Of Angels and Demons: A New Generation

The Offer

"Hold on." I say as she looks at me. "What? Do you not want to unlock your third release?" She asks as I shake my head. "There has to be another way to get a third release besides dying or almost dying alot." I say as she nods. "There's a chance it'll appear over time, or through combat, or even through an emotional surge." She says as I sigh. "I just don't like the idea of dying. Call me strange, but it really doesn't sound pleasant having to die repeatedly." I say as she raises a finger. "Not just dying, getting near death can trigger it." She says as I stare at her and squint my eyes. "That also doesn't sound pleasant." I say as she laughs. "It's not so bad, once you fight alot." She says as I pinch the bridge of my nose and take a deep breath. "So what do you recommend I do? Since I don't want to die?" I ask as she jams her sword into the ground and sighs. "You'll have to awaken it through experience. Hopefully you'll have it before they appear." She says as I stare at her. "And who is this they you keep mentioning? Who are you wanting me to stop?" I ask as she shakes her head. "I have my reasons for not saying, but heed my warning." She says as red energy flows from her eyes and almost sets me on fire with her gaze. "They will push you to your limit, whether or not you handle it is up to you." She says as I take a step back. "But if I had info on them I could get people ready, then as a group we could take them down." I say as I walk to her and put my hands on her shoulders. "I'm only one person. I've had problems with minor threats. But now you're wanting me to fight something for you that no one else can? Do you understand how crazy this sounds?" I ask as she laughs. "Again, do you realize how powerful you truly are? If you could fully wield all of your power, you would be unbelievably hard to defeat. I think what you need is a bit of proof of your strength." She says as she smiles and winks. "What do you mean?" I ask as she pats me on the back. "Don't forget, fighting for your life." She says as a portal opens in front of me. As she pushes me through I jerk awake on a fancy bed. "Why is it always fancy beds or absolute darkness? So strange." I mumble to myself as I look around. "Fighting for my life eh?" I whisper as I get out of bed. I look around the room as a knock quickly draws my attention. As the door opens I jump back. I see Alice walk in and bow. "We managed to recover you, but not without loss and difficulties." She says as I grit my teeth. I start to channel my energy as the wall besides her suddenly caves in. Moxi is holding Kuro by the collar of his shirt with his fist raised, ready to strike him. "Malick!" He says as he jumps across the room and hugs me. I hear Raizel clear his throat and walk past Kuro through the hole in the wall. "I think it's time we talk, about my goal. About why we exist. About why we need you. It seems everyone needs me. I think as I feel myself strangely calm. Moxi laughs and throws a few fake jabs. "I thought I had lost you, but they didn't expect me to be excellent at tracking you." He says as Raizel stares at him. "Right." He says with a sigh. "Malick, our goal is ambitious, yes. But we have our own reasons." He says as I grit my teeth. "I fail to see how killing innocent people and trying to kill most of the human race is good for anyone." I say as he shakes his head. "My goal was originally to eradicate the filth, but my goal has changed. I'm reborn with a new motive." He says as I crack my knuckles. "Alright, I'm listening." I say as he nods and lifts Kuro from the ground. Kuro sighs and leans against the wall. "I want to kill the human race. I want to exterminate all life across all universes." He says as I stare at him. Before I can speak up he continues talking. "I wish to remove all pain and heartache from all universes. Create a set of laws that cannot be defied." He says as I stare at him. He clenches his fist and sighs. "I've seen enough to understand heartache and pain. But I was blinded by my own rage. After contemplating it further and looking at all possible outcomes, I will succeed." He says as he stares into my eyes across the room. "Whether you wish to help or not no longer matters. We extend our offer, but if you reject it." He pauses before speaking back up. "I will drain you and use your power to accomplish my goal." He says calmly as Moxi laughs. "I won't lie and act as though I'm scared. But if you do ever actually kill Malick, you will regret your existence." Moxi says as black energy rolls off of him. The energy it thick and vaguely familiar. "I accept." I say as Moxi's energy quickly dissipates. "But first. I have several questions." I say as Raizel nods and takes a seat. "Ask away." He replies as I cross my arms. "First, how do you plan to bring people back after they die?" I ask as he nods. "If I can become the chief deity I'll have perfect control of all universes in this plane of existence." He replies as I close my eyes. "Second, how would you plan to deal with the higher up threats that would go against you?" I ask as he sighs. "We have a couple ideas, but as of right now, you are the strongest we would have against them. We'd need to get you stronger." He says as I sigh. "Thirdly, how did you pull me away so sloppily that Moxi could find me, but Zen, Azura, and Aziria couldn't?" I ask as I channel my energy into the room as I glare at him. "Well, funny story really." Kuro speaks up as Raizel holds up his hand and silences him. I hear Zen behind Alice. "They couldn't keep us from you." He says as he walks through the doorway. Azura appearing shortly after beside him. Zen continues. "After hearing his goal, and sensing no lies or deceit from him, I decided I might join. But my joining relied solely on your answer. If you denied them, I would've done everything in my power to get you out of here alive. And I'm sure the manifestation of death beside you would as well." Zen says as my eyes widen and I look at Moxi. "I'm sorry? I'm no manifestation." Moxi says, almost offended. Azura sighs and steps forward. "I'd been trying to figure out where Rukia, the god of death, for our plane of existence went. But when I saw you, I see her energy within you. Along with five others. I assume five energies would be the five fragments split across the five planes of existence and the sixth is the true you." She says as Zen nods. "I've always fought Rukia enough to sense her energy within you." He says as Moxi sighs. "Well shit, I hate having to go by that title." He says as his hair turns black and grows out a little. His nails turn black as a flaming black scarf and crow appear on him. "Moxithrum Almathross, also known as the Manifestation of Death, at your service." He says as he bows.