"When this infant world had still been nothing more than a toxic, molten inferno incapable of harboring life, it is said that the world cried out toward the cosmos for help... and something responded. A primal force of creation." — Genesis and Astrodivination, Volume One by Nareem Walder

"So, let me get this completely straight — You underwent a heavenly tribulation as a mortal, almost died, and entered a state of limbo as a result? And the Heavens spoke to you and gave you not one, but two Great Questions? Oh, and you have no absolutely idea where your soul is right now? Did I get that all of that right?"

Laude rubbed his chin contemplatively and said, "Hmm... Yeah, that's about the gist of it. What do you think? Can you help me fix this whole mess?"

Steven stared at Laude as if he were an exotic specimen and said, "I believe the human expression I'm looking for is... 'You're fucked'. Is that a satisfactory answer? I don't even know how to help you, to be honest. This beyond my pay-grade."

An annoyed scowl formed on Laude's face, and he said, "No, it isn't, goddammit! I already figured that out myself, you dolt! If anyone can help me find my soul, it's someone like you! I mean, you work for the Lords of Hell, for Heaven's sake!"

Steven shrugged his shoulders helplessly and said, "Let me talk to my supervisor for a bit, okay? He might know what to do in this situation. He's been an Interception Officer much longer than I have. Hold up for second..."

The instant Steven disconnected from the call, Blublu lost her shape and turned back into a disordered mess, much to Laude's wonder. For what it was worth, Laude finally learned what type of creature Blublu was — she was what Steven called a lunar spirit, a kind of domesticated creature that existed in Hell. Apparently, they served as pets and workers, depending on their type of breed.

Blublu was a "jellymorph" who had the nifty ability to take on any shape it wanted, making it desirable for jobs requiring finesse. They were perfect for quiet jobs such as extractions — the critical task of escorting and, if necessary, forcibly capturing the unwilling souls of people who had cheated Death.

Despite everything that happened, Laude couldn't help find the translucent blob a little cute once he let go of his already fleeting anger and fear of it. The way it tried to act friendly and polite as it clumsily drank from Steven's teacup was quite an endearing sight. He couldn't keep his former scowl after he saw how gentle Blublu was acting around him...

What a strange world this is to have given birth to a creature like this... Then again, Blublu isn't a creature from this world. Since she's from Hell, wouldn't she be a moon creature? That's out of this world... literally!

Foolish ruminations aside, it didn't take long before Steven returned, causing Blublu to retake his form. He had a concerned expression on his face, which was a bit surprising considering he barely reacted even after he heard Laude's story.

Steven scratched his head in confusion and said, "I have good news and bad news. I spoke to my supervisor, and he told me that he doesn't know what to do either. He said he's never heard of something like this happening, pretty much ever. We both searched through our codex of protocols, and there's nothing there that covers a type of situation like this. We're both lost on how we should proceed."

"And exactly which part of that is the GOOD fucking news?!! Are you taking the piss out of me?!" shouted Laude furiously.

"The good news is that we have decided to escalate your case and have contacted our district manager, Sir Teledio. For now, though, I would like to speak with the Patriarch or Matriarch of your Society that is currently sheltering you," said Steven.

Not even Alnus expected a development like this. Of all the things he was expecting to happen that night, he had not accounted for a surprise visit by an official from Hell in the dead of night. When Laude showed up with Steven in tow at his little shack, Alnus wondered if he was experiencing a nightmare.

Alas, it wasn't a nightmare, much to Alnus's disappointment. The last thing he wanted to do was negotiate with the stuffy bastards who worked in Hell. They were all sticklers for their rules, and not a single one of them had a sense of humor. Hell was a realm filled with boring workaholics who had no time for fun.

Such was the fate of all who lived the Kingdom of the Dead — the day they stopped working would be the day that everything collapsed and all Hell broke loose...

A complex expression formed on Alnus's face when he learned about what transpired in the last hour. It was one thing for Laude to have been visited by an official from Hell and another thing that the Society's defenses had been penetrated effortlessly. To Alnus, it was a grim reminder about the current state of affairs at White Dew Society.

The spiritual leyline our Society was built upon is almost dried up, as expected... Something like this wouldn't have happened half a decade ago when we could still afford to run the Society's shield barrier at full power. I suppose we're going to have to start assigning patrol missions to elder disciples in the coming days to make up for our faltering defenses...

"Oh, good news, everyone. I've just received word that the district mana—" said Steven before he was abruptly cut off by something. Blublu immediately began to morph into something else, something monstrous and inhuman.

As Blublu grew, it crashed through the shabby roof of Alnus's shack, causing everything around the tiny home to shake and tumble around precariously. Alnus quickly hollered at Blublu and said, "H-HEY! Stop growing, you damned jellyfish monster! I'm going to bill you damned officials for the damages and emotional trauma you're causing!"

