Chapter 5

5

CHRISTOPHER

A s we entered the dining hall, I couldn't help but glance at Aria. Her soft brown eyes were wide with wonder, taking in the magical ceiling and the shimmering dragons locked in their eternal battle overhead. Even though she'd seen it before, the awe hadn't faded from her face. It was... endearing.

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the protective instinct that had been growing since I first caught her human scent. She was alone here, the only one of her kind among us supernatural beings. It struck a chord with me, reminding me of my own outsider status within my pack. Not to mention there was something else, something that drew me to her, made my wolf pace within me.

"Come on," I said, gently touching her elbow to guide her. "Let's find a seat before all the good spots are taken."

Whilst we'd been talking in the communal area, Elowen had returned with another group. People had been asking questions, but she dismissed them as well, giving them the same spiel. There had to be thirty or forty of us total now, and from the scents in the communal room, Aria was still the only human. Plenty of werewolves and shifters, along with an array of fae. Only a handful of vampires total though, which I was grateful for. Ever since I'd first smelled their uniquely dead scent, I'd never been a fan. There was just something wrong about them.

We made our way to a table near the middle of the room, Zephyr and Lydia following close behind. As we settled in, I watched Aria marvel at the spread before us. Platters of food covered every inch of the table, some familiar, others completely alien. Her fascination with the strange, colorful fruits and shimmering vegetables was almost childlike. A wonder that a fair few of us mirrored.

At the far end of the hall, on a slightly raised dais, sat another table. Elowen and Eirian were there, along with several other Dracarians. Even from this distance, the aura of power they exuded was pressing. I noticed Aria shrink slightly in her seat, clearly intimidated. She wasn't alone in that sensation, but many of us fought the need to withdraw in on ourselves.

"Hey," I said softly, leaning in so only she could hear me. "You okay?"

She nodded, offering a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, just... it's a lot, you know?"

I did know. The urge to protect her, to shield her from all of this, surged through me again, confusing me. I tamped it down, reminding myself that she was stronger than she looked. She had to be, she'd stood up to one of them, impressing all of us, which, ultimately, would come in her favor, as some supes looked down on humans as a lesser species. She needed the boost in the ranks here.

Elowen's voice rang out across the hall, silencing the murmur of conversation. "Welcome, all. The food before you is from the lands of Dracaria. I assure you, it is safe for consumption by all beings present. Please, enjoy your meal. Once we have finished dining, I will explain why you have been brought here. Please do not demand answers before. Enjoy our hospitality and the foods our lands have to offer. Then we will share everything, you have my word."

Clearly, she'd noticed the unease and lack of people eating as they surveyed the foods on offer. I half-expected someone to shout something out and to demand answers, but it was obvious we all sensed their power enough to bide our time and see how this played out.

To my surprise, Aria appeared to be the first to take Elowen at her word, picking up a bright pink fruit of some kind and biting into it.

"Ohh, this is sweet!" she exclaimed, and Lydia shrugged as she plucked one for herself, chomping into it and nodding in agreement.

Slowly, people began eating when there was no signs of poisoning or whatever else they were waiting for.

I wouldn't lie and say I wasn't starving either. Wolves ran hot and our metabolisms were fast, so I was always hungry and ready to eat an entire cow when given the chance.

As the room filled with the sounds of eating and quiet conversation, I found my gaze drawn to the five figures at a table on the far side of the room. Vampires. My hackles rose instinctively, especially when I saw the dark-haired one staring intently at Aria. There was only one woman amongst them, and they sat with no food before them, just watching the rest of us eat.

"All vampires?" Aria whispered, following my gaze.

I nodded, trying to keep my expression neutral despite the growl building in my throat. "Yeah, looks like there's five of them total. Best to keep our distance for now."

She turned her attention back to our table, but I could see the unease in the set of her shoulders. Protectiveness surged through me again. Whatever was going on here, whatever reason we'd been brought to this strange realm, I knew one thing for certain: I was going to do everything in my power to keep Aria safe. As to why, I couldn't say for sure. Maybe it was her innocence among all of us, the fact she was a loner, much like I'd been.

We'd told her everything we'd deemed necessary on vampires, it couldn't be helped if it was shared with disdain. Vampires were creatures that were wrong, feeding on the blood of humans. Any creature that had to thrive on the life force of another just to survive was an abomination. Without blood, they became crazed killers, tearing people limb from limb. Not to mention their unnatural speed that was unmatched.

