Celine soared gracefully across the sky, gliding effortlessly through soft clouds that shimmered like silk. Her long white dress flowed behind her like water, and her hair danced in the wind, shining softly in the starlight.
She drifted onto a small cloud, laying on her stomach, gazing down at the world below. Beneath her stretched a breathtaking winter forest, bathed in moonlight. Without hesitation, she dove downward, the cold wind brushing against her skin like a whisper.
She landed softly, letting her wings rest. Her bare feet touched the cold snow. It felt crisp and quiet. She walked peacefully through the trees, the moonlight shining down on her like a soft light. She swung from branches and hummed to herself, her voice floating through the still night air.
She looked up and saw a beautiful snowy owl gliding above her, its wings silent in the night. It landed gently on a tree branch nearby, watching her with glowing eyes. Soon, a small herd of deer stepped quietly from the trees, followed by soft footed rabbits and a white fox with a curious gaze.
They approached her slowly, unafraid. She knelt down, her breath forming clouds in the cold air, and reached out her hands.
"How beautiful you all are," she whispered, running her fingers gently through their fur and feathers.
As she sang a quiet, sweet tune, snowflakes began to drift down from the sky, settling softly on their backs like tiny stars.
Suddenly, Celine looked into the distance and saw a pair of glowing eyes moving through the trees. Slowly, a large black wolf emerged from the shadows, its gaze fixed on her.
The animals scattered at once. The deer fled, the fox disappeared into the brush, the owl took flight in silence. Celine looked around, her chest tightening with sadness as the peaceful moment vanished.
She held the wolf's gaze as it crept closer. Steady, silent, powerful.
Then, laughter echoed through the forest.
"Beautiful, right?" a voice said, drifting from every direction at once.
Celine spun around, confused. A figure stepped from the shadows—tall, dressed in all black, with massive black wings unfolding behind him. Horns curled from his head like blades forged in fire—dark, obsidian-black and sharp as knives
A demon
"What is an angel doing out here at night?" he asked, a sinister smile tugging at his lips.
"I just... I like the snow. The forest looked pretty," she answered cautiously, trying to keep her voice steady. "D-Did you stalk me?"
He laughed. "No. Just coincidence," he said smoothly. "The Siberian Taiga is one of the most beautiful places I know."
She swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. A demon. She had always been told: never speak to them, never stay. Run.
She froze as he began to move toward her.
"What? Are you scared?" he said with a low chuckle, taking slow steps forward.
Celine backed away until her back hit a tree. He kept coming until their faces were inches apart.
"You think I'm going to hurt you?" he asked, his voice low and almost mocking.
She was breathing hard now, chest rising and falling fast.
He gave a soft laugh and stepped back. His smile widened, revealing small, sharp fangs.
"You and your kind," he muttered under his breath.
She scoffed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," he said simply. "See you, Celine."
He turned and flew off into the sky, wings cutting through the moonlight.
Her breath caught in her throat.
He knew her name.
She stood frozen, her heart pounding. The forest was silent now. The wolf had vanished, and the demon was gone, but the fear lingered like a shadow wrapped around her.
Without a word, she took to the sky, wings unfolding as she rose into the night. The wind brushed her skin as she flew upward, leaving the forest behind, back toward the clouds and the safety of her kingdom.
Celine slipped into her castle quietly, the moonlight following her through the open arches. She curled up on her big, soft cloud, its warmth cradling her like a blanket to then sleep peacefully.
When she awoke that morning, sunlight kissed her cheeks.
It filtered through the pale curtains like golden silk, brushing against her face and coaxing her eyes open. For a moment, Celine just laid there, staring at the ceiling. The echo of last night still pulsed softly in her chest.
She rose slowly, brushing her long curls as she stood in front of the mirror.
Her expression was calm, serene, but her thoughts swirled with purpose. She was exited for her day. Helping others was not just a duty, it was the rhythm of her soul.
⸻
The day moved like light on water—soft, steady, beautiful.
In the morning, she found herself in a hospital waiting room. A young child sat alone, knees hugged to their chest, tears threatening to fall. Celine sat beside them, not saying a word at first, just offering presence. Then, with a simple phrase—"I know it's scary. But you're not alone."—the child exhaled and reached for her hand.
Later that afternoon, she was drawn to a woman in a café, nervously tapping her coffee cup. Celine sat across from her without asking, made eye contact, and whispered a quiet truth about forgiveness. The woman froze, her breath caught in her throat. The she began to cry, releasing years of pain.
And just before sunset, she passed a man on a bench who looked like he hadn't spoken to anyone in days. She sat beside him, laughed softly at something unseen, and handed him a small sketch she had drawn of a tree, his favorite place from childhood. His eyes widened, and for the first time in a long while, he smiled.
⸻
Night fell gently. The city grew quieter, but the pain didn't sleep.
Celine sat alone in her room, brushing her hair again. The stars outside blinked against the velvet sky, and the mirror before her began to shimmer.
A soft hum rang through the air—someone needed her.
She stepped through the mirror without hesitation, the glass parting like liquid light.
In a blink, she was standing in the bathroom of a nightclub. The throb of bass rattled through the walls, muffled but constant, like a heartbeat just beneath the surface.
Celine glanced at herself in the mirror and smiled.
Her long, snowy white dress clung tightly to her form, shimmering slightly under the dim lights. Fluffy white boots hugged her calves, matching her white fishnets perfectly. Her makeup was flawless—lashes full, lips glossed in a muted shimmer, eyes lined sharp.
"Been a while since I got this dolled up," she said with a small smirk, fluffing her curls.
