Rise 51
Memories of a Long Forgotten Past
“Death is worse for those left behind.”
-TheBookOfZafira, translated by Professor Knightley
May panahon kung kailan malayang nakatatawid ang mga gods at demons sa magkabilang panig ng Elysium at Gehenna.
Ito ang panahon kung kailan wala pang opisyal na namumuno sa Immortal Plane.
Wala pang Ten Great Gods.
Wala pang Ten Demon Sovereigns.
Wala pa ding Supreme God at Demon Lord.
Isang magulong lupain pa ang buong Immortal Plane.
The Law of the Jungle rules.
If you’re not strong enough, then you won’t survive for long.
Sa isang liblib na parte ng Elysium, matatagpuan ang isang munting restaurant.
Para sa isang magulong lugar, isang milagro na may nakatayong isang restaurant dito.
Pero walang sinuman ang nangangahas manggulo sa restaurant na ito, tanyag ang LadyBoss ng restaurant sa angkin nitong lakas. Wala itong sinasanto sa lugar.
Sa araw na ito, puno ng buhay ang restaurant. Maririnig ang masayang tawanan sa hapagkainan.
Bakas ang saya sa mukha ng bawat customer ng lugar.
“Boss, isang serving pa ng Chicken Noodles!” sigaw ng isang customer
“Ako din Boss!” saad ng isa pa
“Boss ako din! Tsaka isang serving ng dumplings!” Pahabol pa ng isang customer
May munting dibisyon na naghahati sa kusina at sa silid kung saan masayang kumakain ang mga customer ng lugar. Nakikita ng lahat ng customer na abalang nagluluto ang isang matipunong lalaki sa kusina.
“Boss, pakibilisan ng serving please!”
“Maghintay kayo!” naiinis na tugon ng lalaking abalang nagluluto sa kusina
Natawa ang mga customer sa tugon nya. Mabilis mapikon ang lalaki pero alam ng lahat ng customer na ginagawa nito ang lahat para mabilis na makapagserve ng orders ng mga gutom na customer ng lugar.
There are Semideus Realm Spiritists, Immortal Realm Spiritists, and even Semidaemon Realm Spiritists. They were eating in harmony inside the small restaurant
“Papa! I’m home!” a little three years old boy announce as he enter through the door, then he run excitedly, his chubby cheeks bounced as he run around.
“Hello Little Boss!” greeted a customer
“You’re so cute.”
“Did you went to the market with your mother, Little Boss?”
The little boy enthusiastically nod his head to everyone.
He look like an angel with soft golden locks of hair, and eyes that shines like blue crystals.
“Ainsley, where’s your mama?” Kuro, who was busy in the kitchen, asked his three years old son.
“Mama is beating up some bad guys on the road so she sent me home first.” Paliwanag ng munting bata
“Is the Lady Boss beating up some bandits again? Those fools never learn.” Commented a customer
“The Lady Boss is really fierce!”
“Boss, how can a loser like you marry such an outstanding woman?” another customer asked curiously
“Do you want me to poison your food?” naiinis na tugon ni Kuro
“Biro lang, Boss!”
Who can blame him for being irritated? Even if they are Spiritists, that doesn’t mean that they are perfect. Cooking everyday for so many customers is mentally exhausting too! Kuro swore that he will never ever cook again in his next life! Idagdag pa na mukang walang respeto sa kanya ang mga customers nila! Nakakabwiset diba?
“Boss, hindi mo ba tutulungan ang misis mo? Aren’t you worried?” tanong ng isang customer
“Im not worried about her. She’s strong. We should worry more about her opponents. They might die on the spot if she don’t hold back her strength.” Tugon ni Kuro sa mga curious na customer
“Sa bagay. Lady Boss can handle them easily.” Sang-ayon ng mga customer
Paano nila nalaman? Karamihan sa kanila nabugbog na ng LadyBoss dahil mga pasaway sila noon! Nagbagong buhay sila matapos matikman ang kamao ng LadyBoss ng restaurant na ito.
“By the way, have you heard the news?” panimula ng isang Marites na customer sa baon nyang chismis.
“Which news?”
“I heard that the demoness Andromeda unified all the gangs in Gehenna.”
“She's so awesome!” manghang komento ng kausap nya.
“Well, a few years back, there’s also two powerful gangs on our side.”
“Oh you mean the Daggers and the Shadows, right? They used to rule all of Elysium before. Although the two gangs would always fight like cats and dogs, those were still the golden days of Elysium. Everyone fears the Boss of Shadows, and the Lady Boss of Daggers.”
“I wonder why they suddenly retired.”
“I wonder where they are now?”
Biglang naagaw ng malakas na pagbukas ng pintuan ang atensyon ng lahat.
