Chapter 6
"Your daughter has crossed the boundary between realms," announced the pale-haired man standing opposite the throne of his queen. The woman looked at him, smiling with satisfaction. Queen Mab sat upon a throne carved from ancient, dark wood, adorned with intricate carvings of plants that seemed to move, as if alive. Her long, emerald green hair flowed gently in the soft breeze that drifted into the chamber through the massive open windows. The air was thick with the scent of wildflowers and a faint, mysterious magic. Her pointed ears, peeking from beneath her flowing locks, twitched ever so slightly as the breeze brushed against them. Golden light from the setting sun illuminated her long, green-and-pink gown, adorned with elaborate embroidered patterns of stars and nature. On her slender fingers glittered rings embedded with precious gemstones, each stone radiating a subtle, ancient power.
The chamber itself was a place of majesty and mystery. Towering columns, wrapped in vines, supported a high ceiling. The walls were draped in tapestries depicting Queen Mab's ancient victories and scenes from the realms she ruled. The air was heavy with the scent of incense, like that of the forest and the sea, and the floor was covered in plush velvet rugs, in deep hues of green and purple.
"We must prepare a grand celebration in her honor. A ball the likes of which this world hasn't seen in millennia," Mab said, her smile growing wider with triumph.
"A true celebration of our inevitable victory," she added, raising her hand, where the gemstones on her rings caught the golden light.
"My Queen, you should not celebrate what you have yet to achieve," the man dared to caution her.
The woman's expression hardened, her gaze growing sharp, yet this time she chose to overlook his impertinence.
"And could you enlighten me as to why? My faithful servant has carried out all that I have commanded. Nothing has occurred that could endanger what I have planned," she replied, her voice icy, the smile fading as her eyes took on a more regal, distant look.
"There is something, Your Majesty. A second group of mortals has passed through the gates into our infinitely beautiful realm. A group misled by the lies of your darker half," the elf said, bowing low, though his voice trembled slightly.
"What? How did this happen?"
"It seems her people are more adept than yours. At least when it comes to making alliances with the inhabitants of the world where day and night endlessly war with one another."
Queen Mab narrowed her eyes, considering his words before dismissing him with a wave of her hand, a gesture of impatient indifference.
"I won't keep you any longer, Elidgar. Go to the House of Sensual Fantasies and choose the fairest woman... or man... or whatever satisfies your desires. You've earned a moment of indulgence."
"Thank you, Jewel of the Eternal Twilight," the long-haired elf replied, bowing deeply, his eyes gleaming at the thought of the reward. Moments later, he disappeared into the shadows of the hallway.
Queen Mab slowly rose from her throne, her gown sweeping across the floor with a soft, whispering sound. She moved toward the wooden doors at the far end of the grand chamber, where she intended to continue her plans. The breeze from the windows still played with her hair, as though emphasizing the magical aura that forever surrounded her.
When Queen Mab unlocked the door with a key she had hidden beneath her gown, a vast stone staircase appeared before her, leading deep beneath the surface of the earth. The air was cold, and each step echoed down the shadowy corridor, lit only by faint, magical lamps. Their greenish glow bathed the queen's skin, casting an eerie light that seemed to merge with the mystical aura she exuded.
Mab descended deeper and deeper, passing through the hidden chambers of her grand palace. She strode past an enormous treasury filled with gems enchanted in times when her world was still forming. The dim light shimmered off the jewels, which glinted like imprisoned stars. The darkness echoed with strange sounds coming from the dungeons, where ancient creatures were imprisoned — beasts whose shadows flickered on the walls, writhing like nightmares trapped in an endless torment. In other cells, the most powerful sorcerers who once sought to uncover the secrets of Mab's realm languished, their ambitions bound by unbreakable spells. Further down the path, Mab entered the hall of mechanical wonders. Here, an army of automata, crafted from intricate gears and enchanted machinery, came to life at the sight of their queen. The delicate mechanisms whirred as these artificial beings danced and played a haunting melody on various instruments, their lifeless eyes fixed on their ruler. The music echoed through the palace like a forgotten symphony from an age long past. Mab barely glanced at the cages filled with firelight, where unicorns paced nervously, their hooves clattering on the stone floors. The creatures sensed the darkness surrounding her and shifted uneasily, their eyes reflecting the flickering flames.
