Sitting in the corner of a barely lit room a young beautiful girl crouched by the wall, head in hands, knees bent all the way up with a face that hid tears seeping on the floor. Her heart had been broken and its pieces were scattered all over the floor. She had tried picking up all the pieces and putting them back together in the dark but it would take time and time she did not have. So now she sat. It wasn't the first time her heart had been broken and it would not be the last by any means.
Now her beautiful snow white face and long glassy black hair lay tangled and covered in tears. She sat now remembering the good times that once were, the good times that could've been and staring out the one room window that they had in the vast center mansion of their town watching the steady fall of rain that would soon turn into a downpour and so would her tears. If he could see her now.
She heard the fast beating of shoes hitting the hard creaky floor, dried her tears and got into a fighting stance. She peeked around the corner ready to go hand to hand but only saw her close friend Karen.
"Karen, is there nothing you could'…..," she started to say with pleading eyes and heart but stopped herself when she saw his red eyes.
"Time to go," he said loudly and hit the wall loudly his his sword to wake her.
"I tried, I really did but there was nothing I could do for this. I'm sorry. I truly am," he said quietly to her so no one else would hear.
She slowly got up not saying a word, folded her massive wings in, put her head down, walked past Karen as he stepped aside and whispered in his ear, "I know you tried. It's okay. We'll get through this somehow."
He followed her out trying to act like this didn't bother him but it did. Everyone he had ever brought to there sentencing he cried for but this he cried over the most and pleaded and wished it was not so. This was the hardest one yet he had to do. He had pleaded and would've and tried to give anything to see her released but it was not so. She knew what she did and she had to pay the price for it they had said.
Now they walked down the long musty, sweaty, dirty corridor to who knows where. Mostly guys walked this corridor rarely girls but here she was.
She kept tapping his shoulder and telling him that everything would be all right. Even in her darkest times she still cared for the well beings of others above herself. She was about to tap his shoulder again when she started to hear the roars and chants of numerous people screaming her name.
"Anastasia! Anastasia! Anastasia!
She stepped into the colosseum and the huge drums started beating announcing her coming while all seats were packed full plus more standing eyes penetrating on her soul.
"Maybe, you'll just get a warning," Karen whispered trying to lighten the mood.
"They don't bring you here just to give you a warning. Now go before they catch you talking to me. I got this.
The drums beat faster and louder with every step closer she took. She looked around and saw that the guards in the stands didn't even bother removing the kids from watching.
A hand was raised in the center of the grounds and all became quiet.
"Anastasia, when we found you we saw a life and fire in you unmatched by any. We saw hope in you. A new life you could be and give to others. We took a chance and a risk on you because what we saw in you. You were amazing but could be perfect. We gave you wings so you could fly and this is how you repay me. Repay us?" A huge angel said his voice booming not needing a mic for all to hear.
"I'm sorry," Anastasia said softly for she was soft spoken.
"What was that?" The angel said.
"I'm sorry," she said louder for all to hear.
"Say it again," he said louder and angrier hoping to scare her and teach her a lesson.
"I'm sorry," she shouted almost breaking her voice box.
"I'm sorry," she said slower showing that she meant every word.
"For what?" The angel said stressing the word.
"What did you do?"
"What DID YOU DO?" He said repeating himself louder and angrier when she didn't answer.
Anastasia had her head down and a tear started trickling down her face. She sniffed her nose, wiped her tears and held her head up high.
"I dated," She said trying to muster up the courage and toughness she needed to make it look like she was confident in herself for breaking the rule but her face still had a few tears left on it and everybody gasped out loud at her and she saw them all.
"Kill her," A voice said ringing out then the rest joined in.
She felt betrayed and so small.
"Anastasia, here not many get the opportunity of becoming an Angel. Most have to earn it. Most would die and give up anything just to touch a wing. You were blessed. You were chosen. So by breaking our sacred rules on your own accord it begs the questions. Can we trust you? Are you perfect?"
"You want to know something? I'm not perfect. I never was and never will be. Do you want to know why? Because no one is perfect. No one ever is and can be. So yea, maybe you can't trust me. So what. You say love hurts all. Maybe you're all wrong and looking at this backwards. Maybe love is what connects all and helps always. Am I sorry for what I did? Hell no, not at all. In fact I stand one hundred percent behind what I did."
A large boo resounded from beyond the walls and kill her came up again.
"I'm sure you do stand behind what you did one hundred percent but where did that get you? He left you!" The angel said saying the last words as loud as he could, hoping to stab Anna in the heart and it worked. "I'm sorry Ana. I truly am but I must do what the people want," the Grandmaster said not saying the truly part as meaningful as Karen but a little was felt in it nonetheless.
