Suddenly, the unknown reaper swung their scythe at me without warning! The tip of the blade directly on course with my head!
I immediately activated [Spark] in front of their eyes as I ducked as quickly as I could.
Naturally I planned for this.
Temporarily blinded the reaper quickly tried to regain itself by taking a step back. But it was too late. I leapt at them, grabbing the scythes staff with my left hand and striking the reaper's hard, bony nose area with my right fist.
It hurt!
Like hitting a wall or a table.
But it did the job.
Clearly stunned by my sudden attack, the reaper fell backwards, releasing its scythe at the same time.
The instant the scythe left the reapers hands the world shimmered. A small wave moved outward from the mound, disturbing the muddy liquid around us. Like a drop of water falling on a calm pond.
If I wasn't preoccupied right now, I might have been concerned about it.
Before the reaper could regain its footing, I rose the scythe above my head and swung it down at them. I was surprised by the weight behind the scythe, but it was manageable.
I wonder how Death was able to move it so quickly before. Or was I just that slow?
The reaper was surprised that I was attacking with the scythe, but they didn't stay idle. They held their left hand between them and the scythe and said…
"[Rubius]"
I was confused but before I could react my scythe hit something solid.
TINGGGG!
The loud sound of metal hitting metal resounded around me. If I had flesh, I am sure my ears would have bled it was so loud.
Before I could do anything, the reaper threw their right hand forward and…
"[Incarnat]"
Suddenly a small ball of blue fire was released from their hand and flew towards me.
Narrowly dodging the fire from hitting my chest I prepared myself to attack again. This time I twisted my body and threw my left leg in front of me, spinning whilst creating an arc with the scythe, putting all my strength into this swing.
"[Rubius]" repeated the reaper, their voice hinting exhaustion. They used their left hand again to block the strike, preparing the right to attack.
However…
I let go of the scythe just as it's about to be blocked. It hit its mark and…
TINGGGG!...
Another great sound reverberates through the air. However, this time the scythe slid off its mark and falls to the ground some steps away. The reaper's hollow eye sockets followed the scythe, clearly wanting to retrieve it as quickly as possible. However, before they could, I grasped their right hand and pushed it away, leaving the reaper with both their arms spread wide.
As the reaper's head returned to face me, I reached with my right hand and grabbed their face, locking my fingers in their eye sockets, nose cavity and gaping jaw, then…
"[Incarnat!]", I yelled, and as I did a bright red-orange flame exploded from my hand! Engulfing the reapers entire skull in crimson flames!
"[Incarnat!]"
"[Incarnat!]"
"[Incarnat!]"
"[Incarnat!]"
"[Incarnat!]"
"[Incarnat!]"
I continued to chant, ignoring the reaper's screams as its skull and bones melt from the heat.
Despite the heat my hand which is still grabbing whatever is still solid enough to hold onto is completely unaffected by the heat.
After nothing remains to hold, I just keep my hand out in front of me and continue casting every time the heat seems to be dissipating.
Eventually nothing remained of the reaper. Not even their cloak.
Looking at the spot where the reaper was, I didn't feel anything. I wasn't even sure if I had actually killed them since they are undead. For all I know they could revive again. But regardless of if they do or don't revive after being killed, it doesn't matter. I want to live. If this is the price of that… then so be it.
Stepping towards the scythe that's still laying on the ground, slightly indented in the mud, I bend down and lift it up, placing it over my shoulder.
Now that Art's soul has been reaped by this scythe, I imagine that the mud should solidify soon, and the darkness should return. Once it does, I'll start again.
I'll go find him.
I'll go find Death.
I still have a score to settle with him.
*****
It took longer than I expected but it is finally finished.
I stare at my hands as I hold them out in front of me, admiring the sight of my own flesh.
Whilst leaving the Reaper's Rebirth, I adjust my cloak to fit my new body better.
Or my old body?
Whatever.
Leaving the chapel, I move towards the teleportation gate that connects the Gods Plane with that place.
The gate is small compared to other passages, only about a meter and a half tall. It has a thin, glass like border with a pitch-black wall between it. Ducking slightly, I step into the dark as I brace myself for the bright sun on the other sided.
Coming out of the portal with my eyes closed I move towards the familiar building with the old bag of bones behind the booth.
However, after stepping inside I am met with an unusual circumstance.
Inside are dozens of other reapers.
Some are lined up behind the booth, others are frantically running around carrying paperwork and other office stuff.
Voices could be heard over the top of each other as there seemed to be some kind of panic.
"MORDARATH!" shouted a voice from the back "IS THAT YOU!?"
Looking in the direction the voice came from I noticed the familiar bag of bones with the cracked skull briskly heading towards me.
"WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN! WE ARE IN A CRISIS HERE AND YOU FUCKED OFF TO GET YOUR SKIN BACK! ARE YOU SERIOUS!?"
I was taken aback by this codger's suddenly explosion of life. Not once have I seen him this emotive before. But at the same time, I'm not someone who'll take a scolding to the face like this.
"THE FUCK ARE YOU ON ABOUT!? WHAT CRISIS!?" I yell back at him once he's inches from my face.
"HUH!?" he yells, "YOU DON'T KNOW!?" He was clearly shocked that I don't know what's happening.
"I'VE BEEN IN THE CHAPEL! OF COURSE I DON'T KNOW!" I yell back as this is now the only way to communicate as everyone in the room is yelling at the same time.
"YOUR ASSIGNED WORLD MORDARATH! EARDH IS UNDER ATTACK FROM CORRUPT MONSTERS! A WHOLE FUCKING CONTINENT GOT DUMPED WITH THEM! THE DEATH TOLL IS INSANE!"
"WHAT!?" I scream back, this time filled with shock and confusion, "WHY!?... HOW!?" I ask.
"I DON'T KNOW, BUT IT GETS WORSE!", continued the codger before finishing, "TO TOP IT OFF THERE IS A HUMAN SOUL IN THERE KILLING OUR REAPERS! EVERYTIME HE DOES IT TAKES TIME TO BRING THEM BACK WHICH IS SETTING US BACK A TONNE!"
"WWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????" I screamed, this time overshadowing everyone in the room.
Grabbing the old codger by the cloak I bring him closer and this time yell "BRING ME TO HIM! YOU CAN'T HANDLE HIM! HE'S WHY I GOT MY SKIN BACK! NO MATTER WHAT DO NOT SHOW HIM HOW TO CAST SPELLS!"
"SPELLS!?" he returned, "TO LATE FOR THAT!", pausing for a moment he continued "YOU KNOW HIM!? WHY DIDN'T YOU REPORT IF YOU COULDN'T HANDLE HIM!"
"I CAN HANDLE HIM! I'M NOT LIKE YOU LOT! I'M FROM EARDH! MY STRENGTH IS IN MY SKIN NOT MY MAGIC AND I KNOW HOW THAT KID WORKS! YOU CAN'T BEAT HIM!"
"THEN WHAT SHOULD WE DO!? GET MALENIA INVOLVED!?"
"NNNNNOOOO!!!" I screamed with panic in my voice "DON'T DAMN HIM LIKE WE ARE DAMNED!! I'LL HANDLE HIM! TAKE CARE OF THE REST!"
The old codger looked at me with a clearly inquisitive gaze despite not having any flesh. "YOUR STRENGTH IS IN YOUR SKIN HUH!?" he yelled.
I simply nodded with a resolute look as I stared at him, finally letting his cloak go.
"VERY WELL! TAKE CARE OF HIM MORDARATH! DON'T LET THAT BITCH HAVE HIM!"