Supreme Judge of Earth's Hell Soliloquy

Today is somehow a regular day here in hell. Everybody does their jobs and parts. Though I've noticed these past years that some souls that I judge are so baffled to know that such things exist. They didn't even knew I am the Yama that will judge them. The people that got sent here in here are very arrogant and thought that they could bring in such personality, well it is always a first but I remember a certain person telling me that things are changing.

I stroke my chin as I remember her name and face. She was none other than Rain but this is only her name in Japanese. Though, this name sounds lovely, I think I prefer to call her to what she really is named in her language and that would be Alteine Meran Deux Faurus. Yes, that's her full name in a language that has long been lost as said by her. If you are wondering why the long name? Then it is because she is a royalty. I'm not too confused as I've dealt with people that has long names.

She may not look like it but she is a half-elf. By that I mean, her human side is more dominant than her elf part. In elven culture, those with heterochromatic eyes are one true royals and are regarded with all respect. Alteine is one as she is a princess though she once told me it was called a Prinzessin.

Did I mention that I'm just outside? Well, not that hell has many indoor offices to offer but I do prefer to be out and wander to give people some advice though they always try to avoid me whenever I walk by. I do think that my position must have something to do with it.

"Ah! There you are, miss Emna!" I hear a voice calling out to me and it was one of my subordinates. She seems a bit frantic over something.

"Yes? Why do you need me? I asked.

"...I was told that I should come and specifically fetch you as instructed by Hecatia-sama!" She said while trying to be polite.

Lady Hecatia, she's the one who we answer to as she is the Goddess of Hell. She has a different kind of thinking and very eccentric but she does in fact care for all under her. Recently, I heard that she's giving out more break time for us Yama.

Though I'm not really sure why she is here? An inspection visit? Maybe she has yet another idea that she wants to discuss with me? The last we had one, I could not follow a single thing and outright told her so. I better go and meet her right away.

I then followed and didn't think that this day would be very much a special day.

As I could see lady Hecatia up in the air, I wondered why is that? I also saw her friend who she frequently meets with. They quickly noticed me and I hurriedly flew to their side. I instructed my subordinate to return to her own duty after she escorted me.

I greeted them and apologized for being late. Lady Hecatia was still the same as ever but she said to me next made me quite uneasy and surprised as she told me to look down and I find this single person looking at us. I was very surprised indeed as the person I saw was just the girl I am reminiscing earlier. What kind of timing is this? That does not matter as I would like to know why she is here again. I then heard lady Hecatia spoke to her as if she was telling her to remember. If lady Hecatia is involved then this could be bad, the last time Alteine was here, she is being hunted down by everyone and this order was given by none other than lady Hecatia herself.

I know lady Hecatia is not the type to do that but it must be done to avoid a conflict in rule. If she becomes too lenient to let such a thing go then many would think it is okay to do so and doubt her. Hence, why I understand what she has to do and Alteine herself knows that and she can't blame the goddess for doing her job. That is why the truth is that they are just faking as enemies when that happened. The denizens of Hell must have been really convinced by that performance.

As I was too busy in my own thought I then looked again at her. She may looked different but that is her appearance before she started working with me. That is to say, her different appearance that time during as a shinigami was just a disguise. I need to talk to her... I must know why she is here yet again.

"Lady Hecatia, may I speak with her?" I asked for permission.

"That is why I called you here for. Go on then."

I nodded as my response and flew down to talk to her. As I did, certain memories of the past begins to make its way back. Like that time where she approached me to take on the said job. She wears the same back then and the look on her face is devoid of emotion. I then learned on why she wants to work as a temporary shinigami. She didn't lie and truthfully told why. In here, as long as you can do the job then you got the job. We're understaff and would even take such people like her. The price was not that hefty to begin with. A redemption for a single soul in exchange for many more and freely do what she wants to her own targets is more than a good bargain.

I understand that it is better than working as a vigilante without reaping the benefits she would gain when working directly from us. As the Yama I could just use that tool to view her past but that is reserved for the ones to be judged.

I then landed just a few walks away from her and started walking. Eventually, we came face to face and I called her by the alias she was given with while working with me.

