Long ago, in a time truly not so different from now. There was a little girl being raised by a couple of nymphs. She was not of their kin and was still naive and blind to the darkness that could lurk in their world.

For this reason, when a boy from the Other Side asked her to play, she did not think twice of saying yes, for her family always said to be kind and caring towards others, no matter what their kin, and that strangers were just friends you just hadn’t gotten to know yet.

She played with him every day while her guardians were out doing their daily chores for the rulers of their magical land.

The two children played for a while until one day the boy suggested a game of hide and seek. The girl agreed happily, seeing as this was her favorite game, and quickly closed her eyes to begin counting.

She’d barely made it to two when she was struck in the back of the head.

Later, when she was starting to regain consciousness, the girl felt something cold touch her skin, which makes her wake slowly. “Mommy?” She croaks out.

“Sorry, but no child.” A man’s voice says, putting on a smile to try and convey safety to the girl. “You were attacked as you were playing with my son. We brought you to our home to keep you safe. I do hope you don’t mind.”

“Why?” She asks, sitting up slowly. “Why wouldn’t you take me to my mommy?” There was a sudden shift in the man.

“Because. The people of your world hate people like us. My son, myself, and others of our kin.”

The girl gasps. “Why? You seem so nice! You saved me!” She tries to defend but the man just shakes his head.

“I know, I know. But.. once they know that you’ve been in contact with me or my son, They’ll have no choice but to kill us. And hurt you for breaking a rule you didn’t even know about.” He takes a sip of his tea. “That doesn’t seem fair, now does it?” He uses his cup to hide his growing smirk.

“NO! Not at all!” The girl cries out, nearing tears. “If-If they’re going to do such a thing then… then I just won’t go back! And we all can be safe. Right?” The man nods.

“Very much so, my dear. Oh, and where are my manners? I haven’t even asked you your name.” The girl smiles at his words.

“My name is Cassandra.” There was a glint of radiant gold in the girl’s eyes as she announces her name to the two males.

“Ah, what a beautiful name.” He pauses. “However, is alright if we call you something else? We can’t have those bad people finding you now can we?”

Cassandra gasps. “Of course! I don’t want them to find me!” The man nods and then looks to his son, who’d be quietly watching everything unfold.

“Abraham. What shall we rename this lovely girl?” Abraham pauses and thinks for a moment.

“Clara.” He says in a short manner.

“Clara.” The man hums. “Yes. I like that. What do you think of that, Clara?” The girl nods.

“That sounds like a lovely name!” She smiles brightly.

“Good.” The man turns to his son. “Abe. Take her to your room. I hope you won’t mind sharing, dear.” Cassandra, now Clara, shakes her head and follows Abraham to his room. “This will be your bed.” He mutters, pointing to the bed on the right.

“Thank you.” She sits to test out her new bearings. Abraham sits across from her on the other bed.

They sit in silence for what feels like forever until Abraham speaks up. “It is rude to stare.” Clara gasps inwardly.

“I’m sorry. I just really like your face.” She says, making Abraham shake his head.

“You shouldn’t like me. My father just wants you to like me. So we can get married or, whatever.” He grumbles.

“Why?” She asks, tilting her head.

“Because.” He bites. “My father says I’ll die alone if I don’t marry a girl from the other side.” She blinks, still slightly lost.

“Then, I’ll marry you.” He lifts an eyebrow at her words.

“Really?” He asks in a much softer voice than before.

She nods and walks over to him, kneeling by his side. “Mommy always said to help others and to make them happy. And if marrying you will make you happy then I can do that. Besides,” She lays her head on his knee and looks up at him. “We’re friends now. And friends help friends.” He slowly nods.

“Yeah.” He slowly pets her head. “Friends help friends. Always.”

What Clara hadn’t realized was that she had just made an unbreakable pact with someone she was intended to fear, and not to love.

As the years passed, the two grew up and were married by the power vested in Abraham’s father, but also at the cost his life, leaving the two to live alone in that little wooden cottage.

Then, two years into their marriage Clara gave birth to a set of twins, later to be known as the Celestial Twins. They’ve been heavily sought out and are thought to be the only ones they can stop the now raging war between the mystical and the hunters. But, like most things, many think they’ve been lost in time. Like dust blown through the wind.