Chapter 6
Malice once again wandered the streets of Asgard, this time with her dreams broken.
"My future..." The young angel muttered to herself. "Is there any hope for me to redeem my noble honor? Or am I doomed to be condemned for the rest of my life? Do I have any hope left in my future?"
The Grim Angels were already named, and yet Malice was not chosen by the Magi. After voicing her complaint, she was finally given the explanation that she wasn't "skilled" enough.
"Then come that wretch Ein beat me? Do they not realize that I clearly outclass him in battle? My family name may have fallen, but I still posses plenty of worth to Asgard! Has the will of the gods gone awry? Has this horrible fate been determined for me from the very beginning?"
The defeated angel continue to travel around with weary eyes. It was until she came across and eerie ruby glow that her inner fury was reawakened.
"Damn that Yuan!" she growled as she gritted her teeth. "His shameless antics always humiliated me during all those duels in Valhalla! And somehow that twerp Ein benefits from it by getting in a few impressive duels with lesser fighters. "Not skilled" enough they say... it was merely a series of events that lead them to believe this ridiculous notion. Give me those very same opponents and I know I can down them in an instant! They have the gall to compare me so carelessly... to a crazy showoff and a wide-eyed pup! So they deny me the honor of becoming a Grim Angel based on THAT?"
Her eyes narrowed as she neglected another that stood in her way. "And Ledah... everyone always praised him, even BEFORE my family's downfall... there was always something so disgustingly "perfect" about him... always cool and confident, when he never even held my former status. How is it that someone who practically spent his days like a monk outdo me most of all?"
The accumulated stress nearly caused her to pass out, but her remaining consciousness managed to hold on.
"My future..." she uttered to herself."Is there anything left? Do I still have the chance to redeem my name after everything?"
Malice barely managed a few steps before her stress-based fatigue overwhelmed her again. She soon lost her awareness, and her mind shifted back into an earlier memory with her father, whose face was unfortunately faded with the passage of time.
"Our pride is everything, Malice. It is the one thing that brings true meaning to our lives."
Those were the few words her father left her with. It was the motto that allowed her to live on with hope, even as everything else was taken away from her. But with her pride torn asunder so many times, she began to question to question the meaning of her existence.
She began to question the future she aspired for.
Malice's mind started to fade. She could barely even drag her body anymore. It seemed inevitable that she would collapse helplessly in the streets, until a sign of hope arrived for her.
"Malice..."
The once proud Angel turned around and focused her weary eyes upon a blurry blue figure.
"... Lord... Hector?"
Her eyes barely made out a nod.
"Come with me..." he ordered.
The lone Magus and the dissipated Angel met back at the darkened hall of the Magi by themselves.
"...L-Lord Hector? What is it you want of me? Aren't the trials officially over? Haven't the Grim Angels already been chosen?" she asked.
"Yes I have. I've seen their ascent personally, and I believe they shall make fine servants for the gods." he answered.
"So then... why am I here? I was already considered unfit to become a Grim Angel! The other Magi said---"
"Rather foolish things in my opinion." Hector finish. "There is so much I see in you, Malice. So much that would make you very useful for our cause..."
Malice looked up in hopeful disbelief.
"Wh...what?"
"Power, Confidence, a Drive to do whatever it takes to accomplish your goals. With these qualities, you are capable of so much..." Hector said in an intrigued tone.
"Really?" Malice asked. "Then why is that I still failed?"
"The other Magi are shortsighted." Hector scoffed. "They cannot fathom your true potential because they fear that one such of yourself will be corrupted. They can see neither your imposing will nor your impressive drive. Most of all, they do not understand the strength of your ruthless nature. In my eyes, your are a perfect candidate who was kicked to the curb by foolish notions."
Malice blushed slightly from receiving a great deal of flattery and admiration from a Magus, especially when that Magus was the Great Hector, Hero of Ragnarok.
"T-thank you Lord Hector..." Malice answered in a grateful tone, "...but... what is there to do? You said it yourself: the other Magi cannot accept me as a Grim Angel, so I don't understand what it is you could offer me as compensation---"
"But there is something I could offer you, my dear Malice. Do not underestimate my resourcefulness." Hector sternly stated.
Malice stared in bewilderment. She wasn't sure exactly what the Magus had in mind, but whatever it was, it sounded exciting.