She adjusted her neckline, gave herself one last glance, and pushed open the bathroom door.
Flashing lights. Drenched bodies. Music shaking the floor like thunder.
The club was alive, but not in a way she liked. People danced with heavy limbs, intoxicated and overstimulated, their faces hollow. Some kissed with robotic urgency, others leaned against the walls in dazed euphoria. It was like watching the living dead souls trying to forget they still had hearts.
Celine smacked her lips and looked around. "Seems like everyone in here needs me," she muttered under her breath, almost amused.
She walked deeper into the crowd, hips swaying, arms lightly moving to the beat, not too much, just enough to blend in. She wasn't a fan of clubs, not even close. But if she wanted to find the one soul that called her here, she had to look like she belonged.
She smiled at strangers, danced with groups, letting her eyes scan from face to face. That was her way. She read through the eyes—felt their pain, fear, joy, or emptiness. Her own gaze flickered with soft, divine energy, almost unnoticeable unless someone truly looked.
And then, at the bar... she felt it.
There he was. The soul.
A man sat nursing a drink he hadn't yet touched. His eyes were red, watery, distant, like he was trying to hold himself together with one breath at a time. She felt the weight in him. The ache. That was her soul.
But right next to him... her heart skipped.
Him.
The demon. Or at least, he looked like him. No horns. No wings. Just a tall, handsome man in black, lounging like the night belonged to him. His expression was unreadable—eyes sharp, lips curled into a casual smirk.
Celine froze.
"What..." she whispered, eyes narrowing.
The man beside him noticed. "Do you know her?" he asked the demon, his voice brittle.
The demon turned casually, and his smile widened.
He held out a hand, smooth and elegant. His teeth were straight. Normal. Too perfect.
"Solem," he said simply, as if they were meeting at a dinner party.
Her breath caught. It was him.
She hesitated, unsure whether to run or stand her ground. Still, her hand moved on its own.
"C-Celine," she replied, placing her fingers in his.
His touch was warm.
"I'll give you two a second," the man said awkwardly, sensing the tension between them.
He grabbed his drink and slipped into the crowd, vanishing into the pulse of bodies and lights.
Solem turned back to her, his smile wicked.
"Damn, you look good as fuck," he said, eyes dragging over her like she was something he could devour. "Not every day you see an angel dressed like this."
His gaze was intense—hungry. Celine stiffened.
"What are you doing here?" she snapped, though her voice cracked slightly. Her nerves betrayed her cool. "Did you plan this?"
Solem's grin deepened. "Maybe. I just wanted to see you again." He leaned in, eyes gleaming. "Sit down with me."
"Oh my Goodness." she whispered, genuinely shaken. "You know our kinds don't... talk. Ever. You shouldn't even be near me. Just leave me alone."
He chuckled and took a slow sip of his drink. "No, your kind doesn't talk to us. I don't have a problem with you. In fact, I find you... beautiful."
Celine clenched her jaw. "I have a soul to tend to. I'm leaving," she growled, grabbing the collar of his shirt and pulling him in close, her voice low and sharp. "If I see you again, I'll be forced to do something I don't want to do."
Solem looked down at her hand gripping him, then back up at her face. His smile didn't fad, it grew darker.
"I like that fierceness in you," he purred, biting his lower lip just slightly. "Hot."
She shoved him back hard, the heat of his presence sticking to her skin like smoke.
She stormed off, heart pounding, eyes scanning the club. She found the man again. He was near the entrance, stumbling out with a woman draped on his arm. She looked like she wasn't even truly present. Her eyes were barely open, her laughter slurred.
"No, no—wait!" Celine called out.
She rushed after him, weaving through the crowd, but by the time she reached the doors, the cab was already driving off into the night.
He was gone.
She stood frozen in the doorway, wind brushing against her cheeks. Her heart sank like a stone in water.
Tears welled in her eyes.
She had failed.
For the first time.
She hadn't had enough time to truly feel him, to reach his pain, to speak to his soul. Solem had ruined it. Had distracted her. And now the man was probably falling under some temptation, or worse—dragged into something he wasn't strong enough to resist.
That's not what he needed that night. That's not a good distraction of pain. He just needed some guidance, and that's why his soul called out to her.
Celine turned away, shoulders tight. Her boots clicked against the rooftop stairs as she ascended, and finally—just finally she found solitude on the roof of the building.
She sat on the edge, the night air cool against her skin.
Below her, the city pulsed with light. Towers glittered. Traffic buzzed like lifeblood. The world kept turning.
But Celine sat still and Silent.
The soft glow of the city bathed her skin in gold and silver, but nothing could touch the weight she carried now. Her heart thudded.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her—slow, deliberate.
Her back straightened, and she turned to see him.
Solem.
Of course.
Her jaw tightened. "What now?" she snapped, voice edged with exhaustion. She was reaching her limit.
He said nothing at first, just walked to her side and sat down casually beside her, both of them perched on the edge of the rooftop, feet dangling high above the glittering city.
He glanced at her, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
For a brief second, Celine let herself believe, just maybe he was going to apologize. Or say something... mature.
But instead, he smirked. "I was genuinely just curious what you'd do to me if you saw me again."
Of course.
Disappointment hit her like a slap. What did she even expect?
She rolled her eyes and stood, brushing herself of, then turning to walk away.
But before she could take a step, his hand wrapped gently around her wrist. "There's something I think you should know."
She glared at him, his touch searing against her skin.
"And what exactly would that be?" she asked, her voice low and guarded.
Solem leaned in just enough for her to feel the heat of his breath.
"Oh, I can't tell you that yet, princess," he said with a slow, wicked smile. "Where's the fun in that?"