Episode(11): Birth of the Sovereign
SOVEREIGN OF DEATH~(11)
In the void~
Darkness devoured the essence of light. Nothing but the faint flickering lights akin to stars in the universe could be seen.
From afar these lights were like stars, however they were all souls. Souls of the dead from all over the multiverse that had ceased existing in the world of the living.
Even if you had all the time in the world there was doubt the number of souls could actually be counted. There were just too many.
All the souls floated aimlessly and without purpose in the void devoid of all sound.
As they lost their vessels, to exist in soul form the souls had to be stripped of their consciousness. If not then they would just continue living in soul form until their soul energy dissipated and they would completely cease to exist.
The main use of the physical body was the house the soul so the energy would leak out and the soul would be fine. But because of the raw energy of the soul their bodies would deteriorate over time and they would return to this place and over a period of time gain new lives again.
This was the cycle of life and death. Though many could escape this cycle by elevating their level of existence, most were trapped in this endless cycle of death and rebirth.
That was the case for many of these souls. Some of them died unnatural deaths by drowning, fire, gang fights. For those from fantasy and martial arts world they died either by some monster chowing down on their flesh or by some gruesome method if they couldn't get to a higher realm before they died.
Either way, this was like a repository for mortal souls when they died.
Here, in this place devoid of all life, a soul slowly opened its eyes. Its eye lids twitched slightly and it struggled to open its eyes at first but at last it had managed to regain consciousness.
Upon closer look, one could see the soul had an otherworldly appearance that barely anyone could compare to at all. His light silver blue eyelashes and golden pupils shone brightly even though these features were a bit faint and blurry due to being in soul form.
Right, it was Nagisa. Nagisa who had just died, by some miracle regain consciousness as a soul. This was an unprecedented accident that never should have happened and only happened once before in the history of the entire creations of the vast dimensions and cosmos.
Granted, he would still die if he stayed conscious but the fact that he regained consciousness meant his potential was extremely high and second to only one in the universe.
But Nagisa didn't know this fact at all.
'Huh?....W-Where am I?'
Nagisa squinted as he thought back. The recollection of the wolf and his suicide came to mind and he realized that he was dead. The stream of memories burst through like a dam making his mind hazy for a moment but when he regained his wits he was confused and wore a strange expression.
'I'm…..dead?'
Just saying the words made Nagisa cringe. The corner of his lips twitched uncontrollably as he realized he was just some old ghost. He panicked inwardly thinking he'd become some house ghost like j*sper but the panic faded as soon as it came.
Seeing the space where was, although he didn't fully understand he immediately came up with a thought. This was the place where souls ended up after death.
He sighed.
The reality that he really had died kicked in making him disoriented but after a moment he quickly stabilized himself. It wasn't easy to get used to death but knowing the truth made it easier to accept.
At least he wasn't like those ghost that were stuck on 'regrets' unable to move on from the physical world. He couldn't imagine seeing someone eat chicken before him and being unable to take a bite himself.
He'd probably form a grudge against that person and become an evil spirit haunting them to death.
'Ehem…'
He coughed waving away the stupid thoughts. Rather than worrying about not being able to eat, Nagisa was concerned about something else.
'Why am I the only one awake?'
Nagisa flew around to check and even after checking for over a thousand souls, no matter where all of them were still sleeping soundly. No, they weren't a sleep but rather it felt like they had no consciousness at all.
'It's as if they're empty shells'
Nagisa began to wonder if they lost their state of being and consciousness after death. But that was strange. Why would he be the only exception?
He thought about it long and hard? Aside from the fact that he trained his martial arts from a young age there wasn't much special about him at all. Maybe there was something he missed?
But even after thinking about it several times Nagisa couldn't recall anything supernatural in his life at all.
!!
'Could it be…the start of my journey of a protagonist!?'
The thought popped up and Nagisa was excited. But after a while he couldn't help but laugh. He almost keeled over as he laughed at how childish his thoughts were and if he weren't in soul form his body might have died from loss of oxygen thanks to all his laughing.
But well, it was nice to dream. Now that he was dead and in such a quiet place Nagisa thought it was fine to let his delusions take over.
However Nagisa didn't know. A soul that gained consciousness without a vessel would constantly lose energy every moment they stay awake and move around. By now his body had already become so faint that he was transparent.
Nagisa realized the phenomenon and began to panic.
'What the-whats going on?'
