As the dawn once again hues paint the sky over Avaldsnes, a heavy silence hangs in the air, echoing the weight of the revelations that unfolded during the night. The village, once filled with the joyous harmonies of newfound love and cosmic celebration, now stands on the precipice of uncertainty.

The forest creatures, usually singing the morning serenade, seem to sense the somber mood. Kari, Leo, and Freya share furtive glances as they gather outside my tent. The crimson hue in my eyes has subsided, but the echoes of the night's transformation linger as the deep pain in my bones makes me feel like I am Splitting to my roots. Hearing the ruckus outside Kira must have told them what happened. I rather Leo and Freya enjoy their time together not be hazed under me. But they also need to know the looming dangers they may now face.

With a heavy heart and deep breath, I emerge from my tent to face my companions. Their eyes reflect a mixture of concern and anger, the bonds we forged now tested by the shadows within me. I look over and see Leo's saddened face which is the first he usually isn't one to let his emotions show. His look is piercing right to my soul he must feel betrayed I never meant for this to happen.

"Brenna," Kari begins, her voice a gentle reassurance, "we're here for you. Whatever darkness has taken hold, we'll face it together.  Kari slowly comes to me and rubs my back gently reaching for my hand. The Forestrealm's magic and dark creatures may have revealed your vampiric nature and corrupted you, but this doesn't define you. We know you for you, you may be Queen of Death but you touched me and you didn't turn me to ash". As she is saying this it pains me deeply, as I know I can not control who dies and who lives. My worst fear is turning her into ash but I need to keep this to myself for now. Perhaps with your smoke and unnatural strength, we can figure it out and see what gives it an on-and-off switch. What are everyone's thoughts ? asks Kari with a proud caring tone. Deep down I know my power doesn't have an on-and-off switch it feeds when needed and is slowly growing in me as I lose more of myself in the process.

Leo, normally stoic, steps forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his enchanted axe. Raven approaches me and puts himself in between me and Leo. As if he is preparing to strike, all while keeping golden-hue eyes on Leo at all times. His sapphire coat shines in the sun and you can hear his deep disapproval growl and hackles raised. You can tell Leo is thinking about what he is going to say. Creases on his forehead show I see his canines grind as he makes a growling sound. "We've faced cosmic adversaries and unearthly trials. A vampiric nature changes nothing in the face of the true bonds we share."Unless you can't control it then I will end you before you can spread your death plague. Keep your death cloud in check so far you haven't hurt us with it but you will lose control eventually.  I rather not be in your path when it happens. Just because we have the cure doesn't mean I won't put your head on a spike princess or not. We need to keep moving and get the cure to the other villages and make our way back to Cain".

Freya, ever adaptable, approaches with a playful flirty smile. "Besides, who said being a vampire is all bad? You get cool powers, right? Plus you have your little toy not everyone gets to have one of those as her eyes move to Kira. We'll help you figure this out, Brenna but as Leo said the minute you lose yourself and release your death cloud I will send you to the afterlife one way or the other."

Despite their supportive words and threats, a lingering tension blankets the group. The Wyvern tribe watches from a distance, their eyes wary yet curious. The cosmic tapestry, woven with threads of love and destiny, seems to quiver with uncertainty with the darkness ahead.

Amidst the collective gaze, a shadowy figure emerges from the outskirts of Avaldsnes. It's Cain, my estranged brother, his expression a mix of concern and hesitation. The dread that accompanied my vampiric revelation intensified. "Brenna," Cain speaks, his voice low and cautious, "I sensed a disturbance. Are you... alright?" This is deeply concerning how and why is he contacting me? What does he think he will gain? I understand all too well that we were sent to this cursed realm searching for a cure. But why wait till now to reach out to us? It has been months without a word from him this fills me with rage, I truly feel like the forgotten child no one wanted.

I meet his gaze, uncertain of how my vampiric nature and power might have affected the already strained ties with my long-lost brother. "Cain, I've... changed. The Forest of Crystals revealed a darkness within me. I need your guidance."

Cain studies me for a moment, his eyes narrowing. "Vampiric, you say?  He is lying I sense this he has known what I am from the beginning. "This complicates matters. The King of Death must be consulted, for only he may hold the key to your cure. But beware, Brenna, for Death's dealings are seldom without a cost." says Cain with an unsettling tone.

The group falls into contemplative silence as the weight of our next quest settles upon us. To seek the King of Death and unravel the mysteries of my vampiric nature, we embark on a journey into the realms unknown. The area will be filled with bloodthirsty creatures and those who are damned. This is far from our cursed lands but we must purge the king of death to reach Cain. But why do I feel so wrong deep down the closer and closer we get to his domain it smells and sulphur.

"Hey, Miss Death Queen you should watch out for the creatures in the Nile some will drag you to the pits of Hell. I'm not a big fan of the King of Death so keep a look out for his minions. I have a weird sense that your darkness started here and we need to keep you safe Brenna. For once please stay with Kira, Raven and Freya can handle this with me. We can handle the front line focus on you and not lose control. We can not chance to have the Death King sense your vampire power here" states Leo. I roll my eyes and think about what he said. It's true if I released my full power I would bring the attention towards us.

 As I think this, I hear a giggle in my head it comes back and I hear its whisper say can you feel my heart child of death, can you feel the hopelessness and despair in the air? Welcome child of death your true beloved awaits you Queen of Death. I feel shivering come down my bones as the smell of sulfur and rot spread through the air. Flowers are dying and becoming black with an odd black ooze. Looking further into it I notice animals are turning to ash and it sets on me this is the place of the damned we have entered.

Just the smell of the air is sickening and you can smell the rot. Leo, Freya, Kira, and Raven gag and try to cover their noses for the smell. "God Kira can you at least make us mask or something i'm not letting my beautiful face wrinkle because of this smell," says Freya in an irritated flirty remark. Cackling erupts I turn to see Leo laughing so hard he is crying. "Oh, Freya you know you are beautiful but I swear you sirens only care about looks but you know I have your heart Don't worry about looks darlin" responds Leo in a snarky flirty tone. Tensions are on the rise but I grip
Kira's hand as if my life depended on it and pray that we make it through one piece.

As we leave Avaldsnes behind, the cosmic tapestry of destiny unfurls once more, weaving a narrative of shadows and uncertainty. The Dance of Shadows has begun, and our bonds will be tested in ways unimaginable. Can I escape my birthright of being the Deathbringers of the Vampires or Queen of Death and cure my people? This power comes at a cost is it my humanity my lover's humanity or can I free myself from his cold grasp forever in the realm of Niflheim the Bone Realm? This Realm I heard about as a child from my brother Cain is the Land of the Dead where the King of Death tricks mortals into giving them their souls.

THE END... or is it truly the beginning of a saga where the eternal dance between light and shadow takes center stage in the realms that await?