Fear the Reaper

Chapter 29: The last warrior

Nine

"Let me get this straight, Eight," sabi ko sa babaeng kausap ko habang nakaupo sa harapan niya disguising myself as a sixty years old female human. "You mated with the mutt without thinking of the consequences. And you put me into a situation that I never wanted right in the middle of a meeting," sabi ko pa sa kanya.

"I'm sorry, mistress," sagot ni Eight habang inaayos ang kanyang salamin. "He didn't leave me a choice. I need to get the information that you have instructed me. I am sorry for the inconvenience that I caused. But I made sure you already found the answer to your question, mistress," sagot niya.

“Indeed I found out. And that’s a thank you from me,” sabi ko sa kanya. “But I have one last favour to you.”

“What is it, mistress? Anything for you,” aniya.

“Don’t let the bastard mark you or else he will have control over you. Which you know will fall down on me,” sabi ko sa kanya.

“Understood, Mistress,” sagot niya.

“Now go,” sabi ko sa kanya noong makita ko si Red na nagpapalinga-linga at halatang hinahanap si Eight.

Nagbigay galang muna ito sa akin at saka tumayo na upang puntahan ang boyfriend nito.

Humigop ako ng kape na nasa disposable cup na inorder sa akin ni Eight. This is the second time I’ve walked on Earth. Humans indeed are extraordinary. They almost look like celestials minus the wings and glowing things. And also, copycat nuisance like vampires, werewolves and lesser demons perfectly copy them kaya malaya silang nakikisalumuha sa mga tao.

The nerve of them.

Ibinalik ko ang tasa sa platito upang tumayo na. Indeed, I slept before humans ang created. They can multiply fast and fill the earth. Kaya lang may mga nilalang na hindi talaga nabibilang sa mundong ito.

Humakbang ako palayo sa lugar na iyon and then teleported to a place where I shall meet Six somewhere in Khestramore. She and I need to agree on something before meeting Ein again.

"Greetings, Mistress," bati niya sa akin noong makapagtagpo kami sa isang lugar na tago malayo sa mga matang maaaring nakatingin sa amin.

"Six. I believe you know what you are going to do," sabi ko sa kanya.

"Yes, mistress. I'm ready," sabi niya sa akin.

"Good," sagot ko. "Before I created you, I already played a little bit with him. Your goal is to transfer my snake to him unaware. Do what you need to do," sagot ko sa kanya.

Yumukod ito sa harapan ko.

"I'll expect good news, Six," sabi ko pa.

"I will report to you right after I do it, mistress," aniya.

"Good. Now go," utos ko sa kanya.

Nagbigay muna ito ng galang sa akin bago ito naglaho.

I teleported back to Axis mundi. I still have one warrior to save until my troop is ready. The judgement day is approaching. The first sign will be happening a week from now.

The Judgement day is the day where everyone will die except humans and Khisians. Celestial axis and Cythonic axis will be left untouched and their original occupants. Those who are supposed to go extinct will become extinct permanently. Everyone that is involved in this day will try to fight me as I will execute my job. I will face legions like sands but I'm not going to fret. There is a reason why I become death. I fear no one except my Lord.

"Mistress," bati sa akin nina Neax with Lumine in her arms.

"Is everyone ready? Your troops?" tanong ko sa kanila.

"We are still undergoing training, mistress," sagot ni Azraela. "Rest assured when the judgement day arrives, we are ready," dagdag pa niya.

"Good. I will undergo body changing. I don't know how long it will take. But I want you all to be ready. Our enemies may be stronger than us but I trust you all that you can hold them until I'm back."

"Why mistress? Is your body weak?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Gaea.

Sasagot na sana ako ngunit biga lamang nagkaron ng sugat ang aking braso at umagos ang dugo mula roon. Kitang-kita nila ito.

"That's insane, mistress!" nanlalaking matang sabi ni Neax. "Are you still growing? Is there any limit for you to grow?"

"I never stop growing," sagot ko sa kanya. "And so my power is," sagot ko pa. Hinayaan kong umagos ang dugo mula roon. Kusa rin naman iyong gagaling dangan lamang at mag-iiwan iyon ng peklat. "I'm leaving, make sure when the first blow of trumpet sounds, you know what to do and also, I'm freeing someone who's information about deities is abundant. I want you to teach him the way of Axis mundi. I'll leave it all to you, Neax and Azraela," bilin ko sa kanila before teleporting.

I find myself teleporting outside of a cave. The next warrior is currently inside. His hatred towards deities is freaking high that I can even feel it from Axis mundi. Pumasok ako sa loob at naglakad palapit sa pinakagitna noon.

Doon ay nakita ko ang isang lalaking nakatali sa isang bato. The odd thing about it was that the rope that was used to bind him was obviously the intestines of an animal or something. If I didn't know who owned that intestine, I would mistake it for some animals. But no. Hindi iyon mula sa hayop. That entrails belong to his sons killed by Hera's underling, Odin. As I read about this poor man, he served his leader right. But the only thing that made him put under this punishment was he accidentally killed the eldest son of Odin. Two of his other children were also killed by Odin's children so much that Loki turned blind eye to that because of his loyalty to his leader. And still, he ended up here. This is the part of how cruel the deities are.

Tinignan ko ang ahas na nagpapatulo ng kanyang lason sa mukha ni Loki. I hissed at it and it suddenly coiled in fear stopping it from dropping venok on Loki's face.

Loki's eyes open as soon as the venom stops dripping on him.

"Hello, Loki," nakangiting bati ko sa kanya.

"A-am I dead? W-who are you?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong sa akin.

