Chapter 3: Divine Meeting

Around a day ago, somewhere in space, all of the higher-ranked gods gathered together.

"I'm grateful we could meet again since the last incident," A god called Voltaris said with his long gray hair and beard. "I know that we all have stuff to take care of, but something unexpected has happened."

Looking at everyone in the room with his serious yet concerned face, he announced, "The Darkness has a new host."

"There's someone strong enough to be in possession of that power, again?" A young god named Terron asked.

Animus, the god who was glowing of bluish green, spoke up, "I have sent my spirits in search of this immense power." A creepy smile grew on his face, "It is nothing to worry about. The darkness wielder is just a child. However, I do find it weird that this child is still himself; typically, the darkness wielders do not adapt to it for months. His soul must be the strongest out of everyone we have seen so far."

Ahrimanoth, a god wearing a full-body suit with a long jacket, suggested: "Because it's a kid, we can surely send a lower-ranked god to go and get the darkness."

"I know someone we can send. He's fairly new, but he's already proved himself to be stronger than most." Chronos, who had a headband over his eyes with three scars on each eye poking out, said.

Illusia, a god with messy hair and a small top hat on his head, responded: "Going there by ourselves would be stupid indeed; the balance of the universe can only be maintained if we stay in our places, not intervening with humans."

In relief, Voltaris sighed, "At least we got that out of the way," And then continued, "We still have to worry about a specific person and the plan. I just hope that person doesn't find out about the darkness before we can get it back."

"That person has most likely made plans on getting the darkness already." Terron felt anger within him.

Animus added, "The balance of the universe will not matter if The Darkness falls into his hands. I am going to Earth when the time is right."

Chronos raised his voice, "Don't be stupid. There's no point in causing a scene when this situation can be dealt with by a lower-ranked god. You always act on your own, and that has never brought us any benefit."

"There's no need to start arguments. We've already found a way to deal with this situation. Chronos and I will stay here to summon this lower-ranked god." Voltaris commanded.

"Alright then. See you all next time." Illusia said as he disappeared into thin air.

Terron stood up from the chair, "So I assume this means our meeting is over. See you all some other time," He said, making a portal appear next to him and walking into it.

Ahrimanoth walked backwards into the shadowy corner. "I don't know when we'll meet again, but this lower-ranked god better succeed." Stepping into the shadowy corner, he disappeared into it.

Animus started glowing bright green, "I will not do anything as of yet, I have hope in this god." As he was talking, he got brighter until he suddenly disappeared.

Chronos then summoned Sphairos, a lower-ranked god who commands the Orbs of Oblivion. He had just gotten back from a mission when he found himself suddenly appearing in front of two higher-ranked gods, Voltaris and Chronos.

At first, he was confused as to where he was until he looked up and saw two gods, around twice his size, standing in front of him. Sphairos got on his feet and then bowed down to them, "What brings me here? If I may ask."

"The Darkness has found a host, and we have decided to assign you to the task of taking him down," Voltaris said in a commanding tone.

"Wait, are you assigning just me to take down the darkness wielder?!" Sphairos exclaimed,d but then stopped himself, "I'm sorry. What I meant to say was. Are you sure I'm strong enough, sir?"

"It's a child who just recently got his hands on it. He shouldn't be able to use the darkness to his advantage yet," Chronos assured, "Not to mention, you're one of the only available gods for this job."

Thinking the situation through, Sphairos felt pride in being able to impress his superiors and smiled, "Do you want me to bring him back dead or alive?"

####

"Welcome, Asaki," A soft voice from behind him said, "I've been waiting for you."

Yamikuro's eyes slightly opened.

The air felt cold.

It wasn't freezing cold, but he could feel the hair on his skin stand up. That coldness reminded him of loneliness, tied to a past he wanted to forget.

The wooden floor beneath him felt unstable and old, with a few occasional creaks echoing in the place. Each board seemed to creak over the slightest movements.

Light bled through the air, but there was no clear source, no windows, no lights hanging from the ceiling. The light was just there, though it was dim, yet bright enough to see things clearly.

But those weren't the things Yamikuro put much focus on; he was still half-awake.

"Morning." Was all Yamikuro responded, that was the usual thing for him to say after waking up.

"Remaining calm after your previous events, you really are interesting." The man said in a smooth tone and immediately started elegantly writing in his book. He sat at a long, dark wooden desk, with his pen gliding across the page.

Before Yamikuro was able to ask another question, he realized that the place he woke up in wasn't something he recognized.

Towering bookshelves, reaching as far as eye could see, surrounded him from all around. Some of them were overfilled with books, but none of the space was wasted. Was that man reading all of these?

Another thing that grabbed Yamikuro's attention was the tall and wide door next to him, almost like it was made for a giant to walk through. But it was locked, and the lock didn't seem to have a keyhole in it.

Turning his head to his right, Yamikuro saw a handsome man with long white hair that covered the floor behind him. The man held a pen in his hand and wrote in beautiful handwriting.

A quick thought ran through Yamikuro's mind at that moment. That had to be the man who wrote all of these books.

Yamikuro didn't want to care about books at that moment; he wanted to know what had happened.

"...Where am I? And who are you?"

The man raised his head, his eyes as blue as the ocean, looking at Yamikuro.

"Have you begun to grasp the situation you're in?" He asked with his soft voice. "My name is Honor."

After finishing saying his name, Honor placed the pen on the desk.

"You have died, fighting a god, his power way out of your league."

Immediately, Yamikuro tried to deny that. He was alive right now, talking to Honor.

