This couldn’t be real.

“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised,” Axle began, the cup of coffee on his lips. “After all, you have turned of age.”

Auriella’s eyes widened. “Axle?”

“Auriella, I’d like to introduce you to Asteria’s acquaintance here on Earth,” Kian said. “Asclepius, of the Ophiuchus Clan– wait, Axle?” Kian’s eyes darted between the two, noticing the man’s tranquility and the girl’s shock. “Do you two know each other?”

“I…” Auriella was at a loss for words.

Axle– well, Asclepius, now, even though Auriella thought the name to be absolutely ridiculous– glanced at Kian. “She’s an employee who’s been working for me for about a year now.”

“So, you two are acquainted? Already?” Kian asked.

“Good friends, in fact, but not in this way,” Asclepius answered. “We know each other as Axle and Auriella Corentin.” He set his cup down and rose to approach Auriella, taking her hand and lifting it to his forehead. “But this is the first time we’ve met as our true selves, isn’t it? As Asclepius and the Constellation Goddess.”

Auriella was stunned. No. She was in complete and utter shock. First Kian, and now him? Did everyone else know who she truly was, too? And did everyone she’d ever met and acquainted herself with keep their true identities hidden, and, like her, possessed powers not of this world?

Asclepius slipped his hand away. “I knew who you were since the day you entered my shop with an inquiry about a job opening. Or at least, I had a suspicion. You smelled too ethereal to be an Earth mortal, but too clean to be from Ihimya.” He gestured towards Auriella’s body. “The Goddess’ mana is too strong to be concealed, even when dormant.”

Auriella narrowed her eyes. No one, not an Earth mortal or even a non-Yelernan could be able to smell the metallic scent of mana, not while they’ve been put to sleep by Norman’s protection spell. That was the whole point of his spell, for non-Yelernans to not be able to access or recognize otherworldly things so that their presence wouldn't interfere with activities on Earth. That was to say if Norman attempted to cast the spell on a non-Yelernan, but if not, then…

“I am immune to Norman’s protection spell, in case you were wondering.” Asclepius smiled, reading her mind. “I have both Yelerna and Stalera parentage, and thus, Norman cannot interfere with my powers and ability to sense out otherworldly beings. After all, he’d be interfering with the life of a mortal, well, half-mortal. Nevertheless, it contradicts his beliefs of no involvement in mortal affairs.”

Norman?

He knows Norman.

“So, you knew all along?” Auriella began. “That I had the Goddess’ blood.”

“I knew you had it.” Asclepius nodded. “But I didn’t know you drank it until I couldn’t find the ruby on you. I was surprised at first, since it seemed too sudden for the take back of Stalera to happen in this day and age. Quite honestly, I didn’t think you were cut out for it anyway. But I was wrong, wasn’t I?”

Auriella tensed. “How do you know all of this?”

Asclepius’ smile widened as he gestured for Auriella to join him on the sofa. Auriella hesitated but followed him as Kian leaned against the wall, facing them.

“The shorter, less complicated answer is that I’m a friend of the Goddess who happens to live on Earth,” he replied. “I’m what you know of as insurance. If anything were to happen to her or to her empire, I would act as refuge. Simply put, I'm an emergency backup. I’ve been on Earth for far too many centuries to count, but I’m always aware of what is happening in Yelerna and beyond in order to prepare for the future.”

Asclepius took Auriella’s hands. “Riel, your powers have awakened, seeing that Kian has gained consciousness now. This could only mean one thing, and that it’s time.”

Auriella felt her heartbeat quicken. “Time for what?”

“It’s time for you to accomplish your mission,” he said. “I know from Norman that a year ago, on your birthday, you left Ihimya.”

Auriella’s breath hitched.

“You left Ihimya for a reason,” he continued. “You left Norman for a purpose.”

Auriella pushed Asclepius’ hands away. It was only then did she realize she’d been shaking the entire time.

“The Goddess’ powers are coursing in your veins,” he said. “You are Stalera’s savior, more so than those who came before you. It has always been your destiny to protect Asteria’s blood, but the moment your powers have been activated, the responsibility for the Archfiend’s defeat and Stalera’s restoration become your reality.”

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Auriella’s head felt numb. She knew all of this. She knew that when Grandmama handed her the ruby, she became the next Successor. From Norman, she understood the powers she possessed and the potential she had to save Stalera. And in Ihimya, she realized that when she drank the Goddess’ blood, her body was no longer her own, that her desires, her wants, her beliefs were all of the Constellation Goddess. That she was no longer her own person.

It was not just fear that prompted Auriella to leave Ihimya the day demons attacked Norman’s palace. It wasn’t just helplessness either that gave her justification to abandon all of her friends for slaughter. She left because she was Asteria’s descendant, because she was always ‘Asteria’s’ and not her own.

