It's time to raise a flag and take a stand. He opened the gateway that ripped through the worlds and it attracted attention not just of the Magisterium of his own world. His steps are just as silent as his daemon's, but there is intentionality to them. There's a glint of obsession in his eyes and his mind is one-tracked. There are beings who can feel his intentions across universes. And they will come, from both sides. The first creature to find him is no more than a shimmer in the air, almost transparent, yet it manages to cause unease in Asriel and Stelmaria. He hesitates in his step, but then resolutely steps forward again to deal with whatever it is, only to be stopped by a tall winged being appearing right between him and the shimmering silhouette, making its way to it and making it disappear in a single blow. He almost smiles as he knows that this moment marks significant progress in his ambition. A stepping stone, if you will.
"We have to move. There will be thousands of them soon."
Asriel nods, following winged being, what he would consider an angel, curious about both the angel and the creature it stopped, but knowing that it's not the right time to ask questions. He contemplates if this is a good idea, but he feels at ease and Stelmaria doesn't hesitate so keep following the angel. He always relied on his intuition and even if it sometimes leads him into uncomfortable positions and ultimately cost him all his wealth and a large portion of his status, he liked to think that that was largely caused by the wrongness in the world, not in himself. They walked away from the city, into the fog. Another angels joined them, some of the shimmers, "Specters," said the first angel, but they were quickly dealt with. They came to the opening to another world, a much smaller, square version of gateway Asriel himself created, but no doubt still a portal to another world.
They stepped through into the empty, abandoned world. There is nothing impressive about it, but it is exactly what Asriel needs. A new beginning. A world without oppression, where everyone is free. They turned around and Asriel saw hundreds of angels circling around the mountain, building what looked like foundations for some kind of fortress.
"It's only temporary. We thought you would need some kind of fortress and that you would like this place but we know you have things to say."
"Yes, thank you. I actually have some questions before we start talking about details. First of all, who are you?"
"I'm sorry. I understand it's a custom with humans to introduce yourselves when you meet. My name is Xaphania and I'm the leader of rebel angels. I was the first to discover that the Authority has lied regarding his status as the original Creator so I was banished from the Clouded Mountain. We felt your intentions and we decided we would fight with you in your war."
Asriel nods. Felt his intentions. That was… interesting. "So, if you felt my intentions then…?"
"Yes. The other side has felt it as well. They won't attack in some time, the Creator doesn't consider you a serious threat yet, but they sent Specters after you, who you already met."
"These Spectres. What are they? What do they do?"
"Nobody really knows what they are, but they feed by attacking humans and eating their soul."
Asriel buries his hand into Stelmaria's fur, an unconscious gesture, but immediately noticed by all the angels around him. They don't comment about it, knowing the nature of humans. It isn't the first time they would ally with a human, although it was quite some time since one of them was so determined about their goal. It gives them hope.
"So, what are we waiting for? We need to send a message. You can do that, right?" Asriel asked. Maybe this direct approach wasn't the best strategy, but right now he needed to move quickly.
"We are quite capable of spreading the message, yes."
He almost barked another order but then he felt Stelmaria's head pressing at the side of his leg, not quite growling, but definitely warning him. Right. He needed to calm down and remember who he was talking to. Angels had showed him great respect and it was only courtesy to return it back.
"Thank you. Do you think you could tell me more about what you know about the Authority? I don't think we can decide properly how to move forward without being on the same page about this."
"Of course."
At that moment, Asriel is confident that he just found a powerful ally. They sit down and he is prepared to lose another day discussing and organizing things. Stelmaria would probably remind him to take a break and catch a couple of hours of sleep if they were alone, but he doesn't have time. Besides, they are both too high on adrenaline to be able to sleep. They have been since he received a message from Ruta that she is coming and will bring a boy. So he listens and asks and plans. Finally, he gives orders. It wasn't until much later that he got around to finally rest. He is looking at the new world, at the future Republic of Heaven as he contemplates the future and the past. He sits down for a moment, then he gets up again and starts pacing. Stelmaria remained laying still, but her tail is swishing from side to side, dead giveaway that she is just as restless as he was.
"It's about a child. The boy reminded you of her."
"He kept babbling. Blindly believing that she will come rushing up the mountain saving her. It's hard not to remember that."
"And yet it's not him you keep thinking about."
"No. I just wish for some kind of closure."
"Maybe it's better this way."
"What do you mean?"
"To be reminded why you are doing all this."
"Lyra?"
"Don't play dumb Asriel." Now Stelmaria was pacing while he sat down. "You know it. I know it, so you do too. She is not significant. Not special. Shouldn't matter in the grand scheme of things. We should not take her into account when we make important decisions. But don't lie to yourself. This greater good stuff is ridiculous. We don't do this for the greater good. We are selfish. We don't care about people living in a better world without Authority. We want Lyra to live in that better world where she has the freedom to be whatever she wants to be. So even if you don't want to return, after all the fighting is done and Lyra and Pantalaimon are a little more grown-up, you want them here."
"Maybe you're right. Maybe that's why we are rebelling."
"Of course I'm right. That is why we are rebelling."