Castle On A Cloud

Once upon a time, there was a strange, magical land. I wasn't there when it came to be or even to see what it was like before, but it most certainly is the place in which our story begins.

In this land, there was darkness everywhere except for at the end of a small dirt path. There were little flickers here and there that looked like stars all around but just like stars, the little flickers of light would be taken out every now and then and would become enraptured in darkness. Now this was not quite a castle in the clouds, in fact it was far from it. It was full of magic, but nothing was happy. It was bad magic which fell upon everyone. Everyone could posses people and draw them in because of the powers they were given by an evil ruler that everyone knew of, but they spoke of him as if he wasn't there. He wasn't always the ruler, however, at one time, this place was beautiful..

Long ago there was a wonderful king. He created this beautiful place and governed it perfectly even though he governed other places as well. Everyone had love for him and no one ever felt left out. Everyone would shower him with gifts to show their appreciation and he would in turn give them gifts of more that 10 times the magnitude. He was truly lovely. Unfortunately, his right hand man, Adversary, was jealous of him. He was a rude nasty creature always trying to tear others down and destroy all he could.

Once day as the King was approaching his favorite garden to visit the gardeners, he stumbled upon Adversary who had talked the gardeners into believing that their life wasn't good enough with the king and that they wanted to be like him. This made the king very disheartened, he had to take them out and no longer let them have the same diplomatic immunity they once had. Life became hard for them and there was a murder and many other problems in their family soon down the line.

Now the king tried to look past the little mishaps of his right hand man, but soon he had to send him to be exiled in his own land. The king told him he was no longer his right hand man and in charge of the Place of Exile and could take all of his followers if he wanted to, so Adversary gladly did. The king was please to have him gone from there, but he knew that would not be the end. The king knew he would need to have someone to protect the people, so he had a son, Joshua.

His son was magnificent. He was bright and fun, he was talented and beautiful. He was the image of his father. Perfect in every way. He always wanted to teach and always did what his father said even when it was something he didn't want to do. He was the apple of his father's eye and was either fully admired by one for his kind heart or fully hated by one for his boldness. He was too wonderful to be somewhere in between.

Now one day as he walked along, Adversary came upon him and started to criticize him. The son would always say "Go away, you have no power here and no reason to be here". Adversary would only laugh and go lurk around the next corner. The son didn't listen to his lies especially when he tried to tell him that his father was lying to him and that it would just be best for Joshua to join him. The son knew there was no keeping this wonderful land though, and so did his father, so the king called forth Adversary and told him the land was his. King Adonai left the land, and watched it from his real castle somewhere in the clouds.

Shortly afterwords, Adversary came after the people. He tried to destroy(and succeeded) many lives. King Adoni knew there was only one way to stop him, as he looked down on his right to his son, he kissed him on the head because he knew it was time for Joshua to do his work. Joshua went on a long journey for years sending Adversary away from the people one by one. He succeeded, but a band of Adversary's followers charged Joshua with criminal charges and captured him. Joshua went before the newly crowned King Adversary and was sentenced to a painful untimely death. King Adonai looked away from the painful cries.

There was no more established city, just creatures to roam freely, the only thing of order in the entire land is what was left of the dirt path and a dream..

As the sun rose over the land a small girl rolled over and came to wake up. She looked around with a smile.

"Where am I?" she asked herself.

"This is Godelieve" she turned around to see no one.

"Who said that?" She turned around again

Nothing.

"Hello?" she said standing, "Look, I'm not going to hurt you? I just want to know who you are,that's all," she looked around,"My-my name's Amiri, what's yours?" she called, "well.. thanks anyway.."

She looked down and saw a note. it read "I love you. Please, come find me and the castle on a cloud. Love Joshua."

She began to walk. Skipping and singing to herself, occasionally looking back and walking off the trail to pick flowers. She walked next to the path in a flower bead. The sky began to grow dark, even though the day had just begun. The path grew smaller and things began to become slightly distorted.

"That's funny, it's barely morning." she said to herself.

