(Synposis: Death never thought she would find love until she met a demon blacksmith named Gryx. However, when Gryx goes missing during a secret mission to Earth for her ex-lover Malum aka Lucifer, Death goes undercover as a human named Tabitha Morrison, and looks for her lover. Will she find her Heaven once more, or will her life become a living Hell? )
Chapter 1 – A Broken Soul
The city lights twinkle below, an artificial homage to the celestial patterns mankind has worshipped for ages created by their countless and false deities. Amongst the fake, manufactured stars human lives begin and fade in a vicious cycle of life and death. Even amongst the battle of chaos and order brewing below, the celestials still watch, recording every victory and defeat in the history of mankind as wrinkles in the fabric of time. Today, the celestials mourn as the tears of a sadden deity fall from their eyes while they gaze into the endless nothingness of Purgatory, the so-called "Abyss of Death", watching and wondering what brought forth such sadness.
Tonight I’m called away from my kingdom of Purgatory as I stare out at the barren streets from the hospital’s roof as I wait for the moment to guide the newly departed soul to their final resting place. I fight back the tears while wondering when will the missing piece of my now broken soul return home. They've been gone forever a month without a single word, not even a mention from him down below. For five centuries, they’ve always contacted me in some form every day. Now, it’s like he’s vanished from all existence. I begin to question what kind of mission were they sent on, and why wasn’t I filled in by their master. Their boss is about to get a piece of mind if I don't hear something soon.
I glance at the full moon one last time as I lean against my scythe as the cold midnight air blows through my silver hair. I should have sent one of my helpers on this one, but they’re busy enough keeping Purgatory from spinning into a downward, chaotic spiral because my heart hasn’t been into my work since they left. The last thing the entire cosmos needs is me not answering my purpose, and letting souls go wherever and whenever they want. I’m quite sure she up there wouldn’t be very pleased with me, neither would Father. So, I swallow back the feeling on melancholy in my heart, and slash my scythe into the air, opening a portal of swirling gray mist towards my destination.
I step out of the swirling mass of fog, and stand next to a hospital bed. In the bed is an elderly gentleman asleep with various tubes snaked across his lifeless body. If it wasn’t for the machines, no one would know he’s still alive. He coughs and opens his blue eyes, staring at me as a smile creeps across his face. I wonder if he sees me as the classic hooded skeleton, or in a different way.
"Death, is that you? If so, I’m ready to be freed from this mortal prison,” he whimpers. “Make it swift, Taker of Souls.”
I stay silent as I swipe my blade through his chest, separating his soul from his body. I see his soul hover over his now deceased body, an ethereal copy of his physical body made out of the Earth itself. His red clay outlines his being while the water of good and the fires of sin mingle. He’s done some sins he’ll never forgive, but his soul says he’s lead a decent life. It’s not up to me where his final destination is, but to guide him on the path of his afterlife.
“Am I going to Heaven, Death?” he asks as he stares at his body. “Is that for you to even decide?”
I nod no as I swipe my scythe, opening another rip in the fabric of reality. I point my hand towards it, and he walks through it. I swipe my scythe once I enter to close the hole. I swipe again to open a new one, and we step out on the barren, rocky surface of Cliff of Moirai. I watch each soul head towards their final destination, the ones mostly made of water float towards her, while the ones consumed with the fires of their sins go down to him to face eternal damnation. The one destined for my reign are made of the Earth itself, clay shaped to resemble their final physical form before they make it to the cliff. I normally enjoy this view, but my heart is heavy as I fight back the tears once again.
“Do I head towards the cliff?” he asks.
I nod once more. He looks towards the edge of the cliff, and slowly begins walking towards his fate. As he is a few feet away from reaching the cliff, a white light beams down around him, which means he’s going up there with her. I watch as the white wings sprout from his back, and begin lifting him upwards towards Heaven. I can’t help but feel sorrow despite his soul will experience eternal bliss.
With this mission done, I swipe my blade once more, and head home. I let out of a sigh as I step onto the soft, green grass of my front yard, a complete contrast to what those under my domain see. I try to forget about the barren, gray wasteland the wandering souls see for all eternity as each blade gently tickles my naked feet. I look up and grip the snakewood staff of my scythe hard when I see him sitting on my front porch. He’s currently n his human form with slick black hair, brown eyes, and a three-piece navy suit. He fiddles with his gold watch while waiting for my return.
