Friday, a little after 11 AM.
Astra was in her office that looked as if it represented the boundary between Earth and its rings, and outer space and its stars.
She had her hair straightened as always—it fell down like a waterfall as her bangs streaked across her forehead like sunlight rays. They moved back and forth; swaying.
Sweat was dripping from her face as her uniform began to gradually moisten.
The ball of light that rested by her also moved along with her figure; her body was twisting and turning, as if it was experimenting with momentum.
Whip!
Then, the air cracked slightly, the sound of the strike echoing inside the space.
Whip!
It cracked again, this time it almost whistled as it passed through the violet holograms.
"This is almost like a form of studying…" Astra muttered as she twisted her body, cocked her fist and struck the air once more.
"Visualize it." As if she was reliving her memories, she went over her previous fights with Kaelyn. She remembered everything perfectly, not missing any detail. It was almost as if she was fighting her all over again.
"Apply the physics concepts you know through your fighting style." Jumping in mid air and doing multiple flips, she used her Celestial powers to simulate herself flying. She reversed her direction to dodge attacks while nimbly using her body and balance to get used to sudden inertia increases.
"Control every part of your body…imagine each equation that governs the motion of your body." And, using Geometrical Vision, Astra had effectively seen mathematical equations that represented the motion of her body, giving her even more control, efficiency, and power.
"This can also improve my battle foresight…" She remarked as she practically floated in mid-air.
"However, doing things like this drains my Ethereon manipulation greatly," While breathing heavily, she allowed herself to land back down on the invisible ground.
But before she was even able to do so, she had heard a voice come from the violet holograms.
"Dreamer Sera," It was male, deep, and also very soft.
Astra almost jumped up as she heard the voice, later composing herself. "Captain Smith!" She thought.
Sighing, she continued, "Even though I knew he was going to contact me, I still feel a little embarrassed knowing that I was shadowboxing…"
"Well, I can't be embarrassed because of my work." While walking towards the hologram, she reassured herself. "I've already sorted the cyberwork and there are no Anomalies currently…"
"Yes, Captain Smith?" She asked, controlling her breathing.
"Are you available for a chat now that I have some free time?" He asked politely.
"Yeah, I'm free." She replied immediately. "Though, I haven't showered yet, so we can talk in my apartment." Astra made sure to learn from Loken's reaction at the Department of Immigration.
James paused for a few seconds. As if he was contemplating something, he said, "I think I'd be able to wait for you in your office."
Astra narrowed her eyes and replied bluntly, "I don't feel like going back to my office after entering my apartment."
"…" James paused again, still seeming unsure.
Then, still with a monotone voice he said, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, Captain Smith. 100 percent." Astra replied. Without waiting for him to respond, she said, "I'll be leaving shortly. I'll send you the coordinates to my apartment."
After saying this, Astra pulled out her phone and opened it. She then went to send James the coordinates to her apartment, ignoring the banter between Sonar and Aurora.
After completing this task, Astra left the office as the sweat on her face gradually disappeared due to the air conditioning.
…
Astra had walked out of the device that transported her to her living space, signified by the translucent violet barrier sliding open.
James had also walked out. He appeared different, younger. His beard was completely shaved and his black hair was styled so that its bangs streaked his forehead.
As usual, he wore a long, black trench coat and glasses that gave him a scholarly aura.
His scarlet eyes were narrowed—almost anxious, as he didn't take a step further into the apartment.
Astra, who kept walking, had noticed this. Turning her head back, she asked, "Why aren't you coming in?"
James' expression froze as he looked slightly to the side.
"I'm not used to this. It's a little uncomfortable to enter a woman's apartment…"
Astra raised an eyebrow slightly, appearing confused.
"A person with his looks has never been in a woman's apartment before…? No, it seems like he's never done it out of respect…"
Softening her expression, she reassured James, "It's fine. I really don't mind you being in here. You can stay there if you want, but I think you'd find it more uncomfortable." After saying this, Astra began to walk away.
James looked back at Astra's tall figure, a shadow being cast on her back as she walked toward her bathroom.
Closing his eyes and giving an exaggerated inhale, James slowly stepped into the apartment. He could've heard his own footsteps, nearly making him more anxious.
