The first spirit walked alone across the golden sand dunes, her bare feet sinking slightly into the warm earth. Each step stirred up grains of light, as if the very ground glowed in reverence to her presence. Her eyes swept across the vast horizon—her creation—proud and restless. A gentle smile touched her lips as she recalled Charlene's voice echoing in her mind."Gi Gi," she'd called her, laughing. The innocence of it warmed Destiny’s heart.A shimmer appeared in front of her. A door. Plain, stark, out of place in her desert realm. She didn’t need to guess who had summoned it.She rolled her eyes. “Not today,” she muttered.She strolled around the door, deliberately ignoring its presence. Thunder cracked across the heavens, rumbling her bones.Sighing, she doubled back, her joy already eroding. She stopped in front of the door. Closed her eyes. Sighed again. “So dramatic,” she whispered, and stepped through.A dark co
The Realm was shrouded in an eerie hush—an unnatural stillness that slithered into the bones of every Fate. The skies, once radiant with the dance of light and color, had turned a bruised gray. The orbs—three ancient suns—lingered low, their light dimmed by something more than cloud. It was fear. Fear thick in the air, as if the world itself held its breath. Inside the marble sanctum of the Grand Hall, torches flickered with green flame, casting elongated shadows against the black-stone walls. The banners that once bore the sigil of the Queen—Destiny's gleaming soul spear crossed with the vine of wisdom—had been torn down. In their place, a crimson flag hung limp, the crest of Torrock burned into the fabric: a serpent devouring its own tail. The false symbol of unity. A lie dressed as heritage. Torrock stood behind a long obsidian desk, his gauntleted hand clenched into a fist as he struck the polished stone. “This is your
She came storming out of the portal, furiously wiping her eyes and muttering under her breath. Everyone knew better than to approach her when she was like this—everyone except her father. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Idris asked gently. “Nothing!” she snapped, her voice sharp and brittle. “Nothing has you that upset? Hate to see you when it’s something,” he said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. If looks could kill, Idris would’ve dropped dead. Charlene was not in the mood for jokes. “Something’s obviously bothering you, Princess,” he tried again, this time more serious. Charlene didn’t want to talk. But she knew if she stayed silent, he’d just keep pressing. “Argun is leaving,” she blurted out, the words hitting the air like a blow. “What do you mean?” E asked, confused by the sudden declaration.
The cold bit their skin the moment they stepped through the portal. The air was thick—wet with smoke, laced with ash. Flames cracked in the distance, spitting embers into a dark sky. Tree trunks glowed like coals. The scent of burning wood mixed with something worse: fear. "Fellas, get up!" Seth’s voice cut through the haze. E and Idris stirred on the floor, groggy. "We gotta go now! Get your stuff! I’ll explain on the way!" "Wait, what?" Idris rubbed his eyes. Charlene was already pulling him up by the arm. "The Sec’s in trouble. We have to go now, unc!" They didn’t hesitate. Issa, the twins, and Tabitha remained behind. Seth led the way up the path, constantly looking over his shoulder. No one could follow. Not now. Seth opened the portal to the woods near the Sec’s village—too close for comfort. Flames greeted them. So did screams. "MOVE!" Se
Charlene stood by the pool of water, formed by the wrath of the tsunami, staring at her reflection. "You’d think after all I’ve done," she muttered, "I’d care about all of you." Her gaze lifted. Bodies floated in the marshy water—soldiers and the unfortunate Sect, all dragged downriver by the torrent’s fury. "Nope." She stepped over the corpses, gliding weightlessly as if walking on air. Their deaths meant nothing now. What a waste of life, she thought. "It all seemed so important just a moment ago... ha!" Her laugh echoed, light and hollow. "Now? I could care less." Suddenly, movement. What’s that I hear? Guards stumbled through the woods—survivors of the tsunami, broken and bleeding, crawling their way back toward the Grand Hall. Charlene perched high in a tree, hidden among the branches. Her eyes tracked them like a cat watches prey. "I could pick them off
The guards came pouring into the Grand Hall, limping, bloodied, broken—some barely clinging to life. Most had no strength left to open portals; they had walked the long road back on foot, dragging their pain with them. Torock stood at the high window in his office, watching through the warped glass with a dark sneer. His face twisted with disgust. "Look at them," he growled under his breath. "Pathetic. Useless!" His rage mounted, uncontainable. With a roar, he slammed his fist down onto the desk, sending papers, relics, and glass shattering across the floor. "Portal! Now!" he snapped. The air split with a shimmer as a narrow rip opened. "Asmodeus—speak." A hazy image formed—a demon’s grinning face, sharp and gleaming. "As I told you before, Torock," Asmodeus hissed, his voice like oil and embers, "unless you're willing to deal, we have nothing left to discuss." "W
