《Prince Of the Abyss》


 Initiation

    Jackel rise from bed at the exact time every morning, the alarms goes off minutes after. Outside the sun was just peaking over the horizon and the dawn was golden like a fresh harvest of wheat. Standing at 6"3. Jackel nearly hit the ceiling as he stood naked in the basement suite of his Mother''s suburban house. Although nearly twenty four years old. Jackel was unable to keep a steady job, and although he tried to go back to school, he never was able to commit. It''s not because he lacked intelligence. In fact Jackal had a very sharp mind. But nothing in life had offered him anything to which his loyalty could be proven.


    Jackal made his way to the kitchen and pop opened a couple of containers and swallowed the colourful little pills without a drink to accompany it. They were mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics ordered by the doctor. When Jackal was in his last year of high school seven years ago, He started to hear a voice in his head, at first it was telling him things like how to walk with confidence, and how to appear attractive, then it became more aggressive and taught him how to move his body in a fight, which proved to be very effective when Jackal was pushed to defend himself against a gang of shady drug-heads at school.


    Eventually the voice in his head began to take on a wrathful tone. Making absolute judgement on strangers and calling itself a god. Jackel eventually broke down and was hospitalized. while under intensive care, the voice was subdued and, after 3 months of being heavily sedated, he was released on the condition that he would continue to take the pills.


    Since Jackel was diagnosed with the mental illness, he fell victim to the stigma but never really gave up on his belief. He knew the voice belonged to something real and his hallucinations were not made belief, and thus, he started to research religions and every spirit related topic he could find. On this day, Jackel decided to go to a meet up he found online which was under the heading "Order of luminous knights". The description was as followed:


    Do you believe in the Father sun, the Mother moon and children of the stars. All things that shine and illuminate the abyss of the vast space. Are you brave enough to unveil the mundane, die for the truth and return to light? We are knights that carry the lantern, and magicians that weaves reality. If you stumbled upon this message, you have but two choices. pass it off as folly, or join the holy.


    Saturday, 1666 33rd st.


    deeply sceptical of the cult like implications. Jackel was more than weary to be swayed with the elaborate words and promises. However something compelled him to at least show up for this invitations.


    Standing in front of the mirror. Jackel rubbed some hair gel on his jet black hair and roughed it up with his hands. he shaved the stubbles off his chin and stroked his cheeks. his handsome reflection looked listless as usual.


    At half past five, Jackel left the house in his black leather jacket and took the bus to the address given on the site. Although Jackel felt quite calm on the surface, his hands were sweating ferociously and his heart was beating as if he was sprinting. His intuition was telling him to run while his mind was frozen and lacking any discernment. At just a quarter past seven, Jackel was standing in front of the house in the address. It was so inconspicuous that it almost stood out as being too ordinary. especially compared to the surrounding houses, which stood more like miniature castles.


    Jackel went up to the door and knocked three times then waited. after what seemed like a long time he was about to knock again when the door swung opened. A man wearing a pretty casual business suite greeted him.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "The doorbell works you know." which was the man''s Idea of a greeting. "You can call me Raphael, Welcome to the Order of Luminous Knights.


    Jackel reached out to shake the man''s hand but Raphael did not reciprocate the gesture. He simply gave a small bow and invited Jackel inside.


    The Inside of the house betrayed the exterior. every corner was decorated with statues of gods from various religions, the ceiling had a grand painting of angels and maidens. Jackel was immediately impressed although this only increased his belief of the possibility of it being a cult.


    Raphael lead Jackel to the center of the house. There was a round table that could seat around thirteen people. he asked Jackel to sit.


    At the table, there were 5 other present. Judging by their dazzled expressions. Jackel assumed they were all participants.


    "we are expectingone more, and the orientations will begin"


    Sitting next to Jackel was a gorgeous girl with green eyes, she was a blonde but part of her hair was dyed pink. Jackel was not usually easily seduced but the girl gave off an incredible aura of seduction that Jackel felt quite guilty being so close to her.


    "Did you find the odd message on line too?" The girl asked Jackel.


    Jackel nodded.


    "It''s weird, I don''t really understand the message and wouldn''t paid any attention but something made me want to come and check it out" the girl continued


    "I felt like I had to come to this as well, but the message was a little cryptic" Jackel replied


    " I know right? I am Rydia by the way." The girls said with a charming smile


    "Jackel" Jackel replied


    A man who was wearing a similar suite to Raphael entered the room.


    "It would seem the other two are not ready, we shall continue without them" The man said to Raphael.


    "But we need all seven of them!" Raphael demanded.


    "The father spoke, it will have to be another time" The man replied


    With it said. The man turned to the five young people gathered at the table.


    "I am Michael, The chief of this Order. You are all here in the name of redemption"


    At this point, every flag was raised in Jackel''s mind. this is a cult, there''s no doubt.


    While thinking of a way to excuse himself from this "orientations", Michael spoke again.


    "It is not an accident you were summoned here, you did not stumble on our website by chance, The truth is each and every one of you is a sinner. or should I say the source of a sin.


    Oh shit this is bad, this is very bad. Jackel didn''t like how this meeting was going. It could potentially be a very dangerous cult.


    The other people were also shifting in their seats while looking very uneasy.


    "of course, I do not expect you do believe me. Or for you to remember your true natures. Therefore, I had no choice to "guide" you here for a forceful initiation. Trust me, It''s good for your own soul"


    Upon hearing this, Jackel got up from his seat and was ready to head to the door. But his feet wouldn''t cooperate and he just stood frozen.


    "what did you do?" Jackel cried. He looked down at the floor and there was faint glow that outlined what looked like a very elaborate symbol painted in a circle.


    "we had to take some measures against being such as yourself. If you think yourself a human and it''s the truth. You should have every ability to walk out the door".


    The young people at the table looked terrified, Rydia was close to tears.


    Raphael entered the room with a tray full of chalices and put one in front of each person at the table. He handed the chalice directly to the standing Jackel. and walked off.


    "what this?" Jackel tried to sound confident but there was obvious fear in his voice.


    "This is blessed wine that will cleanse the impurities in your body and mind, It will even rid you of all that built up medication in your blood"


    "how did you?...I am not drinking this" As Jackel was rejecting the wine, he noticed everyone else was taking a sip. Why the hell are they drinking this thing. While in thought Jackel noticed he was slowly bringing the cup to his lips. NOOOO! Jackel smashed the chalice on the floor and wined spilled on to the carpet.


    "I was afraid it will have to come to this. After all, you are the most stubborn of the bunch" Michael said as he approached Jackel. When Michael was just a few feet away, Jackel noticed he was holding a white dagger decorated by the wings of an eagle and a star.


    "What do you think you are doing?" Jackel said alarmingly.


    But Michael leaped forward like a nimble cat and stabbed Jackel in the heart.


    Jackel coughed in shock, his vision blurred and everything went black.

 Rails of Memories.

    In the pit of the abyss and total darkness, a light shot itself towards Jackel. Slowly a screen came in to view as if it was projected through a film. Standing at the front was a majestically beautiful man with pure white hair and golden eyes. His back arched out two pairs of giant wings.


    behind him stood six other winged humanoids, each of them brimming with grandeur and beauty. The seven of them were all decorated with deadly looking weapons. The one with the Golden eyes shouted something inaudible and behind the group, an army of three hundred thousand winged creatures raised with the golden dawn.


    The movie played out without censorship, a chaotic battle of winged humanoids killing one another. The one with the golden eyes threw powerful lightings with rapid precision at the oncoming angels. when they got close to him, he freely manipulated gravity and pulled the flying soldiers towards the ground, pulverizing their bodies.


    The bloody battle started at daybreak and continued to midday. the entire battlefield was littered with bodies and torn wings. From high above the sun materialized into a glowing body and became an aged man. Every soldier stopped in their tracks, some kneeled in worship while others readied their shields.


