" I don't understand "
" Hmm? I'm sorry. Was there something I said you didn't understand "
" Since I got here I've felt nothing but hatred towards you, and so must the other life's before me, but can you amend me? You bring chaos and calamity across every plane, you are the harbinger of demise. Yet...you're so nice, and beloved by the creatures I made. How can you be a good person and still be death, you're a walking contradiction "
Slowly, death got up looming over her, compared to him she looked frail and small, his shadow casting over her.
" Listen " he said in a calm reassuring voice as he walked past her.
" I know I've ruined a lot of lives and I know my presence hurts others. That being said, I have to be here. So do you, and Raphael and everyone else that's alive. To live is to have purpose, and that's more true for both of us...We would forever be bound by our nature, bending to it's will. That is why I can never die and your life, ever eternal, but...I don't believe our personality should be bound as well. Be more than you are born to be. "
While he spoke, he moved round the garden, watching the gardener and life as the flowers set bloom and fragments of souls float around them, slowly he walked back to where life stood much more confused than she was earlier.
" You're a smart girl, you'll figure it out "
Now the world seemed strange through her eyes. The being before her, the embodiment of a curse she refuses to accept. She could feel it. The anger boiling up, and for the first time, she ignored it. His hands hovering over her head as he crouched down to set a new flower on her hair.
" Let's forget all the fighting, let's be friends " he said with a grin as he set a yellow rose atop her hair. Suddenly.
" Milady " a voice called out, echoing across the field.
Raphael had returned for her. With a great gust of wind he landed from the sky, his immaculate wings spread wide. He had come to get life but his eyes were glued to death, asking questions he had no response for.
" Lady Raphael " a gentle voice called out, breaking their intense staring contest.
" Oh Em. " He said with a gentle smile.
" How long has it been, like a year "
" No lady, it been just a month " the gardener with a voice overfilled with joy said bowing to him.
" I'm sorry Em, I have other things to do today, but we'll talk later " he said as he led life out the garden.
" It's nice to see her again " she said
" Oh for you maybe, she's a huge pain to be honest " death said with his hands above his head.
" That just means you're good friends " she said with a giggle.
" I suppose "
With life's hand in his, He guided her down a winding path, a path with no prints, no marks and not a single hint that anyone had been there. The gate looming ahead as it radiated a pristine white. As Raphael approached, it swung open without warning, the light emanating so bright she was taken aback. The trees leaned over curious about what lay beyond those gates, as the world remained still waiting for Raphael to proceed.
" Follow me, m'lady " Raphael said as they walked through the gate.
Within the gates laid a majestic palace, its marble façade radiating a soft glow as if infused with the gentle light of a thousand moons. Towering pillars and delicate arches stretch towards the heavens, their intricate carvings whispering tales of celestial beauty . The flooring a perfect sculpture made of a sea of clouds. Within were beings similar to Raphael. Their eyes as golden as the sun, their skin, fair and bright. Along their body, a piece of clothing covering all.
" Welcome home lady "
They all said in unison bowing down as their wings a majestic white, spread outwards. Angels. Slowly, confused and overstimulated she walked into the hall approaching a throne as legions of angel were bent beneath her feet.
" Raphael what is this "
" We angels await your reincarnation through each era, and we'd be honored to celebrate it with you " he said with a grin.
His face a bright smile, smothering life with the anticipation and hope it radiated.
" If you could kindly sit stop the throne milady "
He said with a sweeping motion, bowing down before her, his arm stretched, gesturing her towards the throne.
" Um, I'm sorry, but, I can't " her face curled in a ball of uncomfort.
" Oh— I'm— I'm sorry m'lady, was it too much for you, did we go to far "
His eyes filled with tears held back by will, his mouth quivering, his cheeks a slight red. He was disappointed. His masculine face, broken into a mess of an adorable woman.
" I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'll sit on it " she said.
Just before she sat, an angel turned away, then two, then all. They all now faced the gates. There he stood, leaning on the gate, his mere sight cutting through the festivity. Now the mood had changed entirely. The atmosphere were now filled with whispers as they stared at him approach life.
" I would like to borrow life if you don't mind " he said as he stretched his hand out to life as Raphael watched him.
" I shall be coming with you " their eyes clashing as Raphael spoke. His gaze fixed and unmoving from death's eyes.
" Sure, I don't care what you do. C'mon life let's go "
He led the way with life's hand in his as Raphael trailed behind. As he moved down the white tiles every angel's eyes were fixed on him. Their hatred and malice bleeding from their gazes.
" So where are we going? " She asked as Raphael trailed behind.
" I just need to show you something "
After he spoke the air filled with silence, as life thought over the morality of the question she was about to ask.
" Is there a reason why the angels don't like you? " She said quietly.