It wasn't long before Blublu finished transforming and took the shape of a roughly three-meter giant with a bunch of gnarled horns on its head. Unlike Steven, this big fellow actually looked like something that had crawled out of the bowels of Hell.

"Ahhh...I would have never expected to meet you again like this, old demon. What a pleasant surprise," said the giant devil with a malicious smile on his face. "It has been three hundred and forty-five years, thirty-two months, seven days, eightee—"

"It's been a long time! Please stop reminding me how old I am, bastard! This is why I hate dealing with these timekeeping-obsessed imbeciles..." said Alnus, scowling at the haughty devil.

Laude, who had deftly slithered behind Alnus, poked his head out and asked, "Y-You know this big demon, sir? How?"

The giant devil snorted in amusement and said, "Me? A demon? Ha. That old bag of bones you're hiding behind is a hundred times more demonic than I could ever be! If you knew the horrors this ghoul has committed, you'd—"

"Silence, fiend," said Alnus in a tone that betrayed everything Laude knew about him. It was a tone of voice as sharp as iron and frigid as a blizzard during midwinter. "Speak another word, and I WILL finish what we started all those years ago."

The giant devil smiled knowingly and said, "Peace, old friend, peace. As much as I have relished meeting you again, you are not why I descended. The laddie behind you is the main star of tonight's act. Isn't that right, Mr. Tellstar?"

The large fellow crouched down to Laude's eye level and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you, young man. I am Augustus Teledio, District Manager of the Fourth Division. Can I just say that it is an incredible honor to meet your esteemed personage?"

Laude felt all the hairs on the back of his neck prickle at the sound of the devil's courteousness. Never before had he heard someone speak so politely and warmly, yet in a manner that was devoid of all compassion. Teledio's mannerisms gave him the impression of a friend Laude had known all his life... and someone was biding his time.

Someone who was waiting for the perfect moment to make the killing blow. In other words, he was a beast with an inhuman level of patience — a demon born with the capacity to dominate others with rhetoric alone.

Alarm bells were ringing in Laude's mind, screaming at him to run as far away as possible. The same primal instincts that once saved his prehistoric ancestors many a time had been reawoken, causing a fair amount of distress for him. Despite Laude's best efforts, he could not force out even a single word out of his mouth. It was an involuntary action born out of pure fear.

Speak now, and it's all over. This is someone I cannot face. Winning is impossible. The only real option is to flee.

Alnus pushed Laude behind him and gave Teledio a reproachful scowl before he said, "Cease. He hasn't been taught how to defend himself against spiritual attacks yet. It's unsightly watching you bully a neonate."

"Ooh... How presumptuous of me," said Teledio as he wryly chuckled. "I merely assumed that the lad would've intercepted my little probe. I naturally meant no harm, keke... After all, harming someone chosen by the Heavens is inconceivable for my kin. Peace be upon ye."

Alnus grunted in acceptance and said, "So, what have the Lords of Hell decreed? I presume that word has reached their ears about the boy. Will they interfere in affairs of the living, or will they keep the peace? Get on with it, devil."

Teledio nodded his head and said, "The Lords of Hell have elected to... remain uninvolved, for now. The vote was three against two in favor of not acting. They are afraid of enraging the Heavens, as expected. Predictable result. I would be, too, given the state of affairs around the world."

"Needless to say, they will be keeping a very watchful eye on the lad, hmm? If he causes mischief or somehow ends up acting as a catalyst for the current dilemma we're all facing, I have no doubt in my mind that'll they act. And that won't end well for anyone, I reckon..."

A complicated expression formed on Alnus's face, and he said, "No, it won't... I get the message. Are we square, then? Because if that's the case, you can beat it. I don't want you here for a second longer than what is required."

Teledio clutched his chest in mock pain and said, "You wound me, dear friend. Ah, I almost forgot! The Lords of Hell have extended a personal invitation to you, boy. They wish to meet you in person. Not to worry though, you can visit whenever you wish. Head over to the nearest Lunar Gate whenever it suits you. I'm sure ol' bones here will explain it all to you later."

And just before the devil left them, he whispered, "It won't be long before the rest of the world finds out about him, you know... The Golden Triumvirate, The Lanternbearers, The Well of Solace, and let's not forget the greatest threat of them all, the First Lighthouse. Not to mention all the other smaller pests, too. Better get a move on or else... "

The devil had never spoken truer words. Once word leaked about Laude's existence, the remaining great powers, organizations, societies of the cultivation world would inevitably descend upon the Janusphere Empire seeking the boy for their own reasons.

Some would arrive as friends, some as curious visitors; others as devoted pilgrims... and many would come as enemies.

The timer had officially started counting down. It was now imperative that Laude begin preparing for the storm that would come crashing down upon his head...