A Transcender's Guide To Another World 7 Chapter 7: Oblivion

There was an earthquake, and a hole exploded through the ceiling. From it, I saw two figures falling from it and crashed on the ground, shaking the earth once more. I rushed to higher grounds to get a better vantage point and saw a giant woman. Clad in a silver-plated armor, her facial features hidden by a helmet. Despite so, I could instantly tell she was an angel. No joke, she had wings sprouting out her back. Since I don't remember angels wearing armors and fighting like a war-G.o.d, a Valkyrie maybe? She rammed her shield against the incoming abomination. Something I've never seen something and hoped to never see again. It's body covered with dark, slick, hairless skin. Kinda reminds me of a certain fictional alien that binds itself to a human host except that it had two pairs of arms and three eyeless head.

I stood frozen, my breathing became ragged and shallow. The joints of my body felt like dominoes, ready to come tumbling down at the lightest of flick. It was a familiar fear; the one that came from that creature.

It tumbled backward before regaining balance then opened one of its lamprey-like mouths, shooting out a fireball. The Valkyrie swiftly dodged to the side, the fireball missed and exploded in a blazing inferno. Blasting away splinters of wood and further burning down trees and structures. She rushed and bashed the abomination, knocking it back and thrusting her sword into its abdomen. The thing shrieked eerily, and one of its head bit down her left shoulder. She screamed in pain, and blood began spurting out under her crushed armor. Each pair of limb grabbed and held her arms in place. Decisively, she dropped her sword and light gathered in her right hand. With a sudden burst from her palms, she sent the creature flying, knocking down some trees before coming to a halt. The shockwave great enough to shake the earth and made me stumbled.

She walked towards the creature, it sat upright, unmoving against the tree. Not sensing any life from it, she reached out to pull her sword from its abdomen. The creature sprang and grab her with all its limbs, crushing her with t.i.tanic might. I heard her armor creaking, threatening to break under the sheer pressure of the constriction. Like a snake wrapping itself around a bird. Its skin started to liquify, slowly covering the Valkyrie in a dark, translucent membrane, attempting to digest her whole.

I instinctively knew, even if it were to kill the Valkyrie, it still won't stop until it slaughters everybody here. Me included. It simply reeks too much of death and destruction.

So, I did the only reasonable thing any person would do. I ran as fast as I can, hoping to give this news to everyone before it finishes its meal. I considered running away by myself but didn't think I could live with myself if I did so. "Not even the fear of death can take away my honor!", I shouted shamelessly. All of a sudden, I felt an jolt of intense pain and lost my footing, crashing down inelegantly. I was suddenly able to sense the abomination, but at the same time being sensed by it. It screeched and focused all its power on dissolving the Valkyrie's wings, picking up the pace, when suddenly it's back tore and sprouted bony wings. Ma.s.ses were slowly congealing around the structure, forming flesh and feathers. I sensed it in horror and picked myself up. Hoping to out-run it, but it was no use. Soon after, it took the skies. It's belly bulging out like a pregnant lady. It flew so fast I felt stupid for even trying to run in the first place. It intercepted and landed in front of me. I hadn't noticed it before, since I was observing from afar, but d.a.m.n they're huge. The abomination stood 15 meters tall, looking down on me like as if craving for something. I saw the half-devoured Valkyrie curling in its translucent stomach and felt mine churning. It grabbed me with its elongated limbs and spoke telepathically to me with a hoa.r.s.e whisper, "Child of Order, do not fear. Become one with me and serve your purpose."

It opened its mouth wide and swallowed me whole. Plunging me into its stomach together with the Valkyrie. I felt my entire being burned, not just my body, but also my soul. The same familiar pain I felt before being transcended here. I thrashed around in agony to no avail as I felt the acid melting my eyes off, seeping through every single crevice of my body without exception. Until eventually, I felt no pain. No light, no sound, no sense of touch, just an abyss. Who knew the prophecy would have fulfilled itself so quickly. To think that I'm killed off just after two years of transcending here? Ending up only as monster food? What kind of stupid story is this!? Couldn't I be at least killed in a cooler way? I demand to meet G.o.d and address my grievances!

"Ho-ho, such an interesting mortal it seems," a female voice said.

"Who's that? Is that you, G.o.d?", I asked sheepishly. Who would've guessed that Ariana Grande was right?

"...technically not", she answered hesitantly.

"Oh.. Then can you bring me back to life?", I asked expectantly.

"Technically not, either.."

"Then quit wasting my time and let me die in peace. Because of the distraction, I didn't get to go through the part where my entire life flashes before my eyes,", I harrumphed.

"Such an audacious mortal! How dare you speak to me, the Great Archangel Ellariel, like that?"

"So, you're an angel after all."

"Foolish mortal, can't you tell by the wings? Enough of that, we don't have much time. Just let me use your body as a vessel."

"h.e.l.l no, only an idiot would allow themselves to be willingly be possessed. Didn't anyone teach you not to give your bodies to strangers?"

