After a while;
In Azzy's mindscape;
"What? Are you serious, Chronos? Do you think I can become a demigod within twenty years?" Azzy didn't understand the reasoning behind the Reaper's proposal to Fenrir.
If the Reaper could defeat the enemy with just two moves, then, why couldn't he just kill him and be done with it? Not to mention, Azzy would also get a demigod servant and he might become a supreme being in one go.
The others couldn't bear such a rapid increase of power but Azzy is someone who could bind three cosmic gems without facing any problems. Other than losing control over his strength, Azzy literally has no problem with it.
However, the Reaper thinks differently and he couldn't help but scold his host for still being an immature brat. "Are you a fool? Do you really think it is that easy to kill a true demigod like Fenrir? The soul skills I used are nothing more than a bluff, which likely won't work for more than a second time."
"What do you mean?" Azzy was taken aback.
The Reaper explained, "Think about it logically. Do you have the power to stop the time for the whole universe?"
Azzy shook his head and answered, "No, you said my range covers the entire solar system."
The Reaper continued, "It is about 3206 times the distance of the sun to this planet. If you want an approximate figure in numbers, it is nearly 480 billion kilometers or should say 18.5 light days."
"480 billion? Wow, I never expect the hourglass to be so awesome." Azzy was elated by the number. How big is that number? He cannot imagine the distance in his head.
"Focus please…"
"Sorry, please go on."
The Reaper continued to explain, "Every time you manipulated the time on a world scale, a time barrier would form over the entire range so as to not disturb the natural flow within the galaxy.
Until now, you didn't rewind the time for too long. Adding to the fact that your range is still just a tiny speck of dust in the vast universe, you haven't caught the attention of the heavens. Of course, the guardian god and Gaia also contributed a bit to the cause.
Anyways, my point is that if I hold him in such a state for very long, the gods would feel something is wrong. It is risky for you if they find your existence before you become the demigod."
The guardian god also once explained to him how crazy the gods will become if they find three of the eleven cosmic gems bound to him.
"Then, what should I do now?" asked Azzy, to which the Reaper responded with a chuckle, "What else? You train. But, before that, you need to have clarity on your weaknesses. What is it that you truly want to improve?"
Azzy then sat down and closed his eyes, going through everything that happened with Fenrir as well as his earlier battle with Snivy and then Raydon.
The Reaper stared at him in silence. Reading his host's thoughts, he thought, "It looked like Azrael now has gotten one step closer to the path he was destined with. It is time for him to go through the darkness before slowly detaching himself from all seven worldly emotions of happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, anger, disgust, and contempt."
As the Reaper was filled with excitement, Azzy opened his eyes with a serious look and said, "Chronos, I realized where the problem was. I lack the strength, I lack the control, I lack the mastery over the skills and the cosmic gems as I rarely had an opportunity to use them, and I also lack the wisdom to apply them in a timely manner. I need your help."
The Reaper wasn't completely satisfied with the answer but it is enough for him that Azzy was depending on him at the moment. Ever since the guardian god became Azzy's master, Azzy rarely asks him for a piece of advice.
He then replied, "The first thing you have to do is to transform your physique. Quickly finish your matters here. Once it was done, we will proceed to the forest of death."
"Alright."
***
The next day during the time at dawn;
Thousands of kilometers away from the Emerald City, on an empty islet located in the middle of an ocean, the Fenrir appeared at the place and looked at the water.
He then raised his head and stared at the sun that wasn't out yet. He waited in silence.
Once the sun has risen, the Fenrir released his aura, but not recklessly. It was controlled in a way that only the things right below the islet could feel it.
The concentrated beam of aura dived into the ocean until it reached the ocean bed located atleast 45 kilometers down from the surface. In the place where the light is complete absence, a large pair of glowing eyes with vertical slits were opened.
And just ten seconds later, a giant serpent head as big as a mountain erupted from the water, causing huge waves around.
*Hssss*
A loud hiss escaped from the serpent.
The soaked Fenrir shook his body and spoke as he raised his head, "I can't talk with you this way. Transform…"
In the next instant, an old man with long white hair and wearing traditional long white robes like a sage was standing on the surface of the water and looked at the wolf, "It's been a while, brother. How long has it been since we saw each other? 50 years? The last time we met, you…"
Fenrir interrupted the old man rather unpleasantly, "I'm not here to reminiscence about the past, Jormungandr. I want to know where Surtr is sealed."
"Eh? Surtr?" The old man was taken aback. "Why?"
Fenrir replied, "He is the only divine grade spirit I'm acquainted with. That's why. I need to borrow his power to deliver justice to my daughter."
"Daughter? You have a child? When? I thought you had taken a vow of celibacy," As the old man was questioning him in confusion, the Fenrir said that he will answer everything later but the matter is of utmost importance.
Jormungandr fell silent. Seeing the look of hesitation on his face, The Fenrir went on to say, "If you help me locate and unseal him, I will put away my grudge and become Arcana of Loki's upcoming avatar in place of you."
"You will do that?" Jormungandr was taken aback. He couldn't help but wonder what might have happened that his brother intends to go to such an extent.
Fenrir didn't give him the time to think too much and stressed, "I'm asking for the last time. Will you help or not?"
The old man let out a deep sigh and nodded, "Alright. I will help you but you have to keep your word."
"I will."
As Fenrir gave his promise, Jormungandr then said, "It's in a place surrounded by three mountains on each side like a formation. I don't know the name of the place but I remember the location. I will take you there. Follow me but not in this form. I'm not uncomfortable looking at you in that form while I transformed into a human."
The wolf nodded and transformed into that handsome hunk with long grayish hair with white streaks here and there. Using his energy, he created clothes resembling that of an adventurer he often sees in his regular life.
"Let's go."
Both of them flew into the air before disappearing.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel