The month passes extremely quickly. We learned two languages of the Fourth Realm during our time at the academy. From the day we arrived at the training barracks, we were instructed to speak in the language of the country we were to be sent to, Etrayer. In the first week, a dialect coach worked with us intensively until we perfected the accent. From then on, no matter what, we were only allowed to speak Etrayan.

We spent many an hour in lectures, learning about the technology we would encounter. I must admit, I am excited to see their technology first-hand. The smartphone in particular sounds intriguing. I don't think I can imagine an electronic screen that is controlled by touch.

My favourite part, however, was testing out their guns. Other agents and operatives working out of the Fourth Realm managed to smuggle back a few of their guns. Most of the smuggled guns went to the weaponry experts who are breaking them down and studying them in an effort to recreate them for our own forces. However, we got to use a few. Their power was terrifying. Their snipers put our sniper rifles to shame. When I fired one, lying on my front, I was roughly jolted by the intense recoil. When the huge bullet hit the target, it practically blew it apart. I was told that this weapon was mostly for penetrating armoured vehicles. We spent many hours getting used to all the guns, from machine guns to pistols.

Many more hours were spent analysing photographs. I couldn't believe my eyes when crystal clear, coloured pictures were placed in front of us.

"Their cameras can capture colour?" I had asked breathlessly, my mouth hanging open.

"They can," our instructor said. "I wish we could bring over an actual camera, but the portal would destroy all the electronics in it," he sighed. "Their cameras can do more than just take pictures. They can video too."

"Video?"

"Yes, moving pictures," he said which went into a new lecture about televisions and movies and music. We spent many hours memorising the famous names and plots of classic and popular films and tv series.

Hours upon hours we studied maps, photographs, and history. As we come to the end of the training, I feel confident that Connor and I will blend in with the Fourth Realm with ease. We will only get better as we get more comfortable there and start learning how to use the technology for ourselves, something that makes me giddy with excitement.

The one question on both mine and Connor's minds, however, is how would we get there?

That question is answered on the morning we are due to leave.

We sit in the briefing room, wearing clothes fashionable to the Fourth Realm. I have to say, I was a little uncomfortable wearing them at the beginning. The crop top showed off too much of my cleavage and having my stomach on display felt so wrong. Never had I felt more exposed. During the first few days of wearing it, I was constantly covering my stomach with my arms and blushing whenever someone looked at me. To make it worse, the pencil skirt they gave me was so short and tight. It clung uncomfortably to my thighs and bottom.

It wasn't until I was shown photos from their clothing catalogues, or the films, or just of normal women walking around their cities that I started to realise that these clothes were completely normal for women over there. In fact, many women wore even less.

Exploring fashion, which seemed to be so free there, is something else that I look forward to. Going into their shops and trying on their clothes will be one of the first things I do once I am settled. Connor isn't as fussed. He is more excited about the technology. Of course, both of us need to remember that this isn't a holiday. We both have important work to do.

Officer Daller enters the room. He too is wearing clothes of the Fourth Realm in the form in the form of jeans and a polo shirt. It is strange seeing him out of his military uniform, and I can't help but let out a small chuckle. Connor shakes his head and smirks.

"What?" Officer Daller asks.

"Nothing sir," we both say quickly. He narrows his eyes.

"Today," he begins, "you will be entering the Fourth Realm," he says. Connor and I immediately sit up, paying full attention now. "You both have done brilliantly in the last four weeks, and I am confident you will blend in with their society with no issues. Remember though, it isn't the big and obvious things that matter. Sometimes, it can be the tiniest mistake that can make people suspicious. So, whilst you are there, make sure you continue to keep up this learning."

We nod our heads in agreement. I start biting at my lip nervously. When the excitement fades, I remember how big our task ahead actually is. It makes my stomach flutter.

"You have your new identities completely memorised?" he asks.

"Yes, Sir," Connor and I say at the same time.

Ivy Astor is the name I'll be going by. We were told the names right at the beginning of our training and have been using them instead of our actual names. Connor will be called Nathan Laws. To anyone around us, we barely know each other. We'll live in the same apartment building. This building is specifically designed for graduates out of a certain University to live in whilst they work internships or other lower-paid training jobs.

I don't know how they've sorted the paperwork to ensure that it all checks out upon inspection. I don't know how they have made it seem like I attended university for four years. I don't ask. The less I know about the other people and their jobs in the Fourth Realm, the safer it is. If I were to be captured, I wouldn't be able to tell them how the other agents are operating. I'll just accept the story and the right paperwork and get on with the job.

"Good. Now, the next part I am about to tell you is strictly confidential, okay?" he asks.

"Yes, Sir," we reply at the same time. He takes a seat and looks at us intensely.

"I am about to tell you how we are going to get into the Fourth Realm," he says, his voice low. My eyes widen and I lean forward. I had been wondering for so long how we would do it. Surely, they have the portal heavily guarded.

"Back street portals," he says.

"What?" I ask, confused.

"The Great Portals aren't the only portals that take us to the other realms. There are hundreds of portals, going to any of the realms across the country and they are in some of the most random places. No, we don't know how or why they appear, and we definitely haven't found all of them." His expression darkens. "We know that agents from the Fourth Realm also have backstreet portals into this realm that we don't know about," he sighs and looks at me. "One of your assignments will be to find the location of the portals they are using and tell us so we can put a stop to it."

I nod my head, still trying to process what was just said. There are more portals, how is that possible?

"Most portals aren't good enough for human use. They are too small. They can be used to transfer and smuggle objects though. That is how we got a lot of our intel. However, like the great portals, electronics can't pass through them."

