by A. M. True
Thorenel: We must prepare ourselves for the return of Emalickel. Let me teach you about the passing of the crown.
We headed back inside to the throne area. We practiced the ceremony of the passing of the crown, so I would know what to do when the time came. Laughter from Thorenel and me filled the echoing Throne Hall as we enjoyed cutting up with each other and goofing off. He was a lot of fun; not quite as serious and professional as Emalickel.
The light of Auruclerum began to fade and warriors and guards began entering the palace. I noticed the lions were sitting upright at attention again. Thorenel began to pet one of the lions nearest to him again. He knew I was curious about them.
Artist: Audiomachine
Song: The Dreammaker
Thorenel: The lions, they rise any time there is another presence in the palace besides Emalickel, you, or myself. If a presence not of Millattus were to enter the palace, the lions sound a great roar transmitting to every being on Lapoi. They will then tactfully back the presence into a corner roaring them into submission. Otherwise, they attack until takedown, or if one of us instructs them to do so. They understand our commands and will do anything we say within their capabilities. They are our loyal companions. They will never hurt us nor turn on us.
We heard a throat clear. Thorenel was being summoned by Dennoliel at the foot of the stairs. Dennoliel motioned with his head that he needed Thorenel.
Thorenel: It looks like we have begun preparations for this evening. I will likely be occupied until the gathering begins. You are free to come along with me, but remember, this is your palace too. Go and do as you please, wherever you please. Just stay within the parameters of the palace so the warriors will be nearby.
He took my hand and brought it to his lips giving it a gentle kiss. Then, he smiled at me as if to say, “I love you” before turning to walk down the throne stairs. His red velvety cape moved royally behind him as he walked.
I sat down on the floor next to the white lion on my side. I began to pet him. I leaned my head onto his side and drifted away. I was smiling in thoughts of excitement, anticipating Emalickel’s return. The lion breathed slow deep breaths. My head moved with his side as he inhaled and exhaled. He was very soft and warm.
Since Thorenel and the other celestials were occupied on the ceremony preparations and Emalickel was not there, I decided to wander the palace and take my mind off the seemingly long wait. I headed towards the arched windows which lined the Throne Hall behind the aisle archways in the east. I could see the landscaped courtyard area. There were benches to sit upon near sparkling great fountains. Flower beds lined the paved walkways. I noticed a grand open room to my left and began roaming around that way. From there, I continued into many other different grand rooms on the ground floor.
Artist: Adrian Von Zeigler
Song: Song of Brotherhood
Night fell, and the palace became packed with the beings of Lapoi. Upbeat music was playing. It was a blend of Celtic, Renaissance, and Viking music. It was being played in several of the rooms on the ground level. I was looking for Thorenel, as I hadn’t seen him since he started tending to the preparations. I wondered where he was. That’s when I heard his voice in my head.
Thorenel: There you are. Come to the Mead Hall. Go down the throne stairs and turn left. It’s through the Great Hall all the way back. You’ll hear the commotion. I have an empty chair beside me—it is waiting for you.
When I got to the Mead Hall, I noticed Thorenel was sitting across the room drinking from a tankard. He was in a chair which sat upon a slightly raised platform. There was another chair on this platform next to his. He saw me, placed his tankard on the table beside him, and stood up like a gentleman, with his hands folded down in front of him, as a solider would stand. He smiled and motioned for me to sit in the chair beside him.
There was dancing, drinking, laughing, and loud conversations carrying on throughout the Mead Hall. It was a fun and light atmosphere. When I arrived to Thorenel, he spoke to me over the noise.
Thorenel: And this is my favorite place in all the palace! So full of energy and life!
I stayed in there for what seemed like an hour. It was fun to watch everyone. We could see everything from where our chairs were located. Different songs played, and many were dancing and laughing while others came to us to share stories of adventure. There were group step dances in which we participated a few times. Most of us huddled together in the middle of the Mead Hall floor, but there were many who chose a table to dance upon. Other tables were occupied by those gorging themselves in drinking and feasting. They were all drinking from tankards and acting carefree. Spills were happening left and right, but nobody seemed to care. It was a room filled, wall-to-wall, with relaxed and joyful presences. Every face was smiling and laughing. Everyone was either eating, drinking, or dancing—some were doing all three!
During one of the songs, Xabiel requested to see Thorenel. Kissing my hand, Thorenel politely excused himself and headed out of the Mead Hall with Xabiel. I decided to go to the balcony to see what the night sky looked like on Lapoi.
Artist: Brian Tyler
Song: Thor, Son of Odin
When I got out there, all I could hear was the faint sound of music and laughing in the distance within the palace. I could feel a cool sensation in the night air. I wasn’t cold, but there definitely was a slight chill in the air without Auruclerum’s light.
Suddenly, I felt a breeze stronger than all the rest. A slow whisper came along with the breeze. It sounded like the voice of Emalickel mixed with the whisper of the wind. First it sounded like a sigh, and then it formed words. I heard it as if it were passing by me in the wind.