‘She who protects the Goddess’ blood.’

‘She who holds the powers of the Universe.’

She who is no one without Asteria.

That was who Auriella was.

“Auriella, is something the matter?” Kian asked.

Auriella’s head snapped up at the sound of her name. She’d been quiet for several minutes now.

“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Asclepius continued with a sigh. “Even with what Norman has taught you, there is still a lot more you need to know before we even think to begin a plan to defeat the Archfiend.” His finger shot to the Gemini. “Starting with how to make use of him.”

Kian grinned. “It’s been a while since I’ve made use of myself as well. I think Auriella and I both have a thing or two to learn.”

“Then we will send word to Norman,” Asclepius decided, rising from the sofa. “He needs to be informed of this. If we do so quickly, we might even be able to catch a ferry ride at this hour.”

“No.” Auriella shot up from her seat, fisting her hands to prevent her fingers from shaking. “You’re not bringing me back to him.”

Kian’s eyes widened. “Why?”

“Like you said.” Auriella glared at Asclepius. “I left Ihimya for a reason and that was to get away from Norman. I will not go back there and nothing you say or do will convince me to think otherwise.”

“Do you know the situation you’re in?” Kian said, walking towards Auriella. “A demon just attacked you an hour ago and with our powers activated, there’s no predicting that there won’t be another one in the future.”

“The Gemini is right,” Asclepius cut in. “Anyone who knows a thing about mana or possesses it can smell you two from a mile away, and there are a lot of non-Yelernans like me. More so than you think. You’re practically a neon target for the Archfiend now.”

“Norman is the only person who can protect us if ever the Archfiend decides to invade Yelerna,” Kian continued. His lips tightened into a frown. “You shouldn’t be stubborn.”

“Quit being stubborn, dammit! Auriella, go! Go!”

“Shit.” Auriella grabbed her head. It began to throb just as a memory flashed into her mind. She felt Kian’s hand reach for her, but she slapped it away before he could hold her.

“I’m not going. End of discussion,” Auriella declared through gritted teeth. “To hell with Stalera if it means I have to sit in the same room with that damn old man.”

“Riel–”

“Your stubbornness reminds me of her,” Kian stated, his expression dark. “Of Asteria. The only difference between you two was that the Goddess was stubborn for her people. While you’re, quite frankly, just selfish.”

Auriella glared at him. Without thinking, she grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him in until his hot breath grazed Auriella’s nose.

“I am the protector of the Goddess' blood.” She scowled. “Everything I do and decide on is for her. For her protection.” She released Kian, and he stumbled back. “I have sacrificed everything, my happiness, my sanity, my life. What I won’t sacrifice is my own protection–” and the protection of others– “You will not force me to return to Ihimya. That is final.”

Auriella grabbed the door, opened it, and slammed it shut, leaving her own party without saying goodbye to anyone.

. . .

It took a few good moments before Asclepius allowed himself to sigh.

“It brings back memories, doesn’t it?” Asclepius began, taking his cup of coffee, which was now cold, and sipping it. “It’s funny. The last you saw of Asteria, you two were in an argument. Now you’ve met her again and decided it was wise to, yet again, pick a fight with her.”

“She isn’t Asteria,” the Gemini said, his head hanging low. Asclepius’ comment made his blood boil, and he felt Castor brew a storm inside him. But Kian suppressed it, just as he’d always done, and when he finally composed himself, he raised his eyes to meet Asclepius.

“Asteria was stubborn,” Kian said. “But not stupid.”

“And neither is she.” Asclepius set his cup down and crossed his leg. “Riel, that girl, she endured a lot, more than any of her predecessors did. She was taken in by Norman, for heaven’s sake. If you think yourself concerned with the future of Stalera resting in the blood of an eighteen-year-old mortal from Earth, imagine how Norman felt and how close he kept that girl to him.”

“I…”

“She grew up understanding that she was nothing but a vessel for Asteria to finish what the Goddess couldn’t in her lifetime,” Asclepius continued. “You of all people should be able to empathize how it feels to not be your own person.”

Kian’s expression hardened.

“I will let Norman know of what happened,” Asclepius said. “Both the demon attack and the Goddess’ powers. I will try to make arrangements so that the girl can train and learn without going to Ihimya. But as for you–” he tapped on Kian’s chest– “you need to reconcile with the girl. What she needs now is to trust us. The Constellation Goddess cannot survive long without her constellations.” Asclepius smiled. “Charm her. That shouldn’t be too difficult a task for a Gemini, is it?”

Kian closed his eyes. “It has been a while.” After a few moments of contemplation, the Gemini let out a sigh and allowed himself a grin. “Let us both pray I haven’t lost my touch.”

Asclepius patted his shoulder. “I doubt it.”