Eric's P.O.V

I was being submerged into the water, sinking like a stone, deeper and deeper into the water. Every part of me hurts.

By the time the ride came to a full and complete stop, I remembered everything; the car accident, the demon, three trials, three tasks, the Axe. THE AXE! Damn it!! I quickly swim back and forth, searching for the it. With every kick and arm wave, It felt like I'd die from the shooting pain. I could taste the strong metal taste in my mouth. May be I busted my lips and gums open.

The amulet around my neck was glowing - weakly, faintly, but glowing nonetheless. The Axe should be somewhere around. But will I be able to find it in time? I didn't know how long I could survive the water. Suddenly something brushed past my leg.

An abrupt, alarming realization of deadly danger surged over me. It didn't took much longer before I spotted a creature with a body of a mermaid and face of a piranha. Before I could move a muscle, she lunged her spear at me. I felt the burning pain as it passed through my shoulder blade. I was immediately paralyzed and put into a temporary state of shock. The pain was overwhelming, almost numbing my other senses. I screw my eyes shut and clutch my shoulder.

By the time I regained my senses, the demonic mermaid was already approaching me with another spear in her hand but before she could strike me again with her weapon, I was pulled away by the amulet around my neck as it was leading its way to the axe, dragging me along. I turned my head back and saw the furious mermaid following me. Wait! now there's two of them?

I close my eyes and swam faster ahead only to crash into a sunken ship. A what? A freaking ship? Blood oozing out of my skull now, I clutch my head In pain. Both the equally hideous looking mermaids took advantage and leaped, sending out a loud shrill, razor sharp teeth awaiting their chance to rip open my flesh.

F*ck! These b*itches really wants to kill me as if I stole their boyfriends.

Everything happened so fast. I just instinctively throw my hands up in a useless attempt to block their attack, turned my head and closed my eyes to avoid seeing what was about to happen.

I heard an electrical crackle and a heavy thud as if they bumped their heads to the rusted core of the ship as well. I slowly turned my head and cautiously opened one eye when the expected impact didn't happen.

I gaze upon the blue haze between me and the creature.

Wait, is this Chubby's doing? Did she just save me?

I look around, expecting to see her somewhere but there was only me and the two crack head piranha mermaids. As one of them regained their composure and let out another growl, I notice, with alarm, that the protective shield had vanished. I bring my hands before my eyes, trying to understand what just took place. My body was tingling all over, especially my hands. They were glowing with that same blueish haze.

There is no f*cking way I caused that force field! I mean, how is this possible?

I looked at the creature with more confidence. She looked around for her partner but she was nowhere to be seen. She growled and without any warning lunged at me again. I raised my hand and thought about the protective shield and it appeared around me. The mermaid hit the force field and bounce off. She shook his head and tried again, now with much force and anger. I threw my hand up quickly and a blue ball of energy emerged from my hand and struck the creature, knocking her off. She submerged into the water almost immediately, much like the other mermaid.

I didn't swim away from there for few moments, waiting, watching, wondering if they would pop out of the darkness and try to attack again.

I began searching for the axe in the wrecked parts of the ship and found it laying somewhere around what was left of the ship deck.

--
I wake up to the sun shining brightly from above, slowly opening my eyes, I see a large worm crawling up my hand.

"AAARGHH! GET IF OFF ME!!" I scream, shaking it off. I f*cking hate insects!

The sun was shining bright, I sit myself up and put my hand on my forehead to cover my eyes and realize I was in a backyard. Wait, its MY backyard. I guess the portal opened up here. Good.

I breathed a sigh of relief. So, I'm done with two of my trails; I got the axe and found the sleeping beauty. I hope he third trial isn't about fighting with dragons or dinosaurs, man! It's not like I have any super powers or something.

Wait a minute!  I look down at my hands, studying them, and thought about the force field and it appeared, encircling both hands. So, the dream I just had was, infact, a reality. That's how I managed to outrun the mermaids. It wasn't Chubby who rescued me back then. But how did I attain these powers? Although my head was spinning with these thoughts, the blue force around my hands was oddly calming. I lunge my fist forward as if I was throwing a punch, and a ball of energy shot out and completely destroyed a side of the rock waterfall. "Whoa!" I exclaimed as I walked to it, examining the hole I just put there. I wonder what else I can do?

~

After self-teaching how to stretch the force field around my body and retracing back to just around my hand, I walk my way into the living room to see Mikarin lying with her dirty clothes on my white couch.

"It's a limited edition Plume Blanche diamond encrusted sofa ." I seethed, internally screaming.

Before I could move her away, a hand on my shoulder turned me around roughly and next thing I know, a pair of cold lips pressed against mine. Sure, I can't feel pain but losing the ability to feel pleasure was quite a shock. I guess when you are alive without a soul, you lose your sensory perceptions. However, the effect was overwhelming, all I could do was stand fixed to my spot as if I was paralyzed from neck down. Although, older women aren't my choice of preference but there was something about her that I just couldn't bring myself to pull away.

