The Realm of Lost Souls

by R M Gauthier

  “What?” he growls.

  “He’s human. He needs to rest,” she explains, pointing her finger at Aaron who has collapsed onto the pathway attempting to catch his breath.

  “This is dangerous,” Fallen waves his hand at Aaron. “We’re sitting ducks here. We might as well scream out, ‘we’re here’.” He waves his arms around dramatically.

  “That may be, but he needs a minute.” She places her hands on her hips as she squares her shoulders and moves to stand face-to-face with Fallen.

  He’s a foot taller than her, so it’s easier for him to glare down at her attempting to be intimidating. The two are in a standoff, eyes locked on each other, until they hear Aaron. Both sets of eyes snap in his direction.

  “I’m fine.” Aaron struggles to his feet. “Let’s go.” He wanders around them shuffling down the path at what Fallen would consider a pathetic speed.

  The two angels follow.

  “Have you figured out where we are yet,” Nevaeh attempts to whisper hoping Aaron won’t hear.

  “No. You?” Fallen asks.

  “No, I’ve never seen anything like this before. But—” She hesitates.

  Fallen waits for her to continue as they march along, but his impatience wins out.

  “But, what?” he snarls.

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t give me that. You have a theory?”

  “I’d rather not say. Yet,” Nevaeh explains.

  “If I had a theory, I’d share it with you.” Fallen attempts to convince her.

  “You most certainly would not,” Nevaeh scoffs.

  “Okay, that’s true for normal circumstances, but this is hardly normal. So, spill,” Fallen encourages.

  “No.”

  “Tell me.” Fallen shoves Nevaeh’s shoulder.

  “No.”

  “Yes.”

  “No.”

  “Would you two. Just. Shut. Up!” Aaron spins around. “It’s bad enough we’re stuck here but having to listen to the two of you bark at each other is making it worse.” Aaron’s glare travels between them, finally settling on Nevaeh. “You have a theory?”

  Nevaeh shifts uncomfortably.

  Fallen smiles as he turns to Nevaeh crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Yes. Do share, Nevaeh.” Fallen mocks.

  “Look, this discussion is getting us nowhere, so let’s continue on.” Nevaeh waves her hand toward the path.

  “I’d like to hear your thoughts,” Aaron pleads.

  “I don’t feel comfortable guessing,” Nevaeh explains, glaring at Fallen. “And, you won’t like it.”

  “Just tell us,” Fallen huffs.

  “Fine. I think we’re in the realm of lost souls,” Nevaeh reveals.

  “What?” Fallen blurts out as he scans the area. “What makes you think that?”

  Aaron moves closer to the angels, his eyes glancing around wildly. “What’s the realm of lost souls?” he asks.

  “It’s where we put unwanted souls,” Fallen explains. “But we can’t be there,” he says firmly.

  “Why not?” Nevaeh asks.

  “Because,” he peeks around once more, then lowers his voice. “We can’t enter the realm of lost souls.” He leans so close to Nevaeh his lips are practically touching her ear. Nevaeh’s body tenses feeling Fallen’s warm breath penetrating her senses. A shiver runs down her spine. “We’ve tried,” he whispers.

  Nevaeh gasps and takes a step away from him. “That’s against the rules,” she utters.

  “Rules,” Fallen laughs. “Where I’m from there are no rules.”

  “Why can’t you go there? I thought angels could go anywhere?” Aaron asks.

  The two angels look over at Aaron.

  “It was a deal between both sides,” Nevaeh explains. “Apparently, a wasted deal according to you.” She waves her hand toward Fallen.

  “Oh, please. As if your side doesn’t break a few rules,” he scoffs.

  “No. We don’t,” Nevaeh answers offended. “We would never—”

  “Yeah, yeah. So, you say,” Fallen vents.

  “It’s the truth. We have morals.”

  “Right,” Fallen responds, then steps around Aaron. “It’s a moot point. This isn’t it, so it doesn’t matter.”

  “How do you know for sure?” Aaron asks.

  Fallen spins around to face him.

  “Like I said, if there was a way to get there, we would’ve found it by now.” Fallen gives Nevaeh a pointed glance. “We should get going so we can figure out where we really are.”

