Dazzling rays of sunlight reflected off the tall, golden buildings in Heaven. Pastel-colored buildings shaped like hearts were on top of clouds as sheep cherubs flittered around Cherub Towne. Angels flew around all the cities and streets: Holy City, New Jerusalem, Yeshua City, Eden Avenue, Aaru Avenue, Valhalla Valley, Elysium, Vaikuntha, and others.
Princess Emily, the younger Seraphim sister, wore a lavender colored dress, with purple crystal designs on it, a black crystal near her chest and a white glowing crown on her head, slightly smaller than Sera's. She was now a young adult. Her face was dark gray/black like Sera's, with teal eyes and white freckles and spiky white hair, messier than Sera's neat white curls. Black boots were on her feet and her thick eyelashes extended past her face. She flew on six white wings, passing out flowers to a group of children. A white halo was above her head. A rainbow shone in the background and a heavenly choir joined Emily as she led the music.
Emily flittered happily around Heaven, singing about how she longed to help as many denizens as she could. Incoming souls gazed at her in awe as she smiled, waved, and sang. A few doves harmonized with her.
"Welcome one and all, to paradise! (Paradise)
With peace and joy, you'll find it's quite nice (Quite nice!)"
Emily twirled in the blue sky and spread out her wings.
"You lived on Earth once, now you live again twice! (Nice!)"
You're now a saint; there's no complaint! (A saint!)"
"Whoa," called the new souls, people who glowed with heavenly light. Some of them had animal features. They slowly filed through the golden gates as they opened.
"No need to worry about your changed form.
Whether you're a human, a sheep, a lion, I assure you, it's our norm."
Emily flew next to a soul with a swan head and tapped her beak, much to her surprise. She fluffed a bipedal lion's mane and straightened the halo of a small sheep angel. A few bee angels buzzed by, tossing golden honey to the denizens for a sweet treat. The new souls eagerly ate the honey and followed Emily as she sang.
"Everyone is welcome here!
Now flap your wings for a cheer!
Hallelujah!"
"Hallelujah!" the crowd answered.
"I'm Emily, the Seraphim princess, and I'll be your guide
I'll take you on a tour of your new home.
Follow me!
There are so many things you'll love to see!"
She led them down a golden path, past trees bearing glowing fruit.
"This is our Garden of Eden, not the original, of course.
These fruits won't get you banished.
Just pick one and you'll be endowed
With temporary knowledge and healing."
Emily tossed some to the newcomers, who licked their lips.
"Sweet to eat, what a treat!"
"Oh my, this is wonderful!" one said.
"This tastes like Mom's strawberry pie!" a young girl called.
"Like ambrosia from the gods!" a man exclaimed.
"And best of all, the fruit keeps growing, so no hunger here," Emily added.
"Wait, are you sure there is absolutely no hunger or homelessness or strife like on Earth?" asked an ancient looking man with an eagle's head.
"Umm…" Emily blinked. "As far as I know, yes. Now let's move along."
She continued her song as they flew over to Cherub Towne.
"If you're ever feeling down,
Just fly right over to Cherub Towne."
Cherubs waved as they peered outside their homes to get a closer look at the new saints.
"These guys will send messages to the ones you love
So they know you all are doing fine up above.
What they do best is protecting the living.
They are also super cute and giving!"
Emily picked up one of the cherub sheep and spun them in a circular dance. Several cherubs flew over to Emily and sang "la, la, la, la, la," in a Kumbaya-style spin. Bees, birds, and various animals danced and frolicked with the princess.
"So many things are free!
There is joy for you and me!
Eternal fun times for every family!
I exist to sing and spread good cheer!
I know I can change things around here!
I will do what I must to face another day.
I'm a Seraphim in paradise
Trying to find my way!"
The animals and souls cheered and swayed to the heavenly beat. Various bands played in the background: "The Judas Brothers," "Mind, Body, And Spirit," "Opulent Ophanim," and "Lion and Lamb," were just a few.
Emily flew back to the group.
"Now, let's head on over to our main destination: Holy City!"
"Halo City?" asked a woman, pointing at a group of tall crystal-like buildings with a glowing Halo on top.
"Close. It's Holy City," Emily mused. "Isn't it pretty? All lonely kids get a free kitty!"
Two child souls beamed as Emily created two heavenly kitties from nearby pink clouds and handing them their new pets.
"Oh, do a unicorn, next!" called a girl.
Emily smiled and with her hands, she magically created a white unicorn from the clouds. The creature reared on its hind legs and lifted the girl onto its back. "Wheee!" she squealed in delight as the unicorn took her for a ride. "Thank you, Princess!" she called as she flew down from the unicorn and greeted her parents in the distance.