"You know what? You can put wings on me and say that I'm an angel and am all perfect but I didn't want this. I just wanted to be a normal teenage girl who likes reading books, eating popcorn, swiveling in swivel chairs, and whenever I can encourage someone else. I didn't want this. You're trying to make me something I'm not. And for what? I may not be perfect but I know love way more then all of you and I don't need wings to prove it. So just take them back. I don't need them," she said trying to rip her wings off but knew she couldn't.
"Stop. Please. Ana Stop," he said harsher when she wouldn't stop then his voice got serious.
"You know what you did and you knew that it was wrong. You're nor higher than the rest of us or anyone else for that matter. I know you're not perfect but I hoped, prayed, thought, and believed in you that you were the closest and only one to perfect your world and mine could and would ever get. You're also stronger than anyone I've ever known. That's why I chose you.
Here he paused to quiet his voice.
"Don't prove me wrong," he said quietly so that only she could hear and no one else as he slowly lifted off the ground and flew away.
He was near out of sight when Anastasia heard a gate opening. Karen was about to leave the colosseum when he heard it too.
"This isn't an apology acceptal. This is an offering but of the highest degree. This was a sacrifice. A test to see how strong Anastasia really is and to prove her loyalty. But why? The Grandmaster knew how strong she was. He saw her in battle and knew her full potential. But the others have never seen her full potential. They only saw a sad cry baby girl who had gotten her heart broken. A weak creature that broke the law in hopes of finding something that wasn't there. Love. The GrandMaster secretly wanted to show people that the rules might need changing time and what better way of showing it then at a sentencing. If she one then yes. If not then sadly she would return to the dust she came from. Made sense. This punishment was awarded to the worst of the worst. Not someone as innocent and pure hearted as her. There was only one other punishment that was worse than this. The top dog. If the Grandmaster wanted her to prove that rules were meant to be broken then...oh no. She can't do this on her own. She may be strong but only four people in Havana history have had to go to that extreme of punishment and only one has ever walked out alive. To the point of death but alive. He had to do something. But what," He said thinking as fast as he could then flying away.
Ana heard the gate fully open behind her and saw the gate opening in front of her and knew what she had to do. Instinctevely she overlapped her wings behind her blocking the oncoming arrow. As fast as she did that she took one wing and put it in front of her shielding her face as the ongoing arrow bounced off. The two started advancing from each side and kept shooting arrows and throwing fire forcing Ana to get down into a crouched position covering her body with her massive wings.
���Oh no." She thought but it was for something else.
Two more gates were heard opening but from where she did not know. Amidst blocking the onslaughts of arrows, fires, spears and any other kind of cruel weaponry she looked around through the small whole her wings gave her while she hid underneath.
"Nope, not there. Not there either. Nope, where could it..wait, go back. There," She thought to herself and looked at where her eyes had stopped.
Hidden along the side wall made to look like the foundation sand started to sift on the bottom. It kept going more and more until it stopped.
"This is not a death sentence. This is a massacre. Only one has survived this. Given to the top. Most disloyal and distrusted by all. They want to make an example of me."
Karen still flew overhead debating what to do. Should he go in and help her, rescue her or just let her be? He knew which one to choose but interfering with a sentencing meant immediate death. He knew the rules. They didn't put him as soldier and guard for nothing. But he couldn't just do nothing and sit by watching helplessly as his best friend was stripped limb to limb right before his very eyes. He had to take action.
Ana had the same thought and knew she had to do something as well. She couldn't just stay in a ball forever. They would be on her so fast. Time to show everybody her true colors and as the newest youngest angle that she deserved a say and wasn't the weakest member of the force. The Grandmaster boldy and publicly said to her that he had faith in her. She did not want to prove him wrong.
She pushed up off of the ground and then swirled and twirled her body making a twister storm flinging people left and right. The ones that wouldn't come off of her she smashed them into the side walls using all the force she could take. She was doing great for the most part but she was a one man team against an army of twenty plus. She just couldn't do it. In the process of slamming her body into the one before her and twisting her wings in circles blocking any and all shots that came at her she didn't expect the one that came up behind her. She came quietly and stealthy not making her presence known. She came up behind Ana and as fast as she heard her coming a hard spiked chain was wrapped tight around her neck bringing her down. She was trapped.
All she had left in her arsenal were here feet. She used her wings to wack at there feet and distract them but they dealt no real severe damage. She had no stability with them. She did with her legs though. They were the one thing that no one could tie down. She now used them to kick away foes as much as she could. It helped but a few still got some good solid punches in aimed at her gut and head which made her already saggy figure from crying even more lightweight and dead. From hair to toes you could not see her face. She was becoming unrecognizable.
Then it looked like the whole stand was attacking her. All she saw was a dust horde of people coming at her. She knew she couldn't last long. She was finished. Jabs were protruding her front, her sides and her back everywhere. What she didn't and couldn't see was a man with a huge club filled with spikes all around coming from her left side. He raised the club as the rest held her squirming body tight.
