Chapter 3- the Magician's Gift
That Day..
The morning went by slowly as Wing Weaver struggled to stay up after an endless night in the chambers of the east wing with the Dark Magician. She barely made it into her bed chamber before her roommates woke up and snored halfway through choir practise with Harpy Girl nudging her to keep alert every five verses. The time when they were supposed to translate ancient writings Wing Weaver's head felt so heavy that she couldn't keep it up and ink splattered all over the parchment. She had to stay back awhile and finish her prayers because the Goddess of Whim saw her in the pews with her head down. It seemed like years had passed as she slumped herself into a seat next to the long tables for lunch.
"What's happened to you, Wing? You were zonked out most of the day." Harpy Girl remarked as she sat next to Wing Weaver. Wing Weaver sighed as she twirled her spoon in her soup, her eyes lay grimly over two dark bags that felt heavy as boulders. A small chubby looking girl with snow white hair hopped next to the tired angel and started eating out of her dish. "Pikeru! Stop that! Get your own lunch."
"I thought she wasn't going to have it." the White magician muttered as she sat down her head was eye level to the table.
"That's okay..you can eat it. I'm not hungry." Wing groaned as she tossed the spoon on the table.
"Were you up in the church again?" Harpy asked suspiciously.
"No! I just couldn't sleep..that's all." Wing Weaver hesitated.
"Oh really..then I don't suppose you were dreaming of being human or maybe being with the Dark Magician perhaps?" Harpy Girl teased, Wing Weaver blushed bright red.
"Aw..that's so sweet." Pikeru sighed as she started slurping up soup.
"There is nothing going on with me and the Dark Magician." Wing Weaver snapped. "We only met twice!"
"Twice.. where else? Bumped into him in the halls as you were sleep walking." Harpy girl slyly remarked.
"I mean once..We only met once." Wing hesitated, a shiver jolted through her body as she felt someone touching her shoulder. She looked behind her only to see..the Mystical Elf.
"Come my child..we need to talk." Mystical Elf said in her airy voice, Wing Weaver nodded and got up from her seat. She looked back at the shocked expressions on her friends faces staring at her until the double doors closed. Wing had a bad feeling about why the Mystical Elf wanted to speak to her. She feared the day would come..when she would no longer be accepted in the convent.
The Mystical Elf did not speak, she only lead her down halls and around corners until they came to one room. The elf carefully opened the door and they discretely crept inside. The room was full of books, maps and statues, it seemed unkept and unorganized compared to the other chambers in the convent. The Mystical Elf motioned to one of the seats in front of a bulky desk full of parchment and spell books before settling in a throne like chair behind it.
"Now..I see you've been acquainted with the Dark Magician who was a guest to our convent yesterday." she proclaimed as she studied a note from her desk, Wing Weaver felt her insides go numb.
"Uh..I guess. I only bumped into him once and it was an accident." Wing Weaver sputtered, her back resting rigidly on the chair.
"Well, he submitted a request this morning..he found that your aspiring dream to go to the Other Realm was touching to him, so he decided to grant that wish by taking you to go to the Mystic Shine Ball that the Agent of Creation, Venus keeps in the Unknown Shrine tonight..." The Mystical Elf said reading the note, Wing Weaver's heart skipped a beat. "As a thank you for the late night tour of the book chamber last night.."
Wing Weaver gulped, she forgot about them being out of bed in the book chamber after dark. She couldn't help but feel ashamed and blissful at the same time. The Mystical Elf looked up from the note as Wing Weaver looked away.
"It was very well of him to seek permission from the convent before he sneaks you away. You know how I am with your little incidents, I see that they are mere obstacles between right and wrong..I believe in forgiveness and letting go, moving on with life. Yet you never seem to get away from these little incidents." Mystical Elf remarked in an tired tone as she rubbed her temples. "First I see you in the church praying for humans with the Book Of Secret Arts in hand, stolen from its quarters. You were seen arguing in the courtyard with a Harpy Girl. Now I get a letter that tells you were out of bed unsupervised in the book chamber and many sisters of the convent saw you sleeping in their classes. I'm unsure with my decision to allow you to go. "
"But I though you said that you would support me on my dream to be a part of the human world," Wing Weaver frantically replied, the Mystical Elf laid her head in her hands.
"I am not saying I don't brace the fact that this is an opportunity to fulfil you're dream, but there are consequences for actions in this convent, if there are those who cannot be taught how to sit still." Mystical Elf sighed, Wing Weaver bit her lip. "On the other hand, it might give you (and the rest of the staff) a break from all this. Just promise you won't get into trouble..at least not in big trouble. Ok?"
"Yes Mystical Elf!" Wing Weaver exclaimed as she jumped out of the seat and bounded into the hallway. "I won't let you down.."
"Wait..take the note. It will show you when and where to meet up with the Dark Magician and his colleagues." Mystical Elf remarked giving the piece of parchment to the excited angel. "Go on Wing, you'll be late for meditation.."
