A ripe mango fell from a shaking branch and a mono-iris appeared out of thin air, his orange fur overlapped with hues of yellow and bright red to match the coloring of the fruit. The mono-iris possessed magical fur which gave them chameleon-like abilities to blend into their surroundings. Their colors were bold and bright, always interchanging, rippling through their fur like water.
The multicolored monkey took a big bite out of the mango. The sun was rising over the mountaintops, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange still, making way for the clear blue of the new day. The jungle was silent, minus a few crickets and coquis. That peace was erupted when a blur of red and blue swooped by, rattling the branches and causing the leaves to fall all around the little monkey.
“Three mile marker!” Gryffin announced, looking over his shoulder. Kymera swooped past the monkey who started chattering excitedly and jumped over the trees to catch up with the twin seraphin. The monkey caught up with Kymera, jumping onto her shoulder.
“Looks like we’ve got a little hitchhiker?” She laughed.
“Too bad he’s riding on the loosing side.” Gryffin picked up speed, his wing beats striking the tip of the trees, forming a whirlwind of leaves that smacked Kymera in the face. She spat out one that got in her mouth.
“Fasten your seatbelt, Travi.” Kymera booped the monkey’s nose and caught up with her brother from behind. Once they were neck in neck, Kymera forcibly crashed into him. The impact threw Gryffin off balance and his legs got tangled up in the vines as he rolled onto the ground. Now it was his turn to spit leaves out of his mouth.
“Rules of the jungle, Hermano!” Kymera shouted from afar as she kept on flying.
“That wasn’t very lady-like!” Gryffin shouted, his voice overlapped with a roar.
Kymera lifted her chin smugly. Travi mimicked her gesture.
Gryffin stomped his foot on the ground, the earth beneath him ruptured and from the soil arose a large rock wall that blocked Kymera’s path. She stumbled in mid-air to avoid crashing into the sudden rock formation that wasn’t there a moment ago. Travi screeched in fright, hiding inside Kymera’s long, fiery red hair streaked with orange highlights. Kymera growled like an angry puma and poked her head from behind the rock, where she caught Gryffin flying on his back, giving her a salute before straitening himself and speeding away, leaving behind a sonic boom that made the leaves of the trees burst like explosions.
Kymera blasted the rock wall to smithereens with a sphere of light and went after him. “We said no magic!” She shouted, curving past the trees once her brother was within eyesight.
“Law of the jungle, Hermanita,” Gryffin taunted.
Kymera gained momentum yanked on Gryffin’s tail, pulling him back so she’d take the lead. “Can’t get rid of me that easily, Cabron!” She blew a raspberry and zipped away.
“Don’t remind me,” Gryffin quickly ducked from an incoming branch. “I’ve been trying for the past sixteen years.”
“Please. You’d be lost without me.”
The siblings flew past trees and tangling vines. They spun through leaves, branches, and trunk archways, frightening a few other monkeys and cotoras in their way. Gryffin even went so far as to encase Kymera’s ankle in crystal to weight her down and she quickly destroyed it with her light magic.
“That’s it! The gloves are off!” Kymera zipped higher into the sky and Gryffin, sensing danger, quickly landed on a nearby tree, overshadowed by the canopy of leaves and branches.
“Kymera…don’t try a y funny business. For the record, you started it!” Gryffin spun around, looking for his sister. His paranoia on high alert, his tail twitching and his wings itching to fly.
Gryffin roared in shock and fright when Kymera tackled him from the tree branch and the two rolled on the grass. Travi was able to jump off Kymera at the right moment and watched the twins tussle from the safe of the trees.
Rocks and sticks poking their bodies and they rolled down a slope, their legs and arms getting tangled in the sticky vines that littered the forest floor, adding more weight to the already tangled tumble. They reached the edge of a river where the local ahuizotls curiously poked their head out of the water, their sleepy eyes staring at the twins. Kymera and Gryffin grunted in annoyance as they tried to pry the other off and fight off the stubborn vines.
The ahuizotls crawled out of the water and surrounded the twins…
One by one, they lifted their tails, each end tipped with three fingered hands, and managed to yank the vines off. The creatures too used their front monkey-like paws and teeth to tear the twins free of their entangled prison.
