The forest loomed ahead like a blackened wound upon the earth, its twisted trees clawing at the sky. A heavy fog lingered at its edges, swallowing the sunlight and chilling the air.
Peter gripped the steering wheel tightly as the van came to a slow stop.
"This isn't good," he muttered, his voice grim.
Sam leaned forward. "What is this place?"
Peter stared into the darkness ahead. "Detora Forest. The most dangerous place in the kingdom of Danousa. The king who rules it is cruel beyond measure and commands an army of monsters. Sunlight can't touch this land—it's cursed. We're risking everything going there.
Jane hesitated. "Okay, but... Dad, Lucy said we need two gold pieces. Where's the second silver?"
"I have the other piece," Lisa spoke softly, pulling it from her pocket.
Without another word, Peter turned off the engine. A. D came into senses and joined them. The group stop and take a boat to an deadly Island stepped into the mist, their boots sinking slightly into the mossy earth. Vines crept up twisted trunks, and strange whispers filled the air like the forest itself was breathing.
Peter raised a hand. "Everyone be careful. Don't touch anything."
Daisy's eyes widened. "What is this?"
"This," Peter replied, "is the entrance to the cruel king's domain."
A sharp, unnatural sound echoed through the trees.
"Stop!" Peter hissed. "There's someone—"
Before he could finish, dark shapes emerged from the fog. Lisa froze. "Danousa's creatures. They're here. My father said the king's palace lies beyond ten deadly tombs, five pairs in all. Each is a trap."
Sam groaned. "So we have to cross ten traps, reach the palace, and then maybe we'll find the gold piece? That's insane."
Suddenly, a larger shadow moved through the mist.
A.D narrowed his eyes. "We may not have to go through them alone."
Jane looked confused. "Why?"
"Because," A.D said quietly, "it looks like the king's army is already here."
Steel glinted. Horns sounded. Within moments, they were surrounded by armored beasts and robed soldiers with glowing eyes.
"Run!" Peter shouted.
"No," Mia said, her voice calm but firm. "We're already surrounded. Fighting is pointless. We'll speak with Danousa."
"You want to ask the man who wants us dead... for help?" A.D snapped.
"It's the only way," she replied.
The army seized them, binding their hands and forcing them through the forest toward the palace. The air grew colder with every step. The darkness deepened. Eventually, they were brought into the throne room of Danousa himself.
The king sat upon a throne carved from bone and obsidian, his eyes burning with power.
"Who dares stand before me?" he growled. "Do you wish to die?"
Peter stepped forward. "I am the keeper of the first silver piece. Kyle has awakened. We need your help. We need the first gold piece—Martin gave it to you."
Danousa's expression darkened. His gaze lingered on Peter for a long, tense moment. Then, his voice turned cold. "I'm sorry. I cannot help you. Guards—take them to the prison."
The dungeon was carved deep into the earth. Damp. Cold. Silent.
Peter knelt beside his daughter. "Jane... are you okay?"
She nodded weakly. "I'm fine. But how did they know we were coming?"
Everyone turned as A.D spoke, his voice low and sharp. "Because of your mother."
Jane blinked. "What do you mean?"
"She led us into a trap. On purpose."
Sam snapped, "That's impossible!"
"Is it?" A.D shrugged. "She had the map. She took us down the path the monsters patrol."
Jane stared at Mia. "Is that true?"
Mia nodded slowly. "Yes. It was my plan. If I told you, you would've refused. But we don't have time. I thought if we could reach the palace directly, it would save us time."
A.D added, "Except the plan was half-wrong. Danousa doesn't have the gold piece."
"What?" Sam's voice cracked. "Then all this... was a waste?"
"Not necessarily," Peter said. "The pieces are connected. My father once said that if you link any two, they act like a compass—guiding us to the next one."
Jane pulled out her silver piece. "Daisy, give me yours." But when she tried to connect them—nothing happened.
Mia leaned toward Peter and whispered, "It won't work. Not without the Baizane inheritor. And we don't have one."
"Let me try," A.D said. He took the pieces—and as soon as he brought them together, a blinding light erupted. Symbols swirled in the air, forming a glowing map.
Peter's eyes widened. "He's the—"
"Peter, stop," Mia hissed. "Act normal. A. D ! why don't you lead us? . We follow."
They moved through the forest once more, guided by A.D's invisible vision.A. D is walking and making a copy of map. But the silence didn't last.
"How much farther?" Jane asked, panting.
"Wait—" Sam pointed. "Monsters. They're coming!"
The group scattered. Chaos erupted. Screams echoed.
Daisy was snatched by a monstrous claw.
"Daisy!" Sam cried out.
Mia grabbed his arm. "We don't have time—we have to go!"
Sam shook her off. "No, Mom! I'm going to save her!"
"Stop this nonsense!" Peter snapped. "We're running out of time."
"Not at all," A.D said, stepping forward. "We have to save her. Sam, come with me. We'll bring her back."
Jane stepped forward, grabbing A.D's arm as he prepared to run into the dark.
"No, you can't," she said, her voice trembling.
A.D looked at her, calm and unwavering. "I'll go."
