Till the Last Breath

by Alvin Atwater

  “We expected nothing less,” a being wearing a frog mask said. “The work we do, the goal we wish for, which will benefit all of Paradise Realm, will not and cannot have room for failure.”

  “I’m sure you’re not here to tell us that,” another being wearing a cat’s mask said. The lead found this mask of all to be distasteful—as it was the only mask that wasn’t realistic. It was based on art from a modern human country, called Japan. Borrowed from a form called Anime. That being made a mockery of the anonymity. Yet, he had no choice but to address this person.

  “It is not,” he said. “If you feel my mood, you know I bring that news.”

  “You don’t mean—”

  The lead nodded.

  “Preparations are finally complete and I’ve gathered the essence modules needed to awaken him. Your contributions helped greatly. Soon, all will be made right and everything shall be made into the ways of the old again. The true old. Humans will be made to properly obey. Our old friends among the Pantheons will be allowed back. The earth will be made pure again, its waters no longer foul of pollution.

  “Our rule shall return, to protect the earth and humans from themselves. And even those who cannot defend themselves or their little ones. We are gathered here because it sickens us to stand by while chaos inhabits earth and those in power do nothing. This talk about free will and their choices, it is disgraceful. They once ruled by the iron first to keep things in order but let it go. And what do we get in return. A flawed system, false peace as there is no longer peace. And we are forbidden to do something about it. We are forbidden to fix the earth, fix the realms, fix the circle of power. The Red Dragon will grant our wish. And he will also use his great power to turn off the non-sentient they call the universe. The core of the system.

  The problem. So I ask again to all of you who sit in here, are you with me? Are you among code Illuminati?” All of the hooded figures stood. The lead nodded. “Excellent. It was relieving when those who read the signs, the vibes, the auras and answered my call. And agreed to the cause, because what we do is not to harm but to save. And while sacrifices had to be made, blood, sweat, tears, and grief was shed—it is all to bring back purity to our universe. To our home. If we’re going to live here for an eternity, why not let it be clean.” The lead motioned for everyone to sit. They did. “The fallen prince of Helios, whether he was of your clutch or not, had to be sacrificed. That may sound cruel, but he is an oddity. He’s a key and for his sacrifice, we’ll make him a symbol, someone to be remembered in the pages of a book. After we clean up what needs to be cleaned, we can relieve him of his pain. Send the lad through reincarnation. Let him live as a human. Ironically, he’ll be under our rule, but with the knowledge of his place and no painful memories.”

  The lead made a gesture which beckoned the bright white orb of light to him. “This rune, the most powerful of the King’s oracles appeared to me as a sign. It has played a part in calling those who wished for the order of the old to return. To have meaning in their eternities again. In a couple of days give or take, I will call for you. We will offer this to the sleeping Red Dragon. Awaken the true first of the fallen from his slumber. And execute his wish which is our wish. Then with the new contract, the rebirth will begin. Does anyone doubt me? Speak now so that I may address you.” The lead grimaced behind his mask when the cat rose. He should’ve known this one would cause him trouble. “Ah, speak.”

  “It is not that I have doubts,” the being said. “How do you know the Red Dragon would listen to anything we have to say?”

  “He was the one who called for me and showed me that event in which he was placed into eternal slumber. Stuck in a dream world. His ambitions, his desires were exactly like ours. He…he objected the changes, warned the King that the new law will put the universe on a path of pollution, but everyone thought him a lunatic. The only mistake the Red Dragon made was letter his anger control his decisions. He tried to commence war with the King in a futile attempt to gain control.

  “It is later when he realized that he could’ve done things a better way, but it was too late. He once possessed a very powerful book that he did not understand at the time. A book that seemed to bind to his wishes, his will, but he didn’t acknowledge its wishes, so failed. Yes, I’m talking about THAT book. The Red Dragon knows of its location. Once he’s freed and he retrieves it, all we have to do is follow his lead. Let him clean of the mess. And even give the banned Pantheons another shot, under his watchful eye.