At last, she reached her destination — a vast underground cave plunged in utter darkness. The cavern was damp, with the sound of dripping water echoing in the silence, each drop landing in the still, black waters of an underground lake. As Mab ventured into the depths, she was met with a low growling sound, followed by the clanking of chains being drawn by powerful hands.
"Show yourself, wretched hag!" Mab's voice cut through the shadows, sharp and commanding.
"Speak with respect, or I'll set my hounds upon you!" An ancient voice from the dark croaked. Slowly, a figure emerged — a decrepit witch, her hunched frame barely held upright by a gnarled staff. Her skin was ashen and stretched tightly over her bony fingers like dried parchment. Her robes, tattered and old, seemed to be made of the shadows themselves. Her face, deeply lined with age, showed a fierce determination, while her eyes, yellow like those of a serpent, gleamed with malice.
"You dare threaten your queen?" Mab replied, her voice cold as ice.
"My hounds have tasted the flesh and blood of gods! Do you think they would fear an elf who holds herself above all others?" The old woman hissed, as the sound of chains rattling grew louder, and the thud of her wooden staff echoed against the stone floor.
"What brings you here, Mab?" The witch asked, her tone softening.
"I want you to go hunting." The queen declared with a smile.
In the Earthly realm, the Wales, The elderly woman looked at her unexpected visitor in disbelief. The candle sitting on the windowsill had already burned out, leaving behind a pool of melted wax. Her granddaughter and the people accompanying her had crossed through the wall of mist into the realm of Eternal Twilight, and communication with them had become impossible.
"Thank you for informing me about my granddaughter, but you're already too late. My son, his two friends, and Megan's new acquaintances from the United States visited me today. Had you arrived earlier, you would have met them," the woman replied, smiling.
"And where are they now?" asked the long-haired man.
"In Annwn. I used the last spell to open the gate between worlds."
"Are you out of your mind, woman? You sent her to Annwn? If I had arrived sooner..." The man spoke angrily.
"I know about the rebellion in Annwn. I know about the dark Tylwyth Teg and how they sent their messengers to America. Megan had powerful allies by her side who repelled the attacks from those monsters. Ian and his friends suggested sending Megan to Queen Mab's court to ask her to use her magic to remove everything from Megan's body that ties her to the Realm of Eternal Twilight. That way, Megan will no longer be a target for the Tylwyth Teg. I know the journey is risky, but it's the only way to ensure the girl's safety."
"You foolish woman! You sent your own granddaughter to her death. It's not the dark elves who sent assassins after her — it's Queen Mab and her court!" The man said, his voice louder.
"What are you talking about?" The elderly woman was shocked and surprised.
"You can't remove the influence of Annwn from Megan's body because part of her soul, if not all of it, belongs to the Tylwyth Teg. The only way to free her from this curse is to kill her and cast her soul into the fiery abyss, where it will be imprisoned for eternity. There is no other way. And that is exactly the fate Queen Mab is planning for Megan."
"Why should I believe you? Maybe Mab isn't human, but she's Megan's true mother. Could she really do such a thing?" The voice of the old lady was full of fear.
"Yes. Megan's body is human, and Mab and her kind despise humans, though they have the ability to enchant them, pretending friendship and even love. But that's not the issue. Megan threatens the order maintained by the Tylwyth Teg. Megan is something new, something that Annwn has never seen before. That's why she disrupts the delicate fabric that makes up their reality. Mab doesn't want change and will do anything to keep her world as it has been for centuries. In fact, she doesn't have much of a choice — her power and magic are bound by forces far older and more powerful than we can even imagine."
"If that's true, then why did Ian and his friends insist on taking Megan to Annwn? They knew Mab much better than you. They should have guessed what she is capable of."
"They didn't know Mab, because her true form is hidden beneath layers of illusion. But the explanation is simpler than you think. I exclude the Americans — they have no idea what's happening around us. Among the three travelers, there must be a traitor working for Mab's court."
"Who?" The old lady asked feeling fear for her granddaughter.
