Helluva Friend

Chapter 19

I woke up the next minute. The first thing I've notice was my condition: I'm not bleeding anymore, I wasn't in any pain, and my clothes are ok. That was odd. Was it all a dream? Was my death just a wake-up call? Wait. Is Loona alright!?

I got up to look for her. What I saw however is a strange looking figure. It looked like a male creature. It had a black tuxedo with what looks like a gold jewel as a button for his tie. He has two wings with a halo above his head. His face is really hard to describe but it almost looks like an alien with curled horns and an actual X on where there should be an eye.

Now I didn't know if he was trustworthy or not, but what choice do I have but to ask him? So, I spoke to him. "Uh...Hello?"

"Hvool bltfnrvia, zmw dvoxlnv gl gsv hzoo lu jfwtvnvmg."

I blinked a few times. What did he say? What kind of language was that? I didn't understand what he just said. He then sighs and spoke again. This time, he spoke English. "I apologize Bogumierz. I keep forgotten to use the recommended tongue for our guests. Any way. I said, 'Welcome to the Hall of Judgement'."

"What!?" I screamed. "Judgement!?!"

He raised his hand telling me to be quiet. I closed my mouth, and he lowered his hand. He then continued. "Yes. The Hall of Judgement as you humans would call it. As for me? My name is not important. So, for now, you may call me the gatekeeper."

"Gatekeeper?" I thought of something. "Is that how you know my name?"

"And your history, yes. My job as the Gatekeeper is to understand every living soul on Earth and to determine if one is worthy to pass through the gate."

"Um...Isn't that hard."

The Gatekeeper chuckled. "To me, it's a living hobby." He picked up a book seemingly out of nowhere and turned a few pages. "So. Bogumierz Eiko. You had the most difficult start than any other children. Your parents were horrible drug addicts and drunks. They left you on the streets just to earn extra money. Then, a group of animal cosplayers took you in and raised you like a son. You made it to graduation, and you have earned the title...um..."

"The Demon Archer?" I asked.

"Yes. That." The Gatekeeper continues. "Now the latest chapter is quite interesting." He flipped a page again. "You found a Hellhound in disguise and helped her recover. You saved her from a rapist. You told her your dark past. You went to a concert together. And...well I don't need to tell you."

I blushed knowing what he meant. "You're not disgusted. Right?"

The Gatekeeper shook his head. "It's not my place to judge. But if it were, I would see you as a hero." He turned the page again. "Teviel. Oh boy. I never liked him. And it was not surprising that he would go insane and use dark magic. But the fact that you ended his reign of terror and spared the spiritual realm has given you the golden opportunity."

"Whoa whoa whoa!" I hold my hands up. "Did you skip a paragraph or something? Because it should also state that I'm an Atheist!"

The Gatekeeper looked through the book. "Oh yea. Sorry. During your younger years, you've lost your faith in god because of the abuse from your biological parents. But!" He closed the book. "Considering that you save the spiritual worlds from going into chaos by that lunatic, I'm willing to make an exception."

I didn't want to believe it! An Atheist, going to Heaven? Wait. No! I can't die just yet! I need to get back to Loona. But...without a body, what can I do? I looked up. "Gatekeeper! Send me to where Loona is at! Please!"

The Gatekeeper raised an eyebrow. "My boy. You have a chance to be in paradise. Why would you throw it all away?

"It's not paradise without Her!"