Chapter 11: "The Underworld"

It was warm, the soothing feeling of a presence hanging right beside me. A warm feeling ruffled through my hair, and heat came from my left before running through my body. It was comfortable, soft, and embracing. I wanted to sink deeper into it, to nuzzle the feeling while it traveled through my body. It felt like floating in the air, like my body was traveling to nothingness. It was relaxing and.. safe. 

I wondered why it felt so good, so comforting. Was it just because I fell asleep, or was it because the Gate Goddess stayed with me?

Whatever it was, it was slowly becoming numb. The feeling, I couldn't feel it anymore. I couldn't feel anything…

Then, it was bright. My eyes felt heavy, and my body felt stuck in place. I was greeted with a few shushing sounds from the entrance to the room. The room I was in was the same one I had created, with wooden walls and large bookshelves next to an open window. I groaned, pulling my tired body up from the comfortable bed.

"Shush Seth!" A quiet but stern voice whispered from behind me. 

I stretched my wings out, feeling the tense muscles extend with satisfaction. I pulled my body up and sat crisscrossed as the sounds of arguing continued behind me. I turned my head, spotting Seth and Bridget arguing behind me.

"Cut it out!" Bridget hissed, pulling on his sleeve.

"Don't be so loud-!"

"I'm awake, guys." I sighed quietly. The pair flinched, straightening their backs while looking back at me. 

I gave them a quick look, noticing their eyes looking down with an uncomfortable expression. I forced myself to relax, to stand up and off of the comfortable mattress, before walking over to the two. The pair pushed together, and Bridget slowly closed the door behind her before I could notice.

"What.." I trailed off, feeling confused and still oddly tired.

"We were worried about you," Seth said, stepping close to me. "We came in, and the Gate Goddess was here, so we waited outside until she left. She left about seconds before you just.. I guess—woke up?"

"I didn't know angels could actually sleep," Bridget whispered, looking at me in amazement. She shook it off, finding her voice, "but away from that. How are you? Are you feeling better? It looked like you were in a lot of pain."

"What?" I turned to the shorter girl, raising an eyebrow.

"You—back at the dance room in the palace. You had passed out and were withering in pain. The Gate Goddess came and took you away," the small angel shook her head. "We asked and found out you were resting in Angel's Cove. We also found out that you had been sleeping—something no one could do."

"Right, you told me something like that." I shook my head, feeling drowsy but still comforted that these two were worried about me. It made my chest feel warm and tight, almost sweet.

A sudden push and the pair fell in front of me. There was a rush of red, and a strong pair of arms suddenly embraced me. "I was worried, too! Oh, you poor angel!" Rory's cheerful voice spoke to me. They pulled away, slightly smirking when they saw my confused expression. "Did you miss me as much as I missed you?"

Before I could speak, Seth came between us and gently pushed me back with his wing. He shoved Rory away, who landed on Bridget. The small girl grumbled and tossed a glare at the redhead.

"We told you not to come," she scolded while Seth shook his head.

"I was worried about Vienna, little one," Rory said to Bridget in a small voice. The angel then turned back to me, flipping their draped sleeves over their back. The angel suddenly had a small plate with a small slice of cake on it.

It was tan-yellow with red icing and some whipped cream on top. The redhead laughed at my expression. I was baffled, but I had to guess that the food was cake—cheesecake or something similar.

"Here, for you," they put it in my hands, smiling proudly.

"Thanks..." I gave a small smile before picking up a small piece and trying it. 

As I ate the small cake, the three in front of me began to argue again. Rory started with their hands on their hips. "You guys came to check on her and didn't bring any treats? Shame."

"It's not required, though…" Bridget huffed out, looking slightly guilty.

"It would have been nice since you three are friends, right? Or did I read the room wrong?" 

Seth defended Bridget, stepping before her and blocking the redhead from the smaller angel. "Cut it out. This is just you trying to be all nice and better than everyone else, like always!"

"Oh, but aren't I a little better than you?" The angel smirked, leaning in closer to Seth.

The male blushed, looking embarrassed with his hands tightly squeezed to his side. I had just finished the slice when he started to yell at Rory, who erupted in laughter.

"Enough—stop it, Rory. You know how he gets," Bridget finally stepped in, pushing the giggling angel away from the blushing one.

Rory rolled their eyes while Seth crossed his arms and decided to ignore them. Bridget sighed as if she was exhausted with them. They were all still in my room; it started to feel crowded now that three others were here. The room was small, only housing a mattress and two bookshelves that were on the wall.

It would be better to leave, but I still wanted to be shown around this place they call Wonderland. So far, I have only seen the Goddess's Palace; where the cherubs stay, and Angel's Cove; where angels are. I knew there was a Pup's Cove and a Cupid Cove as well; it might be fun to check them out.

—And a nice thing to say when the atmosphere is this thick.