"What are you doing back here? Certain Death?" I said and I observed the look on her face when I asked that question. She seems to be confused?

"Sorry, I don't remember you or anything from the past." She said with a straight face. Does that mean she lost her memories? If what she is telling is true then what could be the reason she is here if her memories about the past is but a blank?

I'm feeling a bit sad about the fact she doesn't remember me. I could only nod to her words for a moment. Then, I should make her remember? I might need to start with my name again. It feels just like last time, only that I'm the doing the introduction first.

"Then, please to meet you, again. Certain Death, I'm Emna Naraka, this Hell's Yama. We once worked with each other in the past. You are employed with a contract to be a Shinigami and take the lives of the expired. All for in exchange of being able to exact your revenge on certain individuals and for the redemption of one of your friend's soul. We agreed on that pact and you can leave whenever you wanted." I said and even told her what she did in the past. Maybe this won't have an effect but it is still worth to say.

Then what came next was her somehow nodding and believing to what I said easily. She added a question about that friend's name and I replied about our deal in her work, where nothing about it should be spoken off. Her reaction about that was the same face. There's no surprise about that almost as if she expected that but that's just how she is as she is currently assessing the situation and processing the information she gets.

I was then told by lady Hecatia to call her by her name since she is no longer working with us though what she actually meant was the real name to which I have been taught how to pronounce.

I am hesitating at first but once she said that she is okay with it then I remembered how such things are trivial to her and so I said Rain's name in her own language.

It seemed like lady Hecatia is plotting something, first she personally dragged Alteine back down in here. Second, she called me in to be the one to talk to her. I then begun to realize and have an idea to what lady Hecatia is possibly planning. Since Alteine has no recollection of her past. She might be using this as a way to make her remember while also gaining something from it? What it is, that I have no idea just yet. That just means that whatever she's going to do next is something really out of my league to think off.

As I said her name then memories and moments of the past flashed through my mind.

She actually came from a mysterious land but she won't elaborate where it is and what it is. All she said to me was it was no longer existing and that she was the sole princess of it but she has no right to explore the land beyond theirs. How she wished to travel and go on an adventure just like the ones she read on the books.

Well, she said she got her wish albeit in a way that would leave her wishing it didn't have come true as there are no survivors aside from one and that person is Alteine Meran Deux Faurus the princess. The only thing that is left for her to remember that land is her weapons and armor.

I've seen those swords and they are very powerful to the point that whenever she goes on her job as our shinigami. The swords she wields transforms into the weapon most shinigami uses but she added her own flavor to it. Her weapon is called a war scythe, a long curve blade with a resemblance of a cross-shaped spear.

Along with that she also shared a knowledge that I haven't heard off and that was the existence of feats. They are born with the user and Alteine has one. She said that hers is probably the best or even among the top ten in the world as what she has been told by her elders. Her feat is called Agnitio. Which translates into the word Knowledge and To Know. It allows her to easily absorb knowledge, accumulate knowledge and bestow knowledge. Which results in her having a perfect memory and can be an expert when she puts her time and mind into. This is also why she's able to tell me her past with great details and she's able to perceive things easily.

I have no idea that feats exist in the world. Even so to think it exist means that it is not possible for other beings to also have it. But can I say Alteine is lucky to have it? If it means having to suffer for such a feat then I'd say no. Maybe it was just a string of bad luck or it is the price for such. She also said that the world is changing and the supernatural would become less known. She told me to keep a look out for Feat holders. As she said that if one ends up in the wrong hands then it could result in chaos but she assured me that they are feats that are naturally harmless. Though she also warned me about feats changing and that the most dangerous ones are those who exploit powerful feats and she herself said that she belongs in that category.

Naturally, the feat holders in the present are very low and has evolved into the one they call superpowers or supernatural powers. Humans who hold such are called superhumans but they are extremely rare. Alteine specifically said that she will deal with those holders with malicious intent. So the chance really is low for such a threat to arise and that is why she told me to keep a look out as she will send them to me specifically. Of course, we from the Ministry of Right and Wrong are capable of stripping them from that kind of power. Since they are dead and no longer requires such a thing.

