I'm really excited about this new series, developing my favourite characters and their stories. If you've not read the Lore, you might want to read that first to understand the characters and the storyline better.
***
As the most senior Ordinal and highest ranking Snow-Water Angel left in the world, Chióni knew that it was up to her to ensure that the frigid harshness of Archangel Yuki's reign ceased to continue.
It was time to bow down to her new Cardinal. In a matter of days, her bond with Archangel Aria would be permanently sealed through a trial of elements. Chióni had done it before as an Ordinal under the service of Archangel Yuki but this time it would be different.
Archangel Aria was unlike any other she had met before. There was no arrogance in her eyes, no demand for dominance or possession in her voice. Instead, the Water Cardinal with her whirlpool-like eyes looked at her not as inferior but as part of a family -part of their clan.
Chióni didn't know if that would make their bond stronger but she was ready to offer her service and life to this Archangel.
For the first time in her life, Chióni had been asked for her opinions and given a choice to consider being part of an entourage of Ordinals. Never had Chióni expected an Archangel to ask for anything.
It was for that, that Chióni had taken it upon herself to fly back to Japan to Yuki's Snow Palace in search of remaining Snow-Water Angels who may have sought shelter amidst the chaos of Yuki's demise. But more importantly, Chióni had returned to search for Yuki's copy of the Lore of the Angels and to destroy the last remnants of the Snow Queen's legacy.
Walking past the beautifully sculpted ice pillars and glassy ballrooms, Chióni finally arrived at Yuki's personal quarters. She had never been past the frosted doors of this part of the palace before and for a moment, Chióni felt almost sad that she had to destroy such a fascinating piece of architecture.
Yuki's snow palace was built in the style of the old Japanese castles; atop a mountain but made with the strong foundation of ice and stone. Such heights had given them a bird's eye view of their surrounding and Chióni knew she was going to miss the cool morning breeze and the smell of cherry blossoms each spring. It was tempting to step into her own quarters for one last time, but Chióni was disciplined enough to put business before her emotions.
Keeping to her mission, she stepped into the forbidden quarters of Archangel Yuki and sought to find the Lore of the Angels as transcribed by a Water Angel.
In all honesty, Chióni had no idea what it would look like. For centuries, her clan had only access to that of the Snow/Ice form and she had never questioned the existence of another form of her element.
Beginning her search in the study, Chióni came across various building floor plans and geographical maps drawing out the boundaries held by the different Archangels. If Chióni didn't know better, it was likely some sinister plans for Yuki to infiltrate her enemies' lairs.
She spent nearly an hour there but there was nothing that looked remotely like an elemental book.
"Where would I hide something that I hate?" Chióni pondered for a moment. Maybe Yuki doesn't hate being a Water Angel, maybe she was just ashamed. Why? Chióni would never know and never would the world seeing that Yuki is no longer alive.
"Okay, if I wanted to hide something that I was embarrassed about..." Her thoughts brought her towards Yuki's room. "Yes... somewhere close enough for me to keep an eye on it."
At a glance, Yuki's room looked so peaceful with its white washed walls and powder snow blankets. But upon closer inspection, Chióni realised that there were chips here and there in the façade, as though Yuki was trying to conceal something in the walls.
Trailing her fingers across the glossy iced walls, Chióni prayed hard that it was indeed hidden behind them. Now and again, she would see patches of melting ice, looking like dripping candle wax frozen in time.
It was only when she reached the bed that Chióni noticed a small picture frame hung behind the bedpost.
Pushing the bed aside, she pulled up the frame and her eyes widened in surprise.
"The Matriarchs..." she whispered, tracing each face in attempts to commit their images to memory. These were the first Archangels created - each one in its element. There are only two of them remaining and the centuries have changed them so much. Here, they were fresh-faced, their wings all white and tender, like that of a new born. Sitting with their backs to each other, the sisters were all smiles as they posed for a family portrait.
Sighing, Chióni put the frame back where she found it. That was it. There was nowhere else in the palace that was private enough for Yuki to hide something.
Chióni was about to head back when it struck her. Of course! If an intruder were to enter her personal quarters, she would expect him or her to be of the six elemental clans. None of them would be able to find the book, naturally.
It would take a Water Angel to find the Water-Scribe's Lore.
Chióni didn't know how she was going to do that. Yes she had shed most of her icy exterior but she was no Water Angel as pure as Aria. She had none of the whirling passions that the Archangel displayed in her eyes nor the elegance and grace she held in her liquid wings and posture.
Keeping her new Archangel in mind, Chióni closed her eyes and started to imagine the room as a giant water tank, every inch filled with salty sea water.
Shutting off the sounds of the howling winds and the breeze on her skin, Chióni began to experience the silence and solitude that came with being underwater.
As she opened her eyes, she saw that the room was no longer white but washed with a light blue hue and that's when she saw it.
The chips in the ice that she had seen earlier were now deep pockets of water keeping small trinkets afloat. To Chióni, they looked like random objects - a small comb, a miniature jar, a fish scale.
But it was the frame that caught her attention for it was glowing bright, like an object catching sunlight underwater.
Moving closer, she picked it up and saw that the canvas appeared almost liquid. Experimenting, Chióni placed a finger onto the picture and almost gave a shout of surprise when it went right through!
This had to be it.
Plunging her hand into the frame, Chióni felt her fingers brush against a hard, smooth and cold object. Gripping the edges, she pulled it towards her, out of the frame.
And immediately, the blue hue disappeared, leaving the room once more in its cold whiteness.
***
The flight southwards warmed her up considerably from the chill she'd experience up in Yuki's snow palace. As soon as she landed on the sandy shores of their temporary home, Chióni sought out her Archangel.
"Cardinal," she greeted; ignoring the proud peacock standing slightly behind Aria. "I have found something and I hope this may be of great value to you."
On her knees, she stretched her hands forward as offering to her Archangel and was incredibly pissed when a masculine scent approached her instead.
"Cardinal, if you will. Let me see that." Lavender wings brushed against her fingertips as the Lore was plucked away from her. How dare he!
Chióni watched as the offending Light Angel brought the cube of ice against the light, as though he had a right to touch such an heirloom.
