Serene’s POV

Thinking about stepping into Dark Realm again brought back torturous memories for me. Memories that will haunt me forever, until the day I will die. I gripped Zeph’s arm and he placed his hand on mine as if reassuring me.

My appetite had evaporated and I thought of the horrors we might face. We were sure Senseis will not inform us prior and that it will solely be a spontaneous decision.

Alvene stayed for a few more minutes before she was called for her patrol duties. She kissed Ralph and waved us goodbye before leaving.

Almost all the teams were one to two members short. We didn’t have Arlo anymore. His superspeed had always been beneficial to team tasks. We all missed him in our way so we tried to find little happiness in everyday tasks to overcome the sadness and gloom that surrounded us.

Two hours passed and we got summoned to Artins Sensei’s office. Zeph, Mikasim, Ayrden and me. We knocked and entered, two Slayers were already sitting in his office. One of them was Famios.

"Aurorians, today we are sending you to the Dark Realm under the supervision of these senior Slayers and Lavaria. Your task is to capture at least two creatures and bring them back alive. Remember to work as a team, be vigilant and assist each other. If the situation becomes too dangerous, abort the mission and return instantly. Any questions?"

Artins Sensei explained our task for today. His face was forever stern now and I never saw him smile after the barrier had broken.

Protecting and safeguarding me had taken a toll on him, just like it had on Kilamin and Father, for the news of my involvement in breaking the barrier spread to common folks. Some of them wanted me punished, others wanted me dead, and even a few people from my realm revolted against me and had to be pacified.

"What kind of creatures do you want us to bring back?" Mikasim asked.

"Whichever you find, totally up to you to decide but they have to be alive. You can knock them out but you can’t kill them. Understood?" All of us nodded our heads in unison.

"Go get ready then and take your weapons and necessary equipment." He instructed us and we left his office to make our way to the Training Hall.

I had my silver bow with me while Zeph carried his sword. We took some ropes, kuneis and shuriken, while Ayrden brought some potions from Mariela Sensei.

Once we were equipped with everything we needed, we headed out and were led by Lavaria Sensei and two Slayers who had been appointed to us. Steam chariots were waiting for us.

"Before we head out, remember I will be using my shield to protect us from any foreign attack as soon as we leave Institute’s safety barriers. In case anything happens to me, Serene you will have to use your shield to protect everyone." Famios addressed everyone, especially me while explaining the plan.

"Understood," I replied and we stepped in the chariots. Lavaria Sensei, Zeph, Ayrden and I sat in one chariot. While Mikasim sat with the two slayers. We headed out toward the Dark realm and what lay inside.

The atmosphere seemed tense as we discussed the strategy. "Remember we will be there only to protect you people and we will only step in if something will go wrong. Those Slayers will be monitoring your movements so be very attentive." Lavaria Sensei informed us.

"Yes Sensei, we understand," Zeph answered seriously.

A few flying creatures circled above us but didn’t get near because of Famios’s shield. The rest of our journey went eventful and soon we reached the perimeter of the Dark Realm, it seemed to have spread as dead vegetation covered what used to be a protective barrier.

Chariots stopped at the edge and all of us stepped outside, still wrapped in the shield. Flashes of that haunting night passed before my eyes, making me stagger for a second. Zeph steadied me.

"You alright?" He whispered with concern in his voice.

"Yes, just can’t shake that night away," I replied solemnly, he put his hand on the small of my back.

"Let’s head inside," Lavaria Sensei instructed and we followed. Ayrden had a deathly look on her face, she had experienced her mind control too and that turned into her worst nightmare as well.

"You alright?" I murmured to her, seeing how frightened she look.

"Not really, I don’t want to be here." She confessed looking at her feet.

"It’s alright Ayrden, I will protect you and this time I won’t let any harm come to you." I rubbed her arm and she gave me a small smile.

It was noon and the sun shone brightly today with no clouds in sight. The atmosphere around was eerie with few screeches and howls from creatures that hid in the shadows.

"Be careful everyone, remain vigilant. Observe your surroundings at all times." Famios warned us as he adjusted his shield to safeguard us. As soon as we entered the territory of the Dark Realm we sensed cold engulf us. It automatically got a chiller as if the sun refused to shine brighter here.

Trees had a ghastly appearance to them and seemed like creatures observing us from behind them. Zeph had his sword out, and Mikasim had transformed while I was ready with my bow. Ayrden was between us while Lavaria Sensei and two Slayers were in front and behind us, respectively.

I sensed tremors in the ground under us.

"Something is coming, brace yourselves." Lavaria Sensei whispered to us. All of us stopped in our tracks.

About 10 meters away from us ground opened and an enormous worm-like creature emerged. Its skin was yellowish green with patches of grey hair on its slithery body. Opening its mouth it revealed hundreds of needle-like sharp teeth at us. It had no eyes but a bulging nose above its teeth, which revealed our location to it.

"It’s a Warmingtin, I have taught you people about it." Lavaria Sensei beamed at us as if seeing something precious.

"Serene, you are on," Zeph whispered and I wasted no time.

"Arrow of drowsiness and sleep," I shouted and aimed for its open mouth. It hurled forward and pierced its throat making it screech and writhe. Its mouth still open, Zeph took advantage and hurled a large vial of sleeping potion toward its mouth.

As the vial reached it Mikasim jumped and using his claw broke the glass. All the liquid splashed and fell inside its mouth. Mikasim landed triumphantly, while the creature fell unconscious behind it.

"Well done," Famios seemed impressed by our teamwork. Ayrden took out a long rope from her bag and all four of us tied the unconscious creature with it. We pulled and hauled the rest of it out from the ground. But how were we going to take such a big creature back with us?

The other Slayer stepped forward and touched the creature. It instantly shrank to the size of my hand along with ropes.

"Woah!" I exclaimed and others let out shrieks of surprise as well, seeing our reactions.

"Yeah, it’s the only reason I came along. I can shrink the size of whatever creature I touch. But I can only use my power twice a day." He answered with a smile observing our surprised faces.

He took out an empty glass bottle from his satchel and handed it to Zeph. Who in return scooped the creature in it and tightened the lid, securing it.

"How long will it remain tiny?" I asked curiously.

"Three hours, so you better hurry up and grab another one so we can head back before it turns to its original size." Making us nod in unison as we began to move forward.

Passing the tree canopy we entered the barren land, the vines and twigs covered the vast expanse of land. We encountered a lot of tiny insect-like creatures, which would scurry away and hide, hearing our footsteps.

We wanted something big, something substantial. Then I saw it, its navy blue fur glistening in the dim light that filtered through the atmosphere of Dark Realm, the gold specks stood out. It gawked at us with its ominous eyes, observing us and our movements from a distance of about 100 feet.

It was another Sumire but its body was much larger than Suri and there was an air of defiance all around it. I prepared my bow but it was quick to access that we were here to hunt it.

It turned and galloped in the other direction, Mikasim’s wolf chased it and all of us followed. I opened my wings with a flick and flew in the air. It would be easier to catch it from the air.

"Be careful," Zeph shouted from below.

Its speed was exceptional and even at my full speed Mikasim and I were unable to catch it. Then I saw where he was leading us and I almost froze mid-air, my blood froze in my veins as the totality of the situation hit me.