Kymera and Gryffin were finally able to move again and the ahuizotls proceeded to eat what was left of the vines. Kymera gave one a pat on the head and it hummed with delight.
“Gracias.”
The creatures submerged themselves back into the water. Travi jumped from the trees, chattering about and stomping his feet on top a rock. The twins dipped themselves in the river to rub off the sappy remains from their cloths. Kymera flipped her hair over her head and submerged it in water. She flipped it over, water sprawling everywhere, then rinsed the rest out.
“For the record, I technically won.” Kymera said.
“What are you talking about? We came down here at the same time. After you tackled me, by the way!”
“Um, I seem to recall having touched the ground before you did.” Kymera smugly poked her brother’s arm and he swatted her hand away.
“You broke the rules!” Gryffin complained.
“We were playing by jungle rules!”
“I never agreed to that!”
Travi jumped in between the twins, hands on his hips and foot tapping the ground in disapproval.
“Travi’s right.” Gryffin said. He straightened his posture and tucked in his wings while folding his hands behind his back, holding his head up high. His bangs still sticky with vine sap. “By the sacred laws of the twin-mandments, there is only one way to settle this dispute.”
Kymera’s eyes widened and she slowly backed away. “Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no, no!” She screamed when Gryffin pulled her in by the arm and started rubbing his knuckles against her skull.
“Noogie attack!”
“Gah! Gryffin, no! Stop! This is an abuse of power!”
“I co-wrote the twin-mandments. So it is written, so shall it be done!”
“Blasphemy! Seriously, dude! I will bite you, I mean it, I will bite you!”
“Struggling only makes it worse! It only makes it worse!”
“Alright, alright! I’m sorry!”
“Do you mean it?” Gryffin asked with a laugh.
“I swear on my silver deluxe first edition of Legend of the Lost Star!”
“Oh, wow. Okay, you’re serious.” Gryffin let her go, and Kymera smoothed down her mattered hair.
“Sibling balance restored?” She asked.
Gryffin laughed and winked. “Sibling balance restored.”
The two then proceeded to perform their signature twin handshake: they piled their fists over the other, slapped palms, fist-pumped, then finished by pulling their hands back and shouting, “Booyah!” at the end.
Another alarm went off on Gryffin’s geode. “Ah, Styx. We should head back before Abuelita sends a search party.”
“Right. But first…” Kymera levitated a couple of mangos from a nearby branch and tossed one to her brother. “Protein for the road.” She took a big bite, the juices trailing down her lip. “Mmm. So much better than the ones from the market.”
“Plus, they’re free,” Gryffin said before taking a bite out of his.
Kymera rolled her eyes. “You are so cheap.”
“You call it cheap, I call it being smart with money.”
“Whatever.” She tossed the mango remains aside. “Race ya to the waterfall!”
“You’re on. But this time, on legs.”
“Geez, I didn’t know you wanted to lose that badly.”
Gryffin started the countdown. “One…”
“Two, three, go!” Kymera zipped away, leaving Gryffin in the dust. “See ya!”
“Kymera Magally Embrose-Delgado, that is uncalled for!” He looked back and waved farewell to their monkey friend. “Later, Travi!”
Travi waved back before eating the rest of the mangos they left behind.
Gryffin managed to catch up to his sister in record time. Even on two legs, the twins possessed incredible speed, mainly in part to their seraphin side they inherited from their father.
Seraphin were faeries of light, capable of bending it to their will. They also possessed the genetic abilities of the pendracorns: half lion, half equine creatures with wings that resembled a cross between those of a bat and a butterfly with colorful patterns. The females were called dragons—with a horse’s head and a lion’s body and claws—while the males were called unicorns—with more equine features, cloven hooves that looked more like claws at a distance, and thick lion manes along with their spiraling horn.
Gryffin possessed the great speed and stamina of a wild stallion, coupled with a lion’s roar and physical strength. Meanwhile, Kymera had a lioness’s powerful claws and muscle. Despite having a shorter and slimmer build compared to her muscular brother, Kymera could dent the side of a car of she wanted to. And don’t think she was never tempted.
