Chapter 33
Ariel woke with a start and a head full of questions. The dream had come again while he slept. He remembered the sense of helplessness as the spark of life flickered out in the small bird's eyes. But this time it hadn't ended there.
As the snake swallowed the carcass whole, it turned its ebony head and its cold, black eyes met Ariel's. It seemed to grow until nothing else was present, just the chilling eyes and flicking, forked tongue. As it stared menacingly, he heard a guttural voice from within his own head.
'I will destroy you too,' it pledged.
A shaft of light appeared in the sky and Ariel looked as his pair bond plummeted toward them. The serpent noticed his eyes and turned to face the onrushing griffin. It shrank back upon itself and coiled defensively. Shadow came on, targeting the tense body of the serpent. She let out one of her piercing cries.
The serpent's mouth opened with audible menace, fire appearing between the gaping jaws. With a shower of sparks, a scorching ball shot from the open orifice and, with a sickening explosion, hit Shadow's chest.
Instantly, the stately griffin crumpled into a lifeless weight, which fell and disappeared into the blackness surrounding them.
He had awoken, then, panting, eyes wild and searching. Why?
The question haunted him throughout the day. He felt unsure of so many things. It was as if the world he loved was slipping away from him and he didn't know why or how to stop it. Gadreel seemed more and more distant, one of his former housemates was trying to hurt him, but no one else seemed to believe it, and he kept having dreams he didn't understand. And now, he was going to meet Gabriel and couldn't shake the unease this requested meeting caused him.
There was a collection on display at the museum of planetary art. Gabriel had suggested they go together, explaining he had some concerns to discuss with Ariel, and his friend's expression had chilled him.
Gabriel said the exhibit was new and would be of interest to them both. Ariel had been to the museum before and enjoyed the experience. They had a collection of artifacts from around the universe that was continually growing. And as the collection grew, the museum grew.
He approached the building and saw the newest level high above. The building looked like a giant spire of quartz protruding upward in a multifaceted maelstrom of refracted light. It's top floor, which housed the new collection, was obvious due to its mismatched coloring. The building was composed of living crystal that added the equivalent of one new story per academic year. Each graduating class voted to decide what collection would inhabit the new space, which would require several months to mature to the point where its color would match the levels below.
A friend of Ariel's, who was specializing in architecture, had spent the better part of an afternoon in a diatribe about this building. He had explained that the living material of the building was a metaphor for the role of creativity and art in the Kingdom. The attempts of the created to reach for their creators was an ongoing work of art, built on the efforts of those who had gone before, in an attempt to touch heaven. As Ariel approached the entrance of the great structure, he had to admit it was an apt analogy and a breathtaking visual representation.
Students at the academy were encouraged to absorb as much of the culture of the worlds they would serve as possible. It was hoped that by understanding the varied cultures present in the universe, they would become better representatives of the Kingdom.
As a result, the museum was typically a busy place. Only its immensity kept it from seeming crowded. However, with a new exhibit opening, he expected it would be more heavily trafficked than usual. As Ariel stepped off the lift to the uppermost floor, no one except Gabriel anywhere in sight.
'Where is everyone?' he asked as his friend clasped his arm.
'The exhibit isn't officially open, yet. I got permission from one of my instructors to bring you up while they are still putting on the finishing touches.'
He led Ariel down a corridor lined with small, rather crude paintings, to a large open atrium. Light filtered in through the partially translucent walls, but most of the illumination came from above where the crystal shell was less mature and almost clear. Over the subsequent months, the pyramidal shape of the ceiling would slowly collapse and harden, until it became the precisely flat and incredibly rigid floor of next year's collection.
The large exhibition hall was open, but the exhibit itself was divided into six sections. As the two telmid passed through, it was apparent that each section was representative of a different culture. The subject matter, aesthetic sensibilities and mediums were strikingly different.
'Tell me about this species?' Gabriel asked as they moved into a new area.
Ariel looked at the vivid color usage, the natural materials used, the depictions of varied landscapes and animal species, the tent-like houses, and the creatures themselves.
‘This is a carbon-based world with a high gravity. This particular species is highly organized, but still at a nomadic phase of development. They are balanced in their approach to the ecosystem and have created some interesting technological artifacts, but they do not use written language. Rather, they rely on narrative history and have a rigid clan hierarchy. How am I doing?' Ariel asked with just a hint of self-assurance.
'That is pretty impressive. This species is called the Syliern. And you missed only one thing- they have a fairly advanced written culture, but otherwise you are correct. And what about this group?' he asked, continuing on to the next grouping.
Ariel walked in a slow circle around the large collection. It was obvious this was a much more primitive culture. Much of the art in this collection consisted of paintings made from charcoal or water-based paints. They depicted a people who lived without any noticeable technological innovation. Yet despite their obvious simplicity, their artwork was spectacular in its technique and intricacy. The simple scenes were rendered with incredible skill and vivacity.
One painting caught his eye. It showed a small group of the creatures, huddled in a posture of obvious fear. They were crouched, with heads pressed low to the ground, pushing baskets of fruit before them. Standing above them on a rise, was a being familiar to Ariel, yet terribly unfamiliar.
A shining, winged figure glowered down at the creatures, holding one of their children upside down by its ankle. Its face was distorted in rage and menace. It stood like some wrathful god, ready to punish. Except for the face, it could be any angel strolling the streets of the city. But the face made it seem a different type of being altogether, full of hate and anger.
