On the Origin of Celestial Beings
Standing in front of the full length in the mirror in Alice's room, Aurora stared back at her own reflection. Aurora's wedding dress had arrived early that morning. Alice and Rosalie had convinced Aurora that the haute couture fashion house of Zuhair Murad would be the only obvious choice. Aurora wasn't entirely sure she was an haute couture kind of woman, but as soon as Alice had laced up her dress, she realized that the two vampires were right. Her ivory white dress had elaborate embroideries of flowers and flora that started at the neck of the strapless dress and flowed down to Aurora's feet The dramatic tiers and soft ruffles that accentuated the bodice of the dress made Aurora look as if she were floating, rather than standing. The bodice of the dress hugged her form perfectly, accentuating her neck and shoulders. Gently taking the material in her hand, Aurora gathered the skirts, lifting them gently, whilst she turned around. The corseted back accentuated her curves and petite figure, making it seem as if the designer had sewn the dress onto Aurora. The pendant her mother had given her, had never left Aurora's neck, and now it seemed as if the necklace and dress were made by the same designer. The sapphire pendant winked in the mirror to Aurora. She sighed.
"Well I was right, wasn't I?" Rosalie's voice came from the doorway.
Aurora turned, rolling her eyes.
"Okay, okay, you were right," Aurora replied.
Rosalie clicked her tongue, as Alice twirled into the room.
"We're not done yet," Alice chided Aurora.
Alice scooped up the long veil that was trailing from a nearby desk to the door of her bedroom. Rosalie helped her carry the delicate fabric, as she placed it on Aurora's head. The veil had hundreds of tiny Swarovski crystals sewn in it, making it look as if Aurora's silhouette were made of diamonds. Rosalie fussed over Aurora's head, smoothing the train of the veil over her dress. Alice stood behind Aurora, squeezing her shoulders, peering into the mirror, and smirking at Aurora's reflection.
"I'm always right," she said.
Aurora blushed, realizing she was ogling herself just a little bit too much. She turned to Alice and Rosalie continued to fuss with the ends of her dress.
"I can't believe this is actually happening," Aurora breathed.
Rosalie looked up.
"It's happening, believe it," she said, smirking.
Carlisle and the others had already gotten fitted for their suits hours ago and had gone hunting in the forest. Aurora looked through the large window.
"Don't tell me you miss him already," Rosalie teased.
Aurora shook her head. She bit her lower lip, considering her next words.
"Alice, Rosalie... What do you think about inviting Bella to the wedding?" she asked quietly.
She knew that the guest list had already been drawn up, approved, and then re-approved by everyone. She also knew that Rosalie, Alice, and Edward had had quite a few arguments over Bella being invited. Rosalie, of course, was absolutely against the idea and was still not exactly enthusiastic about Edward's relationship with her. Rosalie pointed out, that sidestepping the fact that she was a human, was one thing, but the fact that she seemed to attract drama and mini existential dilemmas, is what irked her more than anything. Alice was much more open-minded, though she too had some reservations, not so much about Bella, about the whole relationship. Carlisle had tried to balance his role as being supportive of Edward, giving him the same moral support as Edward had given to Carlisle while trying to remind Edward that there were many risks associated with being involved with a human. The conversations tended to turn edgy when Edward would often challenge Carlisle on his own relationship with Aurora, though he knew full well that Aurora was different. Though none of the family still understood the magnitude or origin of Aurora's powers, they did know that she was unique. In the end, there was no decision on whether Edward would use his 'plus-one' and invite Bella, and he himself had not spoken much on the subject.
"Haven't we beat this horse to death?" Rosalie replied. "No one said she can't come; I would just prefer she didn't. Besides, it's up to Edward to invite her or not."
Aurora bit her lip, catching Rosalie's cold stare. While she was older than Bella and had little common ground with the teenager, she did feel for her. Bella, she observed, had a knack for unintentionally being swept up into drama and intrigue, much like Aurora had. Though, Aurora did concede she was in a much different place. She accepted that she had unique abilities – and though she didn't fully comprehend their magnitude, she understood that because she was different from others, she was much more alike to the Cullens, than someone like Bella might have been.
"I know, I know, but maybe Edward would feel a bit more supported if he knew that we all were a little more than lukewarm towards Bella," Aurora answered.
Alice smiled softly as she slowly undid Aurora's corset, while Rosalie helped Bella wriggle out of the dress, without stepping on the delicate material. She managed to step out of the dress, as Rosalie took her hand helping her balance. Alice carefully gathered the dress and the veil, placing it on a hook, before returning it to a sealed bag and hanging it in her walk-in closet.
"I think it would be nice if Bella came. Maybe she'd feel less insecure about her relationship with Edward," Alice spoke.
The noise and laughter downstairs announced the arrival of the Cullen men who had come back from hunting. Aurora smiled, as she saw Carlisle walking shoulder to shoulder with Edward. Alice and Rosalie went downstairs to greet them as Aurora, who was in an ivory satin slip, rummaged around the room for her clothes.
"I think I much prefer you like this," said a seductive voice from behind Aurora.
Carlisle was standing in the doorway, admiring the way the sheer satin slip was transparent in all the right places on Aurora's body.
"I'm sure you do," answered Aurora, cheekily.
She slinked over to him, nestling herself in his open arms. Carlisle grinned as she pressed her nose into his chest.
"You know, now that I think of it, I'm not particularly excited about the wedding," Carlisle said.
Aurora stared up at him, taken aback by his words.
"I am much more excited for our wedding night," he continued.
Aurora rolled her eyes at him as he teased her. He gave her a soft bite on her earlobe.
"Carlisle what do you think of asking Edward to invite Bella to the wedding?" Aurora asked slowly.
