Chapter 10

The supernatural realm was a place of endless surprises.

Emelio had taken us to the northern lands, and the landscape was breathtaking. We arrived in an open area, surrounded by towering cliffs.

From the top of these cliffs, I could see a vast expanse of water stretching out to the horizon. It was an ocean, I realized, my heart fluttering with excitement. I’d heard tales of oceans, but this was my first time seeing one.

The air was filled with a unique scent, carried by the breeze from the water. I could hear the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore and the cliffs. It was peaceful, reminding me of the tranquility I’d felt at Jekia’s palace.

Jekia was watching me, a knowing smile on his face.

“I take it you’ve never seen an ocean before,” he said.

“I haven’t,” I admitted.

“Would you like to get a closer look?” he offered.

“Is it safe? These cliffs seem pretty high,” I pointed out.

Jekia laughed. “Of course. I wouldn’t take you close enough to fall,” he assured me.

He took my hand and led me closer to the edge of the cliff, stopping about five feet away. From here, I had a better view of the ocean, and I could see figures moving in the water and on the rocks below.

“Are those mermaids?” I asked Jekia.

“In our world, we call them sirens. But yes, they’re similar to what you’re thinking of. Just be careful not to get too close. They can be predatory, especially towards beautiful young women. If they take a liking to you, they might try to turn you into a siren,” Jekia warned.

“They can do that?”

“Yes, they can.”

I looked around again, taking in the peaceful fields and the dense forest about thirty feet away. There didn’t seem to be any houses nearby.

“Jekia, where exactly is this meeting with the rulers supposed to be?” I asked.

“We’re meeting at Vincent’s house, here on the cliffs. Let’s go. It’s safer to travel through the caves at this time. The wigs should still be asleep,” Jekia replied.

“Wigs? What are those?” I asked as we walked towards a stone cave entrance.

“Wigs are one of the main predators in these caves. They’re blinded by light and can be quite aggressive. But don’t worry, they wouldn’t dare mess with Jekia or me,” Emelio reassured me.

“As if anyone would dare mess with me,” Jekia added, a hint of arrogance in his voice.

I couldn’t help but giggle, but I stayed close to Jekia as we entered the cave.

The path was lit by oil lamps, and the only sound was our footsteps echoing off the stone walls. I kept glancing around, curious about what else might be hiding in these caves.

After what felt like forever, we reached a dead end. Jekia stood in front of the stone wall and raised his hand. The stones began to glow.

“I’m back. Please open the door,” he said.

“Very well,” a man’s voice replied.

The wall slid to the side, revealing a room beyond. I followed Jekia and Emelio inside, my eyes wide with amazement.

The room was stunning. It was furnished with ivory stone furniture covered in plush dark fabric. A glass wall on the right offered a breathtaking view of the sea.

“I see you made it back in good time, Jekia. You even beat Merrick here,” the same male voice said.

I turned to see who was speaking and was taken aback by his appearance. He was as striking as Jekia, but clearly a different kind of creature. His hair was a mix of yellow and orange, like flames, and his eyes were a bright orange. He was tall, dressed in a dark satin shirt and matching pants. But what caught my attention the most were the wings on his back. They were as large as he was, their feathers a mix of yellow, red, and orange, like a fiery blaze.

This must be Vincent, the phoenix ruler Jekia had mentioned.

“You expect any less of me? You were the one who insisted I bring her, given your curiosity about her,” Jekia said, waving a hand dismissively.

Vincent’s gaze shifted to me, and I felt a little intimidated. I’d never seen anyone so stunning.

“Ah yes, I did notice her. I thought you’d introduce her first, though,” he said.

“Fine,” Jekia conceded, glancing at me. “This is Vincent, ruler of the southern lands and owner of this house. Vincent, this is Lana, my omega.”

“Yes, you did mention that. I must admit, I didn’t believe it at first,” Vincent replied.

He smiled, gently holding my chin so he could get a better look at my face. I noticed his fingertips were like golden talons.

“You’re quite beautiful, even for a human. It’s no surprise you evolved into an omega. It makes you more than worthy of being a ruler’s mate.”

