by Jarod Meyer
“Abuela?” she gasped.
“Come here, my child, and give your grandmother a hug,” the woman said.
Angelica raced into her arms, tears flooding her eyes. Her grandmother had been the glue which held her family together, and it had been a tragic day when she passed at seventy six. The thought of seeing her again hadn’t even crossed Angelica’s mind. But now it made perfect sense. How many times had she told herself that she would see her again when God welcomed her to heaven?
The two women embraced, looking more like long lost sisters. Then, without warning, the realization hit her, and the tears let loose like a flood and Angelica started to moan and convulse. She, just like her grandmother, Angelina, had passed away. Her family would be mourning for her right now. Angelina seemed to understand, and patted her comfortingly on the back.
“Oh my sweet child, you were too young, but you must not grieve your death. Our family will do this for you. Take comfort. As surely as you stand before me now, you will see them again,” she said.
Angelica calmed quickly in her grandmother’s arms, as she always did as a child. Emotion ran deep in her, but the fact that her dear grandmother had not shed a tear gave her strength. She must have been expecting her, just not quite yet. Baily mentioned that the soul is immortal, but also that time moved differently in Archonia. Angelica wondered how fast time had moved for her grandmother since her passing five years ago.
Angelica looked around, and realized that Baily was gone. Apparently, now that they had found her family, the midwife’s job was done. She held her Grandmother Angelina’s hand as they began to walk through intimately sized corridors, wound up spiraling steps, and moved through beautiful indoor gardens. The architecture and plant species were all fairly reminiscent of Central American themes.
“Welcome to the Latin district, child. This is where our family has chosen to make its home,” Angelina said.
“How many of our family live here?”
“Well that depends on how far back in our lineage you want to track. The records that I have studied in the Latin district library indicate that we have as many as two thousand relations currently dwelling in Helios alone. Those on our particular family tree number perhaps forty or so,” she said, smiling.
It was so peculiar seeing her young face and hearing her voice free from the rasp and soft quaver of age.
“My goodness. Will I get to meet them all? Do I know any of them?” she asked, bombarding her grandmother with questions.
“Of course, Angie, we are having a fiesta tonight in celebration of your coming. And don’t worry I will make sure that they do not overwhelm you. They can be a handful,” she said, grabbing Angelica’s forearm and laughing.
Angelica laughed back and they continued on. She saw hundreds of people passing through the small winding corridors around her. They were all open aired, and covered in Incan, Mayan, and Aztec looking carvings and arrangements, as well as Spanish and Italian themed paintings and murals. Trees and bushes grew everywhere in this section of the city, making it seem more real and alive than what she had seen so far.
After a brief walk they came to a courtyard with lush, green grass and fountains filled with floating flowers. Children played and the smell of rich spicy food filled the air. After a few moments the people all stopped what they were doing, and turned to stare at her. Her chest grew tight and she took a step back. She looked from face to face, starting to pick out familiar features. They must be her family.
Angelica jumped in surprise, her heart leaping into her throat as the courtyard erupted into cheers and applause. A smile broke across her face and she could feel it flush with warmth. Before she knew it she was bombarded with hugs and kisses by so many strangers she could hardly keep track. Her grandmother told her who each person was, but there was no way to remember them all.
“This is your great, great aunt Debbie and her grandson, Ricardo. That is your great grandfather’s cousin, Emilio and his wife, Daisy,” she went on.
Angelica didn’t know most of them, but her eyes swelled with tears again when her grandmother introduced her cousin Julia. Her cousin started to cry as well as they embraced. Julia had been very young when Julia died in a terrible car accident. She was a grown woman now, but Angelica recognized her face. It was the same face that had been in her prayers on so many sleepless nights. After almost a half an hour of introductions and embracing family, she thought that she was finally out of tears.
They ate together as a family, sitting at a long table laden with foods from all over. Angelica talked closely with Julia, filling her cousin in on all she had missed on Earth. Julia likewise told her about Archonia.
“Cousin, I prayed to the creators for years that I would see you again. I was so worried that my family would mourn me too much and not be able to live their lives to the fullest,” Julia said.
“Julia, we all mourned for you so very much. I prayed to God that I would see you again. I knew that I would. I guess I just hadn’t expected it to be so soon…” she said, trailing off.
“Do not worry, cousin. We will see our families again. We have as many years to be with them as we need.”
Julia smiled and wiped yet another tear from Angelica’s face.
“Would you like to meet my husband?” she asked excitedly.
Angelica was taken by surprise by this news, but tried hard to not let it show. Julia leapt up, and sped off through the grass. Angelica had never seen anyone move so fast. She grew up in Archonia. Maybe she learned this speed?
When Julia returned, she was holding the arm of a tall man clad in silver armor. It was inlaid with gold and encrusted with many gemstones. He wore a long flowing white cape that fell to the ground. His face was long and austere, as if chiseled from stone, and his long flowing black hair fell carelessly about his shoulders.
“Angelica, I would like you to meet my husband, Edmund.”
His smile was radiant, and his presence put her at ease.
