No large note, but a continuation of Chapter 18.
As always:
"Speaking"
Individual thoughts/Mindscape talk with the twins
*Ability/Spell*
...
Right at the moment that Freya stopped dancing with Isaac.
"I can't believe she just did that," Bell whispered but soon felt eyes on him as well. He turned to see the Goddess of Beauty staring right at him. Shyly blushing, he turned away. Then all he saw was blue.
"Don't you dare look at Freya!" Hestia shouted, covering her precious child's face. "If you look at her, you'll fall under her spell and she'll gobble you up!"
Freya laughed freely, "Do you really think that poorly of me, Hestia?" Hestia just grumbled making that 'hum-hum-hum' noise when she gets upset with Bell. As much as it would be fun to talk smack about Freya, Hestia held her tongue and removed herself from Bell. The Goddess of Beauty cupped Bell's cheek, watching for his reaction. "Well, I'm off. I will see you again soon, my dear Bell. Oh, and tell Isaac I'll be seeing him and his sister again." The message was clear, they're mine, hands off.
At that moment, Bell found his attention pulled away when he saw her. The woman who made Bell's heart race. Ais Wallenstein. She was wearing a beautiful green dress that stretched down her body. Green sleeves crawled up her arms and ended just below her armpits. Around her neck was an emerald pendant that looked like a choker. The emerald rested just above her cleavage. The Sword Princess cleans up nice if Bell was being honest. The woman who saved him held his heart in her hands and she didn't even know it.
"Miss Ais…" Bell whispered.
Ais whispered back, "Bell," just as softly. The two of them were off in their own world as they appraised one another.
"Watch it rabbit," Loki grumbled, "Hands and eyes off my Aizu."
"Well, keep Wallenwhatsherfluzie away from my Bell," Hestia shot back.
And just like that, the two were at it again… Dia sighed, but went to go look for her child. Takemikazuchi was in the same boat, so he joined her.
It was only a few minutes later that Isaac and Mikoto joined the room again, embarrassed expressions on their faces and guilty ones on Dia and Takemikazuchi. Something happened there, but no one brought it to light, thankfully.
That changed when the two of them entered the dance floor, making Isaac look like quite the womanizer. The first was his Goddess, which can be given a pass, the second everyone wants to murder him for, and the third...
The third was his courted, and probably the moment the two of them have waited for all night. The looks on their faces were more peaceful than they have ever been, aside from their recent embarrassment. They were looking at one another like they were the only ones in the room. The way that the two of them were together made it seem like they were reincarnated souls who once knew each other and have found each other once more.
The mood of the room shifted to a slow melody. Off to the side, Isaac could see Hermes asking Ais to dance. Confused, he gently started guiding Mikoto over there. She saw it as well, "What is he-"
Hermes then made a gesture over to someone, and that someone was Bell. Isaac chuckled, "Heh, so even Hermes knows that Bell is smitten with her."
Mikoto made a light joke, "Yes, him and most of Orario."
"But you misunderstand, my dearest Mikoto," Isaac responded, not caring how he addressed her was far too intimate when he hasn't even begun courting her yet, "Bell brings out something in Ais, just watch."
The two twirled around once more, and Mikoto noticed what her Isaac was talking about. The small smile she had said it all. What the young easterling didn't catch was the way she addressed Isaac in her mind. "You were right… well, I hope Sir Bell and Lady Wallenstein get together."
"They'd make a great couple," Isaac laughed. He gently moved his hands to her waist, having danced in a formal pose most of the night, the exception being Freya. Mikoto's arms curled around his neck and her fingers interlocked at his nape. She was really tempted to reach for his ears. "I see that look, and while I want you to, you can't… not yet." She pouted for a moment. "She only got to because I was distracted, as much as I hate to admit it." He looked ashamed.
"Oh… don't worry, that time will come," Well, she can't exactly blame him, he had beauty incarnate grinding on him, but she could tell that he wasn't looking at Freya like that; with her though, his gaze felt kinder, gentler, and beneath it… was that love?