"I don't know. Aaron is a mage and a Summoner. Maybe he summoned something more powerful than himself, and now he's a slave to it? Will visited the Forbidden Forest; maybe he didn't return, but instead, some demon in his place? Or perhaps Ian — after all, he slept with Mab, and she had many chances to cast a spell on him."
"What have I done? How could I have been so blind..." Megan's grandma became even sadder.
"Don't torment yourself. Lies, illusions, and things turning out completely different than we imagined — that's an everyday occurrence in that cursed world." The man uttered.
"How do you know all this?"
"From the beings that walk the thin boundary between our world and that magical place. Their way of communicating with our world is slow, but effective," the silver-haired man replied.
The Paragons team gathered in one of the dorm rooms. Hope Abbot had yanked them all out of their sleep, determined to help her friend even if it meant defying the teachers again. Jessica Vale's new acquaintance, a mysterious girl named Lorella with dark, elvish features, had promised to help the team reach Pixie, DJ, and their mentor, Shan Coy Mahn. But after a brief conversation, Lorella vanished without a trace, leaving the young mutants restless and increasingly anxious as the minutes dragged on. Finally, Sarah Vale broke the silence, addressing her sister.
"Jessica, controlling the security cameras is wearing me down. I'm going to slip up, and then Frost and the others will find out what we're doing. Are you sure Lorella didn't lie to us?" Sarah asked, worry etched across her face.
"I'm not sure of anything. I only met her a few hours ago. Laura's still over there, in Nexus, or whatever they called it… She wouldn't let them leave without us, would she?" Jessica responded.
"Why is it that every time something strange or dangerous happens, it's always about you?" Wolfcub muttered, glaring at Jessica from the corner of the room.
"This isn't about me, Nick. Or have you missed that part?" Jessica replied.
"Really? Megan flew off to Wales to visit her parents, and you trashed the classroom by painting the walls with your own blood. What's more normal?" Nick shot back.
"Nick, knock it off," Match interjected, trying to calm the situation.
"Everyone you've met out there could've been someone you made with your powers. Just like that lunatic who nearly killed us all," Nick added, his anger barely contained.
Hope, fed up with the escalating argument, cut in.
"We're falling apart. I'm starting to regret calling you all here," she said, clearly frustrated.
Sarah noticed how much Nick's accusations had affected Jessica. She moved closer to her sister, hoping to comfort her.
"Jess, don't let him get to you. He always acts like this when he's scared. And let's face it, he's scared of everything," Sarah whispered softly.
Jessica smiled faintly for a brief moment before her expression darkened again.
"Maybe he's right. Maybe I'm the biggest threat since Dark Phoenix," She said quietly.
"You're overthinking it. A few careless words shouldn't be dragging you down like this," Sarah tried to reassure her.
"You didn't see what I saw that night. You didn't have strange wounds appear on your hands. You didn't meet a psychopath trying to kill you…" Jessica's voice trembled as she recalled the horrors she'd faced.
"You're right. I can't even begin to understand what it's like for you when those visions hit. But remember, you're not alone. You've got us. You can always count on us, no matter what Nick says," Sarah said, wrapping her arm around her sister's shoulders.
"Couldn't have said it better myself," Hope chimed in with a small smile, trying to lift the mood.
"Okay… but that girl really has disappeared. Should we even be preparing for anything at this point?" Ben spoke up, grounding the group with his blunt question, bringing everyone back to the problem at hand.
Lorella and Loranir appeared in the middle of a dimly lit hospital corridor, the shadows stretching around them like silent sentinels. The fluorescent lights overhead flickered faintly, casting an eerie glow. They scanned the area, making sure no one had noticed their sudden arrival. Lorella took a step forward, but Loranir held her back, his hand firm on her arm.
"Wait. We can't afford any delays. We need to make sure no one interferes," he whispered.
"But..." Lorella hesitated.
"Don't worry," he reassured her, his lips curving into a slight smile. "Your magic won't harm them. You're as gentle as a rose petal."
Reluctantly, she nodded. Raising her hands above her head, she closed her eyes in concentration. In a small room down the hallway, two nurses working the night shift suddenly felt overwhelming fatigue. Within moments, they slumped to the floor, breathing softly in a deep, enchanted sleep. The dark elves moved quietly down the corridor, their steps barely audible. The hospital seemed to stretch unnaturally long, as if the magic they carried with them distorted the space around them. Finally, they reached their destination – the maternity ward. The room was bathed in a soft, muted light, and rows of newborns lay in their cribs, all peacefully asleep under the spell Lorella had cast.