Isang babaeng may mahabang blonde na buhok ang lumitaw. Ginintuan ang kulay ng mapupungay nitong mga mata. May maamo itong muka at kalmadong ekspresyon, habang may hinihila itong duguang mga katawan papasok sa loob ng restaurant.
“.........” lahat ng customer ay natigilan at natahimik sa kanilang natutunghayan.. I-i-is this a murder scene? Are they perhaps witnessing a murder right now?
“Honey, what’s that? Madudumihan yung sahig natin.” tanong ni Kuro habang nakamasid sa duguang mga katawan na nakahandusay ngayon sa sahig ng restaurant.
‘Shouldn’t you ask first if they’re still alive?’ Gustong magreklamo ng mga customer.
“I’m not sure who they are or what they want.” Tugon ni Dawn
‘Binugbog sila ng walang HI or HELLO man lang? Kawawa naman.’ sa isip ng mga customer
“They don’t look like bandits. Honey, did you punched them without even asking who they are?” Kuro
“They were trying to kidnap our son.” Dawn
“But they were just asking for directions Mama.” Nagtatakang tugon ni Ainsley
“.... they were? Then my bad.” Dawn guiltily healed them with a burst of divine light.
The two bloody and unrecognizable men immediately healed and regain consciousness.
Bakas ang takot sa mga mata nila nang makita si Dawn na kalmadong nakatayo sa harap nila.
“Please spare us!” sabay na saad ng dalawa..
Seeing them begging for mercy, all the other customers felt a sense of camaraderie, they can see their old selves in this two new victims.
“Sino kayo?” tanong ni Kuro sa dalawa habang abalang nagseserve ng Chicken Noodles sa mga customer ng restaurant.
“M-mga myembro kami ng Council of Gods!” tugon ng isa
“Council of Gods? Ngayon ko lang narinig ang pangalan ng gang na yun.” Komento ng isang chismosong customer
“Hindi kami isang gang! Ang Council of Gods ay pinamumunuan ng pinakamalalakas na Diyos ng bawat elemento. May sampung Elder ang council, at tinatawag na Supreme God ang leader ng Konseho.” Paliwanag ng isa
“So bakit kayo nandito?”
“Hinahanap namin sina Dawn at Kuro para paunlakan silang maging myembro ng Konseho.”
“At bakit naman kami sasali sa Konseho na yan? Hindi nyo ba nakikitang abala kami dito sa restaurant?” Kuro
“Pero kayong dalawa ang pinakamalakas na Diyos ng Kadiliman at Diyosa ng Liwanag sa buong immortal Plane!”
Natawa ang ilang customer matapos marinig ang sinabi ng lalaki.
“Alam naming lahat na malakas si LadyBoss. Pero si Boss Kuro, pinakamalakas na Diyos ng Kadiliman? Impusible! Hahaha!”
“Honey binubully nanaman ako ng mga customer natin!” sumbong ni Kuro kay Dawn
“Should I break their spines for you?” Dawn
Although the customers felt scared upon hearing that, they also cant help but feel an immense amount of jealousy, how can Boss Kuro be so lucky? Such a reliable wife he have!
“Seryoso kami sa offer namin! Opisyal kayong pinauunlakan ng Council na maging myembro.” Sabat muli ng lalaki.. Pakiramdam nya hindi sila sineseryoso sa lugar na ito.
“Why should we join you?” tanong ni Dawn
“The Council will soon unite all of Elysium as it’s leader. The ten Elders will govern over the land of gods.”
“It sounds troublesome.” -Dawn
“But it’s the duty of those with power to protect the weak. Think about your son. Do you want him to grow up in a lawless land?” argued the man from the Council as he points towards Ainsley who was seated at a nearby table, eating some apples like a cute little rabbit.
“We want to give our child a normal life. That’s the reason why we are running this small restaurant as normal gods. We don’t want to get involve with the Council.” Kuro said seriously
“But if you join us then you will have the power and influence to protect him!”
“Fine, I’ll accept your offer.” Dawn said as she calmly sips some tea.
“Alam naming biglaan kaya sana pag-isipan nyong mabuti—ha? Y-you’re accepting our offer?”
“Yes, but I have a few conditions.” Dawn
“Sabihin mo lang, I’m sure the Council will provide you with anything!”
“I want to be the Supreme God.” Simpleng tugon ni Dawn
“H-huh?”
“If I were to join, I want the position of the leader. Everyone must follow my words. And oh, I want to change the name of the Council too. It’s such a boring name.” Dawn
“.......”
‘What nonsense is she talking about?’ sa isip ng mga myembro ng konseho
“Do you take us as a joke?” naiinis na tanong ng mga myembro ng konseho
“Do you think I’m joking?” malamig na balik-tanong ni Dawn
The two felt a shivered run down their spines.
Dawn’s terrifying cold eyes truly frightened them.
“W-w-we will let the E-elders know about your conditions.” Ang huling saad ng dalawa bago sila tumakbo paalis
“Wow LadyBoss scared them too much that they run away liked frightened rabbits!” komento ng isang customer
“Pero di pa din ako makapaniwala na gusto nila irecruit pati si Boss Kuro.”
“Boss Kuro, are you actually strong? Bakit di halata?”
“Boss Kuro is always hiding behind the LadyBoss, who would believe that he’s strong?”
“Yes, yes, they were probably just mistaken.”
“Mama, if you don’t stop them, Papa might really cry because of their bullying.” The little three years old said worriedly.
“Even the Little Boss clearly knows that Boss Kuro is a crybaby!” tumatawang saad ng mga customers
“.......” Kuro was speechless. Honestly, gusto nya nang umiyak. These bullies! Huhuhu
Dawn smiled, she really likes the current peaceful days they have in this little restaurant.
***
The restaurant closed early that night.
After making sure that his wife and son are already asleep, Kuro sneaked out of the house.
“Report.” He said coldly
A man appeared out of the shadows, got down on his knees and respectfully responded, “Boss, the Council of Gods has been recently established. Some of the Elders on the council are previous gang lords. You know most of them since you beat them up in the past.”
The man handed him a written report, Kuro smirked when he saw some familiar names on the list.
“All these people are at the God Realm, just like me and my wife.” Kuro commented. He’s impressed because someone actually managed to gather all of the strongest people and made them work together.
“These people are extremely dangerous. Boss, should I call everyone over?”
“No need.” Kuro
“I understand.”
“Have you found out how they found us?” Kuro
“One of them seems to be in possession of a power to track powerful gods.”
“How annoying.” Kuro
“Do you want us to deal with them, Boss?”
“No, don’t make a move yet. My wife seems to be interested in them. We’ll wait and see.” Kuro
“I understand.”
Then the man vanished in the shadows, leaving Kuro alone under the moonlight.
Kuro decided not to think too much about it for now.
“Since I’m already outside, should I go buy some midnight snacks?” tanong ni Kuro sa sarili.
***
Kuro teleported back home.
He showed up in the kitchen. He’s excited to eat some snacks and drink some alcohol.
“It’s so late in the night, where did you go?” isang malamig na boses ang bumati sa kanya paglabas nya ng kusina.
Muntik nang mabitawan ni Kuro ang hawak nyang pinggan at baso.
“H-h-honey! Why are y-you still awake?”
“Why are you so surprised? Unless, may sinusubukan kang itago sakin?” Dawn
“N-no.. A-anong itatago ko sayo Honey? Hehehe... B-by the way, binili ko to para sayo” Kuro nervously replied as he place several snacks at the dinning table. His midnight snacks huhuhu.
The enticing smell of food envelops the place instantly.
Sa halip na matuwa, Dawn simply squinted her eyes with a hint of suspicion, “Where did you get the money to buy that?”
Panganib!
Yan ang nararamdaman ni Kuro sa mga sandaling ito. Nakalimutan nyang si Dawn nga pala ang naghahawak at namamahala ng pera ng kanilang pamilya! His money is her money, but her money is only her money. Medyo unfair pero a happy wife means a happy life.
“Kung sasabihin kong nakapulot ako ng pera sa daan, maniniwala ka ba sakin Honey?” kinakabahang tugon ni Kuro
“Obviously I won’t. Where did you get the money?” Dawn
Pakiramdam ni Kuro may ginawa syang malaking kasalanan. Inosente sya, okay?
Bilang lalaki, kailangan nyang ipaglaban ang katayuan nya sa pamilyang ito. Sya ang padre de pamilya, isang malaking insulto sa kanyang pagkalalaki kung hindi sya maninindigan. Wala syang kasalanan!
“Kuro.” Dawn called out coldly
Malinaw na narinig ang malakas na tunog ng pagluhod ni Kuro sa sementadong sahig ng kanilang tahanan, “Honey, it’s a misunderstanding! Please listen to me!”
“A misunderstanding?” Dawn
“Y-yes!”
“Is it?” Dawn
“Honey, calm down, sit here and I’ll give you a massage. Do you want a back massage or a foot massage? I’ll do anything to ease your anger.” Kuro nervously motioned for her to sit down at the chair beside him.
“Hmm.” Dawn sat down without taking her eyes off of him.
“Honey, you shouldn’t get angry. It’s not good for your health. And my heart will ache if you’re like this.” Kuro
“Who says I’m angry?” Dawn is amused by her husband’s reaction.
“I really thought you’re angry.” Kuro breathed a sigh of relief.
“Well, they say that a healthy relationship requires some fights too.” Dawn
Kuro knew that he’s the one who will suffer the most if they ever fight.
