Fireproof – Part 1 – The Journey

Chapters

Father Sun
Mother Moon
The Secret Garden
Out of the garden, into the woods
As above, as below
The journeys begins – Archangel Ithuriel
Return to the Lost Kingdom – Archangel Michael
The Oak Tree Farm
The Voice of Truth – Archangel Gabriel
Healing of the Soul – Archangel Raphael

Chapter 1. Father Sun

On a quiet day in a very unremarkable town somewhere in the Land of the North, Leora’s life began in a modest neighborhood, a place where resilience was part of the air, woven into everyday life. Her parents, hardened by poverty and war, were distant and cautious, sparing little room for tenderness. As a child Leora seemed to be undisturbed by the coldness of her home and though affection in her family was scarce, each day Leora found beauty and joy in small things. She could enjoy the early morning light, when she walked to school, admiring the delicate resilience of wildflowers sprouting from the pavement, or listening to a single bird that sang especially for her. She sensed that her parents carried burdens in a silent way that had made them strong, but cold hearted. In their own awkward ways, they were trying to prepare her for a world they had come to know as ruthless, especially for someone as sweet and cheerful as Leora. Soon it turned out she was able to turn everything around, to transform darkness into light. Being the youngest child, she soon became the perfect catalyst for the tensions and dramas in the family. Leora knew that life was all about learning, trying to turn the harsh lessons of her family into skills she would need while growing up. Where they offered distance, Leora found herself learning patience. In their criticisms, she discovered self-acceptance and in her solitude, Leora’s heart turned to the natural world for comfort.

She understood that she was never alone, even though her elder sisters and brother had long left the house, as she grew up as an only child. Though her family could never seem to understand her, Leora had the gift of bringing warmth to her home and to those around. Her kindness became a quiet defiance against life’s harshness—and as she grew older, she understood she had to hide her love as a little flame deep inside of her, for it was lightly taken and misused. She knew it had to be kept for the right time to come out, to be able to shine. With no one else to talk to, Leora talked to the birds in the backyard, or she made up stories for the little animals like the snail who carried his house on his back, meeting the slug who was born without a home. Every morning she said ‘Good morning!’ to the Sun, whether he was shining brightly or covered by clouds. The Sun seemed to be her only source of light and warmth, guiding her through the day as the one never changing, always being present, to watch over her and to comfort her. Soon, he seemed to answer her inner questions, breaking through the heavy clouds, when all seemed lost or bringing out a silver lining around the clouds as if to say he was still there, telling her to have hope, even though she could not see him.

To Leora, her father was just like the Sun—a man blazed with strength and passion, with an intensity forged by a lifetime of challenges. Though small in stature, he exuded a force that could fill a room, and with his strong hands he could lift a tree from the earth, a testament to the fierce force he carried within. He was not one to offer easy warmth or gentle words, but his love was unmistakable and constantly there in his heart full of fire. Through his stories and silences, he taught Leora what he called ‘the test of fire’: ‘When you grow up, Leora, you will have to face these trials of fire. You will have to do something you have never done before and the only way to learn is to walk straight through the fire. Every time you see it, you will come out of the fire, unharmed, having learned new skills. Each time life will put you to the test, but you can face the fire fearlessly, knowing you are fireproof, knowing you are brave enough to face another challenge, knowing you are strong enough to hold on to, until the end.”

Her father rarely spoke of the war, but when he did, it was with the quiet authority of someone who had walked through darkness and returned. He had seen things in life, most people could barely imagine. The secrets he carried had shaped him, but they had also left scars—ones he seldom shared. “The test of fire, Leora,” he’d say, “is when you face your own breaking point and refuse to yield. It’s when you’re stripped of, of everything you know, left with nothing but yourself and your spirit and you still carry on, because you still have your inner strength. It’s when you face trials you think you will never endure and still you do so, coming out even stronger. That’s when you find out what you’re made of.”

Though her father had an unwavering exterior, Leora came to understand that he carried a great heaviness, a pain that couldn’t be seen, but it was always there, simmering beneath his strength. To him, it was simply a part of life—a reminder of what he had survived and the fire that still burned within him. Her father’s way of coping was through resilience, and he wanted her to inherit that same strength. She learned from him to embrace hardship, not as an end, but as a forging process—a new beginning, a way of being refined by life itself. To him, resilience was both a skill and a blessing, a kind of baptism by fire that allowed one to rise from even the most intense trials.

Chapter 2. Mother Moon

If her father was fire, her mother was as the water of the Moon—mysterious, distant, and wise in a way that often defied explanation. Her mother came from a long line of women who were known for their “sight,” a gift that hovered somewhere between intuition and prophecy. These women were sometimes called witches, sometimes see-ers, mostly they were healers and midwifes, but to Leora, her mother’s wisdom was simply a part of her—something ancient and eternal, as natural as the moon and the stars in the sky.

Her mother didn’t pass down her beliefs in the usual ways. There were no lessons, no explanations, only small, subtle actions and quiet moments of knowing. She’d offer Leora a certain herb tea when she was upset, or give her a strange, knowing smile when she asked a question, as if she already knew the answer, Leora would one day find to become delivered. Over time, Leora learned that her mother’s world wasn’t based on logic, but on something deeper, a kind of silent knowledge, that pulsed through their lineage like a hidden river in their veins.

Unlike her father, her mother rarely spoke of resilience in explicit terms. Instead, she lived it, her strength as quiet and eternal as the moon. Her love was equally subtle, woven into the small gestures that seemed to carry messages, Leora would only understand years later. A gentle touch on her shoulder, a quiet nod as Leora ventured into something unknown. Her mother’s way was to trust in life’s unfolding, to believe that every question would one day find its answer, and every hardship had its purpose.