All except one.
A tiny baby boy lay near the window, wide awake, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling awareness. His pale skin seemed to glow faintly, as if he belonged to a different world, a world far closer to the dark siblings standing before him. The baby turned his head toward them, gazing up with a look that seemed almost... knowing.
"Are you sure it's him?" Lorella asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as she studied the child closely.
"Yes," Loranir replied, his voice filled with certainty. "He's not sleeping like the others. Look at his eyes... they hold wisdom."
"You were like that once, Loranir," she said softly, a brief smile crossing her lips.
"And so were you, sister," he replied, his tone gentler now. "Let's begin."
They came closer, their faces just inches from the baby's delicate features. Lorella spoke first, her voice carrying an ancient rhythm.
"I remember the oak bearing acorns..."
Loranir joined her.
"I remember the hen laying eggs..."
Together, they whispered the final words.
"But I do not remember someone brewing ale in an eggshell."
As they spoke, their eyes glowed with an intense blue light. The baby's eyes responded in kind, shining with the same ethereal glow. He stared up at them, no longer a helpless infant, but a being with the solemn gaze of someone far older.
"I bring a message from your world," the child said unnaturally, his voice high-pitched but clear, carrying an eerie authority.
"Mab has released the old witch. The hunt has begun. The hunt for the friends of our true Queen." The prophecy spilled from the lips of the newborn, carried across the veil from the Twilight Realm.
With that, the baby's eyes fluttered closed, and he fell into a deep, peaceful sleep. Lorella and Loranir stood over the crib in silence, their gazes lingering on the sleeping child. After a long moment, Loranir placed a hand on his sister's shoulder.
"Come, sister. They are waiting for us."
Lorella, still fixated on the baby, barely acknowledged his words.
"What will happen to him?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with concern.
"He'll live his own life. And if danger comes, someone will protect him. Just like we were protected once," Loranir whispered gently into her ear.
Without another word, the two dark elves vanished, teleporting back to the school for young mutants, leaving behind only the quiet hum of the hospital and the mysterious child asleep in his crib.
Without warning, Lorella and Loranir materialized before the Paragons. Their gaze briefly met Jessica Vale's, and in that single glance, an unspoken understanding passed between them. One by one, they teleported the young mutants to the Nexus, leaving no room for protest or even an exchange of thoughts. The transition through the space-time fold was instantaneous — at least, that's how it felt to anyone unfamiliar with such mystical travel.
The young mutants found themselves in a forest veiled in the thick darkness of night. Nearby, a lake shimmered faintly. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and the faint rustle of unseen creatures.
"What just happened?!" Ben shouted, his voice breaking the stillness.
"Who are they? Jessica, tell us what you know!" Nicholas demanded, his gaze fixed on the long-haired man.
"Where's Sarah?" Hope's voice trembled slightly as she noticed Jessica was without her sister.
"Calm down... these are the ones we've been waiting for," Jessica replied, her tone attempting to soothe the group's unease.
"Would have been nice if they'd given us a heads-up," Ben muttered, still fuming over the forced journey.
"Jessica, I didn't bring any of my stuff," Hope complained, looking disoriented.
Loranir stepped closer to her, his piercing eyes locking onto hers. His voice was low and calming, but carried a weight that stilled her protests. "Where we're going, you won't need them. Time is short, and we had to act quickly. Apologies for the abruptness," he added, his tone almost gentle.
"This was my idea," a new voice cut through the night, as Laura Kinney emerged from the shadows, accompanied by Lorella and Owena. "After hearing the latest news from Annwn, I decided to accelerate things."
"Laura?" Ben's voice was filled with disbelief at the sight of her.
"I knew those two troublemakers would team up eventually," Wolfcub grumbled under his breath, casting a skeptical glance between Laura and Jessica.
"Do you have new information?" Jessica asked, stepping closer to Lorella.
