It took me 12 days to return to my human form. 12 painful days. I was locked into a prison dimension called Stinoth to prevent my bloodthirst from destroying the Empire for which I've shed so much blood. I was still calm as Michael took Katie's spirit to Heaven so he could cleanse it as it was corrupted by Tanoth's dark Magic. It almost killed the little girl's innocent soul. Once this form dies, there is no coming back. A Person simply disappears, never to be seen again.
Stinoth was an ancient dimension that consisted of nothing but an endless Void. I was holding the Crimson Devourer in my hands, trying to ignore its demonic whispers which demanded more blood and Flesh. My body also craved some action, but I was staying still, meditating, and closing my mind to all thoughts. 12 days seemed like an eternity in Stinoth, but soon my inner divine light shined an endless darkness. The Harsh, black hair that covered my skin disappeared, and Gentle, blonde one replaced it. My Gray skin turned normal, my teeth that were similar to a predator's became normal and my eyes started glowing with a holy, yellow light. The Bloodthirsty Sword fell silent in my grasp and I've torn a hole in the fabric of reality. Stinoth was left behind. The Empire was in front of me.
I returned to the Royale Palace for a while. Everyone was overjoyed that I had returned. We had an endless feast but I felt unease. The Dark Energy from Tanoth was disrupting the flow of Angelic, demonic, and divine energies inside my body. I needed a long meditation to recover from the unbalance that it brought me, but before I fell into a slumber, I needed to see Katie.
Michael Attended one of the last feasts. According to his telling, he was on the outskirts of the universe on a serious business and couldn't come earlier.
"Your Majesty..." He said as he kneeled in front of me. "I'm glad to see you well once again."
"Thank you, Michael. Everyone, leave us be." I addressed servants around. We were in my living room so there were only 5 young servants. They obeyed without any hesitation and soon the only thing that could be heard in the room was the heartbeat of two of the strongest beings in the Empire. "How is she, Michael?"
"She is well, My Lord. One more innocent inhabitant has been added to the endless green fields of Heaven. She seems happy.
"I'm glad." I sighed with relief.
"She was constantly asking all the angels about you, as I have heard. She seems worried. Would you like to depart and visit her?"
"Surely."
We left the Royale Palace soon after and flew towards Heaven. For Some time we were using our Angel's wings to soar across the endless void. I was always jealous of him. The Feathers on his back were so delicate and soft. It emanated a bright, yellow light all the time which could shine bright even in the darkest night.
When I got bored and restless we teleported straight to the Golden City. It was good to see the familiar sight. Three suns were shining down on the heaven but not with aggression but with care. There was no heat. The Air was warm, soft, and clean. I didn't need to breathe but filling my lungs with the oxygen of these green fields always felt "Heavenly". I smiled with Joy as I walked on the delicate road that led me directly to the Gates of the Golden City. All the Angels who were around kneeled with respect.
Michael took the lead and we traveled to the southern side of the endless Greenfields. I was watching all the happy souls below having fun and laughing. The endless loop that they were locked into never seemed to end.
However, I had a plan. Katie didn't have to live here. She knew that all of this was fake. She wasn't a normal spirit. She Mastered the control of her spiritual energy which made her a superhuman. She could feel the flow of time and was self-aware even in her spiritual form, which was indeed a way to suffer. The Souls will live until the end of time. They will watch everything turn to dust. I didn't want Katie to endure all of this. I needed to find a Vessel for her soul so she could live once again. There are billions of people in the empire who are willing to die for me so it wouldn't be a problem to find a compatible body. A skilled magician's body would have been the best option so it wouldn't take forever for Katie to awaken her skills once again.
Soon we approached a little Hill covered with small apple trees. Michael Landed nearby on the soft Grass.
"There she is." a kind smile covered the Angel's face. I turned around and saw the yellow spirit of Katie that was running towards me. I fell to my knees and tried to hug her, but she was just a spirit and I failed. She just stood in front of me and smiled.
"I thought you lost yourself, Harold." She spoke. She had the same lively voice as ever. "I'm glad that you are doing well."
"Yes... I almost lost myself. It all thanks to you that I didn't. You always shined as bright as the sun and it was the Lantern that guided me towards the light."
"No need for such formal talk, Harold. Smile a little bit. You are back. Everything is alright."
I smiled happily.
"I will Revive you. I will find a vessel for you to live on." I spoke. I could feel how terrified Michael became.
"Is that Possible?" She said. "a vessel? Harold, what are you saying?"
"My lord..." Michael spoke. "You know that the revival is forbidden for anyone, even you."
"Who set that rule? The Old Man? His Rules are no longer valid."
"But what about the vessel? If their spirit is replaced with the girl's they will never be able to enter heaven or hell. It's a very Harsh Death sentence for anyone. Who would you sacrifice for her?"
"Anyone, Michael. I would sacrifice anyone to see Katie in mortal flesh once again."
"Harold, what are you saying?" Katie Spoke. "You are going to execute someone because of me? No! Don't you dare!"
