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Gems of Freedom
August 18, 2021|Short Story

Gems of Freedom

Gems of Freedom

Letting life choose the next step to take, Brooke floated down a white marble hallway, while the falling water from a fountain gave the place a harmonious melody.

She didn’t know what was about to happen, or if she was going to find the angel that summoned her. Brooke wandered the gardens, leaving a trail of light behind her white veil. She—like all the angels who live in the city—wore simple white dresses.

There was no one in the garden. Being invited to a place like this was highly unusual in a city full of angels. Brooke began to fear the unknown solitude, worrying about what might happen to her… when she saw Pauline lying over a white blanket on the lawn.

Pauline was an ordinary angel, like every other one in the city, she also wore a white dress.

Brooke broadened her eyes in surprise. “What are you doing there?”

“I was expecting you,” Pauline said. “Come…sit next to me.”

Brooke stepped over the low fence that surrounds the garden and sat on the white blanket.

Pauline looked in her bag. “Look what I have here.”

Brooke couldn’t believe the brilliant color of the gem in Pauline’s hand.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a gem I found in hell,” Pauline said sincerely.

“What are you talking about!” Brooke asked, flustered with surprise. “It’s impossible to go to hell.”

“We found a way,” Pauline said.

“We could be banished for this,” Brooke said.

“Don’t worry,” Pauline said. “It’s just a shiny rock. Besides, it’s you who wants to find a way to help humans.”

“Yes, but not like this.”

“We are at war with the forces of evil,” Pauline said. “Doing nothing…equals supporting them.”

“But…going down to hell.”

“We discovered that demons manipulate these gems to increase the influence of temptations,” Pauline said. “We are only giving humans a fair chance.

“I thought you would be capable of anything to help them. That’s what you said.”

“Yes, but I didn’t mean this,” said Brooke.

“It’s the only weapon we have against the forces of hell,” Pauline said. “Do you want to help humans or not?”

“Yes…”

“This is your chance to do it,” Pauline said. “Take the gem.”

Brooke opened her hand and received the gem.

“Come with me,” Pauline said , “I have something to show you.”

The two angels floated towards the large wooden gate at the side of the garden. Then Pauline opened it…Brooke noticed that the interior of the church was no longer like she remembered. “What kind of witchcraft is this?” she asked and dropped the gem from her hand.

Immediately, the interior of the church returned to its original shape. Pauline took the gem from the ground. “Here, trust me.”

When they walked through the door, the illusion of the interior of the church became real. It was the first time Brooke had seen the secret rebel headquarters. “What is this place?”

“Here is where we fight to help humans,” Pauline said.

“Are we in hell?”

“No, hell is far worse,” Pauline said. “We are still in the city of angels. Welcome to Elysium, the secret rebel headquarters. From here we face the forces of evil.”

“But how?”

“Easy, we use the power of these gems,” Pauline said, pulling a gem from her bag. Then she placed it on her chest and a cloud of smoke completely surrounded her.

Brooke took a step back, surprised by the transformation Pauline was undergoing. Little by little the smoke vanished, leaving behind a being that stopped looking like an angel. Her white dress fell to the floor and Pauline’s white skin completely changed color.

Brooke couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The appearance of the angel with whom she entered Elysium was demonic. “Get away from me.”

“I’m still in control,” Pauline said. “We learned to use the gems of hell.”

“But your appearance…”

Pauline took the gem off her chest and immediately returned to its natural state. “Transformations are temporary, they allow us to make better use of our celestial powers. Give it a try.”

“What!” Brooke said. “Do you want me to put this on my chest?”

“Give it a try,” Pauline said. “You can always turn back into an angel.”

Brooke opened her hand to see the red gem glow. I can take it off after trying, she thought. Then she placed the gem on her chest and felt a force penetrate her…creating pain and pleasure.

A cloud of smoke covered her as she felt her skin become rough and her muscles tighten. Brooke felt her body grow slightly, as a surprising force supported her spine. Four arms came out from her sides, she immediately had control over them. Then she noticed that the skin on her hands had hardened and her delicate nails were now dark claws.

At the end of her transformation, Brooke looked up to experience what was happening. Pauline had placed the gem back in the middle of her chest, but she was now beautiful. Brooke managed to appreciate the beauty of the gray skin, the black wings, and the gleam of the green gem on Pauline’s chest.

Brooke looked down and found her red gem shining.

“Try using your angelic powers,” Pauline said.

Brooke paused. I’ll try to use prayer to see what happens, she thought. But instead of floating while a white light shone around her, Brooke noticed a red fire begin to grow between her palms. She immediately pushed it away from her and saw the fire crash against a wall. “Amazing.”