He came in with the lethal blow to her head to end it all when out of nowhere he fell backwards…..dead. An arrow was stuck through his heart. All was silent. The fast paced cheers for the enemy destroying Ana were heard no more. The music stopped. Everybodies breathing slow and all eyes looked up. Ana took advantage of this, broke herself free and choked the girl with her own chain she had used to kill her while the rest looked up in fear and trembling.
What everybody saw was nothing. Just a downpour of rain ruining the beautiful clear sky. Whatever it was they were gone now. Ana knew who it was and so did the GrandMaster but no one else. The Grandmaster had a smile creep on his face and this is where he knew it was going to get interesting. This is what he wanted and had hoped. This is what he was waiting for and anticipated.
Ana got her strength and determination back from motivation. From a good friend. She had fire in her eyes now. The kind that people ran from and were scared of. And they all had a reason to be. She was ferocious. Grabbed the sword of one. Twisted their arm around her back then stabbed the guys own sword into his heart. Did a back kick to the one behind her then backflipped kicking down the head of one and landing on another. She had this down. The ones that did get too close and had her in a hold an arrow appeared in his heart but the shot was so fast it was hard to see and the person was always gone by the time the arrow stuck.
The two made a pretty good team. Ana pounding punches from the ground and Karen dead shooting from above. All the contestants now lay dead in various places around the colosseum making a circle around a bloody, tangled hair, dirt smelling, clothes ripped breathing hard girl. Ana knew there was one left and she was ready.
Across the coliseum the front gates opened up again and metal shoes this time clacked the ground hard. A stick of fire was seen held up in the air and then a big blast of fire came out of the dark gate. This dude was not messing around.
Karen had one arrow left in his sheef and immediately took it out, put it in his bow and aimed it at whatever might walk out. He pulled the strings back. Steadied his aim, had his eyes and arrows on the guy before anyone else could see it. Then he stepped out into the light. Karen hesitated about to fire but his hands slowly retracted themselves. He saw the fire but knew he had done enough. This one no matter how hard it would be had to be defeated by Ana and Ana alone.
The guy came out looking like a giant. He had spikes up and down his helmet and arms. He was armored in every way possible but no one truly is. Ana just had to find the weak spot. Two long and bulky chains were carried in each hand and he spun them around leaving indents in the earth as he walked.
He took one of his chains, whipped it backwards then forwards with all his might and Ana barely got out of the way. He whipped the second one at her which she sideswiped but the guy was expecting that. As fast as she sideswiped he whipped the first one back and it connected with her side sending her flying spiraling sideways and crashing into the wall moving a lot of sand in her wake. She fell down face first, unmoving. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a chain coming down on her and she rolled out of the way. Stumbly she got up in no condition to fight. Which was good for the guy. He threw a chain at her wrapping it around her tight and tossed her around like a sack of potatoes enjoying his victory. Too and fro he tossed her body from left to right then up and down to the ground hard. He took pleasure in hearing her cries of pain. He gave her only a breather after everything she crashed into. She would crash into something. Take a two second breather then he yanked her onto the next.
She lay on the ground catching her breath before she got up again but was not the only one that had to catch their breath.
The guy tightened his grip on her making it so she couldn't even take a step.
"There was no way he was using humanly possible or even angel possible strength," Karen thought flying back into position and going in for a closer look. He was right.
As the guy held his hold his arms and legs started tensing and expanding rapidly with the rest of his body. He kept growing and growing into what? Karen didn't know but he didn't have to wait to find out.
"No way? I thought they were just tales. No way they could be true but here standing before me it is. There are some that are trapped here and can take on the form of others. But why would we allow them here? Angels and them don't go together and aren't even supposed to be here. We banned it.
What Karen was referring too and what he saw was one of the same. A massive dragon sat guarding the gate with the knights armor all around him.
"Everybody has a dragon inside them that they each have to deal with individually. The Grandmaster thought this out. Maybe too well," Karen said getting his arrow back out." Armor plated all around. He had one shot to get it perfectly where he wanted it to go. He couldn't miss now.
Everybody this time stood up as one and gasped. They looked at the dragon then back to Ana. A dragon was never before used in a sentencing let alone seen by anyone outside the arena. They all knew dragons were not allowed and any caught or seen was killed on sight or sent back to where it came from. Not kept as a slave. Anna was for sure dead now. Instead of death to Ana ringing up throughout the crowd it became Kill that dragon! Kill that dragon! Kill that dragon!
That was the motivation Ana needed. She couldn't believe it. Didn't they want me dead, she thought. Why are they now on my side and encouraging me? A lesson. Dam you GrandMaster always thinking ahead. He's so good. Time to make this lesson…..brfff. A huge swarm of fire barely melted her small body if not for her mind knowing to put her wings instinctevely in front of her.
