The World of Emns 2: Arena

Chapter 4: Son and daughter of the past

Both women looked to be in their early twenties. The mage had blue eyes, light brown hair tied back into a ponytail and, in Olivia's opinion, an amazing figure. She was about as tall as the ice mage too.

The other woman had darker skin, brown eyes, and long flowy black hair. She was sporting glasses and had a bow thrown over her shoulder. She was also quite a bit taller than her companion, and might even be as tall as Steven.

"Ariana! Kaya!" Gregory shouted in excitement. "I thought you'd be coming soon! Good to see you lasses again!"

As the two girls poured into the tup, the one with glasses, who Olivia believed was Kaya, was noticeably staring at Steven. As the ice mages glanced beside her, Steven seemed to have noticed too and stared back, his eyes narrowed.

"Good timing," Gregory continued. "I have some other guests I would like you to meet... Ehm.. Sorry, I haven't remembered all your names quite yet."

"I'm Michael Reed, a blacksmith from Chronest," Michael said. "These are the mayor of our town and her daughter; Adria and Olivia Denter."

As Michael moved his hand over to Steven, the lightning mage himself held his hand up too, it being turned to the blacksmith. Not sure what to do, Michael stopped his introductions. Steven tilted his head down slightly and peered at the two new guests of Gregory.

Ariana looked over to her companion, who was still very much staring back at Steven. It took a full ten seconds of eye contact before anyone spoke up; Kaya being the first to dare so.

"I'm Kaya Tairens," the girl with glasses said. "And this is my girlfriend, Ariana Reyla. What's your name, stranger?"

Steven tilted his head to the side and pondered for a moment. "Steven Kaynes," he pronounced clearly. "Is it Kaya Tairens as in relation to Dareth Tairens?"

"He is, or I should say was, my great grandfather." Kaya's shoulders broadened out and a prideful smile formed on her face. "Lots of stories had been passed down my family about the Clipium war. Speaking of, Kaynes is quite a rare last name. Once they figured one married Manster Clipium once all relatives changed their names. Where did you get it from?"

Steven raised an eyebrow.

"After my mother decided to leave my father she insisted that she and I took her maiden name as ours again," Steven explained after thinking for a moment.

"Where did you get the scar on your face? It's quite a nasty wound," Kaya continued, having no proper reaction to Steven's answer, besides her smile widening still.

Steven's eyes narrowed still, the rest of his face remaining stoic. "I don't think I have to tell you that."

Kaya took a few steps closer, while Steven stood his ground and crossed his arms. For a moment, their faces were mere inches apart. Olivia wasn't sure what was about to happen, but then Kaya wrapped her arms around Steven's body and gave him a tight hug. Much like Olivia, the lightning mage seemed to not be expecting this as his eyes widened, then his gaze darted over everyone in the room quickly. He then managed to slip one of his arms out of the hug and gave Kaya three soft pats on her back.

"Do I know you," he asked with a slight spike in his voice.

A moment later, Kaya let go of the embrace, cleared her throat, and fixed her hair by moving a loose strand behind her ear.

"Uhm, sorry," she said. "You probably don't know me but I've heard so many stories of you that it feels like I know you. My family used to tell me they were so worried you were lost for good, so... It's nice to know you're safe, for their sake. Uncle Siedrain even stayed on Starfern all that time just to wait for you!"