Nagisa was stunned and could feel his consciousness slipping. It felt the same as it did when he was dying but this time Nagisa felt an instinct that said if he allowed himself to slip this time he would be done for good.
But Nagisa had no control over the current situation and before he could complain. His soul lost consciousness and he flickered in and out of consciousness before finally tapping out.
Now his soul was so fragile that a small wind might turn him into light particles. Although the leakage of his soul stopped thanks to him losing consciousness, he lost too much energy and would soon dissipate completely.
***
6 years old-
Kanata Nagisa was a cute boy. At the time he had just barely recovered from his father leaving him behind and disappearing. It had already been two years but the fact still played on his mind albeit it not as much now that so much time had passed.
Nagisa was undergoing strict training as the heir to the Kanata family. Having come from a relatively common background and experienced fun with his childhood friend, he was reluctant to be stuck in some dojo with his old grandfather every single day.
But no matter what he did, even if he were to act like he was on the verge of death his gramps would never go easy on him. Be it night or day, sunny or raining Nagisa had to endure the pain of training harshly.
He desperately wanted to tell the old geezer where to go with his training, but he was too afraid because his grandfather never shied away from beating him senseless. So he kept his mouth shut.
His only solace at the time was his maid, Maya.
She was half Japanese and half European with blonde hair and a nice face. Although she wasn't the most beautiful she was definitely someone that would turn heads in a crowd.
The reason Nagisa liked this particular maid was because she wasn't much older than him. She was only about 15 or 16 and she knew how to handle Nagisa unlike the other maids that kept treating him like a normal kid.
Maya would always sneak some nice tasty muffins or cookies or video games and manga whenever she was on duty.
Unlike the other maids she didn't flatter Nagisa with pretty words. Rather she would be terrifyingly crass at times but this made her all the more amusing and fun to be around.
To Nagisa who never met his mother and was left behind by his father, she was like the family he never had and he never wanted to lose this girl.
It might have sounded childish as well but he also wanted to marry her so he could keep her by his side no matter what happened. Maya, she was a maid that made a mark on his heart and Nagisa vowed to never forget her.
But he never expected, he never once expected for that to occur. The faithful day that Maya forever vanished from his life.
It was a normal day that Nagisa managed to somehow weasel himself out of training. His grandfather wasn't at home so it was easy to slip away from his uncle who always drank liquor then slept with his mouth open and inviting flies to party. Nagisa just had to wait till he was asleep, and then he slipped out.
A flawless getaway that even he had to praise himself for.
He thought it was good to get away from training but he realized soon after that he had nothing to do. Nagisa gritted his teeth in reluctance and thought about going back to train, however it was also the day that Maya was supposed to go shopping.
Meeting Maya and hearing that he could go outside, Nagisa gladly bamboozled into taking him along with her. Maya was reluctant at first but after a while she gave in with a sigh and the two left the house.
Nagisa smiled all the way to the supermarket. When they stopped at the arcade and café Nagisa beamed even more. It was the most fun he ever head. Ever since becoming some 'Heir' Nagisa wasn't able to eat pastry freely unless it was a special event. He couldn't play games unless he secretly hid while doing it.
It was the life of an inmate and if he wasn't a tough kid mentally he probably would have developed some quirky personality becoming the villain in someone else's story.
But that day was a dream. He had fun while hanging out with the person he adored the most. But if he knew it would end that way he never would have went. If mayo went by herself she wouldn't have detoured and could have done her job then returned safely.
But life never went the way you wanted it.
*pang*
The clear sound of a gunshot echoed in the ears of everyone like the sound of thunder. Everyone was stunned and looked at where the shot sounded from. There, a man wearing a ski mask with a duffle bag filled with money laid on the ground after bumping into Maya.
Hurriedly, Nagisa went to help Maya up but after looking at Maya's pale face Nagisa got a shock. He suddenly realized that there was a warm liquid feeling on his hand and saw red.
Huh?
Nagisa was no sheltered flower. Since he was beaten everyday this was something was used to but at the moment his mind went blank and he couldn't understand at all.
[What….this is?]
Blood?
Nagisa hoped it wasn't. He prayed inwardly for it to just be ketchup or something similar, but as the maid touched his face and smiled resigned to her fate, Nagisa knew that it was blood. The fact couldn't be refuted and he tried to cover the wound but the bullet had struck an artery and blood spurted profusely.
There was no way to save her at all. Nagisa could only stare blankly at the body of the person he most adored being drained of all life until her body went cold and she lost all signs of life.
