Mirrored Shadows 2

Separated

- Inside, quickly!!!! - a voice was breaking from the walls of Basilia.

Thousands of demons, angels and humans ran inside across the bridge, followed by the screams of the fallen. Echoes of madness race them from the dark; the tainted monsters hungered for the flesh. People are pushing and knocking down each other to enter first. Many have fallen off the bridge into the abyss, and the abominations tossed themselves after them, to feast on whatever remains from them when they hit the ground. To everybody's horror, they crawled up over the fortress's walls and jumped into the courtyard, intercepting people. Parents tossed their children as far as they could towards the entrance, before they were swamped by the wild stampede.

- Faster! We don't need heroes!

One noble demon got jumped on right before the castle entrance. The abomination started breaking his horns and carving his neck with them. That only pushed people further into complete madness, punching their way inside.

- Let the children in!

But in the clutches of fear, people did not hear nor think. They climbed over the fallen bodies, rushing into Basilia.

- Quickly, get the fallen ones in! - Victor ordered.

Some of the guards tried and managed to save a bitten woman and a crying baby that was tossed inside, but didn't make it across the doorstep. There were some still lying on the ground and begged to be saved, but the abominations caught up and the front door had to be slammed shut. The monsters ran onto them and started banging and scratching.

- To the throne room, immediately! The door might fall!

The hallways were packed by those who managed to get safely inside. When the abominations started hitting against the door, the mad stampede ran once again, swaying through the corridors like an unstoppable wave. The guards tried to control them, but it was impossible without using force. About two hundred people fit into the throne room, while others remained outside, complaining, pulling out those they could reach in order to take their place. Fights began. Guards couldn't reach them to interfere. Vases and statues were being tossed and used to break skulls. Cries of children filled the halls.

Victor broke through the crowd, advancing towards his throne. Three young demons were on it, threatening them with pieces of furniture whomever dares to approach.

- May I have my throne back, gentlemen? - Victor tried to reach them through the noise.

- Your throne eh!? - said one of them angrily and flung a piece of a sculpture he was holding at the crystal chandelier, shattering most of it and making it rain on people's heads. That partially silenced the crowd. - Hey people! Listen here! Our so-called ''king'' wants his throne back. He remembers which chair is his when he needs to sit, but not when we need guidance in the time of need.

The voices were slowly fading, as each head turned towards the demon on the throne.

- We've seen some hard times under the reigns of our previous rulers. The madness of Andromeda. The terror of Callisto. But if there's one thing they knew how to do, it's how to oppose a threat. They knew how to defend their people! Our wannabe diplomat made a truce with Heaven, yet we are not even allowed to cross their border. We are stuck here, waiting to be eaten alive!

Now the voices were rising again to support the young man's speech. Victor looked around, only to notice that the majority agreed with this rebel.

- How dare you speak to your king like that!? - Elvira hissed.

- Elvira, don't. - Victor warned quietly, nodding towards their angry faces and weapons.

- My king? - the rebel laughed. - I never wanted this liberal. His reign was insured by the madness of his daughter Zana and the meddling of his pet Monika, the one he sent off to safety, leaving us, HIS OWN PEOPLE, to die!

A strong shout of united agreement echoed through the throne room. It was as if the man spoke things they all kept inside for a while.

- Tell him, Sabass! - they cheered him.

- Hell is closed because of the taint. You have to understand th-

- Oh, really now? It was not a problem to let Monika and her companions leave, regardless of the taint, but did we have to stay?

- Monika is the only one who can end this and-

- Like she did before? - came from another corner of the room.

- Yes, - agreed a woman holding a crying child. - Had Monika done something worthy of that statue outside, we wouldn't be here, mourning our loved ones!

- Take off that crown, false king! - they shouted.

- You are but a scared little man, unable to rule with a firm hand!

- If only Callisto had been alive to witness this shame!

Victor never felt smaller. His long fears of not being accepted as a king came true. The crown on his head was suddenly stolen property, not a rightful heirloom.

His guards formed a circle around him, pushing anyone who'd dare to approach.

- We need to leave, Majesty. - said one of them. - We have to take you to safety.

