Vindication - A Heavenly Adventure

Chapter XII - Absolution

The group stumbles out of the portal, one member after the other, each of them taking in their new surroundings as they stand on the inside of Heaven's Gates.

AT HEAVEN'S GATES

Leo – So where do we go now? I've never been here before, and I'm not looking for a tour at the moment, so someone needs to guide me.

Kai - We haven't been here for the longest time, we were cast out pretty much at the same time. I barely remember where things were.

Vance – Amanthiel was the last one here, so he should guide us.

Amanthiel is already sporting a thoughtful expression, considering the safest routes to take.

Amanthiel – We should go over the plan, then decide where to move first.

Lucia – Well, we need to gather supporters before we face The Court. So we need to go somewhere really crowded to deliver a loud message that hopefully will sway some people to help us take the fight to them.

Annie – They need to fight for themselves. The ones who are not completely brainwashed will see that.

Amanthiel – If the objective is to deliver the message to as many people as possible, the Megatheater Marketplace is the place to go.

Leo – What is that?

Amanthiel – It looks like one of your theaters aspectwise, and it has around the same width and length but about ten floors. The place where the chairs would be is hollow and instead the corridors are larger and lined with stalls with pretty much everything from technology to food to hygiene products, etc... it's the most populated place in Heaven and it has a pretty good accoustic, so everyone should hear us if we speak loud enough.

Leo – Sounds like a plan. Is there a window near the top?

Amanthiel – Yes actually, there's a skylight above the whole hollow space in the middle. Why?

Leo – If we speak from the top, it would be easier to escape through the skylight in case trouble finds us.

Vance – Good thinking. The people who stand with us won't be in any danger until they join the fight, so we should concern ourselves only with getting to the Sanctuary in time to lead the charge.

Kai – So after we say our piece at the Megatheater, we waltz right into the Sanctuary and fight right?

Lucia – You say that as if it's simple.

Annie – I would say that as if it's fun.

Vance – We've been knew sis.

Kai – Alright, it's settled then. Amanthiel, please get us to where we need to go.

Amanthiel leads the group through Heaven's more secluded streets, already gathering attention since they were the only ones not in angel form, looking like humans amongst angels. No one suspects some of them are demons, but they still find the situation peculiar. Why would an angel assume a human form in Heaven? Soon enough though, they reach the Megatheater.

AT THE MEGATHEATER MARKETPLACE

They enter cautiously, and head to the teleportation stations that angels use to move effortlessly between floors. When they reach the top floor, they see many angels sitting on tables in front of small food stalls. Below them, the other floors are also bustling with movement. They all transform into their angel/demon selves and fly above the hollow space. Annie flies forward, clearing her throat to grab everyone's attention.