CHAPTER ONE - THE ULTIMATUM

  Within the Celestial Hall murmurs could be heard all around. Seated in their various positions which formed a circular formation all around.

  The order in which they sat dictated their authority.

  Majority made up the outer circle, a few made up the middle sector and within the inner circle, three prominent figures were having an argument.

  The Primordials had all gathered today to settle one glaring issue. The atmosphere was tense with discussions about a particular God who was causing too much controversy.

  The issue had gotten to its boiling point causing one entity to lash out with rage. “Why the hell hasn't he chosen a new champion yet. The old one’s a dud. His power is growing weaker by the minute and he still isn't here. “ The man with the head of a bull in golden robes had had enough and decided to let his views known.

  The lighting crackled around his fist as smashed down the table to accentuate his points.

  It was a tradition for the Primordials to pass down their power from one generation to another to refine it.

  But the Reaper hadn't done so, causing frustration amongst the others. “Calm down Vigour, he will be here soon.” A feminine voice tried to reason with the enraged bull man who was fuming through the nostrils.

  “ Kiera, Today everything changes, I can't tolerate it any longer”

  A few minutes later a chilling cold enveloped the area followed by a dark presence. Kiera turned to the other two at the table, “He's here. Patience is virtue”

  A shadow crept through the hall making its way through the outer circle to the inner circle. It slipped through the crowd and steadily made its way till it came to a halt in the inner circle.

  Two men manifested from the shadow. One dressed in a luxurious black tailored suit which contrasted his ghostly pale skin walked behind the other.

  Adorning a cracked monocle on his right eye, the pale man slicked back his dark hair and courteously waved to the crowd on behalf of his master.

  His master walked in front of him, the cloak he wore covering every part of his body save the hood which showed parts of his face which resembled a skull.

  They stopped in front of the table and Omen, the pale one, pulled out the chair for his master.

  Not even a second after assuming his seat the Reaper was bombarded with several questions.

  Vigour was about to chime in when the Reaper held up his index finger to silence him.

  He looked around to those seated at the table and rested his hollowed eyes on one.

  “Grey, 19 years ago you made me aware of a suitable vessel for my power. I offered him all of it yet he hesitates. We made a pact that this year would be the year I would hear his ultimatum”.

  Today, I will be willing to select another mortal if only he relinquishes that power willingly.” He glared at Vigour as he made the last statement.

  Grey understood why the Reaper had started by addressing him and with a light mischievous giggle, he summoned a scrying orb.

  The white haired boy began his ritual much to the delight of all.

  Kiera twiddled her long golden hair in anticipation. Soon, Grey was done with his flashy rituals.

  All turned their attention to his orb watching with keen interest to see the Reaper’s champions next move. The events of today were going to be viewed by all.

  –

  A.S.A

  Licht’s City, Ohio.

  Remy patted his dark hair in an attempt to calm his nerves to give his speech. He straightened his tie to look presentable.

  Nobody was going to like what he was about to say at this press conference.

  The atmosphere was already tense due to the recent spree of kidnapping and murder of Titans.

  “A task force will be mobilized to ensure the safety of all Titans” The Chief of Titan Task Force assured. Cameras flashed at him and he signalled for Remy to take the stage.

  The Allied States of America was a country which only had 2 Champions so announcing his rejection of the status would cause an uproar.

  Remy took the microphone and looked towards the crowd.

  He had always dreamed of saying this but it wasn't as easy as he had thought. His throat was dry and his palms were sweaty. His vibrant fair tone had had turned pale

  “I Remy Lineus relinquish my status as Champion of The Primordial Reaper”

  The room suddenly felt silent before erupting into chaos. Some even booing him off the stage.

  To some it felt like a betrayal since he was leaving them in the middle of a crisis.

  Those who could harness the mystical element known as Jinsei were called Titan.

  Jinsei gave them access to all sorts of supernatural abilities to use for either the benefit or detriment of their race.

  In the year 2050 about 6 centuries ago, during the war with Celestials and Angels, one Angel in an attempt to turn the tides sought refuge on Earth.

  He introduced Jinsei as a superior energy source and taught the people to utilise it.

  After garnering their trust he tricked them and experimented with countless live mortals to produce a potent concoction dubbed The Dire Elixir that granted him power to rival even the Primordials.

