Chapter 43 "Nekros"

Chapter 43
Nekros

SHINIGAMI PALACE
HELL KINGDOM

The kingdom of Hell is absolutely nothing the Dark Team has ever imagined before. Instead of the rocky landscape along with hellish lava or magma that they expected, it's a more heavenly paradise. Huge waterfalls, colorful lilies that seem to be only flowers that grow on this planet, lively atmosphere with demons running around, and various sizes and types of factories, buildings, houses. More than one million demons in the entire kingdom.

There are two levels of the kingdom- the lowest ground consists of four districts: Hades, Pluto, Mors, and Thanatos. The Dark Team can clearly tell how wealthy or how poor every district is due to how clean and how old the houses look. The Thanatos district includes the most fancy, newer, and huge houses. Compared to them, the Pluto district includes smaller and older houses.

The highest ground consists of the Shinigami Palace with three huge waterfalls that fall from the cliff which is several miles long. 

The Shingiami Palace includes dozens of fancy houses and mansions. The center of it houses a large castle with hundreds of demons with different jobs- advisors, scientists, researchers, royal guards, messengers, butlers/maids, and many more.

Compared to the outside with a red sky, the only part of the sky above the kingdom is very blue. 

“Wow, I didn’t know it would be gorgeous!” Clear exclaims. “I thought it would be like…”

“Hell?” Death King asks amusedly.

Clear realizes that Death King is half joking. She chuckles lightly. “Y-yeah, I guess.”

“Thousands of years worth’s hard work of building the kingdom,” Death King says with a sense of pride. “Come.”

The Dark Team and three demons follow him into the large castle. They eventually reach the huge throne room with a large empty chair made entirely out of skeletons along with large boulders all around.

“Bob,” Death King calls as he sits down on the chair.

“My King!” Bob runs past the Dark Team and then stops in front of Death King. He briefly bows his head, still holding a large folder against his chest.

“Universe Warrior. Can you show him that soul? The one who almost killed us all back then?” 

“Er.” Knapp takes a brief look at his sword inside his scabbard. “Do you mind if I use a different one?”

“Whatever you want.”

“Muryo, Rocio,” Knapp says as he withdraws his sword. A soul in the water form jumps out of his sword. Soon, it turns into a see-through person form.

“Eeps!” Rocio yelps, startled by a little red demon looking even closer.

“T-this is astonishing!” Bob exclaims as he briefly adjusts his glasses as if it is supposed to be more clear for him. “I’ve never seen a soul like that before…!”

“Hey, go away!” Thorn yells. It turns out that a few other snickering demons are getting too close after sneaking peeks from behind the boulders.

“Even with the Elixir of Hell, I couldn’t take it into my scythe,” Death King says as he points his sword at Rocio. “Bringer of Grim Reaper.”

Rocio blinks in confusion and makes a few glances between Death King, Knapp, and Bob. He has not moved a little bit at all, even at Death King’s command.

“WHAAAAT?!” Bob exclaims in surprise as he spins toward the King of Hell. “You couldn’t capture it?! Not in your Grim Reaper form?!” He turns back to Knapp. “But this Universe Warrior could…?! How is it even possible?”

“I wonder if it’s because the souls that Death King couldn’t capture are from different universes?” Johnny asks.

“I suppose that makes sense,” Bob says. “After all, if the Universe Warrior is here, then the universe is likely in trouble… is it because of all those people from other universes?”

“If they die, don’t their souls come here?” Jade asks curiously.

“No… at least, I don’t think so. Their souls would have returned to their original universes though.”

“How many?” Death King asks the Universe Warrior directly.

“We have met hundreds so far. There’s probably more. Millions, even,” Knapp says. He taps on his sword as he continues, “I captured just a few in my Divine Sword. We couldn’t let them get away with their crimes.”

Death King scowls. He briefly glances at Kawaii. “I’ve been here since the beginning of the universe. How did the fucking aliens sneak by without any of us noticing?”

Kawaii’s heterochromia eyes go cold suddenly. “What have you been doing for the last thousand years? While Double God was gone?” 

