Long Awaited

Chapter 3

Just as the sword aimed for the side of his arm, he smoothly sidestepped to the left, leaving me to collide with a delicate gold-coloured vase. The vase met its tragic demise on the floor, shattering into a million pieces, forever lost.

The boy glanced at the wreckage, then shot me an accusing look. "Now I know why you're Ikaris's half. Swing first, maybe a question later. But did you really have to break that vase? It was Kingo's favourite..."

Not allowing him to finish his seemingly pointless sentence, which I presumed was an attempted insult, I swiftly raised the blade towards the side of his throat. His hands instinctively shot up, hovering just below his face.

My eyes conveyed a silent warning, daring him to make a move. They locked onto his light blue orbs, unyielding as I demanded, "Where am I, and who are you?" A smirk crept onto his face as if he had just uncovered a secret.

"You really don't know anything, do you?" He chuckled as if he had already received his answer. "Sersi didn't tell you anything, did-"

Just as he was about to spill more information, Sersi walked into the room, accompanied by Dane trailing behind her, as always.

Describing Sersi's reaction as shocked would be an understatement, while Dane remained utterly unfazed. He was well aware that I had learned to defend myself long before my move to the UK. Even after relocating, I used to frequent Dane's house, where his uncle graciously offered to train me. Dane, being the less-than-enthusiastic nephew, always tried to find ways to skip those lessons. Yet, it was during those sessions that I discovered my passion for swords, guns, and all sorts of histories—with a sprinkle of tall tales here and there.

"Freya, Druig won't hurt you. Please lower the blade so we can explain." My gaze shifted from Dane to the boy named Druig, giving him a silent warning before purposefully nicking him slightly on the neck as the sharp blade lowered to my side. Dane shot me a look, prompting me to drop the now-blooded sword onto the ground and take a seat on the unoccupied couch.

"Happy now, Snow?" I deadpanned, earning a sigh from him. He reluctantly joined me on the opposite side of the couch, with Druig following suit a second later. Sersi went over to Druig and began checking his neck.

"Did you really have to nick him?" she asked, attempting to break the ice in the room with a laugh.

"It was an accident," I replied with an innocent smile, sinking deeper into the couch. "Now, what is this place, and where are we?" My patience is becoming thinner than paper with all the answers I'm lacking at the moment.

Before anyone could respond, the echoes of bickering reverberated from the corridor Sersi and Dane had just used. The bickering grew louder as five figures emerged, two of them engaged in a lively argument—Sprite being one of them.

The commotion came to a halt when they all noticed me on the couch. (My presence seemed to have that effect on people today)

After a moment of awkward stares and exchanged looks, I'd had enough.

"Are you all going to keep staring, or am I finally going to get some answers with, hopefully, an introduction?" I may have been a bit bold, but hey, I inherited it from my dad, who always lacked any filter when he spoke.

That seemed to snap them out of their stunned states. A woman with brown hair and brown eyes stepped forward, while the other four went to sit down, Sprite and the other man's bickering now long forgotten.

"I'm sorry; you've been knocked out for more than two days. We didn't expect you to be up so soon," the woman explained, waiting for my reaction that never came. I didn't know how to feel about it. I was too afraid to ask for the date, in case I missed the wedding back home and my dad was likely in full panic mode right about now.

Dane noticed the expression on my face and, understanding my reluctance to ask, answered my unspoken question.

"It's Tuesday today."

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. If I left as soon as possible, I could still make it to the wedding in three days.

The woman who had informed me of my prolonged slumber, Ajak, deemed it safe to continue. "My name is Ajak." She pointed to each person, introducing them.

First in line was Thena, a blonde woman with light green eyes sporting some sort of crown on her head. Next up was Kingo, the man engaged in a spirited argument with Sprite earlier. He had dark black hair and chocolate-brown eyes.

Lastly, there was Gilgamesh. I already knew the others' names. Gilgamesh appeared notably strong, and it was evident he and Thena were an item, given their intertwined hands. His eyes and hair were both dark.

"And I'm sure you're familiar with Sprite. The other three should be back soon." Ajak concluded the introductions. "So, where shall I begin?"

"How about the part where Sersi turned an artifact to dust?" I suggested, turning their expressions into a fresh round of shock. Before Ajak could respond, I continued, "Or, if you prefer, we could start with the flying guy. Better yet, why am I actually here?"

"Freya, we, um, are Eternals," Sersi began, but I interjected.

"I mean no offence, Sersi, but I'm not in the mood for a lengthy story. Just give me the abridged version. You guys are aliens, right?" Thankfully, she didn't seem bothered by my request.

"Yes, we are," Thena swiftly confirmed. "We each have different powers and have been around for over seven thousand years."

The notion of them being over seven thousand years old almost had me jumping out of my seat, but I forced myself to remain calm. The sooner I could leave, the quicker I could get to the airport.

Taking a deep breath, I calmly voiced the burning question on my mind. "Thanks, Thena. Now, about why I'm here and when I can leave?" Despite my efforts to appear indifferent, I was pretty sure everyone in the room saw through my act.

"You will not be leaving." A deep voice with a Scottish accent resonated from behind me. Turning around, I was met with the most stunning dark blue eyes I had ever seen.

"Because you are mine."