The Chalice of Ascension

💮Dangerous Shadows💮

"Well, what do we have here, boys?"
The girls turn to see four men coming from around the tree. They all wore some brown leather armor and pants. The one who spoke had golden blonde hair and hazel eyes. Two of them had dark brown hair and blue eyes, while the fourth had black hair and green eyes. "Nice day for a picnic?" The blonde one mused, looking them up and down curiously.

"Yes, quite a lovely day, isn't it?" Affi answered calmly. "I'd ask you to join, but we really must be on our way." She added sweetly. "What's the rush, beautiful?" Questioned the black hair man. "Yeah, why don't you three stay and chat awhile." The blonde said, clearly not a question but a demand. "Interested in discussing the weather?" Leti asked coyly. The blonde man stared at her before answering. "I'm more interested in the topic of magic. Specifically a type of magic that was used not far from here last night." He paused, judging their reactions.

"There's magic being used here all the time. The flower nymphs live out here, and the fields are full of their own magical energy." Affi stated. "Obviously, but this was a different type of magic." One of the other men said.
"What sort of magic was that?" Affi asked in an aloof tone, trying not to appear too interested. "Magic that hasn't been used since the end of the war." He retorted, obviously trying to catch them off guard, hoping one of them would slip up.

The girls were too focused on Affi and the blonde to notice that one of the guys slipped behind them. "Am I supposed to guess?" Affi spoke. "A portal." Was all the blonde said. Lili stiffened. These men clearly assumed it was them. They aren't wrong, but none of them were gonna tell them that. "What's a pretty little priestess like you doing out here anyways?" the man with black hair asked. His friend chuckled, "The other two aren't half bad either, but it's kind of hard to tell with the hoods up." Taking a step closer, the blonde spoke up. "Three young girls out here alone isn't very safe. Whoever used that magic could still be out here." a menacing tone in his voice.

"You don't honestly think they could still be around, do you?" Lili asked nervously, not entirely an act. He laughed, tilting his head, trying to get a better look at her face. "Don't worry, sweetheart, I'll protect you." He replied, clearly toying with her. Affi cleared her throat, bringing his attention back to her. "There isn't anyone strong enough to open portals anymore. Perhaps your king was wrong." The man got a sinister look in his eyes, "Careful priestess, you shouldn't talk about the king like that. Doubting his ability, and he's your king too. I suggest you remember that."

Affi continued keeping her face calm, "I will never claim him as my king. He is nothing but a tyrant and usurper. I would never pledge my loyalty to a false king." Angered, the man replied. "He became your king the second he defeated that bitch queen and her husband." The twins attention locked on him, shocked.

That's when the man behind the spoke. "It's such a nice day. Why don't you let these hoods down." Pulling the hoods of their cloaks back. "Let's see those pretty faces." The girls whirled around, Lili gasping, "When did you get there?" Eyes wide, "Twins!" he shouts excitedly. The blonde man steps to them, turning them around. "Hmm. If memory serves me correctly, the old queen gave birth to twin daughters during the war." Looking more closely at them now, his eyes catch on the jewelry they are wearing. Smirking, "Yeah, the king will be wanting to meet you two."

Leti instinctively grabs her sister's hand, ready to make a run for it. Glancing behind Affi toward the forest, she notices a shadowed figure moving, heading their direction and fast.
Just as the men grab for the girls, the shadow quickly darts out. The next thing they knew, the four men were grunting and shouting as this stranger started taking them down. Moving so fast, they couldn't even make out his movements. All they could see was a flash of black.

With the king's men now laying on the ground unconscious, the man stood with his back to them. His hair long, and black. Wearing black leather, some sort of shiny mesh shirt, and boots.
Turning his head to the side, he spoke in a deep, husky voice. "Where the hell have you been, Affi?! Your family said you never came home last night." With a sigh, she replies. "I stayed the night in the temple with the girls." She nodded toward them. "Then we stopped by Dula's this morning. We were headed home when these men showed up."
"Why didn't you let anyone know?" He asked his focus still on Affi. "It wasn't exactly planned. After I reached the temple, Selene spoke to me. She said the girls would be coming and would need my help." She said.

He finally turned all the way around, giving the girls a better view of his face. His skin and eyes were blue, and he wore a black mask that covered his mouth and nose. Despite only being able to see half his face, he was absolutely gorgeous. He looked them up and down, first Lili, then Leti. He noticed the necklace, his eyes narrowed. He looked back at Lili, seeing her earrings and the ring on her finger. Finally, looking into her eyes, realization setting in on who she was, and her sister.

Lili was nervous under his gaze. She turned and looked at the men on the ground. Her eyes wide, and face a little pale. "Don't worry, Princess, they're not dead." Lili looked at him, confused. "Why did they try to take us?" She asked. "Do you not know who your family is, Princess?" He asked, both puzzled and amused. Lili crossed her arms. "The only family I know is Pops and Leti." He stared at her, a scrowl on her face, bringing a smirk to his face.

"That's your father's side. Has no one ever told you about your family and home here?" Leti's arms crossed now. "Obviously not. We just barely found out our mom was from here and that we were born here too. We don't even know where here is." Affi cut in, "Selene only told them a little about their mom. She has instructed me to bring them back to Sídh." She informed him.

"Hm, I see. Well, girls, we are currently in Hyanthia, the tyrant kings territory. Once we hit that tree line over there, we'll be in Ga Gealaí Forest, which is part of the Fae Queen's territory. The forest is also home to Sídh, where we are heading now." He said with a glance at Lili, her arms still crossed and glaring at him. He chuckles and starts walking toward the forest.

"Are you going to tell us your name, or do we have to guess?" Lili asked. Looking back at her amusement sparkling in his eyes. "Ciarán, Princess, my name is Ciarán."
"Ciarán?"
"Yes, Princess?"
"Stop calling me that." She huffed. He turned and looked her in the eyes, "As you wish."