Tormented

A Talk

I apologize for the late update. Life got me this week. Anyway, here's the next chapter :D

Thanks to Lazypersons and Hightemplarr for the reviews!

Edited: 2/13/2022

Their Guardian is coming home.

Gaia can always tell; the itch whenever their Guardian leaves their sight is fading and they can feel their connection strengthen, become clearer with each step that closes between them. They can feel their Guardian's excitement, their joy.

Gaia despised it.

Not for the reason that they had never felt it before. They had experienced it plenty back when Sun was a newborn. Who would have thought that a newly resurrected Titan would be curious of their surroundings? Then again, when one is resurrected with practically no memory, it shouldn't come as a surprise. No, the reason why they despise that feeling of clarity, of relief, was because it was not Sun. Their Guardian, the 'toddler', was not the Titan they had watched grow into a legend, was not the infamous Leader of a notorious clan. And was not the friend that Gaia had grown attached to.

"Gai! Gai!"

Shaking out of their thoughts, Gaia tore their single optic away from the window, only to glide upwards in time to narrowly dodge a swipe from small hands. There was a sound of disappointment, a whimper, and Gaia looked down into large round eyes brimming with tears. They felt their core twist, especially when the child raised their small arms towards them. But, instead of gliding over to comfort the toddler, Gaia hovered away, placing themself higher on the windowsill.

"Oh, Ora."

There was a coo from Neve as she bent down to scoop the sniffling toddler into her arms, "Let's put you to bed, h'm?"

Gaia watched as the mother rubbed her cheek against her son's head, earning a giggle from the toddler before the pair disappeared into a hall; more than likely heading towards the child's room. Gaia took the opportunity to turn their attention back outside.

"Gaia, we need to talk."

Heaving out a frustrated sigh, Gaia turned and locked their golden optic onto Akiva, the latter of which crossed their arms and gave them a narrowed glance as they said, "What?"

Now it was the Titan's turn to sigh followed by a shake of the head, "How long are you going to act like this?"

Gaia tilted their form slightly, "Act like what?"

They couldn't help but be amused at the slight twitch of Akiva's eyes.

"You know exactly what I mean, Gaia. Acting estranged to Oraxsis. To my son. To 'your' Guardian."

"That 'child' is 'not' my Guardian." Gaia blurted; this earned them a look of disapproval from Akiva, "The only one I will acknowledge as my Guardian is Sun and no one else."

"Sun is not around anymore, Gaia." The Ghost flashed Akiva a glare, "Look, I understand why you are acting like this. You had just lost your Guardian and then, not even a day later, your instincts forced you to find another, giving you no time to mourn your loss. But you cannot do this to your new Guardian. He had done nothing wrong against you."

"When you mean 'nothing' wrong, you mean being my Guardian."

"Gaia." They can hear the impatience, the frustration in Akiva's voice, "Just think about it. Ora may not have been resurrected but he is going to 'grow' just like every other Guardian, the difference is being a growth of both mentality and physicality. He 'will' need your guidance once he hits the age to help in the frontlines. But with you acting distance, a stranger to your 'own' Guardian, it is going to result in not only Ora's death but yours as well."

"Do you think I care?"

"Damn it, Gaia!"

Reeling from the sudden shift in Akiva's tone, Gaia had no time to react when they felt fingers wrap around their close, feeling it enclose around them. As they felt pressure, feeling their shell press against their core, Gaia took in a deep breath, waiting, only to feel it come to a sudden halt.

Optic wide, Gaia felt the hand slip off of their form, only to look into Akiva's gaze, his eyes wet. He heard the Titan heave out a shuddering breath.

"If you need anything, I will be helping Neve put Ora to bed."

Then, without another word, Akiva turned and walked into the hall, Gaia listening to his footsteps fade.

"You know, I think you spent a tad bit too much time down in Rasputin's Bunker. You need to work on your social skills."

Gaia sighed, "And here I thought I had the room to myself now."

There was a chuckle and Gaia spotted a familiar yellow and white shell glide from beneath a table. They glared.

"You done?"

"Not quite."

Watching Lex twirl his back fins, Gaia opted to say nothing as their fellow Ghost glided over.

"You should consider Neve's and Akiva's feelings when it comes to your Guardian."

"For the last time, that child is 'not' my Guardian." Gaia grumbled, "and why should I consider their feelings? Shouldn't they be proud that their offspring has been chosen by the Light?"

