Once through the misty walls, a city of advanced tech and prosperity was revealed over hundreds of islands. They all varied in size. Except for the principal one at the center.
The central city was built into a dormant volcano that the Seraphim kept well under control. It housed all the primary business functions of their world, including the council chambers.
Gabriel drifted along on a breeze, choosing to fly instead of misting directly to their door. He needed time to rid himself of Clara’s power. Fortunately, he wouldn’t experience much of a reaction here, surrounded by unfeeling Seraphim. The problem was more that it made him feel. Sort of. Or he thought that might be the cause of this strange fuzzy sensation in his chest.
Was he feeling nostalgic? No. That couldn’t be right.
Worried? Maybe.
His brow furrowed. What is that nagging feeling? And why do humans put up with this bullshit? It dragged him down, making him long to avoid his destination.
Maybe this was what dread felt like—that negative pull that had him wanting to return to Hydria, not head farther into Seraphim territory. He’d never experienced it quite like this before.
Typically, he just did his duty and left. It was quicker and more efficient than this floating along in the clouds.
Yet something about the wind in his feathers felt rather pleasant.
Why do I avoid this? he wondered, rolling onto his back to drift along. It’s... soothing. His lips curled down. Did I just call something “soothing”?
“Fuck,” he muttered, rubbing a hand over his face and gazing blankly up at the dazzling sun. It was closer to noon here. Maybe. His concept of time today blurred from all the traveling and his lack of sleep. He didn’t actually require rest, but it helped with establishing a routine. However, his routine of late was nonexistent.
With a sigh—a noise he had probably never made in his life in this manner—he dove through the clouds and headed toward his destination.
This empathy gift wasn’t leaving him anytime soon. So he’d use it to his advantage instead and see if any of the council members were showing signs of emotion that he could use against them. Because this conversation was going to be a painful one, indeed.
Gabriel marveled at the golds and silvers of the main island on his approach. He’d never noticed just how sparkly it all was, the sunlight illuminating it and giving the metal structures a majestic appearance. Tall palm trees and other vegetation decorated the scene, adding to the enchanted atmosphere.
There were trees on top of buildings and inside them because the Seraphim had built around the natural landscape. Branches poked out through the myriad of glassless windows, the city climate one that kept everyone comfortable despite the humidity. It was another magical antidote that Gabriel had never really considered yet viewed in an entirely new manner now.
This truly was paradise.
Although, no one really acknowledged it.
The living conditions kept everyone comfortable, and comfort increased productivity.
Which was the purpose of living within the barrier—to keep the Seraphim world thriving.
The community was completely self-sufficient, using solar energy, water power, and a variety of other advancements to keep the world around them flourishing. Human nature had grown over the millennia, but they had yet to reach even a tenth of the potential here.
Of course, it helped that Seraphim were ethereal beings with inherent powers. The humans were actually partly created from Seraphim genetics. Or at least influenced by them. That was why Osiris’s abominations were resurrected with enhanced talents—it all came from the bloodlines.
Gabriel’s pocket buzzed as he landed just outside the massive coliseum dedicated to the council. Turn left, then right, the message read.
Of course Vera would choose now to finally reply to him. She likely knew about his summons and had anticipated him arriving just outside the coliseum’s entrance.
He narrowed his gaze in irritation, then remembered his surroundings and blanked his expression. This empathy shit was going to be a problem. The last and only time he’d inherited a power in this manner, it’d taken several hours to wear off.
Damn it.
Stowing his phone, he followed the directions Vera had just sent him and found her waiting outside a cafe with her vibrant navy wings fluttering around her. Her eyes were bluish green in this form, but they shifted to a glimmering silver as she turned corporeal.
It was an uncommon trait among the Seraphim. Gabriel’s irises remained light green no matter his form. Leela’s remained turquoise during her transition. Stas’s stayed green. I wonder what pigment—
He blinked, forcing the thoughts of colors from his mind. It was entirely irrelevant and unimportant to the situation at hand. Fuck, next he’d probably start analyzing all the possible plume hues.
Gabriel nearly rolled his eyes, then realized that wasn’t helpful either.
Enough.
