Chapter 13- Death’s Resurrection

Rafael found himself entangled in a complex predicament, aware that urgent actions were necessary. However, his immediate concern wasn't the urgency of the situation. Instead, he discovered a newfound empathy for Death. In the recesses of his restored memories from a previous life, Rafael perceived Death not as a malevolent force but as a despondent figure tasked with reaping his soul.

Though Death was a mere fragment of his immense existence, Rafael sensed a profound sadness accompanying his role in Rafael's demise. The perception of Death as a misunderstood entity led Rafael to a singular purpose—easing Death's pain.

Rafael: "Death, I extend my sincere apologies for the hardships you've endured. Your imprisonment was unjust. However, it's misguided to vent your anger on mortal humans or any other magic-wielding life form, especially when we lack understanding of the events among you immortals in the celestial realms."

The relentless struggle between Death and Rafael persisted, neither side yielding an advantage. Rafael, managing to reverse some alterations on his hands and arms, found their mental battle intensifying. As their focus shifted to attacking the metaphorical rope connecting them, other mental defenses weakened. Their minds began to intertwine, revealing hidden memories locked in the depths of their beings. Rafael gained access to Death's memories, and vice versa, as fragmented recollections unfolded.

The first image unveiled a small child, aged hardly 4 or 5, floating in an endless abyss enveloped by darkness. Subsequent images transported Rafael back to his childhood, where five mysterious friends and Armadella played together. The recurring sight of a dark-haired boy conveyed innocence, solitude, and a hint of suppressed tears. Time seemed inconsequential in this realm, a concept detached from its conventional understanding.

Further glimpses showed Rafael's friends bickering, and the images became fragments of key events in their intertwined existence. Each memory, like pieces of a puzzle, contributed to a broader understanding of Death's past and Rafael's previous life. The evolving narrative painted a portrait of shared experiences, emphasizing the interconnectedness of their stories beyond the current clash of wills.

The subsequent vision unfolded with the older dark-haired boy navigating the abyss, now aged around 11-12. However, he was no longer alone. Accompanying him was a companion with hair reminiscent of the brilliant yellow hues of a rising sun, a creamy white complexion, and dazzling blue eyes. Yet, the companion's appearance was fluid, shifting from the darkest complexion with mud-colored hair and raven eyes to a pale pasty complexion adorned with red hair and freckles on the cheeks. The ever-changing appearances, though uncertain, radiated magnificence, creating an inseparable force. Rafael could sense their formidable power even within the confines of this distant memory.

The subsequent memory transitioned to Rafael's teenage years, featuring him and a caramel-skinned beauty sneaking away from friends for precious moments alone. Concealed behind broad leaves and perched in trees, they reveled in the soothing embrace of rain and the rarity of privacy.

The progression of images revealed the two boys in their later teens, aged 17-18, exuding happiness amid the chaos, void, and abyss surrounding them. Their joy stemmed from the profound connection they shared, finding solace in each other's company amidst the tumult. Together, they embarked on a journey of creation.

The subsequent snapshot captured Rafael and the girl seated on a tree, hidden behind thick leaves. Their hands intertwined, and a crimson blush adorned both their cheeks as Rafael leaned in for their first kiss.

The subsequent image portrayed the two boys once again. What was once a vast, seamless emptiness now teemed with planets, stars, and swirling galaxies. Rafael bore witness to the spectacular birth of the cosmos.

The subsequent scene unfolded with Rafael on his knees amidst friends, proposing to the girl for marriage, marking a pivotal moment in their intertwined lives.

Life burgeoned on the countless planets shaped by the nameless boys, while a stark contrast emerged around the dark-haired boy. Life flourished in the presence of the companion with ever-changing appearances, yet withered and perished in the wake of the dark-haired boy. Despite the latter's desire to depart, the fear of returning to the abyss and the persistent loneliness held him captive. The companion, unwavering, offered solace through embraces, seemingly immune to the effects of the dark-haired boy's presence.

Rafael found himself at the epicenter of a magnificent hall, bathed in the radiance of his coronation night. The grandeur surrounded him as he stood on the precipice of a new era.

Life flourished on the countless planets crafted by the two boys, each brimming with its unique charm. Many beings were engrossed in various activities, weaving the intricate tapestry of existence. Amidst the crowd, four figures stood apart, including the familiar dark-haired boy recognized by Rafael. Their significance echoed through the cosmic expanse.

The emergence of magic wielders marked a pivotal moment. The man with many appearances, now grown from the boy with shifting forms, wore a furrowed brow, his expression revealing concern as if anticipating an impending change.

The scene shifted seamlessly to the fateful night of Rafael's demise. The dark-haired boy, now a man, stood alongside his three companions. They were poised to embark on a journey to a desolate realm, a place devoid of life. The man with many appearances halted their departure with a commanding call, casting a somber tone over the impending events.

In a heart-wrenching sequence, Rafael bore witness to the demise of each friend. Their wings were callously plucked, and their lives extinguished by a twin-bladed lance. The cruelty of fate spared no one, and the same tragic destiny awaited Rafael.

