As we got downstairs, Astrael proved true to her word, the cabin was deserted and we could see them outside. The three deva were obviously all aware of roughly what went on the night before and were making the same "Wait for them to finish" conversation that was quite common when certain couples were getting intimate in the barracks.
"So, when do you think it will be safe to enter?"
"I doubt it will be too much longer..." The sentence creates an awkward silence, then as if by magic the door opens.
We could hear them saying the same stuff I had said myself in their position, a fact that made me chuckle despite the embarrassment I felt.
Eve on the other-hand was just plain bashful, knowing they knew made her feel awkward, unsure whether it would be normal to pretend like nothing happened or directly confront the situation.
The one saving grace was that Quatal was still asleep, so we could talk a bit more freely for a while, though I would need to get back to work as soon as possible. With that in mind I opened the door and waved them over, gesturing to tell them to let Quatal sleep.
Cosmael, was struggling, the bashful aversion of her eyes made it clear that she was already considering us as parents, not that we had any doubt. "Did you two, sleep well?" She asked desperately trying not to chicken out.
"Little one, don't be shy or embarrassed. You have the power to see and hear things that should be far beyond your perception, you don't have the power not to. If it makes you this uncomfortable we will make sure to be in a different dimension to you, but please tell us, ok?"
"No, really, I'll be ok. It's just..."
"It's just our creator was single... our senses covered the domain of black, so we knew that beasts mated, but we have never been in range of people we knew mating. It was definitely an awkward moment for us, but I had seen it happening in Eden a few times, so I wasn't totally clueless."
"Me neither... but..."
"...But you know that children don't normally see their parents doing that... especially... I am sorry little one. It's a part of life that I agree should remain private between the people doing it... I hate to ask this, but one day changing dimensions may not be an option and, well, sometimes there is a certain spontaneity, is there anyway to block the more advanced perceptions?"
"No need to worry long term..." Astrael interjected. "You will grow to the point where even other creators can't perceive you. Honestly, it's strange, you kind of remind us of dad, but different... so different. You definitely have that same energy though, like a miniature black sun that could bathe everything around you in the black... I thought you were his son at first, but I read your mind to be certain and your dad definitely wasn't him and you looked too much like him for infidelity."
"I see, but I thought he was the only creator of the domain of black... how am I here if not that then?" I wasn't too dense to have noticed, the difference between mine and other divinities since the night of the revelation. they were featureless beings of pure, I was featured with eyes of true black.
To further complicate the situation Eve shared my inherent connection to the domain of black, whilst Quatal was clearly inherent in the domain of white.
"I know what you're thinking and you're fine, think about it, if our dad could make feathered serpents do you think there would only be three right now?" Celesael huffed, she was carefully moving us to the breakfast table as though trying to hurry the preparation of food, but that would be a no.
I had questions and no talking during meals... Even if I was the only one clinging to that rule like I still had authority in the family.
"So why couldn't he? How did I, quite possibly the weakest god alive at the moment, do something he apparently the most powerful creator couldn't?"
"I think it was that divine mana core you used to use, you know, I haven't sensed in since... Maybe one day, I'll let you give me another feathered serpent child... A daughter only, apparently the males are lecherous."
"Speaking of daughters, we got distracted... So, about last night, we covered me, what about Eve?"
"Well, I don't think she will ever be as powerful overall, she has you crushed on mana capacity though, every blood cell is brimming, you could kill that phoenix yourself now. Anyway, sorry, can't focus on an empty stomach. Eve will be fine in time as well, she will reach a stage where she will simply feel a choice. Join the standing telepathic network or don't, I suggest she chooses not to, she will still be telepathic, the network is more like the communal hub of the domain your in but at that stage she will block indirect and unwelcome observations from anyone except the lord of her domain or those stronger."
"Cool, so how long? Also, Layaera, where I need to make sure she is doing well before the procedure tomorrow morning. Her regenerative powers of body and soul will be our greatest asset."
"I'll go get her from the southern mountains, she like flying down there, think it is the phoenix need to travel and explore lingering a bit." With that Cosmael flew off, I thought she might still be a bit embarrassed so I let her get some distance to get over it.
"Maybe you should take her memory of last night... She sees you both as parents now, it can't be easy. It isn't exactly easy for us and we see you as more like a brother or the cool uncle." Celesael mused the thought indirectly.
"I'll offer, but it's her choice, maybe she wants to work through this to become more mature. I may not be an empath, but I can tell she feels like she failed as a deva, that always being so timid made her too nervous to contribute as much as you two. I know, she probably did more actual work than you two, but that self-doubt runs deep..." I looked to Eve, remembering how I failed Ever in our time together, all three times together.
