Chapter VII
Altacia, in the Cold

   Home! I was home!
   The cold air bit every inch of my exposed skin but I couldn't help but feel a warm little something in my heart, despite the painful goodbyes that took place in Heaven, a few hours before. Now that I was almost arriving in Altacia, I felt like I was leaving every single bad memory behind, in the angelic metropolis. How beautiful Altacia was, in the translucent atmosphere, way above the highest clouds! It was the only city in the Realm that possessed a vertical floatation ring, which allowed it to travel faster and with less energy; it shone brightly under the white sun and spun so fast that sparks sometimes escaped from the silver surface. A few dozen round houses stood in the middle, each one with its load of windmills and flags on top; once I passed the ring, I let myself be filled with the silence, this intense silence that I missed so much: other than the regular and soft beat of the hundred rotors and mills, there wasn't a single soul outside; it was way too cold, due to the absence of magical barrier.
   Nothing had changed in twelve years; the chimneys still sent white stripes of smoke in the air; the shredded flags clang at the poles, in fear of being ripped away by the strong wind; the houses were painted with light blue stripes and the few windows were permanently shut.
   I raised my scarf and headed towards the family home. We lived on the second and third floors of the house; the other floors lodged another family. That's how things went in Altacia: big houses for big families. Beside the entrance, there was a dozen hand prints, which my siblings and I had made with blue paint, when my father was repainting the main turbine. I was so excited! I hadn't been here in more than twelve human years! Of course, my mom sent me letters once in a while but it wasn't like being here, ten thousand meters above the ground.
   Almost laughing, I turned the metal handle, which was actually part an old submarine door and entered the house. I heard my mom's voice bounce on the curved walls:
   --- Simiel! You better not throw your mittens in the corner like you usually do, or I'll make you clean the stove again! Simiel?
   I dropped my bag and listened to the steps coming my way. Her angry eyes immediately shifted to surprised, then overwhelmed ones.
   --- Hi, ma, I said.
   She stared at me for a few seconds, then threw herself in my arms.
   --- Saelius! Gabe, Saelius is here! Oh my baby, I missed you so much!
   Smiling and hugging my old mom, I waited for the rest of the family to show up. My dad, Gabriel, gave me the same treatment, and the twins, Elvelia and Losmeriel litterally covered me with kisses. After we were done with the hugs, I finally removed my coats and scarves, mittens and hat, and I proceeded inside the house, in the living room. It was way bigger than my apartment, but considered a small one, in Altacian standards. We weren't that rich, but we managed to survive.
   Then followed the floods of questions and comments:
   --- Hey hey, look at the suntan he's got, snickered Losmeriel. Although I wasn't very tanned, I was still darker than the other family members, due to the fact that they pretty much stayed indoors all day long.
   --- So, how are things going, in the great city? asked Elvelia, with a smile on her thin face. What's all the fuss about?
   --- Woa, calm down, ordered my dad, let him arrive for a few minutes. It's been a long trip, hasn't it, son?
   I nodded and discovered how much I was tired and hungry. My mom brought me a nice warm meal. While eating, I told them about the revolution going on in Heaven. Pop listened religiously and kept eyeing Losmeriel with worry.
   --- So that's pretty much it, I concluded after I was done with my hot soup. Since I can't find a decent job in Heaven, would it be okay if I crashed here for a little while? Believe me, I would've told you sooner, but I've been expelled from my apartment just yesterday. Mail does take a while to get here...
   My mother smiled warmly and told me I could stay as long as I wanted. She was just picking up my bowl when three knocks were hit on the door. Dad went to open and the movers dropped my stuff on the floor.

