Realizations

Mia:

Walking back to town, I realized adrenaline must have been what was keeping me going. I was tired and pondering about all that had happened when I was pulled from my thoughts, "I can't believe I didn't dust away." Lamia said in disbelief. The laughing had been long over and a type of shock had settled over our group. With no one offering her an answer, I chimed in, "It was prophesied that you would make it out.". Lamia looked at her hands continuing to walk in a wave of silence, her golden swirls reflecting what little light was available here. "How?" she seemed to whisper to herself, her eyes swelling with tears as she looked at me for an answer. "I don't know." was all I replied and we began again to walk in silence until we got back to the Inn. Lamia was met with respect from the other demons who had gathered there. They all parted, some bowing their heads, knowing from just her markings that she was not one to cross. I was in awe of watching her float through the crowd as if she had descended from royalty. Once we got to our room and we were all settled, I thought the surprises would be done for the day, but as Lamia sat down on the bed, I saw it. A very thin string mimicking fishing line connecting us together. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Mika'il studying me. I tried to touch the string but my hand passed through. Mika'il came closer and his face knotted in confusion once he saw it as well. "What are you two looking at?" Lamia stated calmly. Me and Mika'il looked at her as she leaned back on the bed putting her weight on her hands. Mika'il rubbed the back of his neck, "I don't know." was all he spoke. Lamia rolled her eyes and flopped back letting out a huff. "Well I'm taking a nap. It's been a while since I've had my own body." she said before worming her way under the comforter and drifting off to sleep. "So what's up with you trying to catch air?" B asked leaning back on the table covered in scrolls and books. I furroughed my brows together, "I wasn't trying to catch air. We have a string connecting us." I stated looking back at the delicate line intently. "And?" B rang out. "And, it's new. We don't know what it is." Mika'il interjected. "So you can see it as well?" B queried further. "Yes and it's the thinnest I've ever seen. If Mia hadn't been trying to play with it, I would've missed it." Mika'il answered. We each sat with our own thoughts before I rose, joining Lamia in the bed. "You guys figure it out." I said with a yawn, "I'm going to bed.". Each nodded and I drifted to sleep. Within minutes, I was back in the meadow next to the stream. The woman leaning down looking into the rippling water. "Mia, you have returned." she said in a motherly tone, turning to look at me with crystal blue eyes and a small smile tugging the corner of her mouth. "Thank you for helping me save my friend." I said a smile peeking back at her. "I am happy that you understood half of the message." she said as she stood. Confused I asked, "What do you mean half?". Her small smile faded as she replied, "My daughter, you still have a long way to go. Lamia is only a piece of that journey." softly grasping my arm she continued, "Walk with me." as she intertwined our arms together and we began to walk. "What do you mean she's a piece?" I questioned. She lowered her head and I could only see her nose peeking out from her shawl. "Mia, she activated your power. Your souls will be intertwined for the rest of eternity.". I slowed my pace, trying to process what that meant. Before I could understand she continued, "Lucifer also plays an important part with your soul.". I halted and looked at her, sweat beading on my fourhead. "H H How does Lucifer play a role in this?" I asked her. She turned raising her head to look at me, "To bring the balance, still the beast.". The blood drained from my face. I had been trying to escape Lucifer this whole time. Why would she say I need to still Lucifer. With my thoughts running rampant, I felt her place her hand softly on my cheek, a look of sorrow in her eyes. Tears blurred my vision as I tried to make sense of it. Thousands had gathered in Domtivir, and here my heavenly heritage says I need to go without a fight. "Mia," she said slowing my thoughts, "he will not harm you.". I couldn't speak choking back tears. She leaned in, kissing my forehead and began to dissipate. "Call to me to visit and I will see you as you sleep." She said as she blurred away. I brought my hands to my mouth and began to cry, "I don't even know your name." I croaked out between tears as the meadow melted away. Opening my eyes, Lamia was staring right at me. I jumped back in the bed over estimating how