  “Fine,” Nevaeh huffs, as she steps around the two and marches down the path.

  5

  The group of three travel swiftly through the densely wooded area, finally coming to a break in the trees. They step into a clearing but hover by the opening as they scan the area. They’ve stepped into a beautiful vicinity that’s vast in space as far as the eye can see. Wildflowers grow freely, and green grass mixed with moss make up the bed underneath. But once again, everything is tinged grey including the sunlight shining down providing an otherworldly glow to the dim area.

  “I don’t like this,” Fallen blurts out as he glances around.

  “Me neither,” Nevaeh agrees her eyes traveling the space.

  Aaron peers between the two of them, then around the region.

  “What’s the problem?” he asks curiously.

  The two angels glare at him.

  “It’s too open,” Nevaeh answers.

  “Exactly,” Fallen agrees as he steps back under the umbrella of the trees.

  Aaron glances around the area again. “I don’t see anything.”

  “I know,” Nevaeh whispers.

  “I can’t hear anything either,” he adds.

  “I know,” Nevaeh confirms before moving to Fallen’s side. “What happened to the voices?” she asks.

  “I’m not sure. But we have bigger issues to worry about.”

  Aaron walks over and stands in front of them. “What issues?”

  Fallen cranes his neck, narrows his eyes as he sweeps the clearing and forest, deep in thought. The other two watch him closely.

  “There’s no movement,” he explains, an alarmed expression crossing his features.

  “Okay,” Aaron says in wonderment. “What does that mean?”

  Fallen peeks at Nevaeh.

  “I told you,” she whispers.

  “It can’t be,” he responds giving her a troubled frown. “It’s impossible.”

  “Apparently not,” she suggests.

  “It doesn’t make any sense. We’ve tried for so long and we just happen upon it. How?” he whispers as he takes another step back into the forest.

  “I don’t know, but something isn’t right. And we have to figure out how to get out of here,” she steps closer to Aaron. “How did you get here?” she asks him.

  “What do you mean?” Aaron asks.

  “I mean, after you walked away from us what happened?” She peers at him expectantly.

  “I just walked along—”

  “Did you feel anything? Did you do something that made you end up here?” Fallen growls, narrowing his eyes at Aaron as he steps in front of him peering down and taking up an intimidating stance.

  “No, I didn’t do anything. I was just walking and suddenly I was lying on the ground where you found me,” Aaron answers.

  Fallen points at Aaron. “He’s lying.”

  “I’m not,” Aaron pleads.

  “Lie,” Fallen snaps.

  Nevaeh steps between the two placing a hand on each of their chests. “Back off,” she says, while pushing them apart. Aaron takes a step back but Fallen holds his ground.

  “He’s lying,” Fallen accuses as he points at Aaron.

  Aaron swallows the lump in his throat. Being in a fight with an angel from—well, that is not how he saw this day going.

  “Fallen, back off. This isn’t helping anything,” Nevaeh demands.

  “Fine, but he’s lying. That’s a fa
ct.” Fallen takes a couple of steps under the cover of the forest, pacing back and forth, deliberating his next move while mumbling to himself. “This is all wrong. We shouldn’t be here.”

  Nevaeh turns to face off with Aaron.

  “What’s the last thing you remember before waking up and seeing me?” she asks, her voice far calmer than Fallen’s.

  Fallen quits pacing and turns to hear Aaron’s answer.

  Aaron concentrates for a moment struggling to come up with an answer.

  “Nothing.” The frustration in his voice is evident. “I can’t remember anything.”

  Fallen snaps once again, “More lies.”

  “Fallen,” Nevaeh warns, her irritation shining through. “Aaron, who are you on earth? What do you do?”

  Aaron thinks for a moment. “I’m a…” he struggles harder to remember. “I’m an… Oh God, I don’t know. I can’t remember anything.”

  Fallen finally snaps. Moving before either of the two can see him, he grabs Aaron by the scruff of his shirt lifting him off the ground. Fallen’s wings burst from his back surrounding him in a red glow. He holds Aaron up, his feet dangling.