They went through another set of golden gates, the ones with Seraphiel's golden eye sigil on top. They reached the bustling city, filled with golden roads, chariots, and angels of all shapes and sizes going about their daily lives and afterlives.
"Your main home is here in the Halo of Humility!" Emily called. "The district closest to the golden gates, the Exorcist areas and just above the purgatory-transition center, which is above Earth. Each Halo is ruled by the Archangels, or the Seven Heavenly Virtues as we call them! Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Jophiel, Camael, and Zadkiel. That's a whole lotta Ls! Special permission is needed to travel to the other Halos. But I know you're gonna LOVE IT HERE!" Hearts flashed in her eyes at the souls; some were excited, others nervous and overwhelmed. Several higher angels rolled their eyes at Emily's wild childish antics.
"The lights! The sights! The megalithic mights!"
She gestured to a circle of stones in a park where a large slab of stone in front of a cave read, "Jesus was here."
"C.H.E.R.U.B. headquarters is there!" Emily pointed at a large office building shaped like a giant golden harp.
"Burger of the Three Kings is there," Emily added in song as angels waited in line for the divine food. "Golden Arches is next door. Wanna see more?"
She took them through the city.
"Oh, there's my dad!" called a young boy. "Gotta run!"
"Text me on Gracebook!" Emily called out with a wave at another saint woman who flew off from the group to see her husband.
"Juda/Buddha hub, for the religiously diverse. Dozens of temples, mosques, and churches for those who read in verse! Flesh, scales or feather, Heaven brings all branches of faith together!"
Emily glanced at a poster of a sneering Adam that read, "Nonbelievers, sinners, and rebels beware! Pure of blood, pure of heart shall stamp out the miserly!" She stood in front of the poster, grinning nervously as the saints continued on their way. Several angels knelt by a marble statue of the Virgin Mary.
"There's the Empyrean," Emily breathed as she and the group stopped by a hill. On top of the hill toward the sky was a grand building that resembled Mount Olympus.
"Only Metatron and a few select angels get to go up there. That's where God supposedly lives. Seraphiel goes there, too. And close by is the Panangelorium and the gold Embassy buildings. That's where council members and warrior angels travel and meet up to discuss important matters. There is an Embassy building in the underworld, too." She scrunched her face. "Man, I wish I could head over there and suggest better ways to help Heaven!"
"Isn't Heaven perfect?" asked a woman saint.
"Yes and no," Emily said. "Hell exists and demons seem to die there a lot by dark beings, but that's all I know."
A brief silence.
Emily continued her tour, spreading hope, cheer, and love to all who came near.
"Hi Molly!" she called at a white spider-like lady with many arms and wearing pink. Her white spider-like mother was next to her.
"Hello, your majesty!" she called, helping her mother with various art projects and cooking. White halos danced over their heads.
Emily noticed that this part of the saint town was much quieter than the previous areas. There was hardly any music or dancing or public rituals. Just ordinary people doing ordinary things; some praying in the silence of their heavenly homes.
"You still miss your family?" Emily asked.
"Haven't seen my twin bro in years," Molly replied, fiddling with her gloved fingers. "It's not easy being born in a mob family. I thankfully wasn't included in any of the dealings and missions, but sadly got killed by rival gang members. My older brother and father weren't accepting of Anthony's orientation, and I doubt they are tolerant of him now, even beyond our graves." Molly and her mother hugged, eyes closed, heads lowered.
"I miss my son every day," said the former New York/Italian mother. "I heard he goes by Angel Dust down below."
"My dad and my older brother," Molly sighed. "I miss them too, but they got too involved in the wrong crowd."
Emily's heart started to shudder as she glanced at more mothers waiting for their families to arrive. She saw a red doe-like angel in 1920's garb sadly holding a picture of her son, Alastor. A Hispanic couple with butterfly wings prayed in Spanish for the safety of their daughter Vaggie. Several siblings were also gathered around. They were muttering about how Heaven could never heal their memory of their daughter becoming an Exorcist and falling to Hell, forever lost. They all seemed certain that they would never see their family members again. Everyone was too afraid to talk to the authorities about trying to help get their loved ones back.
"I…I can't believe it," Emily thought, briefly snapping out of her Disney daze. "Not everyone is happy here! How can this be?"
Emily continued on her way, singing some more to distract herself from the gnawing feelings of disbelief. She saw more posters of Adam and commercials for Exorcist recruitments.
"Hope you all are enjoying your stay!" Emily sang again. "You finding your families along the way?"