"I was hoping you were going to be the first to touch my ears like that…" he admitted in a shy, embarrassed voice.
Mikoto smiled and put her head on his chest, "Don't worry, we'll have plenty of firsts to share…"
Isaac laughed, the sound reverberating through his chest and into Mikoto's ear, the sound drawing a wide smile on her face. "That we will," I hope. "Now, should we go save Bell?"
Mikoto looked over to see Bell and Ais seemingly fumbling about. The shorter girl guided the much taller boy over to them before giving advice, "Don't step on her feet, and keep eye contact, Sir Bell."
"Eh?"
Isaac rolled his eyes, "Think of it like a battle. You move, your partner reacts." As an example, he gently dipped Mikoto, blushing. She, in turn, tightened her hold on his neck before he straightened her and spun her once, all while following the motions. He was aware of where his feet needed to go, where her feet were, and of the people around them. Obviously, bumping into someone was a risk, but can be avoided if one is aware of their surroundings. "You then react to their reaction, and the cycle continues."
With that, the two danced the night away. They wanted it to loop on repeat forever. However, that did not seem to last...
Remember Apollo, you know, the one hosting this ball?
Yeah, he decided to make his grand scheme known, just when Isaac had cooled down from his intimate dance session with Mikoto and Bell finally got to dance with the girl of his dreams. Why does it seem like everyone has it out for them?
Oh, wait.
They do.
Well, at least he had a plan if everything went sideways.
"If I can have your attention, please?" Apollo got the attention of everyone in the room, and he opened his mouth again, "I do hope everyone had enjoyed themselves, but I have lied about one thing. This party has a secondary meaning." He held his hands up, "Now now, I know you're thinking that I've deceived you. That is not the case. I have heard that someone harmed my precious children the other day."
Isaac quickly composed himself, keeping up the smile, but Bell looked confused. When the rabbit looked at Isaac, he was even more confused and lost.
"What was an oral argument turned physical when my poor child, Luan was hurt by none other than Bell Cranel and Isaac Vlahos!" Apollo accused.
Bell looked shocked, and he genuinely was, even Hestia spoke out in his defense, "Where is your proof?"
Just like a classic play, the lights shut off and only a spotlight remained. Isaac took this moment in the dark to turn out into the night and speak in his mind. He was prepared for this.
The spotlight landed on Luan, the Prum from the bar days prior. He was wrapped in a multitude of bandages and was using a crutch to support his right side. "As you can see, my fellow Deities and accompanying children, Luan has been injured severely, and look at his adorable face!"
Isaac had to punch his thigh to not break out into laughter at this poor excuse of an accusation. Most were glaring in Isaac's direction. Dia had found her way to her child's side, looking fearful. Did her child do this? "Explain, now!" She hissed in his ear.
A glint appeared in his eye as the light turned on, "Don't worry, I prepared for this outcome and I'm about to prove them wrong, right?"
A similar glint of understanding passed in Dia's eye, "Fine."
Hestia's voice carried over, "My Bell would never do that!"
"Isaac only acts in defense of his friends," Dia added, having to play the angry Goddess.
Apollo grinned, but it was predatory, "Well apparently you are unaware of your children's antics. Tell them, Luan."
Does he not realize that if he lies, literally every Deity will know? Isaac thought internally.
Luan proceeded to spit out some piss poor excuse, and that's when Apollo laid down his plan, "I demand compensation! I challenge both the Hestia and Dia Familias to a War Game!"
Mikoto looked to Isaac, gauging his reaction, and when he saw him smiling, she became confused. All the Gods and Goddesses salivated at the thought of a War Game. They didn't see Isaac's smile, except for one Goddess.
Because to them, this was entertainment. This is what they wanted when they came to Gekai.
However, one person's laughter came through it all. He was bent over holding onto his stomach. Hestia and Bell and literally everyone else, except he and Dia, were confused and shocked.