    The Seven leaders flew towards the Father sun, throwing every magic they knew at the iridescent being. yet they were all brushed away with a flick of his finger. The golden eyed raised his mighty sword and slashed at father sun, but the sun grabbed his swords and shattered it. With absolute power, Father sun sent down his gravity and the seven leaders were shot down to a kneel. But the golden eyed resisted and stood against the absolute gravity with his own.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "This revolt saddens me." The Father sun said with sincerity


    "You call yourself our Father, yet we are more like pawns to your game. Your rule is tyranny!" the golden eyed spoke.


    "No my morning star, It''s what you carry in your soul that is a tyrant." "For your sin, you will rise and fall in countless cycles, slowly losing your grace."


    The memory faded out and began to play many little scenes simultaneously. At the center was always a figure made of shadow. One scene showed the figure being worshipped by primitive man as he was handing them a torch. Another showed him sitting on a royal throne as a great tower was being erected in front of him. yet each scene shows the figure losing power, he eventually began to turn ordinary and slowly deteriorate. The figure eventually fell to a beggar, dying in the snow at a more modern age. In the final scene, the figure played out the life of Jackel, a mentally ill teenager struggling with psychosis.


    Suddenly, all the scenes being played got sucked into the shadow figure and it turned to face Jackel.


    "These are my memories to which is the Pandora of your heart" The figure spoke.


    "who are you?" Jackel asked the shadow.


    "I am known as many, you can call me Lux. I am in essence, you."


    "are you saying I was all those memories?" Jackel asked


    "In a way, they were you, but somewhere along the line, your separated from the memories and created me. However, It''s now time to own up to your history, we are close to our finale. " Lux replied


    "I don''t understand!" Jackel protested.


    "The point of it this time is to be blindfolded as you face your redemption. As you have seen, you have failed too many times"


    " You are being cryptic" Jackel complained


    Lux began to fade out


    "wait!" Jackel cried


    However, Lux became a brilliant white light and completely left Jackel in the dark.

 Reunited

    Jackel woke up on a exceedingly soft and elaborate bed. Overtop and attached to the bed is a grand mirror. Jackel looked up at his own reflection and his first thought was only perverts invests in beds like these.


    Reflexively, Jackel moved his hands towards his heart and checked for a wound. However, his skin was smooth and showed no sign of ever having been stabbed.


    What is happening? Perhaps my anti-psychotic has stopped working and I am having another psychosis.


    Jackel sat up in bed and noticed his leather jacket was removed and sitting at his feet. The room was decorated in Royal Victorian style, at the four corner of the rooms were statues of great beasts Therewas a lion with wings but no feathers, another,was a bear holding three ribs, another, was a Leopard with four wings and four heads, and finally a great serpent with ten horns which looked more ferocious than the rest.


    Jackel tried to recall everything that happened but was unsure what was reality anymore. Panic washed over him and his heart started to palpitate at an alarming pace.


    Knock, knock, knock. Jackel turned to look at the door and tried to speak but his voice got caught in his throat and he simply croaked out a moan.


    The door slowly opened and Michael walked in with Raphael following behind him. Raphael was holding a tray with a sandwich and what appears to be orange juice.


    "You woke up on cue, the others are starting to question about you" Michael said without any explanation.


    "How long was I out?" Jackel asked


    "three days in total, though I expect most of it was spent in the underworld" Michael said again without further explanation.


    "Sir..." Jackel begin


    "Michael" Michael corrected


    "Michael, I came to this meeting because I am searching for an explanation to what happened to me, my psychosis, the voice I hear and the delusions I''ve seen. But so far what I''ve experienced here did not help me with answering but only served to make me more worried for my own sanity"


    "Let me make this clear, we summoned you here, we are not your friends, we are not your worshipers, we only serve the Father sun and the Mother moon. Yet, It was made clear to us we were to aid the seven sinners to their salvation. I am not obligated to explain everything I know to you. You can either do what we tell you to do, or you can check yourself into whatever institute, take your pills and forget it all. I''ll be damned before I become your ally.


    Jackel swallowed. He hated confrontation and this whole situation was confusing enough without someone barking gibberish at him.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "So, what do you want me to do?" Jackel said weakly


    "Eat up, and join your accomplices at the main room, some of them will want to catch up. They will clue you in since they are not blinded like you. Remember we are monitoring your conversations." Michael said.


    After Jackel finished his meal, he followed Raphael down the exaggeratingly decorated halls to a large open room that had a giant window as a roof and the sunlight beamed in, filling every corner with light.


    Raphael gave Jackel a small bow and walked off.


    In the room were all the young participants from the meet up three night prior. Except they all looked different. There was an air of supremacy and confidence about the bunch and they all seem to glow with an unearthly grace.


    "Hey, Mr. Big shot, how was your slumber" Rydia teased


    "Like I was dead, still unsure If I hadn''t" Jackel replied


    "He still doesn''t remember anything" A tall man with dark hair said with disapproval.


    "Is it true?" Rydia asked Jackel


    "I don''t know what I am suppose to remember. I saw some things but I can''t say I am on the same page as you guys" Jackel replied


    "Let us introduce ourselves then, I am Rydia, Orginally a being made out of love, worshipped and cherished for millennium till the true religion called me a sin and demonized me. I had been cursed till I was awakened three nights ago. Rydia said then gave a wink.


    "I am Castiel, Originally a being made out of knowledge. though they cast me out as a glutton on an endless thirst for the truth. The tall man said.


    "I am Aviel, You don''t remember, but I was your direct younger brother. If It weren''t for you I would still be in bliss and glory. you are the reason we are all pitiful mortals today. A young man with a shaved head said


    "Aviel, we are above blame, we all followed him because we thought it was the right thing to do," Rydia said in defence.


    "still In love with the golden boy are we?" the shortest man in the room barked in anger.


    "let me tell you who I am. I am Constantine. I was once the Incarnation of Justice. Until you swayed me to evil and perverted me to fall in a blinded Wrath. said the short man.


    "Sorry, don''t know you" Jackel said with indifference.


    "YOU SON OF A..." Constantine started


    "Stop, we are united here today and it''s a blessing. Think of how we were once all connected. the fact we are all here today shows that we share a same fate." The most relaxed man in the room said.


    "Jackel, I am known as Hillel. I was once created as a being of wisdom, when I chose to follow you, I slowly lost my grace and now they see me as simply lazy. I do not blame you. In fact I still see the reason for our revolt as something justifiable. Hillel said


    "Well, you say we share the same fate, but what of that greedy bastard, he practically rules the world today...people still worship him and he never even lost his memories, he has grown more followers than any of us." Constantine argued


    "It''s true, he was the most ambitious follower in the days of our youth, He still holds the idea that we need to rule over father. Aviel added.


    "The fact he didn''t come in this summon shows that he is not on our side, he does not seek redemption, he still seeks to overthrow father." Constantine agreed.


    "It matters not for now, we should focus on regaining our grace." Rydia interrupted.


    "I agree" Hillel replied.


    "That''s great guys, I am glad you can all share this moment with each other, I still have no clue what the hell is going on..." Jackel spoke.


    They all looked at Jackel as if for the first time. His implication finally sank in and the room grew more solemn.


    "Without you as our leader, we are like a headless dragon..." Hillel said as everyone looked to be in agreement.

 King of Avarice

    Maniel Rothwild is in his study with the computer in front of him. He''s looking at the recruitment message from the Order of Luminous Knights.


    "I wonder If he remembers me now." Maniel whispered to the screen.


    Maniel felt the sudden impulse to go to the meetup he stumbled upon the internet. But unlike the other six, he knew fully what the message meant. Even though Maniel had a insatiable urge to greet his old comrades, he stopped himself knowing the end goal of the gathering.


    Maniel was the biggest admirer of the entity Jackel once was. He devoted himself to his Ideal and would''ve done anything the golden eyed asked of him. He fell willingly to the depth with his leader but never lost his desire to gain.