There was a hum, "Perhaps if it were other Guardians. But not for individuals like Akiva and Neve."

Gaia narrowed their optic, "What do you mean?"

"Unlike most Guardians, Akiva and Neve had children from previous partnerships. And both lost them for the reason of the Darkness."

Waiting for a punchline, Gaia then squinted at Lex, "What? But Guardians with children are…"

"Extremely rare." Lex finished, "and more so when one makes it to adulthood."

"Adulthood?" Gaia repeated, "Who and-"

"Akiva's did." Lex interrupted, "and like Ora she was Chosen." He sighed, "and like many others, she's dead."

"And Neve's?"

Gaia found themself asking before they could stop, and they watched as Lex fixed their golden optic at them – a matching color, they realized – hesitated, and then answered.

"Died before it could take its first breath." Gaia went still at that, "Went on a mission she shouldn't have, and the Darkness took it away."

Taking in their fellow Ghost's words, Gaia found themselves looking away, shifting their attention back to the window as their optic hardened.

"What does that have to do with my relationship with the child?"

They heard Lex sigh.

"Is it not obvious? You have experience with a Guardian already, Gaia. Compared to other Ghosts, your Guardian has an advantage because you already have the knowledge on how to fight, how to defend." Lex scoffed, "All of us Ghosts may have been born simultaneously but many of us are still naïve when it comes to tactics and warfare, especially against the Darkness. Not unless we fight and learn alongside our Guardian." Gaia then heard Lex glide closer, feeling his presence lingering behind them, "However, the reason why Akiva and the others keep badgering you to form a bond with your Guardian is the reason that you have knowledge that can help their son when he reaches of age. You are their hope, Gaia, their faith that you can keep their son safe when the time comes."

Pressing their shell against their core, Gaia wanted to say something, a retort, an argument. But they found none.

After a brief silence, they heard Lex sigh once more.

"I will be taking my leave." He said, "I hope that you take what I said into consideration."

Hearing their fellow Ghost's hum fade from their receptors, Gaia shifted their focus back towards the window, and then settled onto the windowsill. Shifting their shell to get comfortable, Gaia then focused outside, watching the scuffling forms of Guardians below.

"Hope, huh?" They muttered to themself.

Xxxxx

"You have to be more careful with the Vanguard." Ianos turned his gaze towards Ace, his Ghost twirling their back fins as the latter added, "We are walking on thin ice. I don't think the Consensus are still over our 'trickery'."

"That should be the last thing they should be worrying about." Ianos snapped, descending down the steps to the training grounds, "They should be more concerned on the crumbling alliance with the House of Spirits. As I recall, they did not take the cold-blooded slaughter of their own very kindly."

And in honesty, they sounded like they wanted blood, judging from the angered screams that permeated from Angel's communicator. Fortunately, the Hunter was able to calm them down but now, the Consensus – in other words, the City – are under hot water. Eliksni after all, are notorious for being wrathful when one of their own is harmed, and there are talks amongst the Guardians where they believe that the Treaty will be annulled. No use keeping it around if they are not going to educate the newborns that step in through their doors about it.

Speaking of newborns, Ianos wasn't sure what happened to the two responsible for the patrolling Eliksni's deaths. He hadn't seen them since the Vanguard was informed of their incompetence.

"Hopefully things do not escalate." Ace hummed, "Nonetheless, we still have to be careful. I have a feeling the Consensus' patience towards us is waning. Quickly."

"Has it not been that way for centuries?" Ianos huffed, "The only reason that I have not been exiled yet is for the reason that the ones who are fully intent on exiling me have died and the new seats are unawares."

"That could change."

"Pfeh."

Ace chuckled, and then sighed, "You know, it was unkind of you to bring up Andal Brask like that, you know how sensitive Cayde is when it comes to him."

"Then they should have kept their promise. Our promise." Ianos argued, "We were not to interact with her. Even me."

It hurt, to say it aloud, a pang snapping through Ianos' chest. But it's what she wanted.

"But we were bound to meet her." Ianos flinched at Ace's words, "You know as well as I do that it cannot be avoided. At least, not completely. The least we can do is act like as though this is our first timing meeting her." He heard Ace hover closer, "And not to mention that once this mission is over, more than likely we won't work with her again." From the corner of his eye, he saw Ace shrug, "Who knows, this might be the only time we will see her. It has been 'years' the last time we even spotted Esther."

Furrowing his brows, Ianos pondered upon his Ghost's words in which, they do ring true. The last he had even picked Esther out of a crowd when she was heading to her airship. And she had ran past him, no recognition in her optics.

