Chapter 155: 2.35 Xander’s Companion (2)
Athena still looked amazed, confused and shocked despite Brie’s attempt to relax her.
"Seriously, what has our Majesty so shocked!" Sora asked curiously.
"It’s a girl and Tej thinks she will bond with Xander." Athena said, trying to regain her composure.
"Really?! Can I touch her?" Xander asked.
"It’s up to Skylar, but can you blame me for being so surprised? Apparently Tej knew this would happen all along. I’m just baffled!" Athena said and finally smiled.
"This is all so new and wonderful!" she exclaimed.
Skylar flew over and grabbed the baby from Tej. Xander noticed Tej nod and smile.
"His brain is green and pink. He’s happy and feeling loved." Xander said confidently.
Skylar brought the little phoenix over to Xander and he put his hands together in a bowl shape.
"Thanks SkySky," he said as she put the beautiful little bird into his hands. He used his own version of his safe flame to keep the chick warm.
When the chick touched Xander’s skin, he felt an immediate connection and a strange sensation spread throughout his entire body, causing him to feel dizzy. Thankfully, Skylar caught him with her wing as Sora, Brie and Athena rushed to make sure he was ok.
"I’m ok. She was just excited is all. She put a little too much of her power into me. I think we’ll get used to it once she’s a little older and I grow up too," Xander said with a large smile.
"What’s her name SkySky?"
Skylar looked at Tej. Xander and company realized the phoenixes were talking.
"I only thought of boy names and we never really talked about it. What do you think?" Skylar asked Tej.
"What about Hope? I know it’s cheezy, but she is our hope that the Nova Universe lives on, Phoenixes are born and Exteria isn’t destroyed." Tej said with a kind, nervous smile.
"I love it." Skylar admitted while she gave him a peck.
She landed on Xander, and told him the name.
"Her name’s Hope." Xander said as he held the little chick. He gave her a soft kiss on her head, whispered, "I’ll see you soon," and handed her to Athena.
Athena ensured her hands were embedded with magic as she started tearing up at the beautiful little bird, who cawed happily in her hot hands.
"She’s absolutely beautiful." Athena said joyfully while wiping golden away tears.
"Babe, did you catch that she has golden tears? She’s the only god or goddess I’ve ever seen with golden tears. We all cry silver tears, even Celeste." Sora asked Brie.
"I did. It makes sense. She’s the absolute ruler. I wonder if her father also cried golden tears?" Brie asked while tapping her finger against her chin.
"Am I ever going to meet great grandpa Zeus?" Xander asked.
"We’re not sure buddy, and that’s a question for Nana Athena and not us. Sorry!" Sora said as they watched Athena hand Hope to Skylar.
*****
"I’ll see you when you’re ready. I know you and Tej have a lot of work to do!" Athena said to Skylar via their companion link.
"Tej says she’ll grow up fast, so don’t worry. He said she’ll be an adult in a few years. That will give her plenty of time to work on her bond with Xander. I can’t believe her power almost knocked him out. Xander is a strong god." Skylar said while rocking Hope gently in her wing.
Hope burped out fire and wiggled around until she fell fast asleep.
"Well, that’s something you don’t see every day!" Brie exclaimed while picking up Xander, who was already over five feet tall and getting more muscular by the day.
"You’re Mama’s really strong, you’re growing up too fast Xander." Sora laughed.
"I am not! I turn five in a few months, what’s the big deal? We still have 13 years before we go home." Xander tried to smile, but ended up frowning.
"I know buddy, we miss them too." Sora said while hugging Xander and Brie.
"Mama, Dada, can I stay with Hope and Nana Fena tonight? I just have this feeling I should be with her." Xander asked nervously.
"Of course you can sweetie. Why are you so nervous?" Brie asked after giving him a kiss on his forehead.
"I feel like I’m always asking to spend the night with Nana Fena and I don’t want you two to be sad." Xander said, hugging his mama tightly.
"Don’t worry, if we’re ever sad or miss you, we’ll come stay the night here or take you home with us, ok?" Brie reassured him.
"Ok, thanks Mama and Dada, you’re the best. I love you!" Xander shouted as he ran over to Skylar and Tej.
"Xander be careful!" Sora yelled, only to feel embarrassed.
Tej allowed Xander to come near both of them and Skylar put her other wing around the child. He snuggled up next to her and watched Hope sleep. Eventually, he drifted off to sleep in Skylar’s arm and Tej took a lookout position while allowing Skylar to sleep.
"It looks like they have everything sorted," Athena said.
"You have such a great child. I cannot believe almost three years have passed. He’s grown so much. I know you two are proud of him, but you should really, really be happy with how well you’ve raised him." She said while she gave Brie, then Sora a passionate hug.
"Thanks your majesty. I’m just glad this year has been peaceful. The first two were all over the place," Sora admitted, while he grabbed Brie’s hand.
"That is very true. We haven’t been able to find Eris, but she’s only been gone a day. It looks like your party is doing just fine and I wish Celeste got some time to rest here. She’s been on Exteria for what seems like ages." Athena said emphatically.
"Remember, it’s only been 25 years or so for her down there for her, even if it feels like an eternity for you. She was always happy, ever since she joined the party she really started coming out of her shell," Brie said cheerfully, remembering all the good times they had with Celeste.
"Anyway, we’ll give you some time to rest and enjoy your new phoenix. How long do you think Xander will want to stay and bond with her?" Sora asked curiously.
"Who knows. That child will be very important for the future of Exteria and the future of Paradise. I’m sorry if that burdens you, but I’d rather you know the truth," Athena said as she enjoyed Skylar cuddling with Xander and Hope, all fast asleep.
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