Lorella's face remained serious as she nodded. "Yes. My brothers and sisters lack the power to open portals to the Twilight Realm often. The passage we'll be traveling through took many years to prepare… but that doesn't concern you. What matters is that we have a way to receive information from Annwn. Our sorcerers send elven infants, whom you call Changelings, to Earth. In their minds, the latest events at Queen Mab's court are encoded. Dark elves like us can decode it. My brother and I came to Earth the same way many years ago."
Loranir's gaze darkened as he continued. "The last Changeling brought us dire news — Mab is ready to defend her position at any cost. She's sent Matilda, an old witch who controls packs of monsters, hellhounds, and astral wolves. Creatures lethal to anyone from Annwn. Our journey will be far more dangerous than you can imagine."
"If we're going to help Megan, then let's not waste time," Hope said, her voice steady despite the rising tension. But after a pause, her concern resurfaced. "Where's Sarah?"
"Sarah won't be joining us," Jessica stated firmly. "From the start, I knew she was too important. Her absence will help keep our disappearance unnoticed for longer."
"Maybe the X-Men should handle this instead. They've dealt with Limbo, another galaxy…" Nicholas interrupted, his frustration evident.
"We are the largest group capable of passing through the portal here. Bringing more people would close the gates and trap us between worlds," Loranir snapped back, his patience wearing thin.
"Then we should've brought the best X-Men," Nicholas countered.
Loranir's eyes flashed with anger. "We only need the stigmatic! If you don't want to go, that's your choice! I'll leave you here in the woods, and you can fend for yourselves!" he growled, his temper finally boiling over.
"Enough," Ben stepped in, trying to defuse the situation. "We'll go for Megan and Mark, alright? We're a team, and we help each other. Besides, one X-Man is already in Annwn — Shan."
"One of the weakest. Great comfort..." Wolfcub muttered sarcastically, still skeptical of the entire situation. The strangers hadn't earned his trust, and he wasn't shy about showing it.
"Alright... so where's this portal you've been talking about?" Hope asked, her voice tinged with impatience.
"There." Lorella's voice was soft but firm as she pointed into the darkness, toward the silent lake that lay before them, it's still waters reflecting the faintest glimmer of moonlight.
The group stood by the lake, a tense atmosphere hanging over them. The place felt unnatural, and the calm seemed like an illusion. Ben took a deep breath, still uncertain about what awaited them.
"According to the legend, there was once a city here that mysteriously ended up underwater," Loranir began. "It was actually the fortress of Tylwyth Teg, built where the barrier between our world and Annwn is thinnest. That's what our teacher told us."
His voice echoed across the lake's surface, painting a picture of ancient times.
"Growing up on Earth, we know very little about the realm where we were conceived. We don't know why the Faerie fortress disappeared or how this lake came to be. This is where the Pooka brings elven children to switch with humans. It's likely from here that Queen Mab's assassins came."
Ben grimaced. "Won't this place be heavily guarded... I mean, from the other side?"
Loranir turned to him, his expression serious.
"No. This is the edge of Annwn, lands where few dare to venture. Mab won't risk sending soldiers here when monsters lurk at every turn. Her castle is well-guarded, and that's enough. Besides, she has to deal with her daughter and those traveling with her. They are much more dangerous than us. And only one of them is a traitor."
Wolfcub interjected sarcastically. "Monsters? Great. Just what we needed."
Suddenly, Hope screamed in terror.
"What?!" Loranir whipped around toward the lake, and the others followed his lead.
On the shore sat a bizarre creature – a massive toad, larger than a human, with bat-like wings spreading from its back. The monster stared at the mutants and the pair of elves, preparing to attack. Its eyes gleamed in the darkness, and its hulking form moved in a disturbing, ominous way.
"You're sending monsters against us? Have you fallen that low?" Loranir sneered, a bitter smile on his lips. In his hand appeared a giant snowflake, glinting in the moonlight.
The creature flapped its wings and launched itself toward them with an incredible speed. Before anyone could react, Match formed two fireballs in his hands and hurled them at the beast. Flames lit up the night, and the creature let out a bone-chilling screech.
"Fire and ice. I like it," Loranir said, his voice calm as he raised his hand toward the toad. Hundreds of ice shards shot through the air, slicing through the monster's thick skin. The beast leaped back into the forest with a few powerful jumps, retreating momentarily. Silence hung in the air, but not for long – it returned, even angrier than before. Its massive mouth opened wide, and a slick, powerful tongue shot out, aiming for Loranir. Laura reacted instantly, unsheathing her claws and positioning herself between the elf and the creature. In a flurry of swift strikes, she severed the tongue, causing the monster to screech in pain.