What came next was her figure coming to my direction. This is the past where her she changed her looks to match her job. I've also remembered my short description of her.

Alteine Meran Deux Faurus [Certain Death]

The temporary shinigami. She has her own reasons for doing this sort of job but written on her face is the bloodlust that she is after. She never smiles, not anymore. She maybe is a newbie on the job but her experience in taking lives says otherwise.

Alteine has a silver-white hair with a length just slightly longer than before. Her headband is now a black metal with two long black fabrics at each end. Her eyes consist of both deep crimson red, but her face remains the same. Her outfit consist of black clothing with a long black cape and black tights, as her black metal boots. She's also wearing less armor and some of her skin is revealed by wearing a short but armored black skirt and only her chest now also has an armor. Her hands are also covered in black gloves. The most notable part was her face is covered by a face mask which is part of her armor back then. It's the lower part of her kabuto, the menpo or face mask. It has a black color with somehow white teeth that resembles sharp fangs.

"Done and done. Your soul is waiting to be judge. I'd say this again, I hate being put into the tour duty." She said to me as she brushes her silver-white hair.

What she meant was guiding the departed soul to me. She thinks of it as a tour or as said by the souls she ushers. Most souls she guides are very much frightened by her. Probably because of that face mask and that always serious look on her face.

"Good work today, Alte-san." I said and even have her name shortened as a form of our friendship. If I were to judge her from her actions then she is going neither to hell or heaven. She currently has a neutral karma but that doesn't mean I don't get to remind her about this everytime.

Most people that I've come to talk with about reminding them about their current karma always tries avoid me but Alteine was different, even if she finds my lectures annoying she still thanks me for reminding her.

"Hmph... anymore expired souls for me to fetch?" She asks me and it seems like she is itching to go home? That or maybe she just wants more action. Her war scythe hungs behind her back looming over beside the shadow of death.

Though the Kinshin Chiefs are the ones charged with taking down people who prolong their life span, Alteine is sometimes given that job as she could do it very efficiently. Another is that she is the only shinigami who belongs to the living but has the smell of death in the air over her.

"No, that is the last one for today. Your shift ends after just a few minutes. Say, why do you declined such a job? It was the highest and most sought job a shinigami could attain." I'm talking about being able to sit at the court of the Yama and able to see the proceedings.

Alteine gave a shrug and a short sigh. "That work is boring. Too many documents to sort and being attentive to the minutes in the proceedings. Besides, I'm just a temporary shinigami though if you tell me to do that job then I will as part of our contract."

Once she said that I shake my head and told her that I won't do such a thing. Me asking that question was redundant as she technically speaking now holds a special position in hell that Lady Hecatia herself has suggested and that would be "Hakaishin" -- Destructive Deity--. A higher version of the Kishin -- Wrathful Deity -- position. In short, Kishin chiefs answers to her and she answers to me, the Yama. It is just to give a proper hierarchy as to not let the others question why she is doing that sort of job if she is just temporary shinigami. More or less it is a promotion that has the aim for inspiration for the others to work hard.

Though with such a position I think sooner or later she would stop as I've heard that she now has a different job. This time in a good way. After all, she already redeemed her friend's soul and even got if not most of her enemies. She's just now fulfilling our end of the bargain.

"Say, Emna-sama. How many sinners have we got?" She suddenly asks me. I wonder why she did? She calls me with such honorifics to show her professionalism and respect to me as the Yama. That's one of her traits that I like. Even though she's very rude to others she doesn't think highly off. She could be polite and nice to others who she thinks and acknowledges.

"Many, they keep on increasing..." I sighed for a brief moment and then added, "I hope they just somehow slowdown or even stop but that's just my wishful thinking. This is reality, no such thing would ever happen. This is the cycle and nothing would change it."

Alteine slowly nods at me and seeing her war scythe made me inadvertently remark. "I wish I could see how you use such a weapon."

She then looks at me with a raising eyebrow and replies "That's new. I never knew that you wanted to see me take lives with this."

As I said her job is still a shinigami but with different part or rather special part. There are times that not only those who extend their lives are to be dealt with but also those who could pose a threat to the balance. One of them are the feat holders and the others are just very evil people that needs to be personally visited by Certain Death.

