Veiled by Silvina Niccum

an enemy—or
two.
    No matter how we looked at
the events that had just transpired, we had some recovering to do,
and we did this by staying close together, and holding quiet
conversations. But our somber mood could not and did not last
forever. After a while spirits here and there seemed to perk up.
Some started laughing timidly and then others joined them. Pretty
soon most of us were our jovial old selves again.
    Speculations and rumors as
to where Earth would be placed in the solar system was the first
topic discussed by all. The general consensus seemed to point
toward an empty spot between Venus and Mars, putting Earth in the
third position from the sun—a good spot to be—not too hot or too
cold. Some other spirits thought it would be at the very end next
to Neptune and that it would be a huge planet, not a small one like
Mars. While some spirits still considered this subject, other
groups, the more playful ones, started a competition on Saturn’s
rings. I tried to get interested in the games and some of the
conversations, but a mixture of Valerie’s premonition, Agatha’s
decision to stay, and the Second One’s piercing look of hate filled
my thoughts. I am not sure how these events will change my future
life, and I can’t help but wonder if any of this is my fault and
what to do about it.
    I moved among the spirits
that surrounded me with no particular interest in any of their
pastimes. I felt weighed down by these thoughts and images, then
that choking feeling came back. I looked at my clan and envied
their happiness. They seemed free, and I felt…trapped.
    “ He blames you,” Agatha
said with an acid voice. Our auras looked the same on the outside
and this made my bad mood even worse.
    I stared at her. “So…what I
said hit a chord?” I said without betraying my out of control
feelings.
    “ You did bring up a good
point,” she said smugly, almost cheerfully. “Now I’m better off
than him, and I have you to thank. Too bad for you I guess.” She
laughed.
    “ He might blame me, and
hate me for it…but you can bet that he hates you even more for
betraying him. You don’t think he will just let you do this
unscathed, do you?” I turned to leave, but then something occurred
to me—so I stopped. “I wonder who imploded Legion,” I said over my
shoulder. “It wasn’t you…was it? There had to be someone there who
didn’t quite want to give their will to Legion…” Then I left her
standing in mid space all alone, mulling over my accusations, while
I flew back to my happy clan who was congratulating Dorian for
winning the Saturn contest.
    The trumpets announced the
coming of the Eternals, and this time they were riding on a chariot
that was being pulled by two Seraphs. Behind them came a whole
choir of Cherubs and several other Seraphs in formation holding
lighted Flaming Swords. There was a white cloud like substance
surrounding them all. The scene was spectacular and more majestic
than ever.
    They were so luminescent
that they eclipsed the sun itself with their glow. Several spirits
shielded their eyes against their light. No doubt the first day of
the creation was not going to be an ordinary event, but rather a
glorious one. We were going to witness the creation of our new
planet and we would finally get to start our much awaited lives. As
far as I knew, none of us had ever witnessed the creation of a
planet before, so this was supposed to be a very exciting time. So
why wasn’t I exited?
    Celeste was now perpetually
under Max’s clutches and she seemed to enjoy this restrain. Dorian
was the new appendage to the Luz, Amor, and Paz trio, and Alex was
becoming fast friends with Katie who—unlike me—was always happy and
laughing. This time it seemed that Valerie was better company for
me. Neither of us ever giggled or played interstellar games, and
though Dane was almost always around, they didn’t seem to need
constant contact like the others. Russell and Nancy were also
always together,