Mirrored Shadows 2

The Golden City

And suddenly, everything was fine. The golden grass swayed in the wind, and the golden trees swayed with it. The bliss could almost be smelled in the air. Like a lazy summer day without an end, where every sound of life sings our name. As if the veil of mortal suffering had been lifted; a nightmare that had finally ended, and a swift sunrise had arrived.

Monika stepped into a field of wheat and found it to be soft to the touch. One could lie in it and sleep without dreams, without longings and unreachable desires. And then the voices came across the grass, carried by the wind. A chorus, followed by the sound of silver bells, spoke to her soul and made her close her eyes.

- What is that... enchanting music...

- It is the chorus of the Triad. - said Bernard. - Be careful not to get addicted. The chorus can do that.

The old man led her through seemingly endless hills, yet walking was as easy as if they were carried by a cloud. Pearl white rivers bathed in the sun and Monika was sure she saw her reflection in it smiling at her, or maybe she was simply unaware of her own smile. This place certainly did make her oddly calm and happy, even though she knew she shouldn't be. But an aura of peace spoke to her; chasing away her worries as something that would come together in time.

- Look. - the old man said quietly and pointed.

There were several golden trees with rounded treetops, standing in a field. Many angels sat on their branches, with their wings opened and their eyes closed.

- They bathe in the sunlight, and meditate on the chorus.

- Beautiful...

Bernard continued to walk, but Monika kept looking back at the angels over her shoulder.

- The house of the Triad was created by three siblings, angelic deities. Unlike most deities, these spoke to their followers. Advised them, guided them. After many angels fell and became corrupted, the deities deemed angels just as unworthy of holiness as demons, and silenced forever. Only the song remains, and the blind faith of these angels, who believe that the gods are still in the house of the Triad, locked away. Till this day, angels work to prove their worth and purity, but many original values and virtues are buried in time, and angels' vision of justice and servitude to righteousness is often nothing but a cruel hypocrisy.

They passed through an alley of twisted hills that looked like a snail's shell. Some of them had trees growing down, towards the ground. A curious mouse-like creature with a long tail and six pairs of legs ran under one of the upside-down treetops like it's a tent. Monika thought about how much Bruno would like to see that.

- When will I see my family? - she insisted.

- You will see them. Be patient. Your belt granted you entrance. They need to find their own way inside. And they will.

The old man sat down on a stone, panting.

- Blasted old bones. Hurt even here.

- Oh... Is there anything I can do?

Bernard squinted at her because of the sun.

- What could you possibly do?

- I don't know, I could-

- Hope was right about you. You are far too kind. Zeal, on the other hand, thinks you will doom us all.

He reached into the pocket of his robe and pulled out a pipe.

- Smoking in Heaven. How's that for a life on the edge, eh? - he laughed and took a smoke, until his laughter turned into loud coughing.

Monika looked at him without a word for a while. The shadows of the clouds sailed across the meadows. They were flying quite low and she had to remind herself that the whole place is in the sky.

- Why did you come to aid me? - she asked eventually, to break the silence.

- Believe me, girl, you need me in this part. You need all the miracles you can get right now.

- Why?

- The purpose of your journey is to explore the potential threat from the Unknown and uncover whether the Defiler is back or not. And who can do that better than the one who defeated him before? Also, it had to be someone who proved herself to be neutral when it comes to wars that concern everyone. They would never grant a passage to the Unknown to a demon or just any human. This is why it's good that your companions are lagging behind. You don't want to come before the royal family with a demon beside you.

- That demon is my husband.

- Your husband is still a demon. And anything beyond that title does not concern angels. In many ways, you will find that Heaven and Hell are just two sides of the same coin.

- So what then? How will they join me?

- If they approve your access to the Unknown, they will approve your companions to follow as well. But that comes later. Now, - he got up, with the help from Monika, who rushed to help him. - now we have to reach the Golden City.

- Golden City?

- The center of Heaven's kingdom.

They continued down a curvy path. A dozen golden feathered birds flew above their heads.

- They are beautiful.

