4 Chronicle IV: History

Daniel was not paying attention to the class. He was deeply immersed in his thoughts. He reviewed over and over again the little data that Zarathos released in they short conversations. He was still trying to process the latest events, and in addition, constants were added to the problem.

After his conversation with "his other self" he felt the need to deepen the subject, so he investigated the secrets of Zarathos.

He didn't find much in books, so he chose to use the internet - the pinnacle of human and digital knowledge.

He didn't find much there either. Conjectures that demons walked among humans, sightings of these beings in different parts of the world; there were even articles that wondered if some Avengers were demons.

Even some anonymous people swore ... To have relationships with demons. 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 kinds of relationships.

What the fuck, world?

He left the college as soon as he heard the sound of his freedom. Despite his inattention, no teacher ever reproached him for that. Unfortunately, due to certain events within the institute they gave him a bad name, to the point that the teachers didn't care if he failed.

Better for him; he could gather more information. After not finding much in paper and digital texts, he opted for another form of research.

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The church didn't hold mass today, convenient enough. He entered God's lair feeling a ... Pressure. He couldn't define it, but he wasn't comfortable.

- Oh, Daniel!- greeted the Father, Carter Slade- What are you doing here, boy? You rarely come here- then, he speaks with a worrying tone- I hope it is not for problems...

- Don't worry, Father. I'm only here for a matter of interest.

- Oh yeah? -The man laughs heartily- Who is she?

The boy had already figured out how to ask his questions. He was pretty lazy, yes, but he hoped it was enough to have answers.

- More like him. Could you tell me about Zarathos? Is about a-

Carter took him by the arms suddenly. His gaze was serious, but he at the same time seemed to be totally concerned.

- How do you know that name?-he questioned with a deadly serious voice.

The boy cursed in his head. He didn't expect the Father to react like that, he knew he was too lazy!

"𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘵, 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱!" - He thought.

- It's for, uh, a school project! - he answered- "𝘖𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘰𝘥 𝘐´𝘮 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘵"

The father raised an eyebrow. Daniel cursed to himself again. Was that really the only thing he could think of?

- Listen, Father, if it were up to me this would be the last place I'd come to, but the internet and books didn't give me many options left...- at this point, he was making things up. He wasn't lying so, it was alright.

The man stared at him for a few more moments. Finally, he sighed and laughed.

- Sorry for the outburst, kid. That name is not something that should be taught in a school. Did you choose the subject of the project yourself?

- Kinda... It just... Appeared in my head out of nowhere.

- I see ... Yes, I can help you. But I think it's appropriate that you listen to the story first.

So, Carter narrated the story of Zarathos from the beginning. He mentioned what Daniel already knew; the human beginnings of him, then how his name became known as Angel of Justice, and finally, how he became a demon.

- Zarathos was a powerful demon long ago. Thanks to a shaman, he acquired the power of millions of souls, coming to rival Mephisto. Both fought, but he was left with the victory. As punishment, Zarathos served Mephisto for the rest of his days.

The boy analyzed the whole story. There were many inconsistencies. The versions of Zarathos and the Father were different, but both identically counted his beginning as a demon.

- So was he a prisoner?

- The correct definition would be slave, but you are not wrong. Zarathos was someone who wanted power more than anything, but as you can see, that pride cost him dearly.

- Hmm...

He was about to ask another question, but was interrupted by the sound of a new visitor walking: a blond man with a beard, and judging by his appearance, he was in his early 30s.

-Ah, Johnny, it's good to see you again! - greets the father, welcoming the man with a hug.

Dante watched curiously. The Father saw the boy's confused face, so he decided to introduce them.

- Daniel, this is Johnny Blaze. He comes in from time to time to help us if we're busy.

Nice to meet you, Daniel- said Johnny, holding out his hand- I'm surprised to see a young man in God's lair.

-No, the pleasure is mine...- when he shook her hand, a strange sensation invaded him. He felt a bond with that man, and involuntarily, his hand overheated for a second.

-Auch! You give a good squeeze, kid, it looks like they burn!- Blaze complained, with a smile and wincing, obviously joking.

- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." he apologizes, looking at his hand- "𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭...?"

Both man laugh.

-Well, Daniel, it's late. Isn't it time you went home?

The boy nods and leaves the establishment, not before taking one last look at Johnny Blaze, who dismisses him with a smile, then he gets on his motorcycle and drives away from the church.

Hearing the car's engine drive away, Johnny looks at Carter.

- So, that´s why you called me. Did you tell him the story?- asked the man.

- That's right. Although I didn't talk about your" familiarity "or mine with him. The kid is looking for answers.

- I don't think he's ready yet... I'm going to have to put him to the test- Johnny decided, walking towards the exit.

- Don't overdo it, Ghost Rider.

- No promises.

Leaving the church, Blaze starts his motorcycle and plunges onto the highway. The biker's face vanishes, showing a skull on fire.

- 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.