Reincarnated as both God and The Devil

A few moments before Lord God Lu Yi has assimilated to her chosen vessel, in a far different world, separated by an unimaginable distance, a Devil was taking his last breaths.

The Devil's 6 horns were cloaked in fire, but it was weak, perhaps one might even say that it was just ember. His long black hair waved in the air, hitting the four horns that were on his back.

And behind him, was a silver-haired woman, a gigantic axe slinged on her back.

The two of them were standing on top of a mountain of ashes, or at least that is what it looked like. It was devoid of all life, where one could only see death from miles.

"Cortana, I guess it is time for me to go", the Devil spoke as he looked at the horizon, "…Can you feel it?"

"…Yes, Demon God", the silver-haired woman called Cortana answered, a hint of sorrow in her voice.

"Oh, wait… really?", the Devil chuckled as he got a blunt reply, "Well, I guess it really is time if you too can feel it���. The Devil shrugged his shoulders.

"…Yes, Demon God", once again Cortana replied bluntly. She has been replying this way since their conversation started.

"Are you… sad?", said The Devil as he looked at the silver-haired woman behind her.

Hearing this question, Cortana hesitated to answer. Her breaths became heavy as she tried to stop herself from moving.

And finally, after a few seconds, she replied, "…Yes, Demon God"

Once again, Cortana's answer was still the same. The Devil could only sigh as he once again looked over the horizon.

It was a lonely view. Empty. There were no trees, no animals, no people, not even insects. Only the ashes that rained down like snow greeted them. The trickle of the ashes, the embers on the Devil's horns, and their breaths- These were the only sounds that echoed through miles.

The two continued like this, in silence.

Peace, just for even a little while.

The silence was only broken by a meek and hesitant voice.

"…Have you chosen a vessel yet?", Cortana said in a weak voice, "I could help you, if you need it"

Hearing Cortana's question, The Devil laughed.

"Me? To continue on living?", The Devil shook his head, "I of all beings would know that I do not deserve to live. With everything that I have done in this world, a second chance to life is something that is impossible for me".

As soon as he said this, the embers on his horns started to flicker. Then, they started to wither. And yet, the Devil smiled.

"It is time, Cortana. You know, I always knew you will be the one to send me to my death", the Devil chuckled, "But I never thought it would be like this. You were supposed to pierce a sword through my heart… but the only thing that pierced my heart, was your beauty"

"…", Cortana was silent.

"Y-you're supposed to react, you know?", The Devil's eyes twitched, "It's a bit awkward if you don't respond"

Hearing this, Cortana sighed with a slight chuckle.

And once again, the two of them stared at the horizon in silence.

The embers on the Devil's horns grew dimmer and dimmer, and yet again, a smile was still plastered on his face.

But this was it, he could already feel himself wisping away. A long breath, that is all it would take and the light that kept him alive will be gone.

And slowly, the Devil let himself be drift away by the wind, his body swaying to the ends of the mountain. He let himself fall.

But before his feet could even reach the air, he felt an embrace from behind.

The embrace contained a warmth that was different from the fleeting embers that clouded him. This warmth was surrounded with life.

They remained like this for a minute, perhaps afraid of missing each other's warmth.

"…Cortana, Hero of Freiden", the Devil whispered, "Take care of the people that are left"

"…", Cortana, however, did not reply.

"You know… I really do love you", the Devil whispered.

Hearing the Devil's last words, the tears the Cortana was trying to hold back blew up like a damn as it burst through, carrying the deepest feelings she held imprisoned inside her.

"No!", Cortana shouted as her embrace tightened, "You do not get to say that and just leave! This world still needs you! I need you!"

"I have done too much already, Cortana", the Devil shook his head, "I have tortured too many, and it is my turn now. My only regret is leaving you this colossal burden"

"Why?", Cortana sobbed, "You could just hide, with me. We can leave this place, go to the east. So, why!? Why do you have to go!?"

"Because I am the Demon God!", the Devil shouted as he released himself from Cortana's embrace, "I am the Evil Monarch… I am the Devil! I thrive in war and death. You think a being such as I have a place in an era of peace?"

"Once we tell the people what you have really done for them-"

"What, that I killed a billion of them?", the Devil chuckled sarcastically, "And do not be mistaken, Cortana. I enjoyed each and every moment as I slowly took their pathetic lives. I tortured the fathers of millions of children, I bathed my minions with their blood and I laughed as I did it"

"But-"

Before Cortana can even say a word, the Devil put her in his arms, embracing her fully.

"Enough… Cortana", the Devil smiled as she breathed in Cortana's scent, perhaps for the last time, "This… is enough"

Feeling the Devil's embrace, Cortana could not help but choke in her tears as she once again wrapped her arms around the Devil.

"Please… Xanthus", Cortana sobbed, "Please don't leave me. I lo-"

But before she could even finish her words, the tightness that wrapped her body disappeared as she slightly stumbled. All that was left were the ashes that fluttered like fireflies in the sky.

Just like that, the Devil was gone. The only thing that Cortana could do was feel the warmth that was still left on her arm.

Cortana then looked at the fleeting embers floating in the sky as she gently touched her belly.

"Farewell, Xanthus… Farewell, my beloved"