Yan Sen could have taken the quick route—teleporting straight into the Seelie Realm—but he chose to make the journey on foot. It was a gesture of respect for Amara and her domain.
He guided his students across the open field, stopping before the enormous tree that stood at its heart. Its bark was ancient, thick with twisting roots and branches that seemed to reach for the sky.
Yan Sen took out the key, its surface etched with delicate leaves and vines. As he moved it close, a hidden keyhole slowly appeared in the bark, its edges glowing faintly. He inserted the key and turned it.
The wood shuddered, creaking as lines of light traced around the keyhole. The tree's core seemed to unravel and peel back, forming an archway of leaves and swirling light. The portal shimmered in the air, inviting them to step through.
Yan Sen paused, his expression thoughtful as he addressed his students. "When the fairies split into factions, each followed a different path. The Seelies understood that the world could be cruel. So, despite their angelic beauty, they can be as ruthless as demons. It's that mix—grace on the outside, danger underneath—that makes them unpredictable. Vampires, werewolves… they'll attack you head-on, but a Seelie? They'd rather lure you into your own downfall."
Aleksander, Luda, and Cassandra nodded, the weight of the lesson settling in.
Yan Sen continued, "Remember, the Seelie Queen is an immensely powerful magic user. Her specialty is plant manipulation; she can command every living plant in her realm. That gives her tremendous influence—there are magical plants there you can't find anywhere else. Because of this, sorcerers and witches from all over the world seek her out, striking alliances for access to her realm's rare botanicals."
The students exchanged glances, realizing just how important the Seelie Realm was for magic users everywhere. Potions, charms, and rituals often relied on these rare plants—making the Queen and her realm major players in the magical community.
Yan Sen led his students through the portal, and instantly, the world changed around them.
On the other side, under the broad light of day, the Seelie Realm's forest stretched in all directions—a landscape both breathtaking and alive. Towering trees with enormous, arching roots soared skywards, their canopies seamlessly knit together high above, filtering sunlight into shimmering beams that danced across the forest floor.
Everywhere the eye landed, the foliage glowed with vibrant greens, blues, and purples. Each leaf was a different, alien shape—some wide and translucent, others twisting in impossible spirals, many faintly luminous even under the daylight.
The forest teemed with motion and sound: soft breezes sent a ripple through curtains of moss, bursts of iridescent butterflies wove between rays of light.
Aleksander, Luda, and Cassandra gazed around in awe at the enchanted forest, overwhelmed by the colors and strange shapes that seemed to breathe with hidden magic.
Aleksander paused, mesmerized by a tree where jewel-bright insects buzzed and darted in shifting patterns. Curiosity got the best of him—he started to approach, hand outstretched.
Yan Sen caught his shoulder with quiet urgency. "Do not touch anything," he said firmly. "In the Seelie Realm, it isn't just the creatures that are deadly. Everything here can be a danger. If you want to survive, don't touch, eat, or even smell things you don't recognize. No matter how harmless they look."
Aleksander saw the seriousness on his teacher's face and nodded without another word.
Suddenly, a sound rustled through the bushes. All three students tensed for a fight as a large, lean feline-like creature emerged, every muscle rippling under its burnished black skin. It had six long legs, a massive jaw bristling with sharp, ivory teeth, and ten external sensory quills—bright red and yellow—flaring from the armor plating around its head. The creature's armored neck and back shimmered in the filtered light as its tail, thin but formidable, swept the forest floor.
Raising its body, it sniffed the air, towering over the group. Aleksander, Luda, and Cassandra instinctively prepared themselves, but Yan Sen stepped forward, calm and smiling. The great beast padded to him, lowering its head and affectionately nuzzling Yan Sen's face.
"I know," Yan Sen murmured softly, "I missed you too."
He turned to his students. "Don't worry—this is a friend."
This was no ordinary forest creature. She was Yan Sen's first creation upon arriving in this world, inspired by the formidable thanator of Pandora, but far surpassing the original in power and intelligence—a guardian made as a gift for Amara and the Seelie Realm. There was two more creatures of similar origin.
"Lead the way, girl," Yan Sen said.
The thanator nodded, then pushed ahead, parting the dense undergrowth with effortless strength. As their guide advanced, the forest itself seemed to open for them, and Aleksander, Luda, and Cassandra could only watch in wonder as the magical realm revealed its hidden paths.
As Yan Sen and his students followed the thanator through the vibrant sylvan paths, the trees parted to reveal a breathtaking sight: a magnificent city nestled deep within the valley, reminiscent of Rivendell from the Lord of the Rings films.
The city sprawled gracefully along the slopes and terraces of the valley, seamlessly integrated with the living landscape. Elegant buildings with airy, arched rooftops and open verandas glimmered beneath the dappled sunlight, crafted from pale stone and delicate wood that seemed to grow naturally out of the hillsides. Crystal-clear waterfalls cascaded down rocky outcrops, feeding streams that wound through lush gardens and hanging groves. Bridges of intricate design spanned the water, linking walkways and ornate pavilions hidden by flowering trees.
From the forest, figures began to appear. They moved with a fluid, unhurried grace; the Seelies were tall and human-like, their features ethereal and eyes bright with knowledge. Many bore tattoo-like markings of leaves and vines curling along their cheeks and foreheads, shimmering faintly against their skin in the sunlight.
Some Seelies, recognizing Yan Sen, bowed respectfully; Yan Sen returned their greeting with a subtle nod.
Then, a thunderous roar shattered the tranquility. Shadows swept over the valley as a massive creature soared overhead. It had an elongated, angular head with a razor-sharp, beak-like snout and two pairs of intense golden-yellow eyes. Its body was sheathed in burnished red and yellow scales, striped with black and crowned with blue crests. Massive, triple-jointed wings fanned out from its sides, webbing aglow with intricate vein patterns visible in the sun. Its enormous tail ended in bony fans, and horn-like crests swept back from its skull.
The creature—the leonopteryx, or Winged King Lion—glided in a powerful arc over the city before letting out a triumphant roar. Yan Sen looked up and waved, a genuine smile breaking across his face. "I missed you too," he called.
The leonopteryx responded with another joyful roar, circling overhead, proud to see its creator once again.