Chapter Thirty Three: Finders Keepers, Lonely Reaper

********

I was moving down the street, back in Kal'en. The meeting had ended, and things were not looking well. I'll always be the first to admit I sometimes don't know when a situation has gone bad. But what had transpired, well, was clearly not good.

The Pillar plan on moving to attack Earth. And most likely on the orders of this Sleeping Witch. Whatever was happening in North America was terrible, and now Triton plans on engaging one of the greatest armies in all the layers to destroy some portals.

I should have asked why not attack sooner than three days, but odds are they aren't prepared for something this massive. We're lucky to even have three days.

How many are going to die? How many, in the name of nothing good, will never get to see the flowers again?

Wait, am I going to have to fight?

I shivered. The night was coming, and I didn't want to get caught up in the city all by myself. I wouldn't have been afraid before, for I am a professor at the best university in the layer. But that was then. This is now. The worlds are changing, war is arising, and somehow I manage to find myself being a terrible spy in a terrible right.

As I was going by a busy late night cafe, a woman walked in front of me, stopping me in my place.

"Long time no see," said the dark magi I now know as Vul. She was as beautiful and dangerous as before. Her nails were also long, and I prayed they wouldn't touch me. "Care for a chat?"

"Do I even have a choice Vul?"

She recoiled, but swiftly recovered. "How do you know my name?"

"Juhum told me."

"Bastard," she mumbled, almost to herself. Back straightening, she coughed. "Doesn't matter. Come inside. I'll order us some drinks."

Saying nothing, I went inside.

I'd never been in this cafe. It was small, but crowded, with lots of magi moving around, talking, having a good time. There was even a live band playing soft tunes. I found a table, sat down, and waited for the woman to come back.

Vul returned and placed before me a coffee. "Hope you like dark roast."

"I don't." I'd also never drink anything she hands me.

"Sorry I haven't been able to contact you recently." Was she sorry? I wasn't. "But there have other urgent matters needing to be dealt with."

I stared blankly.

After sipping her drink, she gently set down the cup. "Something bothering you Ursula? Much more quiet than normal."

"Yes. I'd like to go home, and you are taking away to much time."

Now the woman blanched. "My apologies for inconveniencing you. But I'm afraid I'm going to need a report. Otherwise, you simply have no use for us."

"Naturally," I blurted out. "Fine. What is it you want to know?"

She gave me a nasty smile. This dark magi, whatever secrets she had, whoever she worked for, gave her a confidence I didn't like. It was like giving a spell book to a child.

"What does he plan to do next?"

Simple.

"To stop the magi from going to Earth."

Have I just signed a death warrant? Maybe. Unless they are to assume that he is to do it alone. What games are these people playing? Glancing down at the coffee, at the dark liquid, I almost saw myself. The ancient stillness portraying the abysmal decay of time: we don't matter.

"Alone, or with the help of the rebels?" she asked.

"Alone. He plans to raise the dead."

She raised an eyebrow, as if to say I don't know if you're lying, but you could easily be saying the truth. How convincing could I be? These battles between two women, they are annoying, stupid, childish. There, I said it. Do you hear me Pillar? You are nothing but Children!

"Ursula, would you like to know what kind of magi I am?" she whispered, delicately, dangerously. Leaning forward, Vul's dark eyes changed color with glee. "You might think I use shadows, or hexes, or whatever. But no, I burn things. Not with your typical red hot fire. With instead your deepest, most hidden fears. If you withhold information from me, then I don't really mind making you scream."

Arrogant. But I couldn't look into her eyes. Click click. Her shoulders were much more interesting. My stomach rumbled, and then I knew maybe things might not go in my favor. What is it the Pillar want? To kill him?

I forced our eyes to meet. "That's all."

"I don't believe you."

Which lead me to say something stupid.

"Then do something about it."

She slapped me, right across the cheek. I reeled, gently touching my now warm face. A few heads turned, then went back to their own business. I guess interfering with the lives of others is probably frowned upon.

"Don't go thinking growing some balls will go unpunished. You are a tool, and if I see fit, can discard in an instant."