Ianos sighed, "Perhaps talking to her 'once' won't hurt."

Another chuckle from Ace, "Wouldn't hurt to catch up with your 'sister', right?"

Snorting quietly, Ianos simply reached out and gentle pushed Ace to the side with the back of his hand, "We will see after we inform Pluto of this."

Ace gulped, "Oh, right." They sighed, "He will definitely be 'happy' to hear about this."

"You mean more than happy enough to attack the Vanguard for letting this happen?"

"Let's just pray that it doesn't come to that."

Xxxxx

Pluto knew that it was going to happen eventually, but it was still bittersweet to know that at least half of the new Galaxy members were taking on field missions on their own, despite proving that they can take care of themselves already. Most were almost a year old already and that means that it was time for them to fly the nest. Well, most of them.

Hearing Polaris mutter under his breath about his 'shitty gun', Pluto then decided to cough, only to be amused when the Striker yelped, jumped, and bullets sprayed everywhere.

"Having trouble aiming, Polaris?"

Listening to the younger Guardian grumble under his breath, Pluto then watched as Polaris took a step back from his position behind the stand before walking over to him, and holding out his weapon, "I don't think scout rifles are for me."

Red optics twinkling with amusement, Pluto waited until Nix glided over and scanned the weapon back into his vault to say, "Prefer hand cannons?"

Seeing Polaris nod once, Pluto smiled before reaching out and patting the Titan on the shoulder, "You may practice your aim, but I will keep a close eye to see if there is any need for improvement."

Polaris's optic lit up at his words, prompting Pluto to chuckle as the young Titan ran back to his booth, raising a hand to signal his white and blue Ghost, North, to materialize his favorite weapon in his hands. Waiting until the sound of Hand cannon shots echoed in the range, Pluto then turned his optics to the other two Guardians.

"Cordelia, you may switch weapons if you like. It seems you have a fixed hand on scout rifles."

In reaction to his words, the lone Warlock of the Clan glanced over her shoulder, "Than may I work on my sniper shots?"

"If you like."

Cordelia brightened at this, and it didn't take long for Ophelia, her pink and yellow Ghost, to materialize the weapon into her hands.

Pluto then turned his attention to the youngest of the group. His smiled shifted to one of concern.

"Met? Do you need help?"

That is when Pluto saw the gray Exo's shoulders go rigid, her arms scrunching close to her sides as she slowly turned to face him. Clutching her scout rifle close to her chest, Met can hardly lift her gaze off the ground as Pluto then shifted his attention to her target; he could see that the shots were penetrated 'around it'. He could barely see if any had even grazed it.

"Met?" Pluto called again, turning his optics back towards the Titan, only to see her fidget with the weapon in her hands, "I am not upset."

"But you're disappointed." Met muttered out.

Pluto sighed, "I am 'not' disappointed, Met." He slowly approached her, "I just want to know why you keep missing your shots." He glanced back at the practically unscathed target, "It is like you intentionally missed."

"That's, that's because I am."

He blinked, slowly turning his optics back towards the younger Titan, letting the obvious question spill from his lips, "Why?"

That is when Met scrunched in further, as if to make her tall appearance smaller, "I hate hurting things, let alone killing them." Her shoulders finally slumped, and finally, she pulled her gaze up towards his, "It, it just doesn't feel right to me."

Taking in her words, Pluto found himself at a loss. True he had heard Guardians who had refused to fight, or at least, disagreed with the ways of the City and had such, had moved to the outer rims of the System. There, they not only practiced their pacifistic ways, but also utilized their light differently than the Guardians stationed on Earth. Unlike most of his brethren, Pluto does not deny nor disrespect their way of thinking, or more like apathetic to their ways. But it is another thing altogether when one of his own students holds this way of thinking.

"Pluto?"

The call of his name snapped him out of his thoughts, and Pluto found himself looking into Met's optics, the latter of which timidly stepped forward, and had placed a hand onto his arms, "You okay, Pluto?"

Blinking rapidly, Pluto then found himself smiling before nodding once, "Yes, I was just thinking is all." He then raised a hand and placed it onto Met's shoulder, "Instead of shooting today, how about I send you over to Matt."

A confused look settled into Met's face, "Why?"

"You did say that you didn't like to shoot, and you just told me that you do not like hurting anyone." Pluto can still see the confused look in her optics, "Matt isn't just a Medic, but a Guardian as well, and he is one of the few who can utilize his light for healing. So perhaps- "

"Yes!"

