From Humiliation to Godhood

3: The God of Dominion has awakened

Isabella stood on the porch, anxiously waiting for Leon to return. The night was restless, and so was she. Sleep refused to come as worry gnawed at her.

“Where is he?” she muttered in frustration, her eyes fixed on the gate, hoping he would walk through at any moment.

The rain poured heavily, and the wind was sharp, making her shiver in the cold. “Did he find shelter somewhere? He didn’t even take an umbrella. Not that it would’ve helped in this weather. Is the place he went really that far? Where exactly did Victor send him?”

She clenched her fists. “He should’ve listened to me. He shouldn’t have gone.”

After waiting a while longer, the cold became unbearable. With a sigh, she turned back inside and retreated to her room, finally drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, Isabella woke with a start and hurried downstairs, hoping to find Leon home. But he was nowhere in sight.

“Sara, is Leon back?” she asked one of the maids.

Sara shook her head with a scoff. “No, Miss Isabella. He was supposed to clean the living room today, but I still haven't seen him.” Her tone was indifferent, if not outright dismissive.

Isabella eyed her and looked away, feeling worried. ‘He isn't back yet?’

She turned to look at the clock. It was past 7 in the morning.

“Isabella!”

She spun around and saw her mother descending the stairs, a broad smile on her face. As soon as Miranda reached her, she beamed. “My, my, Isabella. The heavens are finally smiling on our family.”

Isabella frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Miranda’s grin widened. “Your father just received a message from Leon. That piece of trash is finally out of our lives!”

“Leon?” Isabella asked with a frown. “He sent you a message? What did he say?”

Miranda’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “He said he's not coming back. He’s giving you up.”

“What?!” Isabella blurted out.

Miranda nodded eagerly. “He left you, Isabella! Though honestly, it should have been you who abandoned him. But no matter. His leaving makes everything easier. Now, you can finally be with Victor.”

Isabella shook her head in disbelief. “He wouldn’t do that, Mom. We’re married—he can’t just walk away.”

“You can divorce him without his presence,” Miranda told her. “We can make that work.”

But Isabella kept shaking her head, her eyes welling with tears. “No… he can’t just leave,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

Then, unable to hold back her emotions, she ran to her room.

Miranda sighed in exasperation. “Honestly, what kind of lovesick daughter did I raise? Unbelievable.”

In her room, Isabella grabbed her phone from the bed, and her heart sank when she saw a message waiting for her.

Leon: I’m sorry, but I’m not coming back. I can't spend any more days or hours in that house. It’s best if we go our separate ways. And you can go ahead and marry Victor. He can give you the life I could never dream of giving you.

The phone slipped from her hands, hitting the floor with a dull thud. A shaky breath escaped her.

They had been married for a year and a half. She had fought for him, defended him, proved over and over again how much she loved him. And now… he was gone, just like that.

‘How could he do this to me?’

Her hands clenched into fists, her thoughts bitter. ‘Maybe he was never right for me. Maybe I made a mistake. Because if he could abandon me this easily… then maybe he was never mine to begin with. I must have made the wrong choice.’

—

Meanwhile, Leon had a long walk back home. With no money for a taxi, he had no choice but to seek shelter until the rain subsided before he could make his way home on foot.

As he walked, curious gazes followed him. His clothes were drenched, his appearance ragged. Thankfully, the rain had washed away the blood—otherwise, it would’ve been a problem.

It was a long, arduous walk, and he looked annoyed.

“I am Azrael, the God of Dominion… and yet, I could not command the rain to cease?” he mused, his voice laced with disbelief.

He had tried. Each time, the rain would momentarily pause, only to resume as if mocking him.

“Have I become rusty? Or is this vessel not as formidable as I presumed?”

Indeed, the body was frail. His movements were sluggish, lacking the effortless power he once wielded. It was a stark contrast to the being he had once been.

As he trudged forward, his gaze swept across the unfamiliar world around him.

“Fascinating… These metal beasts replace horses and camels? And those glowing images upon towering walls… billboards, as they call them?” He tilted his head, studying them. “A curious method of spreading messages. And these structures…” His silver eyes lingered on the skyscrapers piercing the sky. “The mortals of this era have built their own mountains.”

The world he had awakened to was unlike the one he had ruled. It was strange, foreign… yet familiar, thanks to the fragments of Leon’s memories.

Without them, he would have been nothing more than a wandering relic of the past.

After hours of walking, he finally arrived before an imposing mansion. As he stood there, Leon’s memory spiraled in his head.

He sighed, shaking his head. “How pitiful… To endure such humiliation from your fellow mortals… A disgrace.”

With a final glance at the towering gates, he stepped forward and knocked.

The gate swung open, revealing the guard. Tony.

As the gate swung open, Leon stepped forward to enter, but the gateman grabbed his arm, halting him.

“Where the hell have you been?” Tony snapped, his grip firm. “Ms. Isabella waited for you outside like a fool, worried sick!” His lips curled in disdain before he shoved Leon back with a sneer. “You should be grateful she even cares about someone like you, a worthless live-in son-in-law. You’re a disgrace to men!”

Leon staggered slightly, more out of amusement than the force of the push.

‘These mortals… so bold in their ignorance.’

With measured steps, he closed the distance between them, locking eyes with the gateman.

“Slap yourself. Hard.”

Tony’s expression twisted in confusion as his hand slowly rose against his will. Just as it was about to strike, he gasped, regaining control and letting it drop to his side.

“The hell was that?” he growled, shaking off the strange sensation before shoving Leon forcefully to the ground. “You trying to mess with me, bastard?”

Leon exhaled through his nose, his gaze lowering briefly.

“Tch. I truly have gotten rusty… Three thousand years, and I’ve allowed myself to be bested by a mere mortal. Unacceptable.”

As he stood, he dusted himself off and fixed Tony with an impassive stare.

“You,” he said smoothly, “have just secured your place on my list.”

The gateman scoffed, unimpressed.

Leon paid him no further mind and stepped into the house. The moment he did, Miranda’s voice rang out.

“No!”

Seated in the living room, the woman had been lazily tending to her nails. Now, she bolted upright, her face paling at the sight of him.

“What are you doing here?!” she screeched, storming toward him. “You shouldn’t be back!”

Leon tilted his head slightly. “This is my home, isn’t it?” His voice was devoid of emotion. “It’s the only home in my mind.”

Miranda stopped just in front of him, her eyes burning with rage.

Then, without warning, she slapped him across the face.

“Get out!” she spat, pointing toward the door. “Go back to wherever the hell you came from! I don’t want you here! And I definitely don’t want you anywhere near my daughter!”