CHAPTER 236: THE HOUR

[ A few days later...Old World - Beyond the uncharted woods- night of the Party]

The night pressed heavy around them, the canopy above blotting out even the moonlight.

" You still think this is a good idea?" Niva held tight onto Velor’s arm, not because she was scared...but to be sure she had a reign over him in case things went south like she suspected.

She was met with silence.

Only the faint whisper of wind through the trees marked their approach as Velor pulled her along, as they emerged from the shadows of the woods.

And there it was.

The unearthly, mesmerising fortress.

It loomed impossibly vast... colossal tangles of vine and roots woven together, layered with earthen mounds so dense they resembled carved cliffs.

Velor’s eyes constricted as he noticed that the fortress did not ’stand’ in the forest. It literally ’grew’ from it, like the woods themselves had decided to rear up into a monstrous barrier.

Niva slowed, her hand brushing Velor’s back as her eyes widened too. "By the Moon..." she breathed. "It wasn’t a rumor. This place is indeed alive."

Velor tilted his head, a grin tugging at his lips. "Well... at least if it collapses, we can roast marshmallows over the rubble. Think of the bright side, darling."

She shot him a sharp look, but he only chuckled and squeezed her hand.

Two towering sentinels stepped forward from the shadows of the wall. Their forms seemed carved of bark and moss, features indistinguishable from the trees they emerged from. They extended wooden hands in silence.

Velor produced the scroll, still pulsing faintly with its bluish glow. The thread of light unfurled, revealing itself like a banner, and as the sentinels’ hands touched it, the fortress responded.

A low, groaning rumble shivered through the forest. The colossal wall of vine and root began to part, tearing itself open like a mouth yawning awake. Each root shifted and slithered, weaving away to create a vast archway.

Velor let out a whistle. "Well, that’s not unsettling at all."

Niva’s grip tightened on his arm, her eyes darting warily to the living gate as they stepped forward. The moment they passed through, the vines slithered shut behind them with a heavy rustle...no seam, no trace of an opening left behind.

Niva exhaled shakily. " Are we trapped? Fuck! We are trapped..."

Velor smirked. "Or...honored guests,sweetheart. Come on, be optimistic.You are a wolf. You can do better! " His voice dipped with playful sarcasm.

She elbowed him lightly. "You still make jokes when you too are nervous?!"

"Ah...even when I am six feet under...it’s my coping mechanism you see," he winked adding smoothly, kissing her knuckles as they walked deeper.

Then...the world around them shifted.

The forest floor beneath them vanished.

Niva gasped, stumbling back as she looked down.

There was no ground. No earth. No stone. Only a vast expanse of shimmering glass...or perhaps solid water...that stretched endlessly, supporting their weight.

Beneath that layer was ... the ocean.

The deep unfathomable ocean.

Dark, infinite, alive. Giant schools of silver fish glimmered as they darted through coral forests. Enormous shadows drifted below...leviathans with glowing eyes, their hulking forms too vast to measure. A whale breached far beneath them, sending ripples that trembled against the transparent surface they stood on.

Velor froze, his mouth literally opened agape.

Niva pinched his arm. Hard.

"Ow!" he hissed, shooting her a look.

"Just making sure I am not dreaming," she whispered.

Velor sprang on the spot, muttering, "Pinch yourself,why are you pinching me,woman?" Rubbing his arm he added. "You could have at least picked a less painful way to confirm reality, you know." Still, his lips quirked. "Though I will admit...this is too stunning...I didn’t expect this...and this looks like something..." After a short pause he added. "This thing is beyond magic!"

Finally when they looked around,they found they weren’t alone gaping and drooling, admiring the wonderful display.

Dozens of others had entered through different passages.

They could make out some wolves cloaked in shadow, some witches draped in silken runes, some old vampires with glimmering eyes...some shadow beasts too...and some even Velor couldn’t make out...each guest stood scattered across the translucent expanse, all struck silent by the sight beneath their feet. Even the most arrogant faces had melted into awe.

Velor’s grin widened as he leaned closer to Niva. "Well, well. Look at that. If this is comforting, we are not the only ones gaping like a fool. Refreshing, isn’t it?"

Niva smirked despite herself, whispering, "If you keep your mouth hanging open like that, one of those fish might leap up and swim inside."

He barked a laugh, earning a few curious glances from nearby guests. He winked at her. "Don’t tempt me. I could use a snack."

A vampire passing by arched a brow at him, clearly unimpressed. Velor tipped his head mockingly. "What? I was talking about the fish, not your cousin."

The vampire sniffed disdainfully and walked on.

Velor leaned towards Niva, whispering conspiratorially, "See? I make friends wherever I go."

Her hand slid against his back as she shook her head with a sigh. "One day, Velor, your tongue will get you killed."

He smirked, eyes glinting as he watched the ocean creatures swirl beneath their feet. " Oh, that feels like a cruel prophecy,my sweet wife...should I make sure this tongue is put to good use?" He leaned in closer to her ear and gave her ear lobe a sharp lick, almost startling her.

Niva’s lips parted as if to scold him, but instead, her hand trailed lower down his back, nails digging just enough to make him grunt. She was about to push him aside with a teasing shove when her gaze snagged on two approaching silhouettes.

Her breath caught. The playful smirk on her lips melted into something...controlled.

She straightened at once, slipping her hand off Velor’s back. Her expression shifted like a mask sliding into place...warm, refined.

Velor blinked, confused at her sudden stiffness, until she whispered through clenched teeth."Turn around. Company."

Velor turned just as she smoothed the front of her gown and stepped forward gracefully.

"Oh..." her voice rang out, "Alpha Kieran, Lyla... so glad to see the two of you."

Her smile widened, radiant, as though she had been waiting all night just for them. "It’s been such a long time. How are you?"

Velor’s brow twitched, amusement flickering as he grabbed Kieran’s hand and shook it casually.

Niva released Velor entirely. She glided across the floor, the hem of her gown shimmering faintly.

Without warning, she swept Lyla into a warm hug.

"Lyla," she murmured warmly against her shoulder. "It feels like centuries.How are the kids? "