Inside the gate Micheal was struck at the disparity in wealth between the middle portion of the city and the place they had just walked into. The buildings were all gold and marble, intricately worked, and the streets were even paved with marble. Micheal noticed a lot more temples here, and figures with golden robes standing in front of each one. The temples stretched out in two lines, pointing towards a massive tower, a tower he had been able to see even from far away on the mountain he woke up on. This must be where the King is, Micheal looked in awe at the structure, gold and massive with figures in golden robes patrolling the ringed wall on its top.
As they walked towards it, Micheal glanced at the temples, taking their glory in. On one temple, there was a statue of a handsome man with green hair and green eyes in a green robe with six wings holding a golden bow. On another, there was a statue of an indescribably beautiful woman with white hair and all white eyes adorned in a robe of gold and white. Even the shape of her two wings curving outward was breathtaking. Micheal found himself staring, and he felt the goddess gently pull him back to walk along with her.
"She's beautiful isn't she?" The goddess asked with a smile, the smile of one who also appreciated such splendor.
Micheal nodded. "I think she's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
The goddess closed her eyes and nodded. "She is the Archangel Handriel, the Angel of Beauty and Love. However, even an Angel is no match for the true beauty of a goddess such as myself, my true form would be too much for anyone to bear." The goddess smirked self confidently.
Micheal swallowed. He didn't want to look now but the goddess that was with him was extremely captivating. He had stolen glances out of the corners of his eyes, and her lustrous green hair, deep green eyes, and curves hidden beneath her robes were amplified by the golden jewelry she sported on her legs, arms, nose, fingers, and ears. If this was a downgrade for her then no mortal could look upon her true form and live just as she had said.
"We can visit her temple later if you would like" the goddess teased.
Micheal blushed. "If you insist." He was curious about the temples themselves, was there an organized religion? Beauty and Love, maybe her followers were just as attractive? Micheal remembered seeing his own face and eyes earlier. Maybe it wouldn't be such a far off idea to meet someone new here…
They passed another temple, with the statue of a massive, powerful looking man with golden flowing hair and blazing white eyes. He wore a white robe and had 2 wings outstretched. There were a lot of temples here. How many Angels were there? Did they all have temples? Micheal thought to himself as they walked on, and in the distance he saw a massive temple.
They continued to approach the massive temple, made of what looked like solid gold. He didn't see any statues overlooking this one, but this was clearly the largest one. Was this for god? A supreme Angel? Micheal was about to ask but the goddess interrupted his thoughts.
"Hurry, my champion, we don't want to be late. Remember to kneel when everyone else does, and don't speak out of turn." She gave him a reassuring smile.
Crap. Micheal had almost forgotten. That temple then, was that the royal palace? Why was it shaped like that then? Every other major structure had been more along the lines of a castle. Were Angels in charge here? Micheal's mind filled with questions as they finally arrived to the entrance. As they walked up the steps, he saw guards in golden armor and men wearing golden robes. They let Micheal and the goddess pass, and Micheal took several deep breaths to calm his nerves.
Inside the temple was a long hall with a soft red carpet drawing a bold line straight to a giant golden throne. The carpet was flanked by more guards in ornate golden armor and men in golden robes. On the golden throne sat a sharp looking man with golden hair and piercing blue eyes, blue as the sky. His golden crown blended in with his hair, and it was difficult to tell where one ended and the other began. He wore white robes decorated with gold thread, and carried a long scepter made of gold and tipped with a large sapphire. Next to him sat a beautiful woman about his age, also wearing a golden crown that blended in with her golden hair too, her eyes were deep blue like the sea. She wore a golden gown, her shoulders covered with a wave of white fur. On his other side sat another beautiful woman about Michael's age, with golden hair braided and layered, and with eyes as rich as sapphires, the light reflecting in them as her long eyelashes moved. She wore a deep blue dress, with golden jewelry adorning her arms, wrists, neck, and ears, as well as precious jewels forming a pattern on her blue dress.
She looked at him and held his gaze. Micheal held his gaze back, he felt nervous and captivated at the same time. The guards and men in robes began to kneel, jarring him out of his thoughts. Micheal kneeled as well, and the king spoke.
"Rise young warrior, I am the King of Ghen. Look upon my daughter, is she not the most beautiful woman in all the land?"
Micheal rose quickly at the kinds command and looked at his daughter. She was a sight to behold. She smiled shyly at him, and Micheal's heart skipped a beat. He tried to control the blood rushing up to his face. Why was the king doing this? Micheal looked to the king. A man in golden robes stepped out with a scroll beside the king.
"She, and my kingdom, will be yours if you agree to give me the wish the goddess promised you. I would use the wish to turn myself, my queen, my daughter, and you" the king paused.
"Into Angels." The king let his words sink in. "What better way to rule and to live than to be beautiful, immortal save for death in battle, and to be full of youth and vigor!" The king smiled. "What say you?"
Micheal was shocked. What the actual hell was going on here?