The Mythical Realm
A tender hand stroked the side of Adele’s face, waking her. She opened her eyes and smiled upon seeing Maxwell. “Couldn’t sleep?” she asked, reaching her arms up to his sides as he slowly moved.
“No. I couldn’t stop thinking of you.” Maxwell’s eyes held softness as he closed them and leaned in, softly pushing his lips to hers. Adele returned the kiss. She couldn’t remember her first kiss, but this one was more meaningful.
Her legs spread, welcoming him to lay upon her body, as she broke the kiss. “Do you think we should?” She was concerned about what this would do to his chances of getting back into Heaven. “What about Gabriel? Won’t he hear us?” Her questions were met with kisses on her neck. His cheek pressed into her jaw, forcing her head up, letting him devour her skin with his mouth. “Maxwell, I’m serious.” She pushed him off, refusing to give him the kisses he wanted.
His eyes stared down at her, piercing her soul. “I’ve already fallen, and I have already paid for my crime. Don’t you want to?” he asked, holding himself off her body with his strong arms. “Don’t you want me?”
Her hands danced over his shirt, pushing it up to feel the muscles underneath. The feel of his flesh against her fingertips sent shivers throughout her body. She wanted him with everything in her, but something told her to stop. Her eyes rolled and closed. She couldn’t help but give in to her desires, ignoring her inner voice. Her lips met his jaw and she wrapped her arms around him, bringing his body down on hers again.
Maxwell moaned deeply. “Do you accept me?”
“Yes,” she whispered against his throat. “I need you.”
While they fumbled with each other’s clothes, Gabriel began to stir, rolling over to his side. His eyes opened when he heard Maxwell’s voice and Adele’s moans. Slowly, his hands moved over his ears. He didn’t want to hear this, to be so close as his brother gave in to his desires. He didn’t want to stop the two of them, either. If he didn’t give in to the act, he wasn’t damning himself. Maxwell already was, but something moved him to wonder if Adele partaking would damn her…again. He was there to help, but he didn’t know if this was the right way. He had watched man from above. This was an act of purest love, but he had seen the brutality of it when it was not fueled by love, but by conciseness. What some men and women could do to another was horrifying to him. A heavy sigh escaped his chest and he tried to go back to sleep.
Across the camp, Adele’s hands ran up Maxwell’s stomach as his held her hips. “I need you.” Her voice rang in his ears as she straddled his waist. He smiled. He wanted her, as well. His hand roamed over her naked flesh, taking time to enjoy the hardened nipple upon her full breast. Suddenly, he smacked her off him.
“You are not her!” He grabbed the woman by the throat and his lips drew back, exposing his teeth. “What are you? Where is Adele?”
Gabriel clearly heard the anger in Maxwell’s voice. Curious, he removed his hands from his ears and jogged over to his brother’s shelter. He was holding Adele by the throat, so Gabriel quickly moved, knocking Maxwell to the side. “What are you doing?!”
The woman began to cry behind parted fingers.
“That is not Adele!”
A loud sigh came from Adele’s shelter and the two angels turned toward it, seeing a male that looked like Maxwell above her. Seeing this, the real Maxwell grabbed the woman again, as Gabriel ran over and grabbed the male by his neck and began pulling him off Adele. Stretching from the mouth of the man into Adele’s own was a long, bluish-white stream. She screamed and began gasping for air, gathering her clothing over her body to hide her breast. “What are you doing?!” she yelled at Gabriel.
“This is not Maxwell.” He continued pulling the man toward the real Maxwell’s shelter as the creature struggled, fingers scrambling against the ground, hoping to grab onto something to stop himself.
“What are you?” Maxwell demanded of the woman as Gabriel walked back in, dragging the creature. Her eyes began to change from Adele’s icy blues to a deep blood red. “Damn you, Succubus!”
“We have an Incubus, as well,” Gabriel said, throwing the demon toward Maxwell. “He entered her, but didn’t finish.”
Maxwell released the woman and stood at his brother’s side, both demons huddling in the corner of Maxwell’s shelter. “Why are you here?” Gabriel asked, his sword materializing in his hand and pointing directly at their faces. “Who sent you?”
The woman rubbed her neck as the man spoke. “You’re in our woods. This is our domain.”
“Reveal yourselves!” Maxwell screamed, enraged.
Slowly, the male changed, morphing into a dark black creature with a blood red tint to his skin. His hair was short and black, and he was handsome, but he was no Maxwell. From his lower back, a thin tail sprouted, wrapping around his leg. “You are in our home, foreigner.” The man’s voice had changed, as well, no longer mimicking Maxwell’s. His was deep and ethereally angelic. His eyes were the last to change, going from grey irises to the solid red already showing in the female’s eyes.
“Change, Succubus!” Gabriel pointed his weapon at her. She shook her head. He then pushed the tip of the sword against her throat. “Do it or I will end you. I swear on my existence.”
When she changed, Maxwell’s eyes went wide. He knew her. She was the woman he had slept with before heading out to find Adele. He had wondered why a member of mankind was so curious of his knobbed wings, yet not afraid of them. Her body changed to reflect the Incubus’, her hair long and blonde. She blinked several times, then hung her head.
“You… It makes sense now,” Maxwell whispered. Gabriel looked at his brother, confused. Maxwell spoke again, never taking his gaze off the Succubus. “She was in my apartment. I slept with her before I left to find Adele. You let in Azazel, didn’t you?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He turned, seeing a now clothed Adele heading his way. “Don’t speak to me. I don’t want to hear it,” she said, moving past both of them. She grabbed Gabriel’s sword, stabbing the male in the chest. The female screamed when Adele looked at her. “You touch Maxwell again, I will do this to you.”
Adele was angry, throwing the sword down at the demoness’ feet before turning and leaving her to the mercy of the angels. She couldn’t believe she didn’t listen to that nagging inner voice. She gave in too quickly, instead of being patient. She felt incredibly stupid and didn’t want to face Maxwell right now.
“Take care of her,” Gabriel said, reaching for the sword at the demoness’ feet, as Maxwell turned and moved toward Adele. “What did you mean this is your domain, demon?”
“These woods are the woods of Hell. This is the Mythical Realm. The veil is thinnest here. You can see Earth, but they cannot see you unless you let them. We’re in a plane parallel to Earth.”
“Was that how you were able to get to Maxwell?”
“Azazel said he could get Eshu to free me if I helped him kill Maxwell. He promised Eshu Maxwell’s and Adele’s souls.”
Gabriel realized the plot was thick. “Why?”
“None of us want damnation. Eshu let me find Maxwell at his bar, I tracked him to another, and he took me home. If he had not, I would’ve adapted to another form, then another until he did. The male was supposed to kill Lilith reborn.” The female began using the tip of her finger to draw in the loose dirt of the shelter. She drew a single line vertically, then five across, each smaller as they descended from the top horizontally. Starting from the bottom, she began explaining. “This is the Hellish Realm.” She then moved her finger to the second line from the bottom. “This is the Mystical Realm, where you are now.” She explained the middle line. “Earthly Mortal Realm.” Her finger moved to the second from the top. “This is the Outer Realm.” Pointing to the final line, she explained, “This is the Heavenly Realm.” Gabriel listened to her intently, learning about realms he’d never heard of before. He only knew of the three main ones…Hell, Heaven, and Earth.
When she was finished, Gabriel swung the sword, quickly beheading the demoness. He had to end her because their kind wouldn’t give up. He moved and beheaded the Incubus for good measure. He knew the only safe way to kill them was to behead them. A stab to the heart didn’t work, and not all Demons had them anyway. Blessing them wouldn’t work, either. Born of Demons, these were sad, pitiful creatures with uncontrollable urges. Staring at the beheaded Demons made him wonder if this urge, this uncontrollable, merciless, unmindful seduction was what Hannibal had endured with his hunger.
Out of range of Gabriel and the demoness’ conversation, Maxwell quietly stood at Adele’s side. He would await her words before speaking. He wondered what she was thinking.
“I didn’t know the difference. He smelled like you. He felt like you. I’m so stupid,” she mumbled. “Why couldn’t I tell it was a demon? I always could before.”
“I cannot say for sure,” Maxwell whispered.
