The Wielder of Death Magic

1128 Makina

*Realm Retraction,* the abyss, or so they thought, swallowed into a single dot over Staxius’ index finger. He casually snapped. Greenery sprouted, ‘-I used the healing tome, and it did the job,’ the one scarred land birthed anew. The wound of the previous generations subsided, leaving the crowd of a few, senseless and dazed.

“What did you do?” narrowed an envious Luci, “-what did you do?”

“I healed the land,” he brushed off fallen leaves from the spontaneous forest that just appeared, “-is it not amazing to see mother nature at her finest?” A landscape worthy of a canvas swayed in the mild Ragnorian breeze. One of which was hot and crisp – something common within the underworld. “Lilia,” he went and grabbed the lass’ hand, “-here are the means to earn funds. A cafeteria with an impeccable view set inside a futuristic office. To your point of view it’s innovating,” he scowled with arms crossed, ‘-as for me,’ he exhaled, ‘-it’s common and tasteless. To serve the rich and the pompous – one must be decadent and surround oneself with what others envy, such be money, women, or prestige. To obtain, one must use a bait – to get what you need, is to have them think they can provide the solution, and, most important, they ought to think they came up with the solution. Such is the way of leading in negotiations. I hope, and I can only hope, these students have amassed the knowledge I shared. If not, they won’t last in the cutthroat world of the high and mighty.’

Excited cheers and muffled plans – the ray of hope, a shining beacon upon the herculean task – to fight for a stop in the student council. Asmodeus, Mammon, and Vanesa so happened to cross the little gathering, “-hey there pops.”

“What a lovely surprise,” he returned, “-Asmodeus,” Staxius widened his arms, “-I provided the means, now, get me results.”

“Any restriction on the strategy?”

“No,” he smiled, “-I’ve arranged the gambling transactions to be moved inside the office. Should be better knowing the funds won’t be kept under a desk, god forbid you to lose ’em.”

“Very nice,” he gave a thumbs up, “-as for my harem, am I to use ’em however I wish?”

“Student Council President,” he narrowed, “-you need votes. I will not take defeat kindly,” he scanned each of their faces, Vanesa yawned whilst Mammon remained stoic, preoccupied with the many demons within his thoughts – curiosity, and the likes. A ragtag group of chosen personnel was set, and the meeting resumed as did Staxius’ walk.

.....

“Why did they call you pops?”

“Makina,” he side-glanced the lass, they left the academy’s confine and were on a dirt path to the cathedral, “-the princes of hell are my sons and daughters.”

“Are they not the spawn of Lilith?”

“They are,” he said, “-as for my title of pops, it need not be biological. I, in my way, forged them, thus, I can call myself their fathers. We need not go into the details, just know, they’re my offspring.”

“So much for being a caring father,” she echoed with an unreactive expression, “-I heard from my father that you abandoned Sathanas, who I remind, is your kin, right?”

“Makina,” he reached and scruffled her hair, “-you’ll be wise not to speak out of terms.”

“Staxius, you don’t scare me,” she brushed off his arm, “-I was taught not to take shit from people.”

“Oh my,” he smiled, “-your tongue is sharp. Such barbarian language from the mouth of a pretty petal,” he reached for a cigarette, “-makes me want to,” he puffed, “-give you an award.”

“AWARD?”

“Yeah. For having the guts to speak so nonchalantly. Such traits are what I look for in a person, especially those who are to join my inner circle. You’ve proven yourself, Makina. If ever the time comes where a choice has to be made, I want you to promise,” deep empty eyes loomed over her emotions, “-prioritize safety over trust or promise. I don’t care if you leave or change sides. I won’t shackle anyone.”

“You say that,” she reached plucked the cigarette, “-but mean,” she inhaled, *cough, cough, cough,* her eyes watered, “-what the hell is this?”

“Cigarette,” he took back the item, “-custom made for my magical arts. It’s lined with condensed mana taken from the Shadow Realm. A replenishment for the body that can’t handle the pressure of being my vessel. You were saying?”

“right,” she stopped and leaned against a tree, “-I’m nauseous…”

“Not nauseous, that’s the angel’s dust kicking in,” he chuckled, “-what am I to do with you?” a magical circle glowed beneath her feet, *Mantia – Book of Restoration, Honzela, Sixteenth passage, for the wounded’s assured restoration, the hardships ought be cleansed. Such flowed the whisper of the healer: Imenia,* and beamed up, taking her whole body in a blaze of green and sprinkles, “-you’re still a child, Makina. And you will mature at your own pace, no need to rush things. Especially this,” he puffed, “-an addiction in the last thing on that to-do list.” She pressed her back against the tree and slowly lowered onto her bottom, she spread her legs apart and unbuttoned her shirt, ‘-heat,’ her cheeks blushed – sweat visible glistened down her cheeks.

“What did you do?” she gasped at every syllable.

“Nothing much,” he followed suit and sat beneath the shade to her side, “-the view’s rather lackluster.” Before they were rocks and grass, uneven of differing hue and size, leading to a dirt path that hadn’t been maintained as seen by weeds and trash, (mostly clothes and pieces of fabric) which hung on bushes on the other end.

“What should I call you?”

“Must I repeat myself?”

“Is it true,” her tone softened, “-that you created me?”

