[ Downwards ] (Alastor x reader)

Chapter 9

It was a deafening silence. Guards have been told not to leave their stations. They haven't been instructed to attack or defend, search or protect, just to "stay alert and not let anyone through" as well as "to report suspicious activity", so they have somewhat lost certain interest in whatever rules they had to abide by. The only two guards that were guarding were the ones that were sent to protect the princess's room.Standing for days during high alert was, after all, exhausting.

Heaven's hallway. The tall ceiling was held up by decorated pillars, and lined with rose gold, curling into delicate flowers in bunches. Before lay a marble floor, shining like glazing on a cake. A light, yellow glow shone from one side of the hall.

From the other end of the corridor appeared a slight blur, it's footsteps gaining louder. The quiet rhythmic tapping sound awoke the attention of a few angel guards.

It was a messenger, a royal one. There was something tucked into their thick belt, created for holding items such as these. The messenger passed a guard, the tip of their clothes tickling their leg. Even though the robes they dressed servants and messengers in are cheap, they certainly show the quality of the design. As the servant trotted down the grand hallway, the silky cloth trailed behind them. The golden accessories clinked together as they ran past pillar after pillar.

The messenger soon came to a halt as they approached the end of the hallway, the only thing before them an intricately designed gate and 2 armed guards.

As if by command, the two guards collided their spears as the messenger stepped closer, stopping him. The footsteps slowed, their small wings flicked behind his back.

"Reason." The left guard inquired, his gruff voice echoing through the corridor.

The messenger simply looked up at the guards, their eyes going from left to right, inspecting both of them, and stated, "I have been sent by the High King."

The Kings in heaven were divided like overlords in hell, the High King being the one that oversees all - the one that controls heaven - the one who's daughter is destined to be the next big leader in the history of the afterlife.

The facial expressions of the guards softened, yet still stern, and they slowly yet swiftly lifted their spears, slightly making them touch and making a high-pitched scratching sound. The messenger simply looked both guards in the eye once more and nodded as a sign of gratitude.

With the swift flick of a switch, the grand gates opened, with a slight creak, indicating their heaviness.

The messenger walked forward and through the gates, opening a case for a letter that was rolled up as he went forward, their pace slowing down as their eyes scanned the words quickly to prepare how to deliver their message.

"Madam?" There was one more door to go through ; the actual door to the room of the princess. Four rhythmic knocks should alert her.

Silence.