Maybe my need to protect Aria was also because of their presence. With her being the only human… I didn't want to even think about it, but I did notice how they all kept glancing her way. The one we'd seen in the communal area seemed awfully interested in her.

I found myself watching Aria more than I cared to admit. Her reactions to the new flavors, the way her face lit up with each discovery – it was captivating. And when she laughed at one of Zephyr's jokes, the sound seemed to cut through all the strangeness and uncertainty of our situation.

As I watched our little newfound group interact, a familiar conflict arose within me. The rational part of my mind knew I should keep these people at arm's length. We were in an unknown situation, surrounded by potential threats, and getting too attached could be dangerous. But my wolf nature, the part of me that craved pack and connection, was already forming bonds. Our little group had formed so naturally, coming together in this time of strangeness, and the friendships were already flourishing. They say dire situations brought people together, and this was one of those times. We were in a whole new world, at the mercy of these dragon shifters while we waited for them to explain to us why on earth we were here.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair again. It was a habit I'd picked up years ago, a tell that betrayed my inner turmoil. As much as I tried to fight it, I knew I was already becoming invested in these people. Especially Aria.

Her voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Christopher? Are you okay? You seem... distracted."

I managed a smile, hoping it looked more genuine than it felt. "Yeah, just thinking about... well, everything, I guess."

She nodded, understanding in her brown eyes. "It's a lot to process, isn't it?"

"You have no idea," I muttered, then immediately regretted it when I saw concern flash across her face. "Sorry, I didn't mean... Look, we're all in this together, right? Whatever 'this' is."

Aria's smile was small but warm. "Right. Together."

As the meal progressed, I found myself relaxing despite the bizarre circumstances. The food was incredible, flavors I'd never experienced before dancing across my tongue.

"So," Aria said, breaking a comfortable silence that had fallen over our group, "what did you all do for work back on Earth? You know, before all this dragon business?"

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal about my life back home. They knew I'd worked in an office, but I just hoped she didn't press me on more matters, especially since we'd given her the rundown of werewolf packs, which I'd not commented much on. Thankfully, Lydia had then gone onto shifters, distracting Aria from asking me anything regarding my own pack or family. Zephyr had only told her a small amount on the Fae, our conversation being mostly geared towards shifters and vampires.

Before I could decide, Zephyr chimed in, his musical voice carrying a hint of amusement.

"Ah, well, that's a bit complicated for us Fae," he said, leaning in conspiratorially. "You see, we live in a veiled setting amongst the earthly world, tucked into tears in your reality."

I watched as confusion flickered across Aria's face, followed quickly by fascination. Zephyr continued, clearly enjoying her reaction.

"Think of Earth as having layers. The first layer is the one you know, the everyday world. The second is where we Fae live in peace, although we can step in and out of the main earthly plane whenever we want for some of your foods, your parties, whatnot. It's part of Earth, just unseen to those who aren't Fae, warded from most beings."

"That's... wow," Aria managed, her eyes wide. "So there's this whole other world just... hidden within ours?"

I couldn't help but smile at her wonderment. It was refreshing, in a way, to see all of this through her eyes. For us supernatural beings, the hidden world had always been a fact of life, just inaccessible. Witches sometimes did similar things to mask certain shops or areas. But the Fae's little world was truly a marvel, and I'd sometimes wondered about their little gateways. Other supes couldn't cross unless invited and granted access, which was incredibly rare and unheard of in the circles I knew.

But for Aria, every revelation was new and extraordinary.

"Indeed," Zephyr nodded, his impossible eyes twinkling. "The third layer was always believed to be the afterlife, but now, with Dracaria..." he trailed off, looking thoughtful.

I leaned in, my brow furrowed as I considered his words. "If they're calling it a realm, maybe that means it's its own whole world, not a tear or layer like you describe. Their portals were different, and this world, it feels nothing like home. The magic is all different. The fae plane, it's still somewhat earthly, you can sense that it lies in the same realm of existence, right?"

"Yes, you are right there. Our plane, even with its Courts and gardens, we can still sense the earthly plane, cross over whenever we wish. This feels… too different," Zephyr agreed with a nod.

Lydia pulled a face as she set down her fork. "It's all a lot to take in and figure out. Maybe the Dracarians will know exactly what it all is. After all, they brought us here."