"Is... is it something that could help restore my status amongst the other angels?" Malice asked desperately.
Hector smiled. "That, and much more." he assured. "In fact, what I'm offering you is practically a dream come true for many..."
Malice's body trembled in anticipation. Her bluish-white wings seemed to be hunged tightly. "Is... it possible?" she thought.
Hector chuckled. "I told you that you were the perfect candidate, did you not? So it shouldn't come to a surprise that I've brought you this sort of present."
With a wave of his Tentacle Rod, Hector called down a faded jagged axe that was mysteriously absent of the runes etched into the other diviners. "I call this masterpiece Skadi, and I am certain with your icy heart, it will soon resonate with the power of cold vengeance that you shall unleash upon the sinners." he explained.
Malice reached out towards the incomplete "Diviner" with yearning in her eyes.
"Me? A Grim Angels? Yes... this shall restore my status..." she thought hungrily.
"This power is meant to be mine..."
"Do you truly seek this power, Malice? Do you wish to become one with this diviner and awaken to your true potential?" Hector asked.
Malice nodded with a mad look of satisfaction in hier eyes.
"Then open your heart and soul to me. Realize the sacrifice that will allow you the power of your divnier!" Hector announced.
Malice felt her heart pound wildly in anticipation. As she felt Skadi's faint energy pulse within her, a mysterious voice whispered in her mind.
"My heart... it cries for my future" she thought.
The expression on her face softened upon realizing what she must do.
"That is what I must sacrifice? But I..."
Somehow, she felt a faint cry come from Skadi, enticing her to accept it.
"...fulfilling the duties of a Grim Angel shall offer me more than my chance at redemption." she concluded in her mind.
The ambitious Angel then caressed the faded axe in Hector's grasp as smirked with sick satisfaction.
"So, do you know what must be done?" Hector asked.
Malice slowly nodded as she raised her incomplete "Diviner" in the air.
"Yes, you must sacrifice something of true value. Mercy, Freedom, Wings, and even Emotions... these were such things chosen for sacrifices made for the power of the Grim Angels. But for one who was recognized only by my eyes, I must require something that many have fought for. You must offer me your future..."
"My future... the one thing that I saw hope in, and the one thing I dreaded most... the is precious thing that fate has told me to sacrifice... and I will gladly do so." she answered in a crazed tone.
"Very well then. With your proclamation, you shall now receive the blessing of the gods." Hector proclaimed.
Hector then pointed the blade of the axe straight toward Malice, and drew out a chilling aura around her. As Skadi fed on this source of ethereal energy, Malice's body grew weaker.
"This... must be... the process of my sacrifice..." Malice thought.
After the young Angel fell to her knees, Skadi's faded form lit up with a single rune. Hector then released the axe and suspended it right in front of him as he charged his hands with his own ethereal energy.
"With a portion of Malice's life force fed into it, this false diviner shall recognize her as its owner. Now, to bestow upon it my own power." Hector calculated.
The ethereal energy of his own cold heart soon enveloped the axe as well. It's own energy continued to grow until it radiated an eerie blue power. At last, the False Diviner crafted for Malice's hands was completed.
"Now, Malice. Receive this godly weapon and realize your destiny as a Grim Angel!" Hector cried.
Slowly but surely, the weary Malice reached out and took the blue Diviner into her grasp. As she finally made contact, Skadi's corrupt energy flowed into her body, turning her once bluish-white wings into black ones. At first, she screamed in pain as the violent energy crackled within her body, but soon that same screamed turned into a maniacal laugh of triumph. Finally, Malice has been reborn as a Grim Angel, one soon to be feared as the Devilish Angel.
"I am glad to see you in high spirits once again, Malice. It is unbefitting to see a lady of your caliber as mere trash." Hector grinned.
"Such a pleasurable pain... and such great power..." Malice uttered in awe.
Hector nodded. "Yes... and considering your sacrifice, I'm sure you will make excellent use of that diviner."
Malice nodded. "You can count on it." she grinned.
She then turned her head to the ceiling and pondered some of the wonderful possibly she now had with her useful new toy.
"Such precious power would be a great way to put all those fools in their place once again... if only it was to be allowed." Malice thought.
