Chapter 36: Heaven

Encapsulated in darkness, two hands clung to my face. "WAKE UP!" echoed repeatedly. My head felt heavy and it took everything in me just to open my eyes. My cheek bounced underneath a light slap and I pulled my eyes open wide to find my nameless grandmother in her shawl glaring at me. "Wake up NOW Mia." she ordered. I inhaled a sharp breath and blinked, finding my eyelids heavier this time around. My body was heavy and it was being carried. I looked around finding nothing but darkness. By the feel, it was a sack on my head. "Thank you Grandma." I thought to myself. My arms were bound as well as my feet. The person carrying me said nothing but from the feel of his hands, he probably wasn't human either. They felt like satin and seemed to mold around me. I stayed quiet not wanting them to know I was awake so that if the opportunity presented, I could escape. Each bounce of a footstep I became more anxious until I felt them plant their feet and the familiar feeling of wind surrounded me. Whoever it was could fly and well. I played different scenarios out in my head on our trek through the sky. I could fall but with my eyes covered, they'd catch me in no time. I could try to cut the bands off my hands but without seeing, would I cut my arms off in the process? My ears began popping and a cold took over my skin. It almost felt as if I couldn't breathe. I started to panic and my breathing became more shallow. A very deep sultry voice caught me off guard flatly saying, "You do not need air. Quit breathing. You're confusing your brain.". All I could do was comply. I couldn't breathe anyway. It was uncomfortable at first but the stranger was being truthful. Instead of passing out like I thought would happen, I stayed awake and it was just an uncomfortable pressure. I could feel the air getting colder and after a few minutes it became warm again. The stranger landed and plopped me on the floor. "Ow you prick." I rang out. With no reply, I sat myself up and heard rather heavy footsteps coming towards us. "You actually did it Michael?!" an angry voice broke through. The voice continued with no reply from my captor who apparently was the jerk known as Michael. Why is it always a damned Michael with me. A hand landed on my head and the sack was jerked off of me. Bright white light assaulted my senses from all angles. Squinting to get used to it, I made out two figures and a golden floor. The figures were beaming light from themselves also and I could not make out their features. The one figure standing furthest from me pointed at me and huffed out, "Look at her eyes! She shares the light of heaven and you've deemed her a threat?! Mika'il is right.". My eyes went wide at the realization of seeing a huge golden gate off to my right with two swirls on it that mirrored my new mark Lucifer had given me. "Where is Mika'il?" I asked. "You need to remain quiet." Michael commanded. I wiggled my way up to where I was standing and sternly replied, "No I don't. I command you to remove these bands.". My captor kept a flat face before walking over and removing the bands. The other figure's light started to die out and I could finally see a rounded face topped with silver hair matching silver eyes. His head fell sideways as if he was confused by what he had just witnessed. "How did you do that?" he asked. Rubbing my wrist from where the tie had indented I responded, "Mika'il apparently didn't tell you everything about me.". I rolled my eyes when he just stared at me with his mouth hanging wide open. Michael had stayed silent after removing the ties he placed on me. His light started to dim when a chocolate brown haired man with a chiseled jaw and golden eyes poked through. "Tell me who he is." I commanded Michael, pointing between the two of them. "That is Mebahel." he replied curtly. I began to actually take in my surroundings and looking behind me, the earth sat as a small dot. I put my hand on my head in awe and mumbled out loud, "How? We only flew for like 10 minutes.", my eyes getting wider. After taking the view in for a few minutes hushed angry whispers floated through the air behind me. I turned to see Michael and Mebahel arguing over the fact that I was there. "You had no orders to take her." Mebahel articulated. "She is a threat. She can command us. You saw it yourself." Michael argued. I was still taking in the view. Looking up, you could see stars for eternity. The light from the platform didn't hinder their appearance at all. The gate was a sight to behold covered in gold from top to bottom with two large swirls drawing oppositely away from each other. I was bothered that it matched my mark and had no clue what this development would mean. The two were still arguing about me being there when I walked over to them interjecting, "So when can I go in?" I said, unfurling my wings. "Her wings are gold." Mebahel flatly said as his eyes went wide and bore daggers into