She continued to walk near the path because there were scary creatures and terrible noises and smells in which she didn't want to get involved with. She tried to steer clear of all of the terrible sad and hardened creatures, but every now and again, one or two of them would take her away from the path because they would try to create convincing enough stories to lead her to believe they were her allies. She knew they were lying though. Every one of them were ugly and had boils and gnashed yellow teeth. They looked terrible and she knew that if she befriended them she would become like them. Now who would want that?

Not far on the journey, Amiri found a small neighborhood and met a group of rather friendly looking creatures. They were beautiful. She walked along with them, leaving the path behind where she had long conversations in which they convinced her that what she was missing was a life like theirs, so she followed them. They were so strong and had beautiful features. Not at all like Amiri felt, they were flawless.

"Oh, you may want to know our names," the tallest and only girl of the five said, "I'm Nemesis, this is Phobos, Tristan, Tiras and Achilles."

"Hello, I'm Amiri." she said shaking their hands, "I'm glad I found you guys, you're the nicest creatures I've seen so far, I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm all alone and I was kind of hoping you guys could show me around. I'm looking for someone named Joshua."

"Joshua!" Phobos yelled, "T-that's the man that died! That means that you're the girl who-"

"Phobos!" Nemesis yelled. She smiled at the guys, "Sure, we'd love to help you. I'm going to go attend to some business real fast with Tristan, Phobos and Achilles then we'll show you around, ok?"

"Great! Thanks." Amiri said smiling. She sat on a rock next to Tiras, "So, are you guys all friends or are you related?"

"Probos is my brother," Tiras said, "so what brings you here?"

"Um, well, I don't know. I can't seem to remember. I woke up on some weird path and that's all I know. I have no idea how I got there or where I've come from, I just know that I'm here."

"Hm.. you know you have lovely eyes."

"Oh, thanks. You too."

"No, you are really captivating. I really mean it." He said getting closer.

"Oh thanks," She got kind of fidgety, not knowing what to do, "Um, I like your eyes."

"You already said that..", He said putting his hand on her face and leaning on her neck.

"I-uh.. Why ar-"

"Shh.." he whispered in her ear, "I love you. Do know what that is?"

"Uh.. oh, yeah.." she said trying to fight this off.

"Then don't worry about it." he said sitting back up. He removed his hands and the spell broke. He looked over in time to see Nemesis, Tristan, Phobos and Achilles come back.

"So you're all alone, huh? Good thing you found us. Hey, you know, that is my house over there in the forest, would you like to see it?" He looked over and smiled at Nemesis,"We could all go. I hear this Joshua fellow even comes around here sometimes."

"O-ok.. Sure, that'll be great."

"Yeah! And I live there too, we all do! We can show you our rooms and our friends that live with us there." Nemesis said linking arms with Amiri, but quickly letting go to hold onto Phobos.

They decided to go deeper into the forest. She was so excited, finally she would have just what she was always missing. They were talking loudly and laughing at jokes, She followed behind when she felt something catch her foot.

She looked around and behind her at her feet laid a small creature. She shook it off and tried to run, but it caught her again.

"Please, don't run!" It said in a faint voice. It was clearly hurt.

"Are you ok?" She said looking down at it's face. It had a scraggly little body and was barely breathing. It had one green eye with a vein that was crimson as blood and the other eye was sewn shut. It had scars and was very disfigured.

"I'm going to be fine.. but you.. you wont be."

"Hmm, well, um, ok, that's real sad, but if by some chance you're done being crazy, I need to get back to my friends. Look, I'll walk you back to the path, someone will definitely help you when they pass." She grabbed it's arm

"Oh thank you.. but please.. please.. don't go into the forest."

"Why?"

"Because that's where I have come from.. you're not safe there..I-"

"I'm not safe there? I'm not really safe anywhere, have you taken a look around? At least in the forest I'll have friends and wont have to be alone."

"Please, just don't go.. he will get you.. he'll try to kill you with all he's got if you'll let him... You'll be fine.. don't let him..." we stepped onto the path," ..follow.. the path.."

"This one? But why?" She said laying him down

A weak nod,"I promise.. follow it till the end.. no matter what.. the end will be.. terrible.. if you don't..I made this possible for you.. please.. don't listen to those who ridicule you..for they have ridiculed me too..they are not important.. please.."

"What will happen?"

