The forest was dark and the fawna was lively, the winds howled peacefully, and she could sense no danger. She passed many Xentidos members along the way. The dirt on her cloak, and the mud caked under her boot heel, showed she had been traveling a very long time. She smelled of the sea, and yet nobody could see her face. She didn't even appear to be carrying any weapons.

The obsidian and Orichalcium walls that protected Xenthos were in view. So she walked towards the check-in station where all travelers must stop before entering Xenthos. Guarding the gate today was a younger gentleman, he was one of the newest recruits, a C-Rank member, his name was Aiden.

Aiden's job was simple, keep track of everyone who enters Xenthos, and ask what a traveler's reason for entering the city was. He had a polite and kind smile, but, as with all members of the Xentidos, he wasn't someone that could easily be tricked, nor was he someone to pick a fight with.

The cloaked woman stopped at the check-in station.

"Stranger.." Aiden asked, "what brings you to Xenthos today?"

"I seek an audience with your king..." She softly spoke, "I have important business with him..."

"I see..." He wrote down her purpose, "name please.."

"My name?"

"Everyone who enters the city must tell me their name so I can keep record of it." He explained, "so we can keep track of all the visitors who come to us.."

His hands appeared to be writing a detailed description of her in her cloak, he continued scribbling in his ledger.

"Oh.. I see..." She spoke, "well, my name is, Selene of Elfame, I'm visiting from Avalon..."

"Avalon? That's about a 12 month journey, I heard only the fae come from there..."

"Yes, I've come a very long way, I need to see King Keenio... It's a matter of the upmost importance.."

"Still.. I have to follow protocol," he continued, "emergency or not, rules are rules.."

He continued writing down on his ledger.

"Will you please remove your hood?"

"Why?"

"So I can give a detailed report. It's vital that I do th-"

"Selene?! Is that you?!" A kind voice called out, cutting Aiden's words off.

The cloaked woman turned around, from inside the city, emerged Elizabeth, in the company of Veronica too.

"Lady Elizabeth!!" Her voice was energetic, proving she was young, "it's Soo good to see you! Oh and you have a friend too?"

Elizabeth was wearing her white leather armor, and Veronica was wearing her dark leather armor, both appeared to be carrying bags of some kind, it was obvious that they were shopping.

The cloaked woman lowered her hood, she had soft silky skin, and long beautiful hair, with pointed ears like an elf, but she wasn't. She looked no older than 18, but she was a fairy, meaning she was far older. Her long hair was beautifully styled. Veronica couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something, familiar about her, but, different. She felt like she saw her face somewhere, but all her life, she had never known a member of the fabled Fae. Veronica could tell by the way Elizabeth created her with a deep hug, that she was a friend though.

"Selene, why didn't you tell me you were visiting Xenthos? I would have met you wherever you docked!"

Elizabeth was the happiest she's been in a while, this girl had to be an old friend.

"Oh I'm sorry Elizabeth," she huffed, "I just didn't have time to send word.."

"Lady Elizabeth who is this girl?" Veronica interrupted.

"Oh this is Selene, she's an old friend, she helped me in Avalon.." she gave a serious tone, "when I left to bring Atraus's ashes home, she was the first person who helped me there.."

Veronica looked at her, still something seems familiar about her, maybe it was her white hair, or maybe her blue eyes. But this girl reminded Veronica allot about Keenio.

"So Elizabeth, is this one of your friends too?"

"Oh this is Veronica, she's a close friend, and like you, she's a princess too"

"Really? You are royalty?" She blushes in embarrassment, "where are my manners," she bowed respectfully, "pleased to meet you, I am Princess Selene, my mother is the queen of Avalon."

Veronica smiled, it's been a long time since she was bowed to, her life as the princess of Athens seemed far away. Though, in that moment Selene reminded her about when she was reunited with Keenio, when she began her new life as a Xentidos member.

"You don't have to bow Selene," she held her hand up in peace, "in Xenthos all are equal, even my king.."

Elizabeth have a slight chuckle, for she too was just now reminded of the first time she met Veronica. She changed allot over the years. It was like Keenio's mentality was rubbing off on her.

"Really? This is a strange place in deed.."

"I used to think that too" Veronica smiled, "but, I am used to it now."

Veronica's smile was like a well of warmth. It was like the girls forgot about Aiden entirely.

"Ahm.." Aiden sounded to get their attention, "..don't forget, I need to finish this paper work.."

"Oh, I'm sorry sir," Selene 's charming smile just made Veronica think more about Keenio, "so what else do I need to do?"

