The city. Just as you saw it in your vision: white walls surrounding white towers and tall houses; a great fairy-tale palace rising just behind the gates overlooking the western beach. It shimmers faintly, rippling as if seen through disturbed water. However, as you draw closer, it solidifies.
You are turn between hurrying towards the fulfillment of your vision, and slowing to take in the awe of the beautiful architecture; the shining white marble decorated with gold and silver, the sloping roofs and conical turrets of red and blue tile. You can see squares and parks, harbours to the north and south, buildings that you think are temples and colleges.
Lumenos. You know the name instinctively, just as you know your own. For this is your city, you realise with a swell of grateful pride and wonder. The capital of the kingdom you as Espera are destined to rule.
It is with awe that you step down into the foam of the breakers. As your pawboot lifts from it, the bridge of light behind you shimmers. You glance back, and watch it fade in the early morning light, ending your last link to your old life.
With a deep breath, you look to the walls, the western gates directly ahead of you. Your heart rises into your throat as you prepare yourself. There is tension in the air; a hushed anticipation. You feel this is your home, but it is a very solemn homecoming.
Beyond the beach, broad shallow steps lead up a grassy hillside towards huge double gates, white with gilded fittings. Flanking towers cast a long shadow over you as you approach.
The supports of the gates are carved effigies in relief, a pair of colossal robed vixens standing with their arms outstretched. Even in the shadow of the rising Sun, you can see that they are very detailed, from patterns on the hems of their robes to their warm smiles. They comfort you a bit, reassuring you that you do belong here.
The gates swing open, and inside a portcullis rises. All in silence. No creak of hinge or clank of chain. Your wariness increases. Nobody hailed you from the walls in challenge or greeting. Did the guards not see you, coming down that arc of light? Something is wrong here.
You step into the gatehouse. You blink as lanterns light, letting you see a dozen figures seated in chairs along the walls. They appear to be made from marble, like the effigies outside, but their chairs are wooden. Beside them ordinary halberds are propped against the walls. Your sense of wrongness increases. The statues mostly seem to be foxes, maybe a few wolves, but you do see a single human mixed in.
You feel drawn to them. There is something you must do for them. You walk to the closest, a vixen. You see fear etched into her wide eyes and slightly parted muzzle. Pitying her, you reach out to caress a cold cheek.
As soon as your claws graze her carven fur, you feel a pulse of warmth. Of life flowing from your heart, your core. Fiery light bathes the gatehouse, and you realise that it's coming from you -- from the ruby in your crown. The warmth radiates from you with the light, and flows through your fingertips into the marble vixen.
With a gasp you feel the marble fluff become soft; real red fur spreading over her head and down her muzzle, her brows and markings and hair all turning a vibrant black, her helm becoming shining steel. You lift your hand away as she blinks, her colourless eyes now living gold, and she draws a ragged breath.
"What..." Her eyes turn to you, and widen. "By Myste!" Then she looks down at herself. Over her bust, the emblem becomes cloth: twelve stars surrounding a white fox head, emblazoned on a blue tabard. The rings of her mail return to metal, black fur consumes the white stone of her hands. Her fingers stretch, and then her claws dig into the armrests of her chair.
"I'm awake! I'm... alive again!"
You smile, even as you try to comprehend what's going on. But you can't help sharing in her joy as her tail starts to wag. Around you the other stone guards have begun to come back to life as well, your ears twitching as they draw breath and began to murmur in relief and astonishment.
You look around the room, then back to the vixen. The last of the marble is transmuting back to flesh, black-furred paws and brown claws wriggling in renewed life. She tries to stand, falters; you reach out and help her to her feet.
"Oh Goddess, you're real!" she cries. She almost looks like she wants to hug you, but then she draws herself up and puts her right fist to her heart in what you take as a salute.
"I-I mean -- thank you, Your Highness!" She blinks, and you see a tear slide down into her cheek fluff. "I... can't believe..." She takes a deep breath. You can feel her heart racing, and you reach out, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"It's all right," you tell her, the words coming naturally with an upwelling of love for these -- for your people. "Whatever curse you were under, it's over now."
She nods, blinking again. "Thank you, Highness." She bows her head. "Sergeant Lixia, at your service." Then she looks around. "Everyone! Do you know what's happened? Do you know who this is?"
"Is it...?" "It can't be!" "But... we're awake!"
"It is!" affirms the sergeant. "The Princess foretold! The prophecy has come true, and Espera has returned to claim her throne and save her people! Behold, her Crown!" She gestures to the circlet you wear. The light of the ruby has faded somewhat, but you still feel the glow of magic inside you.
"It's true. I am... Espera. Princess of the royal lineage of Lumin." You nod, the name of your dynasty coming to you with a fresh surge of confidence. Just how you can belong to the House of Lumin when you woke up a human -- you can figure that out later. Figuring out what happened to your city is far more important.
"Your Highness!" Some of the guards salute, some kneel. A number of them are crying. You feel a mix of emotions -- the ghost of your old self is abashed at the reverence; then there's compassion for what they must have suffered, trapped as statues for Goddess knows how long (did you just think "Goddess?") as well as happiness at being able to help. You are also very curious -- not just about this catastrophe but about the whole kingdom; your flashes of insight haven't given you much to work with yet.
You raise your hand. "Please rise. I'm touched by your gratitude, but I'm sure much needs to be done. Sergeant?" You look to Lixia. "Is the whole city like this? How did this happen?"