Michael. His composure was broken as he hit his knees, "I did not see what color your wings were. Please forgive me.". I rolled my eyes and shook my head, "Get up.". After he got up I could tell he was shaken. "How are your wings gold?" Michael asked, pointing to them. Contorting my face to look confused, I walked up to him and booped his nose sarcastically saying, "That's a good question that I think we need to ask my secret Grandpa.". I began walking towards the gate when my forehead started to feel extremely hot, the swirls were making their appearance and there was no stopping them. Both angels backed up when the flames took over. Feeling like my skin was about to burst, I fell to my knees. This was something new. It felt like my skin was peeling but it stayed in place. I broke out into a sweat and placed both hands on the floor. I heard a large creaking but had no idea where it was coming from. I shut my eyes hoping that would alleviate some of the pain but it made it worse. Flashes of history and large natural disasters played out before me. I felt their pain, the fear, and the emotions behind every one single person. Some were ready and some were not. Once the flashes stopped, the pain went with it. "What the fuck was that?!" I got out between breathing heavily. "What was what?" Mehabel asked me. I stayed down trying to get my strength back. "The people. The flashes." I replied curtly. "Ohhh that? You actually got that?" Mehabel asked again. "YES!", I exclaimed. "Now tell me what 'that' was.". He walked over and sat down in front of me and began motioning with his hands. "So that gate checks souls. When we leave for duties, the gate stores what we miss in it so when we return, we know every person who entered." He paused before he scrunched his nose up continuing, "You got a snapshot of everyone didn't you?". I nodded a bead of sweat dripping off my fourhead. "Michael help her." he called. "She's Lucifer's whore. I'll take my chances." he replied despondently. "I'll be fine." I replied and began to get up. I was dizzy but tried to hide it from them. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Michael was staring at me. I was feeling fear and anger bubble up as if from nowhere but felt like it didn't belong to me. "Take me to Mika'il please." I told Mehabel and he nodded as if agreeing with my request. The walk was silent but upon entering through the gate, it was a small path surrounded by gardens. I would be completely at peace and comfortable if it wasn't for this foreign feeling taking over my chest. Lucifer had probably figured out that I'd left Hell by now and these were probably his emotions. If he could feel me as I felt him, then I know he was probably pissed by me feeling peaceful or he felt that gate thing and was pissed I was in pain. There's really no telling. We walked along this tiny path for a long time and I reflected on how Lucifer had hurt me. Birds chirped in the background and we passed by a small creek. A field of wildflowers spread out with trees dotted in the landscaping. It looked an awful lot like my dreams. "Wait." I called to the two angels guiding me. They both stopped and looked at me with unimpressed faces. "Who lives here?" I asked. They glanced at each other and back at me as if I was crazy. "No one. This is only the entrance." Mebahel stated. Looking back through the field, one lone string lead it's way through the field and over the hills. "Then why is there a string out there?" I queried. Mebahel was quick to reply, "The souls here come and go as they please through the field, to visit loved ones on Earth.". I nodded and we continued walking for some time before we came to a door. "There's a trending theme with these in Heaven and Hell." I stated. I heard Michael huff audibly as if he was already tired of my existence before Mebehel opened the door. Another hallway very similar to hells sat outstretched before us. This hallway was white with golden doors. I tucked my wings in still following the two before me wanting to keep them under wraps for the time being like Lamia had told me weeks before. "Don't ever let them know just how much power you hold." rang out in my head. We suddenly stopped at a door where I bumped into the wings of Michael. "Sorry." I rang out quickly before the door opened and the light flooded out. The feeling of this room was calm and tranquil. Once my eyes adjusted again, I could see many angels standing around the room arguing with a voice that I knew as Mika'il. I decided to stand back and watch what was happening. "She needs to be put down! She aligned with Hell!" a voice rang out from the crowd. "If I'm right, she descends directly from Yeshua! You really want to take that chance?" Mika'il challenged. They repeatedly cast accusations about me to Mika'il in which he was constantly defending and shutting them down. This went on for a few minutes before Michael stepped forth and commanded they