- They are. They are flying to the queen Love. The queen is, you could say... a bit obsessed with birds. You may want to show respect to those around her. And do try to agree with her, even when you don't. Oh and - he paused to take a good look at Monika, examining her. - She despises any shade of blue. Like your dress...

- What?? Despises blue?

- With her entire being. Not only that does she greatly dislike it, but she has it forbidden anywhere around her.

- That's insane! What about the sky, or the sea!?

- She doesn't go out.

- Oh, now it all makes sense!

- Monika. I am serious. I'm not talking about fashion.

- What am I supposed to do, undress and go naked!?

- Don't be ridiculous. - Bernard looked around, like he's searching for something. - Do you, by any chance, have anything else to wear in that bag of yours?

- I do but...

- Go get changed behind that tree. Come on now, pip, pip.

- Now? Here? - she looked around to see if there were any angels in the trees nearby.

- Yes, now. Go.

He sat down again, this time on the ground.

- It's so bloody warm here... Are you done yet, girl?

- No and stop rushing me!

She quickly took off her dress and put on one - piece leathery armor.

- I did want to change into something more suitable for travel anyway... Just not in the middle of a meadow!

- Quit ranting. No one cares to watch.

- Nice, thanks a lot, old man.

- What I'm saying is that angels come here for the melodies of the Triad. They don't care about you.

- Yeah, sure. Okay, I'm done.

- Are you now? Good. Let's get moving.

The path took them further into the wheat valley with many trees, filled with flocks of angels. Some sat on the branches, others stood on them, but they all had their eyes closed and slowly turned around, following the sun like sunflowers.

- What's the king like? I mean, I saw him briefly, long ago. At the election festivity in Hell. He disapproved of his kids helping me.

- King Honesty is a shadow of a man he once was. He and his wife, queen Love, deal with grief in their own way... But you won't find a single person who doesn't call them mad. Sadly, I have to agree with them. This is why I advise caution and no bantering. They are not evil, they are just...

- Empty...

Clouds were burning bright on the horizon. A bridge stood ahead, stretching across a wide river. It was pure white, glowing in the sun, with sides carved to look like wild roots.

- Look there. - Bernard pointed as they walked across. - The Elenia mountains. That's where the Veil of the Unknown is.

Two enormous mountains were rising far into the sky, with peaks hidden in the clouds. They looked identical. Soft rays of the sun were falling all over the flat, green valley around them.

- So if we get their approval to proceed to the Unknown, we'll have to climb up there?

- Yes.

The mountains silently moved before their eyes as they passed by. Once the bridge was behind them, the mountains started fading into the clouds and hills.

- What's that noise?

- That's the city noise.

The path suddenly began to dive and a great valley yawned before them, crowned by the magnificent Golden City, the jewel of Heaven. It shined beneath the sun like a vision, surrounded by massive walls. It bloomed from the east, all the way to the west. Flags danced on top of its white towers, while Pearl Sea hugged it from the south, stretching farther than the eye can reach. Monika spotted many harbors and ships over there, accompanied by seagulls.

- It really is a sight to behold, isn't it? - the old man smiled.

- I never could've dreamed that a place like this existed...

In the center of the kingdom rose a palace, long and sharp like a diamond needle, piercing deep into the clouds. Many birds circled around it, or flew inside and out of its tallest windows.

The city noise was getting more intense as they were approaching. Statues of armored angels stood by the path that led towards the city, silently judging the newcomers with saint-like expressions. Once they came down into the valley, the size of the Golden City was far more impressive. The palace itself was peaking higher than the Elenia mountains, disappearing into the unknown heights as a symbol of uniting with the deities.

The gate was a giant of stone and steel, rising above the valley and covering it in its shadow. Monika wondered how long it took to build such a thing and what kind of force it would take to bring it down.

- There are the guards. - Bernard warned. - Act nice.

- Act nice? I AM nice!

- Sh, here they come.

A dozen angel soldiers in white armor stood in front of the gate. Their wings were much smaller than the ones Monika remembered Mercy and Justice had.