Carlisle thought for a moment, rocking her back and forth in his arms.
"I assume Edward will ask Bella to come," he said. "Why the sudden interest in Bella and Edward?"
Aurora shrugged her shoulders.
"I feel bad for her. She cares so much for Edward and she can't seem to catch a break," Aurora answered.
Carlisle laughed, ruffling her hair.
"Well she is a teenager, and for all intents and purposes, so is Edward. So, it's only natural that teenage love is moody and angsty and sometimes entirely too dramatic," he said. "But enough about Edward and Bella. Are you going to show me your wedding dress?"
Aurora clicked her tongue, pulling him by the hand towards the door.
"Nice try Dr. Cullen," she laughed. "Don't you know, it's bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the wedding?"
Aurora and Carlisle rejoined the others downstairs. The family and Aurora spent the afternoon happily lounging around the house. Emmett had even challenged Aurora to a game of chess – which she lost six times in a row. By the time a full pale moon had ascended over the navy night sky in Forks, Aurora was comfortably napping in the study on Carlisle's couch. In her arms, she held a copy of Pamela – or Virtue Rewarded,that Carlisle had gifted her.
Carlisle was sitting behind his desk. On his laptop, there were various open tabs. He had been conducting research at night, every night since the Volturi had come to Forks. H would often wait until Aurora had gone to sleep before he commenced hours long, exasperating and fruitless searches for answers. He had read everything from ancient biblical and Hebrew texts to Sanskrit and Aramaic texts, to researching legends from across the globe concerning both angels and demons, the angelic and the cursed. His eyes darted over the page he was currently reading. It was a little-known scholarly article from an unknown author. The article which seemed for the most part dubious, as Carlisle had not been able to cross-reference the author's name with any other published articles. But his frustration and his tenacious hope urged him to go on.
On the Question and Origin of Celestial Beings
When it comes to the notion of a celestial being, being manifested in the body of a human, one must remember that this is not only hypothetical but in fact, has been witnessed and recorded throughout history. Most cultures have categorized these celestial beings by the categories of their respective religions naming them as saints or blessed people. However, this is only a subjective categorization in the context of organized religion. It should also be noted, celestial beings whose vessels are human bodies vary, in that there is a hierarchy of celestial beings. Their powers and their abilities will depend on how closely bound they are with their human soul. The stronger a celestial being, the more likely it is that their human life will be burdened with torment and pain, as they will be locked in a battle of cosmic forces – between the objectively good and the objectively evil. It should also be noted, that any true celestial being that mates with otherworldly creatures, whether they are the undead or the demonic, will perish. This is an absolute rule, as the genetics of the species are not compatible – true light and true darkness cannot co-exist with one another unless one perishes. However, this theory does not pertain to the next category.
One category of a celestial being that has yet to be observed or recorded is that of the hybrid celestial being. In theory, this kind of celestial being is fully human, while manifesting celestial characteristics. These characteristics can range from superhuman strength and intelligence to a boundless ability to love and forgive, a limitless sense of self-sacrifice, with a blinding loyalty to justice and cosmic balance – righting wrongs in the most severe of ways. What makes this theoretical being so intriguing is that their power may be the most potent and the most dangerous.
Carlisle felt his breath hitch in his throat as he squinted at the words on his screen. He closed his eyes and willed himself to continue to read.
A hybrid celestial can be more volatile due to the nature of their being – both human and celestial. There is no unifying hypothesis of how pure celestials or hybrid celestials, for that matter, come into being. While there are many theories on the origin of pure celestial beings, conjectures on how hybrid celestials come into being are fractured. The leading theory supports that certain humans who are born on ancient festivals or who bear the name of old-world gods may have a certain predilection towards manifesting powers of celestials. However, due to the theoretical nature of hybrid celestials, no theory offers a fitting explanation.
Unlike true celestial beings, hybrid celestials' powers are influenced by their human emotions and instincts. Their powers, when and if they manifest may not be controlled, and may harm their human bodies, though it is also theorized that a hybrid celestial may also be able to heal miraculously. However, this poses an interesting hypothesis. If there ever were a celestial human being hybrid to be discovered, it is entirely possible that their powers, though unstable and unpredictable could in fact be more powerful than that of a true celestial. It is also entirely possible that a celestial hybrid may be able to not only mate with an otherworldly creature but that in mating with either the undead, - including vampires or demons, as well as werewolves or other humanoid creatures – that the mating process could endow the celestial with the powers of their mate, while in turn the celestial could endow their mate with their own powers. This could spell either doom for the species involved - as such immense powers held by such a small circle could put into motion a bloody conflict between celestial beings, hybrids, humans, and otherworldly creatures – each species vying to destroy or conquer the other.
Author: P. Sebastian Rossi
Carlisle glared at the words. He continued to stare at them, re-reading each word. He stopped each time at the very last sentence.
"Could put into motion a bloody conflict between celestial beings, hybrids, humans, and otherworldly creatures – each species vying to destroy or conquer the other," he whispered.
Carlisle had already suspected that the Volturi would not be so easily intimidated even though they had witnessed Aurora's powers twice and felt it on their own cold skin. And if what he had read was true, that someone like Aurora could pass on her powers, while also being endowed with the other's powers, then one could assume the Volturi would try everything in their power to obtain Aurora's gift. Aurora's greatest weakness was her strength – it was her love, her limitless sense of self-sacrifice that could also be her downfall.
Something else irked Carlisle. He couldn't quite place his finger on it. He kept scanning the bottom of the article, his eyes resting on the name. Where had he seen that name before? P. Sebastian? What did the P stand for? P stood for... Padre, Padre Sebastian – as in Father Sebastian.