The members of the Apollo Familia present looked on like he was crazy, but they just signed their own final notice.
"I hope you're ready to rescind those words after this," Isaac's voice was low, but he had a menacing grin on his face. Putting his thumb and middle finger in his mouth and turning to the balcony, he whistled.
Nothing happened for three seconds.
Until a bag came flying through the room and Isaac leaped a couple of feet off the ground to catch it, before landing with a slight bend of the knees. "So, before you entertainment starved Gods and Goddesses get all hopped up on the prospect of a War Game, I'd like to present evidence from that night." His grin turned feral, "Oh, dearest sister, would you please come to help your wonderful brother with the evidence?"
The doors to the ballroom opened and in stepped a singular figure, and she was beautiful.
The dress had Amaryllis patterns on the dress, reaching the floor, a deep green that matched Isaac's vest, and a beautiful green veil covering her face. On the back were subtle outlines of fairy wings, a detail she will notice later, and three-inch heels with multiple cross straps. Irene Vlahos has entered the building, ladies and gentlemen. "You called, dearest brother?" Her ears even twitched in excitement under the veil.
Isaac smirked, An excellent throw by the way.
It would have been cooler if I had just thrown it without the whistle, Irene chided, smile in place.
It worked, either way, he responded.
"What is the meaning of this?" Apollo exclaimed.
Irene gently took control of the room, "Well, I'm here to expose your lies, Master Apollo." A gasp rang throughout the room, accusing a God of lying is serious. Of course, if it was to other Gods, that's one thing. If it is to a mortal, who holds Gods to a higher standard, well… the repercussions fall on the God, it doesn't matter if it was for entertainment. "Let's start off with the fact that Luan was slandering Lady Hestia and Bell, and me in front of our faces. Isaac had attempted to diffuse the situation by telling him to stop. He did not. Of course, a fight did break out and I will admit that it was our fault that it ha-"
Apollo interrupted, "All the more reason for me-"
Irene's glare from under the veil was tame compared to the intent she released, giving the entire room a shiver, some took pleasure from it more than others… "I do not appreciate the interruption, now be a great host and let your guest finish their side of the story," Irene said.
Isaac bit his lip in order to hold back his snicker. He failed as Irene cast a glance at him, but he only shrugged.
Nahza and Mikoto looked on with a shiver of their own. The chienthrope leaned down to Mikoto, "They're level three right?"
"Yes, both Lady Irene and Sir Isaac are level three," Mikoto confirmed.
"They feel like they're higher than that, at least level five, maybe six," Nahza shivered.
Irene continued, "The bag that Isaac is holding are written witness accounts of what happened that night. Whatever story your Captain spun you are not the true events. Isaac?"
Isaac reached into the pouch and pulled out a letter and began reading, "'At first, the members of Apollo Familia were relaxing and sitting at their table, and when the white-haired rabbit mentioned he was getting close to level three—congrats, by the way—did the Prum get up and start accusing him of cheating. The male elf of the group being accused,' that's me by the way, 'told him off by telling the four to come to give their child a bottle.'" That did get a few snickers from the room. "'The male elf told them that he didn't want it to escalate to a fight, as Dea Saint would have their asses if he or the female elf got into a bar fight.'"
"The point?" Apollo asked bitterly.
"It gets better, patience is a virtue, after all. Take notes, Lord Apollo," Irene smirked, enjoying this.
"'Even after that, the Prum continued to insult them, calling the red-head a worthless smith, the small girl a shrimp, and then addressed the Titans mockingly. It didn't matter if they were from different familias, they all enjoyed one another's company. It was only when the Prum insulted the rabbit's Goddess, degrading her dignity, calling her an embarrassment. After that, it fell apart from there, all I saw was the redhead mishandle his drink onto the Prum. At that point, I hid behind the bar.' That was the bartender from Hibachitei, giving an eyewitness account. There's more to his testament but we'd be here all night." Isaac cleared his throat, before folding up the letter again.
