Chapter 48 - Welcome to Heaven
This chapter was previously titled "BONUS Chapter - Welcome to Heaven" but it now fits into the plot at Chapter 48. None of the details have changed from when it was the bonus chapter, so you don't need to reread it.
I had so much fun writing this chapter, so I hope you'll enjoy!
Kai's POV
Gabriel lands on the crystal clear water below us. I expect to feel the splash of water as I land in it, however, I feel nothing but a soft, almost squishy texture, under my shoes. My gaze drifts downwards and I gasp, seeing a school of sky blue coloured kittens swimming underneath the water.
One of them diverges from the group. It swims towards me and stops in front of me. Big, sparkling, gold eyes look up at me from the water and I bend down and tentatively scoop up a kitten. It licks my face and purrs, causing me to giggle. The warm ball of fluff curls up in my arms after a few seconds and closes its eyes.
Upon further examination, I notice the small gills on the sides of the kitten's neck. It's skin feels soft and fluffy, like fur, yet I can see the scales on its body, and it's tail is flat instead of rounded, like kittens' should be.
"It's a Kattichthys," Raziel says, answering the silent question in my head.
This isn't exactly what the Kattichthys looks like but it was my inspiration for it! ^^
He reaches out and strokes the sleeping creature before he continues. "It is one of the creatures that have always inhabited this realm. Even the oldest angels are not exactly sure where they came from.
"In general, they are peaceful creatures, but they will fight to the death to protect anyone they're attached to. They may look innocent but their fangs and claws remain concealed and harmless until needed. Kattichthys can live both in and out of water. If they stay out of the water for an extended period, they start to resemble an earth kitten, and they are attracted to pure, kind, loving beings."
Raziel gestures for me to look downwards and I see a school of adorable Kattichthys swimming around my feet. I giggle and using my free hand, I stick it into the water. Feather light brushes caress my hand as the Kattichthys take turns greeting me. When I retract my hand, I giggle again as I find it completely dry.
"Brother, you go talk to God, I will give Kai a brief tour around heaven." Raziel nods at Gabriel's suggestion and gives me a deep kiss that leaves me swooning, before saying that he will see me later. Gabriel turns towards me and grins. "Are you ready?"
I eagerly bob my head up and down and Gabriel smiles, beckoning me to follow him. We walk on the water for about a minute, the Kattichthys following me in the water as we walk.
My gaze drifts up from the water and I gasp. Before me are massive, cream coloured palaces on the edge of a waterfall. The buildings shoot up into the sky like stalagmites. Red roofs and white roofs, buildings of different shapes and sizes, all intricately woven together to complete the picturesque view.
The sky around the palaces is crystal blue, and the fluffy, cotton candy-like clouds have a tinge of pink and yellow. Flurries of green can be seen around the palaces, as lush plants grow skywards.
The calming sound of gushing water fills the air, accompanied by a melodic lullaby. It's as if all the most beautiful sounds have converged to produce this comforting tune.
Tall, mighty, golden statues of angels are erected at intervals around the palaces. Their magnificent wings are proudly raised, commanding respect.
The faint smell of rose petals caresses my nose and the gentle breeze seems to be giving me a hug every time I feel it flow around my body.
This is an idea of what the Kai is seeing. ^^ I found this photo through (at)jasmine_thereader on instagram! ❤
"This is where the archangels stay." Gabriel's voice is soft and musical, fitting perfectly with the environment. "The archangels and Raziel," he corrects himself with a light chuckle.
Unable to speak or tear my eyes away from the breathtaking view, I simply wait for Gabriel to continue. "Raziel's father was an archangel and Raziel has all the makings of an archangel. However, his pranks on humans made it impossible for Father to justify making him one. Despite that, his talents as a warrior could not be ignored and for the first time, Father appointed an angel who wasn't an archangel to be the Head Warrior. The statues mark our quarters."
I process what Gabriel has revealed for a few moments, awed by just how mighty and awesome my boyfriend is. "So all the heads live here? And they have their own statues? Does Raziel have a statue?" I ask, and my voice comes out rushed, but barely above a whisper.
"Yes, all the heads of divisions live here and yes they all have a statue."
"Will you take me to see Raziel's statue!" I exclaim, as soon as Gabriel has finished his explanation. "How do I get up there?"
My sudden voice seems to startle the sleeping Kattichthys in my arms. It wriggles and yawns, showcasing the pointed fangs on the roof of its mouth, before settling down and going back to sleep. I giggle and press a kiss to its head, receiving a delighted purr in response.
Gabriel giggles. "Picture yourself rising upwards, towards Raziel's statue," he instructs.
I turn to face him, wearing a puzzled look. "I can't even see Raziel's statue!"
He giggles again. "Trust me."
I pout, still puzzled by his suggestion but nonetheless close my eyes and picture a golden statue of my boyfriend. A startled shriek escapes me when I feel myself starting to rise.
My eyes spring open and I see that I am floating through the sky, encaptured in what seems to be a bubble. I tentatively reach out and stroke the large, clear bubble that surrounds me. It wobbles but doesn't burst. Soon I am giggling uncontrollably as the bubble continues to drift through the sky.