As they ran, a cloud of cotorras flew overhead and tiny coquis jumped from one leaf to another, soaking up the water droplets that dripped from the tips of the leaves after the hard rain from the night before. Morning dew made the flowers sparkle as if they were sowed with diamonds.
The twins laughed, feeling the wind in their hair as they neared a rushing waterfall. Kymera, who was ahead, jumped over the slippery rocks and nose-dived towards the rapid waters below. Gryffin stopped right above the rock, nearly sliding off and looking over the water.
“Kym?” Gryffin couldn’t see her through the cloud of thick mist and foam. He rolled his eyes. “Kym, quit fooling around.”
“Woohoo!”
Kymera zipped past her brother and up into the sky. Her green wings flapping, pushing the turbulent winds below her. Gryffin shook his head and dove in. His nose narrowly contacted the water.
“I win!” Kymera declared.
“Race isn’t over yet.” Gryffin gave Kymera a taste of her own medicine by crashing into her with his shoulder and she nearly lost her balance.
“Dude!”
The twins propelled themselves higher once they reached a cliffside and took to the skies. They spun and flipped in mid-air; the wind caught beneath their membranes as they soared above the wave-shaped mountains of the Yúcahu rainforest that took up half of the island of Guanina.
Flying over Guanina [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/f5df7a88-657d-49ad-a7f5-1aa27a928230/df6pgqc-35cfaa11-ad51-44f6-bf3f-2228f610c193.jpg/v1/fill/w_1017,h_786,q_70,strp/the_seelie_saga__book_illustration_by_maggiesheartlove_df6pgqc-pre.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9OTkwIiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvZjVkZjdhODgtNjU3ZC00OWFkLWE3ZjUtMWFhMjdhOTI4MjMwXC9kZjZwZ3FjLTM1Y2ZhYTExLWFkNTEtNDRmNi1iZjNmLTIyMjhmNjEwYzE5My5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTI4MCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.tpQxwgMJy4dYSzzu_ZZnmneUI-m9I54MROjCfQTd8rY]
Kymera and Gryffin grew up in the bario right next door to the rainforest, which gave them twenty-four-hour access to their island’s greatest national wonder. The mountains dispersed to reveal a large glen where a farm of ophiotaurus slithered across the open grass plains. The tropical palm trees stretched towards the sky, the leaves waving in the wind, and the grass rippled through the planes. Tiny yellow and white butterflies fluttered from one flower to another. Red, yellow, pink, purple, blue—every flower seemed to glow, blessing the jungles with their rainbow hue.
The twins flew closer to the trees, over an outstretched river. A swarm of perytons descended from the opposite direction and drank the refreshing waters. Past the river nestled their beloved mountain bario. Rustic houses were painted in bright colors, from pink to white, to yellow and green, to clear blue and yellow, each with either a white or yellow roof and outline. Neighbors and old friends waved hello as the twins flew by.
Some called them by name, while others referred to them as principe, or princesa. One of their neighbors, an elderly elf woman with brightly colored red hair—which was dyed—called out to them from the main road going upwards through the mountain.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“Chicos!”
“Buenos Dias, Señora Dominga,” Gryffin greeted once he and Kymera landed.
“Out on a morning flight, I see.”
“It’s good for the bones.” Kymera said while stretching her wings and arms.
“I’m glad I caught you. Edwardo is—” both Dominga and the twins flinched at the sound of metal clanging, followed by a flurry of curse words that made Dominga’s face crinkle with frustration.
“Car trouble again?” Gryffin asked.
“If you wouldn’t mind?” Dominga asked.
Gryffin headed to the back of the house where Dominga’s husband, Edwardo was rubbing his wrist, still muttering dirty words under his breath. The elf smiled in relief once he saw the young seraphin.
“Gryffin, veterano!”
“Hey, Edwardo. Mind if I take a look?”
“Por favor.”
Gryffin examined the engine, moving his hand across the surface. He listened for the tinkling of the crystals inside the mechanism of the car, spinning, turning, and jingling against one another and the crystalline tubes which transferred the energies’ liquid potions into the main power-crystal-generator.
