The only way to tell that the days are changing are the lights in the sky. Late at night the skies are deep purple splashed with blue, the mornings are yellow with splashes of orange. I had watched the skies go from purple to orange and I knew that it was a new day. I had spent the remainder last night worrying.
I knew I was ready for the Ascension. I just worried that maybe the Arc Angels would find something wrong with me. That maybe they thought I wasn't ready. That maybe I would never be ready. My wings weren't mine yet. The Ascension made me an Angel, my wings now were just on loan. But oh, how I loved them. They were soft as downy feathers. Pure white. Calypso's wings had specks of brown in them. Mine were the only pure white ones I had seen.
I would trade that all in tonight. After today my wings would be full blown gold. I would fly through the air in a splash of color. I felt intense happiness at the thought. I didn't want anything else then to become an Angel. After some time of service, I could try and go be a High Angel. All in good time though. My record had to be clean and full of selfless acts. There were many things to do here on Heaven.
When I arrived on Heaven I was disoriented. I had no idea what was happening or who I even was. I was as nude as my name day. Surrounded by people with golden wings. They had carried me to our creator and he had explained what was happening. I still remember his speech.
"Child, you are weak and frightened. Do not worry. I am here for you in all ways. You have been chosen. Chosen for a higher calling then most people. It is up to you what you decide to do with that power. Just remember that you are loved and that should you ever need me I am with you. You are an Angel. You have died and have joined the others who have died on Earth. You can take your wings today and join the others who have chosen this way of life. Or I can wipe your memories and send you to the villages. The choice is entirely up to you."
I of course chose the wings. It was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I lived here only a few months and I loved every minute of it. My mentor Gabriel showed me the way of Heaven. He spoke to me about all things.
"Bella, your past life does not matter. You are not who you once were. It would pollute your mind to know of your former self. You are an Angel. With that comes big responsibility. You will help those lost on Earth. You will do what is commanded of you in the way of the Light. You are as important as I am." Gabriel had said to me one night shortly after my rebirth.
"But I'm afraid. What if I don't make the right choices?" I asked meekly. Gabriel had smiled a true and radiant smile.
"You may stray from the path, but there is only one path to stray from. You will always find your way little bird." he said.
Little bird was his nickname for me. I loved my mentor with everything that I had. He showed me the ways of this place. He showed me all the wonders of the world. In time I would be on my own. I would be mentoring someone else. I had to be ready. A week ago, Gabriel had come to me again.
"Little bird it is time. You are ready." he said.
"Ready for what?"
"It is time you got your wings."
"I already have wings." I said puzzled. He laughed at that.
"Your true wings. Like mine."
He had extended his golden wings to me that day. I had never seen anything so beautiful. Each wing tip was outlined in black. He looked positively radiant. I had secretly vowed to myself to become like him one day. He was one of the High Angels. He took his orders directly from the Lord himself. I wanted to be like him more than anything.
My ceremony was in a few hours. I had just a little bit of time to prepare. My ceremony dress had been picked out weeks ago. It was a very respectful event and I needed to dress the part. My dress was pure white with lace along the hem. it was a beautiful dress for a beautiful Angel. I was so excited that I could barely breath. Tonight, everything would change. I would no longer be the lost scared being I had been before, I would be part of something way greater.
I would be an Angel.
My clothes dissolved around me. I grabbed the dress and slipped it over my small form. It fit snugly and respectfully. I loved the way the dress clung to me. I would look perfect for tonight. Calypso still hasn't been around and I haven't gone and looked for her. She was still mad at me. I knew that I should have supported her, but, how could I? It was dangerous as well as stupid. Someone had to be the smart one in our friendship.
I heard my name just to see Gabriel descend from the sky. His golden wings glowing. I smiled and ran to meet him.
"Hello little bird. You look very pretty." he said. His eyes hinting at his teasing words. He was almost like a big brother to me.
"Thanks Gabe, I just wish Calypso was here to see it." I say a little downcast. He pulls me into a hug.
"Don't worry, she will be there. She is your best friend after all. I know your scared but you don't have to be. I have trained you well."
I smiled and pulled away. "I just want to be the best I can be."
