Kai feeling the wind on his face, opened his eyes, heart skipping a beat as he realized where he was. "What the heck?" he yelled, quickly shutting his eyes.

"Oh look, sleeping beauty's awake," Venna teased from the front.

"What the heck are we on?"

Venna replied first, "A Griffin, isn't it awesome? Whoo!" She spread her arms wide, letting the breeze play with her hair, then casually laughed as she clung back to Ikzar, who was riding in front of her.

Kai knew he shouldn't, but he slowly opened his eyes and looked down, immediately regretting it. "Why the heck are we off the ground? Do you know how many feet we'd drop if we fell?!" he yelled over the wind.

"Oh, stop being a wuss and enjoy the ride," Venna called back.

Ikzar only laughed, while Benkrat sneered silently behind Kai. Realizing who was behind him, Kai quickly straightened, afraid of leaning into Benkrat and ashamed of holding onto Venna. He sat upright, trying to hold onto the griffin's fur. It screeched and ducked.

"Kai, relax. You're hurting Choo-Choo."

Kai laughed nervously. "The griffin's name is Choo-Choo?"

"Yeah," Ikzar called back proudly. "Benkrat named her."

Kai stifled a laugh as Benkrat growled. He couldn't figure out how they all squeezed onto the griffin's back - the beast must be seriously strong. Despite his unease with heights, if Venna could handle it, he wasn't about to chicken out. He peeked down again.

"Hell no, I think I'm gonna puke"

Venna turned to him, "Ikzar, you better find us a spot to land unless you want a griffin covered up in Kai's lunch."

"Hang on, I'll scout out a good spot."

The majestic creature landed on a grassy landscape, surrounded by hills and mountains. Kai swiftly climbed down, rushing toward a corner to empty his stomach. Venna and the others followed suit.

"I didn't know you were such a princess, Kai," Venna laughed.

"Being afraid of heights doesn't make me a princess. Many people have acrophobia," Kai retorted, scowling.

"Blah blah blah," Venna mocked, mimicking him with her hand.

"It's okay, you two. It seems like you guys know each other well," Ikzar interjected, walking between them before things escalated.

"Oh, I know her alright. She's an annoying, snobbish classmate of mine, always going on about her lame-ass linguistics club."

"Yeah? Well, you're a dumb-ass Japanese boy who can't speak common Japanese and has his head stuck up in the clouds but still needs the squealing of girls to make him feel like a man."

"Ohhhh, that's cold, bro."

They both shot Ikzar a death stare.

He cleared his throat. "Sorry. Well, enough of the bickering, you two. You guys are going to have to get along for this to work."

"What to work?" They both asked angrily at the same time.

"Guys, chill," Ikzar said, taking a step back. "Y'all can be scary when you get angry. Benkrat, want to do the honor of filling the twins in?"

They all turned to look at Benkrat, who stood beside Choo-Choo, feeding her something. He glanced at them, sneered, and continued what he was doing.

"Does he talk? Because I tried talking to him when we first met in school, but he only growled and kept walking."

Ikzar chuckled, "Excuse Benkrat, he's a little grumpy today; normally, he's more cheerful than me."

The twins exchanged doubtful glances. Unlike Ikzar, Benkrat was smaller, standing about the same height as Kai. Compared to Ikzar, Benkrat appeared scrawnier.

They were dressed identically, but Benkrat's arms were wrapped in black leather, unlike Ikzar's dark brown. His auburn red hair and hazel green eyes complemented his rich brown skin. Though just as handsome as Ikzar, Benkrat had an unapproachable aura. The funny brown cap he wore made it even worse, giving him a look that seemed incapable of smiling. It was a unique combination of looking cute and innocent while also giving off an unfriendly, deadly vibe.

"Okay, where should I start? It all started a long time ago-"

"Ughhhhh," the twins groaned simultaneously.

"What?"

"Your story's sounding like a history lesson," Venna complained.

"But I haven't even star-"

"Yeah, most boring stories usually start with 'it all started a long time ago,'" Kai interjected, delivering a spot-on imitation of Ikzar.

"Wow, that was surprisingly good. But come on, guys, hear me out. I promise it's not as boring as it sounds."

"Fine, but start from what happened like an hour ago. What was that creature? Why could no one see it, and what was it doing at our school?" Kai asked, still shaken from the experience.

"The creature you saw is known as a kun-hatha-klat in Eldorem."

"Say what?"

"I don't expect you to be able to pronounce it because it's an ancient language. Meaning that creature is from the realm of Eldorem. On earth, I think it's called a Terrasaurus, from the dino family."

"The realm of Eldorem?"

"Well, yeah, it's this magical realm that exists outside the human world. Normally, creatures and beings from this realm aren't supposed to be able to exist here. Only very powerful sorcerers and their mounts can live in both worlds. Anyone not powerful enough who tries to live in another world just automatically goes extinct, like-"

"So you're telling me right now that there's a magical realm that humans don't know about?"

