Chapter 1638: Chapter 1638

"Naiad… Wake up, my dear."

Early in the morning, while everyone slept soundly, even Maria, who allowed herself to sleep deeply to rest her mind and let her new powers settle, Celes began to hear strange whispers.

"It's time for you to return to your throne in the high seas."

They called for someone else yet somehow referred to him. These whispers came not from the outside world but from within his soul.

He woke slowly, sitting on the bed and feeling strange. The more these voices echoed in his soul, the more he felt drawn to the light streaming through the window.

The hotel Maria had chosen was luxurious. Celes slept comfortably in his own room with his mother, whom he had cuddled with.

He slipped out of bed, noticing his mother was fast asleep, exhausted from everything. He didn't want to wake her.

The boy peered through the window, noticing bright azure and golden light in the sky.

A surge of "familiar" spiritual energy, which he couldn't quite place, felt strangely compelling.

"My daughter, you've finally returned."

"You've slept enough, don't you think?"

"We've come in person just for you!"

Four voices echoed in Celes' soul as he opened the window and stepped out, floating in midair within a water bubble.

Four giants, each over thirty meters tall, loomed above.

They were majestic Merfolk, immense yet radiating divine spiritual energy.

Their presence exuded this essence, creating the bright light that drew him outside like a moth to a flame.

The most imposing was a muscular, bearded king.

"Who are you people? Why do you feel so familiar...? Wow, you're so big."

The four giants studied Celes, their gentle smiles shifting to confusion as they exchanged glances.

Meanwhile, commotion erupted in the city. Hundreds flocked to witness the four giants in the sky.

It was a rare event; their divine rulers almost never appeared publicly .

The crowd's awe and disbelief created noise, waking someone else.

"Is this... Naiad? Why do you look so different?" the King asked, puzzled.

"Is that a human child's body? Is this some vessel for you?" the Queen wondered.

"No, it's not a vessel. She's taken that form for some reason," the young lady beside them said.

"Perhaps she's hiding among mortals?" the young man added.

"Ummm... Who's Naiad?" Celes asked, vaguely recalling the name but not fully. "Wait... Ah, I somehow know you... this is weird. Is this a dream? You're the king, queen, prince, and princess... of Atlantis! Right?"

"Y-Yes... dear, do you not remember us?" the Queen asked. "How could this happen? Are you joking, you rascal?"

"It would be like her to joke..." the King laughed. "Come on, Naiad, no time for games! It's me, your father! How can you forget me? I know last time we met; I treated you harshly, but I'm here to make amends and sincerely ask your forgiveness... I was wrong. I admit it."

"Eh?" Celes tilted his head, still confused.

"She doesn't seem to remember. Look at her face, she's confused," the prince said.

"She clearly recognizes us, though!" the princess said. "She's taken a new identity and forgotten her past."

"Um..." Celes scratched his head. "The big old man... is King Oceanus, right? And the motherly lady... Queen Thalassa? And then big brother? Wait, I had a brother? Prince Brontys and... big sister? That doesn't make sense... Princess Coraleia! Yes."

"She remembers our names!" Thalassa said. "This is no coincidence. Perhaps she lost her memories in an accident, and her body took this shape to adapt?"

"We are Spirits, so while we take these forms, our true forms are shapeless," Coraleia said.

"Then it's our duty to help her remember, right?" Brontys asked.

"Hm," Oceanus nodded. "Come, Naiad, let's return to your room. I'm sure you'll recall more once you see it and the things you left behind."

"Huh?" Celes floated higher, his bubble manipulated by divine spiritual power, reaching the giants' massive eyes.

"Oh, sister, you're still so small!" Coraleia sighed. "What happened to you?"

"At your age, you should be our height..." Brontys said. "But you're back, so let's go!"

"I'm sure you'll remember everything once you taste your mother's fish pie!" Thalassa said with a gentle, motherly smile, caressing Celes as the bubble popped. He landed softly in her palm. "Aw, this body is strange... but you're still my adorable daughter."

"Eh? Ah... Wait... Eh?!" Celes gasped, realizing he was being carried away. "W-Wait! Is this really a dream?"

"You could say it's a dream for us that you're back," the King said gently. "Welcome back, Naiad... You don't know how much we've missed you."