  “Our rule will start with the earth, but will expand. Each of you chose your land. Your planets too. Do not fall with doubt on me now.”

  The cat-masked being sat down, nodding. The lead nodded in acknowledgement. “If we have no further doubt or questions, be dismissed. The time has come. The call waits.”

  The figures vanished on by one, leaving the dragon-masked leader behind. He placed a hand over the oracle. It slowly absorbed into his skin. Soon…the path of purification would be upon them. Then he’ll destroy the current leadership. And dethrone an arrogant king.

  Interlude 9

  Sin figured now was as a good of time as any to read his father’s letter, just in case things turned out for the worse in Paradise Realm. Being careful not to wake Amony, he opened the bottom drawer of his nightstand. His whispered a word of power, causing it to shimmer into visibility. Sin pulled the sheets over the half-naked woman then started outside in just simple shirt and jeans, sword floating at his side by magic, invisible to all but him. He normally strapped it to his side, but tonight, he’d rather read in comfort.

  The young man exited Amony’s too-large house stealthily, not alerting any servants, or guards who were witches. He found comfort in always being immune to their divinations. The neighborhood was empty as expected, though being in the suburbs always meant less people. There were about seven houses on this street which ended in a cul-de-sac. A couple of blocks down the main road lied a very clean park. He sat on a wooden bench, opened the evolve, and finally read the letter. The letter which made him unsure of himself ever since he received it from his friend. A letter from his Father.

  The first part of it was exactly what he feared. Comfort, warmness, and regret of not being a part of his life. Sin wanted a reason to despise his father, not wonder if his own hate is misplaced. He especially flinched at the reason of his banishment. Not because of that snake, Lucifer. No, his father wanted him away from the demons for his own good.

  Sin felt like an idiot for not guessing that much. A part of him knew it, as his Father was never unkind to him during his childhood days. What pushed the banishment was when devils began to take notice and gossip about Sin’s lack of a chain. Others wanted to use him to get into the royal family, whether by marriage or just trickery.

  His father didn’t say much while eyes and ears were everywhere. He couldn’t contact Sin, as communication outside of the depths was cut off.

  Sin’s father also had to remain patient while he did his duty. His…duty for the King. Sin’s eyes widened. Weren’t they devils? Why would one as powerful as his father work for the King? Sin frantically read more until at last, he found a disbelieving answer. One that explained why he didn’t share demonic manners. He wasn’t a demi-devil. He had no demon blood, none of the sort. His father, Dante the poet, wasn’t from this universe.

  He didn’t reveal Sin’s other half in the letter. He wanted to take Sin to the realm to simply show him. His homeland, in a world very far from here. He also revealed two more things that made Sin feel confused, maybe uncomfortable.

  The first was on the day that he left with young Sin to go back to the city in the depths, he showed Sin’s mother a dream of a grown-up Sin visiting her. He implanted that as a curse to her, only to break if Sin either chose to visit her or cut off contact with the woman forever. If he chose to cut off contact, she would forget him.

  Sin felt a surge of anger embed into him—how dare his father make such a decision for him. As if he didn’t do enough d
amage by leaving the woman without a trace. Leaving her heartbroken. She thought her husband and child died. In a sense, they did. As much as Sin wanted to see his mother, to follow the address his Father gave him, he felt unsure.

  If she forgot him, all of the hurt and pain would vanish. His ridiculous father couldn’t let that fall from her many years ago—forcing her into an endless dream. But what…what if that brought her happiness, that her son was still alive and that she was going to see him again? And be a part of his life. To rip that hope away would be cruel. Sin wasn’t the running away type. He also had plenty to show forth to his mother.

  To adapt into the human world, Sin sought a lot of education. Most of it was thanks to his encounter with Amony, who wondered why someone like him was working at a bar.

  Sin tried to deny her but the girl was insistent. She knew of his true nature, and made an offer. An offer to help him. He took it, albeit with a hesitant hand. In exchange, she wanted loyalty.