Was I scared? I'm not sure. Not because I didn't believe her, but because the cards were playing in my head. If she killed me, then her last source to the Necromancer was gone. If she didn't, then her threat was bluff and nothing mattered.

Lowering my voice, I said, "Very well. He is going to try to bring his army down to the Light Layer. Through the Heth'Eem portals. He claims he has enough forces to at least destroy the Opal portals, however I'm not sure if he'll have the time."

"What is with the human?"

I must have looked confused.

She sighed. "The human? What's with the human? You said before she was one of his weaknesses. Why?"

Halina. With her dark skin and incredible sense of fashion, I have no idea what the endgame is with her.

"No idea. She doesn't have any powers, so I don't see her purpose."

"Probably a shield," Vul spat, as if disgusted. Like she didn't threaten me three seconds ago. "Bringing down his earth friends. Interesting. And you're sure the rebels aren't involved?"

"Yes. He told me they are weak, and they can't be controlled as easily as he thought. He claims Triton might betray him, and his army will get destroyed by the Pillar's armies. Ditto is too arrogant, believing the Pillar to be weaker than the Earth Hidden. This belief will be his downfall."

Vul sat there, taking all of this in. The lies I've spoken, I don't know if they aren't. Well, I know Triton is going to betray Ditto. At some point, the idiot will attempt on the Necromancer's life. But what of the armies? He said he was going back home, but the rebels think he's lying. At this point who knows what is truth. The world is starting to shrink. I can clearly hear the drums beating down, wanting blood, wanting pain.

Click. Click. Click.

Am I good at playing the game?

"I'm done here. Come Ursula," she said standing quickly. "Let's continue outside."

Really? Annoyed, I stood, then a thought occurred to me: why outside? I glanced at the dark magi as we went for the door. She was quite beautiful. Mysterious, bigger bust, a commanding presence. I would have been attracted to her if she hadn't threaten me.

Attracted. That's a word I haven't used in a while. Normally I don't find people attractive. Some have caught my eye. A few men, who's soft features I found calming. Or women who are notorious for being strong, yet loving.

But what is loving? It's been so long since I've felt the emotion. Not that it wasn't possible, but when you live by yourself, well, sometimes the feeling slips away.

Wait--focus woman. Vul is leading you outside. Again, why? She said she burns things. I don't like that. Somehow, she must have seen through the act. Torture? Possibly. I've never been tortured before unless you count board meetings. What does she plan to do? Break some arms? Bones? I like my bones.

We were outside and moving down the street. She turned down an alley, and I knew something wrong was going to happen.

After a few feet, she turned and grabbed my arm. "Now Ursula, I've been enjoying our little talks. But we know you know more than you let on. Either tell me what you know, or things will start to hurt."

I looked at her. "We professors don't take kindly to threats."

The spark in her eye tripled in size. The dark magi grinned, almost too happily. "Tell me what you know. You've been seen with him late at night. What. Has. He. Told. You."

"I've told you everything," I said, trying to find my bravery, but now very aware I could die. Is this what he feels like? Dear Kam, I'm not sure I want to die yet.

Her magic began to tingle, and my arm got warm, then hot. But not any type of hot, no, not like those of fire or coal. This was excruciating pain, one that spread across my body, burning every single part, even down to the bone. She had been right. Things were starting to hurt.

I cried out, a weak whimper.

Pathetic.

I fell to my knees, sobbing, fresh tears running down my face. Vul bent down, lowering her voice to say, "Hurts doesn't it? Not quite torture magic, like other dark magi. This is pain magic, something close but very, very different. It's pure, unadulterated pain. The harshest of pains. And I am going to do this until you agree to speak freely about the Necromancer."

Whimpering, I forced myself to say, "P-please. There's nothing else. He is unstoppable, the Pillar should be afraid. I--I don't know anything else!"

"Stop! Lying!"

She squeezed her hand and the pain intensified, making me feel... defenseless. Why was I so useless? Why couldn't I fight back? I was crying now, the tears leaking out my face like a waterfall. Nothing was sacred anymore. Clearly I was wrong to think the Pillar cared--

She wasn't working for the Pillar. She was working for the Sleeping Witch.

Upset, I summoned my magic, summoning magic I haven't done in a long time.

