Chapter 1 of Terra's Blight

Chapter 1: The Meeting and Fallen1

Sovereign paced in his study, as the Overseer of the High Council of Heaven, he felt he should be obligated to do so. “Damn, now that our Seers can no longer see what is happening on Terra, I’m going to have to send someone down there. The question is, who?” Sovereign stretched his snow-white wings in agitation and quickly sat down in his high backed chair. He steepled his fingers resting them against his furrowed forehead in thought, “There is only one solution to this matter.” He lowered his hands and looked out at the dawn. “Time to call the Council to order.”2

*    *    *3

Sovereign tapped his staff on the white marbled floor, quieting the Council of their chatter. Within the Council Hall, a large half circled crystalline table with high backed chairs were the only form of seating within the room. Around the table sat various Angels and a few of the Archangels, Sovereign sat on the edge of the table.4

“I called you all here for a reason of great importance.” His blue eyes looked around to make sure everyone was paying attention before continuing. “Our Seers over Terra have reported to me that they can see NOTHING at all on Terra. Only an impenetrable clouded mist.” The Council murmured amongst themselves, this was serious indeed. “This is something that needs to be found the cause of.  Uriel, what is your say on the matter?”5

The guide of the gateways nodded slightly. “We must send someone down to Terra, Sovereign, it is the only way. I can guide them to the entryway of Terra…although after that they are on their own.”6

The Archangel Michael, a battle strategist of Heaven, rubbed the hilt of his sword and looked at Sovereign. “It cannot be someone they would know at a glance. We are too memorable on Terra the last time we came to help Her to be able to do so again. Whom could we send down?” Murmurs spread throughout the table everyone looking at each other, wondering who would be chosen among their Council.7

“There is one of us, whom I believe shall provide a way.” Everyone turned to the Archangel Raphael, the archangel of healing and the afterlife. “Well…who is it?” Raphael raised an eyebrow and turned to the Messenger. “Gabriel, is it not YOU who came and told me of a Prophecy like this would come? It is not ourselves we will send to Terra…. it will be a woman.”8

Some of the lower Angels stared agape at the Archangel and one called out, “But, sir, women are the reason of Sin on Terra in the first place…why send one there? It will only make matters WORSE!” Sovereign glared at the Angel out of the corner of his eye and the lad shut his mouth his wings held down in a form of submission and shame.9

“Where is Isfraelshra?” Raphael asked quietly. Sovereign’s eyes widened slightly, there was one in Heaven that was not technically an Angel at all. She had somehow come among them, even he did not remember how and lived with them for a few centuries now. The fiery Niamh often posed to be a gift sent to them somehow. She was often to be a dream someone of Heaven had created, not only because she was beautiful, but also her soul radiated with that of truth and respect that many of the newer Angels had yet to grasp.10

“I am here.” Everyone turned to look about to find the source of the voice, until she stood. Her fiery red hair pooled down her back in between her fire-gold wings. Her midnight blue eyes reflected wisdom and the lighter blue opal at her throat shown slightly. “What is the Council’s Desire?” Sovereign cleared his throat, “Isfraelshra, are you willing to go down to Terra and find out what the Shadows are planning, and why the Realm is covered in a mist we cannot penetrate?”11

The Niamh’s wings stretched to their full sixteen-foot wingspan radiating a wave of heat. “And how in the name of Terra am I supposed to get amongst the Shadows without being killed on sight?” Everyone in the Council heard the fear in her voice, which surprised them all in a way. She was known to not show fear even in a battle; this concept of her actually being fearful shook them all.12

“I shall grant you a gift, young Niamh, but you must realize it is vital for Heaven to know what is going on in the Shadow Realm. If we cannot find out how will we know who is lost to us because we could not protect them FROM the Shadow creatures themselves.” Michael looked at the Niamh and then stood looking down at the woman. “You of all Beings should know what is to be nearly lost isn’t that right Isfraelshra?”13

Isfraelshra shivered at the Archangel’s tone and bowed her head. “I am sorry, milord, I spoke out of my bounds.”14

Raphael smiled lightly at the Niamh. “Do not fret, young one. We shall make sure that you shall fulfill your part.”15

Sovereign looked at Raphael sidelong and then tapped his staff. “Do you agree Isfraelshra to help us?”16

