Chapter Twenty-Two
Into the Skies
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“When do you think she’ll wake up?”
“I’m not sure. How long has she been out?”
“She’s not even a Celestial - or a Spirit - why is she here?”
“We are Guardians to those from the Human realm; why can’t we just take her home?”
“She’s not a human - look at those markings!”
I heard voices—gentle yet filled with concern. The word "celestial" lingered in my mind. Slowly, I opened my eyes, greeted by bright green grass beneath me. The sun's warmth on my skin was a welcome contrast to the darkness I had been enveloped in. Disorientation and confusion washed over me, and my heart rate quickly responded. My body felt heavy and unresponsive, making movement a struggle. Panic began to bubble inside me as I tried to make sense of my surroundings. The serene field around me was a stark contrast to the terror I remembered feeling before losing consciousness.
My awakening must have surprised those nearby because their voices fell silent. My memory was hazy, but I recalled a sense of danger and urgency. Something was tugging at my mind, but I couldn't grasp it. However, at this moment, I felt safe, surrounded by the beauty of nature. I lay on my side in the grassy field. As I rolled over, I found myself face-to-face with three young children, two of whom had white wings above them.
As I sat up, I felt a burning pain tinge through my side. Glancing at my side, I saw a new bandage covering it. “Ugh,” I groaned as the pain shot through me. “That’s not something I miss,” I murmured.
“You’re awake, finally!” One of the little kids, red hair dawning her sides, spoke to me. “I’ve been watching you for days, trying to get you to wake up! You just would not wake up!” She huffed.
“Where am I?” I dared question.
“You’re in the Celestial Realm! Welcome. We’ll be your guides today!” the little girl with red hair said.
Celestial Realm? I was genuinely confused. My face twisted into a frown as I took in my surroundings. I found myself in an endless field of tall, green grass, incredibly soft to the touch. There were no trees, no flowers, nothing but grass stretching as far as the eye could see, swaying gently in a breeze that carried a faint, sweet fragrance. The sky above was a brilliant azure, dotted with a few wisps of white clouds, giving the entire scene an ethereal quality.
The sun's warmth on my skin felt comforting, but the sheer vastness of the landscape made me feel small and lost. I reached out to one of the grass blades, gently rubbing it between my fingers, marveling at its softness and vibrant color. The sensation was oddly soothing, yet it did little to calm the confusion swirling in my mind.
Turning back to the three children, I noticed more details about them. They stood close together, two with delicate white wings that shimmered in the sunlight, casting a faint glow on the grass below. Their eyes, wide with curiosity and a hint of concern, watched me intently. The third child, though wingless, had an aura of serenity that matched the other two, their presence oddly comforting amidst my disorientation.
I could feel my heart race as I tried to piece together the fragmented memories. The last thing I remembered was bringing a little Spirit, Sora, to a large portal with an owl sitting above and watching as something attacked us.
Wait, Celestial.
Was I dead?
Oh my goodness, did the demon…? Did he do it?! Did he kill me?! No, it couldn’t have. He said he’d eat my soul.
Wait… The little girl, Sora? I saved her, right?
“We are not guides, Akane! Do not make silly jokes like that. The Council of the Sinless would be disappointed in you,” The older boy in the group stated.
The third girl, slightly annoyed, huffed. “Seriously though? She’s a demon. She doesn’t belong here.”
“If she were a demon, Shiro, she wouldn’t have been able to get here in the first place!” Akane, the wingless red-headed child, stated.
“That’s not true. Demons have come to our world before!”
“For War! Do you think they’d send a single demon for war?!”
“She could be a distraction!” Shiro argued with the redhead, Akane.
“That’s enough,” The oldest sighed. “Sisters, please. We have a visitor.”
“But Jun!” The sisters huffed at the same time.
“Enough,” The winged boy, Jun, told them again as he stood straight up. He brushed off his clothing and took another look at me. “What is your name?”
“I um… I am Snow,” I replied, explaining to him as I stood up carefully. “My memory is a bit hazy. I am unsure how I got here to the Celestial Realm.”
Jun nodded, listening to me curiously. He looked me up and down at my dirty clothing. “You definitely stink like a human. Perhaps you’re a lost soul, though. Typically, lost souls are directed to the Council of the Sinless.”
“I’m not a lost soul,” I explained to him. “I, um, don’t know what I am? I was raised in the human realm,” I said, embarrassed.
