Everything this creature said sounded too good to be true. There had to be a catch. Why else would they rescue me for no more than the permission to live peacefully in my body?
In truth, I didn’t know how I felt about the situation. Without them, I would have died. Now, I had to deal with the consequences of my drive to live and be free from it all.
Freedom…
That was the one goal I had dreamed of since I had awakened on the Yaarkins’ medical bed, and until recently, I had thought I had accomplished it.
Looking away, I closed my eyes and pushed the golden Kaede away. I couldn’t stand looking at an ethereal dressed up as someone I cared for, no matter how they explained that they meant well.
“Could you please stop disguising yourself as my mates? Or anyone I know, for that matter? It’s not as comforting as you intended. In fact, it’s quite unnerving.” I felt him shift away and sighed, relieved that maybe he was listening to me after all. “I would rather you just be yourself, especially if we are now stuck with each other.”
“I see. There is one problem with your request.”
“Which is?”
“My people do not have a basic form,” he explained. “We don’t have a body because we are beings made of mere energy, concentrated in a crystal orb until we bond with a host.”
“And if you don’t find a host?”
“We slowly fade away and die, leaving our gem-like bodies behind.”
“The night lamps…” I muttered as I opened my eyes in awe. I had expected to see them dressed as Kaede still, but instead, a glowing golden sphere the size of my fist floated like a living star in front of me.
“Yes. You are correct, Selena,” the orb replied, still sounding exactly like me. “When my people, the Oetsae, fade to nothing, our souls leave some energy residue behind. If their gem casting is provided light from a star, it can continue to recharge and be used as a light source.”
“Are you saying that you need to be exposed to an energy source like the sun to stay alive?” I asked, battling my curious desire to reach out and touch the glowing orb. “What about the ones that power the robots? Are they alive?”
“One question at a time, Selena.” The golden Oetsae laughed, sounding like tiny twinkling bells, as it bounced in the air above my head. “The ones who power the devices the Fab Five designed and Destima’s citizens use are indeed alive, though they have integrated with those gadgets, doing the tasks the operator requests. While the devices may not be living, they give the Oetsae access to the sun’s energy and temporary interactions with living matter, thus keeping their souls alive. Until they have a willing host, living as an energy cell is the best option.”
“So I don’t need to sunbathe or something to energize you?” I pictured myself standing outside between Xylo and Z’fir, absorbing the sun’s rays like a Wudox. Sadness washed over me when I remembered how I had left them. The faint mental threads had reassured me they were all still alive but very distant.
“That’s unnecessary. I live off the energy you create, though I could absorb energy from a dead orb casting in dire need.”
From my recent troubles, if I ever returned to my clan on Destima, I may need to invest in some new jewelry with the gems we used in the night lamps. That way, I could feel more secure about preventing harm to me or those around me.
“If we are going to coexist, I can’t keep guessing what I should call you. Do you even have a name?”
“Euouae.”
“What type of name is that?”
“I could say the same to you, 5313-3F.”
“Selena. My name is Selena,” I corrected. “You made your point, but I’m going to call you Vowels—or E—because there is no way that I can pronounce that.” Crossing my arms, I glared at the bouncing orb. “And do you have to keep using my voice while you’re at it?”
The glowing orb flickered through an array of colors before settling back on its original gold.
“How about this?”
Closing my eyes, I felt his warm tenor voice wash over me, instantly calming my nerves like my Ulax mates.
“Is this your true voice?” Opening my eyes, I tilted my head to gaze at the golden sphere. “What are you?”
“I believe your people define my kind as genderfluid, for our existence isn’t limited by a physical form and its definitions. Lifeforms like yours impose too many restrictions that take away from the soul of the body,” he explained, spiraling around my head before settling on my palm. “For your sake, I shall use this male voice, since you receive the greatest comfort from your male companions.”
“Only if you want to. I don’t want—”
“You aren’t forcing me to do anything, Selena. For us to coexist, you need to trust me to care for you and know that I will never abuse our symbiotic relationship. A voice doesn’t define who I am, but it matters to you, so I shall interact with you using this voice and form.”
“But if you ever want to change—”
“Then I will, but only after you grow accustomed to our newly formed relationship. Until then, I will remain like
