Golden wings

Chapter 1 - Angel

UPDATED VERSION OF GW AT: 

https://www.flyingfoxwriter.com/gw-chapter-1-angel/

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Life was easy.

A soft breeze flowed in between the clouds. They seemed to be composed of white fog, which could have been described as a clear sky by any human.

A loud yawn echoed, in between it all. There was someone there, someone who outstretched himself lazily, and calmly. A young man with spiky, slicked-back blond hair, with three out-of-place long black strands framing one side of his face. His short stubble contrasted with his fair skin, but not as much as his dense and pointy eyebrows. He had a sharp but laid-back air, and a sly demeanor.

Even if he could look human, he wasn't. He could not be considered one. Not when some feathers shivered over him, and glinted with the light. Two wings, which had looked to be small against his back, now unfolded to show how long and widespread they could be. They easily doubled their size.

The angel shook his wings a little, and then, he let them rest at his sides, on the ground. Once he was comfortable, he closed his eyes, calmly. He did not show any intent of getting up again; his head rested onto his arms, while his weight was onto his chest.

Here, there was silence. But he knew well that there was not such tranquility in the distance. There was no silence from where he came from, hours ago. He liked to come here, where he could flee from all worries. There was never any quietness back in the citadel. The angels were always working and making business, all around. They were always absorbed in their duties, dawdling was nearly considered a crime.

And here he was now, relaxing again, nothing to bother him in the moment.

He shook his wings again, and their lazy moves contrasted his nervous thoughts. He folded them and let them lay onto his back, to cover his shoulders and neck, like a cape. It could suffice as clothing, but he always wore his usual white shirt, a couple sizes bigger than his; it almost covered his black belt and pants, slightly.

He laid there for a long while, for time there could not be taken seriously. It flowed like wind.

In the end, he opened one eye, because he heard the echo of footsteps behind him. Without looking or seeming interested, he listened to the grumpy calling voice.

"You should not be here, kiddo."

Alexis finally moved; he rolled onto his back, to look at his uncle, without hurry.

The voice of his uncle could be as intimidating as his face. He had a long beard, braided and messy at the same time. Even then, Alexis knew that his uncle had a soft side. A hidden soft side. Very well hidden, maybe in his big black beard. He really looked scary for some people, sometimes, even if he was not the tallest of angels. Though, he did not intimidate his nephew, because the young man was taller than him.

Alexis ignored Angus' question, and did not pay mind to the exasperated look he received. The young angel only answered with sarcasm.

"I can be wherever I want... I have already done all the things those bossy jerks told me to."

Alexis rolled again onto his chest, and continued to focus on his thoughts.

He would never understand why the higher angels could boss him around so much, just because they lived more centuries, or because they had a higher rank.

It could look like he was avoiding work... But it wasn't the case. If he was something, it was hardworking. He was the best back at the settlement with the forge, excluding Angus. If he was here so often, it was only because he couldn't stand the others. He just couldn't stand being there. All his folk behaved like... Like if they could rule the whole world, like if they were divine creatures; like if they could look down on everything.

That, they did. All the time.

Idiots and snobs. Always telling him to behave more proudly like and... Why the hell had he to speak all old like, or wear those silly tunics?

While Alexis began to complain mentally, again, Angus took his sweet time to sit at his side, with a long groan. Both focused on just staring at the distance ahead, in silence.

A while passed, with no word; until Angus looked sideways at his nephew, and broke the silence.

"You are bored, aren't you?"

"Maybe I am."

Nothing happened here. Ever.

But it was not like he could complain. It was an easy existence. He had no worries, other than end all his duties in time. Forge the weapons and armor he was told to make, or carriages, or whatever. Any task he was assigned.

It was always the same routine.

Angus raised an eyebrow at the way his nephew stared ahead, with narrowed eyes. Alexis was glaring at the abyss, a wide fissure between the clouds and ground. It did not have any visible end. Below its endless blackness, was the living world. It was the land of humans and other lesser creatures, beings unworthy of being named.

Alexis had a curious soul. But Angus knew that said soul was also fearful.

"There is nothing of worth down there. After all, people die to leave it behind..."

Alexis snorted a little, and then retorted tiredly.

"But it is still part of it all. After all, don't some of us have to be sent there?"

Angus shrugged and grumbled, unable to deny a true fact.

Alexis did not move a muscle when his uncle stood and began to walk away, back towards their citadel. There was enough time for him to give advice.

"And most never return. Don't wonder too much."

The young angel did not follow him. He stayed, unable to look away from the abyss.

He knew well how that world could be. It was full of wonders, strange, never the same. It was also dangerous. Not only humans inhabited it; demons plagued the earth.

So he was content to just watch. He had enough with that. He could see glimpses of it, the abyss sometimes granted small glints of its life.

The life he had here contented him, even if it was far from perfect. It was not perfect, but it was simple. It was long, boring and repetitive. He was happy with what he had here. No problems, no worries... No danger.

He would not have to go down there; that was for other angels to deal with. Not him.

He just had an easy existence.