The pain let up as Vul turned around just as a massive vine broke out of the ground, with large thorns protruding from every end. The Gorn, a breed known for being very dangerous if caught within a large brush of them.

In a clear rage, I sent the vine right through Vul's chest. Blood splattered against the brick walls around us. I removed the vine, sent it back to the ground, and stood over Vul as she was coughing up blood, and more was being pumped out of the hole in her chest. I saw bone, maybe intestines. Whatever. The woman was trying to say something.

"You'll--you'll never get away--"

"Shut up."

She did.

Because she died.

I headed out of the alley, then stopped and looked down at myself. There was red blood all over me. How was I supposed to get back without appearing like I just came from murder?

Dear Kam, I just murdered someone.

Head spinning, there weren't too many options. Thinking quickly, I summoned less deadly vines, wrapping them around my body in a snug fit. Hopefully to only look like a freak making a statement then a murderer. Stepping out, I looked both ways, saw only a few people, then made my stride towards home. My hands were shaking, and I held myself, the images of the woman dying in my head, repeating, over and over. Is this how the Necromancer feels? No, he feels no sympathy.

The Swirling was dark overhead, the colors to match what I felt. The consequences now were severe. Even if she was working for a being who wanted to kill all life, she still served under the Pillar. They would find me, torture me more, get everything I know to come spilling out.

And what was the point of lying? Vul was now dead.

The high towers of the city were making me feel small, alone, like I had nothing to gain from anything. Three days from now magi armies would be setting forth to invade Earth. Triton and Ditto would step forth to stop them.

More death. More blood. More destruction.

Grabbing my head, my fingers squeezed tightly, like it could release me from the sins I have committed.

Turning a corner, I saw law enforcement ahead. Scared, almost freezing, I continued walking. Act normal Ursula, you're just wearing vines to make a statement, not to hide the blood of a dead woman. The woman who will be on your conscience until you yourself die. What am I to do? They're going to find her body. They're gonna put two and two together eventually.

I walked by the magi, both wearing their uniforms with pride. One ignored me, the other nodded politely, even though he glanced at my attire with clear confusion. I smiled, trying to be normal. Trying, probably failing at all sense of the word. As soon as I went by, I released a sigh of air. This world was cruel indeed. What were Cameron and Katlen going to think? Haggar? I'm a monster now, cold blooded like the Necromancer.

Him. This is all his fault.

If he hadn't had come, manipulated his way into my life with his web of lies and schemes, I wouldn't have had to get tortured by that woman, then forced to murder her. Would I have done it anyways? Dear Kam, Oh Kam, I don't know if you're real, but please free me from this plight. When I get my hands on that freaking necromancer, when I see him again....

There'll be war by then, the attack on the Planar Portals.

Why. Just... why.

A butterfly fluttered past, and I could feel the pollen it brought with it. Different pollens all belonging to different species. The colorful creature fluttered, fluttered, fluttered so hard. Like a man who couldn't love, knowing life fleeting, uncertain. I sneezed.

Red Roses.

Three-Blue Lilies.

Hoarse Whisper, the non-poisonous kind.

Un-Bam, the flower that wilted when tears touched it.

Hungry Tam.

Moving, moving faster to try and reach sanctuary, I could feel every flower, every weed, the birds overhead chirping through the night, the sounds of a sky whale in the far far distance. Cats running around. Running Blue Backed Lizards skittering across the pavement finding warm magic pipes. My magic fluttered to the ground, I could sense a colony of ants burrowing down, deeper and deeper. They were hoarding their treasures, their food and their jewels and their bones.

Going past building after building, it took another twenty minutes to get to my house. Scrambling for the key's, I opened the door and quickly slammed it shut, breathing heavily, my chest falling up and down. What is this feeling? What is going on with me?

I slid down to my knees. Tears began forming, and soon I was crying into my arms and knees, glasses pressing softly against my forearms. This isn't who I am, who I was. This war, all of this, it was going to break me. Break me until I'm lying down dead, no longer able to breath or fight or stand up.

"Quite the day, huh?"

Freaking from shock, I looked up to see Juhum leaning against the wall. He was chewing on his candy.

"Yeah," he said, looking at me with pity. "Quite the day."

