Chapter 65: Chapter Sixty-Five: A Favor for a Friend
Evelyn:
Wandering around the demon village, the little children ran up to me. Master Nuit called me out here for some reason, and he couldn't even greet me. Smiling warmly at them, I answered their questions. The wives poked their heads out, apologetic smiles meeting my sympathetic expression. No worries had to be sent my way, I loved every moment I got to spend with the blithe children. Seeing them run around freely had been my goal after all, the wives finally able to focus on enjoying life. Nuit cleared his throat, the children bouncing back into their homes. Hooking his elbow around mine, his velvet navy suit made him look sharp. Running his free hand through his hair, something hid behind his eyes. Impatient words sat on the tip of his tongue, every syllable begging to be set free. Out with your request my dear friend.
"I need your help on something. We need to break into Hell's armory." He choked out with a nervous grin. "I was kind of hoping your father could join us as well. There are only two keys and he has one of them." Rolling my eyes, my father appeared in front of him with a black skeletal scythe hanging over his shoulders. His black and white pin striped suit hugged his body, his eyes meeting Nuit. A quiet animosity brewed between him, my father not quite trusting him yet. Understanding why, he did bring my parents back to life. All of that was water was under the bridge in my humble opinion.
"You called?" He queried impatiently, cocking his head to the left. "Just what do you need from the armory?" Embracing me quickly, he made sure to hover close behind me. A nervous Nuit stepped back, a nervous chuckle pouring from his lips. Crossing his hands, two dogs growled behind the boys. This wasn't supposed to be a tug of war style of power, my hands raising putting an end to their tense stand down. None of this bullshit was necessary, the request clearly important enough for Nuit to be nervous to even ask it.
"I am looking for my father's blood ruby dagger. It was confiscated from him two centuries ago." He huffed irritably, folding his arms across his chest. "I was supposed to inherit the damn thing because it is a fucking key to something he left me. Maybe it could help us." Chanting next to me, a red door appeared in front of us. The door swung open, dread bubbled in my gut the moment we crossed. The door slammed shut behind us, our only way out fading away. An endless sea of black sand crunched underneath my boots, my old man hiding us behind some kind of ruins. Stepping forward, the guards perked up at him. Letting him in, a stern gaze told us to be quiet. A long hour passed, Nuit and I struggled with our nerves. What the fuck was taking so long? Even my patience was wearing thin. Oriont marched towards the door, his onyx robes fluttering around him. Shouting at the guards, his fist banged on the door. Somebody was never told no, I joked lightly to myself. Something seemed off, Nuit trembling next to me. What had him shaking in his boots?
"Why are you in my armory, you rotten bastard! I didn't give you fucking permission!" He barked viciously, rage simmering in his inky eyes. "If Nuit is with you, you are dead!" Nuit held me back, every cell in my body wanting to attack. Pinning me to the wall, my knees met his nuts. Letting out a slow squeak, he sank to the ground. Seconds from charging the bastard, Death stepped out with another worn scythe. There was no way this spoiled brat was going to lay a hand on my father.
"You know I keep my scythes here, you freaking idiot. I have a new reaper and he needs his scythe to get around properly. A blood ruby peeked out of his jacket's inner pocket, his shoulders hitting him as he walked by. Turning his back, Oriont pulled out his blades from behind his back. Swinging them towards his neck, Nuit cried out in protest the moment I smashed into my father's body. Blocking the attack with a golden shield, my fingers curled around the dagger around my neck. Expanding into its scythe, ice crept out underneath me. Mouthing a silent spell, a spike of ice pierced Nuit's shoulder. Dragging him back by the string connecting us, a golden portal sucked us into a random place. Wrapping their bodies around me, concrete cracked underneath us. Groaning bitterly, their arms let me go. Struggling to our feet, hot sunshine threatened to cook me alive. Glancing around palm trees lined the streets, a familiar voice called out to us. Oriont let out a massive fit of maniacal laughter, his inky eyes falling on us. Somebody didn't take their medicine today.