"No, you're not, to answer your first question and I go simply by the name Death for the second one," sagot ko sa kanya.

"D-death? Are you finally freeing me from my unfortunate fate?" aniya.

"If you want to die, of course I'll kill you or if you also want revenge for those who did this to you and your family, I can help you," sagot ko sa kanya.

"We can discuss it Death if you unbind me. I cannot stand being tied with my son's intestines," malungkot na sagot niya.

I snapped my fingers and then the intestines were cut as soon as I did that, freeing Loki in the process.

"I want Odin's head," sabi niya sa akin. "But I cannot do that. I'm weak compared to him but I'll do my utmost best if you'll help me to kill him," aniya.

"Which means you want to help me?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yes," sagot niya sa akin. "Even If I am freed, they will still hunt me and probably kill me for good," sagot niya sa akin.

"So? You wanted us to help you instead?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Tumango ito sa akin.

"After all I have done with Odin. All the odd jobs he told me to do, I did it with questioning him and in just one mistake of accidentally killing his son, he killed four of my children and punished me," aniya

"So what do you want to do?"

"Revenge," sagot niya sa akin.

"So revenge will be," sabi ko sa kanya. "Give me your hand," dagdag ko pa sa kanya.

"Why?"

"I'm forming a pact with you," sagot ko.

Loki didn't question me furthermore. He handed me his right arm and I held it firmly.

"This might be a little bit painful but bare with it," sabi ko gave him a warning.

Gumapang mula sa aking kamay ang isang tattoo na ahas patawid patungo sa kanyang braso.

"What is that?" tanong nito sa akin habang pinapanood ang paggapang ng ahas sa kanya.

"Let's just say a gift from me. A gift that may be good or dangerous for you," sagot ko sa kanya.

"Eh? Why are you giving me that?" tanong niya.

"Simply because I don't trust easily. My snake will be my eyes on you. You betray me, you die. You show loyalty to me, you'll be boosted with power. Is that a clear answer?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Woah.. I heard humours about you. I thought you were just a myth and was defeated by Apollyon but uhm look, you're here. Flesh and blood," aniya.

"I cannot die. Death cannot be killed by death, isn't it?" tanong ko sa kanya. "Cherubim a.k.a Apollyon made a quite impressive plan because he knew that no one can kill me so he took advantage of me going for slumber. Quite impressive isn't it?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Napansin ko napangiwi siya. Of course, he's one of Cherubim's creation and part of Cherubim probably inside of him. The snake I gave him is the one who cleans unwanted inhibitors inside his body. I made it to kill any traces of the traitor inside of him and my snake found it and killing it at this moment.

"Oh! It hurts!" pasigaw niyang sabi clutching his chest.

"It will be over soon. Don't worry," sagot ko sa kanya. "My snake's looking for the best place in your body to settle down. Once it finds one, then the pain will vanish," sagot ko sa kanya.

Ilang minuto siyang nagpagulong-gulong sa lupa habang namimilipit sa sakit.

"Odin die! It's freaking painful!" sigaw niya.

"Bare with it. I told you it will hurt a little," sabi ko habang pinapanood siya.

Tumagal ng ilang minuto ang paminilipit niya ng sakit hanggang sa tumayo na ito at parang walang nangyari.

"Well?" tanong ko sa kanya. "Are you fine now?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"I feel great," nakangiting sagot niya. "But that was so painful. Painful than the venom that the snake dropped on me," aniya pa.

Ngumiti ako.

"Was it?"

"Yeah," aniya. "What's next?" tanong niya sa akin.

"You'll be working with my platoon leaders. I'll call someone that will assist you," sahot ko sa kanya.

Ilang sandali lang ay lumitaw si Azrael.

"Mistress?" anitong nakayuko.

"Bring him to Axis mundi and teach him everything," sagot ko sa kanya.

"As you wish, mistress," aniya bago tumingin kay Loki ngunit natameme yata ito ng makita ang lalaki. Si Loki naman ay ganoon din. Bahagya pa ngang nakanganga. Naka-eye lock ang dalawa as if silang dalawa lamang ang naroon at wala ako.

Napabuntong-hininga ako.

"Seriously?" tanong ko sa aking sarili.

Don't tell me this is love at first sight?

Nakita kong bahagyang namumula ang mga pisngi ni Azrael habang nakangiti si Loki sa kanya.

"Hey pretty lady my name is Loki. What about yours?" tanong nito kay Azraela.

"Uhm I'm Azraela," kiyemeng sagot ni Azraela na parang nahihiya pa.

Ohh. I haven't seen Azraela's side like this. I'm used to seeing her arrogant behavior since she was raised in a warzone. But today she's all pink and blushing like a teenager.

"It's nice to meet you, Azraela," sabi ni Loki sa kanya sabay lahad ng kanyang kamay sa babae.

Hindi alam ni Azraela kung tatanggapin ba ang kamay ng lalaki o hindi.

"Just grab it ang handshake with him Azraela," sabi ko sa kanya na nagpabalik ng katinuan ng babae.

Muling bumalik ang astigin nitong mukha at saka nakipagkamay kay Loki.

"Alright enough with fluttering lashes and blushing. Teleport him to Axis," sabi ko kay Azraela bago bumaling kay Loki. "I expect you to give every information about deities to them and help them. There is no room for betrayal for me, Loki. Do you understand?"

"Yes boss!" nakangiting sagot niya sa akin sabay hawak sa balikat ni Azraela na ikinapula na naman ng mukha ng babae.

"M-mistress a-aren't you coming with us?" tanong nito na medyo nahihiya.

"I have something to attend to," sagot ko sa kanya before vanishing.