Heaven's Hotel

PROLOGUE

"Gudiar... are you sure about this?"

        "I assure you, Crutori, I'm confident in my choices. We need to find a home for the Souls. Our time is running thin. Safety is what we're looking for, not a perfect mansion. You can trust in me." Gudiar explained.

        Crutori sighed and smiled, having faith in their work partner. They continued to stride through the cold mud, water droplets pounding on their flowing rain ponchos corresponding to their signature colours, yellow and blue. The destination was most known to Gudiar, as the person ordered to seek out the new home to be offered to the Souls. Crutori was the one instructed to morph bodies for the Lost Souls. Gudiar reached their hand out to the rain and let it dampen their cool skin. The rain was a beauty only experienced outside celestial planes, making room for a special place in the angels' hearts.

        Despite Gudiar's formal presentation and speech, they did not find joy in their job, which was extremely rare for a resident of Heaven. Their job required them to be professional and serious, something Gudiar found to be exhausting after some time. Putting on acts and pretending was something neither--Gudiar nor Crutori--could present for so long. They had only known each other as work partners, but they saw a spark for a potential friendship that could be ignited. The two decided to lean into this, slowly becoming more comfortable around each other and building genuine trust. Angels are forbidden to be attached to one another during work practices or other jobs where attachment could threaten performance in that field, which meant Gudiar and Crutori rebelled against the rules.

        "I am delighted that we are so lucky to walk here. A break from the stress of Haeres is pleasing." Crutori hummed.

        "Careful how you speak of it," Gudiar snapped. "We are not alone." Anxiety laced their words.

        Contrarily... I do agree with them. Gudiar thought. They quickly shook their thoughts away, they couldn't afford to be chastised or possibly become Fell for such sinful thoughts.

        Haeres was the Principality angel that governed the Soul Mending Angels. Crutori and Gudiar found Haeres to be quite frustrating to work under, however, nothing could ever convince them to spill that. The Principality overworked its angels and lacked empathy for them, not enough to be qualified as a sin, but enough to risk the work environment of the Soul Menders becoming difficult.

        "For all that matters is I feel love, and that for all here." 

        Haeres was right. Love really was all that mattered. Yet it felt as if that love couldn't be simply affirmed by the tongue, but shown through actions. Love spoke through helping others, accommodating for those struggling and empathizing with their troubles. Maybe love could simply be shown through being by each other's side.

        Standing out in the rain made them quite chilly, but neither minded. Being with each other was all that mattered to them. The pair never got a chance to have some quality time due to frequently needing to follow what their jobs required of them. Crutori spent their time practising their magic, while Gudiar researched and sought homes for the souls they would soon be protecting for the rest of their lives until they could mend their souls to properly ascend to Heaven. There were twenty-three souls they needed to guard; each individual soul resided in a small, golden glass container that Crutori would soon fill with materials to mutate them into living beings. As simple angels who resided lowest to Earth and the people, most were either guardian angels or what was referred to as "Soul Menders", which was the task assigned to Gudiar and Crutori.

        "What exactly is our destination? As much as I admit we are desperate, this is... crazed." Crutori identified the dark, wet sky and the destroyed landscape surrounding them as they turned to the indigo angel.

        Gudiar eyed their glowing golden partner, their upper eyelids drooping in response to the doubt Crutori had in them. They continued marching as Crutori hunched over and glared at Gudiar, yearning for a response. After an agonizingly long period of silence, Gudiar sighed and spoke up.

        "Be patient, dear Crutori. All will be known in due time. Your question may be answered when there," Gudiar let a soft smile creep upon their face. "And it seems your curiosity will not need to wait, as we are already here."

        Crutori snapped their head back to the road ahead, examining the supposed surprise waiting for them.

        A dark, destroyed building loomed in the distance before them. Tired oak and scarred beams kept the weak thing barely standing. A flimsy bridge led to the large almond doors of the abandoned hotel. Crutori bit their bottom lip as their shoulders tensed up, a bead of sweat dripping down their cheek. Feeling guilty since their partner had spent so long searching for a suitable home. Gudiar chuckled.

        "You don't have to be mesmerized by it, it's alright. As I said, we are looking for safety," Gudiar continued walking towards the rickety bridge. "Now I understand it may not look very safe, but a few adjustments and it shall be a wonderful home."

        Gudiar looked behind them to face the golden angel, beckoning them to follow.

        "The humans and animals don't often visit here. It was destroyed during a large attack and has been abandoned ever since. It's a large hotel, with most of it still intact underground. I strongly believe it will not take much effort to perfect this. Don't you?" The blue angel anticipated their response.

        Crutori remained quiet, ambling at a slow pace. Turning to Gudiar, they beamed, letting the inner corners of their brows tilt up and releasing a breath they didn't know they were holding.

        The sapphire angel took the hand of the other and lightly stepped across the rickety wooden bridge, floating over gaps where planks of wood had collapsed. As their sandals landed on the porch of the abandoned hotel, they let go of their hands and heaved the moulding doors open. They stepped in and were met with a wave of warmth, now away from the cold outdoors. Trees and wildlife protected and claimed the residence despite partially collapsing walls and roof. Gudiar removed their hood, revealing wavy arctic blue hair contrasting their navy blue skin. Crutori followed, letting their short, butter-yellow hair loose. Unlike Gudiar, Crutori's skin was just as light as their hair. The blue angel had a small IIV written on their cheek, and the golden angel had VIII written on theirs.

        Gudiar's light footsteps echoed throughout the lobby. They wandered across the damp rug coating the floor and approached a decrepit fireplace at the end of the lobby. The angel summoned a small ball of teal light that touched the decaying wood and set it ablaze.

        "There. Much better, no?" They let their body relax as they stretched and sunk into the raggedy couch behind them.

        Crutori let out a sigh and snickered. They followed their partner towards the heat before pausing. Laying flat and almost hidden on the fireplace mantle, a beige, wrinkled letter sat. Crutori pinched the letter between their hands and sat on the couch next to Gudiar.

        "There's a letter here," Crutori announced the obvious. "It's from... Morcoth."

        Gudiar perked up at the mention of Morcoth. It's been a while since they've seen them, for Morcoth has been preoccupied with the work of being both a Guardian Angel and a Soul Mender. Morcoth's Job is to raise the Souls and help them live sustainably. Now that Gudiar has found a home, Morcoth's Guardian Angel role will be replaced by another angel.

        "Dear Crutori Lux and Gudiar Lumi, I have been informed by Haeres that you've found a settlement for the Souls. I have now resigned from the role of Guardian Angel and an angel in training has been applied for my former position. Rhesus, Virtue of the Second Choir has announced that a demon will be accompanying us until it ascends to Heaven and chooses its own path. When I return, this demon will be alongside me. I shall tie up some loose ends and arrive at the coordinates Gudiar Lumi has given me. Sincerely, Morcoth."

        Crutori read the letter aloud to Gudiar, pleased with this update. The amber angel delicately folded the letter and placed it back on the mantle. I suppose we're all ready to begin. Crutori stood up.

        "Well, I believe it is finally my time to search for materials. The Souls shall be reborn soon."