Chapter 21: (New Beginning)

Getting hit by the orb feels like my whole body is being ripped to shreds, this is much worse than the time I changed the future.

[The skill 'Atlas' Stamina' lvl 2 has offset some of the pain]

Even if it activated, it's still not enough. I want to scream but my vocal cords is gone.

Although I can't speak, and hear, I could still see my companions screaming and crying.

My body started crumbling, I could see Midori crying really hard kneeling down next to me. I held Midori's face with my hand now full of cracks and I gave a warm smile, before closing my eyes.

"..."

"..."

I couldn't see anything, in fact it's like all the five senses in my body has shut down, or is it the fact that I'm floating in an endless darkness. Then a message appear.

[An 'Error' has occurred during the world ]

Well I did die, so I failed. I think, but that's not the only message that appeared.

[The of 'Asgard' has offered you a place in 'Valhalla']

If I remember correctly, 'Valhalla' a place in the nordic mythos where warriors who died in battle go, a gate suddenly opened and women clad in armor while riding on horses appeared.

[The of 'Sheol' wants your soul]

A dark gate opened below me, and hands began grabbing my legs, but something interfered as a spear flew right pass me hitting the ones trying to grab my feet.

[The of 'Olympus' offers you a place in 'Elysium']

A third gate appeared and opened, I could see beyond the gate. What could be seen inside is a never ending field.

[The of 'Shintoshu' invites you to 'Takamagahara']

Then what seems to be an eastern shrine appeared. Takamagahara a place where the of the japanese mythos live in.

Man... I could see why they want me. I mean, not that they want me but they want my power. I have the power to execute anything as long their sins weighs heavier to the opposition, not only that, if I get a hand on a soul gem, then everyone even the weakest of adventurers could have the potential to beat a .

[The of 'Asgard' is showing hostility towards the other 'Pantheons']

[The of 'Olympus' is glaring at 'Asgard' and 'Sheol']

[The of 'Shintoshu' wants you to choose quickly]

I could feel the pressure from the gates that showed up, it's as if something was about to descend.

"I-." I was cut off as a warm shadow wrapped around me.

[The 'Ancient Queen of Kur' is protecting your soul]

[The are shocked to see the 'Ancient Queen of Kur']

[The 'Ancient Queen of Kur' is saying that she's paying an old debt]

Then I heard a mighty roar in the darkness as it shook everything. I turned to see where the roar came from, all I could see is a shadow of a dragon who has 6 heads.

[The 'Mother of Dragons' is glaring at the 'Pantheons]

[The are afraid of 'Mother of Dragons' and wants you to decide faster]

This is a dilemma, if I choose one then the other 'Pantheons' will probably start a war against the one I chose before I get too strong for them to handle.

But a saving grace appeared, a message that I hope will give me an answer.

[The 'Error' has been resolved]

[Rewards have been distributed]

The rewards for completing that world was a personal item owned by my supporters. But only one option appeared and its not an answer for this situation.

[The 'Phoenix King's Soul Gem']

[The '???' Is letting out a wild laugh]

[The are furious at '???' For giving such an item]

I received the item and I saw the description, as it was it gives stats against Phoenix type monsters but most importantly its skills, it has a skill to revive me but not instantly.

[The 'Lord of Flies' has descended]

[The 'Ancient Queen of Kur' is releasing a deadly aura towards the 'Lord of Flies']

Because of this it caused a chain reaction. The of different 'Pantheons' began descending, and the pressure caused my soul to shrink.

[The 'Blade and Thunder' is looking at his descendant with maddened eyes]

[The 'God of Light and Summer Sun' is saying not to make things to difficult]

[The 'Guardian of Fire' finds this situation rather annoying]

[The 'Mother of Dragons' is baring its fangs at the ]

The warm shadow that wrapped around me grew thicker and then...

[The 'Shamayim' has offered you protection]

A tall golden gate appeared behind me and a woman with blonde wavy hair, and emerald colored eyes appeared right before me, she wears a black dress now overlapped with metal plates, and she was also holding a sword in one hand and flames in the other.

"Uriel?"

[It has been awhile Rai]

[The '???' Is looking at the 'Judge of Fire']

The shadow around me disappeared and Uriel opened the gates and took me inside.

[The are angered by the actions of 'Shamayim']

The pressure around me began lessening and so as the outpour of messages.

[The '???' Will watch you on your journey]

[The 'Mother of Dragons' is returning to her 'Castle']

[The 'Ancient Queen of Kur' is returning as she paid back her debt]

As I entered the gates, what greets me is a beautiful garden, and it's really peaceful, I could see various buildings and statues.

[Why don't you use 'that' already]

"Ah the soul gem."

I destroyed it in my hand and then a message showed up.

[Rebirth in process time 62 days 11 hours 38 minutes 11 seconds]

Uriel guided me to nearby stone table and she said.

[You should stay here for awhile, someone really wants to see you, and you lot quit staring!]

The angels who were staring at us began scurrying away and Uriel sighed.

[I'm gonna report this to the 'Scribe']

Uriel then left me alone, now with her gone I could feel various gazes from angels passing, I looked at my body to see if I was naked I mean I'm currently a soul, but nostalgia hit me as the clothes that I'm wearing was my school uniform.

[Hello, Rai]

A voice that I haven't heard in a long time, I turned to see an angel with silver hair and gradient blue eyes, now was wearing a whit frilly dress with blue lining and is wearing a necklace that has a cross.