Chubby then pushed me away, breaking the hypnotic spell and leaving a bitter taste on my lips. I taste the metallic flavored liquid running over my lips so I quickly swipe my hand over my lips and brought it before my eyes to see blood staining my fingers.

"Did that hurt?" She asked, wiping the blood from her mouth as well, as if to remove the last few seconds.

My cheeks were burning now. "Of course not." I reply, pretending to be uneffected by the kiss, as I walk my way to the bedroom to see my almost chewed up lip.

"Then why did you chicken out and left me alone to fight the Cerberus on the way to the slaughter house?" Her voice followed me all the way to the bedroom. "Didn't I forbid you to look at them?" She threw her hand in the air in disbelief. "Humans, I tell you! Look at the damage you've done. My meat suit is destroyed, and mind you, I do not recover as rapidly as you do. I'll need a day's rest at least. Ugh! Talk about bad luck."

I paid no mind to her rant as I watched my lip retrieve back to its normal state. "This is what happens when you keep a man in shadows and expect him to do all sorts of weird a** things." I turn around and stare at Chubby, who looked in a pretty bad shape. "Tell me, what's the meaning behind all this? Why am I climbing trees and jumping from rooftops? Man, I'm pissing off all kinds of horrible creatures out there."

Chubby looked alarmed now, as if her she wasn't prepared for this rapid fire round. She thought for a while before speaking. "Look, the axe belongs to the girl you call Mikarin. She is actually Abaddon, the angel of death. We need her for the third trial and it is only then you can get your soul back. Get it now?"

Whirring jumble thoughts plagued my mind now as I stare at her, debating if I should trust her. Of course I trust her that's why I went ahead with her plan to get my soul back, didn't I? But she keeps lying to me, how should I completely trust a demon? She obviously has some motives behind all this, or else she wouldn't have helped me all this time. 

"What do you gain from all this? Why are you helping me?" I ask sternly.

She cross her arms over her chest as if my question offended her. "You shouldn't be bothered about all that since you get to continue with your pathetic life once you get your soul back."

A chuckle escaped my lips. "For crying out loud, Chubs!"

"Trust me, what I get from all this has nothing to do with you."

I roll my eyes in annoyance. "Whatever. Just..don't touch me without my permission next time."

She smirk and then bows down gently. "As you say, Mr. Morgan." When she draws back up, her usual raven eyes turn white. "Now, if you'll excuse me." she walks past me and sprawls over my bed. MY BED! "I need to take some rest before we resume our mission." She waves me off. "Don't forget to close the door behind you."

The nerve!

---

Haziel's P.O.V (Four years earlier)

At a soccer stadium:

"What's your biggest wish, Haziel?"

"My..wish?"

"Yes. Something that you've always wanted but never dared to ask your Father?"

Father. The word petrified me. May be because I knew too well what happens when you anger him. Or may be its the guilt that I had buried in my chest since the moment I was kicked out of the heavens.

"I was content with whatever I had back up there. I couldn't ask for more. Father was really generous and kind." I managed to smile a little.

Master gave a dissatisfied nod. "Okay, and what do you wish the most now?"

"I..well." The question really put me in a perplexed state. "I don't know. I'm just trying to make ends meet. But I do plan to get back to heaven by seeking forgiveness from Fath-"

Master laughed out aloud sarcastically. "I- I'm sorry but I don't see how you're going to make it back to heaven after all the things you've done in hell."

My heart sunk to my stomach. "But you said they were bad people who did horrendous crimes."

"Of course they were." Master smirked. "But do you think it suits an angel to punish a soul, no matter how bad it is?"

I suddenly felt betrayed. "Th-then..why did you make me do all that?"

"Because I care for you." He put a hand over mine. "Because I know you are hurt. And also because I know there is no way back for you. Even if there is, why would you want to go back up there and be a mere menial when you can stay down here and be amongst the rulers of Hell? I mean, look at the big picture here, Haziel. Do you actually think they miss you up there? I bet no one even remembers your name by now."

Master's words were a bit harsh but perhaps may be it's because he is concerned about me. Sure, he took me in out of pity because I was all wounded up when he found me, but things have changed now, we have grown more closer to each other. It was he who had provided me a shelter and lend me a shoulder when Father abandoned me.  Although he belongs to hell, he had decided to help me out  back then. How can I ever doubt his intentions? He certainly meant well when he made me do all that stuff in hell. I know this because I can feel his love and care radiating from him, and that's enough for me to keep warm at nights, regardless of how he sees me. 

"I believe you'll make one hell of a leader. I have faith in you." He reach out his hand. "Some one who cares for you, trusts you and has a firm belief in you, Isn't that what you wish the most right now?"

---x---x---