He then slowly moved his eyes to scan the living room.
"…It's a little messy." He muttered, remarking at the various clothing items that were scattered across the sofa.
In the bathroom however, Astra had taken off her Dreamer uniform and placed it inside of the automatic washer.
Brushing her teeth, she thought to herself, "Captain Smith acting like this reminds me of Xavier and Aria when they first came into my room. They were so hesitant…"
"It's really not that big of a deal. I can understand the personal aspect, but still…"
After roughly twenty minutes, Astra came out of the bathroom in a plain, baggy pastel shirt and pants. Her hair was put into a bun with strands of hair at the side of her face.
She looked at James, who was currently seated on the sofa. He looked at her for a second, still clearly embarrassed.
While Astra walked towards the sofa, she thought to herself, "And I thought I was embarrassed a few moments ago…"
Being seated about two meters away from James, Astra crossed her legs and asked, "What do you want to talk to me about?"
James, who was wearing a trench coat, replied, "First, I'd like to say congratulations for completing your first mission."
"I also want to congratulate you for still becoming a Celestial."
Astra nodded as she continued staring at James.
James, now getting more used to his situation, asked: "How was it? For both experiences, I mean. I'd especially like to know how you gained your Celestial powers."
Astra adjusted herself on the sofa, as she held her foot, getting comfortable. "My first mission was fine. I was a little nervous, though."
"That's fair. All of the Dreamers I've worked with have been nervous. The Vice-Captain was also nervous. But I couldn't blame her, as I was too." He explained with a soft smile on his face.
"Oh," Coming to a realization, he later added, "I also want to congratulate you on formally becoming a Dreamer. Were Kaelyn's sessions hard?"
Astra replied nonchalantly. "Not really. I'm still having trouble fighting her, though. I guess it makes sense, considering that she is a Sentinel."
"I can see that. She's shy, but strangely competitive when she needs to be." James said, still keeping his smile.
"You don't have to tell me that twice…" Astra almost chuckled in her head as she recalled Kaelyn's strategy.
"And, by the way, my experience of becoming a Celestial was strange. I believe it's related to the Dimension of Science and Physics, the one we talked about." Predicting that James was going to figure out her abilities, Astra intentionally mentioned it ahead of time.
"I see." James placed his hand to his chin. "Do you have any more details?"
"Not really, aside from the fact that the moment I began to introspect I awakened them." Astra replied bluntly. "I believe that my abnormality has something to do with that dimension."
"I think so too, just based on hearing the descriptions." James concurred. "By introspecting, you gained a level of understanding, which caused you to awaken your Celestial powers?"
"Yes. I also believe that perhaps some fragments of the Dimension of Sentience is within me also." Astra added.
"After all, I keep feeling this strange, ethereal feeling…"
James' mouth widened slightly as he crossed his arms, appearing in thought. After a second, he replied, "Is that so…"
After a pause, James began to speak once more.
He held his hands together as he said, "Dreamer Sera, I believe I have some information that I'd like to share with you. This is what I wanted to talk to you about, especially after hearing that you became a Celestial."
Astra expected James to say this. She only gave a sound of approval as she listened attentively.
"As you know, you failed the ritual that was supposed to make you a Celestial of Consciousness. And now, you appear to be a Celestial of that dimension."
"I wanted to tell you that the Dimension of Consciousness and that dimension has had some…peculiar connections in history."
Astra's eyes naturally glowed with curiosity, but a feeling of anxiety rested in her stomach. "What sort of connections do they have?"
James paused for a second as he tried to process his own words. "A few months back, while I was searching for some texts regarding an ancient dragon kingdom in the Transitional Eon, I found a historical text done by Seridan Von Theron."
"I'm sure you know who he is, right?"
"Him again…?" Astra inwardly raised an eyebrow. However, on the outside, she said apathetically, "Yes. I do."
"Great. I believe in the work he mentioned something about a strange dimension being at odds with the Kingdom of Life and Consciousness, which was Ancient Sentaia in the Chaotic Eon."
"However, it was not a clash that mimicked usual conflicts. It dealt with something more foreign and strange to me."
