A cloud of dust erupted from a training field in a confined space concealed in the back of the vast gardens of the palace.

  A small figure dashed around in the dust before emerging with a movement from her wings. The dust cleared around her revealing Rosalia.

  The young girl was garbed in white training robes with blue and gold patterns. Her blonde hair had grown long and now sported brown highlights in an attempt to emulate her big sister.

  Her white wings flapped, releasing white petals around her, and with a yell she launched herself towards her opponent who still stood in the dust cloud.

  She raised her sabers in preparation and struck when she was close enough. Her attack was blocked, much to her surprise, Rosalia pushed with all her might but her foe did not move an inch.

  The dust cloud was taken away by the wind and in front of her, with a small smile on his face, her uncle Leon watched her struggle with amusement.

  From behind Ashley jumped above him, her sword raised high above her head ready to strike.

  Now much older she had long wavy curled brown hair and had physically matured into a fine young woman.

  Leon disengaged Rosalia by stepping to the side in a sudden movement that broke her concentration.

  She stumbled forwards only to be grabbed by her uncle and thrown into her big sister. Both were sent back from the collision landing in a heap, wings automatically retracting into their backs.

  They groaned and looked up at their uncle as he stood in front of them.

  “Nice try girls but you won’t defeat me that easily,” said Leon.

  The two disentangled themselves and sat on the sandy ground with cute pouts from their loss.

  “You cheated,” mumbled Rosalia crossing her arms and looking away.

  “Little rose I have been alive for a long time, with that lifetime comes experience and wisdom,” responded Leon calmly.

  “We know uncle you fought in wars and faced demons that pale in comparison to two young warriors in training,” said Ashley.

  “You know many of my deeds but there is still a lot for you to learn from your old uncle.”

  Rosalia grumbled, in what she assumed to be a quiet voice, about studies being boring. She stood up and sheathed her sabers still grumpy.

  Ashley simply smiled at her little sister as she sheathed her sword on her back.

  “Lighten up Rosie studies are not always boring, you can learn cool stories if you know where to look,” said Ashley.

  “But Ashy they’re boring,” she whined.

  “Grumble all you want little one if your father had his way you would spend your entire days locked up in a room with tutors specifically hired to teach you a biased view of our history,” said Leon gruffly.

  “But why would father do that?” Rosalia asked.

  “To control you or rather to be seen as the one who owns your allegiance. After all you were blessed by the Almighty anyone would gain much prestige and power if they could attain your loyalty,” he explained.

  Rosalia slightly tilted her head confused, her young mind trying to understand her uncle’s words.

  “I don’t think she understands,” said Ashley giving her uncle a look.

  “She’ll get it when she’s older,” said Leon rolling his eyes at the look Ashley sent him. “Besides we should get going we have a busy day ahead of us.”

  “Oh yes today is the day isn’t it? The day we go to the shrine,” said Ashley remembering the date.

  “Rosalia!” he called. “Stop moping and come along we must prepare for our journey.”

  “It’s today!” she squealed her body bubbling in excitement, a contrast to her depressed mood a few moments ago.

  “Yes now hurry up we must get moving,” said Leon smiling at her joy.

  “Calm down uncle it’s her first time visiting the shrine, I remember I was just as excited when you took me there for the first time,” said Ashley fondly.

  “I am aware, but you should know that Rosalia takes a long time to get ready,” he responded.

  “I know just the thing,” said Ashley.

  She had a mischievous look as she inched closer to her sister, she ruffled her hair and laughed.

  “Last one to our room is a wingless chicken,” she said.

  Ashley ran forwards and deployed her wings flying off with a quick flap.

  “No fair! Come back here Ashy,” shouted Rosalia.

  The young girl released her wings and launched herself after her sister.

  “The vigor of youth,” said Leon, shaking his head in amusement.

  Leon walked to the edge of the forest where four of his men stood guard at the entrance. As soon as he passed them the they moved behind him into two columns.

  They marched in an orderly fashion behind him as he walked through the gardens, past the numerous fountains and hedges.

  When he entered the palace Ellios and Raiden were already waiting with the warriors they chose to accompany them.

  They saluted him and received a nod in return, all waited for the princesses to arrive.

  After twenty minutes Leon sighed.

  “Remain here I’ll go fetch them,” he said in exasperation.

  The high lord marched with irritation towards his nieces room unbothered by anyone who met his path. They bowed and saluted as he passed them but all could see he was annoyed so none chose to disturb him further.

  When Leon turned the corner he spotted a most unwelcome sight at the door of the girls room.

  Morrison stood blocking the way of his nieces and seemed to be refusing them passage.

  “Lady Ashley I must insist that Princess Rosalia stop training in combat and engage herself in the arts of a lady, a proper lady. To that end she must remain behind to attend lessons planned by her father,” he said with fake politeness, as if talking to Ashley was beneath him.