"Nice to meet you again, Barachiel."

Barachiel fidgeted with her hair and she sat right next to me.

[I'm sorry for not being of much help to you! Even though I'm suppose to be your supporter]

"It's okay, its just that the you've given me were lvl 1 skills, so they're much weaker than I expected. But really strong for lvl 1 skills!"

Barachiel had a saddened face at first but then I quickly changed the subject while avoiding her gaze.

"So can you give me tour inside 'Shamayim'."

Barachiel stood up in excitement and declared with a smile on her face.

[Then let's go!]

We started walking down what seems to be a white road. I looked around and it seems we're walking inside a huge garden, probably the garden of 'Eden'.

I could see angels flying doing some rounds, and there were also some that are training, Barachiel was giving me a tour and I just followed her.

[The '???' Is enjoying the view of 'Shamayim']

[The of 'Shamayim' are disturbed by the presence of the '???']

I look over the edge, it was as if this is a floating island above the clouds.

[Be careful Rai, you might fall]

Barachiel pulled me back as to prevent me from falling, but another voice resounded and a huge shadow was cast upon us.

[What is a human doing here?]

I looked back to see a tall handsome man with brown hair and silver eyes, his height is thrice my size but the shadow he emits makes it look like that he's as tall as a skyscraper.

[Ah, Sandalphon what brings you here?]

Barachiel hid behind me her and the tall angel said.

[Well, I've been hearing from the other angels, that Uriel brought home a human, and that you were giving him a tour]

I composed myself and I went to the side of Barachiel and I said.

"Hello, mighty archangel Sandalphon, I'm Rai Akamine the human in which Uriel brought over."

Sandalphon looked at me and simply formed a smile. He placed his huge hand on my head.

[The '???' Is glaring at the 'One Who Serves The Crown']

[Ah, then please do enjoy your stay]

He then lifted his hand from my head and simply walked away. Barachiel on the other hand was flustered and checked if I'm okay.

[Are you okay? Did he do something to you?]

"I'm fine, seriously."

[Listen to me carefully, not all angels are kind, some are more ruthless than the others]

"Is that so?"

Barachiel nodded and grabbed a hold of my hand, I don't know why but it seems familiar.

[You will need a place to stay correct?]

"Yes, actually."

[Then You shall stay in my house]

I was shocked to hear that declaration and when I was walking together with Barachiel I asked her for a favor.

"During my stay here could you please train me?"

[The '???' Nods his head]

Barachiel smiled and answered me.

[Sure, but on one condition]

[The '???' Immediately regrets his decision]

"W-what is it?" I hesitantly asked Barachiel.

Barachiel looked up the sky. And she declared it to me and to my supporter.

[The fact that Rai will revive and that he's here should not be disclosed to his party members]

[The '???' Has spilled his coffee]

"I agree to the conditions."

[And for you as Well previous 'Judge']

[The '???' Begrudgingly agrees to the conditions]

"Say, who is the previous 'Judge'?"

Barachiel looked at me with clear confusion written on her face. And she answered my question.

[He was once a 'Hero' like you. But his power shook all the 'Pantheons' making them the way they are now, he also completed 50 world making him one of the few humans who have reached 'godhood']

[The '???' Likes the 'Chieftain of the Guardian Angels' story telling]

I was shocked to hear how powerful my supporter was, but he didn't even helped me most of the time only the time I was captured.

[Anyways here it is, welcome to my home]

Barachiel opened the door to reveal a room big enough to accommodate a family of 7, this was just the living room, we head upstairs there are two doors down the hallway, one has Barachiel's name, and the other has none, when it was opened there was a clean bed in the corner of the room above the bed on the ceiling was a window, the room also has desks and shelves filled with books.

"This place is very spacious.".

[Make yourself at home]

[The 'Celestial Scribe' Is looking at the 'Chieftain of the Guardian Angels']

Barachiel tensed up and said to me in a hurry before leaving me.

[Well make yourself at home, I need to attend a meeting]

Barachiel exited my room in a hurry. I took a look around the room and then a voice sounded out.

[Do not trust the words of a ]

"Who's there?!"

I tried to grip my sword but it's not there.

[Calm down, hmmm I know]

[The '???' Is telling you to calm down]

I looked around again, I checked outside the windows but no one was there.

"Okay, what do you want?"

[I've already told Tiamat, 'Heavenly Sword', archangel Michael, and Susanoo to not tell their Vessels anything]

"Ah thanks. Wait, is that it?"

[You're quite sharp aren't ya, anyways do not trust a word they say, you can only trust Azrael, Barachiel, Uriel, and Michael]

"Why them specifically?"

I could hear a faint laugh and it replied back.

[Let's say that they owe me... Oh I almost forgot you'll be revived nowhere near 'Ulric']

I was shocked but I immediately calmed down. I glared at the ceiling.

[Heh you do know where I am. well you see the nearest shrine is in the territory of 'Jaesh' it's not my fault]

"Okay that's nice information, but I've got to rest."

[You want to see the future now do you?]

"Yes now could you please shut up?!"

[...]

I felt a little guilty, but I don't know why I'm pissed at him. I closed my eyes then thought do souls sleep.

[The skill 'Foresight' lvl 10 has activated]

I looked around to see that I'm surrounded by sand and I could see a kingdom faraway.

I then turned to look at the people around me but there's no one there I know.

***