The Goddess of Death - Hero's Lies Arc

“I want to become the strongest in the world,” Wisteria told Kage bluntly, during the start of the six months of training. He rubbed his chin in amusement.

“Huh, that’s very vague. Can you be more specific, please?” he asked politely. He needed to know everything that Wisteria wanted so that he could set out the correct training regime for her.

“Well, I want to destroy the hierarchy. It’s not a simple objective. Even if we beat all the Gods, I need to be a strong leader to make that happen. Kage, what I’m trying to say is, I want you to break me. Give me the hardest training you can give me,” Wisteria said, her eyes narrowed in determination. Kage laughed, then responded calmly.

“Do me a favor, and make the biggest ice crystal you can. It must be bigger than an iceberg, at least.”

Wisteria lifted an eyebrow in confusion, but followed along with Kage’s instructions. She lifted her palms and pointing them outwards, then unleased a humongous quantity of manna. Slowly, an iceberg began to form. It was almost 15 meters high, and just as much wide. It must have weighed as much as three elephants put together. It fell to the ground with a massive thud, and Wisteria flew back and wiped her brow.

“Your task is simple. Lift it,” Kage told Wisteria with a smirk.

“What?!”

“You asked for a challenge, and I delivered. You want to be more than a God. You want to be a strong ruler, which requires determination, will and focus. Lift it.”

Wisteria continued her smile in the present day as she focused on Grant. He continued backing up. He couldn’t stand. He could hardly move.

“Get away from me!” he yelped out in fear. Wisteria ignored his pleas and drew her blade. She jumped high into to air, aiming to cut the helpless man in half. Grant rolled out of the way just in time, but his ear got nicked in the attack. He rolled to his feet, cupping his ear, his hand slowly filling with blood.

“Wow, I can’t believe I let you hurt me for so long,” Wisteria laughed. “I’m not even trying right now!”

She swung her sword again, and Grant caught the blade with his hand. He let out a pained yell, but used some of his manna reserve to rust the blade, crumbling it to dust. Wisteria didn’t care, as she used her other hand to hit Grant in the nose. His body flew across the debris, hitting a solid concrete wall.

“I…dammit…” Grant raised his hands once more. “Your battle IQ is way too high. You used your sword as bait, didn’t you? Well, you won’t be able to handle my…last…attack! Carte Blanche – Relentless Rust of the Periodic Table!”

The ground once again returned to a horrible brown color as Grant used his Carte Blanche for the second separate time, and Wisteria grabbed her throat in agony. Grant knew that he wouldn’t last much longer. His manna was decreasing rapidly, and he was beaten enough from his fight with Hiroshi.

It had to end now.

He trudged over to Wisteria, drawing his own blades.

“Impressive, huh? Look, it doesn’t even affect me! That’s what happens, Wisteria, when you leave the poor, worthless life behind! Look! I’m so much stronger, and more powerful, and people respect me! Isn’t it so good!” Grant said, emotion coursing through his voice. “Why didn’t you come with me?!”

Wisteria bent down, struggling to breathe, as Grant edged closer and closer to her with murderous intent.

“Because…I have a new man in my life now. He loves my dream, and he wants to make it a reality, not become a worse part of it,” she gasped for air.

“Who? That loser? You can’t be serious!” Grant was about to chuckle, but then, his throat became dry, and he tried to speak, but no words would come out. He got on his knees, tears in his eyes, and saw Wisteria, standing over him, as if he was obeying his master. “W-What is this?”

He knew that Hiroshi had a similar presence. That feeling of death in his very soul. But this was different. A completely different domain. A new level to the presence entirely. He was rooted to the spot, to afraid to move. Wisteria smirked a cocky smile.

“Don’t you dare call him a loser,” she snarled, pointing her palm at him. “If anyone is a loser. Giving up on me, the village, all to prove a stupid point. I regret all the time we spent together. Goodbye, Grant.”

Almost instantly, a huge blast of ice shot from her hand and into Grant’s heart. He screamed in pain, the light fading from his surroundings. The icicle spike went high into the sky as blood wrapped around it all the way up. Grant’s body reflected off the sun. It was one of the largest exertions of manna in human history.

At the end of six months, Kage came to visit Wisteria. Wisteria could not lift the iceberg she created.

She could bench press it. Over a thousand times in a row.

“I must say, I’m impressed,” Kage had chuckled. “You really are a badass. Can I let you in on a little secret?”

“Sure,” she said, putting the iceberg down and wiping her forehead, which was full of sweat.

“Out of the four of you, Wisteria, undoubtedly, you are the strongest. Even more than Tomokazu.”

The young boy from the crowd yelled out to Alexander, who was almost too baffled to speak.

“So, if Hiroshi is the King of Death, is that his Queen?”

“No, son,” Alexander gaped, still in shock. “If Hiroshi is a King, then she’s the Goddess of Death itself.”

*QUESTION TIME!!!*

"What do you think of Tomokazu as a person?"

Hiroshi says – “He annoys me sometimes. He doesn’t read my emotions very well and doesn’t know that I need space sometimes. However, I think we can become good friends…I hope.”

Wisteria says – “He’s determined, I’ll give you that. His father is always on his mind. He wants to be stronger than that. His abilities are unmatched, with his speed and agility and skill. But the most powerful part of him is his heart. I know, corny as heck, but it's true.”

Tomokazu says – “I mean…what do you want me to say? I’m just a normal guy with a kickass girlfriend. My father is the God of Hope. That’s what most people know me for. Sure, you know me well enough, Alexander. Just go to the next question. Please?”

Bibi says – “He’s so hot. I’m sorry, but he’s a stunner to look at! I mean, I am dating him now. It feels weird. He tried to kill me before, and if Hiroshi hadn’t stepped in, I wouldn’t be here right now, taking this interview. So, why do I care about him so much? I don’t know. I think there’s more to him, and he did apologize profusely to me. I think he’s just lost, and I want to be the map in his life that puts him back on track, you know?”