Uriel
It didn’t take long for me to find the portal. It was the center of the Celestial Kingdom. Many angels walked in and out of it like it was nothing. The large stone archway was decorated with lightly colored granite, only to look like an oversized mirror that was twenty feet wide.
I stood behind the corner of the bakery Mom likes to go to on Sunday mornings to plan my studies for the week to keep me busy. It was small and only had a few tables, and she said the carrot cake was delicious. I licked my lips, peaking inside, wanting to taste something sweet and savory, but the itch in my wings made me flutter at the real reason I was out here.
To go to a party!
That will have a lot of free snacks!
My wings fluttered again, them not looking at all the same like the other angels. Many female angels donned large white and ivory wings, while mine held a hint of gold at the tips. I inched forward, only to have a few stares and their walks continued like there wasn’t a care in the world. I let out a sigh. No one was out to get me. There was no evil here out in the open with too many angels around.
I was just ordinary, and that was fine with me. The cloak that would hide me was heavy and burdensome. Having people react when I smiled at them was much better than them not seeing me at all. Once I reached the portal, I watched how people came in and out. They stepped so effortlessly inside, and those coming out didn’t even blink.
“Need some help?” A smooth voice spoke. She wasn’t wearing the normal clothing everyone else was wearing, like robes or wrappings of fine linen. She had on a light tan pant suit with silver trimmings and her hair cut short in a cute pixie cut.
“Hello,” my eyes widened. I haven’t even talked to anyone else other than my Mom and Dad, but the excitement of meeting someone new overshadowed my shyness.
“Are you trying to go through?” The glint in her eye and the smirk on her face looked friendly enough. I nodded, giving her a bright smile. “I would love to help you,” her tall form bent over. Her beautiful face was blemish free and her movements so eloquent. The reading glasses sitting on top of her head gave her a studious look while she continued to study me. “Can you please tell me who your parents are?” Her smile brightened mine all the more.
“Of course, It’s Goddess Hera and Arch Angel Michael,” I beamed proudly at my parents’ titles. The beautiful woman’s eyes only widened slightly, licking her lips while rubbing her pointed chin. “I see,” she chuckled. “I knew it, those sneaky bastards.” She whispered.
Ope, she said a bad word.
“May I ask your name?” I picked at my fingers, waiting for her reply.
“Of course, dear, if you can tell me your name?”
“Uriel!”
“Good girl, now let’s get you closer to the portal, and I can show you where you want to go.” Before I could remind her that she was to tell me her name, she had me stand in front. The mirror waved slightly as bodies moved in and out, but mostly, it stood still. “Think in your mind where you want to go, and may I ask where you are going?” Her eyebrow raised.
“To the Underworld, there’s a party!” Letting out a soft laugh, she covered her mouth.
“Oh, this is going to be interesting and I wouldn’t miss it! My name is Athena and you, child, can accompany me and I will get your there on time.” I clapped my hands excitedly, prancing right beside the portal.
“You will! That would be so great! I don’t get out much and I was worried I would get lost!” Athena’s eyes squinted, looking around us. “I’m sure you don’t and I think today might rectify that, hmm?” I nodded quickly, sticking my finger to the mirror.
Squishy
Grabbing my hand and putting it in the crook of her arm, we walked through together. I didn’t have to think, and we immediately came out on the other side. “You might feel light-headed your first time.” My hand went to my forehead to slow me down.
As my eyes fluttered open, we had arrived in the Underworld. It was significantly darker with a red light source instead of a bright yellow one that lit the sky. The ground was mostly deep red dirt until a cement pathway came into view. Small bushes of deep green and red roses outlined the path with tiny fireflies inside.
“It’s a different kind of pretty,” I leaned down, pressing my finger to the flower. It wasn’t real, it was fake, but it was the realest fakest plant ever. Athena watched on, amused at my behavior, sniffing at the fake flower.
“You said you have never left your home before? Your Mother and Father wouldn’t let you out?” I shook my head.
“Mom said it was too dangerous outside, but I got an invitation in the mail today and while they were waiting for the stork in their room, Mom screamed ‘yes yes!’! I was so excited, I never thought she would even let me! I got dressed and left as soon as I could before she changed her mind.”
“Holy shit,” Athena whispered. She paused in the middle of the path, her hands on her knees to catch her breath. “What are you, the goddess of, little one?”
“Innocence and Grace,” I hummed, watching these really gigantic dogs running around the gated palace. Their bodies were as big as mine!
“The fates are just want to watch the realms burn,” Athena nervously chuckled. “What about after the party? Have you thought about what will happen then?” Athena had my arm held in the crok of her arm again, probably from keeping me from stopping every five seconds, but I haven’t been outside this long before, especially in such a different place.
“I don’t know, but I would love to travel. I’ve read all about Earth and Bergarian but I haven’t read about this place,” I hummed, annoyed. “It’s probably because it’s dark. I used to be afraid of the dark, so I guess Mom was just looking out for me.”
Athena stopped in her tracks. Her tall form leaned over as my head fell back. “And do you think your Mother was doing you a favor by just locking you up inside the house and not showing you have to maneuver around the worlds?”
