Chapter 2

  MORTAL REALM

  The alarm rang like any other day, but this time Gabriel felt as though he was beginning a once-in-a-lifetime journey. With his thoughts tangled between fear and excitement, he got ready and headed to school. He wasn’t sure he had made the right decision by accepting the mission, but there was no turning back now. It was the first time he had broken the strict rules of Paradise, even questioning the system he had defended without hesitation his entire life. There he stood, before the imposing door to the principal’s office, his hand trembling as he prepared to knock.

  —Hello? —he asked, opening the door cautiously.

  —Gabriel! I’m glad you decided to accept the mission, —the principal replied, smiling with satisfaction as he gestured toward a large white door adorned with golden edges.

  —Is that the portal?

  —It is. You only need to walk through it, —the principal answered, offering a reassuring smile.— Though I must warn you: once you enter the Mortal Realm, you will lose the use of your wings.

  —What? I’ll be defenseless! —Gabriel exclaimed, panic stabbing through him.

  —That’s why your celestial weapon is so important. Technically, wings are our greatest defense, but in your case… well, being a hybrid, you don’t have full control over them. Fortunately, your angelic aura is weak enough to go unnoticed among mortals. Attacks on hybrid angels are rare, —the principal tried to reassure him, though Gabriel sensed a certain coldness in his words.

  Gabriel took a deep breath, remembering his mother’s words: “Life is for the brave.” He had never fully understood that phrase, but now he needed to cling to it in order to move forward.

  —Very well, Gabriel. Don’t waste any more time—cross the portal, —the principal said with one last encouraging smile.

  Gabriel opened the door and stepped into a long white corridor. At the far end, a blinding light enveloped him, and suddenly the brightness vanished. He felt trapped in a small, dark space.

  —Hello? Is anyone there? —he called out, blindly striking the walls of his confinement.

  A rough, surprised male voice answered from outside.

  —Who are you, and what are you doing in here?

  —Help! I’m Gabriel, I need to get out of here, —he pleaded desperately.

  —Stay there. I’m calling the police, —the voice said, and Gabriel heard the sound of a phone being dialed.

  —The… police? —Gabriel murmured, intrigued by the term.

  Moments later, he managed to force the door open and, without knowing how, fell on top of a young man who stared at him in a mix of terror and surprise. The boy’s brown eyes shone with a strange sense of familiarity and warmth. Red-faced and disheveled, he squirmed beneath him.

  —Oh—sorry! —Gabriel laughed nervously.

  —Are you… going to assault me? —the boy asked, completely alarmed.

  —What? Of course not! —Gabriel replied, quickly getting up and offering a hand to help him stand.— It was an accident, I swear.

  —Fine… but I’m still calling the police.

  —The police… are they the force that maintains order in this realm? —Gabriel asked, trying to recall the terms he had studied in his books.

  The boy stared at him in disbelief.

  —You’re weird, but… yeah, something like that.

  Before the boy could press the button on his phone, Gabriel slowly lifted the sleeve of his right arm. Beneath the fabric, a bracelet adorned with hexagonal crystals glowed—delicate lilac gems that seemed to pulse with life. Calmly and precisely, he touched one of the crystals. A spark of energy rippled through the air, and the phone instantly shut off, leaving behind a silence thick with astonishment and tension.

  —I’m sorry, but you can’t call the police. I have a mission, and it must not be interfered with by mortal authorities.

  The boy backed away, alarmed.

  —What the hell—? Stay away from me! —he shouted, throwing the phone at Gabriel’s head.

  —Hey! That hurt, —Gabriel complained, rubbing his forehead.— Listen, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m Gabriel, your cupid angel. I was sent to help you, Max Hotsson, understand your feelings for Laura.

  —Cupid angel? Are you kidding me? —Max stepped back, scanning him from head to toe, utterly confused.

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  Gabriel sighed, realizing words alone wouldn’t be enough. He stepped closer and gently placed a hand on Max’s cheek. Closing his eyes, he softly kissed Max’s forehead. Instantly, a flood of images and sensations poured into Max’s mind: celestial landscapes, ethereal music, infinite peace. The feeling was so pure and overwhelming that it left him breathless.

  When Gabriel pulled away, Max stared at him wide-eyed.

  —What… what was that? —he whispered, still shaken.

  —My world—and peace in its purest form, —Gabriel replied with a faint smile.— You needed to feel it to believe me. I have to complete my mission and help you understand your feelings. Do you understand?

  Max nodded slowly, still processing what had happened.

  —So you really are an… angel? And you’re here to help me figure out my feelings for Laura?

  —Exactly. Cupid angels guide humans in love because that energy is vital to our Realm. Love creates a unique source of energy that sustains Paradise, —Gabriel explained.

  Max laughed, scratching his head.

  —So… I’m basically a living battery?

  Gabriel laughed as well, relieved to see him relaxing.

  —Uh… yes, but we prefer to call you “someone in love.” It sounds less… cold.

  Max grinned.

  —And how does this work? Are you going to shoot Laura with an arrow or something?

  Gabriel shook his head, amused.

  —No, it doesn’t work like that. Love has to be born naturally. I’m a guide—my job is to help you discover the truth of your feelings, whether that means getting closer to Laura or learning to let her go.

  Max nodded, studying him with growing curiosity.

  —So you’re like… my Jiminy Cricket, then.

  —Jiminy Cricket? —Gabriel repeated, frowning.— Is that some kind of insult?

