Xylon had lived as a demon for over five centuries, and in all that time, the concept of an afterlife had never crossed his mind. As an immortal being, the idea of what came after death had never been a pressing concern.
The subject had never been discussed openly among his horde or race. In fact, it was treated like a myth or a fairy tale, with little to no significance to their way of existence.
Despite hearing stories about the afterlife, it was something Xylon had never taken seriously. It had never occurred to him to explore the topic or even imagine that such a place could exist.
His mind was always preoccupied with the present, living each day to the fullest without giving much thought to the unknown that awaited him beyond death.
But now, as Akuna spoke about the abyss of demon souls, a place where demons went after they died, Xylon was stunned. He found himself staring at her in disbelief, trying to make sense of what she was saying.
For a demon who had lived for so long, it was a humbling reminder of the things he had never bothered to explore. The realization that there might be an afterlife waiting for him, a place that he had never even imagined, left him feeling overwhelmed and lost.
Now, as he stood before the closed gate that led to the Abyss, he couldn't help but feel stunned at the reality of it all. "Do you mean that this place existed for real?" he asked, his eyes fixed on the gate in front of him.
Akuna's response was tinged with sarcasm as she replied, "Yes, but you demons always think that you live forever."
Xylon couldn't help but chuckle at her words, his towering frame causing her to raise her chin to meet his gaze. "And I could see it, why? I have no key, and I am sure that a soft being like you would never be the key for such a horrifying place," he teased.
Akuna sighed and muttered, "This place always existed around the farm. They always coexisted." She paused for a moment before continuing, "Xylon, do you think that we are surrounded by desert randomly? No, of course not.
The farm is too powerful. It sucks life out of all the places around it, turning them into a desert. The divine realm did such a thing when the war started and the human race was about to vanish.
It is for one reason only: to stop demons from reincarnating and to help you do exactly that."
Xylon was not particularly surprised to learn that the divine realm had allied themselves with the human race against the demons.
It had always been this way, even before the demons launched their massive attack on the humans.
The divine realm had always warned and prophesied about the demons, even when they were unable to cross the boundary between their realm and the human lands.
It was as if they knew that someday the demons would become a threat, and they were preparing the humans for that day.
Akuna approached Xylon cautiously, her eyes scanning his face for any sign of danger or mischief. "Master, what wakes you up at this late hour of the night?" she asked, her voice low and steady.
Xylon's gaze was fixed on the fields, and for a moment, he didn't answer. He seemed lost in thought, lost in the vast expanse of darkness that stretched out before him. Then, suddenly, a wicked grin spread across his face, and he turned to face Akuna.
"Here me out, Akuna!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the barren landscape.
Akuna took a step back, her heart racing with a mixture of fear and excitement. She had learned long ago that when Xylon got an idea in his head, things tended to get scary.
"What?" she asked, her eyes locked on his face.
"I have a great idea," Xylon said, his grin widening. "An idea that will change everything."
Xylon's wicked smile widened as he spoke confidently, "I will do what they wanted me to do, Akuna. I will ensure the reincarnation of the human race." His words left Akuna taken aback, her doubts and fears rising to the surface.
She bit her lower lip, knowing all too well that Xylon's actions could never benefit the humans. She couldn't hide the skepticism in her voice as she responded, "The last time you went to the Celestial Garden, you terminated the life of a few souls. I am not convinced with what you are saying, Xylon. You are not making any sense."
Xylon's expression stayed the same as he heard her words, his determination remained firm. "This time, things are different".
Akuna could sense that Xylon was hiding something from her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that he was up to no good. She tried to press him for more information, but he simply brushed her off and strode confidently towards the fields.
As he went, he muttered to himself with a wild excitement that she had never seen before.
Despite her unease, Akuna couldn't help but be intrigued by Xylon's behavior. She knew that he was a powerful demon with centuries of experience, and she couldn't imagine what kind of plan could get him so worked up.
As Xylon disappeared into the darkness, Akuna was left standing by the gate, her mind racing with questions and concerns. She wondered if she should follow him, or if it was better to wait and see what he was up to.
Either way, she knew that something big was about to happen, and she was determined to be ready for whatever was to come.
Xylon's eyes glimmered with an otherworldly excitement, a wicked grin forming on his lips as he impatiently waited for Akuna to approach.
He could feel the power emanating from the celestial garden, and he was eager to unleash its potential. "You better come here, bitch," he bellowed, his voice echoing throughout the barren wasteland. "Open this damned garden for me. I have souls to guide to life, a very promising life!"
Akuna hesitated, her instincts warning her that something was amiss. "Are you planning to hurt them again?" she asked warily from a safe distance, eyeing Xylon with a mixture of suspicion and concern.
Xylon rolled his eyes, dismissing her doubts with a flick of his wrist. "Oh, don't be so paranoid," he scoffed, striding confidently towards the gate. "Let's guide these beautiful babies to this place." He spoke the words with such reverence and tenderness that Akuna couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear.
As Xylon approached the gate, his eyes flashed with a demonic light, and his aura pulsed with an otherworldly energy. Akuna watched nervously as he reached out to kiss her lips very fast with a wicked smile on his face .
To her surprise, however, the gate swung open effortlessly, revealing a blindingly bright light beyond.
Xylon stepped forward confidently, beckoning for Akuna to follow. "Don't be afraid," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the roar of energy emanating from the garden. "Trust me, Akuna. This is going to be epic."