"You do not know the fate of the souls here. This place is not as perfect as you think. It's an endless loop which..."
"I know, Harold. I've noticed and I do not mind. If I will be able to see you once in a while I am ready to stay here as long as possible."
"No!" I whispered. "I cannot leave you here. This is too cruel for such a little, innocent being like you."
"Sometimes things like this must happen, Harold. If I were to know that someone died just so I could live I would never forgive myself."
"Katie! You do not understand! One life is nothing when it comes to you! You are the reason the empire exists right now and I will burn it down with my own two hands if it will be necessary to save you. I want to see you alive again."
"Harold! Have you lost your mind? I am not worth a single life! Don't be a fool and think about what you are doing!"
"I have already thought about it. I know what I am doing..."
"You certainly don't."
"I do! I will resurrect you and keep you alive until the end of time! I do not care what it takes."
"Harold! Have you forgotten the answer I gave you back then? I do not wish for immortality. I always wanted a normal life and death. Whatever you want to do is a Blasphemy! I will never accept such life even If I'll have you stay here for the whole eternity."
"Katie, Listen..."
"No, you listen, Harold. Believe me, If You will revive me against my own free will I will never forgive you."
There was nothing I had to say. I knew that She wouldn't change her mind and It depressed me. I imagined her at the end of time, Looking at her doom, being scared and crying. No, I would not let this happen.
"That is a sacrifice I am willing to make," I whispered to myself and I made a spiritual barrier around her soul. I flew up and took her with me.
I could hear the screams of Michael, Advising me to stop and think this through. Katie was silent. Seems like she expected that I would do such a thing and she was disappointed. I couldn't care less. I wouldn't let her torture herself, even if it meant a forced resurrection.
Soon Michael Caught up to me. He was flying next to me.
"Harold." He spoke with his calm and Angelic voice which was irritating me already. "You know that I will have to stop you. The Souls belong to the heaven."
"Oh? Michael, are you willing to fight me?"
"If that is what is needed for you to come back to your senses, then yes."
"Fighting me means a declaration of war and a betrayal. Are you sure you want the Empire to become your enemy? Is The Golden City ready to fight an entire universe just for a single life lost?"
"I do not seek war, Harold. You know me. You have known me for countless centuries. I follow your lead and Your Ideologies. You are the one who wanted to bring peace amongst the stars and now you threaten me with war? Harold! Wake up! You have changed! Your fury is Untamed. Maybe you need so well-deserved rest?"
"I'm taking Katie with me, one way or another. She is the only one who is still important to me."
"What about your people, Harold? When did they become meaningless to you? If ordinary life doesn't matter to you, what do you fight for? You said you didn't want women to mourn and children to cry. You didn't want anyone to die. What has changed? Do you think that the vessel won't be mourned by sad mothers? Does it hold no value in your heart?"
"Katie is the one who returned my Humanity. Without her I am incompl..."
"Get over me, Harold!" Katie Screamed. "I am already dead! You are clinging to a soul and you are willing to sacrifice everything for the shadow of the person I once was! You Buried me. Now you must forget me. That's the way of life."
"That is an ordinary life, Katie!" I snapped. "You have no idea what it means to be Immortal. You must search for something to cling to for the whole eternity. You must find someone who you love or you will lose yourself..."
"You have already lost yourself, Harold." She Whispered and It broke me.
"I... Just wanted you to come back..." A single Teardrop rolled down on my face. It fell on the eternally peaceful green fields and turned into a black Hole that started devouring everything around it. The Yellow Souls were being sucked inside a huge black Mouth that didn't seem to be satisfied.
Michael screamed in shock and Punched me in the face with Immense Strength.
"Shut it off!" He screamed in my face as he caught me by my throat and pointed his finger at the newly born black hole.
"I just wanted her to come back..." I wept.
"Harold, you need to shut that thing off! The Innocent souls are getting dragged inside. Lives are being lost Forever! You have to stop it!"
I looked at him in disgust.
"Damn you... Damn all of you!" I screamed and pulled the god-slayer sword from the pocket space. He summoned the sword of light as well and we clashed. An impact between our swords shattered reality itself. We were shifting in and out of different dimensions with each strike. Michael was trying to deflect my blows, pin me down and make me give up as soon as possible, while I swung the sword to kill. He didn't fear me and it was admirable, but I couldn't control myself. The Feeling that I have felt for most of my life – Anger swallowed me. Michael wasn't fighting Harold in that moment. It was the beast within me and it was unpredictable.
The battle ended quickly when I shattered his unbreakable light sword with a swing so powerful it made cracks in the fabric of reality. Then I heard Katie's screams.
"Harold! Stop this madness!" She begged.
Michael looked at me. I could sense no fear emanating from him, only a bitter smell of disappointment. He has always been my Loyal servant and a good friend. What was I doing?
The God Slayer sword Vanished from my hand.
"Michael," I spoke. "I apologize... I... Have lost myself."
