Chapter 14)

Helheim.

Hela observed as a gateway opened from the realm of the dead, directly into the rivers of Gyell. The river quickly filled with the souls of mortals and other beings. Hela could see weak demons screaming and dissolving in the river, while the souls of dark magicians, though tormented, continued to float along with the current.

Hela plucked one of these souls and examined it closely. She noticed numerous dark stains within the soul and sensed the presence of dark energy. Tempted to absorb new knowledge, she reminded herself that absorbing souls also meant assimilating their egos. Thus, she simply observed the souls without absorbing them.

As the gateway eventually closed, the river became filled with a variety of deceased souls. From the shore, Hela's attention shifted to the mortal who orchestrated it all.

She watched as he distanced himself from the city, never once pausing and constantly scanning his surroundings for any signs of pursuit.

"Hmm, he's ruthless yet smart enough to immediately flee the scene due to his lack of strength. Well, it's worth a try after all. I could have waited longer, but such a surge of souls will surely alert Heimdall. If he discovers a mortal utilizing my abilities to eliminate him, he will be more vigilant and pose a greater threat to my father in Asgard."

Hela focused on her connection with the mortal and decided to talk to him, just as she noticed him engaging in combat with a group of bandits.

"Or perhaps I'll talk to him once he settles down in a more suitable location."

As the mortal fought the bandits with impressive skill and precision. She observed his every move, studying his technique and assessing his potential.

Once the skirmish ended and the bandits lay defeated, Hela established a connection with the mortal and sent him a message. "Not bad mortal. Although your movements are rather inept, you are worthy of someone who uses my powers."

August scanned his surroundings, trying to pinpoint the source of the ethereal voice that resonated in his mind. It didn't take long for him to realize that the voice emanated from his connection with the world of the dead, specifically from the Goddess of Death herself.

Maintaining his composure, August composed his thoughts and responded, projecting his words back to the goddess. "I am honored to hear from you, esteemed Goddess of Death and ruler of the deceased. I am curious to know what brings your attention to this insignificant mortal."

The Goddess of Death chuckled softly, her voice echoing with a hint of amusement. "I desire many things, mortal, but rest assured, I have no interest in the affairs of Midgard or its happenings. Were it not for the discovery of that bone imbued with a fragment of my power, I would have remained indifferent to this realm."

August suspected there was more to her statement than met the eye, yet he dared not challenge her on it.

"In that case, I humbly request the permission of the Goddess to wield these powers further, allowing me to cleanse the world of dark magicians and the influence of other dimensional lords."

The Goddess of Death's response was tinged with indifference. "Do as you wish, mortal. However, a single individual alone cannot eradicate all dark magicians and cleanse the entire world."

August was already aware of this limitation, as he had lost the ability to open portals and employ the sorcery he had learned in the temple after attaining the power of death and severing ties with the dimensions.

"I understand the magnitude of the task at hand, but I sense a proposition behind your words," August ventured cautiously. "I would be remiss not to inquire what price I must pay for such assistance."

The Goddess of Death's voice took on a mischievous tone. "Hehe, fret not, mortal. I simply require you to bestow my powers upon other worthy individuals. A simple task, is it not?"

August hesitated, apprehensive about granting others such formidable abilities. "I..."

"Before you dismiss the idea entirely, consider that allies will be invaluable in your mission. Who better to comprehend your ideals than those you train? Take your time to contemplate, for you have a long journey ahead of you."

Before August could utter another word, he sensed that the connection had severed. Letting out a weary sigh, he continued on his path, his mind swirling with the prospect of gathering students who could aid him in his cause. "Perhaps I can establish an order, a force dedicated to combating demons and dark magicians. Simultaneously, we can guide ordinary people, showing them the path to serenity in the face of death."

The idea ignited a newfound passion within August, filling him with renewed determination and purpose.

As August continued his journey, his mind buzzed with the possibilities that lay ahead. The concept of forming his order, a formidable group united by their shared purpose, grew more enticing with each passing step. He envisioned a collective of individuals who possessed the power to combat the darkness that plagued the world, while also guiding the souls of the departed towards tranquility.

With the guidance of the Goddess of Death, August saw an opportunity to shape a future where mortals could find solace in their inevitable transition from life to death. It was an ambitious undertaking, one that required careful selection and training of his future disciples.

His thoughts drifted to the potential candidates for his order. He contemplated seeking out individuals who had already displayed an innate talent for magic or demonstrated a keen understanding of the forces that governed life and death. August understood the importance of finding like-minded individuals who shared his ideals and would wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to the cause.

Meanwhile, Hela's mind was consumed by the puzzle of transferring her powers to mortals and harnessing their growth and results after death to further strengthen herself. She understood the importance of delving deeper into the realms of magic and souls before attempting any significant explorations or creations. She needed to expand her knowledge and uncover the secrets that lay within the souls she observed.

Observing the vast collection of souls before her, Hela sensed a strong desire to find individuals who possessed even a fraction of understanding when it came to souls. She sought out those with expertise in the intricate nature of these ethereal entities, hoping to gain valuable insights.

Utilizing her divine connection with Helheim, Hela focused her will and directed her consciousness toward the souls within her reach. She searched for what felt like an eternity, but her efforts proved fruitless. Either her connection with the worlds of the dead was limited in that regard, or there simply were no souls with the desired knowledge in this particular group.

Undeterred, Hela relied on her divine wisdom and the knowledge she had gained in Asgard. She recalled the fundamental aspects of souls that she had learned. Souls were the repositories of memory, personality, and the will of a living being. Every intelligent creature possessed a soul, and after death, a soul was imbued with the color of the power the mortal had wielded in life. Souls were, in essence, immortal, or at the very least, Hela herself was incapable of destroying them. She could purge them of memories and ego, but the essence of the soul remained intact.

Hela also reflected on the intriguing phenomenon she had noticed—the memories of the dead passing through her and vanishing into the depths of Helheim. This realization sparked a revelation within her. She theorized that when her divinity cleansed a soul, the memories did not dissipate into oblivion but were squeezed into the world, allowing her to become an intermediary of sorts, receiving all the knowledge contained within the soul. However, the ego of the mortal could not assimilate into the world of the dead. Instead, it clung to Hela, desperately trying to survive. This explained the overwhelming impact on her when absorbing memories directly.

Considering this newfound understanding, Hela devised a plan. She decided to prioritize the elimination of the ego first, severing its connection to the mortal world, before absorbing the memories. By implementing this sequence, she anticipated avoiding the detrimental effects on herself, mitigating the blow that came with absorbing the memories of the dead.

Armed with this strategy, Hela felt a surge of confidence and determination. She was ready to push the boundaries of her knowledge and explore the depths of magic and souls in ways she had not yet ventured. With the souls in Helheim as her research subjects, she would unravel the mysteries that lay within and utilize her newfound understanding to further her ambitions.

As she contemplated her next steps, Hela's eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. She was poised to unlock a realm of possibilities and wield her powers with even greater precision, all in her relentless pursuit of knowledge and strength.