I gripped an armrest of the couch in my apartment room, watching angels fly by through the adjacent glass wall. I was informed by Celestia that my room would be ready by tomorrow, but the apartment would do for now.

Knock knock.

Someone’s at the door.

I flew over, turned the handle- nobody. The hallway before me was empty, spare my neighbour leaving his room.

“Hiya, dove.” exclaimed a voice, its source skipping over to me, from where it stood on my bed, in a long, red, velvety dress.

Red-black hair fell in locks around her neck, held in place by two crimson hair clips that, though appearing to be for a child, suited her perfectly.

“How did you get in?” I almost-yelled, stumbling back in surprise.

“I walked in!” she said, her lips forming a smile.

I shifted slightly, made uncomfortable by this embodiment of ‘explosive’ standing before me.

“What?” I responded, furrowing my brow.

The woman took my hands into hers, shaking them wildly.

“Calypsis. Acolyte of destruction. Nice to meetcha.”

“Auva. Nice to meet you.”

“No, no need to introduce yourself. Your reputation precedes you.”

I recoiled slightly, giving a strained grin.

“Oh. I see.”

Why did Celestia announce my presence? Now I’ve got all these expectations—

“I’m not really expecting much if that’s what you’re stressing about.”

“Can you read minds?”

“No. Just faces.”

Calypsis grinned, a genuine one, and patted me on the head. She ruffled my hair, possibly pulling out a few strands in its frantic movements. Skipping to my couch, she collapsed on it.

“So… why are you here?” I asked, flying over to sit next to her.

“Oh, yeah!” she snapped her fingers, as if suddenly remembering something.

“Let’s go sparring!”

“Why?” I asked, brushing hair from my eyes.

“Oh, I just want to.”

I’m about to get demolished.

“Sure.” I whispered, getting up.

“You have Ceres yet?”

“Ceres?” I mumbled, wrinkling my brow.

“”I’ll take that as a no. Come with me!”

With a tap of her hand, my glass wall exploded. She leapt out the room, hurtling towards the footbridge below. Panicking, I, too, leapt from the room, spreading golden-white wings to plummet down and catch her. Scooping Calypsis’ frail body from the sky, we flapped away.

“Are you crazy?” I yelled, struggling to be heard over the whipping wind.

“Up to you, dove!”

-

I landed in front of the Stella Praetorium, a chill running through my bare feet. The guards glanced at us, then looked away.

“Why are we here?” I asked, walking through the front doors.

“To pick up Ceres!” she whispered, crouching behind me.

“What are you doing?”

“Well aren’t you full of questions.”

She looked at me and giggled, then slapped a hand over her mouth.

“Lady Celestia doesn’t like me that much. Might have something to do with how I destroyed her last Praetorium.”

“Ok…”

We crossed the Praetorium floor, getting odd looks from guards. Then she stopped.

“Ok. Climb the stairs, then call for Celestia. When she appears, ask for Ceres.”

“Ok.”

I approached the pedestal, Calypsis quickly ducking behind a pillar. Clasping the crystal, I walked up, up, to the top.

“Celestia.”

The crystal shattered as threads of light weaved together, forming a blonde-haired girl with galaxy eyes and beige skin.

“Auva. What do you seek.”

Celestia’s voice echoed throughout her Praetorium, and I could feel its vibration through my body.

“Lady Celestia. I humbly ask for Ceres.”

“Ceres. Where did you hear that from?”

Probably shouldn’t say Calypsis.

“Another Acolyte, my Lady.”

“So Calypsis?”

“Y-yes, my Lady.”

“I knew it. Tell her to stop hiding.”

Leaning over the side, I yelled.

“Lady Celestia says stop hiding. I think she can see you.”

I heard a voice swear below, and Calypsis emerged. She waved at Celestia, and left.

“So. I can give you Ceres. But do you know what it is?”

“No, my Lady.”

“I shall elucidate. Ceres, like the other Godly Machina, is a sentient weapon passed down from Acolyte to Acolyte. They each take on different forms, Ceres being a spear. I think Calypsis has a rocket launcher. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I believe I do.”

“Then I shall give. See that crystal on the wall? The pink one. Break it.”

Gripping the pink crystal, I broke it in my hand. It shattered into sizable shards, the shards expanding and reforming into a silver, topaz-encrusted spear. The tip glowed a harsh white, glittering like it was made of diamond. Taking it, a feminine voice spoke in my head.

“Hello Auva starborn, third Acolyte of stars.”

Hello? Are you Ceres?

“Yes. I am Ceres. Nice to meet you. Just call me if you need help.”

Ok.

“You having a nice conversation with Ceres?”

“Yes, my Lady.”

“Good. Now leave me be. I have Gods to talk to.”

Celestia faded away, and I flew out the Praetorium.

-

“You ready, Dove?”

We stood on the green crystalline floor of the sparring grounds, angels and imps seated in grandstands on all four sides.

“Yep.”

An angel shouted ‘go!’ and I leapt into the air. Materialising Ceres, I brandished her defensively.

”Be ready, Lady Auva. Occizzor is dangerous.”

Occizzor?

“Calypsis’ Godly Machina.”

Calypsis materialised Occizzor, a massive cannon the size of her body. She effortlessly lifted it onto her shoulder, aiming it at me.

“Hope you’re ready for a BLAST!” she giggled, launching a red projectile at me.

Ceres. I need help.

“Certainly, Lady Auva.”

Ceres buzzed, and a jolt went through my arm.

“Cast your shield, Lady Auva.”

I threw my halo in front of me, and it grew, once again, into a shield. The red cube flying towards me was absorbed, another jolt flowing through my arm.

What was that?

“That was my magic. I call it absorption. It allows you to ‘consume’ energy, and use it to charge your attacks.”

I spun my halo, a blast flowing through it towards Calypsis. She dived out of the way, a gaping hole in the floor where she once stood.

I think I may stand a chance.