1st Place: Beyond the Stars

I get up as the alarm tolls for the day. Groaning, I shove a flame from my hand at it, effectively ending the noise. I look at it with disgust, knowing I’ll need to replace it before the end of the day for tomorrow. Stretching, I stand up and head to the bathing chambers to wash up and tend to my morning needs. Returning to my rooms refreshed and dressed for the day, I open my supply cupboards to see what I should work on for the day. There’s a very large basket of rough crystals and not that many cut ones. A stockpile of potions, reagents, paper, ink, and almost everything else. But there are empty sockets in my jewelry. So gem cutting it is! I gather a bag full of different gems to work on and head out the door to find a gem cutting table in the halls.

Getting to my typical work space, I scan for an open gem table, finding one in a corner of the room. Plopping my bag down next to me, I fish a random gem out and start the process of cutting it. Carefully shaping it to perfection, setting it in a new bag, and grab another gem to repeat the process. Before I know it, I’ve gone through almost half my gems, only a few shattering. I place the one I’ve just finished in the complete bag and start to reach for a new gem to start when suddenly things go dark before I unceremoniously fall on my butt from the seated position I was just in. Blinking, I look around to figure out what happened, only to notice I am in the throne room, The Prime Evil standing with his back to me. I quickly scamper to my feet, before kneeling and bowing low and stuttering out my greeting. “My apologies Sir"

He cuts me off, not bothering to turn around to face me. “I do not care for your etiquette. You will be going Beyond the Stars.” My head, still bowed low, tilts in confusion, but I keep my mouth shut as he continues. “Let this be clear, you have no choice in this matter. Have you seen the stars? Have you seen what lies beyond them?” The fear of his command washes over me, my brain trying to scramble to answer his questions. As I open my mouth to answer, he cuts me off again. “Beyond the Stars is but a mystery to us, a mystery to my kin, Demons. The Angels know, so why should we be any different. We are the superior species, don’t you think?” I know better than to answer this time, simply wait for him to finish his directions for this quest and dismiss me. “Enough banter, my command to you is this: I will give you the means to go to the stars. You will need to figure out the rest for yourself. Go Beyond the Stars. Log your findings. Make sure they are detailed notes, not kid drawings…” He seems to snarl some before promptly ending the conversation. “Those are your commands, be gone!” Suddenly, I am back at the gem table, my two bags of gems sitting just where I left them.

I shake my head, not sure if I should finish the bag of crystals, or just leave to start preparations for my quest. Sighing, I grab both bags and head back to my rooms, only to switch things out for parchment, ink and quills. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I head back out, this time winding my way through the halls up to the archives. Other than my rooms, the archives are my favorite place to be in the deep depths of Hell. You’d think as a Demon, I’d love the chaos of the realm. But no, the archives soothe me. Chaos is not particularly my thing. Opening the door, I head right to the desk, not even bothering to try to search the vastness on my own. Instead I’ll ask Gretta, the resident archive mistress. She’s ancient, and knows every last scroll in this place. If there is anything on the mysterious Beyond the Stars land?…void?...space?...what even is it?...Gretta will know where to find it.

Once at the desk, I pause, not sure if I should go looking for Gretta or just wait for her. It would be very easy to get lost in this place and I’m sure Gretta knows just where to hide when she doesn’t want to be found. Closing my eyes, I cast out my awareness to my immediate surroundings. Out too far and I’ll feel all of Hell. Turning my head slightly in the direction of… something…I start to make my way quietly through the stacks of shelves, a small flame floating above my shoulder to give some light. As I get closer to the being I’ve sensed, I let my flame dim not wanting to alert them of my presence. It’s not Gretta, I know what she feels like. This is something darker, which is weird to think of. As a demon, nothing is more dark, yet there it is. I slow my steps, getting ready to turn the corner when the loud bang of something dropping startles me and whatever I was about to find. Turning towards the sound, I pick up Gretta’s essence. I glance back behind me and find that whatever it was is now gone. I shake my head and start back towards Gretta, now at the desk.

