Life As A Mortal (part 4)
1970 Words
Oh! to be able to soar, so freely
I have wings to fly, in winds of joy
but they are tamed and yes, they cry
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There I sat with my hands on my lap as I saw the ice thawing from them. The ropes that once held on to me tight, were slowly loosening its grip and I looked up at my own reflection that the crystal wall was showing me.
Areas where the fire touched now burnt completely, falling and turning to ashes.
My wings ached so much but they were surely healing by the vast touches of light.
I flinched when I heard footsteps coming in my direction, my legs felt so weak as I tried to stand.
"Stay where you are, Celeste." I heard Seya while he crouched down to look at me. He had that 'I warned you so' look on his face and seemed really upset this time.
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part 4
Retribution of The Fallen
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I opened my mouth to say something but he interrupted me saying, "The council seeks your presence." then took my hands and supported me while getting up.
"I messed up really bad this time, didn't I? Am I in trouble?" I said without looking at him.
"Have a guess."
"No?"
"Guess again." he rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Okay fine!"
"So, you're regretting what you did?" he crossed his arms.
"I will have to lose my mind before I do that! " I pouted but winced at the pain when I moved even a little bit.
"Now you are just being arrogant and stupid." he walked slowly along with me and kept checking my injury in between.
"Excuse me!?" His comment made me narrow my eyes at him.
"Yes, excused." He replied, unbothered.
Our bickering was interrupted by a strong sense of pressure, we heard the chimes from a distance, feeling an enormous amount of force calling.
Holding my arm, I staggered while going towards the direction where the sounds were coming. Seya let out a tired sigh, grabbed my wrist and stopped me.
“Listen to me.” still refusing his help I tried wriggling out of his grip.
Not letting go he said, "Your wings are still healing and you can't walk properly...let me help." Staring at me intently.
I sighed giving up and nodded silently. He approached me from my side and putted my arm over his shoulder, balancing my weight.
Some moments later, we reached the entrance to the council chamber and I was so ready to get the good old scolding by the council. Actually, I was kind of excited about what type of punishment I'll get this time. Silly I know.
But to my surprise... There wasn't anyone inside the hall. Only a bright golden light shone down at us from above the ceiling's opening.
"Leave us alone, Seya." came a strong, loud voice which left us both standing still in our place.
"I know that voice," whispered Seya, "it's not good Celeste, you might be in big trouble this time for real!" there was a hint of panic in his voice.
The hall glistened with gold and white feathers as we saw Supreme Leader of the council emerging from the lights.
She placed her majestic feathers behind her as she sat softly on her precious Guardian "Leox".
With a gust of wind, she motioned Seya to leave once again.
Her name... "Arti," also known as "the noble strength." Beautiful, brazen and above all, she was brimming with power.
Seya respectfully bowed and left without saying a word. Now, tension in the air grew and I gulped. Never have I ever had to be in the presence of Supreme Leader. She is the only one who can control even the council higher ups. She is said to be the very first one of our kind and the strongest of all in our history.
She smiled, tilting her head to the side and waved her hand at me.
I nervously took steps towards her.
"Do not falter my dear fellow... You mustn't be afraid," she stared at me with a mischievous grin on her face, "now that you have already made your mistake that is."
"I... Umm Hello? It's nice to see you, looking gorgeous as always." I tried my best to speak.
"Why thank you Celeste but as you know, flattery isn't going to save you from your punishment." she said while gently stroking the lion's head.
"Ahh, I knew it..." My voice fading, fiddling with my fingers I looked at the magnificent sight in front of me.
"Well, now that we are alone, shall we discuss the matter at hand." she flew down and came closer to me.
I got agitated due to her close presence, "Yes, yes of course! why not." I got flustered.
"I've heard about you..." She circled around me with her fancy gold net robe all around the place,
"And how you have broken most of the sacred rules..." she paused to look at me, "willingly..." she said with an emphasis.
"And how you are not even sorry for your actions."
I laughed nervously but couldn't say anything at that comment.
‘How much of a sacred rule have I broken?’ I thought.
She stopped and continued the one-sided conversation, "Now then, I hope you have a good reason to explain why you took such extreme steps and broke the rules."
"I don't know maybe instead of always thinking about death I might actually want to start living." I absent mindedly blurted out.
Scrunching her brows, she asked me "Why do you think you are not living?
You have been blessed with such eternity and peace. Why destroy it and create problems for yourself?"
