FANTASIA

Infiltration

The moon hung low over Fantasia Academy, its pale glow barely piercing the dense mist that coiled around the grand institution. From the outside, the academy appeared as imposing as ever—tall spires, enchanted barriers shimmering like ghostly threads, and guards stationed at key entrances. But for the team lurking in the shadows, this was the perfect night for infiltration.

Mrs. Domino, cloaked in dark attire, stood at the edge of a rooftop overlooking the main courtyard. Around her, the team gathered, each prepared for their part in the operation.

“This is how it’s going to go,” she whispered, unfurling the old blueprint of Fantasia. “We have three phases. First, the diversion. Second, the entry. Third, the objective. Everyone knows their role?”

They nodded.

She turned to Aguya. “You’re up first. Let’s give them a reason to panic.”

Aguya sighed but raised his hands. A dark pulse rippled through the air as spectral beasts—the Phantom Menagerie—began manifesting. Shadowy creatures, twisted and howling, charged toward the main gates, their cries sending guards into a frenzy. Alarms blared. Magic barriers thickened around the entrance. Just as planned.

The Phantom Menagerie descended upon the gates in a frenzy of howls and flickering darkness. The guards, caught off guard, scrambled into defensive formations, their enchanted weapons glowing as they attempted to contain the threat.

From their vantage point, Mrs. Domino smirked. “That should keep them busy.”

Aguya exhaled, his face slightly pale from the essence expenditure. “They’ll figure out it’s an illusion soon enough.”

“Then we won’t give them time.” Mrs. Domino turned to Isdis, the half-vampire, half-succubus. “The west wing has secondary guards. That’s your job.”

Isdis grinned, her fangs glinting in the moonlight. “I love breaking men.”

With a flick of her wrist, a subtle pink mist spread through the air. Her presence became intoxicating, her voice a melody that promised desires untold. She sauntered toward the west wing entrance, where a pair of guards stood watch.

The moment they laid eyes on her, their stances wavered.

“Why so tense, boys?” Isdis purred, stepping into the light. Her succubus allure worked instantly. The guards’ expressions softened, their grips on their weapons loosening.

“We—uh, we can’t let anyone through,” one stammered, though his conviction was slipping.

Isdis leaned in close, her crimson eyes glowing faintly. “Are you sure? Maybe you can let a girl have a little fun?”

The second guard blinked rapidly, his thoughts muddled. “Well… I mean…”

Isdis didn’t give them a chance to think further. She snapped her fingers. A thin, vampiric mist curled around their heads, and in seconds, their bodies slumped to the ground—alive but unconscious.

She waved toward the rest of the team. “West wing is clear.”

Mrs. Domino wasted no time. “Move.”

Clark and Genesis rushed ahead, lifting the unconscious guards and dragging them into the shadows. Mr. Shawn produced a small metallic device, pressing it against the side of the entrance door. With a faint hum, the arcane lock shattered.

“Tunnel access secured,” Mr. Shawn confirmed.

Mrs. Domino nodded. “Then let’s go find out what Darius Malphas is hiding.”

The team slipped into the underground tunnel, sealing the entrance behind them. Above, alarms continued to ring, but down here, in the forgotten depths of Fantasia, the real game was about to begin.

The tunnel stretched before them in eerie silence, its stone walls damp with age and neglect. Faint arcane etchings lined the passage, glowing softly with residual energy from centuries past. The air was thick with dust, carrying the scent of something ancient—forgotten.

Genesis ran his fingers along the stone. "No one's been down here in a long time."

Mrs. Domino moved ahead, her eyes sharp. "Which means no one will expect us."

Clark adjusted the straps on his gear, scanning the area warily. "Unless Malphas already accounted for this route."

"We'll find out soon enough," Mr. Shawn muttered.

They advanced in silence, their steps careful against the uneven ground. Isdis stayed near the back, her eyes shifting between shadows, her vampiric instincts attuned to any lurking danger. Aguya walked beside her, still slightly drained from summoning the Phantom Menagerie, but he pushed forward without complaint.

Then, suddenly—

Click.

"Stop." Isdis' voice was a whisper, but it carried weight.

Everyone froze.

Genesis glanced down and saw it—a pressure plate, barely noticeable beneath his boot. His heart pounded. One wrong move, and—

Mrs. Domino quickly assessed the situation. "Nobody move." She crouched beside Genesis, inspecting the trap. Ancient runes shimmered around it. "This isn't ordinary. It's not just a trigger—it's a summoning seal."

Clark inhaled sharply. "Which means if we activate it—"

"—something nasty gets unleashed," Mr. Shawn finished.

Isdis leaned in, eyeing the markings with a smirk. "Hmm. Looks like an old containment spell. The kind used for sealing away unwanted guests."

Genesis swallowed. "So… what happens if I move?"

Aguya let out a slow breath. "Either nothing… or something comes through that door ready to kill us."

Clarissa knelt, her fingers tracing the magic. "I can try to dismantle it, but it'll take time."

"Then work fast," Mrs. Domino ordered.

Clarissa nodded and placed her hands over the runes, her essence flaring as she worked to unweave the enchantment. The markings pulsed in resistance, as if aware of their presence.

Then—

A deep, guttural growl echoed through the tunnel.

They all turned.

From the darkness ahead, a shadow stirred. Something had awakened.

And it was coming.