Capítulo 148: Chapter 77: Those Who Seek Something (Part 2)
Those living in the Ghost Nation are indeed Angels and Demons.
While the current knowledge among supernaturals lacks a lot of information on Angels and Demons, there are many theories about them.
There are the obvious theories like Angels and Demons having been a race of supernaturals like Psychics, Ghosts, Vampires, etc, but all the Angels and Demons died and hence their races are gone forever. They were definitely alive back when Ozyllus and Abyss were still living but sometime around the time that the great battle between the two happened, their population had reached low numbers. Eventually, they all died.
This theory is contradicted however by the unproven but seemingly believable occurrences of phenomenon that only those of either of these two races could cause.
And like that, there are many other theories that try to explain them but most of them are either very unbelievable or have something that contradicts them.
One of the most popular but unbelievable theories is that neither was a completely different supernatural race but both were related to the Ghosts. Some could say they were the advanced forms of Ghosts.
If a Ghost reaches a particular height of power, he/she would become either an Angel or a Demon, based on their character.
There is no hard proof supporting this theory. And it doesn't seem very realistic. So, most people don't believe in it. However, if one were to assume it's the truth, it would fit perfectly with all the mysteries surrounding Angels and Demons, including why they disappeared.
Since that was a time that the 'God' and the 'Devil' were engaged in a battle and no one was left to keep an eye on everything, it's possible for information manipulation to have happened. It is believed that, seeing as how their ruler, Abyss, was being defeated, they could have used that opportunity to lie that without him, they could not attain the forms of Angels or Demons.
It would have taken some effort, but with time, they could have circulated enough rumors about this and kept themselves under control in a way that the lie started to look believable. Those who had seen Angels and Demons probably would not have completely believed them. However, the generations succeeding them that had never seen those races with their own eyes, could be swayed to believe them.
With this, the Ghost Nation would have been capable of hiding away such powerful secrets and also been able to exploit them to their fullest extent.
Said exploitation could have been something like, making an army of Angels and Demons and keeping them hidden so that, when the time comes, they could wage a war against weaker factions and swallow them whole. There could have been multiple other things as well, like using their unique abilities for spying in ways the current supernaturals would not be able to detect.
As this was and still is a really popular theory, when it was first revealed that the Ghost Nation have produced artificial Ghosts, naming them Spectres, and made an army out of them, while making sure all the real Ghosts withdraw from serving in the army, more was added to the theory.
The theorists came up with many conclusions as to how this could fit with the various theories, and one of them is that, by withdrawing from the armies, the Ghosts are trying to wash themselves of any sin they can commit, and become Angels. On the other hand, Spectres would continue to sin one after another, albeit on the orders of The Reaper, so the Spectres would end up becoming Demons.
In this way, the Ghost Nation could reach a level of peace, division, as well as power, that they may become capable of surpassing any and every other supernatural faction.
And indeed, the Spectres had proven themselves to be more powerful than any other army and while Vermillion's strength was still considered the greatest overall, the Ghost Nation was catching up rather fast.
When concerns about the Vampire Kingdom brought Vermillion, the Dragons and the Ghost Nation to a discussion about teaming up to take down the Vampire Kingdom, this obviously became a concern for the other two factions.
Hence, the Ghost Nation was asked to disclose all they know about Angels and Demons - or so one would think.
Instead of asking them about it, the Phoenix dismissed the topic as something insignificant. Some Dragons tried to argue against that but since they don't have a strong hierarchy and lack a leader, following the philosophy of 'complete self-rule', some of them arguing against it while others not caring ended up making their arguing pointless too.
And so, the Ghost Nation managed to get away with their scheme.
While it was obvious that the Dragons were going to be a mess with anything but fighting, it was truly unexpected for The Reaper Grisham, who had just become The Reaper back then, to see the Phoenix dismiss the topic like that.
Ever since then, Grisham had found himself curious about what the Phoenix was thinking and what his motivations are. But, despite the best attempts, even the Ghost Nation has been unable to dig much information on him.
The mystery that is the Phoenix might be as interesting and scary to Grisham as the mystery of Angels and Demons is to the rest of the world.
But, when there is black, there is always white.
If there was a Psychic that interesting and scary for his allies, then there had to have been a Psychic that's completely boring too.
The Reaper Grisham found that in Walter Schmidt.
This man was so powerful that he could destroy countries on his own. He could even get away with it by changing the memories of all the people in the world. That's just how ridiculously broken he is. One can say that the reason behind him having so much power is a mystery in itself but, to Grisham, that is a very uninteresting mystery. He doesn't care about that at all.