"Agreed," Zephyr said, nodding towards the high table where Elowen and Eirian sat. "They'd likely know more. The power and magic I feel here is immense, like nothing I've ever encountered. We Fae carry a lot of natural magics, but this..." he shook his head in wonder, "it's otherworldly."

As the conversation continued, I found my attention drifting back to Aria. She was listening intently, her eyes darting between Zephyr and Lydia as they discussed the nature of Dracaria and their curiosities, wondering what animals the meats came from, and mentioning how this world seemed to at least harbor some of earth's ways of living, like the plumbing and glass. There was something captivating about her eagerness to learn, to understand this world that was so new to her, whether it be the supernatural or this Dracarian one.

The meal began to wind down, and Lydia's expression grew somber. "My daughter must be worried sick," she said quietly. "And my husband and son… I can't imagine what they're going through."

I felt a pang of sympathy. While I didn't have close family ties myself, I could imagine the pain of being separated from loved ones without explanation. What they must be going through and thinking, what the entire world must be thinking and discussing, things on the news… I couldn't even imagine.

Aria reached out, placing a hand on Lydia's arm. "I'm so sorry, Lydia. That must be awful."

As they continued to talk, I found myself thinking about my own situation. No wife, no kids, no real ties to speak of. In a way, it made this whole bizarre situation a little easier to bear. But watching Aria comfort Lydia, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of... something. Longing, maybe?

Before I could dwell on that thought, a hush fell over the room. Elowen had risen from her seat, her presence commanding attention without a word.

"Now," she said, her voice carrying easily to every corner of the hall, "I believe it's time I explained why you've all been brought here."

I sat up straighter, my senses on high alert. Finally, we were going to get some answers. I glanced at Aria, seeing my own mix of anticipation and apprehension mirrored in her eyes.

Elowen's gaze swept across the room, seeming to meet each of our eyes in turn. "Within each of you," she began, "runs the blood of the ancient Dracarians, as Eirian has aleady informed you. Diluted through generations, yes, but potent nonetheless. This blood, this heritage, is why you are here."

Elowen's voice, clear and commanding, continued to fill the hall. "For millennia, our realm has been mostly sealed off from Earth, our existence fading into myth and legend. But now, a great threat looms on the horizon – a darkness that seeks to consume both our worlds."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Aria tensed beside me, swallowing uneasily, and without thinking, I placed a reassuring hand on her arm.

"The shadow creatures some of you encountered are but a taste of what's to come. They are the vanguard of a force we call the Void – a malevolent entity that devours magic and life itself."

The room erupted in a chorus of confused and frightened voices. Someone near the back of the hall called out, "What exactly is this Void? What are we up against? Why are we even involved?"

Elowen raised a hand, calling for silence. Her expression grew grave as she explained, "The Void is a darkness unlike anything you've encountered before. It is not simply an absence of light, but an active, malevolent force that seeks to consume everything in its path. It destroys not just life, but the very fabric of reality itself. As for why you are involved, it is because you hold the blood of ancients, magic still courses in your veins, dormant for centuries."

Aria's face paled as I flicked my gaze to her. The urge to comfort her, to pull her close and shield her from this terrifying reality, was almost overwhelming. But I held back, knowing that now wasn't the time. My wolf grumbled in response, displeased by my unwillingness to obey its desires.

Another voice rang out, "How can we possibly fight against something like that?"

"That is where you come in," Elowen continued. "The Dracarian blood within you holds the potential to awaken great power. Power we desperately need if we are to stand against the coming darkness."

Elowen's expression grew even more serious as she continued. "There is something else you must understand. For now, there is no way for you to return to your old lives."

A collective gasp rippled through the hall, and our group stiffened.

"The portals we used to bring you here were opened through a collective magical effort," Elowen explained. "It was a one-time opportunity, made possible by pooling all of our remaining strength. But now, with the Void touching the edges of Dracaria, our magic has been weakened. These portals have crumbled, and our access to earth is gone, for now."

She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "We will not be able to open such portals again until the Void is defeated. Your return home depends on our success in this fight."

Elowen's voice grew even more somber as she continued. "But know this: even if we could return you now, you would not be safe. The blood you carry makes you targets. These dark creatures, servants of the Void, would hunt you relentlessly in your world, intent on extinguishing the one force that could stop their master. This is why we moved so quickly to bring you here through the portals."

