The Goddesses World

I was supposed to be introduced to some cherubs in front of a palace-like thing. My mouth was hung open, staring up in shock at the large palace before me. It was a vast and glowing palace with rooms and small areas hanging off it. It was levitated up into the air with cloud-like balconies made of smooth stone. It was all strung together with gold and bright sky-blue accessories to make the solid white of the walls and stone stand out. It was huge enough to cast a shadow over us; the large marbled doors were also open for everyone.

Bridget and Seth pulled me forward and ushered me ahead as I called out to them in confusion. "We—are allowed to go in?"

"Of course, silly," Seth laughed and continued dragging me. "Everyone is welcomed in the Goddess's home."

I stopped, making the two stop as well. "The.. Goddesses? Does that mean the Gate Goddess is here?"

Bridget smiled sheepishly, turning her eyes away from me. "Uhm.. well, we don't know for sure about her. She is usually off welcoming new angels.."

"Oh.." I glanced down, feeling disappointed.

Seth swung a hand around my shoulders. "But she is here sometimes! Let's hope that she is, come on!" Without waiting for me to respond, he held my hand tightly and pulled me inside. I flapped my wings in surprise, feeling Bridget run her wings down my own to comfort me.

We walked- or somewhat ran in, with Seth pulling me urgently and Bridget running her little legs to catch up. We walked past; I felt my bare feet hit against the wood. I looked down, catching bright birch wood under my feet. The sound of rushing water caught my attention. I looked back up; a large waterfall was in the middle of the palace; it had a river around it, with bridges made of birch oak to walk over. They had the same type of overgrown vines and orchids of all colors sprouting all over the vines.

When Seth finally slowed down, I took that time to run my hand over the brightly colored flowers on the bridge's handle. Bright pink roses and blooming purple orchids hung at the end of the bridge where the river bent. I pulled away from Seth, catching sight of the glistening water running under the bridge, brightly colored roses, and other things like tulips in different colors growing on the grass at the end.

My knees fell forward. Soft dirt and moist grass filled my senses, and the smell of nature circled me. I closed my eyes to take a deep breath in. 

"It's beautiful..." I breathed out, opening my eyes to the shimmering water. It was a constant crystal blue, shining with the sun's glare.

Bridget sat beside me. Seth was behind her, his hands crossed and a knowing smile on his lips. "It really is," she spoke softly, glancing at my star-stricken face. "Look at this…" She put her toned hand in the river, swiping her palm up and down gently. 

I watched closely, not expecting anything to happen. That was until a few bright colors showed up in the water, and my eyes widened. 

A few large and colorful koi fish swarmed forward. They looked like normal koi fish, but I noticed a slight difference. They had some twisted whiskers on their faces and attached to their heads. They also had some soft-looking bubbles that overlayed their scales. 

I brushed away the weird differences in these fish and instead chose to relax and enjoy the moment.

I leaned forward, watching them react to Bridget's hand that swam in the water. They circled the unknown thing, their scales hitting the light and shining colorfully; the sun hit the water, and their scales just right for it to cascade against the surface.

I smiled as I watched the colorful koi circle Bridget's hand. They didn't touch her, as she didn't touch them. They swam around until she removed her hand. Then, they formed a group forward, leaving back to wherever they came from. I watched them go, eyes wide open in amazement. 

"They are not the only things here." Bridget looked over at me, her braid swinging against her shoulder. She stood up, dusting off her bare knees and clean white dress again. "Come on, we want to show you where the cherubs stay."

I was rushed away again by the hand; this time, Bridget held onto me. I was pulled forward, only stopping to slow down when we came in through a large, tall arch. It was covered in cherry blossoms, holding high above to welcome us past the palace doors.

"Woah…" I gaped in amazement at the interior. It was just the welcome of the mighty palace, and yet it held so many colorful things to welcome us. The flowers and vines that slithered through the windows and along the ledges showed signs of blossoming life.

Large shelves held books and other accessories, like trophies or potted plants. They were all covered in blossoms, which dangled down the wooden shelves. It was like the light never ended, substantial glass windows were at the end of the long and wide hall. The walls and ground were decorated with beautiful art. It was a messy yet exquisite hall, glowing brightly and beautifully; life popped out at me everywhere I looked.

When we reached the end of the vast hall, my attention was pulled forward. Bridget hung close to me, looking at a large and tall door. She pointed down where it opened, "they stay in that room the most, preparing designs and other things for the goddesses."

