The Hidden Kingdom of Mirrors
In a far-off land untouched by the light of the sun, lay a hidden kingdom. It was a kingdom of clouds and mirrors, a realm where the day was as dim as the night and the only light came from the reflections on the mirror-like surfaces. The people who lived in this kingdom were as pale as the clouds they resided upon, their only sense of color coming from the vibrant reflections that bounced back from the mirrors.
There was a young girl named Aina in this kingdom, who was unlike the rest. Aina had always craved for colors. She would spend hours staring at the kaleidoscope mirrors, lost in the vivacity they held. The council of elders, perceiving her fascination, decided to grant her a unique power – the power to see the world beyond the mirrors.
With her new ability, Aina dove headfirst into the mirrors, crossing the boundary that separated the worlds. She no longer saw her own reflection but instead, a whole new world full of life and color. She spent countless hours journeying through the mirror world, always returning back to her own by sundown.
One day, journeys took her to a territory she hadn't ever seen. It was filled with hues she couldn't even imagine. Children ran around, their laughter echoing, people engaged in joyous dances under a ball of bright fire suspended in the skies. It was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen and it entranced her.
It was during one of such expeditions when she met a boy named Kael. He had warm brown eyes filled with life just like his world. She told him everything about her own world, the kingdom of mirrors, and her ability to see through them. Kael, intrigued with her stories, wished he could see her world.
In the kingdom, life continued as usual, the elders noticed that Aina would sometimes return late, her usually pale face tinged with the mimicked glow of the sun. Unsettled by the change, they confronted her. Aina confessed to her attachment with the world beyond. The elders, in their fear of the unknown, stripped Aina of her power. Unable to visit Kael anymore or see his world filled with the glow of the sun, Aina felt her heart break.
While the elders thought they were protecting the kingdom by keeping it isolated, little did they know about the price Aina had to pay. She kept looking at the mirrors hoping to catch a glimpse of Kael. One day, as he waited for Aina, he saw his reflection fading and saw a sight before his eyes. He could see the kingdom in the clouds and the mirrors. Without wasting a moment, he jumped headfirst into it.
Kael arrived in a land where everything was whitish-gray like the color of the clouds. He navigated his way to Aina, stealing glances at the strange yet strangely exquisite world around him. Upon seeing him, Aina cried tears of joy which were also the first droplets of pure water anybody in the kingdom had seen. His presence ignited a feeling of love, warmth, and courage never previously experienced by the residents.
Understanding the beauty of diversity they were blind to, the elders felt a humbling awe. They realized that by shunning the external world, they had deprived their people of love, warmth, and diversity. They apologized to Aina for their mistake, giving her the power back and allowing her to explore all the worlds whenever she wanted.
From then on, the mirror kingdom was no longer a closed world. The mirrors would shimmer bright and invite people from other worlds to the kingdom in the clouds enhancing the aesthetic blend of cultural diversity. The kingdom gained much more than prosperity- they gained colors, warmth, love, and most importantly, an understanding of the interconnectedness of worlds beyond their own.
With Aina and Kael leading the way, the kingdom of mirrors turned into a kingdom of portals, becoming a link. A link that added vibrancy to their formerly dim world and spreading the message of love, tolerance, and acceptance.