Chapter 182 Modor

A man in his red fiery robes peered at the wilting lilies as he stood in the middle of his courtyard's garden. They stood out far too much to his liking and greatly contrasted the beauty of the exotic garden that was given to him despite his refusal. This exotic garden he's been accustomed to seeing these past few days were filled with various flowers and shrubs that seemed too bright for his tastes. And their vibrant colors shows the great vitality they had in them and the great care given to them, except for the lilies by the forgotten side of the garden.

The lilies were dull and wrinkled, indicating the process of wilting. Some of them drooped towards the ground while some still stood upright, as though they are refusing to bend towards the will of the world.

And the man couldn't help but admire these lilies despite their grotesque appearance.

Because these wilting flowers, although dying from thirst, were still trying their hardest to survive by stealing the other's nutrients as they sway along the chilly night.

"Come out. I know you're there, Modor."

The man caressed the lilies with his fingertips before slowly turning around to meet the dark blue eyes of the man he expected most to see.

Modor smiled as he stepped out of the shadows. His long silky hair was black as night as it floated with his every movement. But despite the elegance of his beauty, the aura around him was light and playful. He had his hands clasped behind his neck in a casual manner and with a slight hop in his steps, he drew near to the man.

"Aw, you're no fun at all, Sal. I was going to sneak up and surprise you but you went and ruined it all with your heightened senses. Can't you just play along and pretend to be surprised for once?"

The man furrowed his brows when he heard the name that Modor used to refer to him.

"You and I are both Kings that were given proper names used to address us. So use it."

Modor snorted as he sarcastically spoke, intending to annoy the heck out of the man. He began to obnoxiously walk and jump around him as well while he spoke so that he would hopefully get a great reaction from him.

"Oookayyy, Saleziel. Whatever you say, Saleziel. Are you happy now, Saleziel? It's so tiresome to say everything all the time, Saleziel. Three syllables in a name are far too long, Saleziel. I always make it a rule where having more than two syllables in a name denotes for it to have a nickname, Saleziel. See, Saleziel? I might one day accidentally bite my tongue just by saying your name, Saleziel."

Hearing his name being uttered incessantly with that infuriating tone, Saleziel finally had enough. He glared at Modor as he slowly walked close to him.

"You. You're really the only one I can't stand in all the Heavens."

Modor saw his exasperated expression and he couldn't help but giggle in delight.

Hearing the glee in Modor's giggle, Saleziel clicked his tongue in irritation which made Modor giggle again.

Now that Saleziel was in his alter ego, Modor was really excited to see more of Saleziel's reactions since he barely had any back in his real body.

"How does it feel to reside in a body you haven't used for centuries? Actually, it's been so long since I saw you use an alter ego. Why's that?"

Saleziel glared at him and it made Modor chuckle.

"Still hating humans, I see. Still, I can't fathom the fact that you hate humans but you're in charge of them. They're partly in your domain and in mine as well ever since 'he who shall not be called' was… you know… Besides weren't you also o--"

He didn't know whether it was Mordor's pestering or his tone that caused it but Saleziel suddenly felt the irritation in him start to bubble up and before he knew it, he suddenly bursted.

"I don't need to explain myself to you! But my hatred isn't just something unreasonable! If you were in my domain, you'd be able to see how dirty they're willing to become just to cling on to their short lives!"

Modor widened his eyes at the sudden outburst and before he knew it, he was bent over, laughing as hard as his puny human body can ever possibly endure.

"Oh man, that was a shock. You haven't adjusted at all, have you? Look at you being all cute screaming like that. It's already been more than a week but you still didn't adjust well with the human emotions of your alter ego, huh."

Saleziel's mouth twitched in annoyance as he tried to calm himself. He thought he adjusted well these past few days but since there was no one to provoke him, he couldn't be truly sure. But now that Modor's here, the little control he had over his emotions somehow snapped and he realized that he really couldn't handle human emotions well.

Modor finally ended his round of laughter with a deep exhale.

"Well, that's what you get for not using it often. And don't underestimate human emotions. They're a hundred times more expressive and irrational than ours. Back in our real bodies, it's easier to hide and dampen it but in this form, you just can't help but express it."

If he were to give an analogy it'll be like the difference in reactions when giving cookies to a kid and to an adult man.

So, Modor started to seriously instruct him with a smile.

"So, just try to relax and breathe deeply before you try to speak about anything. Some emotions get too overwhelming as well so make sure you calm yourself with a few breathing techniques, okay? And you should go out more and observe or talk to people. It helps stabilize and normalize your reactions so that you'd know the appropriate way to react."

Saleziel sighed as he heeded Modor's words. As much as he disliked Modor, he knew he had to listen to him since he's been in his alter ego the most amongst all Kings.

But in the middle of calming down, he looked at Modor's dark blue eyes and he recalled something instantly.

He recalled the blue sparkling messenger he sent in Hel Halja which surprised him.

The little thing that started this whole chase.

"Why was your messenger there in my domain while I was handing out judgments?"

He grounded out as he stared at Modor with curiosity and animosity.

Modor didn't seem fazed by his animosity or the sudden question. Instead, he gave him a casual but oddly mysterious smile.

"Don't worry, Sal. It's just the Fates doing their job."

Saleziel narrowed his eyes as he tried to figure out what Modor was up to.

"No 'fate' ever interfered with my domain unless there was an emergency. That soul was no emergency! In fact, it instead led to a calamity! Tell me, Modor, what exactly is happening here? Why was one of your butterfly messenger there? And why did it have the message of 'Help' resonated to my original self and not to the clones?"

Modor's eyes widened and much to Saleziel's surprise, he suddenly laughed out loud.

"Oh no, sorry, that one bit was because the little thing was scared of being eaten. Sorry about that. But I can assure you that everything will be better if you leave it all to the Fates."

Saleziel wanted to drill him more questions but he knew that Modor wouldn't ever budge when it comes to his domain. So, with a sigh, he reigned in his emotions as he faced Modor.

Modor saw his conflicted expression and he couldn't help but smile sadly. He really hated the fact that he can't help but that's just how he was anointed to be.

"You know full well my lips are sealed. But soon, you'll once again ask for my help about this lost soul. And I can only answer your questions when that time comes. So, until then, just try to adjust to your human body, okay?"

Saleziel gritted his teeth but he understood him so he nodded. He knew he couldn't do anything and he wasn't allowed to know anything more.

Leave it all to the Fates, as always.

So, without so much as a goodbye, he retreated back to his manor that was a great distance away from the garden.

With a smile, Modor watched his back get smaller and smaller. Then when he no longer saw him by the distance, with the use of his ability, he closed his eyes. And just as he predicted, he started to see everything that was about to unfold.

Little girl, don't let him catch you just yet.