"You are working for my traitor like a dog now, Death." He mused with wicked giggles, his grin growing sicker by the second. "How pathetic but that dagger is mine. You probably don't know where his inheritance is. If it doesn't function as a key, then you can at least stab someone with it. Gruff groans poured from my father's throat, the dagger had pierced his chest. Inky blood soaked his dress shirt, sheer panic widening Nuit's eyes. Dropping to the ground, the scythes slid to my feet. Tears welled up in my life, his life force leaving him. Nuit struggled behind me with the blade in his chest, the blame falling on me. If only I hadn't slammed into him but if I hadn't Oriont would have cut his head off. Oriont marched up to me, his fingers tracing my chin. Forcing me to look upon the scene, his long tongue licked up my salty tears. Repulsed out by action, it took everything for me not to kick him. Analyze the scene, then attack.
"Look what you did. Smashing into him was a stupid idea and you played into my hands like putty. He is going to die and you will have no family left. Don't worry, doll. He is simply the first payment." He gloated with his sick grin, tracing his fangs along my skin. "How does this f-" The tip of my father's scythe pierced his shoulder, his wound bleeding profusely. Ruby painted my hair with every cough, his legs trembling violently. Black smoke curled around Oriont, his arm decaying. His scythe clattered to the pavement, the bastard disappeared to lick his wounds. Yanking me into a desperate embrace, his heart rate slowed down considerably. Too stunned to realize what was going on, my father was leaving me alone to suffer in the world. No! No! No!
"I love you, Evie. I am sorry I couldn't be around for that long." He wheezed, his body decaying to a dull gray ash. "You are the queen of the reap-" Fading away, a tortured wail burst from my lips. Tears flooded from my eyes, scream after scream escaping my lips. Cupping the sides of my head, the hot pavement burned my knees the moment I sank to my knees. Gathering the ashes, Nuit passed me a velvet sack. Helping put every granule of ash into the bag, his arms clutched me close to his chest. Every emotion burst from my lips, my only parent was gone. A strange glow stole me from my grief for a moment, our scythes combining. Floating into the air, an icy crown floated on the top of my head as the icy blue skeletal scythe landed in my eager palms. My other eye went red, the sounds of other reapers echoed in my ears. Cries of agony filled the air, every ounce of emotional pain paralyzed me. Squirming out of his arms, I rose to my feet. Passing him his dagger, a ruby portal swirled to life. Focus on the task at hand and be depressed later, I repeated over and over again in my head.
"Let's go." I wept brokenly, wiping away my tears. "Let his death be for naught." Hot air lashed at my cheeks, the portal setting us down gently into an endless black space. A single ruby light bathed a black marble box, Nuit walking up to the box. Shoving the dagger into the hole, one click popped the box open. Focusing on my ivory sweater dress, I used the distraction to walk through the red door to the armory. Marching up the guards, one swing of my scythe beheaded them both. Their heads rolled to my feet before decaying to a muddy ash, no mercy lay ahead for my revenge. Holding onto the wall, ice devoured everything, the metal weapons groaning in protest. Waiting patiently, ice crept across Hell. Spinning my scythe over my head, the crack of my scythe breaking the surface smashed everything into a fine snow. Gazing up at the ceiling of the ice cave, my palms caught a couple of the snowflakes. Every good memory played out, another door opening for me. Dragging my scythe behind me, I stepped into the home he made for us all. Every flower died as I walked down the path, my boots hitting the steps. Walking through the doors, my heart sank at the most recent picture we took. His smile shattered my heart further, my fingers tracing our faces.Sliding down the wall, silent tears stained my cheeks. The sack on my wrists wiggled, an onyx puppy squirmed out. Pinstripes lined his fur, two ruby eyes meeting mine. Picking it up in my palm, its rough tongue licked my tears away. Clearing its throat, my father's voice came through. Confusion stole my sadness for a second, so many questions raced through my head.
"I asked to be reborn but a damn dog. Curse that bastard's insults." He mumbled darkly to himself, a tainted relief brightening my eyes. "You didn't kill me, I did. My hand slipped right before you hit me. My hands brought my untimely death. Upon dying, I begged for a second chance. I can't be the king of the reapers again but I can be your familiar. I die with you. We all get to play here again. The option pains me but I screwed up." Confusion dawned on my face, guilt gnawing away at my soul. Pressing my lips into a thin line, his paw touched my heart.
"I am sorry, what? I thought I did it. I am happy you are here again." I sobbed with a busted smile, his paw tapping my heart. "Do all reapers have familiars? I didn't think that was a thing." Licking my cheek, he hopped onto my shoulder. Scratching his neck, an urge to pet him burned deep inside of me. Snuggling his head into my palm, it felt so nice. Of course, he had read my mind with such ease. Would he ever be happy in such a form, I thought brokenly to myself.
