“No I wouldn’t, and I can stay up if we must go,” said Jo. Lucy was looking out into the void and she saw a small light out in the darkness that didn’t seem right. It was a mild night and it was quiet, way too quiet.
“What are you looking at, Lucy?” asked Jo.
“I don’t know, that tiny light out there above the trees, I don’t like the look of it,” she said.
Arthur walked into the sitting room then into the study, and retrieved his brass telescope. Arthur looked out across the landscape and focused on the light. Lucy and Jo watched him as he scanned the surroundings, then he shuddered. “Umm, Lucy, did your husband have a ship of his own?” asked Arthur.
“Yes, but he hasn’t used it in years,” said Lucy.
“Here he comes,” said Arthur, who passed the telescope to Lucy, who also shuddered.
Arthur then acted fast; he ran to the banister and climbed down to the ground. Jo ran with Lucy and they followed Arthur down to the door. They stood in front of the huge granite door, and didn’t know what to do. “Archie, could you please open the door!?” shouted Arthur.
“It’s not going to work,” said Lucy.
“It has to, otherwise we’ll have a gunfight on our hands,” said Arthur. The door stayed still and nothing moved. There was a silence, then something happened which made Lucy change her whole outlook on the situation.
The door started to hum, and part of it lit up. Four circles glowed with a faint green glow, and there was a faint hand print on each. Arthur put his hand on one and the door shuddered. Jo put her hand as well and it shuddered again, only this time much more. Lucy put her hand on too and the door nearly opened, but the last place was not filled and Arthur knew how to fill it. He took his hand off and ran back to the ship.
The light was getting closer and Lucy contemplated running up the black mountainside in an effort to escape her husband. Arthur came back carrying Lady Franklyn, who put her hand out sleepily and joined with Arthur in putting their hands on the wall. The whole door lit up with thousands of intricate patterns. The door then opened up and a warm breeze blew out from the cave inside. Arthur carried Elise and Jo was pulled by Lucy inside. The doors then slammed shut, just when Edward’s ship came into view out in the dark. The group now had one choice: they had now entered heaven but they just didn’t realise it yet…
The Sanctuary of Blue Light
The cave wasn’t dark since there were several crystals sticking out of the wall, and they gave off a dim light that lit up enough to see where things were. “So, we’re here inside the Great Rim, it must have taken ages to make this tunnel,” said Lucy.
“I like it here,” said Elise, the first words that she had said in a long time.
“You spend most of your time chained underground in the dark and you like it here?” asked Jo.
“It feels warm, snug and secure in here,” said Elise.
“Plus, these walls are made of granite, so the tunnel is as secure as my safe,” said Arthur. There was a whooshing sound outside the door followed by a muffled sound of someone shouting.
“Shall we push on?” asked Arthur. The floor was covered in sand and it felt warm when Elise felt it. She had begun to feel much better ever since she was freed and didn’t know how to thank Arthur for what he had done for her.
“It is quite strange, this whole situation I mean,” said Lucy.
“I try not to think about it,” said Arthur.
“I just go with the flow most of the time,” said Jo.
“I have a question for you Lucy, what is your maiden name?” asked Arthur.
“My full name is a little long,” she said, as they passed more crystals in the tunnel.
“You’re among friends here,” said Jo.
“Very well, my full name is Lucinda Drexel Constance Theodosia,” she said.
“Ah, we’re going to probably stick with Lucy,” said Jo.
“I thought you might,” said Lucy.
“I’ve never heard of the name Theodosia,” said Arthur.
“It isn’t very common, I’m actually the last Theodosia,” she said.
After walking up what felt like a hill, they entered a large room which seemed like an amphitheatre only there was no one in it, and it seemed to have no top. There was just the dark; but what attracted their attention was the large hole in the wall. There were stalactites and stalagmites blocking the hole slightly, but Arthur saw that he was able to climb through. He was followed by Elise who struggled to get through, and was severely weakened from it. Jo and Lucy followed and they were greeted by an amazing sight, so amazing that they couldn’t fully take it in.
