33 CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

"Goddamn, Ivy! You scared the shit out of me! Do you know how scared I was?! I put the DJ to yell your name on the microphone! When did you leave?! One moment you were next to me and then you disappeared! Are you trying to kill me?! I almost called your mother but then I remembered you told me that you left home! What about your mom? Isn't she worried about you? You should totally call her! It's not cool, Ivy...!"

"I got it, Emily. I'm sorry I left without telling you!"

She looked at me with her eyebrows frowned and her arms crossed over her chest. We were standing in front of her big house and I didn't even have time to say "Hi" because she started nagging at me the moment she opened the door. Finally, she sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "You're lucky you're my best friend! Otherwise... I would've killed you for abandoning me!"

I chuckled and spread my arms wide open. "C'mon, come here! I know you want a hug!"

She lifted an eyebrow and threw me a skeptical look. "What happened to Ivy and who are you?"

I laughed and took a few steps forward. I wrapped my hands around her and placed my head on her shoulder. It was good to be back. She sighed and put her hands around me, squeezing me tightly. "I was really worried, you know. Where the hell is your phone?"

"I think I left it at Caiden's." I said, genuinely speaking. I had no idea where my phone was. Maybe in Caiden's bathroom. Or his kitchen. Or maybe I left it in Lucifer's illusionary past. Who knew?

"Come in. Are you hungry? The housekeeper cooked some pasta if you want."

Oh my God, normal food!

"Yes, please. I'm starving!" I confessed, smiling because, finally, everything was back to normal.

***

Satoshi entered the secret room, carefully looking to his left and right. Only darkness. He pricked up his ears, but the only sounds he could hear were the annoying screams of the sinners, trapped inside of hell. They were quite loud and the metaphorical walls were too thin. He sighed, adjusting his kimono. It had been some time since he wore something so comfortable. He missed it.

"Satoshi. I sensed you coming."

"Of course you did. I'm not doubting your third eye, Old One."

The Old One turned around, closing a huge, ancient book he was reading. He walked down the small stairs and sat down at the huge black table placed in the middle of an empty, black room. Satoshi bowed to him and took a seat himself, facing the Old One with his back straightened.

"Tell me, child. Have you accomplished the mission I gave you?" He asked him with his harsh, barely audible voice. Some said Lucifer cut his tongue and he used angel blood to regenerate it. Others said that God himself made him voiceless, but he used a forbidden incantation to get it back. Satoshi couldn't care less about the hell's gossips, but sometimes his curiosity made him listen to some of them. They were quite entertaining, especially when he was bored.

"Yes. But you know this already."

The Old One chuckled placing the book on the table. "Indeed. It was quite a struggle, wasn't it?"

"I would lie if I say it wasn't."

The Old One's hood moved slightly as he sighed deeply. Satoshi never saw his face. No one saw it, excepting Lucifer. It was said that he didn't have a face at all. That he was the Angel of Death. The Grim Reaper in flesh and bones. The demons were afraid of him, but they respected him. He was the one who kept the books of fate, so it was plausible if he really was the Angel of Death, Satoshi thought.

"I'm quite pleased with the outcome. Let me see the feather, please."

Satoshi pulled out Lucifer's black feather and slid it on the table, towards the Old One. He took it, admiring its perfect shape and the mesmerizing black nuance. "I had no idea he was keeping them. Knowing him, I was sure he threw them away. He's not emotional, that old man."

"He's the old one?" Satoshi joked, one of his mouth's corners turning upwards.

"Good pun, child." He replied and Satoshi could've sworn that he smiled under that huge, black hood. "I will keep it safe. Thank you for saving the dimensions. My connections told me the other feather went straight to heaven. The angels are pleased as well."

"They should give us some credit. They did nothing all this time. Letting us manage the problem... quite unfair, isn't it?"

"Is the life fair, Satoshi?"

"Good point."

The Old One rose from the chair and started walking around the table, brushing his dirty, black fingers on its surface. "Now tell me your wish. Your reward for saving us all. You surely have something in your mind. When I asked you to do this, you said something like 'Nah, I'm pretty good'. I'm sure this has changed."

"This is how I'm talking? 'Nah'?" Satoshi said, folding his arms and smiling, amused.

"Honestly, I do believe you're acting like a teenager sometimes. Especially because of your ego. You have no idea what's going on in these dimensions, child. Still, you're thinking you're powerful."

"I am powerful. And you know it."

The Old One said nothing for a few seconds and then sighed. "Indeed, you are. But not as much as you think. The moment you defeat Lucifer... then you can say you are powerful. Until then, you're slightly under it. You need more perspective. But this is another subject. Tell me your wish."

"What makes you think I have a wish now?" He asked, genuinely curious about his reasons.

"Let's say... I have watched you encountering that small human. What's her name? Ivy Moore? Strong-willed human. If another one was in her place, they would've probably run away instantly. She stood out for you. She's brave. And this made you recognize her. Tell me I'm wrong."

"Do you think I'll use my wish on her?"

"Do you know what symbolism is, Satoshi?"

The Old One waved his hand and, out of nowhere, another book materialized in his hand. He opened it, flipping slowly the pages.

"Of course. I think it's one of the most interesting subjects the humans developed." He replied, quite confused by the Old One's sudden change of subject.

It shouldn't surprise me. He always does this.

"Then, do you know what the number thirteen means?"

"It depends on the regions. Some say it's a good sign, others are terrified by it."

"Indeed. The Christians take it as a bad sign, because of the Last Supper. There were thirteen people sharing the last meal and after that we all know what happened to Christ. Also, there is the Norse Myth, where Loki came as the thirteenth guest, even though he wasn't invited. The banquet held in Valhalla ended with an execution, in which Loki's spear was used as the execution's weapon. The legends will always be interesting. It's quite fascinating to watch people learn things they don't really believe in, even though at least half of them are real."

"Do you think I'll use my wish for Ivy's bad luck?" Satoshi asked, completing the Old One's words puzzle.

He chuckled. "You wouldn't do such a thing. You know how rare are my wishes. You will try to figure out her problem by yourself. But... you still want something regarding her, don't you?"

"I hate it when you do this, old man. But, fine. Just show me her written fate."

"You know her fate is not written."

"Yet."

The Old One sighed, making the book disappear in the thin air. "You're quite bold, aren't you? So, you want me to show you her future. Do you really believe the hell's gossips? I thought you were much more than that, Satoshi."

His disappointed voice didn't make him bite the bait. "You really are the Angel of Death. And I agree to keep your confirmation a secret. But, instead, I want to see her future. Call it curiosity."

"I'm sorry, Satoshi. I can't do that for you. Her fate is much more complicated than you think. I can't even tell you why."

"Am I involved?"

"Weren't you until now?"

"You're avoiding my question."

"You're wasting my time and, still, didn't use your wish. Choose it wisely."

Satoshi sighed and started thinking seriously about it. What do I want? What do I live for? What are my wishes?

"I'm going to keep it. For when I will really need it."

The Old One looked straight into his soul. Satoshi couldn't see him doing that, but he was extremely sure of it. Only by his ever-changing energy, he knew he couldn't help himself from using his powers. "Very well. I'm going to wait for you. You're special for me. And you know this, spoiled brat. Now get out, it's time for me to meditate."

Satoshi grinned, jumping on his feet and walking towards the door. "I think I found a way to stop Ivy's bad luck." He said, right before he opened the door.

The Old One turned his, well, hood towards him and clenched his hands at his back. "I can imagine what way you're choosing. Be careful. This way might expose her to other dangers."

"No problem. I already have a plan for that." He said, his grin expanding as he stepped out of the room, going straight to the portal.