The land surrounding the Twilight Everglades is all flat land or rolling hills. A great place to grow crops. Plantations filled with fruits and vegetables surround the kingdom inhabited by short caramel skinned wood elves and violet skinned dark elves. The abodes they dwell in are not manors, but simple homes constructed from wood and mud taken the surrounding swamp.

  Not all seek to be warriors, or the elegance of royalty. Many seek a simple life growing crops and mingling amongst the other simple people of the kingdom of the Everglades. Mateo stops as a small ivory snake wraps around his ankle slithering up to his neck before perching himself around it.

  Rayo gives off a gentle hiss and his forked tongue flicks against Mateo’s cheek. Yasmina’s dragon, taking the form of a large blue tail skink, climbs her person perching on her left shoulder. Natalia, resting on Mateo’s shoulder, reaches out to gently run her soft caramel fingers over Rayo’s ivory scales. His violet eyes, filled with aggression, turn to her.

  “Rayo, Natalia is our friend,” Mateo says patting his head gently.

  “Sriend,” he replies hissing the word in a near uncommunicable fashion.

  “Yes, friend, we love Natalia,” Mateo says now petting him gently.

  “Sriend, Satalia,” he says curling back around Mateo’s neck in a protective manner.

  “Communication is probably difficult in that form, we should head closer to the Twilight Everglades, there is a deficit of mana here, it’s most likely being drawn into the agriculture to grow crops by subterranean mana siphons,” Yasmina says.

  The kingdom of the elves in the Twilight Everglades is a marvel to behold. Massive trees resembling sequoias outfitted with marble structures make up a small kingdom. The dark elves reside in these trees moving about them using a series of vines known as ‘lily whips’. Their diet consists mostly of berries and cowlligator meat from the slog. The berries bloom at night emitting a soft blue glow. This soft blue glow is calming helping them rest at night.

  The fields grow vegetables and spices, but the berries are infused with magic and used to make pastries with magical effects. Some quell hunger or even restore mana, while others are marketed to restore virility and increase libido.

  The first structure Mateo notices, and one his party must pass through to reach the palace, is the Twilight Temple. A massive structure erected from polished obsidian. Its interior shows images depicting ten thousand years of known history in Gottes.

  In the center of the temple is a statue depicting lady Midnight raising her hand as Sanguine begs at her feet. A symbol of the freedom lady Midnight won for the dark elves when she pulled them from the depths where they served Sanguine. It is a true showing of what a dishonor it is for Serenity to be a vampire.

  Mateo approaches the inscriptions on the wall running his hand over them. The runes are in an ancient tongue that only elves know. Good thing Natalia knows ancient elven.

  “Natalia, what does it say?” Mateo asks.

  “Do you really need to know,” Natalia replies rubbing her arm.

  “I think it’s important,” Mateo replies.

  “Ok, but it’s a rough translation.”

  Mateo turns his gaze to the image of a woman dressed in very provocative attire. Her wardrobe near that of a belly dancer, barely covering her curvy figure. In front of her is the image of a star, that in some strange way seems to be struggling.

  The Starbreaker destroys the daystar in the center of heaven unmaking reality. A new realm forms. The dragon, the phoenix, and the tiger rise from the ashes of heaven.

  The wall shows a vague image of a dragon, a tiger, and a phoenix standing before the form of the woman. Her arms spread as if to embrace the universe the creatures stand before her. The next image portrays her weeping as she begins to vanish spreading into stars painting the night sky.

  Year 0- A pact is formed between the three realm lords whom form the lands in their image.

  The Dragon God Dios, forms Terramundus. A land rich with the power of mania that feeds its sister worlds.

  The Tiger God Tora, forms Zoi. A land where man beasts prosper and nature reigns supreme.

  The Phoenix God Feniks, forms the world Daedalus where life is born anew by the flames of immortality.

  Several large undeveloped spheres are depicted next.

  Year 500- Terraforming is complete and the races of man known as the Garren, elves, dragga/ruksha, orcen, and beasts are created.

  Images showing creatures from each race are depicted. Some seeming slightly different from their current forms, possibly from breeding between the races. Man is depicted as a four-armed blue skinned creature unrecognizable to Mateo.

  1000-1500 years- Dragon age. The dragga along with dragons prosper.

  Images of sky bound humanoids and full-blooded dragons litter the wall. Light from the day star rains down on them gracing them with energy and prosperity.

  2000-2250 years- The age of the Garren/man.