A dark blue sky, like a beautiful shade of midnight and stars as immeasurable as sand on a beach. The land was lit up by glowing crystals of red, yellow, pink and purple, and light blue orbs flew gracefully through the air. The forest in front of them was dark, but not evil looking and in fact looked quite peaceful. It was made up of ancient oak trees covered in a beautiful looking blue moss.
The whole area was saturated in colour and a vague sound echoed through the trees that sounded like a lullaby. There was an overpowering sense of placidity and peacefulness that entered the minds of the four travellers that made them forget everything and put them at ease instantly. They felt as though they had crossed over a threshold to another world and now they were in a dream, a living dream that was so much better than anything else the outside world could offer.
Elise collapsed and lay peacefully on the soft grass verge. Arthur ran over to her and was taken over by tiredness which made him fall onto the verge too. Jo and Lucy also began to fall under some kind of magic spell and they fell onto the verge as well. Just as Jo closed her eyes she thought she saw Archie, just for a second, but then the whole world went black.
Arthur awoke first and saw that the place had not changed. He was feeling quite healthy and invigorated, and saw that the girls were collapsed in a pile sleeping soundly. He pulled them over to the verge where they were in a more dignified position. He then walked over to the entrance of the forest and decided to climb one of the ancient trees and get a much better view of the palace.
It was so beautiful that Arthur couldn’t believe that such a place really existed. Arthur then took out a smaller version of his telescope and looked across the sea of blue trees to the palace. “She really has style, and knows how to overdo it,” said Arthur.
“Are you going to stay up in that tree all day?” asked a voice from below. Arthur lost his footing because he thought that he was alone, and he slowly drifted onto the grass.
Arthur expected to be hurt but for some reason he didn’t feel a thing, it was like there was no pain here. Archie stood looking at Arthur with an ashamed look. Arthur got up and saw that she had changed dramatically since their last meeting. She was wearing an elegant dress with every kind of gem and design on it. Her hair was so long that it was being lifted by what looked like glowing birds, only they were smaller and gave off a funny glowing dust. Then she smiled and Arthur felt that everything was good and right in the world.
“So you are finally here, welcome to my home, the only safe place in Alavonia,” said Archie.
“It is more beautiful than I ever imagined,” said Arthur.
“And it is here that you will discover everything that is to come and the answers to any questions you may have, but first you must introduce me to your new friend,” said Archie.
“Don’t you mean friends?” asked Arthur.
“I’m afraid not. Lady Franklyn is now a resident of my world since she passed away about five minutes ago. Quite peacefully, actually, and now you have brought her here to heaven, she can join my people,” said Archie.
“She’s dead?!” he said.
“I’m afraid so, you see she couldn’t keep up, and she finally gave up in her sleep,” said Archie.
“Did she suffer in death?” asked Arthur.
“No one ever suffers here, you’re in heaven, Arthur, and there’s no pain, no
possible chance of attack since the walls are a mile thick and you have to see my palace; the builders may have taken ten thousand years constructing it but they really outdid themselves,” said Archie.
“How much did it cost?” asked Arthur.
“Money doesn’t work here. I mean it’s true that I am unbelievably rich. I could buy and sell Lord Yage’s gold plated backside and not make a dent in my wealth, but gods don’t usually mess with current affairs,” said Archie.
“OK, but how much would it cost?” asked Arthur.
“I forget how your money system works, explain it to me again” said Archie.
“The bottom of the scale is brass coins and they are called pennies” said Arthur.
“Just like in the other world, what about the copper?” asked Archie.
“They’re called Corbs,” said Arthur.
“So when it comes to silver I remember that they are called Interis,” said Archie.
“And then there is gold which are called Kigcoses,” said Arthur.
“I have no idea where you got that name, but isn’t there a platinum coin?” asked Archie.