Celes gazed at the city below, gasping.

He wanted to tell them they were mistaken, that he wasn't their Naiad.

But their happiness stopped him. He didn't want to disappoint them.

So he decided to play along for now and return to his mother later.

"Celes! Where are you going? Are they your new friends? I didn't see them! Who are you? Where are you taking him!"

Nyx's voice echoed behind, but the giants ignored her.

Merfolk soldiers appeared, blocking her path.

"Don't interfere with the four rulers and their daughter!"

"They're having a special moment!"

"Child or not, we'll use force if you persist in approaching their divine presences!"

"What? Daughter?! Celes is a boy! He's not a girl, dummies! Ugh! Get out!"

Nyx turned into shadows, evading them and leaving the guards confused, searching for her.

Her shadows traveled far, reaching Celes' shadow, accompanying him undetected by the giants.

"Celes! Pssh! Celes!"

"Shhh! Let's talk telepathically!"

Celes nodded as Nyx noticed the King's concerned glance, but she was too well-hidden for him to spot.

"What's wrong, Naiad? Do you feel sick?" the King asked.

"Huh?" Celes said, confused. "I'm not Naiad... though..."

"You'll remember soon and leave that form, don't worry," the King smiled. "You'll be back in no time."

Celes fell silent, feeling guilty as he began to understand.

"Celes, you're being kidnapped!" Nyx said.

"It's not that, Nyx, don't worry!" Celes replied. "These people think I'm their daughter, and I think I know why."

"What?!" Nyx said, confused.

"Remember when you and your mom arrived in my town? It's blurry, but they said something about me being someone's reincarnation... or something. It's weird," Celes said. "Maybe they think I'm that person, even though I'm not..."

"...Ah!" Nyx's eyes widened. "So much time has passed, I forgot, but you're right! The Oasis Spirit, right? But... I don't recall her being part of a divine family of giant gods! This is strange!"

"Me neither, but did we learn about her past? I'm supposed to be her reincarnation, but I don't have her memories... I'm just me, Celes..." the boy sighed. "Am I, Nyx?"

"You are! You're Celes, my best friend!" Nyx nodded. "But these people... aren't they creepy?"

"No... I feel sorry for them. They've waited for Naiad to return, maybe for hundreds of years!" Celes said. "She died, and I came back, so they think I'm her... I can't imagine how devastated they'd be if they knew the truth."

"Celes..." Nyx sighed. "You're right, they look so happy... but I see lingering sorrow in their eyes. They were probably very sad before meeting you."

"Yeah... see? I can't just say no to them now," Celes sighed. "Ugh, what do I do?"

"I'll watch over you for now!" Nyx said. "Then we can solve this slowly and tell them the truth."

Celes nodded, though he felt bad keeping Nyx in a shadow.

"Um, can I show you my friend?" Celes asked. "She's a friend I made back home."

"Back home?" Thalassa asked. "You mean the world you were in before?"

"Friend?" Brontys asked. "Who is it?"

"She's a dragon!" Celes said with a smile. "Nyx, come!"

"Um... hi?" Nyx emerged from Celes' shadows, startling them briefly.

"A dragon...? But she's just a child..." the King said. "Is she really your friend, Naiad?"

"Yeah! And my name is Celes, sir," the boy nodded.

"Celes... Is this the identity Naiad took to hide from an enemy?" Coraleia wondered.

"It's the name his mother gave him," Nyx said.

"Hahaha! Dear, I'm Naiad's only mother here!" Thalassa laughed. "Anyway, you're cute... If you're my daughter's friend, you must be good-natured and kind. You can come with us if she insists."

"Thanks!" Nyx nodded.

"She's kind of cute," Brontys said.

"Can you turn into a big dragon, Nyx?" Coraleia asked. Thıs text ıs hosted at novel⁂fire.net

"I can! But it's too dangerous now," Nyx said. "It makes a big boom! I don't want to hurt you."

"Hurt us? Hahahahah!" the King laughed. "Oh, Naiad, you've brought quite the jokester! Dear Nyx, don't worry about hurting us. We'll be fine."

"Still, it's better if I stay ," Nyx said, glancing around.