Chapter 38: [35 – butterfly; a demon’s sin]

Standing at the brink of having his skin corroded into melted flesh, Soren thought of a few things.

For example, what was he even doing? Why was it that whenever he wanted an answer to something, the only person who could answer him had to make trouble first?

It made little sense.

"Soren, there may be other answers we can find. This is dangerous." warned Vendra worriedly, standing nearby with a slight frown on her beautiful features.

He didn't reply.

Brioc raised a brow. "He's distracted, huh?"

"I think..." said Alvara slowly. "...this is his resolution. The answer the Queen can give is something irresistible to him."

The teenager was, in fact, perfectly correct.

It was difficult to describe, and even harder to understand Soren's stubborn resolution. However, his strange, undying body had plagued him like a long illness he couldn't rid of.

Again, and again, and again.

Soren lived.

Even when he wanted to give up.

Now, in this new world with mysteries he couldn't begin to comprehend, there was a possibility of an answer. It seemed unreal, impossible.

For those reasons, did he stand in front of this deadly lake, despite the pain he knew would undoubtedly come.

The dark water rippled, its night colour deep and cloudy while it oozed the stench of death. There wasn't any transparency, as normal lakes would have, only the ominous promise of misfortune.

It was fitting for a place that existed in the Barren Kingdom.

"I'll commend your bravery, my dear visitor." remarked the Queen with a light smile as she trailed along behind in her grace. "However, I do not wish to be killed if you make a mistake. Do you want to reconsider?"

It differed from her provocations from earlier, from her directly exposing her ability. The Necromancer Queen was somebody who enjoyed mind games, pushing and pulling.

For Soren, it wouldn't work.

He ignored her and took a step forward.

The moment his feet skimmed across the rippling black water, a sizzling sound filled the air.

Tiny bubbles surrounded his feet as a corrosive pain echoed in the hollows of his bones. It hurt — it really did, but his face remained impassive except for the deepened frown at his lips.

Alvara couldn't bear watch, turning away with a wince.

Brioc glanced at her. "You should watch, Alvy."

She was so uncomfortable that she didn't comment on the nickname. "I'll pass, but thanks."

"Watch." Brioc's violet eyes stared at the shrinking figure sizzling in the water. "Renren is somebody who attracts trouble — if you stay with him, you can't look away."

Alvara bit her lip, shuffling uncomfortably, but she didn't turn back.

[You're a fool.]

The familiar voice echoed, and Soren's scowl deepened once more.

'I'm busy, don't bother me.'

[Even if you can die, it's not that fun.]

'Thank you for stating the obvious.'

Soren's body was now half submerged, in a half dead state. Occasionally, a bursting pain rushed at him, killing him at once. The deadly water was the only thing keeping afloat.

So he died, again and again, and he lived, again and again.

He was used to it.

It was simple.

Yet for the people watching on, their expressions warped into horror and disbelief. They watched as he walked on, blood seeping into the lake that was so dark it couldn't be seen; watched as he paused lifelessly at random before walking again.

The lake was shallow, because the dangers didn't lie in its mystery but rather, in its waters.

[You want to know the answer that much?]

'Yes.'

Soren, who felt little to many things in life, despised one thing especially. It was this immortal curse that some would kill for, and others would despair in.

[I'll tell you the answer.]

'No thanks.'

[.....]

'I don't want to hear the answer with that voice of mine.'

[That's trivial.]

The truth, however, why Soren denied the God's request was different. And they both knew that.

[I know your ability more than anybody else in this world, other than yourself.]

'Fine. Tell me, then. And what's the catch?'

Soren didn't believe in free help most of the time, and the God of Death was not so kind to help him for free. He knew that, because the God felt strangely similar to himself, and he hated it even more.

[Agree to my request. Help prevent this world from falling.]

'Why do you care so much?'

The God fell silent. At this, the pain seemed numb as Soren frowned. An answer like, 'because this is my world' would've been typical, but there seemed to be another mystery behind it.

For some strange reason, the God chose not to lie.

[There's somebody I want to save.]

'One person?'

Hesitation. A long, empty silence. Then, an answer. [No.]

'Then?'

[Help me, Ren Suzuki. If you help me, I'll tell you any answer you want to know.]

'I don't wish to play at the whims of a God.'

Another long, draining silence. It seemed that even the God of Death felt strange today, more emotional — if a God could even be emotional, that was. Just when Soren was about to enjoy the sweet silence of alone time while his body decayed, the voice was heard again.

Lonely and more tragic, carrying a weight that felt all too familiar.

[Even Gods were human once.]

Soren lazily blinked at at the endless lake before his brows furrowed slightly. 'What?'

He thought that there would be no more answers or hints after this, but the God continued. Slowly, and carefully, as if trying not to give away too much.

[Just as the Third Religion leader wishes to become a God, I was human once.]

The prince was a little curious. 'And?'

[Will you agree to my request?]

'No.'

