The forest of the Trial of Unity faded, its glowing trees dissolving into motes of light as Ériu led Kael and his harem back to the palace's central courtyard. The space was a marvel of Sidhe craftsmanship, an open expanse surrounded by arches of woven crystal that shimmered like frozen rainbows. The ground was a carpet of soft, silver grass that glowed faintly, reflecting the eternal twilight of the Otherworld, and at the center stood a long table of white wood, its surface inlaid with pearls that gleamed like tiny moons. Above, the sky was a tapestry of stars that moved in slow, hypnotic patterns, casting a gentle light over the scene. The air was warm, filled with the scent of honeyed nectar and blooming flowers, and the faint sound of a Sidhe harp drifted through the courtyard, its melody both haunting and joyous.
Ériu gestured to the table, her golden hair catching the starlight, her violet eyes warm with hospitality. "Tonight, we celebrate your victory in the Trial of Unity," she said, her voice a melody that seemed to dance with the harp's song. "The Feast of Starlight is a Sidhe tradition, a moment of joy amidst trials. Rest, eat, and strengthen the bonds that will carry you through what lies ahead."
Kael sat at the head of the table, the Gáe Bolg leaning against his chair, its runes glowing softly in the starlight. He couldn't help but marvel at the spread before him—platters of golden fruits that shimmered like sunlight, crystal goblets filled with a sparkling liquid that tasted like laughter, and delicate pastries that melted on the tongue, leaving a hint of sweetness and magic. Sidhe attendants, their forms graceful and ethereal, moved silently among the guests, refilling goblets and offering smiles that were both warm and enigmatic.
"This is… incredible," Kael said, taking a sip from his goblet, the liquid sending a pleasant warmth through him. "Back home, a feast was pizza and soda. This feels like I'm dining with the stars."
Aífe, seated to his left, smirked as she tore into a piece of fruit, her blue eyes glinting with amusement. "Don't get too comfortable, Kael," she said, her tone teasing. "This food might be magic, but it won't make you any better in a fight."
Kael grinned, nudging her with his elbow. "Says the woman who just ate three of those pastries," he shot back, earning a playful glare from Aífe, though her smirk softened into a smile.
Brigid, to Kael's right, laughed softly, her fiery red hair glowing in the starlight, her green eyes bright with joy. "The Sidhe know how to weave magic into everything," she said, holding up a goblet, the liquid inside sparkling like a galaxy. "This nectar—it's infused with the essence of starlight. It strengthens the spirit, helps us heal from the trials."
Morrígan, seated across from Kael, sipped her goblet with a measured grace, her crimson eyes scanning the courtyard, her crows perched on the arches above. "A wise tradition," she said, her voice low but approving. "The Sidhe understand the value of unity—and the need to fortify it before the storm. The Unnamed's shadow looms closer with each trial."
Ériu took her seat at the table's other end, her presence a radiant anchor, her violet eyes filled with a quiet warmth as she watched the group. "The Feast of Starlight is a moment of peace," she said, her voice soothing. "But it is also a preparation. The trials ahead will test you further, Kael Lughson. Tonight, let your bonds grow stronger."
The feast continued, the Sidhe attendants bringing out new dishes—roasted nuts that crackled with a faint magical energy, a salad of leaves that glowed like emeralds, and a dessert of tiny cakes that shimmered with a frosting of starlight. Kael found himself relaxing, the tension of the trials melting away under the warmth of the starlight and the laughter of his harem. He watched as Aífe challenged a Sidhe noble to an arm-wrestling match, her competitive spirit earning cheers from the crowd, and smiled as Brigid taught a group of Sidhe children a healing chant, her gentle nature drawing them in like moths to a flame. Morrígan, ever the observer, shared a quiet conversation with Ériu, their voices low as they discussed the Unnamed's growing influence.
As the night wore on, Kael stood, raising his goblet to the group. "To us," he said, his voice carrying over the courtyard. "We've made it this far together, and we'll keep going—trials, Fomorians, rogue gods, whatever. I'm lucky to have you all."
Aífe raised her goblet, her blue eyes warm with a rare softness. "To us," she echoed, her voice firm. "And to kicking Fomorian butt."
Brigid's smile was radiant, her green eyes shining as she raised her goblet. "To us," she said, her voice a melody. "And to the light that guides us."
Morrígan's crimson eyes met Kael's, a rare warmth in her gaze as she raised her goblet. "To us," she said, her voice steady. "And to the battles we will win."
Ériu's violet eyes glowed with pride as she raised her goblet, her voice resonating with the starlight. "To us," she said. "And to Ériu's future."
The courtyard erupted in cheers, the starlight above flaring brighter, as if the Otherworld itself celebrated their unity. Kael felt a surge of hope, his harem's support a shield against the darkness to come.