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“Answer me, you snoozing general.” Caelus swore he heard the growl fuse with Dan Heng’s question, demanding the general for answers, “What is Caelus going to do?”.
The overprotectiveness that oozes from the stellaron host warms Caelus’s heart, almost as warm as the explosive core pulsing inside the black-haired human. Though he does not know what it feels like having a stellaron, he always feels warmth whenever he is beside Dan Heng. Mortal lives… Mortal emotions… He barely remembers things from Qiong’s past, but he feels the pursuit of such objects being significant.
The beauty of mortals is how short their lives are - enough to embrace each thing each day . Caelus remembers the ice that quells his flames, that freezes the tides within him. His vidyadhara form surfacing came with the re-emerging of his immortality, his water powers and his ability to reincarnate. Oh, Dan Heng. So cold, yet so warm .
“Caelus was once the Vidyadhara High Elder.” Yingxing answered Dan Heng, who is unusually hot-headed. Caelus was certain the stellaron host had not been that hot-headed. Whatever struck Dan Heng nerves and chose to pick a fight with Yingxing?
“From the looks of it, it is obvious, but what in the Aeons’ name are you implying?” Dan Heng asked.
Caelus does not feel sure he is able to do that - to undo what the previous high elder did centuries ago. He knew it was needed to face Phantylia. However, he has not used that much Cloudhymn magic before. “I- I am not sure-” He was then cut off by the man who raised him in the Shackling Prison.
“Not sure of what?” Yingxing held Caelus’s shoulders, crumpling the cloth of his sleeves, “We have to find out either way. Remember, we need to face Phantylia lest you want Xianzhou to fall.”.
Caelus froze; Although the Xianzhou wronged him because Qiong wronged them, their fate had to be cruel to be destroyed by a Lord Ravager like Phantylia. The Xianzhou does not deserve falling into ruin - for so many innocents would suffer. He knew he had to do this. It is the way of the Trailblaze, after all - to help planets and people from the crisis they are suffering under.
He looks at Mr. Yang and March 7th, who only stared at him with unsaid support. His eyes went to a wide-eyed and wide agape Dan Heng. The latter closed his mouth, his eyes narrowing as he nodded. He had to do this… He had to do this… The sins of one does not mean the sins of many…
“Do what you must, Caelus.” Mr. Yang’s voice was absolute.
Caelus nodded, walking in front of the high elder’s statue. He looks at the visage of Qiong pointing his spear at the horizons. How they almost look alike, it disgusts him because he even inherited the previous high elder’s sins that led Caelus to his imprisonment in the Shackling Prison for five centuries. His dual-colored pearl floated above his palms, water droplets rising above his fingers.
Dan Heng stares at Caelus, to whose holy form’s power swirled with water. Lotus petals lingered in the area and spread their scent in contrast to the sea salt scent. He has read of what the Vidyadhara high elders before, but not even he does not have a clue about what Yingxing is planning with Caelus’s current state.
Rending my form, setting free
Water swirled around Caelus, his holy form illuminating the stormy gray grounds. His dual-colored orb (pearl?) spun due to the intensity of the Cloudhymn magic. The waters of the sea responded to the high’s elder’s silent call, Mother Ocean heeded his cry as the blankets of blue rose and fall.
A thunderous roar, a symphony
Thunder roared as Caelus’s holy golden light reached the heavens above, piercing the gray with the ichor spears of radiance.
Soul's depths stirred by tempest's might
Dan Heng stared at the high elder statue, who weirdly looks like the form Caelus currently takes. The undeniable beauty of the draconic transformation always catches him off guard. He did not also expect for Caelus to be in that same form - the very appearance that caught his attention every time he studied about the Vidyadhara race.
Surging waves, an awe-inspiring sight
Curtains of blue split and fall, the water halved under the command of the high elder’s song. Caelus’s power was truly incredible to behold. So, this is the power of Imbibitor Lunae . Dan Heng felt lucky to be one of those who witnessed it - to the point he almost forgot General Yingxing’s existence. The dragon that drinks under the moon .
Hot blood boiling, chest ablaze
The water swirling around Caelus was definitely opposite to the fire that blazes around him in his human form, the flames licking and kissing the blade with every battle he indulges in. Dan Heng has seen Caelus fight in that form. Compared to the gentle grace the latter exhibits in his current form, his human form would display otherwise: showing the savagery and the harshness of battle and war.
Fangs and claws, burnished glaze
Dan Heng could feel Caelus’s golden gaze on him despite being focused on what he is currently doing, the trust in those eyes lighting up. It’s okay, Caelus. I will be there every step of the way. Dan Heng’s eyes narrowed to convey his thoughts to the Vidyadhara. He hoped Caelus gets the gist of it, at least.
Adorned in starlight, I shall reascend
The water finally splits apart, like a curtain revealing the behind-the-scenes of their play. The water once hid the ruins lined with corals and multi-colored pearls. Now basked under the false sun’s light of the Fleet, the corals and the eggs - thanks to the power of Abundance emanated by the Ambrosial Arbor - never shriveled and died.
Above the watery abyss, transcendent
The secrets of Scalegorge Waterscape now unveiled, Caelus floated closer to the ground, panting as Yingxing walked beside him with an uncharacteristic gentle look. The general walks in front of them as he takes in the sight of the ruins. The ruins were gray in color, only brightened by the colors of the bright-colored corals and pearls that lined the place.
“You okay?” Dan Heng walks beside Caelus, holding the latter’s shoulder.
“Never better.” Caelus answered, still panting before they stared at the horizons - the dragon-shaped Ambrosial Arbor flaring with power. The scent of battle grows heavy. They know this battle would be a doozy - in one way or another. Dan Heng feels the cold power of his Preservation path at his fingertips, preparing to use his War-Freezing Lance.
He could at least hope that they would survive this.