“There’s the issue. The chrysocolla tubes were loose, and the obsidian filter is only half-full. Do you have any crushed toad-stone?”
Edwardo quickly retrieved the toad-stone and with a wave of his hand, Gryffin lifted the minerals into the air and with the focus of a painter creating an elaborately detailed landscape, he inserted them into the obsidian filter, then rearranged the tubes. He did a second inspection to make sure everything was in its place before closing the hood and nodding to Edwardo to give it a go. The car roared with fervor. Gryffin listened to every tiny rock and particle working together in a perfect symphony of noise and movement.
Having inherited his mother’s oread powers, Gryffin was well versed in the function of crystals, stones and all matter of minerals used in everyday usage.
“There ya go. Purring like a Tatzelwurm.” Gryffin declared.
“Gracias, Mijo. You’re worth your weight in gold, Man.” Edwardo exited the car and pulled the boy into a hug, ruffling his hair. Gryffin laughed as he pried himself from the elderly elf’s arms and tried combing down his hair with his fingers.
“No problem. Happy to help.”
“Yeah, but what am I going to do when you’re gone. Aren’t you two leaving next week?” Edwardo asked.
Kymera and Gryffin exchanged apologetic looks and Kymera gave Edwardo a pat on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, just give Abuelito a call. He taught Gryffin everything he knows.”
“Yeah, but he’s so stingy with money.”
Dominga rolled her eyes. “Well, it is his job to fix cars, mi amor.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll have a word with him.” Kymera assured Edwardo. “He never could say no to this face.” She batted her eyelashes, pursed her lips and tilted her head. Dominga’s heart melted at the adorableness.
“Yet another reason why you’ll be missed, loquita.” Edwardo pulled her into a hug.
“The barrio won’t be the same without you.” Dominga said sadly, giving Gryffin a kiss on the cheek. “Who’s going to tell us all of the latest Camelot gossip?”
“You can always look it up on the RealmNet?” Kymera suggested.
“Si, but you always make it sound more fun. Oh, before you go.” Dominga waved her hand and levitated a bag of plátanos and handed it to Kymera. “For your abuela. Tell her thank you for the arroz con gandules last week.”
“Of course. Gracias.” Gryffin gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and Dominga hugged Kymera once more.
“We’ll come and visit over the summer. Then we’ll have a truck load of new Camelot gossip just for you, Dominga.” Kymera promised. The twins waved goodbye and took off.
* * *
Their home was a modest two-story house, painted white and aqua with an orange roof made of individually stacked half-open cylinders. The porch had three open archways, two of which had cement fences with hour-glass-shaped cylinders. The road faded into the mountain and a grassy archway led up towards the house and the open breezeway garage where their car was parked.
Once the twins descended a light brown colored peryton with a black colored saddle-like patch on her back ambushed Kymera from behind. She licked the seraphin’s face and her long feathery tail wagged.
“Katia, stop that tickles!” Kymera laughed and dusted herself as she stood up. The peryton, Katia, kept barking and jumping around her, flapping her wings.
Perytons were deer-like creatures with the wings, tail, and back legs of birds. They could mimic other animals to lure in their prey. Katia’s favorite sound was that of a dog, having grown up around them. The twins found her amidst a herd of wild dogs near a garbage can, fighting over a half-eaten dead chicken. Katia took an immediate liking to Kymera and the two had been inseparable ever since.
Katia then went on to lick Gryffin’s face. He cupped her face and peppered her head with kisses, cooing at her big brown eyes. From a nearby hole in the ground a pair of yellow-green eyes stared back at Gryffin. He crunched down and rubbed his fingers against his thumb, as though giving whatever was inside the hole an invisible treat.
A cat’s head poked out of the hole, pawing the ground as he crawled out, exposing the lower half of his body, which was that of a snake, also covered in white and grey fur.
“There he is. Come here, boy.” Gryffin scooped him up and the Tatzelwurm slithered up to his shoulder, continuing to rub himself against Gryffin’s cheek. “Love you too, Salem. Catch any harpies today?”
“Niños!”