Her mother also knew the darkness of life, the shadows that lurked within her own gift. While her father’s fire was bright and obvious, her mother’s strength was shadowed, complex. She seemed to live in two worlds at once—rooted in the present, but always aware of something unseen. She passed this skill onto Leora without ever saying a word, teaching her daughter to look beneath the surface, to sense things that others missed and to trust her own inner vision.

In moments of deep reflection, Leora could almost feel the presence of those who had come before her—the women in her mother’s line, each one carrying the same quiet, hidden strength and light. They had endured and survived, not living by the rules of the world, but by the rhythms of the soul. And as she grew, Leora learned to feel the power of this heritage, a wisdom woven from centuries of resilience.

Her mother had given her the tools to face life’s mysteries and uncertainties, to walk a path that would demand faith, courage, and an open heart. And though her mother rarely offered warmth, Leora came to see her presence as a guiding light—a moon to her father’s sun, steadying her through each night, even when darkness threatened to close in.

In her own way, Leora loved her mother deeply for this gift of silence, for the unspoken beliefs passed down without words. She knew her mother’s lessons would serve her as well as any spoken guidance, for they were forged in the depths of spirit, hidden like the light of the moon. And as she continued on her path, she carried with her, both the fire of her father and the mystery of her mother, a combination that would make her resilient, stubborn and streetwise, but above all, her own guiding light.

Chapter 3. The Secret Garden

For Leora, her siblings were more like characters from an unsettling fairytale, where growing up with the warmth of a loving family was something she only read about in children’s books. They filled her world with shadows, each embodying a kind of darkness that forced her to find strength within herself. Their presence taught her a steady resolve to stand on her own, a skill that would serve her in ways she’d never anticipated.

Tinny Tiny, who wasn’t tiny, was her oldest sister, nearly twenty years older. She was supposed to be a caretaker and role model for her younger brother and middle sister, seemingly doing nothing but doing her homework and reading books, without ever speaking up or saying anything at all. She ended up being a nurse, until some guy made her pregnant and she got married. Tiny hardly ever spoke to Leora and she seemed to enjoy the distance, holding herself as somebody decent and self-righteous. In her sister’s eyes, Leora was simply another presence in the house, a shadow not worthy of her attention. Instead, she looked to herself for comfort, a skill that became an anchor in her life, helping her weather storms that would have shattered others. And though Tiny would never know it, her distance became Leora’s first lesson in self-reliance.

Then came Richard, their brother, whose cruelty simmered beneath a veneer of disinterest. He was a ruler in his own mind, a tyrant who saw no need to hold back his malice, especially in the hidden spaces where no one else could see. His favorite game was fear, and his sisters were his targets. Leora dreaded the sound of his footsteps, on the stairs above to the bedrooms. The way he would emerge from the shadows with a smirk, his eyes lit with a kind of dark amusement, or the way he would scare here, popping up behind her bedroom door, telling her a short bedtime story about ghosts or witches. He was the monster under her bed, a force that made her heart pound and left her alert even in the middle of the night. Richard’s shadow taught her to protect her spirit fiercely, to hold her light even in the face of those who would try to extinguish it.

While Richard thought being the only son gave him permission to rule over his sisters, Leora grew as a warrior and protector, learning to face darkness and nightmares without fear, transforming his malice into a source of inner fire.

Lastly, there was Annabelle, her middle sister who also held herself with the confidence of somebody who is sure to get what she wanted. She lived in her own palace, built out of self-made working class ethics, convinced of her entitlement to a world that would bend to her whims. Leora was still a baby when her sister was already thirteen. Her sister was always looking down on her, saying she was ‘too young to understand anything’, waving her away with a gesture of her hand, as if she meant nothing. Still, she seemed to be the only one who stood up for her, once in a while, although it was secretly. She could at least remember one time, when she was sent to bed without food and Annabelle brought her some candy. By the time she was seven, they had all left to live their own lives, leaving her with their grumpy parents. Meanwhile Leora learned patience, the power of staying rooted in her own truth. She hardly spoke to her parents, just writing and reading in her bedroom, while listening to the records her brother left for her. In her own little bubble she found a quiet strength of knowing oneself, finding comfort in her own solitude.

While her father was a skilled carpenter, he built her a little garden house at the back of their sprawling garden. When her next-door friend Bubba showed up to watch, her father teased him, saying, “This house is for a rather big monkey, but you can’t tell Leora, because it is a surprise for her birthday!” Bubba was nine already and towering over the rest of his friends and he was laughing along, imagining himself being that monkey. He looked at the world with the wonder of a gentle giant, always marveling at the smallest details—like he could watch the ants making their way through the cracks in the pavement, when he squatted down to watch them for minutes on end, fascinated by their unpredictable moves. If he found a ladybug, he’d rush over to Leora, excitement lighting up his face. “Look, a lucky one!” he’d say, counting the spots with her, to see how many wishes they could make that day.

Leora’s other constant companion was Olly, who had a knack for turning ordinary moments into something magical. One sunny afternoon, she picked a dandelion and blew on it, scattering its seeds into the breeze. “These are messages to the stars,” she declared with a mischievous smile. “When they see all these seeds floating up, they’ll know we’re planting star seeds!” Leora, watching the tiny umbrella-like seeds drift, asked, “But Olly, how will the stars see them? These stars don’t even come out until nighttime.”

