Hi everyone! We`re back with chapter 5! Thank you for all the support for this story, I can`t wait for you guys to see what I have next.

Please enjoy!


It was obvious Kendra was floored by Bracken`s invite. Her mouth dropped and she leaned back away from Bracken a little, surprise in her eyes. Seth saw Grandpa smile a little as Kendra tried to recover herself.

"But-" Before Kendra could continue, Bracken said something to her that Seth didn't understand, speaking in a strange chirping fluttery way that he recognized as fairy language. Seth looked to Grandpa to see if he could glean anything from his expression, but he seemed just as confused as Seth was. But Kendra seemed to understand it, the shock leaving her eyes as she nodded in understanding.

"I`m not sure if- if now`s a good time." Kendra spoke hesitantly, glancing at Grandpa, then briefly at Seth. He wasn't sure why this seemed to be such a big deal to her. It seemed fitting for a fairykind to enter the fairy realm.

"My mother wishes to also speak with you regarding these recent events. She believes she might have some valuable insight on the situation." Bracken added, glancing at Kendra. Though her face was serious, there was a glimmer of excitement in her eyes that meant everything in her wanted to go.

"We`d leave tomorrow morning and you would be home by the next day in the afternoon." Bracken`s voice was light and casual but Seth could tell from the way he watched Kendra closely, that he was keen for her to agree.

But again, Kendra looked at Grandpa who smiled a little. "You should go Kendra. More information is always valuable, and besides, Seth has a job to do." Grandpa turned to Seth. His face was set in determination.

"A job?" Seth hoped it wasn't like, gardening or something. It would be just his luck to have to pull weeds in the sun all day while Kendra gets to go the fairy realm.

"Your abilities as a shadow charmer are undeniably useful, and while I`d like to keep you two as far away from this as possible, I know that may no longer be appropriate." Grandpa looked to both Kendra and Seth to make sure they were listening. "You are both growing up and for better or worse, you are growing up in a world of magic. You two are very special. You have been given abilities beyond most people`s wildest dreams, and I figure there is no better of a time than now to begin tempering those abilities." Grandpa looked at Bracken for a moment before continuing. "Seth, you will travel to the dark marsh and along with Dale, Warren, Tanu, Cassidy and Eli, and you will commune with the creatures there to glean as much information about the disappearances as you can." But before Seth could get too excited, Grandpa added, "I am giving you a chance to prove yourself to me as an asset to this preserve. Immaturity will not be tolerated. Prove to me that you can handle this." Seth nodded, feeling the weight of Grandpa`s expectations on him.

Seth was well aware of his track record in screwing things up. First midsummers eve, and most recently, Graulas destroying the preserve and killed Coulter. His heart stung sharply as he remembered the way Coulter had looked, as he lay dying in the ruins of the house, reassuring him that it wasn't his fault. But he knew that Grandpa was probably waiting for a response. He looked up, doing his best to meet his grandfather`s expectant eyes.

"I`ll be good. I`ll make you proud." For a brief moment, Grandpa`s eyes brightened and he gave him a half smile.

"You always do." Before Seth could dwell too much on that, Grandpa turned to Kendra and Bracken. "Kendra, if you feel as though you should go to the fairy realm, go. Don't let any of this hold you back. It`ll all be waiting here for you." Kendra nodded, her eyes flicking over to Seth`s for a bit.

"Alright. I`ll go." She smiled at Bracken who smiled back such a dopey grin, Seth couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Alright then, both of you prepare yourselves for tomorrow then."


Later, after Seth had finished checking his emergency kit, he sat outside on the porch by himself, staring at a text from his parents. The text was simple enough, telling him that they were on their way back to Fablehaven and would arrive at the end of the week, and Seth couldn't help but wish, for the first time, that they were going to be away for a little longer.

