I walked over to the window and looked out. The view was breathtaking: in the distance, atop the enormous mountain, stood the royal castle. But even its appearance was no longer what one would expect. It retained its regal charm, a location so stunning that it almost felt like I should immediately go there, find a prince, and dance with him—yet the perpetual army surrounding it made it resemble a prison instead. Cold, rigid, as if it had been transported here from another world.
For a moment, my heart clenched—was I truly ready for this place? It was heartbreaking to experience this reality up close. We had always lived in a world where norms were no longer defined, where one could never be sure where the boundaries lay or how far the human mind was capable of going. But the fact that we had not only crossed into the existence of other entities but had completely shattered those boundaries—that was truly an achievement like no other.
I tried to see it as though the existence of the guardians was a path to correcting our mistakes. A responsibility we had to bear once the damage had already been done. If every angel was even a little bit as selfless and inherently good as Clara, John, and Elis, then fighting for this cause would already be worth it among the countless struggles and battles of the world.
"Well, that's all you needed to see," the woman cleared her throat, breaking the silence. Her gaze swept across the room, as if she was checking one last time that everything was in order.
"Don't let the rustic look deceive you," she continued firmly. "We have a modern system."
She held out a clipped access card.
"This is your entry card," she lifted it slightly. "With this, you can enter and exit everywhere. The doors only open for those who have permission. You don't need to type in codes; just touch this to the right spot."
As she handed me the card, she continued explaining:
"Despite serving a higher power, we are not outdated. We operate with the most advanced technology, and once a week, you may leave the city. If you wish, you can visit other areas of Switzerland, but you must return within a specified time. This place functions like a workplace. There are rules and systems that must be followed."
She paused for a moment before continuing:
"Of course, you may interact with people, but you must not say a single word about what happens here."
Her voice had been neutral until now, but something in it changed at that moment. It became colder, sharper.
"Your presence here is bound by strict laws. Every single resident takes a vow of silence. Even the smallest word that so much as hints at angels or our city carries a death penalty. A modern one, of course," she added icily, "but a death penalty nonetheless."
She stared deeply into my eyes. She did not explicitly threaten me, but the weight of her words pressed down on me.
"Clara may be your adoptive mother, and perhaps because of that, the leadership will be somewhat more lenient with you—but don't get too comfortable. No one here is exempt from the laws. If you break them, the punishment will be the same as for anyone else."
She gave me one final, cool glance, then turned. As she stepped toward the door, she spoke once more, this time without looking back:
"Dinner is happening right now—it lasts for another half hour. Don't be late!"
Then she stepped out the door and disappeared down the hallway.
Knowing I didn't have much time before dinner, I didn't waste any. On the bed, a form-fitting, long black jumpsuit had already been laid out for me. The material was flexible, fitting my figure perfectly, and as I examined myself in the mirror, I felt that the outfit didn't just suit me—it somehow reflected my personality as well. Somber, simple, but resolute.
With a single motion, I tied my hair into a tight ponytail to keep it out of my way. It was more practical this way, and it somehow matched my current mood better.
I took a deep breath and set off toward the dining hall.
My navigation skills were still far from the best, but the increasing noise and the presence of the guards helped me find my way. As I stepped into the massive hall, the buzz of the crowd immediately hit me. Everyone was lost in their own world—talking, arguing, laughing—exactly as they had been ten minutes ago.
I didn't want to draw attention to myself, so I quietly searched for a more secluded spot, sat down, and began eating.
I had barely taken my first bite when someone dropped into the seat beside me with a forceful motion. I didn't even need to look up to sense their energy—confident, raw, and challenging. Was everyone here always this tense and reserved?