  The Primordials, beings of the highest order, couldn't afford to interfere directly with the mortal world. Their immense power could upset the balance of the mortal realms.

  Hence they decided to bestow some of their power to the mortals to efficiently deal with threats. Such people became known as Champions.

  Remy didn't only relinquish the title but the responsibility as well. Remy was sure the other champion could deal with it.

  “The murderer trying to recreate The Dire Elixir would be brought to justice even without my input! The task force headed by the wonderful Chief coupled with the champion God Hand are more than competent” Remy added but the jeers got louder and he eventually got offstage.

  He had school to attend now that he had given his speech. The Chief gave him a hug to reassure him. His chubby yet bulky frame gave Remy much comfort.

  “I'll drive you to the academy”the chief offered

  “I haven't told the Reaper yet.” Remy said

  The Chief sensed the concern in Remy's voice. It was unlike Remy. The jovial Remy who was always quipping and messing around was acting unlike himself. He understood it was much of a burden for a nineteen year old.

  “Don't worry I'm sure he'll understand” the Chief assured.

  Remy cracked a small smile as they drove to his school.

  They had arrived.

  “ Swing by the station if you've got some free time and don't fail your assessment kid” the chief said as Remy stepped out.

  “Huh?” Remy was confused.

  “My son told me you guys were having an assessment today”

  Remy stopped walking towards the entrance, held his head and screamed.

  “Ohhh f******ck! ” he had completely forgotten about their assessment.

  –

  [Sparring mode activated]

  The A.I manipulated the simulation platform to look like a dojo.

  Ren anticipated his next opponent. “Who was it going to be?”, he wondered. His eyes darted around the class searching for his sparring mate.

  He had been training and wanted to test his new technique on stage.

  The teacher sensed his eagerness and decided not to waste anymore time. Ren smiled excitedly and his skin burst into flames as he anticipated his opponent. His opposition would be :

  “Remy!” the teacher announced

  Remy climbed up and assumed a stance. Some booed as he went up. Leftover hate from his conference earlier.

  “Oh so you guys watched the conference too. Didn't know you were such big fans. ” he blew them a kiss.

  He sniffed the air and winced but quickly put on a silly smile on his face and eased into a stance.

  “My opponent is Remy?” Ren questioned

  Ms. Nina nodded in response.

  Ren’s smile faded and the flame that enveloped him extinguished.

  “I forfeit. I don't fight weaklings.”

  “Ouch! That really hurt” he pretended to hold his chest in pain.

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  “If you forfeit then you don't get any score for your assessment.” the teacher tried to reason but Ren just jumped off the simulation platform.

  She couldn't blame him, Remy was known for not really taking anything seriously. He had been in Killian Academy for titan for two years and he still didn't have a rank.

  The teacher had no choice but to swap partners. Remy was now paired with Alder. Alder assumed the stage with a calm face yet his aura was threatening. It sent shivers down Remy's spine.

  “Hey Alder don't you think you are taking this a little too seriously”

  Remy could sense the Jinsei within Alder surging.

  “Is this blonde idiot trying to kill me”

  “I doubt this would do much datitan, not for someone branded a Champion” Alder charged up his amulet and discharged a destructive red wave of energy that knocked Remy back a few feet away.

  His classmates cheered excitedly from the sidelines.

  [20 points deducted from Remy. 20 points awarded to Alder]

  “Come on, I just gave up that title on live tv. Take it easy. If you want a fight, wait for Lily to get back. ”

  “It doesn't work that way. The Primordial has to be informed through his messenger. You're technically still a Champion.”

  The next wave Alder sent knocked Remy in the face, turning his curly hair into an afro.

  “You have no idea how gifted you are!” Alder charged up the next wave “You have power so use it”

  He stretched out his amulet to fire it. At this point Remy had accepted that there was nothing he could do. He got on his knees and stretched out his arms comically.

  “You know what they say about blondes” he teased

  Remy was still not taking it seriously. Alder had given up at this point all he wanted was points for the assessment.

  He released the wave. Just then an ice ball collided into the wave, cancelling it. A whip restrained his arm from releasing another wave. Alder turned to look for the culprit.

  “You should probably forfeit, Remy!” the offender said.

  Remy didn't need to turn to know who it was.

  “Lily! Matt! Save me from this brute” he shed crocodile tears.

