Redemption

Chapter 3

Azalea doubled down, trying to get her senses together as she and the Obitus materialized in a large room. Straightening out her spine, she surveyed her surroundings. The walls of the cavernous room were dark and empty; soulless, void of any personality. A strong pull stole her attention to the middle of the room. She walked closer; sprawled on a regal black thorne that raised on a dias was the body of a man, his face cloaked by a shadow. Azaleas's sense of dread spiked as she realized who was before her. The Obitus guided Azalea to the dias.

"My lord," it said, dropping to its knees.

"Azalea Thorne, truly a sight," The king's voice rumbled as he leaned forward.

His face came into the light. Azalea studied the man; if he could even be considered a man. A boy younger than Azalea was seated on the throne. His dark skin complimented his dark locs that were decorated with gold cuffs. Her eyes hitched higher, catching the gold horns peeking through his hair.

"A child, the so-called god of death, is a child!?" Azalea thought.

The temperature of the room plunged, and Azalea froze, rooted to her spot, not daring to move.

"I have many forms, but I choose to take this one. Were you not taught that insulting someone in their own house was disrespectful?" the God said, raising an eyebrow.

"You read my thoughts?" Azalea said accusingly.

Waving his hand dismissively the God spoke, "Now, you are probably wondering why I have pulled out from the wonderful torture you were experiencing for an audience with me." Honing his gaze on Azalea, his dark eyes filled with the promise of suffering as shadows swirled around. "That's your cue to bow, to thank me for bestowing such an honour." he said, cocking his head.

Azalea stood unmoving, unsure of the God's words.

"Nevertheless, I'll forgive this arrogance as shock. Yes, why are you here?" Clapping his hands together. "I am offering you a deal."

A bargain with Iram, God of death, Azalea should have turned and sprinted out of the room, but she ignored her instincts, moving closer as her interest peaked.

"You worked as an assassin, correct?"

Azalea nodded, trying to figure out where the conversation was going.

Leaning backwards the God said, "I can say that Gehenna has not been treating you well. Yes, I suppose not. You are filled with sins and despair; such a delight. If I were to offer an alternative, a way out. A place where you can live in peace.. Caelum." He paused.

"Why me?" Azalea questioned, regretting her outburst at once.

"You dare question me, I carry your fate in my hands" the king's voice rising. "I'll humor your antics for now.I need someone with your... specific skill set. More importantly, you were the freshest one; digging through the depths of Gehenna to find an adequate assassin would do horrors to my complexion," he replied smoothly.

"I accept," Azalea said unflinchingly.

"You accept without knowing the terms. You are either very foolish or desperate; Gehenna must have done quite a number on you. "He smirked. Sighing, the God began, "Someone from your world has disrupted the balance, raising people from the dead. I wa-"

"That's not possible; resurrectors are non-existent. That sort of magic cannot be found in Antares," Azalea interrupted.

"You mortals are so close-minded and shallow. Your kingdom Antares is not the only one in its existence, magic has been widespread for eons long before Antares was founded. As I said, The balance has been disrupted, my siblings have been getting antsy recently, and no one wants restless Gods. Who knows the havoc and destruction they well wreak. I want you to utilize your skills and knowledge to bring me the resurrector's head."

Azalea scoffed, "And how would I do that? Being dead limits me from beheading people. Oh and did I mention I am in Inferis!" waving her hands.

Rolling his eyes, the God answered, "You will be granted temporary access to the mortal world; before you ask, yes, I can do that. I am the God of death, after all. Bring me the resurrector's head, and I will grant you passage to Caelum. We are in agreement."

His tone sounded like she had to agree; nodding, she waited.

"My right hand, Acrux, will accompany you in case you attempt anything," he said, clicking his tongue, clearly eager to have this exchange over with.

"I don't need a babysitter. I am quite accomplished in my career." Azalea hissed out

"Yes, so accomplished that you got impaled, you mortals and your dramatics. Acrux is resourceful; you will find use for him on your task. "

Just as his name was mentioned, a figure appeared from the shadows,

"At your service, my king," knelt the towering figure.

Straightening out, he turned to face Azalea; she raised her eyebrows. Imagining Iram's right hand as a heavily scarred, frightening sight. She was met with dark brown eyes, olive skin, dark hairs and swirling tattoos. She would even describe him as handsome. Her eyes drew to the broadsword strapped on the back, the design different than what she was accustomed to.

The God smirked. Azalea smoothed her face, keeping it as blank as she could.

"You will accompany Azalea to Antares and help her with her task," The king ordered, his tone sharp.

Acrux gave a curt nod. The king beckoned Azalea to him. Stepping closer, wariness tight throughout her body. She approached until she was touching the dias. Power rolling over her. Leaning forward, he placed his hand on her wrist, and searing pain ran through her body. Falling to the floor with a thud, she cursed. Glancing down, she noticed the gaping wound was no longer there, and her body felt solid, no longer incorporeal. Her eyes travelled to her wrist where a swirling tattoo circled her wrist.

"When you complete your task, you will alert me through that tattoo," the king explained.

"And how would I do that, exactly?" Azalea asked dryly, examining the tattoo.

"Find a way"

Waving his hand, a swirling mass of darkness appeared, ripping a hole through the air; slowly it expanded, crackling. On the other side was a familiar sight to Azalea.

"Antares," she whispered.

"Off you go now," a sudden cheerfulness appeared on the God's face.

Azalea approached the whirling mass, Acrux hot on her heels. Stepping one foot in, she paused as the God said,

"Don't allow distractions to deter you; the longer you take, the angrier my siblings and I will be. Fail, and your punishment will rival what you have lived through." He chuckled.

Azalea's jaw clenched, and the promise of retribution hung heavy as she took the final step. The king's laughter was the last thing she heard before toppling through.