Justice for the Fallen
13 Sannarah

A surprised scream escaped my throat when we soared hundreds of feet over the city with just a few beats of golden wings. I clung to Golden Boy for dear life, digging my claws into his skin, but his only reaction was laughter.

How could he laugh when we were going to perish any second now? I glanced down and immediately felt dizzy, so I closed my eyes and pressed my face to his chest.

“Not a fan of heights?” Melkyal asked conversationally.

“I don’t have fricking wings!” I hissed. “I’m not a fan of splattering on the ground like a pancake. I like pancakes, but it doesn’t mean I’d like to be one!”

Golden Boy laughed again. It was a pleasant sound. Honest and joyful. I wasn’t used to hearing genuine laughter. His arm tightened around my waist.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”

Don’t listen to him. He will let you fall, the voice whispered in my head. To my surprise, I found it surprisingly easy to ignore. When I was near Melkyal, everything seemed possible. He was foolish and naïve, yet I wanted to believe him. It’d been so long since I trusted anyone. There was only a handful of beings I called friends, but somehow, this ridiculously guileless angel weaselled his way into my heart without me even noticing.

It wasn’t a bad feeling.

The air was getting colder, but Melkyal’s body shielded me from the most vicious winds and kept me warm. I could even call it cosy if I ignored the fact that we were soaring a thousand feet over the ground now.

Suddenly I felt a gentle, humid touch on my skin, and everything was white when I opened my eyes. It took only a moment, and before I blinked, we pierced through the clouds leaving a fluffy white plane beneath us. The moon looked huge, ruling over the vast blackness full of myriad twinkling stars.

An awed gasp escaped my lips. I’d never seen the sky so clearly. Back in the slums, we didn’t look up much. You had to keep your wits about you and your eyes on the ground to catch the incoming knife to dodge it.

But here, over the clouds, it seemed like another world. Everything was silent, and the air was crisp. There was no stench, no screams, no mortals. This place was pure and untouched by corruption.

“Do you like it?” Melkyal asked, his voice barely louder than a whisper.

“It’s beautiful. I envy you those wings now,” I admitted. “I wish I could just jump into the air and fly away, leaving the whole world behind.”

“I’ll lend them to you if you want,” he murmured.

I laughed. “I’d like that.”

“Anytime.”

Melkyal made a sharp turn, and suddenly, I saw a colossal floating… something in the distance. It looked as if some giant grabbed a part of the ground and ripped it free from the surface, but instead of soil and stone, the mass was made of sparkling, transparent crystals. It soared high over the clouds like an icy mountain, with its peak downwards instead of up.

Although the form alone was a marvel, what was built on top took my breath away. The closer we flew to the floating city, the more details I could see, and it was such a bizarre and wonderful sight I didn’t know where to look. The buildings covering the platform were white marble, transparent glass and crystals of all possible colours, catching the moonlight and dispersing it into a thousand smaller beams.

“Welcome to Heaven,” Melkyal said, not trying to hide his grin. “What do you think?”

“That’s…” I looked for the right words but found nothing. “You angels surely like sparkly things, eh?”

He snorted. “It’s fashionable lately. Wait for the sunrise, and you’ll see a real light show then.”

“I’m not sure if my eyes will survive so much light.”

“You’ll be fine. Hold on tight. I’ll take us down.”

I managed not to scream this time, though when Melkyal dived down, my stomach tried to come out through my mouth. But when I was sure we’d crush into the floating mountain, he broke the fall with a few strong beats of golden wings and landed gently. My knees felt like jelly, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to walk anytime soon.

I risked a glance over the edge. I could see the ground so far below that the city was barely a speck. I took a sharp breath, and my throat tightened.

So foolish, whispered the voice in my head. You have no way to run now. No escape. How could you put yourself at the mercy of angels?

I hated when she was right. But when I was standing at the edge of a floating, sparkling monstrosity, I realised how much trust I put in Melkyal. I, Demon of Wrath, was going to walk into Heaven.

That couldn’t end well.

“Are you all right?” Melkyal asked, his big hand gently grazing my shoulder.

I shook away my doubts and turned to him with a weak smile. “Never better. Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, you have nothing to worry about. I’ll keep you safe, I promise.” He took my hand with a gentle smile, and I let him pull me toward a grand golden gate.

Two Angels of Courage kept watch at the wide entryway, and I could see their eyes widen when they spotted me. They perked up and lowered their spears, crossing them and blocking the path.

“Melkyal, sir!” They saluted, but their faces were solemn. “What’s the meaning of this, sir? You know the protocol. All demons brought to Heaven must be chained.”

