The Last Celestial

Mother, I Can Fly Part II

There was a joyous feast on the house that night. Andrew ate a lot of Tahani's specialty, and she calls it Deviled Eggs. Timothy was also enjoying one of his favorite desserts from America. God he missed the cheesecake and mud pies. When everyone had their fill, Timothy was the one appointed to wash the dishes and since he's in a good mood... he dared not to protest.

Dah extended a hand with the dishes as well. While Timothy began to wash the dishes, he picked up a cloth to wipe the dishes with. Tahani on the other hand was giving Andrew his much needed check up. And since everybody is busy, Dah thought it was the perfect time to open up about the attack on Scorpio's fortress.

He lightly elbowed Timothy and said "The Fortress of Scorpio has been attacked by the creatures of Tar."

Timothy stopped washing off the stain from the plate, yet his eyes were fixated to the flowing water from the faucet. Dah took it as a sign to continue on with the news. "Elder Keeper's held an assembly a few days ago and announced to everyone who is close to a Fortress of Relic to be extra cautious. Mama will be one of the leading teams to create weapons and barriers for the fortress."

"So I've heard..." Was Timothy's reply.

Dah's eyes widened and was utterly surprised. "So you've learned about the attacks?"

The other male scoffed and smiled arrogantly. He finished washing all the plates and placed them on the drying rack. "Do you think I'm living under a rock?"

"No..." Dah scratched his neck and felt somewhat sheepish. "...who told you?"

"Elder Diomedes called me a few weeks ago... He called right after Nathaniel reported about the attack. He checked if Andrew and I have been attacked as well."

Dah hummed and nodded as he contemplates his friend's answer. He was about to ask another obvious question when Timothy beats him into it.

"And no, Dah... We're still going to stay here. Just until we figure out where the next attack will be and whatever is coming next."

The two man walked towards the dining table and each grabbed a chair to sit on.

"I've heard that the Elders are thinking about moving the Relics someplace else. Since the Fortress of Scorpio was discovered, they think that it is wiser if they moved the relics someplace else."

Timothy's brow rose at the news. Now this is something that he's never heard before. "And where did you get this news? Is it from the Elders?"

Dah shook his head. "No..."

Curious about the situation, Timothy crossed his arms against his chest then leaned back against the chair. His feet prompt up the table, and the chair tilted back a little. "Then from whom?"

"I heard it from Aaliyah, the daughter of Elder Bradley."

"Do you know where it will be taken?" Was Timothy's follow up question and instantly Dah answered 'No.' After that, Dah was silent and is still in deep thought---while Timothy on the other hand watch and observe silently the interaction between Tahani and Andrew.

She was on the process of squeezing and observing the body of the young man to see if there's any broken bones or visible wounds, as well as she's taking her time to ask a series of questions to the boy. Dah was trying to make out the interactions which was going on with the two, but we was never good at reading lips. Tahani on the other hand noticed that Timothy's eyes was on her, so she glanced at the man and gave the latter a warm smile which he reciprocated.

"You never smile at me like that." Dah spat out, sounding bitter and all.

Timothy laughed and looked at Dah's gloomy state. It's no wonder why the Elders are deciding to move the relics since the Undying man is on his move. How many more families will be affected by this? How many keepers will lose their lives this time? And for how long will it last? He wonders what will happen to Andrew if creatures suddenly arrived. The boy is strong indeed, but he's not ready. Taurus' Fortress is hidden in the Island of Mindoro. While Leo's fortress which contains Fire of Life---the same power as Andrew is located at the Ecuador.

Memories of Andrews first day of training slipped his mind. The boy's random stories about his dreams, and how Sagittarius teaches him how to control the fire.

"Andrew has been talking about seeing an apparition of a woman... and a man." Timothy suddenly blurted out.

Dah instantly looked at the other man and simply thought it was one of those pre-adolescent dreams. "Is there anything more to it?" Dah asked out of curiosity, his eyebrows bouncing up and down suggestively.

