There was a slight knock and a loud bark that jostled me awake. My body jolted, and I turned in the direction of the noise. There sat Casper sitting in front of the door, his tail wagging quickly with his tongue sticking out. He must have heard me as he turned in my direction and let out another bark, along with a knock from the door.
I forced my body up and over to the door. The ache and pain were no longer there; I instead felt very relieved and relaxed. It felt like I never actually fought or got hurt in the first place. I knew right away that it was Janus's doing. The goddess had slept with me, healing all my wounds without me even realizing she was doing it.
I had to shake off the rising blush from my face at the thought. I turned to the door, opening it for the angels who waited outside for me.
My face lit up upon seeing them waiting for me.
"Rise and shine, sleepy head!"
"Hello to you too, Rory." I didn't fight off the dragging as the redhead led me out of my room. Casper followed along as the angels with the other angels.
I could feel the excitement and growing pressure as Seth and Bridget squeezed in on me, so we were all touching somehow. I turned to all of them, seeing their faces light up. "Is something going on?"
"We're going to the palace for a special event."
"A what-" I turned down to Bridget who looked on with a joyous expression. "What's going on?"
"The Mother Goddess is electing a new creature for Wonderland!" Seth was practically jumping up and down. "We want to be there to watch it with you."
"Care explaining what 'electing' a new creature is all about?" Rory put their arm around my shoulder, and with their hands out, they bellowed an exclamation of sorts. "Only the most exciting event ever!"
I couldn't help but look a bit dumb up at them, unable to comprehend what the redhead was trying to say. They were not answering my question.
Thankfully, Bridget turned to explain it to me. "It's where the Mother Goddess creates a creature to join Wonderland. You know about the koi fish along with the Heaven Wolves?"
"Yeah..? Does it also involve some of the birds and frogs I have seen around here?"
"Yep!" Bridget continued, explaining, "the goddess creates creatures for us. For Wonderland, the creature can honestly be anything. Sometimes, she lets angels help choose and create one."
"I remember when she made the frogs." Rory let out a little chuckle.
Seth nudged them so he could stand beside me. "Yeah, you opted for the creature to have slimy skin in the biding!"
"And she listened!" Rory jumped up and down, feathers spraying everywhere with their excitement. "That is why everyone loves her. She listens to whatever we want."
"Even if the inputs are dumb.." Seth mumbled at Rory.
The redhead jumped onto his back, sending both of them into the clouds below. Seth let out a muffled yelp, shouting at the hyper angel who only fumbled around with him. Bridget chuckled, and I rolled my eyes, growing more accustomed to both of them.
"That is rather exciting.."
Bridget turned to my mumbling. "It's more fun when we get there and see her make them. You can give some ideas, and she will put them into the creature."
"Is that what happened with the Heaven Wolves or Pups?"
"Oh, both of them were created long ago when Wonderland was less populated. They originated from the Mother Goddess and the other goddesses."
So that was back when the Hellbeings first attacked? I thought to myself, nodding along with Bridget, who continued to ramble. It was stopped when we heard a sudden whining. I turned down to Casper, who was whining from the lack of attention.
"It's okay, boy. Nothing will get in the way of your attention," I cooed at him, causing the pup to jump with joy.
I brushed the feathers off my back, turning my attention back to in front, where we started to come up to the palace. We had walked the whole way here while talking, all with Seth and Rory fighting the entire way.
"Alright enough, you two," Bridget stepped between them, breaking the pair up before we could step foot into the place. They listened, stepping away from each other, Seth glaring and Rory giving a playful expression. Bridget turned back to me, "come on. You first, Vienna."
I nodded to her, stepping inside with her, feeling my breath slightly seize up every time I entered this gorgeous palace. I tried to keep my gawking to a minimum, looking around with slightly star-struck eyes at the beautiful and lively interior. The other began to talk, and the soft clips and patterning of feet were all we heard.
Bridget soon took the lead, and we went farther down and away from the areas where parties are held. Instead, she led us to the back, where the gardens usually were. I heard the other's steps quicken along with mine, the boiling excitement overflowing through all of our bodies.
Soon enough, we were all outside in the backyard with the gardens. Bridget turned and went under all of the willow trees. We passed vines and large fluffy bushes until a few voices surfaced. The bushes then opened up on the far side of the palace, where a bunch of beings were gathered around.
Angels, cupids, and a few cherubs greeted us as we went over to stand along with them. Rory was welcomed by a lot of angels, they hugged them and jumped around with excitement.
"I can't wait to see the new creature!"
"This is going to be so exciting!"
They began to talk amongst themselves. Some familiar cupid waved us over to the front, where everyone was crowded around. We were in a vast circle that surrounded the large open river and pond where the gazebo was.
This place sent a satisfying shiver down my spine. It felt nice to be back here, the similar sight now bright in the day. The other beings were a bit far away from the water, leaving a big enough space for someone to be. I took my side by both Rue and Brick, who motioned us over.
"Hey, where is Orwell?" Bridget came over to stand beside them, Seth right behind her.
