148 Trick 147: Forgiveness

A while later

Ace was sitting around, there was no night and day cycle in the Realm of the Dead, but there was time. It was just very strange, you didn't need to eat or drink so there was really nothing to do at all!

You could feel time passing, but there was no way to tell unless you counted.

Yao appeared next to him, looking at the endless wasteland, smiling "And so you're here." Ace turned to her and smiled happily, "Master! You seem to be doing well here." Yao nodded, rubbing his head as she replied "Yes, well, we've come to an understanding, me and the Mistress."

Ace let out a breath and smiled "Good. I'm glad you're not suffering." Yao smiled gently, saying "You seem to always bring a liveliness wherever you go, Ace. It's very refreshing to see in this endless nothingness. I haven't seen such a commotion in quite a while, even when I arrived it wasn't a big wave."

She chuckled and looked at him as he smiled warmly, his smile was very bright as though he wasn't dead at all.

Yao turned to the wasteland and said "You see this endless landscape of nothing?" Ace nodded and she continued, putting her hands behind her back, "It was once filled with life, souls wandering about, spending their eternities in peace, however Mistress Death separated the Realm of the Dead into various Hells. As Lucifer has told you, surely."

Ace nodded again and Yao smiled in amusement, "Lucifer's Hell is very lively… Full of… interesting… demons. Mephisto's realms are, well, truly torturous. However, they can be whatever you like them to be, I find the afterlife very fascinating. Countless possibilities await only a mere thought…"

Ace saw an entire city rise up from the ground, shining a beautiful white as Yao continued, "The reality of each Hell Lord is their own to shape and create, however do you know the difference between them and you, Ace?" Ace replied slowly "I'm not a Hell Lord?"

Yao chuckled and nodded, "Yes. That is a factor, however, you are so much more than you know yourself to be. When I first saw you, I noticed the inherent power inside of you. That power has grown tremendously and yet you seem to have never taken notice. Originally, taking you into Kamar-Taj was to contain a possible threat."

Ace looked up at her as she smiled "However, you know how it turned out. Not even the Darkhold can corrupt your mind, this is a significant feat, Ace. A feat, I'm not sure you understand the implications of. While you may have flaws, a slight liking to thievery, you are more so incorruptible. The power you possess could have destroyed all of Humanity, however you protect it, even to the death."

Ace replied in confusion "So? That's what heroes do." Yao paused and looked at him silently before smiling gently, "Yes, my dear boy. That is exactly what Heroes do. You are among the best Heroes on Earth."

Ace chuckled and shook his head, replying "Not anymore, surely." Yao smiled in amusement, saying "Yes, quite. However, you may be able to return to your life." Ace looked up as she stroked his head, "Indeed. However, even should you win the Trial. You will be faced with a choice… A choice that will affect your future path regardless of your answer."

Ace blinked and asked "What choice?" Yao just smiled in silence and Ace touched his chin, asking instead "Badly?" She shook his head and Ace smiled "Then it doesn't matter." Yao shook her head and smiled slightly "It will. You must be prepared for what they mean. Time will tell whether your choice is the one for you… Come along."

Ace was confused and looked back as Yao walked away, asking "Where are we going?" Yao snorted in amusement "To teach you Death Magic, of course." as she grabbed the air, Ace's thick notebook appearing out of thin air.

She turned her head and winked at him, smiling "I have quite a few strings I can pull from here alone." Ace's eyes sparkled and he chased after her.

From that time onward, Ace learned with Yao once again, while also training with Hela, every waking moment was filled with something to do.

Sometimes he would play with Vanessa, other times he would chat with Lucifer, and the rest he would be learning and training.

Until 10 months passed

Today, Ace stood in the endless wasteland, looking in front of him.

A soul fell to the ground and slowly stood up, Ace looked at it and said "Thanos." Thanos looked at Ace and asked "Where is this?" Ace looked at him silently, clenching his fists before letting go as he replied "The Realm of Death."

Thanos chuckled and sat down, he was missing his right arm and left hand, the left side of his body scorched beyond belief while the right was nearly skeleton. He looked at Ace, pointing his nub at his right side, saying "You left a number on me, kid."

Ace looked at him in silence for a few moments before waving his hand slowly. Thanos' body slowly started healing as Thanos looked at it impassively. His face restored to normal and all his limbs returned as he healed back to perfection.

He looked at Ace and asked "Why?" Ace walked over and stood in front of Thanos, looking down at him as he stayed silent for a couple moments.

Thanos looked up and Ace stared at him, saying slowly "The greatest unspoken virtue for any being is…" as he stretched out his hand, finishing, "... forgiveness." Thanos scoffed, smiling as he replied "Coming from a man whose blood stained my hands…" before grabbing Ace's hand and pulling himself up, "You're far too kind for your own good."

Ace looked up at him and said "I lost, you won… There's no grudge between us now." as he smiled slightly. Thanos looked at him and laughed, saying "I would've loved to chat." Ace's smile grew as he replied "There's still a chance. We have all the time in the world." Thanos snorted with a smirk, saying "Dione."

Ace curled his lips, replying "Ace. Nice to meet you, Dione." Thanos shook his head and Ace added, "This way." before waking away as Thanos watched him go for a moment before following.

Time was swept away in the Death Realm, circling around endlessly, passing insignificantly

Finally!

10 years time came!