“Malum, shouldn’t you be torturing demons or something?” I ask.
“So nice to see you as well, Death,” he replies. “It’s been almost a millennium since our falling out. Isn’t it time to bury the hatchet, and maybe call me Lucifer like everyone else does?”
“Bend over, Malum, and I’ll bury a hatchet all right.”
“Tempting, but not here for pleasure,” he smirks.
“What do you want then?” I ask. There’s a reason why it was called The Dark Ages, and I don’t regret a single moment of it until the bitter end. I know Father Cosmos made me to keep between Malum and his sister upstairs after their feud over souls. Little did he see me falling in love with Malum, and during that time in human history, we tried everything to destroy mankind in a massive bloody orgy on Earth and in Hell. It was the night of the succubuses in the bed we shared that ended it between us, and brought forth the time period humans called The Renaissance. Needless to say, it might be a long time ago, but I never forgave Malum for doing what he did. However, I was kind enough to keep his access to my domain.
“Have you heard from Gryx at all?” he inquires.
“Not a single word for over a month. Where did you send them?”
“Before I say where, only you and I can be in this plane of existence?” he inquires.
“The only two other beings are Father and Morana. Why do you ask?”
He points upwards and asks, “She can’t?”
“Not without an invitation from me,” I state as I being to worry why is he being so secretive around me. I begin to wonder if Gryx is still alive, or were they wiped from existence. They’re normally sent to bring back a demon that decided to ignore Malum’s rule about possession, but this time was different. They couldn’t say anything besides they’re heading to Earth for a month or so.
“Gryx was sent to verify and return back to Hell with ‘The Sword of War’,” Malum explains. “They was a lot of chatter of it suddenly appearing in a major city on a construction site. There was also some rumors Azrael went to the city to find it.”
I feel a shiver run across my skin as I think about what would happen if Azrael got a hold of that weapon. He was one of the first angels created by Malum’s twin sister Solis, and he’s always been unhappy when Father made me to bring balance back to the universe after the battle between Malum and Solis. He felt he should have ruled Purgatory, but Father wanted a neutral party. A being that would judge souls accordingly, and not show any favoritism. Even when I was madly in love with Malum, I remained faithful to my cosmic duties, and never lead the newly departed astray.
Malum looks me deep into my purple eyes. His white skin almost glowing against my navy blue skin as he takes my left hand, his fingers gently rubbing the black opals that are inset in a silver bracelet around my wrist. “I’m sorry they and I hid the true meaning of his departure from you.”
“So, when are we leaving for Earth?” I ask.
“Wait...we? Why am I going?”
“It’s your fault they left here,” I snap back. “Besides, do you really want the Angel of Death to have War’s main weapon? He’s already got a grudge against me due to the fact I exist.”
“Angels and their holier-than-thou attitudes,” he sighs. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Yeah, but you demons are literally a bunch of Hellraisers,” I reply back as I press an opal on my bracelet. A minute later, out of a swirling cloud of mist pops out Morana. Her black moth wings flutter behind her gray skin as her milky eyes stare at me like two moons slightly eclipsed by her black hair.
“You summoned me, Madam Death?” she asks.
“Yes, Morana. Malum and I have to go to Earth for important business. You’re in charge until I get back.”
“Not going to start another Dark Ages are you?” she inquires while glancing towards Malum.
“Rather end it all before I go down that path again,” I retort.
“I’m right here, ladies,” Malum states.
“We know,” chuckles Morana. I’ll take care of the place as always.”
“No other Reapers in my house this time,” I warn.
“No, Madam. I’ll be the only one inside here.”
“Good. I hope to be back with Gryx when I do return,” I say. I look over at Malum and ask, “You ready to depart, or do you need to return to your kingdom?”
“I’m ready. Tenebris always keeps the others in line.”
I almost gag when I hear Tenebris’ name. She was one of the many that I caught with Malum on that fateful night. To this day, she gives me a dirty look whenever I enter Malum’s throne room. However, she’s nothing to be concerned about. I have to find Gryx, and help them locate that hammer before the entire universe is destroyed. I grip my scythe to open a portal, but Malum grabs me gently by the waist as flames circle around us, and everything goes black as I wonder what awaits us once we make it to the city while praying Gryx is still alive.
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