DEATH

CHAPTER FIFTY 1ST

"Indeed, every symbol will whisper dreadful secrets to those who dare to enter."

An inky blackness stretched out before my eyes, the shadows are like swallowing any hint of light. I peered over the water, straining my eyes, but could see neither the depth below nor any reflection on its surface.

Despite the oppressive darkness and sense of the unknown that awaited, I felt a thrill of excitement course through me. Somehow, I can say that this feelings are meant for me.

"You're not her."

I glanced over at her, allowing a proud smile to crease my lips. "Congrats, you already noticed." I muttered, almost mockingly, as I released my grip on the grimoire, letting it float before me.

Death's friend stared back at me, her expression utterly devoid of emotion. I found myself unable to discern what might be swirling through her mind in that moment. Maybe, she's asking now where's the owner of this body? Or who the hell I was beneath this seemingly human guise?

Saglit na bumaling ang mga mata niya patungo sa lumulutang na grimoire, pero nanatili lang siyang tahimik, walang balak isa-boses ang kung ano man ang mga bagay na tumatakbo sa kanyang isipan ngayon.

"Spill." I said plainly afterwards, giving her an opening to voice the questions in her mind.

While waiting for her response, my gaze drifted around our bleak surroundings. The inky blacks and blood hues were nothing new to my eyes — just the usual mysterious palette of this borough. The only thing out of the ordinary right now was a solitary plant floating above the waters, a vibrant lotus blossom.

Natural at normal ang kulay nito na tila halos wala sa lugar at ito lang ang nag-iisang bumubuhay sa itsura ng lawa. Sa sobrang kadilimang taglay ng lawa ay para na itong lumiliwanag.

Paanong ang isang maselang halaman ay nakapag-ugat at namulaklak sa mapanglaw at mala-impyernong lugar na ito? Ang mismong pag-iral nito ay sumalungat sa katwiran at kalikasan dito. Dahil paanong nagkaroon ng ibang kulay sa ganitong klaseng lugar? This is the only thing that I have seen with other colors here aside from red and black.

As my eyes traced its form, I couldn't help but grimace slightly. For all its outward beauty, I knew appearances could be deceiving, especially here. What seemed a fragile, innocent flower likely masked some dark secret or sinister purpose beneath.

"Sino ka?" Rinig kong tanong ng kasama ko na siyang bumasag sa mabigat na katahimikan kanina, dahilan din upang bumalik ang atensiyon ko sa kanya. "Where's Death? What have you done to her?!" She continued, her voice rising with each demand, as if she's in rush.

My grimace twisted into a cold stare as I debated how much to reveal.

Nagkibit balikat ako. "Chill." Tanging tugon ko bago nakangising hinatak ang itim na telang nakabalot sa'king kanang kamay. "Death has been quiet until now." Hinayaan ko itong mabuklat at lumutang sa ere.

Her eyes went wide at the sight of the black cloth I was unleashing so casually. This was just an inkling of the forbidden dark magic artifacts that I could command.

Good thing Areo bought this for me, it's really expensive based by the hefty sum she paid to the shady merchant and according to my knowledge, only a few possessed the capability to wield such an item, since it was rare with a potent magic.

Red Borough is just a tiny bits of Dark Abyss and only a few demons can utilize this Aer Aigis. This magic elythra is just a carpet that can serve as your medium of transportation, it appeared deceptively simple - just an ornate at first glance. But I knew better than to underestimate its deceptive power. Because harnessing and controlling such forces required immense skill and fortitude.