“What about the Priests? Angels?” Death King snaps. “I swear they’re just doing their jobs in a half-assed way. That’s exactly why the Universe Warrior appeared in the first place.”

“Let’s not blame anyone.” Knapp interrupts the conversation. “Gods, Angels, Priests, Death Kings, Demons… None of us would’ve seen it coming. The Locker, Kira, and all those aliens who dared to harm the universe. Death King, haven’t you been paying attention? For the past thousand years… Dark and Light Gods were dead. Double God was gone. Dark Angel couldn’t live anymore. Light Angel… He was banished to wherever he is right now.”

“Tch! Do you really want to piss me off?” Death King growls.

“At least they got their shit together recently. Especially Double God,” Knapp says coldly. “Have you been sitting your ass on your throne chair for all those years?”

Death King suddenly gives out a loud laughter. “Sitting my ass off? This building this fucking kingdom for thousands of years means anything to you?”

“Calm down,” Kawaii lifts himself into the air and then carries himself between the Universe Warrior and Death King who are about to be at each other’s throats. “We’re all exhausted. Let’s take a break.”

“Fine,” Death King grumbles. “Jane, show them to their guest rooms.”

As soon as the Dark Team leaves with another demon who leads them to the guest rooms in the palace, Death King turns to three demons who came with the dark Team. “As for you demons--” He raises an eyebrow as soon as he recognizes one of three demons. “Why do you look familiar?”

“Um, my King… I’m Raven… and you exiled me from the kingdom,” Raven says nervously.

“Remind me what exactly you did to get kicked out?”

“Er, you… I mean, nobody told me why I got exiled.”

Bob hastily skims through the folder fast until he finds what he is looking for. “Let’s see… Raven was exiled for stealing the souls. That was months ago.”

“What? I didn’t do it!” Raven exclaims. “I swear!”

“Y-yeah, I mean… She gets really greedy when it comes to consuming evil--” Viola gets interrupted.

“Not helping!” Raven yells angrily at her.

“You’re no longer exiled,” Death King says. “It turned out the souls were still disappearing during the months you were not in the kingdom. I sent Aooni to look into it.” He flashes a big grin as he says, “You’re getting your job back.”

~*~

GUEST ROOM
SHINIGAMI PALACE
HELL KINGDOM

“You seem distant recently,” Knapp says after he closes the door. “Is everything ok?”

Logy simply nods his head as he takes off his combat shoes. He hurriedly steps into the bathroom. It’s been a long day, and he needs to take a hot bath badly.

“If you feel left out, then I’m so sorry. I was just… You know, a heated conversation with Death King.”

“No, that’s fine. Jade interpreted everything for me,” Logy says softly as he turns on hot water in the bathtub. “I understand how nervous you can be… I mean, we were all nervous too.”

Knapp crosses his arms as Logy shuts the bathroom door closed. Huh, that’s the first time he did not invite me to join him in the bath.

“You realize that you almost died in his arms, didn’t you?”

Knapp turns to Kawaii who is sitting casually on the bed. “Oh yeah… I completely forgot about that.” He covers his face with his own hand. “How the hell had I been so blind?”

“And all others were concerned for you too,” Kawaii mumbles softly. “I was too. You barely had any of the universe energy left, and it was still going down. I thought… suggesting you to borrow the power of the ten souls of all galaxies was the worst mistake I had ever made.”

Even an universe can feel that way? Knapp is a little surprised. He takes his scarf off, gathering a little bit of universe energy into the symbol. “No… I don’t know what would happen if you never did. But I’m still alive and here so I’m super grateful.”

“But now you can’t use your full power…”

Universe Warrior gives him a warm smile. “We still have the Dark Team, don’t we?”

Kawaii returns his smile. “Yeah…” He says softly. “Death King is a decent guy. He’s just more hot-headed compared to Hikyou. You may have damaged his pride a little bit but he will come around eventually. Take care of Logy first.”

