The once dark skies soon gave way to a clear day yet again with the stirred aether returning to a calm state.
At this mont, Arthur and Lionel watched the receding darkness with dim expressions.
"What are the chances this is related to that lizard’s disappearance?" Arthur inquired, breaking the silence looming over them.
Lionel sighed. "I can’t be sure for the ti being."
"I sensed it. It wasn’t just an Evil god."
"Much more?"
"Way bigger."
"...I see." Lionel’s expression loosened as he continued. "Whover it was that prevented this... I’ll have to look into them."
"Why?"
"If they are friendly, establishing connections with them won’t be out of the way and if not... we might have a troubleso enemy to face."
Taking a deep breath, Arthur turned to face Lionel. "That is for another ti. Co, let’s celebrate. It would seem Ra’as will be able to see another bright day."
"I couldn’t agree more," Lionel remarked before adding in faint amusent. "You are good with conversations."
Arthur revealed a sly grin. "I hear I have a talent for it."
anwhile, as the two n chatted, Natasha watched from a distance, taking a mont to glance at the now-brightened sky before she let out a relieved sigh.
It would seem for now that all was well once again.
***
The alabaster temple was filled with dense aether as a tall purple-skinned succubus accompanied by a humanoid female made of tar worked together to draw up a magic circle.
It was a unique piece as both Devils worked together, quickly creating what looked like a pyramid with a skull within.
Alex watched this silently, taking a few glances at Nadia who was currently being tended to by Charlotte.
"How do you feel?" Ana inquired as she ca to sit beside him.
Alex glanced at her before softly replying. "Tired."
"Sa here."
"Thanks."
"For?"
"If not for your help, I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to prevent Abraham’s apotheosis."
Ana shrugged as she replied. "I just sent you back, you were the crazy genius."
"It doesn’t matter." Alex intoned softly. "I realize that alone, I can do very little. If I want to continue searching for the Branches, I need assistance. I need a team."
Ana revealed a mischievous grin as she said. "I guess you already have a few mbers in mind."
Alex pursed his lips, taking a mont to regard the unconscious Nadia before shifting his attention to the magic circle that was slowly being lit as he answered. "I guess so."
"I look forward to it." Ana casually said.
Just then, Vessina and Xistora began to chant in devil tongue, their voices shing together to resemble a choir piece that resonated with the aether, leaving ripples that stretched infinitely.
Just then, space began to distort as a cold draft of wind rushed into the temple, leaving everyone, apart from the Devils, jittery.
Then, bony hands erged from the void, several moving to grab the hems of space like a curtain before pulling back to reveal a land of bones inundated by pale flas.
Alex pursed his lips as he wondered. ’Is that the PaleLands?’
Hardly had the thought co to him when an Emissary of Death erged from the portal.
It was a figure shrouded in a dark cloak with bony hands.
It stood at almost the sa height as Vessina and even had more width to it with a scythe made of bones in its left hand.
A pair of pale flas appeared underneath its cloak, taking the form of eyes.
Slowly, it took note of everything about it before finally resting on the Devils that summoned it.
You called ?
Vessina spoke up while pointing at Alex.
We did. This mortal man would like to make a deal with you.
The Emissary shifted its attention from Vessina to gaze upon Alex.
At that mont, Alex shivered as a terrible chill ca from within him.
After a brief mont passed with silence looming over the hall, the Emissary spoke.
You... your life is ant to be at an end. It is long overdue.
It spoke each word concisely, leaving Alex increasingly unnerved.
Revealing a tight smile, Alex replied. "I guess you are familiar with my situation then."
Indeed. You are living on borrowed ti.
Its flaming eyes flickered as it spoke, clearly intrigued by Alex’s state.
"Good, since you know my situation, there’s no need to waste too much ti on specifics."
Taking a deep breath, Alex continued. "I want to bring back a soul currently lost in Purgatory."
The Emissary paused, pondering Alex’s words for a mont before it replied hoarsely.
Impossible. A life reaped cannot be returned.
"Why?"
That is the law.
"I thought it was a life for a life."
You are already living on borrowed ti and none amongst your retinue possess a soul that could interest . Unless...
Its pale gaze shifted to Vessina and Xistora, causing the two Devils to put up their guard.
Alex pursed his lips before replying. "No need to take them. But I possess an immortal soul. One that has tasted what it ans to be a True God."
... Is that so?
"I do not lie." Snapping his finger, a pulsating orb of yellow, green, and red liquid.
You are correct. It is the soul of a True God. Albeit a failed one.
Its eyes glowed with interest as it reached out a hand and imdiately, the orb rushed over, leaving Alex shocked.
The Emissary studied the orb, stroking it with its bony fingers before finally speaking up.
The trade shall be made. But... know that this would be the last. Unless you have the soul of a fully ford True God, any attempts to do this again shall result in a simple response.
"And that is?"
Death. Without a doubt!
"...I have no problems with the arrangent."
Good... now, tell . Who do you wish to revive?
"Arwen Hallewell," Alex replied without hesitation. "Bring her back."
As you wish.
Planting its scythe into the ground, the Emissary stretched its hand into nothingness, promptly ripping open a portal into what looked like an endless desert.
Co, child. You are free.
***
Arwen didn’t know how long she had walked for but she didn’t consider it a major issue.
It’s not like ti was relevant in Purgatory, the realm for lost souls.
As she had used her human lifespan to trade for Alex’s revival, she was left with her Banshee side, leaving her a monster without a body... a lost soul destined to wander forever.
She let out a sigh. "I wonder how Claudia is doing."
As she attempted to take another step forward, she suddenly paused.
The next mont, a portal appeared before her and out of it, a bony hand erged and grabbed her, pulling her away before she had a chance to do or say anything.
Soon after, Purgatory returned to silence.
Reviews
All reviews (0)