Part Two: Decade

Roan runs his sword through a dragon demon as if he were slicing bread. The damned war had gone on long enough if only his sisters would hurry the fuck up. He knew the gateway would close soon trapping them there for another decade. Why their mother had sent them to Chaos was beyond him. Chaos was one of the forgotten worlds ravaged by unending war. Cerin appears like a shooting star, plummeting onto the advancing army causing them to shatter and scatter to the winds. Selene rushes up to him carrying a small bundle underneath her cloak.

"Fall back," she sends as another troop appears over the horizon.

"The gates closing," I send to them.

"I know," They send, as we head towards the end of the cliff.

"Jump," Cerin sends before throwing herself off the cliff. Selene follows the bundle she carries begins to wail. She ignores it and jumps; I follow warm light engulfs us as we fall through the gateway and onto the frozen earth of the Winter Realm.

"Fuck that hurt," Cerin says, as she stands a branch sticks out of her calf. She reaches down pulling the branch out while biting her lower lip. The wound begins to close as she incinerated the branch.

"Language children," Uncle Enrique stands on the other side of the frozen pond. Eyes brows arched as he takes us in.

"Uncle," we greet as we come to a stand.

"Why did we land here?" Cerin asks.

"Neutral territory of sorts," he says.

"We should get this to mother," Selene says, the bundle in her arms more visible now. Indeed, a baby lay in her arms with pointed ears and ash white hair, its eyes a mixture of reds and violets with tinges of pink, green and yellow. Just like the lights seen all through the Dark and Winter Realm at night.

"So, she lives," Uncle says taking in the child, "your parents are currently undergoing ascension. They should be back by the next full moon."

"What are we supposed to do with that?" Cerin asks.

"How many times do they need to through ascension, they're already Ancients?" Selene asks looking at the child in her arms with unease.

"That's something you need to ask them," Uncle says, "You're more than welcome to remains here or go home if you please. I hear the Summer Prince is visiting again, he hopes to find a bride."

Selene snickers as Cerin's eyes widen she runs over to Uncle draping clawed hands around his wrist.

"Uncle is too old to be left alone, how about Cerin stays, while my siblings return home. Once father and mother return, Cerin will go back."

"Am I that old?" he asks, no one in particular as he heads towards the palace.

"Wait, what about the creature?" Selene asks.

"You mean the baby, it's your responsibility."

"But...

"Let's head inside, perhaps Eira can help you. "

Eira was the Head Healer of the winter realm and uncle's heir apparent. And my would-be wife, if only she wasn't so terrifying. Of course, Cerin had argued no one was as terrifying as our mother but that could be debatable. I wish I knew why we'd been paired, what do a healer and assassin even have in common.

###

The palace is buzzing with energy as we make our way through its glass doors. Eira great us hardly looking my way as Selene thrust the baby onto her.

"For you," she says, wiping her hands clean.

Eira raises an eyebrow in question, I guess uncle explains everything through telepathy as she nods once before walking away with the little bundle.

"Now that, that's done I think I'll head into town," Selene says.

"I think not," Uncle says, as a Winter Fairy runs past us carrying tiny cakes. Cerin's eyes widen as she follows the fairy.

"I doubt we'll see her for a while," I say, as uncle leads us to his study. Uncle Alexander sits before the fire amber liquor in hand.

"I take it all went well," he says, taking a sip of his frosted glass.

"As well as can be," Selene says.

"Why did we have to retrieve a child?" I ask.

"She's no ordinary child," Uncle Alexander says.

"Are any of us?" Selene asks as she pours herself a glass full of that same amber liquor.

"Your mother can explain, " Uncle Alex says, "Where's my little rabbit?"

"Chasing after fairy cakes."

"Seems about right," Uncle Alex says, setting his cup down, "I think I'll be on my way."

"I thought you'd hide here a bit longer," Uncle Enrique says.

"Alyssa should have cooled off by now."

"Why did you turn her if she scares you so?"

"You wouldn't understand," are uncle Alexander's parting words as he shadow walks away.

"What now?" I ask.

"Now, you two are going to tell me everything that happened while you were in Chaos."