My Soul card is a Reaper

In a pocket world, Unknown location;

"This is Fujiwara Kai of the Minamoto clan; this is Liu Wei of the Sun clan, and this is Karna of the Kuru clan. You know these people, Estella Moon, the super android Aria, Alan, Raydon, Cindy, and Isolde Searvale. Finally, Dr. Mac's successor from her home planet, Han Sung Jun. After Dr. Mac left, he replaced her as the team's brain. Leah, Rudra, and Aaron are currently on a mission and our leader is on his way to meet you."

Gideon introduced Azzy to the members that gathered at the lounge of their secret facility before his arrival to this timeline.

Everyone also welcomed him with pleasant smiles but without any surprises or talks about the past too. Azzy suspected that it might not be their first time meeting him or in general, the past versions of their Azrael. The fact that Gideon was waiting for him at the location also supported his suspicion that they have the necessary methods to track down time travel. 

Azzy didn't know what's going on, but he knows that he shouldn't learn about the future too much as it might change his actions and put danger to the timeline. Hence, he didn't try to pry into their group and just shook the hands of the strangers as a greeting and directly came to the matter.

And the moment he speaks about himself, a strange silence filled the room. Everyone became serious while a look of sadness appeared on the elf. Azzy was taken aback by their reaction and asked, "What happened?"

"That is…" As Isolde was about to answer, Gideon interrupted her, "He is actually away."

Followed by that, Aaron then spoke, "He went to train for a breakthrough. It isn't easy to enter God's realm, you know."

Azzy felt something amiss. He could sense that they were hiding something but he cannot pry into the future at any cost. Hence, he acted as if he believed their words and nodded, "Fine, if you give me the date before his disappearance, I can go back to that timeline and ask for his help. It's important that I should get access to destroyed timelines."

"Yeah, we know," nodded Estella. Gideon then said, "Our Azzy told us everything and he already prepared something for you to directly go to the time period of a certain erased timeline. However, you have to wait for our leader. She canceled the meeting with WAMO's president just to meet you."

"She? Who is your leader?" Azzy became curious, all of a sudden. Several people here are friends of his. The ones he didn't know would probably be his future friends too. Hence, the leader should be someone he respects or someone he was willing to be a subordinate. "Don't tell me it's Claire," Azzy couldn't help but wonder.

Gideon answered with a mysterious smile on his face as he pushed his glasses up, "Be patient, Azzy. You are going to find out soon." 

Azzy's curiosity increased. His heartbeat slightly rose as he thought of meeting Claire here. The person from this timeline might not be his Claire, but still, he missed her very much. Just meeting her once would give him the confidence to wait for her return.

Azzy spent the next 20 minutes touring around the facility. He was already familiar with the layout but there are several changes too. Meanwhile, the others casually fooled around by playing Arcade games in the gaming zone like teenagers even though most of them are over 100 years old. 

Eventually, he returned to the lounge to find a new person he hasn't met before. However, a few features of hers were also found quite familiar. Gideon introduced her, "Meet, Devorah Garcia, our leader."

Azzy's face was crestfallen instantly. His disappointment was clearly evident on his face. She wasn't the one he was waiting for. 

But, at the same time, he also wondered about her identity, considering the fact that she has the same surname. Azzy observed her face once again. A few of her features are familiar, making him feel like he has met her before but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Then again, she appears to be in a higher realm than his. Since he had to pay his respects to a stronger one, he politely shook her hand with his eyes on the ground, "Hello, Saint Garcia. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The woman let out a smile in response, "No matter how many times I see you and your versions of the past, this feeling of nostalgia never goes away. Anyway, let me introduce myself, I'm Devorah Garcia, daughter of Azrael Orkney Garcia and Celeste."

"Orkney? Celeste?" Azzy knew the full name of his ancestor very well. Hence, he easily understood which Azrael the woman was talking about. But, he never heard of this person named Celeste. 

He immediately confronted the woman with a look of confusion on his face, "I'm sorry but I suppose your father is the founder of our Death clan, correct?"

As Devorah nodded with a smile, Azzy further said, "But, I didn't see your honorable mother's name in our clan records. If you don't mind me asking…" He didn't finish the sentence and just meaningfully stared at the woman.

After a few seconds of silence, Devorah patted his shoulders and answered, "A lot has been omitted from our clan records and many things were changed in the historical records, son. And there is a reason for that too. Anyway, come and sit. Since you are the version from the year 2025 and came here for the first time, I need to tell you a few things about our clan that our Azrael requested me before his departure."

Gideon was sent away and Azzy was left alone with Devorah in the lounge. As they took their seats, Devorah slowly opened up the topic.

"Hmm, where should I start? A long time ago, when Arthur Pendragon just began his conquest for peace, my father, as one of his generals, once lead his soldiers to the kingdom of Elysiora, inhabited by angels. He fell in love with the princess and put forth a proposition of alliance, but the Angels were too proud of their race despite their weak strength. The King neither was willing to yield nor willing to allow his daughter to wed a human.

My father was bound by the duty and he had to sacrifice his love for the sake of his promise to his king. He defeated the Elven king in the battle and Princess Celeste had to become a prisoner.

Do you know what happened next?" Devorah looked at Azzy, asking him to guess the answer.

Azzy thought a bit and answered in hesitation, "He didn't violate her out of lust, did he?" If his suspicion becomes true, Azzy would feel disgusted with his ancestor. Not to mention the fact that he is the reincarnation of the founder. 

Fortunately for him, Devorah shook her head and cleared his worries with the explanation, "No, on the contrary, my mother who was aware of his feelings proposed to marry him in exchange for the freedom of her clansmen."

"Thank goodness." Azzy let out a sigh of relief upon learning that his worst fears didn't come true.

"The story isn't over yet, Azrael," Devorah continued, "My foolish father accepted it out of his kindness and love for her, not being able to see the burning desire for revenge in my mother's heart. She kept it for more than two hundred years before finally striking Arthur when he was most vulnerable on the battlefield. She assassinated the greatest emperor of all time and ended the glory of the Empire of Arcana."

"huh?"