Jekia cleared his throat. “You’re still being rude.”

Vincent let go of my chin and stepped back, grinning. “You’re right,” he said. He gave me a grand bow, the tips of his wings flaring slightly with the movement.

“I’m Vincent, the phoenix, and I welcome you to my home. I hope you enjoy your time here.”

“I’ve been looking forward to visiting. It’s nice to meet you, Lord Vincent,” I replied.

Vincent led us to the other side of the large room, where a group of couches and chairs were arranged around a small table.

With a snap of his fingers, a male and female doll brought out drinks and small plates of food.

I sat next to Jekia on a couch across from Vincent’s chair, watching as the Phoenix gracefully folded his wings behind him like a cape.

He seemed relaxed, and Jekia didn’t seem too tense either.

He’d scolded Vincent, but it was a light reprimand, similar to how he’d dealt with Sage.

“You surprised me, Jekia. I was starting to think you’d never find a suitable female,” Vincent said.

“Choosing a mate is a significant decision, and it’s ours to make. The timing was right with Lana, and she suits me well. I hope I suit her too.

“I want her to be happy in this life,” Jekia replied.

I nodded. “I can’t say I’m unhappy. Lord Jekia treats me well, and I appreciate everything he does for me.

“I didn’t have much in my old world, so this has been more than just stepping into a new world,” I added.

Vincent seemed intrigued. “Really? So, you were poor?” he asked.

“I was,” I admitted. “I won’t deny that I wasn’t born for this position, and it’s taking me some time to adjust to what I’ve been given here.

“I always thought I’d be a servant, not a mistress.”

Vincent chuckled, looking amused. “I can see why you’d think that, but you’re where you’re meant to be.

“There are no coincidences when it comes to humans who end up here, especially females who quickly evolve into betas.

“For you to meet Jekia and become an omega, it must have been written in the stars,” he said.

I hadn’t thought of it that way, but I was starting to realize others felt the same, including Jekia.

I glanced at him, noticing his calm expression. None of this conversation seemed to bother him.

“I can’t say for sure, but I’ll take your word for it,” I said.

“Fate can be strange, but I don’t question it, even if others might,” Jekia added, crossing his arms as he leaned back beside me.

“Changing the subject, have you heard anything from the ogre?”

“Nothing yet, but I’m not surprised,” Vincent replied, looking a bit annoyed.

“It’s a heavy situation, but I believe we’re nearing the end of this long tunnel, whether Merrick believes me or not.”

Jekia chuckled. “Merrick should be careful with his words.

“He should know that some of his statements could make the Higher Ones think he wants to take over the eastern lands.”

“I agree, but we both know that’s not the case.

“Merrick’s only concern is for those who are suffering and his desire to free them from their troubles,” Vincent said.

“Um, if I may, I’m curious about those lands and the creatures that come from there,” I said, hoping I wasn’t overstepping.

Vincent smiled warmly. “You can ask anything you want. We have some time before Merrick arrives, and it’s only fair that you know these things. You are a ruler’s wife, after all.”

I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to being referred to that way, but I tried to let it slide.

“Is it okay if I ask, Lord Jekia?” I asked.

“It’s fine. I want you to speak freely here. It’s your right,” Jekia assured me.

“Indeed,” Vincent agreed. He turned back to me, looking curious. “So, my lady, what would you like to know first?”

I thought for a moment before answering. “I’m curious about the creatures in the eastern lands. Are they different in each land?”

“They can be, although some are more common in certain areas. We think of it like the mortal world this one mirrors.

“In my lands, you’d find more flying types like me. We love the tall trees of the forests and the cliffs around here.

“There are also many aquatic types here and in the bordering areas of the eastern lands.

“I’m sure you noticed the sirens around the rocks when you arrived. They, along with others like the lamia, thrive in these waters,” Vincent explained.

“All of which I’ve already warned you to be careful of,” Jekia added.

“Absolutely,” Vincent agreed. “The sirens can be a problem with a beautiful human woman, but the male lamia could be even worse.

“They have a habit of trapping and claiming beautiful women to satisfy their own lustful desires.”

