The Crossroads

It had been less than an hour since Celene had reached the crossroads. She didn't know herself why she had set out on this journey. It had been more of a vague feeling that had led her here; divine inspiration, perhaps. What could be more appropriate, considering her heavenly origins?

However, she was absolutely certain that she was in the right place as soon as she saw it. A fork in the road, charged with deeper meaning. Paths branched off, demanding a decision. One had to go left or right; it was impossible to go both ways or to continue on the straight path.

Now she just had to wait for the event that required her presence. A human being would arrive here. She could help him in his search for an answer and guide him as to where his life should go from here.

“Hello, feather girl,” a sudden voice rang out, velvety and smoky at the same time. “Aren’t you needed elsewhere to do some good deeds?”

The words were dripping with scorn and contempt. They came from a figure that resembled a woman, but with bat wings on its back and horns on its head. It was lounging in the shade of the crooked elm tree on a bed of dry leaves. Had it been there before?

Celene crossed her arms in front of her chest and deliberately looked in another direction.

“That's none of your business,” she snapped. She would have liked to imitate her opponent's condescending tone, but her kind, forgiving nature was not made for that.

The devil rose. Her elegant, supple movements reminded Celene of a cat. A predator that feigned boredom to lull its prey into a false sense of security, making it all the easier to strike. As she stepped out of the shadows, her fiery red skin glowed as if she were ablaze.

The two stood face to face, barely an arm's length apart, staring defiantly at each other. Neither backed down.

They were like two sides of the same coin. Light and darkness. Kindness and greed. Day and night.

Finally, the demoness bared her teeth. Was it a smile or a threat?

She turned her head and sniffed deeply through her nostrils, as if catching a scent.

“Ah. He's coming.”