The circle of guards was moving towards the exit of the room, followed by the angry glances of the mob. Several marble body parts flew towards Victor's head. The guards took him to the higher levels of Basilia, until they were lost in its web of deeply hidden rooms that would normally take weeks to find.

- We should be safe here, my king. - Elvira was panting, pouring water into a cup and handing it over to him.

- King... Am I still that, Elvira?

- Of course you are, Majesty!

- They will never accept me. I knew this before. I was just too greedy to acknowledge it.

- They will after Lady Monika succeeds.

- And if she doesn't?

- Then it wouldn't really matter, my lord. We'd be swarmed by evil anyway.

***

Everyone needed a moment to grasp the beauty of Heaven's endless fields. For a while, no one was on a quest, with a goal, with a destination. They were just bodies, carried by the tunes of silver bells. Amadeus, on the other hand, ranted. He couldn't stop scratching his arms and chest.

- Their ''holy'' auras are giving me a rash.

- Are you sure you just haven't bathed in a long time? - Reeva teased.

- This from a woman who spent days, possibly weeks, in the lobby?

- Am I the one scratching myself, demon?

- No, I'm sure you just shed your skin instead.

He started feverishly looking around, as if Monika should be standing right there.

- Where is she?

Dion moved forward, trying to ignore the soothing sounds that flew around his head like a swarm of flies. He blocked the sun with his hand above his eyes and looked at the horizon.

- The city is in that direction.

- How do you know? - Birdie asked naively. - You were here before?

- No, Birdie. The path clearly leads to civilization.

- Oh. Right.

Her dreamy eyes looked around the fields, probably looking for the city.

- Come, Bruno. - Amadeus offered his hand to the boy.

- Does it itch hard, daddy?

- I'll be alright, buddy. As long as it doesn't irritate my face. You don't just balm this beauty, you know?

- By the gods. - Reeva scoffed.

After a long explanation at the gates of the Golden City, and arguing with the guards about being Monika's companions who are ''late'', the guards finally decide to let them in and have the castle guards decide what to do with them. The city gates opened once again and they found themselves tiptoeing through the crowd of hundreds of wings.

- Suddenly I feel like eating chicken. - Amadeus mumbled.

- Oh there are so many people! - Birdie clapped in excitement. - Look at that! And look at this! Oh my goodness, I want one of those!

- That's a fountain, Birdie. Please let's not draw too much attention. - Dion warned.

- Tell that to your friend. - Reeva pointed at Amadeus.

The citizens were all turning to look at him. Typically, they would give any demon a glance of silent hatred. But now, they were gasping! One noble woman slowly took a turn and started walking after him. A man followed too. Soon, several angels and two humans walked after the beautiful demon as if they were under a strong spell.

- Amadeus, don't take this personally, but can you cover your face?

- Not personally? How else could I possibly take that?

- We are not welcome here. The less people notice us, the better.

- Fine. They had better give me my wife back so we can leave this perfection - shaming place.

He pulled his vest all the way on to his face, peeking through the sleeve holes. Bruno laughed at him, which made people turn after them anyway. The stalkers stopped and shook their heads, like they woke up from a dream. Amadeus was already lost in the crowd, so they carried on.

- Oh look, a needle-shaped palace. - Reeva noticed mockingly. - The nerve.

- Why do you say that? - Birdie asked.

- This is the way angels pompously claim that the Needle of Creation belongs to them.

- Needle of Creation?

- Honestly girl, don't you ever read? The Needle ONLY created the entire universe!

The palace guards advanced towards them before they even got to the staircase.

- They will never let us in... - Birdie whispered.

- Halt. State your business, humans.

- Is Lady Monika, by any chance, in the palace? - Dion asked.

- We cannot give you such information.

- We are her companions. She can confirm that, if she's inside, of course.

The guardsman tilted his head to take a look at the people behind Dion.

- Companions? She did not inform us about anyone coming after her. Why are you traveling separately?

- We were held in Lobby.

- The lobby?

- Oh by the gods. - Reeva scoffed. - Which part exactly you didn't understand, you silly little man?

- Watch your tongue, woman.

- We have no time for this, Dion. - Reeva ignored his threat.