His and Kendra`s parents were amazing, and he loved them, but sometimes, their presence made things so difficult. A few months into living at Fablehaven full time, it became obvious his parents were not suited for a life on a magical preserve. They missed normal life and hated the danger magic presented. So, when their parents had broached the idea of leaving Fablehaven, Seth had refused. Surprisingly, not only both sets of his grandparents had been with him, but Kendra too, perhaps even more vehemently then Seth. The whole thing had been a massive argument until, finally they had accepted Kendra and Seth weren't going to leave. Then, a few weeks later a job offer to travel the world and represent a travel magazine gave them an opportunity to escape Fablehaven for weeks at a time while still seeing their children often.

It wasn't that Seth felt neglected or anything, it was just hard knowing that his own parents didn't support his and Kendra`s decisions. But he also understood that living in Fablehaven, where conversations over disgruntled trolls and messy giants became too much for them, so when they had been agonizing over the job decision, both he and Kendra had told them they should take it.

It had been hard for the first few weeks, but then, as most everyone does, they adjusted to the change and it felt almost normal sometimes. Maybe that seemed messed up to some people, Seth thought to himself, but then again, it wasn't like they were anything close to a normal family.

"I can almost see the smoke coming out of your ears Seth." Seth turned to see Grandpa Larsen sitting down in the chair beside him. Grandpa Larsen was the grandfather Seth had grown up with, but learning about a whole new side of their life had made them feel like strangers. It had been a while before it had felt like old times again, with the grandfather who taught him how to play football and checkers.

"We just got back from your school. According to official sources, there was a gas leak at the school, causing some strange hallucinations as well as the fire." Grandpa leaned back with a smirk playing around his lips, making Seth smile as well. Grandma and Grandpa Larsen were exceptionally good at covering up sensitive situations, and helping to keep the Knights` secrets.

Seth nodded, still brewing over his initial dilemma and Grandpa nudged his shoulder.

"Come on, tell me what`s goin' on in that head of yours!" Seth grinned at his Grandpa before sobering quickly.

"Mom and Dad are coming back at the end of the week." Seth couldn't find it within himself to inject any excitement into his voice, even though he knew he should.

"And you`re worried they`ll bring up their concerns again?" Grandpa assumed and Seth nodded his agreement. Out of anyone, it was Grandpa Larsen who would know exactly what was bothering him. The danger that came with the magical world had become something that most of them were accustomed to, but their parents had never been able to accept it. Seth had made a mistake in telling his mom about how they discovered Fablehaven, and it had turned into a screaming match, his parents insisting that Fablehaven was too dangerous for them.

"Your mom and dad have the best intentions you know," Grandpa reminded him. "But they do lack the proper perspective in all of this."

Seth glanced at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

Grandpa smiled sadly. "They know the truth about Fablehaven, but they don't they fully accept it. They don`t understand what draws people like us to this world. What`s at stake. Why we believe the danger is justified." He sat up, facing Seth. "Now, not to say that you or your sister should have ever had to have faced what you did, but the fact remains that you did. You faced it and you survived it and it changed you."

Seth digested this. Fablehaven was a strange, mystical world that sometimes terrified him, even though he liked to pretend it didn't. But he wouldn't ever change what had happened to him and thought of leaving it all behind made his heart shrink in a way that he hated.

"See?" Grandpa nudged him again. "There it is. When this world catches a hold of you, it holds fast. Leaves something inside you that makes you keep coming back for more. Your parents never had that. They don't understand this world and I don't think they ever fully will, but you do. You and your sister, you`re something special, and I think it's about time that my daughter and son begin to realize that."

"Do you think they`ll ever accept it?" Seth asked, hating how empty his voice sounded. Grandpa leaned back crossing his arms.

"I believe as time goes it`ll get easier for them. And distance will help too, giving their minds a chance to adjust. And as for the danger…" Grandpa sighed, adjusting his glasses. "You are both smart and capable children, and you have a lot of people behind you that have done a good job training you and keeping you safe."

"That wasn't an answer."

Grandpa smiled, eyes crinkling. "Pretty sharp aren't you?" He considered, lines creasing on his forehead. "No parent ever wants their child in danger, but I think that eventually they will come to understand that considering who the two of you are, Fablehaven is the safest place for you."

