A vast stretch of desolate land unfolded before the twins, devoid of the enchantment they anticipated. Dead trees and an almost dried-up stream were the only companions in this barren landscape. The twins exchanged silent glances, subtly competing to determine who would break the silence.

"Alright, if Princess Kai here isn't going to spill the beans, I will. Do you need medical attention?" The question cut through the silence.

Ikzar pivoted to face them, a puzzled expression etched on his face. "Why?"

"Why? You painted Eldorem as this fascinating realm with magicians and peculiar creatures. I wasn't expecting a wasteland," disappointment resonating in her voice. "What's the deal?"

Ikzar chuckled, "Oh, I totally forgot you guys haven't started honing your powers yet. You just need a little boost in perception."

"Excuse me?" Venna interjected.

Ikzar unsheathed a blade and reopened his previous wound. "Watch and learn."

Venna's exclamation was cut short as she witnessed Ikzar dip a finger into his own blood and approach her. She instinctively recoiled. "What do yo u think you're doing?"

"It's a type of blood ritual we practice in Eldorem. Helps you see what's beyond the ordinary," Ikzar explained casually, marking her forehead with his blood. He repeated the process with Kai. Stepping back, he closed and reopened his eyes, grey pupils disappearing momentarily. "See," he uttered, more as a command than an observation.

The twins' eyes briefly mirrored his before returning to normal simultaneously.

"That was creepy," Kai remarked.

"More like cool," Ikzar chuckled, turning his attention to the desolate landscape. As if by magic, structures began to materialize-ancient stone houses with wooden doors replaced the mundane scenery.

"Come on, I'll show you around," he grinned, leading them through the city where there were no gates, just a casual come and go as you please. After a minute of wandering, they stumbled upon something beyond the ancient stone houses. Initially human-looking, it morphed into an indistinct creature that challenged focus. As it approached, Kai questioned, "Is that a person or an animal?"

"It's both, actually. Guys, meet Elmz."

Elmz stopped, smiled, and then winked at Venna. "How you doing, mi lady?" Before Venna could reply, Elmz transformed into a girl with light blue hair and matching blue eyes, her complexion lighter than the others. This seemed to be her true form, leaving Venna feeling oddly self-conscious. Turning to Kai, she gave him a flirty look. "Hey, handsome."

"Whoa, what just-" Kai began, interrupted by Benkrat's laughter.

"I love it when you do that, their faces, oh my," Benkrat chuckled, leaving the twins in shock.

"I told you he's usually more cheerful than me, just gets cranky whenever he leaves the realm. Anyways, Elmz is-" Ikzar paused, seeking the right term for someone embodying both genders.

"Bisexual," Benkrat supplied. The twins shook their heads, uncertain.

"I'm not sure it's the same thing. It's kinda different," they explained.

"So, what do you call it then?"

Venna, still processing Benkrat's unexpected laughter and conversation, finally spoke, "I think it would be more of a hermaphrodite."

Elmz made a choking sound. "Eww, I can turn into both sexes whenever I want, but it doesn't mean I have both their sexual organs."

"So what's down there?" Kai blurted out, then quickly looked away.

Benkrat punched Ikzar in the arm. "Stop it, it's embarrassing."

"But his reactions are top-tier comedy," Ikzar laughed.

The twins glanced around, confused. Elmz took Venna by the arm, guiding her deeper into the city.

"Forgive those two idiots. Ikzar can make people blurt out whatever they're thinking, but he can't read minds or tell what you're thinking unless he wants you to say it," she explained, turning to look at Kai behind them, her face flushed. "As for your question, well, I'm a girl, so now you know what's down there, and no matter what I turn into, that area doesn't change."

"Got it," he muttered, still feeling embarrassed.

"It's okay. I would have been curious too if I were you. In Eldorem, people like me are called Mel-de-ges, meaning male, animal, and female," she said, releasing Venna's arm as they approached a larger stone building-larger than the others they'd seen-featuring a wooden roof and slim, old, curved wooden pillars embedded in its sides. The building had a small, glassless window in front. From where Venna stood, she could see only long, old benches paired with similarly long desks.

"This is our meeting hall. A little birdie told me today's both your birthdays. Happy birthday!" She screamed, transforming into an elephant and blowing balloons and sparkles from her trunk.

