The pain soon subsided, and when it did, I was finally able to answer Bridget. She was rubbing my back, speaking softly and gently. I shook my head when she asked if it still hurt.
"So, what was that..? Did you remember something or…"
"No, I don't know what that was." I rubbed my head, sighing slightly. I didn't try to remember anything; I just brushed it away. But I do feel better now."
"Hm, it looked pretty bad..." Bridget shook her head, casting worried glances as we continued through the dense trees. I let Bridget lead the way, running my hand through Casper's soft fur as we emerged from the shadows and into the sunlight.
I have a few questions of my own, mostly about the Warrior Angels—specifically one in particular. I suspect she is their leader, given her high status and the fact that only a few of them wear capes. She also has a scar on her lip, which stands out against her otherwise strong features. It seems that she must have been through something significant to have earned that mark.
I do doubt that Bridget knows what that is.
"So, about the Warrior Angels..." The short angel looked up to me, and an encouraging look in her eyes made me continue. "Who was the blonde one? The one with the cape? She seems to be very strong."
Bridget smirked and looked back up front. "She is the Chief leader of the Warrior Angels. She is one of the oldest Angels here. She is so old that she has been here since the Hell Beings first tried attacking."
"They.. tried attacking before?" I gulped, seeing her smile fade as she continued.
"Yes. I don't know much about it. The goddess keeps it away from us so we don't fear them. Fearing them gives them power; that is one of the reasons the Chief of the Warrior Angels came to such a position. She isn't afraid of anything," Bridget sighed in pure bliss, her face slightly red. "She protects us all, keeps us moving with no fear towards the Hell Beings."
"Wow..." I sighed, recalling her bright eyes looking directly at me. I blushed deeply. She radiated such a wave of power from afar that it almost made me topple over at the overwhelming sensation.
"Yeah," the short angel huffed out, the red in her face lifting away.
"Do you know her name?"
Bridget made a face that gave off the feeling of something dawning on her. Nodding her head before responding, "right. The most important thing here, huh? Her name is Arden."
I stifled a smile; it sounded a bit too sweet of a name for a face like hers. I felt all sorts of different emotions; I had to lift my hand up to stop Bridget from continuing. She noticed the look at my face and gave me a knowing smile.
"You feel those types of feelings, huh?" She smirked.
I still smiled, even with the annoyance rolling off from the look I gave her. "Oh, shut it-"
"It's fine; you can love anyone you want here." She motioned to all around us, twirling around on her toes. Casper barked, feeling the excitement wave off her, "no matter what gender you are, it is fine as long as no one is hurt."
I stopped the laugh about to escape my lips. Her words stirred a weird feeling inside my chest.
Can love hurt someone?
The dull throbbing in my head made me brush that thought away. I won't let this overtake me! Not now; it doesn't matter to me anymore..
"Hey, careful Casper!" Bridget called out to the dog who bounded past us. The white fluff ball ran back, doing zoomies on the grassy ground.
I couldn't help but smile when I saw the dog so happy, his slobbery tongue hanging out. I scratched his head as he finally slowed down. He leaned into my touch, his wings spreading wide and flipping up towards the sky. Despite this, he remained on the ground, running in circles around my legs.
The pain was gone, but a new feeling surfaced. It was out of nowhere. Suddenly, I felt excited. Like my body was filled with energy, I had so much adrenaline in my body that I started to bounce on my feet. Bridget stopped, making me run into her, but before we could fall, she grabbed me.
I looked at her, seeing the same type of excited expression on her face. She was feeling what I was feeling. But what was it? Why was I feeling this way?
A smile spread across her lips, her grip on me tightened, and before I knew it, we bolted off into the sky. It took a while, but with the energy coursing through me; I found my wings and flapped them hard. I heard Casper yelp from behind us. When I turned, he had bolted from under us, following our moves.
I looked back to Bridget, feeling slightly concerned. "What's going on?"
"A new angel is being announced!" She didn't turn back; she just yelled out with a bright smile on her face. I looked up with a gaped expression. The feelings inside me bubbled up, and I almost flew past Bridget.
The wind blew fiercely, swirling around us and growing stronger as it pushed us closer to Angels Cove. In the distance, I could see the large tree. I gestured for Casper to follow me before ascending higher toward the tree. He barked in response. Facing forward, his legs increased in speed, nearly allowing him to pass us.
When we turned to the last tree, the scene looked very familiar. I had to stop for a quick second, the air blowing past and through my hair at the speed of light. I looked on, mouth open wide.
It was the same as the angels did for me: a whirlwind of angels flying in circles above the new incomer. I couldn't see them, though I could recognize a few angels in the circle: Rory and Seth bumping into one another while circling with the other angels. Bright yellow lights brightened with their speed; the excitement was overwhelming.
Bridget grabbed onto my wrist, pulling me forward. "Let's join before it's over!"
I couldn't even hear Casper's desperate yelp below. I flew forward, and the air was cold, fast, and blinding. The closer I got, the less I could see; the lights were overwhelming. I had to close my eyes as my body crashed into the chaos.
I lost my breath, opening my eyes once again. Movements were all around me, so fast I couldn't identify anything. The lights blinded me. I felt my mind run around in some type of fear, but the overwhelming joy was crashing away so it couldn't surface. It was such a weird feeling.
Was I allowed to be here? I shouldn't be.. I wasn't exactly in the circle of flying angels.
I was in the middle.
I moved around, feeling the feathers of the wings on my back getting sucked into the flashing wind from all around me. I moved my head frantically, trying to find an opening to come back in with the other angels. Instead of finding one, a hand grabbed me and pulled me into the mess.