"This proves nothing!" Apollo shouted, sweating bullets.
Irene grinned just as much, if not more, feral than Isaac, "Oh? Then how about fifteen other letters that depict the same events. They dispute your claim and utterly destroy it. If Luan is as injured as he says he is, then shouldn't he have gone to a healer? If he has, then does Amid know about it? Is there another clinic that we are unaware of? Or did one of his Familia members heal him? Cause all I see is a lying, manipulative God."
"Is this how you raise your children, Dia?" Apollo turned to their Goddess, deflecting the claim, which was further driving the nails into his coffin.
Hermes watched with a keen eye, pleased with how events are going. He didn't expect this turnabout, but he's rolling with it. They certainly have her tendencies. Asfi rolled her eyes but was secretly enjoying the sight before her.
Hestia was looking back and forth, not having expected them to come to her defense so readily. The blue-eyed loli looked over to Isaac, who had a massive smile on his face, and wondered when he had the time to do this; gathering this information.
Loki had a smirk on her face, whether it be at the prospect of a War Game or how they are schooling Apollo, was uncertain.
Dia listened with a content smile, "Oh? I didn't raise them, they did this on their own, only informing me of this possibility that you'd be this idiotic. Isaac warned your Captain that if he tried this, it wouldn't end well. Isaac, hand Apollo the letters, let him read a few."
"As you wish, Lady Dia," Isaac bowed to her. Every step he took, his intent rose, making a certain Goddess lick her lips and a certain Warlord eye him curiously. All the other Gods and Goddesses watched with the intent of being entertained. They were murmuring about how much power he had. Irene's intent entered the mix and soon the conversation shifted again.
"Oh, Ottar, isn't this wonderful? What an unexpected turn of events!" Freya lightly bounced on her heels, feeling like a child, clinging to the Boaz.
"Indeed, Lady Freya," was his response. These two bring out reactions from her that I have never seen before.
Isaac reached the top step and saw the Captain glaring at him. "I warned you, so if this War Game does go through, I'm getting the opportunity of kicking your ass seven ways to Sunday. I promise you that much." He held out the bag to Apollo. "If you rip this bag or destroy any of the letters, that is you saying you deny our evidence—rejecting our claim—reinforcing your lie and therefore making your challenge of a War Game void. I will take this up with the Guildmaster should you do so." The elf handed the letter he was reading directly to Apollo, the hidden meaning of Isaac's words making the God sweat, "Start with that one. Oh, and I have copies of that, word for word, just in case. I wanted to read more, but as I said, we'd be here all night, as someone there has an eidetic memory, so their letter was fifteen pages, single-spaced."
He descended the steps and returned to his sister's side. "Well done," Irene complimented.
Wait for it…
"Did you have to be so menacing?"
...There it is.
"Abso-friggin-lutely," Isaac admitted without a shred of shame.
Apollo became paler and paler as he read the letters, and the Apollo Members were glaring as well. The twins arched an eyebrow, daring them to challenge. "They still attacked my children!"
"Bell was in far worse condition, but have you checked the bottom of the bag?" Irene asked. "I stopped by Twilight Manor. There happened to be a high-ranking member present. Vanargand. I personally asked him for a recount of the events, so if you deny that, then you'll be going against a first-class adventurer's word, a Loki Familia member to boot. So, do you rescind your challenge?"
Everyone in the room was stunned. Loki still had to deal with Bete, but she was surprised he went along with this. Always knew he was a tsundere. There was not a single lie from the Vlahos twins. The Gods confirmed it. Even if their argument had holes—which it did, because some things can still be refuted—but they were honest. They didn't fabricate this, they were thorough with their evidence. They all looked to Apollo to see his reaction. That also meant that Luan was lying about his injuries, as most Gods already figured out.