Isfraelshra closed her eyes and let out a shuddered breath before nodding. “If it is the Will of the Council…then I will go.”17

Sovereign looked around the table and then to the Archangels. “What say you?” An unanimous nod of heads went around the table and Isfraelshra bowed her head under their agreement.18

“Then so be it. Isfraelshra StarZenith shall go to Terra by order of the High Council of Heaven to find out the cause of the Mist and the goings on of the Shadows.”19

*   *   *20

As the Council members dispersed to their homes, Isfraelshra looked at the remaining members a slight sad smile on her face. ‘Perhaps this is my destiny to be set before me on this journey, who knows?’ She turned to the Archangels and Sovereign, placed her hands in front of her, bowed her head, and left them, her wings of fire curving around her figure. She walked through the open hallways and felt the evening breeze against her tanned warm skin and looked out at the night.21

“How is it that a thing of such beauty cause so much fear and hatred among the Council?” She sighed quietly and shook her head. “Why do I fear it myself?”22

She looked up at the star-lit sky, spread her wings, and took off into the night to her home. “Some things need to be found…before I go back to Terra again…it’s been so long since I went.”23

*   *   *24

“Do you think we made the right decision?” The Archangels turned to Sovereign and Michael rubbed the hilt of his sword in thought. “I’m not entirely sure, then again I look at this from a battle perspective.” He looked at the others, “Sending a woman to the enemy can be a very dangerous thing. Women are more susceptible to harm than us, and usually quite more emotional.”25

“But you forget, Isfraelshra isn’t your typical woman,” Raphael countered. “She has fought with us before, besides I think she is the one in the Prophecy, Gabriel. Don’t you think so as well?”26

Gabriel frowned and looked at Raphael, “If she is the Daughter of Light…then may Terra, Herself, guard her.”27

Sovereign looked between the Archangels. “Will someone please enlighten the rest of us on this prophecy? I would like to know of it…and Isfraelshra’s role if she is the One in this said Prophecy.”28

Gabriel cleared his throat quietly, “Sovereign, only the Archangels actually know this Prophesy exists. Terra gave it to us as a sort farewell present. Only we at fist didn’t know the cause for it.”29

Raphael nodded in agreement, “There is something about the way the Daughter is described that fits Isfraelshra in the first place.” He turned to Michael, “What was this ‘gift’ you are going to give to Isfraelshra?”30

Michael smiled a little and looked at Sovereign, “I’m not going to give the gift, Sovereign is.” Before Sovereign could protest he interrupted him, “It is not for you to deny her gift. She is going to need your help in the future. I’ll give you the ability to give her the gift…but listen to me for once Sovereign. That woman holds the fate of us all in the future. It is up to you, as well as Gabriel and Raphael, to make her believe she will come home to the one she loves with all her heart.”31

*   *   *32

Sovereign lightly tapped on Isfraelshra’s door, slightly nervous from what Michael had said about Isfraelshra’s future on Terra. When Isfraelshra opened the door, she smiled a little at Sovereign and bowed slightly in his presence.33

“To what do I owe the honor, Sovereign?” She had recently returned from her flight it appeared. Her hair was a bit tousled and her skin a bit warm but other than that there were no outer signs of her flight.34

“My dear Isfraelshra, I came to give you the gift Michael and the others wanted to give you.”35

Isfraelshra’s eyes widened at his words and moved away from the doorway, “Come in Sovereign, it must be a bit unnerving to be standing out there while you could be sitting down.”36

Sovereign knew Isfraelshra would be wary about the gift she was going to receive but she didn’t think she would be frightened. “Isfraelshra,” At the sound of her name she turned after she had shut the door. “Why are you afraid of going back to Terra?”37

“Because of my past…what was about to happen before the Archangels helped me out would have left me unable to help anyone at all.” She shivered slightly and sat down on a stool to stretch out her wings. “Rape is something unforgivable to anyone who touches one of my kind. We lose our sense of how to survive, how to trust, and most importantly, how to love another after such a thing occurs.”38

Sovereign was slightly stunned, “No one here as hurt you have they?”39

Isfraelshra smiled gently, “No, milord, no one has touched me at all.”40

He mentally sighed in relief, “Now, about your gift. Give me your hands Isfraelshra and you must trust me.” Isfraelshra blinked and then put her hands in his, “I have always trusted you Sovereign.”  He held her hands tightly, “This may hurt.”41