“The Woods of Hell… We’re still in Hell. That’s why,” Gabriel answered, walking up to them. “We thought we were on Earth, but we’re not. The veil is thin here, so it threw us all off. You are also having trouble deciphering demons because of Maxwell. His being close to you will overwhelm your senses. Any others pose a danger because you’re used to him. You can tell I’m different because I am, but they’re more like Maxwell, so you wouldn’t notice a difference. Once you are home with those like you and away from this place, your senses will go back to normal.”
It was a harsh reminder to Maxwell that, at the end of the day, he was more demon than angel, no matter how angelic his intentions. Adele didn’t like it, but she understood it. Gabriel hated that he had to say such things, but he had been the bearer of bad news most of his life. He spoke again. “I know it’s not the best, but it’s the truth.”
“I just want to get the hell out of here,” Adele said, exhausted. She merely wanted to rest, beginning to feel like she would never be able to sleep peacefully again.
“The only thing we can do is rest, then start out in the morning,” Maxwell said, watching Adele move past him.
“Right now, this body needs rest more than anything. Whoever gets up first should start a fire and find something to eat,” Gabriel said, stretching. “Once we’re ready, we’ll start out. The demoness said the veil is thin, which means that, as long as we travel toward the witches, we’ll eventually get to them. They will be able to help us get out of here. Goodwitch will sense we are trapped and break through. No need to find a doorway.”
In the morning, after another meal of fish, they made small leaf pouches, gathered up some water, and headed in the opposite direction of the doorway they had come through. None of them were sure what direction was west, leading them to the witches, but they continued. Adele marveled at the familiarity of this place. The trees looked like the ones on her plane, the water tasted like home, and even the sky looked familiar…blue and clear with birds flying across it. One could easily get lost, thinking they were going in circles.
Giggles caught their attention as they attempted to cross the river. Four females rested against boulders, splashing each other. Two had auburn hair, one an aquatic blue, and the fourth a rich, dark purple.
“What are they?” Adele asked Maxwell, stopping mid-stream. “Mermaids?” As one of them moved, she could see they didn’t have fins or a tail, things she would’ve typically thought about a Mermaid, and her curiosity got the best of her.
The purple-haired girl splashed one of the pale redheads and laughed. The other smiled at this and began braiding her hair, humming beautifully.
“Cover your ears if you begin hearing them sing. They’re Sirens.” Maxwell grasped her hand. “They’ve been known to draw many men to their deaths. They stay in and near water sources, such as oceans and rivers, hypnotizing you with their brilliant voices, luring you to your doom.”
Gabriel had continued walking, uninterested in the women. He wanted to get on with the journey. Maxwell tugged Adele’s hand and they quickly caught up to the older angel.
“You know, for a place known as Hell’s Woods, it doesn’t seem so hellish. It’s more enchanting.” Adele dropped Maxwell’s hand and walked next to Gabriel.
“Think of it like an elaborate trap. What would you want to stay in more? Something comfortable or uncomfortable? A hunter puts bait out to lure in an animal, making it comfortable before the trap goes off. It’s just a large illusion to keep you here,” Maxwell explained, walking behind the pair. “I suppose it’s more hellish than it appears because of that.”
Adele cut her eyes back to Maxwell, who nodded at something. She turned forward just in time to see some small, fairy-like creatures fly by, chasing a dragonfly. She smiled, the only one of the trio to be happy there. Gabriel was stoic, wanting to leave as soon as possible. Maxwell was more laid-back, enjoying the view from behind. The more he thought about what had happened back at the campsite, the more he got an ego boost. He could have her if he wanted. That Incubus only answered what he had wondered, but didn’t dare try himself.
His eyes danced over her swaying hips as she walked. He couldn’t deny it. She was a gorgeous work of God’s own hands. He wondered if Gabriel had begun having those thoughts yet…the undeniable attraction toward the daughters of men, or maybe he found the sons of men more beautiful. After all, love was love. Attraction wasn’t based in the outer shell but in the person’s soul.
The only angels who never felt anything toward them…or mankind, in general…had never been in contact with them. The act that was punishable was the birth of the Nephilim, not the loving of their mothers. He had never met one of his fallen sisters who gave birth to a Nephilim. There were rumors, but it wasn’t confirmed. Some say the sisters didn’t fall because of Nephilim, but for their waging of wars. That the sisters could handle the births, and that children from an angelic mother were born perfect and without mutations. He smiled, remaining quiet.
