A/N: I'm SO sorry! So much for "I won't abandon my fic!" School started, I discovered I had a social life, and the rest is history. But I'm back now, in the middle of APs! Go me!

Something equally bad: I have forgotten my plans for this story. I think I arrived at a point where I had none, so I didn't continue it. But now I know I don't have one. So…this could be disastrous. Hopefully it won't be : ).


After what seemed like an hour but really was only a few minutes of silence, they slowed their ascent, and the air grew gradually warmer, the sky gradually brighter. Finally they stopped, and Xaphania appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. With a smile on her face as she saw the young lovers, she said softly,

"Welcome to the Realm of the Angels."


Will and Lyra stared at Xaphania blankly, not believing what they saw. Xaphania was more beautiful than they had remembered, more resplendent in her ethereal beauty than ever. The haunted look that had covered her face was now replaced with one of happiness and truth. Yes, the war had taken a toll on her, but the sight of Will and Lyra together at last was worth it. At the same time, however, her image was not as clear as it had been…it seemed lighter, as though she were barely there. But Will and Lyra did not notice this; they were too caught up in the events that had occurred in the past hour.

"I knew this day would one day arrive," Xaphania said gently, waiting for either of the two young lovers to respond.

Lyra collected herself quickly and replied, "Thank you very much, Xaphania. I'm afraid this is all very sudden…Will and I haven't seen each other since…since…"

She couldn't say it, and Xaphania nodded wisely.

"Yes, I know. Since that fateful day. A day we shall all remember until we die."

There was a long silence as each remembered that day.

"But how did it all happen?" Will asked suddenly, having finally regained his ability to speak.

Xaphania smiled yet again and looked towards Pan and Kirjava.

"It was your daemons' doing," she said. "They were the ones who figured it out." She nodded at them, encouraging them to tell the entire story.

"Lyra, you remember all those times when you couldn't find me? When you asked the alethiometer where I had gone and it gave no coherent reply?" Pan asked.

"Of course," Lyra responded.

"And you remember too, don't you Will?" Kirjava asked.

"Yes," he said. Lyra and Will exchanged glances as it finally dawned on them both that their daemons had been together during that time.

"Well, we were here in the Realm of Angels, the highest realm of them all," said Kirjava.

"It extends in all directions and transcends all worlds," added Pan. "That's how the angels can go through them all."

"The Republic of Heaven…" whispered Lyra to herself in awe. Will heard her and hugged her close to him, letting her know that he too realized what they had to do.

"The angels are fading," Xaphania said softly. "It is our time to go, and we know it."

"What?" Will asked forcefully. "How can that happen? I thought angels were the most permanent beings there were." Lyra put a hand on his arm to calm him.

"Yes, Will, it is our time," said Xaphania. "Long ago, when angels were created, we thought we were the most powerful beings in the universe. We thought we were invincible and immortal. But as you know, we are not. There are ways to kill an angel, but we do not die from old age. Even so, very early on, an alethiometer told us that we would, someday, have to fade. We would become dust for the good of the world, and at this time, we were to gladly submit or tear the world apart. The time is now, and we all know it."

"But how?" asked Will.

"A group of angels consulted an alethiometer that day that you and Lyra parted. It told us of many secrets and of how our race would fall…in the creation of a new Republic of Heaven. We were to sacrifice ourselves twenty four hours after a Midsummer's Day in the year when two daemons from two different worlds would meet each other once again. Kirjava and Pan did this, which allowed the two of you to meld your two worlds together today, letting you meet as you did. The worlds are beginning to shift, my children. It is midnight now, and in twenty four hours, the shift will be complete, and the world will be one, as it was meant to be."

"You mentioned an alethiometer," said Lyra. "I thought the angels didn't possess any."

"Ah, we don't," replied Xaphania with a sad smile. "I'm so sorry, Lyra. It was yours we used, and the power of the question affected it so deeply. It put so much of its magic, dust reserves, and energy into answering the question that it has only recently been brought back to its original strength."

"You mean to say that I didn't lose my ability to read the alethiometer, and that an angel weakened it so much that it stopped working properly?" Lyra exclaimed.

"Calm down, my dear," Xaphania said. "Yes, that is what I mean to say. Have you ever tried another alethiometer? Did anyone else ever try yours?"

Lyra couldn't remember either situation. "No," she said.

"Your masters believed that you had lost your ability to read the instrument. They trained you to do so, and have taught you much. You now have a deeper understanding of the alethiometer and how to read it; it will do much for you. It has recently regained its powers, and it will be a potent instrument in your hands."

"But what about the sacrifice?" Will asked. "Why does it need to happen?"

"The creation of dust is what will provide enough power to fuse the world back together as it should be," Xaphania said. "It is time for us angels to go, and when we fade, dust will be released in quantities not seen since the beginning of time, not even in the moment when you two realized you were in love…"

Will and Lyra smiled faintly.

"All of us angels are willing to perform this final sacrifice," Xaphania said. "We have seen much and are ready to become dust, to join our brothers and sisters who perished in the war. We are willing to lay down the burden now. In twenty four hours, whether the foundations for the Republic of Heaven have been built or not, we will fade into dust. If the world is not ready for this, our sacrifice will have been in vain, and the worlds will be split forever, leaving gaps and creating specters to hunt for souls. If it is prepared, all evil will be turned into dust, and the Republic of Heaven will be a place where all may live together in harmony. It is up to you now to determine the course of the future."

"But…how?" Lyra ventured to ask.

Xaphania smiled. "First, ask Pan and Kirjava how they managed to cross over worlds to meet one another. This will allow you to do so yourselves. Lyra, you have the alethiometer. It will tell you how to join worlds together once you can cross from one world to another. And finally, I have a gift for you, Will." She extended her hand and held out a shining blade.

"It is Aurymelia, the last of the three knives. It is the most powerful of the three, made by angels to form the Republic of Heaven. Many died to release the dust that was put into this knife such that no specters would be created. It is a good knife and can be used for no evil. Use it well."

"Xaphania…" Lyra started.

"No, my dear. That is all I am able to say. The four of you will be on your own now. I must go. Remember, you have twenty four hours. I shall see you at the end of this time. Best of luck to you Pantalaimon, Kirjava, Will Parry, and Lyra Silvertongue; may your love prevail over all."

With that, Xaphania spread her wings and flew away, leaving the two lovers and their daemons stunned and silent as they descended back down to the mixture of their two worlds on the floating cloud.


A/N: I hope you liked that; I kind of did. Well, it's late now; time for me to sleep. Hopefully I'll update again soon…Thanks for all the reviews! Mistletoe Moon