Straight from Heaven (Fallen Kingdoms I.)

Chapter 17 - Baba Yaga and the house with the rose garden

Valerie stood alone with her wings tore off and surrounded by demon corpses. She looked around and sighed. There was literally nowhere to go for her, Valerie clenched her teeth and pucked out the feathers from her wings. One of the demons said they worth quiet a nice sum. She put the feathers away and walked without any destination. From what she heard and learned, she expected Hell to be dangerous, scary and terrible. Filled with the screams of the sinners tortured by demons, the Mecca of lust, death and sins. She remembered of the teachings of the Bible...

"14:11 And the smoke from their torture will go up forever and ever, and those who worship the beast and his image will have no rest day or night, along with anyone who receives the mark of his name.

20:15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire.

13:50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. " - but as Valerie looked around for first glance the only description that seemed to fit Hell was.

" 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels!" - what appeared in front of her eyes was a huge city with dark colored buildings. Weird creatures walked up and down on the streets, chatting, or rushing an errand. If she excluded how they looked like, it was similar to a big city in human world. Many eyes widened at Valerie and she realized that here... She was the odd one. Her tore white dress, bleeding back, white skin and piercing blue eyes didn't fit at all into the crowd. Suddenly an old scarf covered her head and a lady with a huge hump smiled at her. First Valerie gasped out of fear. The lady's eyes were similar to a cat and her teeth pointy as a predator fish's. She was dragging her long tangled hair behind her and her nose was exactly how Valerie's mother described Baba Yaga. The lady whispered.

- I know sweety, but come with me, I'm not the worst person you'll ever see here. - Valerie was still doubtful but she had nothing to lose. The lady lead her out of town to an isolated little house, hidden between two huge mountains. The garden dried out and the house has seen better days as well. She lead the way and Valerie followed her still covered by the old scarf. Once they were inside, Valerie gave the scarf back and the lady offered her a seat next to a little fireplace. She sat in front of Valerie and handed her a weird smelling tea. At the stench of the liquid, Valerie's nose twitched and the old lady laughed.

- It tastes better than it smells. Don't worry sweety, it is made of herbs. It will help you to heal your scars. - although the lady looked scary, Valerie felt that she could trust her. She drank the tea and her wounds healed almost immediately.

- Thank you. - she mumbled and the lady pat her head.

- Now tell me, how did a beautiful, young girl end up here? - Valerie told her everything and at the end of her story the lady held both of her hands.

- You are very brave and pure sweety. I firmly believe that you don't belong here, but the justice system only works properly here. - she giggled bittersweetly. Valerie gathered her courage and asked.

- May I ask your name and why did you help me? - the lady smiled and leaned back in her armchair.

- As you might have guessed, I'm a witch. But I was gifted with the eyes that can see the truth, just as well as all my descendants.

This ability allows me to see behind the facade and really look at someone. When I first saw you, I immediately saw the power within you. Sweety, you are not God's creation. You are something different, mysterious, intangible even for him. This is why he caused you pain and sent you here... He wanted you to go to waste. I brought you here because you will bring a change into the world! Also I need a helping hand around the house. By the way, my name is Svetlana. - Valerie extended her hand.

- Valerie. - Svetlana smiled and slowly stood up.

- I'll make the bed for you Val. You had a really difficult day. - Valerie jumped up from the armchair and followed Svetlana, she helped her to make the bed and right before she fall asleep the witch caressed her head just as her mother used to. This brought tears into Valerie's eyes and she fall asleep thinking of what she had lost.

For the time being, Valerie helped Svetlana to revive the garden, with her remaining holy power she made the ground fertile and dozens of white roses grew around the house. Svetlana was really happy about them and taught some dark magic to Valerie so she could defend herself and hide her real powers. They cast a spell on the house together and hid it from the peaking eyes. After a couple of months, Valerie finally felt that she found her place and she might live peacefully by Svetlana's side. Valerie gave her feathers to Svetlana who happily went to trade them for more useful things. That was the last day Valerie saw her... Svetlana left the house early in the morning, she gave a peck on Valerie's forehead and waved from the gate they just fixed.

