Miria floated in an unknown place, surrounded by pure, soothing white light. Everything was white, infinite, almost unreal. Suddenly, four harmonious female voices rose around her, soft and warm, singing in chorus:
"Happy birthday… Happy birthday… Happy birthday, Miria… Happy birthday!"
At the end of the song, the voices continued affectionately:
"We wish you all the happiness in the world for your 18th birthday. May your dearest wishes come true, may your strength guide your path, and may the truth finally set you free."
Miria, disoriented, murmured:
"18 years old? Is today my birthday…?"
The setting changed abruptly. She found herself in a dense forest, like an invisible ghost. She saw her father, Darell, running at full speed, clutching a sack tightly against him. A sense of déjà vu washed over her. She instinctively began to follow him, running at supernatural speed, even overtaking the threatening shadows chasing them.
They arrived near a shimmering lake. Darell pulled a little girl — herself as a child — out of the sack. Miria, floating above the scene, watched everything with a mix of shock and emotion. Darell helped the child into a speedboat, then climbed in himself.
Miria felt carried by an invisible force. She flew to the boat and descended until she was just a few inches above the water, face to face with her father and her child self.
Darell leaned toward the little girl, placing his trembling hands on her shoulders.
"Miria, my angel… I'm sorry, but I think this will be the last time we see each other."
The young Miria burst into tears.
"No! Dad, you can't leave me! You promised!"
"I know… I know, my princess. But we're out of time."
He tenderly caressed her hair.
"Listen to me carefully, my angel. Never forget what I'm about to tell you: the grimoire that Vareck is desperately searching for… is you."
Miria's eyes widened in shock. Her child self looked equally lost.
"Me…?"
"Yes, my darling. You are the grimoire. Don't worry if you don't understand everything today. There will be people who will explain it to you when the time comes."
Darell pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Promise me you'll be good to Mommy and protect her."
"I promise…" the little girl replied through tears, clinging to him.