XXXX

    Walking a few more feet, the dusty air of the Spirit Layer quickly settled for no reason. Glancing down, I saw the stick I had stuck in the ground years ago, still upright after everything that's happened. Looking forward again, I opened a portal and stepped right into my living room. The lights were off, and everything was dark. Complete silence.

    "Meow."

    I turned around, and Spot came running up, rubbing her face against my legs. She was purring like wild. I smiled, kneeling to give her a small scratch. "Hi there. Missed me huh?"

    "Meow."

    Sighing, there was no time to waste. Getting up I quickly moved to my library and work room, shouldering the few things I'd grab from Halina's car. I would have to be quick. The journey to reach Sasha and the others wouldn't be fast. Setting down my Expand backpack, I threw in my satchel, not having to carry it for a fight.

    Sitting down on my couch, I stared blankly at the room. I needed weapons obviously, but the shock of the last thirty minutes was still not sitting well. Closing my eyes, the sights were still ingrained into my skull. The city burning, the dead lying on the streets, the angels.

    Buddy.

    Dear friend, I promise I'll kill that monster.

    Getting up I walked over and began rummaging through my stuff. You know, you'd think it'd be easy for me now. I've walked through so much destruction. Even from a young age. I remember the night of my parents death vividly. The cloudy skies, the chance of rain, a panicked voice coming from my mother as she opened the door to our home. She ran up to my father, scared, saying something about a warlock and witnesses, now a crowd was coming. My father, ever the dark man, said to each of us to pack our bags as quickly as possible, it was time to leave.

    At thirteen, I knew what death meant. But at thirteen, I didn't want to experience it.

    The cloudy skies still taint my memories. That shocked look my father had right before the magic bolt killed him. Oh how my mother and I ran. Nothing was going to be the same. Not then, not ever again.

    Then at fourteen I found myself in a village that was nearly destroyed, begging for a hero, someone to protect them from the beasts lurking in the dark. I could only do so much, but in a desperate act I raised the fallen, and the people hated me for it. Ungrateful bastards. I saved their village, and they cast me out, called me evil, even as I saved them all.

    At sixteen I found myself becoming a butcher.

    At seventeen a brutal murderer. A man who didn't care what the world thought.

    At eighteen an army raiser, figuring out how to bring forth massive amounts of troops.

    Nineteen a monster, someone I couldn't even live to think about now.

    Twenty a demon.

    Nightmares have always haunted me. Always. Ever since I was a child, sleep was never fun. And while necromancers never have needed much, I found myself getting even less than normal. The pain of the world was brutal. But in sleep there wasn't escape. Can you imagine? Sleep for humans was where you escaped, got away from the horror that was reality. Yet for me it was just another place to find myself lost, like a small fucking child.

    Today would mark a new era in nightmares. From today forth my sleep would be a new kind of painful. The worst kind of painful. Those that feel all too real. I picked up a hammer, large and heavy, it almost looked like something Thor would wield, except it wasn't a war hammer. The Hammer of the Broken, it was a weapon maker.

    I put my sword Half-the-Dragon into the bag, along with One. Digging through some more stuff I found the Mirror of the Ew, a mirror with untold magic energy. Then I grabbed some purple balls, known as killer banes. I collected some of the weapons I've used in the past, throwing them into the bag.

    The Axe of Progress, the one bladed head with dark blue runes running across down to the handle. Stolen from a human prince, it can create visions of ages past, present, and future. I found my collection of authentic Unicorn Throwing Knives, made from discarded horns of unicorns. The Whip of Sage's Death. Two swords made from dragon scales. Gauntlets made from flowing lava. The Earthmover, a massive claymore designed to wake the sleeping earth. Sky's Punishment, a bow to kill the heavens themselves.

    The Orb of Selen, made to spy on distant lands. Rubies of Ancient Detroit, not weapons but a source of fuel. Some toy bugs, which can duplicate into massive hordes. Shadow Skins, made for spying. Necromancer Crossbows, old weapons of my people which fire bolts of bone and death. Harmless Matches, which are anything but.

