"Hinabi, I grant you freedom to speak to me for the sake of this young man and all of humanity!" Ave commanded with a firm yet motherly tone.
Her once eagle-sharp gaze softened as it met the beautiful priestess's. There was an aura of wisdom radiating from her eyes, as if they held the secrets of the universe.
"But in return, you must keep my presence among you a secret until I permit you otherwise. Or I will reveal it myself."
Ave's voice returned to its flat tone, concealing an unexpected power. A promise and a warning, both spoken from her lips.
Ave then gracefully walked towards the edge of the towering wall. From there, she gazed towards Xiangdu, which stretched out far below to the east.
Her eyes narrowed, piercingly staring at the center of civilization, as if she could penetrate every corner and hidden darkness.
"That foolish sibling of mine is truly corrupted by the Plague!" She sighed softly, yet her voice was laden with deep disappointment and sorrow.
Hinabi, who had been enduring excruciating pain throughout her back, slowly rose. With faltering steps, she approached Ave and stood beside her, though her face still bore the marks of pain.
"Lady Ave... Forgive my impudence." Hinabi said in a hoarse voice, before finally kneeling before the imposing figure.
A gentle smile spread across Ave's lips, erasing the tension that had filled the room. "Rise, Hinabi... perhaps in the past, I would have welcomed such reverence.
But now, it is the Mother who deserves your worship. Not I." She spoke with a tone of understanding.
Hinabi obeyed, slowly rising to her feet. Ave extended her hand, gently touching Hinabi's shoulder.
A golden light emanated from her palm, enveloping Hinabi's body with warmth. Hinabi looked slightly surprised but passively accepted the gentle touch. Ave chuckled softly at Hinabi's expression.
"Fear not, Hinabi. This is the Mother's power, the tone of life... your pain will vanish." True enough, Hinabi's body instantly felt warm, and all the pain from the previous impact disappeared without a trace. A miracle had just occurred before her eyes.
"Hinabi. You received the Mother's blessing. A power called Maha, correct?" Ave asked with a probing gaze. Hinabi stared at Ave with wide eyes, bewilderment filling her mind.
How could Ave know about it, when she had never told anyone?
"Do not be surprised, Hinabi. I founded the first Sun Temple on a distant continent called Lalaluna.
And the temple on the Thousand Flowers Island is merely a small fragment, an inseparable part of that magnificent continent." Ave explained, unveiling a long-hidden mystery.
"And I was supposed to guide you and all of humanity, along with my five siblings." Ave continued, a hint of regret in her voice.
Ave smiled again, this time more sincerely. Then, she turned fully towards Hinabi. "I will remove my Maha and give it to this young man." Ave said, startling Hinabi with her words.
"Lady... then you will..." Hinabi tried to interrupt, but Ave gently cut her off.
"No, Hinabi. I feel an overwhelming guilt in my heart..." Ave turned her gaze towards the temple, as if seeking answers among the sturdy pillars. "Does the sacred chamber still exist there?" She asked.
"Yes, Lady... wherever a Sun Temple stands, there will always be a sacred chamber." Hinabi replied confidently.
"Take me there. I wish to stay there. Tonight, I will consume a portion of this man's soul." Ave said, gazing at Jade, who still lay weak in her arms. Hinabi looked deeply worried but dared not object.
She was well aware of who stood before her, a Grand Aeon whose power far surpassed her understanding. That night, carefully and respectfully, Hinabi led Ave and prepared everything the Grand Aeon required.
In the sacred chamber, usually used for sacred rituals, all the altars were moved, leaving a spacious room now transformed into Ave's private chamber. In the center of the room, Jade lay on the Night Princess's luxurious bed, looking fragile and helpless.
Ave sat by the bedside, watching Jade with an inscrutable gaze. Hinabi stood anxiously in the corner of the room, awaiting further instructions.
"Hinabi, I smell the Mother's scent on all the guards, soldiers, and some adventurers I encountered on the way here." Ave said, breaking the silence.
"What is it?" Hinabi immediately approached, kneeling and placing her hands on Ave's lap, a gesture of obedience and concern. "It's muscle force serum, Lady. Made from Mythril..." Hinabi replied in a low voice.
"Hinabi... Hinabi. Why have you gone so far... How many humans have you sacrificed by injecting the Mother's crystallized tears? It can kill humans." Ave's voice rose, expressing disappointment and suppressed anger. Hinabi bowed her head in shame, tears welling up in her eyes.
Hinabi knew very well that this practice had been passed down through generations, long before she was born. And she also knew the terrible risks that could occur if the human body could not adapt to the power contained in the serum.
"Forgive me, Lady... Forgive our greed, we humans." Hinabi said between sobs.
Ave sighed deeply, trying to calm her emotions. "Enough, Hinabi. What matters now is that Rivotra has resumed the war for the will..." Ave stopped speaking, reluctant to utter the forbidden name.