She definitely knew that her wings wouldn't last. They were just strong flexible feathers. Everything has to succumb to the fire at some point. She was no exception. This was her dragon and she had to face it alone. Karen must have heard her thoughts because he raised his bow at the spot he saw he could penetrate and waited for Ana to make her move. A telepathic language must have been going on between the two because when she dug her heels into the ground again and grabbed the rope with as much hand space she had free while the fire returned back to her eyes
Showing her drive. She pulled and stepped her way one foot in front of the next sliding and inching closer and closer to her dragon as she literally saw her wings melting in front of her face but she knew she had to keep going. It was her dragon and she was not going to let this creature defeat her. She was bigger than her fears. This is what she kept telling herself as she got closer and closer to the dragon delving deeper and deeper into the fire and consuming flames. How much breath did this dragon have? He had to breathe and recover at some time. My Wings can't take this forever. She stopped walking
and let her wings block the incoming fire. She watched as her wings melted before her eyes making holes for her to see out of. She just had to hold on. Wait for that right moment which would come but took forever too. With every passing second her wings were one step closer to shriveling away. Then the dragon finally had to take a breather that Ana knew would not last long. She had to strike now and strike she did. She heaved and ran as fast as the cahun would let her all the way to the dragon, picked up a small dagger with her foot that was lying on the ground, tossed it up to her hand and plunged it into the dragon's heart.
The dragon roared but did not go down. Ana had to break the armor more and the dragon was firing up for another attack. Karen saw this, raised his bow and fired his last arrow into the dragons good closest eye making it harder to see Ana and her continued assaults. And assaults she did do. One after the other harder and harder feeling the fire on her back through the disintegrating wings. She reeled back her hand as high as it could go and plunged her dagger piercing the armor watching it and half her hand sink into the soft flesh of the dragon. She was done and finished.
The fire slowed then came to a stop. So did the dragon as the crowd watched, saw the dragon teeter and collapse sideways not realizing that it had fallen on wingless Ana crushing her underneath.
"Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! " Was the new word the crowd was declaring as they all stood up and cheered.
Ana's heart beat once ...twice...three times ...then it stopped and all was quiet. Her warm body started getting cold; froze and lay still.
No one had a thought of where could Ana be but one. Karen! He forgot the crowd, the Grandmaster, and the dragon. All he saw was Ana. Her lifeless body unresponsive. Without thinking he flew in. The crowd started getting angry again because they knew that it was him who had shot the arrows and messed with the sentencing but once they saw him walk to the dragon they knew. Ana! The crowd held their breath as Karen poked the dragon with his sword searching for signs of life. Seeing none he put his arms underneath the belly of the dragon and strained as he struggled to pick the beast up. Out of nowhere an angel no one knew was flying overhead at that moment, saw the dragon and came down to help. Together with some sweat they picked up and moved the dragon out of the way.
The guy picked up Ana's body wings nowhere to be seen and back seared. Then it really became quiet as the crowd watched. Even the rain and soft tussle of wind and air stopped moving for this crucial event. The angel set Ana down on the ground and Karen knelt down with the two.
"Is she still alive?" Karen asked nervously looking at her innocent blue eyed face.
The angel checked around her body first starting at the legs then breasts section touching feeling the bra for her shirt was torn all the way in the middle and falling off thanks to the fire. He checked and double checked one last place.
"No pulse," he said sadly to Karen but for all to hear. He didn't have to speak loudly because all already had ears listening in picking up every word they could.
"She's dead," He said taking his hands away from the body. "Don't touch anything unclean or dead," he whispered reminding him.
"No. She can't be dead. She just can't," Karen said angrily doing cpr as fast as he could on her. It did nothing but Karen was crying too much to even see.
"She's dead," The angel said again picking up Karen.
Karen broke away from the embrace and started beating her body hard with his hands, screaming in anguish as loud as he could.
"She's dead," The angel said louder prying Karen off.
"No. I can revive her. I can."
"She's dead. There is nothing you can do."
"Nooo. Wake Up," Karen cried breaking free and pounding her body hard again. The angel had to forcefully pry him off and hold his squirming body tight until Karen broke down and cried in the angels arms.
The angel started walking away when he saw a shape walking towards him. Not a good time the angel said trying to telepathically tell the guy but it did nothing. He kept coming. Karen finally looked up and saw him.
"HOW COULD YOU," He screamed attempting to break free from the Angels tight grasp.
"I'LL KILL YOU. I'LL YOU. YOU KNEW HOW SPECIAL SHE WAS ME AND YOU TOOK HER. YOU KNEW WHAT SHE WAS GETTING INTO. YOU SENTENCED HER TO THIS. YOU. YOU. YOU DID. CURSED BE THE GROUND FROM WHENCE YOU WALK ON FOR OUT OF THE GROUND YOU CAME AND INTO THE GROUND YOU SHALL RETURN," Karen said raising his fists at the GrandMaster making the angel basically have to squeeze him to keep him steady.