*****

   The sun was now right above our little town and my sister and I were just done unpacking all of my belongings. She was amazed by all of the little things I had bought myself over the years, mainly little gadgets and jewellery.
   --- Here, take that one, I said while handing her a silver earring, I never wear it anyway.
   --- Oh, you, she laughed, you've always had that cute soft side.
   I stared at her peculiarly and asked her what she meant by that. She replaced her colourful bandanna over her grey hair and sat down on the thick carpet.
   --- Come here, come on, sit down, she said.
   I obeyed and I was struck by nostalgia: we always played in that room when we were kids, under the afternoon sun that entered by the three round windows. It always smelled good in here, because of the many huge fabric rolls that were piled everywhere; my mom just hated when we climbed on the freshly dyed clothes.
   Elvelia delicately put her hand on my head and leaned it against her shoulder. I closed my eyes.
   --- You know, Saelius, I've always been closer to you than I was with my own twin brother. Sure, he liked teasing me and all, but it's with you I liked spending time with. I was so crushed when you left... I mean, you were barely fifteen!
   --- Yeah, but I'm back now... aren't you happy?
   What was the most fabulous about my big sister were her eyes: they were white. Angel genetics could prove to be quite tricky sometimes. She was the only one in the family with eyes like that, blue all around, but with an iris deprived of any colour. She smiled.
   --- Of course I'm happy. Things just go by so fast... look at me! I'm twenty-four, and my life's already in place: I have a boyfriend who loves me and a beautiful baby-son. Losmeriel has become the musician he always wanted to be, and Simiel got the most well-paid job in town. Leilam and Momo have their own workshop in Jilankev and you, the little baby of the family works at the Fate Department.
   --- Used to work, I specified.
   I stood up at the sound of footsteps coming our way: soon, a little toddler, barely able to walk, entered the room, followed by Losmeriel, who had a huge smile glued on his face.
   --- The little guy wanted to see his mom, he said softly.
   Maisii, Elvelia's pride, trotted all the way to his mom's arms and made cute little baby sounds. He was so adorable! Things were changing so quickly... I couldn't believe it; Elvelia held her son in her arms, Losmeriel was just done writing a song, and there I was, sitting on the same carpet, only more than twelve years later! I could still remember the day when the twins got tattooed on the face, and the jealousy that filled me when they were showing off their cool, black patterns; or the day my mom pierced Elvelia's ears with a needle.
   --- Saelius? Are you still with us?
   At the sound of my big brother's voice, I blinked a couple of times and invited him to sit down with us. We had a lot of catching up to do.

*****

   In the evening, the door slammed and I smiled when I saw Simiel who did throw his mittens on the floor, beside the little brown carpet. He looked older, way older than he used to (which did make sense) and his face seemed... more serious and less poetic than my other siblings. I was reading a story to little Maisii when he saw me; he smiled and hugged me tightly.
   --- What a nice surprise, the kiddo came back home! We haven't seen your tattoos in what... ten years or so?
   I made the precision and asked him the usual: work, love, friends, and all that's related. He grabbed a huge cushion and sat down beside me; he looked tired and worried but from what he was telling me, everything was great: he was working at the Altacia Administration Council, and made sure that all was going well in the town.
   --- And do you still have that problem with your ear, I asked.
   He instinctively pasted his hand on his left ear, that had been cut off by a windmill while he was trying to repair it. Fortunately for him, there was hardly nothing the angelic medicine couldn't fix so it wasn't such a great deal---other than the fact that it was partly missing.
   --- Yeah, it still itches sometimes. I swear, I often reach for it, to see if my earring is in place.
   We laughed and my mom called us for dinner.

