Secretly The Overlord

Chapter 3

Silence.

 Henri like every other living human being has always wondered what it felt like after death. Was it the final end?

 Was there another life after death? a life of eternal bliss and happiness known as heaven.

 Or a life filled with unending torture and the biblical "gnashing of teeth"

 However Henri never would have guessed that the answer to this question was far beyond Whatever he had anticipated. Yes, he clearly recalled falling to his death. Yes, he accurately recalled the torturous pain of having all of the bones in his body shatter into bits.

 But no, he didn't go to heaven or hell. 

 Here he was, currently floating in what appeared to be boundless black where the concept of neither space nor time existed -- and sound as well.

 Henri could clearly feel his body being suspended. Yet no matter how he tried, he was unable to feel any connection with his limbs or his eyes or nose.. or any part of his body for that matter — He felt like a complete outsider!

 The first time Henri discovered himself in this state, he had tried screaming for help. Unfortunately no words seemed to come out from his mouth — He couldn't even move his lips!

 At first he worried about Elizabeth's safety.. until he eventually got tired of worrying. Henri had no idea how long has passed since he found himself in this state, except that the only thing present alongside him was the silence.

 And whoever said there was peace in silence definitely had to check their head.. at least that was what Henri felt at this point.

 [Do you want to get free?]

 After what felt like an eternity, Henri finally had a new companion. A voice that immediately lit up his heart — Or not. Yes, he didn't even know if his heart was currently beating; no connection to any part of his body, remember?!

 [Yes. I am sure you do. I can set you free!]

 There was something about the voice. Despite having a feminine touch, Henri didn't feel comfortable hearing it. Unfortunately he couldn't move his lips. He could only helplessly listen to the voice rant on about how setting him free was justifiable.

 The voice seemed to echo straight into his sense of being. He didn't even need to use his ears.

 [Alright. I have decided. I will help you. Helping you is what's best for you.]

 If Henri could move any part of his body, he would definitely roll his eyes in irritation. Dumb f#ck. Instead of having this on and off monologue with yourself, just cut straight to the point and free me. Damnit!

 [Okay. I will set you free now. But we need to have an agreement. I will do this favor for you and you will do something for me too.]

 [Okay. I have successfully finalized the agreement. I look forward to working with you.]

 And then silence. The same way the voice abruptly surfaced, that was the same way it vanished. Henri wanted to hiss in dissatisfaction so bad.

 Didn't you say you would set me free? Why am I still here?!

 However suddenly, he sensed a faint shimmer of light that rapidly began to expand. And like frightened kittens, the sea of black around him began beating a hasty retreat once they sensed the presence of the brilliant burst of light.

..

"Over the past week, there has been an unprecedented cases of Haunt Gates breakouts."

 "Latest reports from VANGUARD claims the bizzare phenomenon is only temporary.."

 "Analysis has shown that unlike its predecessor, the National Draft Ceremony selection saw a sharp spike in draft picks."

 "Does this have anything to do with the latest international phenomenon and is it a temporary situation or permanent?"

 "I am Moriah Hitchcock and this is West Life news."

..

 With a strained grunt escaping his lips, Henri slowly lifted his eye lids. However the next moment he was flabbergasted when he noticed just how familiar the ceiling hanging over his eyes were.

 Why.. Why did it look like the one in his apartment?

 [You are finally awake!]

 Henri immediately sprang up from his worn down sofa once he heard the same voice he heard back when he was trapped in that horrible place.

 However unlike the first time he heard the voice, Henri sensed a ting of fatigue. 

 "W--Who are you." out of instincts, his neck tilted around the small space of his rented apartment.

 However apart from the sofa he was on as well as the mess laying carelessly around, there was nobody in sight.

 [Who am I? listen to me mortal man, I am Lilith.. the great mother of all demo-- koff! koff]

  Henri felt dizzy from the sound of coughing directly echoing in his head. However despite that, a hundred thoughts were currently racing in his mind as the earlier statement from the mysterious voice continued replying in his head.

 Lilith? The mother of all demons? In his head?!

 [Foolish mortal. You do not believe me?] Lilith sounded provoked at Henri's stunned silence.

 She was a primordial being for crying out loud. Why wasn't this mortal man quaking in his boot at the mention of her name?!

 "S--Sorry. I am just finding it hard to believe a powerful demon is in my head. Shit. I must be going crazy!"

 [Hmph. Do not categorize me in the same class as those vermins. I am the Great Lilith. I am no demon!]

 "R--Really. If you are really that awesome. Why don't you amaze me with your glorious presence?" Henri's lips twitched. 

 Since it was apparent he might've gotten retarded, he might just as well enjoy it. First he clearly remembered falling off the roof of a five storied apartment complex. Yet instead of dying, he was back in his apartment with a freaking voice in his head who was claiming to be the biblical mother of all demons!

 Crazy!

 [Hmph. Unfortunately this great one was ambushed and my true essence took serious damage. But that does not matter since you are going to help me.]

 "Help you? and why should I do that? If you truly are Lilith, are you not an evil scourge? why should I help you?"

 Silence.

 "That is what I thought." Henri smirked.

 What rubbish mother of all demons. This was merely his head playing a cracked up trick on him.

 Just as Henri was starting to wonder how he managed to survive the fall from a five storied building and mysteriously appear in his apartment building complete unscathed, Lilith's next reply caused a shiver to run up his spine.

 [Because if my true essence disappears, so would you. Do you remember that horrible place? I managed to pull you out but there won't be a second time.]