Chapter Thirty-Seven
The Reaper's Heart
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"Aria Kirasa, Reaper of the Underworld, fatally wounded by a demon, betrayed by the world's most powerful sorcerer." Astaroth's voice echoed ominously through the dark, cold halls of the Corridor within Miserth Keep. The demon's words hung heavy in the air, each syllable a weight pressing down on those present. "Daughter to the Previous Reaper, the Lady in Red, and daughter to a Father unknown."
"What do you mean, unknown?" The voice cut through the tension like a blade belonging to a young man with short, shaggy blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. This was Zarall, a young Celestia Warrior. He stood off to the side, his expression a mix of confusion and concern, his celestial aura flickering in the dim light as he glanced at his companions.
Astaroth turned his gaze towards Zarall, his eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing the young man's worthiness to know such secrets. "Her father's identity is shrouded in mystery, even to those who dwell in the shadows," he replied in a gravelly voice that seemed to resonate with the very stones of Miserth Keep.
"Her records don't trace to any male demon with her blood," Casielle interjected, her tone authoritative and unwavering. The other Celestial stood tall, her long, flowing golden hair catching the faint light, and her radiant amber eyes seemed to pierce through the oppressive darkness of the keep.
Astaroth nodded, unfazed by Casielle's statement. "That is correct. There are no known records of her lineage on her father's side. It is as if he never existed, or perhaps he is someone—or something—beyond our knowledge."
"What the Hell do you mean that it doesn't trace to a demon? She's a halfling! She has to have a father who's a demon!" The voice belonged to Kurai, the hot-headed fox demon. His demeanor was off as he slumped over the young woman encased in crystal. His fiery red eyes glowed with frustration, and his sharp, fox-like ears twitched with agitation. The flickering torches cast restless shadows on his tense form.
"Unless she doesn't? Maybe she was created as an attachment to the Reaper?" Zarall argued, putting a hand up his chin, his eyes narrowing in thought. The theory seemed far-fetched, but it was not beyond the realm of possibility in a world filled with the arcane and the unknown.
"That wouldn't make sense," Another familiar deep voice sounded, belonging to that of the Celestial, Mati. The Dream Walker was perched on a candle holder that hovered right above the lifeless body, his glowing form casting an ethereal light on the scene below. He stared down at her with a furrowed brow, his wings slightly drooping with his worry's weight. Being the woman's guardian from the Celestial World, he was tirelessly searching for ways to help her, but he could not figure out how. He can give her a bit of life's essence to help out. Still, he was fearful it wouldn't be enough to resolve this dire situation.
Astaroth turned his gaze to Kurai, his expression remaining calm and composed. "I understand your frustration, Kurai, but the truth is elusive. Aria's father may not be a demon or a demon of a kind we have yet to encounter. The possibilities are boundless."
Kurai growled, his sharp claws flexing instinctively. "There has to be something we're missing. Some clue, some hidden information that will explain all of this."
"She could be like Yuna, the Spirit Walker," Zarall offered, his voice tinged with hope.
"She's not a spirit, though. She's flesh and blood," Mati replied, shaking his head gently. "She is not a Spirit Walker in any way. I can promise you that—nor has she been made from the Reaper's blood, like Yuna, to become one."
"The woman was in the human world for years before finally being discovered—there's absolutely no way she could be a Spirit Walker. If she was, she wouldn't have lived her life as a normal human being," Casielle added, running a hand through her long pink hair, her tone matter-of-fact yet tinged with the frustration of their fruitless search.
Getting impatient, Kurai's voice reverberated over the crowd. "You're all useless. Get the Hell out." Fear ran through the nogitsune. He felt that everything he had had been lost; he had failed, and every ounce of his body ached to improve this. Kurai would give his own life to help her, but he knew that was impossible. The flames within him kept reaching out to her, dancing over the little crystals. He wasn't sure what its meaning was, but it was weird. It was as if the flames were trying to enter her crystal to get to her. But that could be from Kurai's mindset. Perhaps he just wanted it to be possible.
"You're a bit of a prick, ain't ya, fire boy? You can't kick us out," said another voice belonging to Jenieva of the Wet Rose. Her short red hair was in a ponytail as she kicked the chair out from under Kurai. This demon was strong, even for a succubus. She glared down at Kurai, who was now on the floor. "You're being an ass. You need to stop."
