I flew with all my might, shooting like a star in gold across the cloudy expanse, until I made it to the doors. They were open again, as if they’d been waiting for our exit.
I flew out, quickly bowed to the sunlions, and raced out of the Purification Hall. I navigated through the large building, flapping my wings to give me speed. I raced with all I had, fighting the tightening knot forming in my chest.
How had I been so stupid? So foolish to believe he’d… What? Changed? Idiot. I was such an idiot.
I rushed out of the Purification Hall and began flying over the ridiculously vast expanse of the temple grounds. The Purification Hall was perched on a hill to the east of the temple. Even by flight, it was some distance to the main cathedrals. I flew hard and fast, cutting through cathedrals, flying overfountains, rushing past the perfect landscape that made up all of Temple Efysis.
When I finally made it to the common areas, I couldn’t help but notice the gods and goddesses. This cluster were laughing with themselves, being entertained by something. Their chained gowns clang, making noise as they moved around freely. Until they saw me coming.
Immediately they stopped laughing. Stopped enjoying themselves. I felt awful, as they lowered their heads. Tears flooded my eyes. One of the goddesses lifted her head. She frowned when she saw my forlorn expression.
Before she could say a word, I looked away, flying higher, angling through the twists and turns of the grounds, until I made it to the wingtower of First Dominion, Seventh Choir.
I raced through the doors, yanking off my sandals. I instantly spotted her blonde hair and aquamarine eyes.
“Ellie,” I broke, my voice choked off.
Daelun and Omarion looked up at me, concern lacing their faces as they looked between me and Ellabeth. I threw myself into my bestfriends arms, overwhelmed and no longer able to keep everything that had happened inside.
Ellabeth wrapped her arms around me and squeezed. Then she took my hand and flew me to her room. With the door shut, and the both of us sitting cross-winged on her bedcloud, Ellabeth leaned in, her eyes blazing like churning oceans out for blood.
“Tell me everything.”
Chapter 27
Stepping out of the star gate into the massive amphitheater was jarring. For a brief moment, all that existed was the quiet of the gate as I traveled, feeling like I was being shot across the galaxy through the stars. I was entirely enveloped in starlight with a rush of breezy wind.
As I stepped from the star gate, and planted myself midair, I hovered over a platform that led into Titombwe—the largest amphitheater in all of the Ouanaviel Empyrean. Empràr Zadkias had an obsession with them.
Smaller versions could be found throughout Ouanaviel, and across all the neighboring islands. He enjoyed the thrill of having mass ceremonies performed in them. He also used them for entertainment. Sport. Terror.
One never knew what Titombwe would consist of. Either worship of the Infinite, or a game of angels versus gods where they had to fight to the bloody end.
“Something about this Titombwe feels different.”
I looked at Ellabeth as she floated over from her star gate.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“The air is charged with something…” She looked around, squinting across the darkness. “I can’t put my finger on it. But something’s…off.”
“Mm.” I looked around Ouanaviel’s colosseum. The trimoons hung overhead, the bright silver stars etched in ivory shining down on us. A light breeze kissed the air of the night promising a soothing chill. “I don’t know, Ellie. It seems like any other Titombwe mass we’ve ever attended. Come on.”
I began floating around, hunting for a good seat. Presbitari Davithius had given us free will. Titombwe was a public event, where angels and the other Elledellien races were invited to come watch and participate. Since everyone who chose to come would be here, all Disciples were allowed to split up and be with their friends and family from outside of Temple Efysis.
I searched the dark for silver eyes with purple streaks, purple eyes, thick hair, and swirling starlight. If my family was here, streaks of their starry ethèr would give away their position. I scanned the millions of angels present, as they all filed into the innumerable amount of cloudchairs available.
“You really don’t sense it, Sazu?” Ellabeth asked. She was scanning, too. I followed her gaze and fanned out into a close direction. If we could find the blonde headed, water-ethèred Riventhelles, then I’d spot the Anathelles, too. “The air is charged.”
“Ellabeth.” I flew across rows of cloudchairs, passing gilded upholsteries covered in glass with platters of food, Saccrents, and bowls of incense. “It’s Titombwe. There’s a gazillion angels here. Not to mention, the Gods, Giants, Shifters…everyoneis here. Of course there is a ‘charge’ in the air. But it’s not anything sinister.”
I flew up several levels, passing row after row, aiming for higher ground to scan the mass of Titombwe better. Stars. Why was the colosseum so stars-forsaken large?
“Whatever.” Ellabeth kissed her teeth. “I’m telling you, something’s up.”
I didn’t answer. Flying to an archway, I hovered by the ivory stones, looking over the sea of golden cloudchairs already filling up with angels, and the differing races, from all over Ouanaviel. Down by the lower levels, reserved for nobility, Farasees, Empyrean Legionnaires and Watchers, and angels of Seraphim rank, I spotted a flash of starlight.
Found them.
