Unexpected Intruder (Part II)

"I was… waiting for you," he repeated calmly, his voice carrying the weight of a thousand years yet somehow still soft and steady.

Thana blinked, feeling her grip tighten on her scythe, more out of nervousness than aggression. "Waiting for me?" she echoed, her voice faintly incredulous. "Why would someone like you… be here? Of all places?"

He didn't answer immediately, merely tilting his head slightly, his silver hair shifting like liquid light as he regarded her. His expression remained unreadable, cold, and distant, just like the rumors always said about him. He moved closer to her and Thana wanted to step back, but instead, she stayed where she was.

"For a long time you have been staying away from the heavenly realm," he countered, not bothering to answer her. "I've noticed."

Thana managed to only raise an eyebrow despite her mind racing. "Well, the heavenly realm isn't exactly my favorite place." she spat meekly. "I'm more comfortable here."

A flicker of curiosity was visible in his eyes, but it was gone so fast that Thana wasn't sure she had seen it at all. "Comfortable," he repeated.

Thana's heart was pounding, but she pretended to be calm and leaned her scythe against the wall. "Yeah, comfortable. The netherworld suits me. No grand feasts, no unnecessary attention."

The Supreme Heavenly Lord remained silent for a moment, his eyes never leaving her face. Thana had no idea what he was thinking. Did he come here to reprimand her? Drag her back to the celestial realm to answer for some long-forgotten crime? Or was this about something else entirely?

"You prefer to stay hidden," he observed—not a question, just a statement.

"Well, what is wrong with that?" She countered her, feeling a strain of defensiveness rises in her chest. "I do my job. I guide souls to the River of Oblivion. I follow the rules. Just because I don't socialize with the other celestials, it doesn't mean I'm doing anything wrong."

"I never said you were," he replied. His voice was still calm, but his presence was overwhelming. It felt like he filled every inch of her small room without even trying.

Thana cleared her throat, trying to regain some control over the conversation. "Okay, so… why are you here, then? Is there something you want from me? Because I don't think you came all the way down to the netherworld just to check in on how I'm doing."

He looked straight at her and quirked an eyebrow at her informal greeting; he was not upset though. "I have a request," he said with a voice as steady and authoritative as always.

"A request?" Thana asked, stunned at the fact that the Supreme Heavenly Lord was in front of her eyes. One of the strongest existences in the universe seemed to make himself fit in Thana's room as if it were completely right.

She crossed her arms, trying to regain composure. "What could you possibly need from me?"

He merely stared at her and did not feel threatened. "Some trouble has occurred in one of the palaces in the heavenly realm," he said, and he looked at her right in the eye. 

Thana blinked, utterly confused. "A… ghost?" she repeated, almost laughing at the absurdity. "You're telling me that in the vast, powerful heavenly realm, everyone's scared of a ghost?"

The Supreme Heavenly Lord's expression remained unchanged, though Thana noticed a slight softening around his eyes. "Yes," he said evenly. "It seems no one has dared to enter the palace since the rumors began. I would like you to investigate."

Thana's mouth fell open. Of all the things she expected from this day, being summoned by the Supreme Heavenly Lord to chase a ghost wasn't one of them. "You personally want me to deal with it? Don't you have an army of warriors, or, divine exorcists, or something?"

"I have trust in your skills," he said, leaving no room for doubt. "And I require someone who is… less involved with the politics of the celestial realm. You are perfect for this task."

Thana frowned, scratching her head. "I guess there really is only one way to look at it," she muttered, still wrapping her head around the request.

She looked at him rather differently, giving him what could best be described as a look of distrust. He seemed completely serious, but why would he come all the way down to the netherworld just to ask her? There had to be more to it than just a ghost in a palace. She was about to decline—being dragged into celestial affairs wasn't her style—but then she remembered who she was talking to.

This wasn't just some random celestial asking for a favor. This was the Supreme Heavenly Lord, the ruler of the heavens, the most powerful being in the three realms. Saying no seems like the smartest move.

Thana breathed heavily. "Fine, I'll check it out," she said, already feeling pressured of the decision she made. "But if I find out this is just some prank, I'm leaving."

A hint of a smile appeared on the Supreme Heavenly Lord's lips. "I appreciate your willingness," he said.

Thana secretly rolled her eyes. "Don't get used to it," she muttered, grabbed the scythe, and headed for the door. "I'ii be there. I need to get a few things before I go."

He nodded and vanished from her room in a swirl of shimmering light.

Thana stared at the spot where he had been standing. "A ghost, huh?" she said to herself. "What in the netherworld have I got myself into?"

Thana arrived at the grand gates of the heavenly realm. She hadn't set foot in this place for years. The golden architecture was shining in the light of the eternal sun, the towering spires reaching far into the heavens. Everything was glimmering and just like it had always been.

Thana sighed. This place had never felt like home to her. Too pristine, too artificial.

She teleported herself, and when she open her eyes, she saw the Supreme Heavenly Lord waiting for her, his hands clasped behind his back as he stood at the entrance. His eyes met hers, and he nodded in acknowledgment.

"You came," he said simply.

"Yeah, yeah," Thana muttered, while her scythe is on her back. "Let's just get this over with."

The Supreme Heavenly Lord didn't make a statement on her attitude, and gesturing for her to follow him inside the palace. They walked through the grand halls in silence.