"I... I can't stay like this.. I must go.. now..just remember.. you'll never be alone..I'll be there when you ask.. for help.." he said closing his eye

"No! Wait! at least let me know your name!"

"my name.. my name is a name above all others.. but you will be with me again one day.. in my castle on a cloud.."

"No! Please!! Don't-" suddenly, light filled the path, a light so bright She could see nothing. She looked down where he layed and saw a restored man who stood firmly-taller than her. He was beautiful- and with a polite smile he ascended into nothing,"-go.."

She sat in the spot where he layed. She looked over to the left where the forest was. She shook her head and stood up.

She began to walk.

The day was wrapping down, she still kept walking. It began to get dark and she became frightened.

The path was still lightened, but everything around was pitch black. Amiri walked and tried singing to herself to get over the eerie silence. She was about to lay down so sleep when she heard music off in the distance. She ran down the path towards it. To he right, sure enough, there was music playing. She found herself looking over into the crowd to see something unique. There were people playing music and singing while they danced around with their instruments. The crowd was full of happy people dancing and singing. Before Amiri knew it she was right in front of the stage dancing with them. She looked and directly behind her by about 2 feet was the path. She smiled knowing she wasn't too far.

Afterwords, the bands walked around talking to people from the crowd as others left, it was all very exciting. She looked over an the path was still right next to her. She walked looking across the way at a sparkle in the darkness and turn to walk away when she was knocked over by a guy who tripped.

"Woah! Hey, I'm so sorry!" He said shooting up and giving her a hand.

"Oh.. its ok," She said smoothing out her dress, "I'm not hurt. Are you?"

"No, I'm fine.. Wow, you have some beautiful eyes."

"Oh, thanks." She looked over remembering her last encounter with one of the creatures and saw that the path was still near her.

"My name's Nadim, and you?"

"Amiri."

"That's a nice name."

"Thanks. Yours is really interesting too."

"Yeah, what can I say? So would you maybe like to join me for a drink over there?" he said pointing to a van where three others stood.

"Sure, I'd like that." She said linking arms with him.

They sat inside of the van with the door open. Nadim opened a cooler and handed he a can. He opened his and took a large gulp. He was actually really appealing. He had longer hair and was tall. He was just like any other other person, not like one of the vial creatures that roamed around. She felt safe with him. She opened the can and toasted with one of the others.

"Hey, so you guys are the music makers?" She asked

"Yes, is that exciting?" One of them asked

"Yes, it is. I'm very fascinated by that."

"Yep, we have all kinds of people in our van, you should really get the tour by me, I promise it's pretty intense.." he said, "I've had a good 5 people in there one time."

She said bright eyed,"So you've probably met a ton of people around here then, right? Do you know any by the name of Joshua?"

He sat in the van, "Most are willing to anything for us, they even-- d-did you just say 'Joshua'?"

"Yes, why? Something wrong?"

"N-no. Nothing." He said flatly. He stood back up outside of the door again.

"Oh, ok," she said feeling strange. She looked over and saw the path about 200 feet away, "I bet you're really proud of the band."

"It's a living." Nadim said. He was making fast work of his second can, "I can't complain."

Amiri put hers down. The drink was making Nadim sound kind of weird. He picked up her can and said "Aren't you going to drink it?"

She shook her head,

"We can't let it go to waste, then." He drank it fast.

She began to feel a little uncomfortable and stood up.

"Hey, this was really fun, and I'm sorry, but I can't stay, I have somewhere I need to go. I'm real-"

"Sorry? Huh? That's what you were going to say, weren't you?" A voice said from behind.

Amiri turned around, "Nemesis. Hi!" She ran over to her, happy to see a familiar, less intoxicated face.

Nemesis slapped her and walked to the van.

"Here, let me help you, ok?" It was Nadim. He helped her up, "Come on, you'll be fine once you get some sleep.. do yo have a place to stay?"

She shook her head through tears.

"Come on, you can stay in my van with-"

"No! She's there! I'm not staying with her!"

"Okay, we'll stay in my tent."

"No, I'm not.. I don't think that's a good idea"

"Oh you're totally right, but don't worry, I'll keep you safe."

"Thank you."

She woke up the next morning in the tent with Nadim. He was already awake. He was drinking something.