"You..", she said spitefully.

"Yeah, me. Now tell me what's the catch, and what do I get out of it?"

"Anyone who surrenders their body for the greater good will have their soul forgiven by G.o.d and go straight to heaven."

"Not interested. Pa.s.s," I said uncaringly. Seriously? Using religion to trick me? But wait, this is a world where magic exists after all. There are elves, faeries, angels, and certainly otherworldly creatures. Who am I to say that G.o.d doesn't exist? What if what she said is true? What if there's truly an afterlife here? Maybe I should accept her offer. Living it easy in an eternal paradise doesn't seem very bad after all.

"Tch, not all you mortals are that stupid after all."

d.a.m.n it, my hopes and dreams. Aren't angels supposed to tell the truth? Are you sure that you're an angel and not a demon instead? It's a good thing I didn't hastily accept her offer.

"How about this? If you let me possess your body, I'll swear to not erase your soul and let you use the body whenever I'm not," she said haughtily. Not a great negotiator it seems. It also appears she cannot possess me without my consent. Else she would've forced her way without the need for petty lies. Let's see how it plays out.

"No deal. I'd rather die rather than be imprisoned in my own body as an alternate personality. Besides, you already tried to dupe me once. Why should I believe you?"

"You can, because unlike you mortals, oaths made by beings like us can't be forsaken," she said desperately. Oh? I think I remember learning that from the Princess from one of our meetings; something about ethereal creatures unable to break promises. It's a good thing she can't see my face because my expression would've been a dead giveaway. I might sound all high and mighty playing hard to get, but in reality, I'm desperately trying so that I could be, well, not dead. Just a little nudge and I might even get a better deal out of this. I felt her presence getting weaker; she was swallowed before me. I guess the rate of digestion doesn't depend on body ma.s.s after all.

"Oh? It seems you don't have much until your soul is completely devoured. Tell you what, same terms. But I get to be the main personality. You can't come out unless I say so!"

"No, I refuse to yield to an inferior being. Becoming a tool to a mere mortal is the greatest shame an angel would suffer!"

"Time's up, blondie. Either you accept my terms, or we both perish together," I said in my most arrogant tone.

"If I accept it, I want you to promise to return my soul to my homeland after we're done here."

"Will I die if after that?"

"No, you won't. I swear it."

"Fair enough. Do your thing."

"I, the Archangel Ellariel solemnly swear to bind myself to the mortal.."

"Mike."

"...the mortal Mike as his servant. I am the shield that protects him against his foes. I am the sword that will strike down those who will stand against him. I am the light that burns away the darkness and illuminates his path. The contract is made, the pact is sealed. My soul is his to command, for he is my master. And obey his will I solemnly shall, until the last star die and its remnants fade away."

Wait a minute, what contract are you talking about?

*whoosh*

I felt her soul gushing towards mine, burning with silver light. It flowed towards mine, enveloping it whole. I felt her consciousness slightly touching onto mine, vague glimpses of her memories flashed through my head. Unlike the previous a.s.sault on my soul that had felt cold and empty, hers gave off the feeling of warmth and life. With every fibre of her soul a.s.similated to mine, I found myself br.i.m.m.i.n.g with energy. Slowly building up pressure within me, quickly reaching its way to critical ma.s.s. I waited.. Now! I released the pent up energy from my body, causing a spatial ripple. The power spun around me as I ripped apart the abomination from inside, quickly regenerating the dissolved flesh I lost. The power eventually died out in a few seconds, and I regained my senses. I was floating, no I was flying. I turned my back and found angelic wings flapping gracefully behind me. The abomination was down on all six limbs, writhing in pain. Screeching at me. "Ellariel, how do I kill that thing?"

"Huh? You've contracted an archangel and still can't kill it? I can't believe I made a contract with such a useless man," Ellarial said mockingly.

"All I did was allow you to possess me, who told you to make a contract with me?"

"What?", she seemed baffled.

"Nevermind that, just help me kill this thing first!"

"Will you allow me to take over your body for a while?"

"Do it."

I released the grip on my body and allowed Ellariel to take over, observing the world through my eyes and other senses. It was a different kind of feeling, as if my body was on autopilot. She flew above the incapacitated abomination and materialized a miniature version of her sword. The sensation of drawing the soulblade imprinted on my mind. The abomination shot three fireb.a.l.l.s, one from each head. She easily dodged the first two, but the last exploded mid-air behind us. Searing my back with a third-degree burn. The pain was shared amongst us, but it quickly regenerated after. She swooped down and with herculean force, lopped off one of its head. She circuited a few more times, dealing substantial damage each time she swept through.

Ellariel hovered above the abomination. She pointed the blade at it and began chanting. She held the blade with two hands and it began to glow incandescent white, mist forming around the steel. She finished her chant and released a stream of energy - something that came out of a G.o.dzilla movie and blasted the poor sod to oblivion.