Earth God

Dreygo grimaced in pain as the water trickled down on his lacerated skin. His eyes fluttered and all he saw was the blurred image of a concerned Elaine hovering above his vision.

He felt the cold air penetrating freely on his skin and then realized that he was naked and lying on the cushion bed as his wounds were attended to. He did not complain. He had no energy to do so.

"You are alright," Elaine said.

Her voice muffled in the Harbinger's hearing. He felt weak but better as he felt comfort when Elaine's warm hands gently touched his body. He wanted to move and get on with his mission but his body and mind urged him otherwise.

Every inch of his body was engulfed with pain and exhaustion. His Earthly body was not used to the pain like what he used to experience in hell. This body could perish. His soul would be sent back to hell, back to a humanoid demon, stripped from his power as a Death Harbinger, if the wounds would be more fatal.

Recklessness was not an option from now on. Sheer strength and willpower were not enough to achieve his objective for his enemies used weapons that he never had encountered.

Diversification of skills was the best option to effectively defeat his enemies. Hence, he must acquire knowledge in leveraging the use of guns and other modernized weapons. The available person that could enlighten him on these skills was Elaine.

Elaine had experience with weapons as she had hunted animals in the woods with her dad. Zi Lok's clan were trained ninjas and assassins adept in using modernized weapons. Moreover, these assassins were humans, undetected by the Harbinger's senses.

Elaine was astonished to see Dreygo surviving. No normal human could survive that blast. Some of the minor cuts were gradually healing faster than normal. She placed bandages on larger wounds, stopped the bleeding, and replaced them regularly.

Elaine had mixed emotions of fear and hope as she cleansed Dreygo's wounds. Fear of Dreygo's death and a slight sense of hope that they could win. She had to be strong to keep Dreygo alive and protect him in any way she can. She had decided this not only for the pursuit of the cause but her immense care for Dreygo which gradually developed throughout their journey.

Viriel stood by the window continuously assessing for possible hostiles. He conceded with the thought of Nethanial knowing everything. It gave him chills even for an angel like him. He was not sure if his power blessed by Nebirus was enough to even par with Nethaniel.

He reminisced during their training that Nethaniel was equivalent to ten third-rank angels and they even had difficulty defeating him during friendly sparring. He was faster and stronger than every Angel warrior.

He could cast a destruction spell that enabled him to explode without hurting himself. Some heavenly souls called him the 'Angel of Destruction' for old rumors flitted within heaven that he could manage to cast an explosion like a nuclear bomb, destroying one whole city.

The same thing with his sword, he could make his every strike immensely devastating. Thus, making him an adversary was unwise.

Nebirus' power that the angel acquired was nothing like destruction, it was creation. Viriel feared that what he possessed was not enough to par with the Angel of Destruction. He got to have faith, as Nebirus said. The angel tried to build confidence as he recalled their meeting with Nebirus.

***

Nebirus hid in the tropical country of Palpines. It was the first month of summer, where the scorch of the sun was at its peak, as Viriel surveyed his assigned territory.

A calling from the Earth God had urged him to seek the former in the Gorgon rainforest mountains - a mountain rich with gold, and minerals, heaved with rainforest trees, and streams. A wide variety of plants and vegetation could be found in the said mountain and even flowers from beautiful to poisonous types.

Scientists studied the mountain for it held insects that were almost on the brink of extinction. Gorgon Mountain was also known to maintain the levels of Global warming as the vast rainforest absorbed carbon dioxide produced by polluted countries. Hence, stabilizing the level of air pollutants.

Portals were the easiest mode of transportation for powerful celestial beings but they had to imagine the destination for them to accurately travel. In this case, Viriel had to walk. Nebirus had given him vague directions which seemed like testing Viriel's trust and persistence.

After a few days of searching the deep forest, Viriel was about to surrender and succumb to hopelessness. It was unlikely that an Earth god, whose existence was unknown, had called upon him. This fueled him to continue and pressed forward with sheer determination until he found a cave situated in the heart of the mountain.