"You're fast. But keep that metal away from me," Loranir remarked to X-23, readying himself for another attack.
"Fire boy, hit it as hard as you can!" he yelled, preparing his spell.
"Got it," Ben replied, focusing both hands on the flying toad. Twin streams of fire erupted from his palms as Loranir conjured an icy wind that froze the creature's membranous wings. The flames scorched the beast's flesh while the freezing cold immobilized it. In seconds, the once-mighty monster was reduced to a smoking, trembling heap.
"Oh... I think I'm gonna puke," Hope muttered, her face twisted in disgust as she glanced at the creature's remains.
Nicholas chuckled nervously. "Too easy. We didn't even break a sweat."
Loranir's brow furrowed as he stared at the lifeless body, doubt creeping into his voice. "Too easy..."
Lorella approached Jessica. "Do you sense anything, stigmatic?" she asked calmly.
Jessica frowned. "Don't call me that. And no, I didn't have any visions."
"The creature could've carried a message. You need to check," Lorella insisted. "Touch it."
Jessica looked at the smoking corpse and shook her head. "No. I'm not doing that. I already touched a dead body once this week."
"Laura, bring a piece of it," Owena, who had been silent until now, spoke with calm authority.
"Okay." Laura stepped forward, unsheathing one of her claws. She cut off a chunk of the monster's flesh. Owena quickly grabbed it and pressed it into Jessica's hands.
"And now?" she asked, her eyes piercing into Jessica's.
Jessica stood frozen, clutching the piece of meat tightly in her hand. The tension in the air was palpable. Her friends, gathered around her, waited anxiously for any sign of a reaction. But as the seconds ticked by, concern deepened. Finally, Hope took a cautious step toward her, unable to bear the unnerving silence.
"Jessie? Jessica, what's wrong?" Hope asked.
Without a word, Jessica let the meat fall to the grass with a soft thud. She stepped forward with a wide grin spreading across her face — but it wasn't her usual smile. This grin was twisted, malevolent, entirely unfamiliar.
"I am Matilda!" she declared gleefully, her voice echoing with a sinister edge. "Welcome to the gates of my beloved world! I will organize a grand hunt for you all!" Her laughter rang out, chilling and maniacal.
"She's been possessed by the witch!" Lorella cried out.
Owena, not hesitating, gripped the hilt of her sword, her fingers tightening in anticipation. "We have to stop her before she casts a spell on us!" she shouted, readying herself for battle.
But Laura, sensing her intention, moved quickly to block her path. She stood protectively in front of Jessica, prepared to defend her possessed friend.
"You'll be the prey!" Jessica shrieked, her face contorting into a wild, frenzied expression. Her body trembled as Matilda's dark magic took hold, her eyes burning with chaotic energy. The tension broke when Hope, unable to stand by any longer, left her body, her astral form rushing forward at lightning speed. She flew straight at Jessica, her ethereal form passing through her friend's body. With a violent jolt, the connection with the witch was severed. A blood-curdling scream ripped through the air — Matilda shrieked in agony, her hold on Jessica forcibly broken. The shock was too much for Jessica, who collapsed to the ground, unconscious, her body limp on the wet grass.
Owena was the first to reach her, quickly checking for signs of life. Her fingers pressed against Jessica's neck, finding a faint pulse.
"She's in shock, but she's alive," she announced, her voice steady, though her expression remained grave.
Hope returned to her body and immediately knelt beside Jessica, gripping her hands tightly.
"Jessica... What have you done to her!" Hope shouted, her voice breaking with both fear and fury as she turned her anger toward Owena and Lorella.
Loranir, calm amidst the chaos, responded coolly. "Now we know for certain the message carried by the changeling wasn't Mab's propaganda but the truth."
"Which means you'd better get her back on her feet quickly," he added, his gaze already focused beyond their immediate crisis. "We have less time than I expected."
Hope stared at him in disbelief. "You knew this could happen?"