I frowned at his words. “It seems like a lot of male creatures on this side have issues with lustful desires.”

Vincent chuckled. “Well, it’s true for most males, especially at certain times in their lives.

“All creatures want to procreate at some point, and whether we admit it or not, most intelligent creatures also seek pleasure in such acts.”

“Let’s not delve too deep into that topic. It’s not necessary,” Jekia interjected.

“Yes, you’re right,” Vincent agreed.

“To answer your original question,” Jekia continued, turning to me. “Different creatures roam different areas that suit them best.

“While you can find fairies, gnomes, goblins, and the like in all areas of the Veil, as Vincent mentioned, some are more exclusive to certain parts.

“For example, in my lands, those that live within the forests.

“While there are forests in other lands, mine are most hospitable for these creatures, so they tend to gather there more than anywhere else.

“Merrick’s lands are where you’ll almost exclusively find the chimera, not only because of his presence, but because the terrain suits them well, as they can be of various types.

“And in Vincent’s lands, you’ll find those with wings, just like he said.”

“That’s fascinating, but wouldn’t it be difficult for those from the eastern lands to move to the others because of that?” I asked.

Vincent nodded solemnly. “Yes, it would be very difficult for some, but we’ve worked to accommodate such issues too. We hope that such things will be resolved soon.”

Jekia sat up a bit more, looking interested.

“You mentioned yesterday that there’s a rumor about someone about to defeat the ogre, someone referred to as a mixed breed. Do you believe that?” he asked Vincent.

“As strange as it sounds, yes, I do. I had Kalan investigate this rumor, and it seems to be true.

“There’s a powerful mixed breed hiding among them, one that was born from that jelly siren that Jusei had kept captive for a while.

“From what I hear, the boy’s name is Lyric, and his father was that dragon guard that we thought was quite admirable, the one they called Temple,” Vincent replied.

Jekia looked surprised. “A siren and a dragon, huh? Interesting. I don’t think we’ve ever heard of such a combination before. He could be just what we need in this.”

“Don’t make me laugh. Such a combination is nothing more than an abomination.”

I looked up as I heard the new male voice. Jekia and Vincent also looked up, and I noticed that they looked quite displeased as they took in the one who had spoken.

As for me, I was intrigued by the creature I saw. I had no doubt that this was the ruler of the western lands, the one named Merrick.

He was a stoic-looking man, with a handsome face and sharp violet eyes. His clothes, like Vincent and Jekia’s, were elegant yet somewhat casual, with a white shirt and dark pants.

He had very dark hair, and his ears were pointed. I noticed that there were patches of golden scales on his hands, neck, and his right cheek.

And he had a long tail lined with those scales, with a tip that ended in a sharp point.

“I’m surprised you didn’t need my permission to enter. Did you get Ramone to transport you here?” Vincent asked him.

“Of course. I see no reason to indulge you by asking for permission when you’re already expecting me,” Merrick replied as he sat in the chair near Vincent.

He then noticed me. “I assume this is the girl Jekia has chosen? So, she really is a human.”

He said it in such a disparaging way, as if he didn’t approve of my presence at all. Maybe I was wrong to think they all would.

Jekia’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at him. “You will show her some respect, Merrick. She is my omega, which makes her an equal here,” he reminded him.

Merrick remained defiant. “Omega or not, she’s still a human, and she seems to be a young one at that.

“I’m surprised you haven’t already bred her, given what you claim she is.”

Wow, I wasn’t expecting such a harsh attitude from one of them. I could see Jekia getting angry at his words, but he stayed seated next to me.

“It’s not your place to talk about such things, and you will stop your attitude towards her, unless you forget your place among us,” he warned him.

“My place is as another ruler here, and I should have my own opinion on things that you or Vincent decide to do,” Merrick countered.

Vincent sighed, trying to defuse the situation. “That’s enough. There’s no reason for us to fight among ourselves. We have enough problems with Jusei right now.

“But honestly, Merrick, you’ve come here with quite a bad attitude. Has something upset you since last night?” he asked.

Merrick took a deep breath before answering. “Yes, very much so,” he admitted.