Seth tried to smile a little, "Well I hope they do soon. I have a feeling things are about to get a whole lot more interesting."

Grandpa laughed out loud, but it was tinged with sorrow. "I think you`re right."


"You`ll behave right?" Kendra stood in front of him, surveying him with a critical eye, adjusting the bag on her shoulder.

Seth rolled his eyes at her. "Yes Mom, I`ll behave." Picking up on his sarcasm, Kendra hit him on the arm, her eyes narrowing.

"Seriously. Nothing stupid." The seriousness in Kendra`s voice made Seth pause, and really look at his sister. Under the light layer of makeup she wore, she looked tired, and in this is moment, she looked old. She looked like someone who had seen too much, so Seth decided that she deserved sincerity.

"I`ll behave. I`ll listen to the adults and I won`t do anything stupid. I promise." Seth could see how Kendra relaxed at his promise and he was glad. He hated how Kendra worried for him and he knew that she put up with a lot for him. Despite her somewhat-annoying habit of snitching, she believed in him, and she trusted him. He would be worthy of that trust.

"Thank you." Kendra replied, but he knew that she would still worry, no matter what.

"Try and have some fun while you`re in the fairy realm, okay? This is a once in a lifetime experience after all." Seth joked, and finally, Kendra smiled a little.

"Tell me about it," She said, releasing a shaky breath. "I`ll be the first mortal to enter the realm, ever."

"Really?"

Kendra sighed, but excitement lingered in her eyes. "I don't know why I`m so nervous."

"Maybe cause you`re visiting your boyfriend`s family?" Seth quipped and Kendra rolled her eyes. Just like that, things were back to normal and as Bracken approached, Kendra looked a little calmer than she had before.

"You ready to get going?" Bracken asked Kendra, taking her bag from her, putting it over his own shoulder. As Kendra nodded, only a light blush on her cheeks, Bracken turned to Seth.

"And while we`re gone…" Seth cut Bracken off.

"Kendra already gave me the lecture. Don`t be stupid until you guys get back." Bracken grinned a bit, and nodded in approval.

"You ready for your mission?" Bracken nodded to the satchel that sat by Seth`s feet. In it were various items he deemed worthy of accompanying him on an adventure, including a statuette leviathan and tower, both of which he had yet to use, but wanted to badly.

Seth grinned. "More than ready. They`re finally letting me come on these missions!"

Kendra frowned. "They`re letting you come so you can prove you`ve matured."

"And I have! It`ll be great." It was true. Seth knew better than anyone that he had a tendency to screw up, but he was determined to do this right. To make this mission successful.

Kendra shrugged as she glanced at Bracken. "Well, we`d better get going."

Bracken grinned a little, clapping him on the shoulder and wishing him luck before going over to Grandpa Sorenson, Tanu and Warren who were waiting nearby.

Kendra stepped in and hugged Seth briefly. He squirmed a little, but had to admit the hug felt good.

"I`ll see you soon." Kendra stepped away to say goodbye to the others and it wasn't before long that her and Bracken were gone, heading to the fairy shrine.

"Hey, sorry we`re late!" Seth turned to see Cassidy and Eli, both equipped with satchels not unlike Seth`s, jogging towards them. Seth had to admit, it was hard to even place them as high school students, especially with the hunting knives Cassidy had strapped to his back.

Seth had a sword of his own of course. It was nothing compared to Vasilis, which had been taken and stored by Agad the wizard himself after Zzyxx, but it was a shiny adamant sword, light as a feather but sharp.

"You guys are actually going with us?" Seth asked as soon as they got close enough. They had gotten back to the preserve late at night with their things and Seth had yet to see them today. A part of him had wondered if he was going to see them at all.

Eli gave a brief mischievous grin, "We`re here to help, aren't we?"

"Hm." With that, the brothers went to report to Grandpa, and Seth found himself enjoying the way that even Eli straightened up as Grandpa gave them the rundown for the mission. It was something he had heard about four times already, so instead, he decided to watch Dale and Hugo outfit themselves. The golem had a few orange and yellow leaves sprouting from his shoulder, but besides that, he was mostly a mix of brown and black dirt, making up his impressive stature. But despite how massive Hugo was, he was always gentle.