*****

   --- Ah, sighed my pop, isn't it great to have the family around the table!
   --- If only Leilam and Momo were here, added ma, while serving us great portions of fried fish. Here, eat up while it's hot!
   --- Yeah, and perhaps Saelius will be able to put on some flesh on his bones, snickered Simiel.
   --- Were they feeding you? added Losmeriel with his mouth full of sauce. You'll get blown away by the wind if you go outside.
   Elvelia ordered the boys to lower their voices because Maisii was having trouble finishing his bottle.
   I ate and ate, I was so hungry! I couldn't remember the day when I had such a nourishing meal in Heaven, nor a greater evening. My ma's cooking was as delicious as usual, and she kept hugging me and telling me how much she had missed me. We looked a lot like each other; we had the same eyes and we both liked order and calm. It was in times like that I considered myself the luckiest Angel in the Realm, to have great parents that cared for me, as well as a big bunch of siblings on whom I could count on.
   Pop and Simiel were having a heated conversation about the new administration; my dad, just like me, didn't like Danërael one bit. My bro, on the other hand, was quite thrilled by the changes:
   --- ...That guy's the best thing that happened to the Realm in... forever! He's so cool! I mean, okay, he was a bit brutal, but hey, if it's what it takes to get this race going, fine by me! Now, the little towns like Altacia and Jilankev have more chairing members in the Council.
   --- So...? said my father, with his usual mean look. What if we got more chairing members! He's controlling all of them!
   --- Pop, you're so out of the subject...
   --- Don't cut me, Simiel. As I was saying, Danërael might look all nice and honest but I swear he's hiding something. It's not normal to let Angels go down on the surface without permission, like that. He wants us to leave humans alone, to cut all obligations we had towards them, and yet, he sends Angels to steal fish and vegetables, wine and water! Why should we depend on humans to feed ourselves? We never had to! Don't tell me THAT'S not suspicious.
   --- I agree, I added, trying to remove a little fish bone that was stuck between my teeth.
   Simiel looked at me with dark eyes and told me to butt out. This sounded familiar, somehow...
   --- Simiel, said ma, be polite to your brother! He's our guest after all.
   That was the end of the discussion. Simiel left the table, looking rather mad. Pop sighed and Elvelia helped mom with the cleaning.
   --- The more it changes, the more it stays the same, I moaned.
   Losmeriel asked me why I was saying this.
   --- Come on, I replied, you know Simiel always had a grudge against me.
   My brother stretched and patted me on the shoulder.
   --- Since he's got that job, he's been nothing but arrogant and selfish. As if we were not worthy of his presence anymore. Sure, he makes lots of cash but I think it's driving him a little insane, if you know what I mean. All of the Lalsarias have a little artsy side, except him.
   The house was silent and I could hear the walls crack and snap because of the wind and the cold. Beside the clock on the wall there was a big, rusty device, an altimeter. I noticed that the pin was going up quickly; I also felt a little ill.
   --- You're not used to the high altitude anymore, snickered my brother while getting up. Pa, we're reaching 10,400 meters, I'll get the mills ready. Come with me, Saelius, it'll get your mind off of the altitude for a while.
   I followed Losmeriel to the machine room; it was a dark place full of gears, pipes, wires and levers. After consulting a few measuring instruments, we started twisting some knobs and turning all sorts of wheels, to align the windmills in order for them to face the wind.
   --- This one's stuck, I said, while trying to pull down a big lever.
   --- Must be the number twelve, sighed he. It's always broken. We'll fix it tomorrow.
   He exited the room but I stayed and listened to the sound the windmills were making, just above my head. All the metal in the room was dancing under the steady vibration of the engines and the furnace was letting go of a few sighs of steam once in a while.
   --- Are you going to stay in there all night? shouted my dad. We're going to bed!
   I fell asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow.

*****

   Two months passed.
   Between the daily occupations and little jobs here and there, I had plenty of time to myself. Sometimes, I just talked with my sister and played with Maisii; or I helped out with all sorts of little tasks, from fixing mills to dying fabric. I also practised my shooting a lot: it was true that my bow was a fine weapon, light, powerful and precise.
   I also had a lot of time to think.
   I was wondering what was going on in Heaven: how were Mivelris and Zhankiel doing?
   Sometimes, I let my mind drift away and I always saw Yui in my head, before being interrupted in my daydream by a member of the family. I missed her. I missed her curls, I missed the feeling of being somewhat important to her. She was all I could think of, she was the only thing that prevented me to be completely happy in Altacia, like I should've been.
   I was looking at the moon which seemed actually lower than we were, when my father called me. I stretched my wings, let go of a sigh and walked toward the living room. "Mail came," he said, and he handed me a letter.
   Surprised, I didn't even bother looking at the white envelop to see if I recognised the handwriting and headed towards my room, upstairs. As I suspected it, it was from Zhankiel. Only a teacher could write that bad and still be understood. It went like this:

