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Long chapter ⚠️
Weirdo man/ pedo acts⚠️
Cult activity⚠️

The happiest people were always the best at hiding their pain. Pushing everything as far down as they can to the point it's like it never happened. They can become an entirely different person if they truly wanted to.

Apart of them always knew they couldn't hide from their reality. It's only a matter of time before they have to deal with it again. They knew yet couldn't help but try.

Solana's current state was a true testament of this.

She has been running from her past for seven years now. Pretending to be someone she's always wanted to be instead of what they want her to be.

Her new life started the day she met Lucy. Crying in the garden over her mother's sudden death.

  The young brown skin girl was 12 at this point. Meanwhile Primrose was nothing but a ball of gas that stuck to her like a moth to a flame. Having yet to take form into anything more. But Solana was slimmer back then as she was just now starting puberty. Her body going through the dreaded inauguration into woman hood.

She was draped in a pure white silk dress that hung loosely on her small frame. The dress was littered with golden stars etched around the hem. What many people wouldn't have guess was that it was made with real gold meshed with actual star fragments. Making it sparkle on its own along with keeping the wearer warm.

Her body was covered in golden jewelry. It was as if whoever dressed her didn't understand or care about the value of money. And the young girl wasn't phased by it. Everything she's ever known was of high quality. This was just casual wear.

Her natural ginger hair was as thick and curly as sheep's wool but a whole lot softer. It was styled up in a very intricate pattern of braids. An assortment of diamonds and sunstones were weaved into her locs with such precision.

If one had to guess, they'd think she was a pampered princess or something along those lines. She was a beautiful young girl from the way she was dressed, to her flawless complexion, all the way to the aura surrounding her.

Yet despite all of that, her eyes and expression were empty. Like a porcelain doll.

She looked at that little girl with an expressionless face. Not sure how she felt about the scene. Part of her took pity on the child that sobbed with every fiber of her being. The other didn't understand why she was crying.

"Mommy!" The child croaked in between strangled sobs. Her hands fisting the disturbed dirt beneath her. Head lowered down to what young Solana could only assume was her mother's grave.

The reason she was confused was because crouching before the girl was a beautiful middle aged woman. Her blonde hair was loose down her upper back. A simple red dress adorned her slender figure. Brown eyes filled with both love and guilt as she stroked the child's head.

Wasn't her mother standing before her?

Solana wouldn't say she could see the dead per se. She could see the children of the stars/sky. Never being able to distinguish the difference as she's hardly been out of her temple.

"Your mother is right there child, why are you crying?" The younger spoke. Her voice was soft with the obvious pubescent tone. But her words and mannerism seemed too mature for her age.

Little Lucy jumped up in surprise. She wasn't expecting anyone else to be here.

Solana spotted the small ring with 2-3 keys on them on the child's hip. The Zodiac symbols were enough for the brown skin girl to piece many things together. Well on top of the fact that she knew who the older blonde woman was to a certain degree.

Layla Heartfilla, her mother's old attendant. She had met her at least once before her mother passed away. Granted she was still a toddler so her memory was fuzzy.

Said women looked up at the same time as her daughter. The two were stunned for their own reasons. Solana only furrowed her brows in confusion.

Was there something on her face? She's positive the women of the temple scrubbed her head to toe and back up again. If they scrubbed any harder she's positive she wouldn't be considered a black girl anymore.

Her lips were fixed to say something witty but it's as if the years of 'teaching' instilled in her stopped it. She inwardly rolled her eyes at her subconscious.

"Who are you?" The little girl asked softly after breaking out of her awe. She reminded Solana of a bunny. She really liked bunnies.

"I am high priestess Solana Knox. You are the daughter of Layla, correct?" She looked down on the child. Her emotionless eyes looking at the older woman instead of the child.

"You know my mommy?" The small blonde asked with a hopeful glint in her eyes. Not questioning why Solana was staring behind her.

The older girl pursed her lips as Layla smiled at her. Here eyes filled with tears as she looked at the girl she's only seen a few times. The daughter of her childhood friend. She looked just like her; carbon copy.

"No...." She simply said before tearing her eyes away. Layla wasn't surprised by this. She knew all too well how the temple worked and how they taught the high priestess.

It was sick.......

And judging by the fact that said girl was here........she must understand that too. In reality she was currently unaware.

The girls once upbeat attitude turned desolate. The shine in her eye dulled as she looked down once more. Solana was once again confused.

She really didn't know her mother, she was only aware of her. Yet she didn't push the subject.

