Serene’s POV

A week had gone by since the barrier broke. I made full recovery from my injuries and was back in the field. Dealing with the threats which kept invading our world on daily basis.

Kilamin had contacted all my friends and all of them had reached their homes safely. Although he was unable to reach Arlo and his family. The Wampir Realm had cut off all their ties with other realms and no one could enter it through portals.

Queen Vilarja refused to attend the ’Meeting of Elders’ as well. She excused herself and sent the message that she will be dealing with all the threats on her own and will not be attending any further meetings or offering any assistance to any realm.

Her message had everyone on the edge, this was a time to stand together and not close the borders to other realms. Something felt off about her decision and my heart was becoming restless thinking about Arlo.

Father had returned from the emergency ’Meeting of Elders’ two days ago. Since Vilarja was missing from the meeting, Alpha Anmadius alone was unable to declare me the culprit behind the recent events. It was announced as an unfortunate happening beyond anyone’s control. Alpha Anmadius announced that I was never to step foot in his realm or I would be executed, he declared me a mass murderer. He wasn’t wrong.

We were on the border of the Dark Realm now. I had been assigned to the Archer regiment. Zian occasionally visited our regiment to treat the injured. The recent events had seemed to take a toll on him, he hardly smiled now. We had already lost 5 Fae since the barrier had fallen and numerous were injured. Reports of the rising death toll were coming in from all realms and with every report, my heart would further sink and recoil in agony.

Kilamin was monitoring all the regiments while we were on standby. A scout Fae who had been delivering and bringing messages from different realms approached Kilamin and said something in his ear. Kilamin curtly nodded, his expression slightly changing to a tense one.

Once the scout Fae was gone I approached Kilamin and inquired: "What is it?"

"Nothing," he didn’t make eye contact with me.

"Kilamin, you need to tell me what happened?" I tried to catch his eyes to understand what was it he was trying to hide.

He spoke in a hushed tone: "We are not receiving positive reports from Wampir Realm. I had an acquaintance there and he has sent over a report through a letter. It said something sinister is going on in the Royal Castle. Monsters are freely roaming there but no one is killing them."

It made me think of her, could it be? She belonged to Wampir Realm so it could be possible she went back there. Our Realm touched the ocean on one side and Wampir Realm lay on its other side. But the Dark Realm stretched from our realm to theirs like a bridge.

There was a sudden commotion behind us in Dark Realm. Suddenly, I could sense the presence of hundreds of beings inside there. Kilamin had sensed it too for he stiffened before his order came out in a growl: "We are going to be attacked. Take your positions."

The wings fluttered as Fae forces flew into the air, trying to access the situation, peering into the Dark Realm.

He then turned to me with a worried expression and grabbed my arm: "Serene, you have to go. Head back to the castle. Inform father."

Before I could even move the shrieking of monsters grew louder and hundreds of vampires and monsters were seen rushing toward us. My eyes fell on the ones leading them and I could see Arlo in front, the scene jolted me to the core.

Kilamin shook me and shouted: "GO, NOW." I didn’t waste much time after that and opening my wings I flew away, not looking back. I was trembling from head to toe.

Why was Arlo leading vampires and monsters against us? What had she done to him? The only plausible answer was mind control. She must have him under her thumb. He was at a distance so I couldn’t see his eyes but I knew they would be pitch black.

The deafening screams of the different species mingled in the air behind me and I knew there was going to be a blood bath. I flew as quickly as possible to the castle and headed straight for father. He was in a meeting with some delegates from Hexum Realm.

I barged into his study, out of breath, and shouted: "Father, we are under attack at the western front of the Dark Realm. Vampires and monsters have launched a simultaneous attack and there are hundreds of them."

Father and the two delegates shot up from their seats, a look of surprise interlaced with horror swept their faces. "How is that possible?" Father inquired fisting his hands.

"She must have taken control of Wampir Realm, no doubt Queen Vilarja had cut off all ties. It’s a possibility the whole Wampir Realm was under her control now." I added, trying to catch my breath.

"I see," father then turned to the delegates. "Head back to your realm and inform Alexis of the situation and tell him to inform other realms as well. They may be targeted next." They nodded before rushing off.

"We have to inform the Slayers, we might need them." I addressed my father again, seeing him in deep thought.

"I am on it. Let’s go, Serene." We quickly made our way out of his study and down the corridors. We went to the infirmary first where Grandma was busy with healers, making new potions.

"Mother, we are under attack from Wampir Realm. I don’t know many details but the castle is under your protection now. Inform the Slayers and take care."

She patted my father on the shoulder before saying: "Go kill those who came to kill us, you don’t have to worry about the castle." Her face showed the wisdom she held. I stepped forward and hugged her and she hugged me back.

"Be strong, my child." She kissed my forehead and let me go and I ran behind my father.

"Come, Serene, let’s show them who they are dealing with." My father’s eyes began to glow golden as we stepped outside and he flicked open his magnificent wings. They shone brightly under the sun.

We both flew where the battle was ensuing, the growls and screams could be heard from the distance. A few enormous Tractiles swarmed in our direction. They were monstrous birds with black beaks, beady black eyes, and brown fatherless bodies and wings.

They let out shrill sounds after spotting us. My father’s golden shield enveloped us both as he jerked his hands effortlessly to form thin golden lines, they traveled like rippling waves and annihilated everything in their path. The flock of tractiles was sliced open like a knife cutting through the cake.

Their insides intermixed with blood and bones began to rain down on the ground. I gulped hard at the sight, I had never seen him use destructive power on a living being before. He had shown me this power but he only practiced it on non-living things. Now we were at war and this was just the beginning of everything getting bloodied.

The battle zone had spread as vampires moved with their super speed and our Fae forces tried to keep up with their attacks. Our flight gave us the upper hand but the vampires’ super speed gave them the plus.

I spotted Kilamin who was throwing daggers at a bunch of vampires, paralyzing them and ripping their hearts out. His speed was almost parallel to the vampires. Glancing around I tried to spot Arlo and could see a vast darkness engulfing our Archer regiment, instinctively I flew in that direction, trying to reach him.

Entering the darkness, it became impossible to see anything and I was left basically on my instincts. The coldness his power held was chilling my heart and I felt frozen to the bone. The hair on my body stood up as I felt goosebumps on my neck and sensed a presence behind me.

Quickly turning around I discerned a cold hand reach my neck and grab it. The touch told me it was Arlo, although I couldn’t see him. He began to choke me, I reached out with my hand and tried to touch his face. My fingers brushed against his cheek and he growled at the touch.

"Arrr...lo," I gasped. "It’s me," he pulled me closer to him holding me by my neck. I could now feel his breath on my face. His hold on my neck tightened and I couldn’t breathe anymore. My words got hitched in my throat. My lungs burnt for oxygen and my legs trembled. I didn’t want to hurt him and it was already too late to put my shield up. Not in my wildest dreams I could imagine him hurting me.