"Aren't I always." Wing Weaver smiled and waved good bye as she ran off.
"Good luck, and remember I believe in you." Mystical Elf called and went off to her desk where a small stack of books lay open to the page where a picture of a crystal orb lay in white mist.
The rest of the day Wing Weaver was filled with anxiousness for the night to arrive. The day went as perfectly and as smooth as silk for Wing's matter..she didn't get into the slightest bit of trouble that afternoon, which came as a shock to Harpy Girl and Pikeru. She immediately told them about her plans at dinner in the cafeteria.
"Be careful..it might not be as harmless as you think." Pikeru suggested as she tried to reach for a plate that was a few inches out of reach. Harpy Girl smirked as she flicked at a strand of her sandy blonde hair.
"Well it would be more exciting than staying in the convent all day long." Wing Weaver remarked.
"What's wrong with that? I thought you liked it here." Pikeru asked confusedly.
"Never mind." Wing Weaver muttered. Harpy Girl just snorted.
"If you ask me..it might not be as glamourous as you think." Harpy Girl remarked annoyed as she played with her food. "Those stories the old ones used to tell you might be a fib."
"That's not very nice Harpy. Not nice." Pikeru squeaked pointing at her.
"Just don't get your hopes up..that's all." Harpy Girl shrugged as she ventured out of the halls.
That night when everyone went to the sleeping quarters Wing Weaver packed a small bag for the trip before lights out. As the torches in the hall were put out by Fairy Guardians, Wing began to feel jittery. Was she going there for long? Where will she go? What will be there for her? Will she still be able to go back to the convent? What about her friends? Will they miss her? All kinds of thoughts of the unknown came charging into her mind, the angel dismissed the thoughts as she woke up Pikeru and Harpy before she left to say goodbye.
"It's almost time..they're coming to get me in a few moments." Wing Weaver explained. "We're going to go to the Unknown Shrine..and then the other realm."
"The Unknown Shrine is very far away..it'll take all night to get there on foot." Harpy Girl remarked.
"I don't think we're walking. In the note he mentioned something about flying." Wing Weaver said quietly.
"Won't you get airsick?" Pikeru gasped.
"Angels don't get airsick. It's common knowledge." Harpy Girl commented confidently.
"Then..enjoy you're trip." Pikeru squealed sadly as she ran towards Wing Weaver and tackled her waist in a hug. "Have a nice time."
"I will." Wing Weaver whispered as tears rolled down her eyes. She looked towards Harpy Girl who had her arms and legs crossed on her bed. "Are you okay Harpy?"
"Just go..I can't stand long goodbyes." Harpy muttered under her breath. Wing Weaver opened her arms and squeezed her gently as orange feathers getting into her mouth, Harpy Girl hugged back with tears in her eyes. "Don't leave! I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too." she whispered, "You'll be okay on you're own. You'll have Pikeru and a few of the others at the convent to look after. Remember that I'll always be with you in spirit."
"Thank you." Harpy replied, she reached back and tugged at her wing and a single pinkish orange feather floated down into Wing Weaver's palm. "There, take it..it's a gift."
"Thanks Harpy.." Wing exhaled.
"Don't mention it." Harpy whispered
"Wait!" Pikeru cried. Harpy Girl immediately hushed her. Pikeru jammed a hand in her pocket and extracted a small white stone. "A token for you to remember me."
"You guys are great..I'll never forget you." Wing Weaver said as she put the stone and the feather in her bag. A knock (no gentler than a brushing sound) came from the door. The Dark Magician. Wing Weaver quickly gathered her things and had another look at her friends before the door closed as she and the Dark Magician quietly snuck towards the gates.
"Come dear spell caster..while the night is young." said a knight who was waiting at the gates on a Curse of Dragon. The Dark Magician motioned to two other dragons, a Blue Eyes White dragon and a small orange Baby Dragon. Wing immediately saw the Baby dragon and was in awe, she always wanted to ride a dragon and the baby dragon had looked immensely charming that she had to pick him. The knight sighed. "You sure you want to take him? He's an awful tricky little dragon to fly."
"I'm fine with it. How tricky can he be?" Wing Weaver said happily as she kicked the Baby Dragon in the sides like a horse. The Baby dragon became scared and started dashing for a takeoff.
"Why do I even bother with angels?" the knight sighed as he heard Wing screaming in the distance.
"She's not you're average angel Gaia. Don't forget that." the Dark Magician said from the top of the Blue Eyes White Dragon.
"I hope she doesn't get airsick." Gaia muttered under his breath as the other two dragons took off into the night following the small dragon and the terrified six winged angel who were now dive bombing into the trees. Gaia took out a few strands of rope from the saddlebag they tried to harness down the wild dragon and calm it down. Once it was calm they ventured keeping the baby dragon on a leash.