"Yes," Lorella replied bluntly. "It was one of many possible outcomes. Be glad it's over."
"Could it have been worse?" Hope asked, her voice trembling as she feared the answer.
Lorella's expression hardened, and she turned away.
"You don't want to know," she said coldly, ending the conversation abruptly.
The tension between Hope and the young elf intensified, and though the immediate danger had passed, it was clear the conflict between them was far from over.
Megan Gwyn gazed in awe at the landscape that greeted her after crossing the boundary between the earthly realm and the magical land of the Eternal Twilight. Everything seemed familiar, yet strikingly different. The grass, trees, clouds, and the deep, twilight-colored sky were more vibrant — almost pulsing with life. Every aspect of this world seemed heightened — the colors of the grass were richer, the leaves of the trees shimmered with their own hues, each slightly different from the next, forming a mesmerizing mosaic of shades. Even the clouds drifting across the sky seemed to shimmer with subtle, magical tones. It was as though the entire landscape was alive with an otherworldly energy. The silence was eerie — not a lifeless silence, but one that seemed to hold secrets. Megan could feel the power of this place filling her with a strange, unfamiliar energy.
"It's exactly the same as it was years ago," Ian broke the silence, glancing around the surroundings.
"It's beautiful… even more than I imagined," Megan replied, flexing her wings. As she moved, a glowing dust lifted from them, illuminating the air around her. It was something she had never seen before, even though she was well acquainted with her abilities.
"Don't let the beauty fool you. Remember what we warned you about," Aaron cautioned.
"We're all on guard," Shan said firmly. Mark stepped closer to Megan, gently placing his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm so glad you're here with me," she whispered, resting her head against his arm.
"Perfect spot for a date, right?" Mark tried to lighten the mood, but Megan quickly pulled away from him.
"Not now. My father's watching us!" she teased, stepping away with a soft smile.
"We shouldn't waste time. There's a long road ahead," Will stated, moving forward. The group followed, walking through meadows filled with colorful flowers that seemed to watch them with curious eyes. The streams they crossed were crystal clear, revealing shimmering gemstones at the bottom, while the forests they ventured through were illuminated by tiny glowing sparks, as if guided by some unseen intelligence. After passing through a tunnel formed by interlocking trees, they emerged onto a clearing where towering, phosphorescent mushrooms grew, glowing like neon lights in the dim twilight of the forest.
"What a place!" Mark exclaimed, wide-eyed with wonder.
"This was always our favorite spot," Ian remarked, smiling, while Aaron's gaze remained fixed on the dark tree line at the horizon, sensing something lurking in the shadows — something watching their every move.
In another part of the realm, there lay a grand garden, vast and sprawling, filled with towering green trees, vibrant shrubs sculpted into fantastical shapes, and endless fields of flowers stretching as far as the eye could see. The garden was bathed in the warm glow of the Eternal Twilight, casting a surreal light over the landscape. Multicolored petals floated through the air, carried on the gentle breeze, creating a delicate storm of crimson and pink. It was a place of breathtaking beauty, where nature seemed to grow unchecked by time or decay, its wildness carefully balanced by the touch of ancient magic.
Amidst this swirling sea of rose petals stood a tall, golden-haired man. He was the same elven assassin who had once tried to kill Megan when she journeyed to the airport, only to be defeated by her boyfriend. The young mutant's power had severed his hand, but in its place now was a gleaming prosthetic made of pure magical gold, intricately crafted to mimic the grace and strength of his original limb. He raised the golden hand, catching the delicate red petals that spiraled around him, letting them slip through his fingers as he savored the moment. The garden seemed to respond to him, the flowers tilting toward his presence as if acknowledging his mastery over their beauty.
The tranquility of the scene was interrupted when a woman entered the garden. She wore a flowing gown, her emerald-green hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, and her sharp, pointed ears peeking through the strands. Her presence radiated authority, the air around her pulsing with magic. The elf immediately bowed before her, showing the deep reverence she commanded.
"Have they crossed into our realm yet, my queen?" the golden-haired elf asked, his voice calm but laced with anticipation.
"Yes," she replied. "All three of them are here, along with the source of all my troubles."
"And… is he with her? That delightful young man who wounded me so gravely?" The elf's tone darkened with thinly veiled excitement.