"Why are you crying little one?" Solana stepped towards the girl. Her bare feet hovering inches over the ground as they flew with pink star shaped freckles.

"M-my mommy died and I miss her." The little girl teared up again. Wiping them away on the white sleeves of her pink dress. Solana just stared at her.

"Are you blind? She's behind you." She scoffed as she pointed at the ghost of a woman that just laughed.

The little girl was both confused and excited. Turning around to catch a glimpse of her mother. Her face fell with disappointment once more as she looked everywhere.

Solana groaned.

"I don't get paid enough for this........well I don't get paid at all." She mumbled to herself as she grabbed the little girls head. A small surge of power coursed through her veins and into the girls eyes. To which neither was aware of.

The little girls eyes widened as she looked at the woman before her. Tears threatened to spill once more making Solana frown.

She sure does cry a lot.

"Mommy!" The child attempted to hug the woman but went straight through her. Tripping on air and falling on her face. Solana turned her head to laugh as the star next to her popped with laughter. It's bright light twinkling with excitement.

Solana did find it strange but didn't question it. She wasn't made to think, just do.

She wasn't interested in this heartfelt reunion as it made her uncomfortable. Maybe it was jealousy? She was able to see her mother but Solana has been missing hers for the last 7 years.

Pity.

🐈‍⬛

🐇

🐈‍⬛

"Thank you Solana." The blonde smiled up
at the slightly taller girl. Blushing slightly at the beautiful girl. She looked like a fairy.

"Mmmm." Was all the girl said as she sat on what was the equivalent of a small sun. She was lying lazily as her eyes were closed. The gut churning pain in her lower stomach was enough to make her want to level a city.

Her little star companion nuzzled her stomach to provide heat. Trying to ease her pain.

"May I ask why you're in my backyard?" The child asked curiously as she sat on the ground before her. Child like innocence riddled her features. Solana popped an eye open.

"What's your name child?" She asked while peering at her with one open eye. The kid gulped with nervousness for whatever reason.

"L-Lucy." She stuttered out. Solana closed her eye and hummed softly.

"Well L-Lucy, your backyard, front yard, mansion and everything else around is on my land. You and all the rest of the people. Therefore I am free to be wherever I desire." The ginger stated as she readjusted to make herself more comfortable.

And Solana wasn't necessarily wrong. It was her land by name but she wasn't free to go anywhere. Hell the temple didn't even know she was out now.

But for someone on the run, she didn't act like it.

Lucy looked at her bewildered. Her mother never told her about a Knox family owning the country they lived in. Honestly she's never seen the name in any history books. But she felt as if she shouldn't question the girl.

"L-Lucy, do you have any of those sweet crackers I hear about? They have little brown spots on them." The white and gold clad preteen asked randomly. Lucy tilted her head confused.

"Sweet crackers?"

It should be noted that the sweet crackers were just chocolate chip cookies. Solana only trying them once when a younger nun gave her some in secret. Amongst other things of course.

Her name was Julie.

The woman was only in her early twenties and ran an orphanage near the temple. For whatever reason, Julie seemed hell bent on getting Solana out of there. She was the reason the girl was currently in a stranger's mansion learning to bake cookies.

Well less learning and more eating.

"You could at least wait until they cooled down." Lucy giggled as she watched the light skin beauty shovel more of the sweet treats into her mouth. She wasn't sure if she was even chewing at this point.

Solana chocked as she realized her behavior was not ladylike. She placed the cookie down and dabbed her mouth with a napkin.

"Thank you for the uh cookies. I'll be heading out now." The 12 year old nodded before turning away. Lucy tilted her head.

"Where are you going?" Lucy asked as she cleaned up the mess at the table. Causing the servants to enter a small frenzy. Solana stopped and stared into space for a few seconds.

"I don't know..........." She mumbled absentmindedly. She didn't have a destination in mind, Julie just dropped her off and told her to leave.

And of course she didn't question it. Like how she didn't question the extra small
Jewels and coins the woman weaved into her hair. Or why she picked the most expensive outfit for her to wear.

Solana just went where her feet carried her.

"You can stay here! I've never had a sleepover with a friend!" Lucy giggled as she covered her mouth. Already planning all the exciting things they could do.

"Friends?" Solana tilted her head. The word was foreign to her vocabulary. But it had an interesting ring to it. There was a small flicker in her blank pale eyes.

"Do you not know what friends are?" Lucy asked slightly shocked. She would've thought Solana had millions of friends.

