Chapter 35 – A Pleasant Surprise
The portal snapped shut behind them with a soft pop, and the warm, salty breeze of the Pacific hit their faces.
Razan spread his arms dramatically and declared with full confidence:
"Welcome to Hawaii, ladies!"
Loona squinted at the bustling pier packed with fishermen unloading crates, tourists snapping photos, and street vendors shouting about fresh tuna.
"…This doesn't look like Hawaii. Where are the guys in grass skirts and flower necklaces?"
Razan scratched the back of his neck.
"Uh… I'm pretty sure that only happens in movies."
Charlie, eyes sparkling like a kid on Christmas morning, bounced on her toes.
"So this is a real human beach! I've only seen them in pictures!"
Razan glanced at the wooden planks under their feet and the boats bobbing in the water.
"Technically, this is a pier, not a beach."
He turned to the two girls, clapping once to get their attention.
"Anyway, first things first: hotel, check-in, then we explore. Let's go."
They started walking along the boardwalk. Loona felt Razan's gaze lingering on her a little longer than usual. She raised an eyebrow.
"What? Do I have something on my face?"
Razan blinked, then looked away, slightly embarrassed.
"It's nothing… It's just, when you're in human form, your ears disappear. I kinda miss them."
Loona's cheeks went pink, but she hid it behind a teasing smirk.
"Seriously? So which version do you actually like better: the real me with the ears, or the boring human me?"
Razan didn't even hesitate.
"Your true form, obviously. That's the real you. But… your human form is beautiful too."
Loona suddenly found the floor very interesting.
Charlie, never one to be left out, leaned in with a huge grin.
"And me? Which of my forms is your favorite?"
Razan poked her cheek playfully.
"You barely change at all between forms. You're cute in your normal look, and your true demonic form just adds that extra 'bad-girl' edge. Like a spicy version of the same adorable Charlie."
Charlie gasped in mock offense.
"So you're saying I don't look dangerous in my normal form?!"
Razan laughed.
"You're about as scary as a panda bear."
Charlie immediately jumped on his back, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Come on! At least say I look like a polar bear!"
Razan, trying (and failing) to hold back laughter:
"Fine, fine, you look exactly like a polar bear."
Charlie pouted against his shoulder.
"You're laughing! What's that supposed to mean?!"
Loona watched the two idiots, rolled her eyes, and sighed.
"Can we get to the hotel before you two become a viral video?"
Razan finally noticed the small crowd of tourists staring and taking discreet photos.
"Right. As expected—even in the human world I stand out."
Charlie, still hanging on his back, grinned.
"That's because you're a super-popular lazy nerd."
Razan's eye twitched.
"Says the biggest nerd of the group."
"At least I'm not lazy!" she shot back.
Still bickering and laughing, they finally reached the entrance of a luxurious beachfront hotel.
Razan stepped up to the reception desk.
"Hi, we'd like to make a reservation, please."
The receptionist smiled brightly.
"Good morning! Welcome to the Five-Star Palau Royal Resort!"
Razan froze.
"…Palau? I've never heard of a city called Palau in Hawaii. Loona, Charlie, ring any bells?"
Both girls shook their heads.
The receptionist tilted her head politely.
"Sir, Palau is an independent country think you got on the wrong flight."
Razan slapped his forehead.
"I messed up the destination again… Even when I open portals myself, I still get hit by the Zoro curse."
The receptionist blinked, confused, but kept her professional smile.
"Do you still wish to check in?"
Razan opened his mouth to refuse—he was about to say they'd just leave—when something outside the glass doors caught his eye.
Walking past the hotel, clear as day, were Sean Anderson and his stepfather Hank—straight out of Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.
Razan's eyes went wide.
No way…
A blue system panel popped up in front of him:
[Congratulations, Host! You have discovered that the Human World is a fusion of countless fictional works and movies. New World Unlocked!]
Razan (mentally):
System, does that mean there are even more fused worlds here?
System:
Correct, Host. The rest is for you to explore.
A huge grin spread across his face. He turned back to the receptionist.
"Actually, yes. We'll take the biggest suite you have."
A few minutes later, they were in a huge ocean-view room. Loona dropped her bag and looked at him suspiciously.
"What changed your mind? Two seconds ago you were ready to leave."
Razan practically vibrated with excitement.
"Because I just found the perfect adventure for us!"
Charlie grabbed his shoulders and started shaking him.
"What adventure?! Tell me, tell me, tell me!"
Razan flicked her forehead gently.
"Ever heard of a lost magical island where the animals are completely insane? Tiny elephants, golden lizards, bees the size of dogs… sound familiar?"
Charlie's eyes turned into literal stars.
There is an island this amazing.?!
Loona pinched the of tip her nose.
"Of course we can't just relax on a normal beach like normal people. We have to chase a mythical island."
Razan shrugged, still grinning.
"We're not normal. That's the whole point."
He looked at Charlie jumping in place and then at Loona, giving her the biggest puppy eyes he could manage.
Loona groaned in defeat.
"Fine. We're doing this."
Charlie and Razan high-fived and yelled in perfect sync:
"AWESOME!"
Razan raised a finger dramatically.
"But! One very important rule: no powers. Zero. We do this like real humans. No flying, no portals, no dragon wings. Otherwise it's not a real adventure."
Charlie saluted.
"A real human adventure! I'm in!"
Loona sighed, but the corner of her mouth lifted into a tiny smile.
"What can I do… let's go find that crazy island."