Chapter Twenty-three

Ixin travelled alone to where he belonged, the Twilight realm. It was different, and unknown. Written in legend books only. Some believed it existed while others said it was merely a legend. Some knights and demons created stories and myths about it because nobody had ever stepped to its doors. The Twilight realm was special because it was a mixture of demons, knights, devil spirits and elves. However, they weren't distinguished that way because what was common in all of them was that they had more than one superpower. So, they were called "mutants". And it was considered a crime in both night and light lands because of necromancers and sorcerers who practiced black magic to summon evil powers. Anyone with a double superpower was considered a necromancer and was burnt to death. Whereas in the Twilight realm, they could live safely and prosper under the ruling of the pure-blooded family of Gin. The gates to the realm were space doors. They open only by the superpowers of a mutant, in certain hidden areas. Ixin could go there by opening the east gate which was located in a huge antique cave in the Shao mountain. It was a rough big mountain where high-tiers trained and focused more on finishing their practice to attend the nirvana stage. It took him to the 'Crimson Alley' that was leading to the Crimson Dragon palace. "Your highness," The guards were bowing as he was going upstairs through the red and dark purple pillars which were located on both sides of that huge alley. As he reached the huge gates which were sculptured on with a dragon in red and glittery black.

"I didn't expect you to be here this early," Tianyi started with a huge smile on the face. He was the childhood friend of Ixin.

"What brought you here?"

"Your mother expected you to come. I thought you'd be happy to see me," Smirked Tianyi as they both walked towards the dragon hall.

"So, she knows," The black-haired demon murmured as he stopped walking.

"We know everything. I told you, you'll always have my back," His friend tapped on his shoulder smiling proudly. "Don't ever think of replacing me by that new grey-haired demon!" He sarcastically continued, pointing his finger to Ixin's face while the other glared at him coldly and started walking again.

"Eh! Look at you! Still as cold as ever!" Tianyi claimed and followed him.

Jasper used the telepathy connection to talk to Zelo, informing him about his new mission. Jaelin and Sinian were spending the day together. She practiced a new move of her Xiaofeng even though she was powerless. The moves are the base and without them, no superpower would be generated. Sinian on the other hand was practicing next to her. They had the midday meal together and sat down by one of the small rivers.

"Would you agree to go with me to the night land?" He requested calmly as his eyes met hers.

"How can that happen when I didn't even get to see my lands? Also, I'm still punished. I'm not even supposed to be here, you know that," She blushed looking away then looked down smiling sadly.

"You cannot go there since you're restricted, but you're not, in my land," He held her hand comforting, and smiled warmly.

"How about you becoming the next king soon? What would everyone there think?" Jaelin was rational but on the other hand, the amount of emotions he was giving her, made her confused and felt like sinking in a bottomless rosy sea.

"How about you not thinking about that? I just want to be with you. I couldn't help but since the first day I've seen you, I've been wanting to protect you and be around you all the time," Sinian confessed not taking off his eyes from hers. He wanted to ensure her that all that time which they had spent together, was the most precious and special since she was around him as well.

"I also feel the same. It's unexplainable. I'm just worried more about the consequences. I've never dared to break any rule. But, here I am. With you," As she turned to look him back in the eyes, her cheeks flushed and her heart started to race.

"So, let's focus on living the moment and forget about what the unknown future is holding for us. Alright?" He murmured and smiled ensuring. She nodded as he started to play with his wind to soothe her. At that time, Zelo joined Jasper secretly and saw both lovers having a good time.

"Why both of us are doing this?" Zelo questioned when standing on the same tree branch.

"Hush. Use telepathy. We're not alone," Jasper spoke through telepathy. "We're not doing the same thing. You watch over both of them. I'm watching over someone else," Explained the silver-haired demon.

"Who's that?"

"Long story short. A knight following Jaelin. We don't know if it's Julian or someone else doing this."

"This is messed up. I left Yeona alone there. And our dear crown prince is having a love affair. Levi didn't comeback yet too," Zelo stated sarcastically. "In all cases, he's to be married to a princess. I don't know if he's risking it all or he's taking Jaelin as a plaything," He continued sighing. "It's strange. Jaelin isn't the stupid type. How can she love him in just four weeks? I guess there's something deeper than this," Zelo was smart and could guess that something was off.

"Can you hush and focus now?" As Jasper spoke, Yijoon, the spy, decided to go back to report. "He's on the move. I got to go. Be careful," The demon warned and left his friend behind.

In the evening, master Jin went to see Julian. It was a chilly night. He thought he was called because of Jaelin again. He was disappointed and mad to know that she had left her chambers again while she promised to give an explanation.