A cave that heaved with flowers and vines, was inconspicuously curtained by a strong waterfall. Its mouth accommodated a powerful river that its dangerous rapids discouraged pursuant trekkers. The angel entered the cave through the waterfall with exerted inhuman effort, soaking his clothes and testing his exhausted strength.

It was a continuous test of will and determination, from the long trek of challenging outcrops to surpass river rapids and strong waterfalls. Nebirus was a god who likes to test a soul's faith. Failure would not permit his presence.

The cave was pitch black and had a discouraging girth. Viriel summoned a ball of light on his hand that served him faint illumination as he pressed further. Nebirus' voice kept replaying in his thoughts uncontrollably the assured him to continue.

Through a challenging path, Viriel finally reached the end of the cave. He was aghast by the vast room and the high ceiling. The room's walls were made of rocks, moss, grass, and vines. It was faintly illuminated by a few torches enough to provide a dim illustration of the room's environment. Four large circular columns supported the ceiling with ancient writings covering all of them.

At the farthest end of the room, was a being who sits on a rocky throne. He was in a form of a man and covered in a robe made of dried leaves and animal skin. The man's skin was greenish and his face wrinkled but strength and wisdom defined his eyes.

His hair was long and disorganized that fell on his chest. His armor was made of hardwood and covered with moss. He was slouching on his throne made of rocks and vines.

Plants and flowers surrounded him as if nature venerates his presence. It was a scene of beauty and loneliness. He had no weapon in him for he did not need one. He lived in peace inside the cave with cave-dwelling animals.

Viriel stepped forth and bowed with one knee. "Earth god, Nebirus. I heard your calling. How may I be of service?"

"Kragus Manaroth, my brother, is here on earth." He spoke without almost moving his lips but his voice reverberated against the walls.

Nebirus continued, "He seeks to destroy me and of this world. He must be stopped!" His voice increased and tremored the whole place.

"How, my lord? I, myself cannot kill a god. Should I tell Heavenly Supreme?" Viriel asked cautiously.

"You could tell him but I doubt he will make the necessary actions to defeat Kragus." Nebirus mused, "He could send all his Angels on Earth just to defeat the hell god but it would not be enough. He would not risk also coming down to Earth to stop Kragus himself for it would leave Heaven defenseless. What you need to do is employ a Demon and a human. The three of you can defeat Kragus but all of you should be willing to defeat him."

"How, my Lord, could the three of us kill a god?" Viriel asked.

"Go to Zudkiel, the oldest Angel warrior in Heaven," Nebirus continued, "He knows how. But first, seek the willing souls to impart on this journey."

Nebirus raised his hand towards Viriel and said, "Come Angel. Take my hand."

Viriel stood up and cautiously took gentle strides toward him. The angel held Nebirus' hand and vines grew from the god's arm and it gently crept toward the angel. Faint cracking sounds appeared as the vines now wrapped Viriel's arm.

Nebirus' lips fluttered and came out indistinctive murmurs. The angel gradually grew an indescribable feeling that strangely invaded his body. Somewhat a mixture of searing pain and sensation crept all over his skin.

Nebirus continued his incantations and tremors grew in the room. He felt something flow from the vines to his skin and filled his body. His exhausted energy was revitalized and anew.

For a few minutes, the veins retracted from his skin right before the Earth God released his hand. Overwhelmed, an immense need for air caused the angel to pant hard.

"Viriel, I imparted something of my power to you. This is a gift that you can use whenever you face an adversary. This will give you an advantage over them. You just have to believe in it and discover its potential. Now you may start your quest." Nebirus smiled at him with difficulty and seemed to have done so for ages.

Viriel smiled back after a bow. The angel summoned a portal inside the room to his way back.

***

His thoughts drove him back to the room. "I think the coast is clear for now," Viriel said to Elaine. "But we have to prepare. We cannot stay here longer. Nethaniel is coming for us."