it had been just over five hours, and the sun was at the point of setting. Mason sat up from his bed and looked dazed. a pounding headache stabbed at his mind as he soon saw a glass of water gently held in front of him.
"Sir... have this..." the maid said as it was Elli again.
"Elli..." Taking the glass, he drank it slowly and let her take it back as he finished. "Thank you... where are the others? what did I miss?" he knew he was out cold, and when he lifted the blanket to slip out, he then looked to her as he stood up only to realize he was undressed down to just baggy pants. he was changed. "Don't tell me you changed me?" he said concerned for her.
"No, in fact, it was the mistresses... they figuered you would want to rest after the fight you had... and if you don't mind me asking, will you be alright getting out of bed?" she looked at him in the eyes so calmly and asked softly. compared to what others felt, she was queit calm and relaxed.
"Yeah, I'll be fine... don't you worry... you worked as it is, get some rest, and take time off, alright..." he told her, as she couldn't help but see this poor girl as his own daughter for a little moment. and out of habit, pat her on her head. this made her flushed, scared she would be harmed, but when she felt comfort and his gentle touch and praise, that feeling was changed. and this made her happy.
"Alright, I will... but after I tell you what the mistresses said..." she said, gently taking his hand off her head, and just soft smiled with a little red on her cheeks.
"All right, what did they say...?"
"they wanted me to check if you were really OUR master. I'm not sure why they need to ask... but they also said, "When you passed out, another guest arrived... and apparently wanted to speak with you. they are in the other room now, actually, sir... and that's all I think..." she said, now gently tidying up the room.
"I see... alright... I'll get to it then..." Mason hated it. hated this. he just woken up and had to bear being a king. he took a glance at the empty bed and then to the door. there was no queen to calm his temper. to calm his mind and soul. subconsciously, Mason knew he was a bomb. he a mix of bottled emotions from not just his own but the immense anger and emotions from the other gods that refuse to give up their souls. and now, the very devil who commands all the evil in this world was dwelling within him as well.
He left the bedroom after just grabbing something to wear, and left like he was going towards the other room to meet with everyone, soon he heard a voice unfamiliar to him and there was a bit of bickering, but it seemed to be about wine and booze. it got Mason wishing he had some and for the first time. felt his stomach actually roar from hunger. after this little meet, he was going to have to eat. no more was holding back a good thing.
the doors were soon open, and Mason was greeted by a drunk Rebecca and the new stranger in town as they both called for him in sync.
"Master!" Rebecca held onto his shoulder and with Pride holding onto his ass, literally grabbing herself onto him.
"Just what the fuck am I seeing...? I came because someone wanted to talk with me..." he said sternly, as they both then stood up fir themselves. with Rebecca looking at pride. "this dragon... claims your the devil himself and wants to take you with her... ! say no...!" she pleaded almost sounding immature in her state and pride them looked to Mason.
"I'm Pride. the sin and its also my name Master, I hope you haven't forgotten... yes, I want to take our lord back to the country of demons... we are eager to see you again" she said, sounding sober.
"I'm not going anywhere..." he replied to her, with Rebecca cheerfully clinging to him now, and pride angered.
"I really hoped not to provoke you sir..." she said, before then swiftly grabbing to Jessica who was quickly having tea. taking her into her arms and held her nails to her neck.
Mason, even faster, grabbed onto pride's neck and slowly tightened his grip. "I am very hungry... I wouldn't mind gutting a dragon... let her go... my hand just might get tight..."
Jessica. calmly looked to Mason, and felt pride's arms release her.
"You eat a dragon?... I'm half human as well! and you're fighting against Satan... you no Mortal, are you...?" she slowly got out and felt her neck released.
Mason grabbed onto both of his girls and held them behind him. and this small action flattered them both sobering up Rebecca as well.
"I'll hear you out... now that you've had the hospitality of my people... and I'll let this go... but it'll be the only attempt I'll let go... do you understand... Pride, " he announced to her, holding the presence of both a king and the devil to her.
she looked in awe for a moment and was very confused. but out of instinct. she got down, bowing. "understood master..."
"You two leave... I'm sure Liz is in need of something or that little maid, Elli.. I'll be with her, " he told them, as they both quietly agreed.
shutting the door, Mason then looked back to her.
