Redemption

Chapter 23

Azalea swallowed back any bile that threatened to come out, her stomach feeling queasy. The throne room remained dark and soulless like it was. Shut up Azalea did you think he would decorate while you were gone. The King was draped across his throne carelessly not aware of the massive pull of power he was radiating. Or if he was he did not show it. An Obitus stood by him observing what would happen.

"Azalea Thorne, welcome back," Iram said, his voice bouncing against the walls.

Acrux knelt one knee touching the floor as his head bowed. "My lord," he muttered.

Iram waved his hand motioning for him to rise. Acrux rose avoiding eye contact with Azalea, as he made his way to stand by the right of the king, he stared forward looking at the wall.

Furrowing her brows, she wondered what the God did to Acrux that he acts like this.

"I assume that is the resurrector's head," Iram asked.

Nodding, she paused, unsure of what to do.

"The head Thorne," Iram commanded.

Walking up to the dias, the pull of power intoxicating, she slowly lowered the head onto the floor. Sameals face was still mid-sneer, the blood still fresh as it smeared onto the floor. The God picked it and examined it, a thoughtful expression painted on his face.

"So you were the one being a pain in my arse. You don't look like much, though I suppose you played that to your advantage. You were the sole reason for me getting yelled at by my siblings. Know that your punishments will be harsh. Ahhh, you and I will have so much fun in Gehenna." he murmured.

Azalea stared, perplexed at the sight before her. "Do not take this the wrong way but he's dead. Why are you talking to the head of a corpse?"

"I am the God of Death. I believe that is my right, is it not." He said raising his brows.

Valid point. She thought.

"I have a question, do not take this the wrong way, but if I did not catch the resurrector would have your siblings really smite the entire city."

He smiled, "My siblings are not the saints your people believe them to be, they have wiped civilizations off your world for far less, though I am surprised they did not do it, you did take much longer than expected." Tilting his head, he continued, "You are an experienced assassin from what the Obitus have told me and you had Acrux buy your side so what took so long."

Shifting to her feet, she hesitated, unaware if this was a trick question to test her loyalty.

"I'll answer that for you. You got distracted, I see my reminder did nothing. This resurrector was your friend, was he not. You, mortals, are unable to separate between your emotions and work, and that is one of your nugget's flaws. At the end of the day you are responsible for your fate no one else, and it is you who brought this end upon yourself Azalea. But rest assured you did the right thing, even if you disobeyed me Acrux would have beheaded you right there and then."

At that she glanced at Acrux, still avoiding any eye contact. Meeting the Gods gaze she spoke, "And what of my side of the bargain, I hope that will still be upheld.

Leaning back he smiled mysteriously, "Straight to the point. You wanted to go to Caelum. I will grant you that wish."

"Wait, I want my parents to be in Caelum as well." She blurted out.

"You are bold aren't you, your parents Marylin Thorne and Darius Thorne correct. Ahh yes, they are in Gehenna," he said, his eyes twinkling in delight.

Azalea smoothed her face into an unreadable mask, Gehenna but my parents were basically saints. She thought.

"Children often think the best of their parents, it's a universal experience," he replied smoothly.

"And your answer is...." she said.

"I will grant you and your parents passage to Caelum, but I want something in return."

Azalea tensed knowing that this is going to take a bad turn.

"I want you to deposit the head of your friend on top of that mountain into the burning lava, and then make it back safely before the hourglass runs out."

"I accept," she said.