My mouth that was hung open closed sharply. My eyes now looking at the dark path in front of us, the dogs lined up in rows hiding the pretty grass and flowers on the other side.
Mom had taught me a lot. My time spent in the house I itched to go outside and there were days I would cry on the floor as a child because I couldn’t go out. Then I learned that even when I threw a tantrum, I wouldn’t get my way, so I just complied. I stopped fighting. I stopped asking the questions to get me to the outside world and only did what Mom told me because it made her happy. She was happy and I enjoyed seeing it. I really did.
But did it only hurt me?
“You are a smart girl, Uriel, I can sense it. Did she teach you anything about the gods?” I bit my lip, pulling at the now worn away lip gloss I had put on earlier.
“She did.” I rubbed my ballet toe into the textured cement. “All about the powers gods had, but never told me names.” Athena let out a harsh breath. “And you did not question?” I shrugged my shoulders. “It didn’t matter. She just wouldn’t tell me.”
“I am the Goddess of Wisdom and War,” I gasped loudly. She was my favorite. She was so smart and a woman, she could go into battle and beat all sorts of people up. My eyes felt they would fall out of my head and land at my feet.
“Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and War?” She nodded, smiling. “You were my favorite! You are so smart! You also specialize in practical reason and looking at things from every angle, even in just every day's speech!” Athena smiled, her hand petting my head.
“That’s right, and I already know that your mind is special. Did you know that?” I tilted my head to the side, rubbing my itchy nose.
“I-I don’t know about that. Mom says I still have a lot to learn before I can even be on my own.” Athena chuckled.
“You are not a child,” her arms crossed. “You are smart and you are old enough to walk around between all the realms if you wanted. In fact, when we get back to the Celestial Kingdom, I will demand you spend some time with me.”
“You will!?” I clapped my hands excitedly. Athena only nodded her head, grabbing my arm and pulling me to the massive, dark palace. As we walked, my thoughts went deeper than I ever thought they could.
Did my mother play with my head and make me feel inadequate all these years? That I couldn’t hold myself up in any of the realms? Such little faith she had in me? She tutored me herself. I graduated from a human high school level at the age of eleven. I did all my mother’s budgeting for our house and for her job because I get bored at home all day. Making mistakes wasn’t me, I always did everything perfectly, correctly and neatly.
Did she think I would make a mistake outside? Outside, away from her? How was I to know if never tried? In all the movies I watched, so many children made mistakes and they did them on their own. Now, at the age of twenty-five, I don’t think I’ve ever been given the chance to learn about life on my own.
My bottom lip stuck out, only to have Athena squeeze my hand. “Don’t think too much about it right now, Uriel. It will work out by the end of the day,” she chuckled again, like a hidden secret she was keeping.
The dogs stood up, back straight and their large teeth protruding from their maws. They growled, and some barked at the passing angels and people walking by. Many flinched away, but once I came close, the noises stopped. Ready for them to bark, I leaned up against Athena, but they didn’t. They gazed at me, like large over grown puppies.
“Hi puppies,” I whispered, yelled to them as Athena led me inside.
Large men, red with horns popping out of their heads, looked down at me with the spears they were carrying. They were so tall and gazed at me. “Hi!” I waved as we walked past. “Who are they?” I whispered to Athena, now being utterly aware of the large room full of people and species I had only read about.
“Those are demons. You find them here in the Underworld that serve their King, the father of the baby. “Hades.” My mouth opened to ask another question, but a woman, assuming the mother, Parisa, was standing at the top of a grand staircase decorated with gold, silver with hints of red and black. My hand tightened around Athena as Parisa stood by the intimidating, slightly scary looking King of the Underworld holding a tiny baby.
“The baby!” I cooed a little too loudly. Several stares came by me. Looking around, I just waved, smiled and whispered a sorry before my eyes caught hold of another man standing on the balcony. He was the same height as Hades, his eyes were cold, and his fists gripped the balcony railing so hard they look as if it would break. My heart fluttered at the sight of him. My eyes didn’t want to turn away. Stiff back, jaw clenched, but he still looked pretty.
Like really pretty.
Maybe he needed a friend...