Solana scoffed.

"I know what friends are. This is my best friend, Primrose." Solana pointed to the mini star that shined proudly. Another point for her as she came up with that on the spot. Because no, she didn't know what friends were

But Lucy's lit up once more.

"I have a magic friend too! Come with me." Lucy grabbed the girls hand and pulled her to the bathroom. Solana just blinked as she let herself get dragged away.

When they reached their destination, Lucy fumbled with the keys on her hip. Finally finding the one she was looking for, she soon filled the tub. Sticking the key in the water and chanted.

A bright light shone before an angry female voice broke through.

"You damn brat! What did I say about summoning in the— Lady Solana!" The light died down to reveal a beautiful woman that had a fish tail. Her long hair was as blue as the ocean matching the glittering blue and green scales of her tail. She wore a simple bikini top with her sign etched into it. And in her arms was a water basin.

The woman known as Aquarius bowed deeply.

"Aquarius, it's nice to see you again." The young girl smiled her professional smile. But a hint of sincerity twinkled in her eyes.

"You two know each other?! You can be nice?!" Lucy pointed between the two; gobsmacked. Her eyes finally landing on the zodiac spirit.

"Shut it brat! Lady Solana I apologize about this little thing. Layla has left her in my care and—It's fine. She's interesting so far." The little lady cut the spirits rant short. Lucy just stared at them in astonishment. She's never seen the mermaid so polite before. She even use to sass her mother. Nor has she seen anyone cut her off without drowning.

Lucy was so far in her mind she didn't realize the zodiac spirit left with a deep bow. Even if she asked Solana about it, she had no clue what it was all about. She was used to people bowing for her and no matter how much it made her skin crawl she ignored it. And she was familiar with the zodiac spirits because they visit in her dreams.

"So what do we do at a sleepover?" The preteen asked curiously. A wave of excitement flashed in her eyes. This could also be seen by the dull glow of pink star shaped freckles on her body.

"I'm not sure but I think I have a book on it! Let's go to the library!" Lucy giggled as she grabbed her new friend's hand.

Solana was surprised by the sudden pull. She stumbled and her bare feet hit the ground. An odd but pleasant feeling ran through her. A feeling she hasn't felt in years.

'When was the last time my feet touched the floor?' She thought to herself before a grin pulled at her lips. With an extra spark in her steps she ran beside the girl. An excited smile locked on her face.

This was the start of a new chapter in her life. The shackles of her mind washing being ripped away.

  Solana at heart still was a child. Physically she is still a child. Emotionally she is still a child.

  But she is a child that never had a childhood.

  So meeting a little blonde girl and inadvertently becoming friends was maybe the luckiest things to happen to her. She easily shed off the aura of a high priestess as she indulged in child like behaviors.

  The teachings and mannerisms engraved in her were only skin deep. They never stuck to her soul because that's not who she was.

  Lucy and Solana spent hours following the guide of multiple books they found on sleepovers and parties. They went from playing little games to talking about boys.

Granted they had never seen a boy their ages but one could imagine.

  At one point the lavishly dressed girl shedded the invaluable clothes for simple clothing a maid brought her. It was just an emerald green dress but it made her look her age. It made her ginger hair pop out more than before. She was adorable as her hair was slicked back into a puff.

  The servants of the mansion weren't tempted by her luxuries so they safely stored everything away. They truly cared about the young Lucy and wouldn't dare offend the only friend she had. On top of the fact that the young child gave off an inexplicable sense of prestige.

The little girls ran aimlessly the halls and garden. The joyful sound of giggling was something the servants never thought they'd hear again. And to no one's surprise, the man of the house seemed to be oblivious to all of this.

  This went on for a month.

  It was as if the concept of time was just a matter of the mind. The girls were in their own world laughing and playing together. Not one worrying about other matters.

  It was peaceful..........

"A festival?" Solana asked confused as she held Primrose in her hands. The small star flickering in out for whatever reason. She's been dull all day but Solana could feel her energy expanding.

"Yes! My mommy use to take me every year. They have lots of sweets and game!" Lucy explained excitedly as she laid on her bed coloring. The preteen sat on the floor as a book laid in her lap.

It was a fantasy romance about a princess who fell in love with a dragon shifter that saved her from an evil cult.

A mere fairytale........

"I'll go, I've never been to a festival before." The ginger smiled as she looked at her little friend. Lucy bubbled with excitement as she squealed. Solana just laughed at the child's excitement.

