Heavenly Curse

Echoes of the Past

As Finn and the group approach the door, they hear a gasp from inside. The door swings open, and Elira stands there, her expression a mix of surprise and disbelief as she takes in Finn's appearance, smiling with genuine happiness, though there's a touch of confusion. "Finn... you're really home, and... you look happy."

Finn smiles, though a bit awkwardly, as he stands before her. He gives a small nod, "Hi, Mom."

Aric, his father, steps forward, his eyes narrowing when he sees the group. "Who's at the door?" His voice is firm and commanding, typical of his no-nonsense demeanor.

Finn clears his throat and turns to introduce the others, "These are my friends—my party." He gestures to each of them, "This is Lucifera, Lilith, and Zephiron. They're with me through everything, and... they've accepted me for their the party"

Aric's gaze hardens as he looks over the non-elves, especially at Lucifera. His voice is cold as he asks, "How were they allowed in here?"

Finn's posture stiffens, and he answers, "why would you say that ."

The tension in the air thickens as Elira places a gentle hand on Aric's arm, urging him to calm down. "Aric, please, let's not make this harder than it needs to be." She turns to the group and smiles warmly, "Come in, all of you. I'll prepare something for us to eat."

Inside, the house is warm and inviting. The living room has large windows that let in the soft sunlight, giving the space a peaceful, almost ethereal glow. Shelves line the walls, filled with books and little mementos of the family's life. The furniture is simple but comfortable, and there's a large fireplace in the corner that crackles softly, adding to the coziness of the space.

Elira gestures for everyone to sit, and as they do, she calls out, "Children, come down, we have guests!"

After a moment, the sound of footsteps echoing down the stairs grows louder. Finn's younger siblings enter the room. The first to appear is his younger sister, Lyra, who is about thirteen. She has dark brown hair that matches Finn's, and her wide, curious eyes give her an inquisitive look. Lyra looks at Finn and then at the others, her expression unsure. "Finn... is this... your party?" she asks, her voice soft but filled with wonder.

Next comes Rylan, Finn's older brother, around twenty, with striking blonde hair and a more athletic build. His eyes, however, hold the same sharpness as Aric's. He immediately eyes the group, his stance rigid, clearly sizing them up.

Aric stands beside Elira, giving an unreadable look to Finn's friends, still clearly upset. Elira, trying to diffuse the tension, smiles at everyone and gently motions for them to relax. "Sit, please. We don't have to let things get tense. You're welcome here, all of you."

As the group settles, Elira busily starts preparing food in the kitchen, and Aric, after a long pause, finally speaks, his voice softer but still with a hint of reprimand. "Finn, I should have known you'd be the one to defy us... but I never thought you'd leave and abandon everything we taught you. You could've been a warrior here."

Lyra glances between her parents and the visitors, not sure where to place her loyalties, while Rylan watches Finn closely, his expression unreadable.

As everyone sits, the atmosphere in the room feels a little tense, with Aric still looking over Finn's friends with skepticism. After a moment, he leans forward slightly, his gaze sharpening. "So," he begins, "Where are you all from, exactly?"

Lilith, noticing the scrutiny, quickly glances at Lucifera and Zerphrion. They exchange a brief look before Lilith speaks up, a calm smile on her face. "We're from a distant town up north," she says, her voice steady and convincing. "We've been traveling for some time now, gathering experience."