"Dear Saelius,
   How are you, up in the highest cirrus clouds of Altacia? I hear the weather's nice over there. You didn't catch a cold yet, I hope...
   I'm sorry if I haven't mailed you earlier, I've been, well... busy. There's a lot of things going on in Heaven now, and if you're in your cute little town, it's probably for the best anyway; you'd hate this place to death if you were here. But I'll get back on this later.
   You're probably wondering how is Mivelris doing, right? Don't worry, he's up on his feet and as I write this letter, he's cooking something that smells deliiiiicious, in the kitchen. He stayed in bed for a few days after your departure but thanks to his strong system, he was healed within a week. But damn, how did you ever endure him! Does he have a "off" button somewhere? He never shuts up! No seriously, he's a lively fellow and I must've gained ten pounds (plus some major headaches) since his arrival. He helps out a lot in the house, he fixed all sorts of things and he even found a job at the city core. That's what brings me to let you in on a matter that's bugging me a bit: see, two weeks ago, Paradise stopped right under Heaven, only a few hundred meters away. Now, not only the sight of this awful-looking ...thing, city, fortress, call is as you will, disgusts me, but there's is some MAJOR constructions going on in there. You should see all the activity going on around the two cities; the human newspapers are flooded by articles reporting strange robberies on construction sites, sightings of "imposing creatures who flew away with tons of cement and metal" and all sorts of other appearances.
   Now, I can see your face: don't panic, I'm doing my little investigation... Mivelris tried to get hired at this mysterious new project Danërael is orchestrating, but guess what: they refused! They said that only first and second orders of Angels could be admitted on the site! This is getting stranger and stranger by the second, my friend. In any case, I'll let you know if there's anymore development. And don't bother reading the papers, I just learned that mister Mischav has been personally taking care of censoring everything concerning his occult projects...
   So, do take care and write back if you have the time. I am off to eat fried fish!

--Your devoted inspector and teacher, Zhankiel."

   I rubbed my head and couldn't help but smile, despite the growing feeling of worry inside of me. Zhankiel sure was reassuring but then again, I knew something was going to happen sooner or later. And it made me fell ill.
   When Simiel got home, I asked him if he knew anything about the robberies and the construction site in Paradise. He suddenly became very nervous and simply retorted it wasn't any of my business. He then locked himself up in his room and didn't even come to eat supper with us.
   I read the letter to my dad. The atmosphere in the house wasn't that great that evening and I wasn't surprised to see him and mom take off later in the night, saying they were going to the workshop to finish some sewing.
   --- What in Heaven's name is wrong with everyone, tonight, I sighed, just as Elvelia entered the living room, with Maisii in her arms. The little guy was sound asleep.
   --- Ma and pa have been going out a lot lately, she admitted. Just don't tell Simiel about this, but I think there's a rebel group forming itself in Altacia and it's worrying me a lot. But with the monthly fair going on in Frasvin right now, there's a lot of work to do and not enough time to plan a counter revolution.
   Never did I think about it: a counter revolution? If only I knew what was really going on! I was so pissed! I only had little bits of information.
   --- I'm so sick of this guy, I uttered loudly. Danërael this, Danërael that, he's such a pain! I'd join any resistance movement if I...
   I stopped a moment to ponder. Elvelia was staring at me strangely. Out of words, I just got up and climbed the stairs, with the intention of replying to Zhankiel's letter.
   "Dear Zhankiel..."
   Then what? I wasn't in the mood for writing. In fact, I wasn't in the mood to do anything. I felt useless, as if I could've done something more productive while being in Heaven. I was bored out of my mind so I just shoved some cushions in the "corner" (the house was round) of my room and plunged myself in a book I had found in an old box, a few days before.
   After two hours of reading Latin, it hit me that it that it was getting awfully late and that the workshops were closed since more than an hour. I went downstairs: everything was silent. Mom and dad's coats weren't on the hooks, and neither was Simiel's. Where was everyone? This was getting bizarre.
   I heard the sound of Losmeriel's guitar and sat down in the living room with him.
   --- Simiel must be out working late again, said my brother. Some say that a small bunch of Angels arrived late last night, directly from Paradise. Pretty important Thrones Angels, it seems... they must be negotiating something with Simiel, since he's become all important and stuff.
   --- What about ma and pa?
   He shrugged. Losmeriel always had it cool, he never worried about anything. I concluded that it was probably the best thing to do and I stayed up a part of the night to help him out with a few lyrics.