“He is a soldier?” Angelica asked, her gaze dropping to the very large sword dangling from his hip.
Edmund spoke, his words perfectly pronounced and his voice dignified.
“Not just a soldier, young one. I am a Guardian.”
“Why does everybody keep calling me that?” Angelica asked.
“Cousin, Edmund is over two hundred years old,” Julia said snorting.
The pair shared a smile and Angelica wanted to shrink away. She felt like an alien. An outsider. The prospect of her little cousin being married to someone who was over two hundred years old frightened her. She returned their smile, trying hard to hide her shock.
“And what is a Guardian?” Angelica asked politely.
“Guardians are among the strongest and most important militant groups in this world, and of dire importance to the mortal world. We are a battalion that focuses completely on combat, and once a year each member travels on a crusade to the mortal plane to watch over humanity,” Julia said, admiring her husband with big doughy eyes.
Angelica smiled and nodded, trying to soak everything in. For the rest of the evening the group sang and danced. Occasionally, someone would hold up their hand and make the most wonderful things appear from pure light. Angelica watched it all quietly, feeling like an infant born into a new world.
After most of the people had gone back to their homes, her grandmother settled down next to her and held her close. They watched the massive sun set over the collage of buildings, casting the city in a beautiful, rose hue. Another tear formed in Angelica’s eye as questions started to filter into her thoughts.
The questions flooded in, but she could only manage to ask one.
“Abuela? Is anything from the bible true?”
Chapter Six
Tribulations
William and Brock walked in silence, simply enjoying the sea of buildings shining brightly overhead. Waves of people flowed around them, their noise like the ebb and flow of waves breaking on a sandy beach.
Will
iam tried identifying some of the different styles of architecture. Though his knowledge of this only extended to high school history class, he was sure that he could at least pick out the main themes. Some looked Greek, some Roman, while others appeared Chinese or Japanese. Many had murals or tapestries, decorating their exterior walls.
“Brock, these buildings are larger than anything I’ve ever seen,” William said, breaking the silence.
“Just wait until you see,” his large companion said, just as they turned a corner.
Just beyond the square sat the most massive structure he had ever seen. It stretched as far as he could see in either direction, stone blocks the size of a house stacked to create a wall and turrets which dwarfed the sea of buildings around it. The wall wrapped around another mountain of towers, like arms embracing it lovingly. William’s mouth dropped open.
“What is this place?” William asked.
A smile broke across Brock’s enormous face.
“This is the center of the Archonian military. The ancient Nordic peoples call it...”
“Valhalla!” William exclaimed, interrupting.
“Correct, and it was so named,”
“Why does Archonia need a military?” William asked.
“Well, little brother, this world wasn’t always so peaceful. After the wars of old, the Synod ordered the creation of an army, should our foes ever rise again,” Brock said, leading them towards a gate cut expertly out of the outer wall.
“You mean Lucifer,” William said, his voice tight.
“Indeed, little brother, I do. But I am not a professor, so I will leave the rest of this tale to your mentors,” Brock said.
William followed Brock through the massive gate. If someone told him that giants lived there, William would believe them. There were five portcullises that hung above, the metal so thick that William wondered if explosives could breach it.
Through the gate sat another courtyard. A fountain and sculptures dominated the space, but the main focus was the enormous staircase and the front door. It too was made completely of metal, and was adorned with beautiful reliefs of copper and bronze. It was striking, but menacing. William ascended the stair, and nearly tripped over his own feet as he tried to take it all in. He stumbled forward, but caught himself just in time to almost run into a huge figure.
A man loomed above him even more intimidating than Brock. He stood nine feet tall, his muscles bulging through leather armor studded with silver, his arms folded over his chest. He had long white hair that curled slightly as it fell over his face. A scar ran over his ruined left eye, while the other shone brilliant lavender. William could have sworn he saw a flicker of electricity in his piercing gaze. As intimidating as he was, his face was still sharp and attractive.
“How is he so big?” William whispered to Brock.
“I was not as statuesque as I was on Earth either. He has lived here far longer than either of us, and his soul reflects his stature,” Brock said with a chuckle.
“Guardian. Thank you for escorting the recruit,” the white-haired man said, his voice booming forth.
“Yes, my lord Zeus,” Brock said, bowing low and backing away.
William watched him in astonishment. This couldn’t possibly be Zeus, the Greek god of lightning. Could it?
“I wanted to see it for myself. Gabriel is a fool,” Zeus said.
William scowled. Gabriel was the only person that had done anything for him, in either of his lives. Well, save for Angelica. He really didn’t know what having a friend was like, but he felt compelled to speak up.
“What’s your problem?”
“Be silent, or I will send your tainted soul to Dichonia,” Zeus threatened.
“Try it. I’d like to see if your words are as big as you are,” William retorted.
“Well, this little soul has no fear. You may make a fine soldier… if nothing else. Very well, Brock, his sentinel training will begin immediately.”
With that Zeus turned and disappeared into the shade of the massive hall behind him.
“Bold words, little man,” Brock said, slapping him on the back. William raised an eyebrow, and let out his pent up breath.