The camp was getting fuller by the minute. So many Fates had journeyed to come to Audubon with them. Every night since ReNew's recovery, Charlene refused to leave one soul behind. She had sent out a message every night ever since the original message, letting every Fate know where they were and that they were welcome. Some guards even showed up. Charlene was sitting on the sand dunes, knees hugged to her chest. One after another came to her—some bearing gifts, others seeking wisdom. She welcomed them all. A barely visible figure appeared close by. Fading in and out. She could tell he was torn and in deep agony, or at least pretending to be. "Hello friend, can I help you?" "No you can't," he said, voice hollow. "I'm lost." Black clouds started to form around them, curling low over the dunes like smoke from some unseen fire. "Maybe I can help you?" Charlene kept her tone light, but
Seth and the First Spear stood there awkwardly, saying nothing at first. The cave echoed with silence, the kind that grew louder with every passing moment. Seth's thoughts spun like a storm. Where do I start? I have so many questions. “Start anywhere,” she said gently. “I’ll answer your questions.” He blinked. “That’s right—you can read minds.” “Absolutely right. And emotions, just like you and Charlene.” Her tone was soft, steady, trying to ease the tension she could feel rising in him. She sensed his nerves and didn’t want to make this any harder than it already was. “Walk with me, Seth.” They paced through the cave, the cool air brushing against them like ghosted memories. “Can I just talk plainly to you?” Seth asked, hands shoved in his pockets. “Without all the prestige? Your Majesty and whatnot. All due respect.” “Your daughter certainly does,” she grinned.
Everyone who mattered was in the war.Destiny made a point to be dressed to impress—not out of vanity, but to remind everyone watching that she was still sovereign, still standing, still golden. She was the First Spear, born of sacrifice and fire, and tonight, she shone like a sun that refused to set. Her gown, woven from pure gold, hugged her figure like liquid light. The fabric danced with the flames of countless battles she’d survived. Her crown was not perched but intertwined with the thick waves of her dark black hair, blending regal poise with divine authority. Her sun-kissed skin glowed, as though the heavens themselves still clung to her presence.To her left stood Seth, wearing royal blue robes streaked with polished lines of gold, his expression resolute. To her right was Charlene, equally resplendent, matching his attire but adding her own fire to the air—an unspoken promise of youth, power, and mystery yet to unfold.Behind them, others stood at attention, all dressed with
Everyone who mattered was in the war room.Destiny stood in the center, regal and breathtaking. She made a point to be dressed to impress—not out of vanity, but to remind everyone who she was. Their Queen. Their Spear. Their Sovereign.Her gown was a living reflection of her power: pure gold, fitted and flowing like molten light. Her crown shimmered, delicately woven into her long, jet-black curls. Her skin glowed, kissed by the sun, radiating the kind of strength that only came from being broken, rebuilt, and reborn.Charlene and Seth stood proudly beside her. Both were dressed in royal blue robes accented with golden stripes—symbols of loyalty, unity, and bloodline. Seth to her left. Charlene to her right. Together, they formed the trinity of trust—past, present, and future.Heth, ReNew, Idris, and Professor E stood behind them in full military uniform. Argun wore the captain’s variation—bold and crisp. Even the hound stood tall, his collar freshly polished with the Audubon crest et
The portal flared to life, casting glowing tendrils of light across the cavern walls as they transported Issa back to the cave. His body hung limp, still recovering from the attack. As they crossed the threshold, Issa’s twin sisters caught sight of him and froze in shock.“ISSA!” they cried in unison, their voices high and trembling. “What’s wrong with him?”Betsy burst into tears instantly. “Daddy, what’s happening?” she sobbed. “Is Issa dying?”Professor E rushed over, kneeling in front of them with urgency but gentleness in his voice. “Shhh now, girls, he’s okay. We’re just being careful not to hurt him worse.” He motioned toward Issa, now resting on a soft bedding mat near the fire. “He just needs to relax until the doctor finishes checking him out, alright?”The girls sniffled, wiping their faces with their sleeves. “Yes, Daddy. We’ll be good.”Professor E’s wife, Tabitha, stood off to the side, struggling to remain composed. She was grateful her son was alive, but the fear that
The theater lights gradually brightened, casting a soft glow over the room as the end credits rolled. The movie was over, but Charlene remained seated, soaking in the moment. It had been a wonderful experience—not just the film, but the whole evening. The fact that Issa had gone out of his way to learn what she liked and then planned a date around it... it was unexpected. Thoughtful. Sweet. It made her heart flutter.But then, a quiet ache pulsed in her chest.A flicker of guilt.Mike.It was ridiculous, she knew. She had barely known him. Their connection was brief, a spark that had come and gone, like a match in the dark. And he was gone now, moved on—wherever souls like his went. But why did it still hurt? Why did she feel like she'd betrayed him? Maybe she had developed feelings for him without realizing it. Her emotions had been a whirlwind lately.She sighed internally. “Stupid hormones.”Still, she smiled at Issa, grateful. “Thank you for the wonderful date, Issa. I appreciate