  Max burst out laughing.

  —No, no. Jiminy Cricket is a character from a story—a guide who helps the protagonist become a better person.

  —Oh. Then yes, I suppose I am your Jiminy Cricket, —Gabriel said, smiling.

  —Can you make my phone work again? —Max asked, pointing to the device.

  Gabriel brushed the lilac crystal on his bracelet with his fingertips. In a blink, a soft, vibrant glow pulsed from the gem, and the phone powered on instantly.

  —Thanks… and sorry about hitting you, —Max said, smiling sheepishly.

  —It’s okay. You were scared—I understand, —Gabriel replied.

  —Damn it, I’m going to be late for class, —Max exclaimed, grabbing his backpack and rushing off.

  —Wait—I’m coming with you, —Gabriel said, following him with a mix of nerves and excitement pounding in his chest. The mission had begun, and every step in the mortal world felt like the first step toward something far greater than he had ever imagined.

  When Gabriel and Max arrived at school, the buzz of students filled the hallways. Gabriel took everything in with a blend of fascination and nervousness, as though every detail were worthy of wonder. Beside him, Max noticed the strange looks they were getting and felt a twinge of embarrassment as his new “friend” wandered in visible awe.

  —Are you new? —the authoritative voice of a girl snapped Gabriel out of his trance. Standing before him was Sam, the student council president, watching him with a sharp, analytical gaze.

  —Uh… yes, I am, —Gabriel replied with a nervous smile.

  —I’m always notified when there’s a new student. Where are you from? —she asked, studying him closely.

  Gabriel quickly glanced at Max for help.

  —He’s from the town of Pelton, —Max interjected, throwing him a lifeline.

  —Oh, Pelton… that’s far away. What brought you here? —Sam continued, curiosity tinged with suspicion.

  —My mother got a job in the city. I really like the school, and by the way—your nails are amazing! —Gabriel exclaimed, taking Sam’s hands to examine them, trying to distract her.

  —Oh… thank you, —she replied, flattered.— They’re expensive, but worth it. Beauty isn’t free, you know.

  Uncomfortable, Max seized the moment to pull Gabriel away before he drew any more attention.

  —Thanks for saving me from her. Is everyone here like that? —Gabriel asked once they were at a safe distance.

  —No, but be careful with Sam. If she suspects anything strange, she’ll investigate until she uncovers it—and then tell the entire school, —Max replied darkly.

  —Did she do something to you?

  —Not to me. But last year she found out Emily and Fabiola were dating and told everyone. Shortly after, Emily’s parents pulled her out of school, and Fabiola… well, she ended her life. Sam always says it wasn’t her fault, but we all know it was.

  Gabriel fell silent, caught in a storm of thoughts. The harshness of human life—its darkest shades—had taken him by surprise. He wasn’t prepared to face a reality that felt so foreign and unsettling.

  They entered the classroom and took their seats. Just as the lesson was about to begin, the teacher noticed the newcomer and, with a friendly smile, invited him to introduce himself.

  —Hi, I’m Gabriel Berht. I’m eighteen years old, I’m from Pelton, and I love rainbows and chocolate milkshakes, —he said enthusiastically, flashing a radiant smile.

  A murmur of giggles rippled through the classroom, some barely concealing their mockery. Confused, Gabriel glanced at Max, who kept his head down, clearly uncomfortable.

  —Why are they laughing? —Gabriel whispered, genuinely puzzled.

  Max swallowed and glanced up slightly, trying not to laugh himself.

  —Because… well, that sounded a little childish, —he whispered back, struggling to suppress a grin.

  During class, Gabriel paid little attention, focusing instead on forming a plan for his mission. He needed to get closer to Laura, gather information, and help Max understand his feelings for her.

  When the bell rang for recess, Gabriel spotted Laura in the hallway and eagerly approached her.

  —Hi, —he greeted her with a big smile.

  —Hi, are you the new kid? —Laura asked, surprised by his enthusiasm.

  —Yes, I’m Gabriel, —he said, extending his hand.

  Laura shook it, somewhat confused.

  —If you had to describe your ideal guy, what would he be like? —Gabriel asked, pulling out a notebook and getting ready to take notes.

  Laura laughed in surprise.

  —Wow, you’re pretty direct, aren’t you? —she replied, shooting a quick glance at Max.

  —Oh, it’s not for me. It’s for—

  —Gabriel has a strange sense of humor, Laura. Don’t pay too much attention to him, —Max interrupted nervously, trying to save the situation.

  At that moment, a girl with cheerful curls approached.

  —Guys! I found a violet butterfly in the garden! I feel like it’s a sign today is going to be a great day, —she said with a huge smile.

  —Maybe it’s just a butterfly, Tatiana, —Laura replied teasingly.

  —I also believe butterflies bring good luck, —Gabriel said, siding with Tatiana.

  —Thanks! I like you already! —Tatiana replied.— By the way, who are you?

  —This is Gabriel, the new guy, —Max explained.

  —You’ve got good vibes, friend, —Tatiana said, smiling at him.

  The bell rang again, signaling the end of recess. Everyone returned to class, leaving Gabriel more confused than ever about how to approach his mission. Laura was far more complex than he had imagined, and he had no idea how to help Max understand his feelings for her. He decided that maybe books didn’t have all the answers—and that he would have to risk following his intuition, even if it meant breaking a few rules.

  reaking a few rules.