Olly laughed softly. “Oh, Leora, the stars are always there! They don’t go to bed during the day—they’re just hidden by the sunlight. They hang from the ceiling of the sky on silver threads, waiting for us to reach for them and make them twinkle”. It was unbelievable to her how Olly could possibly know such things, but her reassurance somehow felt convincing, since she was never wrong. The garden house slowly took shape under Leora’s father’s hands. By the time the wooden walls were up, summer arrived and Olly and Leora kept busy in the garden, twirling around in the grass, to make their summer dresses swirl or writing about the flowers they collected and dried, for their notebooks. They carefully drew each bloom they collected, describing its colors and scents underneath. “Let’s grab a blanket and some lemonade and cookies,” Olly suggested. “We can sit on the grass while we write and we can have a little picnic, with our dolls.”

Then one fine day, her father had finished the little house. He had hung a big curtain for the window and told Leora to invite Bubba and Olly for the grand opening, the next day. He had made a real roof on top of it and a wooden door with an iron doorbell, you simply had to move up and down, as if to knock on the door. He had even placed a horse shoe above the door, with the opening facing upwards, to catch good luck, but other than that, they could see nothing. The three of them were waiting anxiously in front of the little house, their bare feet touching the grass.

Olly was full of excitement, although she tried not to show it. She whispered to Leora: “I really wish it is a little monkey, like the one of Pippi Long Stocking, so I could carry him around on my shoulder”. Leora looked at Bubba, looking like a gorilla himself, standing firm with his chest forward, ready for whatever may come. Finally her father showed up, revealing to them that they were the actual monkeys themselves, who were allowed to play in the little house, for as long as they wanted to.

Olly was the first to hide her disappointment of not finding a little monkey in the playhouse. She curiously walks to the wooden cottage, looking through the window and without turning around, she yields to her friends: “Come take a look! There are three little chairs inside and a little round table!” As Leora and Bubba move closer, her father opens the door and Leora steps inside, her feet on the wooden floor: “It is beautiful, Daddy, thank you ever so much!”, she says, looking around at all the little surprises that are waiting for them, like all her books and drawing papers, paint and colored pencils. “We’ve got drinks and cookies!” she says, “let’s sit at the table and make some of our magical treats!”

As they sit on the little chairs, Leora divides the cookies in equal amounts on the tree saucers. Then she gets the bottle of 7-up, along with some sugar and coffee milk. They are going to make their favorite drink from ‘space’, which they call ‘Sputnik’. First she puts a spoon full of sugar and a drop of coffee milk in each of the big glasses, telling her friend to mix it all up, with the spoons provided. Then she slowly pours in the 7-up, causing it to bubble even more and forming a big layer of ‘foam’ on top, like it was a beer. Olly knows what to do next. She sprinkles imaginary ‘star dust’ from her pockets on the cookies and then pours some of the Sputnik over the cookies, telling the others to do the same. Then she takes the spoon, grinding the cookies to a distasteful little mess. Olly is really enjoying herself, now tasting the sobbed cookies: “It tastes really lovely”, she recalls, having done this so many times before in their garden, “but with my pinch of stardust, it tastes even better!”

Leora and Bubba are laughing, because Olly is so happy in their little house. “Let’s draw the curtains from the inside, so no one can see us. Where are the costumes of Leora? Then we can dress up and play”. The three of them played for hours, their imagination transforming the little house into a castle, a boat or a spaceship or even a stage for the Euro Song Festival. Leora wrote down the song they had to sing as being “The Nightingales” and they could spend hours dressing up and rehearsing the dance steps for the show. Singing at the top of their lungs, their voices ringing out like the happiest chorus of childhood, like little angels gone wild.

Though Leora spends her days exploring the sunny castle garden, her nights bring a different world—a world of shadows, where The Moon becomes her Mother, the only light she sees, always watching over her. Where her sisters, so distant in real life, begin appearing in her dreams like witches, mysterious and powerful, each one holding a secret she cannot quite grasp. While her sisters tried to hunt her down on their broomsticks, her brother appeared to be standing aside, just watching the drama, with a faint smile on his face. In the morning, she sits alone with him on the breakfast table, while their sisters had already gone off to school and their mother started cleaning up the bedrooms upstairs. Her brother seemed to be always waiting for this moment of the day, where he could whisper some hideous and unraveling word jokes to Leora, when nobody was around.

“You’re the Sandman, aren’t you?” she asked him one day, a mixture of awe and suspicion in her voice, the words slipping out, before she could stop them. Richard laughed softly, but he didn’t deny it. “Perhaps I am,” he said, “Perhaps I’m here to remind you that dreams are never just dreams, and shadows aren’t as empty as they seem.”, leaving Leora wondering about his riddles once more. She wondered who he truly was, what secrets he really held and why he was throwing sand in her eyes: “Was it to forget the secrets she found in her sleep, or was it because he did not want her to find the truth?”

Chapter 4. Out of the garden, into the woods

With her siblings gone off to start their own lives, Leora finds companionship in the creatures of the garden—the birds, the caterpillars and butterflies, the squirrels and sparrows, and even an occasional curious little mouse. In the far corner of the garden, now hidden behind a flowering hedge, there’s the little house her father made when she was seven, but now she’s just turned thirteen and solitude brought her books and writing diaries.

In her mind she still liked to play different roles, walking around in her magical garden. Having to play with invisible guest-players, she would like to play being a Queen, just because she would have loved to dress up in beautiful dresses as she has seen on television. She felt she could see what others couldn’t see and she was intrigued by what lay behind the scene, beneath the surface, underwater or under the ground, even what was hiding under a little rock. She loved to listen to the birds and tried to whistle as beautifully as they did or let a caterpillar walk on the back of her hand, watching his tiny feet moving all together at the same time. She collected some herbs, such as peppermint and chamomile, from which she made some simple herbal tea. Still she could spend hours in the garden, dipping her head at the daisies, giving a solemn nod to the robins, and whispering her thanks to the wind.

