Straight from Heaven (Fallen Kingdoms I.)

Chapter 6- Path of bleeding roses

Valerie returned to the place she now had called home for decades. It was a very peculiar little house in one of the deepest recesses of hell. Valerie walked along the little and neat pathway what on either side were boarded carefully selected and tended hell roses. These flowers had their own enchanting beauty. They resembled a lot of the roses in the human world, but their color was so deeply black that they absorbed all light that surrounded them. This is why these roses were perfect to cover all the remaining light in Valerie's powers

Also their thorns had the most deadly poison, but these were only the top of the iceberg why Valerie loved them. They held a secret only she knew... Each time she brought a sinner soul into hell and that soul's main sins were one of the seven deadly sins, a rose started to bleed. That blood could purify someone's soul. She smiled and picked the bleeding rose. Valerie smelled it and the sweetest rose scent filled her nose. She grabbed a small bottle from her pouch and dripped the blood inside. Before stepping through the thick metal door, she pulled off her black leather gloves and ran her long fingernails over one of the dozens of names lined up on the door. She transformed into Michael's form again and crossed the threshold with a satisfied grin. The disguised Valerie threw her heavy and blood drenched coat on the hanger and leaned into her armchair. A tiny dark shadow rushed to her and kneeled in front of her feet.

- You are back at last, master! Belyar was beginning to worry that the lord might have run into an angel and he will never see the lord again! - Belyar was one of the few grim reapers living in Lucifer's realm. He became Valerie's sidekick when she killed for the first time. Belyar was smaller than the rest of his kind and often bullied by his size and appearance. He wasn't scary at all, on the other hand, he was more adorable than terrifying, at least when he was with Valerie. Only Belyar knew who Pandora's Apple was and his true identity. Valerie trusted him, but she kept her disguise on just in case. She kicked her boots off and pat the tiny Belyar's hooded skull head.

- Belyar is a crybaby! Always worrying for me without a real reason! - Belyar took Valerie's boots back to their places and shook his head.

- If I worry for no reason then why do we still have that sea of hell roses outside? - he asked mockingly and Valerie pulled her tongue at him. Although she spent already decades in Hell, she kept looking like an 18-20 years old woman. Obviously, only at the safety of her own realm. Belyar crossed his bone arms in front of his chest and Valerie laughed at the sight.

- Respect for my age my Lord! - Belyar said and Valerie only laughed more.

- Fine fine! Sorry! - she said and Belyar levitated to the kitchen. He came back with a cup of tea and a few cookies and placed on the tiny table next to Valerie's armchair. Her home looked like a normal human house from the inside although the outside was frightening... Walls covered with blood, a sea of black hell roses as Belyar described it. The barleys were made of bones as well as the lamps and the roof was made of black dragon scales, while the half of the house was craved into a huge hill. Valerie managed to save a few witches back then, in exchange her house had protection spells all over the place. She was proud of her little home, it was like a little fortress almost as strong as Lucifer's palace, well hidden from the peaking eyes. Belyar heated some water and prepared a footbath for Valerie, then pulled his own small armchair closer and sat on it.

-I heard that the Lord scratched the door. Who is out of the list? - Belyar asked with a smile. Valerie took a sip of her tea and closed her eyes.

- I finally got him Belyar.

- Him? You mean, you found that man? - Valerie opened her eyes and nodded at her sidekick and probably only friend.

- Congratulations sweetheart, I know for how long you have been waiting for today! - a single tear escaped from Valerie's eyes and Belyar offered a torn handkerchief for her. Valerie giggled while wiped off her tear. Only in Belyar's presence she could act like a fragile girl, and only in these times he called her "sweetheart" instead of Lord. For sinners and many demons Valerie was the worst nightmare ever, but for Belyar, she was the same little girl who took revenge for her sister.

- Thank you!

- Did you offer his soul to any of the Princes? - Belyar asked and Valerie nodded after she took another sip of her tea. It was nice to have a comforting voice and a lovely home.

