Chapter 1- Are we in Heaven or Hell
Niala's POV
The Dome was breaking.
Niala stood frozen as cracks spread across the red sky above.
For months she had dreamed of this moment.
Freedom.
The end.
The finish line.
Yet as pieces of the Dome shattered and fell from the heavens, she felt something unexpected.
Fear.
The entire city had gathered below.
Thousands of survivors stared upward.
People cried.
People laughed.
Some fell to their knees.
Others embraced their loved ones.
Everyone believed the nightmare was over.
Everyone believed they were finally going home.
Then the sky broke apart.
A blinding light exploded through the opening.
The survivors shielded their eyes.
The crack widened.
Larger.
Wider.
Until entire sections of the Dome collapsed.
And finally—
They saw the world beyond.
Silence fell instantly.
Because it wasn’t Earth.
Massive floating continents hung in the heavens.
Entire cities drifted among the clouds.
Mountains floated upside down.
Rivers of silver light flowed through the sky itself.
Creatures larger than Titans soared between islands.
The world looked impossible.
Ancient.
Beautiful.
Wrong.
Niala’s breath caught.
Something about the place felt familiar.
As though she had seen it before.
Lived there before.
The feeling disappeared as quickly as it came.
A roar suddenly echoed through the sky.
The crowd gasped.
Something moved among the floating islands.
Then another.
And another.
Four figures appeared.
Tiny at first.
Then growing larger.
Descending.
The closer they came, the more silence spread across the city.
Even the rulers stared.
Niko.
Rex.
Zayden.
The Prince.
All four looked upward.
Watching.
Waiting.
The figures landed upon the remains of the Dome walls.
The impact shook the earth.
Niala’s stomach tightened.
Because they looked human.
Mostly.
Each man stood taller than any normal person.
Ancient armor covered their bodies.
Their eyes glowed with unnatural power.
And the moment they arrived—
The world changed.
The first king raised his hand.
The clouds parted instantly.
Storms formed.
Lightning danced between his fingertips.
The second king stepped forward.
The ground beneath the city transformed.
Stone became crystal.
Buildings reshaped themselves.
Entire streets changed before everyone’s eyes.
The third king smiled.
Thousands of creatures flying above immediately turned toward him.
Every beast.
Every monster.
Every living thing.
Obeying.
The fourth king remained silent.
Standing at the center.
Watching.
Silver eyes slowly moved across the survivors.
Searching.
Looking for something.
Looking for someone.
Niala felt cold.
Very cold.
Because she knew those eyes.
Impossible.
But true.
She knew them.
The fourth king suddenly froze.
His gaze locked onto her.
The world disappeared.
For one brief moment—
Only the two of them existed.
Then a strange expression crossed his face.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Longing.
As though he had spent centuries searching for something.
And had finally found it.
The king whispered something.
Too quietly for anyone else to hear.
Yet Niala heard it clearly.
“My Queen.”
The words sent a chill through her body.
Niala immediately stepped backward.
Confused.
Terrified.
The moment broke.
The fourth king looked away.
But the damage had already been done.
Because now Niala couldn’t stop staring at him.
Couldn’t stop feeling that strange familiarity.
As though she knew him.
Loved him.
Lost him.
The first king stepped forward.
His voice echoed across the entire world.
“People of the Dome.”
The sound shook buildings.
Shook mountains.
Shook reality itself.
“You have survived.”
The crowd remained silent.
No one dared speak.
The king smiled.
Coldly.
Cruelly.
“You belong to us now.”
Fear spread instantly.
Niko stepped closer to Niala.
Protective.
Instinctive.
The North King didn’t trust them.
Not for a second.
The second king laughed.
Then snapped his fingers.
A woman in the crowd suddenly dropped to her knees.
Her eyes glowed gold.
Her expression became blank.
Empty.
Then another survivor collapsed.
Then another.
And another.
Niala’s blood ran cold.
The survivors slowly stood.
But something was wrong.
They no longer looked human.
Their eyes glowed the same golden color.
Their faces empty.
Emotionless.
Controlled.
The third king smiled.
“They make excellent servants.”
Panic erupted.
People screamed.
Families ran.
Chaos exploded across the city.
Yet every person touched by the kings remained calm.
Silent.
Obedient.
Niko immediately grabbed Niala’s hand.
“Move.”
Rex appeared beside them.
Zayden too.
The Prince stood directly in front of Niala.
Protective.
Dangerous.
Ready.
The kings noticed.
Especially the fourth king.
His silver eyes narrowed slightly.
Not at the other rulers.
At the Prince.
Recognition flashed between them.
Ancient recognition.
Hatred.
The fourth king finally spoke.
His voice was softer than the others.
More dangerous.
“Hadis”
The Prince froze.
Every muscle in his body locked.
Niala looked toward him.
Confused.
“Hadis?”
The Prince looked genuinely shaken.
As though hearing the name awakened something buried deep inside him.
A memory.
A life.
A truth.
The fourth king slowly smiled.
Not cruelly.
Sadly.
“You remember nothing.”
The Prince stepped in front of Niala.
Protecting her.
The king’s smile disappeared instantly.
And for the first time—
Anger entered his eyes.
“She remembers nothing.”
Niala’s heart pounded.
What was happening?
Who were these people?
Why did they know her?
Why did they know the Prince?
And why did hearing the name Rexus make her chest ache?
The fourth king looked directly at her.
Then quietly said:
“The Queen has returned.”
The world fell silent.
And somewhere deep inside Niala’s soul—
Something ancient began to wake.
