The Last Celestial

The Hidden Truths

Soon the assembly among the Elder's came to an end. They left the protected chamber while stating their farewells, each showing their wrist with the symbol---the tattoo of loyalty of the descendants of Haris. When most of them set off and went on their own ways, Diomedes called for Tahani.

The old man pointed at a door on the west side of the chamber. "This way." He said.

Tahani followed the latter quietly and gave a signal to the others who's waiting for her. As they went through the door, slowly they descended on a spiral staircase which leads to a secret room. The room was dark and had thin air that reminded Tahani of mountains from Himalayas.

A spark of fire came from a match, then Diomedes proceeded to light twelve candles. The room turned bright and it revealed centuries old wall paintings of the Celestial beings. The room was shaped like a crescent moon, and the ceiling depicts the story of the Celestial beings before they were slain by the Undying man. Though the paintings were stained with dirt and was dilapidated throughout the years that passed, Tahani still marveled at its beauty.

"This is one of the twelve Sacred rooms." Said Diomedes. "But this place is special, for it was Haris and his family who built it. This was one of the first safe room which was created."

"I am honored to set foot on these grounds." Was Tahani's answer, she said in a whisper. She bowed her head and opened the palm of her hand as symbol of respect to the Celestial Sagittarius. "May I ask why you brought me here?"

Diomedes' sight never strayed away from the paintings in front of him. "You seek audience with the boy."

"Yes."

"I will let you..." The Elder one said slowly, as if he's in deep thought. "...but first, you have to know the truth. The truth about Andrew and how he inherited the power of Fire of Life."

'The truth?' Tahani thought to herself. She was caught off guard and her expressionless demeanor was shattered. She was confused, and had no clue on what's going on. "What truth?" She finally gathered the courage to ask. "I don't understand."

"Sagittarius showed up in my dream thirteen years ago... that was the day after I was appointed as the head of the Elder Keepers. He appeared to me in a form I've never seen before. Before I can only see him as apparitions or a glowing ball of fire. But on that day... I saw a man and his body glows of blue fire, he took his bow and arrow and then shoots it---leading the heart of the arrow into the heart of a crying boy who is in dire need of help."

"Andrew..."

Diomedes nodded. "Yes, that boy is Andrew... And then he told me about the truth about the Undying man."

Tahani's eyes widened. "The Undying man?" Suddenly her mind went on haywire, could the truth that they've known all along to be a lie?

"He's not immortal." Diomedes blurted out. "His flesh continues to rot and decay. I fear that the Undying man is after the Relics to complete his transformation. When Sagittarius used his power to awaken the power of Leo---it was not just for us to protect the boy but to add a Protector to this planet. One by one... at their pre-destined time the two other Celestial beings power will be awakened to defeat the Undying man. Because the Celestial being feared that if the madman collected the relics, then he'll use it to turn himself into a God, and overthrow the last Celestial."

"Why?" Tahani was trembling, and is shaken. "Why are you telling this to me now?"

"Because I need someone I can trust." Diomedes confessed. "Not everyone in our family truly accepts their purpose in life, unlike you. They were simple born into this family and has the Oldest one's blood running through their veins... but the purpose... the mission is not engraved in their hearts. The news of an upcoming war will surely test their purpose..." He sighed and closed his eyes. "...and as foretold by the Celestial being, their hearts will be lead astray. Which is why he chose to ignite the fire inside little Andrew. Someone who doesn't have the blessing of Aries."

"Why does it have to be that boy? He was so young... and helpless... And the fire, not did it only consume his father... but..."

Memories of the great fire came rushing into Tahani's mind. People are screaming, and begging for their lives for the fire lasted for so many days and was only perished after a week. Some burnt to death, not only the adults but kids and babies... the children. A great number of Haris descendants perished as well. Joetta, her best friend. As well as Zena and Neil, the parents of Timothy. A lot of lives went to waste. A lot was sacrificed.

Pain turned to anguish and anguish into anger. Suddenly her blood boiled and her face turned red. She balled her fist, her long nails digging against her skin. "My friends... our family. Did the Celestial meant to kill them?"

"He did not."

"What about the boy?" Was Tahani's question. "Does he know about this?"

The Elder male shook his head. "He does not. But I tell you this, Tahani... everything will come to place. Now, I need your help. Until the boy is ready and until all the other Celestial can help destroy the Undying man."

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

Loud cries for help and plea of mercy resounds inside a small damp and dark room. A young Keeper named Phing had been held captive here for days without food and water. He's naked,  hungry, scared and confused. One thing is for sure, before he lost consciousness there was a big explosion on the Fortress of Scorpio, he was one of the soldier's in line.

He can still feel his limbs trembling and his body ached everywhere. "Is anyone there?!" Again and again he screamed, yet he could only hear his voice echo inside a room. "Please, help me!"

He tried to stand up but his feet were bound and so were his hands. He tried to wiggle himself up and tried to stand up but he couldn't find anything to lean on for balance. For days he has not heard a sound other than himself. And then the door suddenly opened, showing a small stream of light from the outside.

"Hello?!" He shouted with all his might, hoping that it was someone who heard his cries for help. "Please help me..." He begged until his throat became sore.

Soft footsteps can be heard, until the faint noise became louder and louder with each step.

"Hello?"

A loud thump resounded and then a man jumped in front of him. "Hello to you too..." Was the man's sarcastic reply. The man in front of him was wearing the same uniform as the guards in the fortress, yet the chills ran into Phing's spine. The man was wearing a black mask that covers his face, yet the eyes of the man looks so familiar.

The man squatted right next to him, and then bent over. "You hungry?"

The feeling of his life still in danger did not wash away. He keeps on fidgeting and his breathing was labored and he felt so weak. "Who are you?"

The man only laughed at him. "Be careful with your questions... as you may not like the answer."

Phing's lips began to tremble and a disgusting---almost unraveling feeling crawled under his skin. He spat on the man's mask, until his spit dribbled from the man's mask to the floor. In a blink of an eye the man grabbed a fist full of his hair, and planted his face against the ground.

"You disgusting thing..." The man hissed. He stood up forcefully lifted Phing up, his hands still grabbing on to the latter's hair.

"Coward." Phing whispered. "...show yourself."

The man scoffed and laugh. "...suit yourself." Was what the man said when he took off his mask.

Phing turned pale when he saw the man's face. The man had pitch black eyes and a mouth full of fangs. He has never seen a creature like this before. "What are you?" Phing's voice trembled along with his body. "Who are you?"

The creature smiled, and the curl of his lips reached his cheek bones, showing nothing but fire and metal and tar. "I'm Golind." Was the creature's answer. "And I'm going to need your face."

Golind stretched his fingers and slammed his hand against Phing's face. Slowly, the young man's body begin to disintegrate and decay until all that is left of him is skin and bones.

The flesh of the young man crawled into the vile creature. His skin that was made of metal and tar was now covered with smooth skin and his hideous face was replaced with the handsome man's own.

"Sorry, I had to do this while you're conscious." Even Golind's voice is the same as Phing's. "But if you were asleep, it would not be as fun, would it?"