Chapter 8

"Mourn"

-1- 

“Please, let me go back to the suite and get a sheet--,” I suggested.

“No, Seraphim we don’t have time.” Soul retorted, his voice razor sharp.

I had to look away as he picked up Rin’s body, his hands staining with her trickling blood as he began to walk. I followed in step behind him. Rin's big dark eyes were still open--frozen in horror. I wanted to close them, but I was too afraid to touch it-- to touch her. This was not how I wanted to see anyone-- let alone my best friend. We walked deeper and deeper into the woods for what seemed like forever and I had yet to ask the most important question.

“Where are we going ? “ I asked, “We can’t walk through town with her . . .  with Rin.”

He nodded

“That is why we are going to bury the body. Once we have her shade we will reunite them,”

“How exactly--,”

“I don’t know anything exactly. All I know is the theoretical,” Soul snapped.

We walked a while longer until Soul found an area that was nearly dense with trees. He began to dig and  with his hands a very shallow grave. I bent down to help

“No,” he said pushing my hands away. “I may need you to go back to the palace to get some supplies. You don’t want to look suspicious with dirty hands.”

I nodded and watched helplessly as he dug his fiancée’s grave with his bare hands and finally placed her inside, he turned to me and a pang of sadness ripped through me. 

Soul locked eyes with me, a flash of his usual kind and good tempered self coming through.

“This is only temporary,” he assured me.

He stood up, his clothes covered in dirt.

“You said we have to get her shade ?,” I asked.” What exactly is that ?”

He closed his eyes and then looked at me.

“We are all two parts. A shade and a body.  From what I've read when the body dies, the shade goes to the Underworld to the Demon King.”

My ears perked up. Two parts. Did this mean—

“Two lives, then ?.” I asked

“Kind of,” Soul answered,” The Demon King usually disposes of the shades. It is his biggest job. It is the Natural Way of Things, because a shade without it’s body is unnatural and after a while the two parts become incompatible. But, if we can get to Rin’s maybe appeal to the King. . .”

“Soul,” I said with guilt running through me.”Oh, I should have said something but . . . there is a Demon Prince who has been, bothering Rin. She said not to mention it, but—oh, I have to tell Father.”

“No,” said Soul grabbing my arm. “If Rin’s father knows she is dead he will never allow me to get  her shade and bring her back. It would get him in a lot of trouble.”

Bring her back.

That was all I wanted.

“How will we get to . . . to her shade ?,” I asked.

“We?,” Soul asked.

I nodded my head and he smiled amused.

“Well, alright. We are in this together.” He said,” Go to the palace and get a pair of boots for me and you—just borrow a pair from Rin.  Then I need you to something plastic and put an extra set of clothes for us inside--it must be plastic. Also, there is a wrapped red package in my bed chamber—get that as well.”

“Shall I get a chariot ?,” I asked

“No. We have to travel by foot.” He explained, “Someone will notice a chariot missing. Go and get the supplies and say nothing of this. Go.”

I ran off towards the palace at full speed. Despite my muddled appearenace no one seemed to pay me any mind, they were all still on the hunt for Rin. It was amazing how easy I could act like I hadn’t just seen my best friend’s dead body. I gathered the supplies into a plastic laundry bag and was able to walk around unnoticed. 

I went to the guest chambers and into Soul’s room.

The room was covered in sheet music, most of it crumpled and scratched. There was one sheet in the vanity with a complete song on it. It was titled Rin’s Lullaby.

I snapped my attention to the bed where a neatly wrapped package lay. It was exquisitely wrapped in satiny blood red  paper and a shimmery white ribbon. I stuffed it into the bag and headed back to Soul.

As I walked, the wicked thought fully  crossed my mind. If we could get Rin’s shade back, we could also get Gabriel’s shade as well. I took a long look at the statue, now a few feet behind me.  

Soul would bring back his betrothed  and they would get married and I would bring back Gabriel and hope he gratitude could become affinity for me.

A happily ever after.

***

It was  late afternoon before I made my way back to Soul in the forest. He took the supplies and we walked the long way around town to get to the wooded area near the Soter River. The same river I floated in on those few years ago. Just as the sun was beginning to set, Soul set out the blanket in the woods. We'd have to wait for the night before we make any movments. I could only imagine the palace going crazy looking for him by now. If we didn’t bring Rin back he’d be a prime suspect in her death.

I graciously placed a cheese and cracker platter I took from the palace on the ground. I poured the water into the tea cups I had stuffed in my pockets. He drank the water and ate all while avoiding eye contact with me. We hadn’t spoken in hours and I sensed he was nervous.

 We ate the small dinner until the sun completely went down and shrouded us in darkness As the night got to it’s blackiest,  Soul lit a lantern and motioned me towards the Soter River.

As we got closer to the river I saw there were people floating in it. Some were  pale, and submerged far below looking like they had drowned and were lying dead in the river bottom. Others were resting at the top with fully colored hues, looking so peaceful as if they were  taking a leisurely swim.

