Chapter 52 – The Threshold Between Worlds

  They continued their journey, overcoming mountains, forests, and trials. Days and nights passed, and the road grew more difficult. But finally, they reached their destination. Before them lay a barren wasteland—a plain, unremarkable, no different from any other place.

  — Is this really why we came here? — Stan muttered discontentedly, crossing his arms over his chest.

  — Are we sure we’re in the right place? — Ethan asked thoughtfully, looking around.

  — Yes, we’re here, — Reyna replied confidently.

  — Here? — Mirellis repeated, frowning.

  — So we need to find something? — Leonel asked cautiously.

  Reyna shook her head.

  — No, there’s nothing to find. We’re already standing in the spot where the portal should open. We just need to call it.

  — Call it? — Ethan was surprised. — How?

  Reyna smiled faintly.

  — Do you really think I was sent along with you just for the ride? Don’t forget, I’m a saint.

  — Well, then, go ahead, cast your spell, — Stan waved a hand impatiently.

  — Not cast a spell, but read an incantation, — Reyna corrected him, sounding annoyed.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  — Either way, as long as it works, — he smirked.

  — Reyna, go ahead, — Leonel said seriously.

  The girl nodded, but then added:

  — It’s not that simple. This portal leads beyond the realms of the world. And for it to open, we need not only the power of light but also the energy of darkness.

  A silence fell. Then they all slowly turned to Mirellis.

  — I… me? — she asked uncertainly.

  — We have no one else with dark energy, — Reyna explained.

  — But I only have it halfway… And I can hardly control it… — Mirellis said with doubt in her voice.

  At that moment, Leonel intervened.

  — Do you remember how you stopped the arrow of the Dark Lord’s minions? Maybe that was your dark energy?

  — The Dark Lord’s minions? An arrow? — Reyna was surprised. — What are you talking about?

  Leonel and Ethan began to recount the day when Mirellis effortlessly stopped an arrow flying toward her, as though freezing it in mid-air.

  Reyna paused, thinking.

  — You just wished for the arrow to stop, and it happened?

  — Well… yes, — Mirellis replied hesitantly.

  — That’s not ordinary magic… — Reyna frowned, as if weighing something in her mind.

  Suddenly, she stepped forward and took Mirellis by the hand.

  — What are you doing? — Mirellis flinched.

  — Just checking. You don’t even realize how strong you are.

  — Stronger than I think?

  Reyna didn’t answer immediately. She closed her eyes, as if listening, and in a moment, soft white light flared around their entwined hands. At the same time, Mirellis felt a sharp pang in her chest. Something inside responded to the light, but at the same time, it resisted it.

  Reyna quickly withdrew her hand as if burned.

  — This… — her voice became tense. — The darkness inside you… it’s not just a gift. It’s part of something greater.

  — What are you talking about? — Leonel asked, his voice filled with concern.

  — I’m not sure, but… — Reyna looked Mirellis straight in the eyes. — You’re not just a half-blood.

  Everyone froze.

  — What? — Mirellis gasped.

  — I can’t say for certain… but it explains why you were able to stop the arrow. Why your magic works so strangely.

  — So what should I do now? — Mirellis asked.

  Reyna took a deep breath.

  — For now… just try.

  Mirellis swallowed, then slowly stepped forward. The wasteland beneath her feet suddenly seemed different. The air here trembled, as though waiting for something.

  She extended her hand.

  — Alright… if this is really my power, then let it respond.

  Her voice was calm, but inside, chaos reigned.

  And suddenly, the earth beneath her feet trembled. A gust of wind swept up the dust, and a dark rift appeared in the wasteland, slowly growing in the air.

  — It worked! — Ethan exclaimed.

  Reyna looked satisfied, but there was a flicker of concern in her eyes.

  — Now we have a way forward… but the question is, are we ready to step inside?

  Leonel gripped the hilt of his sword.

  — We didn’t come all this way for nothing. Let’s go.

  They exchanged glances. One by one, gripping their weapons and gathering their thoughts, they stepped forward—into the portal, leading beyond the realms of the world.