"Well, I need to know what weapons you carry, and how long you intend to stay in Xenthos for.."

"Oh, well I um..."

"Aiden, shut up.." Elizabeth ordered, "this girl is to be my guest, she can stay as long as she wants."

"Yes well that may be the case but-"

"But nothing!! I am an X-Rank member of the Xentidos, she is my guest."

Aiden buckled under Elizabeth's words.

"But the matter of the fee for extended stays in Xenthos is."

"Aiden, I will say it once more," Elizabeth took a serious tone, "Selene is MY guest, and there for, there is no fee, understand?"

"B-but, protocol dictates.."

"And X-Rank means I ORDER you, she is with me," her tone suggested she was annoyed with him, "and I take responsibility for her and her actions, there will be NO fee.."

"But, I..."

"Just stamp the DAMN pass you idiot!!" Elizabeth ordered.

Aiden fell silent, he couldn't argue, and he knew that no matter what, he can't over rule the orders of an X-Rank. So he placed a stamp on another paper, and folded it neatly, handing it to Selene.

"Keep that paper on you at all times. That pass means you can come and go in our city at any time," he whimpered like a puppy, "welcome to Xenthos Lady Selene.."

"Thank you sir, Aiden is it?" She smiled, tucking the pass away in her cloak, "that's what lady Elizabeth called you right?"

"Yes.." he still was quiet, "that's my name.."

Her smile proved she was a warm hearted, sweet person. And Aiden smiled too.

"Enjoy your visit to Xenthos Ms Selene.." he nodded kindly.

"Now let's get you to Keenio, I'm sure he will hear you out." Elizabeth added, "plus we can catch up on the way to the palace."

"And I look forward to getting to know you too!" Veronica smiled, "I've never met a fairy before."

"And I don't know many humans either." She smiled, "plus I'm curious about this Keenio, Elizabeth talked about him allot on Xenthos, and you too Veronica.."

The girls left the gate, and into the crowded main street, staying close so that they didn't get separated.

The walked for about an hour, Elizabeth and Veronica would stop by the small shops, and point out things in Xenthos, making Selene feel at home with them.

"Wow Elizabeth, Xenthos is definitely a pretty city, especially when compared to places like Thule in the north," she smiled, "so this is your home huh? I see why you came back instead of staying with us in Avalon.."

"You should try our Carmel Apples here, they're the best in all of Pangea!" Veronica smiled, "maybe after you meet Keenio, we can get a couple."

"Carmel Apples?, what are those?"

"Basically we take our apples, and dip them in Carmel, it's a sweet syrup, we definitely should get you one, if you still like sweet foods of course."

"Of course I do!" Selene smiled, "you know I love sweet foods! What girl doesn't?"

They laughed, and finally made it to the front door of the palace.

"Here we are, home."

Selene gazed in awe at the massive size of the building, in Elfame, their cities are small, and they don't build gargantuan buildings. This building before her, it almost intimidated her.

"You could fit a whole village in there..." Her blue eyes were big with amazement, "how is that even possible?"

"Well, five years ago, the citizens of Xenthos needed roofs over their heads, we fought a general of Ahriman, and he flattened the whole city" Veronica spoke next, her voice shaking from the memory, "so we all worked together to build the palace, so we could keep warm."

"Oh, wow, I see, so you can fit a whole city in here..."

"Yeah..."

Veronica still thought about that battle allot, even now. It always weighed on her heart, because she remembered how close everyone was to dying. Even Keenio would say that they only one be she of dumb luck. That's why he began training so hard, and why she began training harder.

"Your king must be a good man.."

"Keenio is the best," Veronica smiled, "we are lucky that he is the king."

"Oh that's not the best part," Elizabeth teased, "Veronica here is also dating our king."

"Oh really?" Selene smiled, and joined in, teasing her also, "that means you're twice as lucky, for being with such a good king."

Veronica blushed, she didn't say anything. Elizabeth always teased her, but it made her more sisterly to her.

"You're so cute, almost like a blushing bride," Selene smiled, "man you must be really in love with this man.."

"Well.. he.." she blushes brighter, and breathed, "he's an amazing person, and a really powerful warrior.."

"Oh, is that so," her mischievous tone explained why her and Elizabeth were so close, "you're definitely a good one.."

After they laughed with each other, Elizabeth opened the front door, and they walked into the tavern floor together. To Selene, it was a weird place, no palace had a tavern, everything seemed so alien to her, and she grew nervous, and blushed. New places and new people, with unfamiliar scenes and noises, it made her shy, and she put her hood back on, to hide her redness.

