"So what's next for me?" asked Ratella, snapping Luna out of her daze.
"To Nebulon for an audience with the Star King and to ask for his permission to remove you from his dominion," Luna replied.
"Why do you need to do that?" asked Ratella, his head tilting slightly in confusion. "You're a Seraphim, one of the heads of the Choir."
"The Choir's song must be followed even for the Seraphim," Luna answered. "Disregarding it would only invite more unrest to fester."
"Song?"
"Like a set of rules and customs every citizen of Kathoros must follow, even us," Luna explained.
"Ah, okay, I get it, so where is Nebulon?"
"You don't know? Odd, seeming as if you live in the Star Dominion. No matter, it's not that far away, a couple of hours at most when flying."
"Urr, I don't know how to fly."
"It's fine, I'll carry you."
Before Ratella was able to respond, she swept him off his feet. In one smooth motion, she scooped him into her arms, inviting a small cry to escape his mouth, much to his embarrassment.
With a flap of her wings, they rose smoothly into the air, settling into a comfortable speed.
Ratella looked out at the many floating islands, filled with forests and dotted with signs of civilization. The land, filled with lilac and golden trees, shining in the moonlight, looked truly divine. A sight fit for the title of angelic kingdom.
Eventually, they reached a towering castle looming over the surrounding lands, its grounds elevated above the dense pockets of housing that bordered it.
Four ever-vigilant towers dotted in even intervals around the castle, acting as faithful stewards to the castle. Their designs and coloring mimicked the castle, lilac, and grays covering their exteriors.
A violet eye embedded into the surface of their walls, surveying everything entering the Dominion.
All four were currently locked onto the two gliding through the air, most likely reporting back to their commander.
The currents rippling through the air made all speech inaudible, no matter how many words Ratella spoke; their meaning never reached the woman's ears, or she was choosing not to respond.
After a while, they sat down outside the main palace of the castle. The transition from bustling corridors to the tranquil exterior was palpable. Its expansive, elegant facade rose before them, lilac streaming down from the walls, mixing with a shimmering silver laced within.
As they arrived, the grand doors opened, welcoming them despite their abrupt request for an audience.
The stars in the night sky twinkled forever, watchful of the situation unfolding below.
"Cover your eyes with your wings."
"But I won't be able to see."
"I'll guide you, and it's easier than you think. You'll be fine."
Ratella positioned the pair of wings affixed to his head in front of his eyes, blocking all light from entering his irises, effectively blinding the boy.
"Stretch your wings outwards."
"Why do I need to do all this?"
"Practice, and it's to display your power. We won't be the only ones in that room; many observers and high-ranking officials will be there."
Ratella did as she insisted, stretching her wings to twice their normal span, their elegance and vibrant colouring on full display.
"I'm kind of jealous," said Luna, inspecting his wings as they stretched outwards. "Mine are rather plain when compared to yours."
"What? I like your wings, the picture of divinity and prestige."
"Thank you," said Luna, a smile growing on her face as she repeated Ratella's actions and displayed her wings in their power. Dwarfing Ratella's efforts at trying to look powerful.
"Can't most people not see your form?" asked Ratella, confused by her actions and slightly peeved by how little he looks next to her.
"Pola, the Star King, and a couple of his advisors can see my form. So it's natural I'd want to show off slightly."
"You know you don't act like one of the heads of the choir."
"Ha! That reminds me, you must be respectful and formal in the presence of Pola," stated Luna, warning the boy of the consequences if he were disrespectful. He had no intention of even speaking, so this was okay with the boy. "Let us go, he'll be waiting."
The duo stepped forward into the jaws of Nebulon. Inside, they found themselves in a vast throne room lined with guards in lilac and gray armor. The room's design mimicked the castle's exterior and was fit for a monarch of the stars. Above them, a night sky dotted with stars was painted across the curved ceiling, smoothly linking the grandeur outside to the wonder within.
Violet lights floated gently, silver rings glinting as they arranged themselves into soft constellations overhead.
Ratella and Luna approached the throne, Luna guiding the boy whenever his footing slipped. Eventually, they stopped in front of the throne. Ratella, interested in the Star King, moved his wings slightly just enough to slip a look at the King of Stars seated in front of them.
Four gray and violet wings were affixed to his back in a perfect cross pattern, their span stretching well past the guards on their right and left.
His wings had tints of violet and purple running through the many feathers, the dark background making them appear brighter.
Violet eyes locked onto Ratella, sensing his peeking, his dark black hair flowing downwards. His features are pristine and divine, the picture of beauty.
Pola raised his left arm, pointing at the boy, the many bracelets and rings clinking as they struck one another.
"There are supposed to be three Seraphim, Luna. Not four."