When one of them spotted Bernard and Monika approaching, he stepped forward and spread his wings into a sharp and still formation, as if they were made out of metal.

- Halt. - he said. - State your business, humans.

- I am Bernard of The Sacred Three. I humbly request an entry for my companion and myself. There's an urgent matter that we need to discuss with their Majesties.

- Their Majesties won't receive any visitors. It's been months now, and the rule still remains.

- Be a good lad and go in there and mention my name. That will change their minds. - the old man pat his shoulder.

The angel's stiff gaze moved toward Bernard's hand on his polished armor, then looked back at him. He didn't seem very amused.

- Your name and title don't matter here, Bernard of The Sacred Three. After the departure of the Great Seer Janaduri, your position isn't valuated here as you might think.

- Have angels ever wondered why the Seer had departed in the first place? - Monika asked.

The angel glanced at her with intolerance.

- And who might this be?

- I am Monika, the Heir of Azura and the usurper of Callisto's throne. The bearer of the Dragon belt. The reason of Janaduri's departure and the reason you have new people in her place.

Bernard smirked as the angel's eyes kept bouncing from one to another, as if he was expecting a punch line of a joke.

- Is this true?

- It is. - Bernard confirmed.

- Their Majesties have long waited to speak to you, Lady Monika... You may proceed.

The way he said that did not promise a friendly chit-chat with the king and the queen. The soldier gave a sign to his fellow angels and they cleared their way to the gate.

- That didn't sound good, Bernard.

- Just keep walking.

The earth vibrated as the golden gates started opening. Their pointy tops pushed the clouds away and disturbed flocks of birds that rested there.

They stepped into the hive of busy citizens of every class. Everyone was rushing and minding their own business, which Monika was glad to notice. Noble angels had their long wings braided and tied into rich strings of gold and silver. Farmers and middle class citizens walked just as gracefully, but with much shorter wings. Other than wings, another thing many angels had in common was golden hair. Monika felt like she was back in the field of wheat. Bernard was talking, but she couldn't hear a thing he said. There was too much noise. People chatting, soldiers marching, blacksmiths forging shiny armor and weapons, merchants bantering, and numerous fountains splashed water into all kinds of shapes. One noblewoman wore a birdcage-like hat with doves inside. Street performers had their wings dyed in many colors, performing dances and acrobatics. Seeing all those angels reminded Monika of Justice and Mercy. They once walked these streets. The thought of that made her sad.

With these thoughts in mind, she almost tripped over the marble staircase before them.

- Watch your step. - Bernard warned her.

The staircase was tall, padded by red rugs down the middle. The angel from the gate was already there, announcing their arrival to the guards at the grand entrance. As they advanced towards the top of the stairs, the huge, glass-like door was opening really slowly due to its size and weight.

- Now remember, leave the talking to me. - Bernard warned quietly. - And ignore the birds.

He pulled out a piece of cloth from his pocket and started tying it around his eyes.

- What are you doing?

- My eyes are blue, mind you. Don't worry, I can still see through this.

The clang of the giant doors against the walls announced that they could proceed inside. They found themselves in a breathtakingly beautiful throne room. It was perfectly rounded, with lines of gold and silver across the marble floor, meeting in the middle of the chamber. Another staircase was rising from its center, with two thrones on the top. Hundreds of birds freely flew around, leaving and entering through the circular windows. They were so domestic, Monika had to overstep one, because it wouldn't move out of her way. Most of them were paradise birds, with pompous tails in many colors. Seated on their throne were the queen Love and the king Honesty. The queen wore a sea of yellow silk and many feathers on her shoulders. Her golden hair looked responsible for the light in the room. The birds would fly right on to her lap, shoulder or side of the throne, where she'd feed them, caress them and sweet talk to them. She was smiling every time one of them arrived, but her smile felt wrong. Like the smile of a sick person. A person in deep denial. As the wings flapped around them, often violently slapping both of them and brushing off their bodies, she seemed perfectly fine with it. The king, on the other hand, didn't seem to care about anything in the whole world. His gaze was absent; head tilted, supported by his hand. A long, white beard hanged from the throne; untidy, curving all the way down the staircase bellow the throne, as if years have passed since the last time he trimmed it. They both had two pairs of very large wings, making them look like they were birds themselves. What looked like a floating halo above their heads were actually pearl white crowns.

