Serene’s POV

"A Weerjat," I exclaimed in horror. Lavaria Sensei had taught us about it. Dwelled in the heart of the Dark Realm and feasted on the fears and horrors of others.

Suri bared its jaws and howled at it, while the Weerjat tried to smash the invisible barrier with its smoky arms. A pulsating stream of electric current flew through the barrier and the Weerjat was thrown backward. It screeched so loudly that I had to cover my ears.

Two Slayers surrounded it and began to blast it backward with their magic spells.

Meanwhile, we reached the portal and Famios handed over our travel pass to the guards, we finally stepped into the portal jelly. Suri was guided by Famios who reluctantly followed us. Everything swirled for a moment before we found firm ground again.

Kilamin stepped outside with me in his arms followed by Suri and Famios, latter instantly covered us with his shield. The familiar smell of my Realm hit me and I scanned my surroundings to find father standing at a distance with royal guards, clad in his royal attire. He looked tired and held a grim expression which instantly changed as his eyes fell on me.

"Serene," he exclaimed and rushed over to take me in his arms from Kilamin.

"Father, I am sorry," a warm sensation filled me as he took me in his arms and hugged me. Tears welled up in my eyes again and trickled down my cheeks.

"Don’t worry about anything, I got you. I will deal with the world." He reassured me and I knew he would keep me safe.

"Let’s get you to the castle. Can you walk?" I shook my head too emotional to speak.

"I will take her," Kilamin took me back from my father and opened his wings, he then turned to Famios and said:

"You can head back, we can deal with the situation from here onwards. Thank you."

"No problem, stay safe." He handed over Suri to one of our royal guards and went back through the portal, handing them another pass.

My father spread his majestic wings as well, the gold being the dominant colour in his wings, ready to become airborne with Kilamin.

"How is the situation? Any attacks?" Kilamin inquired from father as both of them took flight.

"A few but nothing our forces can’t handle. I have increased the number of forces on the border of the Dark Realm, any monster trying to cross the threshold will be dealt with. After dropping Serene, you should patrol the border once." My father filled him in.

"I will, we might need to send reinforcements to Folkshel Realm as well, considering the situation, they will be hit worst," Kilamin added.

"I have already formed a special squadron for this very purpose. As soon as they call for help we will send them. A very small boundary connects the Dark Realm with ours so it is most likely we will be the least hit."

"I know and I am counting on that. But we might have to take in a few evacuees. I will make arrangements for that asap as well." Kilamin’s voice held determination and I could see how he thought of everything. He was a real leader and deserved to be king after my father.

"Yes, we will have to take in a lot of Folkels. Also, I want to know what happened and how the barrier was broken." He gazed down at me, where I was safely tucked away in Kilamin’s arms. Before Kilamin could say anything I spoke up:

"I will tell you, everything father. Let Kilamin handle the other important errands." I glanced up at Kilamin, pleading for him to stay quiet and not tell father what happened. I gently squeezed his shoulder and he nodded at me.

"Sure," said my father as we landed outside the castle gate.

Kilamin took me inside and toward my room, Agatha my chambermaid followed in pursuit while father instructed one of the guards to fetch the royal physician.

Entering my room, Kilamin gently laid me down on the bed and spoke: "You don’t have to hide anything from father. He knows who I am. You can tell him the truth about what went down and he would never judge his children."

"He never gave you the status of his son, you think I am blind Kilamin?" My words shocked him and I could see it on his face.

"That’s not true. You don’t know the whole truth Serene. It’s complicated. Tell him everything and discuss it with him in detail if you want to. I am sure he will tell you the truth." He softly stroked my hair and I so badly wanted to call him big brother but I knew I couldn’t and might never be able to.

"If you say so then I will but let’s keep the breaking of the barrier details between us. They will be coming for me and I don’t want them to be coming for you as well, considering how our blood together unleashed evil on our world. No one knows and let’s keep it that way." I pleaded with him.

"Alright, let’s keep this our secret." I smiled at his words, he was finally listening to me. The door to my room opened and father stepped in with our royal physician. She was a middle-aged Fae and has been treating me since childhood.

"Heya! Princess Serene. How are you feeling?" She stepped forward and Kilamin moved back to give her space.

"Heya! I have been better, Ayara." She sat down beside me and asked:

"Can I take a look?" And I nodded in return she then shifted her attention to Kilamin and father who took the cue and went outside, leaving Agatha and Ayara with me.

She then unbuttoned my dress and took it off to inspect the extent of the damage my body had undergone. Bandages on my legs were thickest so she began to unravel them.

Taking them all off she inspected the wounds on my legs. There were patches of black and purple on my thighs and calves but there were no punctured wounds. Mariela Sensei had healed most of my wounds but I guessed the damage was so extensive that it would take time.

"I see, the healer in your institute seemed to have done an exceptional job of healing you. But these patches show that whatever caused these injuries contained toxins and not all of them are out of your system. Hence, the reason you can’t walk and your energy is not replenishing. Can you tell me what it was?" And I explained in detail what the creature looked like, I wasn’t aware of its name or what powers it held.

Ayara thought long and hard for a while before covering me with my duvet. "Princess Serene, I will be back soon." I nodded at her and she got up and left the room.

I slid under the duvet and closed my eyes, trying to relax and before I knew it I had drifted off to sleep.

I was awakened by Agatha’s soft voice. Rubbing my eyes and yawning before opening them and glancing around me. My sleep had been turmoiled but at least she was missing in my dreams, this time around.

"Princess Serene, time to eat something so you can take healing potions." She was holding a food tray in her hands and then my eyes fell on grandma who was sitting on a rocking chair beside my bed and smiling down at me.

"Grandma," I exclaimed in joy and threw myself at her. She embraced me with a warm smile and we held each other for a long time. She rubbed my back and spoke softly to me:

"How are you, my child?"

"I am not alright grandma, I feel like all hell had broken loose because of me." I didn’t let her go as I unburdened myself to her.

"That is life, Serene. It doesn’t provide the best outcomes but it always gives you a chance to try your best while moving forward. Don’t be disheartened and lose hope, you are destined to achieve marvelous feats." She cupped my face with her soft hands giving me all of her love and warmth.

"I won’t lose hope Grandma," I had to stay strong and put whatever had happened behind me.

"That’s my sweet girl now let’s eat something so you can heal." She took the tray from Agatha and gestured for her to leave.

I began to eat the chicken soup she had brought, it seemed to fill with me energy and warmth. After I was done eating Ayara and Agatha returned and removed all my bandages, most of my wounds had healed from the potions and ointments Mariela Sensei must have given me.

Ayara covered all my wounds with new ointment and covered me with new bandages. She also gave me a greyish-green vial to drink. I gulped it down in one go and almost gagged. It burnt my throat so she gave me some water to drink.

Agatha and Ayara helped me dress up and made my hair. I felt much better after that.

"I will visit you again tomorrow, Princess Serene. A few more days and you will be back to your old self." She smiled at me.

"Thank you, Ayara." I returned her smile as she got up and left with Agatha.

I then turned to grandma and said: "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, my dear."

"Did you know Kilamin is my brother?"