  “Tell me the truth,” he roars, which echo’s for miles.

  “Fallen, let him go,” Nevaeh begs.

  “Tell me,” he roars again.

  “I don’t know. I swear,” Aaron cries as he struggles to breath, his face going blue from the lack of oxygen.

  “Let him go,” Nevaeh grabs Fallen’s arm attempting to make him release Aaron.

  Fallen glares at Nevaeh but doesn’t let go. “He’s going to start telling the truth, or else—”

  “Or else what. You’ll kill him,” she shouts.

  “That’s right,” he says, then turns his attention back to Aaron. “Now, start talking,” he growls.

  Aaron’s eyes begin closing, his face completely blue. Fallen shakes him hard jostling his eyes open again.

  Nevaeh’s wings flutter behind her and the space around them glows bright white, mixing with the red glow emanating from Fallen. She grasps Fallen’s arm with both hands and pulls as hard as she can. Fallen’s hold on Aaron breaks free, releasing him.

  Aaron falls to the ground gasping for breath.

  Fallen turns his anger on Nevaeh as he yanks his arm from her grip, then turns to face her. His eyes glow red as he flashes them at her. Nevaeh takes a step back but holds her ground. The two remain, eyes locked anger seeping from both parties.

  Aaron lays on the ground coughing and trying to catch his breath, but it’s not working. He collapses on his back and closes his eyes.

  Nevaeh breaks the staring contest as she peeks down at Aaron. Aaron’s body begins to convulse with spasms as he twitches violently.

  “Look,” Nevaeh points to Aaron. “What’s happening?” she asks.

  Fallen peers down at Aaron.

  “I don’t know,” he answers as he steps closer to Aaron. “It’s not like he can die again.”

  “Well, something is happening to him.”

  “Obviously.” Fallen kneels beside him, placing his palm above the human’s heart. He runs his hand down to Aaron’s waist and back to his heart. His heart has a regular beat. Everything appears normal, yet Aaron continues to seize.

  Abruptly, a bright light bursts out of Aaron’s chest, an energy so powerful it knocks Fallen on his butt. He shield’s his eyes with his hands attempting to peer through the light to see Aaron.

  The bright light forces Nevaeh to step back away from the powerful blast. She covers her eyes with her hands as she gasps. The light has an energy that vibrates through Nevaeh, stronger than anything she’s ever felt before.

  “What is that?” she calls out to Fallen.

  “I don’t know,” he says as he regains his composure, scrambles to his feet and moves to stand closer to Nevaeh.

  They both stand, stunned by what is happening before their eyes, while at the same time trying to catch a glimpse of Aaron.

  Just as suddenly as they started, Aaron’s tremors cease, the bright light fades into nothingness. He lay unconscious on the ground, but appears as normal as ever, as if nothing had happened. He looks asleep, but the angels know better. They saw. They witnessed.

  6

  As the angel’s watch Aaron, they wonder what they’ve just witnessed, but they’re both astounded. Finally, Nevaeh snaps out of her stupor and rushes to Aaron’s side. Kneeling next to him, she cups his cheek with her hand, holding his head gently.

  “Aaron?” she whispers but gets no response. “Aaron, wake up.”

  Aaron’s eyes begin to flutter.

  “Come on, Aaron. Wake up,” she whispers again.

  His lids flutter again, then finally snap open and his big chocolate brown eyes seek out Nevaeh.

  Nevaeh brushes the hair off his forehead. “Are you okay?”

  He innocent eyes stare into hers.

  Fallen moves to his other side of him and drops to a knee. He searches Aaron’s face for a moment, before stretching his hand out to touch him.

  Aaron recoils from Fallen’s touch.

  “Don’t touch him,” Nevaeh snaps. “You’ve done enough.”

  Fallen’s hand jerks back. “I didn’t do this to him.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Nevaeh accuses.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” His forehead scrunches together, eyebrows narrow as he glares at her.

  “You’re not exactly known for your exceptional self-control,” she reveals.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Fallen turns his glare on Aaron. “What happened?”

  Aaron focuses on Fallen. “You should know,” he replies.

  The crease in Fallon’s forehead deepens. “What?”

