Anna made sure to land on top of the guys this time when they stumbled back to the present, sandwiching Nikkolai and Kasim between Kenny and her. Kenny groaned, shoving Nikkolai, Kas, and her off, sending them falling back, sliding into the bookshelves behind them.
"Brother!" Donnie grinned.
Anna frowned in disappointment as she observed her surroundings. They were still in the library. They should've traveled forward in time, yet everything looked almost the same as when they had left.
"Wait, you look just the same?" Nikkolai questioned as he studied the female elf.
"Dude, she's an elf. They don't age," Kas snapped.
"Did it really work?" Kenny gasped as he studied his hands.
"Yes, now come on, you need to get to the meeting hall!" Donnie cried tugging Kenny's arms, urging the others to follow.
"Why?" Kenny questioned.
"The royal brothers are all at the castle!"
Kenny froze in shock. With the royal elf family, besides the Queen and her twin, she had five other full blooded siblings, none of which necessarily got along with each other. The royal brothers preferring to stay in their respective areas of rule. It was rare to have all of them together at once, and he didn't recall ever seeing it happen in history since the Elf wars eons ago when Valeria first became queen and two of the brothers hadn't even been born yet.
"What is going on?" Kenny questioned.
"A lot has happened these past couple of weeks," Donnie sighed.
"Donella, please explain," Kenny snapped.
"Well, it all began when the youngest brother forced a portal open without a gate key, sending fifty wizards through to safety. Then-"
"Brother?" Kas interrupted.
"Oh, the heir of course!" Donnie grinned. "He is only a half elf which was what shocked all of us that he could complete the task with no prior training!"
"Who exactly are you talking about?" Nikkolai asked suspicious.
Marcus.
"What was that, Anna?" Kas questioned.
Kenny sighed, as the pieces clicked into place. That explained the strange white aura the boy possessed and the connection he could feel between Riley and him. That was why Riley was protected under the elves. She was ultimately the final safety net to ensuring the heir's succession to the throne. Linking two powerful wizards through blood made them practically indestructible. Thankfully that was the case, or Riley would have died after the chaos of Anna's reawakening.
"Hell, I always knew there was something strange about that boy," Nikkolai grinned, "no wonder why he felt off."
"The Queen wiped both their memories, didn't she? Riley grew up with her at her side with frequent visits to her younger brother, Marcus," Kenny muttered as he studied his sister.
"Correct! She actually trained Riley at a young age. Now you understand why she caught on to magic so quickly!" Donnie smiled.
Kenny nodded his head in agreement. She was right, that was why she caught on so fast. He also suspected Riley had been aware of her abilities when he first met her. He smirked, recalling back on fighting against Riley's seduction that first day, how he had caved so easily. She hadn't even been aware her magic was enhancing their feelings for each other.
Donella led them through the castle, pausing outside great wooden doors with the Elven family tree engraved on it. She knocked on the doors, stepping back as they swung open revealing the elven royalty sitting in a large room in various places, arguing about war.
Vaeril sat at the head of the table in place of the queen, his long platinum blonde hair tied back in its usual low ponytail as he was deep in argument with his other brothers. Virote, the eldest of the elves set on the window's ledge, glancing out at the sky. He yawned as he listened in, hating the idea of war. He hid behind curly black hair and grey eyes, aged wise beyond his years. At one point, he was king but after the war, stepped down allowing Valeria to take the throne vowing to never return again, instead choosing to travel the realms. He was also Donella's father.
Vraekor, the fifth born, was deep in argument with Vaeril, his short spiky platinum colored hair and violet eyes narrowing on the elder, with hopes for war as he jumped from his seat, leaning over the table. He loved conflict, and would gladly fight any battle necessary. He also felt Marcus should not take the throne being only a half breed. Vraekor currently held court with the Sea Clan of elves after marrying their princess.
Vittorio, the fourth born was also adamantly arguing with Vaeril. His platinum blonde hair billowing around his shoulders behind bright green eyes as he fought to go to war. He also planned to take over the throne, but that was because he liked the idea of power. Valeria knew of these wishes, forbidding Vittorio to step foot in the Sky kingdom which he currently was standing in against her wishes.
Vyell, the sixth born, sat in the corner reading a book completely oblivious to what was going on. His grey eyes and silver platinum hair fought the constraints of the ribbons holding them together as he flipped the pages bored to have been summoned to discuss war. He would have rather kept residence in the World library of the Giants he had been holed up in the last ten years.
Ventator, the youngest of the pure blooded brothers sat sharpening his knives as he silently listened. He preferred using his blades for hunting. His black hair hung shaggy, brushing the back of his neck as violet eyes stared intently at the reflection from the knife as he hummed to the tune of Bruno Mars. He spent much of his time in the earth realm following Marcus's whereabouts in the shadows per his Queen's request. He also had his own clan of elves set up deep in the Redwood forest of California lying in wait for any needed backup if Marcus ever were in trouble.
"Wow, they are so different, nothing like you and me, right Kas?" Nikkolai grinned.
The elves stopped their arguments, raising their heads at the intruders. A mixture of annoyed, curious, and angry eyes studied the humans before them.
"Welcome back to the present. I see you discovered the way to return," Vaeril sighed.
"I'll leave you be, I'll just head back to the library," Donnie smiled with a small curtsy.
"Let me accompany you, I have many books I want to share with you from my time with the giants," Vyell said coming to a stand.
"Hold it right there, you are not escaping this argument so easily, brother!" Vittorio snapped.
Vyell sighed, slumping back into his chair, picking his book back up with an annoyed huff grumbling curse words in his native tongue under this breathe.
"Maybe later, uncle. I wouldn't want you to get in trouble again for slacking off in royal duties," Donnie grinned as she slipped out of the room.
"What is going on," Kenny questioned, "if I may ask?"
"Well, the Resistance has been causing quite a ruckus. They have destroyed all but two of the gates these past couple of weeks. Ever since Devan was rescued, the boys have been unstoppable," Vaeril explained.
"What about Riley?" Kenny questioned.
Vaeril solemnly shook his head as he averted his gaze from Kenny's gaze. Kenny froze, frowning as he studied the elf. Riley couldn't be dead. She had to still be alive! Venator let out a small chuckle as he addressed Kenny.
"Don't worry, she is still alive. She unfortunately hasn't awoken, yet."
"The Sorceress has rumored to be awoken," Vaeril replied.
Anna gasped while Kenny frowned, clenching his fists his mind filling with hurt and rage. How dare Luke steal Riley from him. How long had it been for this to happen? More importantly, he couldn't believe Riley would just give up on him like that. Maybe she was more like Erabeth than he imagined.
"You have been gone for a month," Vraekor snapped.
"All that happened in a month?" Kas questioned. He paused, stroking his chin before muttering, "damn."
Anna nudged his gut, annoyed he was cursing in front of the Royal elves. Kas winked down at Anna, ruffling her hair to mess with her while Nikkolai rolled his eyes at the two.
"That's why we must go to war. With the Sorceress joining forces with Michael Noble, he could easily take control of all the realms," Vittorio snapped.
"But why would she do that?" Kenny questioned.
"Because, he has to be controlling her!" Virote cried.
"No, there is more to it than that. I sense Riley may be protecting someone. Judging by her past actions, she isn't the type to betray someone so easily," Venator stated as he sheathed the knife he had been sharpening.
"Are you sure that is the case, brother?" Vyell questioned as he set his book down in interest the conversation had taken.
"Seeing as I have spent more time around her than you guys, that is the only plausible conclusion I can make," Venator added, "I say we sit tight until our queen returns."
Vraekor slammed his fist on the table, jumping up in anger, "we don't even know if the queen is alive! We can't locate her!"
Virote sighed, clearing his throat as he stood up, glancing around the elves in the room, urging them to stop their arguing. Even though he was no longer king, they respected him. He rarely spoke out, but his predictions were always correct.
"Riley Towers will be able to save our queen. I sense Valeria will be returning to our arms soon," Virote explained.
"How can you be so sure?" Vittorio snapped.
"Because, my daughter saw it and I trust her visions," Virote stated.
"Yes, Donella has an extraordinary gift. I think the best course of action will be to wait things out. We can't become involved too soon," Vaeril sighed.
"You guys are wrong, I am done with this crap!" Vittorio yelled, rushing from the room.
"I agree with Vittorio. I apologize, but I am out too," Vraekor sighed pausing to look at Vyell.
"Vyell, come on," he snapped.
Vyell gulped, nodding his head as he followed his elder brother out of the room leaving only Virote, Vaeril, and Venator remaining along with Kenny, Kas, Nikkolai, and Anna. Vaeril sighed, turning to Virote for aid. It wasn't a good sign to see the family divided like it was, and he feared war would break out among themselves if they couldn't come to an agreement.
"Let them go, they are too stubborn to reason with. I just wish they wouldn't bully Vyell along," Virote sighed.
"Agreed," Vaeril replied with a nod of his head.
Silence filled the room as the elves stared at each other, solemn looks plastered across their faces while the gang studied them. Nikkolai was the first to break the silence.
"So, is it time to return to earth?" He questioned.
"Yes, I believe its best for us to meet with the Resistance and aid them in their efforts. We can't have Michael Noble aware of my life," Kas explained.
"But, Riley-" Kenny began.
Anna stopped him, grabbing his arm, slightly squeezing it as she shook her head. Kenny frowned, glancing down at her upset she wouldn't return back to Riley's side.
We can't. Let Luke and Riley play their own games. The time isn't right, yet.
"Anna is correct, Kenny," Kas sighed.
"Fine, we'll go to the Resistance," Kenny grumbled in defeat.
~~~~~
What are your thoughts on the Royal Elven Family and all the brothers? Share your thoughts below! Stay tuned as Kenny and the gang's return to the Resistance won't go as expected. Trouble lies ahead...