" Oh " he said slightly embarrassed.
" If you noticed it then they aren't even trying to hide it. It's a bit complicated. The angels adore you, they idolize you as the one who made them and the layer they sit atop, and just like you did, they hate me because I supposedly 'destroy' it. I'm like the embodiment of their master and creator's enemy "
" Oh. I really am sorry. Maybe their behaviour might've been my fault."
" Don't worry about it. It's not like you were the exact one who made them..... We've arrived "
They had arrived. A circular platform with walls hundreds of metres tall. It was shrouded in shadows and oozed darkness.
" I'd like you to step in please " he said as he directed her in.
" What is this? "
" I want to show you something. A lot of things. Everything. Since I can't take you there, this is the next best option. This is where I meditate. When I want to see all that exists. In other words, this shows you everything from my eyes "
Raphael stood at a distance unfazed but curious. Gradually she walked upon the platform at stood atop it's centre. Abruptly and in an instance she slumped down, unconscious. Carefully he set her in a sitting position as he gazed at Raphael, who was now calmly approaching him.
" Shouldn't you be in a fury, charging at me? "
" No. "
" Why not? Your lady is on the ground helpless, aren't you scared I'll kill her or that I've hurt her in some way? "
" Not really. You may know my lady better than anyone, but I know you better than even you do yourself. You wouldn't kill her, you have no reason to. At least not right now anyways "
" Then why did you follow me here? You've never followed me before. Why now? "
" Just curious. "
Now death was curious as well. He walked out of the platform inquisitively staring at Raphael.
" Well? "
" It's this strange duality that happens during each test. You come in to 'teach' her and 'test' her. You've conducted this 'test' for her as far as I can remember, and for some reason they always follow the same pattern. After the first test even the life's that despise you begin to see you in a better light, they praise your kindness and see you as a beacon of good, but, immediately following the second trail, the hatred in her heart burns even greater than before. "
The air seemed still. Even the plants forgot to sway as they listened.
" What do you show her? " Raphael said, narrowing his gaze directly to death.
" Nothing excessive " he said with a grin, staring at the platform.
" All I show her is what needs to be seen. Nothing is perfect, in this vast universe, in all it's twisting and turning and adjusting, there is nothing that is perfect, nothing that is complete " he said, his voice lowered and somber.
" But. She seems to believe that she is. That she is perfect, that all her creations are perfect. " Now looking into the distance.
" At first, I humour her, show her all she wants to see, show her that life is bitter sweet, full of surprises, *perfect* then I show her the rest. All the chaos, the pain, all equally unnecessary, all equally pointless. Every life I have tested this on has had the same response, they always get mad at me, and blame me. They always fail my little test— "
Just then he was cut of by screaming, horrid, painful screaming. The voice filled with anguish the tone barrelling through the air, they were not screams of horror alone, but fear and sorrow as well. It was life. Her face covered with tears, her body writhing in agony as she twisted and turned, as she reached out to nothing, as she cried her heart out. No one moved towards her. Raphael stood still staring at death. His eyes filled questions.
" Your lady is in pain, you should help her " he said tilting his head towards life.
He didn't move. Raphael stood still, still questioning the prompt. Death was as cryptic as a code that refused to be solved. Nothing he said meant what you thought, and everything you thought you knew was wrong. His actions were hidden or sly, and Raphael knew that better than anyone.
" I can see the doubt in your eyes Raphael, I assure you, this time at least, I mean exactly what I say. Go and help your lady " he said with authority as Raphael nodded.
Her screams echoed even louder as Raphael held her in his arms, frantically trying to wake her up. With a splash of water, she was suddenly awake, her eyes red and her face covered with tears. She grabbed her head with her hands as she screamed. Tears poured from her eyes.
She had witnessed it all. All the wars, the deaths, those who were forgotten, people who were broken, stories destroyed, beautiful flowers trampled upon. The horrid fate of all. Worst of all. It was caused by one specie. Slowly the delusion faded and reality slowly set in, her fears and sorrow turned to anger. Anger pointed at one alone.
" You! This is all your fault! " Her eyes brewing with hatred as they glared at his. His eyes were sad, filled with disappointment.
" Those things! " She said getting up and walking towards death.
" Are not mine! I did not make those creatures. They are vile, barbaric, seeking the most trivial reason to spill blood. In the two million years they've existed, they have devolved into something worse than monsters. They aren't even civil enough to be considered monsters. There is only one possibility. They came from you " she said staring him down with rage filled eyes. Eyes filled with prideful delusion.
" I am disappointed. Out of them all, you are by far the worst. You've failed worse than any of them did. I am truly disappointed " he said with sad eyes as he walked away, leaving her.
" And so am I " Raphael said as he walked past her, trailing behind death.