  But the relationship…turned into friendship, rather than boss and employee or master and servant. She asked too many questions. And goaded Sin into attending college. He picked up two degrees. This is only a small fraction of what he would tell his mother. He wasn’t sure if he could tell her that he had no humanity.

  That she’d age without him, that is if Sin let her. As much as he distasted magic, he knew it. He picked up many of Amony’s spells, studies, and craft, though refused to actually cast anything. He knew he could use any of it—accidently casting a spell unknowingly once by reading one of Amony’s spells allowed. If Sin wanted to, he could halt his mother’s aging like Amony.

  The second thing that shocked him, perhaps most of all were the words: You have permission to use Nova. Sin’s father gave him the sealed sword but forbade the young man from ever awakening it. Sin wanted nothing more than to access the dormant beauty, to utilize this sword of wonder to protect his friends. He wanted no more deaths in his group. Epex wouldn’t be able to come back a second time. The others would be whisked into the land of the dead or whatever judgement this world had, unable to return. Epex was simply a one-time miracle. Nothing more.

  Sin finished the letter, which ended with farewells and promises that almost brought a tear to the young man’s eye. He wished his family could be united to at least exchange stories, to get to know each other. On the back page of the letter were instructions on how to remove the seal. Sin placed the sword on the ground and followed them, calling upon four elemental spirits in a language he did not know, but somehow understood. He somehow knew it was his father’s native tongue.

  For spheres of multicolored light appeared before the young man. They form into vague humanoid shapes, three female-like shape, one male-like shape. They spoke to him in English, surprising Sin.

  “We are here to serve.”

  “Undo the seal,” Sin said, his voice without emotion.

  The spirits obeyed, running their featureless hands over the blade, causing it to glow an intensity that almost threatened to blind Sin. When the shine vanished seconds later, the sword took on its true shape. Long platinum blade, diamond sheath with strange glowing symbols engraved on the hilt.

  Sin at last, held a masterpiece. One of the seven swords of wonder. These blades were nature’s bane, capable of wielding disasters if used properly. Sin recalled Epex’s new red blade, realizing that the demigod now owned two of them. They couldn’t be in better hands—as the smart guy kept them in pocket dimensions. Sin approved but decided against locking his up. He wanted to create a bond between he and his sword. Sin nodded at the spirits. “Thank you. You may go.”

  The spirits nodded back.

  “Call upon us and we will be at your service, young master.”

  They vanished, leaving Sin standing in wonder. What else did his father know. Sin had a lot to say to that man. But first, he’ll start with showing off to his friends a bit.

  Part IV

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Fuck, did my head hurt on such a sunny morning. I think I was having a beer withdrawal and no amount of Amelia’s natural healing made it go away. We were about to take off to Karma’s—so I had to hustle to the store for Aspirin. I ran into Keisha and Amanda, who were doing minor grocery shopping.

  “It’s so dull without you two around,” Keisha said.

  “Yeah, why’d you take away our Amelia,” Amanda said then gave me a playful pout. Just to be clear, they saw the goddess every single day. Amelia and her friends were nearly inseparable. For some reason, they were not surprised that Amelia decided to live with me over them. I tried not to think about how many embarrassing childhood stories she must’ve squealed to them.

  “So are you practicing with those enchanted weapons?” I said as we rounded the medicine isle.

  “Do you really have to ask,” Keisha said, pride in her voice.

  “Good,” I said. “Don’t tell Amelia this, but I want you both to meet with Devante and I every week to upgrade the power of those things. I promise you’ll never feel useless again. I will ask…Amelia if she can create some kind of enchantment to make you resistant to supernatural and dietetic forces and magic. If not, I’ll make one myself, even if I have to deal with the stupid witch’s magic.” The two women smiled.

  “You sure it’s okay…to be doing this for us?” Amanda said.

