The Ascension: Chapter 1

 Ok, so I'm a little behind on this already. In my defence, it's largely because I've spent the last couple of days in deepest, darkest Sussex, where finding a spot with a single bar of internet is like striking gold. Still, here's the second instalment of Ascension for your reading pleasure:  

 Naren looked up into the face of his brother. The white stone gleamed in the light from the windows that looked over the courtyard, so that the statue seemed to glow in the darkness. The image was perfect; an exact likeness of Cristo as he had been the last time he had left the castle. The Faceless ones had sifted through the memories of everyone present that day- Naren included- in order to furnish the sculptor with the image he needed to complete the statue.

 Looking into the marble face, Naren saw an idealised version of himself. His cheekbones were not as defined as his brother’s; his nose was not as straight and noble. Naren’s eyes were closed together. Cristo had been strong; a noble warrior, a natural leader. Naren knew, in his heart, that he was none of these things. Of course, Cristo had been 19 when he died, less than a year away from claiming the throne for himself.

‘You should be in bed,’ Naren turned to see his sister standing behind him. Rei had been Cristo’s twin, born only an hour later, and a full decade earlier than Naren.  Her purple eyes matched their mother’s, like both of her brothers. Her hair was black like her fathers, while Naren and Cristo were both blond. She had also inherited their father’s wings, although hers were a delicate dove grey, while Azrael’s were black as night. Unlike Azrael and Rei, Cristo had not been Blessed with wings. Although it was a common trait in their family, there was a good chance that he would remain earth-bound following the ceremony tomorrow. Just like Cristo He rolled his shoulders, the skin on his back itching with the thought of wings.

‘You have a big day tomorrow, and the Ascension can be tiring, physically and mentally,’ she added, coming to stand next to Naren and gaze up at the statue of their brother. Naren nodded.

 ‘I’m going now,’ he said, although he didn’t move. He and Rei had never been close, largely due to the gap in their age. When Rei had received her Blessing, and began to see the futures of the people she met as shadows in the back of her mind, she had grown increasingly distant. Cristo’s death had only driven them further apart. Suddenly, ten year-old Naren was the heir to their father’s throne, while Rei, already a grownup, was passed over because she was a girl.

 ‘Do you see anything? About tomorrow?’ Naren asked, trying to keep his voice steady. Rei shook her head.

 ‘There are some things that are beyond my ability,’ she said. Naren glanced up at her.

 ‘Are you sure? Nothing?’ he pressed unwilling to believe her.

 ‘You know as well as I do that anything could happen,’ Rei replied. ‘Still, I suggest that you get some rest. Whatever happens, you’re going to need it.’ With that she sprang into the air, buffeting Naren with a downward rush of wings as she vanished over the rooftops.