"Are you sure she is dead?" The GrandMaster said walking past Karen not even bothering to turn his head to look at him.
"Perhaps she is just sleeping," The GrandMaster said kneeling down beside Ana and holding her hand.
"Get up," he whispered in her ear.
"Ana is a prime example of what this world needs. An innocent pure girl. Strong in stature but no higher above the rest. Does she still struggle at times and have to remind herself not to let her thoughts get to her head? Absolutely. Is she perfect. No. Far from it, but she has shown us a new side of what perfect really means. It's not a clean well rounded human being. It is someone who faces everyday challenges just like you and me. The only difference is. She doesn't face them alone. She never is. She sees the world through a pair of eyes that one could only dream about wearing. Just because she has friends and is pure all around she still has a dragon inside of her as we all do. One that the only way to kill is to face head on. Beat it at its own game. I'm not saying beat it on its turf but you want it so humiliated that it will never come back ever again. Can you do it on your own? No. You will always be consumed by the fire. Trapped. Unmoving. Stuck in a place you do not want to be with no way out. A slave to your own passion. A slave to your own greed. A slave…..to your own dragon! You need help. Is it wrong to get help? No." Here he paused a little, looked at Karen and smiled.
"But with the help I promise you it will be a lot easier to defeat your dragon because you find strength in who you're with. Love, yes can hurt and destroy. Even kill when it wants too but if you are with the one you truly love then all the dragons you will face will be more terrifying dogs then beast breathing dragons. Don't let them fool you though. You may see them as smaller but they still can breathe fire and trap you if you're not careful. Yes, when you face it will it hurt and try to consume you? Of course. In Fact it doesn't have to try. It will and always does fully consume you," he said looking at Ana's body. "You will be knocked down and feel like you don't want to go on any farther but when you wake. You will more then just be alive again. You will have an added fire in you that was not there before. Both of you. You will be stronger. Think smarter. Be quicker. Move faster and most of all you will have a new set of eyes and strength form which you view life with," the GrandMaster said turning and before everyone's eyes Anastasia opened hers and sat up.
Life returned to Karen's eyes and the angel let him barely able to hold him as Karen ran over, knelt by Ana's side and hugged her.
The best thing we can learn from Ana is what she already taught and told us. Love conquers all," he said as Karen helped Ana walk over to the GrandMaster.
"Thanks for letting me come along on this but how'd you know that Ana would make it through and come back to life?" The angel said whispering into the GrandMasters ear.
"I didn't…... I had faith," The Grandmaster whispered back as the angel smiled.
"You two have been through the fire. You both have seen the other side, witnessed its evil and came back new men. Your old names are gone. Your old ways are gone. You've died to self and rose in Love through the binding of each other. I am glad to pronounce to you Sapphire and Raven. Together they will lead you in the path you should go. Teach you lessons that you will not find in a classroom nor be taught anywhere else. Skills unique and individual to every person. Congratulate!" The GrandMaster said raising his hands as a big cheer rang up and Ana and Karen felt noticed and appreciated for this wonderful small moment.
Then the GrandMaster winked at them two and while everybody was distracted by the Grandmasters ranting and picking up of the dragon while the angel escorted the two outside keeping them tight and standing between them and the crowd. Before anyone realized where they were they were gone. The Grandmaster dropped the dragon and flew away leaving all who watched stunned as to what just took place.
THE ANGEL
"Let's get you two cleaned up," The angel said bringing the two too a large basin by a stream of water just outside the city.
"Clothes," the angel said extending his hand.
Karen didn't have to be told twice. He tore off his shirt so fast and gave it to the angel then he proceeded with Anas. There was a moment of silence for a few seconds as the two locked eyes and were in an eternal trance of love and awkwardness.
"Umm. Can you raise your hands please?" Karen said softly and awkwardly not knowing how to ask. He never did this before. Why would he ever have to.
Ana raised her hands and Karen slowly slipped her shirt off or what was left of it. The remains fell to the ground in ashes.
"Here you go," Karen said handing the angel her shirt.
"All of it. You two have been through the fire and back. Now you must be washed and made clean by water.
"Okay," Karen said to himself but so Ana could here. "Never thought I would see the day of being in this situation," he said unclipping her bra and handing it over. He started to kneel down but the angel knew what he was doing.
"She can do that part on her own. There is a time and a place. A time and a place and this is nor the time not the place. You two can celebrate later but now you must hurry."
"Why? Who are you?" they both said one after another having their backs turned while undressing and stepping in the hot basin. It hurt.
The angel told them to sit down which caused even more pain but they knew it was good for them.
"I'm an angel."
"Yea. I think both of us already figured that part out. What's your name?" Ana asked.
"I have wings."
"I can see that," Karen said this time.
"No. You do not see. You feel," the angel said extending his wings and they took up the length of both Anas and Karens put together wide and tall. They looked tough and strong too.
"Who are you?" Ana asked this time trying to hopefully get an answer.
