44 Chapter 44: Matters of the Underworld

Rushing down the halls the grim reaper could not help but worry. He had made the Queen wait for far too long. Though it had been just a day on Earth, more than 50,000 years had passed in the underworld. Everyone knew that the Mistress did not like to be kept waiting. The last time someone had the guts to do so, they were sentenced to 10,000 cuts. And from their own blade at that! And immediately after the punishment, he was sent on a dangerous mission. From that day on, no one dared to be late.

Thinking about the event, he could not help but break out in cold sweat (if their kind could sweat at all). Right now all he could hope for was a lighter punishment.

After a few minutes, he arrived in front of a set of double doors. Taking a deep breath (he had heard that it helped humans calm down), he slowly pushed open the doors. He walked forward and knelt down, laying his weapon down next to him as he waiting for the Queen to acknowledge his presence.

"Great, another one joins the party," Death muttered, taking a sip of her nectar. There were four others that were waiting just like him. However, she continued to ignore them.

Noticing that her glass was nearly empty she motioned toward the shadow next to her and watched as it refilled the glass. At this rate, the nectar was only going to last for a month or so. She felt displeased at this fact but, then again, there was nothing she could do. The drink was made in Life's palace and due to the lengthy time required to produce it, she could only get a bit of it every year. In fact, some of the low gods would be lucky to taste it every thousand years.

Knitting her brows in displeasure, she looked over at the five grim reapers and questioned, "What?"

The one on the far right was the first to get up and was about to voice his matter when she said, "And make it short."

"Mistress, the rebellion has been fully suppressed and everything is back in order."

"Good. Anything to take note of?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, Mistress. All is well," he responded politely.

"Then, scram!" she yelled and flung her glass at him (it was empty, of course). As it smashed near his feet and blew up in smithereens. Not daring to stay any longer, he quickly bowed and, as per her order, scrammed.

The shadow next to her quickly gave her a new glass filled with nectar, wanting to appease her anger.

Great, her majesty's mood swings are acting up again, the grim reapers thought, cursing their horrible luck.

"Next!"

None of them wanted to stand out, however, and so they remained still. Noticing their lack of movement, Death was furious and hit the table at her side causing a crack to appear on the smooth white jade.

Shocked by the sharp sound and knowing the situation could only get worse, one of them stood up.

He quickly reported, "The arrival of the sealed gods has been confirmed. They are currently in the process of taking up their old jobs."

This piece of news caught her attention and her anger instantly dissipated by half.

"What of the gods whose positions were filled?"

"The High Gods have not come to a decision on the matter."

She snorted and said, "Knowing them it will take a hundred years until they can agree on something. Notify as soon as they come to a consensus. Oh, and find out as much as you can on this new Almighty."

"Yes, Mistress." With that, he bowed and made his way out of the room, relieved that he had not incurred her wrath.

With him gone, Death turned her attention to the remaining three. She nodded her head at the middle one.

"Mistress, there is one prisoner which we can't figure out how to torture. No matter what we try he just laughs it off."

"So?"

"We were hoping that you could provide us with some insight on how to handle this matter."

With that, she frowned. "Such a petty thing and you still come to bother me about it. Stop wasting my time. In the future, all such tasks will be handled by Amon."

Amon was the only grim reaper personally created by her. He assisted her with a wide variety of things and was her most trusted servant. To repay his excellent service, she had bestowed upon him a name, an honor that no other grim reaper had.

"Then I will go consult Sir Amon, Mistress." He promptly left.

Another one got up and said, "I came for a similar matter, Mistress. If you'll excuse me I will go consult Sir Amon as well." A nod from her and he was gone.

Now, only one remained.

"Speak."

"I have captured Teo Garvale and have locked up his soul, Mistress."

"Oh? What does he know of the missing soul?"

"He does not know anything, Mistress."

Her expression immediately turned dark. "So you came back late and empty-handed!?"

Trying to control the fear building up in him, the grim reaper responded, "Not so, Mistress. In his memory, I noticed the figure of the old Almighty."

After a period of silence, she finally inquired, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, Mistress."

"Bring him to me when he's conscious ."

"Yes, Mistress." After that, he bowed and exited.

The room became eerily silent as Death slowly siped her nectar.