I do as she said and recall the image of her in my head. The now familiar golden glow envelops me and I feel my body and soul leaving this space.
I close my eyes, feeling everything changing as the glow intensifies. It's warm envelops me and just like last time, it takes me into a completely different place.
Not sure if I am just being paranoid, but I really hope nothing will go missing during the time I am gone. It is really starting to scare me...
When I open them again, I am standing in the middle of a beautiful garden full of colourful flowers and giant trees that cast long shadows onto the grass.
Butterflies fly around me and birds sing beautifully, making this place look and feel heavenly.
"Cecil!" Aethera's voice reaches my ears and I turn around. What am I supposed to do? Should I bow? She's a Goddess after all...
I bow awkwardly - to my offence, there is a first time for everything - and Aethera bursts out laughing.
"Cecil, there's no need for that! We're friends, okay?" She walks closer, still chuckling and pinches my cheek. "I love how you react, though."
I'm blushing like crazy now, trying to play it cool but failing.
"Don't be embarrassed, Cecil! No one is going to judge you and quite honestly, I like it." She gestures to a bench. "Come, let's talk. We have a lot of things to discuss."
I nod, still flustered, and follow her. As we walk towards the bench, she mentions that she's going to introduce me to someone called Nalani, who might know more about my ability.
"Nalani's a Goddess of Beauty and Fertility," Aethera says with a mischievous smile as we sit on the bench. "She's got some theories about your powers. A lot of them actually. Let's go meet her, okay? She's waiting for us in the Temple of Whispers."
I nod but my head is full of questions. What is she like? Will she even like me? Will she be playful like Aethera or more mature? What theories does she have?
"Do you want me to transport us there? It's quite a walk..." Aethera asks as she gets up from the bench and I follow her lead.
"No, it's okay. I'd like to see more of... wherever we are." I reply and I can't help noticing that Aethera looks intrigued.
"Alright, we'll walk. The gardens are really nice after all."
As we stroll around, she points out some flowers and talks about Celestians and their connection with nature.
Then, she stops in from of a beautiful temple. There are flowers - roses, if anyone was curious - everywhere and there's this soft pink light shining around them.
"Nalani's temple is right in front of us. She's probably... observing you."
Excuse me? Why would a Goddess want to observe me? Is it because of the ability?
Aethera comments and just as she finishes her sentence, someone hugs me from behind.
Is this the Goddess she mentioned? Nalani?
"I was waiting for you, sweetie! I've heard so much about you, Cecil!"
Aethera's full on belly laughing now as tears escape from her eyes. "Nalani, please, don't overwhelm him."
Nalani grins apologetically. "Sorry, Aethera! I just got excited."
Aethera's gaze lingeres on her for a fraction of a second before returning to me. "So, Cecil... let's talk about these powers, alright?"
We both look at Nalani, who is now beaming with the same soft light as the roses. "You can conceive, Cecil. You have Omega-like traits, except of the heats."
Wait, what!? What do you mean by 'Omega-like traits'? Could someone please explain what is happening? And who the hell is this 'Omega'?
Aethera's face turns serious, all signs of playfulness disappearing.
"This is why you're a target, Cecil. Some Celestians might want to... use you."
"U-use me? How?" I ask, starting to get worried about this situation.
"Don't worry, we've got you! We'll teach you how to manage it. Maybe help you find a nice partner?"
"Safety first, Nalani." Aethera says and looks at me. "As for your question, Cecil..." she sighs, looking more serious than I ever saw her.
"You're connected to stuff you don't understand. Even after being reborn, some things can't be changed. You will learn more about them with time."
I look at her, completely confused by her words.
Aethera, sorry to disturb you, but do you think you could stop talking in riddles?" I don't think I understand you, even though you speak the same language as me.
"Excuse us for a second." Nalani grabs me quickly and pulls me aside.
"Take these." She whispers, giving me a bottle of pills and a note. "You might need them someday. Trust me, I know what I am talking about."
I open the note and gasp softly as I read it.
"For when the partners arrive."
-N🌺-
I'm blushing even harder then before as I hear Aethera's footsteps approaching.
"Cecil? Are you okay?" She asks but Nalani quickly jumps in.
"Don't worry, he is just processing the stuff we told him about the ability. He's fine, right?"
Aethera looks at me, not looking any less worried. "You sure you're alright? Need some water?"
"Y-Yeah," I stammer. "I am alright, really." Nalani gently pats me on the back.
"We'll go slow on you, sweetie. There's nothing you should be worried about."
Aethera nods. "Only basics today, okay? Safe topics."
"Okay..." What the hell? What does she mean by 'safe topics'? Someone, please help me! Or at least translate so I can understand their words...
"Nalani!" A male voice booms in the air and Nalani turns around.
"Aethera, sorry... Eleri needs me. I'll be right back." Nalani rushes off, leaving Aethera and me behind.
Aethera smiles softly. "Alright, Cecil. It's just us now."
Who was that guy? Is he a God or something?
"Cecil, can you hear me?"
"Y-yeah..."
"Good. This is safer for now. There is always someone listening, so we need to be careful. About why you're a target..."
Aethera's voice turns serious with her next words. "You have... Omega-like traits . Like a special connection..."
She pauses before continuing. "In some worlds , there's a system called Omegaverse. They have Omegas, Betas and Alphas. Yours is... different."
"Omegaverse?"
"Yes. Omegas experience something called heat where they get this uncontrollable urge to get conceive for their partner. Alphas usually mark them to show that they belong to them."
Like... mating? I blush. Aethera, you're not making me feel exactly innocent, you know.
"Marking? Why would they even want that?"
Her voice becomes more gentle. "Don't worry, heats aren't a thing here." She smiles. "Though we do have something similar to marking...
Our marking is... a bond between a God or Goddess and their chosen one, usually another God or Goddess. It's super rare to have partner that is another spieces in our world.
Some Celestians misunderstand. They think they can... use you because of your traits to harm your fated one. Mistake or not, you're special, Cecil. That's why you need to be careful ."
My fated one? There's a person like that?
"Nalani's right. The pills are for... extreme situations. You can trust her."
"Okay, I understand..."
"I won't let them hurt you, Cecil. I promise."
How come she protects me so much? She is one of the few people who really care about me...
"Also... keep this conversation a secret. Even from Nalani."
I nod as Nalani approaches us. "All sorted. We can continue."
Aethera smiles and turns towards her. "Good. Now, Cecil... let's practice."