Cecil nods as Nalani approaches us. "All sorted. We can continue."
I smile and turn towards her. "Good. Now, Cecil... let's practice."
I watch as Cecil and Nalani train, my thoughts swirling.
He's got potential. I look at Nalani. She sees it too. Otherwise, she wouldn't try to help him.
My eyes meet hers and she smirks teasingly. "Aethera, I think he's ready." She glances at Cecil before turning back to me. "Teach him about connections."
"Nalani, not yet." I stop her before she can reveal everything else. "He isn't prepared yet. He needs to learn much more before we tell him..."
I catch Cecil's questioning glance and smile. I completely forgot that he doesn't know about the mind connection between Celestians. I think we should keep it that way for a while...
"Later, Nalani. Cecil needs basics first." I turn towards Cecil. "You need to learn how to defend yourself properly, okay?"
"Defend? Why?" He questions and I see a spark of curiosity in his eyes.
"This world's got dangers you can't even imagine." I pause before continuing. "You're special, Cecil. You need skills to protect yourself from any danger that could approach you."
Nalani raises an eyebrow before speaking in lower voice. "Aethera... about the twins..."
"Nalani, stop." I reply in the same lowered voice.
My mind whirls. Nebrys and Kairos are fated partners with Cecil. Some want to use him against them. I glance at Cecil who is now laughing as he runs around with Nalani. He's completely clueless.
Cecil stops and glances at me."What's going on? Is everything alright?"
I smile, hiding all my worries behind it. "It's nothing. Just focus on training, Cecil."
He nods but I can see the confusion written all over his face.
My thoughts cut deeper with each question he asks. I'll protect him. I won't let anyone use Cecil against Nebrys and Kairos.
Nalani's getting more curious too. I need to find a way to manage her while protecting Cecil.
Nalani quietly approaches me from behind. I know what she wants to ask before the words even come out.
"Aethera... the prophecy... it involves Cecil, doesn't it?"
"Nalani, drop it. Cecil's safety is all that matters right now."
She frowns. "Aethera... Nebrys and Kairos... do they know?"
"Nalani, enough. Please, focus on training Cecil." I glance at Cecil, who is now kicking into the air with pure excitement. "He's not ready yet."
Nalani nods slowly but I can see the mischief in her eyes. Sure enough, she smirks as she looks away from me and turns her whole attention on Cecil.
"Fine. I won't tell him... " She pauses before continuing but I can see the difference in her expressions. "But Cecil... he will want answers soon, Aethera. You know it."
My jaw tightens with those words.
"He'll get them... when I decide it's the right time." I look at Cecil and a gentle smile spreads across my face. "Definitely not now."
I watch as Cecil practices nearby, completely oblivious to the conversation me and Nalani just had about him.
"Cecil." He doesn't even flinch as he continues punching the air. Looks like he's getting used to it.
"Yes?" His voice fills my ears and I smile. If this is the person my sons' future is with, I don't mind at all. They deserve someone like him just as he deserves them.
"Are you tired?" I ask him and a huge smile spreads across his face. "No, I'm not tired yet. Why?"
"I think you should take a break, Cecil. You look tired."
He says something to Nalani and then walk towards me.
I pass him a glass of water. "Here, drink this."
He mouths a quick 'thanks' before drinking the water at one go.
Nalani steps forward and pats his back. "You did amazing for a beginner."
He blushes. "Thank you."
Nalani grabs his hand and a soft shine surrounds the bracelet I gave him before disappearing, leaving a beautiful star behind.
"What is this for?" Cecil asks, his gaze going from the bracelet to Nalani.
She giggles softly. "It's a proof of our friendship, sweetie."
"Thanks..." He looks at bracelet again, his eyes shinning with surprise and thankfulness. "Wow, it looks even better now."
"I think we should return to your world, Cecil. You need to take a nap." I say, looking at his pale face and the dark circles under his eyes.
"Okay..." He hugs Nalani and turns towards me. "Do you think you could stay with me until I fall asleep?"
I nod. "Of course, dear. I'll stay."
Nalani hugs him again before disappearing. I take Cecil hand and let my powers take us back.
In matter of seconds, we are back in his room, sitting on his bed. I get up and turn around to face him.
"I will look around if you don't mind. I need to check if there isn't anything that could summon demons and other bad creatures."
He stays silent and just as I am about to leave the room, he speaks. "I am a monster myself. Why should you protect me from my kind?"
I kneel in front of him and take his hands in mine. "What do you mean, Cecil?"
"I was the one responsible for my mother's death. I don't deserve to be treated like someone precious after what I did..."
I stare at him, completely silent. I am sure there is some misunderstanding. There is no way he killed his mother, I would've known if that was the case. There's only one way to find out...
I use our mind link and look into his memories. I know I shouldn't, but I can't watch him blaming himself for something he didn't do.
I soon find the memory I was looking for and let it take over. I see a room... in a hospital? No, it's not just a room. It's a operating room.
A woman - Cecil's mother, I think due to their resemblance - is laying on the table. Blood is everywhere and she looks on the verge of collapsing.
She is holding a small baby tightly in her arms and her breathing is weakening with each breath.
A nurse takes the baby and keeps holding him as she presses a button. Soon, more nurses enter, followed by three doctors.
One of the doctors checks her neck for pulse and his eyes darken as he shakes his head. "We can't save her. She has lost too much blood..." He says in a calm voice, as if he was used to this kind of situations.
Is this why Cecil blames himself? His mother died while giving birth to him and he thinks it's his fault?
I look at him only to find him already asleep while few tears slide down his cheeks.
I cover him with a blanket and look around his room. It looks unusually cold, as if no one ever lived here.
I look towards the table and sigh. Everything is perfectly in place, almost too perfectly.
I always thought that Cecil is that kind of person who doesn't care about anyone's opinions and just lives his dream life.
Now, I just see how broken he is. I see the part he hides from everyone while it's breaking him from inside and I can't help getting worried.
I really hope he will get better once he realizes that it's not his fault. No one deserves to live like that, especially someone so sweet and caring as him.