"Do you want one?"

"No, not if it's that stuff you had last night, no thank you."

"It's not. It's only soda. Do you want Orange or Grape?"

"Grape."

"Alright, here you go." He handed me a grape soda.

"Thank you."

"I drank some," it didn't taste like Grape soda, "I-I don't think this is grape. What is it?" Suddenly I realized what it was, it was the alcohol he gave me last night. "You tricked me!"

"I don't think so, Amiri. You see, I can't trick people. They do it on their own free will.. well, and with a little magic from our little forest here." he said smiling. "Hm.. I know we will be seeing each other again. It's inevitable."

"What's inevitable?"

"Desire" he said sipping out of the can.

He had her when she realized, "We're not in the forest!" She jumped up clothing herself with a dress found on the floor.

"Yes we are!" he yelled chasing after her out of the tent.

"No, we're near the path!" She yelled back.

"Amiri! Stop! Stop! If you don't I will shoot you.."

She stopped dead in her tracks. She knew he was intoxicated and probably out of his mind because of it.

"..Or better yet.. I'll shoot myself. How would you feel about a murder on your hands, huh?"

"You wouldn't.." She said turning around.

"..I would.. yeah." He said nodding, then shooting himself in the head.

She screamed and ran back to his body, "Help! Help us! Help me! I need som-"

As the sun rose over the land Amiri rolled over and came to wake up. She screamed and looked around quickly. "I need some help! Please, I-" She noticed where she was. In the dead center of the path. She looked up and saw the friendly smiling face of a handsome gentleman.

"Please, let me help you up." he did, "Don't fret, you're ok. Don't cry. This was not your fault."

"It-it's not?" She said.

"No." He said smiling gently, "You're going to be ok. Nothing you did was wrong. It's almost time for us to be together. Just hang on a little while longer. and we'll meet at the castle once and for all."

She looked into his eyes, "Do I know you?"

"I know you very well. You know me too." He said with comforting eyes.

"I do know you! You're him! Jos-"

"I'm sorry, Amiri, but I must go now.. Don't worry. Please know that I love you very much."

Amiri stepped out of the tent.

"I can't stay here! Everything's crazy!" She said to herself, "I've gotta find that path! I need to get out of here!"

"Where do you think you're going?" Nemesis said blocking my path.

"Away from here! I need to get back to the path. I'm sorry, but I-"

"Don't give me that! What are you? Stupid? We just walked all the way out here to find your mistake of a body! And what do you have to say? Sorry!?" She slapped Amiri, "Is that all? You're so stupid." She quickly walked to the van and got in leaving Amiri on the ground, "Hey guys, how's it going?" She started a conversation with them.

"How was it, huh? Do you feel so Innocent now? Doesn't it hurt? Doesn't it hurt?" Achilles yelled over Amiri. He touched her face, her back, her arms, he punched her, kicked her. He touched her. It felt like knives when he just touched her. She was in too much pain to fight back. He left her and joined the guys in the van.

"You killed him. you're the reason he died. You're worthless. Aren't you sad? Aren't you sad?" Tristan said standing over her, "Cry. Cry, it's all you can do right. You are a mistake, and even your tears are in vain. He didn't love you. Don't you feel rejected?" He touched her eyes and made them swell with tears, "Cry. Or can you not even do that right?" He left her and joined the guys in the van.

"Did you really think anyone could love you?" Photos said. He stood over her, "You're going to be alone. All alone. Every time someone tries to get close, you'll end up killing them. Aren't you scared? Aren't you scared?"

He ripped her dress. And covered her face with the torn fabric, "Get used to the darkness.. it's all that will be left.. Be afraid, you'll be all alone soon." He left her and joined the guys in the van.

"Here, let me help you, ok?" It was Tiras. He helped her up, "Come on, you'll be fine once you get some sleep.. do yo have a place to stay?"

She shook her head through tears.

"Come on, you can stay in my house with me, don't worry, she's with those guys, she wont be home tonight, plus, you're going to stay in my room."

"No, I'm not.. I don't think that's a good idea"

"Don't worry, it'll be fine."

"Thank you."