Isaac added one last bomb with a nod from Dia, who confirmed it with Hestia, "Oh, and both our Familias are in an alliance. So, if you only challenged one of us, you would have gotten both of us anyway."
That set everyone off.
"Silence!" Apollo roared. His hands were wrinkling the paper, but he calmed. "Even still, you have not denied that you harmed by children."
"Incorrect, we never participated. We only threatened Hyakinthos when he was choking Bell. Sorry to bring it up," the twins turned to Bell, " but he was going to kill you. So, in all honestly, we have the grounds to challenge you, Master Apollo," Irene said. "You harmed a party member of ours, a friend, and I'm taking exception to that."
Again, no lies were found.
"So, Lord Apollo, what'll it be?" Isaac held his hands out in a grand gesture. He then went to Mikoto's side, "I apologize for not telling you about this, but we needed everyone's genuine reaction, even Bell's."
"I am not rescinding the challenge," Apollo said plainly, sending an outroar to the crowd. Freya had lost her jovial mood and had started glaring at Apollo with how he dared called her beloveds liars.
"Ottar," she whispered to her bodyguard, "what would it take to release a pack of Minotaurs in here?"
"That would be unwise, Lady Freya," Ottar said, knowing his lady's intentions. Freya pouted.
"Oh well, he'll get what is coming to him soon enough, and I cannot wait to see what they'll do…" Freya said, "Fufufu, they will indeed."
No one heard the Goddess of Beauty, thankfully. ""Oh?"" Dia and Hestia asked. The two looked to one another and nodded, ""We refuse your challenge.""
That shocked everyone again, and the night became a remembrance day. "Isaac, Irene, let's go home."
"Come on, Bell!" Hestia shouted.
"G-Goddess!"
""Yes, Lady Dia,"" the twins responded. They both flanked Dia's left and right, locking an arm. One would think Isaac would be in the middle, but he was letting Dia have this. That, and he didn't want to be in the middle anyway.
"Mikoto, I'll make up those dances with you sometime, rain check?" Isaac asked as she followed.
"You better!" She said. She had more to say when she felt lips on her forehead.
Isaac smiled lovingly at her, "Good because that'll be an unforgettable night."
Her hands went to her forehead, blushing for the umpteenth time that night.
No one knew what tomorrow would bring.
"Was that a good idea to refuse his challenge?" Hestia asked the group as they left Apollo's ball.
Dia answered her fellow Goddess, "Yes, because on the grounds where we injured his children were unfounded. In all rights, we reserve the right to challenge them as Issac said. He insulted you, belittled you, and harmed your own child. That in itself is grounds for compensation, within reason, obviously."
"How are you three holding up?" Hestia turned to the three mortals.
Irene pouted, "I wanted to spend more time in this dress. I really loved the design and I'm pretty sure I fell in love at first sight."
"Who said the night was over?" Isaac grinned. "Just because we left the party doesn't mean the party's over. We bring the party wherever we go." He then turned to Bell, "What about you, did you enjoy dancing with the Sword Princess?"
"You danced with Ais?!" Irene exclaimed.
Bell flushed bright red, "Yeah, it was her first dance actually…"
Isaac, without missing a damn beat, "You took her dancing virginity, nice." That got him two slaps upside the head. "Worth it."
The two females of Dia Familia rolled their eyes.
Isaac continued, "Still, did you enjoy the dance?"
Bell smiled, nodding, but then immediately turned it on Isaac, "What about you? I heard you were quite the envy of everyone."
Isaac rolled his eyes, he does realize that dancing with a Goddess of Beauty made me the number one target? "Yeah, not to mention that Freya tried to charm me." He put his hand on his head, "It hurt more than anything though."
"Wait!" Hestia exclaimed, "You're telling me that she tried to charm you and you're still sane?!" The Goddess of the Hearth thought that once charmed, they were her playthings.