Charlene stood in the shower, her voice echoing softly off the tiled walls as she sang a cheerful tune. The warm water cascaded over her, washing away the remnants of the day and invigorating her spirit. Today was special—her first date—and anticipation bubbled within her. "How long are you gonna be in there?" ReNew's voice called out, muffled through the door. "Just a little longer, washing my hair," Charlene replied, lathering shampoo into her curls. "Hold your horses!" "I have something for you. Hurry up, Char!" "Okay, out in a minute!" she promised, rinsing the suds away. As she reached for her towel, ReNew's voice came again, hesitant. "Would you mind if I didn't go with you? You know, two's company, three's a crowd." Charlene paused, considering. "It's up to you," she said thoughtfully. "I understand if you don't want to go." "Great, see you later. Bye!" ReNew's footsteps faded quickly. "Wait, where are you going?" Charlene called, peeking out with soap still in her eyes
Charlene groaned as she stirred, blinking blearily at the dimly lit ceiling. “What time is it?” she mumbled, sitting up. “The alarm never went off.”She rolled over and squinted at the monitor’s soft glow, but something else caught her attention first—her sleeve. She was wearing long-sleeved pajamas. Duckies. Bright yellow duckies.“What the... why am I in these?” She looked down at her body in disbelief. “I didn’t go to bed in pajamas... and definitely not these.” She threw back the covers and frantically peeked under the bed. “Where’s my uniform?!”Out of frustration, she shouted, “Dad!”Her memories were a blur. She hadn’t slept like that in... how long had it been? Days? Weeks?The scent hit her nose before her feet hit the floor.“Do I smell... pancakes?”She cautiously padded down the hallway and peeked around the corner. There in the kitchen, Seth stood at the stove, flipping pancakes like a professional short-order cook. Issa was beside him, laughing at something the twins had
Blood oozed from his mouth, thick and black, bubbling at the corners as it dripped to the floor of the containment cube. Asmodeus pressed his hands flat against the transparent walls, teeth bared in a crazed, furious grin. His body trembled from both pain and rage. There was no escaping this prison—unless he did the one thing that burned his pride.Submit.He was being forced to submit.Seth stepped away from the others and pulled Charlene aside. His face was serious but tinged with hope."Princess, please tell me you got the items he took from Torock. Please tell me we didn’t lose them."Charlene raised her eyebrows and gave him a smug little smirk. "Of course," she said sweetly. She reached into her coat and pulled out a soft satin bag, its drawstrings glowing faintly. She dangled it in front of his face with a victorious grin. "It was hanging from his belt. I summoned it just before the box closed."Seth exhaled in relief, eyes lighting up. He ruffled her hair with pride."That's m
Charlene, ReNew, and Ariel crept slowly down the corridor. Even with the light shield in hand, the darkness was so thick they could barely see more than a few feet ahead. Charlene’s breath hitched—tight and shallow. It had been years since she felt this kind of fear. The dark had a way of dragging out the deepest, buried terrors.ReNew glanced at her, alarmed. Charlene was showing signs of a panic attack.A high-pitched squeak broke the silence, and something skittered across Charlene’s feet."Was that a rat?" she gasped, stumbling back.Charlene's chest tightened."I don't know, Charlene—it’s too dark. Maybe a small cat?" ReNew offered.Charlene shot her a glare cold enough to shatter stone. "I’d slap you if I could see you better!"Still breathing hard, Charlene lifted the shield toward ReNew’s face. “Let me see you.”"I’m just trying to help you, Char!" ReNew said gently. "In through your nose, out through your mouth." She gave her a calm smile.We need to move quickly before she g
Just before the break of dawn, the alarm blared.Charlene shot up, startled. “What’s going on? I’m up!” she shouted, rubbing her eyes. She was already fully dressed, only needing to slip on her shoes. She blinked. “Speed.”Three seconds later, she was in the war room.Argun’s eyes glowed as he pointed to the screen. “There is unusual movement below the Great Hall.”“There,” he said, highlighting a darkened corridor.“Why are the bodies blue?” Seth asked, frowning.“There’s no life in them,” Argun muttered. “They’re dead… but they’re moving. Soldiers from the swamp. That’s where they were stored.”Charlene’s heart dropped. “Dad.”“The good news is there are only about twenty of them,” Argun continued. “The bad news? The portal has been opened several times in the last few days.”“We’ve just now located them,” Destiny added. “But the energy is still low. These are lower-level demons. The Seven Lords haven’t been summoned yet. We may still have a chance.”Suddenly, Argun’s head snapped t