Snippet #2347053

The scene that Nathaniel appeared in was one of perfect tranquility. As the light of his transition between planes faded, he found himself within a small grove. The grove was surrounded on all sides by trees of all shapes and sizes, leaves of all colours. Amongst them were both ancient giants that towered into the sky and little saplings sprouting from the leaf-covered ground. There was a pool at the center of the grove, dotted with lily pads and filled with perfectly clear water. A rocky stream led away to a tall ridge that extended away into the treetops, out of sight.

The colours of the scene were not quite natural. The green and brown hues that you would expect from a grove were there of course, but they were joined by surreal oranges and blues, purples and reds, blending in just well enough that unless you were looking carefully you would miss them, and only get the feeling that there was something off about the place. Something supernatural.

And of course, there was. This grove wasn't a natural occurrence, but rather the constructed home of Avaria, a Divinity. Spirit of Life, of the World, of Terra - some would call her a demi-goddess, others an elemental. She wasn't quite either, but rather something in between.

Nathaniel breathed in the perfectly clear air deeply as the warmth and energy of the place washed over him. This was his home, where his creator dwelled and where he could recuperate and gain strength. That wasn't why he was here today, though. Instead, he had been called.

"Avaria?" he spoke as he approached the side of the pool, leaves crunching beneath his boots. "I'm here."

The water rippled, as though a pebble had been dropped into its center. The lily pads and other plants warped, seeming to begin to merge together as a shape started to ascend from the water, forming steadily into a humanoid figure. Finally, rising up to hover a few inches above the water, the figure of Avaria herself looked down upon Nathaniel. She was a beautiful woman, long blonde hair falling about her waist and almost seeming to merge with the surreal dress-like garment she wore, composed of what appeared to be a cross between leaves and feathers in a vibrant mix of orange and blue. The dress itself merged with the pool, spreading outwards to the point where she almost became one with the entire grove. A golden crown of feathers rested upon her head.

"Nathaniel Israfel, last of the Seraph," she intoned, extending a hand towards him, "My hand. Do you know why I brought you here today?"

Nathaniel knelt down, his iridescent wings folding behind his back as he lowered his head. "No, Lady Avaria."

"Then you truly are blind. Can you not see how far you have fallen? From the representative of all that should be in the world you have become an example of excess and arrogance. From a servant of mortal life you have risen to consider yourself above it all even as you chose to live amongst it." Avaria's voice was not accusatory, but instead disappointed. Sadness was clear on her face as she addressed the kneeling Seraph.

"I- Lady Avaria, what was I to do? I sought to pass my time with mortal pleasures, my service was done, my purpose gone! I alone remained loyal, chose to stay manifest as long as you remain, but I had nothing else!" Nathaniel lifted his head to meet the Divinity's eyes as he protested.

Avaria shook her head, "It is not your vices that I care for. Sex, drugs, alcohol - they cannot corrupt you as your own arrogance has. Your actions have condemned thousands to death."

"What?" Nathaniel shook his head, "Lady Avaria I never-"

"Look upon what you have wrought, Nathaniel." Avaria drifted backwards from the pool and the water began to shimmer, showing images of Terra, outside the Wing City Police Department and across the city as Terran forces began to engage those of the Taiyou. A declaration of war was broadcast across the land and fire began to fall from the sky.

"I- I didn't know! They were going to kill my friends! How is the absurd response of this nation of men my fault?"

Avaria sighed sadly. "You did not submit to them. You could have sacrificed your own freedoms and prevented this, all of this. Now it is too late. Look upon what you have wrought, Nathaniel, and consider the path you must now take. In reckless disregard for human life you have brought about another great war upon our world. Such is not the behavior of a Seraph."

Nathaniel slumped into a seated position, leaning onto the ground. "I never wanted any of this. They do this to themselves, they were just looking for an exc-"

"And you gave it to them." Avaria said quietly, interrupting Nathaniel despite her voice seeming to be but a whisper. "It is in their nature to war, to be flawed. You should hold yourself to higher standards, to standards ultimately selfless. Give yourself. Give what you love. You are a guardian of life Nathaniel, that is your sacred duty. That is why even though the mortals shrug away our aid I chose to remain. Because their lives are ours to cherish, each and every one both good and evil. Reclaim your heritage as my avatar, Nathaniel. Return to my service and protect life."

There was a long silence as Nathaniel stared at the ground. "What must I do?" he whispered.

"Return to Terra. Return to the war you have created and do everything in your power to put an end to it with as little bloodshed as possible. You have the full extent of my power to wield in this endeavor. Go forth as my champion and let them prosper."

And then the grove was swallowed by light and Nathaniel found himself ejected from the realm, back to that of mortals, back to face consequences.