    A pocket cannon. More knives. Some swords, hammers, shields, and even a scythe. All into my bags. Finally, after going through and finding some stuff I'd even forgotten about, the Purple Skull of Necromancer Gene, a bastard who had slaughtered a magi army then threw his soul into an amethyst skull. Fucking punk.

A large curved sword, a khopesh, which was gold and made from light magic, hieroglyphics and runes carved into the blade. A baseball bat from Babe Ruth, wooden and enchanted to be nearly indestructible. A few blueprints for weapons long since destroyed and forgotten. Powerful and old, army killers, death machines.

I went into my library and found spells necromancer warcrafters would use to fight large armies.  I shoved the pages and books into the bags. Normal spells used for normal death. Page after page after page. Healing spells and repair spells and construction spells.

Needless to say I've been around the block.

Once I was done here I would head up to the attic to get the few remaining things I needed. No, I won't be showing what's up there. Or talk about it. Fuck, that place gives me a separate branch of nightmares.

"What happened?"

"Where is everybody?"

There I was, enjoying the view of the city from the bench, then out of nowhere an explosion. I saw people running, then there were shifters, huge shifters. I couldn't outrun them. I pulled out my wand, then--

No.

The world was cold. I was cold. I had been tasked with protecting the city, and I was in charge of patrolling part of the north end. We knew Tyrion's forces were out there, but not sure where they'd come from. I was prepared, of course, a top class hero, not quite the Big Boy like the others here, but I could hold my own. Splash. Huh? Water? Turning, I saw--

Please. Not now.

"Mom! Where are you? Mom!!"

"Dad, go, I'll try to hold them off."

"Wait, boy, you don't have too."

"I said go!"

I stood up. The ground was shaking, something had knocked me down. My groceries were all over the ground. Was it Tyrion? I knew Council Member Sasha said we were under siege and be prepared to evacuate, what with the entire situation going on across the Province, but the fact it was happening today was so... random. Why today? What was so special about it?

Either way, I had to get to the portals.

Forgetting the groceries, I heard a noise and looked up to see a set of teeth--

I was chopping vegetables, getting ready for dinner, when my husband Yui walked in. He smiled, and came over to kiss me. "Whatcha cooking?"

"Vegetable soup. You've been eating unhealthy the past few weeks. Time to get back into shape."

He laughed. "Aw come on Ben. Can't a guy eat what he wants?"

"Not if it's just pizza," I kindly retorted. "Anything from the Council on the siege?"

"No. They said the Pack is just sorta roaming. Maybe our forces will deter them."

"Hopefully. I heard there were what? A near dozen Big Boys?"

"Something like that." He smiled again. My heart did a little flutter, after all these years. Even with the threat of siege, Lake City was someplace not to mess with. Everyone had seen the mercenaries and heroes doing patrols. How they got mercenaries here is beyond me. But a small city on the lake meant a tight defense and an even faster route to the portals. They've all been basically primed to get people out. "Anyways. Forget that. Right now let's just focus on dinner."

"Ah yes, the healthy dinner." He went for a knife to start cutting when there was a shake.

"It's starting," I said.

"Alright. Let's go."

Yui went and grabbed our bags while I began turning off everything. Hopefully we'd be quick enough and out of danger.

My husband entered the living room. "Okay, that's everything--"

He got cut off, not from something happening to him, but to me. I heard it before I even felt it, the shaking, the cracking, and looking up, the ceiling falling onto me--

I managed to get through the battle. Why now? Please. Even those that slipped through the battle didn't break me. Please. Just a few more sane moments.

Running, I was running, then falling, then a hound befalling onto my hea--

"Hey Auntie," I said, walking up to my aunt. She held up an ice cream. I took it. "Why thank you."

"So how are you Calvin?" she asked as we sat on the bench, looking out into the lake on this cold winter day. Why ice cream? We both love it that's why.

"Good. The Council has been in a tizzy, and I've been running errands all day. Getting out messages to every citizen, telling them what to do if the evacuation is sounded. It's been rough."

"I heard East Cleveland City got sacked two days ago."

"Yeah. It's tragic. No word from National either. In fact, I don't think any National on this side of the world has said anything."