  “Of course, it is,” I said, not quite snapping. This damned headache was most likely stress-related. Maybe from being pent up—but I’ll never lose my pride to talk to anyone about it. After paying for my pills and a bottle of water, I immediately took two. Well, I waited until we were outside of the store then made myself look like a barbarian. “I’ll see you around. I’ve got to—”

  “Wait,” Amanda said. “I was afraid to ask before, but is it possible for us to ever see Jade again? I’m… I don’t….”

  I stared at her for a few seconds then answered.

  “I cannot say. Not yet.”

  I walked off before this conversation could grow. I was in no mood to get anyone’s hopes up. When I passed a hardware store, I overheard two men arguing. Then one threatened to sue the entire establishment as he stormed out. America in a nutshell, I suppose.

  If you can’t get what you want satisfactorily, or if someone is dishing out shitty service, sue. What would happen if someone inserted such a system in Paradise Realm? I chuckled, imagining myself suing Conus for being a dickhead. What would I even do with all of the Helios family funds? Currency of every realm—I know not every deity could manifest objects, but come on. And for the ones who could, the ability is limited, plus it would take way too long to enjoy. That’s why Amelia rarely did it.

  My goddess is still amazed, probably secretly jealous, of how I’m able to manifest things almost instantly. It’s a taxing power, way too taxing. This wasn’t ideal for combat. That aside, money doesn’t seem significant when I could simply imagine things to reality. Abusing the power to conjure from imagination of course, is not without consequences. I’d rather not have that attention brought upon me.

  When I arrived at the apartment, Amelia greeted me with a surprising sight of semi-formal goddess attire. Fancy white summer dress, fancy matching shoes, diamond and gold necklace with an emerald at the center of its charm, matching her eyes, and the works. She paused as if waiting for something, but smiled, when I only stared, mouth agape. For the first time in a while, I felt embarrassed about my clothing. As if reading my thoughts, the goddess poked my nose.

  “I’ve already prepared your clothes,” she said.

  “Somehow, the sarcastic going to the ball remark dropped from my tongue,” I said. “Shit, you’re gorgeous. I’ll look like a servant boy next to you.”

  That remark seemed to annoy Amelia.

  “How can you be so clueless about the effect you have on people, Epex.”

  “What effect?” I said, skeptical.

  “Never mind, let’s get you dressed.”

  “I can dress myself,” I said.

  “
I don’t think so,” Amelia said. “You won’t be taking this fun from me.”

  I frowned. She grinned then herded me to the room. The misery lasted about an hour. She forced me into suits then formal god-wear (yes fancy robes and leggings) to business casual and other outfits. Somehow, I think she knew what she wanted all along, but preferred to drive my patience. In the end, we went business casual. A fancy quality button-up shirt, unbuttoned of course, a shirt, expensive pants and shoes. I decided not to bug Amelia about it. As much as I felt uncomfortable about being fancy, there was no point in crushing her cheerfulness.

  When we stepped outside, glowing wings appeared on Amelia’s back. If case you’re wondering, because many do, wings from deities like Amelia do not interact with matter unless they will them to do so. I know because Amelia once let me touch them. She got all giddy like an intoxicated party girl. We never spoke of that moment nor did I ever ask her to make her wings appear again. I held Amelia’s hands with both of mine.

  If I wasn’t used to being ascended by someone else, this whole thing would’ve felt unnerving. Okay, it still felt unnerving.

  She gave her wings one large flap, then everything around us turned into shimmering colors of oranges and pinks, and swirling blues. The feeling of vertigo struck me like a sudden drunkenness. Within seconds, that feeling vanished and we stood in a town. And from the looks of it, some kind of festival was in progress. Oh. My glare only widened Amelia’s grin. I let out a silent breath of annoyance.

  “Well, we didn’t have a day off in like forever,” I said as the aroma of food made my mouth water. There were so many things going on at once. Blue-winged angels dancing, some playing instruments, others manning food stalls. There were couples and loners, storytellers, puppeteers and performers, and plays and musicals. At the center of it was a giant gold statue of Karma Venus holding up a staff. Meters ahead of the town was a giant golden palace.