Before she had time to prepare a rush power flooded her senses, she fell into the core of her being and watched behind a mirror as a new song entered her heart. Then she fell into the fire of her being and heard a whispering voice. It was soft and husky like the wind blowing through the trees, yet contained the distant howling of a wolf pack. The voice, oddly feminine, saying softly in her heart and mind, “If you die, my young Queen, you shall reborn again where you are needed. For you are the Eternal Queen of Fire.”42

When she felt the power recede she snapped her eyes open and looked into Sovereign’s eyes. “What gift has the Archangels given me that makes me fear my mission even more?”43

Sovereign gently cleared his throat, slightly nervous to reveal this information to the now immortal Niamh. “Milady Isfraelshra, you have been given the Gift of Rebirth, as well as its Song.”44

Isfraelshra’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Are you inferring that I am going to die?” She took her hands out of his grip and crossed her arms in front of her chest. She was slightly embarrassed that they thought her to be a weakling.45

“No, it is not because of that…Raphael and the others will explain it to you before you leave before Sunset tomorrow. Rest now, Isfraelshra, soon…everything will be revealed to you.” He arose from his chair and turned. He walked to the door but hesitated and looked back at the defiant and stubborn Niamh one last time. “Good luck,” he called softly before closing the door behind himself.46

*   *   *47

The winds howled around the gateway between Heaven and Terra. All the archangels stood by its entrance, but only Uriel could go down the long dark tunnel. The looked up as they heard a flutter of wings and saw Isfraelshra’s fiery wings slowly sank her lower to the ground.48

“My lords, why is it that you have granted me the gift of Rebirth?” Raphael hesitated before answering her question.49

“You knew from the start that going back would bring you to a Hell you never wanted to go back to. The gift is for when you die…you may be able to return to us.”50

Isfraelshra’s eyes revealed that she had known the reality, but had not yet truly believed in it. She looked down the tunnel then back at them, “Why did you choose me? Some of the others are right, I am just a woman, and women are the dark side to Heaven’s light…always have.”51

Michael’s eyes widened slightly at this analogy, “My dear Isfraelshra! You are more than just any woman. You are the one who has always been there for us. My lady, it is we who are sorry for you to leave us. But you serve a greater purpose.”52

Gabriel nodded at his statement, “Ay, you do. There is a prophecy for only your ears to hear until you know you have found another whom you know you can trust with this.” Gabriel solemnly told her the Prophecy of the Elements and they all watched her emotions as she silently listened. When he was finished her eyes were filled with an odd ray of hope.53

“Thank you for telling me this, it may help me find the cause of the Shadows below.” She smiled sadly, “Despite the fact that Shadow and Light never mix.”54

Uriel looked at everyone before looking at his charge for the next few minutes, “Are you ready to go? If we want you to get there without getting hurt in the Gateway, I suggest we go now Fallen.”55

Her eyes saddened and then she nodded, “I’m ready.” She adjusted the light bag on her shoulder before she waved good-bye to the others.56

As Uriel and Isfraelshra went down the tunnel, Gabriel turned to Michael. “Do you think the fact she now knows she’s Fallen will affect how she reacts to the Shadowed Terra?”57

Raphael, surprisingly, answered the question. “No,” They all turned to him. “Our Fallen have always had the same heart as in Heaven and long to be with us. They have fallen only for those whom they care most about.” He somewhat smiled and looked to the others. “Think of it as this. She fell for us.”58

*  *  *59

Uriel opened the last gate between Terra and Heaven and looked at the now Fallen charge that would one day change their world as they know it. Her fiery wings stretched out to there full length as she braced herself for the glide down to Terra. She smiled a little at Uriel, even though the smile was a sad one. “I’m going to miss this place, but I will come back” She looked toward her final destination below her, “I have to.”60

Before Uriel could even say good-bye, she was gone. He looked out one last time as the Fiery Queen left a trail of light fire across the sky before closing the gate to Heaven and stood and waited for the Fallen Queen to return.61

*Everyone has a destiny to fulfill…but this time…fate has it’s own hands.*62