- Wait here. - the guardsman said and went up a few stairs.

Bernard and Monika stood near the entrance. Anxiety came in a very familiar form. Monika had no good memories of castles and throne rooms. The guardsman was talking, while none of the rulers seemed to listen to him. Ultimately, the queen waved off her hand as the only answer, and the guardsman bowed and climbed down.

- Her Majesty demands you come forth. - he told Monika.

He then left the chamber, leaving Monika and Bernard alone. The old man suggestively pushed Monika forward, so that the queen wouldn't wait. As they were approaching, neither the queen nor the king paid any attention to them. When they stopped near the throne's staircase, the queen was puckering her lips towards a bird on her left. Bernard cleared his throat, but she still wasn't responding.

- Your Majesty... - he said, and they both bowed.

The smile faded from her face as she turned her head to look at them.

- Is this that girl?

- This is Monika, your Majesty.

- Yes. That was the name. Very human.

Another bird came and the queen was once again fully dedicated to it, as if she was all alone.

- Your Majesty, we've come to you in an hour of need... - Bernard started, but the queen's eyes subtly glanced at Monika.

- You are the one who was accompanied by my son and daughter in your quest to overthrow that monster, Callisto, and claim fame and power for yourself, are you not?

Monika's bowed head quickly jumped to meet her eyes in protest, but the queen wasn't looking at her anymore.

- Your Majesty, your son and daughter have accompanied me in my quest to destroy the Defiler and-

- Lady Monika, Heir of Azura, they say. - the king suddenly moved his tired glance down at her, like a pile of chains, spilled from above. - The usurper of Callisto's throne, they say. The bearer of the Dragon belt, they say. You are many things that ultimately benefit only you. But are you the Defiler slayer?

- My Lord, I-

- His ''Majesty'', lord Victor, was kind enough to deliver our daughter back... Inside of a box, like a package of meat... When we opened the box... she growled at me... I tried to hug her... - he stared at his opened palms, lips shivering. - My daughter, my princess, she tried to rip my head off... and my guards plunged their spears into her... Pushed her back into that box like a beast, as she bled on my hands... Hands that first bathed her in the glorious morning sun... Hands that held her high above the Golden City towers that she was supposed to inherit... Now dead, to a quest incomplete...

- Yet you toss your titles around our doorstep. - the queen said. - As if we should thank you.

Monika looked down at the marble floor, feeling their pain, understanding it. These people were mourning. They needed a figure to blame. But she was the wrong figure. She looked at Bernard, who was trying to tell her not to debate over this.

A tall angel appeared in the room; his hair was more shiny than the queen's. He wore bright armor, but he clearly was no mere soldier, judging by the size of his wings. A well-groomed beard complimented a sharp, handsome jaw line. He approached the queen and the king, bowing deeply, but none of them paid any attention to that.

- Mother. Father. - he whispered and took a stand next to them, just noticing the newcomers before them.

- Your Majesties, - Monika started. - not a single day has passed without a pain in my heart for those we lost in our quest, and at the end of it. Originally, I did not set out to defeat Defiler, but to save my child from him. I know what it means to lose a child, but I can't imagine what it means to lose it forever. Alas, we did not defeat him. But here I am, coming back to try and stop him once again, without any personal gain in it. I am humbly bowed before you, defenseless. If you still find me guilty for what happened to your children, do with me as you please. But I beg you, not before I end this. Once and for all.

Long has her voice echoed through the marble chamber. Bernard didn't seem pleased that she spoke.

- Defenseless before us, you say. - the king leaned forward. - Should we think of you as a liar, Lady Monika, or narrow-minded, to say something like that, while decorating your name with the title of the Dragon belt bearer?

Monika unbuttoned her vest. A shiny belt started repelling all the golden rays.

- What are you doing??? - Bernard squeezed out through his teeth.

