Atlas and Thane focus and connect with the Atlas and Thane closed their eyes, reaching out with their minds to their daughters across the distance. The air around them grew heavy as their ancient powers took hold, bridging the gap between their thoughts and those of their kin.

---

The tall, golden grass swayed gently in the breeze, masking Kayla’s presence as she stalked her prey. Her golden-yellow eyes glimmered like twin suns against the twilight, and her sharp claws extended with anticipation. Every muscle in her lithe body was taut, ready to pounce.

Ahead, her target—a lithe creature with smooth gray fur and pointed ears—grazed lazily, oblivious to the danger nearby. Kayla let out a low growl, savoring the moment before the strike. But just as she prepared to leap, her father’s voice echoed in her mind like a thunderclap.

"Kayla, I need you to come to the council chamber," Atlas commanded, his gruff voice firm yet oddly soft.

Kayla froze mid-motion, her golden gaze narrowing in frustration. “Is something wrong, Father?” she asked through the mental link, her tone clipped.

"Nothing you need to worry about… yet. Just come."

She sighed, the thrill of her hunt dissipating like morning mist. With a reluctant growl, she stepped back, her sharp claws retracting. “One day,” she whispered, watching her prey dart away into the fields.

Leaping high, she moved from tree to tree, her powerful limbs propelling her forward with ease.

---

Adeen’s Awakening

Far away, in the depths of a pitch-black cave, Adeen hung upside down, suspended from the jagged ceiling by clawed feet. Her body was shrouded in a flowing black cape, hiding all but her pale, oval-shaped face. Her twin braids hung down like silken ropes, swaying gently in the still air.

Her crimson-red eyes snapped open as her father’s voice tore through the silence.

"Adeen, you are needed at the council chamber," Thane’s deep, commanding tone resonated in her mind.

Without hesitation, she released her grip, flipping gracefully forward and landing silently on the stone floor. Her form shimmered, her humanoid shape dissolving into that of a sleek, black bat. With a flap of her powerful wings, she soared through the cave’s narrow passages, her cape billowing behind her like liquid shadow.

The Meeting

Kayla landed on the ground outside the towering brown doors of the council chamber. Dust swirled around her feet as she adjusted her leather armor, her piercing gaze scanning the entrance. Moments later, a dark shape descended from the sky. Adeen landed with a flourish, her form shifting back into her humanoid figure.

The two girls locked eyes, their mutual disdain evident in the unspoken tension between them.

“Werewolf,” Adeen said, her tone dripping with venom.

“Vampire,” Kayla retorted with a smirk, folding her arms.

Before the brewing confrontation could escalate, the heavy doors creaked open, revealing the flickering torch-lit chamber within.

Inside, the five council members sat in their respective stone seats, their expressions solemn. In the center of the room, the glowing green-and-purple orb floated ominously, its light casting eerie shadows across the walls.

“Welcome, daughters of Atlas and Thane,” Layla greeted them, her voice resonating through the chamber.

Kayla immediately dropped to one knee, her head bowed. “It is an honor to stand before the council,” she said with unwavering respect.

Adeen, however, scoffed loudly, rolling her crimson eyes. “Werewolves and their theatrics,” she muttered under her breath. She turned to Thane. “You said this was important. What is this about?”

"Be patient," Thane mind-linked her curtly.

Layla rose from her seat, her silver eyes piercing as they swept across the two girls. “You must be wondering why you were summoned here. The truth is simple—our world is dying. The rivers dry up, the monsters weaken, and the chaos spreads. If we do not act, the Monsterverse will fall.”

Both girls stood silently, their gazes fixed on Layla.

“We need someone who can act where we cannot,” Layla continued. “Someone brave, disciplined, and resourceful. Over the years, you two have proven yourselves to be exactly that. And so, we entrust you with this mission.”

“Whatever you ask, I will carry it out with honor,” Kayla declared proudly, her golden eyes blazing with determination.

Adeen crossed her arms, her lips curling into a sneer. “You can spare me the flattery. Just tell me what you need.”

Zarek spoke, his voice cold and sharp. “You are to retrieve Bay.”

The room fell into stunned silence. Adeen’s confident demeanor cracked, her expression shifting to one of disbelief.

“Bay?” she repeated. “The same Bay who’s been gone for a century? Now you want her back?”

“We admit our delay was a mistake,” Zarek said calmly, “but now we must correct it.”

Kayla glanced at her father, her brow furrowed. “But retrieving her means…”

“Entering the Forbidden Realm,” Layla finished, her voice grave. “Yes. And we believe you two are the only ones capable of blending in among the earthlings.”

“ But with all due respect; I still have a pack to lead, to care for,” Kayla protested.

“ That's why you have a second in command am I right?

Kayla relaxed as she saw sense in what she said.

Adeen raised a hand mockingly. “Quick question: why pair me with her?” She jabbed a finger toward Kayla. “I hate her.”

“And you think I like you?” Kayla shot back, folding her arms.

Layla slammed her palm on the arm of her chair, her voice rising. “Enough! Whether you like it or not, you will work together. The fate of the Monsterverse depends on it!”

Both girls glared at each other but held their tongues.

“This mission is not optional,” Layla added. “I trust you both understand the gravity of this task.”

Kayla nodded solemnly. “I will not fail.”

Adeen sighed heavily but gave a slight nod. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

“ Very well,” Adeen groaned and rolled her eyes.

Layla extended her hand, summoning a swirling vortex of flames in the air before them. The portal crackled with energy, its fiery spirals illuminating the chamber.

“ You can do that!?” Kayla asked.

“Step through, and you will enter the Forbidden Realm,” Layla said.

Kayla reached out to take the golden compass that floated from Layla’s hand. “This will guide you to Bay,” Layla explained.

Gripping the compass tightly, Kayla turned to Adeen.

“Don’t look at me,” Adeen muttered.

“ Are you sure this is safe?,” Adeen asked.

“ Of course it is! Although I haven't opened a portal to the forbidden realm in millennials. But you have nothing to be worried about...well... partly,” Layla answered.

“ Partly?”

“ What's before you is either two things: One, that is an actual portal. And two...that is just a big fireball and if you walk through you might perish,” Layla said casually.

“ Okay...can we test it?,” Kayla asked.

Adeen glanced at the crackling fire Portal then back to Kayla. In a swift motion, she grabbed Kayla and pushed her in. And she vanished in the dissolving sound of the fire.

Atlas fidgeted with worry as he's daughter just vanished.

“ Kayla! You dead!?” Adeen asked...but there was no response. “ She's dead,” Adeen said casually. “ But I guess that's for the better considering-” A hand pulled her in and the portal closed.

“ We are so dead,” Mayura muttered

On the other side, the Forbidden Realm unfolded before them—a lush, moonlit forest with towering trees and soft, glowing grass. The air was thick with magic, the ground humming with power beneath their feet.

“This is it,” Kayla said, her voice barely a whisper. “The Forbidden Realm.”

Adeen looked around, her crimson eyes scanning the unfamiliar terrain. “This is completely bonkers!”

And with that, their journey began.

🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑🦑

A/N:

Sorry for the late update. But this book will be updated on Saturdays and Sundays by the grace of God.

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