"Not exactly, but yeah, a long time ago, it was a magical realm. It's still a magical realm, only now it doesn't co-exist with Earth; it's on Earth-"

"Meaning currently, there's a place filled with magicians and creatures like the one earlier?"

"Umm, not exactly. It's more of a-"

"But you just said the realm is now on Earth."

"Yeah, that's what I said, but you didn't let me-"

"Does that mean we both belong to that realm instead of the human world? Is that where you're from?"

"Yes and yes, and about your other que-"

"Is it me, or is this giving Percy Jackson vibes?"

"No, I'm thinking more like Harry Potter."

"How? Harry Potter was a wizard and all magic kind of shit."

"Oh yeah, maybe like that novel 'Keepers of the Lost Cities,' where the elves have their own world, huh?" Venna asked, posing in a manner of reminiscing.

"Yeah, actually. It's all sounding made up"

"Would you two just shut it, please!" The twins turned to face Ikzar in shock. "I've been trying to explain everything to you, but you keep bombarding me with questions. That's why it all sounds made up. If only you would just shut it and let me talk."

The twins looked down apologetically. "Sorry," they said in unison.

"Thank you! And this time, I'm starting from wherever I feel like, got it?" They said nothing, taking that as approval, he continued, "As I was saying, a long, long, longgggggggg time ago, there existed a realm called Eldorem. It was a place where supernatural beings, sorcerers, mythical creatures, and stuff like that existed. They spoke in a tongue that's now ancient to us and almost forgotten and lived very long lives. You could almost call them immortals unless someone or something skrrhh..." Ikzar paused, drawing his right hand across his neck as a gesture for kill, then continued,

"... them. The realm was divided into several kingdoms; there were about ten kingdoms in the realm of Eldorem. Out of those ten kingdoms, three were considered the strongest and most powerful: the Land of Zyaqhi, the Land of Fiedra, and the Land of Tierlin.

Now, the Land of Zyaqhi had a very rude, power-seeking heir. As soon as the king died and they made his son king-we'll call him 'HIM.' I know it sounds ridiculous, but that's what people used to refer to him."

"Why?" Kai interrupted, then quickly apologized with the look Ikzar gave him.

"Apparently, HIM was the most powerful being in the realm of Eldorem, and just mentioning his name was considered a bad omen. He went by many names, all difficult to pronounce, especially for those without the Eldorem tongue. Try saying 'Xhi-lyh-raqth-vid.'" He immediately held up his hands to stop the twins from repeating after him.

"Its hard for me as it is already; imagine you guys saying it" he shook his head and continued.

"And that's just the short form. Anyway, HIM didn't use his powers for good or rest on his laurels. He sought to conquer all lands, and so, he began a campaign of kingdom-by-kingdom domination. This continued until the Rabnahs, a group of quadruplet priests-three elderly men and a Crone, who communicated directly with the eternals-issued a prophecy. The prophecy foretold of a great power and the Mark of Eldorem. Some lines of the prophecy have been lost over time, but it clearly states that only this great power will hold the key to defeating the ancient evil reborn."

"At the same time the prophecy was made, something rare happened in the realm of Eldorem: a set of twins was born in the Land of Tierlin. HIM heard this and went after the twins, assuming them to be the great power mentioned in the prophecy. However, their parents sacrificed themselves to keep the twins away from him. To do this, they also had to sacrifice the twins in a ritual that allowed them to be born centuries later, where he wouldn't be able to find them. To protect the twins even further, they arranged for them to be born into different families. One of the Rabnahs cast a spell on them, concealing their powers until they turned sixteen, when they would be old enough to take care of themselves.

"That reminds me, when are your birthdays?"

"Today, I actually just turned sixteen," Venna answered, looking around in disbelief.

"So I'm guessing you too, right?" Kai nodded in agreement. "But that monster, when the realm began existing on Earth, there was a decrease in the appearance of those monsters. They know they're being hunted down so they hide, only coming out when something powerful attracts them. Let's say I use magic now without concealing it; any monster within the range of my magic would be attracted and come to find me. But there aren't any around your school area, so something radiating much power must have attracted them." Ikzar paced around, deep in thought. "Did any of you use your powers?"

Venna shrugged. "Don't look at me; I didn't even know I had powers until now. I dont believe in magic, powers, and that sort of crap. But someone here has been showing off." She said, turning slowly to look at Kai. "I knew something was fishy, the way you didn't really fight today but seemed to scare away the seniors."

"It was barely a flame," he said, guilt evident in his voice as he noted their disbelieving expressions. "I'm serious. I only heated up enough to burn the senior, and it's also the first time I realized I have powers."

"Hmm,"

"We need to leave. Now!" Benkrat called from where he was already mounting the griffin.

"Oh, he speaks," Venna mocked and immediately regretted it with the look Benkrat shot at her.

"I agree. We're not supposed to linger outside the barrier for long. C'mon," he ran towards the griffin, the twins following suit.

"Barrier? What barrier?"

"And why are we suddenly in a hurry?"

Ikzar sighed. "You guys sure like asking questions. I'll explain when we reach the realm." Venna instantly jumped down from the griffin. "Is there a problem?"