“It’s all right. Stand down, soldiers.” The hostility did not phase Melkyal. His voice was sure and confident, while I tried to make myself as small and inconspicuous as possible. “Sannarah is here as a witness. She’s doing us a favour assisting in an important investigation, and she will be treated as a guest.”

The Angels of Courage exchanged confused glances.

“But she’s a demon, sir!”

Melkyal cocked his head. “Are you questioning my judgement, soldier?”

“I… no, sir.”

“Then stand down.”

The angels glared at me, and I grinned, showing my sharp teeth. They reluctantly raised their weapons and stepped back, opening the entrance.

I couldn’t believe it was that easy.

Before I could utter a word, we were behind the gate strolling through the main road paved with snow-white bricks decorated with flowerpots blooming in explosions of purple and pink petals. Even at this time of night, the street of Heaven was full of angels. Most wore comfortable loose dresses and robes in neutral tones, white, beige, and pale blue. Their magnificent wings with different coloured feathers usually matched their outfits, as if they were yet another decoration. They strolled in pairs or small groups, chatting and laughing like they had no care in the world.

But when their eyes set on me, their beautiful faces twisted in shock, disbelief and hatred. As if I was something repulsive that marred their immaculate, shiny city. I couldn’t blame them. I stuck out like a sore thumb with my intense red skin tone, patched dusty breeches, and torn shirt.

They are all weak. Grew complacent in their perfect little floating city. They don’t care about anyone except themselves. And they look at us as if we were garbage. Let me out, and I’ll wipe out this derision from their faces.

I shook my head, trying to push her back down, but it was difficult when all my hair stood on end with all the ill glares I was receiving.

“It was a terrible idea,” I huffed.

Melkyal squeezed my hand. “Just ignore them. I don’t think most of them have ever seen a demon in person.” He stopped in front of an imposing building with a row of marble columns and turned to face me. “I need to talk to the judge before the trial to sort out the details.”

I perked up, my heart hammering in my chest. “You’re going to leave me here? I will get arrested by the first Angel of Courage that bumps into me.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not leaving you out on the street. There is a nice garden where we usually let the petitioners wait. No one will bother you there. I’ll make sure of that.”

The inside of the building looked as impressive as the outside─floors made of marble, intricately carved doors with polished golden handles, and beautiful paintings on the walls. I discreetly looked behind me to ensure I didn’t leave a dirt trail on squeaky clean floors.

As promised, Melkyal led me to a small garden on the roof of the building overlooking the whole city.

“I instructed the guards not to let anyone else here,” he said when we entered. “It shouldn’t take long. I’ll come back for you as soon as possible. The trial would probably be held in the morning, so not long now.”

“Fine, go and do your thing.” I shrugged. “I stay here and stare at flowers or something.”

He laughed and squeezed my hand for the last time before letting go. It immediately felt cold and desolated without his warmth. He turned around, his brilliant golden wings brushing gently at my shoulder, and left.

I sighed and hid my flushed face in my hands. What am I doing?

I was wondering about that.

“Shut up,” I growled aloud and stalked deeper into the garden. It was beautiful and unlike anything I’d ever seen. The abundance of greenery and other intense colours made me feel like I was thrown into some utterly alien world, while the mixed scent of all the blooming flowers made my head spin. Little bugs hummed contentedly, shining like little fallen stars, and together with crickets and leaves dancing on the gentle wind, created the most beautiful symphony.

What a pretty picture. Guess what is out of place here? Yes, you.

I ignored her and leaned on the railing, looking down at the city. It was the complete opposite of what I knew. Clean, pretty and outrageously calm. I heard a choir of lovely voices singing, and I found a group of angels with pale green feathers standing in front of a flashy crystal building with elegant high towers. They moved slowly around the square with graceful gestures. They resembled swans dancing around each other, swirling and flapping their wings.

That’s all they do. Singing, dancing and strolling around their fancy streets while we rot in Hell or dwell in the stinking mortal’s city below. Doesn’t it make you angry? Do we not deserve the same?

“It would not stay this way for long if demons ever came here,” I whispered bitterly. “Is it not in our nature to destroy all that is beautiful?”

Yes, purred the voice. Then why are you here pretending you are something other than a weapon?

“What if I don’t want to be?” It was the first time I’d said it out loud, my voice shaking.

You are a fool. You can’t change your nature. Everything in this world serves a purpose. Order cannot exist without chaos, and life cannot endure without death. You were made to wreak havoc against those who wronged us. Why do you think they have their shiny city in the sky? Because they won the war. They pushed our god to another dimension so they could dance and sing in the light while we dwell in the darkness and filth. Does it not make you furious?

