It had been a century since Bay left. Without her, the seas lost their guiding force, and chaos filled the void. Monsters, once bound by purpose, became feral, driven by primal instincts. Bloodied tides lapped against the shores, and the Monsterverse teetered on collapse.

The council had done their best to hold the world together, but cracks were spreading fast. Rivers were drying at an alarming rate, forcing monsters to make perilous treks to the sea for water. Those journeys often ended in violent skirmishes or worse—some monsters never returned. Every day, the lifeblood of the Monsterverse dwindled, and with it, their hope.

At the peak of a steep hill stood the entrance to the council’s sanctum: a pair of massive brown doors carved with intricate swirling patterns, symbols of strength and unity. Behind those doors lay the heart of the council's deliberations. The air inside was heavy with tension, illuminated by the flicker of eternal flames that clung to torches embedded in the stony walls. The room itself was carved from ancient stone, the handiwork of monsters long forgotten. Five seats, hewn from the same rock, formed a crescent around a glowing orb suspended midair—a swirling mixture of green and purple energy that pulsed with an ominous rhythm.

The silence in the chamber was thick, broken only by the faint hum of the orb. Finally, Mayura, her sharp features etched with frustration, leaned forward in her seat.

“Are we just going to sit here and watch the Monsterverse decay?” she demanded, her tone sharp enough to cut stone. “Because that’s what we’re doing—watching.”

Atlas, seated beside her, let out a low, rumbling sigh. His massive frame seemed to shrink under the weight of his voice. “And what would you have us do, Mayura? We’ve exhausted every option.”

“That’s not true,” Mayura shot back, her piercing gaze scanning the room. “We all know what needs to be done.”

Across the room, Thane smirked, his fanged grin visible even in the dim light. Lounging in his seat, he crossed one leg over the other. “She’s right,” he said, his voice dripping with casual arrogance. “There’s only one solution. We go get her.”

“We’re working on it!” Zarek snapped, his crisp British accent carrying a sharper edge than usual. His blue eyes, cold and calculating, locked onto Thane. “Or have you forgotten why we let her go in the first place? We agreed to give her freedom.”

“That was a mistake!” Mayura interjected, her voice rising. “She abandoned her duty, and we let her.”

“We had no choice,” Zarek said calmly, though his tone carried the weight of regret. “None of us wanted this outcome, but the decision was made.”

Mayura’s anger simmered, but she leaned back, her arms crossed tightly. “Well, I hope you’re happy with your decision,” she muttered.

“It’s no use dwelling on past mistakes,” Layla said, her clear, authoritative voice cutting through the tension. Seated at the head of the chamber, her presence was commanding. Her silver eyes seemed to glow in the flickering light, and her tone carried a quiet strength. “We need to focus on how to fix this now.”

Thane straightened in his seat, his smirk fading. “Then it’s settled. We go get her.”

“No!” Layla’s voice rang out, firm and unyielding. The room fell silent. “We cannot risk entering the Forbidden Realm. Do you remember what happened the last time?”

“We remember,” Mayura said bitterly. “And we also remember why we went. We had no choice then, and we have no choice now.”

Thane shrugged. “What’s the worst that could happen? We go, we find Bay, we drag her back if we have to.”

“The last time we went to Earth, we nearly destroyed it,” Layla said, her voice sharp. “Or have you forgotten?”

“I recall quite well,” Thane said, a sly grin creeping back onto his face. “We ate half the villagers.”

“You ate half the villagers,” Mayura snapped, her eyes blazing. “The rest of us were there to observe.”

“Well, forgive me for having an appetite,” Thane said, raising his hands in mock defense. “I’ve changed since then. I’m practically a saint.”

“Spare me,” Mayura muttered, rolling her eyes.

“Enough,” Zarek said, his voice cutting through the squabble. He rubbed his temples, his patience clearly wearing thin. “This childish bickering solves nothing.”

Thane glanced at Atlas and smirked. “He started it.”

Atlas growled low in his throat. “I’ve tried to ignore you for years, but you’re like a flea—you keep coming back.”

“And you’re like an overgrown dog,” Thane shot back. “Do you know how hard it is for me not to rip your throat out every time you open your mouth?”

“Funny,” Atlas retorted, his voice dripping with venom. “Because every time I see you, I want to smash your—”

“ENOUGH!” Zarek bellowed, his voice reverberating through the chamber. The orb between them flickered violently in response. “We’re here to save our world, not to indulge your petty feud.”

The room fell silent again, though tension crackled in the air. Layla cleared her throat, drawing their attention back to her.

“There is another way,” she said calmly.

All eyes turned to her, the weight of her words hanging in the air.

“We cannot go to Earth,” she continued. “But there are two monsters who can.”

“Who?” Zarek asked, his tone cautious.

“The daughters of Atlas and Thanw,” Layla said.

Atlas’s reaction was immediate. “Absolutely not. My daughter isn’t going anywhere.”

“Nor is mine,” Thane growled.

“They’re not even friends,” Mayura pointed out. “They’re just like their parents.”

“They’ll have to put that aside,” Layla said, her tone brooking no argument. “They’re strong, disciplined, and brave. Most importantly, they have the control we lack. They’re our best chance.”

Atlas clenched his fists, his jaw tight. “Kayla's too young and she has a pack to lead.”

“They’re human-like,” Thane added. “They’ll stand out.”

“Exactly,” Layla said. “They’ll blend in. No one will suspect what they truly are.”

Mayura nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. “She’s right. They’re the best candidates.”

Atlas and Thane exchanged uneasy glances. Neither spoke, but their hesitation was palpable.

“Unless either of you has a better idea?” Layla pressed, her silver gaze unwavering.

After a long pause, Atlas sighed. “Fine. I’ll summon her.”

Thane grumbled but nodded reluctantly. “I’ll do the same.”

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Author note:
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