Avarice and the others looked at me, surprised I could still use my cintracies despite being in a different body.
They suddenly each realized they could too.
"Not only that, but we each still possess our original level of power, too," Tymon observed.
"Yes, well, cintracies and spirit energy are tethered to one's soul – or spirit – after all. In fact, spirit energy is directly proportional to the strength of one's soul, but they aren't the same. Unlike most powerful species who power themselves externally with their world's natural energy, we cindarians utilize the power within us," Hantu remarked. "Our cintracies are spiritual anomalies that bond with our souls at birth. And thanks to our astral moon, Soulstrom, when we die, and our souls move on after being stripped of its power, cintracies can eventually be inherited by another soul being born or reborn."
"On rare occasions, klevonians who die and evolve into pneumarians can sometimes possess a new ability," Rabae interjected.
"Yes, so you see, it's not unusual for you to still possess your cintracies and original power. Although, for most, when I accidentally place them in a different body, they can no longer use their cintracies until they're back in their own body. It's a natural block the host's body develops. Only a few have been able to still use their cintracies like you all," Hantu continued.
"This 'Soulstrom,' you said it strips us of our power?" Avarice asked, still held within my grip.
"Oh, no no. Well, yes. See, everything begins and ends with Soulstrom for us," Hantu explains. "It's widely believed that the Ancient Beasts – our creators – used Soulstrom as grounds for creating the Primeval Pneumarians – the first generation of pneumarians. So many Ancient Beasts converting their power into new life created a mysterious, almost primordial force connecting our power to its grounds. So, now when a klevonian or pneumarian born within our solar system dies or loses full consciousness of their soul, their soul breaks down into three parts: The cognitive – or consciousness - aspect of the soul, which 'moves on,' then there are our cintracies which can be inherited by another, and finally, the purest form of spirit energy (astral-e) which returns to Soulstrom."
"Doesn't that make spirit energy and astral-e the same?" I asked.
"Not exactly. Spirit energy isn't as pure or potent as astral-e. Think of it as, astral-e can be considered spirit energy, but spirit energy can't be considered astral-e due to being diluted by our consciousnesses and cintracies."
"Like how all rectangles are squares, but a square can't be a rectangle," I muttered, understanding.
"So that moon is full of unimaginable power..." Za'Fia muttered uncharacteristically as she veered up at the same moon Rabe had been looking at earlier.
"Indeed!" Hantu exclaimed with a smile. "Very potent power. Less vast, but even more potent than the sun! Each populated area on Cindar is powered by harnessed astral-e. One supply the size of a small vehicle could power one of Pneuma City's districts for five UST centuries."
Or a millennium in Earth years, Viraa converted.
Za'Fia smiled.
"You seem to think this would make Cindar very lucrative," Rabae said, noticing Za'Fia's expression. "You would be correct. Astral-e is one of our primary trades with other worlds, of course, in much smaller doses. However, those matters are managed by our representing Celestial, the Ryfi Theos, and the Ryfa Pakt."
We watched awkwardly as Za'Fia practically quivered, anticipating what she could do with it on Earth.
"The switch-up doesn't seem to have applied to our Earthly aspects' abilities," Tymon said, observing her.
"Guess those are tethered to our bodies," Michael surmised.
"I'm more curious about how it worked against your Shield, Tymon," Avarice pointed out.
"Hm?" Hantu's head tilted quizzically. "You have the Shield cintracy? Last I heard...regardless, that cintracy doesn't protect you against our solar system's natural elements. Though, with so many others with elements around you, I'm sure you've noticed that. Since this is the Astral System, where astral-e is also considered an element, it can bypass the protection Shield offers you. Rest assured, though, you most likely won't have any issues with someone who can affect your soul. Unless you come across a starling, but that's completely dif–"
"Hantu," Rabae spoke, his tone threatening as he glared at the klevonian. "They have only just arrived. This is not the time."
"Ah, my apologies," Hantu hung his head low before continuing. "You needn't worry about astral-e. It's more prevalent on Soulstrom, one of Cindar's moons. Besides what's harnessed for power, its presence on Cindar is scarce. But I suppose, if others out there possess a cintracy capable of affecting the soul, it will work on you too."
"Exactly how many elements are there?" Avarice asked him.
"The most common fifteen are on Cindar. Those are fire, water, neta, wind, gravity, ice, lightning, darkness, light, biotoxin, acidic toxin, magma, iridescence, floral, and sand. There are also two more that aren't as common here: astral-e and mist. The mist element is only on Haze the Prison Moon, and I've already explained Soulstrom the Astral Moon."
Something suddenly started to ding from the klevonian's bag. His eyes widened as if remembering what he was doing before being stopped, and he rushed off.
"Hey!" I yelled as we all spoke in unison. "SWITCH US BACK!"
Thankfully, he was able to manage it on the second try and apologized to us again.
"Sorry, but I really must be going," he looked to Rabae, who gave him a nod of approval before the ghostly klevonian darted off in a flash.
"Where's he headed in such a rush?" I asked, glad to be back in my own body.
"He's been planning a trip to a faraway world for years," Rabae answered fatherly. "Seems he's about ready to go now."
"With so much out there, I'd be eager to venture out as well," Avarice said as he floated into view, but his voice still sounded like mine, surprising us all.
"That's creepy," Za'Fia said, looking at him skeptically.
"Very," I agreed. "Don't do that."
"Interesting, I didn't know I could do that. Naomi's power can be quite amusing sometimes," he laughed.
"I am sure the Transcript of Cintracies has just updated, along with that discovery," Rabae grinned down at us.
"I'd love to get a look at it," Avarice commented. "There's so many things I wish to learn about our people."
"Unfortunately, your first desire will be impossible," Rabae laughed while stroking his long beard. "However, I can help with the latter. Hantu touched on it a bit earlier, but how about I tell you how we came to be..."
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Fun fact: The Astral System: a quaint solar system consisting of only three planets: Gredel, Cindar, and Yyardron.
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