A Servant's Flame ˒ Jing Ke x Date Masamune ᘛ Idle Huntress 𓇬 Destiny Girl ᘚ

✎⠀ ̼ ̼ ⠀ ⠀꒱⠀⠀𓆩𝟸𓆪 Escalated Feelings

We journey through the landscape and enter a semi-crowded city. It had a larger population than Tara Continent. Buildings had many different aesthetics along with its people who shared similar aesthetics to Date, wearing purples, oranges, and blacks. Many of the buildings had magnificent dècor and lighting, making some of the neighboring ones look bland and obsolete. Each building had a personality of its own, and it was difficult to take in the beauty with Date trying to drag me around.

I take a moment to stop, take a gaze along the horizon, and take in the wonderful air, it really did feel like we were in slow motion. Then I'm met with Date yanking me, making me snap out of my momentary rapture. As we continued, her fingers added pressure in between my knuckles.

A strange mix of happiness, yet regret, floods my mind. I've never seen people this happy before. Partying, yelling, having fun with each other, and just doing whatever made them smile. I couldn't help but wonder what other marvels were hidden in this paradise. Could I possibly find contentment here?

With a grin as radiant as the sun, Date finally slows a bit to match my gaze, saying, "you know, most people here call this realm Hell. I think it was adopted because it seemed like unfortunate souls got tossed here for ill behavior, but I actually don't think that at all."

"Really?" I tilt my head in interest.

"Yup! I think people are sent here because it's where souls can atone or repent for their deeds. Morals will always be a gray subject though. Even in the Light realm people have their differences and opinions," she goes on to explain.

Her words definitely piqued my interest. "Is the Light realm considered a Heaven of sorts, then?"

Date nodded while swinging our arms in unison. "I think people in the Light realm don't like the nickname. It's a place for rule followers and their respective enforcers. For example, it's people who can't live without guidance. Souls don't necessarily want to be there, but people will always find comfort in 'God'." She quotes God with her fingers. "This place, on the other hand," she gestured around us, "is different. You can be whoever you wanna be and do whatever you want to do." Realization dawns on Date's face. "Within reason! Of course. Don't try to kill people and uh, stuff. Very annoying to have to deal with., uhm...

"That makes sense." I allow myself to float into my own thoughts for a moment. "Rule follower" really resonated with me. I feel like all my life that's all I ever tried to do. But, did I truly love it? I wonder...

"If that's the case though," I bring my focus back to Date. "Why didn't I make it to the Light realm?"

Date teeters her head, but she swiftly responds with, "I'm not sure. I wouldn't attribute it to wrongdoing. Maybe you're here because you challenged Gods instead of following them. Then again, who knows. Only the one in purgatory does!"

This only sparked a flurry of questions in my mind.

"Gods? Like, multiple? Purgatory? I'm not really understanding..." I never followed religions, especially enough to note that there's multiple. I wasn't one to decline the idea either, reality really could be anything.

"Oh yeah. There's multiple. And that's if you even wanna call her that," she spat venom off her tongue. She scowls with disgust as she continues, "I don't like a certain Angel. She pisses me off, ugh, such a day ruiner!" Her once fast pace then came to an aggravated stomp as the subject grew more grim.

A part of me was left unsatisfied and left wondering: Who were the gods? Who was this Angel? Before I could press further, Date's face grew in excitement as we approached a vibrant section of neon lights.

"Look!" She points while swinging me around to her side. A sign flashes "Lü Bu's Inn" and is adorned with fuchsia LEDs then surrounded with stars and dots flashing miscellaneous colors. The frame of the sign itself had a lacy border and sprouted out a logo of a lady with black and red hair.