The voice made Salem’s head jerk up in alert and made Katie shrink back with a whimper. A short elderly elf woman stood at the porch with a broom in hand, carrying a disciplined look in her eyes, which contracted with her rosy cheeks and hair that looked like a cloud of white cotton candy.
“There you are! I bet you both smell like monkey. Hurry up and shower, you’re going to be late for school!”
“We’re coming, Abuelita,” Kymera said with her signature eye-roll.
“By the way, Dominga sends some plátanos.” Gryffin handed their abuela Elseleyda the items with his tail as he and Kymera headed to the front door. Elseleyda’s sternness melted away and smiled at the gift of free plátanos from their generous neighbor.
The twins’ grandfather, Raul, was lounging on the sofa, can of nectar in hand, while watching the kelpie races on the G.V. (Geode Vision).
“Morning, Abuelito!” Kymera hugged him from behind and planted a big, fat kiss right in the center of his bald spot. The usually grumpy-looking elf cracked a smile and patted his granddaughter’s hand.
“Gracias, Mijita.”
“We just saw Edwardo on our way here.”
“Car trouble again?”
“Yeah. Gryffin fixed it, but we’re gonna need to have a serious talk about your pricing.”
Raul threw his hands up in the air. “Why am I the bad guy for trying to make a living? You know someone for almost fifty years and they think they can get special treatment.”
“Pleeeeeeeeease?” Kymera cooed, replicating the same face she made for Dominga and Edwardo. As expected, he could never say ‘no’ to that face.
Raul laughed. “Alright. Only for you, Princesita.”
“You’re the best!” She gave him another big kiss on his bald spot, and his face lit up, tossing his hands in the air like he juts received a gift from Eden above.
“Alright, enough playing.” Elseleyda said as she placed the plátanos on the table. “Take a shower and get ready for school.”
The twins stared at the hallway where the bathroom awaited them. They could almost hear the chorus of celestials harmonizing at the end of the polished restroom with mother-of-pearl walls, coral pink floor tiles, and stained glass window that allowed the perfect amount of lighting for a refreshing shower. Not to mention the smell of freshly picked cinnamon sugar sticks directly from the local Sugar Mills.
Without exchanging words, a challenge was set. The twins stared intensely at each other, their fingers twitched, itching to grab that doorknob first. Their nostrils flared and clenched their jaws, exposing the tips of their sharp teeth.
Kymera quickly pointed over Gryffin’s shoulder, straight at the G.V. “Oh my gosh, Achilles won by a nose!”
“Really?” Gryffin foolishly looked behind. Like his Abuelo, he too loved to watch the kelpie races. A weakness Kymera was all too happy to exploit. She made a mad dash for the bathroom and Gryffin, begrudging himself for his idiocy, ran after her.
Kymera grabbed the doorknob first and closed the door behind her, locking it. Gryffin hit the side of his fist against the door.
“Kymera!”
“Ladies first!” she said cheekily from behind the door.
Gryffin kicked the door. “Puck!”
“Language!” Elseleyda screamed, making Gryffin flinch.
“Sorry, Abuelita. Can I use yours and Abuelito’s bathroom, please?”
“Dry the sink when you’re done, and don’t forget to scrub between your membranes!”
“Leave him alone, Vieja!” Raul said, waving his hand over his head. “He’s not a little sprout anymore.” he took a sip of his nectar. “But do as she says anyway, Veterano!” he added.
“Si, Abuelo!” Gryffin shouted back before closing the second bathroom door behind him.
Elseleyda sighed, levitating the utensils back into the cupboards and using her other hand to make the broom sweep the floor. She sneezed when a strand of monkey hair landed on her nose.
“Esos niños.” She rolled her eyes.
Raul laughed. “Enjoy it while we still got ‘em, amor.” He said, raising his cup of nectar. Elseleyda rolled her eyes, for a moment perfectly mirroring her granddaughter, and walked over to kiss her husband on the cheek.
“You lazy rock.” She said affectionately.
“Hey, you’re the one who married an oread. We’re known for being very…grounded.” Raul winked.
Elseleyda scoffed. “Not funny.”
“That smile says otherwise.” He leaned in to kiss her lips.