"You're not even her Guardian anymore," Casielle's voice sighed. "She's in the hands of the Celestials now, actual guardians to humans." It was a side of the Celestial Warrior that no one had seen before; she was usually the calm and peppy one, but the way Kurai acted got under her skin. Her pink gaze hardened as she looked down at the nogitsune sitting on the floor, annoyed with Jenieva. "Mati is her guardian now. Show him some respect," she demanded, crossing her arms.
"I can do as I please," Kurai scoffed, returning her cold glare with one of his own. The demon pushed himself off the floor, reaching out and touching the crystal as his voice changed. "You've brought back a temporary solution, Casielle; I no longer need your help."
"Temporary?!" She gasped, completely taken aback. The Celestial stepped up to Kurai, her hands on her hips and her lips pursed with anger. "How dare you!"
Mati intervened, stepping between Casielle and Kurai, his wings spreading slightly to create a barrier. "Enough, both of you," he said firmly. "This fighting is getting us nowhere. Kurai, I understand your desperation, but lashing out at us won't bring Aria back. Casielle, we must be patient and understanding, even in frustration."
"Honestly, Kurai, you need to let them work," Jenieva's voice sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"If it weren't for The Useless Walker, we wouldn't even be in this situation!" Kurai growled, pointing at the Spirit Walker that had been quiet this entire time.
Yushin's long blue and silver hair covered his face, and he sat there quietly, absorbing the heated words. He finally looked up, his gaze calm yet resolute. "Blaming me won't solve anything, Kurai," he said softly. "We must focus on what we can do now to help Aria."
Casielle's demeanor softened as she looked at Yushin. "He's right, Kurai. We can't afford to waste time pointing fingers. We need to use every resource we have to find a solution."
Kurai's anger began to boil. Everyone seemed out to make him the bad guy, or so he thought. "I was the only one there for her!" he snapped, his voice raising higher than everyone else's. "All of you saw that damned portal shit, and not a single one of you offered to help out with anything! We watched Lady Serelia die, we watched Mati get his ass handed to him, and then we watched as Mundus got The Reaper's Heart, whatever the Hell that was, and all of you sat on your asses like it was television!" He roared, glaring at each and every one of them. "Each of you acts like you're all 'tough' and 'strong' and 'all-powerful,' but you're all useless to me."
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Casielle's eyes softened further, her initial anger melting into empathy. "Kurai, we all failed her somehow," she admitted quietly. "But this isn't the time to tear each other apart. It's the time to come together and rectify our mistakes."
Jenieva stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "We can't change the past, Kurai. But we can change what we do now. We need you with us, not against us."
Mati spoke next, his tone steady and reassuring. "Your pain is valid, Kurai, but directing it at us won't help Aria. We need to channel that energy into finding a solution."
"You know," Zarall spoke, changing the subject entirely and focusing back on the girl across the room from him, his blue eyes locked on the crystal. "It's interesting that she… wasn't necessarily killed by Enoxon, but rather… drained. If Enoxon is as bad and twisted as you claimed, and as we saw, why wouldn't he just kill her and get it done with? Most mortals cannot withstand a life essence drain like that—despite who it's from."
"We've already had the discussion that she's not human. She's a halfling," Yushin replied to the Celestial spirit, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed behind his head. "She's like, half dead?"
"How is that even possible?" Casielle replied, giving a soft look to Kurai, who was still hovering over Snow's body, his tails resting on her crystal.
"Until recently, you're right. She ages like a human, yes. But she cannot be killed like a mortal could. As the Blood of a Demon and the Reaper course through her," Astaroth explained, curious.
Kurai's eyes narrowed as he listened, his anger momentarily replaced by confusion. "The Blood of a Demon and the Reaper? Why does that even matter?! Who cares where she came from!"
Astaroth continued, "It means she has an extraordinary resilience to death. Enoxon's draining didn't kill her because her essence is tied to something far more powerful than mortal life. The demonic and Reaper blood gives her unique abilities and resilience."
