Heart Themed Canvas [UsUk]

Stairways

There stretches a stairway connecting the worlds. It reaches up to the heavens, and sinks down to the depths of the underworld. Many people have forgotten about this stairway, leaving it abandoned and cold, unremembered. Few even recall the days when such a stairwell was used, but it remained there in plain sight. None walked up or down the steps anymore, but still- there it sat, waiting to be used one day more.

It was up this staircase that a demon looked. He dusted off the bottom step, feeling a slight burning sensation when his fingers brushed against it. He gazed up, straining to see. The stairway shown brightly once one took notice of it, and it gave a straight look upwards to Earth, and then the heavens. It was old, but still it gave off a overwhelming sense of power.

The demon caught sight of a figure at the top of the stairway. An angel sat at the top, apparently unaware of the stairway stretching down at his feet. He sat primly, ankles crossed, fingers wrapped lazily around the harp in his arms- not quite playing it. The demon perked and tried to call up, to catch the angel's attention, but to no avail.

The angel seemed to not see the stairway, looking fondly down on Earth- right through the steps laying at his feet. The demon frowned, taking one step up. He hissed at the warmth that spread over the soles of his feet. While it was not painful, it was not exactly comfortable either. It slowly spread from his shoes and up his legs. He gasped as the warmth tried to work it's way up to his knees and jumped back. The feeling left him suddenly, and he slouched at the emptiness that filled him. Suddenly his legs seemed oddly cold, even if he was surrounded by the heat of the underworld. He frowned, turning away from the decrepit staircase, and walked away.

The next day the demon returned to the staircase, wondering about the odd phenomenon. He had tried asking about it, but no one seemed to know about it. They all simply gave him looks and told him that the thing did not exist, that he must have been delusional. Still, he returned to the spot to find the bridge upwards still glowing brightly. He strained forward, leaning over the first step again- not quite touching it.

He could see the same angel sitting at the top, strumming boredly on his harp, wings spread out lazily behind him. He tried calling up again.

To his surprise, the angel reacted, tilting his head slightly. The demon couldn't quite make out the other man's expression- but he called louder, trying to draw his attention downwards.

The angel looked down, but through the staircase again, to Earth. The staircase seemed to be still invisible to the other man. The demon stomped a foot in frustration, and took that one step upwards again.

The warmth wasn't a surprise anymore, but it was still just as shocking and raw as it had been the first time. The demon grit his teeth, but remained planted on the first step. He cupped his hands around his mouth and called up again.

The angel jolted, apparently hearing his voice. The man stood up quickly and glared down, placing his harp on the perch he had been sitting on- a small marble pillar. He put his hands on his hips and squinted at where the staircase began.

The demon got excited, as the man's gaze finally seemed to center on the staircase, and not just look through it. He jumped back slightly, retreating, as the stairway came into focus for him- realizing just how close he had been to the first step.

The demon smiled and waved, yelling again. The angel recoiled, finally spotting the demon standing on the first step. He waited as the angel cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted back. The demon leaned forward, trying to catch what exactly the angel had said. The sound didn't quite reach him though, echoing off the walls- making a confusing symphony of sounds. He furrowed his brow, unsure. Lifting a foot hesitantly, he tried to get closer to the sound.