Fallen Chapter Six

The main character wakes up in strange surroundings. She's surrounded by warmth and darkness. What has become of her?

Cover by

Melyn-L-Kit

Fallen Table of Contents

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I awoke to a soft violet light pouring in through a window. It seemed to cling to the cluttered furniture wrapping the circular room I found myself in. I laid surrounded by pillows on a thin bed, warmth rested to my left. I twisted into the heat, my cool body craving the warmth. Feathers tickled my face, and I buried into them. The scent of lilac filled my nostrils, and the plush plumes were heaven. Everything felt right.

Then burning pain, an ache in my back like I'd never known before, and emptiness. Horrifying emptiness.

"You're up," a husky voice said.

The feathers twitched and unraveled from around me. Steel-blue eyes peered at me.

"What happened?" I blushed, realizing I had been nuzzling into their wings.

"I was hoping you could tell me that," they said, their eyes soft.

I rubbed my back and shivered when I met rough flesh instead of soft feathers. I opened my mouth to explain, but I choked on tears.

I'd never fly again. I could never go home. Wingless celestials were pariahs. A wingless princess be banished or hidden away in a castle, never to see the light of day.

Their wings wrapped around me, and they pulled me into a hug. I stiffened and then eased into their body. They felt slender but sturdy. I needed that.

"It'll be okay, Angel."

Angel. The name felt right, like something clicking into place.

I curled my fingers into the feathers below me. A tear drop clung to the midnight wing. So intimate, and yet I didn't pull away.

"Who are you?" I whispered.

"Raven," they said and brushed a stray piece of white hair from my face. They smiled, their lips pulling up to reveal two sharp canines. I shivered.

I had never seen an Abyssal Celestial up close before. They lived in the dark-realm, the skies below the light. Monsters lived in the depths, but the abyssal celestials managed to hold their own. There were stories about what they ate...but no, those stories were made to scare children.

"Worried, Angel?" Raven smirked and leaned against their hand. Moonlight streaked in and highlighted their playful gaze. I took in their flush pink lips, scrunched nose, and striking eyes and blushed.

I flipped to my other side so I wasn't looking at them. Wasn’t I just worried about them eating me? Somehow, embarrassment seemed like a much more real threat.

Raven chuckled, and I took in the pile of books scattered in a cubby etched into the wall. It had a grainy appearance to it, like wood, and seemed continuous. I glanced up at where the ceiling should be and instead found darkness that extended seemingly infinitely.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"Home," they said.

"And where..." My gaze trailed the cylindrical room lit only by the moon. "Is it?"

"The abyss."

"Right..."

A finger trailed down my back. I jumped and squeezed up against the wall, knocking a book down in the process.

"Sorry," Raven said.

I turned to look at them. Their soft gaze made tears bubble in the corner of my eyes. Why did they have to look so regretful?

"Does it hurt?" they asked.

"Yes."

"I tried to heal the wound as best as I could, but I'm not exactly talented with that kind of magic."

"Well," I said. "I'm alive." My voice cracked, and I covered my eyes.

Feathers caressed my arm, and I trembled. What did they want from me? I twisted around and gasped at Raven's wet cheek.

"I'm sorry," they said. "I don't know how to heal enough to bring them back."

I clutched my hands into Raven's shirt.

Their eyes widened.

"Are their people who can?" I asked.

Raven watched me. "I'm not certain."

I bit my lip.

"But the Maiden of the Moon can heal anything."

"Who?" I breathed out.

Raven coaxed my hands from their shirt but didn't let go. "You've never heard of her?"

I shook my head.

"What do they teach you highlings up there?"

"Highlings?"

"It's what we call you high celestials." Raven looked to the side.

"Mm," I murmured.

"Anyway, everyone knows about the Maiden of the Moon."

"Well, I don't."

"Sorry, Angel." Raven smiled, and I eased, even though those canines peaked out again. "There is an immortal celestial with powers blessed by the moon. With Sona's healing light, the maiden of the moon can cure all ills."

It sounded like a children's tale. Still, a little bit of hope bloomed in my heart. "How do you find her?"

"Hmm." Raven looked up. "She's someone who moves around. I'd have to go looking for rumors of sightings."

They had said "I." I nibbled on my lip. "Are you willing to help me?"

Raven glanced at me and smiled alluringly. "Of course."

"Why?" I whispered without thinking.

"Who knows," Raven said. "Maybe I'm just pure of heart." But those canines sneaking out seemed to contradict everything they were saying.

I shouldn't trust a stranger with random kindness. But did I have a choice? Did I have anyone now? I glanced up, thinking of Soran, who must be lost without me. But even he would turn against me now…wouldn’t he?

Tears seeped out again. Raven's gaze softened, and they slowly pulled me back into a hug, their wings encompassing me. Their lilac scent lulled me back to sleep.