I was never one to shine. People have always described me as an average person, and I'm fine with that. Living a normal, stable and peaceful life has always been the dream.

At least, that is, was what I told myself until the moment the clock struck midnight on my 30th birthday.

Celebrations were never my thing, but that day, I felt the need to buy one small cake. It was rare, buying a favourite I've long forgotten the taste of. There was no fancy set up, just me in my small office cubicle. The main lights had been turned off and all other cubicles were empty. It was a norm, working until the depth of night.

It was 11:58pm.

In the vast office space, I found comfort in the small flickering candle placed on top of my cake. It was quiet, the only sound coming from the clock’s ticking hands.

And thanks to that silence, comes that lingering feeling inside of me that has been overlooked for so long. All these years, I’ve managed to suppress it; but I guess, hitting a major milestone of 30 years comes the question; what’s next?

I felt empty.

11:59pm. I raised my hand and closed my eyes. A silent prayer. 'Make me shine'.

12:00 AM. On my 30th birthday, I asked for something and got an answer.

The candle snuffed out. The trail of smoke lingered but then, instead of dissipating, it coiled together, becoming bigger and bigger until it formed a figure. I had watched in horror, fear, awe and anticipation.

The figure spoke, bringing me news of a land, needing an heir to the throne. A realm so different from here and on the brink of war…

My eyes were the first to shine. Gleaming in excitement. In a state of overwhelmed emotions, I didn’t realise that the smoke figure had managed to turn even more human-like in its form. It extended a hand, wisps of smoke circling around it and all over its body.

I accepted it.

—

“So you just went, Grandma?!” little Nur shrieks. Her blanket covers her whole body, only her eyes peeking out to hear the story.

I laughed. “Yes, darling. I did.”

“But why?” Nur pouts. “Mama always warned me about ‘stranger danger’.”

I laughed a bit harder at that familiar saying. “Well, your mother got that saying from me and I from my mother. Besides, if I did not, I wouldn’t have such a cute grandchild now would I?” I tickle her playfully. Nur giggled, tossing around in her bed.

After a while, she asks, “When will Ma and Pa be back?”

I glance down to the emerald tablet. “Their trip to Earth was for one week… so just another 3 days.”

“I miss them. Why couldn’t I go… I wanna see your birthplace too!” she whines.

“It’s not that much different dear. Both are very beautiful,” I reply wistfully. “The trees, the skies, the people…”

“Do you not miss it Grandma?” Nur hesitantly asks. “Were you not happy there?”

A sad smile forms on my lips. “I do miss it once in a while. And for your second question, it turns out… I wasn’t dear… Which is why I gladly took your grandpa’s hand that day.”

Nur’s eyes shine at that. “I do love your stories, Grandma. Tell me what happened next.”

“The moment I got here… war greeted me.” I fixed Nur’s blanket, getting her ready for bed and sat up in a comfortable position to continue the tale. “Your grandpa, on behalf of the Magic Realm and I, then appointed on behalf of the Seven Kingdoms, rushed to the Capital to put an end to it all.”

“How?” Nur asks giddily, though a yawn managed to sneak in.

“Well…” And so, I continued until little Nur’s eyes were too heavy and she finally slept.