“So what did you found out about them?” Dawn asked seriously, changing the subject.
“The Council was recently established, but the Elders leading them are powerful individuals.” Kuro responded calmly
“You don’t seem that worried. They must be weaklings then.” Dawn concluded
“Some of the Elders are people we already beaten up before.” Kuro
“I see.” Dawn
“But why are you interested about them, Honey?” Kuro
“I saw a glimpse of a bothersome future.” Dawn
“We will need their support to fight some strong opponents.” Added Dawn
“Strong opponents? Hmm.. So that’s the reason why you want to acquire the position of the leader.” Kuro nodded in understanding
“I contacted Andromeda recently, and she said that those old monsters are already wrecking havoc on the Mortal Plane. Sooner or later, the Immortal Plane will be in danger. We need to unite this land to stand a chance against those bothersome beings.” Dawn explained
“Old monsters? Are you talking about the Ancients?” Kuro
“Yes. Taking down one or two of them is not really a problem. But facing an entire army of them, even the two of us will get in trouble.” Dawn said seriously
Kuro smiled, “It sounds fun though. It reminds me of our younger days. Flying everywhere, fighting evil. The glorious days of our youth.”
“Our gangs were rivals back then. But I remember when you suddenly proposed to me in the middle of our gang war, shocking everyone. You look so cute.” Dawn
Kuro smiled, “Who wouldn’t fall for you, Honey? I was desperate. I had to hurry, what if someone snatches you away?”
“Aside from you, who would dare propose to the Lady Boss of the notorious Daggers?” Dawn
The two of them gazed at each others eyes, and smiled.
“Mama, Papa, are you eating some midnight snacks behind my back?”
Bigla nilang narinig ang inaantok na tinig ng isang munting bata.
“Ainsley, did we woke you up?” Kuro asked as he lifted up the small child.
“Why are you eating without me?” ang tanging tugon ng bata. He felt betrayed.
“We can have the food. Your papa can have the alcohol.”
“Mama are we not giving some snacks to Papa?” Ainsley asked
“We won’t.” Dawn
“........” Kuro
“Poor Papa.” Said Ainsley as he pat Kuro’s head.
Dawn smiled dotingly, “Our little Ainsley is really the cutest.”
Kuro felt wronged. He bought that snack for him to eat secretly. But now, he won’t even get any. He’s really at the bottom of the pyramid in their home.
***
Somewhere in Elysium, the eight Elders of the Council of Gods gathered for a secret meeting tonight.
The chairs for the Elder of Light and Elder of Darkness are still vacant. It’s specifically reserved for two troublesome but extremely powerful gods. The Boss of the gang Shadows and the LadyBoss of the gang Daggers.
“Since they said no, let’s not force them to join.” Said the god of wind
“You’re just scared because you got your ass handed to you by a woman.” Said the goddess of water sarcastically
“That was a long long time ago! And Lady Dawn is extremely terrifying, okay? You’ll know what I mean when you meet her!” depensa ng Diyos ng Hangin.
“Does it have to be them? Can’t we just recruit someone else? My old scars aches whenever I think about the two of them.” Interjected the God of Fire, he was also one of the victims of the notorious Kuro and Dawn.
“It has to be them.” Seryosong tugon ng Diyos ng Lupa, ang kasalukuyang Supreme God.
“I agree. We will need their strength in order to win this upcoming war against the Ancients.” Sabat ng Diyos ng Yelo.
“If we explained the situation, maybe they’ll cooperate with us.” Said the Goddess of Sound.
“I doubt that. You don’t know Lady Dawn, if she said she wants to take the lead, then you have no other choice but to comply.” God of Metal, another victim of Dawn’s punches.
“Then should we pay them a visit tomorrow? With all eight of us together, maybe they will get pressured and listen to us.” God of Lightning.
“Even if we go together, they will just beat us up together in the end!” God of Wind
“I think it’s a good idea to visit them together. But not because we want to pressure them, but to show them our sincerity instead.” Supreme God
“C-can I say no? I think I’ll be sick tomorrow.” God of Fire
“I feel like I’ll have a severe fever tomorrow.” God of Wind
“My stomach aches. Can I go home now?” God of Metal
“........” Everyone
Those at the pinnacle of the God Realm doesn’t get sick you morons!
“Is she really that scary?” the Goddess of Sound asked curiously.
“YES!” God of Metal, God of Wind, God of Fire
“How cowardly, I’ll show you guys tomorrow how I’ll make her submit to my powers!” the Goddess of Water declared.
‘You’ll regret those words tomorrow!’ the God of Wind, God of Fire and God of Metal have the same thoughts.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Years Ago.
Author: I'll update once a week.
Now.
Author: I'm busy these days. Maybe every two weeks...?
4 Weeks later.
Author: ............ I'm sorry *cries blood, sweat and tears*