  Lily and Matt were back from volunteer work .

  The sparring was called off and Remy went over to speak with his friends about their trip

  -

  “Anyway I took her home and I was about to get some.”

  “Yeah nice!”

  “I took off her clothes and saw a 17 inch beast staring back at me”

  “Oh nah not nice!”

  “That's the last time I will ever date a werewolf in Elderbane.”

  The class had gathered around Matt who had just finished describing the events of his trio to Remy. The class had joined out of curiosity.

  A week before, it was announced to students of Killian Academy to apply for volunteer work in the realm of Elderbane.

  This would foster good relations and hopefully catch the attention of top tier Titan who would take them under their wing. Many had applied in Remy’ class but only two were chosen.

  “All that trouble for an apprenticeship position? Did you bring something back at least”.

  Matt scratched his neatly shaved buzz cut and looked towards Lily. He hadn't gotten anything special but Lily did. Lily pulled out a small glowing scroll from her bag. It's light blue glow earned the amazed gasps of her colleagues.

  Killian Academy was dedicated to teaching students the mystic arts but even they didn't get to see a Power Scroll everyday. Lily laughed at their reactions.

  She tried explaining that it was a low level artifact and even activated it to prove it. Yet her efforts to downplay the artifact made it seem even more impressive.

  Upon activation the Scroll changed her green hair to a vibrant blue hue albeit temporarily. Her fair skin got coated in ice. The Scroll had boosted her ice abilities.

  In this world people coveted the arcane arts. It was considered as the ultimate form of power hence those with a natural talent were treated with respect and admiration.

  Amidst all this Remy who had even brought up the conversation had been pushed to the sidelines but he didn't mind at all. He just wanted to see his friends happy.

  There was a time when people used to fuss over him the same way but that was over now.

  One thing that bothered him was that smell that kept hovering around like rotten corpses.

  He shook his head in an attempt to get rid of those thoughts. He glossed over the clock with his dark eyes and wondered when the administration would announce the titan who had picked their apprentice.

  –

  Neither the principal nor the staff could believe their eyes even though this was their fifth read of the e-mail.

  After so many years of enforcing the apprenticeship program no Titan of this level had shown interest in his students.

  He took off his hat which showed his balding scalp and fanned himself. Two of his students in Class 2A had been chosen by a Champion. A successor to a primordial.

  He quickly rushed together with their class teacher to announce it to the students in person instead of using the P. A system. His pot belly giggling all the way.

  Remy was about to take a nap to pass the time when the principal and his teacher barged in. Their principal had practically passed out from all the running. It was up to their teacher to deliver the news.

  The strict, yet charming fairy ordered the children to get back to their seats for the announcement. “Matt and Lily have been chosen as apprentices for a particular Champion.”

  Her wings fluttered with excitement and she couldn't even properly mention who it was by name.

  The A.S.A only had one Champion currently due to Remy foregoing the title. Remy had a fair idea who it was.

  Snapping out of her trance she muttered “They were chosen by the God hand of Obsidian Guild“

  The class was sent into a shock wave of discussion.

  They had only seen the God Hand in action on TV and he was a force to be reckoned with. Engaging in all sorts of missions for the country.

  “I saw him level a whole mountain once”

  “Well I saw him change the weather from blinking too hard.”

  “They say he does dark magic too”

  “They say he was blessed by the Cardinals”

  “That's just a rumour”

  The class gave varied reports on what they knew of the man.

  Although exaggerated they were not far from the truth and this man wanted Matt and Lily under his wing.

  “He would be coming today to meet them at Mace Resort.” Ms. Nina exclaimed

  The class was over for the day and Remy escorted his friends home.

  “Way to go Frosty, you were chosen by a Champion! ”

  “How did you make it though Matt? Did you bribe someone, Mr crew cut.? ”

  “Yeah, I paid the officials in bread and fish fingers” Matt laughed it off.

  “ You're making a big deal out of it Remy” Lily blushed and nudged his shoulder a bit..

  “A big deal maybe but a Champion is a Champion” Remy added

  “Speaking of Champions, what about you?” Back in the day I couldn't walk an inch without hearing about , RemyThe Reaper’s Champion.” Alder joined in.

  Alder had brought up a piece of his past he wanted to forget.

  About 19 years ago when Remy was born people hounded him after discovering his potential.

