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FallenreaperThe Song
The Gatekeeper… the most powerful creature still remaining in this god-forsaken world… was slowly working her fingers through the luminescent strings of the Gate.
Melody was beautiful, kind, she would listen and she would smile and when she did one would instantly forget the mismatching wings on her back and the crackles of lightning in her snow-white hair. Many have tried to define the wonderful creature standing in front of them in their dreams, listening to their uttermost desire to cross the border….
They couldn’t. So she forever remained just Melody. Neither angel, nor human or demon. Compared only to a Mother or a Lover…
During the ages Melody’s instrument had become known as a “harp” because none of the three races had ever found a better way to describe the shape Melody had chosen for her Gate. They had always been sure they’ve seen it, stared at it, explored it with their eyes, but its physical description was elusive as dew in morning fog. And once passed they would have to wonder… did it even possess a physical form? It was majestic and intimidating yet soothing and humble. It was golden yet it was silver, shining and black at the same time. The only thing anyone could be sure of was that it had strings. Strings that she pulled… and strings that didn’t produce a sound.
The few humans who ever caught glimpse of the beautiful creation were so mesmerized by it they had tried to recreate it endlessly. They had tried, indeed, but never managed. Their creations always had a flaw.
They always produced sound.
They were just another humanly creation.
Melody’s harp was different. It was the essence of the world. It was everything there ever was and wasn’t in existence in the creatures’ hearts. It was the sole creation of Life itself.
.
.
.
Each soft fingertip was gently caressing the chosen string. Each touch was filled with emotions stronger than Aaurus himself. If the harp was to emit a sound it would have the power to destroy all foundation of a soul, and even the very foundations of the World itself. If the harp had a voice it would probably drive anyone insane with its endless string of emotion. If it had a voice, it could be capable of erasing all differences and uniting everything and everyone.
That’s why the harp didn’t own a voice. That’s why Melody was its voice.
And so Melody was omnipotent. She knew everything about anything. She didn’t belong to any race as she understood them all. And that’s the kind of music she played.
Her melodies didn’t hold a sound, but they did hold emotion. If someone was to sit and “listen” to her play they would “hear” a gentle hum rising in their very body and soul, a hum so familiar and warm as a mother’s hug. They would feel their own emotions stirring and reaching out to join the countless others they were touched by. They would feel the Essence.
And if the harp had a voice they would never be themselves again.
Now… who was Melody and how it was possible for her and the Gate to exist is still a matter of heated debate between the humans who always wanted to subdue everything to logic. Was she a God? Was she neutral or bias? Was she truly omnipotent? And where was she located? Did she hold the World together with her harp? And what would happen if she disappeared…?
…but the angels and demons knew better. They didn’t question or doubt the existence of the Gate, they knew about it… and knew it was within their reach.
They knew there were only two ways to cross the border. To go to the Gate by reaching its physical location through the cracks in the reality between Surface and Hell…
Or to let the Gate come to you.
Because when the soul is sound and the wish is strong enough…
Then the Gate will appear in your dream.
….
And his wish was always strong.
Melody’s finger slid down the fragile string of brilliant light….
… then a long dark nail caught on it and gently pulled…
… let it slip…
… her hand withdrew, fingers caressing the air before kissing the string again…
He was watching, mesmerized, his heart aching to stay and aching to go. It took minutes, maybe hours, before Melody finally let him take a breath by letting her hands rest on the harp and looked at him with a gentle smile.
“I see you’re here again” she spoke, her voice penetrating him and settling deep in his heart.
“Yes” he simply said.
She smiled again and he turned away, staring into the nothingness that filled his dream beyond the Gate.
That made her chuckle and he was thankful for it. Thanks to that his emotions were subsiding and he was remembering who he actually was, and what he was seeking.
“They say you are kind, Melody. I say you are cruel.”
“I am kind, Raizekiel. I am kind enough to keep your nature intact. I am kind enough to remind you what it is. You, my dear… you are not kind to yourself. And you are cruel to Vivian.”
Raizekiel smirked.
“Let me go to her, Melody.”
The Gatekeeper didn’t say anything. She smirked and playfully laid a finger on a string which made him shudder. Melody retrieved it, chuckling.
“A demon with a human heart? What is a demon to do with a human heart? Can he really keep it close and not suffocate its beat? Can he make it…” Her pale eyes pierced him, sharp and disarming. “…flutter…?” She looked down at her instrument again, bright red lips still pulled in a perfectly cruel arch. “Or can he just let it soar… and wait for it to crash in his merciless hands...”
The demon shook his head, the torment of amusement mixing with rage and adoration with hate almost making him laugh.
“I want to go to her, Melody. And I will. For you that should be enough. You have no reason to stop me because I haven’t laid a finger on her… yet. You shouldn’t be bias and deny me passage just because you don’t like me.”
Melody laughed and this time her voice was powerful and harsh.
“Who said I didn’t like you?”
And she started playing.
And she made it as painful as she possibly could.