"If you're so eager to test out your new power, you're in luck. I happen to have your first orders in mind at this very moment." Hector said.
"Really...?" Malice uttered slyly. "Please do tell..."
"As you know, The other newly appointed Grim Angels will be heading out to Riviera via Heaven's Gate the following that. You are to head there as soon as I am finish explaining you the details." Hector instructed.
"What? I get first dibs on Riviera?" Malice cried gleefully. "But... won't the others see this premature action as odd?"
"Do not worry. Since the announcement of the demon infestation, no one has dared approach the entrance to Heaven's Gate. You should be able to slip out unnoticed." Hector explained.
Malice felt even more awkward with this undercover operation.
"I do not mean to insult your authority, Lord Hector, but what's with all the secrecy?" Malice asked.
"My colleagues will obviously have a hard time accepting the fact that I appointed an Angel that they themselves already failed. If your role in this is already put into motion before they can intervene, it should allow an opportunity to explain your importance to our operation, and everything should be fine." Hector explained.
"So basically... I serve you, and you alone?" Malice asked in a soft voice.
"That is correct, Malice. This appointment has been performed by my own authority alone, therefore, you have been chosen to serve me, and only me. It is clear at this point my colleagues have no interest in commanding you." Hector answered.
With those words echoing in her mind, Malice could not help but smile.
"I am yours to command, Lord Hector. As thanks for bestowing me this wonderful power, I swear from this moment that I am an instrument of your will." she answered in satisfaction.
"Well said Malice." Hector answered. "Now as for the next part of your orders... as soon as you descend upon Riviera, you are to kill the sprites you come across and claim their souls in order to be used for the Retribution while the other Grim Angels seek out the World Tree, Yggdrasil. Your first target is Rosaline Island, where it said the great Warrior Sprites, the Arcs, reside. They should provide some of the strongest souls available, so make sure you perform a thorough genocide of their kind."
Malice nodded. "Understood, Lord Hector."
The Devilish Angel flapped her new black wings proudly.
Hector then pointed a finger towards the exit as he proudly held his Tentacle Rod at his side.
"Now go! For the sake of your Master, fulfill your promised task!" Hector ordered.
"Yes, My lord!" Malice cried before flying off to enact her Magus' will.
Hector stood by and watched Malice's enthusiasm with amusement.
"That false diviner should prove efficient enough for a desperate soul like her. As long as she doesn't have to confront the other Grim Angels, its power should remain perfectly intact." Hector uttered to himself.
He then turned to the giant crystal which his fellow Magi would normally gather around.
"The age of the gods has ended, my colleagues. 1,000 years have passed and our almighty leaders have yet to return to us. I cannot allow another terror like Ragnarok begin, and I cannot certainly entrust our future to a bunch of lowly sprites. They may develop dangerous ideas of their own, and even go far as to incite another Ragnarok of we allow them to continue with their daily lives. The legacy of our former gods must be eradicated. Asgard must be cleansed, and Riviera must be destroyed to prevent another establishment of Utgard. And finally, an omnipotent god must reign over the new world.
I am the only one who comprehends the foolishness of our gods' will. I am the only one who cannot allow their mistake to happen again. Therefore, it is only fitting that I become the new god." Hector said allowed.
His eyes then narrowed and his open hand clutched.
"And the most important task as the new god is to ensure the destruction of that wretched Loki..." he growled in deep spite.
After a few moments, Hector managed to quell his anger as he once again focused on his calculated plan, which he conveniently fit Malice into.
"That prideful woman... she will a most useful puppet to me..." Hector smirked.
Outside, Malice took swift but careful flight into the sky, as not to gather tension to herself. In the midst of her flight, she saw a grounded Yuan, who did not posses the same Black Wings as his other friends, nor did he posses a proper diviner.
"I see, so he was serious when he claimed he did not want the power of the Grim Angel." Malice pondered. "That fool! Without this wonderful blessing, he is nothing compared to me now! I have no need waste my time with the likes of him any further!"
With this victory in mind, Malice sped headlong into Heaven's Gate, where she released her disturbing laugh of triumph.
"Now to slaughter some Arcs..."
Now, two angels shall descend to the sacred soil of Riviera...
Preview
Epilogue
"With the knowledge of Ledah's death in mind, shall you still deny your duty?"