“Okay,” Knapp mumbles after Kawaii disappears into the air. What the hell am I supposed to say to Logy? ‘Oh hey, I’m very sorry I almost died’... No, that really sucks.

He takes a couple of deep breaths. Well, ready or not, here I go… 

When he enters the bathroom, he is about to start using sign language when he notices that Logy has already fallen asleep in the bathtub. He cannot help but feel his lips twisting into a small smile at the sight of his sleeping life partner.

~*~

Logy wakes up to find himself with his head on Knapp’s bare chest. The room is pretty dark but the deaf warrior can still see Knapp’s sleeping face. He looks much more relaxed than yester-- Wait, how did I end up here? How long have we been sleeping?

He takes a quick look at his lover’s chest. To his relief, it’s  completely healed. Not a single scar. It’s like that wound hole never happened.

He carefully wraps his arm around Knapp’s waist, trying not to wake him up. He looks up at him just to admire how relaxed (and also handsome) he looks when he’s asleep. Ever since Sybil died, Knapp has almost always had his guard up, which is why he may seem cold to others. 

Logy may feel selfish but he still loves it every time Knapp gives him a loving and warm attention.

What did I ever do to deserve him? He licks his lips. He cannot help but place kisses, nibbles, and licks on his lover’s neck.

All of sudden, Knapp is on the top of Logy, both of their faces way too close to each other. Logy begins to notice that Knapp has a dark look on his face. Is it lust? Or just irritated from being woken up?

Are you trying to get me worked up? Especially since you didn’t invite me to your bath. Knapp’s thoughts, both hot and excited, are being received into Logy’s head.

“Aren’t you a little too greedy? You know I was tired.” Logy smirks with lustfulness in his tone, making Knapp groan and shudder, as he wraps his legs around the Universe Warrior’s waist. He pulls Knapp’s head down for a kiss.

~*~

“You can tell me anything, you know. I could tell that there was something up with you yesterday.” Knapp says. He and Logy have not gotten out of their bed yet. They are just lying on their sides facing each other. Knapp is gently stroking his deaf partner’s face, taking in how handsome he is. 

“It’s nothing… I know you were just trying to protect us. We knew we were no match for Death King.” Logy cannot help but rub his face against Knapp’s hand.

“But?”

“I-I found you first. I couldn’t do anything. You could have died if it wasn’t for Gules and his healing power. I was so…” Logy takes a look at his own hand. Tears are being formed in his hazel eyes. “Helpless. What else could I do? How to be useful to you? Or should I always get rescued by you? Stand by and watch you fight to death? It’s… unfair. I just… I can’t.”

Knapp sits up and pulls him into his embrace. Patiently allowing him to cry as long as he wants.

When Logy finally settles down, Knapp pulls back so they can see each other. The Universe Warrior says, “I did not mean for you to see me like that. I’m so sorry.”

More tears are sliding down Logy’s face. It’s even making Knapp tear up as well.

So many years of always fighting have finally knocked them down. Almost destroyed their spirits for who knows how many times. 

Knapp continues, “Ever since the first time we met, I always thought you were strong. Nothing, not even your deafness, could stop you. You’ve always amazed me with your strength, humility, and persistence. You have a wonderful heart. I love you.”

He takes one of Logy’s hands as he finishes, “I will never forgive myself if anything bad happens to you. You really scared me to death when Death King was about to take your head. You have no idea how relieved I was when I got there in time.”

Logy drops his head on Knapp’s shoulder as he wraps his arms around him once again. He mumbles, “I’ll get stronger so that I’ll be able to stand next to you. Rather than cowering behind you. You… You won’t have to fight alone just for our sake. I love you- too much so… I’ll catch up with you.”

Knapp smiles at him. Of course, I’ll wait for you. 

~*~

COURTYARD
SHINIGAMI PALACE
HELL KINGDOM

Nekros is late. Very, awfully late. 

When he got a message from the messenger from the kingdom demanding him and all other royal guards to be returned to the Shinigami Palace, he was still in the Pluto district which is the furthest compared to other districts. He had no choice but to run all the way.