“You’re getting used to it,” Pauline said. “Follow me, let’s put your powers to the test.”

Brooke walked through Elysium, appreciating the beauty she could now admire. The place still looked like the inside of the church, only its walls were black and it was decorated with beautiful gems of different colors. The place was full of weapons and tools, all neatly arranged on shelves.

The angels that Brooke was able to observe were also transformed. All the transformations were unique. Each one was more surprising than the last. What powers will they have? Brooke wondered.

“Brooke, I would like you to meet Dindel,” Pauline said as she stopped.

Dindel’s skin was red and a blue light floated over the palm of one of his hands. “It’s my pleasure,” she said with a bow, and the blue fire died away.

“We’d like to use one of your portals,” Pauline said before Brooke could speak.

“Right away,” Dindel said and a flame began to grow in her hands. Then she dropped the blue fire.

Brooke watched the flame grow.

“Come on,” said Pauline, “don’t be afraid.”

Brooke watched Pauline pass through the flame and disappear. Then she stopped to analyse the situation.

“Move, I can’t keep it open for long,” Dindel said.

Brooke closed her eyes and stepped through the portal. Upon entering the temperature changed dramatically. The heat should have been unbearable for an angel, but for some reason she felt good. After a moment she realized that Pauline held two black swords and was fighting against… Brooke couldn’t understand the creature.

The demon was big and full of muscles. Pauline looked small in comparison, yet the fight seemed to unfairly benefit the transformed angel.

“We have to destroy everything in our way,” Pauline said, before slamming her sword into the creature’s chest. “Don’t worry about them. They are immortal beings.”

Brooke saw the demon explode.

“The only way we can deal with them is by using your angelic powers,” Pauline said.

Brooke saw Pauline run and realizing that she had no other choice decided to follow. The rock cave was lit by torches. They ran until reaching a large room with dozens of demons.

Brooke was surprised and turned to look at Pauline, she winked at her and charged.

I have to use my angelic powers, Brooke thought. Then she used meditation and noticed that her concentration was focused on the demons around her. Balls of red fire glowed between the palms of her six hands. She instinctively slammed her hand against one of the demons and felt the fireball explode on impact.

Brooke continued to hit the demons with the fireball in her hands and the explosion knocked them to the ground. She also created fireballs by using prayer. Her angelic powers translate perfectly. She felt natural hiting and destroying the demons in her path.

Pauline was also using her angelic powers, and before long they were done with demons small and large, and continued through the cave.

“Good job,” Pauline said, running past Brooke. “You can use the rest to defend yourself.”

Brooke noted and they continued to destroy everything in their path.

Finally, after a battle that lasted longer than Brooke expected, they came to a large room with an altar. On top of it there was a large glowing purple gem.

Pauline extended her hand out to the side. “Stay here.”

Brooke looked from side to side and couldn’t find any demons. “Is this what we came for?”

“Hush,” Pauline said, and began to approach the gem.

Brooke stood still, watching Pauline approach the altar.

Pauline took the gem and turned… the place began to tremble. An immense creature appeared beside her. Pauline didn’t have time to react, the gem was snatched from her hand. “This belongs to me,” said the demon.

Brooke saw the demon glow, immediately used rest and was surrounded by a red light that protected her from the flames that erupted from the demon’s body.

Pauline couldn’t cover herself in time. The blow caused her to crash against the cave wall.

Brooke launched a fireball. The demon was struck in the chest. Nothing. Brooke took a step back as she formed another fireball in her hand.

“Your powers are useless against me,” the demon said, pointing at Brooke.

The two angels felt the force of the demon pull their gems off their chests. Brooke felt the unbearable heat of hell burn her bare skin. The pain forced her to fall to the ground. Then, she felt her body begin to fade….

…”Wake up,” Brooke heard from a distance. Eventually she was able to open her eyes. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”

Brooke noticed the transformed angels surrounded her. One of them placed a green gem on her chest and her pain began to fade.

79 comments
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Sebastian Iturralde

I am a fiction blogger and lover of literature, art, and all things creative. As a citizen of this beautiful planet, I am constantly inspired by the natural world around me.

79 comments

  • August 18, 2021 at 8:55 am

    Wow! You had me from the beginning. This was a powerful story.