"You would be the first. If we do well, then they all get one. Perhaps the whole system would operate better." He mused thoughtfully, jumping onto the floor. "I think you can fix the issues in the system. Outdated is a light way to put that. Shall I show you the way around my office? Follow me." His paws pounded down the halls, my jaws dropping at the piles of books touching the ceiling. A snarl twitched on my lips, my scythe shrinking down its dagger form. The handle had changed to a skeleton, his paw scratching the back of his head. Struggling to keep my cool, a fit of crazed laughter burst from my lips.
"What is that!" I yelled venomously, pointing to the piles. "That isn't a system but a panic attack waiting to happen. Haven't you ever heard of shelves and alphabetical order." An even bigger sigh escaped my lips at the dusty shelves behind the piles. Dusting my hands, it was time to get to work. Rolling up my sleeves, the amount of dust threatened to choke me. Scanning the bindings, my trembling fingers clipped my dagger back into place. Time ticked by faster than I thought, a new high hit me at the sight of the clean desk. Sinking into the plush leather chair, the schedule of deaths rested on several clipboards. A deep sadness haunted me, the reality of my job hitting me. Death was necessary as life kept making babies, the way death kept the world out of starvation being the only great gift coming out of it all.
"One question. I am still alive, so do I have to reap souls?" I questioned cautiously, his head shaking a firm no. "Thank goodness. I thought I had another thing weighing down my shoulders." Clearing his throat, hooded reapers marched in with their scythe hanging off of their shoulders. Telling me which ones to hand the orders to, books floated off the shelves with every order. Not grasping my job, none of this was getting any easier on me. Laying my head on the desk, exhaustion weighed heavily on my eyelids. So tired, I thought pensively in my head. Sweet slumber stole me away.
A paw touching my face snapped me awake, eager ruby eyes bore into my soul. Tapping a new clipboard, an audible groan escaped my lips. Fixing my hair, some form of a miracle had kept my crown on. Taking it off, the shiny surface glistened in the dim lights of the office. Dividing it as he told me to yesterday, a loud growl rumbled in my stomach. Turning my head towards him, the desire to go home raged inside of my soul. Rising to my feet, no red door would show up. Letting out a frustrated scream, ice crept up the walls. Going home clawed at me hungrily, the desire growing stronger by the second.
"I want to go home! I can do this at home, damn it!" I shouted into the ceiling, waving my hands with every pace back and forth. "Let me go home!" Nothing happened, my body sinking to my knees. This felt as good as dead, a familiar voice called out for me. Not him, I groaned bitterly to myself. Of all the people, his face was the last one I needed to see.
"Fucking brat, are you in here?" Oriont called out furiously, his inky eyes meeting my meltdown. "Do you like your prison? You can't go home until you explain why you destroyed my only armory." Struggling to my feet, I massaged my forehead. Ripping off my dagger, the blade expanded to its full form. Ice crept from underneath my feet, his blades spinning in his palms. Shaking his hair out of his eyes, he raised them to the attack position. What game was this bastard playing at? Regardless, he was going to pay for his actions.
"I love it so fucking much." I retorted sarcastically, an honest chuckle tumbling from his lips. "Why don't you just go away, you fucking cockroach. I am busy." Three strangers cleared their throats, horses neighing away behind us. My face paled at the sight of three hooded figures on a white, red, black and pale horse, Oriont not holding up much better. Hopping off their horses, they had a good couple of feet behind me. Placing their hands on my shoulders, color matching swords rested in their palms. Well, this must be the three horsemen of the apocalypse. Lucky me.
"Are you threatening my fellow colleague?" A cold female British voice inquired, the black hood falling. "I believe you are severely outnumbered now. Go away like the ant you are before I unleash an unfathomable amount of hunger upon you and your people." Her inky eyes fell on me, her onyx waves cascading down her back. The three of them stepped in front of me, the ruby hood of War dropped down. Scarlet eyes fell on my trembling body, his fluffy scarlet hair fluttering in the icy breeze. His black lips curled into a wicked grin, his sparkling scarlet sword pointed towards Oriont. Wicked laughter rumbled in his throat, Oriont's expression spoke of terror. My face probably wasn't faring much better, the sudden guests sending chills up my spine.