Deeper into the woods, the trees began to change, moss and vines hanging in their path. The ragged forest floor became more kept, and a small dirt path emerged amongst the rocks and grass. The dirt slowly changed into sculpted cobblestone leading up to a small white and brown cottage. The windows held window boxes containing various colored flowers. Although it looked safe, something about it didn’t settle well for the trio. Each of them looked at it distrustfully.
“Who do you think lives here?” Adele asked, looking at the small, sculpted bushes in the shapes of mythical animals.
Gabriel moved around to the side of the house and saw a figure in a dirty grey robe bent over, picking vegetables from her garden. “Hello?” he said, startling the woman. She turned, grabbing her chest. Her wrinkled face was round, her hair white, and her skin pale and flaky like Kokabiel’s.
“You scared me half to death, angel.” As she fully turned around, a blue, dirt-covered apron with large pockets could be seen. She smiled at Gabriel. Maxwell came to his brother’s side, Adele in tow. “And you have brought guests. Wonderful!” She began to move past Adele, but her face tilted up, staring at the young woman for a moment, squinting her eyes, then smiling. Her hands gripped the sides of Adele’s face. “I’ve been waiting for you, my dear. I saw beautiful things, but I’m not sure if it’s an actual vision or just my mind playing tricks on me.”
Adele smiled. The woman let her go and began heading off toward the cottage, expecting the trio to follow, which they did. It was as if the garden and nature had claimed the inside of the cottage, as well. Herbs hung from strings spanning from one side of the cabin to the other. Small ferns and potted plants had overgrown their clay habitats, growing down to the floor and up the edges of the windows. The furniture was handmade, from the bed that was situated on the entire side of the cottage to the table resting near the old-world kitchen. Wooden flooring was covered with rectangular and circular handmade rugs. The only things hanging on the walls were more herbs and plants, and a bookcase had been overrun with vines from nearby plants. The books, old and dusty, appeared to be floating on the vines stretching across the shelving.
“Come. Take a seat,” the old woman said, pulling out three chairs from the wooden table, taking her own spot on a large, overstuffed, worn blue armchair to the side of a large window overlooking the backyard and garden. To the side of this chair was a small circular end table, a large pile of books upon it, several more resting on the floor.
Adele and Maxwell took seats across from her, while Gabriel looked the old woman over a few minutes longer before sitting down. “Who are you?” he asked. He saw Adele looking at the exposed wood beams of the ceiling, which held more potted plants, books, and lighting. She smiled when she spotted a fat black cat sleeping on a small cushion in one of the corners.
The woman sat up, straightening her back as she spoke proudly. “I am Goodwitch Bishop. At least on this plane. Goodwitch of the Mortal Realm is Goodwitch Anya. I am full known Goodwitch Sophia Bishop. We are twins.”
“If you’re twins, why are you here? I would think you’d wish to remain together,” Maxwell asked, confused. “Are you the one with whom I’ve been communicating?”
“No, but that Goodwitch has spoken to me. Anything on this side of things, I can communicate with her. She can do the same with me, and both of us are able to help the family in this way.” She paused and looked at Maxwell. “I chose to be here after our family was attacked by vampires. That world is too harsh for me. I live here undisturbed…for the most part.”
“Can you help us get Adele back home?” Gabriel asked.
“I can,” the old woman said, smiling. Adele was close to tears. Someone who could help them? Her leg crossed over at her knees and she began to relax. “Don’t get too comfortable, child. Your journey is not over just yet,” Goodwitch Sophia explained. “There are many dangers here, just like at home. I know the demon Kokabiel is still after you. My home is a sanctuary, but can only do so much.”
“What do you know?” Maxwell asked, watching the warm way Goodwitch looked at Adele. Her smiling eyes held such love when she looked at the pale woman.
Goodwitch’s attention was drawn back to Maxwell. “My messengers have brought me news that Kokabiel will be attacking again. He wishes to do it soon.” She looked at Adele. “You have much to learn about your foes, and your lessons will begin now. Kokabiel was once a powerful angel. He was charming to those around him, and when he fell, he fell very hard. He embraced the darkness. His charm gave him strength and control over others, and he formed his own army of minions to do his bidding.”
