Loving A Mortal (18+)

Chapter 2 - Jar of Hearts

In front of Ambrose is a huge fence guarding the ten portals where people are teleported to the Gods’ dwellings. The portal's gate is guarded by two huge armored golems. Uninvited people will put their lives in danger and sometimes their life will be ended in a flash by the golems.

Ambrose walked near the gate and announced that he needs to see Daves. "I am here to settle some important matter with the God of p-" Ambrose didn't have the chance to finish his sentence as the golems attacked him. The golems alternately stomped on Ambrose's body crushing every bone Ambrose has.

Blood gushed from Ambrose's crushed body. His body was flattened by the golems’ dreadful assaults. Fortunately, Ambrose has been blessed with immortality. His crushed frame started moving like it is swayed by a magical wind, in an instant, his body is formed perfectly then he gasped as he opened his eyes.

"What a wonderful sight indeed!" Devas warbled with amusement in his voice. Devas' three-dimensional image beamed on one of the portals. The name of Devas, the God of provocation was engraved beside his portal.

"Enough with the killings, dear golems, for Ambrose is invited to show himself in my dwellings," Devas commanded.

The two huge armored golems opened the gate and they let Ambrose pass Devas’ portal.

Ambrose felt a little bit of uneasiness but he managed to shrug it off. He keeps on reminding himself that all of this is for Mereda, for Mereda and him to live with each other's side once again.

After entering the portal, all he could see are the glowing and glittering fast passing lines that flow in the darkness. After a couple of seconds, he was teleported into the dwelling of Devas.

A picturesque scenery sprang up before Ambrose. He imagined Devas’ place would be covered with dimmed color ornaments and objects but he was wrong, this place was the brightest and cleanest place that he has ever been to. All things are perfectly placed and organized, more like it was measured and looked through its angle before putting anything in place.

"Ambrose, finally you're here!" Devas greeted. A number of servants are following behind Devas.

Ambrose bowed his head as a sign of respect. This made Devas chuckle. "What a refreshing sight it is, Ambrose. Never in my life has someone shown his respect in front of me," said Devas.

Ambrose knows that the Ercians hate him so much that they would rather choose to die than to serve a God who is known for misleading his people, but Devas is his only chance of having the power of revival so he must respect the word God among all of the Gods.

"What are your demands?" Ambrose asked.

Devas smiled maliciously. "Are you in a haste, Ambrose?" Devas replied.

"Please, let's quit beating around the bush," Ambrose uttered, "You've heard my prayers every night, you know my intentions are all along," Ambrose added.

Devas swiftly flew to Ambrose's side, he then placed his hands on Ambrose's chest, "The beating of the heart," Devas breathed. "When shall it stop?" Devas whispered as he finished his question.

Ambrose felt his legs weaken causing them to shake a bit because of Devas' words. "I came here for an important matter, not to fool around with a God," Ambrose managed to vocalize his thoughts with an unyielding tone.

Devas giggled as he distanced himself from Ambrose. "Now then, shall we start?" Devas asked in a serious tone.

Ambrose nodded his head in concurrent.

A hint of satisfaction was seen in Devas’ eyes after Ambrose's response. "Follow me," Devas commanded Ambrose. "Begone." He added in dismissal of his servants.

Both Ambrose and Devas made their way to a field filled with white roses. Ambrose followed Devas behind, they walked through a stoned path between the roses, and as they walked further a thin mist appeared and it slowly turned into a thick mist almost making it hard to discern the white rose field.

"Where are we going?" asked Ambrose. He lost track and couldn't see anything caused by the thick mist enveloping his surroundings.

A hand grabbed and pulled Ambrose's arms. "Here." Devas spun with his arms wide open showing his secret place where he brings Ercians who he heard praying to the Gods but their prayers were kept unheard by the Gods who bless and grants wishes.

Hundreds of jars were aligned in a huge open glass cabinet. Ambrose was too stunned to speak after he saw what was inside the jar. "Are my eyes deceiving me?" Ambrose gasped in disbelief.

Devas walked near the cabinet and held one of the jars. "These jars are the price of being dissatisfied with the blessings that they have received from the Gods." Devas looked at Ambrose's eyes and looked back at the jar with a beating heart, then he continued to mumble. "This is how they atone their discontented hearts."

"Don't be scared, Ambrose. As long as the heart continues to beat, you will continue to live." Devas gave his reassurance to Ambrose, but Ambrose couldn't fight the fear wrapping around his inner peace.

"And what if it stopped beating?" Ambrose asked in a weak voice.

"It's simple, of course, you'll die." Devas let out a menacing laugh then quickly stopped. "But, it will only stop beating if you break the covenant," Devas uttered.

"Then what would it be?" Ambrose asked.

"Who are you going to revive? Is it an Ercian or a human?" Devas asked as he made a jar appear in his right hand.

"No other than my love, Mereda, an Ercian," Ambrose uttered with longing in his voice.

Mereda, she is the sole reason why Ambrose has been keen on attaining the power of revival.

After hearing Ambrose’s answer, Devas started their covenant. "One shall not break his words for this would be his death. Grant his desires for his heart yearns for other than the Gods have bestowed and he shall pay the price," he chanted.

Ambrose screamed in pain. Ambrose could feel his heart being slowly ripped out from his chest. He placed his hands on his chest and he started digging his nails into it. Ambrose had a sensation of weakness all over his body, a sensation he couldn't really understand... he felt weak and at the same time he felt dead, but it didn't last that long, as his heart was removed from his chest and placed in the jar he began gasping for air.

"Now, seal this jar with your blood and you shall go down to Earth. There is a woman who you shall wait to die for you to receive the power that you desire." Devas grabbed Ambrose's chin and made Ambrose face him so he could look Ambrose in the eyes.