3 Astral Realm

I look around me and was mesmerized by the unexplainable beauty before me. The sight of countless stars scattered everywhere -- shining brightly like precious stones in a vast darkness. It looked like I am in an infinite space. There was nothing but a deafening silence.

I suddenly noticed how my hands looked, then it brought my attention to the lower part of my body -- I am nothing but a haze. It suddenly dawned on me that I am in my astral form.

I was reminded of how I spent the last moments of my life as a human.

So, I died -- as a human.

The thought brought me down on my knees. I buried my face in between my hands and started mourning for my loss. I was stricken with a grief that is too great for me to even put to words.

I lost everything -- my life, my divinity, my progress to ascension. Lovelle was right, it's not worth any of it. I should've listened.

There could've been another way to save Phaedon without breaking the covenant. I could've just given up some tokens from my sacred scroll in exchange for a miracle, and asked assistance from Lovelle. Why I haven't thought of it?

Ugh, the tension was so great I could not think straight and forgot about so many things. If only I was thinking with a clear head in spite of what was happening, it might've saved both of us.

I gave my all, but none of it saved Phaedon, and worst -- it cost everything I have.

"Are you done contemplating your actions?"

I lift up my head and saw Archangel Azraelle in front of me. Being the angel of death and the afterlife, Azraelle's appearance says so much about her domains.

Her long hair is a mix color of silver white and deep black, adorned with a beautiful headpiece. The headpiece has tiny skull ornaments, along with black roses and white lilies. Her two pairs of huge and mighty black wings were like the night sky with countless stars as it glimmers with every flap.

The winds coming from her wings made her black chiffon dress dance with it. It's bodice studded with crystal stones.

"Azraelle, I shouldn't have broken the covenant!"

I burst into tears as I threw myself into her arms.

"You did what you could. It is a very brave thing to do for an angel to give up their divinity and the privileges that come along with it just to save someone."

She stated while patting me on my head. I cried to my heart's content at her bosom -- as a little kid would to her mom.

"Now, come with me."

"A-are you bringing me over now to completely cross into the afterlife?" I sobbed even harder.

"We will talk about this when we get there."

A portal appeared from nowhere, the moment we entered it, we were sucked by a powerful force catapulting us to another realm.

"Welcome to the Astral Realm." Azraelle announced as we entered a new realm.

It is a beautiful place. It is pretty much the same as the one I was in awhile ago, but the only difference is that it isn't empty.

It holds a beautiful city that is like suspended somewhere in the vast universe. The path that we are threading is made of transparent glass that you can literally see everything that is suspended in the universe -- stars, galaxies, planets, and other heavenly bodies known to mankind.

As we get into the heart of the city, I started taking notice of the others -- they are mostly like me who are in their astral form. I saw some celestial beings too.

"Are those Celestial Angels?" I asked with curiosity. In the Angel Hierarchy, Celestial Angels, are Angels that are given dominion over the Celestial Realm.

"No, they're not. Even though we are somewhere in the Celestial Realm, this Realm is not under its domains."

Azraelle answered as if reading what was in my head.

"This is a special realm that is not even covered in the Angel Hierarchy. The Angels you see may look like celestial angels but they're not. They are Astral Angels and share similarities with the Ophanims. They are given the dominion over the Astral Realm."

I only heard that there is another realm apart from the known realms mentioned in the Angel Hierarchy and its domains. Most of us think its a myth just to tickle our brains.

"What does Astral Angels do, and what exactly is the Astral Realm for?" I asked eager to learn more about this mythic realm.

"Like the other triad, the Astral Realm follows a ranking system too. It is comprised of three levels of ascension. The highest-ranking Choir in this triad are the Angels of Reincarnation, below it are the Angels of The Afterlife, and the lowest are the Angels of Dreams."

Azraelle stated.

