Reincarnated as the Death God's Vessel

The sound of the shattering mirrors outside Lidien's room couldn't silence his own thoughts.

'To free the Death God, and be a God myself...'

Lidien's eyes still leaked tears that he couldn't even block to stop.

In that short amount of time of trying to enter his Dreamflow, he experienced a whole life of satisfaction... only to die the same way as his original life.

That even the God of Death told him it was a meaningless death.

Lidien smirked, remembering His words.

"Well... in the end, I'm the one who's alive..."

He was unsure if he should be thankful or not, since the Death God didn't claim the body and actively control it.

Was it because the God was bored? Was it because He didn't want to... or because the God still didn't understand what Death truly is?

Lidien didn't know, and all that he cared about was that he was the one controlling the body and not Him, living...

"Don't worry, for I will find a way to free you... Not for your sake, but for mine... because to free the God of Death... is like freeing myself." he whispered, his hands gripping tightly as if the vow was sinking into his palms.

Then he gulped and tried to sit up, forcing his limbs to carry the weight of not just his body, but his resolve to be powerful... not just for freeing the God of Death, but also for reviving Lily.

Lidien stood, walked, dragging his steps towards the door... and used the wall as his guide towards the Dining Hall.

After a walk that put too much toll on his body, he stood in front of the towering door...

"Open it."

Lidien commanded, his voice just above a whisper. The two towering soldiers obeyed without a word, heaving the door open with an ancient screech.

The door swung open to reveal the dining hall. And there, all conversation halting, were Aria, Azer, Kyer, and Mother... every pair of eyes fixed on him with varying degrees of amusement and assessment.

"Welcome back, Lidien..." Aria said, her fox-like eyes slitting.

Azer clapped and laughed, his eyes turning crimson, looking at Lidien full of bloodlust.

Kyer was there, grinning, his gold tooth shining as he reflected on his hands washing as if he saw prey.

And Mother... she just stared at Lidien with a simple nod before continuing her meal.

Lidien walked, no matter how painful it was for him, he walked straight, disregarding his body's screaming.

He stared at everyone, eye to eye, with his usual stern look, before sitting in his place.

"Mother... I am healed."

Lady Rose side-eyed Lidien before smiling gently.

"If that is what you wish to believe... then so be it."

Azer thumped the table with his heavy gauntlet and pointed at Lidien.

"If you're healed, we can spar again, Lidien..."

Lidien smirked, his Blood Form partially transforming his eyes to Crimson as he stared daggers at Azer.

"I can't... maybe someone will die..."

Azer laughed, his voice reverberating inside the dining hall.

"Don't worry, I'll control myself... just enough to put you back to sleep."

Lidien shook his head, a cold, thin smile on his lips.

"No, Big Brother..." he said, his voice dropping to a deadly calm.

"I can't control myself. I don't want to die by Mother's hand for killing you."

Azer's laughter ceased, and it was Aria who continued the laughter... as she stared into the eyes of Azer with indifference.

Azer then took a deep breath, and when he closed his eyes and opened them, they turned back to their original dark hue.

"Good... Good, Lidien... That is how a Prince should act," Azer said, his stare shifting to mock Kyer.

While Kyer forced a laugh and then smiled.

"No discount for you..."

Azer laughed, this time with genuine amusement, and maintained his indomitable aura. This was not just the presence of a Demon of Wrath, but of someone who could truly control it.

The Family ate their breakfast peacefully, but for Lidien, it was a test of will and endurance, because with every move he took, no matter how small... his Sparkline screamed for rest.

This sight was noticeable to Aria, Azer, and Mother... while Kyer remained oblivious to it.

"Lidien... I know you have plenty of xocoatl, why not drink some?" Azer said, his eyes stern, hiding their true meaning.

Though Lidien had been harsh with Azer at their latest meeting, Azer's love for his siblings was genuine, as he considered himself not just a General but also an older brother.

Seeing the sight, Lady Rose smiled, for this is what she wished for her daughter and sons, to love, and be loved...

"Lidien..." she said, her voice sweet and gracefully seductive.

"If you have time... take care of your unfinished business you left in the open."

Lidien stopped his hands and placed the spoon on the table.

"Yes, Mother... I'll take care of it..."

As Lady Rose's words were so vague, he concluded it was all for Lily's sake.

The breakfast ended early, as there were no disturbances like last time when Kyer and Rax were fighting.

Lidien proceeded to his room, trying to fight his consciousness from fading with just his willpower.

After coming inside his room, he lay directly on the bed, feeling every muscle and vein, not enduring the pain.

'I need to get used to it...'

For a moment, his mind replayed the memory of Nyomi's agonizing reading sessions, and he almost smiled at the familiar irritation as the thought triggered a realization.

"Where the heck is Nyomi... she's not here yet."

However, his smile faded when he remembered Nyomi's dead eyes as she stared blankly at him yesterday morning.

It wasn't "just because." Lidien really did hurt her, not physically but mentally and emotionally... through the Corruption of the old Lidien, and his "Freedom" from the God of Death.

Lidien's true self is slowly, surely... Materializing.

Living his own life, trying to minimize the impact of his environment and hardship, without the influence of the two, and living solely for himself.

He closed his eyes, the image of Nyomi's deadened gaze burned onto the back of his eyelids.

"I know my mistakes," he whispered to the empty room.

"But I am not a hero here to fix them. I can only hope to live with this guilt... and carry it forward."