Mavobella: The Angel Of Death

Chapter 32

I  slumped into my chair, my mind spinning like I’d just been dropped into a confusing fever dream. Nicole was seated across from me, arms crossed so tightly it looked like she was trying to hold herself together—either that or preparing to throw me out the window if I said the wrong thing.

"Let me get this straight," she said, her voice heavy with disbelief. "You’re telling me there’s a human named Marion in Anubistopia? A human, in a place crawling with angels, demons, and whatever else you’ve conjured up in that head of yours?"

"Yes!" I said, nodding a little too enthusiastically. "She’s the only human here, as far as I know. She’s got this... uh... sort of hideout, you know? Like a survival bunker but... more cottage-core?"

Nicole stared at me, blinking slowly like she couldn’t decide if I was pulling her leg or had just lost it completely.

"And she bakes cakes?" she added, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Because if that’s true, I might actually believe you. Anyone who survives by baking cakes in this mess deserves some credit."

I tried to smile, but it came out more like a grimace. "Yeah, well, Marion's got a... unique vibe. She’s a bit grumpy, sure. But survival’s no joke, right?"

Nicole snorted, leaning back in her chair. "Well, if she’s grumpier than Melissa, I might actually be impressed."

From the corner of the shop, Melissa, who had been quietly mopping the floor and clearly eavesdropping on our entire conversation, shot us a dirty look. "Hey! I’m standing right here."

"Exactly," Nicole said, deadpan, not even glancing at her. Then, she turned back to me, eyebrows raised in mock interest. "So, what about this other guy? Isaac, you said? Some kind of fallen deity with... an office? I think I missed the memo on deities holding office hours."

"Yeah..." I hesitated, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly. "Isaac’s... well, he’s complicated. A bit of a hermit, but he’s the one who gave us the map—the map that led us to the gems. You know, the ones that created the teleportation wall. If anyone can back me up, it’s him."

Nicole stared at me for a long moment, her fingers tapping against the table as she considered this latest twist. "You expect me to believe that some guy with an office and a map is going to explain all this... nonsense?"

I threw my hands up, feeling the desperation creeping in. "I know it sounds insane, but it’s all true! Marion, Isaac, the gems! I’m not making this up. If I was, I’d have come up with a way better story!"

Nicole pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly regretting every decision that had led her to this moment. "Alright, fine. You want to prove you're not crazy? Take me to these people of yours—Marion and Isaac. But if we wander through some foggy forest and find absolutely nothing, I’m kicking you out. And not just out of Caketopia, I mean, out of everything."

"Deal!" I exclaimed, barely able to contain my relief. At least she hadn’t thrown me out yet, and that was progress. "Let’s go!"

°*°

By the time we reached the edge of the forest, I was starting to wish I had more solid proof than just a memory and some foggy recollections of where Marion’s cave was supposed to be. The trees loomed tall and dark, like they had grown just to trap us, and a thick fog clung to the ground, curling around our ankles like something alive.

"Let me guess," Nicole said dryly, stopping to survey the scene, "This is where your mysterious human friend lives, right? In a forest straight out of a bad dream?"

"Technically, it's a cave," I corrected, brushing a branch out of my face only for it to snap back and whack me in the forehead. "But yeah, the forest has a bit of a... spooky vibe. It wasn’t this creepy last time, I swear."