Tristan of Steelbend arrives in the famous city of Hosanna with nothing but his beloved harp and a pocket full of dreams. In this beautiful Kingdom By The Sea, mysterious angelic beings known as the Seraphim rule and protect mankind from the insidio...
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I woke at my apartment in Hosanna, crouched at the foot of my bed. How convenient. They'd delivered me home, right where they wanted me. At my side lay the harp gifted by the angels, and a metallic object adorned my head. I dashed to inspect it in the mirror. Glinting chrome, a solid band encircled my brow, permanently fused to my 'face implant at the back. Though I tried, I couldn't remove the crown. It was a simpler version of the headdresses of the Archangels, forged of the strange reflective metal used in their devices. Blunt wing ornaments fringed from its sides, cold to the touch. A thin, constant hum haunted my awareness--the Sanctum.
Damn them all. I was now permanently connected through this peculiar accessory they'd forced on me. The Seraphim could always watch me, always listen. I was a prisoner, trapped within my own mind.
And what of my beloved? Perhaps the angels had transferred her into their virtual abode. A feat impossible to human understanding, but there was a chance. Annabel seemed bound by the Seraphim's will, like myself, but she was still the jewel of my heart. For her sake, I'd endure a while longer, and try to discover the truth.
As if they suspected my rebellious notion, the Seraphim whispered across the Sanctum.
"Chosen by the angels. How blessed I am." My laughter stung with sarcasm. I sank to my knees and sang a mad new verse to distract them.
"We loved with a love that was more than love, in a Kingdom By The Sea;
"No angel nor devil can sever my soul from the beautiful Annabel Lee."
~~*~~
The angels wanted me to sing and lull their followers into obedience. My secret plan to learn the truth about Annabel would have to wait for the right moment. Until then, I'd play a dutiful role to disguise my motives. And what of Pastor Lee and his threats? I decided to carry on as I had before. There was no point in hiding anymore.
Though filled with loathing, I wandered to the Temple at sunset, carrying my new harp. The Sacred Chorus gathered here daily for Evensong, a live broadcast across the Kingdom. All tuning and practice ceased at my approach. Mouths hung in awe. I still wore the fumbled clothing from my escape attempt, shirt untucked, collar askew, hair wild about my cheekbones. I didn't care what they thought.
"He wears the Winged Crown."
"Favored by the highest."
"Truly the Bearer of Beatific Song."
Conductor Elias bowed with the others, his robes rustling aside. "Mr. Herald, your presence is an honor."
"So it is." I claimed the foremost seat in the orchestra, and none argued my right to it. "The Archangels desire a new composition tonight."
I led the ceremonial performance, the Seraphim observing and guiding from the Sanctum. Annabel's words filled my mind, then poured from my lips in song.
