The Raven

Descending

While we were ascending towards the sky, towards Heaven, I felt peace and joy that I hadn't felt for a long time. I thought that I would finally get the chance to just be. Nothing special, just to be able to enjoy small things without worrying that I would be attacked by ravens or killed by demons. 

Although my friend never had a very high opinion of Heaven, at that moment it sounded to me like a perfect place to recuperate. Boring was what I needed, so I thought I wouldn't mind some peace and quiet, it would make for a nice change. 

The more we approached the skies, the better I felt. There was an overwhelming sense of peace, joy, and love surrounding us. But suddenly we stopped. I thought we had arrived but actually, we were on top of a huge fluffy cloud. It was obvious, both to me and my friend, that it couldn't be Heaven. 

The melodic voice was back again, and now I could see the owner of the voice was a huge angel surrounded by the most magnificent golden light. 

"This is your stop," the voice said. 

I was confused so much that I actually dared question the magnificent angel. 

"But I thought we were going to Heaven? You said she was going to Heaven." I said. 

"No, no, my dear child, I said that she was going where she deserved to go." The beautiful voice replied. 

Even more confused than before, I didn't know how to answer the angel. I had so many questions, but couldn't ask any of them. On the other hand, my friend seemed very calm. I had a feeling that she already knew what was happening. 

Seeing my confusion the kind voice said: "I will try to explain, but I can't promise that you will understand everything." 

"That's okay," I said, "At least I will know more than I do now." 

The angel smiled warmly and started explaining.

"Well, this is for us angels, a bit of a strange situation, because nothing like this has ever happened before, so we had to find a middle ground solution for the problem at hand. For you see, you have done some bad things, with the extenuating circumstance, of course, but, we couldn't allow you to enter Heaven. There are rules that we have to follow, and we can't just break them whenever WE feel it is justified. 

Still, we couldn't exactly leave you in Hell because; honestly you did us a big service by stopping the Devil from taking over the Earth. You deserve some kind of reward for that colossal undertaking. After a lot of deliberating, we found the middle ground, you will have another chance to live your lives." The angel said.

"I am sorry a what?" I interrupted. 

"Oh, I am sorry I should really explain better. " The angel said.

"It is just that this is the first time I am actually talking to humans, so I have some adjusting to do. Okay, so I am sure that you have both heard about reincarnation when a person is born again after some time. Well, we decided to give you a chance, a new life if you will, but it will be up to you how you live it. 

When you die in that second life, your destiny will be decided, whether you will go to Heaven or Hell. But I have to warn you, you will not remember the life you had before. Well, maybe some glimpses and pieces and certain emotions but nothing substantial. 

However, your souls will, at some point, recognize each other and you will be friends, but I can't guarantee when and how that will happen. The second thing is far more important, but knowing you humans and your friendships, I put this in the second place. 

The demons will not give up; they will try to destroy your lives to revenge their master's death. They will not be able to kill you or hurt you, but they might try to stain your existence. At some point in your lives, you will remember your past lives, and that is when the true test of your faith and perseverance will begin. I mustn't say anything more, it's up to you to figure it out, to prove that you are worthy of Heaven." The angel finished.

I had so many questions, but I could see that she wouldn't or couldn't answer them. Nevertheless, I decided to ask one question. 

"Do we have a choice? " I asked.

"Of course, my dear." Was the angel's immediate response. "You can always choose, it is your God-given right, but I am afraid that you have limited choices. Accepting my offer, or going back to where I found you, to wander the Earth as ghosts or go back to Hell." 

Honestly, I did consider wondering the earth because I would still be me; I would remember who I was and I would remember my family and friends. But then again, how long would it be until I got tired of such a lonely existence, even if my friend was to accept a similar fate which I was pretty sure she wasn't about to do. 

She seemed ready to get reincarnated immediately, but honestly, I just wanted for everything to end, no more blood, tears or struggle. My instincts told me that if I got reincarnate it would be a painful life with demons on our tails without us even realizing it. That's what scared me the most, the not knowing part because that would mean we lost ourselves and couldn't defend ourselves. 

Seeing my struggles, the angel explained that we would still be ourselves, with the same emotions and personalities, the only difference would be that we wouldn't remember anything before that. Well, I guessed that would be as good as I got. 

We agreed and the angel told us to approach her, and she would do it immediately. I was honestly not so eager to go back to the trenches, but I didn't actually have any good choices. Fighting was in my blood, so I guessed that I could survive more demon attacks if I had to. 

"Here I go again. Hopefully for the last time." Was the last thing I thought before I lost touch with reality.