    Now sitting at the top of the world, there isn''t a single family that owns more wealth and influence than his own. If he wished he could feed all the hungry people on the planet, but there isn''t anybody who could sway him to do such an act.


    To call Maniel Rothwild a king would be an understatement. Because although people don''t hear his name mentioned often, Maniel is behind all intelligence agencies, world governments and even the rebels. Maniel spins the planet with his two hands.


    Yet, no matter how much wealth he has, it mattered very little to his true desire. He wanted to overthrow the highest and stand as supreme.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    There was once a being who shared the same Ideal as him, he followed every move this leader made, and everything he did was in absolute faith that the golden eyed has the supremacy to rule the highest realm alongside himself.


    However, the golden eyed fell and lost his grace with the ages, the people no longer believed in his glory. The once golden dawn, son of the morning, and brightest star.


    If anyone deserved to rule It was his glorious leader.


    Yet, how far he has fallen. He was now more ignorant than even a commoner. He can''t even distinguish what is real. Whenever Maniel is reminded of how far his leader fell, he is filled with sorrow and his heart hurts incredibly. At the same time, he is invigorated with the rage to punish the sun and overtake the throne with his comrades.


    Maniel had tried to annihilate the Order of Luminous Knight countless times. From the beginning of recorded history, the Order had been against him. He even created the most elite group of assassins to wipe out the order, but no matter how many heads he cuts off, the order managed to survive, going underground and still running its ancient traditions.


    Now they even got to my comrade. Maniel cursed the order, but there is nothing he can do. He is not about to show up at the doorstep of his biggest adversary and say hello.


    Maniel closed out the window on his computer and got up from his seat. He walk to the eastern corner of his study where a giant mirror stood erected. He sat down cross legged in front of the mirror and looked in to his reflection. He slowly closed his eyes, and whispered something under his breath.


    Below him on the ground. A giant symbol bordered by a circle started to glow. A white brilliant light lit up and faded out.


    Maniel body looked to be in meditation. But at the current moment, he is but an empty vessel.

 The Mirror world

    "Let''s start with the most common knowledge" Rydia and Jackel are in the bedroom Jackel woke up in.


    The two of them were sitting on the bed, Rydia was looking at Jackel with a coquettish look and Jackel can''t help but blush slightly.


    Our bodies live in this world, It can be referred to as "the physical world" or "the material world". Yet nothing about this world is actually solid. This is actually a projection of the true world. Which can be called many names, but for the sake of simplicity, let''s call it "the mirror world"." Rydia preached


    "As the name suggests, the mirror world can be accessed at any mirror. Mirrors are actually portals for the soul to enter in an out of the world." Rydia continued


    "If you die in the material world, your soul reincarnates and you will have a new body to live in with all your prior memories erased. However, If you die in the mirror world, you die a true death. That is with the exceptions to entities such as ourselves. We can die in the mirror world, but it would only mean we would go into a slumber for awhile. But, trust me it''s not a restful slumber, it''s more like excruciating torture until we escape. That is our curse." Rydia said sheepishly


    "I have only ever died once in the mirror world, and it''s not a experience I would want to replicate anytime ever again, however in your case, you have died countless times. Many of those times were self inflicted, which makes me question your intelligence." Rydia said condescendingly.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    "The world you go to when you are dead in the mirror world is called the abyss, No one knows how deep the abyss is. Father Sun''s existence alone is to light up enough stars for the worlds to exist. without him, all would be the abyss. I don''t know what kind of knowledge you must have for crossing the abyss so many times, Having been there once myself, I saw my shadow and came out a different entity."Rydia nodded as she was telling Jackel her story.


    "Apparently I was blinded and lost my mind" Jackel replied


    Rydia looked sympathetically at Jackel.


    "I am here for your, we are all here for you" Rydia said while speaking for the others.


    "So what''s the point of all this? why are we all here?" Jackel asked


    "From waking up to my true self I could only guess the reason. But there are many things we must do now. The priority might be to convince our seventh member to come back to the light. He is still readying the world to fight against father sun.


    "How can I do anything when I don''t have my memories?" Jackel asked


    "It might be best you don''t remember, the tortures of the abyss might cripple you" Rydia said with concern.


    "I don''t see how I would be any help in this state" Jackel admitted.


    "Don''t worry, we will help you regain your grace. you have no idea how radiant your grace looks." Rydia assured while giving an effusive smile.


    Rydia looked up at the mirror attached to the bed.


    "we can begin by going to the real world" Rydia said while still looking at the mirror.

 The Ivory Tower

    The Mirror world was much brighter than the material world because there were three suns up in the sky. However, the temperature was mild as if there wasn''t much heat radiating from the suns.


    Rydia had dragged Jackel into the mirror world forcefully since Jackel did not have the skills to enter at will.


    They found themselves in a ivory tower that would put any skyscrapers to shame. There were layers of land below them, some floating like sky islands. The tower was so high up that the ground looked very distant and whatever were on the ground could barely be made out into shapes.


    "This is what the Order of Lumnious knights'' base looks like in the mirror world" Rydia explained to Jackel. She looked longingly at Jackel and seem to be unable to take her eyes off him.


    Jackel looked to Rydia. Her hair was a deep red that gradually fade in to a light pink as it reaches her shoulders. Her face was of a beauty that cannot be possible in the material world, Her body was slender and had curves at all the right places.


    Jackel realized he was holding in his breath and let out a small gasp. Rydia was so beautiful it felt shameful to look at her for more than a few seconds.


    "You still look like the man I know" Rydia said with a soft expression


    Jackel looked up and saw that the mirror was above them. However there was no bed, the mirror was simply floating in the air.


    The reflection looking back at Jackel was barely recognizable. He had pure white hair and eyes as golden as the sun. He did not look like a human, but a statue of what the ideal man could look like.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "Rydia, I am a little overwhelmed right now" Jackel admitted while still unable to hold Rydia''s gaze


    "how cute, you''re like a puppy" Rydia teased


    Jackel was very embarrassed as if everything around him was beyond him.


    Let''s go to the rooftop, Raphael instructed us to meet there.


    Rydia guided Jackel to a spiralling stair case at the center of building.


    As they started to ascend. Rydia stretched her back and a pair of beautiful black wings extended out. She could''ve just walked but her urge to show off the wings was too great for her to keep to herself.


    Jackel was baffled and lost himself in Rydia''s beauty temporally.


    "You have wings too you know." Rydia said with a laugh at the dumbstruck Jackel.


    With Rydia flying ahead and Jackel trying to keep up, they eventually reached the rooftop of the tower.


    Standing there were three figure. Although more handsome than their material counterparts. Jackel could tell it was Hillel and Aviel. Especially Aviel since his head was also shaved in the mirror world.


    However, the third person was a stranger. He was a blonde and handsome young boy wearing a yellow robe. outstretched on his back was a pair of brilliant white wings.


    "Thanks for coming Jackel, I am Raphael, Although my brother is stubborn and does not wish to support any of you in any way. I know my duties and will help you find your grace." There was a lot of kindness in Raphael''s smile.


    "Please come over here" Raphael instructed


    Jackel walked over to Raphael side. They were standing at the edge of the rooftop and there was no railing to stop anyone from falling. Jackel has only been this high up on an airplane back in the material world. It was so high up a person no longer really felt the fear of falling. The distant was just hard to register.


    "I want to help you remember a gift father sun imparted on to you, and no other" Raphael told Jackel


    With that said. He gave Jackel a powerful push.


    Jackel was sent flying twenty feet forward and began to fall


    Everyone except Raphael looked shocked as Jackel fell off the tower


    "WHAT THE FUCK!!" Jackel screamed but his voice was lost in the wind as he descends towards the ground.

