Life was easy.

A soft breeze flowed in between the clouds; they seemed to be composed of dense white fog, unnatural in its movement. If any human could have been witness to the view, they would have expressed awe for the clear blue sky above the mists.

In such peaceful surroundings, a loud yawn echoed. There was someone there, one who outstretched himself lazily and calmly. A young man with spiky, slicked-back blond hair, with three out-of-place long black strands framing one side of his face. His short stubble contrasted with his fair skin, but not as much as his dense and pointy eyebrows. He had a sharp but laid-back air to him, and a sly demeanor.

Even if he could look human, he wasn’t. He could not be considered one, not when some feathers shivered over him and glinted under the sunlight. Two wings, which had looked to be small against his back, now unfolded to show how long and wide they could really be. They easily doubled their size with a single relaxed move.

The angel shook his wings a little, and then he let them rest at his sides, on the ground. Once he was comfortable, he closed his amber eyes, calmly. He did not show any intention of getting up again; his head rested onto his arms, while his weight was supported by his chest.

There was silence around him. But he knew well that there was no such tranquility in the far distance. He liked to come here, where he could flee from all worries. Because there was never any quietness in the citadel. The angels were always working and attending business, all around. There wasn’t a second in which they weren’t absorbed in their duties; dawdling was nearly considered a crime.

He felt apprehension for his own land. So here he was now, relaxing again, with nothing to bother him at the moment.

He shook his wings again, and their slow moves contrasted his nervous thoughts. He soon folded and let them lay onto his back to cover his shoulders and neck, like a cape. It could suffice as clothing, but he always wore his usual brown top, a couple sizes bigger than his; it almost covered his black belt and black pants, slightly.

He laid there for a long while, for time there could not be taken seriously. It flowed like the wind.

In the end, he opened one eye, because he heard the echo of footsteps behind him. Without looking or seeming interested, he listened to the grumpy voice that called.

“You should not be here, kiddo.”

Alexis moved at last; he rolled onto his back to look at his uncle, without hurry.

Angus’ could be quite intimidating; he was always frowning. He had a long beard, braided and messy at the same time. Even then, Alexis knew that his uncle had a soft side. A hidden soft side. Very well hidden, maybe deep in his big black beard.

He really looked scary to some people, even if he was not the tallest of angels. Though, he did not intimidate his nephew, because the young man was taller than him.

Alexis ignored Angus’ remark and did not pay mind to the exasperated look he received for it. He answered his reproach sarcastically, in fact.

“I can be wherever I want… I have already done all the things those bossy jerks told me to.”

Alexis rolled again onto his chest and continued to focus on his thoughts. He would never understand why the higher angels could boss him around so much, just because they lived more centuries, or because they had a higher rank.

It could look like he was avoiding work… But it wasn’t the case. If he was something, it was hardworking. He was the best blacksmith in the citadel after Angus. If he was out here so often, it was only because he couldn’t stand the others. He just couldn’t stand being there. All his folk behaved like… Like if they could rule the whole world, like if they were divine creatures; like if they could look down on everything.

That, they did. All the time.

Idiots and snobs. Always telling me to behave more proudly… Why the hell must I speak so formally, or wear those silly robes?

While Alexis complained mentally, again, Angus took his sweet time to sit at his side, not without a long groan. Both focused on staring at the distance ahead, in silence.

A while passed, without a word. Eventually, Angus looked sideways at his nephew and broke the silence.

“You are bored, aren’t you?”

“Maybe I am.”

Nothing happened. Ever. But it was not like he could complain. It was an easy existence. He had no worries, other than fulfilling his duties in time. Forge the weapons and armor he was told to make, or carriages, or whatever. Any task he was assigned. It was always the same routine.

Angus raised an eyebrow at the way his nephew stared ahead, with narrowed eyes. Alexis was glaring at the abyss, a wide fissure between the mists and ground. It did not have any visible end. Below its endless blackness hid another world. It was the land of humans and other lesser creatures, beings unworthy of being named.

Alexis had a curious soul. But Angus knew that said soul was also fearful.

“There is nothing of worth there. Most men are eager to leave it behind…”

Alexis snorted a little and then retorted tiredly.

“But it is still part of it all. After all, don’t some of us have to be sent there?”

Angus shrugged and grumbled, unable to deny the fact.

Alexis did not move when his uncle stood and began to walk away, back towards their citadel. There was enough time for him to give some advice.

“Yes, and most never return. Don’t wonder too much about it.”

The young angel did not follow him. He stayed, unable to look away from the abyss.

He knew well how that world could be. It was full of wonders, strange, forever changing. It was also dangerous. Not only humans inhabited it; demons plagued the land. So he was content to just watch. He had enough with that. He could see glimpses of it, for the abyss sometimes granted small glints of its life.

The life he had was enough, even if it was far from perfect. It was not fulfilling, but simplicity offered safety. His duties were long, boring, and repetitive. Yet he was happy with what he had here. No problems, no worries… No danger.

He would not have to traverse the abyss and roam in that world; that was for other angels to deal with. Not him. He just had an easy existence.