  Four armed blue skinned humanoids are portrayed as building great cities from lumber and stone. They hunt for food but find that meat soon becomes scarce, so they seek other means to feed their numbers. Expanding their empire, they come across a race of short caramel skinned people with pointed ears. Wood elves, most likely trying to escape the subjugation of the ivory skinned high elves.

  2250-3000 years- The age of elves. As elves and man form alliances and trade agreements a growing force from the north becomes wary of their alliance. Tensions build between the elves and the orcen.

  The wall portrays the off-putting image of men and elves casually cross breading. Images of Garren men, and elven women along with the opposite, litter the wall painting an era of promiscuity between the two races.

  3000-3010 years- The elves perfect the wielding of magic making them a force to be reckoned with. Combining their knowledge of magic with the industry of man they become a larger threat increasing tensions with the orcen.

  Elves and man are portrayed as working together to build great empires fed by fields of prosperity. Orcen are portrayed as large goblins hiding in the mountains waiting to strike.

  3010-3200 years- Dwarves appear. A new race of Dragga without wings, the Ruksha, begin to appear. They are deemed unworthy to live amongst the dragga and banished to Vitas where they find a home in the Equatorial Marshes.

  A depiction of scaled humanoids pushing carts full of suffering children south from the northlands is woefully scraped upon the marble wall. Large scrapes over the image emphasize a great sadness almost like tears raining over them.

  3200-3250 years- The Dragga begin to expand their kingdom southward toward the Orcen territory in the Obsidian mountains.

  Depictions of winged humanoid reptiles descending upon green skinned muscular peoples is depicted. The green skinned peoples wear very little and brandish only the tools of their craft. While the scaled invaders wield pointed weapons of war.

  3255-3260 years- The Orcen repel the Dragga advancement in the Crimson Peak war.

  The peak of mount Obsidius is portrayed with a large, scaled beast impaled upon it as its blood runs over a mountain of dead orcen and dragga below it. Jade colored eyes fill the sky weeping in sorrow over the loss of their children. Kataria, portrayed as an emerald skinned maiden with jade eyes rides the light of dawn down to her people. She is welcomed with great praise and several male orcen are chosen to replenish the ranks of Obsidius.

  3270-3280 years- Man learns how to wield magic.

  Depictions of robed mysticists, later known as mages or sorcerers, cover this section of marble. A pale skinned female with long pointed ears adorned by many piercings sits cross legged, her form covered in the ivory robes of a cleric. A group of young men and women surround her. Lady Adeena, traitorous curr of the high elven lineage grants the knowledge to wield magic to the Garren people. In this depiction, the Garren, or humans, are depicted as being of several different skin colors some only having two arms instead of four.

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  3800-4000 years- The lands now known as the Corelands descend fracturing the planet and splitting its continents.

  A depiction of Terramundus shattering in a violent fashion is etched on the wall. Beside it are depictions of a group of stars once bright, becoming dim. The descended land is etched with the head of a dragon over it, once the lands reach the center of Terramundus tendrils of mana shoot out and the dragon is depicted with closed eyes as if in a deep slumber.

  “Three thousand years ago the the thousand-year war began, two thousand years ago it ended, we are currently 10923 years after star break, there are you happy?” Natalia states angrily.

  “Sorry I wanted to know the history of the new realm I’m in,” Mateo says throwing up his hands in surrender.

  “Yeah well, maybe talking about obliterating everyone I know, and love, is a touchy subject,” Natalia says crossing her arms and facing away from him.

  Mateo wraps a few fingers around her pulling her onto his shoulder. She turns her head away angrily pouting like a child.

  “Come on Mateo, we need to go meet the king, and my father,” Serenity says leading him on.

  “Oh, so should we meet your father first?” Mateo asks.

  “No, we’ll meet them at the same time,” she replies.

  “Oh, so is your dad like the king’s guard or something?”

  “Or something,” she replies.

  Venturing through the temple they enter the central courtyard of the Twilight Everglades. It’s a massive, hollowed tree trunk with a flowing fountain of water in it. The surrounding buildings are made of polished obsidian or marble that are constructed into it or on its large branches. Vines descend into the fountain as if drinking from it to provide nutrients to the branches and massive leaves that provide shade from above.

  Two small beastmen with grey ears and whip like tails approach them. They are hardly taller than four foot and their voices are tiny like mice. Stitches steps up to Mateo her eyes filled with a predatory hunger.

