Persephone's Steps

A Fall From Grace Part 1

With each exhale she watched her breath transform into smoke, watched as it slowly disappeared, seeming to rise up to the heavens. It was cold but she stayed swaddled in a mixture of cloth and skins; cuddled against a hand woven blanket. She tucked the blanket tighter around her - her eyes never leaving the sky - all day she learned. Studied her people; the way they grew food, the way they hunt, they way they craft useful things...it was all interesting to be sure. 

Nothing however was as interesting as learning about the stars - learning about magic and interpreting the wisdom of the Gods. After all, it was because of them that her life changed so dramatically. She wouldn’t be just another farmer. Another woman doomed to repeat the endless and dangerous cycle of childbirth. Nope. She was born under a lucky star - a star of wisdom - a baby girl blessed by the gods to be a woman of wisdom. And so her waking life was spent learning from the current elders and particularly… with Qispi the current wise woman.Together they studied herbs, medicine, language, their people and of course the stars.

Even with such a packed day she couldn’t stop herself at night from sneaking out to gaze up at the sky “Will I be a good wise woman?” she spoke in a soft whisper, a private prayer, not expecting an answer.

“Oh yes - you will be a great wise woman” someone spoke from the shadows but when she didn’t recognize the voice a shiver ran up her spine.

“Hello? Who is there?” something about this felt off - she was afraid - scared. Killa began to rise to her feet “Do not be afraid - I am an angel - a messenger of God” it was a man. And yet he wasn’t just a man; he didn’t feel human. She could sense great undeniable power in him. It was something akin to being cornered by a wolf. He was beautiful - like no other person she had ever seen. His skin and eyes were so light - hair the color of gold and eyes the color of trees - with large white wings like a bird. 

His wings seemed to tuck away on his back, though still visible, as he slowly approached with a smile, “I have come to guide you - teach you things even the wisest of your elders don’t know” he reached out and placed his large hand on top of her head giving it an affectionate pat.

Killa could sense the goodness in him; there was a pleasant and strong energy that had a calming effect on her “Why me? There are other more talented students - apprentices that will take on more important duties than I. Talented Alchemists...” her large brown eyes studied his face curiously.

“Because I have chosen you” he smiled “I suppose you are just special Killa - you have always been - you were born special were you not?” she blushed and looked away shyly. For a messenger of the Gods to say that to her face?! It was all so overwhelming but she forced herself to nod.

“I will do the best I can to honor you and serve the Gods - thank you for this honor...umm What should I call you?” again his features softened with affection “You can call me Ciel  - Killa for now you must keep this a secret. If you tell anyone I will have to leave and I won’t be able to help you anymore. We can meet here. Night after night for a little bit. I will teach and show you such things - I will see to it you get back home safe and sleep deeply. Come alone each time and tell no one.” KIlla found herself nodding - it seemed she couldn’t help but trust this being. Watching helplessly as he leaned in to kiss her forehead lingering a bit. She felt his strong hands wrap around her neck hold her close to him. Oh… she felt something - more than just gentle affection from him. Something burning. Maybe it was the love of the Gods? When he pulled away, she smiled and nodded “I will. I promise”.

As quickly as he appeared he left - flying so fast and far up into the sky he looked like a shooting star. She could see his light shining in the darkness of the night for a few minutes and then gasped as it blinked out. Ciel was gone for the night.

…

The dark and endless halls weaved, winded and curved in a way that made Kora’s head hurt - how was she ever going to remember her way around? Noticing her forlorn expression Ciel chuckled “Do not worry my Kora - eventually you will only need to go to certain parts of my home. They will be easier to remember: Your room, my room, the garden, the library - of course- and the dance hall. I will have your meals sent to your room. I typically find myself forced into torturous lunch meetings about petty little territory stuff” they approached a large double door that seemed to lead out of the building and into a gated garden “I am actually quite excited about this - my first thought was to have the garden decorated with your favorite flower from each lifetime. However Alaster warned me you may only awaken with the memories of your most recent life. So..” his voice trailed as he dramatically swung open the door to reveal a lush green garden filled with peonies of every color - in the center was a small crystal pond and an intentionally sculpted clearing. A dark elegant table with two chairs; Kora audibly gasped at the sight. The garden didn’t seem large but looking out it was as if she had fields of her favorite flower; with eager steps she walked further into the garden her fingers softly caressing the delicate petals. “It’s so beautiful… it’s my favorite flower” she mumbled under breath before looking back at him. How was she supposed to react? It was so sweet - it melted her heart a bit. 