[Then I can't say.] It was awfully stubborn and impassive sounding, and Soren felt himself grow more annoyed.

'Ridiculous.'

[If you hear my answers, then you're committing yourself to a truth that is bigger than just you. After that, you can't get away from it.] The God paused. [Ren Suzuki, if you truly want to live a different life, then live it. No matter what I say, reject me.]

[Some truths are better remaining secrets.]

Soren pondered over it through the blinding pain. At least, this nonsense was a distraction from the rather vivid burning sensations that crawled up his limbs.

What if the secret behind his undying body involved a history of more than one person? What if it'd throw him into another world of trouble?

But that was the thing. Soren was tired of trouble, being dragged every which way by life's whims, but this was different. It was the possibility of ending this foolish curse which plagued his body.

Maybe not now, maybe because he had given up so long ago, but once... once, Soren had been desperate.

For the gentle release of death.

[You've reached the end.]

The tone was definite, refusing to expose any other wonders that Soren may have had. But even Soren felt conflicted.

Because he felt like if he listened, there would be things he didn't want to hear. Things both unrelated to him, but also related in the strangest, slightest ways.

'I have.'

[If you change your mind, I will answer any question. If not, then live well, Ren Suzuki.]

It was almost like a goodbye.

Soren felt like the persistent God had an oddness to the way they spoke. The issue wasn't that they sounded similar, but that even the God of Death felt reluctant to persuade Soren.

Determined, yet conflicted. A combination that was anything but normal.

Soren crawled to the shore of the small island as the voice faded. He huffed, closing his eyes as his conscious blurred and the agony that had been biting into his flesh numbed even more.

Dying was a strange thing.

He found it peaceful. Painful, at times, but during death, it all seemed to fade together into a jumbled mess of confusion. For him, however, it was not everlasting.

A momentary respite before he'd have to awaken to the world again.

When he opened his eyes again, his body had reformed from its gore filled mess to a humane shape. Most likely, Brioc was watching in horrified wonder, and Vendra in plain horror. Whatever the case, it didn't matter.

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He slowly stood up, listening for the voice of the Death God, which had long disappeared. They were gone, undoubtedly.

The island was quiet, unable to be seen from a distance but more clearly once near. It was calm, the obsidian ripples lapping against the shore in quiet murmurs while no sound could be heard.

'Peaceful.' thought Soren absentmindedly as he stepped forward.

It seemed to be empty, in its blur of time and space that made him feel like he was walking into endless darkness.

Finally, in the distance, he saw a twinkling crimson butterfly on the ground, calling for him.

He stared at it, hypnotized.

His body seemed to move on its own in its lure, slender joints wrapping around the delicate wings.

'Snap out of it.'

Soren blinked.

There was a sigh. 'You actually made it across, it seems.’

"I did." said Soren aloud, sitting on the ground with a lazy air as he held the crimson butterfly in his palm.

'I'm surprised you had any conscious. Strangely enough, you seem to be immune to some sorts of magic.’

"I guess."

'And? Are you going to ask who I am?’

Soren rolled his neck, stretching his arms out like a lazy cat as his white strands tickled his eyes. "My memory isn't bad enough to forget your voice."

'What's my name?'

"Unnecessary."

'...Right. Anyway, my Sin has the ability to hypnotize others. That is why, even if one were to cross the lake, my Sin itself would serve as a barrier.'

"Sin?"

'I believe you refer it to a Cursed Tattoo. For me, and for all of us, it's our greatest sin. They're dangerous — you were lucky to have found... to have found Uriel's.'

"Yeah."

The response was so bland that even Asmodeus felt tired. Talking to this ghastly prince to begin with was draining, and Asmodeus had a feeling it wouldn't get any better.

'...through the Tattoo, you can communicate with the devil or angel it belongs to. You wouldn't have known, when the owner of your Sin..."

Asmodeus trailed off and didn't finish his sentence.

"Why are you telling me?"

'Because I've been here for decades, and you're the first humans I've seen. If you ever see Uriel, I won't ask you to save her, but tell me. Even if it's not her, but her sister. Tell me, please.'

Soren had no reason to refuse. It was unfair to Asmodeus, but the demon had decided on that deal himself. Information for information, only Asmodeus' information seemed much more valuable.

Although, to the demon himself, it was likely to be the opposite.

"Describe them."

'What?'

"I can't find what I don't know."

Asmodeus contemplated it seriously. 'It's difficult. Uriel, as an archangel, had an appearance that was hard to describe. Beautifully serene. El, was different. More wild and rugged, yet she melded with Uriel perfectly.’

Rather than giving a description, it was as if the demon were showing off. Indulgent and lost in memories was his voice.

'They both stood out, it's hard to miss them. If it's El, she'll most likely be at a place of power. She would've done anything to save Uriel, even if it meant going against her ideals.'

Soren listened quietly and nodded to the air. "If I see her, I'll tell you."

'Thank you...'

There was some disbelief in the demon's voice. Like he couldn't believe that after all these years, there was a possibility. A chance.

