International Legends

Chapter 36 - Ozara

With Naomi making a free fall back to her realm, it was all I could do not to keep myself from crying. Eventually the tears started to fall. I didn't understand. How could it be such a heavenly realm, and yet so much evil?

I had been the one to let it in. I was sure of it. Somehow, with my son and my chasing of what was next, I ended up inviting in a force that was of ultimate corruption. If I had followed my path, if I had lived up to the best of who I truly am, would I be in the same place as I was now? With a lack of power that was showing itself before me, with a realization at the full extent of my helplessness, I began to release the failure of my own shortcomings and my pride.

I could not bring myself to go back to Starlia's castle in spite of Axel being taken into custody. I felt like anything I added to the situation was going to make it worse than it already was. Perhaps this was true. Maybe the real true failure in life was getting attached to any outcome, knowing all was temporary.

The only consolation was the flower that formed in the place where Naomi fell. Yes, I had been there until nightfall. The stars were blazing above me, and Starlia's realm was silent. They must have figured that I wasn't much of a threat, that they could have gotten what they needed from Axel. Somehow, the guilt of having done nothing had me frozen in place, unable to decide to do anything.

So, I did the only thing I thought of being capable of doing, what my mom had told me to do when I felt doubt, even though I felt as if there was no way it could benefit me.

I began to pray.

God. If you hear me right now, I know there's no way that I can begin to describe the ways that I have neglected you in times past. You were nothing more than an idea to me. I thought that any god was nothing more than imaginative, something to keep time passing.

Maybe it's because I think that death is so scary. Or it's the unknown. Time is passing. Not knowing when it will be your last moments with the ones that you love. Perhaps that's what scares me the most or keeps me from trusting that things will work out. Often I disappoint people. I do the wrong things.

Please God. I don't know what to do right now, and I need your help now more than ever. The Vampires have taken over Starlia's realm. Please. Help us. Make things right. This is so much bigger than anything I had ever imagined and I'm asking you to help me.

Please Lord. I beg you. I surrender now to you. There's nothing I can do but rely on you. Please God. Help me. Thy will be done.

Amen.

A warmth began to fill my heart unlike anything that I had ever felt before, and a voice began to speak from the skies.

"For today in the City of David, a Savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord."

It was Christmas. The day that Christians celebrated as the birth of the Son of God in a virgin's womb. Or was he God incarnate? He was both at the same time. It was all very confusing to me. I had only heard about the holiday in passing, and now I was being forced to pay homage in person.

The lights began to flow from the sky, swirling down to  the bottom, as if in celebration. Snow fell down from the sky, and began to circulate all the way around the castle.

"Who dares interrupt the birth of my son?" asks the voice from high above.

I get up, and I meander my way back to the Castle of Starlia.

It's empty now and silent. I look over to the pavilion of angel statues, and I see now that they are crowded. With blue and white robed beings all standing around, looking pensive, as if they had all guessed at my arrival.