"I do not need your apology. I need you to return to heaven and fix the mess You have created."
"Yes..." I looked at Katie. She looked at me with fear. "I will."
I teleported to the Golden City Again. The South-west side of the eternal green fields was gone. The Black Hole was devouring all kinds of matter in seconds.
"Enough of this..." I whispered and Pointed my finger towards the hungry dark beast. I started drawing circles in the opposite direction of its spinning trajectory and soon it turned into a white hole. It started spitting out all the matter it consumed and the yellow souls appeared once again. They landed on the remains of the green fields and continued their boring eternal life. It must feel good when you are living in an illusion. Nothing around you seems to change and you are forced to be happy. For a while, I thought about reviving Katie again, but I remembered her words. It broke my heart, but she was right. I had to let her go. She died a long time ago and I was losing myself because of it. Maybe Michael was right. What if I needed to rest for a while? Rest... That Thought never crossed my mind ever since I picked up the Accursed sword. The only thing I wanted to do was to Kill and devour strong opponents. Now that the Universe is in peace, why Can I not rest? It sure sounded tempting.
I didn't even notice that Katie told me something. The Barrier I created around her was connected to my spiritual presence so she was forced to follow me everywhere I went.
"Did you say something?" I asked Katie and Landed on a green field. I pretended like I didn't see Michael Floating in the air, observing the surroundings.
"You sure messed up, Harold." She Answered.
"I know."
"What are you going to do?"
"I Was thinking... Maybe Michael is Right. Maybe I need to rest. Ever since I picked up the bloody sword almost 3 million years ago I never stopped swinging it. I never stopped thinking like a warrior and a murderer. I am exhausted. Maybe I need to rest..."
"Surely, You do. You've suffered a lot. The Empire can survive on its own. Go and rest if it's what you need."
I released a sigh and removed the barrier around her as I set on the ground. She came and sat in front of me. Her Half-Transparent face was as friendly and lively as ever, but I could feel sadness and pity in her eyes. She tried to put her hand on my cheek but she was nothing but a soul so her yellow hand passed through me. I could still feel the warmth of her mana. The Love she emanated towards anyone was so pure. She was a real angel among humans and yet she ended up here for eternity, self-aware and alone. Truly an unjust fate, but she chose it and I respected her will.
"I will visit you often," I told her and smiled. The drops of tears on my cheeks felt warm and soft. They were not caused by anger or despair like the last time. It was a sign of true sadness. I felt so weak and vulnerable and it felt like a single bullet could kill me. I wasn't the Emperor in those moments. I was just a sad man saying goodbye to his old friend. "Will you be alright here?"
"I think I will be. Besides, what choice do I have? Ramael visits me often as well."
"ah... Your Husband. I bet he's happy to see you."
"Yes. He promised he would bring Angela with her next time."
"I bet she has grown."
"Yes, she's a little beautiful angel." She smiled.
We fell silent. I looked around. I could only see the ruins and destruction I had caused.
"Seems like I couldn't avoid immortality after all." She chuckled with a sad smile.
"This is different. You are a soul now. You will not feel pain and the flow of time in these fields is different. Hundreds of thousand years may pass and you will feel like it was just a month or two."
"I see... So I won't feel lonely and I'll have my precious visitors often."
I wanted to hug her, but I could not.
"Aye," I replied. "I won't let you be bored."
She smiled. I flew up in the air to look Michael in the eyes, no matter how ashamed I was of my actions. A man must be able to face the consequences of his actions, especially me.
He looked at me with a single drop of disappointment, but a kind and honest smile covered his bright face. Michael... The king of Heaven, a son of God, and the Glorious Angel of the dawn. A perfect being, indeed.
"I leave her in your hands, brother," I spoke.
"I will treasure her more than my own life. You needn't worry."
"Sorry for the mess." I looked around.
"It's nothing I can't fix. Besides, it isn't your fault. You are a man, Harold. No matter how powerful, you still have emotions. A human heart beats inside your chest. You mourn the dead and cannot accept death. It's a natural reaction anyone would have. Anyone would try to restore what they have lost, but this was not the way. I have been there, believe me. There is nothing I have not experienced In my long life. Even though you are immortal, you are still young. You shall learn a lot of things but do not close your heart. It is what keeps the sense of empathy inside you."
He opened his arms and hugged me. He wrapped His soft wings around me and I almost felt like I was at home.
"Good Luck, your Majesty. " He spoke after he let me go. "I hope you will rest well."
"Aye. Take care of the Empire while I am gone. I do not want to see any needless wars ongoing when I will come back. Make the universe better. Show mortals the right way."
"Do not worry. He Empire and Katie are in Good Hands."
I smiled. Michael was as loyal and perfect as always. Katie waved her hand as a sign of goodbye and I responded with the same gesture. She seemed glad that I decided to rest and It was making me relieved."
I flew up into the sky, left the golden city behind, and ventured into the endless dark space. It was time to rest.