* * *
After showering, Kymera slipped into her standard school uniform; a white cotton shirt with puffy sleeves and folded collar, bland buttons and a plaid skirt, added with long bland white socks that reached bellow her knees and plain black shoes. Kymera loathed the uniform’s design.
Why did private schools have to have the ugliest looking uniforms in existence?
She took a deep breath. “Just one more day, and I can burn this thing for good.” She untucked her firebird necklace from under her shirt, allowing it to glow in the sunlight. She rubbed her fingers against the bead that held the feather in place.
“Love you, Mami.” She whispered then kissed the feather. She pulled her hair into a high ponytail then heard her geode ringing. She scrolled through the messages of her ChatRune app. Her eyes gleamed when she smiled.
—Hey, we still up for group chat later tonight?
-ObscureTruths
Kymera texted back. —‘You know it! :)’
“Kym!” Gryffin knocked on the door. “You ready?”
“Yeah! Be right out!” She quickly put her geode back in her pocket and rushed downstairs. Two plates with cinnamon toast with cream cheese and syrup waited for them. As they ate, Raul turned up the volume when the news came up. The news anchor, a lion felis, sat beside his co-anchor, a lovely blond deer woman.
“All of Camelot city is bursting with excitement, especially for the long awaited month-long return of Crown Princess Odette Embrose.”
Kymera almost chocked in her breakfast, “Turn it up! Turn it up!” She called to Raul. He nearly dropped the remote as he did what she asked.
“Así es, Natasha,” the lion felis continued. “The third-year seelie-student had been away on a month-long expedition to the Shambala Mountains. According to our reports, the kingdom’s most valuable source of export; The Sky Peaches of Mount Wukong, were infected with a fae-made virus, putting the entire kingdom’s trade exchange to a screeching halt and the nation on the brink of a shortage crisis!”
Natasha continued, “Naturally, the princess and her seelie squad team came out on top. The unseelie culprits were apprehended and now the beloved princess has returned home just in time for Pascal.”
“I can’t say I’m surprised.” said the lion, “We are talking about the same faerie who successfully rescued a family of endangered bunyip from poachers in the Amaroo Savana just last year. And all without a feather out of place.”
“And who could forget the wendigo swarm three years ago when she was only a first year? Surely, a shinning inspiration for the next generation of Seelies.” Natasha said.
“Speaking of wendigos. Numbers of recent attacks across the realm continue to dwindle. Last year it was down to 64%, and 74% the prior year. This year the latest poles shows a steady 85% decrease in attacks across the kingdoms of Avalon.”
“Thank Caladrius.” Natasha cheered. “In local news, law enforcement are still on the lookout for a faerie that has stolen the latest shipment of sunstones from the Energy Crystal Warehouse in El Torro. Security cameras managed to reveal that the culprit used water magic. We will return with more after these messages.”
The news channel went straight to commercial and Elseleyda shook her head. “Caladrius help us.” She muttered under her breath. “I’ll tell you this, when I was chief of police of El Torro…”
Kymera and Gryffin rolled their eyes. “And there she goes.” They muttered in unison.
“Criminals couldn’t sleep knowing I was on the case. Like the school looter of ‘08. He was sweating so much he molted as he tried to make a quick getaway. But wings or no, I was always quicker! I jumped over the cop car, swung on the nearest tree and lunged myself at the cobarde! He tried to wiggle out, managed to lay one good kick at my ribcage, but once I gave him the old neck-hold, he was out like a light!”
As Elseleyda retold the story—again—she re-enacted the event by moving her arms, kicking a chair back against the table and tossing the now washed and dried dishes back in their cabinets like frisbees. They stacked on top of each other without so much as a crack.
“That was also the day I met your Abuelo.”
“I charged 40 an hour to fix that dent.” Raul said, raising his can of nectar without taking his eyes off of the G.V.
“Obviously, thanks to your training, Abuelita, and our overall family genes,” Kymera pointed to herself and Gryffin, “I’m gonna slam and dunk it this year at the Academy.”
Elseleyda startled the twins when she slammed her hands against the table. The plates and forks jumped, causing one of Gryffin’s toast to slid off. The twins sat with their backs pressed against their chairs, their hands to their sides and eyes wide as saucers.
