(Added in from last chapter)

Third Person POV

Phoenix watches his greatest best friend from his place in Heaven and feels his heart ache at not being able to comfort him.

"Soon." God says, "soon you can be back together. Let him mourn you for now."

He walks away, leaving Phoenix to cry with his best friend.

"Poor Rune, he will never be the same now. Not after being so destroyed." An angel nearby mumbles, watching the scene with Phoenix.

"I hope he'll look after himself, until I can come back.." Phoenix says softly to himself, not caring if the angel hears.

Tears of anguish waterfall down his cheeks and land on the white marbled ground of Heaven's castle.

"Even when all seems lost, just remember my name, I'll always remember yours. We're stuck together forever." Phoenix whispers, hoping his words reach Rune and give him the strength he needs to carry on.

Phoenix gently touches the bracelet on his wrist. The bracelet Rune made for him, to match the one Phoenix made for Rune, to signify their never ending bond, they were supposed to remake them when theirs break.

"I'll be back soon, Ru.. stay strong.." Phoenix whispers as the image of his greatest best friend fades and he's forced to follow God towards his new room for however long is deemed necessary.

***

Phoenix's POV

Living in Heaven is not at all what I thought it would be when I arrived at the gates.

I thought it would be like little white huts placed around everywhere with a temple for God or Jesus or whoever.

I never thought it would be like this.

Pure white modern houses surrounded a gigantic pure white marble castle, Heaven's Castle as the angel who met me at the gates informed.

Rows upon rows of white modern, beautifully built houses for as long as the eye could see surrounded the castle.

Like guards.

The houses were never ending, if there wasn't such good maps around, I would have gotten so completely and utterly lost, it's not even funny.

Thankfully, I always had an angel to escort me around per God's demands.

Apparently what happened to me, happened for a reason, but I would be going back to my Ru soon.

But how soon?

And when is soon?

Few more days? Weeks? Months? Years?

I don't know much of this whiteness I can look at until I'm ready to start graffiti painting the sides of houses in multiple colours just so I can remember what the other colours look like.

At least I was able to repaint my room.

That took a few days, but it was a few days that I was distracted and didn't have to think.

Now, I'm just bored, and lonely.

Angels are only so entertaining for so long.

Now I've seen them all.

At least God is allowing me to approach Rune in his dreams, it's not the same as real life, but it's close enough.

***

-=- Some days later -=-

Apparently, there's an initiation happening tonight.

I have no clue whose the lucky one though.

Initiations in Heaven are for those who want to try their luck with becoming an angel, or for those God deems worthy and wants to try.

I've heard angels talking about me, apparently God gives me special treatment compared to nearly everyone who comes to Heaven, accident or not.

It's weird, but I've started to notice what they meant.

It's almost like God's been dropping hints that I've been missing.

"Phoenix?" God says, breaking me out of my thoughts.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear, or in this case, God.

"Yeah?" I reply, turning to look at him.

"Initiation starts soon, why aren't you ready?" He says, walking over to me.

"I wasn't planning on going." I announce truthfully, no point in lying to him, he knows everything, apparently.

"I see. I really think you should come tonight, I have a feeling some very interesting things will happen." He states.

"I can't tell if you're trying to drop hints about things to me, or if that's just how you are." I answer, turning away from him to look out the window I'm currently standing at.

God chuckles.

He walks over to me and puts a warm hand on my shoulder.

"I encourage you to come along to the initiation young one. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you witness." He persists.

"I guess I'll go." I sigh.

God smiles brightly and pats me on the back, "that's good, young one. I'll see you at the initiation. Wear something nice."

God leaves and I'm left standing alone in my overly large room, staring out the window.

Disbelief and annoyance buzz around me as I walk over to my cupboard and find an extremely fancy pure white suit with a golden tie. On the jacket and tie there's golden coloured flower and leaf patterns.

With a deep sigh, I grab the really nice suit and put it on.

Looking in the mirror I admire the way it looks.

"Damn, I am one sexy, sexy man." I admit out loud.

There's a chuckle from my doorway and turn my head to look.

It's the angel assigned to escort me everywhere, his name's Castiel.

He looks exactly like what you would expect an angel to look like. Flawless skin, glowing radiance. Clear expressive eyes and the purest white wings. (I'm obviously biased, I've only ever seen Cas' wings.)

"I have to say, I do agree. You look great in that." Castiel states, smirking cheekily.

My cheeks burn.

"Cas, for an angel, you have minimal manners. Ever heard of knocking?" I huff in annoyance and embarrassment.