As if it has a mind of its own, it swerves around trees and structures until it comes to a halt in front of a massive building. It pops as soon as my feet touch the ground and I look upwards.
A huge golden statue of Raziel towers over us. I momentarily close my eyes and imagine myself moving upwards so that I can be level with the statue. Sure enough, I feel myself rising and when I open my eyes, I'm enclosed in another bubble.
The bubble stops mid-air and my mouth hangs open as I gaze at my boyfriend's face. Defined jawline, pointed nose and full lips all look fierce protruding from the helmet. His gaze is harsh and unrelenting, daring anyone to challenge him.
More armor adorns his body and an ancient symbol with crosses, triangles and circles is engraved in the left breast plate of the armor. Words in age old scripture form the border of the symbol. My gaze drifts to the intimidating, golden wings, and I notice the same symbol engraved in Raziel's right wing.
This is the symbol which Kai saw engraved on the armor and on Raziel's wing! And also the symbol on the cover of the book! ^^
"That's the symbol I have on my chest!" I whisper, reaching out to caress the symbol. The bubble stretches around my hand, allowing it free of its encasement, and I tenderly stroke the symbol etched on his chest.
"As you know it is the seal of Raziel," Gabriel says. "But what you might not know is that it is a form or recognition bestowed by God for dedication and success. Only a few angels have a unique seal that is theirs and theirs alone."
My hand returns to cradle the sleeping creature in my arms. "Do you have a seal?" I ask the angel hovering next to me.
"I do, but Raziel got his seal a few centuries before I did, even though I'm older," he replies with a smile.
I smile in response and as soon as we both return to the ground, I remember the golden fruit that Gabriel mentioned before we left, which tastes like whatever the eater wants it to. Just as I'm about to ask if I can try one, two men, dressed in the same loose, white fabric as Gabriel walk up to us.
One of them has a massive build, even bigger than Raziel! His chest is broad and he towers over Gabriel and I. Long, wavy, black hair is gathered together in a low ponytail, which swishes as he saunters over. Two scars are visible by his left eye, one extending up through his eyebrow and the other curving down onto his cheek. His long beard is contained in two gold rings and a gold aura spreads out around him.
The other man is tall and slim with shoulder length chestnut hair and a five o'clock shadow. His eyes are a light grey colour and his orange aura sparkles and swirls around him. He is wearing a friendly smile, which seems to shine even brighter, given his companion's gloomy demeanor.
"Ah Uriel, Saphael!" Gabriel greets the angels. "This is Kai, and Kai, this is the archangel Uriel," he gestures to the gold aura angel with the ponytail, "and this is the archangel Saphael," he says, gesturing to the slim, bubbly angel.
This is an idea of what Uriel looks like ^^
This is an idea of what Saphael looks like ^^
"It is an honour to meet you!" Saphael says at the same time that Uriel grunts, "pleasure to meet you."
The Kattichthys in my arms stirs and it elicits a low sound, a cross between a hiss and a growl, when it spots the two new arrivals. I use one hand to gently stroke the creature which is starting to look more and more like an earth kitten, as Raziel called it, and it makes that low sound one more time before it settles down and closes its eyes.
Uriel rolls his eyes at the creature and Saphael pouts. "Uriel, you're scaring the creature. Would you smile a little?" Saphael says with a light laugh and if looks could kill, Saphael would have dropped dead on the spot from the nasty glare Uriel gives him.
"We have come to feed you," Uriel says, his tone carrying a 'mightier than thou' ring to it.
"Raziel is still meeting with God, so we popped to earth and brought you back a feast!" Saphael adds.
I really want to try the golden fruit, so I decide I should ask about it. Maybe I can take one with me to earth and try it later. "Thank you! That's very kind!" I hesitate a moment before saying, "Gabriel mentioned a golden fruit-"
"But we gathered every food you could possibly think of," Saphael interrupts, pouting a little. "How about you take a fruit with you?"
"Yes, I would like that!" I exclaim.
Saphael's face lights up and he gestures for me to follow him. The four of us set out towards the feast, and Uriel falls back, walking on my left side, while Gabriel remains on my right side.
Saphael and Gabriel point out buildings and monuments that they think I would be interested in as we head towards the feast.
"We're here! Kai, look at all the food!" Gabriel exclaims, and my eyes bulge when I see the extent of the food.
There must be food from every stretch of the earth! Cheeses, meats, fruits, vegetables, smoothies, sushi, noodles, wine, rum, pizza and the list goes on. They are all tastefully organized on a long table, with several chairs around it.
Here is a snippet of the feast! ^^
“No hard liquor!” Gabriel scolds, shoving the bottles of rum into Uriel’s arms.
“See I told you!” Saphael murmurs, releasing a low chuckle.
Uriel rolls his eyes but moves the bottles before we all sit down to eat while we wait for Raziel to finish meeting with God.
What did you think of the chapter? What did you think of Uriel and Saphael?
Anyway, thank you for reading! ❤ If you enjoyed the chapter, don't forget to vote and/ or comment!
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