We both sat and ate our ice cream, mine strawberry, hers cookie dough. My auntie enjoyed looking out onto the lake, the waves rolling gently. Near the shore their small but out here they can get pretty rough.

"You know Calvin, I have family over in China. You and your girlfriend could leave, get out before anything happens."

"I told you Auntie, we're not leaving. We'd rather die."

"Die?" said a new voice. We both sat back in horror as a man climbed over the edge of the pier. He was massive, with large shifting tattoos, all bright green. More followed as he looked down at us. "That can be arranged."

I summoned my magic, able to create an ice sword, when the man moved and struck down my aunt. Blood splattered over both of us, and in a rage, I screamed swinging my sword blindly.

He grabbed me by the neck, snapping my sword like nothing. "Brave magi. I like that. Been around awhile you know, thousands and thousands of years. And it always warms my heart to see blind rage, that need for vengeance. My time here on this continent has been rather fun. Destruction and blood lust. But this city, well... the Necromancer has forced my hand. He has made me and Huna look like fools. Of course the stupid Fae Queen didn't have to talk to him, and I admit it was a clever gamble, but gambles fail. That damn Necromancer. He's managed to play cards we didn't even know he knew about. He's changed the game. And not for the better."

I felt his hand begin to squeeze, and in one last desperate attempt, I--

Getting out of the water, I sprinted off in my jaguar form. Tyrion had given the orders: destroy and kill. Leave nothing in your path. But most of all;

If you see the Necromancer, kill on sight.

Running down a street, I saw random citizens. Most were running in the same direction, but a few were standing their ground, holding wands and magic alike. Fae in the skies rained their spells down like heavy clouds on a hot day.

Zig zagging, I took down a magi who had her back turned, tearing at a throat. Hot blood exploded into my mouth, giving me warmth on this cold day. Continuing on, I was going fast now. Oh, how it felt good to let the wind run through your fur. Absolutely fantastic.

I turned a corner, and there I saw the mercenaries we were told about from the scouts. One man in particular caught my attention, adjourning a blue ball cap on his head, he was pointing and shouting at people, as though a man in charge.

Snarling, I ran towards his group.

And somehow he saw me even through the commotion. Instead however of pulling out a wand or normal magic, he produced what had to be a magic shotgun. Too late, I tried to turn and head down another street when a loud Bang! caught me off guard--

"Where is Benny?" I cried out. Our squad had gotten split up, and I was trying to do a headcount of those who could make it back. "Did we lose him?"

"No idea," Granny said. The vampire was sharpening her sword, like she always did, even during battle. She ignored the blood on it. "Ol Ranger got his due though. Shame. I'll miss the bastard."

The Blue Billed Mercenaries were known for the ball caps we wore. I adjusted mine, trying to keep a cool head. The Boss had said an old friend had called in a favor, making us come all this way to some middle of nowhere city. No one had said anything about fighting the Alpha Pack. The legends about these guys gave children nightmares.

Of course we were in the thicket of it, trying to protect the citizens as best we could.

I hefted up my twin revolvers, pissed at the world. Boss had said aim for the head with the grey ones. Otherwise we'd never kill them. Looking at my eight remaining soldiers, I spat at the ground.

"Bigger Boy, set those people in the right direction. James, Youngen, set an inside perimeter. Four Eyes and Earl, take the rear. Rest of us, up front where they're gonna come from.We kill them as fast as we see them. Any questions?"

"What the hell do you have to do to get this kind of favor from the Boss?" Illinois asked.

"Beats the fuck out of me." I spoke life into the runes on my pistols, making sure the magic was up and running. The guns let me fire and reload twice as fast, and with bullets that explodes shrapnel inside your body, well, getting through me was one hell of a ride. But as it has been turning out the Alpha Pack were tough bastards, and collectively I think we've only managed to kill maybe a dozen of them. Sent others running, but they'd be back. "That person deserves a shot of whiskey though. Maybe I'll buy the fool one."

Our job was to hold the perimeter. Cocking my head back, the winter day was becoming hot, fires burning through the city. Lifting my guns, I got my shit ready. It was time to fight.

The four of us went to the front, looking at the oncoming shifters. The grey ones were mixed within, making their numbers unknown. I fired the first shot, taking out one big cat. Granny beside me pulled out a sub machine gun, mowing shifters down before having to use her sword.

