(Amaia)

Meissa seems to be their team captain. Why she gave us the hint about the seasons is still beyond me.

She turns her head in our direction and offers us a sweet smile.

"So phoney...why does she keep smiling at us? Does she think we can’t see through her fakeness?" Mintaka mutters, his jaw is set so taut.

I can’t figure her out. I want to believe she is faking it but I don’t get that vibe from her, unlike her siblings.

She steps forward with ease. There is no reluctance in her actions. Meissa chooses the Summer door. Carefully opening it, she steps inside. Her companions follow her as we watch with abated breaths.

The door closes behind them with a soft click, leaving nothing behind but eerie silence.

It’s like they have disappeared into another realm. It’s our turn next. Kacir gives us one final look and we nod in approval of the choice we have made.

"Go for Rainy Door," Alnilam’s calm voice comes through the mindlink.

I know he is far from calm but he is our mentor and strength. He understands how to keep us steady and gathered. He has trained us well and is with us every step of the way.

"Yes, Sir!"

I doubt we will be able to communicate with him once we are inside, so I open a separate link with him.

I need to say this in case something happens and I don’t make it back.

"I love you and Snow..." I open my heart to him. He has to know how important he is to me and will always be. He may not share the same feelings for me and I will never push him or hold it against him if he doesn’t say it back.

"Amaia...," his voice comes out heavy and emotional. "Be safe." Alnilam is still learning about his feelings for me. He has just lost Jamina and I can never expect him to fall in love with me, just like that.

Our gazes find each other and my lips spread in a small smile. His posture remains tense, shoulders squared but his eyes hold warmth for me and that’s all I need.

"Snow says he is going to lick every part of your body when you return," his sexy voice chimes into my brain and I have to fight back a giggle.

"Tell Snow I would love that very much."

I avert my gaze towards Kacir. He steps forward and grabs the handle and turns.

Standing before it, we can feel the distinct scent of rain emanating from the door.

He pulls open the door and steps inside. A breeze and darkness welcomes us.

With a farewell glance towards Alnilam, who appears a picture of tense composure, I enter, just behind Rahria. My mates are behind me. Inside is a different world as if we have stepped into an alternate realm.

Once the twins are also inside, the door closes. It’s dark, humid and wet under our feet, almost like walking through a bog.

~Squelch~

My feet make sounds as I try to trudge through this thick mud. Alnitak holds my hand, keeping me steady.

"Watch your steps and stay sharp. We know nothing about this place and what may await us in the dark," Kacir warns.

Extracting my weapon, with my free hand, I hold it. The gem on it glows giving me some light to see.

"What is this place? I can’t see anything," I quietly say.

Since all of them have crepuscular animal spirits in them, they are well adapted to see in the dark.

Kacir and Rahria are in front while Mintaka is just behind me.

"Just trust me," Alnitak says but his voice almost drowns when a pounding downpour begins. The sky seems to have burst open and rain pelts down on us like bullets.

Perfect!

We pick up our pace, trying to find somewhere dry.

"We need to take shelter. I can see some trees up ahead." Rahria points.

We follow her, staying alert and trying to see through the tumultuous rain which is thundering against our bodies and the ground.

The mud and water have combined to drench our feet while our uniforms seem to have been created of some waterproof material so I don’t feel my body getting wet, just my hair is soaked.

At least that’s a relief.

We take shelter under a cluster of trees. Their thick canopy keeps us from getting drenched. Mintaka observes them with his sharp eyes, ensuring there is no hidden creature.

A streak of lightning tears through the sky, creating webs of white illumination. The rumbling follows after a few seconds and the downpour intensifies. The water level on the ground begins to rise, drowning our feet and collecting against our ankles.

"We can’t stay here for long, we need to find the other door. I don’t think this place is meant to be stayed in for an extended time," Kacir smartly says while watching our feet getting buried in the running water.

I observe our surroundings keenly and share my findings with my teammates. There is something unnatural about it.

"Yes, I think this is a closed, enchanted place. See how the sky appears closer than the original sky and the sound of the thunder came faster." At my words, they all stare up towards the sky.

Alnitak hands over his weapon to his brother. "I am going to transform and perform surveillance. An aerial view will help in locating the door faster. You guys stay alert," he shouts over the heavy rain.

I grab his face. My thumbs rub his cheeks. "Please, be safe." Alnitak excitedly smiles and changes his appearance right before my eyes into Erebus. His black wings and horns protrude. The handsome devil leans down and gives me a wet kiss on my face.

"Be careful," I instruct.

"Don’t worry Black Shine, nothing is going to happen to me." He winks at me. His wings spread and flap. The water droplets slide down from his wings as if they are covered in a thin waterproof layer.

Erebus takes flight. We watch him until he disappears into the darkness. Mintaka stands guard in front of us, alert with his weapon drawn. Rahria shivers beside me, the air is suddenly turning cold. But all of us are attentive. Anything could be lurking in this mad rain and darkness.

Suddenly, a loud croaking splits the air and our heads turn in the direction the sound came from. I can’t see past a few feet in the distance even with the gem on my sword. But my companions tense beside me, they have seen whatever had made that hideous sound.

"What monstrosity," Rahria hisses beside me. Her jaw tenses.

"What is it?" I ask, my hands gripping tightly against the cold handle of my sword.

"It’s some kind of a cross between a frog and a beetle," Mintaka quietly says, staying very still with his eyes focused forward.

Something swishes through the air.

I hear the "Ssssss!" sound and my feet and sword move before I can even see it. I have sensed it approaching, my senses are on high alert.

My stance changes to attack. The arms shuffle forward. The upper blade of my sword cuts through the air and brings down the incoming danger.

Then I see it, it’s a long pink tongue which I have sliced in half. The blackish-red blood leaks through it spraying all around. It trembles as the creature it is attached to shrieks under the weeping sky.

"Good job, Amaia, let’s get the bastard together," Rahria proudly says.

She turns her head towards Kacir who gives her a nod. Rahria jumps forward transforming into her werewolf midair. The uniforms given to us are enchanted, they let the werewolves transform without them tearing apart.

She leaps through the air and sprints towards the creature.

"I will cover her," Mintaka shouts, moving forward with his weapons raised.

Kacir and I follow, leaving the canopy of the trees behind.

We wade through the water which has risen to above our ankles now. My eyes have adjusted to the darkness and it’s then that I spot the hideous howling creature.

With the head of a frog, beady eyes and two horns on its head like a beetle’s. Hard chitinous skin with a bleeding half-cut tongue hanging out. The enraged bulging eyes are focused on us as it raises its head and lets out a sharp cry, like calling for help.

"What’s it doing?" I ask Kacir who is ready with his chained weapon.

"Seems like calling someone."

Then we hear it, the sound of the thumping through the water as if another creature is approaching.

To our horror a similar creature emerges from our right side, jumping through the water fast. It splashes all around him.

"Blimey!" Let’s get the bastard," I shout and they respond with their own battle cries.

"Watch out for any poison," Mintaka warns us as I swing my sword and launch myself forward.