A/N: I am by no means endorsing any religion in this fic, that aside, I hope you enjoy the first chapter.
Chapter One: The City
"I dont kno-" a blinding white light encapsulated him ridding him of all of his senses, and as the light began to recess he was very aware of himself and the woman whose had he had gripped like a vice. Waves of calmness washed over his being, and with each wave he became more and more drunk with serenity; becoming the purest form of himself. Damon without all the bad that has happened, without Katherine, without the hundreds that he had killed. The guilt that he carried with him over his years as a vampire, was lifted. Almost as if he had paid his dues. He looked out to find the owner of the hand that he held so dearly. His eyes locked on hers and reality set again. He was dead. And then that light which had held him so tenderly unnerved him, and shook him to his core. His pulse quickened, and palms became sweaty, and he felt very distinctively human. And like the shot that had killed him 173 years earlier, he realized who else he was without. He didn't try to speak, he couldn't.
It wasn't until the light began to fade that his panic settled, and he was able to see more clearly his surroundings. Still holding her hand he realized that they were standing on a city street.
"Where the hell are we?" He asked slowly, eyes wide absorbing the sight in front of him. Gold. A lot of gold, and sunlight.
"I don't think Hell…" Bonnie dared back, "though we probably shouldn't say that here."
Damon just stared back her incredulously. As if swearing was at the top of his list to worry about. They heard footsteps coming towards them, and by instinct Damon pushed her up against a door frame so as to remain hidden.
"No need to try and hide here. Everyone saw the light bring you in." A gentle face smiled at the two scared beings. "You must be very special to have gotten such an entrance into the city." Damon stood in front of Bonnie protectively, and continued to stare, speechless, at the woman in front of him. She laughed-really more so giggled as one does when watching a kitten or puppy look at you blankly. "I'm Ezra, you have nothing to fear, you're safe here."
Safe. The eldest Salvatore felt strangely unsafe when she spoke the word.
"I promise no harm will come to you."
"Funny, we've heard that before and it's always been a lie," Bonnie spoke meekly from behind him.
"I know. But you're going to have to trust me-us." From behind her a man approached.
"Lugus, mates, and welcome to Vilon."
"Vilon?" Damon asked, almost not wanting to know the answer.
"Yes, the first realm of Shamayim." Ezra stated in matter-of-fact tone, and then her brows furrowed, realizing that the newest citizens had no idea what she was saying. "Haven't you heard of Heaven? Angels?"
"Bonnie I think they drank the crazy water," Damon whispered not so subtly behind him. Which apparently failed to amuse anyone.
"Do you know why my friend and I are here?" Bonnie asked, a little more confident.
"Well, I think it is pretty obvious," Ezra began, and realizing that it was not obvious she continued, "you're one of us."