I had not been back to the river since I was pulled out. I had never seen the bodies like this. 

I watched horrified as Soul stripped down to his underwear and slid into the river.

“Stop.” I hissed as not to disturb the resting.

“Come on.” He shouted back at me,”They won’t wake.”

I was too nervous to be undressed in front of him so, I removed all the crinoline and petticoats from my dress and slipped in the warm water. I waded in behind him with the plastic sack tied around my back.

Soul reached out for my arms and tucked them around his bare waist. I could feel his muscles contracting with sharp breaths.

“Let’s stay together.” He said quietly.

"Okay," I said locking my arms tighter around him.

And with that he began to move down the river. He avoided the bodies as best he could but, occasionally we would bump into a person. They would bob from the bump, but beside that they remained motionless.

“You must tell me now.What exactly is your plan ?” I said.

“I have a theory,” he said, his voice breathy. “You see, the only way to get between Elysia and Eden is flight-- because of the mountains.  I can’t fly so I’ve been thinking of a way to get between without flying. With me courting Rin, it has been on my mind more often.  I thought about how my mother told me Elysia has a river similar to the Soter. It’s called the Styx.  I began to think if they both carry human souls to our world who is to say the rivers don't connect at some point ?”

“So, we will just float in ? How long will this take ?," I questioned

“I've done research on older maps, to be honest. I imagine a few hours. I will get us there, just hold on.”

I never had intention of letting go.

__

-2- 

Soul had given up swimming hours ago and we had spent the last several hours wading. We had been in the water forever, the sun has come up and gone down again.  My body began to connect with his, I could feel  tension in his back and his uncertainty. It was too late to take anything back, there was nothing but water in sight now. There had been nothing but water for days.

The water was cold now, I could hardly feel my arms anymore. I knew I could swim on my own and give him a break, but he insisted I stay connected to him and claimed  he could barely feel my weight. I was leaning my head against his back, fighting an urge to sleep. If I was tired, he was tired and the situation was looking dire.

"We have to turn back and try something else-,"

"No, we can't."

“We may die out here.” I said exasperated

“This is for Rin.” He reminded me. "Don't think of death. Think of something else."

I had a million ideas in my mind.

“Soul . . .what else don’t I know about Angels ?,” I asked

He turned to me,smiled at me and then looked sad.

“I really shouldn’t have said those things earlier. Seraphim,” he said.” I don’t want to get anyone angry with me--.”

“You’ve  already said them, please tell me. I won’t tell anyone.”

He sighed and propelled himself slightly.

“Have you seen her wings?” he asked.

“Wings ? Rin ?”

“Yes, Rin.  All Angels have them, they keep them braced and hidden.”

“But you are half-demon, right? You sure you don't have wings hidden somewhere do you ? ”

I looked down at the smoothness of his back. Did wings retract into the skin ?

“No," he said. His voice went down an octive." But, if I did I would just fly down to Elysia and take her back."

I nodded.

“Rin says she has visions and premonitions. Do they all have that kind of power ?,” I asked

“Well, some Demons have abilities. . . . some have very scary abilities. It is pretty rare for Angels I understand. And if they did have it they wouldn’t talk about it. Angels are so . . . fickle.”

I nodded. I had seen the tight lipped looks the Angels often exchanged when conversations got sketchy.

“What is Elysia like ?,” I asked.

He shrugged.

“I’ve only seen bits and pieces as a child when mother went into town. I was technically supposed to be banished. I do know it rains a lot and it has a different . . . feel.”

“Feel ?”

He nodded

“Feel.”

"That-,"

I  was cut off by a loud, calibrated roaring sound from the distance.

A strong wind picked up and we were suddenly swept twenty feet across the water. Loud thundering winds deafened my ears and ripped at my hair. Soul was shouting something, but I couldn't make it out. 

In a mere second he turned to face me, his expression nothing, but sheer panic as we were swept over an  edge. I screamed and tried to hold on to him, his fingers sunk into my waist trying to hold on to me but it was futile and we were ripped apart by the winds and the violent rushing waters.

“KEEP RIGHT !” he shouted,"KEEP RIGHT!"

I quickly moved to the right the best I could with fierce waves rushing over me,  drowning me in their embrace. Underneath the water I was going deaf and yearned to give into the feeling of unconsciousness and be done with it all. But I was stronger than that, I carried on and swam hard, the water pushing against me. My lungs were contracting and suddenly too quickly it all stopped and stilled. 

There wasn't a sound, the water was smooth as glass and I was floating as if I was  on a lazy susan. I turned on my back  saw Soul behind me. Our eyes connected as we floated in the peaceful water.

He moved his arms to catch up with me and I tried to slow myself down until we were next to each other. He reached his arms out to me and we floated towards each other in a floating embrace. Fear was etched into his face and I saw it on my own face reflected in his eyes. We let the eerily calm waters guide us as we floated in the rising sun and into  the  dawn.