"Wow," is all I can say, my mind spinning.

"Wow indeed," he replies and stands. "Right," he says. "Come on, we've got a realm to smuggle you into."

When I get into the car, I am shaking with nerves. Conner looks down at me and smiles. Then, he puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into him. I rest my head against his shoulder.

"We've got this," he whispers. I gulp, my throat dry.

"I hope so," I reply. "I'm glad I've got you coming with me," I say, looking up at him. He smiles brightly.

"I'm glad I'm coming," he replies. "And I promise, I am going to look after you, Row."

"Ivy," I remind him with a joking nudge. He laughs.

"Let me call you Rowan one last time," he says.

"Fine, just make sure the boss doesn't hear you," I reply.

"I'm excited," he says, though it sounds more like he is trying to convince himself.

"Me too," I reply, nodding my head. My stomach flutters and churns. When I let out a breath, it is shaky. It is an odd mix of excitement and apprehension. The feeling only grows more intense as we set off driving.

Connor and I go quiet, each of us staring out the windows. We are seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Around us are rolling green hills and in the distance are mountains. It is beautiful and I stare at it intensely. I want to remember Athaine. I want to have this clear image to look back on whilst I'm in the loud and busy city of a strange and foreign world.

Next to me, Connor lets out a trembling breath. By his sides, his hands shake. I reach out and take his hand and give it a squeeze. He smiles softly at me.

"What are you thinking about?" I ask.

"My family," he replies. I gulp, feeling tears sting in my eyes. "If something bad happens, they will never find out what became of us."

"Don't think about that, Connor," I tell him. "Plus, nothing is going to happen. We have each other."

He smiles. "I know, Rowan. There is no one else I would want to be with," he says to me. I smile at him, and he nods his head. A silent agreement passes through us. No more talking about our family. No more using our real names.

Now, it is time to be Ivy Astor and Nathan Laws.

We arrive in a small woodland. It is surrounded by metal fencing topped with barbed wire. Guards stand evenly, armed with guns. The car comes to a stop at a gate. Officer Daller shows his ID card, and we are waved through. The tarmac is replaced by a rough mud track that makes the car jolt and shudder. When it finally stops, everything seems to go quiet.

I turn to Connor and we both gulp. Now, my heart is thundering in my chest. My limbs feel strange and shaky. My stomach twists so much that I feel as though I may be sick. I let out a trembling breath, then turn and get out of the car.

"Are you okay?" Officer Daller asks as we walk toward him.

"Yes," we both reply.

"It's shit scary, isn't it," he says, chuckling calmly. Connor and I smile weekly and nod our heads. He sighs.

"I remember my first time crossing into another Realm," he sighs, and we start walking deeper into the woods.

The air is strangely still and silent. There is no wind nor is there the sound of bird song. The hairs on the back of my neck stand and goosebumps break out across my skin. I shiver.

"It's eery, isn't it? You can tell something unnatural is here," the officer says. I nod my head and when I let out a breath, there is a little cloud of condensation. An icy chill sits in the air, making me start to shiver.

"Where is that coming from?" Connor asks as he tightens his coat.

"There are two backstreet portals here. The other portal enters the Fifth Realm. There have been lots of cold chills coming from it recently," he says.

Connor and I share a look, remembering our conversation about the Winter Priestesses we had before graduation.

We come to a stop upon seeing two, huge oak trees. My breath leaves my body as I see a portal for the first time in my life. The portals sit in the trunk of the trees, which seem to have split and grown around them. Around one portal is ice, which is slowly spreading up the tree and the ground around it. Beyond the portal is nothing but thick ice. It is as if the portal is in some sort of glacier. I shiver, thinking about the gruesome outcome of trying to go through that portal. Connor's lips are twisted into a grimace, and I know he must be thinking the same thing.

"Is that normal?" Connor asks, still looking at all the ice. Officer Daller shrugs.

"The fifth realm isn't our problem," he states, then chuckles. "The last thing we need are dragons crossing into our lands. He may be an idiot, but at least the fool king of Orthanya keeps the Dragon Emperor of the Fifth Realm happy."

"I would love to see a dragon," Connor says. I shiver and feel a cold sweat break out across my skin at the thought of coming face-to-face with one of those beasts. Part of me still can't even believe they are even real.

"No thanks," I reply.

"I'm with her. The last thing I want to see in our skies are those fire-breathing lizards," he laughs. He shakes his head. "Anyway, stop with the distractions," he orders and points to the other portal. I freeze upon seeing it. My mouth dries and my hands tremble. Beyond it is nothing but darkness. That is where we are going.

"Don't worry," Officer Daller says, reassuring us. "It is only dark because it is in a basement."

That doesn't make my heart race any slower. Tentatively, I walk toward it. There is a strange, almost waterlike, shimmering sheen to it.

My first portal. What is it going to feel like? Will it hurt? What is waiting for us in the darkness?

"Good luck, agents," Officer Daller says and he puts a hand on our shoulders and looks between the two of us. "You can do this," he assures us. "I've seen your grades; I've seen how quickly you've learned. You're going to be great agents and you are going to thrive," he assures us. I smile weekly. "For Athaine," he says, taking a step back. Then, he salutes us.

Pride sweeps through me, and I straighten. I salute back. "For Athaine," I say and upon those words, most of my fear seems to dissipate. I turn back to the portal, staring at it.

I take in a deep breath and look at Connor. He smiles confidently at me. The Fourth Realm is threatening war. I will do my part in trying to stop it and I will do it well.

Connor takes my hand and together, we step forward into a brand-new world.