"BY WHAT DARK MIRACLE DID SHE BREACH THE GATES OF HEAVEN?!" The voice, her father's, was laced with a mix of outrage and alarm. Cyra's heart quickened, her mind racing with the implications. How did he know? And what did he plan to do about it?"
As she listened in, Alpert's voice trembled, "Y-your Majesty, perhaps you should calm down."
King Zarius's response was laced with venom, "Calm down?! I crafted her to turn against Heaven, and now she's breached the very Gates! This will unravel everything!" A loud crash echoed through the room, and Cyra assumed he had struck something in his rage.
Alpert's voice quivered, "Y-your Majesty?"
"Where is she?" King Zarius bellowed, his anger boiling over.
Alpert stammered, "Sh-she left Heaven, Your Majesty."
The silence that followed sent a chill down Cyra's spine. Then, Alpert ventured, "Sh-should I retrieve her?"
King Zarius's response was unnervingly calm, "Alpert."
The servant's voice was laced with trepidation, "Y-yes?"
"We will initiate Operation Eternal Storm," King Zarius declared, his words sending a shiver down Cyra's spine. "In seven hours, our legions will march on Heaven, and we will reclaim our rightful place among the Celestial Realms."
Alpert's voice was barely audible, "B-but, Your Majesty, the Angels will not take this lightly. Are you certain--"
King Zarius's response was resolute, "I should have acted sooner. It's only a matter of time before she turns against me, thanks to those accursed Angels and their manipulations."
Cyra's expression twisted in confusion, 'Accursed Angels? How could he say such a thing?' Her frown deepened, "They're magnificent creatures. He has no right to speak of them in such a way."
As Alpert bowed and rushed out, Cyra's mind reeled. She teleported outside the palace, her thoughts racing with the implications. She sprinted across the fiery landscape, Devils staring at her in confusion. But one thought dominated her mind...
'Did Lloyd know about this?'
In her haste, she forgot her own abilities, and then slammed her palm against her forehead in frustration, "Idiot! You can teleport!"
Without looking back, Cyra materialized near the Bridge of the Afterlife. She gazed up at the bridge, her heart heavy with doubt. Should she warn the Angels, potentially sparking a war? Or should she remain silent, allowing her father's plan to unfold? The weight of her decision hung in the balance, as the fate of Heaven and Hell hung precariously in the balance.
Cyra hesitated, her foot hovering above the bridge. "If I go up there, will I only cause more problems?" she whispered to herself. The bridge seemed to stretch on forever, a silver serpent bridging the chasm between Heaven and Hell. Cyra's eyes locked onto the heavenly realm, her heart aching with uncertainty.
"I'll only cause more trouble..." Cyra's voice was laced with bitter resignation as she gazed up at the bridge, her eyes welling with sadness. "But I can't go back..." She cast a nervous glance over her shoulder, "and I can't go up..." Her eyes drifted back to the heavenly realm above, her heart heavy with uncertainty. "So, where should I go?"
As she pondered her options, Cyra's mind raced through the various Supernatural Realms she knew of. Vampires, Dragons, Mermaids, Fairies – but none of them felt like the right choice. She wasn't even sure if she could teleport that far, or if she'd be welcome in those worlds.
Cyra needed a haven, a place where she could keep a low profile and avoid her father's wrath. And then, like a beacon in the darkness, an idea struck her. The Mortal World. The Sanctuary. The Realm of Humans.
"What's it called again?" she muttered to herself, trying to recall the name. "E... Earle? Is that it?" Frustration crept in as the word eluded her. "I'll think of it later. For now, I just need to get there."
Cyra peered over the edge of the cliff, a reckless thought forming in her mind. "What if I just jump? Will that lead me to... wherever it is?" She tapped her chin, weighing her options. "I've heard the Human world is below Heaven and that Hell was even lower...?"
With pursed lips, Cyra decided on a more elegant solution. "I'll just teleport." Closing her eyes, she focused all her energy on reaching the Mortal World. The challenge was daunting – she'd never been there, had no idea what it looked like, and wasn't even sure if she could find it. But she had to try.
Concentrating with every fiber of her being, Cyra reached out with her mind, seeking the familiar resonance of a new world.
Cyra felt her feet leave the ground for a fleeting instant, before they thudded back down. But the ground beneath her feet felt different, foreign. As she opened her eyes, she stumbled, her vision blurring from the intense energy expenditure.
Gathering her bearings, Cyra took in her surroundings. She found herself in a narrow, dark alleyway, enclosed by towering buildings that seemed to stretch up to the sky. The air was thick with the smells of trash and decay. A wall blocked her path ahead, a dead end. But as she turned to her left, she saw a sliver of light, a beacon in the darkness.
