53 The First Reincarnation

"The realm of the between." A distorted voice called from the empty black a mixture of feminine and masculine; which caused the child to hastily glance around. He would be unable to distinguish where the voice was coming from though considering it echoed throughout the darkness. "The realm of the between?" Riyku would repeat in question.

"Yes. You are being judged. If your soul should ascend or descend. We are in the process of that determination. However, the soul should not wake up in the realm of the between. In fact, you being awake as of this moment is abnormal." The voice would reply which caused Riyku's eyes to widen. "Soul? Ascend? Descend? Are you talking about heaven and hell?" His voice trembled anxiously, unsure of what was going to happen to him.

"To the mortal concept, Yes." The voice replied which caused Riyku to grasp hold of his frame with both arms as if hugging himself. "So I am dead...?" For a moment there was silence before the voice came over in reply, "You are." Riyku would close his eyes and shake his head softly. "What of my friends and family? Did they live?" Once more a silence befell the darkness, a bit longer than before which caused Riyku to open his eyes and call out again. "What happened to them!?" His voice broke out into demand of anxiety and hope.

"If you are referring to after the events after your death. They are alive. Tell me though, child, why does their future mean anything to you? You are the one who is dead." The voice answered Riyku's question. but asked one of its own. "Why? Because I wanted them to live. I wanted them to carry on happily. What happened to our tribe was... not right." Riyku would remark gritting his teeth as he cast his gaze downward when he spoke about what had happened to be not right.

"If you say so. The actions of mortals are difficult to understand. Even if your friends and family did not die then, they will die eventually. Just as you have. All weak being succumb to those stronger than them. The natural laws of the cosmos have never once changed. The weak will die and the strong will survive. Therefore throwing away your life is meaningless since they will all die eventually anyway." The voice would reply in a monotone state. It wasn't upset or angry, it was as if there was no emotion. Compared to the voice, Riyku was starting to boil. He could not understand why this thing was being so apathetic. "Why?" Riyku muttered as he glanced down below him in anger. "Why do you view my actions as meaningless? Wouldn't you want to protect your friends and family? Wouldn't you want to keep them safe?" Riyku's voice trembled in anger. He was mad because he did not understand, he did not know that what he was speaking to was a being different from him. Unlike before there was no silence though, a reply was quick.

"No. As I said. The weak perish and the strong continue on. If someone dies it is their own fault. They should have been stronger than the other. You are no different, mortal. You died because you were too weak. Your deeds to prolong the lives of 'friends and family' are meaningless because they will die later on anyway. The World known as Gaia is doomed, along with those who live upon it. While that world was brought to ruin because of a Goddess; it was doomed far before the intervention of another entity. The beings living in that world brought it to ruin themselves through famine, war, and death. The only reason that world still survived after it was brought to ruin was that the individual to brought about it's ruin also attempted to resurrect it. However, that person is far too weak. So his attempt did nothing, but prolong the inevitable. Do you understand now that your actions were meaningless? You've only prolonged the inevitable."

Riyku was stunned, shocked even by what he was just told. He was told by his father and elders that the world was indeed brought to ruin; however, someone returned the world to what it once was. "How? How is Gaia doomed!?" Riyku would exclaim, not necessarily shout; but it was clear he wanted answers. Once more the voice would heed his call.

"The creatures you call Neuromoprhics. They are creatures born of ruin and vile. Belighted creatures that are far beyond even our control or knowledge. They are not demons, nor are they angels. They are creatures of the abnormal. They take the forms of anything living and become increasingly stronger by devouring the essences of another. Needless to say, they are the sole reason Gaia will fall. It has already been declared that Gaia is doomed. Those creatures will wipe out everything, even themselves. When the last one remains, it will devour the world."

All of this knowledge was beyond him. Riyku knew the Neuromorphics were bad news. However, he didn't know that they were that dangerous. He figured it was just another beast that needed to be slain. It was then that he realized something. The voice spoke of a Goddess' intervention. "Why not intervene? Why not aid the people of Gaia?" Riyku inquired anxiously. There was a short pause before the voice spoke again.

"There would be no point. We will not repeat ourselves again." The voice would reply before continuing onward. "We have come up with a decision. You are to be sent to an underworld as a demon. While your determination was pure, your actions have caused your soul to be bound to something vile. Therefore, to prevent vile from contaminating the overworlds you will be sent to an underworld. As such you will not be resurrected should you die again. Instead, your soul will wilt and fade into nothingness. Be grateful that we decided to allow you a second life instead of throwing you into the abyss."

With those words from the voice, a suction effect started to pull Riyku downward. He panicked and began to freak out trying to break free; however, there was nothing he could do. He could not even get out another word before his body was taken into the depths of the inky black. His vision started to blur and his eyelids shut tight. There was no pain; although he did feel queasy. It felt like a whirlwind was tossing him around like a rag doll until he passed out.