“But you are not dead? So how does a human come to our Celestial Realm? Ugh, this is so confusing and curious!” He shook his head, crossing his arm. This boy was no older than perhaps twelve.
“Your dress is dirty - did you fall in it?” Akane, the wingless Celestial, asked me.
“I really don’t remember,” I said gently.
“How do you not remember anything?” Shiro scoffed at me.
“Shiro, you’re a Celestial - show some respect!” Jun scolded her.
“I’d be wary of strangers as well,” I commented to the older boy with a half-smile. Especially if humans are not often in your realm. The last thing I remember is a Celestial named Sora,” I explained to him.
“Um, no, we don’t have a Sora,” Akane replied. “I mean, I’m sure there’s someone named Sora here, but I don’t know her, and I know all the young Celestials!”
I nodded slowly, trying to piece together anything else that may have helped. The only thing I can think of is making eye contact with the large white owl that hovered above the portal—again—watching me pretty much die. The Celestials said I wasn’t dead, so that’s a plus! Then, how did I get here?
“Mati…” I murmured as his name came back into my head. “How about a Mati?”
“Mati is extremely busy helping the Council of the Sinless with Guidance. Besides, he couldn’t dare make time for a human as disgusting as you appear,” The little girl, Shiro, said, crossing her arms across her body and looking my dirty clothing up and down. “That’s gross.”
“Shiro!” Jun hissed at her, giving her an ice-cold glare.
“It’s true,” She muttered, giving him a side-eye.
Akane’s warm little hand grabbed mine, and she smiled brightly at me. “I can take you to Mati. Mati and I are friends. I want to be able to help humans and souls out like him one day!” She cheered happily.
“Really?” I questioned her with a gentle smile. “That’s nice of you.”
“Do you think that’s ok, Akane?” Jun questioned her.
Akane nodded, still staring at me with a bright smile. Her aura and positivity were something to note, as she seemed to have a bright spirit. “Of course, I see a good aura in this girl. And besides, Mati doesn’t have many friends, so let’s get him one.”
“Weird,” Shiro muttered under her breath and sighed. “Fine, but if we get in trouble, I blame you, Akane.”
Akane’s gentle blue gaze locked with her sister's, and she shrugged. “That’s fine—I’ll take the fall for it. Mati’s first lesson of Guidance is to be truthful and kind to all souls—no matter their past.”
Guidance? I echoed. Perhaps Mati was a Spirit Walker, too?
Jun and Shiro exchanged worried glances before following their sister and me. I happily went along with the little girl, who radiated positivity and joy, even offering to take the blame for bringing me to Mati. Perhaps Mati could tell me what happened after he got Sora through the portal. Or if that event even occurred? I had no idea. If anything—oh!
Casielle and Zarall!
Oh, but if I asked them about it, how could I explain how I know them without giving away where I’m from? Indeed, if they knew I was from the Underworld, they would tell someone about my higher rankings. I’d hate to have to face a warrior like either of them. I kept my mouth shut when asking about the Celestials visiting the Underworld. Those two would at least be able to get me back to the Underworld… But indeed, they were busy. If I came across them, that’d be great! But I couldn’t bluntly ask the kids.
For now, Mati will have to be a good choice.
I hope.
After fifteen minutes of walking, we left the grass fields and approached a stone bridge lined with large pink and purple flowers. On the other side of the bridge lay a magnificent castle and village floating on clouds. The entire village's walls were shimmering white marble, and its turrets reached toward the sky like fingers longing to touch heights beyond the Celestial Realm. Blue skies enveloped the floating city, stretching out to eternity.
I couldn't help but wonder if there were other villages like this one in the Celestial Realm or if this was the only castle. Was it similar to the Underworld, which had different villages? So many questions swirled in my mind.
Akane giggled at my amazement, my eyes wide with wonder as I took in the sight of the village. "Isn't it a beautiful place?!" she asked excitedly. I've never seen a human's reaction to Elysium before! It's absolutely stunning from the outside. It's the best place of all realms!"
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
"It's definitely a beautiful and magical place," I replied gently, still in awe.
"Come on, Akane, stop dawdling," Shiro huffed, rolling her eyes as she began to walk across the large stone bridge.
The stone bridge led to the castle’s grand golden entrance, adorned with gold-and-white tapestries. Beyond the arches, the scene was bustling with Celestial Beings, both with and without wings. They walked through town, flew through the village, and chatted outside with merchants. The younglings guided me through the city, and no one stared in my direction, which was a relief. Everyone seemed so engrossed in their lives and business that they ignored my presence. Perhaps strangers walked through the gates of Elysium all the time, or maybe they simply didn't care.
As we reached the top of the stone path, we came upon the large castle I had seen from below. However, we didn't enter through the front. Shiro motioned us to the side, leading us through large trees and bushes. Were they sneaking me into the castle? Wouldn't Michael or any other Celestial be angry if they found out we snuck in? Regardless, I needed to see Mati. Sneaking in might be my best option if I wasn't welcomed here.
The little ones led me through a crack towards the back, opening into a large garden filled with various fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
The garden was a hidden gem, a sanctuary within the castle walls. The air was fragrant with the scent of blooming flowers and ripe fruits. I could hear the gentle hum of bees busy at work and the occasional chirping of birds hidden among the trees. The younglings led me further in, their tiny feet padding softly on the stone path that wound through the garden.
As we approached the center, I spotted a small, serene pond surrounded by a circle of marble benches. The water was so clear that I could see the colorful fish swimming below the surface. Shiro stopped and turned to me, a severe look on his face.
“Just up there is Mati’s place,” Jun said, pointing upwards to a short tower that led into the garden.
“I have to climb?” I frowned.
“Don’t you see the portal…?” Shiro asked.
“... No?” I questioned, gazing around the area.
“Tch, humans,” the girl muttered.
She grabbed my other hand. Within a few seconds, she and Akane stepped forward, and we were teleported to the top of the stairs. At the top of the stairs was a large, dark blue and white room. The room’s windows were stained glass, depicting scenes of mythical creatures and magical landscapes. The interior was just as breathtaking as the exterior, with soaring ceilings and grand chandeliers made of crystal. The walls were adorned with tapestries of dragons and birds, and the floors were made of gleaming marble.
I smiled as I stared in awe. Everything in the Celestial realm was stunning compared to the dark and frozen Underworld.
“The higher-ups don’t come here. They usually leave Mati’s room alone. He’s just special - not really a Celestial,” Akane explained to me, taking a seat in one of the plush chairs. “He’s such a friendly person. I’m not sure when he’ll return, but I’m sure soon!”
Jun nodded in agreement. “That’s right, Mati has been assigned to help the Council of the Sinless with any lost souls,” he jumped in, sitting beside his little sister.
“Like a Spirit Walker?” I questioned.
“Those are like the creatures that Reaper created because they didn’t want to do their job,” Shiro mocked. “I heard the Reaper was lazy. Sounds typical for a demon.”
“What? I heard the Reaper died, but they were unable to find their body—claiming it was eaten by a demon!” Akane gasped.
Jun shook his head. “You’re both wrong—the Reaper was locked up somewhere because they didn’t know how to direct souls.”
“Locked up?” I asked immediately. There were so many stories that no one knew what happened to the previous Reaper.
The white-haired Celestial nodded, gazing off to the walls of the room. “I heard a story from the Elders that the Underworld locked up the Reaper due to their inconsistency in successfully leading souls, causing a huge imbalance and commotion between the worlds—thus why the Underworld was frozen.”
Listening to their story, I couldn’t help but frown a little. Everyone had so many different stories about the Reaper—it seems no one knows what actually happened to the Reaper. Yushin says they’re alive, one of the kids says they’re dead, and one other says they’ve been locked up. What really happened to the Previous Reaper?
"“Why do I hear voices in my Realm?” A voice whispered through the shadows.
“Mati!” Both girls squealed loudly, racing over to a perch off the side of the room.
“Shiro, Akane? Why are you in my realm?” the voice asked.
I turned to face the voice, only to see the large owl I had seen earlier. Mati, in his owl form, was a majestic red owl with striking crimson feathers and captivating emerald eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness. The sight of him was awe-inspiring and reassuring, a presence that embodied wisdom and courage.
As he gracefully spread his wings, the intricate patterns on his feathers shimmered in the dim light, each feather appearing to hold a story of its own. His eyes, sharp and intelligent, scanned the room, quickly assessing the situation. Despite his formidable appearance, there was a gentleness in how he interacted with Shiro and Akane, a protective aura that made them feel safe and secure.
Jun immediately jumped up and focused on the rather large owl. “Mati! This is Snow. She says she knows you.” He introduced me.
“Snow?” The owl tilted his head, its yellow eyes turning toward me as if piercing my soul. “Thank you, young ones. Please allow me to speak with Snow in private matters.”
“Aw, we can’t stay, Mati?!” Akane whined, looking at the bird with big purple-orange eyes.
“Not this time, Akane. Go join the others. I’m sure the Council is looking for you anyway.” Mati dismissed them, holding out a wing in our teleported direction. “Please excuse us.”
“Let’s go, Akane,” Jun told his sister, gently grabbing her and Shiro and bringing them to the spot where we teleported.
“Bye!” Akane called out before the three of them disappeared.
Immediately, Mati stretched out both wings and sighed gently, shuffling onto his own perch and gazing down at me with his bright yellow eyes. His head tilted slightly, masking any emotions on his owl face, creating an awkward silence that filled the room as he stared at me.
I stood there, staring at him like I was a creep.
“I didn’t think you made it here,” he told me, his eyes focused directly on me. “Your spirit tore away from your body. I’m not sure how to explain it, but I watched your spirit leave your physical body behind.” The owl held out one of his wings, motioning to a couch off the side in the dark-blue spiritual room. “Please, have a seat. Would you care for anything to eat or drink?” he asked me.
“Drink? Eat? … At a time like this?” I questioned the giant owl, bewildered.
My body was tense, and I began to pace back and forth. “One second, I’m in the Underworld, trying to search for Yuna, then I’m teleported to the Fae world, where the Fae Queen seems rude for no reason! Then I drink some tea with Yushin, and I’m in a damn dream or something, to which I’m following a bright ass blue light, which I thought was Yuna. Still, then there was a large wall that I couldn’t get through, only to come across little Sora, who those kids said didn’t even exist, only to be called to the Gates of, I’m assuming, the Celestial World, only to witness a talking bird that I thought was also a Spirit Walker created by the Council of the Sinless, and then next moment, I’m attacked by a demon! And then I wake up in the CELESTIAL WORLD by three kids who state I was out for days!” I squealed, panting heavily towards the end as I forgot to take a breath. My eyes were wide with confusion. “Like, I have no idea what’s even happening anymore! Why am I here, Mati?!”
"Calm down," he said gently, his voice steady and reassuring. "I understand that you’re confused and overwhelmed. The events you've experienced are indeed extraordinary and perplexing. But you are safe here."
He shifted slightly on his perch, his feathers rustling softly. "The blue spark you saw was, indeed, Yuna, trying to guide you. The wall you encountered was a barrier between realms meant to protect both worlds. Little Sora, though you may not understand it now, does exist, but not in the way you perceive existence in the human world."
“What. Is. Happening?” I demanded, putting my hands on my hips and staring at him.
“Snow,” The owl sighed, covering his face with his wings.
“AND! YOU CALLED ME AN ENTIRE DIFFERENT NAME!” That was the last thing I said to him.
“Relax,” The bird sighed, lowering his wing below his striking yellow eyes. A quick breeze from the bird's feathery wings gave me a slight push and caused me to sit back down.
He shifted slightly on his perch, his feathers rustling softly. He fluttered his wings playfully, almost as if to shake off the seriousness of the situation. "Yuna, the blue spark you saw, has been trying to guide you through all this. She's quite the spark, isn't she? And that wall—it’s like a giant ‘No Entry’ sign between realms. Pretty frustrating, huh? But it’s there for good reasons."
Mati’s eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and wisdom. "Little Sora does exist, but not in the way you think. Kids can be so literal sometimes. And those Gates you saw are the grand entrance to the Celestial World. Quite a sight, isn’t it?"
Mati fluttered down from his perch and landed gracefully on the arm of the couch, his feathers shimmering in the dim light. "You waking up here was essential. The kids who found you, well, they’re like celestial scouts. They’ve been keeping an eye on you, making sure you’re okay."
He leaned in closer, his eyes reflecting a mix of empathy and determination. "You’re here because you’re special, even if you don’t realize it yet. Your spirit is connected to the Celestial World in still unfolding ways. There's a bigger picture, and you’re a crucial piece of it."
Mati’s demeanor shifted to one of playful reassurance. "But hey, no pressure, right? We’re all here to help you figure this out. It’s not all doom and gloom. We’ll have some fun along the way, I promise."