Brick looked around, his arms hugging Rue, who stayed in his arms. "He should be here. Might come later."
Bridget nodded, crossing her arms with a sad look on her face. Seth nudged her, trying to cheer her up. Bridget gave him a low smile with little effort. Rory came over after talking to their friends, draping their arms around both their shoulders.
"Come on! Cheer up, guys; the Mother Goddess is coming."
I turned, along with everyone else, to the water right in front of the large group. Their light came bright on the surface, blinding us for a second. When the light soon faded away, I opened my eyes to find the Mother Goddess walking on top of the water. Her bare feet hit the water, causing a few ripples from her movements.
I stared in surprise. It was precisely what the Gate Goddess had done to me. I suppressed a gasp and continued to watch as she emerged from the water and onto the shore. Her brown skin shimmered in the sunlight, and her calm, gentle expression reached all of us.
The flowers adorning her gown and hair were in full bloom, displaying bright and fluorescent colors that made me shake my head in disbelief and look again to truly see them. The goddess moved forward, smiling at all of us as angels and cherubs greeted her. Some waved, while others bowed in reverence. She gently shook her head at them, looking around at everyone, and even gave a few flowers to the cupids who reached out to her.
She looked calm, so at peace. Her eyes found my own, the look in her eyes lighting up as she gave a low bow in my direction. The petals from the flowers in her hair flew off, flying around in the air until I landed near me.
She turned back around as her wings shuffled slightly in motion. "Hello, my darlings." Her voice was soft, holding an old and motherly tone that made everyone in the space quiet down. Some angels were up in the air, sitting on the tree branches to get a good glance at the goddess. "I can't wait to show you the new creature I have created."
She giggled as she watched a few cherubs twirling among the bushes. Their tiny bodies soon flew above the water, as there was no more room on the ground or even in the sky. I hadn't even realized how crowded it had become. More angels and cupids joined in, but some had to remain airborne, feathers raining down on us with their excited flaps.
Others sat in the trees and by the water, along with those on the patio, which was shaded by large willow trees that offered plenty of space for more creatures to rest. I was feeling crowded as Rory's friends had followed them over to us near the front. I chose to ignore it and instead sat down on the ground near the bushes, with Casper beside me to ensure that no one bumped into me. Soon, Bridget joined us, sitting cross-legged on my other side.
Rue and Brick stayed behind the small bush, watching and ignoring Rory and their loud friends. Seth was pulled into standing beside them, pushing past Rory to try and stand near us, but he had to deal with the others trapping him in the spot.
Soon, everyone had to stop and focus on the goddess who turned her back to everyone. The goddess released her wings, showing their full size, which reached far into all of the space she was given. The sun flashed for a second, her surroundings brightened for a second, and the flash blinded me.
I covered my eyes for a second, seeing a few glittering particles waver in between the goddess's feathers. They fell out and flew below her feet. A few of the flowers and vines on her clothing bloomed and grew faster at her motioning figure. Soon enough, her hands came back down, and the glittering particles slowly faded away.
The Mother Goddess was still facing away from us. We couldn't see what was in front of her, but we could make out a few noises from the thing. I could hear the goddess chuckling.
She soon turned around, and in her hands laid a tiny little fawn.
I heard gasps and audible 'awws' from everyone beside and behind me. I even looked a bit closer from my seat on the ground. The fawn was all white; its fur looked to be glowing brightly in the sun. The tiny fawn had little horns poking from its head, only small little nubs that I had to squint to look at.
The Mother Goddess kept the creature close to her chest. Some of the petals fell onto its face. The little fawn sneezed, its eyes closed tightly.
She looked up to everyone, "all right, everyone. Does anyone want to give ideas for this darling?"
Everyone around me said a few words and shouted excitedly. Angels and cupids alike gave some ideas that went in one ear and out the other. I curled up my wings around my head, wincing slightly with annoyance at the yelling. Casper began to bark at the excitement.
All of that had caused the newly formed creature to shun and make whining noises. The Mother Goddess quickly shushed everyone, waving a hand at everyone, which caused some of the vines and leaves from the trees to grow and silence all of the jittering noise.
"Alright, alright. Be respectful of your fellow beings and one at a time."
Her bright emerald eyes glowed brightly, the white pupil looking at everyone in front of her. She soon landed on a tall angel who stood behind most of the others with his hand up.
The goddess nodded to him. "Can you give them wings?"
She gave a soft chuckle. "What wings would you like them to have?"
Both of them paused for a moment, scratching their heads in contemplation. Another boy, standing behind the tall angel, stepped forward to look up at him. He was a cupid with curly black hair and deeply tanned skin. "Swan wings! Give them rainbow tips!"
The tall boy in front of him turned and nodded with excitement, acknowledging the goddess, who also nodded before moving her hand above the fawn's back. The creature remained still, only stirring slightly as shimmering particles floated around its fur. As the fur on the fawn's back parted, a white shape began to emerge. Soon, the white figure transformed into small wings that sparkled with the same glimmering white as its fur.