*****

   My parents finally came home, a few hours later. No one dared asking what kept them so long.
   Some days later, we were visited by Elvelia's boyfriend, Nel. I liked him the first second he set foot in the house. He was a tall, lazy but sympathetic looking guy and we immediately got along. He reminded me of Mivelris, in a way.
   In the afternoon, I was helping out at loading the carts for the fair in Frasvin. Everyone was quite busy and the intense activity made me forget the matters in Heaven. Rolls after rolls of fabrics were piled up, as well as huge bundles of hand-made scarves, vests and hats, all a unique pieces of work. They were worth a lot in the markets, but yet, they didn't make us any richer...
   At the end of the afternoon, me and the rest of the youngsters decided to watch the sunset from up the roof.
   --- This' a great place, said Nel. But damn, is it ever cold!
   Elvelia laughed and rubbed his back.
   --- So, I started, has the revolution shaken Frasvin as well?
   He took a deep breath and a shiver shook his wings.
   --- Brrr, yeah... The merchants are taking it pretty well, cause there's a lots more customers since there's less work. But I keep telling 'em that sooner of later, Angels'll be craving for money again. It's gonna end.
   I wanted to know more.
   --- And... is there any unsatisfied Angels?
   --- There certainly is: me! A huge bunch of youngsters, on Danërael's orders, are going down on Earth everyday to steal stuff, like wood and metal, as well as gold and industrial diamonds. I wonder what the hell he wants to do with those things.
   Losmeriel shrugged and decided he wasn't interested by the conversation. Politics always bored him so he and Elvelia got back inside.
   Once they were gone, Nel sighed and said, on a low tone:
   --- You're probably gonna hate me for this but... I want Elvelia to move to Frasvin with me. I know you Altacia folks are very fond of family values, but it's for the best. I fear she's not safe, here.
   I was a bit startled by this sudden confession but I let him continue:
   --- I know, for sure, that there's a resistance movement in Altacia. I have my sources, and I heard that it is the most active faction in the Realm. And... there's been a lot of unexplained disappearances in the last months. Angels who were seemingly plotting against the government in place vanished into thin air, just like that. This town's not safe.
   --- But who are they, I asked, eager for more details, and where are they "plotting" like that? That town's so small, there's no way they could keep hidden that long!
   There was a silent stretch. It was obvious Nel didn't want to tell me anything. A resistance faction, in Altacia... it was insane. They were probably just a bunch of youths with nothing better to do than plan on attacking Paradise or something. It was getting late so we decided to go back inside.