I was yanked hard, sending me spinning in a few circles before the figure steadied me. It was Seth, and he was laughing with joy as his face came into focus before me. Being in the circle of angels, I wasn't blinded by the light. Everything was clearer; I could see.
I could see Seth and Rory had come over, too. They stayed in front of me. Seth had me by both my hands, guiding me in some weird fashion. I didn't question it, keeping my eyes steady with his so my head didn't get lost.
Just a few more seconds passed before a bright flash sent every angel in the circle soaring up and away. Seth still held my hands, lifting me into the sky. His wings spread wide, and he caught himself as he laughed joyfully.
It took me a while to open my wings, but Seth's hold on me made it so I didn't fly away. My wings opened, and I sighed out in exhilaration as we slowly drifted to the ground. I had noticed that every other angel did the same, opening their wings and drifting back down to the grass.
Seth and Rory laughed out loud, swinging around like children. Rory landed on their butt, falling and kicking their legs up like a child would. Seth followed them, landing on his knees. He was laughing just like the rest.
Bridget had shown up, walking over while shaking her head. "You guys aren't acting your age."
"It- It's the Goddess of Joy! Not us!" Rory continued to laugh, falling on their side and shaking their head.
"Goddess of Joy?" I managed to wheeze out, kneeling over.
Bridget shook her head, helping lift Seth up. "Let's not talk about that right now; it's too much information for you." The angel, after helping Seth find his feet, turned to where the new angel was. " We should go greet the new angel first."
The pair ignored Rory, jumping over them to head to the new angel. Seth still had me by the wrist, leading me to where they were. This time, I was able to actually see them.
Them, and Janus.
I stopped halfway while Bridget and Seth continued forward. More angels began to crowd the newcomer. The newcomer was a child, young with bright brown eyes paired with equally brown skin. She wore a small white dress, yellow golden curls at the end of her skirt, and fluffy petals on her shoulder.
I didn't pay attention to anyone else; I saw Janus and only her. When was the last time I saw her? It feels like it has been forever... I was somewhat starved for her presence and her warmth.
The small girl held hands with a pair of older-looking angels who led her onward. She turned and waved goodbye to Janus and the other angels. The others did the same, smiling happily at the innocent girl. Bridget and Seth both waved goodbye.
I turned away from the fading figure, looking at the Goddess who had stood back to her height. I looked up to her, sucking in a breath and walking forward. Before I could say a word, two things jumped on me from behind.
"The high is going away! Hold me!" It was Rory who hung their arms around my shoulders, slumping to put their whole weight on my back.
I heard a familiar whimper, and I realized that Casper was lying between my legs, trying to trip me as I walked. When he stopped, I wavered slightly, struggling to catch my balance before I fell. Both of them had me trapped, making it difficult for me to move. I groaned as I tried to push Rory off of me.
"Let- go!"
The angel didn't say anything, just moaning in fake pain. I sighed, feeling Casper retreat. Rory did not, though, holding on even tighter. I tripped, catching myself while pushing the angel's face away.
Bridget and Seth had returned, looking at the redhead with annoyance. "Stop playing around," Seth shook his head, looking at Rory, who was in "pain." Rory smirked away from their eyes, but I could feel it on my shoulder where they stuffed their face into me.
I ignored them, looking back to where the goddess was. She wasn't there?
No, she was! I saw her fading figure a bit farther away, but I couldn't miss a few swarms of angels talking around her. She smiled, waving gently at those below her while she continued to glide forward.
It was truly magical to watch her move. Her wings stayed perfectly still while closed behind her. The golden fabric of her clothing fluttered gently, causing the jewelry she wore to glint in the sunlight. She looked like she was constantly glowing, and the pale yellow hair cascading around her shoulders swayed only slightly.
Some of her hair flew around behind her, the wind carrying her entire being, passing the angels, forcing them to look up and gawk. When she looked down to nod at the angels who spoke to her, I couldn't help but notice how the half-bangs covering the other eye moved slightly. There was nothing under the eye but a white mark imprinted on her skin.
Bridget and Seth pulled Rory off me. When I felt the heavy angel release, I opened my wings and jumped forward. Air flew from behind my strong thrust, sending me forward quickly. I heard the other grunt from behind, but I ignored them.
I forced myself up into the air so I could move quicker. I did move quicker, gliding along the air while my wings fluttered around to keep me up.
I was moved quicker than I expected. I guess my desperate flapping made me move quickly. I was suddenly thrust up and forward, closer to the goddess than I could catch myself. Before I could smash my face into her, she grabbed me.
Gently, her warm hold enclosed my whole figure in a second. I let out a small gasp; eyes open wide when my face was in between where her chest was. I felt hot, sweaty, and embarrassed.
I was about ready to cry; what have I just done?
The gasps from all around us told me all I needed to know about what I did. Where I was and what my face was pressed into. If I could, I would wish to be dead right now. To be anywhere but here.
As I looked around, my eyes felt hot and heavy. I realized I was crying, and my vision was blurry from the tears. I expected the goddess to be shocked, disgusted, and angry at me.
But none of that is what I heard, only a small angelic giggle filled with humor. A hand brushed my head, rubbing away the tears that almost fell. "My angel, do not worry. I know that it was just an accident." She moved her head closer to mine. I lifted up and hesitated to meet her eyes.
She looked back at me with a soft expression and red dusted on her cheeks. "Every being wants comfort from another, no matter where you decide to get that from." She giggled once again.
I felt faint from how hot and flushed I had become.