- I agree. - said Amadeus impatiently, trying to take a look inside and see if his wife is there.

- And you are not making it any faster by arguing with the guards!

The angels seemed final in their decisions. Their spears were pointed at them.

- You should walk away now, or we will be forced to arrest you.

Amadeus stepped forward ready to punch one of them, before Dion pulled him back.

- Don't. We don't want problems here, Amadeus.

- She's in there, Dion. - he whispered. Though his voice was full of rage, there was nothing but childish pleading in his eyes.

- She is and she is fine. But she won't be fine if something happens to you and Bruno. Please.

The demon rubbed his face aggressively several times, walking back and forth, eventually kicking the staircase of the castle.

- So what do you suggest we do then?

- We need to come up with a good reason to get entry-

- We have a good reason! - Amadeus said loudly.

- A good reason for them, my friend.

The guards looked closely, darting at them with suspicion.

- We should move from here, for the start. Let's go somewhere we can talk.

He quickly disappeared in the tide of ever rushing citizens. Others had to move quickly so they wouldn't lose him. Reeva was endlessly ranting about people pushing her and stepping on her dress.

- Where is he dragging us anyway?

- No one is forcing us to stay, Reeva... - said Birdie.

- I wasn't talking to you.

A tavern suddenly emerged before them. They looked around and spotted Dion waving to them from its window, calling them inside.

Much like everything in Heaven, the tavern lacked no exaggeration in golden details, marble and pompous statues.

Dion was sitting by a glass table in one of the secluded corners of the tavern. Angels, being quite reserved folk, did not care about the newcomers, nor anything that happened around them, as they drank their honey milk and cut the almond treats into ridiculously small pieces.

- What's up with all the confidentiality? - Amadeus sat down and placed Bruno on his lap, because there weren't enough chairs for all to sit.

- Because their Majesties don't want us here.

- What? Why?

- Shhh, the bartender is coming.

A middle-aged angel approached with an expression of utter indifference. His short wings were braided, probably so that he wouldn't knock off the glasses at the bar.

- Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. May I take your orders?

His eyes paused on Amadeus and he swallowed saliva.

- Nothing for me. - the demon waved off. His leg was nervously jumping up and down, making Bruno bounce.

- Calm down. - Dion whispered. - We would love to try your honey milk, good sir. Oh and one of those treats for the boy, thank you.

The angel bowed and left, looking over his shoulder at Amadeus one more time.

- So why the Majesties don't want us here?

- Because we are an inconvenience.

- Surprise, surprise... - Reeva remarked, looking at Amadeus.

- After everything that happened with Defiler and the Azura's heir being found, Monika is the centerpiece of a political game. The so-called truce between Heaven and Hell is a facade. This is a silence before the storm. A silent war. Their Majesties won't miss the opportunity of having Monika here. They will try something, I'm sure of it.

- Try what? What could they possibly want from my wife?

- I don't know, maybe some kind of... propaganda. Some political statement where the heir of Azura is seen supporting Heaven, you name it. And you, her husband, a demon, don't fit into that picture.

- To hell with their picture!

- By Alzhara, Amadeus! Am I going to spend the day begging you to calm down?

- How can I be calm, Dion? Look what you're telling me!

- You can't do anything about this except make it worse! We need to enter the castle and we cannot do that as ourselves.

- You could make us invisible! - Bruno clapped his hands in excitement.

- No, sweetie, the castle is very likely protected from anything tricky like that.

- I could phase us in... - Birdie whispered, unsure about her own idea.

- You can phase through walls? - Dion was surprised. - I don't mean to pry but, what are you exactly?

- It's complicated, mister Dion... But so is the ability itself. I can't tell what's on the other side of the wall. We could step into a room full of guards or get stuck in the wall...

- Well, in that case, that is out of the question...

- You didn't think this would be that easy, did you? - Reeva mocked. - What we need is a diversion.

- Like?

- Like him. - she pointed at Amadeus.

- You don't mean...

- Mean what? - Amadeus's eyes bounced from one of them to another.