To get to the festival was a days trip away. A few maids and butlers escorted the young girls onto the train. Answering Solana's millions of questions about the world around her.

None of them aware of the eyes watching their every move.

The plainly dressed girls were in awe at the brightly lit town. The area was filled to the brim with people coming to celebrate whatever the festival was held for. Vendors of every kind came to display their goods for the masses.

The smell of food wafted in the air. The tempting smells made one's stomach howl in need.

The place was decorated with strings of magical lights that paled in comparison to the bright twinkling stars above. Decorative banners of various colors were plastered along the area.

Like any other child they ran to each stall that piqued their interest. Trying handmade delicacies that they never imagined could exist. Collecting little knickknacks that they saw. They even tried out games that were set up along the venue, playing with other children that had traveled out for the nightly festivities.

The smile on Solana's face was the brightest it's ever been. It was contagious to the others as they couldn't help but mimic it.

She hasn't smiled like this since her mother was alive. Although she had still never left from the inside of the temple, she was happy as a child.

It wasn't till her mom died that her life took a turn.

Suddenly being dressed in lavish garments and being taught by a strange man. The world around her was silent as she'd sit high above crowds that prayed before her. He told her that she was helping them. That they needed her to survive in this world.

She was their savior.

  And as a child....... She believed him to a certain degree.

  She didn't know what it truly meant to bestow her blessing. She didn't know what it meant when she returned them to the stars. She didn't know what came with delivering her judgment.

  She wasn't supposed to know.

She was just meant to speak a certain way and to act in a higher manner. She wasn't to leave or to interact with others. The only one that could talk to her was HIM.

He'd whisper words of her destiny and how she was a blessed child. How he would help her ascend to the stars. How she was making the world a better place.

Solana never understood what he meant. And at the time she never understood how weird it was when he'd smell her hair. Or the longing stares he'd give when she was in the room. When he'd watch her eat and sometimes sleep. How he would stand too close or brush his hands along her shoulders.

  And later in life, she wished she never understood.

  The girls continued their purist of entertainment around the festival. Oblivious to the dangers that lay ahead.

  Solana stopped when something caught her eye. It was stall selling jewelry. And the young girl had seen a pleather of desirable jewelry but the one that caught her eye was something else.

  "Wait right here Lucy!" She smiled at the little girl before running off. The blonde was confused but shrugged. Joining in some game of hopscotch the other kids were playing.

  Solana went to the stall the little old lady had. Peering at the star shaped item she saw.

  "It's a friendship necklace. You give one half to your special friend and you keep the other side for yourself. So even when you're apart, you always have a piece of each other." The older lady explained as she smiled the 12 year old girl.

  Her dark brown skin was rich in its chocolate complexion. Her face etched with aging wrinkles. Her bright baby blue eyes still sparkled as they squinted at the girl kindly. Matching blue hair full of lushes curls had graying streaks she showed off proudly. But the most interesting thing was the detailed drawings inked onto her exposed skin.

  What looked to be years of stories were told on her skin in black ink.

  "Grandma, how much is this?" Solana gave a polite smile as she pointed at the friendship necklace. Her eyes catching a similar necklace around the woman's neck. Hers being half of a flower.

  "Do you have a special friend you'd like to give this to little one?" The old lady chuckled as she picked up the two pieces turned to one.

  Solana nodded quickly as she smiled.

  "Yes! She's my best friend! Well she's my only friend other than Prim. But Prim is just a star." The young girl rambled as she thought of the little blonde.

  The old lady smiled as she listened. The little girl reminded her of another girl she met years ago. If anything she looked just like her but the girl before her had eyes that weren't as empty.

  "You can have it for free darling." The old lady placed the necklace in a box and held it out. Solana shook her head.

  "It's okay, I have money Grandma." Solana reached for her bag that Prim was sitting in. The little star was still flickering as her she stayed still.

  The old lady chuckled before snapping her fingers. The box sitting snugly in the little girls bag.

  "I insist. You remind me of a little girl I met once. She seemed so broken inside but lit up when talking about her one friend. I never saw that little girl again. If you want to pay me for the necklace, come visit me one day and bring your friend you gift this to." The jewelry maker smiled at Solana.

  The gifted child pursed her lips and nodded.

  "I'll get her now so you can meet her!" Solana smiled before running off. The woman could only laugh.

Solana looked around for her little friend. Her brows furrowed when she nor the servant's were where she left them. So she pushed past the crowds of people. Searching high and low for Lucy.

Until she saw a glimpse of blonde run past.

