Chapter 116: The symbol

Ranks acquired, items sold, the trip to the capital ended. Staxius walked the street for dusk had set in. Roaming around in a car would be troublesome for many drunks would recklessly step onto the streets. Anticipating a starry night, he looked up to be whelmed by rainclouds. “This place is truly something amazing,” Achilles spoke, their journey took them into the commercial district. “Master,” Avon interrupted; “-haven’t you got a tournament tomorrow?” Calmly, Staxius turned and answered with a slight nod then continued. “I guess someone’s a bit tired,” Avon sighed, Staxius’s unwillingness to speak made him worry a little.

For a few more minutes, they walked. Achilles hopped from shop to shop, gazing at the numerous apparatus they had on display. Her mind was blown so much that it became a lesser concern. From clothes to weapons to technological gadgets, they walked and talked. Tis was Avon who did all the explaining for Staxius’s mind was out of it. He had a pale look, the normally strong stern face had returned to a state of listlessness. “We should probably rest,” the spirit suggested. “I agree for Staxius doesn’t look that well,” Achilles agreed. Despite this, Staxius made no motion whether verbally or physically, he looked as if a blank sheet of paper – empty. “I care not for your troubles,” roughly, Achilles took him by the arm and headed into the nearest hotel. A cheap one that costs fifteen copper per night, Avon paid and they rested.

‘Why am I acting this way,’ though his companions gently put him to sleep, Staxius didn’t have the strength to speak nor say thanks. It ailed him, this inability to do anything; something was wrong. ‘Is it the backlash from summoning Achilles?” he wondered; his mana had been used far too much in the span of a few days. It had reached the end without recharging. As soon as the lights turned off, he fell asleep.

“Someone is looking worst than anticipated,” a familiar voice whispered, “who stands there,” Staxius replied. The body felt weightless, a place he visited before. “Don’t say that you’ve forgotten about me?” the voice replied in a carefree manner, its intonation varied quite a bit. “L-lord death?” he asked, the eyes fully opened. A hue of gold, blue, white and black all surged. Before he stood a massive clock, each second, the needle moved and made a loud click sound. Quickly, he checked his surroundings to find nothing, the place was empty. “Worry not,” a hand grabbed his shoulder, “-this place is far away from any realms. You’re inside the domain of Kronos, the ancient titan and supreme god.” Using the grip provided by the shoulder, the voice pulled his body into Staxius’s field of view. “Greetings Lord Death,” Staxius glanced and continued staring at the clock. “Is that how you treat your master?” he pouted. “Tee-hee,” Staxius smiled in an uncommon manner. The only response provided was a loud sigh, “may I know the reason to which I’ve been summoned?” he asked, the tone serious but friendly.

“I’ve summoned you because of that thing you did,” the voice replied in the same manner. “You’re speaking about Achilles?” he asked, to which lord death replied with, “yes, perceptive.” The clock continued ticking, “am I going to be reprimanded?” The god of death stared from top to bottom and simply replied with, “no.” It dragged on for too long, the heir grew impatient, “what’s the reason then?”

“It’s nothing, I’ve called to congratulate you,” he paused and waited for the reaction, “-I wish it was that simple,” he made a tsk sound. “For summoning an entity who nearly reached god-level status millennia ago, I must say I’m impressed. Though it’s not wrong, the backlash of that spell could have killed more people than you could ever imagine. A rampaging hero who has lost all prospect of good and evil, that’s trouble you never want to come across. Especially now that apostles have become less frequent.” A snap echoed around the emptied room; a plethora of portals opened. “Those are the other worlds and realm in which some gods are assigned. Being the strongest entity since creation itself, I’ve been ordered to stay out. However, the fact remains that there are millions of worlds out there getting rampaged by demons, humans and more. The world in which Hidros exists is one of the rare ones. This is because many apostles and heroes have been summoned there already.” All this information rendered Staxius curious, he waved signaling a question, “are you implying that there are more worlds that need saving compared to ours?”

historical

“Yes and no,” the answer felt boorish. “-each world has a god or goddess in charge. They decide who is to become the one to save each domain. Zeus, the current supreme god has control over the Earthly domain. The dimension where you stole, or rather, borrowed, Achilles. All the myths you’ve read in my library are from that place. The god of old, the ones you know as Apollo, Hades, Poseidon, Zeus and more are from that plain. They are not the only ones for there are also Norse mythology in which Fenrir exists. That’s not the point, what I’m saying is that there are other gods, other worlds, other histories out for one to discover. New means of fighting, new ways of thinking, other cultures that are threatened by one thing only, evil,” he paused and stared the clock. “What I’m trying to say is that, just like yours, there exist other places. You only need the will and resolve to travel. The use of magic has been revolutionized beyond anyone or anything apart from the legendary beings. This all is but an introduction to what may come next. The path you have taken, the immortality granted and the sheer raw strength you have isn’t cheap. One day, once Hidros is saved; you could well be transferred to another world,” he swiped and another vortex appeared. “This is Draebala, a world ravaged by the hero who turned out to be the next god-slayer. Heir to Kronos himself, this is what a world can turn too if nothing is done. The people there are constantly fighting, the way of life is awful. Champions, gods, and heroes, are sent there to fight to the death. All the gods have participated once; even me. We have turned that world into a warzone, and the one who rules there has long left. Kronos made sure to hide the identity of his heir; all the knowledge about time and space is into his hand.”