  “When the skies fall and the earth crumbles, the universe shall be lost,” Aaron exclaims. “We are all doomed.”

  Aaron’s lids snap shut.

  Fallen stumbles backwards, his expression of someone who’s seen a ghost.

  Nevaeh’s gaze travels between the two, before her sights land on Fallen.

  “What was he saying?” she asks Fallen.

  He appears shaken, shocked before he schools his features and returns to Aaron’s side. “I have no idea.”

  “Don’t give me that. I saw the look on your face,” she accuses.

  “He’s talking rubbish. He’s making no sense.” His glare snaps to Nevaeh, then back to Aaron. “Wake up,” he demands as he claps his hands in front of Aaron’s face.

  Aaron’s eyes flutter open. He glances between the two angels before his gaze lands on Nevaeh. “What happened?”

  Nevaeh gazes at him for a moment.

  “What’s the last thing you remember?” she asks.

  Aaron is quiet for a moment before turning his head toward her.

  “Waking up to see you,” he whispers. “Where are we? Am I dead?”

  Nevaeh shifts her gaze to Fallen who is watching Aaron with a suspicious gaze.

  “I don’t know, Aaron,” she answers honestly. She really has no idea what is going on, but she vows to herself she’ll find out. She stands to her full height and scans the vast space surrounding them, then glances at Fallen. “There’s nobody here,” she informs him.

  “How do you know?” he asks.

  “Because, no one came. No one is investigating the loud voices, the bright light. We should’ve seen someone by now.” Her attention returns to the lands surrounding them. “Headquarters?” she calls out and after a moment she tries again. “Headquarters?”

  Nevaeh walks a few steps, ruffles her wings and attempts to shimmer out of existence. When it doesn’t work the first time, she tries again and again, until she’s exhausted. Fallen appears in front of her grasping her shoulders and giving her a shake.

  “Stop it,” he commands.

  Nevaeh opens her eyes to see Fallen staring at her.

  “We have to get out of here,” she pleads to him.

  “I know, but not like that,” he whispers back. “Tr
y your wings,” he suggests as he lets go of her shoulders.

  Nevaeh flutters her wings expanding them to their full length as they stretch out on either side of her. She gives a jolt and the wings begin flapping and she levitates off the ground. She rises a few feet, the sight of her glorious white wings with gold tips is dazzling as she drifts higher. A bright white light envelops her as beams emanate from her to the ground. A glorious sight to behold.

  Fallen and Aaron watch in awe as Nevaeh floats higher.

  As fast as she’s risen, Nevaeh lands back on the ground and glances at Fallen.

  “They work,” she says.

  “So, I see,” he says, his expression still awed.

  “Stop looking at me like that. You can do it, too,” she exclaims.

  “I know, but it’s different seeing it from this position,” he smirks.

  “Yeah, yeah. Try yours,” she suggests.

  Fallen takes a step back, spreads his arms wide and his wings expand behind him. They’re size alone make Nevaeh’s look like a little fairy wings, but it’s not surprising when their physical sizes are compared. He leans his head back, closes his eyes and a red glow engulfs him creating beams of crimson light. Suddenly, he is levitating off the ground, higher and higher he floats, before his head snaps forward and he peers down at Nevaeh.

  She shifts uncomfortably under his gaze but can’t manage to peel her eyes off him. He’s beautiful, magnificent and dangerous. Any misplaced thoughts Nevaeh has of Fallen are wiped clean from her mind instantly when her attention snaps to Aaron. Thoughts of Fallen are uninvited and ridiculous.

  Aaron stares at Fallen with such admiration covering his features, his fascination with the angels is quite evident, but also perilous. Marveling Fallen’s capabilities is not the right path for any young man. Not because Fallen is evil, that’s just a fallacy, but because when the time came to make a choice, Fallen made an error in judgement. Nevaeh doesn’t blame Fallen for his decision because things were a mess back then, but in this day and age Fallen should see the error of his ways—yet he remains. Nevaeh doesn’t understand it and probably never will.

  Fallen’s feet touch the ground again and his wings fold back into place. The red glow disappears and the world around them turns to an ashen grey.