The morning broke with a soft embrace, the golden light casting a glow on the earth's face. The air was fresh, and the sky clear, signaling a brand new day. But I felt my eyes growing heavy, a sharp headache pounding at my temples. Everything around me blurred double vision, spinning in my head. And just as suddenly, it stopped. The world cleared, and I found myself in a familiar setting my room. I glanced around and quickly noticed my bag was neatly packed inside my suitcase.

"Welcome to the land of the living, Lyn." That voice was unmistakable it was Emerald.

"What are you doing here? And why is my bag packed?" I asked, confusion clouding my mind.

"Relax, your mum has some explanations for you," he replied casually.

A knock at the door interrupted our conversation. "Come in," I called out.

"Hey, pumpkin. How are you feeling?" my mum asked, concern evident in her voice.

"Well, aside from the headache, I'm alright," I replied.

"Mum, what's happening? Why are my things packed?" I asked, growing more curious.

"You're transferring to a special school in Astoria. It's our mystical realm," she explained, her tone calm.

I paused, processing what she had just said.

"What do you mean by transferring to a school in Astoria?" I asked, still not understanding.

"You need to master your abilities there, to control your powers," she answered.

"But, Mum..." I began to protest.

"No buts," she said, cutting me off. "Go take your bath. Everything's arranged, and Emerald will take you there."

I nodded slowly, feeling dazed. "Alright, Mum," I replied, dragging myself toward the bathroom.

After I quickly dressed, I headed downstairs. Emerald helped carry some of my heavier bags, and we placed them at the entrance. I ran back inside to let Mum know we were ready.

"Hey, Mum, I'm done," I called out.

"Good, pumpkin. I'll miss you," she said, her voice thick with emotion.

She walked us to the car parked outside. I climbed in, and Emerald took the driver's seat. We drove for hours in silence, the tension hanging thick between us, until finally, he spoke.

"I didn't know you were this quiet, Lyn," he remarked.

"Well, I'm not comfortable with you," I replied bluntly.

He smiled but didn't push further. I could feel he wanted to talk, but I wasn't ready. So, I kept my walls up, giving off an unapproachable vibe.

After another hour of driving, we stopped. We grabbed our bags and began walking toward the forest, my mind racing with questions.

"What are we doing in this forest?" I asked, finally breaking the silence.

Emerald seemed almost amused as he answered, "It's a supernatural realm, hidden away from humans. You can't expect it to be within their world, can you?"

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "So, you're saying there's a whole city in here?"

"Yes," he confirmed. "Only supernaturals can access it. There's only one portal, and it's here."

As we walked, he continued, explaining why he was the one accompanying me instead of my mum or Aunt Everson.

"To open the portal, a fire witch is needed, which is why I'm here. I also go to school here," he added nonchalantly.

"Wait, you go here too?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes," he replied with a small smile.

I was curious about why this place was hidden so deep in the forest. "Why is this place so far off the beaten path?" I asked.

Emerald looked thoughtful for a moment before answering, "Long ago, there was a war between supernaturals and humans. The humans felt threatened by our powers, and some supernaturals used their magic recklessly, tormenting the defenseless. Eventually, the humans fought back."

"How did they fight back if they don't have powers?" I asked, intrigued.

"At first, they hunted and killed unsuspecting supernaturals," Emerald explained. "That's how the Mortavians were born humans who sought out power from an orb, stealing the abilities of supernaturals."

I frowned. "Who are the Mortavians?"

"They steal powers. When a witch attacks them, or a vampire feeds on them, they absorb the magic," he said. "But there's one kind of supernatural they can't steal from."

"Who?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"A heretic," Emerald replied, his voice softening. "Someone like you. Heretics are too powerful for the Mortavians. They have an endless supply of magic, and when the Mortavians try to steal it, they get overwhelmed."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "So... I'm really that powerful?"

"Yes," he said with a grin. "You're on a whole different level. When other supernaturals weaken from using their powers, you'll only get stronger."

"Why didn't I know this myself?" I asked, frustrated.

"It's an overloaded system," he said. "It's why they can't steal your magic."

Emerald continued his story as we walked deeper into the forest. "Your ancestor created this realm to protect us. She helped transport the brave ones into safety, and the war ended soon after. The Mortavians were contained in their own world, and peace returned."

"That's crazy," I murmured, trying to digest it all. "But what happened to my ancestor? What was her name?"

Emerald hesitated. "I don't know much about her. But before she died, she said something important."

He recited the words, "Whenne secundus hereticus nascetur, tunc princeps mortavianus, qui potentiam magnam habet, et facultatem supernaturalia delere, nascetur in mundus in magnum periculum indecetur, et destination supernaturalis in fato eiusdem requiescet."

"Wait, what does that mean?" I asked, confused by the unfamiliar language.

Emerald smiled knowingly. "It means: 'When the second heretic is born, the prince of Mortavia, who will have great power and the ability to destroy supernaturals, shall rise. The world will face great danger during his era, and only the second heretic can stop him.'"

I felt a chill run down my spine. "I thought I was the first heretic," I whispered.

"Nope," Emerald said, his tone serious. "You're the second. And the world is in trouble."

I could see fear flicker in his eyes for the first time, and it terrified me.

"We're here," he said abruptly, breaking the tension.

We stopped in front of a large rowan tree, where Emerald drew a pentagram with a stick. He muttered a spell, and I stepped back as a portal opened, flames swirling around it.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yes," I whispered, my heart racing.

Emerald stepped into the portal first, and I followed. As soon as I entered, the portal closed behind me, and I felt dizzy, the world around me spinning. My eyelids grew heavy, and I felt a life force drain from me, falling into darkness.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in a dark, twisted landscape trees with glowing red eyes. Then it hit me: Emerald wasn't who he claimed to be.