At night she would love to watch the stars through her window, waiting for the Moon to rise and tell her a story. Her favorite is the tale of the Star-Wanderer, a celestial being who travels from star to star, just hopping around from star to star. “One day,” she whispers to the stars, “I’ll wander too, just like you.”

During the day, she finds solace wandering through the woods, finding peace in solitude and a quiet joy in learning the language of the elements of the earth and that of her inner thoughShe’s discovering the elements of nature, the same elements that she is made of herself. She begins to discover the element water, running her fingers through the cool currents of the garden’s hidden spring, seeing her reflection when she leans over to the little waterfall, she calls her wishing well, which actually mirrors her own emotions. She learns to listen to water’s rhythm, to sense its power to cleanse, refresh and renew as she drinks it every morning. She even begins whispering her hopes and fears to the water, feeling it carries away her sadness and brings her a sense of calm.

She simply loves the sun, or the element of fire, feeling its warmth energizing her spirit during the day, even when it was cloudy day. In winter there was nothing better than sitting in front of the open fire in the castle, with a cup of hot chocolate milk. She collects small stones and leaves, arranging them in circles of the sun, her hands moving instinctively. Fire becomes her ally, a reminder of her own inner light and a strength that can never be extinguished. Fire represents her resilience, a force that keeps her heart alive and she discovers simple rituals such as lighting a candle, given the ability to create warmth and light, even in the coldest and loneliest places. She learns to harness this energy in her own body, keeping herself warm on frigid nights and casting a soft, comforting glow in, just by showing up in dark places. This power, born from her connection with fire, becomes her inner flame, one she can call upon to protect herself and to those she loves.

She learned to feel the air’s presence, when she was lying near the swimming lake in the heating sun, when a cool breeze could suddenly caress her skin. She feels as if the wind could carry her voice and even her unspoken thoughts are like a form of energy, like whispers to the heavens. Air becomes a companion that listens, gentle and unseen, carrying away her fears and returning a sense of freedom to her soul. The air reminded her to take a deep breath or to let out a heavy sigh, sometimes it reminded her to even be thankful for every breath of life! As she spends more time in nature, she learns to sense the wind’s patterns and directions, understanding when it brings change, when it carries a message, or when it offers protection. She learns the meaning of different flocks of birds flying; swallows flying high when the weather is warm and geese moving to the warmer south in the winter. Air grants her a gift of freedom and agility, the ability to sense the flow of energy around her and it is like the air and the energy of light, can carry meaningful thoughts or clever ideas.

From earth, she learns stability and grounding. In her garden, she walks barefoot, enjoying the feel of the grass and the strength of the soil beneath her feet. She understands that she is rooted in this little place on earth, by her family tree. She begins to collect stones, sensing their quiet power. Each stone feels different in her hands, some smooth and warm, others hard and cold, each one carrying a story as old as time. The earth becomes her anchor, reminding her she is part of a vast, eternal cycle. In her bond with the earth, Leora discovers a steady, grounding energy that fills her with a sense of inner strength and belonging. Earth becomes her foundation, teaching her about the fields of abundance of Mother Earth, about security and stability.

Wood is the element that connects water with air. A tree needs to collect his water from the ground, through his roots. The energy of the water goes upwards to the branches of the tree, to form leaves and to exhale oxygen, into the air. She loves to touch the trees, just placing one hand on the surface, feeling their ancient wisdom and silent endurance. She imagines each tree as a guardian of the garden, of the woods. She feels like she’s been made out of wood herself, since she was born in the Chinese Year of the Wooden Snake. Sometimes she feels like a tree herself, rooted in the ground, stretching her arms as the branches, up to the sky and the sun. Wood teaches her patience and growth, the strength found in standing tall no matter what storms may come and the capability to bend with the wind, instead of being broken.

Chapter 5. As above, as below

Leora’s life is forever changed when her mother passes away. Though her mother was a distant figure, her death left her realizing she was no longer a daughter, instead, she gained all the powers of her mother, entrusted with all the secrets and knowledge she once held. In her grief, she turns to the Moon at night, who gives her a comforting thought: “Her mother had joined her soul sisters on the Moon and so, when she had lost her earthly mother, she gained her Heavenly Grandmother, where she could always call upon at night, knowing her mother would always be looking down on her and watching over her.

Leora smiled at the moon, looking up from her window and the moon smiled back at her, like always. Just as she turned around to go to bed, there was a crow on the balcony, near the window. The crow came to tell about her mother, being a messenger between heaven and earth, like all the birds were to her. The crow could warn her with his loud voice, when somebody arrived or just greeted her with a blink of his little blue eye. Whenever she was tired or about to give up, it was like she heard him say: “Be strong, my little one, be brave!”, just like her mother used to say.

Not long after her mother died, her father also fades from her life. His warmth and strength were her foundation, he was her constant protector and his passing leaves her alone in the world, with no one to turn to but herself and her animal friends. Still, the sun came up every morning, cheerful as ever, telling her to move forward, to new adventures to come and dreams to fulfill.

On a very beautiful day, when the sun was shining almost painfully bright, Leora turned to the Sun once more: “Great Grandfather, what am I supposed to do? I cannot just sit around here all day, in the garden all by myself and I don’t even dare to leave, to go out on my own, not knowing what tomorrow will bring”. Somehow she understands that her father’ s soul belonged to the Sun, where he was together with his soul brothers, former warriors who had stood the tests of Fire.

For the first time in her life, the Sun was no longer merely a burning ball of fire, nor the dying Star he actually is. The conversations she starts having with her father, or her Great Grandfather Sun, were beginning to evolve as if she was having a personal telephone call with God, or whatever she came to understand what God was supposed to be: a loving and caring Heavenly Father.

“Where was she to go and what dangers would she have to face?”, she thought to herself and as if the Sun could read her mind, he’s telling her about the ‘Shield of the Sun’, a golden armor made of pure golden sunshine, she could wear whenever she needed it! With this armor, she wouldn’t have to fear anything, for the Sun, her Father, was her Light and her Power!

This shield was no ordinary armor. It was something ethereal, something divine. She sensed it when she faced her darkest fears, a presence like a guiding light, warm as sunlight on her skin. There were times when she felt the weight of a helmet upon her head, a harness across her chest, the belt of truth around her hips and sandals upon her feet that seemed to carry her, as if she had wings on her feet, sandals that could make her dance, even when she was too tired to walk.

Her father’s words echoed within her, “These tests of fire reveal what you’re truly made of,” and now, she knew: she was fireproof, protected by an armor born not from avoidance, but from facing and embracing the fire itself. And so, she danced her own gospel, her own truth—a sundance that moved to the rhythm of the universe. Each trial had been a step, a moment of transformation, and each little step was leading her to another, making her move forwards, one step at the time. It was a gift of the Great spirit—a reminder that strength does not just come from survival and endurance, but from the power and ability to transform and the spirit that makes you move!

Her journey with the elements becomes the foundation of her power, preparing her to face the shadows with a heart as steady as the earth, a spirit as resilient as fire, and a soul as free and boundless as the sky. In the silence of the night, Leora feels a shift, a quiet strength rising within her. Her magical garden could be everywhere, in the sunlight that greets her each morning, in the whispers of the stars and in the magic of her own kindred spirit. With this new understanding, Leora lifts her head, her heart steady. She may have been broken, she may have been lost, but she finds herself dreaming new dreams and with nothing else left to hold onto. Leora decides to leave the castle and to set out for a journey.

Chapter 6. The Journey Begins – Archangel Ithuriel

Leora embarks on her own vision quest, meeting all kinds of interesting people, guides and teachers, collecting wisdom and more treasures, more moments of trials. When Leora arrives in Greece, it feels like she is coming home. The sun-drenched landscapes and the timeless beauty of the sea stir something in her—a reminder of the life, beauty, and peace she wishes to restore within herself.

Leora feels rebirthed as she dives in the heavenly blue ocean for the first time, feeling like a born again goddess. It’s here, by the edge of the sea, that she encounters Zaid. His figure is tall, solemn, yet filled with a quiet strength. He has an air of wisdom that feels timeless, his dark eyes reflecting both light and shadow. Leora feels a powerful connection to him immediately, though she’s uncertain if it’s friendship, curiosity, or a sense of destiny drawing her close.

Zaid nods in greeting, sensing her emotions even before she speaks. “You carry a heavy heart,” he observes, his voice soft but intense: “Are you ready to let go of what no longer serves you?” Leora feels he’s right, but she is startled by such a deep question at first sight. She feels both an instant relief and resistance. “I want to,” she admits, her voice catching. “But I don’t know how.”

Zaid gives her a slight smile, as if he has known her for years, gesturing for her to sit beside him on a sun-warmed stone. “Then let us start with a story,” he says. “One of shadows and light, of loss and release.” Over the next few days, Zaid shares his own stories of battles fought and hearts softened, of lives touched by forgiveness and strength, reclaimed through release. He teaches her to view her pain as a part of herself, not as an enemy, and that true forgiveness requires letting go of the need for justice, of revenge that burdens the soul.

During these lessons, Leora’s heart begins to open, slowly releasing its hold on the anger of the past and sorrow that weigh her down. The memories of past betrayals, of isolation and rejection begins to feel lighter, less defining. She learns to forgive those who have hurt her and, perhaps more importantly, to forgive herself. One evening, as the sun dips below the horizon, Zaid reveals his true name and nature: “I am like the Archangel Ithuriel,” he says softly, his body radiating a warm, golden light that makes him seem larger than life. “Once, I too was burdened by the shadows of vengeance and anger. But I have learned, Leora, that true strength lies in release, in forgiving even that which seems unforgivable.”

Leora feels tears welling up as she sees the echo of his own journey as her own. She feels grateful for the guidance of Ithuriel, who embodies both the beauty and power of forgiveness, showing her that there is no force more transformative than letting go of pain. “Will you help me bring peace back to myself and to the kingdom?” she asks him, her voice trembling with hope and determination. Zaid places a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I will,” he promises. “And we will begin by forgiving the darkest parts of ourselves.”

Chapter 7. Return to the Lost Kingdom – Archangel Michael

After taking the train to the remote place where she was born, she finds the castle where she grew up, turned to ruins and the magical garden covered by bewildered roses. Arriving at the outskirts of the city, she nearly feels desperate facing the city on her own. Winter has started and she is wandering through the cold streets, feeling her feet starting to freeze. Walking down the streets, strangers are passing by with grimmed faces, just trying to get home.

Just when she thinks about giving up. looking for a friendly face, a cheerful young man approaches her, offering her to sit somewhere and have a cup of coffee, if only to warm her hands. Calming down in, she cannot help but be touched by his unexpected gesture of kindness. Dwayne then offers her to stay with him in his small bedroom apartment, saying she should get some sleep and to face her troubles in the morning.

The next day, she wakes up alone, finding a little note from Dwayne, saying he had left for work, but assuring her she could stay, while she would be looking for work as well. Looking out the window she sees the first snow falling down, feeling ever so grateful, she wasn’t left out in the cold. Soon enough their friendship turns into a wild romance and one evening, when Dwayne was making love to her on a bed of embroidered roses, she felt as if they were entwined like twin souls. In her mind’s eye, she sees how their souls reach the magical realms of the stars. Filled with a happiness that filled her heart with awe, they found a little baby boy somewhere between the stars, who seemed to have been waiting for them all along. She knows instinctively that this spirit is their future son to be, but she doesn’t dare to speak about her vision, afraid she might lose the dream.

One day, when Leora is exploring the streets again, looking for work, she climbs a little hill, to watch the view. In the distance she sees a skyscraper with on top of it a pyramid, where the sunlight reflects on the sides which are made of glass.The sight stirs something within her—a spark, a pull toward something beyond her understanding. She closes her eyes, letting her mind drift, and suddenly, she finds herself transported into another vision.

She sees herself seated at the center of the pyramid, a place of intense, blinding light. Positioned at the four corners on the outside of the pyramid, are four luminous figures—beings of pure light. Only years later, she found out they were the Four Archangels themselves. Each one radiated an energy so powerful she could barely look at them directly, their forms shifting and shimmering as though woven from the very essence of the stars. In that moment, Leora realizes that these beings are guardians, watching over the world, but moreover, watching over her and the life she is destined to bring into this world.

In her heart there is a hopeful whisper, a sense of a child awaiting—one who is both a continuation of her journey and a separated destiny to be. This spirit is her son to be and suddenly, in her vision, she sees herself giving birth within the pyramid! As the vision evolves rapidly within seconds, she sees a little baby boy ‘falling down’ inside the tower, as if he was moving downward a great, cosmic birth canal. The scene is over within just a few minutes and extremely surreal, as in a blend of reality and magic, while the energy flows through her, becoming a part of the world, connecting them both with the earth below. She watches in amazement as he falls down slowly, while the angels fly away to the four corners of the world, promising to be always near whenever they need them.

As she opens her eyes the next morning, reality settles around her, and she senses that this new chapter will lead her and Dwayne down separate paths. Somehow she isn’t able to share her vision with Dwayne and the very same evening, Dwayne tells her to sit down for a talk, when he comes home from work. He seemed to have a different voice and a different appearance altogether, when he started talking to her: “I am like the Archangel Michael,” he tells her relunctantly. “I have faced many fears in the midst of many trials. I want you to give the power of courage, which comes when facing your fears all alone, without denying being afraid. When you can face your challenges head on, coming from protecting yourself and your loved ones, you can face anything that lies ahead. Don’t be afraid to confront darkness, because darkness will fade away by a light that shines as bright as yours.

It felt as if he wanted her to know he would still be watching them, wherever they would go, wanting her to be strong, showing their son to be brave and to be resilient, as he had to face a cruel world, growing up. It felt as if he was telling her to prepare herself and their child for the hard times that were about to come, since for some reason, he couldn’t be with them. He had to continue to ‘fly in and out of people’s life, as all earthly angels seemed to do. Guided by Archangel Micheal symbolizing and manifesting justice and valor, he was there for those who needed it the most. Since then, Michael is always reminding her that she is never truly alone, that she possesses an inner strength, where her only weapon, her only protection simply is her own truth, that would carry her through any challenge!

The next day, she wakes up alone, finding a little note from Dwayne, saying he had left for work, but assuring her she could stay, while she would be looking for work as well. Looking out the window she sees the first snow falling down, feeling ever so grateful, she wasn’t left out in the cold. Soon enough their friendship turns into a wild romance and one evening, when Dwayne was making love to her on a bed of embroidered roses, she felt as if they were entwined like twin souls. In her mind’s eye, she sees how their souls reach the magical realms of the stars. Filled with a happiness that filled her heart with awe, she ‘found’ a little star boy somewhere between the stars, who seemed to have been waiting for them all along. She knows instinctively that this spirit is their future son to be, but she doesn’t dare to speak about her vision, afraid she might lose the dream.

She sees herself seated at the center of the pyramid, a place of intense, blinding light. Positioned at the four corners on the outside of the pyramid, are four luminous figures—beings of pure light. Only years later, she found out they were the Four Archangels themselves. Each one radiated an energy so powerful she could barely look at them directly, their forms shifting and shimmering as though woven from the very essence of the stars. In that moment, Leora realizes that these beings are guardians, watching over the world, but moreover, watching over her and the life she is destined to bring into this world.

In her heart there is a hopeful whisper, a sense of a child awaiting—one who is both a continuation of her journey and a separated destiny to be. This spirit is her son to be and suddenly, in her vision, she sees herself giving birth within the pyramid! As the vision evolves rapidly within seconds, she sees her little baby boy ‘falling down’ inside the tower, as if he was moving down a great, cosmic birth canal. The scene is over within just a few minutes and extremely surreal, as in a blend of reality and magic, while the energy flows through her, becoming a part of the world, connecting them both with the earth below. She watches in amazement as he falls down slowly, while the angels fly away to the four corners of the world, promising to be always near whenever they need them.

It felt as if he wanted her to know he would still be watching them, wherever they would go, wanting her to be strong, showing their son to be brave and to be resilient, as he had to face a cruel world, growing up. It felt as if he was telling her to prepare herself and their child for the hard times that were about to come, since for some reason, he couldn’t be with them. He had to continue to ‘fly in and out of people’s life, as all eartly angels seemed to do. Guided by Archangel Michal symbolizing and manifesting justice and valor, he was there for those who needed it the most. Since then, Michael is always reminding her that she is never truly alone, that she possesses an inner strength, where her only weapon, her only protection, simply is her own truth that would carry her through any challenge!

Chapter 8. The Oak Tree Farm

Once again she is left alone, but then she realizes something else: she holds a sacred treasure, the beginning of new life! In the midst of her despair, walking along the snowy streets, an old song comes to her mind and she starts singing it softly for herself; ‘Don’t let your dreams die, don’t let it go’.

She returns to the old castle, where she simply goes to the old playhouse in the garden, where she finds a shelter to at least keep her warm and dry for the night. Leora’s journey into motherhood is filled with both light and shadow. His birth brings a joy she has never known, a love so profound, it fills her heart even in the darkest times, but after seven years of being a single mother, Leora finds herself in a challenging marriage, Her new husband is a man of shadows, a figure bound to darkness. Though he brings stability, his spirit feels heavy, clouded, and at times oppressive. She enters this marriage out of necessity, choosing it as a way to give her son a sense of a father and a family. Timber’s presence is both a comfort and a test and sometimes Leora feels as though she is in a place where her spirit is constantly tested, finding light within herself, to endure the shadows that surround her. It is in this difficult space that she learns the true meaning of endurance, of what it means to live life not only for oneself, but for another.

After yet another seven years, Leora realises this life with Timber is no longer sustainable. The marriage, though chosen for stability, has begun to weigh on her spirit, dimming the light of both her son and herself. Knowing that she needs to protect her son and give him a life filled with possibilities, she must be willing to sacrifice her own comfort, her own idea of stability and security, to give him a future that is free from the shadows. With a heavy heart and a quiet resolve, she decides to face the next chapter alone. She finds the courage to step forward into the light and to leave behind the darkness.

In the years that follow, she endures hardship, loneliness, and uncertainty, but she raises her sonn with a fierce love that has been shaped by the trials she has faced. With every challenge she endures, she knows her journey is intertwined with the vision she was given by the stars and couldn’t ever talk about. It was a promise caught in her heart, a gift entrusted to her care. Her life, her love, and her strength becomes the foundation upon which she is trying her way to a better future for herself and her son.

Chapter 9. The Voice of Truth – Archangel Gabriel

Gabriel, the Archangel of Communication and Creativity, is her guardian angel in these times of trials. He comes into her life as a figure of clarity and insight. Unlike Timber, Gabriel’s presence is warm and uplifting, filled with a sense of hope and multiple possibilities, all combined in an incredible way of speaking, black humor and a blazing craziness. Gabriel brings Leora a sense of connection to the world, reminding her that her voice has its own power and that she is not alone. Gabriel helps her rediscover the power of words and self-expression, teaching her to use her voice to create change, even in the smallest of ways.

Leora finds herself in a quiet, open field at dawn, the air filled with a hushed expectancy. The early light casts a soft glow over the landscape, and in the silence, she senses a shift, as though the world itself is holding its breath. From the distance, she hears the faintest sound—a melody, like an electric guitar, soft and clear, drifting toward her, like a call. Gabriel is coming towards her across the other side of the field, waving at her. Dressed in a simple blue shirt and jeans, he doesn’t look like an angel at all, but his features are serene, and his gaze carries a depth that seems to see through every layer of her soul.

“Leora,” he says, have you ever known that there is a strength that lies within your voice?” Leora hesitates, feeling a mixture of awe and self-doubt. “I’ve never considered it. I don’t think I’ve ever really known what to say.” Gabriel’s expression softens, a hint of a smile crossing his face. “The world is not always about saying the perfect thing. Sometimes, it is about being willing to speak, to open a door to understanding, to meet someone halfway, in the middle, even if it means revealing the truth of your fears and your hopes. Gabriel gestures to the horizon, where a delicate, transparent bridge stretches across a river, like a rainbow, appearing almost woven from light itself. “This is the bridge of truth,” he explains. “To cross it, one must open up, not only to hear what lies within, but more importantly, to share it. A true artist does not make art for himself, but for sharing it with others: Every step forward requires a truth spoken and another heard.”

The task feels daunting, and yet something within her stirs. Taking a deep breath, Leora steps onto the bridge, her heart pounding. She senses that each step she takes requires courage, that her words carry weight here. “I’m afraid,” she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. “Afraid of failing… afraid of not being worthy enough, afraid of being too much, too heavy, too intense, too deep, too low or even too high, like I can never cross to the other side”. As the words leave her, the bridge grows stronger beneath her feet, each step reinforced by the honesty she reveals.

Gabriel follows her, his presence a steady force behind her. “Keep going, Leora,” he encourages. “Your fears are not chains; they are keys to understanding. Speak to them, and they lose their power.” She pauses, looking back at him, her expression filled with vulnerability. “I’ve always felt… like I’m not heard. Like my voice doesn’t matter.” Her throat feels raw when she is speaking, as if she was saying her first words. It feels as if someone is trying to strangle her, preventing her from telling the truth. Gabriel nods, acknowledging the pain in her words. “The world often seems silent in response to our fears, but it is never indifferent. It hears, and so do I. Speak as if your words carry the power of healing—for they do.”

Inspired by his wisdom, Leora speaks again, her voice growing stronger with each truth she reveals. “I’m learning… that my voice isn’t just for me. It’s for others who feel the same, who need to know they aren’t alone.” Gabriel’s eyes gleam, a proud glint in his gaze. “Exactly, Leora. Your voice is not just a tool; it is a bridge, a way to bring others to the peace that lies on the other side. Let your voice become a light in the dark.”

