While trying to find her way to the objective, she stumbled upon a grand castle that seemed to stretch towards the heavens—with no trace of any shadow. The stairs that led up to the castle were alluring; they emitted ethereal light, as if they were a direct path to heaven, signalling her to ascend into the unknown. "Focus!"
She was overjoyed at finding a safe and empty route. Yet, her relief was short-lived as the ground vanished. It left her hanging with a screen at the side, displaying an angel sat on a throne high above a pillar, witnessing the torturing journey of the helpless ones as they struggled for freedom.
'The angel's name is Karulsh,' Aery said.
"Karulsh?" Manya said. The screen zoomed in, capturing Karulsh's face as he laughed, inflicting wounds on the struggling beings with his feathers. "So, you were my goal. I do not know how I am going to kill you, but I promise you won't live to see the next day."
He looked at Manya. "Can you?"
She summoned all her might and shattered through the roof of the pathway—welcomed by a swarm of ariots, their engines roaring, with Karulsh's face on their body.
Manya grinned and leaped onto an ariot, which dodged her advances, pushing her into a fall. A screen displaying Karulsh moved alongside her, enjoying her descent. Moments before touching the empty ground, it disappeared, like the path above, and she hurtled towards the fiery pit minutes below.
"That descent would be but a trifling one. Now, this shall be grander," Karulsh said.
Despite the great fall, Manya wore a mischievous smirk, with an exhilarating rush of adrenaline screaming through her veins. The closer she got to the ground, the more her excitement surged within her. "Will I be able to break it or my body will turn into a bloody canvas? I have gone insane! Death! Here I come." The particles of her SL also fell, unable to contain her immense power. Like tiny stars, they emitted a radiant glow, leaving a trail of shimmering golden light behind.
Every sound and scent around her amplified. A distant, soft hum reached her ears. A rush of wind brushed against her face as she glanced around and found a flying train zooming towards her at a fast pace.
"No dying today!"
The train was a few seconds away from her; she had to time it right to fall on its roof, or she would lose her last opportunity of not dying. She adjusted her posture, leaning forward to increase her speed as she dove. Her speed exceeded by a fraction—resulted in a hard smash into the windscreen. And on a human driver. She gasped for comfort. "I was expecting an angel or an alien driver." She pulled herself up. "Your name?"
The driver didn't reply, but pulled out a gun, an average handgun with glowing layers; she snatched it right away. "So cool!" She looked it over and targeted the building a few hundred metres away. Upon pressing the trigger, the gun trembled while covered with golden static energy. "Expectation can hurt, right?" she said. The driver's eyes widened in disbelief.
Inside the train were a variety of mysterious plants and objects. Not a single seat to relax. "Where is this headed?" However, before she could inquire further; the train driver traced his finger on a panel, shutting off the engines and jumped off the train. He landed safely on the ground below. "It was nice meeting you!" she waved and giggled.
She was on a train enclosed in a metal barrier, heading towards a port where countless angels, robouitos and ariots awaited her.
Karulsh reappeared on the panel screen beside her.
"I'll admit, getting to you is tricky," she said.
"An intriguing mortal, I must say. Yield, and I shall elevate you to one of my esteemed disciples."
"What if I gave you the same offer? And I'll add free pizza for a lifetime." After a brief pause, he turned off the screen. "What about burger, or peanut butter or diapers?" she tapped the screen several times, but instead of getting back feed of Karulsh, the action generated a golden static current between her finger and the panel. "Now, this is cool! Hey! Surrender, and we'll discuss the terms!"
Karulsh didn't reappear, but the unresponsive panels displayed the hidden controls, presenting a new challenge for her. She placed her hand on what looked like the main panel, because of its size and centre position.
'Security breach detected. Access Deni…' Next instance, a static golden discharge passed into the panel through her finger. 'Access Granted.' She inspected her index finger. "Is my finger a master key?" The screen was empty, apart from the dimmed blue borders. No instruction, nothing. "Angels and poor? Not acceptable."
She placed her finger on the smooth panel. A circle formed around her finger that vanished as she withdrew her finger. A soft giggle escaped her. Again, a circle formed when touched; she traced her finger to the right with a quick movement. The train transformed into a swirling swing, spinning rapidly, and turning into a barrier against ariots and robouitos that dared to come near her.
As soon as she placed both hands on the panel for support, the circular movement come to a sudden stop. She gently traced her finger upward or forward, which highlighted the front part of the circle formed around her index finger, showing the direction the train was travelling. Among all the panels, the surface of this one was the strangest and most incredible, always shifting. Regardless of how much she moves her finger, it always stays in the centre. Her excitement peaked upon mastering the controls, yet her fear of angelic wings had crawled back.
"Aery, can you find how I received that dose of energy? Or-Or, can you re… ignite it?"