As I move closer, I hear her muttering curses under her breath. Peering out of the stacks at her, I see she’s dropped boxes full of scrolls and artifacts. Giggling, I step around the desk to help her pick things up. She glares at me as I reach for one of the artifacts that escaped their box. Raising my eyebrow some, I pull away and focus on the scrolls instead, dumping them into the box once my hands are full. Stepping back around the desk, I smile sweetly at her. “Good morning my dear Gretta! Have I told you how amazing you are lately? Well just in case I haven’t, you are the most amazing mistress of the archives!” Rolling her eyes at me she croaks at me “I’m the only mistress of the archives. Now what do you want, I’m busy?”

Not letting her cranky demeanor affect me, I fold my hands on top of the counter. “I am looking for any information about Beyond the Stars. Anything and everything you have!” I try not to let the look on her face at the name get to me, but deep down I feel the first flutters of dread at this task. She’s gone pale and looks terrified, but she’s trying her best to suppress that reaction. She clears her throat a few times before getting out “There is only one scroll on that topic. It is up in the upper reaches of the archives. Go up until you cannot go any higher. There are only two shelves up there, it shouldn’t be hard to find.” She turns her back to me, focusing on the boxes she had dropped earlier, effectively ending the conversation. I give her a puzzled look that she doesn’t see before giving my typical reply to her help. “Thanks Gretta! You’re a doll!” I’m not entirely sure I’ve managed my typical cheery tone, her response more unsettling than I want to admit.

I start my climb up the stairs that wind up the center of the archives, the top nothing but a speck of light. I’ve never been up to that level before. There’s never been a need really. But now there is, I remind myself as I continue the climb. After what feels like an eternity, I make it to the top level. There’s two shelves full of scrolls as Gretta said, and a small desk. What Gretta failed to mention was the small shelf with 5 artifacts displayed on it. I drop my bag on the desk and walk over to the small shelf to look at the artifacts. Dagger, skull, pendent, a random hunk of shiny rock, and a chalice. Very random mix of items to be placed together. And the shiny rock makes no sense at all. Shrugging, I turn to the first shelf and carefully look through all the scrolls. Finding nothing, I move across to the second self and dig through. On the bottom shelf, I find the scroll I need. It’s larger than I expected it to be based off of Gretta’s reaction to it. Pulling it out of the shelf, I place it on the desk and sit down. Grabbing a piece of parchment, ink and a quill I unroll the scroll and start to read.

Yawning, I scratch my nose only to scowl as I notice the ink stain on my fingers, knowing I've just transferred some to my nose. Glancing down at my pages of notes, I peek one more time at the ancient scroll for anything else I may have missed. As I'm about to roll it back up, I notice in the very bottom corner an artifact reference. Squinting to see the note, I read "See artifact number 2 on the shelf. See artifact ledger for artifact information. Reference number 863728." Quickly I add this information to my notes and roll the scroll back up. Getting up, I put the scroll back in its place and move to the artifact shelf. The hunk of shiny rock is number 2. Interesting. Is it some sort of particle from Beyond the Stars?

I pack up everything but the last page of notes, a quill and the pot of ink. Winding my way back down to the main level of the archives, I head over to the single podium where the artifact ledger sits. Flipping through pages and pages until I find number 863728, I stop and read the small blurb. "Piece of rock from Beyond the Stars. Exact origin: unknown. Material: unknown. Location found: Tokyo. Year found: 853." Well that was helpful, I think sarcastically. I could take a quick trip there to see if there is any more information for me before going there. Or I could just go for it. I mean really, its been centuries since it was found. What information would possibly still be there?

Heading to the door I wave goodbye to Gretta and head back to my rooms to begin packing. What does one bring on a quest Beyond the Stars? I muse to myself as I come to my room. Opening the door, I go in only to stop short at a new item on one of my tables. Taking slow steps towards it, I notice a piece of parchment by it. Picking it up, I read "This is how you go Beyond the Stars. Use it carefully and only when you're ready. Keep it safe or you will not be able to return. Do not under any circumstances let it fall into the hands of an angel! Best of luck! Fiend Princess". I look closer at the small, unassuming item on the table. It looks like a broach. Not wanting to touch it until I'm ready to use it just in case it decides to work the second I touch it.

