"Well, aren't you an enigma!" I said to myself in shock, looking at the being that one of my pawns couldn't even dare to approach.
This being looked like any other ordinary woman, except for the fact that she was shining as bright as the sun. It was a blinding light that was so bright its shine was only second to the gate at the end of the narrow path.
I could see similar people all around the world, shining brightly, but my shadows never dared to approach these people. However, none of them shone nearly half as bright as this woman.
My shadow pawn continued to observe the woman, but from a mile away. If it got any closer, it would begin to tremble.
"Who are you?" I ask myself still observing the being that was so bright, it seemed to be on fire.
"A question for another day," I say to myself as I continue to type. The entire writing process took only 10 minutes. In those 10 minutes, I was able to completely type an entire book on the great flaws in humanity.
I got up from the chair with sheets of papers in hand then walked towards the wall. However, before I left, I took one last look at the mini fridge on the right corner of the room. I then stared at the bucket on the left corner and think to myself, 'disgusting!'
On the side, of the wall before me, was a retinal scanner that I assumed is what opens the wall. 'I can't just walk through it when I'm not in my reaper form. In that case…' I think to myself then gave the wall a light punch.
It sounded like a bomb went off within the once so silent room as the wall crumbled down before me.
I walk over the rubble and head up the stairs towards the guest room.
'I need to find mother's phone,' I think to myself on the way up. I arrive at the door of the guest room and step inside. I then began to look around. I could still smell the sweat coming from the sheets, announcing the deed that took place in the room last night.
I finally find my mother's phone on a stool, next to the bed. I quickly go to the contacts and spot the name Anna on the top. Anna was my mother's personal and most trusted secretary. Whilst my mother was out here in Sherwood, Anna was back in New York looking after the company.
A text message suddenly popped up as I was about to tap on her contact. It was from Anna. There had been numerous unread messages from her over the past few days.
I then text what I intended to, ignoring the abaove text messages like they aren't there.
"Grayson will be coming later today to have his book published. You will provide for anything that he needs!" * send *
I smile, satisfied with the text, then start to get ready to leave. I browse through the closet and find a few of my father's clothes inside. I pick out a long sleeved, black sweatshirt, as it is cold in New York this time of the year, and a pair of jeans.
I swiftly put them on and turn to the mirror, "I look ridiculous." I say to myself as I saw how tiny the clothes were on me. "I don't disagree," the tailed Lilith added.
The clothes were obviously too small for me as I was 7ft tall and very skinny. I then shrunk to a height of 6'2ft, resulting in an increase to my muscles. I kept on a pair of socks and rubbers then faced the mirror once more.
"Perfect," I say to myself then walked out of the room. "Aren't we going to go to New York?" The tailed Lilith asks as I kept walking toward the stairs. "Soon, we have some people waiting for us downstairs," I say stepping down the stairs. The tailed Lilith looked at me in confusion as she followed.
I open the front door and see Azrael outside with one knee on the floor, bowing respectfully. 40 shadows were behind him doing the same.
"Master, I have completed my objective," Azrael says still kneeling. "Yeah yeah, get up," I say to them. They all immediately rose, awaiting further instruction. "Tell me, what have you learnt from humanity?"
"Humans… humans are quite unique creatures, unlike any other living beings. They seem to always look for ways to pleasure themselves in everything that they do, even when doing simplest things like sitting down.
A majority of them are emotionally in pain and the rest just haven't accepted the reality of their pain. They have diverse cultures, laws, views, and opinions, which has affected each of them differently.
This often has created conflict amongst themselves, not realizing it is in fact the source of the pain within everyone. Though, one particular thing that has remained a constant, despite their culture or upbringning, is their selfishness.
In everything they do, they are always in it for themselves in some way or another. Every word they speak; every rock they pick; every step they take is for inevitably satisfying their self-interest in the long run. They keep on taking from this world…. Respectfully, for the sake of all other life on this planet, humans are better off dead," Azrael says expressionless all in one breath.
"However…," Azrael added with a tone of seriousness. "There are certain individuals that seemed like were on fire, yet did not burn. They were difficult to approach…," he tried to say but was signaled, by hand, to stop.
"I am aware of these individuals and will personally investigate them. You have done well thus far; your thoughts are aligned with my philosophy," I say pleased.
"Thank you master, your philosophy would have always been mine no matter what I would have believed," Azrael said slightly bowing down with his hand on his chest.
