Dalia paced the length of her study, the hem of her long dark dress whispering against the tiled floor. The wound in her throne room’s ceiling had been temporarily sealed, but the damage to her sense of security could not be so easily repaired.

  She stopped at the window, gazing out at the perpetual twilight that bathed her realm. The Nightrealm’s beauty had always been in its quietude. But after her attack, that serenity felt like a deception, a pretty veil hiding an increasingly ugly truth.

  “My lady,” Malivian’s voice came from the doorway. “He has arrived.”

  Dalia turned, straightening her posture and smoothing her expression to one of measured calm. “Send him in.”

  Malivian nodded and withdrew. Moments later, the Origin of the Underworld strode through the doorway.

  “Dalia,” Helus said, his voice carrying some serious weight. “An unexpected invitation, but a welcome one.”

  She bowed her head in formality.

  “Helus. Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

  “The leader of the Union can hardly decline when an Origin extends an invitation,” he said, though his tone carried a hint of teasing.

  “Especially one so rarely offered.”

  Despite herself, Dalia felt her lips twitch toward a smile. She gestured to a pair of chairs positioned near a hearth where black and blue flames danced soundlessly.

  “Please,” she said, offering him a seat

  “I’m grateful that you accepted my invitation,” she began, pouring two glasses of red wine, a supposed favorite of Helus. “Though I confess, I’ve never been one for hosting.”

  Helus accepted the glass with a nod of thanks. “Then I must conclude this isn’t a social call.”

  “No,” Dalia agreed, taking a sip of her wine before continuing. “I need help, Helus.”

  “You are not the first Origin to say so this week,” Helus leaned forward slightly, his expression growing serious. “What kind of help?”

  Dalia set down her glass and folded her hands in her lap.

  “Something is happening in my realm. Creatures of shadow are forming, but not by any nightwalker’s hand. Not by mine or any of our siblings either, as far as I can see.”

  “Spontaneous manifestations?” Helus’ brow furrowed.

  “At first, yes. Misshapen things that dissolved almost immediately.” She said, “But they’ve grown stronger, more purposeful. Two days ago, something...attacked my throne room.”

  “I have made many a creature of darkness in my day. I have made nothing as large or as powerful as my attacker. It was a raven, larger than any natural bird. When we wounded it, it regenerated, and even when I wounded it fatally, it fled.”

  Helus took a moment to think.

  “Is it dead?” He asked.

  “My Nightguard believes so,” Dalia answered

  “Do you think so?” Helus asked

  “No, really,” Dalia admitted

  “That scares you?” Helus asked again.

  “Precisely,” Dalia said.

  “It wasn’t simply a mindless manifestation. That one came here instinctively to murder me. It acted in a coordinated and intelligent way. And its aura...” She hesitated.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “What about it?” Helus prompted.

  “It feels ancient, Helus. Older than the Nightrealm. Older than...” She didn’t finish the sentence, but the implication hung in the air between them.

  Older than creation itself.

  Helus sat further back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “And you need the Union’s help with this threat.”

  “I do.” She admitted.

  It scared her to spit out the words, but her realm’s necessity overrode her fear.

  “My army is filled with nightwalkers who are skilled warriors, but if these attacks continue to escalate,” She broke off, unwilling to voice her deepest fear.

  My realm, my people, everything I have built and protected for a century might be at risk.

  “The Union would certainly provide help,” Helus said carefully.

  “I would be very grateful for that,” Dalia responded

  “Though, of course, such help comes more readily to those who are members.” His tone was light, almost joking.

  Dalia recognized what he was getting at. She had expected it of him. She could only sigh, a sound of resigned amusement.

  “I suppose after fifty years of declining your invitations, I’ve finally given you the leverage you needed.”

  Helus laughed, the sound unsurprisingly warm.

  “I prefer to think of it as mutual benefit. The Union gains a valuable new member, and you gain the full resources of seven, now eight realms.”

  “Seven realms don’t make a proper union when there are over a hundred of us, you know that,” Dalia pointed out, echoing what she’d told Malivian. “Your council hardly represents the majority.”

  “Quality over quantity,” Helus countered. “And half a century of stability speaks for itself.”

  Dalia arched an eyebrow.

  “Does it? From what I hear, the Union’s meetings are more...ceremonial than substantive.”

  “I am guessing you have regular contact with Permeus”

  “Actually, one of my lords does...or to be more specific, with Permeus’ steward.”

  “And is this news why you’ve resisted joining for so long?” Helus asked, genuinely curious. “You thought we were ineffectual?”

  “Partly,” Dalia admitted. “But mostly...”

  She knew another reason was her indifference to the others or any other Origin really, but she did not feel like mentioning it to Helus.

  Helus’ expression softened with understanding. “You underestimate our significance, but your opinion will change, I assure you. "

  She doubted it but hoped that she would be proven wrong. She required more than a ceremonial gathering to defeat whatever disturbance was in her realm.

  “I suppose I have to if your little club assists me to save my realm from mysterious shadow-ravens.”

  Helus smiled broadly. “Excellent! I confess I’ve been hoping to announce a new member at our fiftieth anniversary. It will make me seem less of a failure as a recruiter.”

  His self-deprecating humor surprised a laugh from Dalia. “Glad I could salvage your reputation.”

  As their laughter faded, Dalia’s expression grew serious again.

  “Before you go, Helus, I kind of have a theory that this thing could not only be attacking my realm but the greater underworld,” she elaborated

  “Go on,” Helus said.

  “Have you noticed anything unusual in your own realm? Any disruptions involving darkness or shadows?” she asked.

  Helus’ smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful frown.

  “Not shadows specifically, but...” He hesitated. “The crimson helfire boundaries that surround my realm have been growing more intense in heat without any command of my own. I’ve never seen them burn so fiercely.”

  “How intense?” Dalia asked, leaning forward.

  “An entire tribe of Lycans was nearly burnt to a crisp by a rain of fire three days ago.” His voice was grim. “It’s never happened before.”

  “That’s... concerning,” Dalia said carefully. “Do you think it could be connected?”

  “I can’t say for certain.” Helus ran a hand through his golden hair. “Truthfully, I haven’t had time to investigate thoroughly.”

  “What could take precedence over potentially catastrophic changes to your realm’s boundaries?” Dalia asked, unable to keep the incredulity from her voice.

  “The Lycans believe the Pyrans orchestrated the fire rain as an attack,” Helus explained. “They’ve declared war in retaliation. I’ve been working to prevent full-scale bloodshed between two of Hel’s most powerful factions.”

  “I don’t envy you,” Dalia said quietly.

  Helus met her gaze with tired eyes that belied his confident demeanor. “We each have our burdens to bear as Origins. Mine is keeping peace among beings who believe they have every reason to war with each other.”

  “And you’ve succeeded for this long,” Dalia noted. “That’s no minor achievement.”

  “Well then, let us hope I keep achieving,” Helus said

  “I wish you luck with your Helborne, dear brother” Dalia replied

  “And I wish you success against your shadow-ravens,” Helus replied, rising. “Though as a new member of the Union, you’ll have more than just wishes at your disposal now.”

  “I look forward to seeing you at Titania,” he added, pausing at the threshold.

  “As do I,” Dalia replied, surprised to find she meant it. “Though I can’t promise I won’t find the whole ceremony...tedious.”

  Helus laughed. “On that, we’re entirely agreed. Between Permeus’ speeches and Darkeus’ complaints, patience becomes a virtue.”

  They then embraced each other, and as she watched him depart, Dalia hoped that joining the union would benefit her realm by providing her with help to fight the coming darkness. She also hoped that it would be of help to her before it actually arrived.