Amiri woke up the next morning in Tiras' bed. She looked out the window, hoping to find the path. It was no where. She turned around to see a mirror, she had to look twice then let out a short small scream. She was naked. She jumped back in the bed and tried to hide under the covers. She sat still for a minute, then felt around for her clothes. An arm went across her chest.

"Hey.. good morning."

"W-what happened?"

"I'm not too sure, we were outside talking then we got into the room and you couldn't keep yourself away."

"You tricked me."

"I don't think so, Amiri. You see, I can't trick people. They do it on their own free will.. well, and with a little magic from our little forest here." he said smiling. "Hmm.. I know we will be seeing each other again. It's inevitable."

"What's inevitable?" She said scooting away from his body.

He scooted closer again, "Desire" he whispered in here ear.

He had her again. There was no avoiding this by herself.

"Help.." she said through tears.

As the sun rose over the land Amiri rolled over and came to wake up. She looked down. She looked at herself. There was a beautiful yellow ball gown on her. She looked up to see a gentleman smiling at her with concerned eyes.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Y-yes.. I think so."

"Don't worry, honey." he said helping her up, "You're safe now, you are beautiful and restored. Nothing bad that has happened will ever matter to me."

She looked at his face. His voice was so calming, his face was loving and his smile was charming. "H-have we met before?"

He nods, "I have known you from the start." He linked his arm with hers and they walked together down the path.

"I'm so sorry, I-I can't remember where I know you from.. it's like I met you in a dream."

"You did.. and you in mine. We have dreamed of each other forever and one day, we will see each other again."

"Again? We're together now-"

"Just remember that I love you, your suffering is almost over, just make it back to the path and we'll be united once again."

"What? Wait? No, I'm on the path. Look at me. I'm on the path.. I'm on the-"

Amiri woke up the next morning in Tiras' bed. She looked down on the floor and found her clothes. She got dressed and walked out of the house. She knew her destination.

"I'm getting away from this all. I know exactly how to get there." Every step she took was more painful then the last. Her eyes were full of tears and she was exhausted.

She saw something out of the corner of her right eye so she walked faster. Then something out of the left and she started trying to run.

Nemesis' shrill voice was heard from the balcony of the house, "Don't let her get away! They'll get you Amiri!"

"No! Never!" tears fell as she tried to run faster. The path was only about 300 yards away.

Phobos grabbed her leg and she fell to the ground. She screamed and tried to kick him off, she was suddenly overcome by fear for him. She succeeded , picked up and ran again. 200 yards. Tristan tried to catch her but was too slow. Achilles tapped her shoulder and she was down again. She screamed loud, only this time it was out of pain. He broke her shoulder. And reached his hand back to hit her, when suddenly she felt the strength to push him off. She only had about 30 more feet to go when she looked over her shoulder to see the face of Tiras. He looked so magnificent and she stumbled over her foot long enough for the others to catch up to her. They held her back only 10 feet from the path.

"I..can't.." she said through tears looking down, "They can't win.." She looked up at the path and saw something from a dream. It was him..

".. I can do it.. I can.." She ripped her arms from their clutches and ran.

As the sun rose over the land Amiri rolled over and came to wake up. She opened her eyes to see a hand. She took it and stood up to see his face. He held her closely, safe and warm. She looked into his eyes and all the pain was gone.

"I love you, Amiri." he said sitting her down.

"You're him. Aren't you? You're the man that died for me..Joshua." She said smiling affectionately.

He nods his head, "And I'd do it again.. There's peace and freedom. Everyone is happy. They stuck to the path like you, and I couldn't be more proud." He took her hand and whispered, "You are whole again. You are so special to me. I found you and I love you, my bride."

"B-bride?" Amiri's face lit up, "Me?.. but I've done so many horrible things. I'm not even pretty and no where near perfect like you. Really? Me?"

He nodded, "Yes you. You are.. and.. I don't know of anyone else who would make a better princess."

"I love you."

"I love you too.. more than you'll ever know."

And so the evil king was taken down by Adonai's army and killed with all of his followers. Godelieve was fully restored and everyone was more than happy and had a song to sing. Amiri, best of all was taken in by the Prince and married him that day. And you know what?

They lived happily ever after in their Castle on a cloud.