His eyes would slowly flutter open, his blurry vision taken note of a crimson sky filled with ashy flakes. As he started to gain sensation throughout his body he felt something hard beneath him. Turning over he saw he was laying on what looked like black ground. Stone maybe? It wasn't cold though. A voice called out nearby. "Hey look! Fresh meat!" Sitting up he noticed his body was bare, nude even like a newborn. It caused him to blush softly; however, the blush was not crimson. It was more so blueish. His flesh was not creamy, but instead, it was a soft almost faded purple. He would cover his nethers quickly with his hands. "Back off!" Another voice called out, one that was cruel and held authority which caused soft kissing of the teeth sound. Riyku would glance up to see a lanky man in rags with two broken demonic horns was walking away unsatisfied while another figure clad in pitch-black armor approached him. Two devilish horns could be seen protruding from the helmet. Showing symbolize of a demon.

"Umm..." Riyku's voice spoke softly. "Get up, new blood!" The voice shouted as it stomped just before him which caused him to jump onto his feet. "God... I hate this job. Every day it is like this." The person would grumble softly as he looked over Riyku. "Now listen up!" He shouted to get Riyku's attention which seemed to work quite well. In fact, Riyku found this man to be as intimidating as the aura he gave off. "You were tossed into Underworld, more specifically the Netherworld that is known as Crimson Ash. Why? Because you are one of the most rotten individuals known to live. Your deeds in the Middle Realm have caused you to be brought here. Rejoice if you want that you are given a second chance at life; however, keep in mind that you are in a lawless land. It is survival of the fittest here. Keep your head low and yourself out of trouble and you may live a long life. However, should you try to act up..." The being would notion behind him which caused Riyku to turn and glance out at a sea of screaming painfilled beings. Riyku would grimace at the sight. He could faintly hear their screams so it made sense that he did not hear them earlier.

"You may end up with them. The Sea of the Damned. While this is a lawless land, there are certain rules we maintain here in Crimson Ash. First, you are to respect the Overlord of Crimson Ash. What does that mean? Well, figure it out on your own. Secondly, you are on your own. Do not expect anyone to come to your aid. Lastly, killing the Overlord of Crimson Ash makes you the new Overlord. That is all. Now get out of my sight before I toss you into the Sea of the Damned." The being would remark with a growl which caused Riyku to nod softly before moving past him covering his nether region with his hands out of embarrassment. Strangely, Riyku wasn't affected by the being's cold demeanor as much as one would think he would be. Maybe that was due to his time with the Magi, as well as out on the field with the Hunting Party. Regardless, he was alone and on his own in a world unknown to himself. His first thought was to find some kind of clothing he could use.

Looking around he took notice that there was a wall covered in moss and thorns, with the only entry and exit being the opening before him. The person from behind was coming up behind him and passing him up to walk to the other side of the opening. Riyku followed shortly after but kept to himself. As he made his way past the opening he saw what looked like obsidian housing and other various buildings. It was as if he stepped into a city itself. Far into the distance appeared what looked like some kind of castle. It was clearly an Overlord's Castle. There were only soft purple-colored people walking around each having various pairs of horns. Some were clothed, some nude, and some skimpy dressed. What caused Riyku's cheeks to flush was the fact that some were partaking of debaucherous acts. "Is it normal to do that sort of thing...?" Riyku thought softly to himself, his thoughts coming out in a soft murmur. He had never done such acts before but caught glimpses and sights of it with creatures as well as other races back on Gaia. A sultry voice peered from his side, "Oh my... how cute. Did you just arrive?" When Riyku shifted his head in the direction of voice he saw two voluptuous females. Tall even, probably taller than his father who was a little over 182.88cm (6ft). Their bodies were clad in a see-through grown. Harden nipples could be seen pressed against the soft pink fabric. Small bat-like wings fluttered softly behind them as their tails sensually clung to their thick thighs. Other than the gown they wore no other clothing. Pierces could be seen upon their privates and other areas of their bodies giving off a naughty vibe. Both of them looked alike, giving the term 'Twins' a nice ring.

Riyku's cheeks would fluster a darker shade which made him quickly turn away. His hands still covering his lower region from embarrassment. "That's cute, you are embarrassed. There is nothing to be scared of baby." The second demonic sister called out after a soft giggle. Their voices alluring to the ear. Riyku would quickly cast his gaze downward. It was then that he noticed one of his hands was not like the other. The arm that was chopped off, it should not have been there. However, it was in fact there. It was replaced by something wicked and powerful. His arm held the skin coloration of his present complexion which darkened into a gray and eventually shifted pure black. Three small barely notable spikes could be seen near the wrist of his arm. One on each side and third on the back of his arm. The tips of his fingers appeared almost extended into talons or claws if you will. Unlike his left arm and hand which appeared more humanoid than anything else.