"I know my child, and you will be. You are a young Angel but in time you could be one of the High if you so pleased." he said. I smiled wide. He knew I desired nothing more than to be a higher being. I had discussed this with him many times. But we both knew I wasn't ready just yet. It would take more time for me to become that wise. I still had a lot to learn. But I was ready to learn.
"The ceremony starts soon. Make sure you are not late. I just wanted to see you before and present you with a gift." he says. He hands me a small box. Gifts were rare in Heaven. We had all we needed so gifts were prized objects. I was surprised I was receiving one. I opened the box attentively. Inside wrapped in tissue paper was a necklace.
It hung on a silver chain, at the base was a round stone set in ivy metalwork. It was beautiful.
"Oh, thank you so much! It's beautiful!" I exclaim. He takes it from me and helps me put it on.
"It is the crystal from the crystal gardens." he says softly. The crystal gardens! That place was sacred. Only the Lord and his most High were even allowed there! And he had given me a crystal from its very depths!
I turned and hugged him. His body was all hard muscles underneath. I pulled away and I could see only pride in his eyes. He said his good byes and quickly took to the skies. I was so filled with ecstasy. Tonight was the night all things would change. I would become a part of something bigger than myself. I would be doing everything I always wanted to do. I would be an Angel.
I started to twirl around my tree's wide floor. I was startled when the tree's leaves began to shake. Something was coming in, and coming in fast. Who could that be? An Angel dropped through the branches and crashed into the floor. I jumped back, a little startled. It was Jacob. He was a new Angel like Calypso. I recall her telling me that Jacob had a crush on her. Maybe that was what this was about. I didn't really spend too much time with him.
"Bella!" he says. I step out from behind a branch. He jumps when he sees me. "Have you seen Calypso." he asks out of breath.
"No Jake, why what's going on?"
He crashed to the floor and put his head in his hands. "It's all my fault!" he cries. I quickly went over to him and put a hand on his back. "What's going on Jake? Tell me! Where is she?" I said. My stomach rolling with apprehension. Please tell me she didn't!
"She came to me last night. All frantic. I asked her what was going on and she told me. She told me about the wall crumbling and she told me about her fear of losing her wings. Not that it happens often but it can happen. She was so stressed out and I told her to calm down. She got in my face and told me she was going into the Underworld with or without me. And then..."
"What Jake! Tell me!" I scream. My heart thundering inside my chest.
"I told her she'd never make it and she left. I tried following her but she was too fast. I have been all over the place searching for her. But I fear she went to the portal." he says weakly.
The portal. All new recruits were warned about the portal. Only the Higher Beings knew much about it. To us newbies, we knew nothing. What had Calypso gotten herself into? Was she okay? Where did she even go?
"But Jake how do you know she went there. She could have gone anywhere." I say, grasping for straws.
"I went there Bella..." he says slowly.
"And!" I nearly was hysterical.
"The portal is open and Calypso is gone." he says weakly.
I only hear the thudding in my ears. How could she be so stupid? To think that she could fix something that she knew nothing about! And now she went into the Underworld with no idea about anything! What was I going to do! The High Angels wouldn't risk another Angels life to go save her. She would be chalked up to a reckless being and that would be the end of it. I couldn't let that happen to my best friend.
A portal was just a doorway, right? Surely, I could walk in, grab her and come back out. It could be as simple as that. Images of Calypso being torn apart brought tears to my eyes. This was all my fault! If I would have comforted her instead of driving her away she would still be here! She would not be in some god forsaken realm fighting who knows what! I had to get to her!
I opened my wings and without a further word to Jacob, I took flight. I flew as fast as I could in the direction of the portal. It was in an unoccupied part of Heaven. Deep in the Hinterlands. It was the only place in Heaven that was dark. The grass was burned and scorched. It was not a place people went willingly. The Lord made the portal to send the Fallen Angels down into the Underworld. What could Calypso have been thinking!
I flew over the blackened land. I almost lost my breath when I came into view of the portal. It was a black twisted thing. Set into stone it sat menacingly. The portal emitted a blue glow. It looked evil, sinister. I didn't want to step one foot closer. But I had to do what I had to do. Calypso was in there. I just hoped I reached her in time. I descended from the sky and placed my feet on the scorched dirt. I would do anything for her.
I stepped forward until I reached the portal. Well, here goes. I stepped through and everything went black.