“Those are few and far between, mostly for commemorative occasions and people don’t normally have them and they are called Eulokos,” said Arthur.
“OK, in that case the price of my palace is one hundred million Eulokos or one hundred billion Kigcoses,” said Archie.
“What have you got in there?!” asked Arthur.
“You’ll see, a lot of stuff to make sure that I never get bored here, I’m unbelievably rich but what does it matter,” said Archie.
“How does it feel to have all that money?” asked Arthur.
“It feels great…ask a silly question,” said Archie.
Archie led Arthur back to the clearing, and he saw that Elise had gone. Jo and Lucy still remained sleeping on the verge. “I think you two should wake up,” said Archie. And with that they did wake up and Jo jumped up to hug Archie.
“Yes yes it’s nice to see you too,” said Archie.
“Your home is amazing,” said Jo.
“Thank you very much, I hope you enjoy your stay,” she said.
“Excuse me,” said Lucy.
“Yes, a warm welcome to you too Miss Theodosia,” said Archie.
“Hello, what is Archie short for?” asked Lucy.
“Archaelia, if you must know my full name is Archaelia D’Angelo Mysterioso,” said Archie.
“You know I have never heard your full name, though I suppose it’s not your real name,” said Arthur.
“Oh no of course not, I can’t tell you that since it would give way too much away,” said Archie.
“You’re not really a god, are you?” asked Lucy.
“Yes, I have the power to crush Alavonia into powder, and then do something with that powder that will send me to all the other planets,” said Archie.
“Prove it,” said Lucy.
The four then whooshed through the air and landed on a street, outside a large mansion. In the garden was a large pile of suitcases and more were being moved out of the house. Sat on the boxes was a girl of about 175, with a black hair band and shoes that were way too big for her.
“This is my home,” said Lucy.
“It was, but now you are moving out and soon you will be married to Sir Edward in Evermore and then you will move to Danis Hall until you are rescued by Jo here,” explained Archie.
“Are we back in time?” asked Arthur.
“I told you I can do anything, but don’t move because if you do the whole image will shatter, and we will zoom back to the Twilight Vale,” said Archie.
They watched for about five minutes until Lucy intentionally stepped forward. Everything blurred and they all found themselves back in the clearing. “Why did you do that?” asked Arthur.
“It was too upsetting for her, she didn’t know when she was that age how bad things were to be and wanted to get rid of that image of hope since there really was no hope at all,” said Archie.
“OK, I believe you, you’re a god, it’s all true. So where do we go from here?” asked Lucy.
“Up there, to my throne room,” said Archie.
She pointed to a large stained glass window in the centre of the palace, which was so large that it could be seen from the clearing. “Before we go I heard a whooshing sound outside the door after it closed, what was it?” asked Arthur.
“Oh that, well Sir Edward was extremely annoyed when he couldn’t find you and blow your brains out, so he decided to burn the ship down” said Archie. Arthur’s eyes widened. “What!?” he shouted.
“Then the whoosh was me plucking it from the ground and placing it on a higher ledge where he could never find it,” said Archie.
“He is never going to leave us alone is he?” said Lucy.
“No, I think that Sir Edward will have a further part to play in your tale but I want you to know that this is only a repercussion of bringing Lucy and Lady Franklyn here. He believes that the good Lady will testify that he killed her husband and nearly killed her, then there’s what he did to you Lucy,” she explained.
“But he did everything bad, why doesn’t he just leave?” asked Jo.
“Trust me evil villains never do that, they will do everything in their power to stave off a service of time in Icester. But you’re safe here so try to put it out of your mind,” said Archie, who led them down a trail through the forest.
“How many people live here?” asked Arthur.
“About ten thousand, they are all the souls of exemplary good people that the Misty Morning Rider delivers to me every now and again,” said Archie.
“You know the rider?” asked Lucy.
“I sometimes play Chrysso with her while her horse rests in my stables, plus she allows me to visit her lost island sometimes,” said Archie.