 Master of Gravity

    Endlessly accelerating, Jackel was falling like meteor towards the earth. From such a great height, Jackel had time to think about his circumstance. shit shit shit, Rydia said I had wings, why won''t they come out of me! Jackel was at the halfway point between where he fell to the ground. He was still accelerating and feeling hopeless. He can envision his imminent death.


    Why the hell did that kid push me off!! Jackel was angry and scared at the same time. you are the rising sun, you control what falls and rise in the world. feel the vibration of the air, feel the particles of existence! A familiar voice was talking to Jackel in his head. It was the same voice he had heard since senior year in high school.


    The particles of existence? Jackel did not understand. but his body started to feel different. he could feel a buzz from his fingertip reaching all the way to his toe. He felt the vibration all around him as if they were always there.


    The ground was getting closer and Jackel was feeling more pressured. The buzzing around his body started to grow more intense until he began feel electricity run through his entire body. He felt prickles in the air around him as if they were an extension of himself.


    Screaming, Jackel brought his hand forward imagined all the electricity around his body flowing upwards.


    When Jackel was thirty feet from hitting the ground, his body all of sudden lost all of its weight. He could feel the pressure building around him as he was suspended in midair as if frozen in time.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    With another scream, he imagined all the air around him propelling upwards. And like a torpedo, Jackel shot himself into the air towards the rooftop.


    In less than a minute, Jackel reached the place he fell, and he brought the air around him to a halt. He was suspended a few feet away from the roof. His eyes were levelled with Raphael.


    "Impressive, you came up faster than you fell" Raphael said genuinely


    "I am not in agreement with your teaching methods buddy" Jackel said angrily


    "well, It worked didn''t it, saves the trouble of having to teach you step by step" Raphael said innocently which fits well with his boyish face.


    Jackel could not argue any further. He looked to Rydia, Hillel and Aviel. They were all smiling and looking proud of Jackel for having controlled the gravity.


    This power was something no other entities knew how to do. A gift bestowed to the rising morning star. and they were finally able to witness the power again after countless years spent apart.


    "I almost got to experience the abyss again" Jackel said to Rydia half seriously.


    "I would go there to bring you back again if it came to that" Rydia said looking almost weary.


    "again?" Jackel asked


    But Rydia did not explain herself and almost looked tired while in thought.


    "You two are not the only ones here you know." Aviel interrupted the moment. Which took Rydia out of her thoughts. she had a strange look on her face, as if she was older than her appearance.


    "Unlike the other sinners, you still have a long way to go before you regain your powers. however your powers are like riding a bike, once you learn it, you never truly forget. When pushed I am sure you can remember them."


    "Don''t push too hard, I prefer the training wheels" Jackel said seriously.


    "I like the practical approach" Raphael

 The Feast

    Back In the Luminous Knights house in the material order. The group is gathered at the dining room to have a small feast in celebration of Jackel''s success at realizing his gift. Raphael prepared a big turkey stuffed with bread and cheese, there was a basket of freshly baked bread, a dish of steamed broccoli and carrots and a large bowl of mashed potatoes topped with gravy.


    There was a sense of merriment in the air as the group is reminded of their old days together sharing similar meals in celebration. As they were reminiscing, Michael entered the room with five middle aged men all dressed in white robes. At the chest of the robe was a red cross.


    "It''s shameful to see the villains of the whole world all gathered in this holy place. Sharing a feast in the name of the glorious sun." Michael said with resentment


    The group stopped eating. Constantine brought a turkey leg to his mouth and realized the mood in the air, then stopped midway as if posing for a painting.


    "Brother, this is a moment of celebration. We should leave the past behind us, every sinner deserves salvation after all" Raphael stood up in protest.


    "You should be reminded these are not just sinners, they are who the sinners worship and embody. without these demons, the world would be without sins!" Michael said with passionThe story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "There would also be no virtue. you know well there is always two sides to a coin" Raphael said in defence.


    "It matters not, we have gathered and decided our order has no room for the fallen ones to taint the name of father sun. The sinners are to be released from our guidance and be left on their own." Michael said with authority.


    "But we got direct orders from the prophet to aid in their redemption!" Raphael said vehemently


    "You forget who is in charge brother" Michael shot an angry stare at Raphael


    Raphael slumped in defeat and did not protest any further.


    "You sinners can finish this meal but leave the place immediately after, I don''t want to see any of you again." Michael said as he turns to leave the group.


    The room was silent as everyone except Constantine lost their appetite. Constantine was the only one who was relived to be given permission to keep eating.


    Raphael looked apologetically at the group and said "I am sorry, I can''t do anything for you guys"


    "We don''t blame you Raphael. Thank you for all you have done for us so far" Rydia said with a cheerful smile.


    As if rehearsed, the group gets up in synchronicity and prepares to leave. This is with the exception of Constantine who is still working on the turkey leg.


    He looks up at the five comrade who were now standing with a look of disappointment. Constantine reluctantly puts down the turkey leg, clapped his hands and got up from his seat.


    "Well, We still walk this road together" Hillel said to reassure the group.


    "Blessed be, fallen ones" Raphael said in prayer as the group leaves the Order of Luminous Knights.

 At Stardust

    The fallen ones decided to go together to the coffee shop "Stardust".


    At the register, Jackel paid for his coffee with gloom. To him, even a cup of coffee was an expense that he does not really have the luxury to afford.


    "You can give me the strawberry scone, the danish, apple pie, and a latte on the house" Castiel ordered the barista at the counter.


    "Yes sir, that will be all?"


    "mmhm" Castiel said with a grin.


    To Jackel''s surprise the barista did not charge Castiel at all for his extravagant order.


    The group sat down on a couch at the back of the shop.


    "You really shouldn''t exploit people like that Cast" Rydia said with disapproval.


    Castiel was washing down the scone with the latte.


    "Why not? It''s not like he''s gonna get fired for giving a freebie" Castiel said while looking indifferent.


    "What did you do?" Jackel only ordered the cheapest coffee and was eyeing Castiel''s order with some discontentment.


    "We are once gods you know, It''s not like we fell so low to have to pay for a cup of coffee." Castiel said without an explanation.


    "Do I have to remind you we are not who we once were, we no longer rule the people, It''s our duty to give back and serve" Hillel said condescendingly.


    "Relax, It''s not like I created a system of education where I forced the students to learn a regiment in an attempt to enslave their minds" Castiel said with a grin.


    "But you did." Rydia said with a blank expression.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "Did I, I don''t remember." Castiel said with a shrug.


    "No one is going to tell me how Castiel got his order for free?" Jackel interrupted.


    "There''s many things we can influence in the material world. For example I can tell right now that the girl at the window has the hots for you, and the man standing at the register is late for work. Thought are not a personal thing. When someone thinks something, the intention is set into the field of consciousness. Having the right knowledge allows you to intercept thoughts, influence thoughts and even negate thoughts. This is not a power limited to us, anybody can do it with the right knowledge. But I was the first to coin it" Castiel said with arrogance.


    "It''s an exploit of the material world. Nobody should be using it" Rydia said


    "Nobody but the person who invented it." Castiel argued


    "This is exactly why the Luminous Knight kicked us out you know." Hillel said.


    Castiel did not argue with Hillel but decided to eat in silence.


    "What''s the plan now?" Aviel asked the group.


    "We should exchange numbers, Go home to gather our things, and prepare to set out to find him" Hillel said. Hillel was referring to the last member of the fallen ones


    "Who needs numbers when we can use telepathy?" Castiel said


    "In fairness to Jackel, besides, I like to have the nostalgia of having lived as Hillel for the past twenty five years." Hillel said.


    The group exchanged numbers and set out to leave the shop.


    "Jackel, come with me to my apartment" Rydia said to Jackel.


    "Bow chicka wow wow." Aviel teased.


    Rydia, Jackel and Aviel were the only ones left at the coffee shop.