And so, when his General, Spectre Dyne, said that he had met and befriended Walter on a mission, Grisham couldn't care less.
When he said that he would like to be honest with his friend as much as he could, Grisham couldn't care less.
When he said that he would like to tell him about Angels and Demons, that was a moment when The Reaper was forced to care.
And so, that was the time when he met Walter for the first time.
And meeting him, Grisham had asked of him to make an oath to never disclose the information he gets about them to anyone.
Walter agreed to it.
And hence, The Reaper gave Dyne the permission to do what he wanted. After all, having a friend, especially one this powerful, may help the General of their army, and so simultaneously, them.
However, The Reaper had no way of knowing how much involved the two would become.
It seemed that there were two people that Spectre Dyne had formed a connection with. One of them was an enemy, a rival of sorts - a Ghost who was working for the Vampires. The other was the strongest man in the world.
Not only did Walter become a friend of Dyne though, he also befriended many other Spectres as well as normal Ghosts and started being considered a part of the Ghost Nation despite not really being a Ghost.
Grisham had once suspected that he might be plotting something to get close to them and take advantage of that position somehow but, in the short 2 years that have gone by since him first meeting Walter, he came to understand that there is no such intent behind his actions.
Strangely enough, Grisham realized that the strongest man in the world longs for a friend, for a family, for a place to call home.
Many consider his humility and always (or mostly) smiling face to be a mockery to them because of the overwhelming difference in power between them but the truth is, whether consciously or subconsciously, Walter Schmidt only does anything he does because he wants to find connection.
He is humble and polite to anyone he meets unless there is a reason not to be, and this is because he cherishes the opportunity of making just one more friend, if at all possible.
This … such a mindset … such longing for connection that never gets fulfilled even after making so many connections … it seems Walter Schmidt is searching for someone in particular. It seems like, by trying to make so many friends, he is trying to regain a friend that he has lost.
Such stupidity!
If you lost a thread that was special to you, would you go through every single fabric in the world to then find it? Of course not, that's stupidity. For all you know, that thread may have been burned and extinguished from this world for all eternity.
Yet, Walter Schmidt tries to grasp these threads, trying to hold onto every single one, trying to find that one special one but also unwilling to let go of any new ones that he has caught in his hands.
Just how much does this man fear losing? Just how precious are people to him? It's to a point where you stop admiring him for such a thing and start finding it creepy.
Yet, as he mocks Walter every time in his head, Grisham realizes that in trying to understand his motives, he has become just as interested in the boring and straight-forward Walter as he is in the unpredictable and mysterious Reid Vezalius Rosevelt.
And then comes such an incident. Walter Schmidt, who longs for connection, has appraised the strategist of the Vampire Kingdom as someone without hate. He said that is why he is horrified of him.
But, in Grisham's eyes, isn't Walter himself a man who wants to befriend any and everybody, someone overflowing with so much love and appreciation that there basically is no hate?
Grisham: "Isn't he … the same as the one he is terrified of?"
He questions so. But there is no one to hear it, much less answer.
And so, with no one to disturb his thoughts, The Reaper questions his question. He questions why he would even care about a man whom he himself appraised as a boring person. Why would he end up caring so much about a man like him?
It's not like he cares if Walter dies or stays alive, but he cares about how Walter thinks, how and why he feels the way he does, what's his core?
Could it be … that The Reaper sees himself in that man? Could it be that Grisham is reminded of the long lost friend of his own when he sees Walter desperately trying to find his?
Unfortunately, even though they would answer his queries, these thoughts have been blocked inside his mind. They are never allowed to come to the surface and so, he is never is able to answer that query of his. He is never able to understand, just how much he misses that childhood friend and former classmate of his who suddenly disappeared alongside his brother without telling anyone 12 years ago?
Grisham wonders sometimes though, what that friend of his would say if he found out that Grisham died at the age of 16 and became a Ghost, and then proceeded to be elected as the new Reaper not much after that?
How would he look at such a world full of anomalies and supernaturals and mysteries and deceit and dangers and death?
And what would he do if he was thrust right in the middle of this war, and as a very important figure no less?
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Zyanide100 I know that this wasn't a traditional chapter as there was a lot of monologuing and exposition and very less dialogues but I personally am very satisfied witht the results. ^^
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Capítulo 149: Chapter 78: Black And White (Part 1)
Two people, two men, bust open the door to a church, only to find a single man lying in wait for them inside.
One of the two men who have come to this church is a slightly dark-skinned, 5'6 tall, slightly muscular and prospectively attractive Japanese individual in his late 20s. The other of the two is a relatively pale-skinned, 5'9 tall, quite muscular and decent looking man from the country of Kangaroos, Australia.