"Cooool," they said in bewilderment.

The elephant bowed its head before transforming back. "Thank you. It's going to take a while, though, but trust me, it would be worth it," she said, pushing the wooden door wide open.

"What's going to be worth it?"

"Your birthday cake, of course. I make the best pastries in the world."

"I thought y'all were magic or something. Why don't you just magically whip it up?"

Her once joyous expression changed into something of sadness. "Well, I used to, but now that'll just be a waste of magic. Magic is depleting in Eldorem. When we use magic, you can somehow tell how much is left in you. It's like there's this well inside of you that's normally supposed to be filled, but now it's...it's drying up," she sighed, almost immediately turning to face them, the joyous expression now returned to her face.

"Now that you guys are here, magic will slowly return to Eldorem. We can find other Eldorians and look for a way to help Eldorem. It's gonna be so much fun; I have so much planned for the days ahead."

"Whoa, hold on, days?" Venna asked, looking puzzled.

"Oh my, yes. Now that you're back home, there would be no reason for you to leave, right? Well, except for going on missions and stuff like that."

"But-I mean-" she looked to Kai for confirmation before continuing, "I'm sorry, Elmz. We didn't plan on staying; we honestly just wanted to see if all this was real."

"And what do you think now?" Ikzar asked as he walked in with Benkrat.

"I don't know. I mean, how do I put it nicely? I kinda expected more," she said apologetically.

Elmz, already looking heartbroken, looked up at her. "How do you mean?"

Venna scoffed and laughed, trying to lighten the atmosphere, but everyone except Kai was staring at her with serious looks on their faces.

"Come on, guys, no offense, but this whole 'realm of Eldorem' thing sounds like cap. We walked over a hundred meters and didn't see anything or anyone other than stone houses-no magical creatures-and it's not giving anything out of the ordinary. I admit I saw some weird stuff like those creatures and then the blood ritual thing, and no offense, Elmz, but it's still not enough to convince me about this whole twin, savior thing. Kai, what do you think?"

Kai, who hadn't been expecting her to mention him, tried to mutter something, then shrugged in resignation.

Venna rolled her eyes. "Oh, for God's sake, y'all look like some bunch of weirdos stuck in the Stone Age. I mean, who wraps themselves all in leather and carries knives and katana?"

"That's the culture in Eldorem."

"If you say so. But the whole 'Him' thing and prophecy blah, blah don't fool me. I'm sorry, but I feel y'all just got bored and decided to come up with this Eldorem thing to while away time. I say this respectfully and out of actual concern for you people; y'all need medical attention and ASAP," she sighed as she finished, already almost out of breath. "Kai, come on; we're leaving."

Elmz reached out and grabbed her hand before she could move. "Please don't go."

Ikzar stepped towards her. "I know I painted Eldorem as something magical, and what you're seeing now is contradicting it, but I promise you the former Eldorem was more amazing than I painted it out for you guys. We lost our glory and glamour in the last great war with 'Him.' He nearly wiped out all the Eldorians, but some protected themselves with magic and had to move to other places for a fresh start. Currently, we only have ten Eldorians here, that's including ourselves. If you stay, you guys can help us in tracking down the rest of us."

"You said this is not your first time doing this, so why would you need us now?"

"We're losing our magic. When 'Him' attacked the realm, he somehow managed to suppress our magic. It's a miracle our parents even had any magic left to pass down to us. Eldorem isn't just a realm; it was magic itself. It was like a never-ending supply of magic. But now, living on Earth, our magic is depleting. Any offspring born now will probably be left with little or no magic. For years, our forefathers looked for ways to conserve magic, but none of the methods last long enough. One of the ways was learning actual combat and relying less on magic; we only use it in dire times, like the blood oath. We have to use it to banish monsters, but it takes less magic as it feeds more on our essence."

"Okay, I'm lost because I don't see where we fit in. For all you know, I could be magicless, and heating up could be the only magic Kai has."

"No, that's not possible. Your birth was a rare event in Eldorem, and the reincarnation process helped you conserve your magic. While reincarnation can sometimes mean losing one's powers, in your case, the Rabnahs ensured that your abilities were preserved. Right now, you two are actually the most powerful Eldorians."