"Well, I don't mind. Pay attention as I show you how this weapon work or should I say weapons?"

Just before I could ask on why she said that. She raises her enormous war scythe and slowly she puts her hand in the middle before it made a clicking sound as it then splits into two. That is why it has the shape of a cross-shaped spear as it can transform into a short range melee weapon called Kamas. She now has two blades in her hands and can attack faster than before.

But that's not the end of it as she then throws the kamas in the air and catches it in a quick manner and the weapon changed again into a scythe but it was different as now it is a double-bladed scythe. That's three weapon in one.

I have no words for such a thing that I've witnessed. That was a sword originally but then it changed into a war scythe that can transform also into a different but convenient weapons. So that is why she herself told me that she is a weapons master. It complements her feat and ability with this kind of weapon. Somehow that weapon is actually made for her.

"Satisfied? Oh, let's not forget how can I track my targets. I've already told you how this works. Simply with this." She produces a somewhat scroll.

"Just give me the name and I'll write it here. This is just two spells combined into one. It marks the target and reveals where they are for me to track. I can set whether to let them know or not if they have been marked, plus any other word or number if I like, I can write idiot on it, heh. But since I'm working then I stick to a clear symbol and numbers to mark their remaining time. Though on more powerful individuals they will always see it as they can feel it or sense it.

Death mark. This appears when Certain Death has set her crimson eyes on you. The symbol of death which resembles a skull and a number next to it tells how many days one has got before she arrives and collects the target's soul. When you see it on you. You can only wait in fear as the countdown starts. For no target has ever escaped nor survived Certain Death. That is how she earned her alias.

Few are strong enough to face her but none are able to beat her. They are the people who have accepted reality. You can't beat reality at its own game. That is why fear is created and is her weapon against her targets. For death is reality and one gets weak when faced with reality they will turn in fear. That is when death gets you, when you fear and deny reality that's the end of your life and your goal is then to die. No buts, no pauses, and most certainly no hero or miracle to save you.

I then remembered judging a soul that is one of her targets. With my cleansed crystal mirror I looked at how he met his death.

What I saw was from his perspective at how he is staring to the eyes of Certain Death.

"You're..."

"Death. I've been dying to meet you. So? How do you like your death? The classic way?" She nudges her war scythe at her hand. "-Or perhaps you like Death's Choice? Like you dying in a heart attack. Either way suits me as I have time."

The man was quivering and he can't do anything as he was paralyzed.

"Smell that? No, that's not you pissing over yourself. It's the smell of..." She looks at him with her crimson eyes flickering in unison and points at him. "Fear."

There is no need to see how this one would go but she does like to joke around even at work even if it was only subtle. I wonder why she does not do this whenever she's with me? But I do not mind she maybe just trying to ease herself.

She carries many sins mainly the sins of the others but those sins are maybe what makes her able to move forward and pave way to a future where she does not need to do this sort of thing anymore. One that the people she cherishes are free from those sins. She might be already serving her sentence here by working for me but that's a different story. I'd just hope that she won't have to if she were to finally rest but that won't come soon as she has no visible life span perhaps she is hiding it? But I could tell that she is ready to atone for her sins if she were to be sent in hell even if it means not fighting back when that time comes. I just hope she finally finds her happiness and not let it slip away again.

A/N: This chapter is more of a small sneak peek at the past and a hint of what the present world have undergone and what kind of hidden problems it was facing back then. Basically, feats have changed to now what we call talents. Though still some talents are extraordinary but rarely seen. Belief may have also a factor in the awakening of the talent as some talents are still dormant and belief in the supernatural still exist albeit decreasing. One example is a certain highschool girl who firmly believes about occultism. In case you missed the hints about them in some chapters, I can only say that a dark truth is happening to these so called super talent holders who ever think of misusing their powers.

Also the spell she used to mark her targets is clearly a parody though instead of a notebook she uses spells and a scroll. Also at that time she is creating a new spell for herself that could at suppress her emotions or at most eliminate it. Also, this should remind you of how hell actually works. Technically this is not only about the characters but also tells about the environment and its events. From the past, present, and even future.