Chapter 4: The Realm of Darkness

Darkness surrounded us.

Not the ordinary darkness that comes when the sun disappears. This darkness was different. It felt alive, as if it was watching our every move.

The cold air sent shivers down my spine as a thick black mist crept across the ground, hiding everything beneath it. Every breath felt heavy, and the silence was so deep that I could hear my own heartbeat.

As we walked forward, my foot landed on something soft.

I looked down.

A lifeless body lay beneath my feet.

I gasped and stepped back.

There were bodies everywhere.

Some were humans dressed in torn armour, while others were creatures I had never seen before. Their sharp claws, horns, and glowing eyes made it clear that they were not from our realm. Broken swords, shattered shields, and pools of blood covered the battlefield.

It looked as though a terrible war had taken place only moments before we arrived.

"Claire..." I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady. "I really hope this was a good idea."

Claire looked around carefully, her face filled with worry.

"I hope so too."

She tightened her grip on her sword.

"This place gives me a bad feeling."

I nodded.

The Realm of Darkness was exactly as the old stories described.

Cold.

Silent.

Deadly.

The strangest part was that none of our magic worked here.

I stretched out my hand and tried to create a small flame.

Nothing happened.

Alexa tried using her wind magic.

Nothing.

Even Alaze's healing powers had disappeared.

"Our powers..." Alaze whispered nervously. "...they're gone."

Claire sighed.

"This realm rejects outsiders. The darkness here blocks magic from anyone who doesn't belong."

For the first time in years, we were completely helpless.

A While Earlier...

Sisters' POV

"No way!" Alexa crossed her arms. "We're not going to the Realm of Darkness."

"We don't have a choice," I replied.

"There has to Be another way," Alaze said softly.

I shook my head.

"If we want answers about the prophecy, this is where our journey begins."

The room fell silent.

Then Alaze looked up.

"Do you remember the stories Dad used to tell us before bedtime?"

Alexa nodded immediately.

"Yeah."

"He always warned us never to enter the Dark Realm."

I smiled nervously.

"He said the darkness there isn't just the absence of light."

"It breathes," Alexa finished.

"It whispers," Alaze added.

"And it feeds on fear."

I laughed, trying to hide my nervousness.

"Those were just stories."

But deep inside...

I wasn't sure anymore.

Our father never told stories without a reason.

Back in the present, we continued walking through the ruined battlefield.

Suddenly...

Crunch.

Someone—or something—had stepped on a broken bone.

We all froze.

"Did you hear that?" Claire whispered.

Nobody answered.

Crunch.

This time it was closer.

A cold wind swept past us, carrying a strange whisper.

It sounded almost like someone calling our names.

"Alaxia..."

I spun around.

Nothing.

Only darkness.

Then two glowing red eyes appeared in the mist.

Another pair appeared beside them.

Then another.

Within seconds, dozens of glowing eyes surrounded us from every direction.

Low growls echoed through the darkness.

Whatever was hiding there...

...had been waiting for us.

Claire slowly drew her sword.

"Don't move," she whispered.

I held my breath.

The creatures stepped closer.

Their claws scraped against the rocky ground as they emerged from the shadows.

And then...

One of them smiled.

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