The angel folded his wings in, looked down then up looking for a distraction or was just thinking then spoke. "I have no name."
"That's not possible. Everybody has a name. A name symbolizes who you are. What you are and the kind of person you are. What you're good at and what you need help with. It's your reputation. The one thing that defines you," Ana said.
"Names define one aspect of who you are. I am many things.Do many things. Have gone by many names to many people. Never bearing the same name twice.
Why? And what should we call you?" Karen asked.
"Too many questions so little time. Get cleaned up. A toast will be held for your rebirths. Clothes and towels," he snapped his fingers and they appeared out of nowhere. "Are right here. Also anything else you need," he said practically giving them a feast of shower stuff to use which he had made come out of air. Your time will come soon where you will know my name. Until then get ready. The GrandMaster is sending you two back to earth to show love in a loveless world. I will come with you but will not be able to help you. If you need me I will be there, I promise. I wish you two the best of luck and hope this works out. Good day." And with that the angel walked away and out of sight.
The angel found his place at the table and sat down next to the GrandMaster.
"Are they ok? How are they taking it?" he asked.
"I think they are taking it quite well. They have really grown up a lot since we first welcomed them in."
"Did you tell them?"
"Yes, I told them and I think they are ready. They didn't ask too many questions but they wanted to learn.
"What do you mean by didn't ask too many questions?
"The only questions they asked were the same as I get elsewhere. Who are you? Why are you here? And what's my name? I didn't give them too much information."
"You never do."
A smile formed around the rims of the angels face and he looked at the Grandmaster in a new light.
"Oh look. Here they come," The angel said pointing.
"Where?" The Grandmaster asked leaning over his chair and the table looking down the winding path a ways in front of them. "I don't see them. Are you sure you're not just seeing things?"
"You don't have to see light to know that it is here and is coming. The feeling. It's everywhere. In a strong powerful form or two innocent creatures," the angel said this time as all saw the two.
In reality people only saw two white robes flowing vividly along the path of roses towards them. The Grandmaster heard the two talking back and forth to each other out of excitement but the two still called each other by their old names.
A toast to new friends, new faith, the resurrection of our two siblings, to friendship, to love but more importantly; to family. Brothers and sisters! Welcome to your new life," The Grandmaster said standing up and the whole table following suit and all of them raising their glasses to the new fellowship.
The feast was laid out next to the center town's square Water Fountain. The fountain itself stretched the heights of the tallest buildings in Havana. Ana and Karen saw before them was infamous. It was like Christmas dinner and Thanksgiving dinner combined all into one plus a wedding feast. Anything you could ever think of was there and if it wasn't there then there was something there that was always better than what they had wanted.
While everyone was up getting food and passing it around the Grandmaster scooted over to Ana and Karen who sat at the front of the table.
"I hear and see that you two are still using your old names. Why? I mean it's okay to still use them as it might be hard to adjust cause it is all happening so fast. Just start trying to get a feel of your new names. Names tell about you. Who you are and what you are like, act and do but you still have to grow into it and live up to it which I think is what you two are going to have to do.
"When do we start?" Raven asked eagerly.
"Eager, eager are we. Hastiness gets you nowhere. Why don't you stay for the toast. There is more then plenty enough food to go around. Is there somewhere you need to be better than this? The Grandmaster asked him.
"No. I just like adventure."
"Just don't let that adventurous spirit cloud your judgement and lead you in unlightened places. Places you can't get out of no matter how hard you try. Just don't make stupid mistakes," he said saying the last part after a puse and then they both went back to eating. The rest of the day went by smoothly. Jokes were passed around, laughter was the form of talking, and nobody felt excluded from any chat. Conversations were structured so that everybody could be involved and share in it.
"Where'd the angel go?"Sapphire whispered in Ravens ear.
Raven looked around the table trying not to attract attention.
"Now that you've come to mention it, I don't see him anywhere. Where could he be?"
"I don't know. He is interesting for sure. One sec you think you know him the next he is a complete stranger. Did you see the way he didn't even look at his food. His eyes were everywhere. He was looking for something and waiting for something or someone. What it is I haven't the faintest idea. Should we ask the Grandmaster where he went and what he is up to?"
"No. This time I don't think even the Grandmaster knows what the angel is up to. If he did then wouldn't he be leaving soon or something. He just looks and seems like he has no idea unless he's acting but i don't think so. Should we go and look for him?"
"Just wait a few. I'm sure he is fine and can take care of himself. Let's enjoy this moment," Sapphire said.
"Not everyday are you the center of everyone's attention and people talk and whisper good things about you to each other in whispers and unheard tones. Just savor this moment then we can worry about us as angels tomorrow. Ready to get back to our home. I wonder how many of our friends still recognize us and know who we are or just forgot us. What has happened to them. So many questions. Can't wait. What about you?"