Grabbing the bag of gems, I dig through for the perfect diamonds, topazes, and rubies. Once I have enough sets out, I go to my cupboard and find my double socket rings, bracelets and pendants, putting back all but the lunar steel ones. I inspect each piece to find the ones that are in the best shape until I have two rings, one bracelet and one pendant. Carefully, I imbue the diamonds into the jewelry, and place the topazes and rubies in a small bag to pack. I grab some clothes from the dresser, changing into one set and putting the other set by the jewelry to pack. Going over to my armor cupboard, I open it and inspect each piece as I put it on. Once everything is in place, I empty my bag of ink, quills and parchment to put my extra clothes in. The bag of gems goes into the small interior pocket. Next goes healing and mana potions and my whetstone for my sword. I think about putting the jewelry in the bag but decide to wear it instead. Finally on top are the notes I took from the archive scroll, along with a diary, quills and ink to take notes on what I find. I also add in some charcoal to have if I’m taking notes while moving. Closing the bag up, I put it on, securing it in place. I move to my weapons shelf and strap a handful of knives in place before picking up my sword and strapping it on.

Walking over to the broach like item and carefully pick it up, tensing in case I’m suddenly thrust into a traveling vortex or something else just as crazy. When nothing happen, I look at it closer and inspect it, only to see a pin on the back, as though it is in fact a broach. Smiling, I pin it to myself and say, “Ok little broach, time to take me Beyond the Stars!” giving it a little pat. Suddenly, a bright white light pours out from it, enveloping me until all I see is white. I close my eyes tight until I can feel the light dimming. When I open my eyes again, it’s to a new scene. No longer am I in my chambers in Hell. It’s dark, but not in the same way as Hell. Everywhere I look, stars are lighting up the sky. It’s almost like I can reach out and touch them. I decide to try and reach them, only to find out that I can in fact touch them. I cradle one in my hand, giggling softly as it glows gently at my touch. I decide to leave this one in its spot, figuring I would look around first, take notes, add some sketches, and grab one before heading back home. Turning in place, I see structures off in the distance. I move towards them, noticing no places to hide if need be. Luckily, it looks pretty deserted where I landed. So I should be ok until I get closer, if not all the way there.

As I get closer to the structures, it still seems eerily quiet. And the air is still. The structures come more into focus. One looks like a palace of sorts, the others surrounding it, getting smaller the further out from the palace structure. It’s almost like a city. I get to a small building, stopping to hide behind it while I verify no one is around. Pulling out a piece of parchment, I start to take notes of what I’ve seen so far, the darkness, surrounded by stars, the structures in the distance, which became buildings of a city, with a palace at its center. I sketch something quickly of the city from a bit of a distance, with the intent to sketch more as I explore and learn. Casting my awareness out as far as I can, I sense five beings, close to the palace, but nothing else.

Tucking the piece of parchment back into my bag, I pull out another with some charcoal, folding it in half to begin mapping out the city. Every intersection I pause to look each way, jogging to each side to see if it’s set up the same as the street I’m traversing, sketching the cross road out and marking the number of buildings on each block. Everything looks to be the same on each street. I will make a more detailed map once I’m back, this is just for my reference. The road I’ve started down strolls straight to the palace. Each block, a smaller number of buildings gets marked down until they are large sprawling buildings that take up the whole block. The closer I get, the more cautious I am, knowing that around the next corner I might run into someone. I can sense the five beings closer and closer with each step.

I take a moment to sketch one of the larger, sprawling mansions, peeking into the yard to see the layout of the space. Focusing on the details, not sure if they are important or not. Once satisfied, I turn my attention to the palace, sketching it out as well. Once done, I carefully look around the corner, making sure the way is clear before moving forward. Slipping up the street quickly, I make it to the edge of the block, the palace directly in front of me. It looks like a giant diamond shooting up into the sky, and out to the sides. But the glow is something not diamond. I look both ways and dart across to the gate in front of me, giving it a slight push. Nothing. Up and over it is, I think to myself. I back up to get a running start, jumping and grabbing the gate before scaling up the rest of it until I’m perching on the wall next to it. With another quick glance, I jump down into the palace courtyard. Still no one, but I can feel them close by. I’m sure they can sense me, why have they not attacked? I stalk to the main entry of the palace and skip up the stairs to hide in the doorway until I’m sure no one's about to attack. Pushing the doors open, I slip inside only to stop and stare. Beautiful, light hallways, aglow with the diamond’s light, are in front of me, leading to a grand double staircase.