"Sure I have. I get told about it constantly, but I don't care much to pay attention to that." He says, waving off my dirty look.

"Come on, young one. Initiation's starting any moment now, and if you're late, God's not going to be a happy cookie. Favourite or not." He says, before leading the way out of my room and down the hall, towards the initiation room.

Sighing, I reluctantly follow after him.

***

Upon arriving at said initiation room, I notice it should realistically be called; "initiation house" and even then, it'd be more accurate to say 'mansion'.

Castiel informed me when I first arrived in Heaven that this building is pretty much just a giant church.

After walking inside, I notice that it is, indeed a giant church.

Rows upon rows of pews were on the left and right sides of the building, just like a normal church. Only, instead of being made of wood, they were marble.

"How comfy." I mutter. Uriel snickers from beside Castiel.

We make our way up the isle between the pews and sit on the front ones, with the rest of the angels and others that God seems to have a large interest in.

His favourites, as Cas calls them.

Everyone quietens when God steps up the front.

"Hello my beautiful children." He says, "today we have the Angels Initiation Ceremony, where everyday people, who obviously don't have magic, can participate and if successful, can become angels and gain magic, for those who fail, there will be no bad repercussions. An angel is chosen, not earned."

He pauses and everyone watches with bated breath, except for the other angels and myself.

He smiles and looks at me and the angels he created.

The Archangels aka the main ones, the ones that are read about in the bible, they have unlimited powers and can do whatever they wish, within reason and with God's permission.

The angel's that are chosen and created through this initiation are lesser angels, they have limited powers and abilities. Their powers can easily be ripped away if the magic is used for evil.

At least, that's what Raphael has told me.

"Here, I have a list of imitation contestants." God states, holding up a golden note.

I tune out the names until I'm suddenly shaken by Uriel and everyone is staring at me.

"Huh?" I reply dumbly.

God smiles gently, "Phoenix Star, can you please come stand up here with the rest of contestants." He asks.

"I never signed up." I state back, not moving a muscle.

"God can pick people to participate if he thinks they're worthy enough." Castiel whispers in my ear, reminding me. He shoves me towards the front.

I stumble slightly before sighing and walking to stand beside the others.

A couple more people's names are called up to stand with us.

Apparently I'm the only one who's not happy with being picked for this.

Castiel and the other archangels give me thumbs up and big grins.

I roll my eyes at them but give a small smile anyway.

In a way, they've become my close friends. Nowhere near as close as what Rune is, but close enough that I'm not completely lonely.

It's kind of nice.

"Okay my children, I want everyone to get a good look at who has been selected." God says, "the first trial will begin in the next few minutes."

There was about 50 people all up, all of their ages varied, as well as their skin tone.

"Oh boy." I mutter to myself and go and sit back down with the original angels.

"I knew it!" Castiel exclaims and the other angels watch him amusedly.

"I didn't, I don't want to do this." I sigh.

"Awe, come on, Phoenix, it won't be that bad." Uriel says enthusiastically.

I roll my eyes.

"Uriel's right for once, why don't you just give it a shot?" Raphael says, nodding his head at his brother.

Uriel looks offendedly at his brother and pouts.

"You're so mean to me Ruffles." Uriel complains.

Raphael just shrugs and starts conversing with someone else.

"Alright everyone, the first trial will be how well the contestants can work by themselves. Those who fail will not be continuing to the second trial."

Suddenly everyone disappeared from around me, only a clock was visible.

The first trial had begun.

***

Hours past by as I was stuck alone with my thoughts, unable to leave the gigantic church because of a barrier.

With a sigh, I walk around the church again, looking for any signs or anything.

Suddenly, there's a whistling sound, I duck, just as a bullet pierces the wall behind me.

"Oh my fuck!" I shout, and duck for cover.

"This must be the first trial, how well I can work alone." I think to myself.

Looking around, I grab a bouquet of flowers from one of the pews.

Closing my eyes, I imagine it's a sword, and suddenly there's a cold heavy object in my hands.

I open my eyes, and there in my hand, is a sword.

"What?" I utter out loud in disbelief, before another bullet finds itself dug into the marble just beside my head.

I charge at the person.

I hit them in the face with the butt of my sword and trip them over.

I stand on their hands and hold my sword to their throat.

"Now what?" I pant softly.

There's clapping nearby.

I look up and God, and the original angels are standing by the doorway.

"Good job, Phoenix." God smiles. "You've past the first trial."

"Very quickly too, it's impressive." Azrael compliments.

I just stare at them and the other angels, gobsmacked.