Isaac scratched his head, "I don't know, but I don't think I felt more ashamed when she touched my ears." His one hand going to the aforementioned ear, not noticing Irene's frown. "She should know that elves don't take too kindly to that. That's what bugged me more than anything else. The dance with her was fine, great even, but I was uncomfortable when she tried grinding on me…"
"Aren't you the playboy?" Irene teased, her frown lessened, but ever-present. Wow, sounds like you had an eventful evening, but from the sounds of it, Lady Hestia hasn't told Bell about our skill and its effects. "How are you sane?" Go along with it.
Dia saw the mental conversation taking place, how their eyes were glancing at one another, but keeping up with the conversation. "Let's have this conversation elsewhere, in my home. You never know who's watching."
Everyone readily agreed to it and soon found themselves inside of Dia's Complex. Once they checked all of the windows, they all sat on the couch. "Alright, I'm just going to say it. Isaac and I have a skill that makes us immune to charm." Irene coming out with a bombshell right out of the gate.
Hestia's eyes widened and her irises shuddered, they haven't told...
"We just got it recently, for reasons beyond our comprehension. But it responds to the user's desires, whatever that may be. Protection, aspirations to be something greater, or whatever drives them forward. Its growth is dependent on the user's will," Isaac explained while giving Bell a curious glance.
Of course, the twins noticed his rapid growth, and with Bell mentioning his desire to be a hero… it's not too far-fetched to think that Bell has the skill. Adding on to the evidence, he's almost to level three in a month, whereas it takes adventurers years to hit there, just like the twins.
Are they jealous? No, not at all. They will level when the time is right and all that matters is making sure that they stay alive. After tonight, they will not be surprised if someone from the Apollo Familia tries to kill them. When they attack and fail, there will be bones broken in self-defense, of course. Isaac particularly wants to break Hyakinthos's bones for being such a prick. That, and he radiates jealousy. Irene will defend those she holds dear, and those in her party as well. In short, retribution.
Dia gently tapped Hestia's shoulder, "You and I need to talk." The two Goddess headed to the kitchen and before Hestia could speak, Dia did, "Why haven't you told him about Liaris Freese?"
"You knew?"
Dia rolled her eyes, "Let me tell you something. Someone doesn't grow to almost level three in mere months… That and you know now that my children have the same skill. That was why he was able to avoid Freya's charm. You, me, and Loki all knew she was trying to charm him, but couldn't, as long as his goals and desires remain ironclad."
"Bell… is the same. Ever since Wallenwhatsherfluzie saved him from a Minotaur on the fifth floor," Hestia admitted softly.
"Well, on the bright side, we'll have three adventurers with a unique skill," Dia smiled.
"Yeah, we will," Hestia said.
Dia noticed that she still seemed upset, "What is it?"
"Do you think we made the right decision to reject Apollo's War Game challenge?" Hestia asked the question that had slowly weighed on her mind all night, well, since they left the ball. They haven't even changed out of their dresses for Pete's sake!
"If Apollo attempts anything, the twins will handle it. After all, I've seen them spar with one another. They sometimes move too fast for me, but they are definitely level fours in terms of battle hardness," Dia gently explained. "Since you seem so worried, you and Bell will be guests tonight. If you want, we could go get you clothes for the next few weeks?"
"No no no, I will not be a leech to you!" Hestia exclaimed.
"Everything alright in here?" Irene peered around the corner. Dia sighed, explaining the situation. "Lady Hestia, please stay here, it'll be nice for Isaac to have another guy in the house."
"I heard that!" he shouted.
"You were supposed to~," Irene said back in a sing-song voice.
With Hestia's will crumbled, the group all retired for the night, unaware of what waited for them.
The next morning was all normal for the twins. They got up, showered, cooked, and roused everyone else up. They ate together, shared their plans for today, and then got ready to depart, but right as Hestia was heading out the door, Isaac grabbed her by the collar and yanked her back, just as a boulder crashed through the door.
