BEYOND THE RAINBOW

CHAPTER TWO - THE ARMISTICE CHALLENGE

Tanouie emerged from her crypt to a wondrous sight. She hovered and looked around her. She was far from alone. An unprecedented number of crypts were open and each occupant was doing the same thing. Hovering and staring.

"Awesome! Must be big fish in the wind for this turnout! Even amnesty for you! I heard women's lib upset the council's whole millennium agenda." Her neighbour grinned happily. She recognised a fellow rebel.

"Jaddai! Hah! You should talk. Haven't seen you on the loose since you inhabited that chap who shot the President. What were you thinking?"

"You win some, you lose some," the elf shrugged. "Watch yourself! Hoods dead ahead. They're on your every move. Don't blow this, you're missed out there."

Tanouie heard the warning in time to turn into the wind and compose her expression to angelic lines. "Thanks!" she hissed. "I've missed you, too."

Before her, the crystal spires of Nirvana rose into the clouds, in the midst of showering stars and rainbow lights. The Cherubs were out in force, frolicking in the light beams. A rare sight. The sound of their laughing squeals was almost like music. A forbidden joy. They would probably get lectured for it later. Fun? Here? Perish the thought! Tanouie's lip curled cynically. They were on Heaven: The spinning, gravitational core of the Universe. All Nirvana's citizens, arraigned in gold tunics, were sedately clapping from the castle ramparts. They reminded Tanouie of polite robots. She sighed.

"So nothing's changed then." The twelve apostles, in their official white, hooded robes, were at ground level, lined across the great gates; effectively blocking entry to the hallowed city, and directly in line with Tanouie's tomb. Her first reaction was fear. Had they come to judge her? Was she, and therefore her people, to be further reduced from their fringe dwelling status?

"Be still in your mind or they will doubt your readiness." The voice of her eternal mentor seeped, like soothing butter, into her consciousness.

"Kaltazar! Readiness for what? Am I in trouble?"

"Have courage, small one. I will be with you. Find me." Their link was severed.

"Great," she muttered, "I'm going somewhere, then." Somehow she was no longer looking forward to the prospect. Her brain seethed with all possible scenarios again, but she reigned them in. Nodding polite acknowledgement to the Council, she permitted a serene smile to all those around, who began to realise she was among them. There was a ripple of happy squeals and chatter from her people as the news spread, but no one approached her. This was not a time for socializing, that would be a bonus for any of the Fay remaining, once the creation portal closed. Following her lead, they all settled. Each foregoing personal desires for the greater good of all. How proud they made her!

It would be nice to be among them in play mode. Though the sedate portals of Heaven were no match for nature frolics in their lost home forests. Tanouie had not seen this many of her people together in a very long time. Since the time of mythology had passed and the persecution of her kind began, her Fay had been in exile, pledged to the Council as soul guides. Shackled to the stringent Celestial laws. Guiding got them off the hook to a degree, but their more liberal attitude to the law could be the reason the Council wasn't happy with returns. It hadn't stopped them from exploiting the Fay's unwavering loyalty to humanity, Tanouie noted. The Universe must be expanding. Even with more than half the Fay Nation absent in service, it was an impressive display,

The golden flatlands surrounding the city, glowed, as far as the eyes could see, reflecting the multi coloured rays of light emanating from its crypts. As uncountable as the stars, fairies and elves hovered in waiting at the source of each rainbow. The Diamond matrix glittered in every crevice of the planet, refracting the light and power of the Mother life force, out to the Universal Father of all creation and his Suns; for dispersal of energy to wherever it was drawn. Pure energy did not have consciousness and would mutate to whatever purpose was required of it. That was the crux of encouraging the use of it for positive return rather than negative, draining waste. Progress was dependant on the former. When it's world stood still, Heaven would fall. It came down to a matter of individual responsibility. Few accepted it, but their free ride was coming to an end.