Truths from the Past: Book 5 of the Kinstone series

I fly out of the portal, landing hard on smooth stone tiles. I can still feel where Celes pushed me in the back. I flip back onto my feet. All around me I smell the indistinguishable scent of books. However I push that aside I stare as the portal begins to shrink.

“No, no, no,” I call out as I rush over to it, just as it finally closes for good.

I start beating on the archway, feeling my fists slam into the stone pillar.

“Dammit, Celes,” I cry out as I continue to beat on it. “Why? Why Celes?” I say over and over.

Why separate us? Weren’t we supposed to come home together?

The sounds of stone cracking fill my ears as I look up, watching as the archway begins to crumble and collapse to the floor. I step back as pieces of it roll around my feet.

Tears well up in my eyes I drop to my knees. I stare at where the archway once stood, feeling that growing lump from before finally bursting forth as I double over and let out a massive wailing cry.

Why Celes? Why?

“Aria?”

My ears flick back as a new voice calls out to me. However, it’s a voice I know all too well, yet haven’t heard in so long. I turn around, with my eyes growing wide as a familiar and unforgettable face strolls towards me.

“Marron,” I whisper. She’s here, she's actually standing in front of me.

She kneels down next to me, “I felt something strange coming from where you and Fenris headed down so I came running.” She then looks me over, “By the way, what are you wearing? It’s only been five minutes since you and I split up in the hallway.”

Five minutes? I look around, with the smell of books resurging into my nose. I turn back and see the crumbled remains of the archway and then towards the room surrounding us. It’s the library of the Outpost. Light shines in from the windows on the walls, giving the room a natural soft glow. I even see where I placed the books I pulled a few months ago.

“I’m really back,” I say. This feels like a dream or a near-forgotten memory. It just feels so surreal to me. I smile softly as she holds me.

She tilts her head, “What are you talking about?”

Fear then creeps into me, washing away my smile as I frantically scan the room, there’s something missing, something that I can never ever be without.

“Fenris, where’s Fenris?” asking in a panic.

A warm, wet tongue then streaks up my cheek. I turn to find my bonded standing to my left. His gentle, fatherly eyes gaze into mine. I quickly reach up and hug him tightly.

“I thought you weren’t with me,” I tell him, felling my voice choking up. “I didn’t know where you were.”

He gently leans in and nuzzles my face. “Never, daughter. Never shall I ever leave your side.”

I cling to him, raking my fingers through his soft fur. “We’re really back…aren’t we, Papa Wolf?”

He gently bobs his head, nuzzling my face, “That we are, little Aria.”

I smile, but then feel another furry face nuzzle my other cheek. I quickly turn to see a silver-furred wolf standing on my other side, giving me a gentle motherly smile.

“Athena?”

Her smile broadens, “Yes, my precious little one.”

I wrap my arms around her tightly, feeling her tails wrap around mine. “Why are you here?”

She groans softly, pressing her face into mine. “We are now tied together. My place, is now at your side. And ever shall it be.”

Tears continue to roll down my cheeks as I cry into her muzzle as I cling to her. In my heart, I feel hers beating with my own. It's strong, stronger than ever before, feeling the chains I once felt lock-tight, now completely snap taught between us even more than ever.

She smiles, nuzzling my face more. “There, there, my little Aria.”

Once more I feel like a little pup being comforted by her mother. I then feel my other tails being wrapped in others as Fenris does the same.

Marron stares on in shock as the second wolf nuzzles and comforts me. “Uhhh, sweetie, why is there now a second wolf with you? Where did she come from?”

Athena softly pulls away and looks to my sister. Her massive head tilts slightly as though in confusion. “Celestine?”

Marron looks to her, now becoming completely confused. “What did you call me?”

I turn and look up at my sister. They grow wide as I now see Celes within her eyes. My eyes dart around as the pieces finally begin to fall into place. How they spoke, the presence I felt from the moment I first laid eyes on Celes, how she held me, even the lullaby. It all makes sense.

My ears again perk up as I hear footsteps entering the library. I pan up to see Orga and Kateryna as they walk over to us. The couple then stops instantly as I the stare stunned at the silver wolf standing beside me.

“L-Lady Athena?” asks the elf.

“But…how is this possible?” asks her husband.

Athena turns and smiles, bowing her head to them.

My mind then goes into a jumble as so many thoughts thrash about in my mind all at once. The last few hours replay in my mind at such rapid pace that threatens to cause my brain to overheat. And now this.

Marron looks me over, and then sees something red streaming down my left arm. “You’re hurt,” she says. “Why are you hurt?”

I look over, seeing where Selene stabbed me with her sword. I reach over and hold the wound, still feeling the sting of her blade.

Marron looks me square in the eye, “What happened to you?”

“All shall be explained in due time, Marron,” gently says Fenris.

Marron looks to him, wanting to override him, but instead nods. “All right then, but you know I’ll want to hear everything.”

He nods in return.

Marron then gently helps me to my feet with both wolves keeping hold of my tails. I smile nodding softly as my sister holds me close to her.

Both Orga and Kateryna walk over to me, each with concerned looks on their faces. I smile to them, “E’thrashi vine telrich mulsan, Orga ji Kateryna.”

Their eyes grow wide in shock as they look to each other and then back to me.

“We…we are as well, Your Highness,” replies Orga.

“Yes…yes indeed, Your Highness,” adds Kateryna.

Marron looks to me, “What did you say to them?”

I grin softly, “I told them I was grateful to have them with me, in Alcoran.”

She looks to me, “Where did you learn-” she stops, shaking her head. “That can wait. Right now I need to treat those wounds of yours.”

I smile as we exit the library and into the hallway.

As we stroll down the old wood-panel darkened halls, I revert back into my human form, releasing my tails from the wolves. I look back at them, smiling. They smile warmly in return as they walk beside me. I smile, forever thankful to have them with me.