    "I would like to, but I really should check in at home, I have to find an excuse to part with my mom." Jackel told Rydia


    "You won''t have to, your mom is not who you think she is. In fact everyone you knew are not who you think they were. I don''t want you to go home and deal with the mess. It''s best for you to leave without having to be so confused. They will just continue to try and suggest you are mentally Ill." Rydia said with a sad look.


    Jackel suddenly had a flash back to when he was five. He was in his mother''s bedroom and about to go to sleep. His mom had said to him that she was no longer his mom but a monster who ate her. Jackel truly believed her and cried his eyes out. He even picked up his hockey stick and started whacking his mom. Later, she laughed and told Jackel she was only joking. But jackel was so convinced there was something different about his mom.


    "I feel overwhelmed again" Jackel said as his heart was palpitating in his chest.


    Aviel and Rydia both had tender expressions as rydia brought her hands up to Jackel''s face.


    "It''s okay, we are your family, and we are here for you" Rydia said


    "Brother, you are strong. stronger than you know. enough to carry the world" Aviel said to Jackel

 Rydias secret

    Rydia lives in a four story apartment complex at a upscale part of the city. The building is made of red bricks and located in a cul-de-sac. To reach the front door, you must walk past an intricate garden that clearly has been handled with care.


    They took the stairs up to the third floor and stopped in front a door with the number 333 printed on it.


    Before they were about to enter, the door opposite Rydia''s opened, and a man in his thirties stepped out.


    "Oh hey Rydia, I was on my way out. I haven''t seen you for a few days. did you take a holiday somewhere?" It was pretty obvious the man just wanted to talk to Rydia because he was still wearing his slippers.


    "Yes, I took a short break from the aquarium and went on a holiday. good to be back" Rydia said with a charming smile.


    The man was eyeing Jackel with distaste that betrayed jealousy. However, he did not acknowledge him.


    "Well, If you need anything let me know" The man offered and proceeded to walk out while wearing his slippers.


    Rydia lead Jackel in his apartment and gave him an innocent smile.


    "You work at the aquarium?" Jackel asked while ignoring the awkward encounter.


    "Yes, as an entertainer" Rydia replied.


    "which means?" Jackel insisted.


    "I put on a mermaid''s tail and dance in a tank with the dolphins. It pays well." Rydia said looking a little embarrassed.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    "Ah, entertainer" Jackel concluded.


    "Better than my previous job as a professional snuggler" Rydia teased.


    "What? Like an escort?" Jackel felt a short pain in his chest.


    "No just paid to snuggle people" Rydia said leading Jackel on.


    "Is that even a job?" Jackel asked flustered.


    "Look it up" Rydia said mischievously.


    "you are joking right?" Jackel said wishfully.


    "you will never know" Rydia winked.


    After Jackel was thoroughly flustered and Rydia was satisfied with her retaliation, Rydia went in to the kitchen to make afternoon tea.


    Lounging in the very cozy living room, the two were silently sipping away.


    Jackel periodically stole glances at Rydia and was caught each time. Rydia would simply flash a charming smile at him.


    "Remember when I was able to control my ability" Jackel started.


    "Yes, I am so proud of you." Rydia cut in.


    "Right, I meant when you said you would go to the abyss to pull me back again. What did you mean by that?"


    Rydia set her tea down and looked out the window.


    "you told me you studied various religions right? Rydia asked.


    "Yes, to find an answer for my "illness"." Jackel replied


    "In many of these religions, wasn''t there a common story of a goddess journeying down to the underworld to plead back her love?


    "Yes, I can think of three religions that told the story that were all similar to the theme"


    "Well, Maybe the goddess loved him so much she was willing to face all the torments of the underworld to save his love. even submitting to the lord of the abyss. Rydia said while looking tired


    "Saving him to be reunited only to find he is infatuated with diving in to the abyss over and over and over. her heart shattered for him. Rydia said with her head turned.


    Jackel had a feeling Rydia was telling him the story of their past but did not suggest anything.


    "Well, Religion can leave out the most tragic parts so it doesn''t offended the mass. "


    With that said Rydia left the topic and smiled charmingly at Jackel.


    "Want to sleep in my room?" Rydia teased.


    "Um, I can take the couch." Jackel said flustered.


    "Your sure, I am a professional snuggler you know" Rydia winked.


    "I thought you were teasing" Jackel replied.


    "I don''t mind you to think that" Rydia smiled with the hint of a mischievous grin.

 Downtown apartment

    Rydia''s alarm was set at 6 am. But Jackel was already up an hour prior when the sun was just breaking.


    He spent the hour trying to piece together the events that lead up to the current moment. He recalled something about having to do this blindfolded and he was trying to think of all the implications that statement represents.


    He opened his eyes and found Rydia''s beautiful face poked over the couch. it was just inches from touching his own.


    "Had a good dream about me?" Rydia flirted


    "yea something like that..." Jackel was not in the mood.


    Rydia looked disappointed for a slight second but recovered to her usual charming smile.


    "I packed my necessities last night and we should be ready to go soon." Rydia said as she was brushing her hair.


    "I can''t say I am prepared. All I have is my phone, and a debit card with twenty dollars left in it" Jackel said with shame.


    "It''s ok, you can be my pet, I packed you some treats and a bowl for your water" Rydia teased


    Jackel had no retort to that and felt defeated.


    "We will be heading over to Avi''s " Rydia changed the topicIf you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "what for?" Jackel asked


    "Training" Rydia said bluntly.


    "where does Avi live?" Jackel asked


    "Downtown, He lives with his mother and is attending film school currently" Rydia replied


    "I guess he is going to have to drop out. Jackel realized


    "Well, we are not chasing rabbits anymore." Rydia said as a matter of fact.


    Outside, ominous dark clouds have gathered and rain is starting to come down. Jackel and Rydia took the subway to get to downtown.


    "It looks like there''s going to be a thunder storm" Jackel commented.


    "which is perfect for our training" Rydia said without revealing much.


    Jackel did not push for any answers.


    thirty minutes later. the couple arrived at the front gate of the high rise.


    Rydia punched in the code for the ringer.


    ring...ring..ring..ring...


    "Yo." was all Aviel said. in the background, you can clearly hear his mother barking something inaudible with rage.


    The door swung open and the couple entered.


    Aviel lives on the 22nd floor and the apartment is very spacious inside. When Rydia and Jackel entered. Aviel''s mother gave them a haughty look and retreated to her bedroom.


    "I always have people over before. She is just a mouthy bitch" Aviel complained.


    "that''s no way to call the woman who gave birth to you" Rydia preached.


    Out of context, you''ve never guessed these young people were in fact ancient gods.


    "Anyways, let''s get started." Aviel let the couple to his bedroom.


    Normally you would expect a T.V plastered on the wall. But Aviel installed a large mirror in front of the bed.


    "Two things before we get started. One, we will teach you how to use the mirror gate. Two, we are introducing you to a malicious creature called nightmares who lives in the mirror world.


    "Nightmares?" Jackel swallowed


    "They are created by the nightmares of the dreaming people of the material world. In a busy and crowded place like downtown, a lot of nightmares are expected tonight. Especially since there is a thunderstorm. Rydia explained.


    "sounds like a good time" Jackel said sarcastically.


    "I agreed with Raphael''s approach. Practical is best" Rydia said deviously

 Nightmares

    Aviel, Jackel and Rydia were sitting cross legged on Aviel''s bed. They formed a triangle and are facing one another.


    "Jackel, somewhere in you is the ability to do this, so follow my instructions and it should not be hard for you." Rydia was instructing


    "When you meditate, you can listen to the frequency of the material existence. It has a how humming sound and when you reached a state of calmness you should be able to pick it up. Rydia continued


    Jackel was trying to meditate and pick up the "frequency" but intrusive thoughts keeps interrupting his inner calm.


    "Slightly below the space between your eyebrows, you should feel a spiralling energy trying to break free from your forehead. Rydia instructed.