“Is anyone going to like me here?” he asked.
“I know at least two people here that like you fair enough. Gabe likes you, and therefore, I like you,” Brock stated, and ushered him inside.
Brock asked William to wait patiently in the entrance hall. He looked around as the large man walked away. The interior of Valhalla was as equally breathtaking as the outside. It was excessive, really. Massive pillars held up the high ceiling, but he felt a light breeze blow across his shaved head, as if it was open sky above him. Fully armored soldiers zipped by at incredible speeds. Many stopped briefly, if only to stare at William. He felt like an animal at a zoo.
William immediately felt uncomfortable. Not only was it an alien place, but also because everyone he’d seen inside treated him like an oddity. He tried to brush these feelings aside.
If Brock was to be believed, he was going to begin some kind of military training. He knew from past experiences that it would likely be very rough. His time in the Army Rangers and Spec Ops taught him that he would be facing rigorous physical training exercises. These would likely be followed by tactical classes, and then more training exercises. They would drill hand to hand combat, weapons, and survival tactics rigorously. He had a good idea how things were supposed to go.
It wasn’t long before a man dressed head to toe in silver and blue armor approached. He was shorter than others he had seen. He had long, dark brown hair, which fell just past his shoulders. This seemed to be a popular style of haircut. Such a thing would never be found in the military on Earth.
“My name is Silvos, and I am a sentinel of Archonia. I have been tasked with overseeing your training,” the man declared cordially.
“My name is William,” he said, extending a hand.
Silvos looked at his proffered hand, his own hands remaining locked behind his back.
“Lord Zeus has commanded me here. I assure you, I take no pleasure in our meeting,” Silvos said, the edges of his mouth turned down.
“Well then, get on with it,” William responded in an equally spiteful tone.
He was so set in his ways. He tried to think of something nice to say in return, as Brock had suggested, but he came up blank. Silvos turned and began to walk. William followed silently, wondering if this was heaven at all. It sure didn’t feel like it. If these were the people chosen to live in paradise, they were certainly not kind in the least.
They turned down a dark hall and, William took in the stone work around him. Expansive murals depicting great battles hung on either side. Evil looking beasts were being cut down and defeated by valiant looking soldiers, just like the ones passing them by. William marveled at the size of their weapons. He couldn’t imagine they were easy to lift, let alone wield. Even with the super strength that these men seemed to possess.
The columns supporting the walls appeared to be sculptures of different warriors. They were each magnificent in their own unique way. William ducked closer to read the inscriptions. They were written in a strange series of symbols that William had never seen before. He rubbed his eyes and looked again, and almost missed. What looked like gibberish before, now appeared as clear as day. The symbols popped into his head as if they had been planted there.
“Theseus of Archonia,” he said softly, amazed that he was able to read it at all.
“Yes. This is the Greek wing,” Silvos said, in a bored, uninterested manner. “May we continue now? We must begin. I am required to have you killing demons by nightfall.”
William hurried along to catch up with Silvos, who had already rushed ahead. He looked at the other statues, excitedly reading their names. There were so many of them, but William was able to pick out a few that he recognized from stories: Perseus of Ovaria, Oedipus of Earth, Hercules of Archonia, Cadmus of Dichonia, Atalanta of Earth, Ajax of Dichonia, A
chilles of Archonia.
A bright light appeared ahead. William squinted as he passed through and found himself outside. Before him stood a mass of soldiers. Some were formed in ranks, while others sparred in small groups, marched, or flew overhead as fast as jets.
William couldn’t fathom the number. There must have been a million people in the field. They all wore gold and silver armor. To his immediate left, William saw men lifting stones that looked impossibly large. One man stepped forward, apparently demonstrating for a group of recruits. He held up a palm towards a massive stone, just before a blinding light shot forth. The beam instantly shattered the stone into gravel. The soldiers applauded in approval.
Silvos led William to a circular sparring ground. There was sand in the circle, and a short chain fence around it. It was obvious to William what was about to happen. Silvos leapt into the center of the circle, clearing the distance in a single bound. William figured he could probably make it over the fence, if he tried. He settled in to watch Silvos, but the short man motioned him to join him.
Son of bitch. They really don’t like me here at all, William thought.
Either that or he was about to be initiated. Either way, William figured he was about to get his ass kicked. He climbed slowly over the fence, dragging his feet to his instructor.
“Let us see what the tainted one can do!” Silvos shouted so that others around could hear him.
Almost all the soldiers within earshot stopped what they were doing, and began to move towards their circle. Could word of his arrival possibly spread so fast? He tried to recount the time since his arrival, but it was fractured and jumbled.
William tried to think of what to say to diffuse the situation, but something flashed before him. Everything blurred and started to spin. He felt weightless, like he was flying, and his face hurt. William tumbled hard into the sand and skidded to a halt. Silvos stood casually where William’s face had been a moment ago, a single finger extended. Silvos had only hit him with a finger.
Through the haze of pain, William heard the gathered crowd roar with laughter. He staggered to his feet, the coppery taste of blood filling his mouth.