“Don’t go getting engreída, mi amor. For one, it’s unbecoming of a lady. And two, this line of work is not all fun and games and glamorous uniforms. Even if they are nice. It’s also a serious life choice. One that can’t be taken lightly.”
Elseleyda proved this by pulling back her rubber gloves to show the scar that ran across her wrist to her elbow.
“Your Mama knew this, as did I. I didn’t stop her when she choose to move to Camelot, so I won’t stop you. All I’m asking, is that you be absolutely sure that this is what you want. Once you step foot on that airship…there is no going back…”
The elder elf’s serious exterior melted away, “I mean, you could come back, there’s no shame in that. Please come back!” She begged, grabbing her granddaughter but the shoulders in a last minute attempt to get her to think it over again.
Kymera gently removed her abuela’s tight hands. “Abuelita, breath.” She guided her through slow deep breaths four times. Once she was sure she was, halfway, calm, Kymera continued.
“You, Abuelito and Mami have been preparing me for this my whole life. I’ve never wanted anything more. Besides, you know I don’t do run away when things get too tough.”
“She gets it from you, Amor.” Raul said, his eyes still on the G.V.
Elseleyda threw her arms in the air, shouting “You think I don’t know that?!” She exhaled again and cupped her granddaughter’s face, kissing her forehead. “I know, Mijita. But remember, if you ever want to come back, I don’t want you to feel ashamed.”
“So, you’re not worried about me?” Gryffin asked, feeling offended.
“Of course I am, Mijo. Though, it’s not like you’re going to be doing a lot of kicking and punching at Emrys.”
Gryffin’s wings dropped behind him. “Hey, self defense is also a requirement for sages!”
“Yes, yes, I know, mijito lindo.” Elseleyda gave Gryffin a big kiss on the cheek. “And you are going to be a great sage. You’re so smart, strong and talented. Just like your Mama and Papa.”
Raul cleared his throat loudly.
“And your Abuelo.” Elseleyda added.
Her raised his nectar in gratitude, nodding his head.
“But don’t think going to different schools means I don’t expect you to keep your sister out of trouble. And you—!” Elseleyda pointed her finger at a startled Kymera, “If I hear anything about you getting swallowed by a leviathan or squashed by a behemoth, I’m coming over there! And I will know. Haddassah and I made a pact.”
“Message received.” Kymera gently lowered her grandmother’s hand who then started peppering her head with kisses again.
“Alright, time for school. Mijito, did you take your pills this morning?”
“Yeah, Abuelita.” Griffin replied dryly, hosing his backpack over his shoulder. The twins kissed their abuelos and rushed outside. The chupacabras were out on the lawn, sucking up the juices of the fruits that fell from the trees. One of them greeted the twins with a goat-like sound (hence how these reptilian creatures got their name).
“Hey, Natalia!” Gryffin gave her a pat on the head and the two took to the skies, flying over their childhood barrio and waving at their neighbors and lifelong friends. Most of which were older women and men, and a few grandchildren and young adults, many of which were extended family relatives.
“I’m really gonna miss this place.” Gryffin said somberly.
Kymera’s eyes darted between him and the sky before them.
“What?” Gryffin asked.
“I just…are you really sure you still want to go to Emrys? I mean, Tio Stephan can still pull a few strings if—”
“Kym, we’ve talked about this.”
“I know, but…” Kymera sighed, “I’m still bummed that we won’t be going to the academy together like we always dreamed about.”
Gryffin couldn’t look her in the eye when she said that. “I know. But..this is for the best. Besides, being a sage is pretty close to being a Seelie.” He tried to sound as optimistic as he could. “Sure, it may not be as thrill-seeking but I’ll still get to travel the realms, and promote sacred knowledge to gets folks on the right path. Plus we can still see each other on the weekends, and the schools have a linked ChatRune server.”
Gryffin grabbed Kymera’s arm and the two flew in place. “Hey, no matter where we go, we’ll always be a team. All for one and one for all, remember?”
Kymera tried to smile. She managed to gift him a small one, though he knew she was mostly doing it for him. He pulled her in for a hug. She nodded and repeated the creed.
“All for one, and one for all.”