Location: Dark Realm

The bony apparition had finally emerged from the ground. It hadn’t gained a proper physical form yet but it was getting closer to attaining one. Hundreds of creatures stood in a circle around it with subdued heads.

The gaunt figure waved its bony hand and a large creature with yellow-brown skin was propelled toward it. Apparition clasped its bony fingers around the creature’s neck, making it screech and pulling it closer to its open mouth. The face seemed to be half decayed and half decimated as the new skin, veins and raw flesh was still forming. The elongated fangs protruded out and pierced the creature’s neck, sucking its blood. The creature whimpered but its limbs were limp as if it had no willpower to move or defend itself.

The bony figure kept sucking blood until the last drop was extracted from the creature’s body. Pulling its fangs out it let the creature crumple to the ground.

"I want more blood, so much more blood. Bring her to me, I want her blood. Once we will get our hands on her, we will wreak havoc on this world and show them what it means to be imprisoned." She yelled at the creatures around her who lifted their bowed heads and howled/screeched as if declaring war.

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(Folkshel Realm)

Lala galloped forward on the sandy terrain with Serene and Zeph. It was a windy day and sand blew into Serene’s eyes as she tried to shield them with her scarf.

"You alright? I hope it’s not an unpleasant journey." Zeph spoke in her ear. "It’s not, don’t worry about it." Her hair was flailing behind her from the right side while Zeph had his head over her left shoulder with his hands holding the reins touching her waist.

Ralph’s carriage was right next to them. "Wanna race?" Ralph shouted at them with three younger boys peeking and smiling at them from the carriage.

"Seems like you are in the mood to lose Ralph." Zeph chuckled at him. "Well, you should be going carefully since you have Serene with you," Ralph shouted back.

"Horse ride is always wild and fast. Let’s see who reaches the fair first. With that Zeph clicked his tongue and Lala sped up, creating quite a distance between Ralph’s carriage and them. Boys shouted from behind: "Oyee, oyee," while Kilamin watched from with an amused expression.

Though Ralph strived hard he was unable to win the race and when his carriage arrived at the fair. Zeph was already dismounting Serene and even Kilamin was standing beside them.

"Seriously, we lost to both Lala and Kilamin." Ralph shook his head and sighed rather loudly.

"You did great Ralph, maybe next time." Serene offered him a smile while trying to smoothen her dishevelled hair from the ride.

The Fair was being held over a vast area with people coming over from all the nearby villages to set up stalls. The younger boys had already run off to a gaming stall and were trying their luck at throwing knives. Ralph joined them as well.

Zeph took Serene’s hand and they moved toward the fair. Kilamin followed them but from a considerable distance. He wanted to give them their space but still be there in case anything happened. Stalls ranging from jewellery, weapons, food, clothes, spices, fortune-telling, gemstones and books. A Jewellery stall got Serene’s attention and she wanted to check it out.

A middle-aged woman with a pleasant smile owned the stall. "Good Day and welcome to my humble stall. What can I show you today? I have some precious pieces." The lady asked Serene with a smile. Jewellery was pretty ordinary in comparison to what Serene owned so Zeph couldn’t comprehend why she wanted to buy from her.

"I would like to see a pendant, please," Serene replied with a smile. She began to show all the pendants she owned. Serene picked them one by one and placed them along her neck and showed them to Zeph, who shook his head every time disappointing her. He wanted to buy something precious for her something which suited her status, unable to realize she wanted something simple. She picked up a silver pendant which was shaped like a crescent with a purple gemstone embedded in its corner.

Zeph still shook his head which made her pout. "But, I like it." She insisted. "Are you sure?" Zeph asked her too seriously.

"Yes," still pouting. "Ok, then." He took out his purse from his pocket and turning to the woman he asked: "How much?"

"200 Giras," Folkshel used paper currency, unlike Fae Realm which used gold and silver coins. Giras was the name of their currency. He was about to pay when Serene stopped him. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"What are you doing?" She asked him astonished. "I am paying, you are a guest here. What did you think I would let you pay?" As he handed the woman the required money. Serene thanked the woman for the pendant but her expression was grim. Zeph led her away but noticed her expression.

"What happened?" He gave her a side glance. "Zeph, I can’t let you pay for everything I buy. This is not fair. I don’t like this." She replied sadly.

"Serene I am not so poor that I can’t buy a cheap necklace for my girlfriend. Will you let me do this for you? I want to see you happy." His words caught her by surprise.

"That’s not what I was thinking. But I don’t want to act like a burden."

"You are not a burden, stop thinking like that," Zeph told her with a solemn expression.

"I will try," she offered him a small smile. The rest of the boys joined them, showing what they had won in the knife-throwing competition with big smiles on their faces.

There was a stall with some delicacies, they were white and round and seemed to be made up of thousands of threads woven in a circle. Serene was excited to try it. "It’s called ’Patisa’ it’s sweet and delicious to eat. Would you like to try?" Ralph inquired.

"Yes, please." Ralph bought some for everyone to share. It was soft to hold and as she placed it in her mouth it simply melted with delicacy.

"Wow, it’s so delicious." She spoke between her mouthful. Zeph smiled seeing her happy and enjoying herself. She tried a few other food items native to Folkshel Realm and all of them were an absolute treat to her taste buds.

Further ahead there was a three-legged about to take place. "Come on, we should take part, Zavrian and me, Serene and Zeph," Ralph announced.

Zeph looked at Serene and she was excited, her eyes glittering with enthusiasm. "Let’s do it," She replied. They went to the race organizers who gave them clothes to tie up their legs. Zeph took the cloth to Serene and tied up his left leg with her right. Ralph and Zavrian did the same and they were all set for the race.