Tears welled in the eyes of the man with many appearances. He faced four cages containing the dark-haired man and his companions, his hands trembling as he prepared to unleash a chain of events. With a sweeping motion, the cages soared in different directions, dispersing the powers encapsulated within them. Each cage carried a fragment of their essence across the vast cosmic canvas.

Gazing into a small pond of water, the man with many appearances observed the fragmented reflections of the captives scattered to the farthest corners of the universe. The dark-haired man, imprisoned and surrounded by an all-encompassing emptiness, uttered anguished questions, a desperate plea resonating in the void.

Boy: "What was my fault? Why did you do this?"

Before Rafael could delve deeper into the unfolding scene, the man with many appearances turned abruptly, locking eyes with Rafael. It was as if he could perceive Rafael's presence amidst the cosmic spectacle. A resounding command echoed,

Man: "LEAVE NOW."

Rafael snapped back to the training room, entangled in the ongoing battle for control. The once-open access to memories now shattered, Rafael grappled with Death's relentless pull on the rope, determined to emerge victorious. The echoes of the past reverberated in his mind, intensifying the emotional stakes of the present struggle

            Upon witnessing the profound depths of Death's existence, Rafael, for the first time, felt a comprehension that transcended the superficial perception of Death as a mere monster—a faceless fiend devouring life and existence. In a reflective moment, Rafael acknowledged that death, in essence, bestowed meaning upon life. Without it, existence would devolve into a pointless, timeless state.

Reality unfolded a different narrative—Death, a victim of his own powers, ensnared in a desolate abyss by a friend, condemned to a solitude he never sought. The abyss, a place of sheer loneliness, held him captive against his will. Rafael's fear of Death transformed into genuine sorrow. The fight became inconsequential; his focus shifted to the tiny fragment of a lonely soul dwelling within Death, a child unjustly confined.

Rafael: "Death, I have seen everything."

Death: "And you think that gives you the privilege to say you understand me? You understand nothing."

Rafael: "Death, I am profoundly sorry for everything that has happened. However, you must comprehend that we, humans, and other magic-wielding species cannot be held accountable for the disputes among you immortals."

Death: "Tell me something, Rafael Windcaller. You've seen your past, confronted your enemy, and experienced the agony of watching your loved ones die—the wife, the unborn child, all killed before you succumbed. Why are you not consumed by seething hatred? Where is the despair? The fear? The helplessness? Where is the rage?

 Rafael: “Death, I. . “

Death: “Like me, you were innocent, seeking the betterment of your people—a good ruler killed for it. Like me, you've known betrayal. Unlike me, your body succumbed, but your soul endured, lying in wait for countless years to be reborn. Now that you remember everything, you've witnessed the abyss, the void, lived there without knowing when or if you'll ever escape. So where is your rage? WHY DON’T YOU DESPAIR?"

Rafael: "BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT WE HUMANS DO. We don’t have the luxury of falling into despair. Being human, being mortal, we never truly know if we'll return home. Every morning, we wake up with practically no guarantee of ever returning.”

Death: “. . . .”

Rafael: “Hell, we don’t even know if we’ll wake up at all. But we hope, and that’s what helps us live through this. Everybody will die one day; with the massive scythe of yours, you will one day reap us all. That is the only certainty. But it’s the life we live before that day that counts."

Death: "You are tinier than the tiniest particle compared to all creation and the multiverse. How can you keep rising after every fall?"

Rafael: "Death, I pity you. I've been told that the sub-elements observe their mage from birth. If only you had observed the life forms around you, the ones you enthusiastically want to destroy. You would have seen how a child falls countless times before taking his first step. That child, unable to speak properly, entirely reliant on others for every need, doesn't give up. Who are we, as grown-ups, to give up after only a few downfalls?

Death: “. . . . .”

Rafael: “If only you had observed life a little closer, you would have realized failures are inevitable. But it’s how you recover from those failures that matters. Frankly, this may be something you immortals can learn from us mortals. No matter how many times we fall, there is always the option of getting up again."

Death: "What if you get betrayed again?"

Rafael: "I’d be prepared for it this time; mistakes are inevitable, but we improve by learning from them."

Death: "Everyone you love may die again; you may die yet again without accomplishing anything."

Rafael: "We all will die, Death. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to change that. But what I can and will do is ensure that this time they won’t die an untimely death like last time. The time, when you reap their souls, they'll welcome you with a smile, as if greeting an old friend.”

Death: “I will reap their souls, Rafael. They will die by my touch. Doesn’t that make you angry?”

Rafael: "You can fool everyone with this reaper form of yours, Death, but don’t forget I have seen the dark-haired boy wandering the abyss. I understand your dilemma, Death. You are The Reaper that loves life. For the sake of that little boy, let me eradicate that loneliness, let me fill the abyss of your heart. Let me be there for you, Death."