The sudden outburst, especially from someone as timid as Met, was enough to send Pluto reeling and he was surprised to see her green optics practically beaming.

"Do you think Matt would mind?" Her optics stayed hopeful, "If of course that is okay with you and the others? Oh! I wonder what I can do with my Light! Do you think I can heal anyone with it?"

It was the first for Pluto to see Met this enthusiastic, and he couldn't help but chuckle as he nodded, "With practice and refinement, yes."

The giddiness from Met only seemed to increase from his confirmation, prompting Pluto to feel warm as he reached out and pattered her on the shoulder once more. That is when a cough caught his attention.

"Ianos." Pluto turned and nodded at the familiar Warlock nearby, the latter of which had his arms crossed and head slightly tilted; he can easily sense the amusement behind his helmet.

Watching Ianos nod back, he then saw the way Ianos raised a hand and waved him over. Pluto simply raised a brow at this, and it took Ianos a moment to do it again. This time, he saw him shift his stance, leaning against a leg as he waved him over, this one filled with impatience.

"Met." Pluto felt the Titan's optic fixate on him, "Would you mind talking to Comet about your new 'profession'? I have a feeling he would like a say in it."

Met gasped, optics wide as she remembers her, quote on quote 'best friend', before she turned and walked away, keeping an eye on her long enough to see the familiar brown shape form of the Ghost materialize into her palm. Then, he turned his attention to Ianos.

"I apologize for interrupting." Ianos started as Pluto approached, "But I just wanted to inform you of a mission that the others and I are tasked with."

Pluto couldn't help but raise a brow, "It is nice of you to inform me when you leave, but I do recall that you are no longer a newborn."

Smiling as Ace chuckled and Ianos huffed, his joking mood quickly diminished at his next words.

"It involves Esther."

"What?! But I thought the Vanguard – "

"The Vanguard said it was time to 'rekindle' relationships with 'lost' friends."

"…Are they still in the Hall? Wait until I get my hands on them, I'll – "

"Pluto, you cannot attack the Vanguard. At least, not when we're on thin ice."

Frowning at Ianos' words, Pluto couldn't help but grumble as he turned and crossed his arms; he did bring up a good point.

"Once I get the chance, I will get them back."

"Or aim your anger at the Consensus." Ianos said, "it's about time we replace them."

"Easier said than done between a Guardian and a Non-Guardian." Pluto then sighed as he shook his head, "We promised Esther that there would be no contact between us after her memory wipe. It is a promise that 'everyone' made."

"Nonetheless, we are expected to act as though we have never known her previously." Pluto can feel the frown behind Ianos' helmet, "Pretend we have never met Esther – 8."

Pluto closed his optics and raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, "What is this mission that they are forcing you to work with her?"

"A potential artifact on Venus. She claims it can be beneficial to us."

"Then I am coming."

"No."

Pluto couldn't help but narrow his optics.

"We already have a full Fireteam of six." Ianos answered the unspoken question, "Aleeza, Carina, Angel, Esther, Spirit, and I."

"…Spirit? Why him?"

Ianos shrugged, "Apparently Neve wants him to get over his fear of the Vex. What better way to do that than to send him to Venus? Where there is a bounty full of those walking machines."

Pluto shook his head, lowering his hands as he let out a breath, "Damn it." He fixed his optics back to Ianos, focusing his gaze on where he hopes were the Awoken's eyes, "Once I am done here, I am going to speak to the Vanguard about this."

He spotted Ianos' fingers tapping against his crossed arms, "And I will try to hold myself back." A tilt of the head from the Warlock, "And my tongue, if that makes you feel any better."

"Just a little." Pluto can feel the amusement from Ianos, "Admittingly, I would prefer if you avoided a 'meeting' with the Vanguard at all."

"And constantly let them get away with bullshit like this?" Pluto scoffed, "Just because they do not have as much power as the Consensus, does not mean they agree to everything they say and invade our personal lives. Especially when it comes to the requests of old comrades in arms."

"Easier said than done." Ianos sighed, "The Consensus can be pretty stubborn."

"And Guardians are not?"

Ianos simply shrugged. Pluto let out a heavy breath.

"When are you leaving?"

Again, Ianos shrugged, "I left the Hall before I could be informed. But knowing the Vanguard, I would believe as soon as possible."

"Then the others might be waiting for you in the Hangar as we speak."