As she reaches the end of the bridge, Gabriel holds out a small, delicate amulet—a pendant in the shape of a blue star, symbolizing clarity, unity, and truth. He places it around her neck, its glow resonating with her heart’s newfound courage. “This is my gift to you, Leora,” he says, his voice filled with warmth. “May it remind you that your words are a force of connection. Speak them with courage, for the world needs your voice as much as it needs the light of the sun.”

Leora looks down at the pendant, feeling its weight and warmth against her skin. It is a reminder of her journey and her newfound strength. She realizes her voice is no longer something she will hide or second-guess—it is a part of her light, a bridge she will offer to others. “Thank you, Gabriel,” she whispers, her voice steady and sure. She feels a sense of peace settle within her, a clarity she had never known before. The encounter with Gabriel has not only gifted her with courage, but with a purpose that will carry her forward.

As Leora steps off the bridge, she turns back, expecting to see Gabriel, but he disappears, leaving only the faint sound of his melody in the air. She smiles, understanding that his presence will always be with her, a guiding light in her heart.

With her new strength, Leora walks forward, feeling more connected to her path than ever before. The bridge of truth may have faded, but the courage given by her friend will carry her into every encounter, every trial that lies ahead. The blue star on her necklace becomes a symbol of his presence, a reminder that even though he’s not around, his guidance, warmth, and love are always with her.
Gabriel’s friendship had shown Leora that compassion, even toward oneself, is one of the greatest sources of resilience and can be used as a shield for your own protection. Only then, she could understand the harsh lessons of forgiveness from Ithuriel. Only by forgiving herself, she could find peace and compassion for others.

Chapter 10. Healing of the Soul – Archangel Raphael

Leora feels a new sense of purpose guiding her path, yet, she also carries scars—some visible, others buried within, woven into her spirit from past losses and battles. Each step forward seems lighter, but she knows there are parts of her heart that still ache, places within her soul that have yet to heal. One evening, while she is sitting outside enjoying the summer breeze, she meets one of her neighbors who is just passing along, walking his dog. As they start talking they somehow feel connected as if they were long lost friends.

His eyes are kind, filled with a wisdom that seems to see beyond her surface, to the places where she holds her deepest wounds. In his gaze, she feels a gentle invitation, a permission to let go of the burdens she has carried alone for so long. “Leora,” he says, his voice like a soothing breeze, “you have walked a path of strength. But strength, too, must rest. Let me help you heal, so that your journey may continue in peace.” She hesitates, feeling both drawn to his presence and afraid to expose the pain she’s hidden, but his calm gaze reassures her, and she feels herself relaxing, allowing him to see her truth. She sees a flicker of something raw within his eyes —a silent recognition, an echo of pain that tells her he understands. ‘I have also walked with wounds that refused to fade,” he confesses, his voice low and filled with an honesty that reaches her heart. “In this journey of life we find that the path to healing is not about erasing our scars. It’s about learning to live with them and to find strength within them.

After some refreshments, they decide to walk together to the fields outside of the village. After a while they stubble upon a small, clear pool,reflecting the night sky. “This is the Pool of Healing,” Robert explains. “Here, the waters carry the memories of those who have suffered and healed, each one a testament to resilience and renewal.” He invites her to sit by the water’s edge, and as she does, Leora gazes into the pool, seeing her reflection ripple as if the water itself is alive, mirroring her soul. In the depths, she sees fragments of her past—the sorrows, the wounds, the unspoken losses that still linger. Her reflection shows her weariness, but also her strength, her love, and her determination.

Raphael reaches out, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I know you came to understand that Angels do exist”, he whispers gently. “All people are guided by the Archangels who have thousands of helpers here on earth. I strongly believe I have met you, to tell you about the Archangel Raphel. He is the angel of healing the soul. You will see, after you have healed your soul, afterwards, your body and mind will heal naturally. It is when the soul is rich, earthly wealth and health will follow”. She feels a warmth spreading through her chest, a glow that reaches each corner of her being, filling her with a profound peace and glowing warmth as if they were sitting at home in front of the firestove.

“Leora,” he says softly, his voice filled with compassion, “sometimes strength can feel like a shield, but healing… healing is a journey without end. It does not make us invulnerable, but it does remind us of the resilience within.” “Your heart has carried so much,” Raphael says. “Let the pain go. Allow yourself to heal, for you are not meant to carry this alone.” Leora feels her pain begin to lift, as if it’s dissolving into the air, carried away in the freshening evening breeze. The ache within her fades, replaced by a softness she hasn’t felt in years. Tears begin to fall, not from sorrow, but from the release of burdens she no longer needs to bear. With each tear, she feels lighter, more free.

She nods, feeling the depth of his words resonate within her. One could touch the hearts of others, simply by a smile. One could simply lay a hand on a shoulder, reassuring it would all work out in the end or to encourage others to find their own voice and to speak their own truth, like Robert had shown her, standing behind her, when she was facing her reflection in the mirror of the pool of healing.

They sat in silence, and Leora felt the layers of her heart begin to soften. She realized healing did not require her to be whole or to be unbroken. It simply asked her to be willing to carry herself with compassion, to make peace with the parts of her soul that are still mending. Robert’s gaze remains kind, and she sees the weight of his own past within his eyes. She knows that he too, is still healing, and that this road of recovery has brought them together, to be with her in this moment, as a guiding friend, and a fellow soul on the path. “Thank you for this gift, Robert—for showing me that healing doesn’t mean that the pain disappears. It means learning to carry it with love.” He nods, a slight smile on his lips. “Yes, Leora. We do not walk without scars, but we walk together. And sometimes, that is enough.” Leora answers gratefully: “Raphael’s gift will remain with us. A reminder that we can face our pain, that we are never truly alone, and that healing is a journey shared by all of those who walk together.