And Soren... he could relate to that feeling.

Perhaps for that reason, for that understanding that happened so rarely, Soren had easily agreed to the request.

'Now, you'll have to merge with my Sin. I assume the merging with Uriel's was simple, but the angel's sins are that way. This time, it'll likely engulf you with a seething pain, so intense you'll feel your mind burn.'

'I don't know what determination you have to hear the Queen's answer, but are you certain?'

"Yes."

If Soren resolutely decided on something, he would follow it through. Just as how he left the Kingdom when he decided he didn't want to say.

He stretched his fingers around the butterfly lightly, under the control of his own mind this time. There seemed to be a tingle at the edge of his fingers, slowly rumbling through the rest of his body.

'Breathe, and relax. It will happen naturally, especially since I allowed it to.'

So, Soren did as he was told.

It was different from Uriel's chain, seeming to embed itself in the depths of his mind as the wings gradually turned transparent. Drifting into the air as little flecks of red dust, it slowly disappeared.

He felt the specks of dust melt into his skin and closed his eyes.

Then came the burning pain.

Bright and vivid, echoing in his mind.

His eyes seemed to bear the heaviest weight of the pain as he pressed his lips together in a fine line. A bright light blazed in his eyes, before the shape of a butterfly started to appear.

If Soren had seen himself, he would've seen his crimson eyes that were a deep, blood red, with a single snowy butterfly in the center.

He blinked, once, then twice. Several times to push away the discomfort that lingered, as if he'd dried out his eyes completely.

'Does it feel uncomfortable?'

"Yes." said Soren bluntly before adding more good measure, "It's inconvenient. You should update it."

'...that's not possible, sorry.'

"Too bad."

'.....'

After some time, the light faded from his eyes and they returned black to their original chilling blue. When Soren decided his eye felt normal again, he stood up.

Before he could take a step back into the murky waters, the lake parted in his wake, large walls of pitch black water forming a path for him to the other end. The ground was dry and devoid of life or moisture.

He walked forward.

In reality, his heart felt hot, burning with a deep desire for the possibility of the truth. There was no person who could remain calm after learning there was an escape from a curse that bound them to life so painfully.

The water rippled like waves of sound echoing in the frozen walls.

He'd given up.

And maybe the information the Queen could give would do nothing to extinguish his hope once again. But before, there was no possibility at all.

His feet reached the end, and he calmly lifted his chin.

Only, the Queen had a worried appearance on her regal features as she stared at him with a frown. 

"Congratulations. However, things have changed. I won't forgo my promise with you, but you must decide soon on what you'll do. The happenings above are not as simple as I assumed."

"Speak." said Soren coldly, stepping before her.

She glanced at him through her long lashes and smiled faintly. "As promised, the two pieces of information."

"In the world above, three months have passed. Time flows differently in this land, and also in the Forest of Beginnings and Endings."

This time, Vendra stepped forward with a slight panic in her tone. "What? And in that time, what has happened?"

Despite her surprise about the time that had passed, she focused on the key point. Trouble had occurred, and it was anything but simple.

"The Third Religion — I believe that was what you humans refer it to as — has made their move in your absence. The world's collapse has already begun, my dear princess." 

The Queen smiled as if it had nothing to do with her despite the glimmers of worry in her eyes, and Vendra's expression completely collapsed.

"...what? That's... it's... impossible."

"I'm afraid not. The beginning of the end doesn't mean everything will immediately fall apart, however. But," she stared at Soren pointedly. "I do believe, that the choice you make will play a major factor in the future."

"...I refused. I still refuse." answered Soren calmly.

However, this time, there was a hint of uncertainty in his tone. 

"Oh, I know, don't you worry. The only question is, will you continue to refuse after everything I have to say?"

Brioc sighed deeply and loudly, interrupted, "Just hurry up and tell us the news. Stop being cryptic. It really isn't the time for it, you know?"

"There is a Kingdom supporting the Third Religion. One you know well, Brioc Laurier. After all, you were the prince of that lovely kingdom, once upon a time."

Brioc's face rapidly paled and for once, the talkative and crazy magician fell into a deep silence. The Queen looked at him and waved her hands as a shimmer of darkness swirled within her palms. 

As Soren watched, images flashed between the mirage, like a window overseeing the world. 

Flickers of children, much like the ones Soren had rescued, lying on the cold ground. Of citizens, bowing at the front of a queer temple, their skin engraved with that accursed apple marking.

The scene moved to the two figures standing on a platform, above all the others. 

Both cloaked as the wind blew around them, tossing one of their hoods off. A woman stood, her expression wild and crazy as she grinned, her hair flying around her in violent waves.

"That..." Vendra stared wide-eyed, her lips parted open as she took in the woman.

Asmodeus blinked in disbelief, stretching a shaky figure to the window. His childish feline eyes, wide in surprise as he stepped forward, dazed. He slowly uttered a name, which seemed to reverberate in the quiet air.

"...El?"