Five angels descended from the light. Four had two wings and the fifth one had four wings.
They slowly touched down onto the ground and the one with four wings spoke.
"We are not here to fight, Kai Mercer, we are here on Eidonel's orders to bring you to him." There was no emotion in his voice, this was just his duty.
I narrowed my eyes and the angel spoke up again.
"I understand your wariness, but we mean you no harm. We lost contact with Gerald and Darron here so we came here to scout, that is all.
"Why should I go? For all I know you guys will put me in a cell and keep me there." I let my words linger. "I know Eidonel didn't want me to fight in the war."
There was a long silence while the angel hisnarrowed his eyes, then he spoke up.
"That was before you were chosen by fate-"
"Then that's all the more reason to lock me up." I cut in, "If I remember correctly, Eidonel said that people would try to kidnap me and brainwash me to fight for them. Why would he take such a risk to keep me in this war when he was so paranoid before I was chosen."
I paused before letting out a long sigh.
"Besides I'm not fighting to end this war. I'm fighting to break the threads of my fate."
I looked the angel in the eye.
"Even if I were kidnapped and brainwashed, my will to break this fate is to strong."
The four-winged angel studied me while the others stepped back, as if expecting resistance. But the four-winged angel simply folded on set of his wings behind his back, the other pair remaining open, like a protective shroud.
"Your defiance is noted," he said calmly, "but it is not met with hostility."
He took a slow step forward before continuing.
"You misunderstood Eidonel. You simply weren't ready to fight, and the three realms were, and still are not, ready for you."
His gaze sharpened, not threatening, it was something else.
"We are not here to chain you. Nor here to command you. This is simply a request. Your journey will be rigorous. There are forces that outside even the highest command of the world."
Another of the angels spoke, his was lighter, not emotionless.
"There are things," he glanced past me and narrowed is eyes, "moving in the dark. If you remain alone, you will die if you face them."
I shot him a questioning glance, but then the 4 winged angel lifted his hand and everything went quiet.
"Come with us… not as a prisoner, but as someone who wants answers. Eidonel has those answers. If you accept our offer, he will give you all the answers you desire."
Then he stepped forward again reaching out his hand, then he added, much softer.
"If fate binds you, then perhaps don't you think it's time to find out why?"
I thought about it for a little while. If the people in courtroom didn't know why fate chose me then why Eidonel? Even so, I'm not interested in that, I'm more interested in my origins.
I have some vague idea of the rune placed me from the memory, but I don't know why. If Eidonel can answer those two questions I'll be satisfied.
"I'll go," I said quietly, "but only under conditions."
The four-winged angel raised his head, as if looking down on me, but he said nothing.
"My first condition is: I want my companions to come along." I paused, and the angels nodded, "My next condition is I want the truth. No lies, no divine riddles, no 'that answer will come with time'. If Eidonel can give me that, I'll go."
My eyes locked with the four-winged angel.
"But if he can't, I'll come back strong enough to give you all a place in Hell."
The four-winged angel nodded and unfolded his one set of wings.
"Very well, come."
His four wings shot forward, opening a hole in reality. Then he turned around and spoke. His voice calm.
"This is the way to Luminaris."
I whispered to Mey over my shoulder.
"I want you to stay invisible… in case things go south. I don't know if angels have a power that lets them see people who are invisible, but that one angel seemed to know. Keep your guard up."
I couldn't see it, but I could sense that Mey nodded.
We stepped through the portal.
The ride through the portal was anything but peaceful. It felt my soul was being ripped from my body. But when I exited the portal on the other side, that feeling was completely gone.
What I saw left me in awe, at a loss for words. It was just that beautiful.
Too bad I didn't have time to take the sights in fully.
I felt heavy metal cuffs clamp around my wrist. They made me feel weak, as if they drained all my power. Then I fell to my knees.
The four winged angel stood above me, looking down at me, truly this time, with a cold gaze and spoke.
"Welcome to Luminaris, Kai Mercer."
"You bastard." I said through gritted teeth.
They covered my eyes and led me somewhere.
On the way I got to thinking. I thought angels were supposed to be righteous and uphold their word. I guess I'm still green just like Lyra said.
Then I started thinking, what if the angels were the true instigators of this war, and not the demons. I immediately though it was the demons because of all the stories I read about demons in the library at the academy. They all said the demons were horrible beings that hated everything for no reason.
Then it hit me, the angels placed propaganda in the human realm to make it seem like the angels were the good guys.
Then what about what Lyra said about the angels giving humans power, and the demons taking wicked humans to make them fight.
Was all that true, or was that also propaganda?
My mind spun with thoughts until I was finally thrown into a jail cell, and the heavy iron door slammed behind me.