Cyra cautiously made her way towards the light, her hand brushing against the wall for support. As she peeked around the corner, her eyes widened in wonder.
She'd done it! She'd actually made it to the Mortal World.
The scene before her was alive with humanity. People milled about, going about their daily business. Some chatted with friends, while others rushed to and fro, their faces set with determination. Cyra marveled at their diverse clothing and the array of eye colors she saw. It was a stark contrast to the uniformity of Hell and Heaven.
In that moment, Cyra realized how out of place she truly was. Her Demonic features would draw unwanted attention, and she needed to blend in. She began to assess her appearance, starting with her wings. Retracting them was a simple matter, and her specially crafted clothing accommodated the change without a hitch.
Next, she turned her attention to her horns. "Wait a minute!" she exclaimed, before clamping her mouth shut, remembering her need for secrecy. After ensuring she was alone, she continued, her voice barely above a whisper, "If I can hide them separately, can't I hide them together?"
With a burst of confidence, Cyra focused her energy, and in the blink of an eye, her horns and tail vanished. She ran her hand through her hair, feeling the smooth, hornless scalp, and grinned. "I don't know why I never thought of it before." The thrill of discovery and accomplishment danced in her eyes.
Next, Cyra needed a change of clothes, something that would allow her to blend in with the humans. She observed the styles around her, noting the casual attire that seemed to dominate the scene. But acquiring new clothes posed a problem – she couldn't simply approach a human and ask for theirs.
A sly grin spread across her face as an idea struck her. "What if..." she whispered, her eyes closing as she focused her thoughts. When she opened them again, she knew she'd succeeded. Her dark, flowing Devil attire, complete with intricate crimson embroidery, had transformed into a plain black hoodie, a black shirt underneath, blue jean shorts, and black and white sneakers.
"Teleportation really has a lot of aspects," she thought, admiring her new hoodie in the dim light. The black fabric seemed to absorb what little light there was, making it almost impossible to discern any details. Yet, Cyra's keen eyes picked out every stitch, every fold, with ease.
But her disguise wasn't complete yet. She still needed to alter her eye and hair color. Angels walked among humans, and while Devils were less common, Cyra couldn't risk being recognized. Her father might send search parties, and she needed to be prepared.
With a thought, her white hair darkened to a rich black, a color she'd always found appealing. Next, she turned her attention to her eyes, determined to retain her unique heterochromia. Her left red eye transformed into a piercing green, while her right gold eye shifted to a bright blue.
Curiosity got the better of her, and Cyra sought a way to verify her new appearance. That's when she spotted a halfbroken mirror, its surface reflecting a faint ray of light. She carefully approached the mirror, avoiding the light, and picked it up. Tilting it to examine her reflection, she saw exactly what she had envisioned.
A small smile played on her lips as she gazed at her new look. "Okay... I guess that's it," she said, a sense of satisfaction washing over her. The mirror's broken surface seemed to add a touch of irony to the moment, as if even the reflection itself was imperfect, yet beautiful in its own way.
With tentative steps, the now raven-haired girl emerged from the alleyway, onto the cracked and worn sidewalk. The bright lights of the city enveloped her, a stark contrast to the darkness she'd left behind. But her moment of wonder was short-lived, as a body collided with hers, sending her tumbling to the ground.
A concerned voice pierced the air, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" Cyra looked up to see a stunning girl with auburn hair that shone like copper in the light, and olive eyes that sparkled with kindness.
As Cyra stood up, brushing off her clothes, she met the girl's gaze. They were roughly the same height, and for a moment, they simply regarded each other. The girl's eyes roamed over Cyra's face, as if sizing her up.
"Excuse me, but... are you new around here?" the girl asked, her brow furrowed in curiosity. "I don't think I've seen you before."
Cyra's nervous chuckle betrayed her, "Oh, yeah... I mean, yes?" She hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal.
The girl's eyes narrowed slightly, "What were you doing in that dark alleyway, then?" Cyra sighed, feeling a pang of desperation, "The thing is... I'm kinda lost. I don't even know what this place is called."
The girl's expression softened, "Oh, I'm sorry. This is Starfall City. I'm Zoey, by the way." Cyra's mind racing, she wondered if she should reveal her true name. But something about Zoey's warm smile put her at ease...
Was she some sort of Angel? No... Cyra would've surely realised.
"I'm... Cyra," she replied, trying to sound casual.