"Let me just give these bags to Theseus behind the bar," Elizabeth smiled, and took Veronica's bag also, "then we can find Keenio.."

"Oh- o-kay..." Selene's confidence was gone, she now mumbled, "...I-I'll stay here..."

Veronica tugged in her shoulder, she could tell Selene was uncomfortable. She felt similar when she first stepped foot in this noisy hall. She remembers feeling so out of place, but now this tavern room is where she felt most at home at times.

Selene noticed many races of people gathered on the many tables, she had me we saw such a diverse group, there were elves and humans, mingling with each other, and occasionally even some tusked people, she didn't know what they were, but, there were no fairies. And she didn't know how elves would react seeing an Fae, so far form Avalon.  All the different races together, it was truly strange.

"Your king allows all the races in his city?"

"Well yes, I mean Xenthos is truly a safe haven for all races," Veronica smiled, "thats what Keenio says. All races are welcome to Xenthos, and even amongst the Xentidos. Is it not so in Elfame?"

"In Elfame, we don't really interact with other races in a scale like this," she blushed, "we all stay to ourselves, isolated.."

"Is that so?" Veronica was confused, "I see, this is all new to you.."

"..yeah.."

Just then Elizabeth returned to them, carefully navigating through the sea of patrons, and met Selene and Veronica with chalices, filled with lemonade.

"Here, I told you I'd get you lemonade if you ever visited Xenthos." Elizabeth smiled, and each took a chalice, "it's really good. Different from the spring water in Avalon.."

Selene took a small sip first, and paused for a moment.

"Well?"

Selene said nothing, and slammed the rest of her drink as fast as possible.

"It was good.." she smiled, "thank you.."

Veronica and Elizabeth finished their drinks, and Elizabeth navigated through the crowded back to the bar. Then returned.

"Now, let's go see Keenio," Elizabeth smiled, "Veronica, where is Keenio usually around this time?"

"Hmm.." she thought, "he did say that he was going to be working at the forge today with Zalpa, something about making him a set of armor fit for a sorcerer."

"Your king works at a forge?"

"Keenio isn't like normal kings," Elizabeth smiled, "he does just as much work as the rest of us.."

"That's so strange..."

"What does a king do in Avalon?"

"Typically a king only exists to lead when the queen is away, all he has to do is give the queen an heir," she explained,  "and then he spends time with his harem if he isn't on his throne..."

"That's it?" Elizabeth asks, "a life like that would kill Keenio, plus, he doesn't even own a harem.."

"Kings in Avalon always have harems, filled with the most beautiful of women, but the queen, she takes charge of the more important matters." Selene explained, "our queen Annaleece takes care of all the important matters, and only leaves Avalon if she is at war. But we haven't had a war since Deimos's time.."

"It sounds like everything is in reverse in Avalon..." Veronica answered, "here in Pangea, the king usually is the one who has the most power."

"And it's even stranger still in Xenthos in comparison.." Elizabeth snorted, "our kings usually do all the work, even the minor ones that others kingdoms would normally have peasants do.."

"This place is so strange..."

BOOM!!

Just then, the sound of an explosion eachoed from the top of the left staircase, and smoke filled the area. Everyone on the tavern floor jolted up out of fear and surprise, even he bard stopped singing and they looked up.

"Damn it..." He  coughed, "now I need new tools..."

The smoke cleared, and standing in it was Keenio, dusting off his black robes, coughing and hacking at the smoke.

Veronica sprinted up the stairs to investigate. Worried about Keenio.

"Are you okay,?"

Keenio wipes dirt off of his face, and took her frantic hug at full force.

"I'm fine, though, in gonna need more Arachne Silk, and probably more Silverite.." Keenio frowned, disappointed in himself, "and I'll need to tell Zalpa that it'll be another week before I get his new armor ready.."

As soon as Selene caught a glimpse of his white hair and blue eyes, she felt her heart tighten. She felt a sense of longing, and a sense of pain. And she clutched at her chest under her cloak.

Keenio leaned over the stairwell, to see everyone on the tavern floor.

"It's okay!!" He ordered, "everything is fine. The only thing hurting me is my pride."

His familiar smile assured them all that everything was fine. Then everyone went back to their drinks.

"Damn it Keenio!! You are so filthy now, and you have a guest too.."

"I do?" Keenio looked at his dirty hands, and still wiped off more debris from his robes, "is it that white haired girl next to Elizabeth?"

"Yes!" She scolded him, "now go take a bath, I'll get your robes ready.."