"I didn't ask to be like this." I said stubbornly. I knew it was childish and my actions were troublesome but I needed to get someone's attention.
"No one asks to be who they actually are; you have to first find yourself and then have the courage to accept yourself." she answered calmly.
"Then why no one answers my questions...? If we are not angels, humans or even devils then what are we? Why are we stuck in between and why we are not allowed to speak to any of them?" With sudden outburst of questions Arti's eyes widened.
She laughed at my bombardment of questions and then took a deep breath.
"I'll give you what you seek." she offered her hand and in return I held it.
She flew towards the ceiling along with me and pointed at the pictures drawn on it.
"We Celeste, are the Epitome of Peace between Angels, Demons and Humans."
"What do you mean?"
Smiling she explained;
There was once a brutal war going on between these three breeds. So much agony, despair and blood were shed. Time after time, the fights began to slow down as all of them became tired.
And none of the breeds were reaching even close to victory. Anger was all but lost and patience grew thinner.
Eventually the leaders decided to call a truce, a peace treaty was presented by the three Leaders of each clan.
Hope was born and peace was restored. That drop of light is how I was born.
A pure yet strong light of hope that the world was seeking for ages.
It was to be remembered that we remained neutral, always, never take side of any one of the clans and forever live to maintain the separation walls between them.
And now, whenever there is a light of hope in those who seek, a new flower grows in our garden... And that flower is you, Celeste. You and all of your friends and elders.
You are the sign of hope, bringers of light and maintainers of peace.
Lost at words I struggled to answer "I... Why did they never tell me such important thing!?"
"It is to be protected by the elders while they nurture the young ones. They tell only them who are ready."
"Ready for what?"
"To become the next protector of this realm and the others." she continued,
"You see, if everyone knew the real story, they will know how to control the other realms by threatening the peace treaties and by breaking the vows, they can start a war."
Shocked, I quickly asked, "But why would someone do that? Aren't we all like you?"
"We all are born in different ways, by different people’s view of hope. Some hope for war even, sometimes there is a different glimmer. There is no way of telling which one will bloom to become a threat..... Like you...."
"Like me? But I.... OH, Now I see..." A small sigh left my lips.
Confusion? Anger? What is it that I'm experiencing?
"It is a dangerous task to keep it a secret and also an important one." we landed and shortly after she let go of my hand.
"I didn't know that..." I looked down, becoming more and more aware of the truth I felt something burning inside me.
"Celeste, are you one of those who wants to break the peace and start a war... Or are you the one who wants to save the peace?" she asked me with a stern look on her face.
"Of course, I don't want any war! Wars are horrible, why would I want that!" I felt terrible there was something changing and I could feel it... Wait... No... Feel?
"Even so, you did break the sacred rule, only if you had been patient as the elders were with you." she gently stroked the lion's fur with a gloomy face.
"I do realize! I made a mistake... But my frustration was real too!" Frustration? That can't be right!
She looked up to me and said firmly, "Nevertheless, you are to be punished... Before that, do you have any more questions you would like to ask?"
Sulking and becoming confused by my own self I answered, "No, I don't think I have any left, Ma'am."
"How polite." she said with a calm tone. "Well then, I do hope you are ready for your trial..."
My trial? Does she mean punishment?
My thoughts were interrupted by her voice once again,
"You may enter, oh retribution, heed my call and perform your duty."
A lady in all black, held with chains and a black half mask on her face descended from the shadows of the hall. Her face hung low, she dared not to look at the light.
"You called my lady." In a hushed tone she answered her call.
One look at her and one look at me.
Her expressions changed so fast I could barely tell if she was the same person whom I was just talking to.
"Celeste..." She closed her eyes for some time, then after a small pause she opened them and said harshly, "You are to be stripped off of your title as a functioning member of this clan,"
As soon as she said that I felt a sharp pain across my heart. I gasped loudly clutching my chest.
"And to be taken off your wings..."
The Lady in black cut my wings harshly. She made it so painful that I screamed horribly.
For once I got scared and couldn't think straight.
But Arti continued,
"Banished from this place and to be sent into the realm of humans...
There you shall face difficulties, hardships and feelings you so desire. And shall live as a mortal."
Her voice felt distant as my mind spiraled.
“You shall know what life of a peace maintainer means, but first…you need to know what life itself means and why we are devoid of emotions.”
I lost my glow and felt bleak, until I was consumed by the dark world of unconsciousness.
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- Writer