"Good evening, your highness," Jin started as he entered the light chambers.

"Master, please," Julian replied, referring with his hand for him to sit down.

"I suppose that you want to ask me about knight Jaelin since you called me here alone," He began as Ethan poured a drink for both of them.

"Actually, it's a different matter. I hope you enlighten me and be a good help for me," The light leader replied when holding his cup to take a sip.

"I'll do what I can to help. What is it?"

"Well, first, tell me about knight Jaelin and how she's doing since she's punished," Smiled the light king and referred to Ethan to join.

"She's doing alright. Being alone and late to be released from the Lunar Eris is troubling her, let alone being without her heixin. It has been so tough," Explained the master.

"It must be very hard to adjust without the core of her superpowers," Julian seemed cold about Jaelin's matter. Queen Anna's reaction about her from that previous meeting, and Juli being mad, made him let go of his crush for her.

"Light king Julian, I'm sure it's not the matter you want to talk about. Please, cut to the chase," Jin claimed.

"In fact, as you know, I'm about to get married to princess Juli. Because of certain misunderstandings, she's upset and I want to get her something special as an apology and a wedding gift at the same time," Clarified the blond knight.

"It's a personal matter between you both. What does it have to do with me?" Wondered the master.

"I need your help to get this special thing. Because it only exists inside the walls of the Lunar Eris," The water summoner replied trying to persuade him while the master understood what he meant.

"King Julian, there are things that are not allowed to leave the school for safety reasons. I'm afraid I cannot be of a help to your highness," Master Jin pronounced as he was about to leave.

"But it belongs to her father. It naturally belongs to her. I want her to have it so I can show I support her as a knight just like I support her to be my queen!" The light leader stood up to stop him from going.

"No matter how much you want the best for her, I want the best for all of you and both clans! That's my duty as a master!" Jin lost his nerves because of the events which had been happening. He took a deep breath and pronounced. "Knight Maxim ordered us to keep it safe. The book is cursed. It's hidden for the greater good."

"Jaelin won't be able to be my subordinate or even one of the royal knights," Julian laid his winning card on the table as the master froze for a while. "She's been punished by the night leader, that's a crime and criminals cannot join the palace. Jaelin has nowhere to go. But, I can make an exception for her in favor of you, as her foster father. I just need that book," He cornered him where Jin stayed silent for a while, shocked.

"Do you think I'd accept by you threatening me with Jaelin's situation? I feel disappointed, your highness."

Jin left the light chambers as Julian slammed the table, feeling disappointed.

"What should we do now, your highness?" Ethan approached and sat down facing him.

"We get it ourselves," Julian was determined and wanted to get the book in a way or another.

In the darkened corners of the night realm, a group of necromancers clandestinely gathered, their whispers echoing like shadows in the night. Veiled in secrecy and shrouded by dark magic, they meticulously prepare for a something foretold by ancient prophecies, waiting for their master to give orders. They had been hidden for the past centuries. Anonymous identities and mysterious meetings hidden in the shadows of the night clan.

Meanwhile, Levi was down to his first mission after graduating, which is to roam the lands inspecting for unusual moves around each corner, his senses honed to detect even the faintest disturbance in the fabric of reality. Despite his keen perception and relentless pursuit of any threat against the demon king, the necromancers' clandestine activities remain elusive, hidden behind layers of illusion and enchantments.

"Everything seems going well, demon Levi," The fellow, Rin, a blue-haired demon who used to work under the inspection clan with Ixin.

"We've just toured the public places where everyone is busy with his daily life and work," The water sign demon informed with the intention of inspecting more.

"Usually, necromancers work by being mixed with the public, to avoid being seen or doubted."

"Is that why we've been touring every market and every public place, ignoring the outer parts and rural villages?" Questioned the demon as he suddenly stopped to look him in the eyes.

"It's an order I'm following. We are not allowed to go to the outer villages," The light green-haired demon reminded in a cold way.

"We have to go there if we want to actually find something. The leader told me to report when we comeback. We only have few days left," Levi attacked feeling useless because it was his first mission and didn't want to fail as a fresh graduate demon.

It was getting colder and few necromancers were secretly preparing to welcome the new prince for the revolution against the king, Wanglei. As his doubts grew like creeping tendrils of doubt, the necromancers' power intensifies, their preparations escalating in the shadows beyond his reach. The looming specter of an impending conflict casts a chilling aura over the realm, a silent confrontation brewing between the unseen forces of darkness and the unknowing eyes of Levi.

Rin was the quiet careless type. He didn't want to bother with him since he had been assigned under Levi. He was feeling inferior and couldn't swallow his egoistic ball stuck in his throat. He wanted him to fail, so he would take his post as an inspector back.