  His parents even forced him to attend Killian Academy to refine his talents. He eventually grew to reject it.

  The power was a burden for him. He wanted to live a normal life. The Reaper didn't take his no for an answer straight away but gave him till his nineteenth year to make a decision.

  Today he would give the Reaper his decision.

  Not wanting to continue the conversation any longer he tapped Alder and quickly dragged Lily with him into a cab.

  “You're it” he yelled

  Matt was left bewildered

  Alder sighed in disappointment.

  –

  Lily's parents were over the moon upon hearing the news. Remy parents thought it would be a good idea to celebrate together.

  Remy couldn't wait to hear how he should be more like Lily or something. Her parents would be going to finalise the deal with the God hand at a nearby hotel.

  The joy on Mr. and Mrs. Richter’s face was palpable. The old couple were ecstatic Having a daughter as the apprentice for someone of God Hands calibre was a major achievement.

  Remy knew his parents were also happy but the frequent side glances let him know they wished he would do something similar. They also needed to talk about the stunt he pulled on live TV.

  It was time to head on to Mace's resort and Lily's parents insisted on him coming along. Remy.

  “I'll be there. Just taking a quick detour”

  -

  The chief was surprised at Remy arrival

  “I asked for you but I didn't think you'd show up. Shouldn't you be summoning the Reaper’s messenger or something.”

  “I'll do the summoning later but I figured that helping on the case would be my last deed for the state as a Champion”

  “Alright. We need all the help we can get. ”

  The chief set up a small device on the table and a hologram popped up showing multiple documents.

  “We've been investigating the murder spree since it started last month. We've gathered a lot of evidence on some individuals.”

  “You mean there's more than one person involved”

  “That's what we suspect but keep in mind, everything is alleged currently. Nothing’s been one hundred percent confirmed” he responded

  He brushed through some of the files and stopped on one that piqued Remy’s interest.

  The chief following Remy gaze opened that document.

  A picture of a man popped up.

  “Hanz?! ” Remy exclaimed.

  “The prime suspect. Has enough resources, power and influence to pull it off. We have a lot of evidence that points us in his direction but we need something massive. Like him in the act.” he said

  “I'm glad you came along. Maybe you could go undercover for us.” the chief suggested

  Remy had worked with Hanz on multiple missions in the past. Hearing such slander on his co-worker and friend didn't sit right with him.

  “Why him? You said it's all alleged”

  “Yes that why we need you, to see whether he's involved or not”

  “The others are way more suspicious than him. Investigate them rather than a hero who's dedicated his life to helping the state.” Remy blurted out.

  “ If that's why you called me over then I'm sorry, I can't help you. I have to leave.” He headed out of the station

  Remy questioned why he had even bothered to come in the first place. Perhaps he had let Alder’s nagging get to him.

  –

  The Richter’s gasped at the size of the resort. It was huge. Matt was waiting for them there. Remy had caught up with them. The principal Mr. Seth and Ms. Ninja made it as well. They entered and saw other apprentices waiting for their masters.

  He saw a group of people in all sorts of attire. Some probably belong to fancy guilds but the one he didn't recognise was the people with a tiny dragon tattoo in the centre of the iris. It was small enough to mistake it as their pupil.

  He shrugged it off and talked to the receptionist.

  “Ms. Nina and Mr.Seth please your presence is not required.”

  They were surprised and tried to protest but she simply said

  “Those were the boss’ orders”

  They moved to take a seat elsewhere but she said.

  “Perhaps you didn't understand. Your presence is not required on the premises at all” the receptionist spoke in a cold tone.

  Ms. Nina and Mr. Seth walked out of the resort disappointed.

  They were disheartened but chose to bid farewell and leave. They couldn't cause a commotion with someone so powerful.

  After a little wait Remy's group was directed to a penthouse suite where the Obsidian guild was waiting.

  For people with such immense power they were surprisingly hospitable and inviting. One man in the group stretched out his hand to greet them. “I'm Bane, the vice captain of Obsidian guild and Mr. Hanz will be here shortly”.

  The Stench got stronger for Remy till he wanted to vomit but he couldn't ruin the meeting for Matt and Lily.

  The crew decided to banter with them to pass the time. The parents were getting worried that it may have been cancelled. Occasionally some members of the crew would leave and return which made the experience nerve-wracking. Especially when their teachers were not around to fill them in on anything.