Mati took a deep breath, his feathers ruffling slightly as he prepared to explain further. "The Celestial World is a realm of great power and mystery. It exists parallel to the human world, connected by the spirits and energies that flow between them. You are not the first, nor will you be the last, to be caught between these two realms."
He paused, his gaze unwavering. "Your spirit, for reasons that will become clear in time, has a unique connection to the energies of the Celestial World. This connection allowed you to traverse the barriers and experience the visions and encounters you described."
Mati's eyes gleamed with a knowing light. "The Council of the Sinless, whom you mentioned, are ancient guardians of this realm. They oversee the balance between the worlds and ensure no harm befalls. The spirit walker you encountered was one of their emissaries, sent to guide and protect you."
“Mati, I don’t know what the hell any of this means!” I cried out to him. “Where is Sora?! Was she even real? Is she ok?”
“She is okay,” he said calmly, his gaze unwavering. I didn’t see the demon while we were there; I just noticed something dark. Do you remember what it looked like?”
“No…” I frowned, trying to recollect the images of the demon there. “It was a beast of some kind, I know that. It wasn’t like the previous demons I’ve been attacked by.”
Mati's feathers ruffled as he shifted uncomfortably on his perch. His usual playful demeanor faded, replaced by a more severe expression. He let out a long, defeated sigh before meeting my gaze.
"Alright, you got me," Mati admitted, his tone a mix of resignation and sincerity. "I am a Celestial. And yes, guiding souls is typically the job of Spirit Walkers and Reapers. But things aren't always so clear-cut in the Celestial World."
He paused, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for the right words. "You see, there are... exceptions. Special cases where a Celestial like me steps in. The situation with you and Sora is one of those exceptions."
Mati fluttered his wings slightly, which seemed to reflect his inner turmoil. "I can't go into all the details right now, but let's just say there's more at play here than meets the eye. The balance between realms is delicate, and sometimes, roles overlap." The owl then shrunk, hopping on the couch as he approached me, its feathers looking as soft as Kurai’s ears. “There’s a lot for you to learn, my dear,” He said as both of his feathery wings lifted and aligned my face between them. “Your Spirit Is Strong, Snow. Ren and Sayuri would be so proud of you.”
I gently pushed his wings out of my face, but something rippled as I did. It felt almost like the same connection I had with Sora when she grabbed my hand.
“They were exceptional sorcerers,” he shared with me.
I frowned as I gently let go of his wings, looking down at the bird's gaze. “Tell me, Mati, what happened to their spirits?”
“Only the previous Reaper would know,” he murmured. "I cannot look into that,” he stated firmly. Have you seen the Reaper’s Realm?” he questioned me.
“No, I didn’t know it existed,” I said, shocked. “Has anyone looked there for the Reaper?”
“Oh, I’m sure they have,” the owl hooted to me, nodding slowly. While you’re here, let me show you something.”
As the shimmering blue light enveloped us, the room around us dissolved. I felt a strange sensation of weightlessness. The Celestial Realm faded away, replaced by the familiar green field where the children had found me earlier. The transformation was seamless, like stepping through a veil into another world.
The field was as vast as I remembered, stretching out endlessly with vibrant green grass and clusters of colorful flowers. The air was filled with a gentle, fragrant breeze, and the sky above was a brilliant azure dotted with fluffy white clouds. In the distance, I could just make out the outline of Elysium, its golden shimmer barely visible through the haze.
He gestured with his wing towards the distant shimmer of Elysium. "Over there, you can see a glimpse of Elysium, the paradise where pure souls rest. But here, in this field, the journey begins for many."
As I looked around, I noticed that the beautiful field was still. Beyond the plants, animals, and other beings, no signs of life existed. It was a place of quiet contemplation, a space between worlds.
Mati landed softly on the ground and looked up at me. "This field is more than just a beautiful landscape. It's a crossroads, a place where different realms intersect. That's why it's so important to understand the balance here. Disturbances in this realm can ripple out and affect both the living and the dead."
He paused, allowing me to take in the significance of the place. "The dark presence you encountered might be connected to this realm in ways we don't fully understand yet. By exploring and understanding the Reaper's Realm, we can start to piece together the puzzle and find out what's happening."
He extended his wing towards me again, his gaze determined. "Are you ready to explore and uncover the secrets of the Reaper's Realm?"