Zoey's smile widened, "Cyra, what a beautiful name!" Cyra returned the smile, feeling a sense of gratitude, "Thank you."
Zoey's eyes sparkled with curiosity, "So, you mentioned you were lost... but it sounds like you have nowhere to go, either?" Cyra's humming response was barely audible, "Yeah..."
Zoey's face lit up with a generous offer, "Well, you can stay with me if you want. I don't think my mum will mind." Cyra's eyes widened in surprise, "R-really?"
Zoey's nod was reassuring, "Yeah, we have plenty of room. You can't stay out here alone, especially not in a big city like this." Cyra's heart swelled with gratitude, sensing kindness in Zoey's eyes.
"Yes, thank you!" she exclaimed, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. As she followed Zoey, Cyra wondered if she'd found an unlikely ally in this unfamiliar world.
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[Flashback Over]
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─── ⋆Cyra's POV⋆ ───
"CYRA, WAKE UP, SLEEPING BEAUTY!" A voice pierced the air, jolting me awake from my comfortable bed, where I had snuggled deep into the softness. I groggily opened my eyes to find a frazzled Zoey standing beside me, holding my beloved blue sheets that seemed to glow in the morning light. My attention was immediately drawn to the sheets, now out of my grasp, and I felt a pang of loss.
"Just five more minutes, please?" I pleaded, snuggling back into the bed, trying to hold on to the warmth and comfort.
Zoey's response was firm, "We don't have five minutes, Cyra. We're running on a tight schedule – 30 minutes till first period!" The words sent a jolt through my system, and I sprang out of bed, my heart racing with the urgency.
"WHAT?!" I exclaimed, rushing to the bathroom to start my morning routine. The cool water and gentle soap helped me shake off the sleep, and I quickly changed into my Starfall High school uniform: a dark blue knee-length skirt, light blue long-sleeved shirt, red tie, and blue blazer that seemed to embody the school's spirit.
As I entered the kitchen, a cozy and inviting space, filled with the warm aroma of freshly baked toast. Soft morning light streamed through the window, illuminating the cream-colored walls and dark wood cabinets. A sleek, stainless steel refrigerator stood against one wall, while a well-worn island in the center of the room provided ample counter space for food preparation. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming.
Zoey was waiting with a knowing smirk, her auburn hair shining in the morning light. "Honestly, Cyra, after a year of staying with us, you still can't shake off this habit." She chuckled, her olive eyes sparkling with amusement.
I rolled my eyes good-naturedly and joined Molly, Zoey's mother, at the dining table, where a warm breakfast awaited. She was a warm and welcoming presence, quite like her daughter. Her auburn hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves, framing her heart-shaped face. Her dark brown eyes, rich and deep, sparkled with kindness, putting everyone at ease. Her gentle smile and soothing voice only added to her warm demeanor, making her a beloved figure in the lives of those around her.
Though busy making toast, Molly chimed in, "It's like she's been forced to stay awake her whole life." Her gentle voice was laced with a warm smile.
I muttered under my breath, "You have no idea..." while taking another bite of cereal, the sweetness and crunch providing a much-needed boost.
After a swift breakfast, Zoey and I bid Molly farewell, and we headed to school, just three streets away. The cool morning air filled my lungs as we walked through the corridors of Starfall High, the bell ringing, signaling the start of class. We slipped into our seats at the back, our usual spot, where we could observe and participate without drawing too much attention.
Zoey shot me a grateful glance, to which I responded with a playful eye roll, our silent communication a testament to our close friendship. Our physics teacher, Mrs. Johnson, began the lesson, writing complex equations on the board, and I couldn't help but reflect on how much my life had changed since I'd arrived in Starfall City.
I'd found a true friend in Zoey, a loving home with her family, and a sense of peace that eluded me for so long. A year ago, I'd told Molly and Zoey that I was just a simple 15 year old. Now, 16 but in reality, 56. But amidst this tranquility, a nagging voice whispered, "You can't hide forever." My father would eventually find me, and I needed to be prepared.
For now, I chose to savor this life, to live each day without the shadows of my past, and to cherish the friendships and experiences that made it all worthwhile.
»»—————- ♔ —————-««
King Zarius: "Calm down?! I crafted her to turn against Heaven, and now she's breached the very Gates! This will unravel everything!"
Alpert: "Well, maybe it's time to consider a new hobby, Your Majesty. Like knitting or something."
King Zarius: "Knitting?! You think I should knit while my plans are unraveling?!"
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[A/N]: It's finally over!!! (The flashback, I mean)
Thanks for reading! ^^
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