"Perhaps."

Pluto raised a brow, "And you are not going to head there?"

"Hah. No." He sensed a tad bit of mischief, pettiness behind Ianos' visor, "They can wait just a tad longer."

Blinking at him, Pluto pondered if he should just send Ianos on his way. Then, he remembered the broken promise and Esther and decided that his 'adopted son' was right. A slight delay isn't going to kill anyone.

Xxxxx

"You cannot just leave? No?"

Locking his green eyes onto Ixrsis' flickering face on the screen, Angel hesitated.

More than anything he wants to leave, head to the hidden location of the House of Spirit and mingle with the Eliksni there. Staying in the Tower with all the judging stares are starting to become too much.

But Angel knows it's also not a good idea, not after what those inexperienced Guardians had done to the three Vandals that had been on patrol. Vivaks, Zhavix, and Tiroks were their names, and the three of them had been recently promoted. He knows this because he was there for their 'promotion' after.

Angel smiled at the memory of them chittering amongst themselves, happy that they, three friends since the days of their hatching, are finally living to see peace. At least, that is what they had thought.

When Angel reported their deaths to Ixrsis, he made the mistake of not making sure the room was empty. Sirahks had overhead and immediately, the Archon set about gathering a force to head to the City to enact vengeance. The combination of Angel and Ixrsis was barely able to calm the situation. But it had caused a rift between the Tower and House Spirits. The last time Angel visited, there were more eyes of distrust, harsher whispers. Heading there would be no different than what he is currently experiencing at the Tower.

That doesn't mean his chest doesn't ache for them.

"I wish I can, Ixrsis." Angel started and then flinched at the look of disappointment that flashed over the Kell's eyes; she already knew what he was going to say next, "But if I were to leave, they will mark me as a Rogue and they will 'hunt' me down. And if I were to stay with the House of Spirit when this occurs, then you will all get involved."

"We can defend ourselves and you." Ixrsis retorted, "We have weapons and defenses now. Yes?"

Letting her words sink in, Angel couldn't help a snort, ignoring the bewildered look from the Kell. Yes, they have weapons and proper defenses now, all because the Speaker, in an attempt to mend the rift, had forced the Consensus to give permission for a limited amount of Guardian arsenal to be 'gifted' to the House of Spirit. Ships, Sparrows, and even weaponry, and although the House were happy with their new toys, it did little to sate their rage towards the Guardians. After all, it is difficult to forget just how easily they had killed their scouts.

"The Treaty," Angel began, "we worked too hard for it to break so easily."

And by the Great Machine, Angel wants it to stay, to make things work again. That moment of peace, where Vellak, Olkar, and Axtris were able to walk within the Tower without fear, with hardly any judging eyes. But now, after the incident, when the news spread, it was like as though it was all a mask, merely something to avoid trouble. Now, Olkar, the lone littermate who had stayed behind, can hardly leave the Galaxy's Clans quarters without behind harassed.

"But… the scouts…"

It hurt to hear Ixrsis losing hope.

"I pray that it will never happen again." Angel can see the doubt in the Kell's eyes, "I pray that it was only an accident and not intentional as some believe. Something that 'you' do not believe."

That, at least, he hopes so.

He paused as Ixrsis, instead of giving him an answer, shifted her eyes to the ground. Angel didn't have to ask why. This prompted Angel to sigh, leaning back in his seat upon some crates.

"I do admit though, that if it were to happen again, the alliance between Guardians and Eliksni may never improve, and this 'Treaty' will instead be called a ceasefire." Angel hesitated, "But I do not believe that day will come. I truly believe that Guardians and Eliksni are capable of living together in peace. Like what you and I have done for months."

"But the Guardians are not like you, Pure One." Angel watched Ixrsis lift her gaze, locking her eyes back with his, "They are not understanding or kindhearted as you, do not try to put themselves in the footsteps of others." She paused briefly, as if to contemplate on her next words, "In my eyes, all I see is their selfishness, their greed, and only care for those who have similar shapes to themselves, no?"

"That is why I believe this Treaty can make a difference." Angel retorted, "Just give it time. Some Guardians have lived for 'years' and many have lost those they had called friends and family to other Houses. It won't be easy, but it may take some time to realize that House of Spirit are not like the others to warm them to the idea of an alliance."

That is when Ixrsis went quiet, Angel fidgeting in his seat as he watched her gaze wander off screen. Then, she sighed, "I will trust your words, Pure One. I just pray that things will calm soon. Yes?"