Rafael gazed into the mirror, observing Death's skeletal visage. The sensation of Death pulling on the rope had dissipated. The skeletal face began to crumble, and suddenly, Rafael found himself no longer in the training room but within the confines of his own mind, a space designated for Death. In this dimly lit room, adorned with red carpets and a couch by the fireplace, stood a man nearly as tall as Rafael, dressed impeccably in a black tuxedo, black shirt, black shoes, and sporting black shades over his eyes.

Rafael: “Death?”

Death: “Yes.”

Rafael: “I thought you will look as you appeared in my dreams.”

Death promptly transformed back into his reaper form.

Death: “So, do you prefer this?”

Rafael: “No, no, no, dial it back.”

Death: “This is my original form, Rafael. None of the mortals alive have ever gazed onto this form of mine.”

Rafael: “Guess you are where I get my love for black.”

Death: “Rafael, I have called you here for a reason.”

Rafael: “What is it, Death?”

Death: “I will give life one more chance. Show me how you live, Rafael Windcaller. By seeing how you live, I will decide whether or not I will continue my onslaught. I shall help you fulfill your quest, and after that, I will observe how you live up until the moment you die. Rafael Windcaller, show me your way of living.”

Rafael: “I shall not disappoint you, Death. Hey, wait a minute, how will you help me?”

Death: “The way you are now, even after receiving all of your previous powers, you still will be nothing more than chowder to your adversary. You need to train.”

Rafael: “But Gorion said my training was already complete.”

Death: “I didn’t mean training with him; I will train you, Rafael. I will make you stronger than your wildest imaginations, where roots of powers that run so deep, mages of today don’t even know they exist.”

Rafael: “Wow! That’s an incredible honor, Death.”

Death: “We leave immediately, but first, you need to get out of this room.”

Rafael found himself back in the training room, his own reflection visible in the mirror. The battle of the minds had concluded, and he let out a sigh of relief.

Rafael: “Does this mean I have won?”

Death: “Yes, Rafael, it means you have won.”

Rafael jumped at the sound of Death’s voice in his mind.

Rafael: “Hey, you can do that?”

Death: “Of course, sub-elements consciously commune with their mages all the time.”

Rafael: “That is so cool. I am friends with Death.”

Rafael giggled at his own remark.

Rafael: “Hey Death, there is another thing that we mortals know.”

Death: “What is that?”

Rafael: “Humor. I can show you, but I will need your help.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the door.

Jason: “It has been too long. He should have been out by now.”

Gorion: “Patience, Jason. He isn’t exactly taking a shower in there, you know. We have just locked a child in a cage with the most vicious monster of all time. Taming it may take some time, if at all possible.”

No sooner had Gorion finished his sentence when the door flew open, all of their spells to ward off evil, to keep the evil inside, broken in an instant. None of them had the chance to sense the evil inside.

Standing at the doorway was a 12-feet tall skeleton, a purple hood covering his skeletal face, a tall black scythe held in his left hand, the golden chain that held his body now wrapped around his neck like an ornament, the cross that was earlier strapped to his chest slowly rotated exactly 180 degrees and became the locket for his chains, and an hourglass tied to his waist completed his assembly. He took one bony step towards the door, and then his voice boomed.

Death: “Did you really think that the puny spells of yours could have held me? You really thought that insect could beat me?”

Then, in his own voice, Rafael said.

Rafael: “Because you were right, I won.”

Rafael broke down the reaper form and was tackled into a bear hug by Jason.

Jason: “That’s terrific news, Rafael.”

Something whizzed past Rafael’s eyes, and as he turned his head to look, he was hit by a very old but muscular arm that sent Rafael flying.

Gorion: “That is for scaring us that you had lost.”

Gorion then patted Rafael’s head.

Gorion: “And this is for a job well done. I hope the matter with Death is sorted out?”

Rafael: “More than that, Gorion. I believe I might actually have redeemed Death, wizards.”

Gorion: “How so?”

Rafael: “Death will watch how I live my life, and then he will judge whether to continue his quest for vengeance. But first, he will help me fulfill my destiny.”

Gorion: “Do you mean what I think you mean?”

Rafael: “Yes, Gorion. Death has agreed to teach me.”

Gorion: “Stupendous. Your power is going to go off the charts. Death has only had one student before.”

Rafael: “Wait, Death had another student before?”

Gorion: “Yes, but it didn’t end very well for Death.”

At that remark, Death’s voice echoed through his mind.

Death: #I have agreed to be your companion in this journey of yours, Rafael, but do not be mistaken, my hunger for vengeance has not yet been quenched, my anger has not yet cooled off, betray me like your predecessor and I will destroy everything. #

Rafael: #Do not worry, Death. I have already told you; I no longer see the reaper form of yours. I have seen that scared little boy, and I will be there for that boy. I have no intentions of betraying you, not now, not ever. #

Death: #We shall see. Enough of your chit-chat, we need to leave immediately. #

Rafael: “I am sorry, Gorion, but my training with Death starts immediately. I have to leave now, but by the time you’ll see me again, I will be much stronger. Thank you for everything that you have done, Gorion, Jason.”