Zarall nodded thoughtfully. "So, she's in a state between life and death. That could explain why Enoxon didn't kill her outright—he might not have been able to."
Mati leaned forward, his interest piqued. "If she's half dead, as you put it, then there must be a way to restore her fully. Maybe we can tap into the power of her demonic and Reaper heritage to bring her back."
Casielle's pink eyes lit up with hope. "That's it! We need to find a way to harness her unique essence. There must be something we haven't explored yet."
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
"We could..." Mati began but was immediately cut off by Astaroth.
"I refuse to do that," He growled.
"Do what?" Jenieva and Kurai asked at the same time.
"It's an option, Astaroth!" Mati argued with him.
"An option that will more than likely kill her!" Astaroth replied, his tone cold.
"What is it?" Kurai's voice cut in as he glared at the demon on the other side of the table.
"Would it, though?" Mati asked. There's been no proof, so why not try it?"
"TRY WHAT?!" Kurai demanded, his fist slamming the table underneath him.
Astaroth fell silent for a moment, his gaze avoiding everyone's. "We allow the demon to wake."
"What?!" Casielle gasped. "You would dare use that forbidden magic to curse her body and transform her! No way would that work. And besides, if it did work, she'd be consumed, just like Enoxon!"
Kurai fell silent as he froze at that, his eyes wide. The only thought that could go through his head was how much it would change Snow's innocence. What if it made her a completely different person, like how it changed the sorcerer that ended her.
"Enoxon is currently not our problem, so we don't need to worry about what happened to him," Jenieva's voice hinted at sadness. She thought her, well, used to be, best friend was stronger than this. But when she saw what he did, it sent a strike of rage through her. After all he had gone through, Enoxon chose the same path he promised he wouldn't go down. It hurt her.
Still skeptical but willing to try anything to help his Reaper, Yushin asked, "And how do we do that? How do we tap into that essence?"
Every bone inside Astaroth ached to reach out and dispel the stasis, just to confirm that the Daughter of his old friend was okay. The demon felt a deep sense of failure towards the Lady in Red, a burden that weighed heavily on his conscience. He desperately wanted to make amends for what he perceived as his shortcomings. If he had known what was truly happening and how disastrously it would unfold, he would never have entrusted Snow to Enoxon in the first place.
Mati pondered for a moment. "We start by understanding the nature of her two halves. The demon and the Reaper. We need to find a way to balance those forces within her. Perhaps some ancient texts or rituals could guide us. Starting with that 'Reaper's Heart' artifact that… Well, we know who has gained."
Astaroth looked up to Mati and Yushin, "Do either of you know where Yuna is?"
The two of them exchanged glances, and Mati spoke up once more. "She's in the Celestial World... But she's... A bit busy..." he said awkwardly.
"Busy?" He questioned. "What do you mean?" Astaroth's curiosity was piqued.
"Let's discuss that later," Mati said, dismissing the fact. He locked gazes with Astaroth and gave him a severe look, glancing over at the Celestials.
"She's helping the Celestials out," Casielle said with a smile.
"Yeah, definitely," Mati replied quickly and turned away from them.
Zarall focuses on the resolve back to the Reaper's Heart as if agreeing with Mati about avoiding that conversation in front of the entire group. "If the Reaper's Heart is involved, it might hold the key to stabilizing her essence. But obtaining it from Mundus won't be easy."
Yushin nodded in agreement. "Mundus wouldn't just hand it over. We'll need a solid plan to retrieve it and ensure it can be used safely."
Casielle turned to Mati. "Mati, do you have any knowledge of the Reaper's Heart? Any legends or lore that might give us a clue on how to use it?"
Mati frowned thoughtfully. "The Reaper's Heart is said to be a powerful artifact, capable of controlling the balance between life and death. It's mentioned in several ancient texts, but specifics on its use are scarce. We'll need to dig deeper into those texts and perhaps consult with other scholars or beings who might have more information."
"What happens if we just take the stasis off her?" Zarall asked, approaching Kurai and the crystal himself, his arms folded as he looked down at the white-haired woman.