He seemed to regain his composure. “I apologize for my behavior, but last night was tough for all of us in my lands.

“I received reports of a mass grave found just outside my border with the eastern lands, and the sights were horrific.

“I admit I didn’t sleep much last night, and the memory is making my mood sour.”

The thought of such a terrible thing made my heart ache. Those poor creatures. What had that monster done to them?

“What creatures were in this grave?” Jekia asked him.

“Jusei’s been killing off the young ones. He’s afraid of a prophecy that says one of them will overthrow him,” Merrick said, his voice heavy with regret.

The room fell silent. I looked down, my mind spinning. It was horrifying. These were just kids, and Jusei was having them killed to maintain his reign of terror.

“We can’t let this go on, especially now that it’s turned into genocide,” Jekia finally said.

“I agree. Maybe it’s time we took this to the Higher Ones and came up with a plan,” Vincent suggested. “We’ve talked about dividing the eastern lands among us. I think it’s doable.”

“If it comes to that, I’ll take on most of it. My people are ready to help them rebuild,” Merrick offered.

“That’s a possibility, but we’d have to get approval from the Higher Ones. This would disrupt the balance that’s been established,” Jekia reminded him.

I had to ask, “What happens if we disrupt the balance? Are there serious consequences?”

“There could be,” Vincent answered, his tone grave. “Balance is crucial in all of creation. Jekia and I came into our positions at the same time to maintain the balance between north and south. The same was done with Merrick and Jusei. We don’t know what the repercussions might be, but this crisis warrants taking the risk.”

“I get it. And they can’t keep suffering like this. It’s terrible that anyone would hurt and kill others for their own selfish gains, especially children,” I said.

Merrick looked at me with interest. “You have a big heart, don’t you? I find that quite endearing,” he said.

Jekia snorted. “Now you’re changing your tune about her?”

“I can change my mind if I want to. You did warn me you weren’t happy about it,” Merrick shot back.

Vincent shook his head. “You two love to take jabs at each other, even at her expense,” he scolded.

I couldn’t help but smile. “It’s okay. I wouldn’t expect anything less, and I don’t mind.”

Just then, Emelio and two other mages walked in. They looked different from him. One was tall and thin with black wings, black hair and eyes, and pale skin. The other reminded me of a bee, with golden hair and black and gold stripes on his hands and neck. He had antennae on his head and clear wings on his back.

“Sorry to interrupt, but we just heard some shocking news. Jusei has been killed,” Emelio announced.

The room was filled with shock. Even I felt it. The three rulers immediately stood up.

“You’re joking. What happened?” Vincent demanded.

I stood next to Jekia as Emelio spoke. “We don’t have all the details from the mage Soliel, but it seems someone rose up and defeated him, just like the prophecy said.”

“Was it the half-breed the rumors were about?” Merrick asked.

“We haven’t confirmed it, but we think so,” the bee-like mage answered.

The three rulers looked at each other, trying to process this new information.

I was intrigued too. A new ruler was going to take over the eastern lands. I wondered what he would be like. Would he be like Jekia, Vincent, and Merrick?

“If this is true, we should meet again once we know more. It would be good to meet this new ruler if he decides to take the position,” Jekia suggested.

“A half-breed as a ruler? That’s not right,” Merrick scoffed, crossing his arms.

“You should be careful about underestimating them, Merrick. They might surprise you,” Vincent warned him. Then he changed the subject. “But I agree with Jekia. Let’s end this meeting and wait for more news from the east. Then we can plan a meeting with the new ruler.”

Merrick and Jekia agreed, and we all said our goodbyes before the mages transported us home.

Back in the courtyard of the palace, I turned to Jekia. “Do you think this could solve the problems in the east?” I asked.

“It’s possible, but only time will tell,” Jekia replied. He looked up at the bright blue sky. It was still early afternoon. “For now, let’s relax. I don’t get to do that often, and I want to spend time with you before I have to deal with these changes.”

“Of course,” I agreed, nodding.

I didn’t know what the future held for this world with the change in rulers, but I didn’t let myself worry about it. My place was by Jekia’s side, and it seemed that’s where I’d be for as long as I lived.