*****

   I was dreaming of Yui. I was with her, in a field of yellow flowers. It was blurry but I know for sure, I felt it, I knew she loved me back. It was amazing. Saelius. Saelius...
   --- Saelius! Wake up for Heaven's sake!!
   The flowers started to disappear.
   --- SAELIUS!!! The city's on fire!
   I opened my eyes wide and sat up in my bed. It was Losmeriel who was shaking me like that. Maisii's cries echoed in the house and my room, facing North, was filled with a most unnatural reddish light.
   --- What the hell is going on, I shouted while chasing after my brother and putting on my glasses at the same time. Nel was putting his coat on and when he opened the door to take off, I caught a glimpse of the terrible scene happening outside: the workshops were burning! And at the speed we were travelling, the flames rose on the side like gigantic, yellow serpents. Suddenly, the house started to tremble so hard that various objects were falling on the floor: Elvelia shrieked and pasted her son against her chest; the town was stopping.
   I was panicked: everyone was outside and watching the frightening spectacle. Fortunately, it wasn't during daytime...
   --- Oh... djimmeh, I said, which happened rarely. I never cursed. Elvelia, how come mom and dad aren't up?
   We looked at each other and then, at the door, only to find their coats missing. Losmeriel blinked twice, grabbed his coat and jumped outside.
   --- Maybe... maybe they went to help, babbled my sister, trying to comfort her child.
   I closed my eyes and swallowed painfully. There was knot on my stomach. I followed my sibling outside and ordered Elvelia to stay home, in case they returned. The sky was of an incandescent orange and the heat around the inferno was hardly supportable. After flying around the blaze for a few minutes, I was starting to be quite worried.
   --- Nel, I shouted, loudly enough to cover the roaring of the fire, have you seen my parents?
   He shook his head negatively.
   --- No, but I'll give you a sign!
   Losmeriel was patrolling the area as well. When we met, neither of us dared to look at the burning buildings: the chemicals and the tinctures exploded in successive, coloured blasts and the zone soon became too dangerous for anyone to stay near. Suddenly, I heard, above all shouts, a desperate voice:
   --- Somebody, please!! My daughter's in there!
   I was so shocked I almost forgot to flap my wings. Other similar cries started to arise from the scene: missing parents or friends, cries, swears and shouts. Something was wrong, because I kept having those awful spasms in my stomach: my instinct, this "sixth sense", this powerful intuition we all possessed was shouting stuff in my head. Shouting things I was aware of, but I did not want to believe. I knew my parents would be nowhere to be found.
   Yet, I continued hoping, like a fool who think he's dreaming.
   Some of the more powerful Angels had begun destroying the factories before the fire spread to surrounding houses. Beams of red light, followed by huge detonations and blocks of burning materials falling towards the surface made my head turn.
   --- NO! NO!! THERE'S PEOPLE IN THERE!!!
   I rushed to the few Dominion Angels who were bombing the workshops with deadly magic.
   --- STOP IT! I cried, on the verge of tears, MY PARENTS ARE IN THERE!!
   His hands smoking, the large Angel looked at me peculiarly and with a gesture of his arm, ordered all of the other to cease their firing. The heat was unbearable. I took off my scarf, then my mittens and my coat.
   I was going in.
   But my sudden boost of confidence was cut short by my brother, who seized me by the arm and slapped me on the face.
   --- There's nothing we can do, Saelius!
   --- Let me go, let me go, I'll get them out! MOM! DAAAD!!
   Another hit in the face. Tears were running down my face and I couldn't see a thing. My brother was crying too, but we both knew it was too late. Mom, dad, they were both gone. But how was it possible? How was is that they couldn't get out in time?
   I heard a big, loud signal and by the time I looked back, the rest of the building was surrounded by a translucent barrier, produced by almost all of the citizens of the city. It did not take ten minutes before the fire was extinguished, due to the lack of oxygen.
   I was getting cold. Nel soon met with us and headed back home, without looking at us.
   When the barrier was lifted, I rushed to the doors, even if there were huge, smoky holes here and there, on the walls. I looked more closely at the carbonised metal panes and shrieked in terror:
   They had been sealed, from the outside.