"I'm not sure. I've never removed a stasis spell from someone, not even a demon. I've only placed others in stasis," Astaroth replied with uncertainty. He gently moved closer to the woman, gazing over her body. Currently, she was in a stasis that he had practiced for many years on other demons. This stasis kept any of her wounds from spreading through the rest of her body. It was almost like freezing someone's body—ensuring that their blood does not take in the poison but also ensuring that their brain does not become corroded.
"Hrm, I wonder if Michael—" Zarall was immediately cut off by the rage of a female.
"You will not involve that son of a bitch down here," Jenieva's voice crackled with rage, stepping towards the two Celestials off to the side of the room. Her red gaze was cold as she stared at the young blonde-headed Celestial, who immediately raised his hands.
"Jenieva!" Astaroth scolded, "Show some respect! That is the God of the Celestials!"
"Alright, alright, no, Michael," Zarall conceded, trying to diffuse the tension. "But we still need a solution. Can we safely remove the stasis without causing further harm?"
Astaroth sighed, his gaze still fixed on Snow. "If we remove the stasis, her body will be vulnerable again. The demonic and Reaper blood in her might resist, but there's no guarantee she'll survive the process without additional help. And that... Will re-activate her mark from Mundus - allowing her to let him know that Enoxon didn't actually, well, kill her."
"Can you all just get out?" Kurai howled. Enough of the arguing and loud voices. The nogitsune was angry to the point that he threw a chair against the wall, his eyes red with a mix of fear and anger.
"Jenieva, take Kurai outside and dispose of him temporarily, please. Yushin, go with her," Astaroth dismissed, flicking his wrist and 'shoo-ing' the fox-demon.
"WHAT?!" Kurai snapped, his eyes darkening.
"With pleasure. I like 'em rough. Come on, big boy, follow Momma," Jenieva chuckled as she rubbed her hands together with delight. She was definitely a different breed of demon; that was one thing for sure. The power that Jenieva held back was a secret, but she was undoubtedly a powerful succubus and demon. She had the muscle to hold back the nogitsune and even throw out her disruptions at the bar when needed. "Come on, Little Fox-Cub!"
"Be careful!" Casielle called out to them as she waved goodbye to Yushin and Jenieva, sticking her tongue out at Kurai, who was fighting them back.
"Get your hands off me!" Kurai's voice faded out as the two of them took him away.
Within the room sat four figures: Astaroth, Casielle, Zarall, and Mati. The room fell silent after they took the disruption out. This caused Astaroth to begin pacing back and forth. He wanted to be able to help Snow but was sure that if he took the stasis off, she would come back in the event of her demonic form. This would wake Snow and cause the poison to once more ripple through her, causing an immense amount of pain. A sigh escaped him as he approached the woman's stasis. He stared down at her, feeling ever so sorry. The demon felt pity for a mortal. It was a strange feeling. What would Lady Serelia have done? What would… Lord Zonoth do?
Lord Zonoth, Astaroth's head filled with complications as he exchanged glances with Mati, leaning in his chair, staring at the castle's ceiling.
When Mati caught Astaroth's glance, he immediately sat up straight and shook his head. "I don't know it, Astaroth. That seems… Tricky," He commented.
Casielle and Zarall's gazes now piqued with interest, turned to the Dream Walker. Astaroth felt a pang of apprehension. These were dangerous waters they were wading into.
"But…" Mati sighed, frowning. "Now that we know Lady Serelia is… Officially gone…"
"Officially? What do you mean?" Casielle questioned, her gaze locking with his, a mix of confusion and curiosity in her eyes.
"Ah, you weren't there. Right. The Celestial Realm didn't see much," Mati stood up, brushing his long red hair out of his gaze as he hovered over Snow's crystallized body. The sight of Snow, so still and fragile, brought a lump to Astaroth's throat. "Lady Serelia was never murdered, as all the realms assumed," Mati started. “However, when… this all happened moons ago… the Queen was officially…” His voice teetered on the last words. "Dead."
"Wait, she was alive this entire time?" Zarall questioned, his disbelief evident.
"Yes," Mati confirmed, his tone laden with sorrow. "She went into hiding to protect Snow and to keep her true identity a secret. Only a few of us knew the truth."
"Why would Lady Serelia go into hiding for Snow?"