Suddenly, everything's back the way it was before the trial started, except people are now cheering and clapping for those who passed, and comforting those who failed.

"As you children have probably noticed the first trial was actually to see how you would do when alone and forced to protect yourself. Those of you who have succeeded, will continue onto the next trial, those of you who failed, please take your seat." God announces, smiling encouragingly at everyone present.

Those who failed walked back to the pews and took their seats with the rest of the people.

Those of us who remained, about 20-25, stay standing, preparing for the next trial.

"For the second trial, we will be seeing how well you can defend yourselves with your minds. There will be 3 things you have to do in this test, but you'll have to figure out that yourselves." God announces, smiling pleasantly at us.

I sigh and give him a dirty look, which he ignores.

Suddenly, the room changes again, and I find myself in an extremely dark area or room.

My throat closes up as sweat runs a slick trail down the back of my neck.

"Oh no.." I whisper.

I fall to my knees and scramble backwards until my back touches the wall.

"No...no..no.." I mutter.

"I need Rune..." I close my eyes tightly and imagine Ru is here, holding me.

I wrap my arms around myself and pretend Rune's here whispering comforting things in my ear and holding me tightly.

I don't know how much time passes before a light is turned on in the room.

I open my eyes and quickly wipe the tears off my soaked cheeks and look up, to see God and Castiel are standing by the doorway.

"Congratulations Phoenix, you have successfully completed the first part of the second trial, you used your memories of someone who you love to comfort you in your time of need, that shows great mental strength." God smiles gently and helps me stand up.

"The next test you have will begin after you've calmed down and had something to eat and drink." God hugs me gently and rubs my back comfortingly.

I nod and follow shakily behind Castiel as he leads me into the dining room where some other contestants are already eating.

I sit down away from everyone with Cas and slowly start to eat the food placed in front of me.

"You did better than a lot of others, Phoenix, be proud of yourself." Castiel encourages me.

I give him a small smile and continue eating.

After I've finished eating and relaxing, Castiel leads me to another room where I am to undergo the next part of the second trial.

Upon entering the room, I am forced into a chair and strapped down.

Castiel exists the room, looking extremely guilty and worried.

The door slams shut and the lock clicks into place.

"This is to see how you can use your mind and body to defend yourself from physical abuse, where most people would panic and not think in the slightest." The person in the room says, picking up a knife.

"Oh boy.." I think to myself.

"How am I supposed to do that when I'm strapped in??" I ask, slightly panicked.

"That's for you to figure out." The person says.

They have their face covered in a mask, and their voice is changed.

Sudden coolness on my body causes me to look down and see that I'm mostly naked, except for my boxers.

"Oh shit." I utter before the person starts their physical torture on my body while encouraging me to try and escape.

****

(Some major blood loss later)

I lay in the chair, strapped in and seemingly really weak.

Pools of blood surround the chair as more blood drips from my body.

The person trails their newest weapons of pain along my arms and towards my hands.

I suddenly grab hold of the objects and manage to get one of my legs free enough to kick them away.

I cut the ties keeping me stuck to the chair and jump up, only to stagger and nearly fall from the blood loss.

The person watches and stalks me, like a panther waiting to strike.

I launch myself at them and stab them through the shoulder and into the floor with such force, the marble around us cracks.

Panting heavily and weak from blood loss, I stand up and look around.

"It's amazing how high your pain tolerance is. Did you used to play a lot of sport that caused injury or did you use to self harm in some form or something?" The person gushes.

I give them a dirty look. "Or something."

The room changes once again to a bathroom.

I remove my boxers and get into the shower and completely scrubbed all the blood off my already healed body.

Every open wound on my body that gets touched by the water heals instantly.

"That's pretty cool." I mumble.

I scrub off all the blood and then get out of the shower and dry myself.

I redress into fresh boxers and back into the suit.

Once dressed, God and the original angels except for Castiel appear in the doorway.

"Well done, Phoenix, I'm extremely proud of how well you have done!" God beams. "There's only one more part left to this trial, and then it's time for a break and the last 3 trails will be held tomorrow."

The room changes again, and I'm suddenly back on the mountain with Rune.

My heart instantly starts racing as I cling to Rune.

"Ru.. it's okay.. you have to let go.." I find myself saying softly, while trying to find somewhere to put my feet, so I can take the strain off Rune.

"No! Shut up! I'm not letting go! I'm never letting go!" Rune screams, officially hitting the hysterical marker of distress.

Suddenly, I'm falling.

A sharp cry leaves my throat as I watch Rune scramble away from the breaking edge, eyes wide in fear and panic.

