"Where is this place?" Shiya murmured, shielding her eyes from the blinding shimmer of light that seemed to dance all around her.
She stood amid a surreal world—a dreamscape unlike anything her mind could conjure. The sky glowed in hues she couldn't name, and multiple suns shimmered faintly behind the massive arch of a rainbow that hung unnaturally low. The air smelled sweet, laced with saltwater and something flowery, ethereal. Giant waves roared and crashed rhythmically in the distance while people—none of whom she recognized—cheered, laughed, and surfed as if gravity were an illusion.
Stairs made of drifting light floated into the sky, stretching into the arc of the rainbow. Some climbed them with ease, only to tumble down with laughter and splash into the warm, inviting sea below.
"Shiya?" a voice called behind her.
She turned sharply. A girl with golden eyes smiled brightly, another at her side.
"We've been waiting for you. What took you so long?"
Shiya blinked, confused.
Before she could answer, the second girl giggled and tugged her toward the water. A splash hit her face. Cold. Real.
She gasped.
"It's not a dream…" she whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks. Her body trembled. She remembered. The beach. Her father's voice. Her mother's laughter. The games, the love—the warmth of a family lost in the cruel turn of fate. The memories surged forward like the tide.
And yet here she was—surrounded by strangers, drowning in a world that wasn't hers, reliving a happiness she no longer had.
Meanwhile, back in the heart of Eriland, the atmosphere soured like storm clouds rolling in.
Ornaphendreul's grip on Sushie tightened.
"What are you babbling about?" he growled at Shin Fairy, teeth bared. "Tricks won't work on me."
"I'm not lying!" Shin Fairy cried out, defiant. "Look closer—see the light in her wings. It's not Kyler's lineage—it's yours! You were deceived! Before Erin accepted Kyler's proposal, she was already carrying your children."
The world around them seemed to still. Even the wind quieted.
Ornaphendreul's eyes flickered. His grip loosened.
"What...?" he breathed.
"They're your daughters, Ornaphendreul. Queen Krystle and Sushie. You cursed your own blood!"
A long silence followed. Ornaphendreul turned away, as if retreating into his own shadows. His expression twisted—confusion, pain, denial.
"I don't have a father…" Sushie muttered. Her voice was soft, yet carried venom. "The only father I knew… he died a long time ago. He wasn't a monster like you."
The words hit him like a blade. Ornaphendreul flinched. He forced a smile, but his eyes were hollow.
"This makes no sense…" Queen Krystle said slowly. "If Sushie is truly my sister, then why were we ever separated?"
"Because of this monster's greed!" Sushie snapped. "He let his emotions twist him into a tyrant. He cursed entire realms to get what he wanted. And now he expects us to believe there's still something human in him?"
"Sushie…" Shin Fairy whispered, her voice trembling with sorrow.
Then—an echo. A sound that didn't belong.
A shrill cry pierced the air.
Suddenly, a chilling silence fell over the assembly. A presence. A force darker than Phyrinx itself crept in. Blood dripped from above. One drop. Then another.
A body was yanked into the shadows. Screams erupted.
Chaos broke loose.
"Vryles are here!" Prince Liu shouted.
Jericho drew his gun, spinning and aiming into the void, but there was nothing—only shadows swallowing light.
"What are these things?" he hissed.
"They're not like the others…" Xyon said, backing away. "I've never seen this kind of Vryle before. They're worse. Predators. Killers."
"They're brutal," Chipi added. "Even for Vryles, they're extreme. If one shows up in your land… you run."
A figure stepped out of the blackened mist. Red eyes gleamed. Then another figure followed. And another. Laughter—sick, melodic, wrong—echoed.
In a blink, a claw swiped toward a pixie. A scream. The creature sank its fangs into her neck. Her body withered and fell like ash to the floor.
"Vampires??…" Xyon whispered.
"Vryles promised peace!" Erica screamed. "What is this?!"
Another voice answered, mocking and smooth.
"It's been a while… Queen Krystle."
Milky.
She stepped forward with regal poise and a twisted smile. The queen's face darkened.
"Explain yourself, Milky. Now."
"You dare speak of broken promises?" Milky laughed bitterly. "You all broke the rules first. The Book of Prophecy clearly forbids involving mortals. And yet here we are—mortals and a cursed prince, together in Eriland."
Erica's expression sharpened. "We did what was necessary—"
"What was necessary for power," Milky interrupted. "You want to rule forever. You cling to that crown while your kingdom crumbles."
"We still follow the book," Erica argued. "The peace we created—"
"Peace?" Milky spat. "You used strength to rule. Now you're weak, and we want what's ours. Give us the Book of Prophecy and the Stone… or more blood will spill."
She turned her gaze toward Sushie.
"You hold one of the keys. Surrender it."
Sushie smirked. "I don't give in to threats."
Milky lunged, hand raised, clawed fingers glowing with dark energy—
But she stopped mid-motion.
A crackle of raw power filled the air as Ornaphendreul stepped between them. Phyrinx energy surged from his body in waves.
"Touch her," he said, voice low, "and I'll make you regret existing."
Milky froze. The darkness recoiled.
"I thought you didn't care about others," she mocked. "Now you're playing daddy?"
"I don't care what you think," he hissed. "But I hate interruptions."
A tense silence followed. Then Milky smiled again.
"This is your lucky day," she whispered.
She reached back and dragged Trixie—shackled and weak—into view.
"I'll take this traitor with me. Try to stop us, and it means war."
Then—with a burst of black mist—she and the Vryles vanished.
Everyone was left in stunned silence. Bodies broken. Blood smeared. Hope shaken.
Ornaphendreul turned back to Sushie.
"Don't mistake my action for affection," he said coldly. "I didn't save you. I just want to fight you when you're strong enough."
Sushie narrowed her eyes.
"I don't need your help. And I'll never thank you."