  Ashley stood in front of him with her arms crossed looking very unimpressed. Rosalia poking her head out from behind her watched him wearily.

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  “And I must once again remind you that you have no say in what she is allowed to do or what activities she partakes in,” said Ashley in a condescending manner not bothering to hide her distaste of him.

  “The King has decreed it so his wishes must be followed,” he replied with his oily fake voice but with a hint of annoyance from her tone.

  “Father is not here, you have no proof beyond words that what you say is true, Rosalia already attends lessons in her duties as a lady and as a royal. She decided of her own volition to train in the art of swordsmanship, influenced by me perhaps but she made the decision. Now move, your princess commands it.”

  “You are not a princess,” he said snidely dropping his facade.

  “The tiara on my head says otherwise,” she replied smugly.

  “Your father was not yet king when you were born,” spat Morrison sternly.

  “He is now. Which makes me a princess, one with a weak claim but a princess nonetheless. Which is higher than you will ever be after years of boot-licking,” said Ashley mockingly, giving him an unflattering look while Rosalia giggled behind her hand.

  Morrison growled and his face became red with anger, rage simmering in his soul from the insult. Before he could retort the voice of Leon spoke behind him.

  “Morrison what do you think you are doing?” he asked calmly.

  The angel froze and slowly turned around. He felt a shiver go down his spine as he sensed some of the power Leon was releasing.

  “Nothing High Lord, I was simply wishing our dear princesses a safe journey,” he said quickly returning to his facade of dutiful servant.

  “But of course I thank you for you cordial words you may go,” said Leon dismissively.

  With a short bow Morrison retreated in a hurry.

  When he turned the corner Leon looked back at his nieces and let a joyful smile appear on his face.

  “Well done Ashley,”

  She blushed slightly but waved off her uncle’s praise.

  “It was nothing uncle,” she said shyly.

  “You were amazing Ashy,” said Rosalia.

  She stared at her big sister with awe and admiration much to Ashley’s embarrassment and Leon’s quiet delight.

  Ashley groaned but ruffled her sister’s hair in revenge causing her to squeak. She turned to her uncle who raised an eyebrow as if daring her to try something. She pouted knowing she was powerless against him.

  Ashley crossed her arms and marched to the entrance of the palace followed by her annoyed little sister and her amused uncle.

  Meeting Ellios and Raiden at the entrance of the palace they gave Leon a look asking what the problem was.

  “Morrison,” he rumbled quietly so only they would hear.

  The two shook their heads and snickered, they should have expected something of that nature.

  They left the palace and walked through the streets of the holy city. The citizens made a path for them. Cheers and applause was sent their way Rosalia waved at everyone with enthusiasm while Ashley was more poised and smiled.

  Eventually they reached the gates of heaven where Saint Peter stood with a smile.

  “Greetings High Lord and young Princesses, I wish you safe travels and do enjoy your first voyage Princess Rosalia,” he said serenely.

  “Thank you noble Saint, may the light of God shine upon you,” replied Leon with respect.

  “And may our Lord’s vision safeguard you during your voyage,” he said bowing his head. “Open the gates!”

  The gates of Heaven opened, Saint Peter moved out of their way letting the group pass without interruption.

  Leon stopped at the edge of the clouds and channeled his grace releasing a small portion of his holy aura. He jumped off the edge and hovered as a trail of clouds formed beneath him.

  Wings were deployed and those without added their own grace to Leon’s, extending the trail of clouds.

  They all jumped unto it and floated across the sky heading north towards the shrine.

  (Break)

  Along their journey they flew over beautiful fields, hills filled with flowers, crystal clear rivers and vast forests.

  Rosalia’s eyes gleamed with excitement and her face beamed with wonder at all the sights she was seeing.

  The wilderness of nature being vastly different from the organized and orderly gardens of the palace.

  As they flew over villages Rosalia couldn’t help herself from asking what was on her young mind.

  “Ashy why are their people outside of the holy city? we’re not in the living world,” she wondered.

  “Well Rosie. The people below us are the souls of those not light enough to ascend to angelic divinity but not dark enough to fall into demonic sin. They are not barred from entering the holy city but they may not reside there. All they can do is wait for the cycle of reincarnation to allow them to pass on and live again,” explained Ashley.

  “Don’t they get bored?” asked Rosalia.

  “Perhaps but they still continue their daily tasks and don’t have to worry about the problems mortals should. Honestly this existence is preferable to the one they previously had as living humans,” said Ashley with a hint of superiority.

  “Niece do not continue this line of thought about angel superiority, we are not better than anyone else no matter our differences,” said Leon.

  “But father said we shouldn’t worry about what ‘peasants’ think,” said Rosalia wondering what her father meant by that.