“I wouldn’t say that,” he flicked the cigarette, “-regardless of how one is brought to life, what matters is the consciousness and what you feel in said moment. I wouldn’t worry about how it happened, and would only focus on how it happened. Makina, before we arrive at the cathedral, you will need to choose. There’re two options I can offer, regardless of what you can accomplish, which by then, is a matter of your own faith and ability.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“You can join me as one of my own, and that would mean being a Haggard. Responsibility as one of the family differs, and to my current need, I need people on logistical support. I have Yui and Elixia, they’re doing the best they can. With so many potential enemies – seeing that we have the entirety of the living universe vowing to end my life, I need personnel to keep watch and give updates.”

“Basically attendants who work in information gathering and other boring tasks?”

“Spot on.”

“Other option.”

“This one coincides directly with my current objective. To gather the seven cardinal sins and take the rightful mantle of Devil,” he opened his palm, an ancient scroll, written in the first language read, “-upon founding the seven pillars of sin, the one who reigns shall have control over hell itself. To be the true inheritor of the Aapith Nation, the one to lead the fragmented kingdom of Hells will first gather her prince and princesses. Only then, when man has ruled himself, will he be worthy of ruling others. Such is the way to the throne, such is the way to the title of Demon King, such is the path of the Devil.”

“Fancy words, what does it mean?”

“Think of it like earning one’s place. The research is incomplete and there are no records of anyone ever gathering the cardinal sins – such as the limitation of having Lucifer, he did not yield. The man was the epitome of his title.”

“What now?”

“It is different.”

“How so?”

“I have gathered six out of the seven. The last is Gluttony, else known as Belphegor. ”

“Am I to take his spot?”

“More or less,” he exhaled, “-listen, Makina. Gluttony’s power hasn’t been used in centuries. It went missing during the collapse of Hell, and the fragmentation of the domain into the factions.”

“You wouldn’t bring up the matter if there wasn’t a solution, isn’t that right, pops?”

“So you chose pops,” he smiled and gave her a helping hand to stand, “-a well-educated guess. You’re correct. I have my suspicion Gluttony’s power is under Leviathan’s control. Haven’t met the man/woman yet, don’t know a thing about them.”

“The journey to the cathedral will change?”

“Yeah,” he interjected, “-also, Makina, I’m expecting a fight. Knowing how I negotiate, the deal will turn into a contract forged in blood. I say it again, you have two choices, Makina; peace and quiet, or fight and death.”

She took a larger step and threw her head over her shoulder, “-I didn’t come here to play receptionist. For better or worse, pops, Creation said I had to return to my creator’s side. I accept his words grudgingly.”

“Are you good in a fight?”

“Why don’t you test it?” she smirked. *Death Element: Shadow Step,* he reappeared at her back with a stick in hand.

*Heavenly Sword-Art: Vaish,* she dipped into the ground and sprang back up a few feet away, *Heavenly Sword-Art: Valkyria – A thousand Swords,* blades surrounded Staxius, ‘-she’s quick and has power coursing through her veins. The heavenly sword arts, there’s something I never thought I’d witness again,’ Alfred’s memories pulsed, ‘-a goddess of combat, the holder of the title – unrivaled in heaven, the sword god’s ancient arts. Her predecessor was the one who took my arm – he’d have defeated me if not for Death’s intervention,’ purple sparks flew, she raised her palm and closed, and the swords dashed.

*Hand of the Lamented,* he palmed the ground, *-Lyo ‘Eh,* a giant palm slammed, and knocked the swords out of the sky, *Sword-Arts: Loh,* he tapped the stick’s end and shot out a blade out the other extremity.

*Heavenly Sword-Art: Ripple,* she tiptoed, dodging the blade and firing, *I call upon the blade of his divine Majesty. Strike from Heaven and kill the weak, manifest in the name of Makina, the Sword Maiden of Ehua: Gargentua!* a two-handed blade descended from above, the hilt glowed with a golden hue, the blade shimmered with ancient writings, *Heavenly Sword-Art: Emeltia,*

‘-Hold on a moment,’ time slowed, ‘-that sword stance… don’t tell me,’ he smirked, Orenmir beckoned his call, ‘-I wouldn’t have guessed her to be here,’ *Mana Control: Shadow Element Variant,* he dropped his stance, somewhat like Makina did, “– Lightning strike.* and dashed, the swords made contact, their energy exploded, destroying everything in a fifty-meter radius, the beam blasted into the skies, tore clouds and ground asunder. He looked at her expression as she did to his, ‘-that stance is the only one I taught Eira, it’s the one we took from Adelana,’ he leaned a little and instantly pushed her stance backward, “-my bad,” he said aloud, “-I went a little overboard,’ her braided blond hair turned a shade of red, her right eye turned a shade of light-blue, she pressed on, pushing his aura with her own, ‘-she’s really trying to kill me,’ he smiled and tilted her attack’s focus, ‘-there,’ he sidestepped, her overwhelming power had her stagger forward with a slash that would have annihilated the path ahead, *Be reduced to nothing,* he tapped her shoulder, *-Niote* her powers and aura lifted, she fell her on knees, ‘-where’s my sword, what happened?’

“Makina, you sure can hold your own in a fight,” the crimson shades turned blond, her eyes returned to normal, “-the heavenly sword arts, huh?”

“Yeah, I was born with this power,” she stood and dusted her clothes, “-I lose myself sometimes and end up like this,” they stared at the devastation, “-did I say something?”

“No,” he reached out his hand, the yet faded blue eye glared, “… Staxius…” she whispered and shook her head suddenly, “-wha-”

“Man, we sure made a mess,” *Present and never changing, present and never yielding. All who wait break and all made are subjected to thine will. I, Staxius Haggard, humble inheritor of thy power; call upon thee to have mine will answer: Time Control – Reversal.* “-and fixed.”

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