  Matt couldn't take it anymore and tried to ask a question. Just then, a massive aura could be felt around.

  Footsteps that seemed to shake the foundation of the building they were in could be heard.

  They were now in the presence of the God Hand himself. Everyone in the room stood up on instinct to greet him.

  The God Hand had scars all over his face, relics of battles he had once been in. The scars didn't take away from his beauty rather it gave him a handsome rugged look coupled with his chiselled jawline. He was bald with a bulky frame almost like a bodybuilder.

  His dark brown eyes immediately settled on Matt and Lily. He greeted their parents warmly and asked if he could see Matt and Lily in private. They agreed.

  “I'm here too, you know.” Remy said after Hanz had brushed past him.

  “Nice to meet you too Remy” he said without turning.

  Once again the Stench overwhelmed him. He rushed to the nearest bathroom.

  “What's the matter with this scent? I'm pretty sure I took my bath this morning.” He thought.

  He regrouped with the parents and after almost an hour of waiting for Matt and Lily to return, Remy made a horrible realization.

  It had been years since he had been in tune with his Primordial. That Stench was because of the Reaper. The Stench was a way of letting him know that there were people around him who were going to die.

  He tried piecing it together and he first smelt it when he arrived at school and even stronger when Lily and Matt came back from their trip.

  Was it them? But how would they die if they were in the comfort of this building? It certainly couldn't be an accident. Remy tried his hardest not to come to that conclusion but the God Hand had some allegations of using human sacrifice in dark rituals.

  He got lost in thought but snapped back to reality when he saw the Reaper’s Transport shadow.

  He hadn't summoned his messenger yet so his presence here was odd.

  As his Champion he was one of the few people who could see him or his discipline and the only time his disciples were seen in the mortal world was when they were taking the souls of the dead.

  He heard a commotion going on in the room. An ice stake jutted out of the door.

  Remy heart sank and he rushed into the room Matt and Lily had gone into. The parents rushed in after him. The guild members were gathered around a corpse and a trail of blood led to a pentagram on the floor.

  The trail ended at a figure's body in the centre of the pentagram. Matt's lifeless eyes met his.

  Remy could barely process what was happening. In the middle of the pentagram was The God Hand, about to add lily to his victims. She looked badly beaten and could barely defend herself.

  Remy jumped in to defend, throwing a Jinsei powered jab straight to his midsection but it had no effect.

  The God Hand slapped him away easily. Remy got back on his feet to fight again but he was slapped to the ground once more.

  Hanz put his feet on Remy's throat. He was pinned down and couldn’t move. It felt like a huge boulder had been dropped on him.

  Remy had never cared about his perceived weakness. Sometimes even relished in it. Now he needed to gather what little strength he had to help his friend.

  Remy gathered all the Jinsei he could and focused it on his target like how Alder did and blasted it fiercely at Hanz . To his horror it had barely even left a scratch on him. His attack did nothing.

  He watched helplessly as the God Hand pierced her heart and proceeded to do the same with the parents.

  He was truly helpless

  So it was him all along trying to recreate The Dire elixir. Remy passed out from exhaustion.

  -

  When Remy woke up he was in the hospital and some familiar faces stood before him. His parents tried to comfort him but he broke down into tears explaining what happened.

  The Chief had also come to visit him.

  “It was Hanz. You have to do something about it.”

  The Chiefs expression turned dark. “Someone of his authority cannot be brought before court with mere hearsay. That's why we needed irrevocable evidence of it. If he thought you could have been a threat to him in anyway you would be dead by now”

  Remy’s eyes widened in realization. The Chief was right and it hurt. They decided to give Remy some rest.

  Sitting on the hospital bed in silence he thought of how powerless he was but at the same time he wasn't. He always had power at his fingertips. What he had failed to do was grasp that power.

  With what little strength he had he got off the bed and bit his finger till it bled. He drew a small circle with odd symbols on it with his blood. He was summoning the Reaper’s Messenger.

  Black smoke wafted all around before coming together to form one being. A man in black suit stepped out of the smoke.

  “So did you come to a decision? It's rude to keep a divine being in suspense” the man in the cracked monocle spoke.

  “Omen tell the Reaper that I accept.”

  “I am his Champion”