Hinabi looked confused, not understanding why Ave suddenly stopped mid-sentence. "Whose will, Lady? I do not understand." She asked innocently. "It is nothing, Hinabi. You must not hear His name. You could perish." Ave replied warningly.
"I will tell you a story from 20,000 years ago. But first, I will teach you how to use the 'Maha' that the Mother bestowed upon the twin priestesses of each generation." Ave said, shifting the conversation to a more important topic.
"And that is the key to defeating a Grand Aeon absolutely, but there is one more condition. Mythril Blood, a very rare mineral. It is the Mother's tears mixed with blood. Forged into a weapon, it can easily kill even a Mystical Beast." Ave explained, providing crucial clues.
Suddenly, Hinabi's memory drifted to her beloved dagger. Without hesitation, she drew it from her waist and handed it to Ave.
"Is it like this, Lady?" Hinabi asked, offering the dagger with its shimmering purple blade.
"Yes, but this is impure and purple. Did you mix it?" Ave asked, receiving and examining Hinabi's dagger carefully. Unexpectedly, Ave scratched the dagger's blade across her own palm.
A drop of fresh red blood dripped from the small wound. "See, even though it is impure, it is still dangerous to us. But it cannot kill us perfectly." Ave said, showing the wound on her hand.
"Very well. I believe it is time for you to hear the story of us Grand Aeons. Stand, Hinabi." Ave commanded. Hinabi immediately stood, while Ave glanced again at Jade, who still lay unconscious, before returning Hinabi's dagger.
"Listen carefully, Hinabi. After I tell you how to activate your 'Maha,' you must not tell anyone. Your and Hanabi's Maha is called The Astrologer." Ave said seriously.
Ave approached Jade and took his cold hand. "Hinabi, hold my hand." Ave said, extending her other hand. But Hinabi looked hesitant, her eyes lowered. "Do not be afraid," Ave continued, trying to calm the hesitation on Hinabi's face.
Hinabi still looked unsure, but finally, she dared to take Ave's hand. Ave smiled gently at Hinabi and said in a soft yet powerful voice. "This is how you activate The Astrologer..."
Darkness! Suddenly, the place where Ave and Hinabi stood turned into pitch-black darkness. Yet, the sacred chamber had been brightly lit by lamps from every corner.
"Lady! Where are we? Lady? Where are you?" Hinabi's voice sounded panicked, trapped in the absolute and unexpected darkness.
Ave laughed, her voice echoing in the darkness, as if they were in a vast and deep cave. "Hinabi... Hinabi. Do not be afraid. I am still holding your hand." Ave replied calmly, though a soft chuckle lingered in her voice.
Slowly, a small light appeared in the darkness. The light was initially just a dot, but gradually, it multiplied, twinkling like fireflies on a summer night. "What are those?" Hinabi asked Ave, her eyes captivated by the unprecedented sight.
Unlike ordinary fireflies, these lights emitted various colors that blended into one, creating a beautiful and mesmerizing spectacle.
The luminous objects fluttered gracefully, increasing in number until they illuminated the entire area around them.
Ave and Hinabi now appeared to be standing on an endless, dark, and silent ocean. In the distance, the silhouette of a magnificent pyramid, like building was visible. However, at the pyramid's peak, there was a throne made of glittering Mythril stones.
Strangely, Jade seemed to be sitting comfortably on the throne, chin resting on his hand, but his eyes were closed, appearing to be sound asleep.
Ave then answered Hinabi's question calmly. "This place is called 'Nypocampus,' the place of consciousness and soul. And look at the handsome man there." Ave said, pointing towards Jade.
"We are inside that man's Nypocampus. This is The Astrologer's ability." Ave concluded, ending her explanation with a mysterious smile.
"How do you activate this power, Lady? And is Jade alright there?" Hinabi looked worried about Jade's condition.
You can activate it now. I have taught you, you understand, don't you?" Ave replied. Hinabi indeed felt as if she could when Ave said so.
Because the power seemed to be waiting for Ave to teach her, considering Ave was the founder of the Sun Temple
Ave smiled. "Yes, he is fine. He is asleep like his physical body. I will train him in this place and share my Maha." Ave replied to Hinabi again.
"If you share your Maha, does that mean you will marry Jade, Lady?" Hinabi seemed to protest, her face full of concern.
"My siblings and I are called the Order of the Sun, who follow the Mother. And Rivotra is called the Order of the Moon, who follows the Father."
"Those of us in the Order of the Sun cannot harm our siblings. Not even Rivotra, nor the fiery Ifrit. We cannot harm them."
"How about we sit near Jade? I will tell you about the history of 20,000 years ago, so you understand clearly, Hinabi."
They both approached Jade and sat on either side of his throne. "Listen well, Hinabi. This place is not bound by time. Here, you can pray to the Mother, and here, you can summon a Grand Aeon."