    Illinois lifted up his twin hammers, and charged forward, yelling as loud as he could. I watched him beat the hell out of a giant cow. Eyeball, silent as ever, was using her light magic to blind and burn as many as possible. The magi was kick ass, but we'll get her to open up eventually.

    Saying a spell, I connected my magic to my guns, infusing fire into the tips of bullets, shooting as fast as possible. "Granny! To your right."

    She turned and slashed a huge wolf. The spotted thing went down in a wave of blood, but it was grey and it immediately began regenerating. I walked up and shot it in the head.

    "Keep fighting," I yelled, blasting more and more shifters to their deaths. "We have a job to--"

    I blinked, my hands still working, my body shuffling around. Lord no, please, no more, I can't keep up. Ten more memories went by, more and more. I couldn't forgive them yet. Not without just completely breaking down. Not without losing focus.

    Moving to sit, I quickly lost everything.

XXXX

    Looking around, there was nothing but faded darkness. I took a few timid steps forward. Where was I? The sky was bleak, the ground almost a mirror, as though it was fogged up. What the hell? Was I in hell? I don't remember much--

    Then it started coming back, all at once. My memories, every emotion, every action, every feeling of pain, happiness, it all came back in a flood of agony. I fell to my knees. Why? Why was this happening?

    There I was playing with the other children in the pack, having fun, enjoying the sun.

    Running, I was running, chasing something, hunting, pursuing an animal in bear form.

    My brother telling me I needed to train more, to get stronger, bigger, faster.

    There we were, sparring, throwing precise punches, hard kicks, dodging this way and that. I remember grinning, that feeling of being good, of being almost as good as my brother. He was always the better fighter, but on that day I knew I could beat him. Kick. Punch. Shift. Unshift. Crouch. Sweep for the legs. Jump back.

    "Why!" I yelled out. "Stop it please!"

    "I'm so sorry Buddy Gen."

    That voice. I looked up, and a dark figure walked up, slow, almost in mourning. I stood, still trying to face my past, trying to face it with a bravery I didn't know I had.

    "Ditto," I said. "You're here."

    The Necromancer came closer, and I knew something was wrong. He met my eyes. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't save you. I didn't-- There was no way. I'm just...."

    "I died?"

    He nodded. "Tyrion. He made me pay. Made you pay. You fought valiantly though. In fact, I've never seen you so determined to defeat them. You did well friend."

    "How--how are you here?" I asked. The memories were still years back from now. Who knows when I'd catch up. "Where is this place?"

    "Hard to explain, because I'm not entirely sure myself." The Necromancer sorta glanced at the sky, then into the grey void, then back at me. "But from what I've guessed, it's like the checkpoint to whatever you believe in. Your soul stops here first, for one thing and one thing alone."

    "Ditto. I--I'm glad to see you again. Before I go." I shook my head. "But I don't know what that one thing is."

    "Sure you do. You're the smartest shifter I know. Just think for a moment."

    "I don't understand."

    Ditto smiled. It was surprisingly soft and warm. I'd never seen him smile like that before. "Oh Buddy. You know it takes a lot of effort standing here before you. I actually didn't even know if I could. But here I am. It's a question friend. So philosophical that any hint would give it away to a man of your caliber."

    A question? I stared at him, finally getting in good look. Ditto was always dark, at least his aura and scent. Skin pale as paper, eyes black as the deepest oceans, hair the color of the midnight sky, the shadow of a beard growing in, he was truly a paradox. Strong shoulders and arms, thick legs, tough chest, you could tell he had been through a lot in his life. A lot of fighting, a lot of hardship. For if you didn't know him well enough you couldn't see it. But I could. There, in his eyes, were the shadows of demons that would never leave. There upon his shoulders, the weight of mistakes he could never erase. Hands with invisible scars of the tragedies he's had to do. Chains of the souls who'd never forgive him.

    Yet you could see the good there too. His smile which held the happiness he had for his loved ones. That wild look of adventure, of wanting to go the distance. I remember our first meeting, back in Lake City Community College, not a meeting of accidents, just... we happened to converse at lunch once, and then it became a regular thing. Dear, that was so long ago. We old warriors, old dogs. He came to my aid at my greatest hour. The death of my brother, the challenges I couldn't do.