"I am aware, but I feel better knowing you came to terms with it all on your own. Which is why I can trust your opinion on this. Read it, then tell me what you think," I say to him, handing over the sheets of paper I had in hand.
Azrael accepts the papers and quickly browses through 400 pages in just a few seconds. "Master, this book is equivalent to my journey around the world and more. From what I have just seen, humans may not be ready to read this," Azrael says with concern.
"Good, I'm counting on it. A book this diverse is sure to arouse conflicts of opinions. Not only with other individuals, but also within themselves. Differences in opinions stir up debates.
I do not care what they believe, in the end, this is strictly for the profit," I say to Azrael.
"In that case, might I advice to delve deeper into the subject of love," Azrael suggested.
"Oh! What do you have in mind?" I ask Azrel. "The love that humanity practices is ultimately self-seeking. Love in its purest, original form is sacrifice. It is being genuinely ready to give your whole to another. It is difficult to even comprehend there being a human capable of this.
Despite these facts, most humans could never accept the reality of their self-seeking nature. Never taking to account that none of them could ever allegedly love without some sort of gain in return. I think this should be the very core of the message in this book," Azrael explained.
"Hmm, you're definitely onto something. Humans can never do anything if there is no gain from it. Be it material possesion or something as simple as a reaction," I say out loud.
We go inside then began to discuss the new changes to be made in the book. Without realizing, 2 hours had passed with us just exchanging views and ideas. In just 5 minutes, all the necessary changes to the book were made.
"Okay, this should be it. Good job Azrael!" I say out loud feeling satisfied by his work ethic.
I then signaled to the tailed Lilith to open a gateway to New York.
"Wait for me here. This took longer than expected and I had some business to take care of that required my immediate attention," I added then quickly walked through the gateway alongside the tailed Lilith.
We then appeared in Midtown Manhattan, right in front of 450 Park Avenue. I masked my presence as people would get shocked seeing someone appear out of thin air.
'Mother had rented the top 3 floors, of the building before me, for her company. The top floor being my destination,' I think to myself as I approached the building.
I walked into the building alongside the tailed Lilith and head straight for the elevator, where I finally revealed my presence. I got to the top floor and found a busy office space with people walking left and right, each having a task of their own to do.
I move around the floor and spot a dashing brunette inside an office, giving instructions to multiple people at the same time. I recognized the brunette to be Anna, the person I was here to see.
I stepped into her office and all eyes in the room turned to me. "Busy as always," I say as the door closes behind me. "Who- who are you?" She asks looking me up and down with interest, but also as though I don't belong in here.
"Anna, has it really been that long that you do not recognize me anymore? Did mother not inform you I will be coming soon?" I say amused by her confused state.
"Gray? Is that really you?" She said refusing to believe it. Anna and I always had a good relationship as far as I was concerned. Whenever I needed a pet, back when we still lived in NY, it was her that would gift one to me each time. Despite my parent's dissaproval, she still got me some.
She truly helped me through my cravings throughout high school. I guess I'm grateful to her, even though she only did it to get on my good side.
Anna is a critical thinker that always seemed to live 10 years ahead of everyone around her. She knew that me being the only child, I would eventually inherit my mother's fortune. All in all, she made a good investment.
"The one and only," I answer her with a smile. "Give us a moment," she said to the rest of the people in the room. They all immediately got up and left the room, each giving me a look of disapproval on their way out.
"Gray, you have grown so much. I almost didn't recognize you! Exactly how old are you now?" She said using her fingers to remove the few strands of hair from her face.
"That's not really important right now. I can't stay for long. I only came to give you this," I tell her as I placed the sheets of paper on top of the table. "One more thing, I need access to all of my mother's bank accounts and you to create another account for me personally to keep the profits of this book," I said in a serious tone.
"Grayson, I can't just do that without your mother present. There are procedures we need to go through. Your book hasn't even gone through our editors yet. I don't know if it will even be approved for publishing," she said shocked by my request.
"Anna, I understand your worry, but that book will be published whether your editors approve of it or not. My mother will not be available for a long time as she has gone on a retreat with my father to an unknown location.
I do not know when they will be back. I believe you were informed to provide me with anything I need. I need those accounts, so make it happen," I say to her then turn around to face the door. "Also, get me a phone," I added feeling slightly embarassed.
"But...," she tried to say, but was then rendered speechless as she didn't know what to address first. "I bid you a good day. It was nice seeing you again Anna, you look quite ravishing," I say to her then walk out of the office.