I debate sketching this space before I hear someone moving towards me from between the stairs. Quickly I hide behind one of the pillars lining the foyer, hoping I can remain undetected long enough to explore some, find out its secrets and get back home to write up my report for The Prime Evil. Closing my eyes while I wait for the being to leave, I startle when I hear someone clear their throat next to me. My eyes fly open, my hand reaching for a knife, only to freeze when I notice the sword at my throat. I follow the sword up to the being’s eyes. They are the brightest blue, like sapphires, I have ever seen. I try not to swallow too hard with the sword so close, taking a deep breath to center myself and try to mask any fear that might have been brewing. My eyes narrow slightly as the angel smirks and cocks and eyebrow at me, keeping the sword still pointed at me, but pulling it away just enough that I will be able to speak without it nicking me.

“What is a little demon doing Beyond the Stars?” the angel asks, in an almost playful tone. “And how did the little demon get here?” I will myself not to look at or reach for the broach. Instead, I tilt my head slightly and give my own smirk back. Against one, I might be able to get out without too many scratches. If the other four arrive, well I might not return from this quest. “The little demon has a name. And I’m here exploring the great wide world for my own pleasure. I know. Curiosity killed the cat. Luckily, I’m not a cat.” I respond back, ignoring his second question. I mentally take stock of all my weapons, along with diving deep for the fires of Hell burning within me, getting ready to attack if I must.

He laughs at that and drops his sword, gesturing for me to move with him. Not follow, no he wants to keep me in his sights. When I try to fall back, he places his hand on my shoulder, pushing me forward gently, but also guiding me through the palace halls. I try to take note of the turns we take to get myself back out and to sketch what I can of the floor plan, but eventually I’ve lost track. I fear we’re heading to the dungeons, but we never take stairs, up or down. Eventually we emerge to a large room, one wall of windows looking out to a garden. How does that even grow? I wonder before I notice the other four angels are in the room regarding us with different levels of…amusement? Indifference? Confusion? It seems all the emotions are present and some I can’t quite identify.

“I found her in the main hall “hiding” behind a pillar” he uses his hands to put air quotes around hiding. I bristle at his barely contained laughter, glaring back at him debating if I should just send a flame his way and attempt to fight my way out. Three of the other angels chuckle at my reaction, one saying “As if we didn’t sense her the moment she landed.” I gap at this statement before stammering out “Then why let me get this far if you’ve known I was here the whole time?” The same one shrugs and turns to the fourth angel, who has yet to react in any way. I look over to him, his eyes a stunning emerald green, narrowed on the broach. I clench my teeth and try, unsuccessfully, to not shrink back. I do manage to not cover it from his gaze.

“Where did you get that?” he hisses at me, the venom in his voice making me take another step backwards, bumping into sapphire eyes. I freeze and start to tense into a fighting stance when I feel a rumble of laughter at my back, quickly covered up by a cough at a glare from emerald eyes. Ok he’s in charge I think to myself as he starts to stalk over to me, until he’s so close I have to tilt my head back just to see his face. “I asked you a question. Don’t make me ask it again.” He snarls at me. Taking a breath, I put my hands on my hips and respond “I found it. Pretty isn’t it? I’m sure I can make you one if you’d like? It’s just a simple broach, nothing special about it.” One of his fellow angels barks out a laugh as emerald eyes narrow on my face, searching for the lie I know isn’t there. Being a demon of deception helps convince even the best lie detectors not to sense the lies.

“You know exactly what that is. It’s how you got here in the first place. How did a small, insignificant demon like you, who can’t even conceal herself, gain access to a transporter?” He moves to pluck it from where it’s pinned, but I move before he can, side stepping him and moving to one of the chairs by the fireplace. Plopping down and draping myself over it as if I owned it, I look at him. “I’m pretty positive I’ve told you this already. I found it. I put it on and suddenly here I am. As I told old sapphire eyes there, I’m here exploring. What did you call this place again? Beyond the Stars?” shrugging, I continue, “I like exploring new places. Think of it as my hobby.” I won’t give into his comment about being an insignificant demon. The less he thinks of me, the more likely I am to get out of this with my skin intact. If he even gets a hint of my rank, I’ll be a dead demon for sure. My cocky, annoying demeanor is probably my best armor right now anyways.