"I…I don't have any family," whimpered a sad blonde boy. Worry grew in Emily's eyes. He was the last one in her tour group. They had stopped by the Seraphim city and not too far away from the golden fiery palace. Guards stood by the doors of the palace, eyes unblinking on their six red wings. More Seraphim gathered in the city square, where a statue of Seraphiel glowed in gold and garnet. The Seraphiel statue spouted fire instead of water into the basin below. Nearby stores sold a variety of musical instruments, ritual robes, candles, and spicy foods on fire.
"Well…uh…" Emily began, unsure of where to start. "They should be coming any moment."
"No, they're not here. They won't be coming back."
"What do you mean? Are they still on Earth?"
"N-no," said the boy. "Saint Peter told me that I'm the only one in my family who's been g-good. The rest are…"
The boy began to sob and Emily wrapped him in a hug with her wings. "Down there? I'm so sorry…" Tears of her own began to spill from her eyes.
"Your mother?"
"Was a sex worker."
"Your father?"
"Killed a man in self-defense."
"Your siblings?"
"Got addicted to drugs."
"Grand parents? Aunts? Uncles?"
The boy gulped. "They decided to join their children down there instead of leaving them behind. My older brother…" He laughed a bit as he choked and stepped back from Emily. "He flipped a finger at one of the Exorcists and guards and said, 'You'll be sorry you arrogant a**h**** tore my family apart!' He then fell!"
The boy wailed again. Emily gasped with a hand over her mouth.
"I wish I could help you," Emily said. "But my sister, she'd never let strangers into the palace. She's so bogged down with work, and she hardly hangs out with me. It's like she's a zombie who follows the rules all the time."
"At least there are no monsters here," the boy said, before flinching at one of the Seraphim guards.
"How did you get to Heaven, then?"
"I died very young. I-I tried to follow my Mom and Dad but Saint Peter said I could come in. Said that my 'young fresh mind could be purified and molded for our Savior."
Emily bore a look of horror and disgust. Her eye twitched as she glanced back and forth between the palace and other buildings.
"Are you alright, princess?" the boy asked.
"Yes, I'm fine, totally fine!" Emily said in a sing-song voice. "We have plenty of church homes where kids can be raised in a greater family."
"An orphanage?"
"Not…really?" Emily asked, unsure.
A kindly woman spotted the boy and took him by the hand. He briefly looked back at the princess before being led away to a silver building with "Lost Soul Rehab" appearing on the arch way above the gate. "Good luck," she called before flying at high speed up to the palace.
Emily burst through the door and spotted Sera using a feather pen to write documents for legislation, rules for the lower classes and more restraining orders against Adam.
"Sera!" Emily cried in song. "You've been here for hours!"
"What do you want, Emily?" she asked, without looking up.
"A poor young boy, lost without his family! He's not well! He said his family went down to…"
"Do tell," Sera replied, not fully listening.
Emily flew closer.
"I cannot comprehend
Why these families are brought to an end.
Innocent people not allowed in? Just because of bad luck or sin?"
Sera sighed and paused, replying in a lower somber song. "We've discussed this many times before. Stop your ranting and close the door."
"Close the door? Like we do for how many more?
Is it true that our own kind
Attacks demons in Hell and pays them no mind?"
Sera responded.
"Not for you to know it all
Precautions are made so less people will fall."
"Let me help you with your important work!"
"You're not ready, Emily, now quit being a jerk."
"Adam's a jerk! Can't you see? Stuck in your tower all day, you must be lonely."
"I do not have time for your games. I have to memorize all these names…"
"Why are you always the same?" Emily asked. Sera stood up and faced her.
"Sera, my duty is to make sure everyone is happy here. But it breaks my heart to see other people so lost. Now only a few lucky souls can become saints and live in safety."
"That's just the way it works," Sera said. "If killing sinners will stop them from attacking this place…"
"What a disgrace!" Emily bellowed in song. "I've seen the posters. Adam kills his own race!"
"Demons are not of our kind. They kill and possess and pollute anyone they can find. For the greater good, some former humans have to get left behind. Now, back to my duty, sis, if you don't mind…"
Emily slapped Sera's arm away from the table and spilled the small pot of ink onto the floor. Sera glared at her, smoke blowing from her nostrils.
"Listen to me for once," Emily called. "I'm tired of being seen as a child. The sameness here is boring; can't we go a little wild?"
"Heaven is not your playground, Emily. Grow up!" Sera barked, picking up the ink and cleaning up the mess. "You're hyperactive, immature, and nowhere near ready to truly rule. You're a fool. Let me do my job in peace. Perhaps in the future, the sinners can find their release."
Emily folded her arms.
"Boring and stuffy, that's who you are! Don't you think all these rules are bizarre? The ignorant racist ones get a free pass? But the innocent victims are tossed to the fiery mass?! All these centuries, nothing has changed. The majority of humanity are suffering, restrained. Stop trying to hide things, too!"
