Prologue

'My champions' a voice echoed in a dark cave. 'I have exciting news'

Two figures scurried past a long corridor, making their way to the source of the voice. Neither of them wanted to make Master angry. Sitting comfortably on a throne, his features were hidden deep in dark shadow - but the two "champions" felt his cold smile burn into their heads.

Master studied the two. Although the room was draped in shades, he could make out the outline of his most trusted undercover agents. One was tall and lean, a bright sneer plastered on a perfect face shape was the shiniest thing in the room. Skilful hands rested lazily on a sharp sword strapped to a leather belt. The posture radiated boredom, and Master sensed sarcasm. Against his leg, his partner purred impatiently. Master could never lay a finger on which animal it was.

His eyes moved on to the figure next to him - short, and delicate, but he could almost hear the gears inside the figure's head turning, anticipating and planning. Skinny hands gripped a poor weapon choice - a bow and arrow - but he knew well enough not to underestimate the skill and accuracy. Master cleared his throat, and started talking.

'For decades, our ancestors have been searching for the signs that link to the enchanted world - an entirely diverse dimension filled with creatures of magic. As you both know, humans and magic were once living in harmony. We could have shared the magic they possessed, but humans were blind to the greed and trickery of these brutes. It wasn't long before they started using it against us, making magic a threat to humankind - destroying our home. When all came to an end, all of magic-kind finally recognized our superiority, and fled to the other side of the universe, hiding themselves for a very long time'

Master glanced down at his two warriors. The taller one sighed in exasperation, clearly unamused. The second one - Master couldn't tell what was going on in that small mind. He continued.

'As the years passed, the strength of the veil that separates us had started to fade. Different objects and creatures are being found deep in the woods unidentified - only to disappear as quick as it had come. Once every few months, they start coming out of their hole, messing with people's thoughts, brainwashing them into feeling nothing but fear. Even worse, some of them have started to make our kind believe that magic is a good thing' he spat out the last few words in disgust, shuddering at only the mere thought.

'Children believe that fairies are good, elves are protectors, and mermaids are breathtaking. The tooth fairy, fairy of dreams and rainbows and weather and cooking and whatnot are all being adorned. Magic is now labeled as "cool" and "epic". Even the worst ones - vampires, werewolves, dragons - are all role models to the new generations of our world' he threw his head back dramatically and eyed the two listeners.

'Which is why we must put an end to this invasion once and for all. I have found a permanent tear in the veil - one that has not been patched up for the past sixteen years. If you had as great of a brain as I do - which you don't - you would have figured out that that place is the central access to the enchanted world'

'I want you two to get in there, find out as much as you can, destroy small bits of the world from the inside. It's the small things that have the biggest outcomes. Play with the veil's power, toy with it, and make it weaker. I don't care how you do it, I want it done. When all goes haywire, I shall join you, and together, we will save mankind. We will send those vermins into oblivion - further than that - and come back as heroes, bringing enough magic to boost our kind, and become so powerful that no being in the entire universe and beyond dares to cross us. We will be-'

The older one cleared his throat. Master's daydreaming was put to a halt as his face soured. 'Yes?' he spoke slowly, cold, turquoise eyes glaring sharply.

'Whe-'

'Did I ask you to speak?'

A pause followed his question. His champion took out his sword and wrote on the small area of light that came from a hole in the ceiling. When do we start?

'I love the enthusiasm. You start now. The portal is in Brooklyn. And as the saying goes "we must fight fire with fire" - pretty sure that's the one - you will be needing magic of your own' he tossed them each a belt. Inside each belt were a blood red stone, a small golden charm in the shape of a claw, a shard of a broken mirror, and a silver dagger.

These are magic? They seemed unsure.

'Yes, you naive pinheads. The stone kills any creature of light magic - fairies, mermaids, and the other pretty ones I can't name. The dagger kills creatures of dark magic - those will be your vampires and dragons - you will need it in the destination you will be going to. The mirror can be used to communicate. As long as you have that charm with you, your man-made weapons can affect them permanently rather than temporarily. They can also be your spark of escape, allowing you to apparate from one place to another. It's much easier than walking, isn't it? See how they kept all this from us'

The older one nodded. Beside him, his pet growled impatiently. He stroked its neck and looked up, ready to leave.

'You are dismissed. Remember, this is a one time chance - possibly the only one for many more years to come. Fail me, and I will give you punishments worse than anything you have ever imagined'

A scoff was muffled, followed by a faint whoosh. The beast and its owner had disappeared. Master turned his glance towards the younger one.

'My dear, do you have something to say?'

Hesitant hands wrote on the dusty ground. Yes, sire. It will take some time.

'What will take time?'

Destroying the enchanted world.

'Well, if I know you, you have the higher advantage. I am counting on you, young one, more than your friend. The other one works with brute force. You are blessed with a mind. Use it well, and when all is accomplished, I shall gift you with anything your heart desires. You know very well why you are standing here today.

Yes, sire.

'Good, now off you go'

A corner of Master's mouth twitched into a disgusting smirk as he watched his champion fade into the wind.