   All of the doors had been submitted to the same treatment. While I heard cries of despairs, saying how sad of an accident that was, I felt my heart pound at a frightening speed in my chest. Everything was making sense now: the factories were the lair of the Altacian rebel movement, and even more surprising, my parents were part of it. Or used to.
   There was nothing left inside, but pieces of machinery that survived the fire. I didn't want to go check what was left of the victims. I was already on the verge of fainting.
   A group of Angels, torn apart by sadness, were comforting each other on a nearby rooftop. I was crying tears of bitterness.
   --- Hear me out, everyone! I said very loudly, to get their attention. This wasn't an accident! Go see for yourself, the doors have been sealed by some mysterious traitor! It was planned!!
   Gasps and shouts of disbelief arose in the night. Some people went by to check, and the more courageous ones penetrated inside the wrecked workshops: they soon confirmed that there were remains on incendiary arrows at strategic places, in the rooms containing highly flammable chemicals.
   Losmeriel was seated on the roof, and he was holding his head in his hands. His scarf was soaked with tears. I was about to sit down with him, when a movement, in the distance caught my eyes: everyone was mourning over the victims so no one paid attention to the suspicious trade that was going on, at the very limits of the town.
   I didn't have to get closer to see the scene: it was a little gang of Thrones, all dressed in black, with bows on their back, talking with another, more familiar-looking Angel: it did not take long before he handed them a big roll of money. He was facing the other way, so it was hard to tell who it was.
   The left ear missing.
   Simiel.
   I felt a terrible anger rise inside of me: he was behind all this! He was responsible for his own parents' death! I was devastated by the loss of my parents on one side, but I felt the urge of going back home and grabbing my bow, to make him pay for his acts.
   It was foolish. There were enough Lalsarias dead for one night, I said to myself.
   When we got back home, we found Elvelia in Nel's arms, crying and hacking. We held each other tightly, trying to ease the pain that was overwhelming our hearts. That no-good traitor Simiel arrived shortly and it was amazing at how well he acted like he was sad. I didn't say a word, as it was sad enough like that.
   The next day, we got many visits from close friends from the family, as well as many gifts and words of comfort. I didn't feel anything. I was dead inside.
   Like I had suspected, Paradise sent its load of sympathy and a bunch of powerful Angels, mostly Thrones, took care of destroying the remains of the workshops, taking the evidences away with it. It was easy to pretend it was "a danger to the population of Altacia" , therefore, it had to be demolished. Again, Danërael had won. Twenty-two people had perished in the fire. Simiel was the undercover agent, manipulated by the higher power, driven by the thirst of money. He wasn't my brother anymore. I didn't tell anyone about this.
   Momo, the oldest Lalsaria member, was now the legal owner of the house. He and Leilam were contacted by priority mail and arrived in Altacia a few days later. The two elders of the family had lost their natural good mood: Leilam, who never missed an opportunity to say funny things, was strangely quiet. She kept walking around the house, holding a pendant engraved with the family symbols in her hands.
   We decided to move on, for the best. Keeping the house was a burden so it was agreed to be sold, since Elvelia was moving away with Nel and Simiel was getting his own apartment, in Heaven: because, strangely enough, he had been promoted and offered a more paying job in the capital. Losmeriel was going to travel the Realm in search of a house. The Lalsarias were leaving Altacia.
   So was I.
   I scribbled a letter to Zhankiel, telling him I was coming back to Heaven. Even if he didn't want to, I would stay at his place. I was sick of being the good little Saelius. It had brought me only troubles. There was no more place for dreams, for ambitions: I was going back to the citadel, I was going to find a job, no matter what it was, I was going to find an apartment, live alone, die alone.
   Losmeriel was staying in Altacia until the house could find another owner. Momo and Leilam headed back to their workshop, a few days later. Elvelia was packing her stuff, and so was Simiel.
   On a sunny morning, I grabbed all of my belongings, wished everyone a good life, and took off.

© 2002 Cab