Sera examined herself in the mirror, straightening out her thick curls.
"Father and I only do so to protect you! God knows what is best, we are all put to the test. Stop moaning and groaning and give it a rest. Adam does his job and I do mine. Even dirty jobs are the will of the divine."
"No! I cannot rest. I figure something is up. Our warriors are killing hundreds! Enough is enough! You and father are hiding more stuff from me!"
"Because, like I said, you're far from ready."
"Perhaps with both of us, the council will listen to what we say…"
Sera turned around, her crown glowing. "Our roles are already set, go away. I'm a Seraphim in paradise, trying to find my way."
Sera continued. "You think I like what is happening to this realm? Burdened by stress and taking the helm? One bad move will cost me my position. I hardly have time to be a musician."
"I will make a change," Emily declared. "I have to try. Even God's not with us and I want to know why!"
Sera sat back down at her desk. "I'm falling behind schedule because of you. If you think you can change Heaven or father's mind, you haven't a clue!"
"I will find a way," Emily sang as Sera added at the same time,
("Your way is not my way.")
"You never want to play with me, try, today!"
("Fly away! Fly away, I say!")
"Dimmish the fire in your eyes, for the lost, I pray!"
("I watch every day, with their sinful lives they pay!")
"Listening to Dad's rules day after day?"
("Your childish words are not okay!")
"This crushing guilt just won't go away,"
("For our safety, the Exorcists must slay,")
"What if we could give demons a chance and let them…"
("STAY?")
"Sinners saved from their fate, turned into angels and celebrate…"
("NO WAY!")
A somber pause. Both sisters stared downcast and briefly looked away. They caught their breath after their argument.
"Sera, listen…"
Sera raised her hand up dismissively. "Go, Emily. There's too much to do. I'll escort you out if I have to."
"I'm in Heaven, Sera. Why can't you help me make my dreams come truuuee?"
"The final decision is not up to yooouuu."
Emily briefly turned away. Her shoulders sagged and she was already tired. There was simply no way she was going to change her stubborn sister's mind. She hated conflict but even more, she hated being stuck with no way to fully express her concerns. "I'll find a way to help those sinners. By myself, I'll go, I'll go."
After Emily left, Sera sighed, a few tears falling from her eyes. "I'm sorry, Emily, it's just not so. No, no. You cannot help those down below."
Seraph the phoenix flew down and rested on Sera's shoulders. She stared at a framed portrait of her, Emily, and their father during her coronation. Off to the left, a lone picture of Seraphina smiled down at Sera, silently encouraging her onward. Sera soon steered her stare back to her studies.
Emily folded her six wings and sadly sat on her balcony as the sun set. Emily had always felt different from her family…her name itself was a deviation from tradition. It wasn't her cheerful, do-good personality that set her apart, however…it was the outward sympathy she made herself feel for the foreigners hidden down below, something very uncommon to those in Heaven. Most were either outright against sinners or too resigned to the harsh reality which they pretended to ignore. For all the talk about generosity and charity in Heaven, divine grace still missed its mark. Even the treatment of the homeless on Earth was preferable to the infinite methods of suffering in Hell. People had chances on Earth…but hardly any in the afterlife. She somberly sang:
"Something is missing from my life.
I should be happy and content,
But our hands are stained with blood and strife
No chances for them to repent
Can it really be that hard
For sinners to redeem?
The Exorcists on guard
Not really what they seem."
Emily glanced at the grinning Exorcist guards out in the distance with a worried look.
"The forgotten, erased from history
For a few mistakes, mortals shrouded in mystery
I pray and I say
'Please let more souls stay,'
But nothing seems to go my way
I want to do more than smile and wave
I'm sick of sis telling me how to behave!
Way up in the sky,
I can't keep living this lie."
Tears trailed from her eyes.
"I have a wish, I'd like to say
About a world of peace and harmony today,
I feel like something's missing
(Oh! I see two angels kissing!)"
Emily briefly brightened as two blonde angels briefly glanced up at her after kissing each other on a bench below.
"Sorry!" Emily called, before becoming somber again. Her purple satin curtains blew softly in the breeze. Frankincense and lavender wafted pleasingly across her nostrils. The night breeze gently ruffled her feathers. She trailed the last word of her song, and it echoed across the twilight sky.
"I wonder why, why are so called sinners kept at bay
Sent far, far away
As we pretend everything's okay?
I'm a Seraphim in paradise
Trying to find my waaaayy."
A shooting star zoomed in the night sky. Emily closed her eyes. "Somebody, anybody, please help all the innocent people in Hell, on Earth, in Heaven, anywhere. Help spread the hope that redemption and reunion can be possible for anyone. Perhaps there's a princess like me out there with the same dream…"