In a Vast Shadowed Hall
Hades sat tall upon his obsidian throne, the dark expanse of the hall swallowing everything around him. His gaze was calm, but sharp, as he addressed the figure before him.
"So, that's the reason you sent for ," he said slowly, his voice echoing through the vast chamber.
"Yes," the figure replied, voice low and deliberate. "So, what do you think?"
Hades leaned back, considering. "I understand… but why send Hers to deliver the ssage to Azreal? You could have summoned Azreal yourself. You know how he and Hers interact… Hers tends to lose himself whenever he's near him."
The figure's voice remained steady. "I am well aware of their relationship. Hers will deliver the ssage… and perhaps enjoy a little reunion. Let him savor the mont; let him feel relief for a while."
Hades' brow furrowed slightly. "You really shouldn't spoil him. Sending him to Azreal—does that an you intend for Azreal to handle the mission?"
"Of course," the figure replied. "Azreal has just finished dealing with Zarion. I have every confidence he can manage this as well."
Hades nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Then… we rely watch and wait."
"Exactly," the figure said. "We simply watch everything unfold."
---
Final Gate of Hell
A figure appeared, moving with effortless speed, leaving a faint shimr in the air as he ca to a stop before Azreal.
"Long ti no see, Azreal," the man said, a casual smile playing on his lips, his tone warm as if greeting an old friend.
Azreal's own lips curved into a smile. "Hers!"
Hers tilted his head, golden eyes glinting in the dim light. "I'm glad you still rember , Azreal."
"Why would I forget you? So… what brings you here, Hers?" Azreal asked, curiosity sharpening his gaze.
"I'm here with a ssage," Hers replied, then paused, smirking faintly. "Though I never thought I'd be running errands in Hell."
Azreal raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised myself."
---
At Hell's Archive
Orvath carefully poured ashes into a test tube, his goggles shielding his eyes from the fine dust as he shook it gently.
"What are you doing, Orvath?" Veymar asked, leaning casually against a counter, ever playful.
Orvath sighed. "Lord Veymar, this isn't your station, as you well know."
Veymar grinned. "My gate is boring."
"If you want sothing interesting to do…" Orvath began.
"Do you have sothing?" Veymar interrupted, eyes twinkling.
Orvath shook his head. "No… but I heard Lord Hers is in the Final Gate with Lord Azreal."
Veymar's grin widened. "Hers!" He snapped his fingers. "Science can wait." With that, he vanished in a swirl of shadows.
Orvath muttered to himself, exasperated. "I knew he couldn't resist. Just hope he doesn't cause too much trouble…"
---
Final Gate of Hell
Hers hadn't delivered his ssage when a familiar voice rang out behind him.
"Sorry to intrude, Lord Azreal!"
Hers spun around to see Veymar striding forward, his usual smile in place, but his presence radiating a predator's intensity. Without hesitation, he clapped a hand onto Hers' shoulder.
"Ho! Hers! You're here at last. Co—fight ! I want to test your speed against mine."
Hers arched an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Straight to violence, I see. So things never change." In a blink, he slipped from Veymar's grip, reappearing several ters away, cloak fluttering as if caught in a breeze.
"Not now," Hers said, his golden eyes flicking to Azreal. "I'm here to deliver a ssage… not to duel. Perhaps later, if you insist, but you'll have to catch first."
Veymar chuckled, the predator's undertone clear even behind his playful grin. "That won't be a problem. A predator never tires of chasing its prey. Though… I must admit, I sense fear in the prey's eyes."
Azreal stepped forward, voice firm. "That's enough, Veymar. Aren't you supposed to be in the Second Gate with Aria?"
Veymar turned, bowing slightly. "Apologies, my lord. I let Aria rest for a while, and then I intended to see Orvath. But when I heard Hers was here… I couldn't resist. Since he's with you now, I'll give you both space." He stopped mid-step, grinning once more. "Hers… don't keep waiting. I might start hunting before you even have a chance to escape." With that, Veymar disappeared, leaving a faint shimr in the air as the doors closed behind him.
Hers exhaled softly. "Veymar's… still the sa. Now, about the ssage—sothing troubling is happening in the world of the living."
"The humans?" Azreal asked, unconcerned.
Hers' expression darkened. "Yes. They're dying… but not naturally. Their deaths are… unnatural. It's as if they're transforming into sothing before they die."
Azreal and Hulk exchanged shocked glances. "Transforming into… what?" Azreal asked, tension sharpening his tone.
"Infernals," Hers said solemnly.
Azreal's eyes widened. "Infernals? How is that possible? How can they turn into infernals?"
Hers' voice was steady, serious. "That's exactly why it's shocking. If it were a normal death, Hades would have been sent for. But these… transformations… they demand attention."
"I see," Azreal muttered. "So it's the infernals that caught our attention, isn't that right?"
"Yes," Hers confird. "The council's ssage is simple. You are to go to the world of the living and discover why humans are turning into infernals. That is all."
Azreal leaned back, incredulous. "Since when did I beco a detective?"
Hers' golden eyes t his with unwavering seriousness. "I know, Azreal. Investigating isn't your forte. But if we don't act soon, it could lead to the extinction of the human race."
Azreal smirked faintly. "So that's supposed to make more… willing to help?"
Hers' expression darkened further. "There are… rumors among the Gods. About you."
Azreal stiffened. "Rumors? What kind?"
"They whisper that you are behind this… that these infernal transformations are your doing. That you intend to create your own army to overthrow the Gods."
Hulk's fists clenched. "Such false rumors against Lord Azreal!"
Azreal's gaze narrowed. "I didn't know I was popular enough among the Gods for rumors to spread about ."
Hers' tone was steady, serious as ever. "So… is it true, Azreal?"
Azreal looked at Hers with a steady gaze. "So… what do you think, Hers?"
Hers' expression softened, a rare gentleness in his golden eyes. "I think… you could never think of such a thing, Azreal. I trust you enough to know what's best by now."
Azreal nodded slowly. "So… will you investigate the case?"
Hers gave a faint smile. "Since it involves the infernals, I will investigate. Besides… I would like to et the one who's interfering with my work by using them."
"Good," Hers replied. "Then I will inform the Gods of your departure. But first… I heard about Zarion and everything that happened."
Azreal raised an eyebrow. "So you all found out… how am I not surprised?"
Hers' tone sharpened slightly. "Azreal, you really should report these things, or you might soon be considered an enemy."
Azreal gave a small shrug. "I'll think about it."
Hers let out a quiet sigh. "I shall take my leave, then."
Azreal called after him. "Wait, Hers… I'd like to ask you sothing."
Hers stopped in his tracks, turning his attention fully to him. "Ask right away."
Azreal's voice was calm, but carried weight. "Have you heard of the Gods' Mark?"
Hers froze, eyes widening slightly. "The Gods' Mark? Yes… what about it?"
Azreal's gaze remained steady. "Is it possible… for soone to be blessed with the Mark of the Gods?"
Hers hesitated, his expression turning thoughtful. "Yes… it's possible, but it's incredibly rare. I've never seen a human bear it. The Gods don't bestow it lightly—it's not a gift handed out freely."
Azreal nodded slowly. "I see… then I suppose I must have made it up, unintentionally."
Hers' brow furrowed slightly. "Is sothing troubling you, Azreal?"
"No," Azreal said, shaking his head. "Nothing much. But I would like to ask one more question. Is it possible… for the Soul Reeders in the Underworld to make a mistake?"
Hers pursed his lips, considering. "The Soul Reeders, huh… I don't think so. But still… I can't say for certain. The only one who could answer that is Hades himself, since he's in charge. Then again… I suppose you wouldn't ask him directly, given that you two aren't exactly on good terms."
Hers straightened. "I will take my leave now."
Azreal raised a hand. "You can't just leave like that. Stay and eat with us. Do you still rember Nena?"
Hers chuckled softly, a warmth in his smile. "Why would I forget Nena? She's like a mother to ."
Azreal's lips curved into a small smile. "And yet… you ca to Hell and now want to leave without eting her, without tasting her cooking?"
Hers let out a mock sigh, his golden eyes glinting. "Pardon … okay, then. I will et with Nena. Besides… I have missed her cooking."
Azreal's smile widened. "Then it's decided. You will stay and eat with us."
"Sure," Hers said with a nod, still smiling.
Azreal turned to Hulk. "Go and inform Nena that Hers is coming."
"Yes, my lord," Hulk said, disappearing in a sudden burst of flas.
Azreal faced Hers again. "Do you still rember the way?"
Hers' smile returned. "Lead the way."
Azreal stood and snapped his fingers. A portal shimred into existence before them, swirling with deep shadows and light. Without hesitation, they stepped through together, the portal vanishing behind them.
Reviews
All reviews (0)