I looked forward, entering the large room, where I saw a sizeable well in the middle of the room. It was releasing excellent, crystal water. It had a few statues on either side of it. I couldn't tell what it was; it might have been white stone connected to the walls. It housed a few trees growing on either side of the well, and they were blossom trees that had small pink petals littering the ground. They even hit the water in the well, floating up to the top.

I took my eyes away from the interior to look at the main focus in the middle of the room. At the edge of the well, four tiny beings sat or lay on the steps. They were washing things in the well, drying off the water as they whistled a sing-song tune.

They looked like children. Well, they were children. Chubby faces, with bright red cheeks on their small half-covered bodies. Tiny white wings were attached to their back, fluttering against their pale or chocolate brown skins.

They all wore somewhat similar clothing. If you could call it that, they were just wearing large scarves draped over their shoulders and down to their hips. 

Small little smiles were on their faces. They held similar scarf-like things in their hands that shimmered gold. They were talking to each other, continuing their song without noticing us.

"Chuck." Bridget suddenly called out.

A cherub with chocolate brown skin and curly blonde hair looked up. They had bright sapphire eyes, and a bright smile lit up their face. "Bridget, Seth! We were waiting for you!"

Chuck came forward, the others following with a flap of their tiny wings. When they all came over to us, no feathers hit the ground. They didn't walk; they flew over, and yet no feathers fell from their haste. 

A smaller one, who was a girl, came beside Chuck. "Is that the new arrival we were told about?" She asked, her dark brown eyes lighting up from under her strawberry blonde hair.

"Yep, this is Vienna," Seth responded from behind me.

I looked forward, seeing the tiny beings smile brightly. One of them with tan olive skin and black afro hair approached me. They held the golden scarf-like thing in their hands to show me it. "It may match... or maybe not."

The last one came forward, flying beside the olive-skinned cherub holding a vine-green scarf. They put it to me, closing one eye as they scanned my body. "Not this color either," they sighed, removing the cloth.

Chuck came forward. "Hold on, Gabe—Feills," he said, standing in front of the two. 

He turned back to me, and the girl with strawberry blonde bangs came over to his side. "I think purple will match her the best."

"Huh?" I looked at the two, dumbfounded.

"Oh! Yes, this will match that beautiful hair of yours, Vienna!" She said as her eyes sparked with joy.

I ran my hand down my hair, looking at the faded purple color. It reached all the way to my shoulders, hanging in an uneven pattern. I didn't even think about my hair color—it was a faded and almost dull purple. 

"It sure will, Angie!" Chuck said confidently. They all flew back to the well in unison.

I turned to Bridget, a look of question in my eyes. She giggled and shrugged her shoulders as she answered. "They expected you to come in but didn't know what you would look like to form the right garment."

"For.. what?" 

"To meet the goddesses, of course!" Seth wrapped his arms around Bridget's shoulder, tilting his blonde hair to the side. "You will need to wear something made by them. It's a lovely tradition for every new angel to follow."

"Oh...?" I nodded, looking back to the cherubs, who had just finished what they were doing. Angie returned to me, the rest following behind her with their hands closed together.

She smiled joyfully, "here, this will match you!" With that, a scarf garment that was a faded wisteria purple was slung over my head. It was light; I almost didn't even realize it was on me. I ran my fingers along the fabric; it was as soft as feathers. It brought a smile to my face, seeing as it reflected off the light in the small room and danced on my body. The garment was small and light, so it barely covered me; it wasn't the same color as my hair, but a bit brighter. Still, it made me happy.

"It's amazing.." I breathed out, looking back up at Angie and the others. "Thank you."

Angie blushed lightly. Her wings closed around her tiny body while a bashful look played on her face. Chuck came beside her, and the others placed their hands on her shoulder. They looked back at me, smiles all over their faces. "She appreciates your thankfulness, Vienna."

I laughed, nodding my head to the four beings. They did the same, waving goodbye as I was dragged away by Seth once again.

"Come visit us again!" Gabe yelled out, "we enjoy Vienna's kindness!"

"Of course," Bridget walked backward, peddling her legs while responding to them. She turned back around to catch up with me and Seth. 

I didn't know where the boy was dragging me off to, but we were not going to the exit. I was dragged further inside the palace, leaving the small room and back into the wide hallway.