  “Well our opinions differ on this matter and a number of others when I think about it. Regardless we must remain humble and be courteous to all who approach us. It is our sacred duty to be the pillars for those in need,” he explained patiently.

  “Even demons?” she replied

  “That is an entirely different subject one which we will not discuss until you are older. All I will say is that those wicked fiends were no better in life then they are in death,” he said with spite.

  “Why not get rid of them then?” Asked Ashley.

  “Because they are a necessary evil to maintain the balance of the world. There can never be light without darkness. Alright enough questions why don’t you return to admiring the scenery.

  Rosalia did just that going back to staring at everything passing below them with poorly concealed excitement.

  Ashley watched her sister with mild interest before deciding the passing clouds were more intriguing.

  (Break)

  A few hours later they were flying over a mountainous region and were beginning to slowly descend.

  “We have arrived,” said Leon.

  He made a movement with his hand, Raiden and some of his men flew down towards their landing zone to make sure it was secure.

  They all disembarked from the cloud as it dissipated when everyone stopped using their grace.

  They were in a valley between mountains that seemed to be twisting around each other forming a sort of circle. There was a small grassland, no trees to be seen, only small hills that made the valley uneven.

  A watchtower was located on the highest hill where an angel waved at them, Leon waved back signaling all was well.

  Rosalia noticed something peculiar about the angel.

  “Why is that angel wearing our coat of arms? He didn’t travel with us?”

  “Simply because he was already here, he is apart of the third company who are currently stationed here,” said Ellios.

  Seeing she was still confused Leon decided to quench her curiosity before she spiraled in an unending barrage of questions.

  “This shrine is our sanctuary, a place we can retreat to find peace and quiet, to rest or to meditate. The shrine-maiden in charge of this place is a good friend and allows us to use this location as a second home.”

  “What’s a shrine-maiden?” asked Rosalia.

  “A shrine-maiden is a deity that resides in small temples and other humble buildings. They are like the guardian angels humans pray to for good health and safety,” answered Raiden.

  “Aren’t the other angels bothered humans pray to non angelic beings?”

  “Normally some would but the type of prayers sent to shrine-maidens are usually a small wish for their families to be healthy and protected. Or for someone to heal from a wound or sickness, it varies greatly. But no it doesn’t bother us because they help us greatly. They deal with small requests while we deal with the more pressing cases, like possessions and demonic activities,” explained Leon.

  Rosalia nodded in interest while Ashley listened closely not having known some of what was said.

  They turned to the shrine itself, which resembled more a temple, it looked a bit in ruin but seemed to have merged with nature. The harmony between them emphasized the serenity of the place creating an aura of gentle peace and tranquility.

  They walked up the stairs to the entrance and were met with a lady wearing a long white dress covered with a pink robe, long dark hair cascaded down to her lower back. Small bells and flowers were attached to her hair on either side of her head. Her mesmerizing eyes stared at them with purity shining in them.

  “Yari how are you?” Asked Leon standing straighter.

  “I am well Leonard of the White Paladins or should I call you Leon the fool?” she asked with some humor.

  Leon winced slightly catching the attention of Rosalia, especially when everyone else chuckled.

  Ashley leaned towards her sister.

  “Uncle tried to woo her when he was younger but ended up making a fool of himself,” she whispered.

  Rosalia understood but then made a repulsed face at the fact her uncle had been or tried to be romantic with someone.

  “You will never let me live it down will you?” he asked a little depressed.

  “Never. it wouldn’t be amusing otherwise,”

  Leon sighed but smiled anyway he had accepted this fact long ago but still held a sliver of hope in his heart.

  Beside Yari stood a man in strangely made armor that showed his muscular chest and abs. He wore a horned helmet, had dark brown eyes, a small mustache and a goatee.

  “Greetings High Lord, the situation here is normal I have nothing to report,” said the man.

  “That is good news, captain of the third company, Percival,” said Leon formally.

  With formalities out of the way Percival saluted Leon and went to hug Ellios and Raiden.

  Leon then properly greeted Yari by kissing her hand, she gave him no reaction.

  “Ever the gallant knight,” she stated.

  “Always will be, unlike some I was raised with manners but enough about me you already know Ashley, may I present my youngest niece Rosalia.”

  Yari did not wait for him to finish before she launched herself at the young princess and embraced her.

  “You didn’t tell me she was adorable, I never want to let her go,” said Yari.

  Rosalia stood confused as the woman she just met hugged her tightly. Not being one to refuse free hugs she quickly put her arms around Yari.

  “Alright little one come with me. I will personally give you a tour of this shrine,” said Yari with some pride.

  Rosalia sent a small wave to her family as she was dragged inside by the enthusiastic shrine-maiden.