Chapter 210: Clash of Gods
Purgatory, The Land Where Life and Death Intersect
POV of Domeric Bolton
"Who are you? You shouldn't be here. Why are you treading on territory you have no authority over?"
One of the beings Lady Death had dubbed a "young god" spoke. It was a very different being from the others.
Despite having a human-like body, it had a large head with seven distinct faces. When it spoke, all the faces spoke together, making it sound as if seven people were talking at once. But strangely, its speech was quite intelligible.
"It seems your time in this little world has given you a lot of courage, Seven. Do you really think you're in a position to question me?"
'Seven! Were these beings that Lady Death referred to as the young gods the gods of this world? Was this big-headed being with seven different faces on his head, Seven, the god of the Faith of the Seven?'
Domeric stood frozen for a moment. He was more surprised by the reality of the gods of this world than by the fact that they were actually in front of him. Until now, he had always thought the gods of this world were fabrications of humans.
But apparently, he was wrong.
So, was the being, wet and with a tentacled head, the Drowned God the Iron Islanders believed in?
Was the being with the horse's head the Great Stallion the Dothraki worshipped?
Domeric could bet that the being with the ever-changing face was the Many-Faced God, and the being in red clothes and with the flaming red hair was the Red God.
Domeric scanned the beings before him for a moment, trying to determine if the Old Gods were present. However, he didn't know what they looked like, so he couldn't make a definitive statement.
Lady Death chuckled at that moment, but this gesture did not seem to please the young gods.
"Who do you think you are to speak to us like this and act like this in front of us? I command you..."
One of the young gods began to speak, but was forced to cut its speech short before it could finish. Lady Death was now on her feet, and with her rising, a heaviness settled over the Grand Hall.
"Did you really dare command me? It seems that in a short time, you have all become senile and forgotten about the Old Gods. Kneel. You are all now in the presence of one of the Old Gods, the Primordial God Lady Death."
At Lady Death's command, all the young gods fell to their knees and bowed their heads. When Domeric looked carefully, he saw that they were all trembling.
Unlike the young gods, Domeric felt no pressure, but what surprised him again was that Lady Death had introduced herself as one of the Old Gods.
'So, Lady Death is one of the Old Gods? Wait a minute!' Domeric suddenly realized something.
According to the information he had previously received from the Deathly Hallows tattoo, Domeric, in his past life as Harry, had been chosen by Death and became a Champion of Death.
If Lady Death was one of the Old Gods, didn't that mean Domeric was the chosen one of the Old Gods?
'No, Auntie must never hear of this. Up until now, she's always been saying the Old Gods chose me, but if she finds out it's true, I'll never be able to shake off the title of Chosen One until I die.'
Lady Death chuckled again, this time looking at Domeric. Domeric then assumed a serious demeanor; he no longer doubted that Lady Death had heard his thoughts. And he didn't want to embarrass himself any further.
Lady Death turned back to the young gods, but her expression as she looked at Domeric was gone.
"Red God, R'hllor. I choose you as spokesperson for this band of young gods. You may raise your head and look at me when you speak." Lady Death said with a stoic face.
The Red God, R'hllor, immediately raised his head and began to speak. Actually, it would be more accurate to say he began pleading rather than speaking. "Lady Death, please forgive us. We did not know you graced our world. If we had known..."
"Save your breath, Red God. I'm not interested in what you say. I have only one order for you all." Lady Death interrupted Red God's speech and said.
"What is your command, Lady Death?" Red God asked quickly, apparently trying to please Lady Death as much as he could.
"As long as I remain in this world, none of you, including your followers, will disturb me or interfere with my business. Is that understood?" Lady Death commanded and asked.
"Yes, absolutely, my Lady. Don't worry..."
Red God began to speak, but was interrupted again by Lady Death. "Keep it to yourself. You've been warned. That's all. Also, I'll leave it to you to decide the appropriate punishment for that idiot whose name I can't even remember who tried to command me earlier. If I don't like the outcome, the rest of you will bear the punishment, and this time, I'll be the one doing the punishing."
"Yes, Lady Death." This time, the Red God didn't speak more than what was necessary. Apparently, he was starting to learn.
"Then you may leave," Lady Death said, and with a wave of her hand, all the young gods disappeared from the Grand Hall.
After dismissing the young gods, Lady Death turned to look at Domeric, and in her presence, Domeric could only swallow. The sound of his swallowing was loud enough to be heard from across the Grand Hall, making Domeric even more embarrassed.
Lady Death chuckled again, and with a wave of her hand, the Invisibility Cloak on Domeric lifted off, flying towards Lady Death and merging with her cloak again.
"Harry. Now that we've gotten rid of the unnecessary pests, we can begin our conversation," Lady Death said, and with another sweep of her hand, a table and two chairs appeared in the center of the Grand Hall. A teapot, cups, and snacks sat on the table.
"I thought some tea and snacks wouldn't hurt while we chatted. But first, it looks like an old friend is knocking on my door. Would it be okay for her to join us? Don't worry, she's one of the Old Gods, and I think she can answer some of your questions better than I can. Especially those about this world."
"Uh… Sure." It was Domeric's only response. After seeing over twenty gods tremble in fear at Lady Death's presence, Domeric had no intention of displeasing her by refusing her requests.
"Oh, don't worry. She's really nice," Lady Death said, turning to an empty spot in the Grand Hall. The next moment, another woman appeared in the area that Lady Death was looking at.
"Hello, Death," said the newly arrived Old God.
"Hello, Terra. It's been a while, hasn't it?" Lady Death said.
Domeric strategically chose to remain silent for now.
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.211: Differences Between Gods
Ch.212: Is Domeric the Guilty One?
Ch.213: Champions of the Gods