Ciel grinned back at her triumphantly “I knew you would like it - they will always bloom - I have enchanted them. I know you like to read outside; well you like to be outdoors in general but the underworld is understandably a dangerous place for a human soul. This was created so you can be outdoors even when I can’t accompany you. You shall be safe however...there is an edge. It is gated off but we are somewhat perched on a mountain you see” he stared out at the purple sky with narrowed eyes - his thoughts seemed to have taken him away from her again. It wasn’t the first time she had seen it; and after the meeting it seemed his engrossed form of deep thinking or daydreaming was a common occurrence. 

“Thank you Ciel. I still don’t know how much I trust all this - if it will be good for me in the long run to stay here captured by you...but I do appreciate your devotion and dedication to making me feel more comfortable. If everything you say is true then you have been quite patient with me. Patient about getting whatever it is you want” her words seemed to have broken whatever spell he was under and he appeared before her in a blink. Pulling her in she felt herself crash against his chest before she realized she was being embraced “Well I already have what I want - but I can’t say I will be able to restrain myself much longer if you keep saying such things. It is after all only your first day as mine” breaking away abruptly he pulled her along “Next we have the library which is intentionally close; just across the hall here” Kora didn’t resist but she was sad to leave the garden so soon - more than ever she craved some alone time. Some time to quietly reflect on everything that has transpired and how she felt about it; she was pulled across to another large golden door. Opening it for her Ciel smirked mischievously as she stepped through.

Kora’s jaw dropped as she stared at the overwhelming number of books “Oh yes my dear - I know - I know you well. It helps that we share this interest though: these are the histories of the worlds and the wars between them. All about the underworld, all we have recorded of heaven from before the fall - updated each time an angel fell. And of course...all the magic. Alaster and I shall be your teachers but it also helps to have an abundance of time. Being “human” you can wield a certain spiritual energy that we cannot. Eventually I foresee you wielding it with ease - a true force to be wreckin with. Does this please you?” 

Nodding dumbly she repeated his words back to him “You want me to learn magic?” she couldn’t deny that both the confirmation of magic’s existence and the prospect of learning it was exciting. It also felt familiar and right - she was always drawn to the mystical. And learning magic? That rang a bell somewhere. 

“Of course - but it is more accurate to say I want you to relearn magic. You wielded magic in many lives; you have always been quite powerful for a human” she blushed at that.

“Well, it will at least be something to do, while I am here” the mood seemed to get tense; her words cast a shadow over Ciel “Kora you will be here forever...do you understand? There is no going back in fact- the longer you stay the less likely they will take you back anyway. The only option you have to not being here is not..being. Having all of your energy reduced to the smallest of cosmic dust. Chured about the universe - likely to never manifest as a sentient being again.” 

Refusing to turn back a face him she cast her eyes down at her feet - angry and emotional all over again - this was little more than a gilded cage. He was giving her things to do to pass the time she wasn’t with him. Alaster no more than an attendant to her care. Like a bored spoiled child. AHH!! It took everything not to give into to acting like one - saying f**k it and taking a chance. It was clear she meant too much to him for him ever to break her apart that way. Taking a deep shaky breath she nodded “I understand...should we see my room now?”

Lifting her gaze to meet his she gave him a weak smile; for his part Ciel still seemed a bit agitated but he nodded “Of course - I designed these rooms to make it easy for you to remember. When exiting the library will take the hall to the right and follow it down to a dead end” walking quickly down the hall they made it to the “dead end” which was more ornate than any other part of the castle she had seen prior. It was open and wide with high ceilings you would picture in a storybook - a large crystal skylight shining above the rotunda. And three matching doors “yours is on the right, the bath room center and my room is on the left” 

“So close to your room?” the words tumbled out before she could think better of it “Of course - and we share the bathroom to. Now before we get to that fun let me show you your room; after all, I put a lot of effort in decorating it” taking her hand he opened the door and pulled her through.

Like everything in the castle her room was dark - grey walls, dark wooden bed frame, vanity and drawers. A closet that appeared to be filled with dresses and shoes; her sheets were a complementing grey but her thick comforter was the same color purple as the sky with peonies hand stitched - embroidered along it. It was a true labor of love..whoever he charged to make this must have spent a long time working on it “This is a beautiful room” 

“This is your room - you have a toilet here but like I said to bathe” he tilted his head a bit to the room next door “you will need to use the bathroom. Unfortunately I have exhausted my free time for the day; If I don’t get back to attending my duties Amon may attempt to kill me again. Please stay where I have shown you; do not wander - do not trust anyone but those I have and am about to mention. There are many who would like nothing more than to see you gone from this realm. You are not strong enough yet to protect yourself; you must rely on my and Alaster’s strength. You will have two other attendants - low level demons - but I trust them enough with you. A maid named Lily and my butler Balam. We can start teaching you magic tomorrow for now: read, rest, take a turn in the garden” he shrugged “off I go” leaning in he quickly kissed her on the forehead before disappearing altogether with a soft flash.