"That's me!" The words resonated in the empty space and in Parish's mind too. And it indeed made sense. That explained why this fruit looked so different compared to the others. Although some fruits on the tree were entirely different from the rest.
And come to think of it, this fruit resembled an almost dead one. Did that mean Azazel was going to die anytime soon? Parish took a closer look and saw that the fruit was hanging loosely that it could fall anytime. And what about the other fruits? They were so many. Parish had thought that the gods were few but this...
"Exactly how many are... you?" He had wanted to say we but chose you instead.
"Many," Azazel simply replied. His gaze shifted to the fruit that represented him and it now dawned fully on him. His time was close to near, he could feel it. Oh, how he wished he had more time to talk with the lad. There was so much that Parish needed to know, but time was a disadvantage here. Azazel let out a silent sigh as he breathed in the fresh air from the tree.
"Do you all know each other?" Parish was dying with curiosity. Well, he needed to know everything before he could assume his new role.
"Yes we do but not every god likes socializing. Some of us lives among humans or other creatures in the planet." Azazel shifted his gaze considering whether to tell Parish this. In the end he opted to spit it out.
"I have some gods who are my friends though," he said, shifting his gaze now back to the tree. "Goddess Assura is one of my close acquaintances in the gods realm."
Parish was dumbfound. Did he just say goddess Assura? Rumor had it that she was the most beautiful goddess that ever existed. He would die again if it meant he would lay his eyes on the femme fetale.
"She's just but a goddess, just like you'll be a god," Azazel said with rolled eyes. But he also had to admit to Parish's thoughts as well. Goddess Assura was the most beautiful woman he'd ever met his entire life. Still, he had his boundaries.
"Uh? Well...," Parish ended up scratching his back. But one thing was for sure; he yearned to see the goddess.
"God Kian and goddess Axia are also my friends but we rarely cross paths nowadays since they migrated to the planet. They only come here occasionally."
"What do you mean by... here?" Parish was equally curious. If what he was thinking was right, then goddess Assura would pay a visit, right? He would stay here, even for ages, just to have a glimpse of her.
"I mean heaven. That's where gods and goddesses meet mostly. After I pass on and you receive my power, your presence will be required in heaven for justification. Many gods and goddesses will attend it and welcome you, if the Almighty One finds you worthy," Azazel added, stressing the last part. This made parish crease his brows, unanswered questions running through his mind.
" What if the Almighty One finds me unworthy? " Fear crept in his heart when he imagined being stripped off his powers and now dying for good. Would that really be the end of him?
"It has never happened before. We, the gods, usually make the right decisions, guided by the Almighty's will. I'm sure he'll definitely take you in," Azazel answered on a positive note, though Parish wasn't that content with it.
Azazel coughed catching Parish's attention.His head whipped to the direction of where Azazel was standing.
"Are you alright?" He asked walking closer to where Azazel stood. He however held his hand in a stop gesture, the other hand holding his mouth as he coughed more.
"I guess I'm okay now," he said wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. But what he saw when he lifted his face made his whole being stiffen. Parish, who was looking at him closely now, was confused by the look on his face right now. He followed his line of sight and saw the fruit on the ground, the light in it dimming out slowly but gradually.
"It's time," Azazel said, his gaze never leaving the fruit on the ground. Parish simply nodded. He couldn't understand how Azazel was able to maintain his cool despite knowing what would befall him. It also made him somehow scared. Knowing when you'll die was not a thing everyone would be happy about, especially if it would be soon. No one liked to the the truth of the unknown.
Parish just watched Azazel silently wondering what would happen next. He had earlier told him that he would just dissipate into thin air. But this was happening so soon.
"I've waited for this day for such a long," Azazel began. "I can't explain how relieved I am to have you here Parish." He placed his hand heavily on Parish's shoulder, squeezing it a little.
"Good luck!" Parish didn't know why but his heart began racing erratically as a train of unanswered questions lined up in his mind. Was he ready even? He had thought that he would be ready to be a god but seems he was dead wrong! Why did it feel like he wasn't even an ounce ready.
Azazel read his thoughts and a wry smile formed on his face. And yes it was true. Parish had so much to learn. Oh how he wished he had more time to explain everything to him. Unfortunately,there was none.
"You'll learn as you progress. I'm sorry I never told you…" before he could finish that sentence, his form broke into smaller particles of light dissipating into the air.
Parish shaded his eyes to avoid the blinding light. But he was equally curious as to what Azazel wanted to say. But why would he say that now?
"Hey, what did you want to tell me?" He asked, all the while avoiding the blinding light.
"I'm sorry Parish…" A distant voice called before the blinding light became non extinct, casting a final glow on the place. Parish shielded his eyes all the while, until everything returned to normal.