listen. They all cowered before him, even Mika'il. A look of confusion coated me and I felt a nudge on my arm. Turning Mehabel has leaned forward and whispered, "Michael commands all of them. He replaced your husband when he fell. He is God's right hand.". My mouth hung open. I now understood why he took me. "What Mika'il says is true." Michael called over the crowd of wings. A few heads popped up in protest at what he said before he continued again. "She wears wings of gold and holy fire.". As he finished the last sentence, a few audible gasps had escaped. "She made it through the gate on her own and she is here now. Rise.". They all began to rise and Michael stepped aside revealing me. Looking around at the crowd of faces, many looked like they wanted to kill me on the spot. Catching Mika'il's eyes, he looked angry at me and made his way over to me. Before reaching me, Michael stopped him, "Mika'il you are to stay away from her." he said putting his hand out and Mika'il started stepping away before I interrupted. "Mika'il, I think I have more pull than he does, and I say you stay." I said shooting daggers at Michael. A small smile came over Mika'il before he again approached me and a look of anger took over again. "What are you doing here?" he angrily whispered. "Michael kidnapped me." I said nonchalantly. He looked at Michael "You did what?! That goes against the advice of the councils Michael!". Michael shrugged his shoulders, "Like I care? I command the councils.". I felt a hand on my back and was launched forward in front of Michael where faces of all kinds stared back at me. "Bring out your marks!" someone called and I just shook my head. I looked back at Mika'il who looked worried as another voice rang out, "Show us the truth Hell whore!". I snapped my head around, looking for the person who said it. That one made me mad. I turned to look at Mika'il again. "Why is it always a fight?" I said, flapping my arms down to my side. Mika'il just raised and dropped his shoulders in sync with his eyebrows. I rolled my eyes before I was rocked by pain in my thigh. I jerked my head around and down at my thigh where a small dagger handle stuck out. "Don't hold back Mia!" I heard Mika'il yell. As I pulled the dagger out, I let all my marks come forth including my newest ones gifted from Lucifer. The faces in the crowd all dawned those golden and silver eyes. Different hair colors but all had certain light marks on their skin tailored to the individual that bore them. I was angry and felt my hip start to warm. The parts that peaked out from my attire of T shirt and shorts swirled with black and white light mixing together. The faces ranged from fear to anger and one in a cream dress lunged at. Within seconds, I had my wings out and encased in fire. "When the balance is tipped, the youngest in my bloodline will activate. It is my duty to keep the scale equal." I rang out over them before landing. Shocked faces surrounded me. Some had their mouths covered while others' mouths hung wide open. It was silent for what felt like ages before Mika'il approached me. "I think it's time for us to go now." he said and began to lead me out of the room. Before we could get out of the room, another angel stopped us rushing around us to get to Michael. "Sir, Lucifer is at the gate demanding his wife," he said. Michael began to follow behind us a solemn look on his face, his tattle tale in tow. Once out the door, the wings were out. Flying above the field, it was beautiful. Seeing Michael's wings, they were traced with golden outlays overlaying a black feather. Looking over the field, it was peaceful and before I knew it, we were back at the gate where Lucifer was pacing outside. Opening the gate, he turned around with a look of unadulterated hate focused solely on Michael. Michael catching his gaze taunted him, "Is that what I think it is on your face Lucifer? She's that dirty that she corrupted even the devil himself.". Lucifer flew as close to the gate as he could and replied calmly, "Are you jealous Michael? I was given a second chance even though I fell?". Lucifer had mocked sadness all over his face and it was only amplified by his red eyes surrounded with black. "We will not listen to her Lucifer so whatever you're planning is null." Michael shot back. I stepped forward through the gate with Mika'il staying close to my side, "I don't think you have a choice in that matter Michael. I am here to police you just as much as I am here to keep Hell under control." I spat at him. As I got out of the gate, Lucifer wrapped me in his arms, "You finally let me have sex with you and then you run away Bonnie? Was it that bad?" he asked louder than I liked. Me and Mika'il both were blushing. "Let's just go home please. It's been a day." I said. "That's a long trip Bonnie." Lucifer responded. Lucifer walked out the edge of the platform and let out his wings diving off and me and Mika'il followed him.