  “Nezumi,” Stitches says focusing on one of the beastmen with vile intent.

  “Natalia, what are Nezumi?” Mateo asks.

  Nezumi- beastman. Nezumi are a mouse or otherwise rodent like beast creature. Natural Nezumi were kept protected by the dark elves in the genocide of pestilence. The genocide of pestilence was a crusade made by the High Elves after they found that Nezumi carried the Plaque of Eradication that killed a third of their population over a ten-year period. Dark elves emerging from the darkness at the grace of Lady Midnight saw the Nezumi being slaughtered and came to their defense. With the help of the Nezumi the Night Elves conquered the Twilight Everglades and now live at peace along side them.

  A small female Nezumi with pale blue eyes and silver hair steps forward taking a bow.

  “My name is Mercedes Spadetail, this is my brother Mitsubishi Spadetail, you may address him as Mitsu if you are not intelligent enough to pronounce his name”, she states rising.

  “My name is Mateo,” she cuts him off.

  “That’s nice, the king will see you now, unless you have somewhere more important to be,” she says glancing over at Stitches predatory gaze.

  “No, we’ll see him now,” Mateo says waving his companions on.

  The small Nezumi girl’s tail darts about suspiciously as Mateo and his group follow her to what Natalia translates as ‘Casa Blanca’, a room that Serenity assures him is known as ‘The Ivory Chamber of Elves’.

  Large ivory doors engraved with massive golden trees spread wide giving off an unwelcoming creak as Mateo and his party enter the throne chamber. Two guards stand before them holding razor sharp halberds adorned in tight fitting mithrite armor.

  The doors close slowly behind them as a large man, maybe six foot seven inches tall, steps barefoot from a large throne adorned with the antlers and horns of beasts and monsters alike. The Nezumi girl takes a quick bow and holds out her hand toward Mateo’s party.

  “I have brought your guests to you, I take my leave king Calladen,” she says grabbing her brother’s arm and dragging him away.

  Stitches’ eyes follow her and her brother with a hunger as they leave.

  The barefoot king steps forward draped in exquisite garments. Mateo’s party kneel before him as Mateo meets his stern grey eyes. Before Mateo can kneel, a strange presence washes over him. He feels strong and angry. One of the guards steps forward.

  “You should kneel before the king,” the guard says.

  Mateo turns to him, then back to the king. His pupils dilate turning to dark swirling voids, and his voice deepens to an unrecognizable tone.

  “Lords do not kneel to kings,” he says in an unfamiliar voice.

  The guard goes to step forward, but Calladen raises his hand.

  “I am king Calladen of the Twilight Everglades, who are you?” He asks.

  “Mateo Ryusane, lord of the void.”

  The room falls silent, and Serenity rises.

  Serenity Everbold is requesting a party chat. Yes, No?

  Yes.

  Serenity- Mateo what the hell are you doing?

  Mateo- I have no idea, something just came over me.

  Serenity- My panties are so fucking wet right now.

  Mateo- umm, what?

  Serenity- I’ve never seen anyone talk to my dad like that, even my brother was afraid of him.

  Mateo- alrighty then, we need to deal with this later, right now we need to deal with your father, who is apparently the king, that would have been nice to know, if not you then I would have thought that my trusty pixie who is for no reason dressed in her sexy goth armor, not complaining, would have told me, if not her then at least Terror.

  Serenity- Terror didn’t know, Natalia did but, my brother made her swear not to tell.

  Natalia- she’s right, oh and by the way Serenity is a princess and the daughter of the king of elves Calladen Everbold. You’d know that if you read my favorite romance tome, ‘The Elf and the Dragon’, like I asked you.

  Mateo- you did not ask me to read that.

  Natalia- … you’re right, I gave it to Jade.

  Mateo- really? So, Jade knew too, who didn’t know that my sexy vampire elf girlfriend was a princess?

  Natalia- Julia and Bolt.

  Mateo- Julia and Bolt are Hoaram!

  “Natalia?” Calladen says as she appears above Mateo.

  Everyone rises an air of dread hanging over them. Natalia turns toward Calladen waving at him nervously.

  “Natalia, it’s good to see you, so where is my son Aureillius?” He asks.

  Natalia lands slowly on Mateo’s shoulder rubbing her arm nervously. King Calladen only hesitates for a moment, but he knows what this means. The pixie bonded to his son is with another. So, his son must be dead. Calladen falls weakly back into his thrown rubbing his head in distress.

