I'll be waiting

[WP] “We are reincarnated, and, in each lifetime, we’re destined to find our soulmates. You loved me, all those years ago; but now every time I find you, you take my life. Why don’t you love me anymore?” you plead, before they pull the trigger

[SP] "I apologize for killing you again."

Azrael was among the first Grigori created, one who was eventually made one of the first Archangels. Ever gentle, ever patient he was, even among the seraphim council. Many came to respect him regardless of rank and as such, he was once the favorite of everyone, including his creator whom seemed to have given a special liking to the Grigori

"The souls have dwindled in number, Azrael. Have you any idea what could be happening to the world we created?" God stood over the edge of the heavenly kingdom, his gaze down casted as he watched the very few souls rise up to enter his promised land

"I assure you, I will find out what would be the cause and put a stop to it. I will make sure the kingdom does not fall and become corrupted" Azrael had knelt and lowered his head as he placed his clenched fist over his heart "I will inform my subordinates of the impending quest" And with that, he raised his head and swooped down to the area where his men stood waiting for further command

"From this day on, you will be the angel of death, Azrael. All will fear your power and your capabilities. I wish you the best of luck in your search. May you bring salvation to our precious souls" And so he could only watch as Azrael disappeared from his view before retreating back to his post.

In a blinding flash, Azrael landed at the small elevated area where his men would regularly await him for their next actions or of any changes that need be invoked but when they were greeted with a rather glum looking Azrael, they had come to terms with the fact that whatever the Grigori would be saying next would be one that would cause a disruption in their once peaceful ways

“My brethren! This will be abrupt news but we have a mission to fulfill in the name of his almighty. This would be no easy task for us and I’m sure you are well aware of the number of souls that have been returning to our kingdom. We are tasked to investigate why” 

The crowd was in confusion. Many of which looked at both Azrael and amongst themselves in questioning. Many asking why such a heavy task was given, many asking what would be the consequences of such a task. Uncertainty, the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty clouded them, even Azrael himself who was rather hesitant of his next words

“I’m sure you’re questioning a lot of things, so am I but bear in mind that I’m not forcing anybody. Only those who are willing. This will definitely be perilous, especially for our kind. We cannot risk being corrupted. But do take note that I will only take those whose hearts will remain for the kingdom. This mission will not be for the faint hearted and for those dejected by their patrons. I will give you time to decide what to do. I will be leaving at the set of dawn at the point where we would often watch humans. If you are determined, come” 

“You will not be alone, my love” Amongst the crowd, a familiar voice echoed. It was Nefta, the one he could always confide to. His most precious partner and companion. The one that had always been caring for him  since her creation. 

His lips curled into a proud smile as she moved up from the crowd, and as soon as she reached him, he took her hand in his, giving it a soft squeeze before they both flew off to the rendezvous point he had announced to their brethrens “Thank you, Nefta. I appreciate your bravery and for always staying by my side”

At the promised time and place, only a number of his servitors arrived. The rest, he heard no more news from. With one last glance at what was once their home, they all descended from that point with a promise to return. 

Eons passed since Azrael left the heavenly kingdom to research about the souls that went missing. It had always been a question of how humans found more and more ways to get whisked away to hell or worse, to get anchored on earth for who knows how long. Human creativity never ceased to amaze him and at the same time, irritated him. Reincarnation was one thing, and it was acceptable since some humans wanted one more shot at being allowed passage to the heavenly kingdom, a form of redemption, as he would call it. But being led astray by the fallen ones, or much worse, to become dream-shades which were masses of pure human desires, was another. Oh, how he loathed the souls that have resorted to such thoughts. Once a soul became a night-shade, there was minimal 

For eons, he had convinced himself and his followers that they needed to do something to save the souls but one by one, his followers perished, grew tired of the ever-increasing problems, and some simply wanted nothing more than to return to the heavens where they could distance themselves from corruption. It was only his beloved Nefta who stayed.

It was a struggle, their divinity faded, the more time they remained on earth and at some point, they both experienced deaths. 

The only way they could ever continue their mission was through reincarnation. Every reincarnation, they were bound to meet, he and all of his servitors, including his beloved, and they would always be a part of each other’s life. And each time, they would try to find a way to carry on with their research. They were basically inseparable.

Or that was what Nefta thought until Azrael had stopped looking for her reincarnations. At times, she would spend all her lifetime searching and in the lifetimes that she did find him, 

She couldn’t figure out why but when she would go on a search for him, he would always shun her, and after some time, he had started killing her reincarnations. And each time her consciousness would await her time to be reincarnated, her head would fill with doubt. Had Azrael changed so much? Had he gotten so absorbed in his mission. She was determined. She needed to know what had become of her beloved Azrael. It was her final reincarnation before she would stop herself.

In her next reincarnation, she found him when they were both in their early 20s, it wasn’t as if Azael ever cared to hide himself but he had made sure in their most recent incarnations that he stayed as far from her as possible.

As she approached him, he had dragged her somewhere, to what she presumed would be an abandoned building around the area. He would know of teh locations better being a local and her being a tourist in his country this time, she knew she had no escape

“Hey Azrael… what ever happened to you… We are reincarnated, and, in each lifetime, we’re destined to find each other. You loved me, all those years ago; but now every time I find you, you take my life. Why don’t you love me anymore?” she glanced up at him, pleading for an answer. She had already expected a gun in his possession and she wasn’t even bothered that it was already pointed at the top of her head. 

“I’m sorry Nefta. I can’t find any other way besides this” Azrael did what he could to cover his eyes yet she had managed to catch a glimpse of his blank orbs “I love you very much so. But I need to do this before they corrupt you too” 

Tears streamed down her cheeks. She already knew why. She witnessed his servitors fall to corruption one by one. She had watched everyone around him fall all for the sake of the mission. Was it worth it for his eternal suffering. It was one thing she would never be given an answer to. Before she could even speak more, she felt his arms encircle her figure. He held her close and rested his head on her shoulder. She could feel moist, probably from his own tears but what broke her heart the most were his last words

“I hope this time you can stay safe. Return to the kingdom… please” His voice was breaking as his hold on her tightened “I’m sorry for having to kill you again” With shaky hands, he raised the gun to her head again but this time, she guided his hand 

“I can’t promise that, but if I do… I hope you return to me one day. I’ll be waiting for you” She flashed him a warm smile and in that moment, he was hesitant to use the gun but it was for the best. With a heavy sigh, he pulled the trigger. A loud bang resonated in the room and in a matter of minutes, Nefta was again lost to him. This time, maybe for the rest of his existence.