UrielI continued to squeeze through the crowd, not paying attention to Queen Parisa standing on the balcony. The cake looked so delicious to be ignored, and no one was even looking at it. My wings tucked close to my body still hit someone gently on their shoulder."I'm so sorry," I whispered. My wings shuttered, I was too nervous about pulling them inside my body, but the large man in front of me looked down with bright blue brilliant eyes. "It's quite alright. Are you okay?" This man was really muscular, wearing a light tan suit and flowing white hair that graced his shoulders. The white stubble on his face was a shade darker than the hair on his head. His hands steadied my shoulders, looking me in the eye."You look familiar," he tilted his head. "Yet, I have never seen you before. I know all the angels and gods. What is your name?" I
LuciferStepping out of the front palace doors, many continued to glare holes in my back. The heat of their stares only magnified my mission to find this girl, figure her out. Surely there had to be a spell cast on her, to deter my emotions and seek some sort of revenge on me and my family.There was no secret. My father was, in fact, the God of Hell, but he wasn’t as evil as the souls he tormented. After my mother being saved from a sex traffic ring, he sent his own demon soldiers to act as humans, finding entire rings of darkened souls for them to feed upon. The soul eaters became father’s new favorite creation. They suck the lives of worthless humans or supernaturals, sucking them straight to the doors of torture. Bypassing the judgment table and earning a number one spot session with me.Bodies fell completely to the floo
UrielEverything was going great. I made a new friend, even though he had a bit of a potty mouth. He even offered me candy! But of course my stomach and chest had to hurt when he said it would taste so good. I might have had too many honeysuckles and honey. I’ve never had a problem with too much sugar before.Maybe I was just too excited to be here! Yup, I was because I got to see some outstanding puppies and got to play in this exceptional garden full of flowers I had never seen before. The Underworld was an amazing place for sure and I didn’t want the party to end so I could explore more.Things with Loki patched up nicely. I was worried about giving up my first potential at a proper friend, but he changed really quick. It made my wings warm at the promise he made me, a real promise. Now I would have someone to go with me and give me a tour around the entire estate! The flutter in my wings made me giddy until a bright light flashed at the front of
LuciferLoki looked shamefully at the ground as he was being scolded by Uriel. I kept my face disinterested to the whole thing, still not sure how to face the situation. Uriel was my mate. Her mother had kept her from the other gods, goddesses and angels all while she grew up. She knew nothing of the underworld, deemed too evil. The only reason I met my fated mate was because of a simple misunderstanding.Since the gods started claiming mates just twenty-five years ago with my Mother’s new gift, babies had been born left and right. Taking part in either their mother's or father’s original form at birth, so there would be no natural-born mix of whatever species the parents were. My father, being a god, it was only natural for my mother’s werewolf genes to morph and make her immortal, thus giving her the power of bonding to help Selena, the Moon Goddess, making mother a goddess herself.Mother had had plenty of gatherings so that the new gods, an
Lucifer“Aren’t you still an archangel, Michael? What happened to the bad-ass archangel from twenty-five years ago? You gotta take your mate by her ass and tell her how it is. Chicks dig that kinda shit.” Ares plopped down on the thick leather chair, not caring that sweat and blood dripped on the expensive upholstery.“Can’t act like that anymore!” Michae threw his hands up in the air. “I’ve got a daughter now. I’ve got to be a bit more civilized than that.” Ares huffed, rubbing the sweat off his brow and slapping the table. Opening his mouth, he paused, whipping his head back to Michael.“You got a kid? Fuck man, congrats!” Ares stands up, goes to shake Michael’s hand before my father exploded.“If you were at the party, you would have known!” Ares scratches his head.“Oh, was that today?” Father rolled his eyes, falling back in the chair. Mariah,
LuciferAfter ten minutes of Michael arguing with Hera, which could be heard down the hallway, mind you, I left my seat, unable to listen to the bickering between Athena and Ares. They were at opposite ends of the spectrum, intelligence-wise, mainly about the topics of relationships, and no one was getting anywhere in those discussions.I followed my body. I didn’t think of where to go or what to do. For the first time in my life, I let my body flow with its surroundings. I went down the hallway and saw that the paintings on the walls were lighter. The servants were chuckling, nudging themselves as I went by. The smiles I had never seen, or maybe never paid attention to, had me doing double-takes down the hall.Of course, once they realized I was staring, they busied themselves with their work rather than have my heated gaze fall upon them.My feet landed right outside Loki’s door. Giggling and slight tappings on the door had me intrigue
Uriel “They’re gone,” I whispered to myself. For the first time in my twenty-five years of living, they are gone. I wanted to scream in relief. Mom had been so stressed, constantly hovering over my head for so long. I was barely alone in our home and when she wasn’t there, I could relax. Now I was in someone else’s home, but it still felt alright. It felt great, actually. “How about Lucifer showing you to the bedroom you are staying in? Some things have already been sent down from your home that you would need through Hermes’ messengers.” I nodded, thanking her profusely for letting me stay. Parisa was so nice, so much more laid back than Mom. I think I was really going to like it here. “Can I come too?” Loki crossed his arms. “I’ve hung out with her more. She likes me better. She thinks Lucifer looks like Lurch, anyway.” Giggling, I playfully pushed Loki. “Yes, please!” I chirped. Lucifer rolled his eyes. Glancing at him, I saw him ball up his fists.
Lucifer I don’t know how to act around her. I barely know how to be in my skin. The itch that tires me day after day about spilling the blood of my father’s evil soul he has in his section of hell only makes it worse. Coming here was to help with the uncomfortableness of my heart beating erratically in my chest. Her touch was doing things to me, and I couldn’t be for sure if it was for good or evil. My arms wanted to work on their own, caging her around my body so no one could touch her and steal her away from me. Slinging another whip to another fallen mafia leader does nothing for me anymore. No rush of adrenaline like I had with Uriel. The touch of her hand, the softness, the paleness of my sunburned skin held stark differences. She was the softness of a cloud while I was the raging lighting that could split her in two. Staying away from her would be impossible now. The golden thread that ties us together was strung too tight already. My body, my h