Hundreds of royal demon guards are already standing in several straight lines. Nekros tries to sneak into one of the lines, apologizing and making a couple of demons curse at him silently.

Nekros hates everyone. Except Lamia, obviously. And maybe Jervis just a little bit. Jervis fucking better have the souls by the time I get back.

As soon as Death King steps out of the castle and makes his way to the front of the royal guards, every demon goes silent fast. Not just because of the sight of their king.

It’s because of the sudden increase in Death King’s power. Which means he is 100% pissed off for sure.

“I know you’re wondering why I called all of you back here,” He starts speaking. The angry tone in his voice is making every demon nervous and scared. “For the past few years, the number of the souls we lost has been unusual. Someone is stealing them. At least one of you knows it.”

Nekros manages to suppress a grin from being formed on his face. Ha! That’s just a bluff like always! How would he know? We’ve been doing it under your nose all along! Not only the souls but we’ve been also taking the power of the Hell’s core that you failed to guard!

“So now that I have all of you here, I’m putting the palace on lockdown starting right now. We’re taking your scythes until we find the traitor. Raven, go ahead.”

“I’m baaack!” Raven laughs out loud. “Thought I’d be gone forever? Well, you thought wrong!”

She lightly tosses a thick red book into the air. Instead of falling, it is floating in the air above the demons. She stops laughing only to say, “Store!” 

Dammit. Just when we’re so close. Nekros growls lightly in annoyance as he watches all scythes, including his own, are being sucked into Raven’s book. Doesn’t matter. We can stay forever in the lockdown if it means overthrowing Death King and taking over the kingdom!

Death King continues, “Whoever dared to go against me all those years… I will find you. I promise it won’t take too long. I suggest you come and confess your crime now.”

The demons give each other a few glances, already suspecting each other. 

A red bird lands on the top of Nekros’s head and gives loud bird calls. Nekros raises an eyebrow. Huh? Do we always have birds on this planet--

All of sudden, he gets slammed to the ground with an invisible force. All of the other demons quickly turn to him.

The bird transforms back into an elf, startling and making the closeby demons leap back. He turns his head towards Death King with a big smile and a thumbs up. 

Death King beams an evil grin as he briefly glances at Jade and Logy either sitting or standing on the roof of the castle. “Nekros. I honestly didn’t expect it had been you all along.”

No matter how hard Nekros tries to get up, the power of gravity is still pushing him into the ground. He growls as he manages to say, “I-I didn’t say anything.”

“Of course you didn’t,” Death King makes his way to Nekros. “We have a mind reader. You fed your thoughts to him.”

That’s why he seemed to be very confident when he said he would find us… Nekros is frustrated. He knows he is seriously fucked.

At least until he notices two figures hovering in the sky.

He giggles at first at the thought of dying especially when they are way too close to accomplishing their goal and then laughs out loud. “It’s almost time…! After hundreds of thousands of years of obeying and doing what you wanted us to, it’s going to end. It’s almost time we have a new monarchy!”

“Hm?” Death King frowns.

“Ever since the last Soul War ended, you became way too soft. You gave away one of the tastiest souls who committed countless number of sins to that fucking Double God. You might have built the kingdom… but we worked our asses off for you and received nothing in return!”

“You ungrateful demon--”

Suddenly, a nearly dead demon with blue hair falls from the sky to the ground with a loud thud.

“Aooni?” Death King recognizes him right away.

“L-look! Grim Reaper!” One of the royal guards exclaims as he points at the clear blue sky.

“H-how is it p-possible…?!” Raven asks shakily.

The Grim Reaper is wearing the exact same black hooded cloak. But the thing that makes Death King hold his breath for the first time in thousands of years is the Elixir of Hell hovering above the Grim Reaper’s hand.

Next to the Grim Reaper, Jervis cannot stop snickering constantly while sitting on a floating circle icy platform.

“He got his hands on the Elixir? How?” Another demon asks in confusion.

Death King lifts himself into the air until he gets to the level of two more traitors. He narrows his scarlet eyes in anger. Burning rage, actually. “Who the hell are you?”