A myriad of people have gathered on the town square, growing in number. The passengers were pausing, shoppers dropped their bags, craftsmen left their workplaces. All of them were piling up around the marble fountain and sighed with longing and admiration. Amadeus stood on it; unveiled, playing lute. If any other demon even dared to do this in the heart of Heaven, the angels would greatly disapprove. But this demon stopped that heart that day, and for a moment, the hatred was replaced by desire and sinful thoughts.

- That instrument does not deserve torture. - said Reeva, holding her ears.

- I don't think anyone really cares about the lute... - Birdie looked around in amazement. - Look at them... They keep arriving. He really is incredibly handsome. It's kind of scary actually. But in a good way!

Reeva scoffed and turned away.

- Are there more like him? - Birdie asked curiously, not hiding her admiration.

- There are two more. - Dion said. - The ''least beautiful'' one, Elmag, is still the most beautiful being in the world. The second place belongs to Contract demoness Namaah. And finally, Amadeus tops them both, being the ultimate creation, in the words of the Seven Muses.

- ''I woke up to a world incomplete,

a world without the Sun, where flowers decay,

And I felt it with every heartbeat,

The night was here to stay.

So I closed my eyes, dearest,

these two windows ajar,

with your vision behind the black curtains,

standing far, like an unreachable star.

And I heard the grass grow, whispering your name,

and the winds writing in the sand of things yet to come,

With my love forged in an eternal flame,

for the thing we were yet to become.

I wished upon it, through space and time,

without making a step, I sought you,

And I'm awake again, to a face so sublime,

the one I finally met, the one I always knew.''

Long has Amadeus's voice lingered in the air, and the people drowned in its softness.

- They are drooling. - Dion noticed. - That won't work. What we need is a scene. Hey, Amadeus! Take off your shirt!

- What!?

Several angel heads turned to send Dion looks of disapproval, but their cheeks were red.

- Take off your shirt! - Dion repeated.

- Yes! - someone else shouted from the crowd. - Take it off!

- Take if off! - Birdie screamed for fun's sake. - This is so exciting! I don't know why!

- Oh god... - Reeva sat on a bench, but her glances discretely flew towards the demon on the fountain.

- Take the shirt off! - more and more people loosened up.

Soon, the entire street shouted that sentence as one. Men and women. Angels, demons, humans.

- I have never seen Heaven acting so... promiscuous. - Birdie giggled.

- Everybody loves my dad! - Bruno cheered.

- He sure did you proud... - Reeva ranted.

The crowd grew more wild. A few angel girls climbed on the marble fountain and started pulling on his clothes. The lute fell into the crowd and some of the admirers started fighting over it.

- I'm going to kill you Dion!

- You're doing great!

The guards at the castle entrance rose up on their feet to see what all the commotion was about.

- It's working, we got their attention! Now let's get their reaction. - he reached into his bag and pulled out a book. - Who wants his compilation of love poetry? He bookmarked it with a lock of his own hair!

Dion flung the book into the crowd and the hell broke loose. One woman managed to get her hands on it, only to be pulled by the hair and kicked on the ground by another one. Fights began. Birdie moved Bruno away.

- Cease this immediately! - the guards came.

They were trying to separate the feral citizens and got a few punches themselves. Dion pulled Amadeus off the fountain.

- Now is the time! The entrance is unguarded!

They rushed to the castle and made their way to the lobby.

- What's up with all the birds? - Birdie pressed herself against the wall, as a white peacock began flapping its wings aggressively.

- Birds? I thought those were angels. - Amadeus teased, poking Bruno with his elbow, but the boy was not entertained.

- That humor will get us into trouble, dad...

- Smartass...

- Keep it down. - Dion warned.

They entered the grand throne room. Their unannounced entry immediately alerted the guards from the inside. Drawn swords forced a flock of birds to fly away through the window.

- What is the meaning of this insolence!? - the queen jumped up, raising her wings like a white sun. - How did you come inside? And who- Reeva? You dare return here!?

Others looked at Reeva questioningly, but she didn't seem to care.

- Your Majesty, I bare no ill will. - she said. - I only-

- You ARE an illwill, Reeva. It was a mistake coming back here. Guards! Get her out of my sight!

She was quickly removed from the room.

- The rest of you, explain yourselves! - the queen's voice echoed through the room. - Who are you to barge in like this!? And why is that traitor with you?