- Bye sweet Val! I'll be back before dark! - Valerie waved goodbye with a huge smile on her face thinking about how wrong the stories of the witches are. She spent the day fixing the roof and taking care of the roses, then Valerie went to prepare the dinner and made the table as well. But Svetlana didn't come home that night. Valerie waited, and waited until the darkness was complete, but the Witch disappeared. She got into black clothes and put her hair in a bun. Valerie covered her face with a scarf and the hood of her coat, that is how she went for the search of Svetlana. She arrived to the city and visited all the shops the witch usually stopped by. All the sales man said that she was there that day earlier, Valerie followed Svetlana's route until in a dark, remote alley she felt the witch's presence. Carefully she walked deeper into the darkness where the lights didn't even go and there she saw... Two huge demons were punching and kicking Svetlana. They pulled her up by her hair from the ground which already emitted and iron smell and was tainted by the beloved witch's blood. One of Svetlana's eyes were already plucked out, but her still intact eye met with Valerie's. She mouthed.

- Run Val... - but Valerie was boiling with anger. She had no intention of running away. Valerie was overwhelmed with rage. She felt she could tear apart the two nobodies who dared to harm the witch with her bare hands. The demons noticed her as well and let the witch go. They slowly got closer to the tiny human who clenched her fists and glared at them. Both demons were at least three meters tall, they were ripped with muscles and their faces were distorted by the disgusting glances they checked Valerie out with.

- What do we have here? - one of them asked and grabbed Valerie by the hood. The hood fall down revealing her beautiful face. The other demon whistled.

-And we thought that the only gem the Witch had were the angel feathers. - Valerie glanced at Svetlana who was barley alive.

- What a rare treasure! It's been ages since I saw a fallen angel! - the one holding Valerie laughed while he looked into her sky blue eyes.

- Enough! - Valerie whispered and they shut up.

- What did you just say? - the one holding her asked and Valerie growled.

- I've had Enough! - she lifted her face and Valerie's beautiful blue eyes were gone, they radiated with a vibrant orange and purple color just like fire. Before the demon could've released her, Valerie grabbed his arm and burned it down. The demon screamed in pain and tried to hit Valerie with his other hand but she jumped up using the wall and landed right at the hight of the demon's neck. With a grin on her face she grabbed his neck and looked into his eyes while she literally blew his mind. The demon fall to the ground without his head and one arm tore off. His companion tried to run away but before he could leave the ally he ended up burning in a white fire. He tried to scream for help but the voice couldn't leave his throat. Valerie walked to Svetlana and helped her up. The witch looked at Valerie with sadness while her eyes changed back to their original color, but the glance remained. Svetlana knew that Valerie crossed the line she tried to protect her from. After they went home, Valerie tried everything to help her recover, but nor her power, nor the spells work. A couple of days later, Valerie was sitting by Svetlana's bed and the witch said.

- Did you enjoy killing them? - Valerie rolled her eyes.

- Why are you still thinking about that? - Svetlana smiled.

- Just answer donkey! - Valerie sighed.

- I felt their pain... But I enjoyed it a little bit as well. Does this make me insane? - Svetlana sighed in relief.

- What was that?! - Valerie asked after hearing the sound and seeing Svetlana's peaceful smile.

- Nothing Val. You are not insane. The fact that you felt their pain but also enjoyed it makes you unique. This means there is still hope. Thank you for helping me and giving me hope that my descendants will grow up in a world that I could've only dream off.

- Hey! Stop talking like that! You are not going anywhere! - Svetlana squeezed Valerie's hand and smiled.

- You saved me and my soul Val, this is something I'll never be able to repay you. But I promise wherever I'm going after this, I'll always try to protect you and your family.

I'm glad our faith crossed sweety. - Valerie smiled at her words but she already felt the squeeze in her throat.

- Thank you for being my family Svety! - after that the Witch closed her eyes and her body disappeared. Valerie's tears fall like a waterfall next to the empty bed, but her sorrow soon changed into anger.

- I'll find their owner and exterminate the entire clan... They'll pay with their blood.