Van, Scarlet and Aya were speechless. After hearing from Freyja and Avice, it was hard for them to digest everything. Although they were making speculations and to some extent, expecting such revelations, hearing it with their own ears felt a lot different than what they prepared for.
"Apparently, the celestial guardians are also called 'dragons' by non-celestials because of their shape-shifting characteristics that often resemble that of the humans' dragons. The five of them, and me share the same memory." Freyja explained. "But really, you can't remember anything before I was born?" She turned to Avice in disbelief.
Avice shook his head. "It is our nature. We, guardians are different from normal celestials. Our sole purpose is to serve the ruling monarch. That's why the moment our master dies, our memories too, dissipate. This is to assure that we will be loyal to our current master. That's why right now, we only remember what you once saw and experienced yourself, Lenfi. You already got Astrid and Aria's memories. And now, mine."
Hearing that fact bothered Freyja to no end. Although she can tell that the Avice and the other guardians have no qualms about it, she found it extremely depressing if she were in their place. After all, her memories are what kept her strong and alive to this day. Having them forcefully taken away from you for the sake of loyalty is incomprehensibly sad to Freyja, especially after she herself experienced how it feels losing important experiences in your life. Sensing her feelings, Avice placed a hand on her head. He smiled brightly, as if to reassure her that it's alright.
"Anyway," Van cut off, "Let's make this clear once and for all. You said you were 'killed' by Kirin's father. And then someone helped you from under the ocean. He empowered your aura, speeding up the regeneration of your physical body. But who is that person and why is he living underwater? Heck, how can he do such thing if Celestial aura is so rare and special?"
"Wait! 'Back there' in Astrid's world right?" Avice interrupted, "Lenfi, if that person saved your life with his power, and since I really don't smell anything human from you right now, then… that person could only be a celestial guardian."
"WHAT!? But… why…. He…" Freyja was confused. If that really was a celestial guardian, how come he didn't even introduce himself to her, his master? And how come he can freely use his powers if Avice is the only one who escaped from the 'seal.'
"I still find it hard to picture this regenerate thing. It's really hard to imagine it in human terms." Aya sighed.
"Do you want to know how celestials are born?" Avice suddenly had a huge grin on his face as he playfully sat in front of Aya, Van and Scar. "YEP! I sure do!" Scarlet enthusiastically answered with a raised hand.
"We, celestials, develop flesh from our aura core. Unlike humans, who already have physical bodies upon birth, celestials were first born as aura cores—an orb of pure compressed aura. After Lenfi was delivered by the lady Reyrah, in a minute or two, the orb slowly took its shape, resembling more of a human baby. The shape will depend on the environment too. Our lifespan however, is extremely different from humans, of course. They live such a short life, yes they do." Avice nodded at his own words.
"So basically, you hatched from an egg? Hahaha!" Van teased while Aya and Scarlet laughed along with her. "So does it mean that even if you cut her arm, it will grow again? Let's try it!" Van held out Freyja's hand, earning her a hit on the head. "OUCH!"
"BINGO! Yes, that's true. If your aura is strong enough it will!" Avice winked at Freyja, "But the regeneration would depend on the strength of one's aura core. Normal celestials don't grow back cut limbs for at least 30 years. And for the most parts, we have healers who assist, ensuring the limb regenerates properly." The four nodded in amazement at Avice's explanations. "It may be possible for Lenfi to speed it up, but seeing that she isn't a healer with knowledge how to do it right, the regeneration may go wrong."
Avice suddenly grabbed Freyja's shoulders and sternly looked at her. "Also! It doesn't mean that you can die over and over again, mind you! Just to help you recuperate, that person who helped you must have lost his own life and core in the process. If it were me, it'd take another 5000 years for my aura to replenish. Bear in mind that your case is special, that's why you survived. That's only because the Celestial core is fused in your own aura core. NORMAL CELESTIALS ONLY HAVE ONE BODY! Don't get me wrong, okay? We are not immortals. So don't be reckless, Lenfi."
"Excuse me!" Aya joined, "How about you? How are you born? And the other celestial guardians too!"
Avice sighed, "You see, we aren't really born like Lenfi. We are 'created' by monarchs of Celestia. We are accumulated celestial energy and with the ruler's own power, they create synthetic celestials that possess much much much much much longer lifespans, and even our personalities are all up to the creators. Aria for example, was created by Alfiore Kinju, fashioned after Lady Reyrah Fiega."
"AH! So that explains why they look so alike!" Freyja exclaimed.
"Good, you understand." Avice grinned.
Now that everything is all cleared up, all of them suddenly ran out of words. Freyja already got her answers about that little girl. Avice gave Freyja's memories back to her too. They're only left with one last thing to do. But, no one had the courage to say it out loud.
Tension filled the air. The cheerful atmosphere turned glum. Freyja, decided to break the silence. She knows that someone has to say it and she decided she will. "Avice, now that you are with me, I want you to take me back to Kirin's world. I still need the medallion, the crest of the king, to return to Celestia. I can't sustain your form like this for more than a week and you know that. I'll run out of aura and die." Avice nodded. "That's true, Lenfi."
Though she tried to sound confident, there is obviously tension in her voice. Van stood up, and stretched and yawned loudly. "I'm really HUNGRY! All the fighting exhausted me! Guess I'll go out for some snack! Later!" Her tone was like usual, brash and cheerful. But she talked fast, and dashed out of the house in a hurry, without even looking back at them.
"Van, wait!" Aya grabbed her hand, but she shoved her aside and left. "I'll go after her. You guys stay here." Scarlet stood up and ran after Van, with an equally unsettling, forced smile on her face.
"Frey…" Aya turned to her, but Freyja just looked away. She can tell what she's about to say and for some reason, it pains her heart to even think about it. Nevertheless, Aya said it. "Frey, we all know this will happen sooner or later. In fact, the reason why we worked so hard is for you to go back safely, right?" She is smiling, but her voice breaking. "I will follow them after all. We'll see you!" She dashed out of the house, leaving Freyja and Avice behind.
"Aren't you going after them?" Avice asked, keeping his default cheerful tone. Freyja stayed put. "No. We have a lot to talk about, and prepare to leave this world."
~ o 0 o ~