Gabriel and Maxwell set back, letting the woman explain.
“Maxwell killed Azazel. He was a fallen angel who was once the Angel of Death. He welcomed the souls of all things human and animal over to the beauty of Heaven. Yeqon is gone now, as well. He was a Watcher who had turned evil before all others, even before they fell. He charmed the other angels by putting ideas into their heads. He condoned things he shouldn’t have, taking pleasure in it. He also took great pride in his appearance, taking on other forms he found pleasurable to his own eyes, like a tall elf. However, that is nothing of what real elves look like. Kokabiel killed him not too long ago. I could hear his screams all the way here. I’m sure they could’ve heard him in the other planes or ‘realms’, as they’re sometimes called.”
Adele listened carefully. “I don’t understand much.” Her eyes dropped to her lap then came back up to focus her voice, “How is all of this possible? How can so much exist beyond Earth, beyond that life?”
“You have either been misled greatly or have not been educated enough. So much in that realm is merely fiction, but there is also some truth. The Romans and Greeks spoke of great gods and mythical creatures. That is because many things were seen since this plane is thin. We exist at the same time, just at different locations. Think of it this way. Someone can live in London, while someone else lives in New York. They exist at the same time but at different locations. I’m sure you’ve seen things like Bigfoot or Yeti in the news. Those things aren’t made up. They’re very real, but you will not find them because they live here.” Sophia was patient and slow with her words, explaining like a true teacher to a student. “Do you see how it’s possible?”
Adele nodded. “Like Gabriel lives in Heaven and Maxwell down here.”
The old woman smiled and clapped her hands. “By Creator, she’s got it!”
She then got up, placing her hand on top of a black kettle upon her old stove. It began to whistle, and she poured her guest's fresh cups of tea. Without asking, she prepared each cup differently, already knowing what each would like. Gabriel with no sugar, just black; Maxwell with sugar and cream; Adele with extra creamer and a little sugar. She smiled and handed each their cup, grabbing the last for her.
“I knew you were coming. You were almost hit by a few of my messengers as they were chasing their lunch in the forest some time back.”
“The Fairies… They were Fairies, right?” Adele asked.
Goodwitch Sophia nodded and smiled, taking a sip of her white cup. “That is correct. Goodwitch Anya uses crows, which are very wise beings, but I prefer other things. Given the place I live, Fairies seem appropriate.”
“What exactly are we? Maxwell told me we’re witches.”
“We are indeed witches, but don’t be misled by what you’ve heard about them over there. Witches, real ones, are more attuned to nature. We can use it in ways many others cannot. Because you embraced the gift, it has been passed down through the centuries. We ask nature, and nature provides. Now, don’t get me wrong. There are bad witches in the realms. They are good witches who accepted darkness within them. When they died, they were turned into demons or darklings. Nothing good comes to those who do things like this. No matter where you live, the soul is either good or bad.”
She was holding something back, something dark about her twin sister. Gabriel tilted his head, noticing it in her eyes.
“What are you hiding?” he asked, wanting to know what a good soul like this would hide that was so dark.
“I don’t want any of you to think ill of my sister because her fate is undetermined.”
“What does that mean?” Adele asked, her brows pushed together in confusion. “Should I go to her for help?”
Sophia waved her hands, dismissing Adele’s fears. “It’s nothing like that. You see how old I am? Anya doesn’t show it. We’re more than one hundred years old. I live where many things are possible, like living where aging is slowed down greatly, but her chances of a longer life in a world that isn’t very much beyond one hundred is dark. She walked a pathway of darkness to longevity. We’re witches, but when nature says it’s time for us to come back home, to the Earth, we’re supposed to. She fights nature on this topic.”
Adele knew then what Goodwitch Anya had done. Immortality. “So, she’s a vampire?”
Sophia tilted her hand back and forth. “Eh... It’s a grey area. Sophia dances the line. If she stops drinking, she would ultimately have to give into nature, but her continuing to do so… Well, she will live as long as there is an immortal donor.”