- Your Majesty, we are Lady Monika's companions. - said Dion calmly. - We have met Lady Reeva in the Lobby where we were separated from Lady Monika. She came along with us.

As he was talking, he noticed that she was keeping her eyes on Amadeus. But it wasn't the typical glance of desire and admiration, but far more empty and intolerant.

- And who is this... demon you travel with, may I ask? Is he too Lady Monika's companion?

- I am her husband, your Majesty. - he replied with a grain of salt.

She paused briefly, keeping the focus on him. The king, on the other hand, looked like he had left his body on the throne, with his mind completely absent.

- Companions or not, nothing gives you the right to disrespect the castle's decorum and walk in here like a band of conquerors. - she finally spoke. - Guards, take them to the dungeons.

- What? Where is my wife!?

The guards quickly surrounded them and pushed them forward.

- Get your hands off me! - Amadeus kept pushing their hands, both out of anger and the unbearable itch from their auras. - Just blow them up, Dion, and let's go find her!

- Are you seeking more wars, Amadeus?

- I seek my wife!

In one brief moment, the demon turned around and pushed the guards with such force, they fell all over the floor, knocking down armored statues and figurines.

- Seize that demon!

More guards came and started jumping on him and wrestling. He lifted two of them in the mid air, ready to toss them.

- Stop! - Dion shouted.

Panting with rage, Amadeus looked at him with hesitation.

- That's enough, Amadeus. Put the guards down.

More guards came. Now they were standing all around them, observing what was going on. Dion gave them a sign to wait. They didn't seem like they had a different plan.

- Amadeus! Put those men down.

- Dad, listen to him... - Bruno said softly, curled up behind Dion.

Reluctantly, he lowered his hands, allowing the angels to touch the ground with their feet.

- That's more like it. Thank you, Amadeus. Now, gentlemen, shall we? - Dion went onward, followed by the confused guards.

- They have her, Dion. - Amadeus whispered through his teeth. - They have her, and I'm going to jail.

- Of course you are. That's the idea.

They were escorted deep into the web of dungeons, with prisons lining up from both sides of narrow hallways.

- This place reminds me of a dungeon Monika described once... - said Amadeus, exploring the surroundings. - Something she saw when she glimpsed into the future. She didn't want to tell me the rest of it...

They were all placed together in the cell with Reeva.

- You will remain here and wait for their Majesties to decide what to do with you. - said one of the guards and left.

Amadeus started walking in circles like an angry, caged beast. Everyone had to lift their feet on the benches, because he wasn't looking where he was stepping.

- I thought you had a plan, Dion...

- I did. And it worked.

- You planned this to happen?

- Indeed. This was our only way in.

- I can't believe that b***h locked me in here... - Reeva talked to herself.

- Why didn't you tell us you worked here? - Dion asked. - What did you do, anyway?

- I used to be her advisor. The rest does not concern you.

- ''Used to be'' sure bids you well...

Amadeus punched the iron bars of the cell unexpectedly, making them all jump. The ringing echoed throughout the dungeon.

- She is all alone there... What if she's in danger? What if she needs me?

- You won't help her by getting a worse sentence than the one we are in right now.

- I sure won't help her being locked in here either. - he suddenly stopped walking in circles and looked at Birdie. - You. You can move through solid objects, like you said? Can you get me out of here?

- Amadeus, no! - Dion stopped between them. - They think we are locked away. If you escape, you'll be a fugitive and you'll never see Monika!

- But-

- Monika is important. You have to understand that. She won't be harmed, not here. But the rest of us could die right now if we didn't watch our steps!

Amadeus and Reeva sighed at the same time, both having to agree with that. The demon sat on the cold floor, rushing fingers through his long hair, which stole another set of Reeva's glances.

- We'll find her. - Dion sat next to him. - Just please, stay calm and trust me.

Bruno too sat near and leaned against him.

- Don't be sad, dad. Mama is okay, I can feel it. I felt it when I was gone too.

- Look at you, comforting your old man. I should be comforting you, buddy...

The wind blew somewhere far outside the thick walls of the dungeons, but they could still hear the enchanting chorus that flew with them.