Emalickel: I have missed you.
The next thing I heard was the sound of Thorenel’s voice from inside the palace. He was calling in a loud authoritative voice.
Thorenel: He has arrived! Emalickel has returned! All make way to the Throne Hall! Take your positions! He is here!
I headed back into the Throne Hall from the Grand Balcony. I began walking down the stairs to the ground level. The lions had risen. Celestials, wearing different attire and colored garments, were feeding in from all directions through all the arches. They were all conversing. I was unsure where to go, so I stood on the ground, to the side of the stairs. There were so many celestials, it was hard to see individual faces.
Everyone was still settling in the busy room when I felt a pair of warm and calm hands gently place themselves on my shoulders. I turned my head to see who it was. It was Thorenel. He still wore the crown of Lapoi. He knew I was becoming overwhelmed. His touch alone sent energy waves of calm and peace through my body.
He placed his arm around my back and guided me back up the stairs.
Thorenel: We will take our places up here, Princess.
He showed me to my throne chair, and we took our seats. I looked out at everyone who was gathering and suddenly felt a churning of nerves deep in the pit of my stomach. I was really nervous, not only about the ceremony and all the attention, but about seeing Emalickel again. It had been six Earth-years since I had last seen him, and he was about to make his presence right there in front of me—in the physical.
Artist: Thomas Bergerson
Song: Colors of Love
The giant front arched doors began to open with its majestic echo. I saw Emalickel’s figure standing at attention while he waited for the doors to open completely. He slowly removed the hood of his cloak from his head. Then, he stepped inside. A ray of glowing light illuminated him. He took steady steps along the black aisle rug keeping his gaze straight ahead.
The palace was packed with cheering celestials. They had conjured some kind of golden glitter to throw into the air. As Emalickel walked past them, they would bow to him. A Lapoian bow was subtle; bowing celestials would fold their hands to their chest and slightly bend both knees together while their heads looked downward and nodded once.
Emalickel continued walking. He was wearing loose-fi
tting black pants trimmed in gold and a black tunic. Around his waist was a white belt with a golden Celtic trinity symbol in the middle. His black boots were hard to see under his pant legs. He wore his red velvety cape under his cloak. The hem of his cloak gently glided along the floor behind him as he progressed down the center aisle towards the thrones.
The celestials were cheering his name repeatedly. It amazed me how much respect they had for him. They were all so ecstatic for his return. I looked briefly over at Thorenel. He remained professional on the throne chair, but I could tell he, too, seemed happy to see his brother again. Even he, who was about to relinquish his crown to pass back down to Emalickel, had great respect for the eldest Princedom brother. He was looking out at Emalickel and smiling peacefully. He noticed I was looking at him and acknowledged me by glancing over at me with a smile and a wink. He then returned his focus to Emalickel’s grand entrance.
As Emalickel got closer I could see he was making eye contact directly at me. It was as if he saw nobody else in the room. His focus was right on me. His smile grew wider, and I could begin to see his bright white teeth peeking through. Everything in the room suddenly became dimmer, slower, and quieter. I could faintly hear an angelic choir humming harmonious joyful notes as he continued closer. He stood out in the glow of light which continued to illuminate him. He continued walking down the aisle, approaching closer and closer. I became more and more nervous, the closer he got. I was taken away at the beautiful image of him. I tried to control my facial expression, but it was all I could do to breathe as he came even closer. His presence made my legs grow weak, and it made my heart tremble. His energy was sovereign. I was infatuated with him.
When he finally arrived at the foot of the stairs, he stopped. Thorenel and I stood up in unison. We had practiced this earlier. Emalickel continued looking at me for a moment. He winked at me and held his bright smile for even a moment longer. Then, he turned his head to look at Thorenel. Thorenel motioned for Emalickel to come up the stairs. Emalickel took his time bringing himself up each of the nine steps.
Once Emalickel arrived at the top of the stairs, Thorenel removed the Lapoian Crown from his own head and held it with both hands. The crown was presented to the celestials in the Throne Hall as Thorenel spoke loudly.
Thorenel: The Crown of Lapoi represents supremacy among the entire realm of Millattus. May he who bears this crown, adorn it with great honor in their title as the Prince of Lapoi. May all who come into his presence, embellish him with great respect and admiration.
Thorenel turned back to Emalickel with the crown. Emalickel kneeled to Thorenel. Thorenel gently placed the crown onto Emalickel head. Emalickel then returned to a standing position. At this, Thorenel knelt on one knee to Emalickel. Emalickel placed his hand on Thorenel’s right shoulder signaling acknowledgement. Thorenel then rose and bowed his head to Emalickel before turning to descend gracefully down the stairs. He took his place at the foot of the stairs, off to the side. This completed the ceremony. The celestials roared deeply chanting in unison.
Celestials: Prince Emalickel! Prince Emalickel!
