Portals, Gates, Doors, there are many terms used to describe the accesses to other realities and realms. One of the more well known paths is called the Rainbow Bridge.
Crossing the Rainbow Bridge will eventually lead us to a grand palace. Not one of the more modern fairytale confections with elaborate gardens, gilt frames, and sprawling lawns. This is a palace that is clearly a functional defensive earthwork. If anything it resembles a modern airplane hanger. Soaring walls lead to what on first glance resembles a tiled roof. Approach the fortress and this impression is quickly dispelled. The roof is made of overlapping warriors shields. Everything from plain wooden circles, heraldry covered towers, to modern acrylic riot shields. Some had been demolished and repaired. In an effort to invoke their former glory.
Passing through massive doors that could accommodate the passage of dragons or an ancient brontosaurus. A cavernous feast hall with endless rows of rough tables and benches polished by eons of feasting stretch as far as can be seen.
Normally occupied by the blessed dead, the Einherjar, Odin’s warriors awaiting the end of their world. The current inhabitants of Valhalla defied facile description. The outskirts of the hall sheltered existences that were continually splitting and merging. Fluctuating in form from one moment to the next. Approaching the high table, the attendees became more stable. A dark skinned man in tattered clothes with a band of thorny vines on his brow; and bleeding holes in his palms and feet, a woman of clear Asian heritage with red and white robes; and light shining from within, a tall red haired woman in armor surrounded by crows, and an equally large red haired man holding a war-hammer with an unnaturally short handle were just a few of the beings found crowding the head table. The weight of the gathered divinity, would have been fatal to any mortal who had the misfortune to be present.
Rising from his place at the high table. Odin, who only lead the current proceedings, slammed the butt of Gungir onto the flagstones, and a sound not unlike an explosion rang through the hall. Once he had the attention of the all the gods. Odin began a proclamation.
“A Decision has been reached. You all know the agreement that has been made today. Go forth and inform our children. We all know what must be done.”
******
Partway through her shift at Sheds and Lords Booksellers. Nikki’s heart dropped when she heard the sound of several dozen books falling onto the floor behind her. This was at least the third time her tail had knocked books off the shelf in the last two hours. Her new appendage seemed to have a mind of it’s own, also she just plain couldn’t get the hang of holding it close to her so it didn’t act up. She sighed internally, and got to work reshelving the books. Nikki was starting to fell like her entire shift was being taken up by fixing shelves that she’d knocked over. At this rate April the current manager on duty was going to be having “a talk” with her soon.
“Nikki, I have to talk to you.” April called from the drive aisle.
Speak of the devil, Nikki thought to herself. It was like her thoughts had summoned April, and that “talk” she was dreading was coming right now. Continuing to put the books back to order. She waited for April to approach her.
“Nikki, I have cats sweetie. I know what it means when their ears are flat and their tail is wagging like that. Don’t worry, this isn’t anything bad.”
Bemoaning yet again that she had no idea on how to control her ears and tail. Nikki replied, “What’s going on? I thought I was going to get in trouble for knocking things over again.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“Oh Sweetie, we all have days like that. I certainly do, and I don’t even have a tail. What’s going on is we just got word from Corporate. They said that President Bennett signed an Executive Order that Title IX, Title VII, and the Americans With Disabilities Act applies to Changelings. Their definition of Changeling includes people with animal features, like your ears, eyes, and tail. I just wanted to check in with you and see if you need any accommodations.”
Nodding her head towards the books she was still re-shelving. Nikki responded right away. “Maybe some extra time to fix these messes my tail keeps making.”
April quickly reassured her that it was fine, and that she’d certainly seen enough coworkers with crutches and scooters make bigger messes. Disasters that had been much more disruptive than a few dropped books here and there. Everyone would be patient with Nikki until she was adapted to her unfamiliar appendage.
******
The jazzed up Gospel Choir finished their rocking version of “Jesus Has a Friend in Me.” The stage lights lowered and everything went dark for a moment. The only sound was the Choir quickly making their way off the stage. Lasers began to illuminate billowing smoke. The clouds suggested Heaven to the nominally Christian audience. Two Spotlights converged on the center of the stage, and Pastor Lowell Boorsteen appeared. Glorying at being the center of the crowd’s attention.
“Friends, recently we were beset by an attack from Satan himself. That’s right, many of you were here to witness when the Father of Lies appeared before us. On this very stage. In an effort to truly lead us into the fires of perdition the Great Snake claimed to be our lord and savior Jesus Christ.”
At that point the stage lights brightened to their normal level, and the large screen behind the Pastor lit up with an image of Jesus and Pastor Boorsteen engaged in deep argument. Lowell’s finger pointing at Jesus in accusation.
“Friends, this is not the Jesus that I have had a personal relationship with all my life. Does this look like the Lord Jesus that we see in our hearts when we pray. NO! This demon looks more like a terrorist to me. See his dark skin, short curly hair, and long dark beard.
How do we know that this Demon was not our Lord and Savior? We know because he was trying to prevent us from collecting Love Offerings. Trying to convince all of you that I’m just in this for the money. That your donations aren’t going to support good works. I’m here to tell you that was a falsification straight from the deepest pits of Hell.”
Pastor Boorsteen than proceeded to list of charitable activities that while real, wouldn’t even use a fifth of the donations that his organization received regularly. Mostly volunteer labor meant that his operational costs were cheap. A good Eighty percent of those donations were going straight to enrich the “good” Pastor and his family. Moving on from soliciting donations.
“Now Friends, it is clear that the day of Reckoning is here. That we will be hearing the Great Archangel Gabriel’s Horn any day now. Until that day it is our duty to oppose the forces of the False Gods and those who have sold their souls to them and become demons. Elves, Dwarves, Beastfolk, Werepeople, Dragons, and Onikin. We know that our former family and friends have sold their souls to the Great Beast in exchange for power. That they are now the forces in Satan’s army here on earth.”
The “sermon” continued on from there. Stirring more anger and envy in the hearts of his followers. Targeting that anger towards minorities, the poor, and the other usual targets for the small minded bigoted folks his audience consisted of.