“Do you have servants?” asked Jo.
“Yes I do, but they don’t consider themselves as such and neither do I. They are mostly made up of servants from your Lords’ and Ladies’ estates, and they love their job so much, that it doesn’t feel like work,” said Archie.
“It’s a pretty nice set up you have here,” said Arthur.
“I just wanted a sanctuary free from the torment and danger of outside, and when I called this place heaven, I lied,” said Archie.
“I knew it, Heaven can’t exist on Alavonia,” said Lucy.
“I know this is a little abstract, but you tell Belinda Carlisle that,” replied Archie.
“So what is this place?” asked Arthur.
“The middle I suppose, you have the real heaven at the top and you get there by not murdering anyone, it’s as simple as that. Then you have Hell where the murderers go, and the Misty Morning Rider knows so there’s no getting away,” said Archie.
“So this place is in the middle?” asked Jo.
“Yes, if you’re an exemplary Discoucian then there’s a chance you end up here,” she replied.
“Archie, I don’t know if you’ve noticed but rather a few people have made a transition on account of me,” said Arthur.
“Oh I know, but you’ve saved Lucy and you saved Lady Franklyn from an agonising, lonely and hopeless death. And what of the hundreds of souls that you have saved before, and will go on to save after her?” said Archie.
“Where will she go?” asked Lucy.
“She will come here, she never hurt a soul, and she was an amazing gardener, hard to tell I know but I could use someone to tend to the vast palace gardens,” said Archie.
“So she had a happy ending after all, what about her husband?” asked Jo.
“Great miner that guy, made a fortune in the silver mines of Drongo and he will start with all the other new miners over in the east part of the Vale. Then most probably rise up to be a foreman or manager,” said Archie.
“So they’re together again?” asked Arthur.
“Yes, yes they are,” said Archie.
They came to a beautiful river which seemed to be a running f
low of mist. There was a bridge across it, an ornate white wooden structure that was wide enough for all of them to cross. They then arrived at the gardens of the palace.
“So what do you call this palace?” asked Jo.
“The Moonlight Palace” replied Archie.
The palace loomed up above them, and it was twice the size of Evermore. The gardens had well cut grass and flowers of only one colour, blue. They walked along a path of polished granite with borders of blue orchids. Archie led them up a set of stone stairs to a large patio where a large fountain pleasantly poured water into a crystal pool.
“Is this a dream?” asked Lucy.
“It might very well be but you can never tell when you are actually in one. Everything seems safe and surreal, nothing like the real world and you feel like you are surrounded by a soft light fuzz that keeps you from being hurt by anything. The temperature is at a constant which means that your sense of temperature is turned off, so I can understand that you would think so but I assure you that this is all physically real,” explained Archie.
“OK, I believe you, this is real,” said Lucy. Archie took them to the archway that led into the palace. There was a large chandelier above them as they passed into the main foyer.
It was the size of a great cavern though one thing it was missing was a set of stairs.
“How do we get to your throne room?” asked Jo.
“Through that door,” said Archie. Arthur went first, and then Jo and then Lucy. The door then slammed shut behind them. Archie was in front of them in the small room.
“I don’t know how you did that,” said Arthur.
“You now have to make the ascent to my throne room so that you can prove that you are worthy of the task I have for you,” said Archie, who faded out of sight.
“She’s nuts,” said Lucy.
“I think she’s nuts in a good way,” said Jo.
“Well then, I reckon we better get going,” said Arthur.
The Great Ascent
The three looked around the room and saw that there was a spiral staircase hidden around the wall. They entered through a small door on the other side of the room. It was so cramped inside that they had to crawl through. When they thought that they had been travelling forever, they emerged on a balcony. Arthur looked down to see how far he had come, and they had probably travelled about twenty feet up. Then he saw something horrifying. The floor was carpeted by some kind of fog, and it was slowly rising.
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