Raven's stomach did a silent gulp from neck downwards and Raven forced a fake smile that convinced Sapphire that he was good and had nothing to worry about.
At the end of the feast there were still a ton left over which the Grandmaster told Raven and Sapphire to take with them on their journey.
Where do we sleep or do we still get to sleep in our old beds?" Sapphire asked.
"I will lead you out," a smooth gentle young ten year old female voice said. The two turned and there she stood before them. Her red cheeked face. White as the whitest Christmas. For a second Sapphire thought she was looking at a ghost, a reflection of herself as a kid and started to reach out her hand to touch her hair.
The girl let her but it wasn't black silky hair she was touching. Sapphire put her fingers through the girls hair, brought it up and she had luscious golden brown hair. Sapphire touched her cheeks next n up to this point the girl just stood there letting her but when Sapphire lightly touched her stomach close to her ribs the girl let out a silly little giggle.
"That tickles."
That snapped Sapphire back to.
"What just happened?" Sapphire said taking her hand away from the girls face.
You were having a flashback," Raven said holding Sapphire to him and holding her hands.
"She reminded me of my sister," Sapphire said burrowing her head into Ravens shoulder and started to cry again.
"The one I lost."
"It's okay. Don't cry," Raven said patting her head.
"What name do you go by and sorry if my girlfriend embarrassed you. She is not usually like this."
"No worries. I liked it. It's not uncommon for someone to do that. That is who I am. My name is Shakira but I go by Life for I am Life. If your hurt is pure and right then one touch of me and you'll see what you need to see to receive strength not what you want to see to receive weakness. Come on. I will show you to your rooms. We can walk and talk as we go," Shakira said starting to walk down trail. The two followed and Raven let go of Sapphire.
"Why are you life? N when did u find out?"
"I've always known. I was born with it. That was my gift just as your gift is beauty to be shown and spread," she said looking at Sapphire. "I am thirteen years old and my parents areeeeee right there," she said looking around and then waving at her parents back at the fountain.
"So they just let anyone touch you. My parents would be appalled and so against that," Sapphire said.
"Not everyone. They don't let people touch me. They know I have a gift but they don't know what it is. Yes, back on earth, most of the people that touched me weren't the friendlies and didn't want to see there healing. They wanted to see something else,' She said head down and then stopped talking.
But then The angel and the GrandMaster came down, saw me, rescued me. Saw who I was and who I could be and brought me here with my family. My family knows now who I am. They still watch me but know they can't watch me forever and always so they want me to find someone and stick close to them," She said cheerfully. Without thinking both Sapphire and Raven both knelt down and hugged Shakira tight.
"We won't let anything happen to you. Promise," Sapphire said as they both stood up and kept walking.
They stopped walking and arrived at an outdoor hotel place but this time no basin.
"Thanks for the tour and sharing but may I ask where might we wash up?" Raven asked.
You can wash up there," Shakira said pointing with her finger to a small stream of water with the most beautiful waterfall atop it.
"There is where you bath. I will see you to tomorrow."
"Wait, what's tomorrow and why?" Raven asked.
"Tomorrow you're going to earth and I want to come."
"So you think you can tag along. The places were going are not fit for a small girl like you no offense but sorry.
"Heh. I'm stronger than you think. Plus I'm prepared for what we're about to do. And my mom thinks being with you is better."
"How do you know. You haven't even asked her and how long since you were on earth?"
"Uhhhh. Two years ago," she said, having to think about it for a minute.
"Can I come pleaseeee?"
"Wait to hear what your mother has to say and let us two discuss it," Raven said pulling Sapphire aside and whispering to her.
"She is too young. It's too dangerous for her to go," he said looking at her then back.
"Yes, but she is life. We need that where we're going. Plus who better to protect her then us?" Sapphire said.
More was said and all Shakira could see were both of them whispering and occasionally looking at her then back to each other.
"It's decided," Raven said as they both turned around.
"You can only go with us with your parents approval and under one request."
"What's that," Shakira said crossing her arms and doing her best intimidation look.
"We're not carrying you," Sapphire said.
"No need for that," Shakira said taking off her shirt and two wings as big as her extended outwards.
"We may not need to carry her but we might need to carry you wingless bird," Raven said jokingly at Sapphire.
"They'll grow back. Right?" She asked worried looking at Shakira.
Shakira just smiled. "Sooner than you think."
Sapphire stood there about to say yes and be excited then she got the message. She took her shirt off and threw it on the ground.
"Why aren't my wings expanding?"
"They are just slowly. When you touched me you gave me access to see your life and show what you needed most and in return I give you what you need. For you. Wings. Do they hurt?"
"Yeah, they kinda do. It feels like I have a sore right here," she said trying to touch it with her fingers. "Can you massage my back right there," she asked Raven not thinking about what she said.
