Alexander’s frustration neared its breaking point as he faced Merlin. “Where are we? The twins told me this place is called Avalon, but that means nothing to me.”

Merlin’s expression remained calm. “The place we are is indeed a world called Avalon.”

Alexander frowned, questioning her choice of words. “What do you mean by ‘a world called Avalon’?”

“It is exactly what I said,” Merlin replied. “Your world is what we call Earth, and the world where you are now is called Avalon.”

Growing more frustrated with her cryptic explanations, Alexander asked, “So, what are we on a different planet?”

Merlin sighed. “Technically, yes, but you’re thinking about it wrong. Avalon is in a different dimension, a parallel reality to your own. Avalon and your reality are just two of many countless worlds that run concurrently in the multiverse.”

Alexander scoffed. “The multiverse? That’s not possible.”

Merlin chuckled at his ignorance. “Can you really say that something is impossible, given all that you have experienced over the last few hours?”

The reality of her words struck Alexander like a hammer. He felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, his legs growing weak. He stumbled back a step, his mind racing as he tried to process. “What were those creatures that attacked me? How were the twins able to fight them off? And most importantly, why were they looking for me?”

Merlin answered, “The creatures are monsters known as vampires. Hideous, blood-crazed abominations. As for how the twins were able to fight them, the answer is simple: magic.”

“Magic isn’t real,” Alexander scoffed again, his voice beginning to shake.

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Merlin ignored his interruption. “The reason they were looking for you is complicated.” She weaved her hands through the air, and lights sparkled and gathered above them. The lights formed small orbs, dozens, if not hundreds of them. Merlin amplified some of them, and Alexander saw different beings moving within each one. Some looked like humans, others were more humanoid creatures, and some took forms he couldn’t quite understand.

He stared in awe, only able to let out a shocked, “What?”

“This is a representation of many of the parallel worlds I mentioned before,” Merlin explained. “Each one is full of life and has a designated being to guard that life.”

Alexander, growing impatient, said, “What does that have to do with me?”

Merlin sighed. “The Bellmont family has always served as the protectors for your world. The previous guardian died recently, leaving you as the last Bellmont. Now, you are the World Guardian for your reality. When the previous guardian died, the vampires became aware of your existence and tried to hunt you down before you could take your rightful place.”

Alexander finally broke and began laughing hysterically. The twins looked on, concerned, but Merlin remained stoic.

After a moment, Alexander said, “I think I get it now! This is all just a bad dream! I should be waking up any time now to go to work! It just has to be a dream because that’s the only explanation for any of this! Parallel worlds, vampires, magic—I mean, it’s all nonsense!

Merlin quickly conjured a flame spell that whipped in front of Alexander’s face. The heat caused him to instantly break into a sweat. The shock and force ended his hysterical fit and sent him stumbling backward, where Erika caught him.

“Did that feel like a dream?” Merlin asked coldly. “This is all very real. While you may not have chosen your destiny as World Guardian, it has chosen you. The twins brought you here so that I can train you in magic, to get you ready to face the dangers that lie ahead.”

Alexander didn’t reply, simply staring at the ground. Erika stepped in closer, her voice filled with concern. “My Lord, are you okay?”

He remained silent; his eyes fixed on the floor.

Elizabeth crossed her arms, her annoyance and irritation evident. “This is pointless. He’s not going to say anything.”

Merlin observed the scene for a moment before speaking. “Erika, Elizabeth, take him to one of the guest rooms. Give him some time to process everything.”

Erika nodded, her expression softening. “Come on, my Lord. Let’s get you somewhere you can rest.”

Elizabeth sighed but complied, gesturing for Alexander to follow. “Let’s go.”