It was a command, like a direct order no one could disobeyed. The trio stared at her in shock as the green aura around her intensified, Maeve looked even more surprised than the others as she stared in disbelief.
"Diana..." She wheezed breathlessly and Dimitri stepped forward before her
"Hey....um.... calm down okay, look... we're not fighting anymore." He assured as he approached with caution but Diana only snarled at him
"You all need to stop acting like you own my life okay! Whatever I do from here on out is none of your business." She said with finality
It suddenly dawned on them that Diana had not realized the change in her aura and the spark in her eyes. Maeve immediately snapped out her trance and moved towards her daughter.
"My dear....calm down. Let's not result in petty fights while our guests are here." She said softly but in a warning tone
The green aura disappeared almost immediately and Diana stood straight, her expression angry as she adjusted her robe while the others breathed in silent relief. Without exchanging words with them, she put up a smile and walked back into the garden.
Dimitri glared at his father, "This isn't over yet." He assured and rushed after Diana
Maeve stood beside Cassius who looked confused.
"That can't be right ..... right?" He stared at his wife in disbelief but Maeve's expression showed just how worried she was.
"We'll just have to hope for the Moon goddess to be merciful towards us." She said softly and patted him on the back
Cassius sighed and held her hand for reassurance as they both stared up at the moon which was beginning to form a full circle.
"Diana, wait." Dimitri grabbed her hand and she turned to him with a frown which made his chest ache.
"I'm sorry okay, please don't be mad at me....I just want what's best for you." He said softly
Diana stared at him for what seemed like ages before the lines on her forehead loosened and the usual soft look returned to her face.
"It's fine...." Then she stopped and shook her head, "No...I should be apologizing instead, I shouldn't have gotten angry, you were only looking out for me... I'm sorry Dimitri." She said softly and he smiled in response.
"We stay together..... remember, we're the strongest together." He said as he gripped her hands firmly
Diana had a comical look on her face, "I mean.... technically we're not as strong as the Toga brothers." She pointed out and Dimitri rolled his eyes
"Seriously.....now? I'm trying to make us feel good here, give me some credit."
Diana laughed and pulled him for a hug
"I love you twin." She said with her eyes closed
"I know..." Dimitri smirked and Diana elbowed him. He groaned and disengaged from the hug while Diana gave him a fierce look before skipping off to join her friends who have been looking everywhere for her.
A figure in the red cloak stood watching in the shadows, his eyes fixed on Dimitri who stood watching Diana then he tensed and whirled around sharply, his eyes glowing.
It suddenly felt like something was breathing down his neck, this cold feeling like he was being watched by something dark. But as he looked around, he saw no one, the bloodlust he felt earlier faded away.
He straightened up and his eyes returned back to normal but the glint in his eyes didn't fade off. He gave the environment a final glance and went back to join the party.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please." King Cassius stood on the platform and faced the sea of smiling faces, he cleared his throat and continued.
"I thank you all for gracing this occasion with your presence. The House of Stormborn shows its appreciation." He said and bowed. The crowd erupted in applause and cheers
"Tonight, we gather again to witness the coming of age of two promising youngsters. My very own children, Diana and Dimitri Stormborn."
Cheers and applause rented the air and the twins stepped onto the platform. They bowed to Cassius first then faced the crowd and bowed.
Maeve smiled from where she stood, her fingers absentmindedly caressing the pendant she wore on her neck.
"It'll work out...." She mumbled faintly
The Luminar Orb was placed in front of the twins. The Orb was the instrument needed to showcase the level of power gifted to them. By now the moon was almost at its peak and the guests looked on in anticipation.
Diana looked calm on the outside but she was seriously crashing out inside, nervous wasn't even enough to explain how she felt at the moment.
She looked over at Dimitri and wasn't surprised to see him so calm, she suddenly felt the urge to go over and smack him. How could he be so calm in this once in a lifetime moment?
Now the Luminarians all have two significant powers. One you get when you're born and the other was gifted to you by the moon goddess when you turn twenty like now.
It was considered the peak moment of every Luminarian over their hundreds of years of living. And now they were about to witness this event.
A horn sounded followed by the thunderous sound of a drum which played on continuously as the Holy Men chanted the Holy Mantra known to be a special prayer to the Moon goddess.
The twins were each given a small knife with which they would use to draw blood from their palm and then place it on the Orb.
The drumming stopped just as the Holy Men finished the chant, Cassius gave a nod and Dimitri stepped forward first, his knife ready. He stared back at Diana who looked nervous and he gave an encouraging smile before he faced the Orb which was beginning to thrum ominously, it resonated with the aura Dimitri gave off.
He slit his palm and blood spilled out slowly, he waited for a while and the blood began to drip from his fingers then he placed it on the Orb. It shook for a few seconds, the light inside it seeming to grow brighter and brighter.
The guests looked on in wonder. This event may have been witnessed over a thousand times but it never ceased to impress whoever was present.
Dimitri closed his eyes as he felt a new energy sip into him, it was like throwing a fish back into the sea when it had been on land for an hour. The energy filled him with so much power he never could imagine would be his and in that split second Dimitri was no longer in the garden filled with guests. Images flashed in his mind, some were memories of when he was young others seem strange to him, foreign and it made him wonder if he was seeing a sliced part of the future.
Then it appeared, not as a flash this time. It stayed and played on as though the moon goddess wanted him to see the grave situation he was about to plunge into. He felt as if someone had driven a hot stake into his heart as he stared at the image of Diana, limp and covered in blood....her blood.