EARLY Morning 3 of the Moonlight Festival
A slow clap broke the silence to my right. "Great show. I mean it. I never doubted you for a second!"
I sighed, turning toward the source of the voice. "Yeah... sure you didn't."
Liberty approached, his look casual with a new flock of paper-mache creatures trailing from the darkened skies above. The three spotlights dimmed, to a single warm yellow...
"As part of our deal," he said while approaching me, "I'm sending you back to heaven. You're free to do as you wish~ Including ending that life of yours, if that's what you choose."
I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Hmph. Don't tell me what to do. If I want to die, that's my choice. And if I want to be happy... well, that's my choice too."
His smile deepened, warm and genuine, as though he was truly happy for me.
With a graceful motion, Liberty extended a hand, brushing it softly over the book I carried. It shimmered faintly before dissolving, reassembling itself into a glowing halo that hovered above my head.
"You won," he said, his tone quieter now, "because you were able to find a flaw within yourself. Admitting failure? It's not something just anyone can do. Nine others took this test before you... and none of them made it this far. The hardest part is now in the past, as it has always been."
I rolled my eyes, looking away. "The hardest part was talking to you."
Liberty chuckled, the sound light and feathery. Then, in a movement so sudden it caught me off guard, he wrapped his wings around me in an almost protective gesture. "As far as I'm concerned, you're already part of the Library... The Luna Library..."
"Hmph? If that's the case, I'll just clock in, get my paycheck, and leave. Don't expect anything more."
He laughed, "Glad to have you on board~"
"Don't read too much into it," I snapped, avoiding his gaze. "I'm just using you."
"Guess that makes me the real loser," he teased, "Having to deal with someone as stubborn as you."
I sighed, adjusting the halo now hovering over my head. It felt strange.... light but heavy.....
Liberty stepped back, observing me with a pleased smile. "The transformation suits you."
"Yeah? Well, don't get used to it," I muttered, tugging at my sleeve awkwardly. "I'm not into this whole 'heavenly' look."
He smirked, wings spreading wide. "You'll grow into it. Or, knowing you, you'll tear it apart and make it your own. Either way, I'm excited to see what happens."
"Don't hold your breath." I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "This whole 'transformation' thing is already annoying me."
Liberty's eyes gleamed mischievously. "Before I send you back to earth, though... there's one teeny-tiny little thing we need to take care of."
I froze, narrowing my eyes at him. "What thing?"
His grin widened. "Oh, you'll see~"