The Book of Elora

I.

Learning that I've been reborn as an angel for the first time stiffens me with dread. While I've learned much about the Elora Dimension, the angels are the one thing I still don't know anything about. I'm sure the path ahead of me will be full of uncovered truths and long sought out answers. Before I acclimate to my new living arrangements however, I would like to know how I left things behind.

"What happened in Ethyla?" I ask, slipping my arms through the soft fabric of the robe. It's smooth like silk and fits as if it were custom made to my exact measurements. Folding it across me, I cover the breasts that are a cup smaller than my previous body's and tie the strings around my waist.

Milo offers me his hand and I take it, allowing him to haul me to me up. The cold tile stings my bare feet as I ground myself. "You obliterated Grim's vessel with your immense light magick," he explains. "But since you didn't destroy the continuum before doing so—"

"I died, too," I finish, remembering the pain of my body being burned to a crisp. Milo nods, his loose dreads swaying every which way. They frame his face in a manner I haven't beheld before, each lock of hair wavy from being braided. "Light magick must be the secret to killing demons."

"Indeed it is. High level light magick is the only thing powerful enough to destroy every molecule of a demon in an instant. After the smoke from your surge cleared, Corinthe and I were able to gage just how vast the destruction you left in your wake was. We knew neither of you had survived the blast." Milo leads me toward the door he just entered through, his fingers laced between mine. Since his strength is bringing security and warmth to this unfamiliar synth I'm walking in, I allow it.

"Why didn't my soul break the moment Grim and I died?" I ask. The fear of meeting my ultimate demise was what kept me from killing him long before my surge happened. Yet here I am with a brand new synth, while Grim is in his grave where he belongs. It's bittersweet knowing that he won't be around to pester me any longer.

"That, I don't know. I assumed it had, so I returned home to report to Mireya all that had occurred. She took it upon herself to resurrect you, and I was instructed to prepare a synth for your rebirth. Since then, I've been guarding this pod, awaiting the moment your soul merged to the synth."

As we trek down a winding passageway, my feet slap the tile in time with the thud of Milo's boots. "Exactly how long did that take?"

"In Earth time, about a year."

That's too long. Way too long. "I have so much unfinished business, Milo. I can't stay here. Was my sister was ever found? Did my friends free Eli and make it out of Ethyla alive?"

"I unfortunately can't answer any of those questions. I've been here since your surge. While I understand your urgency to follow up on the events of your past life, Mireya will not. She won't allow you to leave the Otherworld unless she calls for it." I fall silent, Milo's words cold and firm, much like the stoic expression on his face. I've never seen him look so serious before. "We can't do as we please until we destroy the continuum that prevents us from doing so."

"Wait, are you saying I'm bound to her with a continuum now? Like you are?" Milo's silence tells me everything I need to know. Just when I thought I didn't have to deal with this continuum bullshit anymore, I'm bound with yet another one. I resist the urge to sigh. "Same shit, different life."

Milo chuckles halfheartedly. "We'll deal with that issue in due time. For now, Mireya wants to see you, but you need to get presentable first. I'll take you to the protégé house where the others will help you get acclimated."

My brows draw in from his words. "There are others?"

"Yeah, bizarre as that may seem. Continuums are widely used here. Elite angels run their estates with the help of protégés. We are two of Mireya's many."