His screams of distress and agony echo throughout the mountain and my mind.

Before I hit the ground, the scene changes.

Suddenly, I'm surrounded by beautiful, colourful glowing flowers, with millions of fireflies flying around me.

Rune and I are dancing to soft piano music, holding each other tightly and enjoying each other's company.

Suddenly I'm kneeling down, cradling Rune's body.

His throat has been ripped out and the blood starts flooding out.

I watch in silent horror as Rune chokes on his blood.

"R-Rune.." I whisper, "oh my god! Rune????" I scream.

Gargled noises leave Rune's mouth as his blood pools around us.

Shortly, his breathing and noises stop and he stares at me with one dim silver-blue eye and one multicoloured eye.

I scream.

Everything around us shatters and the trees bend away from me as wind circles in an uncontainable mess, causing flowers to be uprooted and the fireflies to flee.

Leaves are harshly tossed away from branches.

Suddenly the scene changes once again.

My Rune is gone from my eyes and all blood traces have been erased.

My body trembles violently and I find it difficult to stay standing.

I notice that I'm once again in a different place and start looking around, only to find my mother.

I hug her tightly.

"Oh baby.. baby I miss you.." my mum cries.

"I miss you too mum.." tears prickle in my eyes and cascade down my cheeks.

We spend quite a while just hugging and catching up.

I can't tell what's real anymore.

My mum starts to choke on her blood and falls from the seat she's on.

"No.. please no..." I scramble over to her and hold her to my chest, looking for any visible wounds.

"You're useless." My mum says as blood dribbles past her lips.

"No..." I whimper softly.

"Useless! Rune's dead and now so am I." Her voice is gargled from blood as more pours out past her lips.

"No.. mum..please..." tears waterfall down my cheeks and land on her shirt.

"You're pathetic, Phoenix! Useless and pathetic, just like you're no good father! Rot in hell!" She chokes out.

More blood rushes out past her lips before she goes limp in my arms.

Dead.

Just like Rune was.

"No! Mum!" I shout, shaking her and trying to get her to come back.

I scream again.

The sound echoes around me. It's so loud.

The sound of things shattering enter my ears but I can't register them.

"T-this isn't real.. this isn't actually happening... it's all in my mind.. all in my mind.." I mutter, almost sounding insane.

"Not real.. not real.. not real.." I pull my legs to my chest and rock.

I close my eyes and take deep breaths, trying to calm myself so I can work out what to do in this situation.

After taking about 10 deep breaths, I open my eyes and find myself somewhere else once again.

Once again my clothes are clean from blood.

I stand up and walk around.

"It's not real." I announce out loud, looking around. "None of that would actually happen. I would lay down my life a million times just to make sure it never actually happens."

I pace around not knowing where to go.

"THIS. IS. NOT. REAL!" I shout, looking around frantically.

"I can't be.. no... no no.. Ru and mum are alive.. they're okay.. they're okay.. nothing wrong.. I'm not useless.." my body shakes from the terror of seeing my best friend and mother dying in front of me.

It seemed so realistic.

Tears pour from my eyes and hit the floor under my feet and leave obvious marks.

Suddenly, God and all of the archangels appear in front of me as I turn around.

I rub my eyes and cheeks quickly, removing the evidence of my little breakdown.

"Very nicely done, young one. Even when approached with the things you dread most, you're able to pull yourself together and think clearly. It shows you have a strong hold over your emotions. I'm thoroughly impressed." God states, smiling comfortingly at me.

The angels behind him smile at me reassuringly.

"Is it over now?" I say exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally.

God chuckles softly and nods.

"Tomorrow you have the last 3 trials. But for now, get a good feed and shower, then get some sleep. Castiel will wake you in the morning to get ready." He says.

I just nod and find myself in my room with Castiel.

"Go take a shower and I'll bring you some dinner." Cas says gently, ruffling my hair before disappearing.

I walk into my bathroom and strip down before stepping into the shower and relaxing under the hot water.

I relax for a while before grabbing the soap and washing myself and then grab the shampoo and conditioner and wash my hair.

Once rinsing off everything, I close my eyes and stand under the shower stream, enjoying the warmth and relaxation.

***

After stepping out of the shower and drying off, I get dressed into comfortable shorts and sit on my bed, eating the warm food Cas left there.

Once finished eating, I turn off the lights except for the lamp and curl up in bed.

Closing my eyes, I imagine I'm somewhere else, doing something else.

Eventually, consciousness fades and I float away into the land of dreams.

To be continued.