Isaac immediately hardened his face, as did Irene. "Dia, please stay inside. Hestia, you too. Irene, it looks like the ass-kicking is starting early. Let it be known who threw the first attack."
Isaac no longer stood there, it was Harpe. "Understood," Irene had morphed into Aspis, her staff in hand.
"Didn't you learn a shadow spell in your musings?" Harpe asked.
Aspis grinned, making Bell sweatdrop, "I did indeed, shall I begin?"
"You shall."
A magic circle appeared under Aspis's feet, a violet circle, and she began chanting, "The monsters of the night, heed my call. I request passing to the Great Beyond. Let my enemies know true fear. Phobos, I call upon thee, cast us into the shadows!"
This was new. Bell knew of her one spell, the Keys to the Kingdom. The fact that Irene knew this intermediate-level spell meant she was absorbing at a fair rate. It looked like Welf was right, she is an all-around mage.
From the outside, they saw nothing, only the smoke. Members of the Apollo Familia surrounded Dia's Complex. They knew that they would come here, which they had to be slightly more mindful of their surroundings, but no doubt that crash has alerted the locals.
*Fissure!*
The sound of Harpe's voice broke the silence as sharp rocks flew in a multitude of directions, all scrapping the unprepared members of the Apollo Familia. The one in charge, an elf, had the backline mages prepare a spell to completely level the house. "On my Command!"
*Shadow Concealment!*
Aspis's voice carried over the elf's, then they saw a puff escape the door, and then members began getting cuts on their legs, immobilizing them. They were not fatal wounds. They have no desire to kill.
"You know, you have made a big mistake," Harpe's voice floated next to the ear of the elf. They swung their weapon, missing. To their left, "You attacked our home, and for what?" Another swing and a miss. "All because your God didn't like being denied?!" Swing and a miss. A flash of silver appeared in front of their face, and cuts appeared on their wrists, dropping their weapon. Harpe's voice was like a ghost whispering into their soul, "Have you ever heard of the story of the Baba Yaga?"
The elf's eyes widened before all they felt was a solid hit to the head, knocking them unconscious.
"It's open season on these poor saps! Let the record show that you attacked first!" Harpe's voice carried over the area.
Meanwhile, Aspis was taking down the mages and backlines with her shurikens, throwing them to disable, not kill. She easily could, but even she doesn't have the heart to kill someone being ordered to do this. Even if they took it with pride, she wouldn't.
One might be wondering what the spell did. That's simple really.
While Irene was reading up on spells, thanks to heading over to Twilight Manor in her spare time before the Ball, she came across a spell about shadow magic in a book from the library that Riveria allowed her access to. Dark magic, to be precise. Now, this 'Dark Magic' was not the forbidden magic like the trope. This type of magic deals with illusions. While not a trickster herself, this shadow manipulation/illusion-type magic piqued her interest greatly. So, when she read it, she chose to memorize the chant. This was her first time casting it, so she was unaware of its duration, but it should be longer than she thought, considering her status. The spell itself morphs the shadows around the user and who they deem to be their allies and covers them in shadows, reflecting light, ergo, making them 'invisible'.
The best part, this side of Dia's Complex was covered in shadows and shade, meaning that the spell was very, very effective. Most of the Apollo members fled in fear. Some heard Harpe's declaration of the Baba Yaga and they may have realized that they trodded on the toes of slumbering Titans.
The Titans took large exceptions to that.
...
Shadow Concealment: This spell allows the shadows to reflect light around the user and their allies rendering them invisible to most. They do not have to be of the same Falna for this to work. This duration is affected by the user's level, Power, and Magic stats. If the user has the development ability Mage, the duration is doubled. Chant- The monsters of the night, heed my call. I request passing to the Great Beyond. Let my enemies know true fear. Phobos, I call upon thee, cast us into the shadows!
So yeah, the Apollo Familia has done an oopsie. I was happy with the evidence scene, and I recognize that when the twins told the truth, they told their truth. Not anyone else's. That's why it was honest.