Goddess

When a living being dies, their souls enter the Path of Reincarnation. Travelling the Path, the soul is eventually cleansed and all it's memories are forgotten. This soul was subsequently incarnated into a newborn, where it gains a new identity.

And once again, after living it's life, it returns to the Path where the process is repeated once again.

This was called the Cycle of Life. But sometimes, certain souls get reincarnated with complete memory of their past lives. An example of this was the Hero Asahi Matsuyama, who was chosen by the Goddess of Creation herself.

It could be said that it was the "duty" of the Goddess to govern this very cycle.

Yet, now there was another soul unable to get reincarnated. Contrary to Asahi's case, this soul was somewhat special. It was a pitch black wisp, easily distinguished in the path due to its color.

Certainly this soul had claimed an innumerable number of lives, judging by the aura of the soul. It's essence was permeated with a thick evil intent, something rarely found even in Demons.

This soul now stood before the Goddess of Creation herself.

The soul, Kieran, was confused. The last thing he could remember was sitting on his throne and chatting with the Hero until his last moments.

But now, he was suddenly in front of the Goddess for unknown reasons.

A starry night sky filled his view as he hovered over an ethereal plane. Below him, he could see spheres of various sizes with different shades of white flowing in a line.

These balls were headed to a huge door in order and passing through, they seemingly disappeared. Kieran had a faint idea as to where he was but now, he had to deal with this headache before him.

"Why did you die?" The Goddess spoke in a serene and majestic voice. That voice echoed through his soul and woke him from his stupor.

But, Kieran felt like retching at the voice. His memories were hazy and his confusion hadn't died down. Well, he couldn't answer even if he wanted to, since he didn't have a mouth.

Flick

Suddenly, the Goddess flicked her fingers and Kieran's soul started to transform. The wisp grew larger until it resembled a demonic being.

It was a mini version of a younger Kieran. Still, Kieran couldn't care less.

"Now tell me-" she folded her arms and glared straight at his eyes as she spoke.

"Why did you let yourself die?" the Goddess tone grew heavier by a certain degree.

He didn't answer as he continued to stare at the Goddess. In fact, every sentient living creature couldn't help but stare at her.

Soft silver hair that glowed a divine light, coupled with a pearl like face with silvery eyes. With a luscious body endowed in all the right places, she was truly the epitome of beauty that could charm anyone with a simple look.

Even then, a demon like Kieran, who never cared about beauty, wasn't interested by her.

He was just looking at his supposed mortal enemy, who supposedly had to kill him for the peace of this world.

"Wasn't that my destiny?"

Certainly, to be killed by the hero for the sake of world peace was the destiny of the Demon Lord. Kieran realized this when Asahi told him about "manga" in his world.

That the protagonist would journey across the continent with his companions and finally defeat the Demon Lord. It was a classic story, Asahi said.

"Fool." She said mockingly as her beautiful face distorted into a frown.

"What makes you so sure that you were destined to die? How could someone as strong as you just give up his life?"

"Can you even fathom the extent of distortions you have caused to this world with your supposedly noble sacrifice."

Just by dying, Kieran had distorted the future of the world to an unimaginable extent. His death created a story that she had never seen before.

Kieran's eyes were clouded. He clenched his fists at those words. This damn Goddess just came up and started bitching about things he could barely make out.

"Was the Hero supposed to die then?" He said, reciprocating the glare.

"Yes, you moron. Asahi was supposed to seal you using his life in exchange, and I was supposed to be the merciful Goddess who was pleased by his will and returned him to Terasha." She spoke with blatant annoyance in her tone.

"Meaning, you were never supposed to die."

Those words hit Kieran like a freight train. He was never supposed to die, only sealed for a long time. Maybe, forever even. Well, that's great, right?

'Then why… Why did I die…? Was it…-!!'

Kieran felt lost, but only for a moment. His head finally cleared up as his memories got in order. He finally opened his mouth to speak to the Goddess.

'Now he should ask me send him back. But should I? Hmm…' the Goddess thought. Certainly Kieran would be begging her to send him back. He might even grovel at her feet.

Who wouldn't want to live again?

'Then should I weaken him or…-?!'

But contrary to the Goddess' thoughts, Kieran's answer was completely unexpected.

"Then I'm glad." Kieran smiled as he relaxed his fists. It was a tender smile, reminiscent of an old man.

Now, Kieran's words hit the Goddess like a freight train.

She had clearly implied that she had the power and means to send him back. Back to Terasha, where his race and kingdom were.

Yet, he simply refused?!

'He isn't lying…' looking at Kieran's face, with such a relieved and happy smile, no one could think of it as a façade.

Looking at his past, his actions now were a complete contradiction. This demon who waged war for the sake of "fun" was smiling as he died.

'What's you game, moron?' she thought trying to analyze his behavior. She kept thinking for a while as an unnatural silence descended. Just as Kieran began feeling uncomfortable, the Goddess' expression changed.

Suddenly, the Goddess had come to a realization. This damned Demon Lord…

"You… you wanted to die. Why?" She asked with a hint of confusion.

Demon Lord Kieran, the strongest being with the strongest army of Terasha. With every treasure or woman Terasha could possibly offer, his life was truly the epitome of majesty and grandeur.

Not even the Kings of the Four Races together could contend with him in his splendor and wealth.

A master of demonic arts with the strongest physique and an unrivaled mind for stratagems, he was the pinnacle of all sentient life. It was as if all the boons of this world had landed at his feet.

Yet this very demon wished to die. Honestly, it was a ridiculous claim. Why would the Demon Lord who had everything anyone could ever ask for, wish for death?

"…"

Kieran didn't reply. He didn't have to. Who would start talking about their life's story just because they were asked to? Kieran thought for a moment, and simply shrugged.