The Celestial Gate by Avital Dicker (red white royal blue txt) 📗

My wings are cramping and wet. And, in any case, I can’t take more than one.”

Waves began to swirl around them, and the reason became apparent as the Dakar’s black iron cap burst out of the water. “I was sure the submarine imploded,” Yam muttered shocked, staring at the vessel.

“How silly,” said Enochio, “based on the regulations that recently went into effect, we’re obligated to see to the mental health of all creatures. Otherwise, they just pass their problems on to future incarnations,” he sighed. “In any case, the soldiers and the submarine are here to end their life’s journey and we’re here to allow them to reach port so they can continue to their next incarnation without any old residue.”

“What? So the submarine doesn’t sink?” Anise asked.

“Not exactly. Here, in heaven, it doesn’t sink, but down there it did,” the angel countered. “In any case, this isn’t the time for long explanations,” he said, looking at Roy’s head peeking out of the turret. One of the cannons started to turn in their direction.

Yam looked at the Orphils that were quickly closing the distance and then at the submarine on their other side. “I think we have to move,” he said and, without asking for permission, grabbed Enochio by his large waist. “Whenever would be great, but I think this is a really good time to take off,” he politely suggested to the chubby angel.

“I told you I have no intention of carrying you on my back,” Enochio said bitterly, but another look at the muzzle of the cannon now pointing directly at them convinced him, and he rose into the air.

Anise and Mor quickly swam to Rae and held her around her midsection. Her takeoff was remarkably light and graceful.

“Maybe we ought to go a little faster?” Yam tried to urge Enochio on, but the angel insisted on flying annoyingly slowly at almost the same level as the sea.

“We ought, huh? You ought to be thanking me for taking you in the first place,” the red-faced, sweating angel rasped. But just then, the Orphils started shooting, leaving Enochio no choice. He flapped faster and they rose a bit higher.

Just when Roy shouted “Fire!” the torpedo exploded in the water and high waves rose up causing the Orphil vessel to wobble wildly. Another shell was fired, casting a heavy smoke screen over the sea.

Enochio pointed at the bogo. “Are you willing to get him off my trousers?” he asked Yam, who laughed with relief and pulled the strange critter into his arms. Now visible and clear, they continued through the sky slowly and without further interruptions.

Rae was meanwhile flying with impressive speed, making no sign that the extra weight bothered her. Anise’s eyes were tightly closed; she was busy praying the flight would end soon, as the height was making her dizzy. Mor, on the other hand, was ecstatic. With the wind in his face, he felt weightless and free. The fact that Anise was grasping him tightly made the moment virtually perfect. He couldn’t remember ever having been this happy.

By now, the submarine was far behind them. They were flying above a small island populated by animal species Mor couldn’t identify. The sight was splendid. Dry land was now coming closer, and Rae lowered altitude.

“Anise,” Mor shouted, trying to make himself heard over the rush of wings, “look!” He pointed at two horses below that had just emerged from the water and were walking onto the beach. First taking a deep breath, Anise willed her eyes open just in time to see the horses below neighing mightily and shaking their manes dry, splashing shards of water onto the warm sand.

Anise stared down at the thick jungle reaching down to the beach. Songbirds flew over her almost within touching distance. She was overcome by the beauty. Just then, Rae veered steeply down, shrieking with delight and completely forgetting Mor and Anise. Anise choked back a scream and closed her eyes again. When Rae did a loop in the air, Anise swore she’d never again go flying.

Enochio, however, continued to make painfully slow progress, buffeted sharply up or down with every little breeze. Yam, suffering acute motion sickness, wondered if angels went to flight school before being awarded their wings. It’s unlikely, he thought, because Enochio would surely have failed.

By contrast, Rae executed a perfect landing. Anise’s hand had left a red mark on Mor’s shoulder.

“You can open your eyes now,” Mor laughed, brushing sand off his pants. “And let go of me too, because it’s starting to hurt.” He gently removed her arm and approached the horses merrily neighing their welcome to him.

Enochio landed several minutes later with a clumsy thump, sending Yam rolling onto the sand. Sitting up, he looked at the two suns starting to set over the sea, the sky above turning pastel shades. A grateful Anise lay spread-eagled on the warm sand, repeating her promise to herself never to fly again.

Resting on the shore, all were glad to feel the ground under their bodies again. Except for Yam. He couldn’t calm down. He knew it was only a matter of time before the Orphil guard would close the gap. Those guys looked invincible.

It then occurred to Yam that they may be safer in the jungle, hidden in the thick vegetation, but it seemed unlikely that any of the group, as exhausted as they were, was willing to move. He decided to enter the jungle by himself for a short recon before sunset and find a comfortable place to spend the night in relative safety. He rose and walked toward the wall of green. Anise, sensing his movement, sat up and looked at Mor reprovingly. Mor tried to avoid her stare, but the damage had already been done. After a few breaths, he stood up with a sigh and joined Yam.

“You owe me big-time,” he said to Anise before disappearing among the trees.

Chapter 27

Although the firefight continued, it was quiet in the cemetery. Amalia, leaning against