Raven wasted no time, came over and start massaging. It didn't take long, around five hand rotations at the most than Raven took his hand away because he saw something. He nearly got knocked on his butt when Sapphires wings started to grow and expand retaining there normal state.
"As I said. Sooner than you think, You two need each other more than ever now. Together you will succeed but separate you will fall.
"I wish you two the best of luck on your journey with me there or not and the best night sleep you'll ever have because you'll need it. Tomorrow starts the day of your new life. Going back to earth as new beings in the same body around the same group of friends you always had but with a purpose this time. To spread love where there is none and needs to be some. I'll see you tomorrow," Shakira said going up to them both, giving them each a hug and then walking away looking back every two to three steps disappearing with a smile on her face.
"That girl I tell you. She's something else. I like her," Raven said looking down the path then back. "I don't see us having problems with her if she chooses to come along."
"No. She will not be the problem. She's tomorrow. We have a problem today. One bed," Sapphire said pushing down on the mattress of the queen size.
"Ooh. Ohh!" Raven said looking around the Cabana. "I don't see what the problem is. It is cold outside and we have to stay warm. Body heat and also you like when we sleep together."
"I do don't I? Just don't take all the sheets like last time then it will really get cold and be lights out for you," Shakira said climbing under the three sheets and snuggling down as tight as she could go.
"Goodnight. Sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite," Raven said tucking a pillow underneath Sapphires head but when he walked away, he got a pillow thrown at his back.
"You broke my wings. I'm now a flightless wingless man. I can't move I can't move," Raven said jokingly.
"Shut up and go take your shower and before you ask, no I'm not taking one with you. When you left, I didn't know if you would come back but here you are in Havana, an angel. How long was that going on," Sapphire said loudly so Raven could hear all the way at the waterfall.
"Longer than you have. I was actually out looking for you and asked why you haven't been picked yet? The Angel said you were I just had to go down and bring you here. He didn't tell me anything about. How you looked. How you talked. Where to look. None of that. Just that you will know when you see her. Then he left and sent me to earth to find you. I don't know why I just didn't tell you upfront who I was and bring you with me. I'm sorry. I couldn't find it within myself to come to tell you that I was an angel when I myself started to disbelieve it. I was falling under your beautiful magical spell making me forget who I was and why I was there and a dream that us two could be. Then after a while I remembered who I was and at that point I couldn't bring myself to tell you that I was an angel. Not after all that we had been through so I left. I have regretted that decision and choice ever since. Then one day I find that a girl named Anastasia was being tried for a love crime. I only gave that name Anastasia to one girl. No one else knew about it meaning they had been keeping tabs on me. They never left me out of their sight. More shocking news that day was finding out that the crime was for loving me and how I left you. Although I looked composed out there inside I was made and while you were out cold you missed my anger threats and leaps at the GrandMaster because I believe he was the one that set all this up. I know it. Now that we get to go back to Earth tomorrow it reminds me of the precious little time that we have down there and that we should siege every moment we have especially the second chance moments because you will not get a lot of those."
Sapphire?" Raven said cause he saw Shakira out on the bed.
"What," she said pulling the covers under her chin, opening her eyes and wiping them.
"Did you listen to anything I said?"
"Yeah. I heard every word. It's just that your voice is so soft and you talked forever probably taking all the hot water which made me sleepy and get under the covers. I snuggled under them with every sentence of yours until my eyes were closed.
"Yea, I could hear you snoring."
To that a light pillow was tossed his way.
"Thanks for the pillow and you missed," Raven said sidestepping just to appease Shakira knowing her toss wasn't going to make it.
"There isn't enough hot water left for you but don't worry. I am all the hotness you'll need. You might have to take a shower with me," Raven said smiling.
That got Shakira up.
"You brat. Get out," she said throwing the covers off and walking over.
"For you mylady," he said stepping aside kneeling partly down only with shorts on.
"Go to bed. I'll see you soon. And don't forget to leave some sheets for me and don't leave my side warm when I get back."
"What you meant to say was that I'll see you tomorrow because you take long showers. You could spend a whole day in the shower if you wanted to. I've seen you. All you need is a waterproof phone case a padded thin mattress and you're gone. I remember a few times having to go in and wake you up by dumping buckets of ice on you. Buckets. BUCKETS! You slept like a log. Then I would have to turn the water off and give it a day to come back. How'd you not feel the cold water on your back?"
"When I am tired I am tired and there is nothing that will wake me from my sleep. And you should never wake me. Even sleepwalking. Never wake a sleepwalker. They can attack you like a bear with sharp claws. Don't risk it. I got wings."
"Fine. I'll see you soon then," Raven said climbing into bed.
He started to hear sooth singing and knew where it was coming from. He looked to the waterfall and when the water hit the ground right he could see glimpses of Shakira then it would go back to her silhouette. She still had it and nothing had changed.
He slept to her sweet voice in his ears and remembering why he had loved her in the first place. She was life. Her and Shakira were one of the same.