Joaquin woke to the sound of soft knocking.He forced himself upright, blinking away the lingering fatigue. The dim light filtering through the wooden window told him it was still midnight.The knocking came again, gentle but insistent.He sighed, running a hand through his hair before getting up and opening the door.Maria stood outside, dressed in a simple white blouse and a long skirt that reached her ankles. Her dark hair was loosely tied over her shoulder, and in the faint morning glow, her hazel eyes looked almost golden.“Come with me.” Her voice was quiet, but firm.Joaquin frowned. “Where?”“You’ll see.”Joaquin hesitated. He still felt drained, his head slightly pounding from the overwhelming sensations that had bombarded him ever since his Third Eye had been opened. But something about the way Maria was looking at him told him this was important.With a tired exhale, he nodded. “Alright. Lead the way.”They walked in silence.The forest stretched around them, dense and aliv

Joaquin didn’t hesitate. “I’ll help you.”His words hung in the air, unwavering and absolute.Menea studied him, her otherworldly eyes filled with both hope and doubt. The breeze stirred her long, silken hair, making her look even more ethereal against the moonlit forest. “Are you sure?” she asked softly. “Our world is… not like this one. The dangers there are ancient and powerful. If you enter unprepared, you may not return.”Joaquin swallowed hard, but his resolve didn’t waver. “I know the risks. But if I can do something—anything—to stop this darkness, then I have to try.”Master Iroh shifted, his face lined with worry. “Boy, your training isn’t finished. You can barely control the sight you’ve been given. The Black Veil… it’s beyond what you’re ready for.”Joaquin turned to his mentor. “Then finish my training. Or show me what I need to know. But don’t tell me to walk away.” His voice hardened. “You taught me that strength isn’t just about power—it’s about standing up when other

The palace was eerily quiet after the attack. The air was thick with the scent of burnt magic and ash, and the walls still hummed with the aftermath of the battle. Joaquin stood in the great hall, his body aching and his mind spinning. He had seen things today—done things—he hadn’t thought possible. And yet, this was just the beginning.Menea gathered her council quickly. The room they met in was a grand chamber, its ceiling high and carved with ancient symbols that seemed to glow faintly. The council members were a mix of beings Joaquin had never seen before—some looked almost human, others had the unmistakable air of magic around them. A few had wings, others had horns or shimmering skin. They all looked worn and wary, but their eyes sharpened when Menea spoke.“The Shadowkin’s attack today was a message,” Menea said, her voice steady but firm. “They’ve grown bold. They think we’re weak—and if we continue to let them believe that, they will overrun us.”A murmured agreement ripp

Joaquin prepared himself for his return to the mortal world. As magical as it had been staying in the enchanted realm, his life — and his responsibilities — were waiting for him back home.He needed to go back. His sister was surely worrying about him by now. He needed to speak with Serena, even though his feelings for her were still a confusing mess. And there was Miguel — he still needed to heal him. Joaquin had so much left to do, and time wasn’t on his side.Meanwhile, Maria was in her room, speaking with Menea as they sorted through the gifts her mother had given her. As much as she wanted to stay in this world, her father still needed her by his side.“Maria,” Menea began softly, her voice tinged with concern, “are you sure you won’t stay here? This is your home. You’ll be safe here.”Maria shook her head politely but firmly. “I’m sorry, Mother. You know I can’t leave Father yet. He’s getting older, and he still needs my help.”Menea sighed, her shoulders drooping in sadness. “I

Andrew let out a slow breath, his eyes fixed on the man seated in the single leather chair across the room. He’d been in the office for several minutes now, but the tension weighing down on him kept his words stuck in his throat. Even so, he wouldn’t leave until he accomplished what he came here to do.If Joaquin thought Andrew would stay quiet and let things slide, he was dead wrong.“Why are you here again, Mr. Alvarez?” James Villareal’s voice cut through the silence. The vice-chairman of Villareal Medical Hospital — and the only son of the hospital’s owner — regarded him with a calm but unmistakably sharp gaze.Andrew swallowed hard. The Villareals were not the kind of people anyone wanted to cross. They held as much power and influence as the feared Dragon King himself, and that made them just as dangerous.“I need to talk to you about Dr. Joaquin Lopez, Mr. Villareal, sir,” Andrew finally said, his voice steady despite the nerves twisting his stomach.James’s brow arched in curi