Keenio laughed, he knew she was trying to scold him, but it didn't work. He stole a quick kiss on her cheek. Then withdrew into his own thoughts.

"Hmm what if I bond it with Royal Basilisk Acid, instead of viper venom.." he told himself, "hmm that might work..."

"Keenio!" She frowned at him, "bath! Now!"

"Okay, okay.." he turned to her, "but first let me see our guest.."

Veronica huffed, and then shook her head. Then together they walked down the stairs. His white hair was still dirty from the smoke. Leaving a trail of dust as he stepped forward.

Keenio now stood before Selene, and her weight on her chest intensified. That deep out of pain in her heart.

"Y-your Keenio?" She said, "you have to be kidding..."

She inspected his hair, and drew close into his eyes, then she looked at the shape of his ears.

"What are you doing?"

Keenio was confused, with a slight cock of his head he raised his eyebrow in confusion. He felt almost violated by how close she looked, and how she inspected him

"Your ears are rounded like them, but your face... It's unmistakable..."

"What's wrong with my face?"

She put her hand in his hair, comparing it to something in her mind. Then she backed away.

"You're the king?!" She huffed, "well this makes things more difficult..."

Keenio pulled her hands away form him, and gave a serious unsure tone.

"What the hell are you doing?!" He asked, "this is no way to ask me for my audience.."

She stood back, and bowed.

"I'm sorry it's just strange, I didn't expect to see someone with Fae blood so far away from Elfame."

"Fae blood?" Keenio questioned, "I'm no fairy, I'm a human.."

"But your hair and your eyes, it means you are a member of the fae.. and not just any member of the fae... Your hair color suggests your a member of Queen Annaleece's family..."

"I don't know anyone by the name of  Annaleece... I'm sorry but you must be mistaken..."

"I'm sorry, but there is no mistaking it.."

She held her hand up, hovering it just away from his shoulder, not touching him, and she closed her eyes.

"You are definitely related to Annaleece in some way. There's no doubt. That aura, it feels like hers."

Keenio didn't understand. He knew of Annaleece, she was known as the one who helped Deimos obtain one of his relics. Much more, he was sure he was human. This girl made no sense to him.

"Just who the hell are you?"

"I, um..." She bowed again, "king Keenio, I am Selene Silver, I am the oldest daughter of Queen Annelece Silver of Elfame, queen of the Fae."

"Is that so?" Keenio scratched his chin, "and what does the queen need from the Xentidos? I'm certain she has members in our Avalon branch that she. She can call on, why seek out the Grandmaster?"

"Um.. Keenio," Veronica came up form behind him, "maybe you should bathe first then meet in the throne room.."

"..oh yeah... Fair point.." Keenio smirked, "eat, you look hungry, and in about an hour, I'll meet you in the throne room.." he looked to Elizabeth, "sister, could you take care of her till then? Make sure she is well protected, some of the elves may not be to keen on a fairy visiting us.."

"But they treat you like any other human Keenio, why would they treat me differently?"

"Because, I earned their trust, you haven't yet." He bluntly spoke, "besides, I'm a human, nothing more..."

"You don't have to be so rude Keenio..." Elizabeth frowned, "she came a long way to get here, and she's my friend.."

"All the more reason why I want to leave her in your care..." He huffed, "I will hear her out after I change..."

Keenio politely bowed, not wanting to disrespect the fairy, and made his way up the stairs, Veronica followed closely behind.

"Keenio, did you have to be rude?" Veronica spoke, as the cross past the rows of guest rooms, "Selene is a sweet girl..."

"..I'm sorry, I didn't mean it..." Keenio huffed, " I did apologize though..."

"Still.. you could be a little nicer to new people..."

"I..." He huffed again, "understand..."

They Arrived by Keenio's room, and they entered together.

"So, tell me more about this guest.."

Keenio unstrapped the leather that connected his metal pieces to his robes, and placed them on the table in the corner of his room. And then unfastened his robes. Every time Veronica saw those scars on his back, it left a cold chill donw her spine. But she liked looking at him.

"Well, I just met her when she was by the check-in station." She explained, "Elizabeth said she helped her allot in Avalon, and the two appeared close."

Listening to her, Keenio sat in his chair and undid his boots next, and put them to the side.

"I see..." He smirked, "Elizabeth has a friend outside of the Xentidos huh.."

"Yeah, Aiden was being, well, complicated like usual," she reached into the closet and tossed Keenio a thick blue bathrobe, "he even talked back to Elizabeth, when she said she would take care of her..."

"Is that so?"