The goddess then turned back up to look for another hand. Her eyes landed on a cupid sitting in the willow tree above the water. The cupid's face lit up on being chosen. They were quick: "Give it another eye! A third eye!"
"A what?" Their friend who sat next to them on the branch gave them a weird look. But the cupid ignored them.
The goddess nodded to them, tilting her head slightly. "Where would you like it?"
"In the middle of its face." They replied with a toothed grin. Their friend smirked and rolled their eyes at his friend, knocking them slightly with their pink wings.
The goddess looked down at the fawn while the cupids laughed among themselves. She placed a gentle hand on the fawn's face and slid it down onto its head, just below its horns, as she sighed softly. A gentle breeze followed, carrying identical glittering particles that settled on the fawn's face.
She removed her hand from the creature's face and turned back to everyone. I could tell that the cupid in the tree was trying to get a look at the fawn's face. The Mother Goddess continued to look around for another hand to choose.
Soon, her eyes latched onto me. I continued to pet Casper in my lap, turning up to meet her eyes. My breathing hitched and I stopped grooming the pup in my lap, looking up to the goddess with a sudden loss of breath.
She smiled. "You are new. Vienna, is it?" I didn't respond, only nodding my head stiffly. "What would you like to give this creature?"
I gulped, feeling eyes on me as the background talking soon quieted down. I looked at the tiny creature in her hands, thinking for a second. I soon looked back up to her, pulling in my confidence to look her in the eyes. "Can you give the antlers flowers?"
The Mother Goddess gave a soft smile. "What type of flowers?"
I stuttered slightly, pausing for a moment to think. "It—can you make it different for each type?" I laughed awkwardly, "I can't seem to choose just one. There are so many beautiful flowers..."
The Mother Goddess nodded. Sensing my awkwardness, she turned back down to the fawn. To my surprise, and mine only, she moved down to kneel on the ground, sat the creature down, and its whole body began to turn into a bright white abyss. I looked on, shocked and confused about what she was doing. The creature became nothing but a shadowy white form. It began to grow, becoming bigger and bigger, until the goddess had to stand and move her hands farther up to cover the creature's form.
It soon faded away, like a swarm of glitter dispersing into the air. I watched in shock as the once-fawn transformed into a full-grown stag. It was enormous, almost as tall as the towering goddess. Its fur was still a shimmering white, with some areas of light brown mixed in. Its third eye sparkled a brilliant crystal blue, and the wings attached to its body were large, with hints of pastel rainbow colors peeking out from beneath.
What caught my eye were the stag's huge antlers, which curved gracefully and rose high above its face. In place of the antlers, vibrant purple irises flourished. The long, striking flowers reached up into the air while vines clung to their stems, creating a beautiful display above the stag.
The stag stayed standing, only moving its eyes to take in everyone around it. All of the beings around me made noises, looking shocked. The goddess moved over to stand beside the gorgeous stag, her hand on its back while she gently pushed it down onto its wings.
"It's beautiful, my darlings." She turned over to us, her eyes slightly glazing over mine before she pulled her hands behind her back. "Let's welcome this creature with much love."
She bowed her head, her body glowing brightly until she soon turned and opened her wings. The stag moved slightly, tilting its head up at her. She gently touched its head, nodding with a few words coming from her lips.
She soared into the sky, turning to wave at us as her enormous wings rippled and fluffed up. She continued to wave at everyone watching her departure. The cherubs soon followed the goddess, making their way above us and into the palace through the large windows.
The others around me moved around; some left and flew off, while others watched the stag move around. The creature moved over, walking off between us as the angels and cupids parted ways for the creature.
Everyone watched the stag walk away, but I was the only one who noticed that Casper let out a slight whine, turning his head as he did. I followed his gaze to where the stag had come from. There sat a little fawn, its head raised, looking in the direction of the large stag. It made small noises that were drowned out by the conversations around me.
Without thinking, I stood up and walked over to it. The fawn let out a whine, its three eyes closed as it cried out for the stag. When I reached down to pick it up, the fawn didn't fight back, snuggling into my touch instead.
I heard the conversations stop, along with the sound of the large stag's hooves on the ground. I turned and locked eyes with the stag, who looked at me with no emotion. I gulped and gently hugged the fawn closer as the stag continued to stare. Bridget soon joined me and said, "uh, I think you should give him his fawn back."
"Right..." I chuckled. Moving over in front of the stag, who didn't move, I sat the fawn down in front of him. "Here you go..."
When I moved away from them, the stag never shifted its gaze; he stared at me intently for a minute. Hushed whispers surrounded me, causing a slight flutter in my wings as I trembled with nerves.
The stag turned its head and began to walk away with loud yet gentle movements. The fawn hurried after it, jumping and running to keep up. Meanwhile, the angels and cupids around me chatted among themselves before they all began to drift away, flying and walking off in different directions. They waved goodbye, but their conversation quickly faded as they left.
I heard Casper whine, looking down at the pup, who looked back at me with big eyes. I sighed, running a hand over its head, "I see you, Casper. I see you."