"Pride. just what do you want from me..?"
"I've already told you... to bring you back with us in the domain of hell..." she got up and sat down.
"I already declined... so why not leave? "
"Not until the Devil is back to occupying your body..." she told him.
"tch... what a fucking headache this is gonna be won't it.." he sighed and went to sit down.
"it's my sin, I take pride far to much in my actions... and I'll see to it that it's carried out. should someone give up there pride before me, I will have to kill them..."
"You can try with me... but it might be your life ill take" he told her.
and pride stared at his magical power. "I can see that... no one else could... beside selecting heroes... dumb gods, and my master. I'm honored that you could threaten me..."
"Form a pack with me..." Mason said, and this stirred her.
"That's an awful big request..."
"You protect my town... my people... every last one... and if he shows up again and in control, you are more than welcome to take him... do we have a deal."
"Hmm... what if in the event he chooses to kill all you care about...? you're asking me to give up my life. "
"You're not so stupid after all..." Mason chuckled and nodded. "Yup... to make this deal all the harder... how about I take my hand and rip open my chest and heart... I willing forfeit my life... what would happen to you and him?"
"Hey! You wouldn't! that isn't fair?"
"My life hasn't exactly been fair... and just confirm for you..." Mason soon grabbed onto his chest, every single one of his fingers dug into his flesh. "I mean it... I've got nothing to lose here... I practically don't feel my emotions anymore... I can only feel so angry for so long... it drives me mad...!" he told her as his own grip tightened and began to bleed in plenty.
she was in shock. she stared at him in eyes as he eyes, and saw a story, one she couldn't understand or see. "Wait, the people you'll abandon! what about them!" She had a tough choice to make, not giving much of a fair choice or time to even think of how to make it in her favor.
he pushed his fingers, further bleeding from his mouth. "Agree now!" he yelled at her. not giving her much of a choice anymore.
"You're insane! fine... I agree!" she got up yelling and then fell on her knees.
Mason slowly removed his hand and fingers. "bout. time..." he said, sighing.
"Just to be clear... I don't work for you... I'm not an errand girl... I'm just a protector for now! got it, you freak!" she stared with malice.
"Easy girl... I can just kill you and go on as I please..." he stood up. "were done here... we'll talk later..." he held onto his chest and couldn't help but just sit back down. "tch... dammit...!" he wasn't going anywhere, as he was in pain and just wanted to recover.
"For all that power... you sure can't even heal yourself...?"
"it's not my choice... I have gods also harboring my body... it's also likely your Satan is blocking any magic that cures or heals me... who knows, he might find a way out on his own..." he confessed and sat back.
"Why did you go so far? what go straight into suicide?!" she asked, walking up and sitting beside him, healing his wound.
"Because what other choice did I have...? you could have easily gone and attacked my people, you could done everything in your power to make me go mad... but I possessed something you want... so... I put my life on the line to spare my people and the trouble of another fight."
"You weren't going to go through with it, right? only a bluff?" she asked, sounding concerned, but she also can't help but feel angry. "Who tosses their life away so casually?"
"Of course I was going too... I lived a life of brutality like no other... and now burdered with the responsibility of others... I don't have my freedom anymore... God's want me to hand over my body, and now this Devil. I also have family to find... but i can't do anything... nothing even, I'm just powerless. and it's a matter of time before I lose myself... Is this life worth living when I have no choice anymore? I was brought here again my will, I lost my family, I'm in debt to selfish gods... and that all together is without the fact I was once a human... in another world, I was just a weapon for people to profit for... I was a tool... and I lost my life there too and felt the same, just a tool... it's as if this world and every other one is working against me... so, of course... I meant it. I was ready to take my own life... I have all this power... but it more like I'm just trapped by it..."
she listened and grew silent. she finished healing him. and stood up. "With your permission. I'd like to visit the castle of the devil, and then come back to do your bidding..." she took in everything he said, and now how to decide for herself on what to make of him.
"Just as long as you remember our deal... you can do anything you wish... but the moment I call you best answer, " he told her, and with that, she left. Mason sat alone and tired. "fuck I'm hungry." he sighed and then got up.
it wasn't until he got out the door, that he began to go outside. he took the time to think and wonder what his life was worth. after saying what he did outloud, he had to understand a reason to life. something to really hold onto. something, to drive him to keep going.
he wasn't yet aware if he family is alive, but he did think of what he heard, when the devil first appeared in his mind. the words of his daughters and his wife calling for him. and asking for help. 'were they real?' he wondered as this made his heart truly start beating. he never once believed in something like faith. like, hope, or luck. so this sign, the voices he heard that kept him together. there surely must have been real to him.
he was soon outside, and began to go out on a hunt. he was planning to catch his own food. In a way, for him, it was going back to the basics. he left unnoticed, and began to head in the direction of Liz's old home was in the forest. since there was a lot of free space, he got the chance to experiment with magic, bending fire and water, all the natural elements even types of magic complicated as lighting, light and dark. he even messed with space when he reached for a portal he made only to see his arm a few feet away. he was amazed at his power, it was the first time he got to play with the laws of the world. magic was something still new to him. so he created a bow, it was water clear and clean, then an arrow of condensed wind. as effective as the two things made turned out to be. greeting him a few rabbits. he then thinking of more modern weapons, modern tools and lethal gear that would give his side, his kingdom firepower to resist enemy invasions easily. he had plenty of iron around. he could reforge the gear himself, but it'd take him time. he was alone in the foods, eating cooked rabbit and had all the time he wanted to use his imagination. magic, weapons and tool all of it was being thought of.
it seemed the thought of conflict, and the reminder he realized when he spoke to Pride, that he had no control over himself, made him start to wonder what things meant to him. if he had gone through with his choice, he'd never see his family, the people here would be in danger and subjugated again to torment no one should endure.
'just what is your purpose I wonder...' a voice spoke to him.
"not now... just leave me be..." he told himself. not wishing for another headache.
'you know very well we cannot just stay still and remain idle... you've been at the brink of death so many times over... it makes us... God's who rule over the underworld, think hard about who is really ruling...' hades spoke with him one on one.
"leave me... please... this momemt of peace I had... I want to hold onto a while longer..." he stopped eating, and spoke with hades.
'I do apologize for my sudden appearance... I just wish to talk with you but a moment...' he asked and queit politely.
"I don't have a choice..." Mason submitted.
'I won't lecture you, I won't belittle you... you've endured so much as it is... I just want to ask you Mason... why do you really choose to give up on your life so easily... among all life, it's value is priceless among gold to humans, as food to others... as promising as tomorrow, yet your ready to die at any moment...' he wondered, why this strong man, who he now shared a soul with, was so weak.
"you, and all the other gods dancing in my soul and mind have seen my memories... I don't have a choice. I was raised to value money, to help others who isn't myself so they could have it all... I was just trained to be a tool... I have no real will... after being alive for over 40 years and more in that old world... I never could make a decision for myself. it has, and always have been to benefit others but myself. I don't have freedom.. I don't have anything tying me to my life. to this world. nothing matters as much to me as the family i had. and that has been robbed from me. I don't know what to do or feel other than anger. I never felt like this before." he quietly spoke with him. only to realize in that brief moment, it wasn't just ant God he was speaking with. but an old mentor.
hades, then responded. "You're still the same boy I found in that ally, jumped and beaten by that rival gang... aye..." Even though in this world he was known as Hades.
Mason soon looked to him face to face in his mind. he was shaken up. "You're here?! of all places?! why!" he was confused.
"A lot has happened... when I was killed and met with God, I was then brought here, many many centuries past... and i guided a lot of poor souls through the gates of the underworld and helped them into redemption... and it seems that the boy I left behind is one last soul I must help before I truly move on. "
Mason, who thought there wouldn't be any hope left for him in this world. he saw the one man who kept him going. who cared for him. only he knew, he couldn't hold him, couldn't save him even now, for he was dead and in his mind. "You were brought here... far earlier than anyone have you?" Knowing this, he could only imagine the worse.
"Yes... and before you ask... I have no history or ever met with your family... in my time alive... I'm sorry, I'm no help there... but I am glad to know you still value them so dearly, my boy..." he smiled softly.