The Dream Walker grinned awkwardly as he put his hand behind his head. "Uh, well, you see, something that we," He motioned to Astaroth and himself, "Decided to do was… Keep the Lady in Red's identity safe, unknown to the rest of the Celestial World and the Underworld."
As Casielle was about to speak, Zarall silenced her. "It was probably for the best, given the circumstances with the Council of the Sinless," He gazed at his pink-haired companion, who looked like she was about to lose it on Mati for keeping such a secret. "Let it go, Casielle. There are some things that they must do to protect the Underworld. Keep in mind, the Council already has it frozen here." He sighed. "
"But they should know of Snow's actual parents! She's the Daughter of an all-powerful king and queen!" She argued.
"Casielle," Astaroth's voice smoothly sounded. "Some things can't be shared with the Celestials. And this is one of them. You're here now, you're fighting for something now," He said, acknowledging Snow.
Zarall rested his feet on the table and tipped his chair back. "So, Snow is the Daughter of a Reaper, who is also the Queen of the Underworld and the King. OK?" He sighed as he confirmed this. Has Kurai been notified yet?"
Astaroth and Mati exchanged worried glances once more. "As of right now," Mati spoke, "No. He doesn't need to know."
"I don't think it would affect him too much right now," Casielle murmured. "He doesn't care about the previous lords."
Astaroth reached over and rested a hand on her shoulder, "Keep in mind, Lady Serelia and Lord Zonoth took him in and raised him." He explained to her calmly. "If he knows of Lady Serelia's… Official death, well, I'm not sure how things would be in that event. The amount of revenge the Nogitsune would want. I'd be afraid for him."
Zarall, who had been preparing his notes, paused and looked up. "Why the secrecy? Surely knowing her heritage could help us understand her better, perhaps even aid in saving her?"
Astaroth shook his head, his thoughts drifting to the hidden chamber where Lord Zonoth lay in stasis, a secret only he and Mati shared. "There's more to this than meets the eye. Lady Serelia kept her identity hidden for a reason. Revealing it now could cause more harm than good."
He remembered the fierce battles and the political machinations that had led to Zonoth's downfall. The power struggles in the Underworld were relentless, and any hint of weakness could be exploited. Astaroth had seen too many fall prey to such schemes.
Mati added, "And there are other… factors at play. Lord Zonoth's fate, for instance, is closely tied to Snow's. We must be careful not to awaken forces we cannot control."
"You're speaking in riddles. If there's something else we should know, you need to tell us," Casielle added to her previous comment. Casielle frowned, a hint of frustration in her eyes. "Isn't Lord Zonoth dead, though?" She asked. "That's the entire reason that Mundus took over!" She argued. "All of this seems like a hot mess that needs to be fixed immediately."
Zarall nodded. "The Council won't engage anymore, Casielle. We know this."
Casielle huffed, plopping down in her chair and crossing her arms. "This is all unfair."
"This is the Underworld - things will never be perfect," Zarall calmed her. "Nor will the Celestial World."
Astaroth sighed, his mind racing with the implications of revealing too much. He had been a guardian of secrets for centuries and knew that some truths were too dangerous to be spoken aloud. "All you need to know for now is that Lady Serelia's legacy carries immense power and danger. Understanding her past is crucial, but we must not rush into this blindly."
He could still hear Serelia's voice, a haunting echo in his mind. Protect her, Astaroth. She is the key to everything. The weight of that responsibility had never left him.
Mati nodded in agreement. "Focus on uncovering what you can about the Reaper's Heart. The rest will be revealed in due time."
Casielle and Zarall exchanged uneasy glances but nodded, recognizing the gravity of the situation. As they returned to their tasks, the room settled into a tense silence, each member lost in their thoughts.
For Astaroth, the silence was a double-edged sword. It gave him a moment to reflect but also brought the memories crashing back. He couldn't help but think of the hidden chamber, the stasis spell that kept Zonoth in a suspended state, and the delicate balance they had to maintain. One wrong move and everything could unravel.
Mati placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We'll get through this, old friend. We've faced worse."
Astaroth managed a small smile, though the worry never left his eyes. "I know. But the stakes have never been higher."
With that, they resumed their preparations, each step weighed down by the secrets they carried. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but they would face it together, united by their shared resolve and the hope of saving Snow.