'The cause of your mysterious strength is unknown. All I can say is that it generated from your heart. I would need more information to find the cause. For an assumption; if it weren't for the mysterious energy, you would have gone into cardiac arrest.'
"Don't worry about it. Encountering so many near-death experiences, I have learned one thing." She looked at the sky. "That Krishna is taking a direct interest in my life… and who in the world can mess up with his interest?"
'If you are referring "Krishna" a deity in Hindu religion and thinking that he is involved with the hard events in your life. It just shows your low level of emotional intelligence, leading to not being able to cope with hardships, and creating a false hope that a greater power is directing the course of your life to provide yourself with hope and resilience. And not taking responsibilities of your actions.'
"Aery."
'Yes.'
"Shut up."
***
The panel now provided her with a blank slate to draw whatever she pleased. She traced her finger into snake-like form, to avoid the direct hit, and passed through the swarm of robouitos as ariots were firing from a certain distance.
Curiosity drove her to reach for the control with her other index finger. With a faint buzzing sound, she found a barrier appeared between first and the second coach. The train split in two and then rejoined as soon as she lifted her other finger. She soon found out she could control the other half simultaneously.
"Oh, ho, ho!"
She shoved the second coach into the hoard of robouitos around her. Her gaze fell on the massive pillar of Karulsh. Lost in the action, her finger accidentally double tapped the panel, launching the live feed of the surrounding area. The bustling port was filled with hundreds of ariots carrying victims. Below her, sadistic beings filled the streets and enjoyed tormenting the vulnerable, while the place echoed with endless screams, and most gazes were fixated on her actions.
She decided to help any number of victims the coach could hold to free them from their sufferings and guide them onto a train to freedom. To get everyone's attention, she flew in circles above the victim area. Founding a place, she landed the second coach just metres away from the victims, who jumped onto it without a thought.
As soon as the second coach reattached, many victims rushed towards her, filled with hunger and a desire for destruction. But got blocked by the barrier, resulted in a few inches of gap. Another feature Manya had learned while surveying the controls. An option to separate the driver's or pilot's cabin.
"Anger won't lead you anywhere to your freedom," Manya said. Amid despairing individuals, a set of eyes was focused on the controls next to her. Eyes, seeking an exit from the sufferings. "I'll tell her how to control the train." Manya pointed at a girl, probably in her mid-teens, who was supported by the sturdiest man among them. The girl received nods of approval; everyone made room for her to be closer to the barrier. Manya patiently taught her the controls. She was waiting for a nod or a "Yes" but nothing.
"What about you?" the girl said. It caught Manya off guard; she glanced at the peak of the pillar. "We could help you." Everyone was unsure about this approach, except for the girl and her supporter.
Extra help would do wonders in her current situation, but their wounds and denial to not set foot again on that land conveyed against it. She smiled. "Thank you, but I'll be fine." Manya removed the barrier and leaned forward. "You are a brave girl," she placed her hand on her shoulder. "Come." As some individuals were occupied examining the train's merchandise, she again introduced the girl and her support to the controls.
"Please don't go," the girl said. "You can come with us."
Manya caressed girl's hair, "Then who will save the others?"
"Why you?"
Manya giggled. "There's no answer to this question." She glanced at the man beside her and nodded. The train was losing endurance fast once its shield got destroyed. Not wanting to delay any longer, she advanced towards the door with the train approaching her destination.
"Wait," the man said. He pulled out a short sword with rusted patterns over it and offered it to her. "Please." She took hold of the sword and leaped from the train. And landed straight on Karulsh's vacant throne, which shimmered with the warmth of sunlight.
***
Both angels and aggressive robouitos armed with heavy weapons surrounded her. Instead of being frightened, she found their unexpected appearance enjoyable. And she could now avoid the tension between her and their wings by just avoiding eye contact.
Karulsh approached her, his face twisted in a sneer. "You have arrived unscathed, a feat most admirable for a mortal."
Manya smirked. "Like you are immortal."
Karulsh was about to grab her neck, but a command interrupted him. A female voice. "Bring her to me."
The voice seemed familiar.
"Yes, my lady," Karulsh said.
They cuffed her again. However, her emotions shifted from surprised to curiosity about the life hidden within those formidable, beautiful walls. While heading towards the female angel, her eyes sparkled at the architectural splendour of the winged stairs that danced in response to her steps.
"Cute," she said.
At the top of the stairs was a massive white door, guarded by two female angels enveloped in orange shade, way better than the ones she had encountered till now. Expecting a thrilling sight, the doors swung open, revealing a stunning view of a majestic hall lined with imposing thrones occupied by figures exuding power and affluence. At the end of the hall, the grandest throne of all stood as a symbol of unrivalled authority. A throne occupied by an angel, who looked fine, and now blurry.
"Ira!!"