"I love a good war." He groaned huskily, leaning on my shoulder. "This woman is the reason war is worth it. If no one died, what is the point of war? Famine, long time no see my dear. Antichrist you can take your hood down now." Dropping his white hood, ivory straight hair cascaded down his back, his milky eyes rolling at War's behavior. His white lips curled into a crazed smile, his sleek white blade resting on his shoulders. Leaning forward, he blew on his pale fingers. Pride does become him, I said anxiously inside of my mind.
"Oriont, you're not the right king." He taunted cruelly, circling the demon king. "I believe a Nuit should be in your place. But no, you had to be fucking brat." Stabbing him in the stomach, Oriont twisted his blades in the Antichrist's stomach. Ripping them out, he set them down into Oriont's palms. No blood poured from his wounds, his head cocking to the right. What the hell was his problem? My father hopped onto my shoulder, his Cheshire Cat grin throwing me off. This guy had my alarm bells ringing, his power rivaling mine.
"Ouch." Antichrist uttered sarcastically, kicking him into the wall. "I don't play nice. I was supposed to end the world but I really like it. In fact none of us want to. God is a little peeved at us. The one thing I would love to end is you. You are rotten to the core, my dear friend. How can I put this? I absolutely despise you to my very core." Struggling to his feet, black energy swirled around Oriont. Charging at him, Antichrist blocked his attacks with ease. The effort really was futile, the bonehead not understanding his situation.
"Why would you protect her?" Oriont demanded hotly, my scythe lowering to the ground. "She is a mon-" A familiar voice sent chills up my spine, our heads turning towards a fuming Hudsy. Spinning his lightning blade in his palm, his hair floated up upon a great increase of his powers. Not him too. Hudsy was going to yell at me, a small panic threatening to come to the surface.
"I will discuss things with you later, Evie." He growled through gritted teeth, his eyes rolling at the sight of my fellow horsemen. "Must you make friends everywhere you fucking go. Where did you get a damn dog? Focus, you fucking idiot. You will release her from this prison now before I hurt you. She has to go home. You should probably go home because they are scaring the shit out of me. I almost feel like you guys could end the world or something." Laughing nervously to myself, a stern look from me warned them to shut the fuck up. Oriont stepped back, running away.
"I will be back with a fucking army, you freaks." He shouted with every step into a portal with black swirling ribbons. The portal sealed shut, Hudsy shoving everyone away. Clutching me close to his chest, he kissed the top of my head. Tucking his sword away, he caught my shrinking scythe. Clipping it back onto my neck, his fingers traced the skeleton handle. Bemused by my transformation, his tender actions did little to dissolve my fraying nerves.
"I heard about your father's death and came right away to find you. Wait." He paused with cocked brows, his eyes falling on the puppy. "Is that him? Why the fuck are you a dog? Interesting. At least you are still alive in a way. One more question, are you the queen of the reapers now?" Biting my lips, any answer would be sure to shock him.
"Kind of." I choked out with a twitching smile, shaky laughter tumbled from my lips. "I don't get to reap souls until I die but I tell them where to freaking go. It is going to be so much freaking fun." Trembling in his arms, his lips brushed against the top of my head. Letting me go, the horsemen shifted uncomfortably. Why did they look more uncomfortable than me, War stepping forward with a friendly smile.
"I suggest you make a closet a doorway to this office." War suggested with a warm smile, shrugging his shoulders. "We will keep it safe when you aren't here. I promise to treat it with respect, my dear." Offering his hand, my fingers curled around his. One firm shake led to a scarlet dome forming over the house, a scarlet door popping up in front of us. Opening the door, the walls of our coat closet greeted my eager eyes. Turning back towards my new friends, they waved at me as I walked through the door. Shutting it behind me, Hudsy pinned me to the wall. Kissing me hungrily, my body arched towards him. Aly poked her head in, her hair slipping off her shoulders. A dull depression lay behind her eyes, her fingers playing with her hair. The poor dear hadn't really left my side since that day and if she wasn't glued to mine, Grappy seemed to be her favorite uncle.
"Oh good. You made it back." She chirped cheerfully, her eyes falling on my father. "Cute puppy. Come here." Narrowing her eyes in his direction, a stern gaze from me made him bound over to her. Scratching his sides, conflicting emotions flashed on his face. This wasn't going to be that bad.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone