Malum {Undergoing Major Editing}

Chapter Seventeen: The Virtues.

I blinked several times, trying to get my bearings in the right place. We definitely weren't in Hawaii.

Looking around, I began to absorb the scene around me. Beautiful waterfalls gushing down sides of cliffs, falling gracefully into a vast ocean. Trees grew around us, engulfing us and making me feel small. Stone paths were made in between the maze of trees. The paths were lined with flowers of all sorts and colours that were blooming from everywhere. The sound of the birds songs and the gentle wind welcomed me into this world. Looking around, all I see is beauty...beauty beyond compare. The water was so clear that I could see the fish swimming in it. So many fish I never knew existed, more than science has every discovered. Birds flew over head and chirped loudly as if welcoming us. The sun shined bright but the temperature was just right. It was like the temperature conformed to your liking.

We began to walk the path, while I was still in awe of the place. I forgot that the Sins and Joshua were still with me and I began to be "one with nature" as they say. I tore my eyes from the captivating scenery and looked at Joshua. His eyes were widened, as if he wanted to take in more of the beauty than his eyes were capable of. Then my eyes drifted to the Sins, they looked so bored as if they've seen this place before. Every time they came across something I deemed beautiful, they scoffed and rolled their eyes.

"What is wrong with you guys? This place is amazing!" I scolded.

"Maia," Pride started, "do you know where we are?"

"No! But this place is amazing!" I commented.

"We are in Heaven, Maia."

My eyes widened in shock as I absorbed Pride's words. This was Heaven? It certainly lived up to my expectations and maybe even more. The place suddenly became more beautiful as time went on: the gentle sway of the trees, the sounds of the waves splashing as they greeted each other and the sounds of people chattering. The people talking was the most mundane thing about this situation because the beauty of the place was unrivalled.

"Close your mouth Maia, a fly might go in," Joshua teased.

***

We have been walking this path for the past hour and all I want to do is rest. The pain in my legs was so severe that I could feel the tears pricking my eyes. I struggled to keep my balance and force the tears to stay back. I could feel every muscle in my body cry in pain as I took each step forward.

I saw an old man walking ahead, who looked like a normal human, nothing so fancy about him. He had a cane in one hand and suddenly he fell onto he ground. Instinctively, I ran forward to help him up.

"Are you okay, sir?" I asked.

"O-oh yes child, thank you so very much," he replied.

I helped him to his feet and gave him his cane that flew a metre away. He walked away and I turned around to be face to face with a girl. She had red hair and it looked so vibrant , her embrald green eyes glowing in the sun and hee white dress flowing in the wind.

"Y-you?" I stuttered.

"Hello Maia," she greeted.

"Y-you are that woman! The one at the beach?!" I struggled.

"Yes Maia, I am Kindness, one of the Seven Heavenly Virtues."

"K-kindness? V-virtues?"