The grand meeting hall was the only place that was damaged during the attack. That's the way the attack was calculated.
In what little remained of the meeting hall, Fishy and Clara were both on their knees, deep in the hard rubble and smoke that gently settled around them, with the clouded rainy skies pouring into the collapsed building. The two moons above reflected some light into the city, but the heavy clouds showed no intention of letting it through.
People attempted to gather around the building, to see what was going on. But they were being kept at bay by the city's guards.
"I knew I wouldn't survive this long night." The elder, who was resting on the ground, clutching his chest which had collapsed on itself, spoke with tearful eyes.
"Fishy…" The Elder continued as he turned his head to look at him. "What you've done for us is far more than I could have ever asked. I knew I was right to make you the leader. Thank you for saving us."
Fishy raised a strong smile that matched The Elder's very own. But it was the one next to them that was unable to contain her face, not that anyone would force her to wear a false expression.
"Clara…" The Elder turned again, this time to face his only granddaughter, the person who he cared about most.
"Don't move," Clara said, helping him move in the rubble to sit up straight as he grunted in pain just from the slight movements. But the Elder was determined, his rough face staring her down as his pained eyes stared into Clara's soul.
"I'm afraid I lied to you. I'm not the person you thought I was."
"What do you mean?"
The Elder hesitated as he looked up at his granddaughter, who he thought of as nothing less than perfect.
"I was once a Celestial. I was the snail celestial and served alongside Beauty in the older generation. But I gave it up, so I could marry your grandmother, and raise your mother."
"I… I don't understand." Clara almost laughed at the absurdity of it. "Why joke at a time like this?"
"It's ok, Clara." The Elder tried to raise his frail hand onto his granddaughter's panicking frenzied face. "Your mother was a strong unchained girl, my only daughter. But, sadly I cannot tell you about your father, as even I do not know who he is. Your mother was only 16 when she gave birth to you, but we never found out who the father was. She was very rebellious, and would always shout and yell whenever we'd ask."
Clara looked at The Elder's face that warmed up with memories of his past. It even brought a smile back to her face.
"Only 5 months after you were born, your mother sadly had to leave you with me. A war arose in the world, and everyone fit and able was called up to fight. Your mother never made it back that day. It is the one day I regret the most. I gave up all magic for her, but if I had it, I could have protected her. I could have stopped the war."
Tears slowly began to roll down The Elder's face and drop off, breaking apart on the sharp rocks around.
"Your mother." He said through his tight throat and chest "In the 5 months she knew you. She loved you very much, far more than I ever did in these 20 years. Right now, I'm certain she's watching over you. As will I be."
"Don't say that!" Clara screamed at her Grandfather who just stared at her with relaxed eyes.
"You even have her perfect pink hair. You're just like her… but… I suppose you get your blue eyes from your dad…"
The area turned silent, with only the roaring flames of a few nearby debris and chatter from the gathered crowd speaking amongst themselves, unable to see inside the wreckage.
"I suppose you have tons of questions." The Elder glared at Fishy who had stayed patient.
"I don't want to be selfish."
"Ha!" The Elder let out a hefty laugh that seemed as if it would almost finish off his life with what little energy his lungs had left. "It wouldn't be you if you didn't ask me some questions."
Fishy hesitated before speaking, but decided to ask:
"What are the celestials? Who are they?"
"They were once normal people, like you and I. But I cannot say, I don't know the new ones. But, I do know about you."
Fishy's eyes widened as he understood the truth of The Elder's words.
"I know of where you came from, and your reason for being here."
"What do you mean?" Fishy asked, only to get a reply that dissatisfied him.
"Beauty was a good friend of mine." The Elder said. "I remember her first joining, and the pain she felt. You may feel indifferent about her, but she is stubborn and has her reasons for things, even if they are indirect. Babysitting her was always a pain."
"I don't really care for the reason I was brought here." Fishy suddenly spoke, although the Elder didn't seem surprised, and instead smiled as he listened. "As much as I want to, I can't change the past. But I promise I'll do what I can to make this place a place for all. A great place for everyone. And, I promise I'll protect Clara."
The Elder blankly smiled at Fishy as the last drops of life, which had been hanging on for a while, vanished.
"Thank you…" Were his last words, as a smile rose to his face, one filled with confidence and trust.
Clara's screams were the first to fill up the night. She charged into Fishy's chest as the tears and snot stained his clothes.
He placed his hand gently on her head, as he tried to hold back his own tears. But it was Clara's words that almost broke him.
"He didn't even get to see Christmas…"
They stayed there for a minute, muffling Clara's cries inside Fishy's clothes.
Ziu, Vogef and Ena eventually returned and started controlling the crowd, dismissing any rumours that the villages arose in their ignorance.
"Clara…" Fishy said as he slowly moved her off him, looking deeply into her blue eyes. "The most we can do is give him a proper place to rest."