While Azrail ogled at his improved image mirrored upon the crystal-clean pond, the other four couldn't help but shiver in fear as they felt the ominous power that exuded from his very core, suffocating everyone in the hall with pressure being forced on their lungs. Of course, they couldn't speak of their discomfort—how would the new God of Death react?

Performing a twirl, Azrail smirked as he saw how his cape absorbed the colors circling it, giving him an aura of danger and authority. Clutching tightly to his staff, Azrail breathed in deeply, feeling the power draining out from his body and onto his staff. Azrail didn't know how he could run his power into his staff, but he guessed it must have come as a bonus for becoming the God of Death.

The God of Death... Azrail still wasn't used to such a title. To him, it was fairly bizarre how he so easily became the God of Death—well, if you could count being whispered by the late God of Death, then dropped off to be scrutinized and certified by Birth Mother, and then his entire inner body parts disappearing while still granting him to feel the pain (not like he felt it). Oh, and did he mention that the only reason he went through such heartbreak throughout his entire life was because of this role?

He was in wonderment about his new role; yet also felt disdain for it.

"Hail, God of Death. How is your new body feeling?" Turning around to face Birth Mother, Azrail bowed his head in recognition, his grip on his staff stiffening. "Hail, Birth Mother. My new body feels awkward, yet satisfactory. Though I wonder; why is it I feel as if my soul is linked to this staff?" Questing Birth Mother, she only shook her head.

"Your soul isn't attached, but your energy is. Right now, you seemed to have worked out how to regulate your granted power to the staff. The staff was made for a beginner's aiding you in understanding your capabilities sooner and safer."

"So this staff is just here to help me learn how to handle my power; meaning that one day I'd have to let go of it?" This thought dispirited him. He didn't wish to let go of such a gorgeous staff—not when he barely gotten it. Birth Mother snorted. "Don't get too cocky, God of Death. You're but a noob as of the moment. You won't be parting with your precious staff just yet." Hearing her explanation, Azrail eased up in satisfaction.

Standing up from her seat, Birth Mother took long strides as she now stood before Azrail. Inclining her body, Birth Mother stared down at the God of Death with tranquil eyes. "Your job is to reap the souls that you identify ready to die and then direct them to Demer; from where they can be judged and then taken by Deshak to their respected place in either the underworld or the heavens. Other than that, you are to kill off any life form that you deem worthy to perish, allowing for the God of Life to do their job." Describing to Azrail simply, Birth Mother bowed down before Azrail, kissing the ground from where he walked on.

"As the God of Death, you have much to do, so please; haste to your realm and reap the souls ready for the taking. They are already millions awaiting your blessing." Straightening her back Birth Mother didn't dare to look at him in the eyes, which Azrail didn't mind. Tilting his head, Azrail asked:

"Where is my domain?"

"Just clang your staff upon the ground and you shall be led to your unique domain. This dimension was made explicitly for your needs with everything that you would desire, provided for you the instant you arrive. Do hurry. Some humans can't stay alive much longer." Nodding his head in understanding, Azrail turned his body away from her and carefully struck his staff upon the floor.

With a faint glow emitting from his staff, the ground beneath him opened up, swallowing his body as he departed from everyone's sight.

Taking in a deep breath, Azrail put a hand over his eyes, already mentally drained from what had just transpired. He just became a god; and not just any god—the God of Death, no less! Thinking of this, Azrail groaned. He always thought of himself as flexible and someone who easily goes with the flow—but this was too much!

Here he thought he could finally rest in peace, away from life and its burdens; yet now here he is with one of the biggest obligations known to humankind! Everything hadn't been going the way he expected it would go, but he assumed it was fine like this as well. Why would he wish for someone else to suffer in this position, inexperienced and frightened, someone who wasn't born with death in tow, when he was there, suited for the position?

With these thoughts boiling around in his mind, Azrail moved away his hands as he saw a streak of a light show at the end of the tunnel. Peering down, Azrail did nothing as his body promptly sank to the bottom, his feet soundlessly docking on the plush ground as he ultimately landed where Birth Mother called his "domain".

Making sure that he still had his staff by his side, Azrail nodded his head in affirmation before turning his attention over to his unfamiliar location. Though was immediately flabbergasted as he comprehended everything seemed... familiar.

Staying frozen from where he stood, Azrail looked on, stunned by the looks of his current environment and of where he would live from now on.