- Yes, I took good use of the silvers he brought. You should have seen his face!

- You revealed yourself? - Belyar asked in surprise and his teaspoon fall from his hand.

- Of course! Such a golden opportunity mustn't be wasted!

- Well, that was a bold move, but I guess it's fine. I don't think he'll talk.

-Me neither, Fabian's soul now belongs to Prince Mammon.

- Why Mammon? - Belyar asked.

- Because Fabian managed to climb up the hierarchy ladder in the church while I was hunting down the sinners. He ended up being a bishop and if he had solved the mystery behind the dieing priests, he would have been promoted to an Archbishop. Mammon will teach him his place. - Valerie said while a wicked smile curved on her, now handsome face. Her appearance as Michael was basically the twin of Lucifer the King of Hell. Almost black hair, golden/ blood red eyes, white skin, beautiful features.

- Whenever you smile like this you look like the Devil. - Belyar said and Valerie laughed.

- I'll take that as a compliment dear Belyar!

- You wouldn't if you have ever met the King my Lord! - he said and Valerie took another sip trying to look as innocent as possible. Belyar didn't know, but she met Lucifer on the day she was thrown out of Heaven. Belyar went to prepare some dinner and Valerie sat on the sofa looking at the fireplace. People expect Hell to look like the inside of a volcano, but in reality Hell was cold, grey, windy, if she should describe it with one word, Hell looked like the impersonation of loneliness. Valerie closed her eyes and her memories took her back to the day she died by the hands of Fabian. A smile spread on her face imagining the feast Mammon held that day and she hoped that the faint scream she heard on her way home was Fabian's.

*Memories*

Fabian panted on top of her and Abigail tried to fight against the man. Her weak, young arms and legs were no match of a grown up man's. He covered her mouth while tore her light blue dress and Abigail cried because she was furious. She escaped from this man and now he was there enjoying himself to her pain and detriment. The pain he caused made Abigail slowly loose consciousness, just before her eyes closed the torture ended and she felt a familiar warm touch. Her mom held her in her arms. She was crying and Abigail heard his father shouting and hitting someone. With her last breath Abigail reassured her worried mother that Eunice was safe. Her eyes closed and she was gone. When Abigail opened her eyes again she was surrounded by butterflies and sitting on a beautiful clearing. Her favorite light blue dress was untouched and all the pain was gone. Someone walked to her and kneeled in front of Abigail. He was the kindest looking man she ever saw.

- Hi little girl, what's your name? - he asked and his voice sounded so warm and lovely.

- Abigail.

- Father's joy, I'm sure you lived up to your name Abigail, and brought lots of joy into your family's life. - the man said. He had white beard and hair, warm brown eyes and a sweet smile. Abigail immediately felt safe around him.

- Thank you, but could you please tell me who are you and where am I? - he nodded with a smile but his eyes were filled with sorrow. Such a beautiful and lovely child in his realm, with such a young age...

- My name is Saint Peter love, you are in the doors of Heaven.

- I'm dead. - Abigail said without hesitation but without a single shake in her voice. St. Peter's eyebrows ran up to his forehead in surprise.

- I'm afraid that is true. But don't be afraid.

- I'm not afraid.

- Really? - he asked and she smiled.

- Yes. Eunice is safe, and I'll meet my family who are already here.

- Unfortunately, God has another plan with you dear.

- What? Why? - Abigail asked and her eyes widened, this time with fear.

- He wants you to be a guardian angel.-Abigail looked around and asked.

- Can I protect my family that way? - St. Peter smiled and stood up offering his hand to Abigail.

- Of course and I can't imagine anyone more suitable for that position! - Abigail took his hand without hesitation and followed St. Peter through the gates of Heaven.

*+++++++++*

Valerie scoffed at her memory and said in front of her.

- Biggest mistake of my entire existence.