  “Accommodate our guests, I need some time,” Calladen beckons to his guards.

  “Are you sure that is best?” Mercedes asks standing at the door to the Ivory Chamber of Elves.

  “Godsdamnit Mercedes show them out!” He yells now in a rage.

  After their meeting with the king, Serenity’s father, they are led to rooms to rest in for a few days. Serenity takes out her sexual frustrations on Mateo for several hours before leaving their room to buy supplies. Sitting alone in the room, Mateo is surprised to hear a knock at the door.

  “You can come in,” he yells.

  The door opens and a small silver haired blue eyed Nezumi steps in. She’s garbed in a short dress that displays her pale legs and perky breasts.

  “Mercedes?” Mateo asks.

  “At your service,” she says sliding down the strap on her left shoulder.

  “Um, what are you doing here?” He asks.

  “I’ve come to atone for my rudeness earlier, the king has ears throughout the palace and has instructed me to ‘entertain your desires’ in order to atone for my rude behavior,” she says holding her shoulder nervously.

  Mateo steps out of bed pulling some trousers on before approaching the Nezumi girl. He holds his hand out to her.

  “What, am I not good enough for you?” She asks in a panic.

  “Take my hand, we need to have a conversation with king Calladen,” he says sternly.

  “Does that mean you’ll release my brother from your kitten’s grasp?” She asks.

  “My kitten, oh, I understand.”

  Mateo- Stitches, what are you doing?

  Stitches- not now, I’m playing with my prey.

  Mateo- and what is your prey?

  Stitches- … it isn’t like he’s a virgin.

  Mateo- Stitches.

  Stitches- I’ll be gentle, it’s not like he isn’t enjoying-

  Mateo- I don’t need the details, just make sure he has all his original limbs.

  Stitches- … fine.

  Mateo approaches the king’s chamber still holding hands with Mercedes. The guards cross their halberds blocking the door.

  “That really isn’t necessary, I’m not going in there, you’re bringing him out,” Mateo says.

  “For what reason do you disturb the king’s rest filthy realmwalker?”

  Mateo releases the girl’s hand pushing her behind him.

  “You can bring him through that door, or I’ll fucking put you through it and he’ll come out, your choice, and if you call me a filthy realmwalker again I’ll break your skull in two and kick your fucking brain into the street for the dogs to chew on.”

  “You don’t scare me realmwalker,” he replies squinting his eyes.

  “And I won’t, until you’re begging for your life.”

  The door bursts open and Calladen steps out.

  “What the hell is going on?”

  Mateo steps forward his presence strong and invading. The scowl on his face puts the guards at alert and troubles the king.

  “You sent this Nezumi to black mail me, well guess what, I like her, and I’m taking her and her brother into my service, if you don’t like that then speak with your daughter,” Mateo says angrily.

  Mateo turns his back and picks up Mercedes cradling her in his arms.

  “Teach your guards some fucking manners, they act like godsdamn barbarians.”

  Mateo marches off toward his room. Mercedes tugs on his loose-fitting shirt and he stops outside it. The feeling of cold steel presses against his neck shaving hairs from it.

  “Take me to my brother,” Mercedes says pressing a dagger to his throat.

  “Ok, but you asked for this,” Mateo replies.

  Mateo carries Mercedes several rooms down to a door that should be locked. He sets her down and she bursts into the room, followed by Mateo. Stitches, moving her hips as she grinds on top of Mitsu turns to them covering Barbara’s breasts with her hands.

  “Oh, Mateo, do you want to play too?” Stitches asks biting her lip in an absent minded fit of ecstasy.

  Mercedes falls backwards her face painted with trauma. She scurries toward the door hitting her head on Mateo’s shin. He picks her up, again cradling her in his arms as she stares wide eyed into the distance.

  “Fine, close the door on your way out, sweetie,” Stitches says pawing at him.

  Mercedes sits on Mateo’s bed rocking back and forth for an hour before Serenity returns with several large bags of, ‘supplies’.

  “What’s wrong with her?” Serenity asks.

  “She barged in on Stitches and her brother,” he replies.

  “Ah, so she caught her prey, don’t suppose I’ll be enjoying the spoils like her tonight,” Serenity says pulling several expensive gowns from her ‘supply bags’.

  “I think we should entertain Mercedes for the night, in fact, we need to talk.”

  “About what, you didn’t tell my dad you were taking his favorite Nezumi away did you?”

  “Something like that, yeah.”