Archanghel: Tale of the Universe

Chapter 6

“Escorted? I didn't know that the Guardians had changed their task now.” He said to the angel.

What is he doing here? Could he be... like me, he’s dead? Oh my! How did that happen? Is that the reason why he didn’t come home, because he’s dead? Janus is dead?

Right, the person standing before me was none other than my best friend who I grew up with, Janus Esteban. He was wearing a thin white shirt and black pants. He was also holding a piece of paper. I can’t really interview him or anything about being here because of the intense glare he was throwing at the angel behind me.

“I see that the rumors are true. You really are hot-headed to Angels, nekros.” The angel behind me calmly said.

“You don’t know anything!” Janus was throwing a dagger with his eyes as he stared at the angel. It also gave me shivers and wished that I was not standing here, right now.

I didn’t know what was happening in front of me. And by the looks of it, none of them are willing to answer my question if I ever ask one. No one was looking at me or even considering that I was standing in the middle of them. What more if I ever raise a question?

They were just staring at each other. Not caring about anything or anyone around them. The staring contest was abruptly stopped by a kid running towards Janus.

“*Kuya Janus! They are all here! The trial is about to begin!” The kid, who was wearing something similar to Janus, called out.

Janus jerked his head at the child who stopped a few steps behind him and was catching his breath. Janus’ expression changed and softened. The anger was now replaced with a solemn look as he stared at the child.

What’s happening?

Janus crouched down to level with the child. He placed his hand on the kid’s shoulder and squeezed it lightly.

“You go first. I will be right behind you.” The kid was quick to answer him with a nod and he then ran back to the direction he had come from.

Janus stood up and looked at the angel once again before he turned around and followed the kid. Wait, what? Will he leave me here? I quickly turned around to look at the angel behind me, who was now preparing for takeoff.

“Wait! Are you going to leave me here?” I bravely asked when I finally found my voice.

“You’ll find the answers that you were looking for here, Xandriel. For now, I bid you farewell.” That is what he said and then he fled, between the clouds where I could no longer see him.

“Are you not even going to say your name!” I shouted at him hoping that he would come back, but he didn’t.

So, I decided to follow the path in front of me. The side of the pathway was decorated with different types and colors of blooming flowers. From afar, I can also make out a huge garden with huge trees.

I guess I can just follow him.

As I walked, I took the place in front of me. Not far from where I was, a huge castle stood. The castle was towering the whole place and that is when I noticed that I was still far from it. Before reaching the huge double doors, there is a wide grass garden. The grass was greener than normal so that I would mistake it for a fake plant. The scene was serene and beautiful.

Whatever this place may be, I want to stay here forever. If that is even possible. The beautiful thought that was forming in my mind was cut off short when I heard loud noises coming from the left side of where I was standing.

I saw a flock of kids, old people and boys and girls that looked to be around my age. They were wearing the same clothes as Janus’. In the middle of the circle was Janus and a little girl that was wearing a white dress and was holding some paper.

I deeply sigh. It was time to get some answers to my questions.

As I walked towards them, I could slowly hear what they were saying. My eyebrows furrowed as I tried to listen more intently and figure out what it was all about.

“Are you ready to face her now, hija?”

“You will be blessed.”

“Kuya Janus, will I be alright?”

I was now a few steps away from them when they noticed me. They all turned their heads to look at me, even Janus. Well, I'm now starting to think that this is a bad idea. Should I just wait until Janus and I are left alone? I asked myself, but there’s no turning back now. So, I gave them a smile.

“There’s a new soul, Janus? Why didn’t you announce it? We didn’t even get to greet her.” The oldest of the group stepped forward to meet me and said.

“She was not on the list. I didn’t know why she was here, but I think it’s not her time yet.” Janus squinted his eyes towards me as if I was some big mistake.

“Calm down, Janus. She’s like you when you first got her, right?” A woman said. She stands at Janus’ side. Upon closer look it was evident that she was only a year or more older than Janus and I.

“Kuya Janus, it’s time!” The exchange was abruptly cut off when the girl in front of Janus shouted. We all looked down on her. And Janus was quick to change his expression.

“You already know what to do, Marian.” Janus' voice softened as he gave the kid a small smile. In return, Marian, the little girl, widened her own smile, showing her cute little teeth.

Marian ran towards the castle door. The door automatically opened when Marian was already in front of it and all I saw was light. Just like the light that I saw in my dreams, the one who led me out of the dark. The light engulfed the little girl until we could no longer see her and then the door closed.

There was a pause, a silence before the oldest man earlier tapped Janus on his shoulder, looked at me and smiled.

“We’re going back to our tasks now, Janus. I'm going to leave her to you.” He then gave me a curt nod before leaving.

Janus only nodded in response to him but ignored me. He, too, turned around and started to walk away. I quickly followed him. There are a lot of questions running through my mind right now and I want them all to be answered. Well, at least all he knew.

“Janus, wait! Where are we? I have this feeling that I'm in heaven, but why are you here? What happened to you? Are you also dead?” A stupid question, but I don’t know how to start. The questions just escaped my mouth.

Janus didn’t answer me and just continued walking. That is only when I noticed the path we were taking. It was not the same path that I came from but it was still filled with flowers and grass greener than a fake one. Janus stopped and ahead of us I saw a well, there was a small bucket on the side that was attached to a rope.

Janus looked down and frowned. He looked pissed when he didn’t seem to find what he was looking for. Minutes past before her turn to look at me. Finally! I cheered inside my head, but soon regretted it. I want to take back the glee I felt a seconds ago when Janus looked at me accusingly, again. Like it was some kind of error, a mistake.

“How did you die?” That was the first thing that came out of his mouth. Not the one of the answers I was looking for.

“The last thing I remember is I got in an accident. Then, when I woke up, I was in endless darkness. I was there for I don’t know how long before a light emerged from nowhere and something urged me to walk towards it. That is when I got here.” I answered him nevertheless.

It may seem like a made-up story, but I didn’t lie. That is what really happened. But something was urging me, pushing me to only say nothing but the truth. It was unnerving.

“W-what about you? How did you d-die? Is that why you didn’t come home? Where is your body? Aling Martha and everyone was very worried about you.” I started to bombard him with questions again. It was to just distract myself, but I couldn’t control myself and ended up dumping him more than necessary.

His frown only deepened, indicating that he had no idea what I was talking about. We both stood there, not moving an inch and not talking to each other. I waited for him as he processed everything that I had asked him. It felt like an eternity, but when he finally answered me, all I could think about was why and how? My body was covered with fear and shock. Who wouldn’t be? When he said this...

“I died a long time ago.”