    Jackel focused his thoughts on the space between his brows and envisioned the spiral. Pretty soon he was able to feel the pulsating feeling on his forehead. His mind also gradually calmed to a stillness and he was able to hear the hum in the air.


    "Great! you can slowly open your eyes and look into your reflection while making eye contact." Rydia was leading Jackel.


    "Now whisper "Azam Karoti" while envisioning the two reflections becoming one" Rydia concluded


    Jackel did as instructed.


    At first nothing seemed to have happened. Suddenly white lights began to materialize around Jackel''s body. Within seconds the light inside and around Jackel got pulled upwards and into the mirror.


    "We should follow him too now" Rydia urged


    "No, give it a few minutes. he should be able to handle himself in there for a while" Aviel said with no concern.


    Rydia looked worried but did not follow as suggested by Avi.


    Inside the mirror world, the landscape did not resemble the material world in the slightest. The place looked like a wasteland for the purpose of a garbage dump. Atrocious scavengers and critters were swarming the decomposing bodies of large animals. the rancid smell in the air was enough to make a grown man gag.


    Jackel landed at the top of a hill and has an area view of the wasteland. The more he saw, the more he wanted to look away, but the scenery was the same in every direction.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Earlier Rydia has informed him that the best time to enter was 3 am in the morning. Because it''s the witching hour and when nightmare are at their most powerful. He looked down at his watch but he wasn''t wearing anything in the mirror world.


    Ten minutes had gone by and there wasn''t any activities. There was also no sigh of Rydia or Aviel.


    Jackel is starting to feel anxious, and just at the peak of his anxiety. he noticed the horizon has turn black like obsidian. what appears to be a jagged cloud is reaching him at an incredible speed.


    His first impulse was to run the other way, but he stood firm and waited for the cloud to get closer.


    Soon, the clouds began to shape, and he could make out figures that appears to be wolves with horns, giant spiders with razor legs, centipedes with human bodies, and tentacle atrocities. The creature were all much larger than Jackel and appears to be able to trample him with ease.


    Fuck me! Jackel was still standing on the hill while the nightmares were gaining on him with incredible speed.


    From the very back, Jackel noticed a figure as tall as a skyscraper, It wore four disfigured looking masks and had a sinister vibe. He assumed that was their boss.


    The first to reach Jackel was the obsidian timber wolf. It leaped up and head butted Jackel in the chest, which sent him a few feet backwards.


    To Jackel''s surprise, he felt no pain.


    The wolf attacked him again but this time Jackel ducked with inhuman speed and sent his palms out to hit the wolf in the chest.


    the wolf flew 50 feet in the air and was split in half.


    Jackel realized that these beasts did not have the ability to hunt him, he was the one who decided which beast is to die next.


    He leaped forward almost instantaneously with his arms extended out like two blades and started slicing apart any oncoming nightmare.


    When a spider sprang up on him from behind. he did a reverse rounds house and the impact exploded the spider, leaving only it''s razor legs on the ground.


    In a 5 minute time frame, Jackel has slayed over 200 nightmares with melee alone.


    However, during that time, an army of 2000 nightmares had Jackel surrounded in the center.


    With a great battle cry, Jackel recalls the training with the gravity and filled himself with electricity he envisioned his field to extend all the way out to the border of the nightmares.


    Jackel could feel the air full of vibrating particles and with another battle cry, he brought everything down.


    The shockwave blasted 360 feet out into the distance. Every nightmare caught in the gravity field was plastered to the floor. only guts and entrails was left of the nightmares.


    Jackel slapped the dirt off his hands as he looks around himself to admire his work. Not bad He thought to himself.


    However standing in the distant was the nightmare that stood as tall as a skyscraper. Jackel was not confident he could create a gravity field big enough to bring the giant down.


    As if on cue. Aviel and Rydia materialized besides Jackel.


    "not bad at all bro. faster than I could''ve done it" Aviel said in compliment


    "Let''s take care of this last one shall we?" Rydia mused.


    Aviel threw his hands on the ground and a streak of black ice started to slip towards the giant.


    The Ice instantly froze the entire giant in place.


    Rydia shouted something, and great red flame flew towards the nightmare.


    Immediately, it was burnt to cinders.


    "It was dead when it froze" Aviel gave Rydia a look.


    "Overkill can be fun" Rydia said with a charming smile.


    " That was fun." Jackel admitted.


    "Bullying things can get addictive" Aviel said with a smirk

 From rags to riches

    Maniel sat on the obsidian throne of his castle in the mirror world. In front of him are countless stacks of paper.


    Maniel was doing research on the abyss. He had always known that there is some power in the abyss that can rival even Father sun. However, Maniel never worked up the courage to cross the abyss himself


    He has heard of the tale of the Golden eye reaching the abyss time after time as if in search of something.


    The idea excited him greatly, He felt like he can rely on his leader to learn of the power to destroy father sun. only if I can speak to them! those damn knights are holding my comrades hostage! Maniel swiped the paper off his desk in a fit of rage.


    slitherrrr.....slithheerr.


    "What now stardust lord?" Maniel said impatiently


    In the mirror world, the corporation known as stardust has a physical bodies. It has nine heads and the body of a serpent. Their company logo was sigilized on each of the nine heads.


    "Lord, emperor, king, supreme, we have news for you. great news, news for you. you will like it, good news."


    "Silence" Only one of you may talk


    "Supreme, your companion gathered at one of my dens two days ago. It would seem they were kicked out of the Order of Luminous Knights. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "Kicked out?" Maniel could not contain his joy and laughed a hearty laugh.


    "Perfect, your have done well stardust lord. This is in fact, tremendous news." Maniel said while still unable to hold in his laughter.


    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The trio returned from their "training" and the dawn was upon them.


    The group made a decision to grab breakfast at the greasy spoon diner that offers breakfast all day for $1.99. A price still affordable to the impoverished Jackel. Jackel made his way to the ATM machine to withdrawal the last twenty dollars of his savings.


    Amazingly, When Jackel checked the balance it read $10000020.00. Jackel exited out the machine and tried again. But it still read 10 million and 20 dollars. what in the world!!! Jackel did not know how to think. How did he get this much money in his back account. Jackel withdrew the 20 dollars and asked for a receipt for his balance.


    He took the receipt to the table where Rydia and Aviel were sitting.


    "Look at this, Apparently I am the owner of 10 million dollars." Jackel said as he handed the receipt to Rydia for inspection.


    "I don''t know how the money got in to my bank account, but WHOOO, I''m rich!"


    Rydia handed the receipt to Jackel while pointing at the bottom of the page.


    "Did you not read this?" Rydia said with concern


    On the bottom of the page was a note which read:


    This is a little fund for you to use in case there was any need in the material world. My leader, I have made the world mine, the spot is open for you to join me in our ascension to glory. come and lead The Order of the Golden Eye, which will be highest of All! -Maniel


    "Maniel has not changed, the years spent here only made his passion to kill father sun more impassioned" Rydia said


    "I have no Idea how we are suppose to convince him to repent his ways" Aviel said.


    "We''ll cross that bridge or whatever. we got money! let''s celebrate!!"


    Aviel and Rydia did not look amused.


    "You two have no clue what it''s like to be broke" Jackel said in defence.


    "I can''t say his financial support won''t be useful" Aviel admitted


    "Let''s call everyone and come up with a plan" Rydia suggested.

 The Plan

    The Fallen ones are gathered at an upper scale restaurant this time since it was affordable. Castiel insisted on getting another free meal despite the state of Jackel''s bank account.


    The group spared no expanses ordering food such as duck drizzled in pesto, oyster sashimi, Lobsters dipped in garlic butter and tender cut sirloins drizzled in mushroom sauce.


    However, only Castiel and Constantine looked ravenous as the food was placed on the table.


    The other members were here to have a discussion on their future plans.