He looked up at Gabriel with a questioning expression. His friend shook his head and pointed at several other paintings in the group. Ariel followed his finger and glimpsing other similar depictions. One showed an angel in flight, leaving a trail of burning crops and huts in its wake. Another showed a scene of the small beings hiding in obvious fear as a group of angels walked nearby. A particularly chilling work depicted an arella laughing as a pair of creatures fought and bled. It was the most horrific image Ariel had ever seen.
'I don't understand. What is this? How is this even possible?'
'I have been talking to some members of the Ministry of Planetary Affairs. This is, unfortunately, not an isolated occurrence. Although this is perhaps the most extreme example, there have been numerous occurrences of angelic abuse of native species over the last several anums. The individuals I spoke with are concerned about the various reports of abuse that they get, as well as what is happening right here in the city.'
'The meetings you have been going to?'
'I'm afraid so. I was asked to give a report of what was going on at Azazel's estate. They seem to believe that somehow the abuse is related to the meetings.'
'Azazel?' Ariel mused aloud.
'They didn't say, but I do suspect that might be the case. Although I don't think Azazel is really much of a threat.'
''What do you mean? Of course he is,' Ariel said.
'Azazel is a part of the pr
oblem, but there is something larger going on here. Look at these paintings. This has nothing to do with Azazel. It is bigger than Azazel, and besides, he isn't even in charge of his own group any longer.'
Gabriel proceeded to describe the last meeting to Ariel, including Helel's use of the story of the serpent to sway the crowd. Ariel listened, stunned. Helel had used Ariel to make his argument. Gadreel had been there and never mentioned it. Who had his friend become? Could he be trusted? Was it possible he had something to do with the rumors? It was almost too much to fathom.
'I'm assuming Gadreel didn't talk to you about the meeting,' Gabriel said and seemed unsurprised as Ariel nodded.
'I have to tell you, I'm concerned for our friend. He doesn't understand the danger in any of this. It's not that he is intentionally lying to you. He most likely sees this as avoiding an unnecessary argument. And he won't give up the meetings easily. I, on the other hand, am quitting.'
'Good. I've been worried about the two of you. Have you told Helel yet?’
'We spoke about it,' Gabriel answered with a sad expression.
'It didn't go well?'
'Let's just say Helel does not like to have his motives questioned. He basically told me he didn't understand how I could misunderstand things so badly or how I found it so easy to betray him.'
'How are you betraying him?' Ariel asked.
'I asked him the same thing. In Helel's mind, the meetings are now his and any questions about them are somehow about him. He believes on an important mission and those who disagree are, therefore, his adversaries. That has always been his issue with you. You confronted him and he couldn't tolerate it. He isn't able to entertain contradictory points of view. He sees everything through his own eyes, period. I hope we can get past this, but I'm not sure it’s possible.'
Gabriel's face wore a look of deep remorse, and Ariel could sympathize. His own mind reeled with questions of betrayal and the future of his friendship with Gadreel. He put his arm on Gabriel's shoulder to comfort him.
'It had to be difficult for you to have that conversation with him,' Ariel observed.
'It was. I hoped we were close enough and he would understand that I couldn't go on doing something I disagreed with, but he instantly turned on me. He looked at me as if I suddenly ceased to exist. I didn't even get the chance to talk to him about the report I gave to the ministry.'
'How did that come about?' Ariel asked.
'Planetary Affairs has been receiving reports from several members of the group who aren't comfortable with what has been going on. They have kept detailed records of some of the discussions and training exercised. Apparently, my name showed up quite often arguing some of the issues with Azazel. The ministry approached me believing, given my vocal disagreement with some of Azazel's opinions, I might be willing to act as an informant.'
'And what did you tell them?'
'I gave them a brief statement and told them it would be impossible for me to continue in the meetings, and, therefore, I would be unable to report back to them,' Gabriel answered.
'Why?' Ariel asked.
'If I stayed in the group, I would betray my friend. Most don't realize it yet, but Helel is taking over leadership from Azazel. If I stay and report on the meetings, I would be staying to spy on Helel. Despite everything, I love him. I can't betray him. Even if I wanted to continue attending, which I don't, it would be impossible for me to do so.'
Ariel nodded, understanding Gabriel's predicament. If he were placed in a similar situation with Gadreel, he would choose the same course.
'What happens now?'
'I honestly don't know, Ariel. I'm worried for our friends. I'm worried for the Kingdom. And I'm worried for you.'
'Not you too. I've heard that phrase a bit too much lately,' Ariel replied.
He told Gabriel about his conversation with Raphael and his questions about the source of the rumors being spread. He found being able to talk about his concerns made them less oppressive. He looked at Gabriel's face and his apprehension returned.
'Tell me everything you remember about your incident with the serpent,' Gabriel said seriously.
Ariel didn't hesitate to tell Gabriel the entire story. He made sure to include details he hadn't even included in telling the tale to Gadreel. Gabriel listened intently, nodding at the parts of the story he recognized. As Ariel described the cavern he had fallen into, Gabriel interrupted him.
'I know that cavern. Helel told me about it some time ago.'
'So Helel found the tunnel I went down?' Ariel asked incredulously.
'No. He flew there.'
'How would he fly there? He doesn't have wings.'
'We have been practicing transformation. Helel is the best of the group. He has taken to transforming into winged creatures and exploring through the air. I've never been able to perfect it well enough to do it myself, but he picked it up right away,' Gabriel said.
'What kind of animals does he transform into?' Ariel asked pointedly.
'Eagles, condors...' Gabriel hesitated. 'Serpents.'