The Afterlife

Chapter 2: This is 666, how may I help you today?

Chapter 2: This is 666, how may I help you today?

        High up in the clouds of planet Earth, was the Floating city, known as ‘Navi-Citivas’ in Latin which is spoken by the Angels and Demons of the old age, who lived hundreds of years ago. Navi-Citivas is mostly used for receiving new souls from the world below, and choosing whether to send the souls to heaven or hell. The Court of Choices is one of the largest buildings of the floating city, compared to the smaller, less defined buildings clustered around the city’s boundaries. The court was silent; no-one was there to witness the singing of the invisible court spirits, their soft melody rose in harmony, the tall clear windows vibrated like glass harps, the hanging tapestry’s swung side to side, wind whooshing gently and the soft pitter-patter of the invisible spirits feet across the stone floor created a sense of mystery. Shadows sneaked along the cream walls as the spirits set to work, getting the court ready, placing wooden chairs in neat rows facing the raised platforms, where the high council would sit. The music of the spirits stayed soft, reaching the high, wooden beamed ceiling to the low cracks of the stone floor. At the far end of the hall, the great oak door suddenly swung open, the spirits instantly ended their harmony, the chairs clattering to the floor as the spirits rushed away into the dark corners, where the light never touches. Through the door came Novice Darren, behind him other Novices carried the newly arrived soul, a young woman, in a stasis chamber.

“It seems the Spirits have been at work again” muttered Novice Darren

They carried the nameless woman to the stand, where they rested the chamber down carefully, it vibrated softly, and the cool blue light illuminated the woman inside, her eyes gently flickering under her lids, dreaming about her past.

“We must leave” Ordered Novice Darren

The others nodded in agreement and scurried off one by one, their maroon cloaks sweeping the floor as they exited the hall, closing the door behind them, leaving the nameless soul alone, or so they thought. 

From the shadows the spirits crept out of hiding, soaring over the woman, singing more loudly with ancient power layering their melody. The soul reacted, her eyes flittered more vigorously, her hands balled up and veins pulsed underneath her tanned skin. The spirits knew this soul would be special; they bonded themselves to her, their energy creating an extra string of genes in the very fabric of the woman.

Never before did this event happen between the spirits and a passing soul because the consequences would be dangerous, that’s what the scientists calculated, but the outcome of this process would bring luck and protection to the soul for she is destined for great things. Outside in the court yard, the tower clock struck seven am in the morning and more Novices streamed back through the door, along with Father Khan, he pulled down the hood of his brown cloak and silently strode over to the stasis chamber, sadness in his eyes.

        Khan gazed down into the stasis chamber, where the body of a young female lay, dreaming of peaceful times. The Novices were busily noting down who this female was and how she died, to pass on the information to the Court Of Choice who would determine whether this poor soul would go to heaven or the Underworld. All around him, members of the jury hurried in taking their places in the bright court room. Khan simply stared at the woman, she was beautiful, she had sun kissed skin, her long dark hair had magnificent red strands and her full rosy lips quivered slightly. He sighed deeply, he knew where this young woman would end up at, and it wasn’t good news. The High council filtered in like royals, silently and gracefully, wearing breath taking robes of deep violet and pure white. While the representatives of the Underworld, wearing dark, everyday clothes, ranging from cotton to leather, ripped, torn and untidy, they acted tough and yet in the eyes of the angels they were just plain childish, their huge ego’s towered high, anyone who tries to ruin them would come face to face with their bulging muscles and iron fists. All the Angels felt intimidated by the Demons as they elbowed and purposely pushed through the crowd of chatting Angels, the hall filled with grunts and complaints, but no-one would ever confront them, in fear of angering them and causing a giant brawl.