The skies were set at night time as a full moon appeared adjacent to the earth, almost as if it was right on top of it as it illuminated a warm honey glow while being enveloped by endless dots in the sky, all of them dazzling. Galaxies of all lengths and shapes were distributed all over the night sky, some of them even blazing splendidly for a few seconds before dimming down before his very sight. Glancing down at the soft ground, Azrail saw the bright, healthy-looking green grass underneath him, with some dandelions strewed around. Around him stood proudly dozens of fruit trees with already fully grown fruits like apples, bananas, oranges, and so many more!

A lot of them were also flower trees with flowers in full bloom, their graceful petals shimmering underneath the pleasant glow of the moon even while at night. This was truly his utopia.

Trekking further into the open woods, Azrail spotted a giant water fountain up ahead as the melodious sound of water pounding against each other rang inside of his ears—pleasantly, of course. Now feeling a sense of excitement for what he could find up ahead, Azrail hastened his pace, not minding that he could sully his lengthy skirt as he speedily made his way closer to the water fountain.

Unlike his role in existence, everything before him was full of life and vitality. Everything burned with a cheerful glow as if it came straight out of a fairytale. Now arriving at the water fountain, Azrail glanced up as he noticed that right next to the water fountain was a towering light purple willow tree; its drooping twigs laden with refreshing green leaves as it swayed mildly against the pleasant breeze.

Caressing his hand past its leaves, Azrail was astonished at how soft it was. With the sound of the falling water eventually capturing his attention Azrail wandered over to it and seated down on top of its stable railings, soaking his hand into the transparent water as his reflection warped and changed, though his features were still clear enough for him to be hailed good-looking.

Long, raven-black hair was let loose as it cloaked over his shoulders, some tumbling down as the edges almost reached the water. Long butterfly-like eyelashes hooded over his placid golden eyes—wait... golden?

Caressing the skin under his eye, Azrail gasped in shock as he inspected his image, startled to find out that his eye color has transformed completely from its formerly honey-brown hue. Now his eyes were a striking light golden color as they seemed to pulsate with the sound of his breathing; blazing brightly, as if they were gold articles of jewelry and riches concealed behind his eyes. Even though he was still stunned by his eyes new transformation, Azrail believed his image couldn't stay the same.

The late God of Death had murmured something about the eyes being the gateway to the soul.

Touching his pale skin Azrail awed in fascination as he saw that instead of being a sickly color as it used to be that it was now a healthier-looking pale color with his under bags now gone along with a scar that reached across his chin to his ear. Now all that was left was smooth pale skin with no blemishes showing.

Azrail assumed he didn't have to endeavor to follow his neglected skincare routine anymore.

Parting his pink cupid bow lips apart, a sigh left his smooth lips. Maybe everything was moving too fast that even his mind couldn't fathom it quickly enough; this meant that instead of replying harshly and fretting over his tedious function like others would, he was instead relaxed and poised. Perhaps he just needed more time to think this through and gather his feelings about the situation-

"God Azrail, Kallias welcomes God Azrail home." Bolting up in surprise at his words, Azrail yelped as he plunged straight into the water, his clothes becoming wet. Quickly securing his balance, Azrail stood up and hopped away from the water fountain, not daring to stare at Kallias in the eyes after such an unseemly display.

"God Azrail! Are you alright?! This lowly servant shall fetch you some new clothes-"

"Wait, Kallias. First, draw me a warm bath and prepare my nightly robes. I wish to sleep first." Listening faithfully to his appeals, Killias nodded his head and bowed, settling to his demands. "Shall Kallias show God Azrail to his living quarters?" Again with the formal speech. Sighing, Azrail nodded his head with a modest smile.

Following Kallias down the stone pathway as they headed closer to where Kallias specified being his living quarters, Azrail memorized their path, aspiring to visit the willow tree and the water fountain once he had more time.

Watching as numerous flowers slightly drooped as he stalked closer to them, Azrail's mood dampened a bit. Everything he touched would die—hell, he didn't even need to touch them, but as long as he was near enough, life would die around him. Next time, he would have to be extra vigilant.

As they headed closer to his new residence, Azrail thought about how lonesome it must have been with everything magnificent and full of life deteriorating before you could fully cherish it. Just having to admire the beauty from afar... the late God of Death must have been truly lonely.

And now, he would once again be solitary; but this time—not even the flowers could stay around him before dying. Back when he was alive, only humans would die when they spent too much time with him and grew attached; now that he was dead, whether they were human, they would still die from his presence.

Everything was going to be even worse from now on.

"God Azrail—we've arrived."