She chased after it, thinking they were playing a game.

She ran all the way to an alley. A sudden sense of urgency washed over her when she realized how far she was from the festival.

Solana didn't think twice before turning around to run.

But she didn't run fast enough.........

Solana blinked her eyes slowly as the whispered murmuring rung in her ears. She was familiar with the chanting of the people below. A sound she's heard for the last 7 years.

"Priestess Caeliferous, glad you could join us." An older and solemn voice greeted the girl. Her blood running cold as she looked back at the white haired man.

  His lips curled into what she assumed was supposed to be a smile. But it looked almost predatory as he stared at her with an unfathomable look.

  "Did you enjoy your little trip outside? Was the fresh air relaxing?" He asked the girl that was once again dressed in her usual outfit of pure white silks etched with golden stars. A white veil over her face as her curls were flat ironed and draped down her back.  Glittering headpiece adorned her head, lined with diamonds and sunstones.

  Solana had never felt real emotion towards this man before but now was different. Slowly but surely she was understanding why Julie had told her to run away.

  "It's only been a month and I thought I'd never see you again. You become a woman and think you can neglect your duties. What would your people think if their goddess abandoned them?" The nameless man tutted as he walked towards her. His fingers grabbing a few strands of her hair. Bringing it to his face and inhaling the scent of the expensive shampoo.

  "I'm not a goddess you fucking weirdo." She mumbled as she jerked her head away.

  It was silent before the man let out a gut wrenching laugh. *SLAP*

  "You've become very disrespectful when I was so kind to let you roam free. This is not how The Caeliferous is supposed to act!" The man spat as Solana cried in pain. Her small body knocked to the ground from where she sat.

  This wasn't the first time she felt the pain of his fist. It's just been years since.

  Solana felt her hair being pulled and cried out again as the pain surged through her scalp. Being yanked up to look at him.

  "Tell me, who should I bestow my judgement on first for corrupting you? Julie? The little nun at the orphanage that seemed to step out of line more than once? Or that little Lucy girl that?" He sneered as he watched her expressions change.

  "Leave them alone! Julie is the only one that treats me like a normal child and Lucy is an innocent child!" She screamed as her ears rung. The prayers below them were deafening as she became overwhelmed.

  "That's the thing, you're not a normal child Caeliferous. You are a higher being that can grant the people a new beginning! It's your destiny! And that little bitch isn't innocent! She's the daughter of a traitor! Her mother filled yours with false ideas and tried to have her rebel against me! Knowing that Layla has her own child is enough to kill the devil spawn." The older man spat as his eyes glazed over with an unfathomable furry.

In reality, Layla was trying to save Solana's mother. The woman was a prisoner in this temple being used to kill and create a more powerful weapon.

  Solana.

  Because Layla knew the truth about Solana's mother. A being that had no business being in this world for as long as she was.

  "Maybe I'll just kill both." He chuckled as watched the emotion in her eyes.

  The young girl felt her body burn inside. The fear of either being taken away for helping her was unnerving. She couldn't let that happen.

  "NO!" She screamed as her eyes screwed shut. A sudden pressure built up inside her before snapping. Pushing itself out of her body in one wave.

  The hand in her hair was removed as the sound of prayers ceased.

  She opened her eyes to see the man crashed into the floor but she didn't care about that. It was the millions of stars that surrounded her to the point she thought she was in the sky. They all glittered around her as if waiting for her command.

The one that stood out was her star, Primrose.

Her body was contorted into what looked like a small rabbit.

She was overcome with a certain sense of confidence.

"You are a weird and evil man. I'm ashamed that it took me a month to see that. I don't know why you're so smitten with me and my magic, but I rather die than to be used in whatever cult this is. Nor will I let you hurt the people I care about." She sneered at the man as she walked towards him. Her footprint being left on the ground like glowing paint.

The man glared at her.

"You defiant little girl! How dare you be ungrateful for everything I've given you?! You're just like your worthless mother. Nobody will care for you as much as I do! Stop this nonsense and I may forgive this outburst." He staggered to his feet as he glared at the girl. His hands lighting up with some red mist.

Solana sneered.

"Talking to you is useless. I pray the stars rip your soul apart." She raised her hand. The twinkling lights following her will.

"Even if I die, I'll never let you go. Your destiny will come to fruition Solana Knox."

"Fuck my destiny."

Very anticlimactic for good reasons💕 but a little lore for her background so this chapter is the only one like this. I'm still following the anime with this