Welcome to Elysium

MIREN'S POV

My heart aches as I watch Castyr stay curled up in his seat. The light in his eyes is gone. His once smiling face is now cold and distant. The small star hugs his knees and stares out the window aimlessly.

I sit silently as the angel guiding the transport steers us towards the sun. We have exited Earth's atmosphere and are currently in space. The angel's concentration grows as we near the sun. I begin to doubt his steering abilities as I watch the glowing orb grow steadily larger.

I side glance at the angel. He remains calm, but his focus has increased. Castyr does not even flinch as we fly past several rings of fire. I close my eyes as we near the sun; however, a bright light engulfs us as we reach its blazing surface.

I open my eyes to see a tunnel made of colorful nebulae. "Woah." I stare out the window as I hear a sigh from our guide.

I turn to see him open his eyes. He lowers his head as he mourns for the officer. The quiet, stifled mourning cries from the angel spark fresh tears for the star. I sit silently and peer out the window as the angel and star mourn.

TIME SKIP: TWO HOURS

Castyr has fallen asleep and is recovering silently. The angel continues to peer out the window. The somber silence is suffocating, so I pluck up the courage to speak to the angel.

"So...erm...what is this?" I gesture to the tunnel.

The angel blinks and looks at me as he slowly comes out of his sorrowful trance. "Ah...this is one of the bridges to Heaven."

A bridge? His answer is unexpected, but I do not argue.

"Aaannnd...you don't have to steer?"

He shakes his head. "I just had to get us to the sun."

"Ah." I nod my head. Even though I cannot make any sense of what he just said, I go ahead and agree as the answer is most likely scientific and lengthy, and I never was the best at math or science.

The angel looks over at Castyr. He sighs softly and moves to the seat next to the star before checking Castyr's pulse and giving him energy.

"Will he be alright?"

The angel nods. "I wanted to wait until he was asleep to transfer energy."

I tilt my head in curiosity. "Why?"

"It's usually something a star does with its angel. Stars tend to use a lot of energy."

"Ah...Yes. I've seen Kilo do that before."

The angel nods before removing his hand and ending the transfer.

"Do you not have a star?"

"No. I'm not a guardian. Only guardian angels look after stars and humans."

"Oh. I didn't know there were different kinds."

He nods.

"R-" He takes a breath before continuing. "Rae and I joined the military together. We're officers in the Division of Defense." He looks down as he thinks of his partner.

"Thank you...for saving us."

He looks back up. "It's my duty. Castyr is a vital star in Heaven's defense system."

The angel looks over at the sleeping star. "He doesn't know it, but he's one of the most powerful stars. Because of this, Hades has always been wanting to get their hands on him. Not only is he a huge energy source, but his light is also very powerful." He swallows before adding, "That's why Rae told me to go."

The angel returns to silence as the small star stirs. He quickly looks around the compartment only to find the one he is seeking is not beside him. Castyr's eyes droop as he turns his head to the window.

The angel looks at the star sadly before gazing toward the front of the compartment. His eyes light up as he spots his home approaching. I follow his gaze to see a light at the end of the tunnel. A perfect harmony of warm and cool colors radiate from the light.

The transport enters the light and leaves the tunnel. Colors of gold, yellow, and light pink surround us. I turn around to see a colorful mirage as the exit the tunnel. We fly in-between two layers of white clouds. Gold and pink rays from Heaven's sun crest the tops of the clouds.

I suck in my breath as we round a tall cloud. A magnificent, shining city sits upon a throne of clouds. The city seems to radiate light.

Space crafts swarm about the city as they come to and fro. A rippling cloth-like shield the color of a light blue surrounds the city. The shield sparkles as if it were crystal, but contains the flow of priceless silk. A metal ring circles the city at the shield's midway point.

"Welcome to Elysium, one of Heaven's major cities under Star Adelle. Elysium is a cultural center and hosts most of Heaven's guests," the angel explains.

A cracking sound turns our attention away from the shining city. We look behind us to see the mirage leading into the bridge cracking. I look closely as the cracks reach the edge. The mirage shatters, sending colorful fragments in all directions. The bridge had broken.

"What happened? Why did it break?" I ask the angel.

"News of Earth being breached must have reached Elysium. Heaven has blocked the bridge."

"That was close," I sigh. "What will happen to Earth since Heaven cut it off?"

"Scouts will be sent to assess the situation, and defenders will be sent to overcome Hades's troops and restore the bridge to Earth."

The situation sounds grave. Hades just declared war on Earth and Heaven. I hope Devyn's company will remain unaffected. I need to get back to Earth and look for Devyn. Castyr is now safe, so I will find a way back to Earth.

I come out of my thoughts as the transport reaches the ring and stops alongside the checkpoint.

"Please provide identification for each individual in the transport," a female voice sounds. Curious, I peek into the checkpoint to see a blonde female.

"Major Ilios of the Division of Defense, Star Castyr of Ithyos, and...." the angel looks at me for my identification information.

"Miren of Borum," I say to the lady.

"Point of departure?"

"Harlim, Earth," Ilios answers.

Silence follows. "One moment." The female closes the intercom with us and contacts her commander. The intercom comes back on after a few moments. "Please dock in bay V-798. A situation arose in your place of departure, so a debrief will be required before entry. A commanding officer of the Division of Defense will be with you shortly," the voice directs.

Ilios pilots the compartment to bay V in the ring and docks in space 798. A troop of military officers marches down the walkway towards us as we step out of the transport.

"Major Ilios."

"General," Ilios salutes.

"You must be Star Castyr." The general looks at the boy by my side.

Castyr nods.

"You are Miren of Borum?" He directs at me.

"Yes." I tilt my chin in respect.

"One of my officers will escort you to bay M. A craft is waiting to take you back to Borum."

I look up at the general.

"I am afraid you do not have the clearance to attend the briefing."

"I understand." I look at Castyr. His eyes are sad, but he will be safe here.

"Please, do not worry. You will be taken care of on your journey back to Borum," the general reassures me.

"Thank you for your efforts." I bow in thanks.

A lieutenant steps forward. "Follow me, please."

Castyr takes my hand as I step forward. I look at him.

"...Thank you...for everything."

I pat his hand. "Stay strong, okay?"

He nods. "Please find Devyn."

"I will." I squeeze his hand before letting go. I exchange bows with Ilios before following the lieutenant out of bay V.

He leads me to a craft in bay M filled with other passengers. I find a spot by a window and lean my head against the cool glass. I wipe away a silent tear and I recall my determination to find the lost Devyn.