tales of Soria, there is one that captures the imaginations of all. . . . It is the story of a girl, the first to ever be, the firstborn of the Gods. Among the wide-eyed children and open-eared listeners, there are those who believe the girl’s spirit lives above them, eternally playing with Night and Day, and forever being that which she was born to be: Life.
           
Legend speaks of this girl as Lady Vale, the Goddess of Life, who exists secretly amongst the Sorians, always hidden from their eyes, while her own look over their lands. It is written within the tattered books of old that Lady Vale lives upon a floating Eden of the grandest beauty, an island so tranquil that those fortunate enough to enter fall into a never-ending dream.
           
Her Eden in the sky has many names, but one more often whispered than others. That name is Vale’s Garden. And of all the Sorians to have ever lived, only the Empress has ever seen the Goddess with her own eyes. Or so claims the tale of Aurora Ne’Fair. . . .

Long ago, before the four seasons and the dark coming of the curse, Lady Vale summoned a young girl to her garden in the sky, the first Sorian to ever be called upon by the Goddess. Her name was Aurora Ne’Fair, and she was a girl not particularly beautiful, or clever, or gifted. In fact, she was the most ordinary of girls, and few ever noticed her.

Upon awakening in the realm of the Goddess, young Aurora, who was only just a teen, stared about in bewilderment. The beauty of the garden entranced her like a once forgotten song. Dashes of blue crystals floated in the air. Flowers of a thousand different colors blossomed at her feet, and upon taking one breath of the garden’s sacred scent, she came to find that she could understand all the voices of nature itself. Finding her courtesies, Aurora had soon introduced herself to all the flowers, trees and little creatures that looked upon her. And even though she was absolutely sure it was a dream, she could not remember a happier or more beautiful place in all her memories.

“It is no dream, young Aurora,” were the first words the Goddess ever spoke to her. Spinning around, Aurora’s eyes fell upon Vale. The Goddess radiated with all the brilliance of the stars, and her beauty was of something that could not be captured by any words or names, no matter how old or powerful they had become.  

The Goddess smiled then spoke, her voice peaceful as a mother’s soothing touch. “You, Aurora Ne’Fair, who of all the Sorians, holds the purest of souls, have been summoned here for a purpose that I must ask of you, if you will.”  
Aurora had no words. To be asked of something by a Goddess was something one could never be prepared for, and thus silence was her first answer at hand.

Vale raised her arms, and as if the passing of Night and Day grew faster, the light and dark of the world whirled round and round above them. Aurora watched in wonder at the spectacle as the skies became darker and darker.

​Coming to stand beside Aurora, the Goddess spoke again. “I have hearkened to grave forewarnings from Night and Day, as they have glimpsed the future of your world, though hopefully not in vain. You see my child, a world of pure power demands a leader of pure benevolence. One such as myself has no place in that regard, for I am a Goddess, not a ruler. However, the realm of Soria must inevitably be led, and led well, or it will perish, I fear. This weight I hope to pass to you, and with it my eternal blessing, if you will have it. Your heart must cherish the hearts of all, and never falter. Of this, only you can do.”

“Only I . . . But—why me?” Aurora flushed. “I know nothing of ruling or benevolence. I know not of the ways of leadership, or anything else of importance.” She squatted down and ran her fingers along the petals of a flower. “I am simply a girl who sells flowers on the streets, and I mean no disrespect, Lady Vale, but I think you may have summoned the wrong leader. . . .” Aurora braced herself.

Vale knelt down beside her. “You could not have given me a more perfect answer. And I assure you, there was no mistake in my summoning.” Vale gestured around. “You must understand, only those with a pure heart can enter this place.” Aurora caught her eye as she continued. “I summoned every single soul of Soria here, yet you are the only one standing before me.”

“That cannot be the truth . . .” Aurora whispered. “I . . . I’m only . . .”  

“It is the truth. A pure soul is rarer than a dream come true. It is harder to find than light within shadow.”

“But I am uncertain of what I am to do. I don’t know the first—” Vale tucked Aurora’s hair behind her ear, sweeping it gently away from her face. “Just follow your heart, young Aurora, and do not succumb to your fears, for they can harm you more deeply than any beast or blade. Trust that I will remain by your side, even when you cannot discern my presence.” Vale stood, bringing Aurora to her feet and meeting her eyes.

“Now here, this is my gift to you, Aurora Ne’Fair, the first Empress of Soria.”

“Empress?” Aurora squeaked. She watched Vale remove a shimmering pendent from around her neck, then felt the brush of the Goddess’ soft hands as she lowered the necklace over her own head. 

“This crystal flame is called Lorienia. It means, ‘True Beauty’.” Vale stepped back and smiled at Aurora as the pendent began to glow warmly, as if finally finding its long sought master. A familiar sound that reminded her of rain in the night began to take place around her. High above, as if watching in approval, the light of Day seemed to brighten, while the dark of Night fell to twilight. Aurora stood in wonder as the magic of Lorienia flowed through her veins.   

Vale smiled warmly as she spoke. “It is named Lorienia, for when it is worn, the crystal flame reflects your inner beauty upon your outer beauty. And since you have the most beautiful of souls . . . well, you shall see.”

Aurora’s eyes widened. She could feel her body changing, her hair growing long and soft, until it glowed with the warmth of the sun. Aurora ran to a nearby pond of clear water. Staring into it, she saw her eyes shimmer and change, shifting like the colors of a sunset, until the summer dusk was in her eyes, then lost to the winter dawn. Touching her face in wonder, Aurora found her skin to be as soft as the petals of a flower.

When Aurora finally stood, she stood with a new air about her. She turned, her long golden-white hair flowing out and over her shoulders. All the creatures, trees and flowers bent towards her, and even the faintest of shadows were lifted from their faces.

​“Do you see now, Aurora? You now reflect who you are inside, and I must say, you are one of the most beautiful creatures in all existence. I believe even Fury, our Goddess of Fire, might come to taste envy in your presence.” Vale grinned, and Aurora realized how close to her own age the Goddess looked. “Let us hope you two do not meet soon.” Aurora nodded her head, unsure of what the Goddess meant.

​“Are you ready, Empress?”

“I am as ready as one who could not possibly be ready.”
 
“You need only be true to yourself, Aurora, and remember the forewarnings of Night and Day. There will come a time when all around you will be shadowed by the dark, though I have faith that I could have found no better leader,” Vale touched her finger to Aurora’s chest gently, “and no greater heart.”
This was Aurora Ne’Fair’s last memory of Vale’s Garden.
           
It is written that the very night Aurora returned, all Sorians, from the eldest crone to the youngest suckling babe, witnessed the moments between the young girl and Lady Vale within their dreams. So it was that Aurora Ne’Fair became the first and only Empress of Soria, honored by the worlds as a gift from the Goddess.

Many ages have passed since the fateful day young Aurora was summoned to Vale’s Garden, and the story of her summoning, like even the most beloved of tales, had been altered, fragmented, and changed with each generation. And so it came to be that the story of Aurora and the Goddess passed into fairy tale and myth, until it was little more than a children’s bedtime story.
And though many adventurers sought the existence of Vale’s Garden, none could ever find it. As their journeys failed time and time again, the belief that the garden truly existed faded into darkness, until no belief remained at all. They were left with only cold, hard truth.

​Yet little do they know, that it does, indeed, exist.