Holding his breath, James said, "I believe it mentioned a word called 'Accommodation'."
Astra's eyebrows creased. "Accommodation?"
James nodded.
"Yes. I don't really understand what it means. At first, I thought it was a concept that was lost to history. And, it was only natural that Seridan, being a Celestial of Memory, was able to find it."
"But now, it's clearly showing its depth."
Astra withdrew her thoughts for a moment. While looking at her pale blue ball of light, she said, "So, it's possible that the abnormality in me is connected to an ancient concept regarding the Dimension of Science and Physics and the Dimension of Consciousness…"
James sighed. "Yes." He later agreed.
"That explains why I saw something I shouldn't have seen in her subconscious. Something ancient is placed inside of her, for whatever reason…"
"But I wonder. Why would the Dreamweavers and the higher echelons in the Dominion foster her like this…"
After a few seconds, he continued. "This makes me believe that your theory regarding your failure being attributed to your lack of self-awareness was correct."
Astra casted her gaze down as she thought, "If this is true, then it could also mean that the existences from both dimensions are interested in me and my abnormality."
With her gaze still at her lap, she responded, "Yeah. That's most likely the case. And the more I understand myself, the more I'm able to awaken more of those powers."
Without referencing the seals, Astra had given a technically correct way of addressing her situation.
"That makes sense. As for how you're able to awaken them, it remains to be seen if it's by normal means, or by something stranger." James said softly as he slowly got up from the sofa.
Looking down at Astra, he continued, "Well. I'd wager it'd be by something stranger, since there is a possibility of you being a Celestial of two dimensions."
Astra looked back up at him, as she adjusted her hair, not saying a word.
They stared at each other for a few seconds. After some time, James said with a melancholic look in his eyes, "Are you okay? If this information bothers you, I'm sorry for mentioning it so bluntly."
Astra chuckled. Shaking her head, she replied, "It doesn't bother me. I'm also fine."
"I'm used to being labeled as strange, different from others. This is just a drop of water being put inside of an ocean."
Another few seconds passed. Softening his expression, James smiled, saying, "I'm glad to know that."
"It's always good to have mentally strong team members in the Dreamlanders, and as Celestials."
"Oh, and also. Even though this is obvious, this should be said. Knowing that you're a Celestial, you won't be doing another Awakened ritual. And, if you're interested, I will also send you the texts that I found regarding Emperor Von Theron."
"I would like that." Astra replied in a soft voice.
James smiled softly in return. "Alright. I'll send it to you whenever we meet again."
Placing both of his hands on his chest, he said, "I'll be taking my leave now. Praise God."
Astra mimicked his movements, clearly getting more used to this. "Praise God."
As James made his way outside of Astra's apartment at a rather quick pace, Astra glanced at the pale blue ball of light that rested next to her.
Again, she had the urge to touch it. She had almost felt like if she touched it, it would've spoken to her like a partner.
But, she restrained herself.
Placing her back on the sofa, she stared at the ceiling for a while. Then, she thought back on her previous words inside of that space held by the Demigoddess.
"It turns out I was connected to the absurd all along."
Then, she muttered to herself, smiling.
"After I failed that ritual, I told myself this. And as time passes by, the more true this statement seems to become."
Astra chuckled once more.
"Yes. I searched for the heavens because I couldn't connect with Earth. And in searching for the heavens, I couldn't find myself."
"In search of myself, I found myself in the sea of absurdity on a planet made by the heavens."
"But instead, I discover that I am closer to being absurd rather than swimming inside of it."
Closing her eyes, she sighed.
"Yes. The abnormality that I have is a part of who I am. It represents everything that is absurd, weird, and strange about me."
Accepting this, she finalized, "That's why I've been trying to understand Ethereon, the heavens, and even myself like a scientist—a physicist. After all, that's what we do."
"Discovering the unknown."
After saying such words, an illusory, ethereal feeling welled up inside of her. However, this time it felt more real; noticeable.
In fact, it felt like Astra could've faintly heard cracking sounds that seemed to come from nowhere but somewhere at the same time.
And, she immediately knew what it was.
"I'm almost done refining…"
Astra's lips twitched as they curled up.
It was a bittersweet smile.