Everyone stared curiously at Monika, as she reached behind her waist and suddenly, took off the belt and lifted it up above her head.

- Hear me, your Majesties, and all the angels present in this room. This belt is an heirloom. This belt is a crown in Hell. This belt is the only blade I have to point at Defiler. - she approached the staircase and started climbing. The guards quickly reacted and drew their swords. But the prince gave them a sign to fall back. When she was one stair away from the rulers, she bowed deeply and placed the belt before their feet. - I offer you, your Lordships, my crown. My only weapon. My only ''benefit'' from the battle in which I have lost so many friends. I am defenseless and true in my intention to end Defiler's life. But if you deem me unworthy, then end mine.

Everyone in the chamber had their mouths partially opened, looking at her. The prince examined his parents' faces, waiting for them to say something. But since they were still silent, he approached Monika and offered his hand.

- Please, stand up. There is no need to stay bowed the whole time and talk to us by looking at the floor. You seem like an honorable woman.

The queen chuckled at that, making a bird jump off her shoulder.

- Honorable... You have to forgive my naive son, he hasn't met much of your kind to know these games. Ironic, if you think about it, since his name is Honor.

- Mother.

- My son, do you realize that no one can wear the belt she so selflessly gave us? It's like a baker offering a rolling pin to a blacksmith, who can do nothing with it, but only send it back.

- Then keep it, your Majesty.

- Monika! - Bernard hissed from behind.

The king stood up, alarming the entire chamber, as if he had never stood up before.

- Then we shall keep it indeed. And you with it.

***

- They are waking up. Should I put them to sleep again, Mister Dion?

He was walking back and forth through the Lobby, lost in deep thinking.

- Hm? Oh, that's okay, Birdie, let them wake up. We'll try something.

Amadeus slowly got up into a sitting position, stretching. Once he realized where he was, he jumped immediately with Bruno in his arms, still waking up.

- What happened!? What did you do to me?

- I apologize, mister demon. - Birdie stepped back as if someone was going to hit her. - You were in grave pain, I... I wanted to make it easier...

- You had no right to do that!

- Amadeus, calm down. - Dion said. - Reeva, I have an idea. But I'm going to need your help.

- If it's going to help me get out of here, you can count on it.

- It may get us all out of here.

- Even...him? - Birdie shivered, pointing at the creepy old man who was now staring at Dion.

- Um... Better not.

- So what's the plan? - Amadeus asked impatiently.

- Reeva, Plainwalkers are like living summoning circles, correct?

- How very eloquent of you to compare me to an inanimate object. But yes, that is how it works.

- You cannot use it to take other people through different Planes, am I right?

- Yes. Nothing too big, at least. A dog would be too big already. Only myself.

- How about an object?

- I... suppose? Depending on its size. But how will that help us?

- This place functions by testing minds and hearts, opening or locking accordingly. But objects have neither.

- So?

He took off his coat and tore a piece of it.

- Is this too big?

- I think it's acceptable. But what on Earth are you doing?

- Does anyone have a pencil?

- You'd think that a guy with piles of books would carry a pencil.

- I don't write in my books, Reeva.

- I have crayons, uncle Dion. - Bruno yawned, reaching into his backpack.

- Thank you, sweetie.

He knelt down and started drawing on the piece of his coat.

- A summoning circle! - Reeva realized. - You will send it across and have us summoned.

- I won't send it across. You will. If you please.

She seemed amazed for a brief moment. Then shut her eyes and the cloth started phasing through the door.

- I don't know how that power works, but it would be wonderful if you could place it properly on the ground. - said Dion. - We don't want to appear buried.

- Be silent, you are disturbing my focus.

They waited silently behind her, anticipating.

- Dion. - Amadeus whispered.

- Yes?

- I am sorry I was...

- It is alright, Amadeus. Don't mention it.

- And thank you. For helping us again.

- Don't thank me yet, I don't know if this is going to work.

- No. I'm thanking you now, before it works, so that you know that I'm not thanking you just because of a positive result. You are a good friend.

- It's done. - Reeva announced.