long it was falling off the side to the floor. "Sh**" I called out seeing Lamia's head peak over the bed looking down at me. A small chuckle escaped from her before her face became serious. "You were distressed. I felt it." she said pointing down at me an accusing look on her face. I rolled my eyes at her before beginning to stand. "I've gotta go back." I said the despair present in my voice. "Back where?" Lamia asked, her eyebrow raised. "To hell." I said slumping my body before sitting on the edge of the bed. The sound of footsteps approached us and I hadn't noticed B or Mika'il in the room with us. Mika'il got on his knees where his face was at my level. Tears blurred my vision again as he pulled my chin up to look at him. "Why?" he asked, his head tiltling slightly concern coating him. I started to cry heavily thinking of what just happened. "Whoa! I can see it!" Lamia exclaimed. I turned to look at her my vision blurred when she began to explain to Mika'il and B what had just transpired. I began to cry more and B came over to the bed and sat beside me draping his arm around me. "It'll be ok Mia. I mean Hell isn't 'that' bad." He said trying to cheer me up. Seeing that it didn't work, he continued "We'll go with you. Lucifer can't hurt you if we're there.". I looked at the floor. "Send them all home and then come join me." I said sniffling my nose. B nodded solemly and stood up. He gave me a wink as he got to the door and disappeared from view. I looked at Mika'il who was still crouched before me. "Will you come with me to?" I asked him. An unease covered him as he answered, "If you command me, I will follow.". I nodded acknowledging him. "Mia, it's not too bad but do not be meek. Every ounce of power you have, you ooze it. You do not let them disrespect you and do not let them walk all over you. I'll be by your side to harden your resolve." Lamia said giving me a small hug from behind laying her head in my shoulder. I nodded again standing and walking to collect my few belongings I had collected. "Let's get going then shall we." I quietly said and we made our way back to the monolith in the fields. I was terrified and I knew somehow Lamia could sense it. She kept trying to bring my spirits up on the way there but it was of no use. The majority of our walk was in silence. Mika'il keeping pace but walking slower than usual. Upon reaching the monolith, I scooped Lamia up in silence, letting my wings out and them obeying as if knowing I didn't need another thing going wrong today. Mika'il followed me allowing me to go first and I took my dive easily through the monolith and was in hell in seconds. Lamia gave me a small smile when I looked down at her and an unexplained confidence began to rise. My nerves were set. I was not going to be the woman who had taken those beatings not so long ago. I now had the power to ensure that I wasn't her again. The whole way there, I could only think about how I would not let that happen again and anger began to gradually rise within me. Making it to the door easily, I set Lamia down and waited on Mika'il to land. I pulled my wings in and coaxed all my markings in. If I was going to Lucifer, he would never know the extent of what I could do, hell I didn't even really know that either. My heart beat in my ears as we made our way down the hall, the golden door to the void, sticking out amongst the red doors. I reached for the handle and Lamia stopped me by my wrist. "No Mia, we're going straight to him." she said as I followed her further down the hall. She knocked on a black door at the end of the hall. The handle clicked and I was face to face with those blood red eyes once again. He looked at us unimpressed before he noticed Mika'il standing with us, flashing his eyes to Lamia quickly. "Lamia, there better be a good reason that you have an angel with you right now in Hell." He said flatly. Lamia bowed and he pointed up and down at me saying, "Why do you have a human with you? Her kind isn't allowed back her.". He looked at me as if I was dirt. I smiled, "Can you repeat that?" I asked him sweetly leaning in with anger pouring out of me. "Human, leave." he scoffed. I planted my foot forward letting my original four marks through when shock choked Lucifer. "Yes just a measly human I suppose." I said twirling my hand in the air. "My conditions, Lamia and Mika'il are to stay with me." I said putting my finger in his face. "It's you." He said with a softness I wasn't expecting, longing present in his eyes. He came towards me and I took a protective stance when he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me through the door in a split second, slamming it shut, and leaving Mika'il and Lamia outside.