It did. My hands gripped the railing so hard that my claws dug deep into the metal. It was all true. The way demons were treated not only by angels but also mortals. They might need us for the powers we offered, but they treated us like beings of a lesser category. The halfbreed children were the worst curse that could happen to anyone. Being a monster.

Did they not deserve retribution for treating us this way?

And yet, they were not all like this.

Golden Boy is lying to you. He doesn’t care. Not for someone like you. He needs you for his own gain, and once he’s done with you, he’ll discard you like trash.

He’s an angel. He can’t lie.

But he can omit the truth. He can say all the pretty words you want to hear to mess with you.

He wouldn’t do that.

He will stab you in the back.

He wouldn’t.

He will break your stupid heart.

“Shut up!” I screamed.

Someone yelped in panic behind me. I turned around with my whip unfurled, ready to strike.

A young angel girl stood there, cowering behind a parchment held like a shield as if that could stop me. She was trembling so bad her grey feathered wings were shaking more than trees in the wind.

I frowned, lowering my whip. “Who are you?”

She reluctantly lowered the parchment and looked at me with the big brown eyes of a doe caught by the predator. “I-I’m Anauel, my lady,” she stuttered and bowed her head.

An angel was bowing to me. That’s the first.

“Why are you here?”

“I-I’m the head scribe for the High Judge. I-I need to ask you a few questions before the trial. It’s a standard procedure.”

“Fine, ask away.” I shrugged.

The angel reached into a little pocket on her chest where the inkpot and quill hung on a little golden chain, but her hand was shaking so badly that she splattered the black ink all over her grey robe.

“Hey, I’m not going to eat you, so you can relax,” I said gently.

She looked up at me and gulped, her neck bobbing up and down. “I apologise, my lady. It’s just… I never saw a demon. Not to mention talk to one.”

I cocked my head with a smirk. “Am I that scary?”

Anauel was silent, trying to even her breathing, and then she said, “Actually, no. You’re pretty.”

I blinked, dumbfounded. “I’m what now?”

“I like your hair. And sir Melkyal was right.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What did Golden Boy say?”

“That you’re a good person.”

I sighed. “Of course he did. Since your hands are not shaking anymore, ask your questions.”

Filling all the details was quicker and less tedious than I expected. Once Anauel focused on her job, she acted as if she talked to any other petitioner. When she finished and was rolling the parchment, Melkyal walked through the entryway with a wide happy smile.

“Are you done already, Anauel?”

“Yes, sir.” She bowed before the archangel. “I’ll ensure the High Judge has all needed information before trial.”

“Thank you.” Melkyal nodded and waited until the young angel left the gardens before turning to me. “Making friends already?”

I snorted. “Are you kidding? She almost fainted when she saw me.”

“She didn’t look that scared now.”

“She must be a brave girl, then.”

“She is facing a bureaucratic machine every day. If that’s not brave, I don’t know what is,” Melkyal joked. “Isn’t it nice? I admit that angels are often ignorant, but they are good people. They will learn to accept you.”

I frowned. “Why would they?”

“Because we are making history now.” Melkyal gently took both of my hands in his. “It’s no longer just about witnessing the trial. Your being here could spark the change. This never-ending cycle of hatred should have ended a long time ago. It shouldn’t matter if you are a demon, angel or mortal as long as you are a good person.”

“It’s not how the world works,” I said, a lump blocking my throat. “You saw it in the city below─how the Fallen, and those connected to us are treated. You’re just one person. You can’t undermine centuries of hatred.”

“Maybe not, but I will try. What I saw… what you helped me see, is unthinkable. While we keep to ourselves here in the sky, people below suffer. I thought we were helping, but it’s not nearly enough. It’s not just, and I will not stay idle and watch as prejudice and bigotry rules our lives. I know it won’t be easy, and it will take time to change minds and break with the traditions kept up for millennia. But even if I have to dedicate my life to it, I will work towards the world where everyone, angels, demons and humans alike, will be treated with the kindness and respect they deserve.”

I tried to breathe, but I couldn’t. This man was just too much. He was outrageous. Impossible. Naïve and guileless. Yet, every word he spoke echoed in my heart, pulling on the strings as if he was a virtuoso.

“Are you all right? You look pale,” he asked, concern lacing his voice.

I wanted to respond, but my voice failed me. What could I possibly say to this foolish optimist? I wrapped my arm around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.