She surveyed the room, her gaze intense. "You are not many, but you are the last of a rare and powerful bloodline. Your safety, and the awakening of your powers, is crucial to the survival of both our worlds."

Beside me, Zephyr muttered, "So, in a way, we're all slightly related." In any other circumstance, I might have chuckled at the thought, but the gravity of our situation crushed any hint of amusement.

Elowen's voice rang out again, filled with a mix of determination and what almost sounded like regret. "I know this is not the future any of you envisioned for yourselves. But our choices now are limited. We must fight – not just for ourselves, but for everyone you left behind in the earthly realm, and for all of Dracaria. Only by defeating the Void can we restore our full magical strength and reopen the portals to your world, and save both realms."

As Elowen finished speaking, a tense silence fell over the hall. Then, suddenly, voices erupted from all corners of the room.

"This can't be real!" someone shouted.

"You expect us to believe this fantasy?" another voice called out. "That we're some special bloodline?"

"This is madness!"

The hall dissolved into chaos, with people arguing and shouting over each other. Some were adamantly denying the reality of the situation, while others were trying to reason with them.

My attention was drawn to the high table as Eirian's face darkened with irritation. He rose from his seat, his powerful presence immediately commanding attention.

"Enough!" his voice boomed across the hall, silencing the crowd. His eyes blazed with barely contained anger as he surveyed the room. "You doubt the truth of our words? Then perhaps you'll believe your own kind."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the gathered crowd. "Those of you who were attacked by shadow creatures before you were brought here, stand up."

There was a moment of hesitation, then slowly, people began to rise. Aria stood, her face pale but determined. Across the room, the dark-haired vampire also got to his feet, his expression grim. In total, about a dozen people stood, scattered throughout the hall.

Eirian's voice was softer now, but no less intense. "Look at them. Your fellow people. They've seen the threat we face. Will you call them all liars?"

The room fell silent as the reality of the situation began to sink in. Those who had been arguing moments before now looked shaken, the fight draining out of them as they faced the undeniable evidence before them.

Elowen stepped forward again, her voice gentle but firm. "I know this is difficult to accept. It goes against everything you've believed about your world. But the blood you carry, the heritage within you, is more powerful than you realize. It is the key to defeating the Void."

She paused, her gaze moving from person to person, making eye contact with as many as she could. "You are capable of more than you know. With training, with guidance, you can awaken abilities you never dreamed possible. And together, we can face this threat."

Aria sank back into her seat beside me, her body trembling slightly. I reached out and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze as my wolf rumbled quietly. She looked at me, her brown eyes wide with a mix of fear and unease.

"It'll be okay," I whispered, as much to reassure myself as her. "We're in this together."

She nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Together," she echoed.

As I looked around at the now subdued crowd, I could see the fear in their eyes, but also the beginnings of acceptance. We were afraid, yes, but we were also the only hope for two worlds. And somehow, that made the impossible task before us seem just a little more achievable. It had to be.

I glanced at Aria, seeing the conflict in her eyes. The thought of being thrust into a war against an unimaginable evil, with our return home hanging in the balance – it was almost too much to bear. Yet beneath the fear and shock, I could see a spark of something else. Resolve, perhaps?

"We're the only ones who can do this," Aria whispered, more to herself than anyone else. "We have to fight if we ever want to go home."

Her words, soft as they were, stirred something within me. A sense of purpose, of duty, began to overshadow the fear and uncertainty. I looked around at our little group – Zephyr's face set in grim determination, Lydia's eyes shining with unshed tears but her jaw clenched, and Aria, small, human, and terrified.

None of us had asked for this, and yet here we were, thrown into something we couldn't have ever imagined.

I took a deep breath, feeling the wolf inside me rise to the challenge. "Then we fight," I said, my voice low but firm. "Together. And we'll find a way back home."

As murmurs of agreement spread through the hall, I realized that this moment marked the true beginning of our journey. We were no longer just displaced beings in a strange realm. We were the last line of defense against an incomprehensible evil, the guardians of two worlds, and our only ticket back home.

The road ahead would be difficult, perhaps even impossible. But as I sat there, surrounded by my newfound companions, I felt a flicker of hope. Whatever came next, we would face it as one, with the promise of returning home driving us forward.