    "We should purchase a house at a good location in the mirror world and it can serve us as a base to entry" Aviel suggested


    "The world in the mirror world is much larger in comparison to the material world. It would be easier to drive in the real world since we can cover more grounds when we need to." Hillel corrected.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "Maniel has not given us an address or any leads to his whereabouts. but gathering information in the mirror world should be easier, since he should be there most of the time anyways."


    "I think we should a get a RV so we can be more mobile and it would save a lot of time flying around in the mirror world.


    "How much do they go for?" Jackel asked


    "Around a million should get us a solid one" Constantine interrupted as he was working on the lobster


    "Let''s get an amazing RV and travel in comfort" Castiel took a lobster tail from Constantine plate and received a vicious stare.


    "I think the most expensive RV in the world is around 3.5 million dollars" Constantine grunted


    "let''s get that one then" Jackel decided.


    "Do you know the concept of budgeting ?" Rydia asked Jackel


    "when they are in the double digits" Jackel said sheepishly.


    "Can anyone drive the thing?" Aviel asked.


    "Constantine was a truck driver, he can be the driver" Castiel replied


    Constantine just grunted and continued to eat.


    "That settles it, we are going on a road trip." Hillel clapped his hands and concluded the meeting.

 The campsite

    The RV the group purchased was a colossal hunk of modern designer genius. It was painted black mostly with the front window curved in a convex shape. The roof can automatically extend into a large patio with a modern coffee table that retracts out as needed.


    The inside is designed to a modern yet west contemporary style. Wood beams supports the ceiling and the floor is laid with soft, maroon carpets. The kitchen is state of the art and two large sofa are on either side of the middle section. The back of the bus spreads out in to three queen size beds.


    This was the definition of traveling in luxury.


    Constantine carried his short legs up on to the drivers seat and started playing with the buttons. He looked like a child at the toy store.


    "Where are we headed first?" Aviel asked as a large map was spread out in front of them.


    "If I am not mistaken, deep in this pine tree forest. There is an ancient hermit who can aid us in a cleanse and possibly regaining some grace. Hillel said while stroking his non existent beard."


    "I know the man personally and I think he will stand for our cause" Hillel reassured himself.


    "That''s a four days drive, we are going in to a temperate rainforest" Castiel cut in.


    "Oh I love the giant evergreens and beautiful ferns" Rydia commented


    "Temperate rainforests are one of the most spiritual places on the planet" Hillel informed.


    "Great, set sail to the hermit!" Jackel shouted sarcastically.


    Thus, the road trip begins.


    In the next couple of days, the group spent most of their time lounging around.


    They occasionally entered the mirror world through the mirror they installed on the bus.


    But the scenery did not differ too much since it was mostly just plains and farmland.


    Constantine was driving and chewing on a piece of jerky when he spoke into the speaker. "We are at redwood national park guys. Going to go as deep as I can and find a desolate spot for us.


    They drove on for another hour before Constantine was finally satisfied and parked the RV at a very secluded area.


    Everyone got out of the RV for some fresh air.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "It''s so beautiful" Rydia was close to squealing.


    Massive pines, oaks and various evergreens covered the landscape. The ground was littered with ferns and fallen trees all covered in layers of lime green moss.


    The air was so fresh, you can smell a faint sweetness mixed in with the pine.


    The group was sharing a moment of bliss when a clonking and rattling sound came from a short distant.


    Soon an old camper wagon came into view. It was so beat up, it''s hard to tell if the dents were a part of the design.


    A group of 8 teenagers squeezed themselves out of the tiny wagon as if performing a circus trick.


    "You guys found our hot spot dudes." A teen with a bandana spoke while waving his hands out in a weird gesture.


    "This must be fate, we will share a magical time together tonight" a girl from the group said. She had shoulder length dreadlocks.


    "You guys must be like super rich or something eh? That''s one fancy ride." The bandanna said


    "Well it matters not, we are all children of the mother moon" the girl added.


    Jackel was a little speechless, he never knew how to deal with hippies.


    "We would be honoured to share tonight''s feast with you lovely people" Rydia said.


    Nice safe, Jackel thought.


    Night fell, and a small bonfire was set up with the courtesy to the hippie teenagers.


    Constantine brought out sausage and fish to barbecue but the hippies rejected the meat and gave Constantine a lecture about saving the animals and eating vegan.


    In the end, Constantine felt too guilty about the meat that he settled with the wild mushroom pasta the hippies prepared.


    After they ate, the hippies brought out a heavily decorated mirror to the bonfire.


    "Tonight we will show you beautiful souls another world filled with spirits and beauty" the girl said to the fallen ones.


    The fallen ones gave each other a knowing look, which the girl interpreted as insecurities.


    "Do not worry, it''s safe. We will be able to come back. The trip is a once in a lifetime experience. You will regret not trying it. The girl said eagerly


    The eight hippies were all gathered in front of the mirror and started to pass around cups filled with a black liquid.


    The fallen ones all received a cup in front of them.


    "Brings back memories eh?" Castiel joked.


    "Look into the mirror and drink the elixir of transcendenc, friends, do not fear the unknown. the girl was trying to reassure the fallen ones.


    They all drank the black liquid and looked into the mirror. The white light escaped their body and entered the mirror world.


    At this location in the mirror world, the air was swarmed with fireflies that blinked a range of different colours. The trees are even more grand, standing as tall as skyscrapers. The night sky had dancing lights and the echoes of the forest was like a melody.


    The eight hippies did not look the same, their true appearance took on a more herbivores look, some had antlers and some large deer like eyes.


    However they all held an expression of being utterly baffled by the forgotten ones.


    "How can anything be this beautiful and full of glorious grace." The deer girl said with astonishment.


    As if to impress them further. Castiel unleashed his giant wings and they stood arching to the sky.


    The hippies started to scream in ecstasy.


    "You people are gods and goddess!" The hippies were cheering.


    "We actually came here to seek out a hermit. Perhaps you would like to join us" Rydia said.


    "Can we? I mean it would be to the greatest of our pleasure" the deer girl said.


    The big gang sets out towards the mountain in the distance together.

 The Forest

    The Fallen ones and the group of free spirits started their ascension up the forested mountain at midnight, Although it was dark, the ferns on the ground glowed a calming blue light, which lit the path.


    The group could''ve grown wings and flew to the top very easily, but since it was agreed they would travel with the hippies, they decided to hike the mountain. After all there was not much to complain about, the mountain was truly a beautiful path at night.


    "So are you guys like related to mother moon?" The teen with the antlers asked. He was the boy with the bandanna in the material world.


    "Mother moon gave birth to all the creatures of the world after receiving the life-giving light of the father sun. However we were not born in such a way" Rydia explained.


    "Have you heard of the mythology of the clay men built by God, who later breathed life in to them." Rydia asked.


    "Yea, some pagan religion right? We are all about that." the antler teen replied.


    "Well that was the story of the creation of entities such as ourselves, not of men. You humans have the honour of being organic, we are more like the watchers who can only be considered the created children of father sun." Rydia explained


    Jackel was also hearing this for the first time. The realization of not being a human is starting to sink in.


    "So y''all used to be clay" the antler boy asked.


    Rydia was speechless for a second. "No that was a metaphor. We were made with pure light" Rydia explained


    As they hiked, the hippies continue to bombard the fallen ones with question. Each one less intelligent than the last. Even though Rydia was an incredibly patient person, she was growing irritated by all the redundant questions.


    "So do you guys, like you know, need to use the toilet" the antler boy asked.


    Rydia was at her wit''s end.


    "Listen kid, We are..." Rydia was about to snap when Castiel stopped in his track. He was walking at the front of the line so everyone had to do the same.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    "What is it?" Hillel asked from behind.


    "I feel an incredible aura coming from the front. There''s four of them" Castiel said


    Right after Castiel finished the sentence. An incredible roar engulfed the entire mountain. It was so loud the echo did not fade out for half a minute.


    "What was that?" The antler teen said with a shaky voice.


