From the moment he entered Tianzun could already feel a presence watching him. His divination kept him informed on the situation outside at all times. He'd have to plan a great performance, a god killing performance.
The many spirits guarding the underworld soon disappeared as he made his way to the gates.
A silky smooth voice echoed from the first gate, "Human... What is a living human doing in the underworld? Why are you trespassing?"
Tianzun grinned as he adjusted his monocle, "O'great goddess of the underworld. I believe I have a proposal that benefits the both of us."
The voice from the gate went silent before the gate itself opened, "I will hear you out. However, if your proposal is not satisfactory, you will stay here for all eternity."
Tianzun's face never changed as he simply bowed, "Many thanks, Mistress of the Underworld."
He continued to walk as two spirits soon came to escort him. Tianzun gazed at the desolate rocky scenery, metal cages with blue flames were scattered about the place.
Although he could not understand Ereshkigal, he could sympathise that staying in a desolate shit hole like this for eternity would surely drive someone mad.
For Ereshkigal to even keep a hint of sanity, he'd already respect her more. Which is why he knew this deal was likely to go through.
Soon he was lead to an empty clearing where he met her, just like the moment that he had saw her in his visions. Her straight hair flowed down to her back with beauty that could be considered- "Huh?" Tianzun stopped for a bit and wondered why the word "demoness" came to mind.
"Greetings Lady Ereshkigal." Tianzun bowed as he greeted her.
She turned around and stared intently at him. The piercing crimson gaze did not face him in the slightest. "You are not dead yet," she spoke softly.
Tianzun twirled his star speckled rod out of comfort as he replied in a joking manner, "Not dead but I've rehearsed just in case."
"Such a strange mortal... Many would already be screaming and fearing me. Yet in the face of death, you hold no fear." Ereshkigal muttered as she evaluated him.
She had no idea why, but the face while pristine and beautiful was off-putting. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but that smile so natural and so static put her off in a way that not even Ishtar could.
"Speak your proposal and I may consider it as a favor to one who does not fear death." Erehskigal declared.
Tianzun nodded, "Lady Ereshkigal, I'm not sure if you are aware of the situation outside..." Ereshkigal snorted haughtily, "Yes I'm aware. My spoilt sister has decided to throw a tantrum. Now leaving me to prepare for more work in the underworld to accommodate all those lost souls."
Tianzun nodded, "Yes, as we speak now the king and the chains of heaven are fighting the bull of heaven as we speak. Meanwhile the people are suffering."
Ereshkigal stopped him in that instant, "Wait a minute, you decided to come to me for help? You came to the goddess of the underworld expecting her to help mortals?" Ereshkigal almost choked out of disbelief.
She walked closer as she observed him a little bit closer before her eyes narrowed on the curtain. "I can't see anything but a grey fog. You were the one that was watching me before right? What is your name?"
Tianzun nodded, "Yes, apologies it was me. However, a magician never performs without preparation. My name is Tianzun, my lady."
Ereshkigal chuckled a bit, "Tianzun? Such a arrogant name... But for someone whose fate is hidden away even from the heavens, perhaps the name is fitting. But a magician?"
Tianzun simply snapped his finger as a coin suddenly appeared before turning into a flower in the blink of an eye. "Yes, I am a magician. Once a seer and a clown. As a seer all I could do was revere fate. As a clown I was teased by fate and all I could do was don a smile. But now? As a magician I must challenge fate even if the result is nothing but an illusion. "
Ereshkigal listened before laughing softly, "You are a very interesting human. Very well, what is it you'd like my help with?"
The goddess of the underworld herself was put off the moment she agreed to hear him out. The smile was almost insane in nature. "You see Lady-"
"Just use my name, Ereshkigal." She interrupted him and complained.
Tianzun's smile softened, "Very well, Ereshkigal. I believe your sister is out of control. So I will orchestrate a grand performance. A performance so great that everyone will be made fools out of. I will orchestrate your sister's "death"."
Ereshkigal's fist tightened for a moment. But the ability of a clown's facial control maintained his calm demeanor.
"Obviously it's impossible for me to kill a deity. Nor is it possible for me to do anything to her. However, I can trap her and prevent her from causing any more trouble. While she's not dead, she might as well be. Stuck here without being able to do anything under your watch."
Ereshkigal's gaze turned into a glare, "You want me to turn on my own sister and trap her down here? And why should I help you?"
In that single moment, Ereshkigal's divine heart went silent with a sense of foreboding fear. Tianzun's eyes seemingly flashed a swirling gold filled with madness for a moment.
"Don't you yearn for it? Being stuck here for eternity while your sister gets to fly high and the people sing praises to her despite her behavior?" Tianzun held his hand out.
Ereshkigal still could only stutter at that moment since everything Tianzun had said, struck the truth.
"Despite you being assigned to the underworld, you have shown more care than Ishtar. Even going so far as to decorate the cages of souls. There is no reason why a backstage performer can not take the spotlight." Tianzun adjusted his monocle as he offered his hand once again.
"You asked why you should help me... I'll admit I'm no good person, I'm an asshole by nature."
Ereshkigal could only look up from her contemplation as she saw the hand in front of her and the man cloaked in yellow and black with his smile that descended to the underworld to seek her aid.
Tianzun whispered to her ear, "However, this time... The applause will also be yours."
//Next Chapter: When the Curtain Falls//