And both of them have come here just to meet the man they find waiting for them inside the church. This man, dressed in the attire of a priest, happens to be the most broken human being either of them have ever met. However, despite that, it is a fact that he is essential to their organization and they need to see if he's okay, especially as he has gone in hiding and not contacted anyone for a week.
Seeing his face, that face that they both would gladly prefer never seeing again if they could, they try to ask the most essential question. But, before they can,
Halogen: "Oh my, if it isn't two of the three most powerful Hellfires. What brings the two of you here? Miyamoto-san? Mr. Smith?"
Akio Miyamoto, the first Japanese to become a Hellfire, grits his teeth as he is asked that. It's not that anything in those lines irked him, it's just the existence of the man saying those lines that he despises.
Akio: "Save it, Halogen Dietrich! A word of respect out of your mouth will just give me nausea."
Halogen: "Now, that's cold! I don't remember ever doing something to harm you, or anything of the sort. I have been very careful in making sure I don't end up on your wrong side, I'll have you know."
Akio clicks his tongue. It's true that Halogen has never done anything to cause harm to Akio but, what he has done to others in the name of 'church' and 'serving the lord', Akio can never bring himself to even consider Halogen a human.
However, even though Akio hates him a lot, Vaika Smith, the strongest Australian psychic in present time, hates him even more.
Vaika: "Halogen, we saw what you did in your old church."
Halogen: "What I did? You mean, how I killed the man who killed two of our friends?"
Disgusted. Wanting to kill him. That's Vaika Smith right now.
However, as he's the oldest Hellfire with an age of 48, Vaika is the most mature. As a sign of this, he manages to stay calm, outwardly at least.
Vaika: "No, we didn't mean that. We meant how you sacrificed 80 people to TRY to kill him and couldn't even finish the damn job."
Furrowing his eyebrows, Halogen Dietrich simply asks,
Halogen: "You mean he got away?"
Akio: "Seems that way."
Halogen: "Oh!"
Pondering on that for just a second, Halogen then says nonchalantly,
Halogen: "Well, that's unfortunate. But we can always repeat the ritual, just this time with better minions and larger sacrifices."
The piece of ground Halogen Dietrich has been standing on this whole time, no longer exists. Instead, there is magma burning so hot that it could kill a human within a second. Fortunately for him, Halogen saw this coming and teleported away just in time.
Akio: "Shit!"
Halogen: "Come now, Miyamoto-san! Don't use such a foul language in the holy church."
He says as he comes out from one of the many lines of benches.
Akio: "Any place you live in cannot be holy."
Halogen: "Now that's hurtful. Is trying to burn me alive really not enough venting for a while, Miyamoto-san?"
Akio: "It's not even close to enough. And stop adding that '-san' at the end like you are someone from my country. The very hypothetical thought of you being from my homeland makes me want to turn against the entire nation."
Halogen: "I am very appalled to know that you hate me so much. But, I just wanted to show you my respect, Miyamoto-san."
Akio: "Alright, that's it!"
It takes less than a second for Akio to reach Halogen and put a hand through his chest. That said, it takes even less than that fraction of a second for Halogen to dodge that attack. And before Akio could continue,
Vaika: "That's enough, Akio. Don't keep falling for his provocations!"
Shouts Vaika Smith.
Halogen: "Provocations? I would never-"
Vaika: "Enough!"
Halogen calmly and Akio reluctantly back down when they hear Vaika yell so with an angry expression.
Vaika: "We came here to check on you, to see if you are alive or not, and to get you back to doing your job."
Halogen: "But, Mr. Smith, my job is to find and bring more and more talented psychics in the organization. I never stopped doing it in the first place. In fact, that's what I have been doing this whole time."
Akio: "By making them Vampire food?"
Halogen: "It was a necessary sacrifice, Miyamoto-san."
Vaika puts up a hand to stop Akio before he does anything and tells Halogen,
Vaika: "There's something else that you need to do."
As he hears so, Halogen's lips curl up in a grin.
Halogen: "Something else I 'need' to do? That sounds like the Phoenix has a new order for me."
Vaika: "Not just for you. This job is meant for all of us."
Halogen: "Oh, is that so? It must certainly be quite a big job if it needs all of us on it."
Akio scoffs, and leaves the church, asking Vaika to do all the explaining. As Halogen turns towards Vaika though, he first asks,
Vaika: "Before we tell you about the job, tell us about Abgere. Tell us everything you know about him."
Halogen: "... I have no problems with doing that but, may I ask, why do you want to know that? It feels to me like there's a reason beside the fact you are on his hit-list."