"Yes... the people from the New World have entered my domain as well," the queen confirmed, a glint of malice in her eyes.
A sinister smile curled on the elf's lips. "May I do with him as I please?" he asked, his golden hand closing around another handful of petals, savoring their softness.
"Yes," she replied, her voice carrying an ominous undertone. "You may enjoy yourself like never before."
The elf closed his eyes, inhaling the sweet fragrance of the petals that swirled around him. The intoxicating scent filled him with a sense of elation. He could already imagine the pleasure of exacting his revenge on the young mutant, and in that serene garden, amidst the beauty of nature, his thoughts turned to darker, bloodier pursuits.
"Calm down, everyone! We haven't even crossed the gates of Annwn, and we're already at each other's throats!" Owena stepped forward, positioning herself between her companions and the young mutants, trying to defuse the rising tension.
"Something's taken control of Jessica's body, and we're supposed to stay calm? Never!" Hope bristled, taking a defensive stance. Fear for her friend's life had morphed into anger, directed squarely at their new allies. Match and Wolfcub immediately joined her.
"I had a bad feeling about this from the start," Nicholas muttered.
"How do we know they're not in league with those other two?" Ben added.
"Stop it! Right now, our focus should be on helping Megan, not fighting amongst ourselves! Can't you see? The witch was trying to turn us against each other!" Jessica's voice cut through the argument, startling the others. She was pale and weak, but conscious. Laura stood close, helping her stay upright.
"Jessie? You should be resting!" Hope's concern for her girlfriend was evident in her voice.
"I feel better, and I know we're running out of time. While we're standing here arguing, they're getting ready to greet Megan on the other side. I was connected to the witch's mind for a moment — I saw her world through her eyes. There's someone building a strange machine… I saw parts of it in my vision earlier. I saw Megan's blood on it! Hope, I'm fine, I promise!" Jessica tried to reassure her, but Hope's face remained clouded with doubt.
"How can you trust them? You've known them for a few hours, maybe half a day!" Hope protested, still not convinced.
"I don't trust them," Jessica admitted. "But they're our only chance of getting to that realm. They're the only hope we have of stopping whatever's coming for Megan."
Lorella and Loranir, seeing that Jessica was beginning to sway her friends, decided it was time to act. Loranir raised his hands, a crystal, resembling a snowflake, materializing in his palm. His sister mirrored his gesture, and a soft blue glow shimmered around her fingers. The water of the lake responded, phosphorescent light rippling in the same hue as Lorella's magic.
"What's happening?" Ben asked, startled by the sudden display.
"What are you doing?" Hope echoed, her suspicion flaring once more.
"We're not wasting time with unnecessary chatter like you. We prefer to act," Lorella said coldly.
"It's ready," Loranir confirmed.
"I don't see any portal," Nicholas said, baffled as he scanned the still surface of the lake.
"If you trust me and step into the water, you'll find yourselves on the other side," Lorella explained confidently, her eyes locked on the group.
"What? No way!" Wolfcub's voice shook with indignation, his disbelief evident.
"Suit yourselves," the elf shrugged, clearly unbothered by their hesitation. She approached the edge of the lake and, with a graceful step, dipped her foot into the water. The moment her skin touched the surface, blue ripples spread across it. Without a second thought, Lorella disappeared into the water. Moments later, her brother followed her lead. The mutants stood frozen by the shore, with Laura and Owena nearby. Owena, who had been watching from the side, sighed as she sheathed her sword and prepared to follow.
"What are you waiting for?" she called out to the hesitant mutants. "If it's just water, the worst that'll happen is you'll get wet. It's not even deep here," she added nonchalantly before sprinting towards the lake. In the blink of an eye, she too vanished beneath the surface, just like her companions.
"We're going," Jessica declared, her voice steady despite her obvious exhaustion.
Ben hesitated for only a moment. He turned to the remaining mutants and spoke firmly:
"We're going. Megan needs us. Mark and Shan do, too."
One by one, the group began to step forward, each disappearing into the shimmering surface of the lake. Ben led the way, followed closely by Jessica. Laura, Hope, and finally Nicholas, who still wavered with uncertainty until the last moment, reluctantly crossed into the mysterious depths of the lake's dark waters.