My Soul card is a Reaper

"So, you are his descendant, huh? I must say you share his appearance, soul energy, and even his potential. Even among reincarnations, it is almost impossible for such a thing to happen." The stranger commented after realizing that it wasn't the one he knew.

However, the displeasure on his face didn't disappear a bit.

Instead, he went on with the inquiry before Azzy even get to speak properly. The heir of the death clan could only utter the words Thank you.

The question was simple. Where did he get so many souls? 100 million is an astronomical number and there has been no event in the past hundreds of thousands of years that can wipe out such population in little time.

Adding on top of that, his senses couldn't penetrate Azzy's brain. As a result, he cannot see the memories, which only means one thing, or atleast in his view. It is that the boy was protected by a deity. Gaia came to his mind as he knew that the mother goddess is quite protective of her children when it comes to a possible threat from cosmic beings. 

Hence, he can only depend on Azzy's answer and then judge whether the boy is telling the truth or not.

Unfortunately for him, Azzy had the support of the Reaper who guided him in replying.

Following the instructions, Azzy answered as calmly as possible, "I think it shouldn't matter, Mister. What's important is the return of the souls to the spirit realm. I neither seek any reward nor do I owe any explanation because souls don't belong to anyone, not even the gods up there. They aren't owned but only regulated."

"Mister?" The stranger was irked by how the boy addressed him, but upon listening to the rest of the explanation, a look of surprise appeared on his face as he saw the silhouette of someone behind Azzy. The same words from Azzy echoed in his head as a memory popped up. "It's quite astonishing how this boy is similar to Azrael in every way. Maybe, it is due to the fact that this soul has never gone through the same process of reincarnation as others. Now, which deity was the one that keep shielding him away? Is it Gaia? Or is it someone else? I wonder…"

As the butterfly-winged angelic being was in deep thinking, Azzy finally got the answer he wanted to know from the Reaper. It's regarding the identity of this stranger.

And when Azzy heard it, he was quite surprised and couldn't help but take another look at the god of death standing before him. "He looks quite different from how I imagined it to be," thought Azzy.

Usually, one would fear after knowing that the God of Death came near to them, but Azzy felt calmer. It was as if he felt he was standing in the presence of his kin. The Reaper then went on to give him warnings of what not to say and what to say. Azzy was listening patiently.

Thanatos, the god of death, came out of his thoughts and spoke, "Child, thousands of years ago, your ancestor left behind a legend in our domain that couldn't be easily forgotten. He humiliated the gods so much that they almost destroyed your world in a fit of rage. Your appearance doesn't bring me any joy too. But then again, those were the things of the past and I cannot punish you for the things you haven't done.

Anyways, let's talk about the present. Since you refuse to talk about the source of those souls, I won't force you to answer me either. Instead, I shall give you a reward for the service you have done. So, if you have any requests, you may speak."

The moment Thanatos spoke of the reward, Claire came to Azzy's mind. He suddenly got the urge to ask for his help in reuniting with her. But then, the Reaper crushed those thoughts with his instructions in a stern tone.

Azzy came to his senses and spoke out loud, "Well, I'm content with my life. I desire no longevity, power, or some heaven-defying treasure. And whatever problems I face, I believe I can find solutions too.  However, in that process, I might make some enemies. I don't know what my ancestor did to earn your hatred, but it's likely that I might offend divine beings like you, in the future. If you want to give me a reward, then, I ask for protection at the Celestial Empire of Heaven."

"You want my protection at the domain of Gods?" Thanatos' facial expression changed all of a sudden as the earlier scene repeated. The same words echoed in his head, making him remember an event from the past. He couldn't help but curse in his head, "Damn, what is this coincidence? Why is this kid behaving exactly the same as that runt? Even those words are the same."

Forcefully calming down himself, Thanatos replied, "No, your request cannot be granted. I answer to Zeus and if he says that I should take your life, then, I will have to do it. Moreover, I have no reason to form enmity with the other gods for the sake of a promise to a mortal. Ask something else."

Azzy then quickly changed his condition without pondering on it, "Then, how about the protection in the realm of Angels? Just once during my first visit would do."

"The Realm of Angels? And only on your first visit? Are you sure about that?" Thanatos didn't think Azzy would change the reward like that and not being stubborn as his ancestor. Seeing the difference actually made him slightly happy, and he was ready to give the boon, "Alright. From the moment you step on the realm of angels to the moment you leave that place, I will protect you from death for one time."

A spark of divine energy escaped the god of death and entered Azzy's forehead as the latter accepted in, following the Reaper's advice. 

Once it disappeared, Thanatos then continued, "Drive it to your mindscape and store it. When you are in trouble and need my help, you will just have to call for my help and I will go to you in an instant wherever you are. However, if I found out that you are not in the realm of Angels, then, you must understand that Death will welcome you."

"I understand," nodded Azzy before thanking him again.

Thanatos didn't stay there any longer as he had other things to do. He returned to his domain, but not before he mentioned to Azzy that they will meet again once Azzy become a supreme being.

Azzy was quite satisfied with his move. Not only he got Aaron as his ally, but he also got protection from the god of death himself. 

"Now, I wouldn't even need to wait for my master to return. I can just activate the machine and go there by myself…" Azzy already started imagining traveling to the Celestial realm to meet his girlfriend and even arguing with her father if it is necessary now that his life was secured by Thanatos.

However, in the next second, a great tsunami crushed his hopes of reunion as the Reaper's voice echoed in his head, "Hold your horses, kid. We are going to use the divine spark, right now. Your plans have to wait until your master finishes his mission."