"Uhm, Bridget?" I called, stepping forward with the small plate still in my hands. The angel I called for nodded to me. "How about you guys finish showing me around? I would like to see places like maybe... Pup's Cove?"

"Oh, that's a great idea!" Rory suddenly spoke up, pushing over to hang an arm on my shoulder. 

"Wha—who said you were coming?" Seth stepped forward.

"Uh, me?" Rory gave a shrug, pulling me closer so they could pick the plate out of my hands. "Plus, I believe Vienna wouldn't mind me coming, right?" They looked down at me, a timid smile on their lips.

"Uh..." I looked at Bridget, who gave a calm and expecting expression. Seth, on the other hand, had a tight line on his lips and was shaking his head frantically.

"I think it will be okay if it's okay with you guys, of course."

Seth sighed, looking down at the wooden floor. Bridget smiled, "If it's okay with you, Vienna, then Seth and I don't mind." She nudged her elbow into his chest. "Right?"

"Right, right!" Seth replied with a forced smile.

Rory nodded their head, stepping in between us and taking the lead. We watched them walk out just as Rory tossed us a smile, "well, let's go."

"But where?" Seth grumbled, upset over Rory joining their tour.

Bridget turned to me, "where do you want to go, Vienna?"

"I would like to go and see Pup's Cove. If that's okay with you guys," I gave a small smile, trying not to sound as excited as I felt. 

Rory jumped up and down near the door. "Oh Pup's Cove! That's a great idea, Vienna; let's go suckers!" Before we could respond, the redhead bolted forward, only a few stray white feathers falling from behind them.

"Pup's Cove it is, then," Seth grumbled while stepping out the door. He jumped up and joined Rory, who began to shout at me and Bridget as we exited the room.

I stretched my wings out, looking up to the bright sky filled with angels and flashing white blurs. I spotted Rory and Seth, who began to mess around with each other—well.. mostly Rory who was the one messing with Seth. They seemed close by how they interacted with one another.

Before I could take off with hesitant but ready wings, Bridget grabbed my hand. I turned back to her when she stepped beside me with her wings out. "Hey, are you sure you're okay?" She spoke quietly, concern in her eyes.

"Of course, do I not look okay?"

"I meant back at the palace." Bridget shook her head, "even back to when you fell when you first tried to fly. You looked like you were in pain.. like you spaced out of existence and weren't even there."

I turned my gaze down, tightening my grip on her hand, where she squeezed back. I sighed, not knowing how to answer. "I don't know what's going on Bridget. My mind is just... In pain."

Bridget flinched, moving closer to speak but we were interrupted by a shout from above. Seth and Rory peered down at us. Seth was clearly annoyed while Rory motioned for us to hurry up.

Bridget took flight, releasing my hand but looking back down at me. I followed, struggling a bit to get off the ground at first. When I did, I found a steady pace, making my way up beside the three other angels who had no problems with flying like I did. Still, I kept my mouth shut and followed them with slow flaps.

Flying was hard, but the more I kept a tight and steady rhythm, the better I could find myself. It was getting easier; slowly but surely, I had better control of my movements when in the air. Taking deep breaths also helped to calm my heart and steady my rhythm.

Bridget found her way beside me, keeping her pace slow to follow my own while the other two traveled further ahead of us to where the other cove would be. Bridget took the time to start talking with me again.

"You felt pain? Like real pain?"

I looked back at her, feeling my body tense. "Uh.. yeah. I felt pain, but I don't even know why.."

Bridget looked back to the pair up in front of us. Her eyes were rimmed red, and her expression was tense. There was a brief pause before she spoke. "We can't feel pain. Pain is unknown to us here. The only place that anyone can feel pain... Is the Underworld."

"The what?"

Bridget trembled slightly, closing her eyes which were turning red. She looked scared and almost sad. I was about to retake my question when she suddenly spoke up. "It's the complete opposite of Wonderland; it's a horrible place that the goddesses don't normally tell us about. It's under us, far below the protective barrier of the gates where the Gate Goddess welcomes new angels." Bridget closed her eyes and began to stumble on her breath. "S—She protects the gate and keeps us safe from the demons down there; the other goddesses all have a purpose to protect us. But the.. the demons, they can feel pain. Down there, pain can sink through anyone, whether an angel or not... The Lords permit it, even if it hurts their own beings. I don't understand why the Lords do that, to their own kind as well!"

This wasn't making any sense. I was confused about what Bridget was mentioning. Like—what are Lords and demons? I didn't even know there was another world besides Wonderland. And what even is the Underworld? Why is it under us?

But what caught my attention was what she said about no one feeling pain here in Wonderland; the only place pain is possible is the Underworld.

So… Why do I feel pain?

I suddenly understood why Bridget looked so tense. Those thoughts stiffened my body, making my blood run cold and causing sweat to run down my temple. I didn't know what the Underworld was, but judging by the look on Bridget's face and her explanation, it was probably a horrific place.