    "Mother moon, please protect us" the deer girl whispered.


    In the distant, a shadowy figure leaped towards the group with alarming speed. It landed in front of Castiel and came in to view.


    It was a lion with featherless wings. It had scars all over it''s face, and orange saliva was dripping from it''s mouth.


    "A cardinal beast!" Castiel exclaimed.


    The beast dived into Castiel sending him flying away from the group. The lion seems to only be targeting him and went chasing after him.


    The hippies were so so terrified that they were frozen in place. Coming from the north, a gigantic bear slowly strolled it''s way towards the group.


    Hillel jumped in to action and swung his hands out like a sword. An air blade came shooting out from his arm and hit the bear''s front limb. It was torn off immediately.


    The bear howled in anger. However, it stopped and lifted his body to a standing position. The moonlight beamed on the missing limb and it started to grow back.


    In just a few seconds the bear grew back it''s limb and started charging toward Hillel.


    "You think growing back an arm matters to me?" Hillel said with authority. Then he leaped forward with his hands stretched out like a claw. He sank his hands into the beasts chest and ripped out the heart.


    Holding the still beating heart in his hands. He crushed it, and the body of the bear slumped to the ground.


    From behind the group, a flash of black zoomed it''s way in and slashed at one of the hippies. But Constantine was there to reflect the attack with his arm. However, there wasn''t even a sigh of a scratch. Constantine''s skin was harder than steel.


    The beast was a leopard who had four heads and four wings. It flew up in the sky and looked like it was about to dive towards Constantine.


    "I got this." Jackel was beside Constantine and stepped in front of him. Jackel called down gravity and leopard came smashing towards the ground, breaking every bone in it''s body.


    "Nice one." Constantine said without much emotion.


    It was silent for a few seconds then there was a rustle in the ferns to the left of the group. The fallen ones prepared for another attack, but Castiel walked out of the bush drenched in blood.


    "Oh my goodness, are you ok?" The deer girl said with concern.


    "What? this? It''s not my blood, things got a bit messy." Castiel said calmly.


    "That was incredible, you guys took them out just like that. I''ve never seen anything like it!" The antler teen said.


    "There''s one more. This one is a lot stronger than the rest." Castiel warned.


    "But it''s not moving." Hillel said. "In fact it''s in the cave where the hermit is"


    The group looked at the direction Hillel was looking.


    It was the entry to a large cave that had a rainbow glow coming from within.


    "We are not sure if we want to follow you guys in there" the deer girl said shakily.

 John

    "We''ll take good care of your bodies in the physical world" Said the deer girl.


    With that said, the group of herbivore hybrids left the group. It was understandable. If they were to die in the mirror world, they would seize to exist.


    With the teenagers gone. The fallen ones sprouted wings and flew towards the cave. Jackel managed to keep up due to his ability to control gravity.


    Jackel and company arrived at the cave''s entrance shortly after. The glow coming from the cave was mesmerizing. Array of lights danced in harmony as the group journeyed deeper into the cave.


    The source of the light was from the fireflies and glow worms that lived in the cave. seven colors of spectrum filled the air and gave the surrounding a dream-like quality.


    After a period of silence while the grouped walked in enjoyment of the scenery. The cave came into a close. At the end of the cave was a gulf of water. Sitting curled in the center was giant dragon with ten horns on its head. Riding the dragon was a shirtless old man wearing a long beard.


    As the group approached, the dragon lifted its head and snorted. It did not attack the group like the other beasts. Somehow the tranquility of the old man tamed the dragon to a submission.


    The bearded old man opened just his right eye in acknowledgement to the intruders.


    "Hello John, It''s been a long time" Hillel greeted the old man.


    "It has been, Great sage of the sky." the old man replied Hillel.


    "We''ve come to seek your wisdom and skill" Hillel said.


    "Yes, So the stars have told me." The man answered calmly.


    The old man levitated from the back of the dragon and moved towards the group. He stopped in front of each person briefly and observed the whole group one at a time.


    "You are missing a member." The man pointed out.


    "Yes, he is not with us at the moment" Hillel said


    "Not in person, not in spirit, and not in goal" The old man said.


    "We still need your help" Hillel said


    "you should not have come before you are all gathered" John said.


    "It can''t be helped" Hillel replied


    "Very well, we will not know how this will change the plans fate had decided "


    John lifted his hands and a great swarm of fireflies flew towards him, radiating all the colors of the rainbow.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "Step in to the pond." John instructed.


    As ordered, the group walked into the water. Jackel was the last to enter.


    The pond was shallow and only reached up to their waist. The fallen one stood in the water unsure of what to expect.


    All of a sudden they sank into the water as if it was a bottomless ocean. Jackel fought to remain surfaced, but something was pulling him in. Like a omnipotent riptide, Jackel was being pulled deeper and deeper.


    Using his ability to manipulate gravity, Jackel tried to force his way out, but to no avail. Jackel can feel the water filling his lungs as he begins to lose consciousness.


    Jackel was back to his material body. he was wearing a black robe that matched the color of his hair. Standing facing him as if in reflection was his body in the mirror world, wearing a white robe.


    Unsure as to who was the reflection and who was the will. Both bodies lifted their index fingers.


    Their fingertips touched and Jackel could feel a jolt of electricity running between them until it feels as if there was no separation between the two. Their hearts synchronized and started to beat in rhythm.


    A brilliant flash of light so bright it appeared silver came shooting out from their finger tip, and everything became light.


    Jackel woke up on dry land. His companions were all awake and standing over him. He noticed that they all had their wings sprouted, and they were no longer the burnt black color they used to be.


    They were the various colors of the rainbow. Rydia''s wings was brilliant and firey red, Aviel''s was a cobalt blue, Hillel was the blue of the sky, Castiel was a shining yellow, and Constantine was a deep orange.


    Jackel felt a strange sensation. As if he was no longer alone in his thoughts.


    you are my shadow, yet I am still your echo. It looks like things are still complicated. Jackel heard a voice in his head. Who are you? Jackel asked. I am Lux. the voice replied.


    Rydia bent down to touch Jackel''s shoulder.


    "Have you remembered who you are" Rydia asked.


    "Sorry, I am not sure" Jackel replied.


    Still as lovely as the day she was created. the voice in Jackel''s head said.


    As if his body had a will of its own. Jackel could feel the muscles on his back convulse.


    Sprouting out was two pairs of wings. One pair was pure white, while the other was pitch black.


    Rydia gasped in surprise, but composed herself and gave Jackel a knowing smile.


    She gave Jackel a kiss and said "Welcome back Lux."


    The group had a look of relief on their faces.


    "Look, I am still me" Jackel argued.


    "That wasn''t for you darling." Rydia still had a knowing smile.


    "Ahem" John coughed and grabbed the group''s attention.


    "Since you all seemed to be in a good mood, I''d thought I''d share a poem with you guys." John said.


    The group were silent as they waited for the old man to continue.


    "Black cat on the window still,


    Lingering smoke on vines of old,


    Magick through the order''s will,


    Through contract where the soul is sold.


    Birds will fly from vines of old,


    olive branches hanging off the sky,


    where stories of truth was told,


    hidden amongst the fairy''s lies.


    Seven virtues, seven sin.


    By mirrors shadows they like to dance.


    Redemption seek them wish to win,


    the balance of the black wolves in strides and stance


    Shepherds will guard against the seven seas,


    and the currents will bring them to sandy shore,


    where worlds is held in the witches'' weaves,


    and through the abyss to the deepest core.


    By the final day when the sun falls to sleep.


    A slumber of thousand eternities.


    The woken wolves will guide the sheeps.


    To the final ark of history.


    The morning star will rise again,


    to shine on new earth and new sea.


    Where the will of trinity will obtain,


    the highest throne the eyes can see. "


    John finished his poem and there was a moment of silence.


    "well, I appreciated if yall get out now" John broke the silence.