Against The True Gods

Caine was confused by the words, but he didn't dare question the entity before him.

The Reaper waved its hand, and a spectral force took hold of Caine's body, forcefully straightening it so they now met eye to eye—or rather, Caine looked up, as the Reaper was still much taller than him despite his own imposing frame.

Their gazes clashed for a few moments before the Reaper chuckled and then turned back to look at the ocean it sailed upon.

"Mortal, you have died and left the world of the living. Now, you stand in the realm that bridges life and death—Samsara."

Caine's heartbeat involuntarily quickened as excitement faintly bubbled within him.

Samsara was a place of endless myths and one of existence's greatest mysteries, as even the weakest of mortals knew of this legendary place.

"Well, technically, we're in the Void Sea of Life and Death, leading toward Samsara, but whatever, it does not matter."

"Samsara, as I implied, is a place of transition for the dead, but I'm sure you're wondering what this means and what it has to do with you."

The Reaper remained silent for a few seconds before continuing.

"Usually, the cycle goes like this: You're born, you live, you die, your soul comes to Samsara, and then one of us plucks your soul, purifies it, and shatters your memories before sending you back into the endless cycle of reincarnation as a new entity. In truth, it's much more complex than that, but for now, this explanation will suffice."

"Now, we get to the part about you." The Reaper turned again and, this time, squatted down to truly meet Caine eye to eye.

"As you can see, you have a body, and even beyond that, your memories are intact. This means your very mind has resisted the cleansing of another Reaper, and thus, you've been labeled a Heaven Defier."

"This, in itself, is both a curse and a blessing."

From its squatting position, it sat down cross-legged and gestured for Caine to do the same as it summoned two cups of tea and began serving them.

"It is a blessing because now, you've been granted a chance. A chance to fight other Heaven Defiers for both an opportunity for reincarnation and the granting of three wishes, regardless of magnitude."

For the first time, Caine was shocked. This last part wasn't included in any of his plans, nor did he know about its existence. But instead of saddening him, it only solidified his determination.

To escape from the 'false world' he'd been living in, he'd spent years slaving away and undergoing the world's most atrocious forms of torture, even going as far as killing himself—just for a chance to reincarnate in the 'real world,' the place where his master had come from.

But now, not only did he have a chance to fight for this, but he could also compete for three wishes? Of any magnitude?

'Good...'

The Reaper noticed the flame that had been lit within Caine's eyes, but it didn't mind.

Caine was already an anomaly among anomalies. Though the Reaper hadn't said it, it was a known fact that almost all Heaven Defiers were fallen gods. To be able to resist the cleansing power of a Reaper wasn't just any regular feat.

Mortals who managed to do such things were referred to as Irregulars, and in its entire life, the Reaper had only heard of a dozen of them.

"But it is also a curse because if you fail the coming trials, your mind and soul will be separated. Your soul will be torn and twisted, transformed into a Reaper like me, while your mind will be sent to a place called {Hell}."

Caine was taken aback by this revelation, both because he felt he'd learned a massive secret and also because that place, {Hell}, was...

'Master told me about this place... I can't remember...'

Caine groaned slightly in pain as he tried to remember the words his master had told him about Hell, but as he did so, his memories became foggy, and a soul-tearing headache assaulted his mind.

The Reaper was patient as it sipped its tea and extended the other cup to Caine.

After a while, Caine felt the pain lessen and exhaled a shaky breath.

He looked at the cup, then looked at the Reaper in confusion. Receiving no answer, he nodded and took the cup, beginning to sip it.

As soon as he did, he felt his mind freshen up and grow much, much stronger. It was akin to a gust of cold, refreshing air to a parched traveler stranded in an unforgiving desert, akin to the touch of comfort and warmth itself. Caine nearly passed out from the bliss.

In fact, he felt his body grow stronger as he downed the cup.

Slowly, he reopened his eyes and looked at the Reaper with twinkling eyes, both in gratitude and... greed.

"It's called Soul Tear Bovy," the Reaper chuckled, not bothered by such a gaze. "It's made using something called Spiritual Quintessence, something that leaks out of a god's soul when the flames of Hell burn and tear them apart."

As soon as Caine heard these words, another headache assaulted his mind, this time much more violent.

"Oops, it seems I've said too much."

The Reaper waved its hand, and a wave of Soul Tear Bovy manifested from thin air. With a wave of its hand, it all entered Caine's body through his pores.

"It's unfortunate we cannot talk much due to your mortality. Well, it's a miracle you can even hear my voice without dying, but alas, I digress."

The Reaper stood up and grabbed its scythe once more.

"Now, Caine, do you accept your status as an Irregular Heaven Defier?"

Its tone this time was regal and mighty, so powerful it made the waters around them ripple and the skies darken even more.

Caine nodded, "Yes."

"By accepting your title, you understand the consequences of failure and accept them?"

"Yes, I do."

Caine stood up as the Reaper nodded.

The Reaper waved its hand, and a bundle of runes appeared atop its palm.

"Very well, here you go."