.....

“Basically, you gods were infatuated with your own strength and decided to use that world as a testing ground. I mean, it’s not that bad, though I just feel bad for the populous – but tis not my job. I’m but the heir to you, a guy who seeks strength and knowledge. The heir to Kronos could well be my enemy or ally, I could care less. This so-called god-slayer will die soon enough, not by my hands. I’m not a hero, but by the hands of the chosen one – I felt it before; the spirit of a true savior,” all that talk made the thirst for knowledge greater. “What you say is true, there is someone blessed by a goddess in Hidros. Blessed by Athena, goddess of wisdom and warfare,” Lord Death confirmed the speculation.

“More importantly, what’s the clock all about,” the conversation went full circle, “that’s a clock. A clock that is essential in how time is woven into the fabric of reality. This item is so precious that it’s hidden and protected by a legion of low-tier gods. And yes, even the divine beings have a ranking system, low-tier to high-tier with the special title of supreme god as being the best of the best,” they spoke more and more, “what about you, what’s your rank?”

“I’m the second most powerful entity since creation, my ranking isn’t something to be mentioned. Not to boast but if I wished, I could end any domain, god included without breaking a sweat. Trying to rank me is like finding a needle in a haystack, unprecedented and useless,” the sudden outburst made Staxius suspicious but decided to ignore it. “I’ve got a feeling that all that talk was just a waste of time. I did learn a lot of unnecessary information but I thank you for the knowledge. To know that there are more out there for one to discover – it makes me shiver down to my core. Summoning Achilles really did take a lot out of me. This is why you’ve been injecting mana inside me since we came here,” Staxius noticed. Lord Death was, in fact, trying to heal Staxius. “Nothing fails your perception,” the truth was out, “-yes, the immortality bestowed on you grew weak. The meeting with that particular individual had made it less effective and the way you recklessly try and kill yourself just to prove a point has affected it more,” he sighed. “-Not to worry, the way you’ve trained and focused on getting stronger has had a positive impact. The curses, blessings and magical elements have all grew tenfold. I’m proud to say that you’re now far stronger than ever before.” A blackened fireball with a symbol, one of a sickle, manifested before Staxius.

“This is a blessing I’ve been working on since you got attacked. A blessing that only, I, the god of death and Kronos, the ex-supreme god of time, have made especially for you.” It came closer to his head, “you aren’t strong enough to fight anything remotely close to the lowest tier of god. This will prove helpful in your growth, the immortality I once bestowed upon you will be renewed. This is far stronger, I know not if your body or soul can handle it, but this is my gift to you. A gift for it’s the last time we meet; I know not when we’ll speak again, but my heir, do take care. Staxius Haggard, I’ll always watch over you, never fear death for it’s what makes us strong. Death is our potion, death is our privilege, the privilege bestowed onto the wielders of the death elements, all the previous death reapers stand beside you. This is the power that all hope to gain but only the rarest of the rare is bestowed with. Be the light that carries darkness, be the darkness that carries light, impartial and neutral is how we stand. The curse of the death reaper lives within you as well as it’s strength, use it all and become stronger. There are more worlds for you to see, DIE AND BECOME STRONG.” The sickle snapped onto his face, right underneath his left eye. “IT BURNS,” the area around it burst into flames. Black and white fires surrounded the whole body.

“All that I’ve said has a meaning, but you’ll know it further down the line. Not now, not in ten years, but when time is right, the truth will be revealed. Staxius Haggard, my precious heir, this is where we part. Become strong, death will never be a threat to you anymore – embrace it,” the excruciating pain made Staxius unable to respond. The fire turned both his body and soul into dust, it faded. “Don’t forget about Undrar,” the last sentence got whispered.

“AHHHHHH,” the eyes opened, he awoke, the breathing erratic. Staxius looked around furiously, his hands and feet shook violently. Footsteps run and the door opened, “are you alright?” familiar voices spoke, night’s darkness kept their identity hidden. “I-I’m alright,” he panted, the pain continued, his heart ached, head in agony. Amidst the darkness, a white flame in the shape of a sickle engraved itself. At first, it looked like an ordinary sickle but the symbol changed. From a sickle to wings, to a scythe, it took on many appearances. Each change brought about pain, Avon and Achilles could not but watch. It finally settled, a sickle that embodied all three elements. The blade sharp but also having the properties of wings and not that curved, it had merged properties of a scythe as well. The handle, medium with a skull on the end.

The fire burnt out; a new symbol engraved itself. Lord Death had done something that would have gotten him into a lot of trouble. Staxius was given a symbol of power, one that had three different meanings into it. A symbol that would remain a mystery until the time was right.