Universal Warrior: Before Red Morning

aura enough to earn their wings.

  On each side of the stairs were homes and edifices that had been built into the mountain. Each overlooked a gorgeous view of the undeveloped land and the Atherean beyond. Most of the homes were to the right of the stairs, the various businesses to the left. At the very bottom of the stairs was a large, circular pool filled with shimmering blue liquid that was still at the moment. This was the town’s Radiant Point; where transcendents from the third dimension arrived. They were often frightened and disoriented upon arriving, so it was the mission of every resident to help the ‘new arrivals’ acclimate to Heaven. The process took anywhere from a few weeks to several seasons, depending on the arrival’s attitude. Most left and made new lives for themselves, but some wanted to stay and aid others as they had been aided. Those arrivals were always welcomed—after they were put through a grueling battery of tests.

  Isobella Flats was the Alpha Radiant; the first Radiant point built into Heaven. As such, those who resided there were held to a very high standard. New arrivals that couldn’t be acclimated were often recycled, which placed a stigma on the Radiant where they had transcended.

  Isobella Flats could boast a one hundred percent success rate for new arrivals. Angelica St. Mihr was the most successful escort Heaven had ever produced.

  And lately, that success was the only thing that had kept her from becoming a pariah.

  Some children and adults smiled and waved at Angelica as she flew overhead while others looked at her with wary skepticism and nodded, others turned away.

  Angelica scanned for Reiko and could neither see nor sense her, not for miles. She felt sorry for her companion. Reiko came from a stricter family than Angelica did. There would be no forgiveness for her.

  She resolved to find Reiko when she was done with her grandfather. Reiko didn’t deserve to go through this alone.

  She slowed her flight as she neared the summit; unsure what kind of mood her grandfather would be in. Things had been tense as of late.

  Angelica passed through the thin sheet of clouds and immediately saw her grandfather. He was wingless, suspended in mid-air, head raised to the sky, arms spread, and legs together. He was casually dressed; black, sleeveless shirt and denim pants, and no shoes. Although he was slightly older than Esme, he didn’t look it. Sinewy muscles bulged on his arms, he was deeply brown skinned with no wrinkles and square-jawed. His physique was the result of a rigorous, daily exercise regimen that he had maintained since long before Angelica had been born. She’d tried keeping up with him a few times to no avail. That was when they’d still got along.

  Her grandfather didn’t appear to notice her as she drew nearer. She didn’t want to say anything; not just for fear of disturbing him, but for fear he’d shun her.

  She didn’t know how to fly without wings yet; the most she could do was dim her energy trail, maintaining just enough to stay aloft. For a second, she looked at him hopefully, but he remained oblivious, stone-faced, with his head raised.

  Angelica chose to stay silent, moving to fly beside him. She then assumed his position, and began her morning prayers.

  After a moment, she felt an angry shift in her mind, so sharp that it forced her from her prayers. She opened her eyes. Her grandfather was flying away.

  Angelica gulped, trying not to let her emotions get the better of her. “How long are you going to hate me for speaking my mind?” She demanded.

  Her grandfather turned, looking upon her coldly. “I don’t hate you, Angelica. I could never hate you. I just want nothing to do with you for the time being.”

  With that, he turned and continued onward.

  Devastated, Angelica turned and proceeded back down the mountain.

  Angelica sniffed, wiping her eyes as she slowly descended towards her home. She passed over playing children, who looked at her with wary concern. Angelica blinked, forced a smile, and waved. Most of the kids smiled and waved back while a couple turned away.

  She wished it didn’t sting so much.

  Hey, Angel.

  Angelica smiled fully this time, enjoying the warm, pleasant voice that had suddenly appeared in her mind. Hey. Tat. Where are you?

  Down here, by the Radiant. Come keep me company?

  Gladly.

  Long-legged and a fairer, deeper shade of brown than her older sister, Tatyana was squatting by the radiant, running the tips of her fingers along the surface, which emanated a glittering aura in response. As Angelica descended, Tatyana looked up, moving her long, straight black hair away from her face, and beamed. Tatyana was too young to marry, but at times, it felt as though every male in town was waiting for her to come of age. Blessedly, this time, she was alone. As always, she was dressed in the flower-patterned silk dress that she’d earned upon becoming an escort.