Timothy's face cringed looked at Dah with judgement. "You sick idiot."

Dah laughed it off and rubbed his nape, an act he usually does when he's embarrassed. "Well, most boys his age think of those things. Remember the time when we were kids and I saw you reading a porno magazi---"

Timothy grabbed a slipper and threw it to the latter. "Oh, f**k off, Dah!"

The both of them laughed it off, recalling the stupid things they're done in the past. Timothy breathed in deeply and went back to the topic.

"Do you think it's serious then?" Dah asked.

The other male agreed. "I think so. He's been dreaming about the woman constantly, ever since we've started to train." Timothy sighed and scratched his dry and tired eyes. "He says it comes to him in fragments... but the constant one is the woman with black hair and Amber eyes and a man with long  white hair that reaches his back."

"Do you think it's a memory of his family, then?"

Timothy's brows furrowed and he shook his head. Fingers were tapping fast against the wooden door, and he couldn't stop fidgeting. "No, that's not it. Dah."

"Then what is it about then?"

Timothy sighed and diverted his eyes to Andrew who was laughing with Tahani. The young man was filled with joy and happiness and was full of wonder. He was curious, driven and hardworking... "I don't know, I'm not sure... but I have a theory." He answered honestly. "For now I want to let Andrew figure it out himself. He's a smart boy after all."

Andrew suddenly screamed, and it made both men on the table jump.

"What the hell, Andrew!?" Timothy roared. He looked at the boy with piercing eyes.

Dah on the other hand was tightly clutching against his shirt and looked like he was about to have a heart attack.

The two of them looked at Andrew who was jumping up and down in excitement. He was holding a pair of red---auburn gloves against his chest. "I love it!" He screamed so loud that veins protrude on his neck. "Thank you, Tahani! Thank you!" He exclaimed, eyes all closed and a wide smile on his face.

====================

The next morning right after breakfast, Andrew insisted that Dah and Tahani watch him practice. The teen says he feels higher amount of rush in his body when eyes are on him. The four of them hopped into the van and drove towards the Gold Coast of Barbados. It was the perfect spot for training, as there are many rock formations. They don't have to worry if ever something goes wrong and Andrew ends up burning half of the island.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Was Dah's question as he eyes the boy. Worry was evident in his eyes while he watch Andrew putting on his safety gear.

Tahani scoffed and rolled her eyes. "I've had sleepless nights just to create that glove."

"Timothy said that Andrew is fine without those kind of things..." Dah gestured on the gloves as he scowled. "He can still create fire without a problem."

Tahani on the other hand looked like she wanted to slam her son into the ground. Or slap him back to the Liberean Era. She took a deep breath and told herself that it's her son she talking to, not a buffoon wearing sandals, a tee and floral printed shorts."Do you think I---one of the head's of the Keeper's research team would give a faulty item to such precious boy? I have been working on creating this glove for Andrew ever since he was just seven years old. It took me nine years... Nine whole years to be able to perfect this." Her tone was soft, yet her eyes shoots darts of fire towards her son. "Ever since I learned the boy could create---ignite a fire using his finger I dedicated my free time to give this to him as a gift..."

"The materials of that glove was extracted from rubber trees that grew inside the Forest of the Zodiacs. It had been carefully---meticulously designed to be able to withstand a thousand and six hundred Celsius---plus---it had been thoroughly tested by Keepers who were selected to guard the Fortress of Leo. A place where fire constantly combust. Before the gloves were given to them, their hands were all blistered and wounded because of the fire... now, they're satisfied and not so afraid of Guarding that fortress anymore. Need I say more, Dah?"

Feeling the dryness against his throat, Dah swallowed and slowly looked at another direction. "I never should've asked." He said, almost wanting to run away from the scene. Never had his mother been so offended. 'Damn, she's a scary lady.'