"Angels belonging to this realm are given dominion over the astral world. The Astral Realm is what keeps the balance between the Divine, the Celestial, and the Terrestrial Realm. It makes sure that every existing life force regardless of its realm will journey according to their timeline, may they be in their human, divine, or astral form. They are the keepers of the Akashic Records too. In this realm, all the realms co-exist."

I was filled with awe after hearing everything I needed to know about this realm.

"It is the reason, why this Realm is special. It cannot be subjected to the Angel Triad Hierarchy, because it can't be above or lower than any of the existing realms. It is just here suspended."

She continued.

"But why there aren't any accounts about its existence?" Voicing out the thought that was nagging me.

"Not just anyone can access this realm, the Divine wants to keep this place in a low profile to deter gaining interest. Just like all the other realms, it has its own rules that will restrict every living being in it, and keep the others out of it. Only astral beings are allowed here. Even Supreme Angels cannot come and go as they please here."

Azraelle said mentioning some facts.

Supreme Angels are glorified angels in which the Divine has allowed to travel between Realms to carry out important tasks. They are not bound by the restrictions of time and space like most of the Angels. There are seven of them, but only Azraelle is known to the majority. The others like the Astral Realm is also regarded as a myth.

Humans often think that angels were all made equal, but the truth is -- even angels have to follow a system, and work hard to ascend in each realm.

The highest-ranking triad in the Angel Hierarchy is the Divine Triad.

Angels belonging in this realm are the closest to the Divine, and given dominion over the Heavenly Realm. This triad has three levels of ascension which we call Choir.

Each Choir carries out a specific task for the Divine. The highest-ranking choir are the Seraphims, below it are the Cherubims, and the lowest the Ophanims.

Below the Divine Triad, is the Celestial Triad. Angels belonging in this realm are given dominion over the Celestial Realm.

Like the first one, it also has three levels of ascension. This triad of angels are the ones who put the universe and everything in it in constant motion.

The highest-ranking choir of angels in this triad are the Angels of Dominions, below it is the Angels of Virtues, and the lowest, the Angels of Powers.

The lowest rank in the Angel Hierarchy is the Terrestrial Triad. Angels belonging in this realm are given dominion over the Terrestrial Realm.

Like the other two, it has three levels of ascension. This triad of angels are the ones who are closest to the material world and humans. We keep the world in balance and ensure that justice is being served -- fairly.

The highest-ranking choir of angels in this triad are the Angels of Principalities, below it are the Archangels, and the lowest are the Angels -- which was me, at least before I lost my divinity and turned into a human.

Each Realm is governed by a Reigning Angel that belongs to the highest-ranking choir for each realm.

Azraelle lead me to a beautiful building that resembles a palace. Its walls were as splendid as a shining star, glimmering on the night sky, making it the brightest building in sight. As we entered its halls, we were welcomed by a majestic angel.

Like Azraelle, she has two pairs of wings, only that her's are iridescent and change colors with every flap it makes. Her silver-white hair is coiffed in a beautiful updo and leaves some of it hanging out in delicate curls.

Her tiara is shimmering with diamonds and was made to appear whimsical for the golden accent of beautiful flowers cascading on its side. Her floor-length off-shoulder dress is as iridescent as her wings.

By the looks of it -- she is no ordinary angel. If my guess was right, she must be one of the Supreme Angels that we deemed mythical. Reigning Angels are identified with their crests, but she doesn't have one. I have never seen a crowned angel before, apart from Azraelle.

"This is Astrelle, one of the Supreme Angels, and the guardian of this realm."

"It is an honor to meet another Supreme Angel like you, Astrelle." I greeted as I bowed.

"It is also a great honor to meet you, Estrelle." She answered pushing out a smile. Her voice is soothing like a lullaby.

"We have invited you to stand before the council of the Supreme Angels, and in the presence of the Reigning Angel of the Terrestrial Realm, Archangel Lovelle."

I stood frozen for a moment when I heard what Astrelle have said.

Is this a trial?!