"Seth has big sword." The golem pointed to the sheathed sword and Seth nodded, smiling proudly.

"You two ready for this?" Seth directed his question to Dale as well, who was busy tying his shoes. Dale was undeniably the most experienced of all of them in navigating Fablehaven and had been busy all morning getting his chores done early with the Hugo. It amazed Seth that Dale was able to get everything done largely by himself with Hugo`s help, and often assured the others he could handle it himself. Seth suspected that Dale treasured the time alone that he could manage. Fablehaven had become a much busier place in the past few years and there were times that Seth wondered if Dale missed the old days.

"Just about. You?" Like always, Dale kept his answers brief but sincere. He stood by the cart that Hugo would tow them in to the dark marsh.

"Yeah! I`ve never been to the dark marsh before with permission!" Dale gave him a reapproving look, but Seth could see a glimmer of amusement in his gaze.

"What about those brothers?" Dale motioned with his jaw to Cassidy and Eli who were still talking to Grandpa.

"They seem alright. A little naïve but apparently they`re the best in the business." Grandpa had spent all last night in his study on the phone. Seth hadn't managed to catch most of it, but from what he knew, Cassidy and Eli were indeed some of the best at what they did.

Dale nodded slowly, "Their parents visited here once a few years ago. They seemed nice."

"Do you know how they died?"

Dale shook his head. "Not fully. But I`d wager it had something to do with their trade."

"Probably." And that was that, as Dale clapped Seth on the shoulder, inviting him to hop into the cart. He helped him up over the high sides and Hugo went to the front of the cart, picking up the handle, waiting for the others to join them.

Tanu, Warren, Eli and Cassidy headed over to the cart with Grandpa, Grandma Sorenson and Larsen also coming out to see them off.

"Be careful! Come back at the first sign of trouble!" Grandma Sorenson called worriedly, but despite that, they were off. Grandpa hadn't given Seth any strict warnings this morning, which most likely meant that he was indeed being tested.

The cart rattled as Hugo pulled it quickly across the uneven ground. He took a wide, open path through the woods, but as they traveled deeper into the trees, Seth noticed that the mood in the cart was dour at best. And Seth could understand why. They were going to the place where two creatures had gone missing without a trace. Even the trees reflected the mood, mostly cutting out the sun, making it dim and colder where they were.

"We`re getting close. Everyone be on your guard." Dale murmured, readying his weapon, pulling a machete from his belt. Soon enough, Hugo slowed to a stop.

"We… here." Hugo rumbled, steadying the cart as they all jumped to the ground.

"We`ll go on foot from here. Hugo will wait here with the cart." Seth knew that because of Hugo`s status as a golem, he couldn't enter the marsh with them, but he supposed it was for the best as Hugo had a hard time understanding subtlety.

Seth jumped down from the cart, joining Cassidy and Eli who stood together, eyes scanning the surrounding woods. "Everything seem okay to you guys?"

"Hmm. It`s strange." Cassidy mused, turning in a circle, Eli frowned a little, focusing on Seth. "It`s so quiet."

He was right. As they fell silent, no longer talking, all Seth could hear was the sound of crinkling leaves and of the others at the cart, getting their gear. No birds were singing, no crickets chirping or bugs buzzing around. It was like the world had just… stopped.

Then without warning, the sharp sounds of snapping twigs interrupted the silence. A chillingly familiar voice, deep and silky called out from the woods behind Seth.

"Come to play Seth Sorenson?"


Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Next one, we get to visit the fairy kingdom and are introduced to a few new characters!

Thank you to books-and-starss, by myself alone, Jesussavedevenme, Yakall and JaylaLovesReading! The support this story has received has been amazing, and I`m so excited for you all to see what happens next!

Stay safe everyone! I`ll see you soon for another update, I`m planning on about 2-3 weeks until I post the next chapter!

Bye!