"What? Died- No... That can't be..." Yamikuro stood up, but then it hit him. 

The memories of his encounter with Sphairos came back, along with Isabella's screams, and the last thing he saw flash before his eyes, his dead parents.

"That's right. I remember now... I was blown up. I'm really dead... I assume this is the afterlife?"

Honor tilted his head slightly, then smirked.

"...That's what I would say if you didn't possess the darkness." 

He leaned forward on his chair.

"I can resurrect you and help you stand against that god; his orbs of oblivion are merely toys for a true darkness wielder."

Yamikuro looked down to the ground to avoid eye contact.

"I don't get this Darkness thing that Isabella, that god, and now you keep mentioning."

A tear almost escaped Yamikuro's eyes.

"I thought I understood, but when I tried to use them... I failed, and died..."

Honor nodded slightly, hinting with a smooth hand gesture that Yamikuro should sit down at the chair before his desk. 

"Come, sit down, there's something I want to tell you."

Walking up a couple of creaking stairs, Yamikuro sat down, letting out a sigh. 

"I'm listening."

Honor let out a short sigh, dropping his back against the chair.

"The Darkness... It calls itself hatred, a curse for humanity. The wielder of this power can single-handedly wipe out the entire universe..."

Honor stopped in the middle of his sentence, inspecting Yamikuro with his eyes moving up and down.

"...But looking at you, I doubt you'd go that far."

Yamikuro ignored that last line; his mind stopped at the curse part.

"It's a curse...? But why do I have it?!" Yamikuro asked, looking into Honor's eyes, "How did I get it?"

Honor was unfazed at Yamikuro's yelling; he only shook his head slightly.

"That I'm not so sure of, perhaps it was fate. I do hope you'll remember how you got it."

"What I do know is that you'll be the one to use the Darkness to take down the god that killed you."

Honor started searching for something in the drawers under the desk.

"I'm not a god that can control you, I only exist in this dream world after all, but I can guide you down the right path, that is, if you'll listen to me."

Honor took out a piece of paper and placed it on the ground, sliding it with a pen towards Yamikuro.

"But before I grant you the ability to use the Darkness freely, let us form a pact."

Yamikuro stared at the paper filled with text.

"A pact?"

"With this, you'll promise to use the Darkness for good. I know I said you don't look like someone who'll destroy mankind, but the Darkness itself will. So, unless you sign a contract, confirming you will not submit to it, I'll grant you the powers of it."

Yamikuro's eyes dropped to the ground once again.

"How do I know I'm using it for good...? Or that I won't submit to it...?"

The tone of Honor's voice slightly changed; it became more sympathetic.

"None of us are perfect, and the Darkness does have a tendency to make people psychotic, and eventually lose control of themselves. If you keep your head up and don't let things depress you, you should be fine. It's a difficult task, but I can only ask this of you, Asaki. You are the only Darkness wielder currently alive."

Yamikuro started thinking.

Forming this pact meant he could get power.

He could fight a god.

And he could protect Isabella, the same way she protected him.

But it also meant no more sinking.

No more drowning in depression.

If he broke, the Darkness would devour him.

He took the pen.

His hand trembled slightly, but he forced his name onto the page.

"...I'll form the pact."

Honor smiled slightly, having hope in Yamikuro.

"Incredible. Just sign your name here."

After signing his name, Honor stood up, being taller than Yamikuro expected.

His long hair dragged across the floor as he made his way to Yamikuro.

Honor raised his hand and placed it on Yamikuro's head.

"Be aware, the first time using the Darkness' power may not go smoothly."

Suddenly, everything started spinning, and Yamikuro's vision slowly turned dark.

Yamikuro could only hear a faint whisper.

"I'm sure we'll see each other again, Asaki."

Yamikuro's eyes shot open.

His heartbeat was as loud as a drum, his breath turned foggy, and his body quavered.

His body was completely healed.

But the hatred inside of him grew, the pain that he went through, Isabella screaming for his name, the god laughing.

He could hear all of it.

And that fueled him.

Three purple lines grew out of each eye, covering his cheeks.

When his eyes turned purple, a raspy voice spoke in his ear.

"Kill him."

"Kill all of them."

Yamikuro didn't resist; he got up on his feet, his hands trembling.

They didn't tremble from pain; he was excited, he wanted to kill Sphairos. He wanted to see Sphairos struggle, beg for forgiveness.

Just then, Sphairos jumped down to Yamikuro.

The collision with the ground sent the asphalt and concrete flying all around. The chunks that flew towards Yamikuro were stopped by what seemed to be an invisible barrier.

Startled by Yamikuro standing, Sphairos didn't know what to say. He had no orbs flying around him, most likely because they hadn't had time to regenerate.

Yamikuro wasn't sure how long he had been out for.

Sphairos felt confused and frustrated that he wasn't able to kill a human.

"How is it possible? You should be dead!"

Yamikuro didn't know how it worked either. But he was definitely now alive after meeting Honor.

Meanwhile, on top of a roof, two buildings away, Isabella struggled to raise her head.

But once she did, she saw Yamikuro alive, and not a single scratch was visible from where she was.

'How...?'

The coldness and the rage coming from the Darkness' power also reached Isabella.

That's when she realized that person wasn't Yamikuro anymore.

A deep raspy voice talked in Yamikuro's ear once again.

"Use... Ascension."

"Deadly sin... Gluttony... Call forth my power."

Yamikuro clapped his hands together.

"Ascension: Gluttonous Realm!"