  • Danielle
    August 18, 2021 at 9:04 am

    Nice read ❤️

  • August 18, 2021 at 9:07 am

    Really Cool Story

  • August 18, 2021 at 9:07 am

    👏👏👏👏👏

  • August 18, 2021 at 9:07 am

    Your balance between nature and fiction is mind blowing….. Just in love with your writings💛

  • August 18, 2021 at 9:20 am

    enjoyed reading it.

  • August 18, 2021 at 9:33 am

    Good read. Oh Brooke, what have you gotten yourself into?

  • August 18, 2021 at 9:40 am

    Quite engaging fromy start to finish. Enjoyed it

  • August 18, 2021 at 9:45 am

    Refreshing! Loved the pace of the story. It’s different from your other fast paced reads, Sebastian.
    Enjoyed reading it!

  • August 18, 2021 at 11:22 am

    ThanQ for showing me my truth… I love you All Ways! #forevermore… I know you can feel/hear my words.. I AM so grateful 🙏 💛

  • August 18, 2021 at 1:04 pm

    Enjoyed reading it !!!! 🙂

  • August 18, 2021 at 1:51 pm

    Very interesting story! I like the feel of mythology and almost like a video game. Keep it up!!

  • August 18, 2021 at 2:24 pm

    I’m persistently amazed and awed by your talents. Thank you again ❤

  • August 18, 2021 at 6:41 pm

    Wow! Great storytelling!

  • August 18, 2021 at 6:41 pm

    Great story! I appreciate your amazing talent!

  • August 18, 2021 at 6:49 pm

    It’s incredible how much detail an creativity you packed into such a short story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

  • August 18, 2021 at 8:08 pm

    Great story!

  • August 18, 2021 at 8:52 pm

    Fascinating read, there seems to be no limit to your creativity of the mythological.

  • August 18, 2021 at 9:14 pm

    A good metaphor for how much even those who are already enjoy freedom beyond the imagination of the ordinary citizen, are willing to risk given the chance to push beyond their limits.

  • August 18, 2021 at 10:22 pm

    I absolutely loved every minute of this.

  • Ryan Ashley Maddeaux
    August 18, 2021 at 10:34 pm

    yes.

  • August 18, 2021 at 11:04 pm

    I think this is my favorite so far, but I’ve only been following for a short time, so it’s exciting to see what other stories you share! Thank you!

  • August 19, 2021 at 1:40 am

    Some elements reminded me of a movie I watched some time back.
    Finding their way through the matrix of hell is brilliantly depicted.
    👏👏👏👏

  • August 19, 2021 at 5:23 am

    Enjoyed reading..thanks for sharing this thoughtful post!!

  • August 19, 2021 at 6:55 am

    This story draws the reader into the narrative and keeps you coming back for more.

  • August 19, 2021 at 8:07 am

    “The road to hell is paved with good intentions…” Brooke may have gotten herself in mess. Awesome story brother!

  • August 19, 2021 at 8:32 am

    You give readers that “AWE” feeling with your work! 🤎🤎🤎🤎🔥🔥🔥🔥🔌🔌🔌🔌 Honored that you even look twice at my humble posts. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

  • August 19, 2021 at 9:52 am

    All it takes is to follow the path of a lost soul to get lost. Very impactful story, I loved it!

  • August 19, 2021 at 1:49 pm

    I was worried for Brooke the whole time. Your contrast kept my attention til the last word.

  • August 19, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    Good read…. I especially like the overriding theme that appearances are not the key to knowing who you face. Only by knowing the heart can you ever make good judgments.

  • August 19, 2021 at 8:01 pm

    Beautifull words and blending. Powerfull

  • August 20, 2021 at 1:45 am

    thankyou! beautiful

  • Javier
    August 20, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    I was initially brought here because you liked my educator’s blog, now I find this “gem” of a story?! SO SO GOOD! I really enjoyed the visual storytelling talent, Sebastian. You really do have a gift. I would love to see what happens next. I would be interested if there were hell creatures that were also interested in helping the humans; maybe even joining forces with the rogue angels. Please keep this story going! 🙂

  • August 20, 2021 at 12:56 pm

    Great short! Feels like it could be an excerpt from a Sci-Fi movie, I was upset that it ended where it did, I wanted more!

  • August 20, 2021 at 6:53 pm

    Thanks for all of the good work that you do with you blog, and for your continued LIKES of my articles. You are very kind and gracious.

  • August 21, 2021 at 12:00 am

    This is a powerful piece of writing. Very evocative of the mind and spirit!

  • August 21, 2021 at 2:51 am

    Wish I could read faster…. Feels like I have to wait too long to get to the end! It’s that good.

  • August 21, 2021 at 6:35 am

    “you’re powers are weak old man”

    “When we last fought I was but an apprentice, but now I am the master!”