Venna laughed. "Fine, let's go with your words. If we are the most powerful, how do we help restore glory to Eldorem?"

Ikzar sighed. "We don't know how yet, but according to the prophecy, we need you guys, and we need the other Eldorians. Eldorem won't be complete without its citizens."

"I want to try and relate with you, but I'm sorry, I just can't. I have a whole other life and family; I can't just leave them for some fantasy that only God knows if it's true or not. I don't know about Kai, but I'm sorry; I can't stay."

"Me neither. I come from a very strict home, and if I'm not back before my curfew, I'll get into really big trouble, so if you'll be just kind to take us home."

The twins turned, making their way to the door. Just as they were about to step out, a gust of wind slammed it shut.

"You just don't get it, huh? We've told you already, you can't leave."

Turning back, the twins found the trio ready for a showdown.

"I really don't want trouble, but y'all gotta understand-we're already living our lives. We can't just up and leave," Kai reasoned.

"And what about the Eldorians, your people in Tierlin?" Elmz asked.

"We don't know those people, and you can't blame us. Your folks sacrificed us."

"Yeah, to save you and Eldorem!" Elmz shouted, teary-eyed.

"Well, sorry if we ain't in the mood for heroics!" Venna shot back.

"Guys, chill," Kai said, trying to calm Venna, who swatted his hand away.

"You know, we never signed up to be heroes or anyone's savior."

"You don't get to choose your destiny."

"Welcome to the 21st century, where people change their destinies and decide to be whatever they want to be."

"It's impossible to run away from destiny. Besides, think about how many people lost their lives trying to protect you."

"I never knew those people, so they're practically strangers to me. Besides, they're long dead, so whatever they did in the past is none of my business."

Elmz's face turned bright red. "You ungrateful little... You don't know how much we sacrificed for you."

"To hell with your sacrifices, to hell with Eldorem. You all can get wiped out for all I care!"

Venna didn't notice when Elmz transformed. All she had time to see was a big rhinoceros rushing towards her. The door was locked, and she didn't have time to move aside as the rhino hit her head-first in the stomach, sending her sprawling straight through the door.

"Venna!" Kai rushed to where she lay on the ground, unconscious, blood spilling from a wound on her head.

He had never particularly liked Venna, but it didn't mean he hated her. Sometimes he even enjoyed their arguments and her constant nagging. Though they weren't close and he knew her only as a classmate, he felt an unexpected pang-something unfamiliar: fear.

The sight of her lying unconscious on the floor stirred a mix of emotions in him. Something was burning inside-maybe rage.

He had tried playing it cool, but if this was how they wanted to play...

"She only asked for our freedom," he snarled.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"Let us go," Kai ordered, rudely cutting her short.

Benkrat stepped forward. "I know we went about it the wrong way, but you don't understand. Leaving now, especially with nothing concealing your powers anymore, could endanger those around you."

"I don't care. Let us go; I need to take her to a hospital."

"I could-" Elmz began but thought it best to keep quiet for some reason.

Kai pushed himself up from the ground, his struggle evident as he tried to rein in his anger. "I won't say it again," he growled, his back turned to them.

Noticing the strange aura emitting from him, Benkrat whistled, and Choo-Choo came flying in.

"He'll take you to a hospital; he knows the way."

Without saying another word, Kai picked up Venna and placed her on the griffin's back. Getting in behind her, he turned to look at them. "The next time I see you around us, I promise I won't hold back."

The three of them watched as the griffin became a tiny speck in the sky. Benkrat was the first to break the silence.

"Okay, spill it. Why did you do that? I know you barely get offended, and you wouldn't want to hurt anyone, especially not your fellow Eldorian."

"She'll be fine. I made sure not to do much damage. Besides, now we're sure at least one of them has Eldorem blood flowing through him."

"I could feel it in her too," Ikzar said quietly.

Benkrat nodded. "Yeah, me too. But Elmz, you only made them angry. They may decide never to come back."

"Oh, don't worry. They just need a little more convincing," she smirked.

The two boys turned to look at her. Benkrat raised an eyebrow. "I'm guessing you have a plan."

"Of course, I do, sweetheart," she said as she walked back into the building.