After flying non stop for hours Wing Weaver realized that this wasn't going to be easy, she knew about being awake for many hours of the night but this was ridiculous. If she fell asleep at the reins of the Baby Dragon, there might be more than a slight chance she would fall off. She looked over at Gaia and the Curse of Dragon, it seemed as if the dragon was programmed to go for long nights being awake, Gaia as well. Maybe it comes with practise Wing Weaver thought to herself.
"Are we almost there Gaia? It's been hours." The Dark Magician asked, he could feel the Blue Eyes's head lowering tiredly.
"I know. The guardian's apprentice said that it's supposed to be near the Sanctuary in the Sky, towards the left passed the Venus star." Gaia answered and looked forward to see foggy shapes in the clouds. Soon they came up to see a giant cloud with pearly gates and what seemed to be marble buildings floating in the air above them.
"Over there...it's the Venus star." Dark Magician exclaimed pointing towards a small orange star near the sanctuary's gates. Wing Weaver read that the stars around the sanctuary at night represented each angel agent that protects the Sanctuary, as monument or as a signal if there was any danger.
"Sorry angel face, the ride stops here." Gaia remarked as Curse of Dragon and the Blue eyes white dragon started flying faster towards the star making the ropes tied to Baby dragon yank back and sent him shooting in front of the two dragons. Baby dragon being a childish prankster happily at the head of the division soared down towards what seemed to be a small temple and dragged the Dark Magician and Gaia the Dragon champion down with it.
After they landed onto the ground Dark Magician rapped on the front door of the temple. A small puffy animal answered the door and let Wing Weaver Dark Magician and Gaia inside a room full of lit candles with black and red carpet on the floor where a beautiful woman with brass coloured wings and long gold robes waited for them. It was Venus, the agent of Creation.
"I've been expecting you.." Venus said in a knowing tone as she turned towards them.
"Thank you for waiting Agent Venus." Dark Magician said as he gave a bow. "It was good for you to help us out."
"No threat to the sanctuary, no feign to be punished, no point of using my orbs at all..why did I ever get into this?" Venus sighed in an irritated tone as she rolled her eyes.
"Because of you're soft heart's gentle kindness?" Wing Weaver mindlessly remarked.
"Spoken like a true angel." Gaia sarcastically commented under his breath.
"I knew I'd like you..." Venus said proudly to Wing Weaver. She waved hand through the air and three orbs magically appeared around her. "Now, what would you like, my child?"
"I want to see the Mystic Shine ball..It's the only way to get to the Other realm." Wing Weaver replied, with another swift wave the agent of creation made a white orb magically appear in front of Wing Weaver. Amazed at the sight of the glowing sphere she gazed into it. "Oh thank you so much!"
"Wait a minute young lady." Venus said sternly shaking a finger at her. "It's not yours yet, I need to make a living you know."
"Bargaining? That cheap witch!" Gaia said shaking his fist.
"Save it, Gaia." Dark Magician interrupted putting a hand up and silencing him. "What do you want from us?"
"You'll see.." Venus said slyly, as she waved a hand towards the three of them. A brisk breeze surged throughout the room and hit the angel, knight and magician, an arc of colours bursting out of each of their chests and flying into the Agent of creation's hand.
"Ooh..my energy..I feel so weak." Gaia moaned clutching at his heart.
"Me too.." Wing Weaver whimpered.
"Don't worry. The after effect is only temporary..you'll be okay soon enough." Venus replied.
"What did you do to us?" Dark Magician asked breathing heavily.
"I only took a little bit of your life..but it's not a lot, I'm sure you'll survive." Venus stated. "The mystic shine ball could not work without knowing a piece of the life of the wish receivers."
"That makes sense..I think." Wing Weaver answered confusedly as she looked into the crystal.
"So are you the only one who wants to wish?! It seems like a waste for only one monster to wish." Venus remarked hesitantly.
"No..only me." Wing Weaver said.
"Okay then.." Venus replied as she began to snap her fingers.
"Wait.." Dark Magician interrupted, went down beside Wing. "I'd like to go too."
"Are you sure? Who knows what the other realm could be like." Gaia shouted.
"That's not stopping me from going." Wing Weaver piped in.
"Well..that's another story." Gaia said scratching his head, Wing Weaver grinded her teeth.
"I'm going with you, Wing." Dark Magician said. "And that's my decision."
"Okay then, one wish for two?" Agent Venus asked, Wing and Dark Magician nodded. Agent Venus closed her eyes and the orbs around her started swirling around Wing and Dark Magician. "Concentrate on the wish..concentrate on it hard..and then it will come..."
Before Wing and the Dark Magician could hear what the Agent of Creation was saying, the room filled with a burst of white light and blinded them all. Suddenly the Dark Magician and Wing Weaver felt their bodies being stripped of clothing (wings and all), feeling a cold draft before strange new clothes were fitted to their bodies. When Wing opened her eyes she knew she wasn't in the Monster Realm anymore!
Review if you must...Peace Paws. Pheofox