Ascension

Chapter 4

Marked by the now twice rotation of the tallow lights, their short lived flame burning a sour pungent scent among the Firmament and dusting the air with grey smoke, near 2 hours had passed and I was eager to be released from my duty, the Firmament was quickly wearing at me. The bells heard from heaven were a telling sign, prayer was over for the Sisters, lecture would now commence for all prior to their evening meal. 

I stood with the other Angels, the Sisters currently in attendance thanking us with bowed heads. My legs prickled with the sharp reminder I had sat on them for far too long, I focused on this discomfort as I focused on my breath the grey sour air. An early lesson I had taught myself during my first year in the Firmament: when life around you was so intolerable, focusing on the bits of pain your body gave you reminded you that you were, in fact, still living.

This I had used as reason that, if I were still living, I could still Ascend. 

I had spent many of those days, focusing on the pinpricks in my legs, on the crests left from my nails in my palm, of the rough grey floor as I laid my head on it in prayer, half lidded eyes finding an anomaly in the brick and focusing on that for the hours spent in servitude to the prayer.

All had been considerably easier, since I had back then began my first doses of Holy Water. Now, with my dose considerably less than what would be considered 'necessary', I found myself strained at the dizzying grey tones, the ringing silence only broken dimly by the last muted tones of the bell from on high, and the many shuffling feet as robes brushed ground, entering the hall as I and the other Angels stood.

I would begin a short lecture, then we would work more intimately with the sisters, seeking out those who had questions, or who were struggling. Falak and the other Principality would go to particular Sisters- these were sisters of notable consideration for future Ascension. 

 They had done so with ones specific among the 15 most promised, and I had watched the hope dim from the others eyes despite it not being an absolute reflection of choice.  

It was a near thing, though.

The Sisters began to file in as I slid behind the podium, the Principalities flanking me and the other Virtues who stood equal to either side of me. As the one leading todays visit, I was to begin our lecture, to choose the topic.

With my Ascension nearing in less than 7 days time, and my stomach in knots that had sprouted with unforeseen agitators in the form of Falak and Lael, I closed my eyes, took that cleansing breath despite the smoke from the freshly lit candles that would have to replace the Holy Water that I wished to partake in as I watched the last few Sisters enter, drink their glass of Holy Water, and seat themselves to be lulled into its rapture as they listened to my lecture. 

I clasped my trembling hands, my robes sticking with sweat to my arms as I watched the last Sister drink the Holy Water. Prior to arriving to the Firmament my thirst and hunger had been sated by a meal, but now my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, my throat dry. 

Another cleansing breath, this time with my eyes wide open as I surveyed the Sisters in attendance. 

I could only think to lecture on one thing, for my own benefit more than any sister that was slowly slipping under the dregs of Holy Water.

"Sisters," my voice thankfully did not need to raise as it spanned the room, all eyes were on me as their minds filled with a joyous haze," Today, I shall speak of Purity. Of how God wishes us to be pure, for us to cleans ourselves, and continue to only fill ourselves with pure things so as to Ascend. I congratulate you, you who have all Ascended from Earth as I myself once had. You have already became so pure. It is here, within the Firmament,  you practice, and eat, and drink, and breath and think only things of the purest nature. So that you may Ascend to the glorious white streets of Heaven."