"Obviously! You've barely explained anything to us, and the little you said sounds like a whole load of horseshit. And now you want to take us to this 'magical realm' that humans don't know about, all because Benkrat said we need to leave now? How would they find us if we go missing? Who do you think we are? Some sixth graders that'll just go along with every word you say?"

Kai, who was still seated on the griffin, silently jumped down. "I'm with Venna on this one."

"Thank you!"

"Okay, you guys really don't understand. We have to leave now." Seeing none of them making a move to get back on, he looked to Benkrat for help. Benkrat only sneered. "Ugh, why are they so difficult. Fine, I promise I'll explain everything once we reach Eldorem." He extended a hand for them to grab onto as they climb on, but instead, Venna moved back.

"No way I'm going to a land I know nothing about, and barely know anyone there."

"You know me and Benkrat, and I kinda told you pretty much everything about the land."

This time it was Kai's turn to move back. "No way I'm getting back on that thing. Just give me directions back to school, and I'll be on my way."

"Great!" Ikzar scowled as he dismounted, drawing out two of his knives, Benkrat mimicking the action. The twins turned around as they heard a loud screech. Venna barely ducked out of the way as something like a large bird reached out its claws and tried to grab her.

"What the hell is that?" Venna practically screamed as the creature drew closer, and she caught a good look at it.

"It's called a vulraq. It's kinda like a vulture, except it's not, and very deadly. Don't let its claws touch you or its feathers," Ikzar called as he ran towards the creature, throwing his two knives with precision.

"Well, that's gonna be hard seeing it's literally shedding feathers every damn second!"

Kai was right; as the creature soared, it shed trails of feathers that regenerated at an astonishing rate. Their sheer number made them difficult to avoid. He watched in horror as the massive creature flew overhead, its size comparable to a bus, with monstrous claws larger than human hands, marking it a formidable predator rather than a mere bird.

Despite its avian resemblance, a closer look revealed a grotesque head reminiscent of an ugly Crone, with long, damp black hair blending with its feathers to obscure its face. Kai pondered how such a feature didn't hinder its vision. The creature's body appeared bronzed but weathered, resembling that of an ancient, rusted metal.

One of Ikzar's knives missed, and the second narrowly grazed the creature's eyes. The vulraq ducked and emitted a piercing screech. Before Kai could react, it barreled straight toward him. He turned and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. In a blur of motion, Benkrat lunged at the creature, timing his jump perfectly to grab onto one of its legs. The vulraq thrashed, trying to dislodge Benkrat, but he held fast.

"Benkrat!" Venna screamed in alarm as she watched him struggle to climb onto the vulraq's back. With another ear-splitting screech, the creature flapped its wings, lifting Benkrat higher into the air.

"Don't worry; he'll be fine. Get on Choo-Choo now!" Ikzar commanded, already mounting the griffin again.

The twins hesitated.

They watched as Benkrat flung himself from the creature; he was too high up for them to see what was going on, except that he was no longer dangling from the vulraq's back and was rushing towards them at high speed.

"What the hell is he doing?" Kai asked, but Ikzar said nothing as they watched the creature burn away into ashes.

"Won't you do something? He's falling!" Venna screamed at Ikzar, who continued to watch Benkrat's descent.

From their vantage point, it seemed he was trying to regain his balance but failing. Just as he neared the ground, Choo-Choo swiftly moved beside him. With a quick maneuver, Ikzar extended his arm, pulling him onto the griffin in one smooth motion. Balancing himself properly, he growled, "Get on."

The twins didn't put up much argument this time; they quietly got on. Noticing the right hand Benkrat kept on his left shoulder, Venna asked, "Did you hurt yourself?"

Benkrat ignored her and kept his eyes ahead. Ikzar answered for him instead, "He's going to be fine, a feather touched him."

"I thought you said it was deadly?"

"Yeah, but Benkrat has magic; he's not as weak as he looks." Benkrat made a face at Ikzar, and he laughed. "Sorry."

"How many minutes left before we reach there?" Kai asked, already looking sick.

"Minutes? More like days."

"What?!" The twins screamed in unison, and Ikzar laughed, leaning onto Kai who sat in front of him.

"I love their reactions whenever I say that. I'm kidding," he wiped his eyes.

"Their reactions? You've done this before?" Venna asked, looking puzzled.

"Yeah, we go out recruiting Eldorians. We were supposed to be a group of three, but Elmz was busy with something else, so had to go by ourselves."

"Who's Elmz?"

"Ugh, it's like the questions just keep increasing," Ikzar complained, running a palm down his face and bending his head in resignation. "That's the worst part of this job-the questions, the explaining, and then more questions and more explaining," he continued. The twins glanced at each other, and Venna made a cuckoo sign, making Kai snort.

Ikzar's head jerked up instantly. "Finally!"

"What?" the twins asked in unison.

Ignoring their question, Ikzar jumped and hit the ground before Choo-Choo could land. He rolled, got up, and spread out his arms, taking a deep breath as he slowly spun around.

"Welcome... to Eldorem."