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-  POYEL - The Angel of Providence.

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We move forward calmly, unhurried, under a starry sky that is truly magnificent. What strikes me here is the presence of two moons. Tonight, they are in the shape of semicircles, each facing the other, forming a sort of circle split in half.

Tracing the outlines of the moons with my finger, I realize something astonishing. Infinity. The number eight. Following the shapes of the moons, which are close to each other tonight, I see that they form the symbol of infinity. This symbol—I've come across it everywhere long before arriving in this world. It must be an important clue in my reflections.

- Hayden, in one of your books, I think I saw a symbol drawn multiple times. A symbol of infinity or an eight.

- Yes, that's correct. It's an infinity sign, not an eight; it signifies power among angels. Why do you ask?

- If the sign is drawn in two parts, if it is split in half, what happens?

I recall that time in my dream. The decorative droplet bore an infinity symbol, only it was cracked in two, just like this moon tonight.

- I... I must admit I have no idea.

- When I landed in this world, I touched an object with this symbol drawn on it, but it was in one of my dreams—I saw it split in two. When I destroyed it, the darkness surrounding me turned into light.

- Wait, he says, stopping in his tracks.

I stop as well.

- In one of your dreams? he repeats.

- Yes, I confirm.

- An angel doesn't dream. It's true that you are not just any angel. I mean...

- I didn't know that an angel couldn't dream.

- Since when has this been happening to you?

- Since the day we met, I think.

He seems to be deep in thought, his gaze piercing the void.

- What are you thinking about? I ask.

- I have to tell you that since our meeting, I, too, have had visions when I sleep, which I remember perfectly upon waking. They are probably visions that you are also having, not dreams, my dear.

He resumes walking slowly, continuing to speak.

- I was curious about why I suddenly started having visions, so I did some research and found that this phenomenon is called "dreams," he continues. That being said, I found this in a rather peculiar book.

- Oh? What do you mean?

- The title is: Understanding the Other World.

The other world? Is he talking about mine?

- But one thing is certain—celestial beings do not dream, only humans do. So, I concluded that this book, The Other World, is about humans. Unfortunately, I couldn't learn more about visions.

Now that he mentions it, I've always had trouble with this, but since coming here, I dream properly and remember when I wake up. Could they really be visions?

I lower my gaze to my wrist and understand this bite mark, the golden key... All of this is real.

- Describe this object to me.

I lift my head and begin to explain.

- Well, it's small, about the size of my hand, I explain, showing him its approximate size with my hands. It's black—let's say black glass, to be more precise. It's shaped like a water droplet, and on top of it, there are...

- Several red demonic symbols drawn on it, he finishes my sentence. So, we did have the same vision.

- I don't know what to think anymore.

- My dear, there's a great mystery surrounding you. I wanted to discuss what I discovered with you after the ball, but I think I need to tell you now.

I observe him, and once again, he stops. Then, placing his right hand on my shoulder, he stands in front of me, looking straight into my eyes with a serious expression.

- Listen to me carefully.

I nod, my stomach knotting. I'm finally going to learn who I really am.

- You are the last white angel.

- Yes, I already know that.

- I mean... When you fainted, your wings doubled.

- You mean in size? It's true that they felt heavier than before, I reply, unaware.

- No. I mean, you no longer have two, but four wings now. After the ceremony, our true nature is revealed—our wings, but also our powers.

- Four?

He releases my shoulder and continues his explanation.

- Normally, each angel has two wings. When a warrior triggers another angel's wings before their passage ceremony, if they are meant to do so, it already reveals their true nature. I mean, only for the wings, not the powers. Before that, the angel in question cannot control them alone, but they are revealed at that moment. Like what I did several times for you, forcing them to appear.

- I think I understand.

- So, the times when your wings appeared thanks to my spell, that was already supposed to be your natural wing form. But after tonight, two more appeared.

- That's why they felt heavier then. But if I understand correctly, wings aren't supposed to change?

- No—well, yes. But not for an angel like us. Do you understand? I believe you are no longer just an angel, but that you have become a cherub. You have, so to speak, ascended in rank, and in terms of hierarchy, you are above everyone in this academy. Even higher than the elders who govern Faëre, he whispers at the last part.

I smile and let out a small laugh at how serious he is.

- In reality, I suspect that your evolution is still ongoing, my dear. You are in more danger than I thought, and you are even more important than when you first arrived.

I laugh, probably from the immense stress he's putting on me. I've never seen him speak to me so seriously and calmly.

- I can't quite grasp it. To me, this still isn't real in my head. I've only just accepted being a simple angel, and now I'm supposedly an angel of a higher rank than the entire academy.

I take a deep breath, looking at the ground for a moment, closing my eyes to process all of this.

- I have to confess something, I say.

I look him in the eyes but struggle to admit it. I avert my gaze before finally speaking.

- I am human. I'm not from this world, I confess.

A moment passes. With no response from him, I lift my head to see his face. That's when I see him smiling.

- I already knew, he replies.

Surprised by his answer, I stand there, speechless. How? Since when has he known? Why didn't he tell me?

- Since when? I ask first.

- A vision. You were in a house with three humans. One you call "Mom." You were all laughing around a round table. At one point, you got into a box that moved very fast. And when I looked around, there were dozens of them, in all colors and strange shapes. Some were longer than others, and several people were inside, moving willingly.

- You're talking about cars, I laugh.

- Don't mock me. In this world, such things don't exist. Not even in books. It only says that our two worlds are alike but completely different.

- So, does that mean that everyone here knows about the human world?

- Yes, exactly, but no one knows what it looks like. The day I found you in that ransacked house, everything was identical to my vision. And you seemed lost and irritated by what had happened there. Especially your confusion at seeing an angel in the angel world—it made no sense at all, he says mockingly.

He looks so handsome when he smiles. Why am I thinking about that now?

- That's when I realized you weren't from this world—the very night we met.

We resume walking, arriving at the grand entrance of the academy.

And now, standing in front of the ballroom doors, I realize our paths are about to part.

I don't want them to.