Soon we were back floating in the bodies.

We had made a circle.

“It’s connected," I whispered. "We just went around.”

“Impossible.” He whispered,”We should have seen where the bodies come from or--,”

“Look around,”

He did and seemed to agree with me. We were going back to where we started.

The sun was coming up.

Suddenly one of the bodies sat up and screamed

***

-3-

The man's screams were gutteral and full of fear. He was young, well built and  seemed beside himself in agony.

“HELP ME !," He called "WHERE AM I? PLEASE !,"

He looked around bewildered screaming his need for help. He caught site of Seraphim and I staring at him.

“Play dead.” I whispered to her as I undid my belt and discarded what was left of my clothes. She quickly slipped out of her dress and laid in the water, attempting to blend in with the other naked bodies.

We had been too late in our attempts to blend in with the crowd. The man was coming towards us

“Ay ! Ay ! Where are--”

I heard footsteps coming from the bank and shut my eyes and  forced my body to go completely rigid. I  peaked through closed eyes to see 2  Demons walking towards us. I took a glance at Seraphim and  was surprised at how well she played dead. The bewildered man was about to touch me  when I heard the hard flap of wings and felt him being violently jerked away.

“Up early are you ?” a curt female voice said.

Suddenly the waters shifted, becoming ice cold and others began to wake screaming. As soon as one would start the voice would cut off and they would be silenced. I sat up myself and  got a good  look at the Demon. She was tall and beautiful with  powerful oily black wings. Golden hair hung free down her back and her face was harsh, but youthful.

“I'm Cayron and you are in Elysia now.” She announced, lifting her arms and letting her wings expand. "Reach into the river and collect a single coin; your payment for entry and appeasement to the King. You will follow me into the gate and you will leave the coin in the box on the other side. You will be ushured into the castle where Prince Dante will decide what to do with you.”

I tried not to grin. We had made it, we were in the Underworld. My theory was right.

I reached into the river and felt the textured bottom. The bottom of the river was littered with gold coins. I pulled out a coin and then waited for a  bit. Seraphim and I had to be at the back of the crowd so, no one noticed our bag. Once we were sure we were with the stragglers I stood and  followed the others. Seraphim stuck close by me as we followed the procession into the gate. Some people out of sorts and others were so scared they hardly moved. 

On the other side of the gate was a large chest filled with gold. I gladly set my coin in to gain entrance into Elysia, but it seemed a harder task for others.

Greed, I suppose.

As we made it into the town I pulled Seraphim toward a dimly lit alley of a building. She hurriedly reached into the bag and pulled the change of clothes out.

"That was horrifying," she breathed as she pulled on her dress.

I nodded.

"But, also kind of amazing, right ? I mean, I was right."

She didn't seem at all excited

We changed clothes and headed into the town promenade. We had abandoned the bag and all I we had was the wrapped red box I carried. The satin ribbon had been severely smashed.

Seraphim kept looking around in awe. The town was architectural beautiful, a mess of gothic architecture and dizzying paths.

“Where to now ?,’ she asked, mesmerized by the wings of the demons as they strutted so proudly up and down the walkways.

“We must go find Cassius' house."

"Cassius ? Didn't we just leave him ?,"

"Yes. It is his wife Cassandra we need. Cassius is most likely still in lockdown in Eden and I know his wife  will be more inclined tell us where to find Dark."

"You seem so sure," she remarked.

"I am. She is a romantic. Now, as we walk do not make eye contact with the Demons.”

Cassandra was more than a romantic though. She was a very powerful demon, able to kill a person with mere thought. She had more of a hand in the Underworld than anyone would like to admit. She also used to attend school with my mother. I know they were friends once, before life forced them to separate from each other. 

It was an hour walk to Cassandra's house and she was in the front yard of their small cottage, sitting on a bench with an umbrella over her head. Her wings were silvery and looked like a thousand tiny strings of the most precious medal woven into a pair of wings and stuck on her back. They were like a piece of art and she was prized for her natural beauty. Cassandra was poised so statuesque and graceful on the bench, her golden eyes registered us immediately and she stood.

"I know you," she snapped and then she looked over at Seraphim and huffed."An abomination and an angel coming to my door unannounced ?"

"Please, ma'am." I said,"You must help us. I need you--,"

"I don't care what you need," she sneered. "My husband is 3 days late from his trip to Eden and you can imagine I am looking for someone to blame--,"

"Please, if you just listen--."

"Why should I listen to you ? I told him not to g0--,"

"I know something you will want to here. You can help us, if you will please just listen."

"Listen ?," she huffed,"You are so arrogant and self-righteous, Soul. Just like your filthy mother. Help you ? Really ?. Why would I ?"

I waited for her anger to subside before I posed my next question. 

"What other option do you have ?," I asked

She folder her arms.

----

A/N - Hello !