When they returned we woke Quatal, ate, then went straight to work. Everyone was clear on their assignments and I set up a training dummy with a prototype Halo to let them get a few practice runs in.
The first time they failed and the second they passed but mana touched the implant which could have killed one or more of us if it has antithesis radiation.
The third time they found the flow and passed with effort, the fouth they passed with less, the fifth they passed with none.
They wanted to keep practising but I told them to rest, since Fala and Layaera weren't quite accustomed to this level of fine control. That inexperience made it incredibly taxing, so I suggested another three practices after dinner, then a night of relaxing and good sleep to make sure they are at their best the next day.
"Layaera, a word quickly?" I asked as the others were leaving.
"Sure, what is it?" She spoke indifferently.
"I just wanted to see how you were adjusting, I haven't had much time lately and I apologise... I know your family had some prejudices, If you shared them, I could see you struggling to come to terms with your new predicament."
"You're getting ready for this and you're worried about me? I think-"
"I worry about family."
"I admit, my family always did carry a certain level of... race superiority... they thought there was a reason only humans were given holy magic..."
"Ha, nonsense and baseless, one of the greatest priests I know of was a dwarf who said, "My god, My god is in this bottle, the guy giving me power? He's just a man after my own heart." Honestly he said that whilst teaching my fellow students advanced holy magic half-cut."
"If that's true, what of beast pe- I mean demi-humans?"
"You think they can't either? Let me ask you, if the dominant race on the continent treated you with indifference, would you risk doing something to make them fear your growing power? They choose not to learn it independently because most schools are human run and could see them as a growing threat." she suddenly bore an incredulous expression.
Then she smiled, "Does that mean I can still use it? I love holy magic with all my heart."
"Of course you need a holy core now, which you could craft yourself over time, but if you want I could give you one here and now if you don't mind it being edgier than usual and a bit uncomfortable."
"Do it." Her instantaneous response made me wonder why everyone was always so reluctant to think, then Eve laughed and reminded me who I was.
I told her I was speaking figuratively, that we would do it after the procedure to make sure one didn't effect the other, then got back to work.
Finally the night came, and we all watched some spy movies after dinner seperate from those who weren't taking part, including Quatal who was with Valo for the night.
Then finally came the moment of truth. We had breakfast, I initiated the halo on my self in standby mode, then shaped a table with restraints out of ice. The reason for that was simple, the healers biggest issue was from my own overheating, so they asked me to make the procedure as cool as possible... Which I think I managed in more ways than one.
As I was about to begin, Eve ran and gave me a kiss, she had faith but nothing was going to make her miss what had even an iota of a chance at being the last one we shared.
The procedure lasted seconds, everyone but Fala had naturally insane perception that could seemingly slow time, but with magic enhancement she was able to offer a small measure of assistance.
The halo engaged and the implant shot through my brain at just shy of the speed of sound to prevent a shockwave, then the halo installed the stasis while every filled the cells with massive amounts of regeneration. then my body burst into flames, not white-hot but a healing ethereal blue that touched my very soul.
Then I regained my control and took over as a conductor of all the boons my family had blessed me with, guiding them as safely and efficiently as possible.
"Oh! Thank god that worked!" I sighed, fully restored but the stretched instant a dominating memory in my head all the same.
Then I blacked out as I was dragged into my inner mindscape.
Idir and I, seemed to be waiting for my arrival, Idir looking annoyed and myself still as defeated as when I last saw him.
"What's wrong old friend, you seem perturbed." I said, hiding my emotions with the same trick I developed for Eve whilst burying a strange new paranoia about him.
"Just... I guess I'm alone from now on..." Idir replied, his voice genuine his features the same, but my instincts told me they weren't and I wasn't about to ignore what kept me alive that long.
"Frieeeend.... don't be sad, you'll never be alone, You are in me and I will always be glad for your guidance. I hope soon I can make you a body to inhabit, with the phoenix layaera I can repair your damaged soul..." My words brought a smirk to his face and I knew then my instincts were right.
"You will do that for me? I will be free once more?"
'Free? Could you at least act convincingly. You said the first time that you chose to stay behind.' I thought. 'Besides, even if that was a prideful fib, why free and not alive?'
"Of course, you were always true to your name Idir, a guiding light for me to follow."
"Oh? I'm surprised you remember me telling you."
'You didn't. I exclaimed it when we met. "Great! I tend to be a bit messy, I could use a guiding light." then Idir told me he was surprised I knew what it meant. Who are you imposter? I want to know who tarnished my memory of him.' At that point my eyes turned black.
"Are you ok? Your divinity is showing." He asked nervously.
"Well "ok" might be a stretch. I just blew my head up and am about to become whole, it's a bit overwhelming."
"Well, go ahead, the sooner you leave, the sooner I can get this new body."
"You're right."