  • marie8578
    August 21, 2021 at 3:07 pm

    Very nice. Very captivating story.

  • August 21, 2021 at 4:13 pm

    You are an amazing writer! A different perspective on what heavenly angels can do. Very interesting! I love the conflict and details in your script. Great job!
    God bless you my friend! Have an amazing weekend!

  • August 21, 2021 at 8:04 pm

    Interesting. Like a dream.

  • vrm2600
    August 21, 2021 at 11:46 pm

    Great read! Wonder what happened to Pauline in the aftermath of the last fight.

  • August 22, 2021 at 12:20 am

    I really enjoy the way you’re rendering these concepts in your own original way. It’s something for every writer with an interest in mystical fiction to aspire to.

  • August 22, 2021 at 10:13 am

    Another great story. It breathes new life into the saying that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

  • Robert
    August 22, 2021 at 11:16 am

    These are awesome!

  • August 22, 2021 at 1:02 pm

    wow, I’m happy that you liked my story because otherwise i didn’t got to your stories i think. And i really love the story and also your page looks beautiful. really nice work.

  • August 23, 2021 at 4:05 am

    Deeply engrossed. Catchy theme.

  • August 23, 2021 at 9:28 pm

    Hello. Hi, thank you for giving like to my latest online post in my blog, Against Global Conspiracy Part 11.

  • August 24, 2021 at 9:33 am

    Very creative

  • August 25, 2021 at 3:34 am

    Amazing read. Enjoyed it from the start. 🤍🤍

  • August 25, 2021 at 4:20 am

    Relief 😮‍💨 at the end. Thank you.
    So she got the healing amulets. Precious!
    Lovely story. Thanks so much for sharing. Keep going. 👏

  • August 25, 2021 at 1:32 pm

    I enjoy reading your posts… BUT when your post makes me go to your Website to read the entire article, I cannot comment on it. WordPress is funny that way. I have to be “in WP” to make a comment. It’s frustrating. Just letting you know.

  • August 27, 2021 at 10:41 pm

    Beautiful story…

  • August 29, 2021 at 4:05 am

    Nice Read and Thank you

  • Elizabeth Evans
    August 29, 2021 at 8:00 pm

    I finally had a moment to read this story and the imagery took me right into the midst of of it. What a treat!! Great writing!!! Thank you for sharing your gift!

  • August 30, 2021 at 9:59 pm

    NICE

  • September 4, 2021 at 2:31 pm

    I feel your story and concept is really close to mine (Gem Racer). I saw you liked my page/stories last month, was just wondering if you also got inspiration from it.

  • September 8, 2021 at 9:13 pm

    kinda cool story

  • Bernadette
    September 15, 2021 at 5:26 am

    Good read

  • September 15, 2021 at 9:19 pm

    Wow! I enjoyed the read, and as a latina I am so excited that people can also read it in Spanish. Thank you for the inspiration. God Bless.

  • September 17, 2021 at 10:02 pm

    This is quite a powerful rebellion. I was afraid the gems would corrupt them, but actually the gems healed them and gave them access to join the fight.

  • September 18, 2021 at 2:53 pm

    Sebastian your raw material is a lovely leap into snippets of topics and tails, you are a talented writer with an eye for characters. Nice read to swallow the even away while relaxing.
    🙂

  • September 20, 2021 at 3:35 pm

    Nice read!

  • September 26, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    Wow, very interesting and nice read.

  • October 10, 2021 at 10:35 pm

    Amazing

  • October 21, 2021 at 4:03 pm

    Wooow

  • October 22, 2021 at 5:01 pm

    👍🇺🇸🦅🙏

  • October 23, 2021 at 11:02 pm

    City of Angels and Light and Freedom all impressions

  • November 7, 2021 at 7:00 pm

    Thanks for your like of my post, “Revelation Prophecy – Chapter 11;” you are very kind.

  • November 15, 2021 at 11:10 pm

    Cool

  • Mayuri
    November 23, 2021 at 1:19 am

    Wow, that was intense. Got goosebumps all over me.

  • December 7, 2021 at 1:24 am

    Really enjoyed this!! Sparks imagination it’s like watching a movie

  • March 3, 2022 at 8:15 pm

    THIS was so good. I didn’t want it to end. I love the dichotomy of angels and demons. Using dark gems to manipulate them for good use. Outstanding theme and idea!

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    Author's Note
    The Andes' highlands served as a source of inspiration for this short story. I hope you'll find the same beauty and wonder in its words that I did while crafting it.
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