Cracking a smile, Angel nodded once before he heard the familiar chitter of goodbye from Ixrsis and the screen flickered out, allowing him to hold out his hand and catching the falling communicator.

"Do you really think that the relationship between Guardian and House of Spirit will improve?"

Letting the words of his Ghost sink in, Angel held the communicator to Hope, letting her take the object back into his Vault as he answered, "It make take some time but, yes."

Hope, in turn, spun her back fins, "I wish I was optimistic as you are, Angel. But seeing what just happened with that 'accident', I am not quite sure."

"Then I guess you have to have some 'hope' then."

"Oh, Traveler." Angel chuckled as his Ghost reeled back, obvious disgust in her optic, "I swear, Cayde is rubbin' off on you. Light, that was awful."

"Cayde has a way of rubbing off on people. He's been like that ever since I have first met him."

Having heard no one enter, Angel scrambled and then jumped off his seat, only to pause when he saw the Hunter from the Hall approach. Esther, he believed her name was, and she wasn't too difficult to spot. After all, there aren't many Exo who have a strip of dark green painted over their optics like that.

"You're here early." Was all Angel could say and this earned him a smile.

"I could say the same to you." Esther said, "Then again, most of us Hunters are always pre-prepared when it comes to leaving the Tower."

"Easier to have a pack at ready than waste time prepping last minute." A red Ghost striped with blue appeared over her shoulder, muttering, "especially considering how often we leave for the Wilds."

Which was a good point, and Angel couldn't help but hum thoughtfully. Perhaps he should do the same, prepare some supplies ahead of time so that he could just grab and go.

"Want me to give you some pointers?"

Angel blinked at her. Then, he smiled sheepishly.

"If you do not mind."

As he saw Esther's optics beam at him, Angel might as well. After all, it was still early and might as well do something productive as they wait.

Xxxxx

Gaia had waited Akiva and the others left; the former for his mission and the latter seated in another room, planning out a vigil for someone they had lost. Gliding their way quietly down the hall, Gaia made it Ora's quarters, easily pushing their way through the crack in the door; a habit to ensure that Akiva and Neve could hear their son once he cries.

Approaching the child's crib, Gaia then fixed their golden optic upon the toddler, watching him sleep soundly. Seeing Ora safe and comfortable under the pale green blanket – his favorite if Gaia could recall – they couldn't help but reminisce when they first resurrected Sun.

Being one of the first Risen, Sun had no refuge, no safe place to reside in when they first awoke, and worse of all, no name. Thanks to this, it was difficult for the pair to make it around settlements, constantly at large with other Risen or 'Warlords', all of whom wanted to take land for themselves. During that time, Gaia had to not only teach Sun, but themself as well on how to wield weaponry and how to wield the light.

They attempted to shift Oraxsis into Sun's place. And they shook their shell and glared at the sleeping child.

"You are 'not' my Guardian." Gaia said, "You are 'not' my Guardian. You are 'not' Sun. You are 'not'…" Their shell trembled, "You are not Sun, but your light in every way is much like theirs. And every time I look at you, all I see is them." They closed their optic, "How come it must be you? A child born between two Guardians. A child that I have to watch grow until they are ready to be a Soldier of Light, just like I had to do with Sun."

That is when Gaia heard a whimper and they opened their optic to see Ora's face scrunched together, his lips tight into a frown.

A nightmare? Gaia thought and before they could stop themself, they glided over to where the toddler laid on their side and pushed their way in between his arms. Then, just like they had done back when Sun was a newborn, they released a small hum of their light.

It didn't take long for them to hear Ora's whimpers fade and in mere moments, all Gaia could hear is the toddler's soft breathing. That is when Gaia let out a ragged breath; they could not understand why they came to the child's aid and with such relative ease. It won't happen again.

At least, that is what they thought, but paused when as Gaia attempted to leave, they felt a small hand settle over their shell, and a light resonating throughout their core.

"Gai…"

Turning to look at Ora's face, Gaia froze when they saw a gentle smile upon the toddler's features, which was promptly followed by another resonance of light. It was obvious the child is happy, and Gaia didn't have to guess why.

Focusing, Gaia took in a sharp breath as their light matched the pattern of Ora's. A perfect match, a calming warmth, like standing next to growing flames.

"Sleep well, my Guardian." Gaia whispered, as they snuggled in, closed their optic, and kept their light beating in resonance with Ora's.