Riyku was so taken back by this that he did not hear the voices of the two demonic sisters which he could only view as a succubus. One of them grasped a hold of his right arm which caused him to shift his eyes towards her as she seemed to feel upon his wicked arm. Her face flushed with a soft moan. "Oh my..." She whispered softly as she bit her lower lip sensually. "What is it, sis?" The second sister inquired. "Have a feel." The first replied to the second and handed Riyku's arm over to her sister who took hold of it. The moment she touched the black of his hand she quivered and damn near let out one of the loudest moans possible. She had to bite it back and release Riyku's arm which he took with his left hand and stepped away from the two succubi. "So much energy..." She would bring her hands to her face while giving Riyku a psychotic love-struck face. The first sister giggled softly when she saw her twins' reaction. Her gaze shifted back to Riyku. "We are not going to hurt you. In fact, we just want to take care of you. Let us beautiful older succubus take care of you." The first would lick her lips playfully as she eyed Riyku like a piece of meat.

Riyku would glance around hastily as if looking for a way out, but it seemed the only way out was through the gate to the Sea of the Damned. "I...I appreciate the offer, but I can take care of myself." Riyku would retort turning back to face the two. "Besides, you should only do those kinds of things with someone you love." He added. Sadly, these meant nothing to the occupants of this world... well netherworld if you will. The two sisters looked at one another before giggling softly, "and we love you. Isn't that right, Yumi." The first spoke as she eyed Riyku. "Of course, Yumo. We love him dearly." The second replied it was quite clear that those two only wanted one thing. "Don't worry. We'll be gentle." Yumi spoke with a playful snicker. Things were looking grim for Riyku until a third voice called out. Strong, proud, and feminine. "I see the dumpsters are at it again. You two just can't leave men alone... now you are going after someone who just became a demon. Pathetic."

The twins stopped, their attitude shifted with an annoyed expression as they turned to look back at another demon. In between the two plush bodies, Riyku saw a crimson-haired, ruby red-eyed violet skin tone succubus. Her body was toned, but there was also a sexy vibe to it as well. She wasn't wearing anything skimpy either. In fact, she was fully clothed, in a crimson skirt and crop-top. Knee-high socks of a lovely black with a crimson coloration of boots to follow suit. Strapped to her slim and sexy waist-line was a thin blade; a rapier if you will. Attached to her back, with the straps resting in between her bust happened to be a fairly large blade as well, probably a bastard or greatsword. Flicking her long crimson hair over her shoulder she would place her hands upon her hips. "Beat it." She called out towards the twins who would grumble inaudible about how this succubus spoiled their fun and moved along.

Riyku was now left there stark naked with someone who was probably around his age or slightly older. While he did not notice, his body was actually around the age of a young adult. The woman made her way towards him. "Umm..." He was stopped from speaking when the woman placed a finger to his lips to shut him up. Her ruby red eyes scanned over his body from head to toe, taking in everything. There were a plentiful of scars of various degrees and depths upon his torso, arms, and legs. Although what caught her attention most was his right arm. "So this is what I felt. It is probably what drew in the other succubi as well." She muttered before reaching for it, but Riyku stumbled back which caused her brow to raise. "I don't think you should..." Riyku would mutter in a meek manner. The young woman would kiss her teeth and move forward to grasp hold of his right arm. Her facial expression remained unchanged as she stared into his own eyes which were a soft purple by the way. "Or what? Do you think I'll succumb like those filthy rags? Ha." She tossed Riyku away a moment later while releasing his arm which caused him to stumble back a bit and fall onto his rear. The young woman would turn away from him, "Come along. It is quite clear that you do not know anything about this place. So I'll explain everything to you. If you reside here you will be put into a dangerous situation like before." She called back with a strunt in her step; although it was quite clear she was hiding something. A deep shaded blush and trembling of her lower lip. While she put on the tough act it was quite clear that what affected the twins also affected her.

Riyku did not take note of this, but he did heed her words of being in danger. Besides if she was willing to help him out he wouldn't just say no. While he thought she was kind and she may have been showing an act of kindness. That sort of thought was naive and would not fly in this world. This was something he would later come to find out. He was not stupid; however, but he sensed no ill intention from the young succubus. Unlike with the other two, as well as the guard and the lanky demon from earlier. He could tell that they had ill intent the moment he saw them, but from her and the look in her eyes, he did not see it. So he decided to trust her, even if that trust was given pretty much blindly. It was better than being left stranded, nude, and without any information on anything.