I look at my nails and feign interest in them, digging out some imaginary dirt, while taking stock of my surroundings, my best plan of attack to get out of here. I hear bickering as the angels talk amongst themselves, too quiet for me to hear. I glance up through my eyelashes to see them all off in the other corner, only one with his eyes on me. Ruby eyes. Such an odd color for an angel I muse to myself before standing, ignoring the shout telling me to not move, and heading for the door in the glass wall out to the garden. I take a moment to breathe in the intoxicating smell. I wish I could bottle this scent. I’ve never smelt anything better. I slowly start to wander my way through the flowers, each more breathtaking than the last, aware that one of the angels is following me. I put my bag down to pull out a blank piece of parchment and charcoal, sketching the garden as a whole, as well as some of the individual flowers. The more I sketch, the less I pay attention to my surroundings until the angel following me is leaning over me to see my drawings. I startle before berating myself for not staying aware in a place that could be the death of me.

It’s then I notice an opening in the center of the garden, where the stars seem to invade. I walk closer, leaving the drawings in ruby eyes’ hands. Again I reach out and cup a star in my hand, this one glowing in my hands just like the first one. Carefully, I take it from its space, bringing it close, looking at it from every angle, before tucking it deep into a pocket within my armor. I take another one and put it with the first before turning back only to see ruby eyes has been joined with emerald eyes. He keeps glancing between me and my drawings of the garden, still filled with distrust. I walk over and put out my hand for my sketches. When they don’t first hand them back, I tilt my head and blink like the kitten they seem to think I am. Still they don’t hand the parchment back, so I tilt my head up to look at the crystal towers high above.

I flap my wings out, holding my hands up to show I’m not about to attack before jumping into the air to get a closer look at the tallest tower. I hear a russell of wings behind me, so I ask “What is this made of? I’ve never seen such material before.” I fly in close, my nose almost touching to try and figure it out. A chuckle sounds behind me. I glance behind to see sapphire eyes has joined me, my palm pushing flat against the tower. It has an unnatural warmth to it. It’s not warm here. This should be cool to the touch, but it’s not. “It’s an old crystal, sourced from a forgotten world that doesn’t exist anymore.” he tells me. I turn towards him again, waiting for him to continue. When he doesn’t, I ask “What is this place used for? Why is no one here?” I bite my tongue to keep from bombarding him with questions. Part of me is genuinely curious. The other part is gathering the information for Prime Evil.

He laughs, as if knowing I have millions more questions. “This used to be the home for a special class of angels. They are no longer among us as they once were. What there is left now resided within the inner circles of heaven. This place is now a sanctuary. A holy ground, if you were. We are the guardians, the only ones left behind, to guard and protect.”

As he talks, we float back to the ground, where the others have joined ruby eyes. He has my bag and garden sketches in his hand. As I reach for them, they all turn to head back inside. I sigh and follow behind, hoping they will give me my things and let me leave unharmed soon. They lead me back to the main hall and out the front doors and gate. Silently, my bag and sketches are handed back to me. Emerald eyes gazes at me cooly. “I shouldn’t let you leave alive. And not with that transporter, but it’s the only one here. The only one to take you away and out of my sight. Leave, and do not return. I will not spare you again.” He turns and walks away, back into the crystal palace he guards.

“Is he always so pleasant?” I ask as the door closes behind him. The others laugh and push me out the gate, shutting and locking it behind me. “Begone little demon. Heed his warnings. We’ve not seen another being for centuries, so while this has been amusing for us, it won’t stay that way long.” All but sapphire eyes turn to go back into the palace. I tilt my head, wave and tap the broach, summoning the blinding light. The last thing I see before the light takes over everything are two brilliant sapphires.

I’m back in my rooms once again. I remove my jewelry, armor and weapons, putting them back in their place. Grabbing a stack of parchment, I start to write of all that I have seen Beyond the stars. I redraw all my sketches, with more detail, and more carefully. I pull out both stars, placing one in a box with my reports and drawings. On top, I place the broach after thinking if I could indeed make a fake to replace and give back to Prime Evil. I wisely decide against it, thinking that I may be able to request its use again in the future. Closing the box, I place it on the table where Fiend Princess originally left the broach, knowing she will retrieve everything and bring it to Prime Evil.

I look at the second star, still glowing brightly, before placing it on my nightstand, where it hovers in place, forever a memory of my time Beyond the Stars.