Vaika leans his body backwards, relaxing himself, and says,
Vaika: "Let's just say, it's related to the job."
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Ethan: "What's up, guys?!"
He asks cheerfully. No one replies.
Ethan: "How's it going?!"
He asks more cheerfully. No one replies.
Ethan: "Is everyone doing well?!"
He asks even more cheerfully. No one replies.
And as that happens, as everyone he tries talking to ignores him and keeps quiet, Ethan hears a few excited whispers coming from behind him.
Kais: "Hey Sona, did you record that on a phone or something?"
Sona: "No, that was Sneha's job."
Sneha: "No, it wasn't. It was your job."
Sona: "What!? Then why didn't you tell me this earlier!?"
Sneha: "I thought you knew!"
Sona: "How was I supposed to know that!?"
The excitement in those voices fades and despair strikes. And with crying voices, the despaired whispers continue.
Kais: "That means no one recorded that."
Sona: "We will never be able to re-watch that moment again."
Sneha: "But it was so beautiful!"
Struck by the pangs of despair, all three of them fall to their knees.
Kais: "This ... this is just unfair!"
Sona: "Why? Why!? After all we have been through, couldn't we at least get a recording of that bastard being ignored?"
Sneha: "We deserved it. We deserved it! But, I suppose 'God' truly is cruel in this world."
At that moment, Sneha Stone understands the feelings of those who want to blame God or such concepts for anything bad that happens to them. She truly understands them. Obviously, for the other two who already fester a deep hatred for 'God', it could only grow worse.
Kais: "You shut up!"
Yells the despaired youth with a raging voice all of a sudden.
Sneha: "Wha-why?"
Kais: "Oh, I'm sorry."
Returning his pitch to normal, the youth explains.
Kais: "I was yelling at the ghost inside me. He dared to tell me that we were being mean to that bastard and requested that we stop doing so."
Sona: "Hah! Looks like being cooped up inside you for so many years has made him retarded! I mean, how could he possibly suggest such a thing?!"
Sneha: "I know, right?
Abgere: "..."
Not saying a word, the anomaly of a man continues to stare, also being pulled down by the chains of despair but putting up a strong act as if it doesn't affect him.
But, just as it starts to seem that there is no hope, that all is lost, that the war is over, a light shines through the darkness pulling the youthful souls towards it.
Gabriel: "I expected you people to fail. But worry not, for I have recorded it, ALL OF IT!"
And with those words said in a pleasing voice, the Hellfire pulls them out of their Hells, out of the pits of despair they had fallen into after being abandoned by fate and God alike.
Kais: "Gabriel, despite me calling you a loser for ever since I have known you, you should know that I never really meant it and actually always respected you."
The saved youth says so despite it not being true.
Sona: "I have not known you for long, Gabriel. But, I can tell that you are a man who deserves my whole-hearted respect and admiration. I wish I could be like you someday, although I would probably never be as good as you."
The female saved youth also says so despite it not being true.
Sneha: "Indeed. I always thought I was really strong and independent, until I met you. You showed me what true strength is. You, Gabriel Washington, are the epitome of manliness and courage."
The other female saved youth also says so despite it not being true.
Abgere: "Although I hate to say this, you are someone I have come to respect too. And know that you are the first person I have ever said that about."
The anomaly of a man mixes bitter truths with sweet-sounding lies as well.
And with that, all four of them bow as they all make one request,
All four: "Please show us the recording!"
Their savior smirks, and then says,
Gabriel: "Fear not, people! Regardless of our differences, we all share the same goal here. I couldn't possibly be cruel enough to deny you the right to see this recording. Come, stand up, and prepare yourselves for the greatest video you'll ever see."
And so they stand up and prepare themselves for what would be the objectively most sacred video they will ever see in their-
Ethan: "Are we done with this nonsense? We kinda need to find a way to talk to these guys."
Hearing that, all five of them scoff.
All five: "You will never be able to understand the beauty of this video. We have nothing to say to you."
Ethan: "Alright, don't say anything to me. Just say something to these morons. None of them seem to be willing to talk to me."
"Excuse me?"
They all turn to that voice, the voice of the man who leads the Aurals they have come to meet.
With eyes glittering, all the Aurals behind him await his words, the words that would carry enough weight to be considered equal to the very fate of their race.
And so, with all that weight behind it, their leader, abandoning all pride and prejudice, voices their most heartfelt desire.
Ethan: "Yes, what is that you want to sa-"
Leader: "Please share that holy recording with us too!
He asks with his head bowed, and the rest of them follow suit.
This is the singular most heartfelt request of not just the leader, but the entire group of Aurals, who are famously known as 'Heise'.
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