"i see... and yes, how couldn't I, they were my own family, my own people to value more than anything else... yet I let them down... they violated them in front of me, Beaten and killed... until I was left alone... and then killed... it was. a nightmare..." he said, shaking at the thought.
"I'm sorry to hear that, son... truly... they were wonderful girls... I still remember meeting your family... I may not have kids of my own back in my life, but I'm damn glad to have found you and your wife... and when you decide to have kids, I was overjoyed to have been there with you all..." he reminisced of the better times.
"Yeah.. Yeah... I know you did... your old cop friend... your partner told me you kept a photo of us..." Mason softly smiled. genuinely for the first time.
"Yeah... gave me a reason to keep pushing to the very end... listen. Mason, no one blames you for what happened. no one is going to. you need to let go of that old world... it's not yours to worry about anymore, everything you were taught by that gang, the men who killed us... forget them, this is your new world now, Son. have fun with it. live for once, for your own sake. for your future. for keeping order."
Mason wanted to protest, but he knew this man. he had good reasons and words. "I don't think I can... do I really deserve to go on? when even if you say it is not my fault, it is my very existence that we are dead, that we are even here suffering... my family and you. it's all been because of my actions... I'm the cause for all this, and you're telling me it's okay to live for my own sake?"
'Yes... it's alright now. you're not some weak boy anymore. you're not an emotionless human who feels nothing... your Mason. you're the boy who pushed for a life away from the underground fights and gangs... you deserve this. don't let anyone take this new world and life from you. it is meant to be yours now. there are no other gods who can contest you... not like the one who watched our old one... just the ones here's that proclaimed to be, ones like myself. you can be so much more here' hades went on.
Mason wasn't sure what to say, but he understood. he listened to him. and every word was remembered deep within his heart and soul.
'No more I can't... no more depressing words... and son, just remember how much I care about you... and not just me. but your girls. and those friends you made... well, i think your attitude can change... but you get what I mean,' he chuckled
Mason sighed, letting out a breath of held back emotions and looking at him. "I'll do my best... to live up to your expectations..."
'No... None of that... haha, you're still as stubborn or rather... selfless...' he smiled. 'live to be someone your kids can be proud of... to be someone anyone can follow... even if it means you need to fight with the dark and against the light... be who you can be proud of... your free Mason. no more will you be held back. it's not like anyone could... so live. be selfish for once.' he slowly began to fade away.
"Wait... no... don't accept the deal...!" Mason pleaded.
'I'll only hold you back if I stay here any longer... don't worry, I'll be watching you... and your family, your kingdom... make it something incredible... so please, watch over the helpless souls who get caught up this war of yours, it may not be something you want, but like I'm sure you realize, it can't be ignored or helped that one is stirring... and before we part one final time. you have to remain vigilant and also very aware of who you're dealing with...'
"What exactly do you mean?" he asked since his tone changed.
'he's in this world now, too... the man, who killed us. back on our old one. he now rules over the human race... and not just him... but the king who is beside him... I've only ever met them once, and it took a toll on the earth centuries ago... I'm not sure what he goes by now or who is in his circle this time... but I can tell you... he's been giving some sort of power, not of gods or monsters... It could be far more sinister... something made from man itself even... you know how persistent humans can be first hand... that's my only warning, but now to give you some lighthearted news... the Demon dog of hell... summon him... he's quite playful and can help you. maybe other gods will lend you their families, but I can't guarantee it... take care, Mason. bring your family back safety with his last wishes, last advice, and final parting gift to him. Mason stood silent.
in a way, he made peace with a part of his past that he couldn't think would ever be reached. but it was still shaking Mason up. the man who killed him, the man who caused him so much pain and left a scar within him, was alive and corrupting this world, not just that. but it seems he's been giving power over the dead and not just that, but an ally.
"I'll be sure to make you proud..." Mason said to himself. and sighed out, holding back his emotions again. he slowly ate once again, and it had been a few hours since Mason. left his estate.
"Rebecca, have you seen Mason around at all?" asked Liz as she met with Jessica, who was in the same room.
"Not once since I left him. What's the problem..." she replied.
"Nothing, but I'm kinda worried. after you two finished helping me, I was planning on having a talk with him about crops and food, but it's as if he vanished... did that dragon do something to him?"