The celestials were clapping and cheering, but Emalickel held up his hand signaling for them to stop. He turned to me. He stepped closer and reached for the crown on the back of my throne chair. He held it with both his hands waiting for me. He gazed at me deeply, smiling at me with so much love within his twinkling aqua eyes. I remembered he previously told me not to bow before him, so I simply tilted me head forward for him. When I felt him gently place my crown onto my head, I had forgotten how heavy and solid it felt. Emalickel placed his hands on my shoulders and brought his face in closer to mine. He whispered very quietly to me, so nobody would hear.
Emalickel: One glimpse of you, and I lose myself. I forget where I am and who I am.
His lustful gaze toggled between my eyes as if searching for a place to focus his passion. He was breathing hard, which in turn made me breath hard. I smiled at him, not knowing what else to do. Then, he snapped out of it and took my hand into his. He squeezed my hand and I could feel his passion radiating through me. He raised our clasped hands together in the air and presented me loud and clear.
Emalickel: Lapoi, your Princess has returned!
The celestials all began clapping and cheering loudly again. I scanned the entire Throne Hall with my eyes absorbing the scene. The entire hall now grew into illumination. I saw the glitter being thrown into the air and heard random shouts and whistles of celebration. When I glanced down in Thorenel’s direction I could see that he, too, was clapping and smiling proudly at me.
When the roar decreased and came to an end. Emalickel addressed the celestials.
Emalickel: Tomorrow evening, I shall provide the orders in which I received. Until then, let us celebrate the glory of tonight!
Artist: Brunuhville
Song: Dragonland
Emalickel pointed towards the instrumental celestials who were gathered at the base of the stairs to our left. They began to play. The instruments consisted of violins, cellos, accordions, mandolins, flutes, bass drums, and vocalists. Everyone began to move and shuffle, filling the aisle, dancing and laughing in celebration. Some celestials made their way into the Mead Hall while others dispersed into the Entertainment Hall. They also filled the Throne Hall on both the upper floors and the entire ground level all between archways. They began socializing among one another.
A female approached the thrones with Romenciel and Xabiel. She was wearing a beige and gold hooded cloak, like the royal cloak worn by the brothers. Until this point the only celestials that I had seen wearing the cloaks were the brothers. I saw Emalickel look at me briefly before speaking to the cloaked female.
Emalickel: Zamadriel! What a pleasure to see you this evening! Have you been formally introduced to our Princess?
Zamadriel spoke kindly.
Zamadriel: I know of her very well but have not been formally introduced.
Emalickel: Well, let us go to the balcony so we can all become more acquainted.
He held out his arm to escort me. We turned to go up the stairs behind the thrones leading to the Grand Balcony. I looked back and saw that Thorenel was coming up the stairs behind Zamadriel, Romenciel, and Xabiel. When we got outside, we all continued walking across the spa pool towards the balcony’s edge. We all stood looking out at the Valley of Dillectus for a moment. Emalickel spoke, moving over to Zamadriel.
Emalickel: Princess, this is Zamadriel.
She respectfully bowed her head to me.
Emalickel: Zamadriel is our sister.
I didn’t know they had a sister.
Emalickel: She is our sister through brotherhood. Zamadriel is one with Romenciel and Xabiel, as you are one with Thorenel and me.
Emalickel walked to lean onto the balcony rail. He looked out again at the mountains in the distance. The other brothers stood to the side.
Emalickel: Each partnership is balanced with a chosen female. Like you, Zamadriel came from the mortal realm. Her energy captivated my brothers, who then sought-after her as I once sought-after you.
I had questions but could tell Emalickel still had more to say. He began walking around the balcony with his hands behind his back. I knew he could hear my questions and would deliver the answers to me in a nice neat package, if I would just let him continue. He was looking down at his feet as he walked.
Emalickel: As you know, everything was created with balance—darkness and light. The conscious beings of creation must also be in balance. Although celestials and mortals are not to blend with each other on the mortal plane, as many have wrongfully done, we are to keep ourselves balanced through the energies often referred to as the feminine energy. Especially the celestials in higher-status positions, like my brothers and I, are in need of finding that balancing energy.
Emalickel turned and walked towards me with a gentle smile on his face.
Emalickel: This desired feminine energy exists only in the mortal plane. This is because the
mortal plane is where the contrast exists. It is where duality exists. The mortal females encompass the feminine energy. We are to wait for that energy to awaken before seeking its companionship. That can take eons. This is because, although we are allowed to influence awakenings through inspiration, synchronicities, and symbolisms, we are not allowed to make manifestations in our celestial bodies to contact mortals unless ordered by God. Awakenings can take an extensive amount of time because mortals tend to lack in faith and often have doubts. They must “see it to believe it” and even then, they try to find justifications for things that are unusual.
He walked over to Zamadriel and then behind her as she faced me.
Emalickel: Zamadriel was once a part of the mortal plane. She came from Grahst, and like you, she once passed between planes in her astral body, and has recently become into her full awakening. She now permanently resides with Romenciel and Xabiel at the Warrior Temple in Karnequlus. Upon your full awakening, you will reside permanently with Thorenel and me, here at the Palace of Lapoi.