Chapter Text
Stepper felt his wings flutter as he looked around the new realm he'd materialized in. It made him uneasy. His regular realm, where the angels resided, was made up of an endless rainbow sky and an impossible spectrum of coloured clouds. This new realm was the opposite of that; An endless void, with stars scattering every direction you could see, bringing light to the almost dim dimension. The ground beneath him was like a mirror, reflecting the stars from above to the watery ground below. It sent a shiver down his spine.
Glancing to his left, Stepper saw Jheselbraum giving him a comforting smile which he greatly appreciated. He'd been summoned to the Great One's realm for a reason that had not been divulged to him. It did not fill him with confidence. There were many reasons that could've brought him there and they swirled around in his head like a bad storm.
"Relax young angel, there is nothing to worry about," Jheselbraum spoke, startling the angel out of his thoughts.
Stepper couldn't help but chuckle nervously. "Sorry. I've just… never met him face to face before. It's not something I've ever prepared myself for."
Jheselbraum gazed around at the vast realm around them. "It's not something most experience. You should feel honoured."
"I do feel honoured; I’m just nervous. Will I have to wait long until I speak to him?" Stepper inquired.
"I am afraid I do not have this knowledge. The Great One's ways are mysterious and we can only know what he decides to share with us." Jheselbraum stated, gazing back at the angel.
"I must be going but rest assured that the Great One should be with you shortly."
And with that, Stepper was left all by himself. It was something he was used to but not something he overly enjoyed. Staring down at the ground, Stepper knelt down to touch its watery surface. His reflection stared back at him, wide eyed and with a small smile. At least he'd always have himself.
A flurry of bubbles began to rise from the surface of the water. A dark shape swam towards the surface at a furious speed, making Stepper stand up and stumble backwards. The shape emerged from the surface of the water, towering over Stepper. A giant pink creature was what had emerged, with three dark pink feathery frills adorning each side of their wide head, with a dark pink fluffy main that adorned their neck, stretching along their back as a glittering pink dorsal fin attached to their elegant yet long tail. The dark pink spots of their body shone like the stars and their black beady eyes were vast like they held the secrets of the universe.
It took him a moment for Stepper’s thoughts to catch up with him but he felt ashamed for not immediately recognizing the Great Axolotl.
"Greetings young angel. Are you the one I requested to speak with?" the Great Axolotl asked, smiling down at the young angel. Quickly patting himself down making sure he looked presentable, Stepper bowed and spread out his wings, careful to not look the Axolotl in the eyes for too long.
"Yes, oh great one. I am humbled to be in your presence," he answered.
"There's no need to be formal, little angel. We're here for a casual chat, nothing serious," the Axolotl stated. Folding his wings, Stepper slowly stood up, still feeling a bit jittery from the sudden appearance of the great one.
"Make yourself comfortable. I want you to enjoy yourself while we talk," the Axolotl said, lying down on the ground. Not wanting to go against orders, Stepper channelled his powers and summoned a small pink cloud. He hopped onto the cloud and nestled in. Clouds were a comfortable thing and pink was a favourite colour of his; it matched his curly hair.
"So, how have you been?" the Axolotl questioned, resting his head on his clawed hands.
"I- uh, I'm good? Can I ask why I'm here?" Stepper questioned.
"I've been watching your progress on the expansion. I gotta say I'm quite impressed," the Axolotl explained.
Stepper's wings fluffed up and he couldn't help but look down in embarrassment.
"It's- It's nothing really… I've only ever helped others with their tasks. I never made anything by myself…" Stepper stuttered out, fiddling with the hem of his robe.
"But that's what I'm so impressed by," the axolotl declared, bringing Stepper closer to him with his tail. "I love that you're always thinking of others and helping out when it's needed. It’s exactly what I'm looking for."
Stepper couldn't help but tilt his head in confusion. "What are you looking for?"
The Axolotl rose from his position and began to gently and slowly float around the area, putting his hands behind his back.
"I've been looking for someone to help me create new ideas, over-see things and to help over-look the other angels; It’s too much for me to do on my own. And I believe you would be a great candidate for this," he explained, stopping his path and staring down at the young angel.
Stepper nearly fell off his cloud before catching himself and staring up at the Axolotl in shock and awe. The Great Axolotl, overseer of all of creation, wanted his help? His help. Stepper, an angel who couldn't even make his own dimension and who ‘had to be different'. His help was wanted?
"I'm flattered. Truly I am, but don't you already have someone like that? Why would I be needed?" he questioned.
The Axolotl looked at him with a hint of confusion before a soft smile appeared on his face. "I believe you're referring to Jheselbraum. While she does work for me, It’s not something she wants to do full time. She is of great help but I require someone constantly by my side. Which is why I came to you."
Laying back down on the ground a small distance away, the Axolotl gazed down upon Stepper. "You are fully allowed to deny this and I will not be offended if you do. I am simply offering you this opportunity-"
"No no, I fully accept it. I was just taken by surprise," Stepper declared, standing up giving a small bow. “I will not let you down sir.”
The Axolotl rolled his eyes with a fond smile, "Little angel, I told you, you don't need to bow. But I'm thrilled that you accept. There is much that needs to be done."
Standing up, the pink creature gestured for Stepper to follow and began floating away. Dissipating his cloud, Stepper spread his wings and began to fly alongside the Great Axolotl
"We're going to do great things together little one, just you wait."