Gabriel and Maxwell intrigued, continued drinking the warm tea as the women exchanged gossip. Life had a way of adapting. Over time, all things living found ways to help themselves through evolution, adapting for survival. Both of them felt that this survival method was just that. Anya was doing what she felt she must, even if the end result was the possibility of damnation.
“She is a very good person and has been doing good deeds a very long time. She helped find our family and bring them together. That is why she is who she is. When you get to her home, you will have a large family to embrace you, protect you, and teach you. Hopefully, they will teach you and not ship you off to one of the Alexandrian Society’s little academies.”
“Wait… What?” Maxwell’s eyes shot to Sophia. “She promised me she wouldn’t do that. She said she and the others would teach her.”
“Then she will. It’s not beyond expectation for them to send newfound witches to the academies for further learning and boarding,” Sophia explained, both Gabriel and Adele lost to what the Alexandrian Society was.
“What’s the Alexandrian Society?” Adele finally asked. “Some group of librarians or something?” She snorted, quickly stopping when she saw Sophia’s eyebrow raise.
“Yes, in fact. The oldest librarians dating back to the Great Alexandra Library. They’re the keepers of history and knowledge, helping those deemed special among the other mortals. They have helped many humans, werewolves, and vampires. They’re brilliant, but they’re too stuffy for me.” She grimaced and shook her head, waving her hand in the air. “No, thank you. Let me take up my own books and learn what I want when I want.”
Adele finished her tea and held the empty cup, amazed at this new world she was going to be entering. It was so much bigger than what she was used to. She smiled to herself, pleased by this. “Do you have anything to eat? I’m really hungry. We ate some fish, but it wasn’t much.”
And with that, Goodwitch Sophia began cooking them a meat and vegetable soup using the items she’d been gathering from her garden when they arrived. Herbs, plucked from the strings, were added. More tea was made, and the table set. The cat came down because of the smell of food and ignored the guests, focusing his attention on his small wooden bowl into which Sophia had been tossing small bits of meat and gristle she wasn’t going to be using. The cat purred and cleaned himself, as the rest of them began quietly eating.
As cups became empty, Sophia waved her hand, filling them. She chuckled when Adele stared down into the cup, amazed. This was all so beautiful to her. This was the world she’d only thought was in fairytales and daydreams. It was everything she wanted and then some. When Sophia’s messengers arrived with tiny cups of their own, Adele decided she wanted to live here when her lessons were over. She wished nothing more than to be with Goodwitch Sophia and away from the world she’d grown up in.
The Fairies looked insect-like. Their large, quickly moving wings, like a hummingbird’s, were slightly see-through between the veins, and their slick bodies were sectioned like an ant’s, tiny legs and arms holding out their cups. They weren’t like typical Fairies. They were like small, insect people. Their eyes were large and far apart, their mouths human-like, and one even had make-up on. As Sophia used her finger to collect the tea into drops, she touched it to their cups, letting some of the dark liquid fill the tiny vessels in their hands. Each touched Sophia’s fingertip in gratitude. They slumped down in the window, one taking the left side and one taking the right, and began sipping the warm liquid.
“They’re adorable. Look at them enjoying it,” Adele said softly, not wanting to scare them off.
“They should enjoy it. It’s like getting high and drunk at the same time for them. I haven’t figured out what it is in the leaves that does it to them, but they’re quite the entertainment when they’re done.” Sophia laughed and the others joined in, all watching the two little creatures enjoying their warm drinks.
The Fairies began chirping in an almost continuous hum, like a cat’s purr, as the liquid began to affect them. One dropped his cup to the side, falling asleep, a small stream of drool forming and dropping on his chest, as the other began to try and stand, pushing her hand against the edge of the window. Finally getting her footing, she stood with the cup to her mouth, her other hand smacking the bottom of it, forcing every last tiny drop into her mouth. She dropped the cup, made a small burp, and wiped her mouth. When she smiled up at Adele from across the room, her lipstick was smeared across her mouth. She hiccupped, falling out the window and into the flowers just on the windowsill. Fast asleep, she curled up, moving her arm to pull the dirt up over her body like a blanket.
“That’s the fastest I think I’ve ever seen them fall asleep afterward. It must have been the warmth of the tea this time,” Sophia commented as the two men began chuckling. Adele simply smiled, watching them.