Heavenly Opposers-Chapter 286 - 285-Who Are You?

’Busy seems to have become my middle name lately.’

Azrail mused as he stood there, waiting for the familiar sensation of being transported to one of the hidden holdings of Eternity’s Requiem. This was no ordinary place as told before. Eternity’s Requiem stood out even among the countless secretive organisations in the All-Realm, this faction existed in the shadows of all realms, pulling strings that stretched across the cosmos. And now, Azrail—no, DeathMark—was about to step into their midst.

It wasn’t the first time he’d dealt with death or the deals of those who wielded it, but this was something different. Eternity’s Requiem was a league of its own, dangerous and subtle, with influence rooted so deep that most realms didn’t even know they were under its control. As a faction, it was built on one simple truth: Nothing lasts forever. The leaders ensured that their power was embedded in that truth, in every living being’s ultimate demise. The followers, handpicked from across realms, were tasked with ensuring that balance.

They dealt not in open warfare but in quiet, insidious influence. Behind the fall of empires, the collapse of dynasties, and the mysterious deaths of leaders, there was almost always a trace of their hand, guiding the outcome towards oblivion.

And now, Azrail had to navigate their twisted halls.

A subtle shift in the air around him signalled the start of his transport. The fabric of reality twisted briefly before his surroundings changed in a heartbeat, plunging him into darkness. The blackness, thick and smoke, was briefly pierced by a series of small, glowing symbols etched into the walls. These markings were the sigils of Thanatos, ancient and powerful, designed to guard the hidden lairs of that faction in Eternity’s Requiem. Only those who knew the paths—or were invited—could enter.

Azrail stood for a moment, letting his eyes adjust as he scanned the room. It was sparse, cold, and unwelcoming, much like he expected. The flickering sigils offered little comfort, casting eerie shadows across the walls.

"No wonder they keep to themselves," Azrail muttered, stepping forward.

Before he could take more than a few steps, a figure materialised from the shadows. Tall, draped in flowing black robes that seemed to shimmer with death’s energy, they were one of the Envoys—high-ranking members tasked with maintaining order within the faction and ensuring that Thanatos’ will was carried out to the letter.

"DeathMark," the figure’s voice was a whisper, barely audible but filled with authority. "Legacy awaits."

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Azrail offered a curt nod, feeling the weight of unseen eyes on him. There was no telling how many agents were hidden in the shadows, watching him, waiting to see how he would handle this delicate situation.

The Envoy led him through a labyrinth of narrow corridors, each turn feeling more claustrophobic than the last. It was as if the very walls were designed to press in on those who walked them, a reminder that in the presence of death, all were equal.

"Your reputation precedes you," the Envoy said as they walked. "Few are allowed entry here without being thoroughly... vetted. But the final will of Thanatos seems to have taken a particular interest in your current endeavours."

Azrail smirked beneath his mask. Of course, ’Thanatos’ was watching. There wasn’t a thing that happened in the All-Realm without Death taking notice, but this was more than a casual meeting. This was the start of something bigger. A test.

"Let’s hope I meet his expectations then," Azrail responded coolly, keeping his tone neutral.

After what felt like an eternity of walking through the shadowy corridors, they finally reached a large set of double doors. They were carved with depictions of death’s many forms—silent, violent, peaceful, and chaotic. It was an impressive, albeit morbid, display of Thanatos’ power over the cycle of life and death.

The Envoy pressed their hand to the doors, and they swung open with a deep groan. Beyond them was a large, circular chamber bathed in a cold light. In the centre stood a raised platform, and upon it was ’Thanatos himself, sitting upon a throne of bones, his eyes glowing faintly beneath his dark hood.

"DeathMark," Thanatos’ voice was calm yet carried the weight of several things to it.

Azrail stepped forward, feeling the chill in the air grow sharper with each step. He knew what this was. It was a subtle show of power, a reminder that in this chamber, Thanatos was in control, or at least what was left of the will.

"You look good, my lord," Azrail replied, keeping his voice steady. "Though I suspect you’ve summoned me for something more than pleasantries."

Thanatos’ lips curved into a thin smile, barely perceptible but there. The one that was leading Azrail was already gone, now the room being just the two of them.

From below, Azrail couldn’t gaze at the figure in front of him, it being just the final culmination of a programmed living mind left behind as a legacy, but even that holds a lot of power within the realms. The figure in front of him was fully bathed in darkness as if Azrail wasn’t worthy to even look at the figure.

"You do not carry my legacy, yet how can you wield what I had prepared?"

As this question was asked, the full force of mental pressure pushed down on Azrail, forcing him to confront the issue. Azrail had known the will existed, but he did not expect much of it to enter inside the All-Realm and still look after the faction from within, making things a bit more complicated. But it’s still not something Azrail can’t fully deal with; in fact, this would be even better.

"You do not have the full memory or the life of Thanatos. You are just a final remnant. How can you even know what I am? And the duty I carry?"

A full force spread around from the voice that Azrail spoke of, shaking things around, while his silence spoke for the fact that the final will, as all wills, has embers and secrets left away from it. The will was only left behind as a reminder of power and to make the followers know that Thanatos still exists.

It’s also to wait for the destined one that Thanatos had marked forth, such that there will be better guidance and a path forward for the problems that are to come. And suddenly, Azrail had poked his head, not bearing the legacy but now having spread around the place with whispers that he was the one carrying the legacy of Thanatos.

The situation has spread around everywhere, and the ones that know are trying their best to milk the situation to the top. This means that even by now, a lot of proposals and calls have already come to Azrail, all calling forth to just meet him, not to mention the calls he got from the younger geniuses who want to make some kind of connection with him.

It was just a rumour, but a credible rumour, which brought Azrail to the top of the cosmos with both allies and a lot of enemies. And right now, Azrail stands to face the truth, and he needs to use everything in his power to make it all work.

"That’s quite the arrogant way of saying things. What makes you sure I will listen?"

The pressure lessened as Thanatos asked this question, to which, with a normal smile on his face, Azrail spoke.

"Riavek’mafook."

As Azrail muttered those words, the whole place trembled, the pressure much higher than before, and the will of the world twisted around Azrail’s neck, aiming to take his life, the words in a sense being a taboo that only Thanatos should ever know.