He took off his pants next, and wrapped himself in the silk robe, and tied it around his body.

"Yeah, he made Elizabeth pissed off..."

"He must have a death wish then.." Keenio smirked, "I'll have to talk to him though, Elizabeth is an X-Rank member, and that means her orders are absolute unless I say otherwise..."

"Don't hurt him please.. he was just doing his job.."

"Don't worry, I'll just talk to him, after all, he is a friend."

"Thank you.."

"Don't worry about it.." Keenio smiled, "now, how about you head bacj ti the taveen floor, I'll take care of everything here.."

"I was planning to join Elizabeth there anyhow." She smiled, "she wants to show me some more of her sword techniques."

"That's good, I'm glad you are working hard to get stronger.."

Veronica made her way to the door, and turned back to Keenio.

"Oh, you should see the dress Elizabeth picked out for me when we go to the Great Ball in 3 days, I even got you a matching outfit ti go with me."

"Oh shit.. I forgot all about that..." He scratched his head.

"I knew you did," Veronica frowned, "you always forget.."

"I never mean to, I was just busy with the new robes I've been working on for Zalpa.."

"This year it's the uniform, last year it was the Chimera gauntlets" she teased him, "you're not missing this year's celebration..."

"I already apologized for last year," Keenio huffed, "several times.."

"Arg Keenio!!" She gave a playful shout and hit his shoulder, "I was just picking on you.."

Keenio smirked, and pulled her to him, kissing her deeply. Veronica kissed him just as deeply, and ran her hands up his waist, , and then she broke the kiss from pulling away, leaving him burning with desire for her, and she with him.

"Maybe later, if your good," she winked, "now hurry up Keenio, whatever Queen Annaleece sent Selene here for has to be important."

She left the room, and left Keenio alone in their room.

"Damn that girl, she drives me crazy..." Keenio shook his head and laughed, "..still, she has a point..."

He stood up from his bed, and exited the room too, then made his way further into he palace.

The bathing room was on the 4th floor, of the palace, as with everything the Xentidos had, it too ran from the crystal technology that the Atalnteans had in Deimos's time. The room was large, like that of an Olympic swimming pool, and the water was always full, warm, and soapy. It was accessible to anyone who stays at the palace. It was always so peaceful when Keenio went in. He felt like he could truly relax. There were even jets built into it, that would massage anyone who leaned against it. Truly a modern marvel.

Keenio leaned against the corner of the pool, after lathering and rensing, Keenio always enjoyed relaxing there. He even drifted into a calming nap. Looking up at the colorful lights generated from the crystals that decorated the ceiling.  This is what peace felt like.

Back at the tavern floor. Elizabeth was drinking Ale with Veronica and Selene. Theseus was somewhere in the kitchen area, making a thick burger from a cow.

The tavern was quiet and listening to the favorite bard tell a familiar story, one Elizabeth remembered well.

The song was about when Elizabeth and Keenio went to Sparta, and when Ahriman awakened. Everyone knew the story well. For Elise spun the tale thousands of times before.

Elise was beautiful, and all the drunken patrons whistled at her, for those dancing robes left little to the imagination, but yet were elegant and beautiful. Elise's long blonde poney tail and deep green eyes captivated the audience. All of Xenthos loved her voice, and the men enjoyed looking at her shapely body. She was also another one of Elizabeth's best friends.

Elise's voice was angelic, she moved like she was flowing through her own song. Her spirit while she performed was amazing, and her song, even the strongest men teared as they listened.

"What is that human?" Selene asked Elizabeth, "I've never heard a more pleasant voice.."

"Tha'd be th Bard Elise, she comes from a town in the north," a patron slured, "she has" he made provocative signs, acting like he was fondaling a chest that wasn't there, "she has a body like" he positioned his hands lower, acting like he was squeezing her thighs, "she be my woman one day" he hiccuped.

"Maybe you've had too much to drink sir.." Elizabeth stood up, "I think it's time to cut you off.."

Just then the man did the worst thing possible. So vile and just plain idiotic. He reached for Elizabeth's chest.

"You've got a very nice pair-"

Crash!!

As he reached out for Elizabeth, she quickly grabbed his hands by the wrists and flipped him over her shoulder.

Crash!!

He was face down on the stone floor of the tavern, unconscious. The remaining patrons looked at Elizabeth, then looked at the man, and laughed. Everyone knew not to even try to grope her. Elizabeth was still the strongest woman in all of Xenthos.

The tavern returned their attention to Elise, and continued listening to her songs. Not paying attention at all to the unconscious moron.