Jessica chuckled. "As if she could alone... relax, I'm sure he's fine... we don't need to watch over him. He's a grown man..."
"Yeah, Jess is right, Liz. He'll turn up sooner or later... in themeantime, why don't we help out with this problem of yours... we can exactly have him do it all alone, you know... we're not just pretty girls at his beck and call... we can be far more useful. " she cheered and smiled softly.
Jessica nodded and smiled. "I'm just about done with this, so I'm up for helping..."
Liz went up behind Jessica and held her, peaking over as she was smiling herself. she wasn't alone in some forest anymore. She had people to talk and work with. "Alright, for sure! Mason would definitely be proud of us being so capable, and what are you working on?"
Jessica smiled softly, being hugged from behind by her friend and looking at her hands, which were covering some sheets. "I was just working on a protective spell... or rather a barrier, I wanted Rebecca's input on it since she has plenty of experience fighting and defending the realm of the gods"
"I think it's pretty good, we just need Mason to help funnel magic into it if we were want it to be effective..." Rebecca added, and soon elli would be heard barging into their room in a bit of panic.
"My ladies! we have an issue... there's... a big scary hound outside!" she said flustered and panicked.
"Rebecca, go check it out... Liz gets her and the others to safety..." Liz ordered swiftly.
"Wait!" elli added. "It's not aggressive... it's not hostile... I just thought you'd all like to know! and tell our master... where is he? he could be of use to him?"
"Ah... huh..." Jessica was surprised a bit, by her, she was able to decide for herself and from how quiet it was, calmed also the other people. there was no actual panicking going around.
"Let's all go see..." Rebecca suggested.
and in unison. "Yeah..." they agreed. and all went outside. they saw and three headed hell hound with the tail of a serpant as it stood over the people. and didn't move.
"Why isn't it attacking... and just who summoned it...?" asked liz.
and Jessica soon answered. "This is hades' pet... but I watched him die... how are you able to pass over to the realm of man?" she asked, no longer scared, and soon they heard Mason.
"Because I'm the one who summoned him... it was a gift..." Mason had a soft smile as he got done from its back and rubbed his palm along his hot, charred and flamed fur. "Isn't this cool?" he asked, as they couldn't help but just be lost.
"This... is getting out of hand..." said Liz. "we don't have the space or food source to feed him properly, Mason." she said, sounding like a mother scolding their child. "How and when did you get this summon?"
Mason softly chuckled and smiled even. "it was a gift from hades... turns out, he was someone I looked up a lot in my old world... and he happened to be reincarnated a time far earlier than me..." he explained the short version of his talk. "however... he also told me some serious news... this one conversation is one i want that dragon Pride to be a part of when she gets back, so please be patient before I share anything. what I can tell you... is that there will be a war. one that might very change the very course of this world as you know it... will you all be a part of it with me?" he asked each one of them. and of course, the question for the people who were around listening.
this was a serious question. but the three of them nodded with no hesitation after taking glances to one another. "Of course we will!"
"Count my ass, I've been wanting to get into some interesting trouble," said Rebecca.
elli stepped up speaking for the others. "You saved us from our fate of being just tools and toys... so, of course, we'll stay by your side. till the end, we have no doubt you'll make this world better master. " she smiled so cute for everyone.
Mason looked at Elli. and saw two images of her. one of her gloom, bruises, and emotionless shy self before they met. to now this much healthy image of her. her smile far more genuine and kind even after all she's been through.
"That's just lovely then..." he had people now to back him. he had companions to rely on and, importantly, had a goal for himself. to kill the bastered responsible for his death and to find his family.
"I will be honest with you, this war is a selfish one..." he said. since it was just his intentions leading him. he wanted to do what he wanted.
and Jessica spoke up. "Don't worry... a king is meant to be selfish. it's only when a king is negligent that he fails as one... you won't, will you?" she walked up to him and looked up, grabbing his hands.
"Of course I won't... I'll take care of everyone here... for I am king. " A declamation was made before all of them. and a path was set and put clear for Mason. his mind, no longer felt as clouded. and he had a way to see through it. with the help of his people and friends. the world was going to change. It could be for the better or the worst. but not even Mason could predict what the future held for him. or what he would witness.