Before she could argue further, he pressed something into her palm.
"Take this," he said softly. "We'll be back."
Then he was gone—disappearing with Sam into the shadows, chasing after Daisy.
Jane stood frozen, staring into the mist long after they had vanished.
Mia approached quietly. Her voice was low, but not without curiosity. "You're worried about A.D... not your brother?" She paused. "Jane, is there something you want to tell me? Do you... like him?"
Jane turned, shocked. "Mom! What are you even saying?"
Mia smiled faintly. "No, no. It's okay. I just meant—I like him too. He's kind. Brave. I'd be okay with it."
Jane's face turned red as she looked away, flustered and unsure.
Before the conversation could go further, Lisa called out from ahead, pointing into the clearing.
"Peter! Look—there's a tomb!"
Peter squinted through the trees. His eyes widened.
"Oh my god..."
A moss-covered stone structure loomed from the earth, ancient and ominous. Cracks ran through its surface like veins, and glowing symbols flickered faintly along the arch of its entrance.
It was one of the tombs.
And it was waiting.
---
They moved fast through the tomb's ancient corridors. The flickering torchlight danced across crumbling walls etched with forgotten runes.
"Peter, we need to hurry!" Mia's voice echoed. "Let's get into the tomb before anything else finds us."
"Okay!" Peter replied, unsheathing his dagger as they entered.
Inside, dust swirled in the air, thick and choking. Bones lined the stone floor like a forgotten battlefield.
Mia grabbed Jane's arm, her voice low and cautious.
"Be careful. These aren't just skeletons. Look closer—every one of them has a mark over their heart."
Lisa crouched near one, eyes narrowing.
"What is this?"
"They're not random," Mia murmured. "Each one came seeking power... and met the same fate—death."
She placed her hand on the skull of a long-dead figure, closing her eyes. A faint light pulsed from her palm.
"I see it now," she whispered. "The piece is with the Tomb King—he's buried deeper in this crypt. But he isn't unguarded."
Jane swallowed. "Let me guess..."
"Black bats," Mia confirmed. "Guardians of the relic. They feed on the hearts of the living."
---
Meanwhile, inside the palace, A.D and Sam slipped between columns and shadows.
"Sam," A.D said, halting. "You go find Daisy. I've got something else I need to do."
"But why?" Sam frowned.
"Just trust me." A.D pushed him gently. "Go."
Reluctantly, Sam disappeared down the prison corridor—but Daisy was gone.
A.D turned toward the throne room.
Guards emerged from the shadows, weapons raised, but Danousa's voice boomed from the dais.
"Stand down. Let him through."
From a hidden corner, Daisy watched, eyes wide with fear and awe.
Danousa stepped forward slowly.
"You shouldn't have come here. This place is cursed."
He reached out and laid his hand on A.D's shoulder.
A rush of visions struck him—A.D's childhood, pain, isolation, sacrifice. Danousa staggered, collapsing to the floor.
Gasps rang through the hall. Even Daisy couldn't hide her shock.
Moments later, Danousa stirred. His face was wet with tears.
"So much pain... and you carry it alone."
"Then help us," A.D said softly. "Please."
Danousa looked away. "I can't. If I interfere in human matters, my kingdom will fall. It's a pact older than you know."
He hesitated.
"But... go to your family. Let them see you one last time."
"I can't." A.D's voice cracked. "They'll be in danger if I do."
Danousa studied him for a long moment.
"Then do it quickly. You don't have much time left. But remember—Kyle cannot reach this kingdom or Kango City. They're safe."
Turning to his army, Danousa gave the order:
"Release the girl. Let her go."
Daisy rushed to A.D's side, and together they turned for the exit.
"Wait," Danousa called behind them. "My army will help you reach the piece. Let them escort you."
Armored demons stepped forward, bowing slightly.
Just then, Sam appeared, breathless. "Daisy!"
She ran to him, and together they mounted the demonic beasts. The group rode swiftly to the tomb.
---
Mia turned as the sound of hooves echoed through the dark. She blinked in disbelief.
"Peter... they're riding demons."
A.D dismounted, calm and commanding.
"Don't ask anything. Just move. Now." Jane are you okay A. D? . Sam don't worry about your boy he is okay. Huh! Lovely girlfriend.
A demon captain approached an ancient stone coffin and slowly slid the lid open. Another rank of demons formed a circle around the group.
Inside the coffin, darkness stirred.
A screech tore through the chamber as a swarm of black bats burst into the air.
Chaos erupted.
The bats swarmed. The demon guards fought bravely, fangs and claws meeting ancient steel. One by one, they fell—to protect the group.
Then, just as suddenly as it began, it ended.
The swarm vanished.
The tomb was quiet.
Inside the coffin, the body of the Tomb King lay perfectly preserved. His eyes were closed. In his hands—the golden piece.
"I'll take it," A.D said, stepping forward.
He reached down. The moment his fingers brushed the artifact—
The king's eyes snapped open.
A cold, skeletal hand grabbed A.D's wrist.
Then—he vanished.
Gone in a flash of blinding light.
---
To be continued...