1 Demonic angel

In an empty, lifeless plane were only two lights in the otherwise dark place: the first circular, which presented faint rainbow colors in an endless cycle of mixing and separating, the latter with an intense crimson color and a shape that seemed around an anthropomorphic figure.

The interaction of these auras described the passing of time in this location where the distinction between present and past was miraculous.

At some point, the spherical light trembled.

*What has a beginning will have an end.

Equally, what has ended has a beginning in principle.

Even though that was true in my first life, it certainly leaves an unpleasant aftertaste, knowing that the cause of the end of my life has been the same twice in a row.

The cause was the betrayal of creatures too evolved to be called chimps and not enough to be called humans.

If I want to retrace the error which made that happen, the cause is the same: naivety.

Going more into the details…*

Suddenly the individual with the crimson aura said:''Ehi Eric Blake, or should I say, Erechtheus Blake, do you mind stopping self-pitying yourselves and listening to me before the bony fellow comes taking you in the Lethe? ''

She had an ethereal but fierce figure at the same time: average in height, skin the color of caramel, hairs dark as night, bright red her pupils, and finally, a white pair of angel-like wings and a dark, bloody sword rested at her side.

*Wait, did she just read my mind?*

The sphere moved again, this time more intensely as if representing its surprise.

She then continued:''That is right, my name is Nemesis, the goddess of revenge.

I am here to propose some business to you: would you like to reincarnate and exact revenge on the people who tried to kill you? ''

Her voice was sweet and attractive like a deceptive demon trying to get your soul.

The round individual answered:''Tried eh?

Hmm, I do not mind, but it seems like a drag, so what is the catch? ''

Eric did not mind it one bit and wasn't scared.

It was quite the opposite.

If he had to reincarnate anyway, instead of restarting with a clean slate, he might as well keep the memories of his past experiences to save time.

If he needed the help of a demoness or goddess to achieve his goal, so be it, revenge-wise: that would be a bonus.

While telling him, she laughed gently:''As I already have told.

I can perceive your true intentions.

There is no point trying to sound aloof.

Anyway, to answer your question: your existence is way more complex than you think, and you have the potential to dethrone the pig brothers of the Greek pantheon.

So since my relationship with them isn't the best and a friend asked me to help you, it's only natural to make this offer to you. ''

Her voice started sounding slightly annoyed but curious at the same time.

While speaking, she kept a business-like smile, and her eyes moved slightly at the end of the sentence.

He resumed in a more easygoing tone:''I just tried testing the limits of that power.

I thought it was better to know if the mind-reading ability could work only when the target is silent.

Anyway, I don't know enough about what you just said.

What about my origins and potential? ''

Eric said, using a louder voice as if deciding to not hide his interest anymore.

His soul started moving in a more organized and efficient way, like the cogs of a clock.

Seeing his reaction, said to him:''You sure are bold for being a mortal in the soul form on the brink of being recycled.

One wrong action from me, and you will start the process of reincarnation!

In your current situation, knowing what you think is as easy as reading a book.

It isn't without reason that people say the eyes are the soul's mirrors: for a higher existence like me, reading a soul without the obstacle of the physical body is instinctive.

Finally, regarding the missing information: talking about it now will get attention from too many people.

It's something you are going to discover in the future by yourselves.

You need to know that yours is the power of a king: the power of using the lives of your subjects like pieces on a chessboard. ''

At this point, Nemesis hit him with a predatory smile which, combined with the sudden information, left him awe-struck for a few moments.

''....''

Catching on to this and reading his flow of consciousness, the bloody angel's face turned slightly red at a speed beyond human sensory possibilities.

Then continued teasing him with a wider grin:''So something can leave you speechless, ah? ''

Eric then quickly recovered his focus and answered her with an attitude stronger than hers, seemingly splitting his soul with a 'smile' wide from one side to the other of the spherical light while saying:''More than that, it's starting to get interesting!

I guess that I'll have to try hard this third time! ''

At this point, she returned to a more natural face as if satisfied by the results of the past conversation and concluded.

''That's good to hear.

Now I'll send you to an unoccupied vessel.

From there on, it'll be on you.

I can't wait to see you again in Panpolis!

For any further detail, the system will help you in the process. ''

Then she clicked her fingers, and a crack emitting white light started appearing.

Eric started feeling a pull attracting him to it.

Wanting more information, he started shouting, trying to overcome the sound of the air flux into the dimensional passage: "Wait, what about…! "

She continued with a slight smile on her lips.

"Sorry, that's it for today.

We're running out of time. "

Shortly after, the disembodied soul disappeared fractions of a second before Nemesis.

The darkness had regained dominion of the scene.

The only exception was an eye floating at a distance that couldn't be detected, not even by the demon-like angel that had just left.