Nagisa looked at Maya's body. His heart pounded at a fast pace like the beating of a drum. His whole life felt like he lost something important and he didn't know how to explain this feeling of loss.
Emptiness?
Sadness?
Was it rage?
The Young Nagisa had no understanding of this feeling but he only knew one thing. Anyone who dared to take something precious from him had to die.
Nagisa looked at the robber hurriedly picking up the money that fell out of the duffle back. The guy didn't even care that he killed someone. An intense feeling of anger surged violently from Nagisa and he acted.
Instinctively, Nagisa took notice of the weight difference and pulled out his belt before charging up. The tapping of feet came from behind and when the robber noticed, he sneered and turned the gun at Nagisa.
Nagisa saw the gun but didn't hesitate. Instead he swung the belt. The belt slithered through the air like a snake wrapping itself around the man's arm and Nagisa pulled it tweaking the mans aim.
Pang!
Another shot rang out but it had completely missed the mark. The man was stunned but Nagisa didn't even stop. He ran close and grabbed something from behind him before stabbing it deep into the man's ribs.
Blood spilled down the wound and the man grimaced as he felt the pain.
Looking closer, it was a butter knife Nagisa had stolen when he chose to come out because he was paranoid his gramps might catch him and beat him to death. Nagisa never thought he would use it this way, but at this moment the fresh blood of his opponent made him satisfied.
But he didn't stop there. He didn't just want to cause pain. No, he wanted revenge.
The man hurriedly tried to grab the knife, but Nagisa used this moment to swing around with the belt twisting the man's arm behind him. At this point the man had no choice but to drop the gun.
As he saw the gun fall, a cold smile formed and Nagisa hurriedly caught the gun. He had basic knowledge of the gun and knew how to handle it for the most part so he easily worked his way around it and held the muzzle to the mans head.
The man felt the still hot tip of the muzzle on his forehead and panic. If this were another day he wouldn't believe a kid would dare to shoot him however looking at the blood spilling from his side and the cold eyes staring down at him he felt like he was facing a merciless judge.
He was terrified. But before he would even plead for mercy, Nagisa only said one thing.
[Die scum]
Pang!*
After that Nagisa got off scotch free because he was still a kid. But everyone forgot the person that lost her life after that. Everyone except for Nagisa.
He vowed after that that he would gain the strength to never let anyone stand in his way or take anything from him ever again.
'Right…I gained that strength…to survive!'
Over the long years and uneventful lifestyle Nagisa forgot his purpose but now he had no choice but to recall his reason to become stronger.
If not to fight against a fate that wanted him dead then why did he gain this power? To admire himself? No!
His eyes forced open. The faint soul that seemed about to dissipate suddenly flickered between faintly seen and taking full form.
Nagisa grit his teeth as he thought about how he almost broke his vow to live and fight for what he wanted. He felt irritated at his weakness and helplessness and was angry at himself for giving in.
A flame of rage and the thirst for revenge made Nagisa unable to bear dying.
The was no way he would lay down and die like some unimportant mob just because some pigeon winged b*tch said so. That wasn't who he was and he'd never accept such a fate at all.
To hell with that!
Nagisa refused to die. The whole reason he braved through all that hell training was for the soul purpose of becoming stronger, not becoming a Martyr.
So get up!
Nagisa chided himself. He felt a suddenly flow of warmth as his soul continued to become more and more tangible in the dark space. A light emanated from his body like that of the suddenly bringing day light to the space.
*thump*
He felt like he could feel it, the beating of his heart back in the physical world. He didn't know why but he trusted this feeling.
Nagisa didn't let go of this feeling. He let his will to survive take over while he followed this warm feeling.
*thump*
Soon the feeling became even stronger.
*thump*
Live!
Nagisa had to live and fight to see another day. He wanted to survive so that he could mock fate along with that high and mighty woman.
『*!^&!^:*@*&*(@,』
Suddenly, a string of incomprehensible words rang out in his mind.
It was a language Nagisa never heard and he was confused.
'What the fck!?"
He was a bit terrified but soon the words translated into something he could understand.
『You have accomplished an impossible feat! Resistance against death has been gained』
『Resistance against death increases』
『You have gained the unique skill "Reluctant"』
『Individual 'Nagisa' has risen above and Transcended! Requirements for unique class have been successfully completed』
『Rare Class 'Necromancer' advances to the Unique Class 'Ruler of Death'』
It was the birth of the Sovereign.