  “Are you expecting anyone today?” Angelica asked, alighting beside her sister.

  Tatyana shook her head, still smiling as she drew an S-shaped line through the pool. “I don’t think so…” Angelica was proud of Tatyana, who was Reaching out with her feelings as she tried to discern if anyone would transition from the mortal plane. “…but I like it here. It’s peaceful.”

  “I know.” Angelica nodded in agreement, sitting down, “I used to come here when I was your age.”

  “It’s been around that long?!” Tatyana fired back, giggling.

  Angelica laughed, lightly shoving her sister to the side. “Hey! Don’t be mean…”

  The laughter trailed off; a more somber mood set in. “I’m sorry about granddad.” Tatyana finally offered. After a moment, Angelica nodded. “Thanks, Tat.”

  For a moment, the two were silent. Angelica traced a line in the Radiant.

  Tatyana scooted closer to her sister and put an arm around her. “He’ll forgive you, I promise.” Tatyana replied softly. “Soon, too. Just be patient, okay?”

  Angelica fought off tears and nodded again. “He’s never been this mad at me before.”

  Tatyana sighed and said; “Well, can you blame him? You called him out in front of the entire town.”

  Angelica whirled on her sister, wide-eyed and stunned. “Tat! Not you too!”

  Tatyana laughed. “Oh, don’t get me wrong, Angel! I think you were right! In fact, a lot of us think you were right. But you challenge the head of the town in front of everyone who lives here? How did you think he would react?”

  Angelica opened her mouth to reply and then thought better of it. Tatyana had a point. She rose, folding her arms. “I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful. I wish everyone would understand that.” She said sadly, gesturing, “He offered a point of view that I thought was incorrect. I offered an alternative point of view that a great many of us seemed to agree with. He’s really going to be angry with me about that?”

  Tatyana sighed, bracing herself on her knees and rising. At her full height, she was half a foot shorter than Angelica. “Angelica, like it or not, you are female.” Tatyana stated flatly, “Daughter of Eve…or Lilith, depending on who’s telling you. That means, no matter what, right or wrong, your opinions will always be looked upon with some kind of skepticism. End of story.”

  Surprised at how quickly she’d become angry at Tatyana’s revelation, Angelica quickly shook her head. “It shouldn’t be that way.”

  “I agree.” Tatyana immediately replied, “But it’s the way it is.”

  “The way needs to change.”

  “So change it.” Tatyana tool a step back and said, “Take Hera up on her offer.”

  Angelica dashed forward, motioning for silence and grasping her sister’s arms. She glanced around quickly to ensure that no one nearby had heard her sister’s revelation. “How do you know about that?!”

  “Because I’m your sister. This automatically makes me good at what I do.” Tatyana replied, half-jokingly. “If you weren’t thinking about it so much, it wouldn’t be so easy to pick up on.”

  “Have you told anyone?!” Angelica whispered fiercely.

  Tatyana shook her head, p
ulling herself free of Angelica’s grip. “No, I haven’t. Would you calm down?”

  Angelica then realized she’d nearly been hyperventilating. “I’m sorry.” She said quickly, forcibly slowing her breathing. If anyone found out she may have been planning to move to Mount Olympus…

  “It’s a safe bet that Grandmom already knows, though.” Tatyana informed her. “In fact, I’d bet that she’s hoping you tell her on your own.”

  Angelica looked at Tatyana, but said nothing.

  “Are you really gonna go?” Tatyana asked, leaning in.

  “I don’t know.” Angelica replied as the weight of the world appeared to fall from her shoulders, “It’s a great offer, but…I don’t know if I want to be part of something like that. Hera is a radical, and worse, she’s angry. I don’t think she’d have a problem spilling blood if she had too.”

  “She’s married to Zeus. I think that entitles her to a little anger.” Tatyana replied with a smirk. Angelica smiled knowingly. Rumors of Zeus dalliances were famous throughout the universe.

  “What do you think?” Angelica asked.

  Tatyana raised her eyebrows as though grateful for the opportunity to be asked. “Are you serious? In a heartbeat! Hera may be a little extreme but her hearts in the right place. And I’m tired of being treated like I don’t have a mind. I do more work than half of the boys my age who live here.”

  Angelica chuckled, shaking her head. Of course, Tatyana was right. She’d only become an escort four seasons ago, and already she had