    The words he said to me--'For you Buddy, I'd die a thousand times. Now, let's kill these fuckers'. Never been very subtle either.

    Oh Mother, Father, I wish to have said a few more words to you. Anything. I know you're still disappointed, still angry. Philosophy, I didn't choose it because I was interested in it. No, because it was peaceful. You two couldn't understand that. Wouldn't. Brother either. Not the Pack of course. I had to leave. The memories, they were eating me alive, devouring me. I was shaking, breaking down like a melting snowman.

    Every one of my friends understood though. Sasha, who gave me a place to stay. Fina, who always spent late nights with me, laughing, watching TV. Paul, that old cranky vampire, who somehow managed to make my favorite seven layer bean dip in any layer. Ditto, who could forgive any creature, despite the chains.

    Forgive. Ditto was Death itself. Death can only do one thing: Forgive the crimes of Life.

    I met his eyes. "Oh friend. I understand now. And it's I who should be apologizing."

    He laughed. "Your memories are just as I expected. Buddy, O Warrior of Justice, Bear of the Woods, Guardian of Ash, you will be missed. I promise to make sure Tyrion faces punishment."

    "A Necromancer promise. Signed in blood," I said.

    "No. Signed in Suffering." He came forward, and wrapped his arms around me. We embraced, softly, kindly. "Ask friend. Ask the question. You've gone through enough."

    I hugged him tighter. The grey and black of this place was making me feel lost. "I ask for forgiveness. That's all I ask from you, Ditto Night. Simply forgiveness."

    "You are forgiven." He pulled away, and the everlasting flood of memories stopped. Then he hesitated for a moment. "Your brother always loved you. Just remember that. I'll see you again. Thank you for making this world a better place. A better place for me."

    I wanted to say something more, but a white portal opened between him and I. I stepped through, knowing I'd finally find peace.

XXXX

    Startled awake, I found myself lying face down on the leather couch, dripping in sweat. Too bad I couldn't have suffocated. Lifting myself up, there was only a hollowness in my chest. A wicked, burning hollowness. That kind of feeling you only get when you realize you've lost something important, and you'd never get it back.

    Spot was laying by me, purring as loud as she could. I stared down at my hands, feeling nothing. The battle today nearly killed me, literally, not like the visions of death. Soon, however, it would be reversed. I was so old. Twenty-eight, and I'm fucking ancient. I remember the stories my mother used to tell me, of necromancers in the past. As the older they got, the more peaceful and accepting they became. Ironic, since most old people become bitter and tragic. Necromancers though understood what it meant to die, and if dying of old age was your destiny, then so be it. We can't complain how we go, we just have to prepare ourselves the best we can.

    Oh Mother, are you disappointed in your son?

    I can't complain, not about anything. My choices have made fate rather apparent. Also ironic, since most people can't predict fate. It's easy though when you're choices are so bold that all you can do is see the writing on the wall. I once told an old elemental I was sad. She asked why? I responded because I've searched and searched and searched, and found nothing.

    There is nothing you can do.

    Nothing. Empty Abyss, Eternal Pit of Despair, Dreaded Days to Come, I am the Reaper. Fine, another title, who the fuck cares. Necromancers invented the Reaper. We are story makers, myth forgers, god killers. I will bring the heavens down to Earth in the chains of disbelievers.

    Grabbing everything I needed from down here, I went upstairs to get just a few last items.

    I quickly found spot and put her into her cat cage. Shouldering everything I'd need for the next few days to come, I opened a portal to the Spirit Realm. Spot meowed in protest.

    I closed the portal, ghosts flying like no tomorrow. Setting down her cage, I knelt, talking calmly. "Don't worry Kitty. I just need to change into my B.C.E. Yes, I'll be a big dragon for a few hours, but I can't reach North Greenland City otherwise. Just be brave, okay?"

    "Meow."

    "Fair. Ready yourself my tiny Warrior."

    I looked out to the horizon. Reaper I may be, but all to often we forget just how lonely the Reaper really is.