"Each time I love (no matter who or what it is) fiercely, readily; it is a wound I open, like a hole, dug by the animal in me: I let that which I love crawl inside."

-Segovia Amil

__________________________

Death

How am I to leave this place when I've forgotten how to use these bloody things.

They shudder in the wind, unmoving besides the slight shake they amit, I can't even force them back in. They won't go away as easily as before, the wind picks up sending me back as they catch the breeze.

I land harshly on the grassy floor, damn.

"Having a hard time Master." I roll around, detecting Valfalls strut up the hill.

"You know I am." I grunt lifting myself off the ground, while shaking off grass from my black jeans.

She stands just to the side of me, she reaches up brushing her fingers along the gray feathers, I shudder sighing against her soft touch, "I have missed them."

"That makes one of us." I grumble.

She grins, "Oh come on they aren't as repulsive, they are a great deal part of you. Stop being such a baby and accept them already." She places a hand on my cheek, "You know you want to."

I glare at her silver eyes, "No I don't, that's why I got rid of them in the first place."

She laughs throwing her arms up in the air, "Then cut them off!"

As if my wings had ears they shudder, spreading wide behind me. I sigh, "Calm down boys." They fold back obediently.

She shrugs, "You see they missed you is all." Before she turns away I glimpse a wide grin on her lips.

"So not too get you anymore riled up but what are you planning on doing with the girl."

I was to speak with her two days ago but I had to conjure a way to better construct a truce with these things behind me and then there was the matter with Tyche.

"I haven't taken full responsibility for her, I changed her, I should have been the one to watch her and make sure she stays out of harm's way."

"Then why didn't you."

"I don't know Val, she..." I sigh not being able to unearth the words to describe what she is.

"She reminds you of the one Raphael spoke of, doesn't she." She was sharp I'll allow her as such praise, nothing evaded that Reaper.

"I don't wish to speak of it." He may have released my wings but he will not bring back those memories.

"I didn't request for you to explain Master, I simply want to help. Even if that requires me training the girl, anything so those filthy Angels do not lay their pesky hands on her."

I shake my head, "I should be the one to take care of the girl, you have matters of your own to attend too."

Thinking I could somehow cease the part where I had to actually watch the girl, I wanted her that day and I just sent her away. Sending Bast was my idea, my fault, I should have known this was going to happen.

"Stop blaming yourself, I can practically hear you in that head of yours."

I can't help but smile, "I need one thing from you Val."

"Name it Master."

"Can you fetch me the girl?" I don't feel I can, seeing as though these wings won't have it.

"Of course," She passes me running her fingers along my feathers as she goes. "Train these things or you won't be going anywhere for a while."

"Just go." She summons a portal laughing the whole way in, her spirits have lifted greatly since I allowed her to train a Reaper. I'm glad.

I rub my hands together, challenging my wings, I can do this, its simple really.

I run forward, gaining speed, if I timed it perfectly I will lift in the air.

Jumping high in the air I let my wings carry me up, I shout it excitement finally thinking I have them only they falter sending me flying into the ground.

I groan on the crumpled ground, the dirt and grass is all turn upside down covering my gray wings.

This just gets better everyday.

✴

"Master your wings, they are unveiled."

"Yes Harbinger I am quite aware, what has happened with Tyche." He missed all the fun that occurred here only a few days ago.

"The Angels want possession of the girl, did they inquire about why." I run my hands through my hair an exaggerated groan leaving as I stare at him.

"No they did not say, they only seemed to want to unravel me and my past, please tell me of Tyche." My anger gets the best of me, but I am willing to be patient with him today.

He stares at me for a few seconds before answering, "She has requested that you seek her out, she has said to..." He coughs afraid of saying what she spoke of, I only encourage him on. "She said to grow some balls and to see her yourself."

I laugh bending over to slap my knee, witnessing him say this was what was so hilarious, "Fine, I will seek her out, thank you."

He nods his head turning to leave but stops, "The girl has caused many problems Master, I dislike the Angels as much as you but you should consider what they have said."

"That's the thing, they haven't said anything! They want someone who is of no importance to them." Why would he ever choose their side?

"But is of importance to you."

The gray mass of feathers behind me extend outward, sensing my emotions, "There is nothing further here to speak of, assist Sovereign in creating new Reapers."

I don't dare turn my back to him, not this time, he watches me, his eyes travel to my wings a look of detestation plastered for all to observe. He disappears, taking his unwanted presences with him. I want to question his alliance but I have more important matters to attend to.

It's time I met with Tyche, the so called goddess who has this remaining relic that will end this uncanny ability to render my reapers useless.

It does not take much to enter the lands of Greece, the sun above is soon to set and Tyche should be awake for the night.

A goddess thrives at night it is when wishes and secrets are spread and the people long whisper her name in the night to want them to be fulfilled.

An indication was made by Harbinger, he found her small dwelling fairly quickly for someone so old. I find the marking, its a old dialect, and its very morbid. He couldn't think of anything else to write on the stone.

"Here lies Death."

I sigh, "Tyche, I know you know I'm here. Come out."

The ground shook, the rumble tracing through my limbs as the earth opened revealing a hidden domain underneath. As the dust cleared, the sand parting ways and the goddess herself ascends polished stairs.

"You called." She chirped, as if she didn't know I was sent here by Harbinger.

"Hand it over Tyche and I will be on my way." I don't need another woman in my life, the succubus and the breaker were enough.

She grins, her smile still radiant even in the night, she carefully eyes my wings behind me, biting her lip as she ascends forward.

"How lovely," She coos. "Not one feather is crumpled or loose, they are as pristine as I remember them." She raises her hand as she nears them but they move away from her touch.

She narrows her eyes instantly glaring at me from the corner of her eye before it is wiped clean.

The long dress she wears covers her from head to toe although it is cut deep in the front revealing the sides of her breast and chest. Her dark hair is in soft waves not a so glad hair out of place as she raises her head a small gleam in her gold eyes.

"You changed, I would have thought the last face was your favorite," She raises her hand running her long fingers on my jaw. "I can however get used to this one."

I grasp her hand placing it back down, "I did not come here to discuss previous identities, I am aware Tyche that I have changed there is no need for you to remind me. Now bring me the relic."

She had a habit of training one's focus elsewhere you can stand here speaking with her for hours and not know why you came to see her.

She gave a short laugh smoothing down her dress with tanned fingers, raising her chin she indicated that I follow her.

She glides away her bellowing dress flying behind her as the wind picks up. Her head disappears leaving me to follow her down the steps to her hovel.

I already feel like the earth with cave in on my head as I idly walk down, my wings seem to want to escape. They clutter and tremble their loud feathers snapping out and forward. I shake my back tired of their annoying tantrum, if they would listen they didn't have to be out and about.

I assess Tyche's underground bearings, the same structure still is untouched, there are a few nicks and abrasions but she has maintained it to its original glory. It's just sadly buried under the ground where no one will see it.

Two glistening pools of water reflect the flickering lights of the many torches lined against the pillars that hold up most of the structure. Tyche stops procuring two glasses filled with red liquor, she extends a hand shaking the glass slightly.

"Take it." She orders but she plasters a smile to that mouth.

"Enough with the games Tyche, bring me the shard and I will be out of your hair."

She lowers her hand, "I never wanted you to leave, you know that, you wanted me gone like I was an unwanted flee."

I wasn't in the mood to deal with past and meaningless affairs. "Give me the shard." The wings on my bag extended out, curling as they hit the ceiling of the grumbling earth.

"The flightless bird is back," She sets the glasses down, I watch closely as her hand becomes a fist, as she clenches tightly blood begins to drip from her fingers. Opening her hand with a gasp she reveals the small metal piece.

Tyche cocks her head to the side, lifting the piece to be leveled with her eyes, "Do you know what it is Death."

"They are metal shards and I'm pretty sure if you put them all together they make something." I exaggerated.

"So you found the other pieces."

I narrowed my eyes, "It's no concern of yours Tyche."

She completely disregards what I have said, "Well of course, three pieces to unite as one, how fascinating."

She knows about them, maybe more than I, shoving my pride aside, I need answers. "What do they do tyche?"

She closes her hand over the small metal piece again, turning to me completely, "If I tell you baby I'll have to kill you."

I sigh, more games of hers, "I can't die, and you know this already."

She nods her head, thinking before speaking, which is rare for someone like her, "True, however you can be dismembered and scattered among the planes so your body parts won't be able to stick themselves back together." Her eyes travel along my body, clicking her tongue before laughing.

I shake my head, she's as naive and self obsessed as the last.

"Come on then, let's begin before I get bored." I would be happy to silence her.

Her laugh subsides into a glare, "That's the problem with you, you get bored so easily, as now you'll get tired of your human, and soon she'll end up like me, scornful and full of revenge."

News about Adeline has spread far, what makes the human so interesting, "I did nothing plainly severe to you Tyche, you parade around like some sort of victim."

She shouts out a laugh before stepping forward in a rage, "A victim, of your parading around taking whoever sees fit, then turn to discard them like trash."

"You knew what we were from the start, In do feel remorse nor do I care that you have some sort of feeling of revenge. Now hand over the shard."

Some say that was harsh but this goddess is behind delusional, she acts like a scornful child.

Flipping like a dime she runs her hand down between her breast, "What will you give me for it?"

Her voice is deep with desire but I am far from persuaded. "Let's see, you get to keep your head attached to your neck."

Her hand drops, her eyes however still spark with mischievous, "I miss your lovely charm Death."

"I have just one question for you, if you please."

"Fine." I grumble.

"Why the human, she is no one and she will be no one."

"She is nothing but a human, why do you concern yourself with her." Why does anyone concern themselves with my affairs?

She groans, flinging the table with the glasses to the side, it crashes to the floor echoing through her cavern. "Everyone knows you spend more of your time with her, you run to her side like some golden retriever!"

"Enough of this! The girl is human and now she is mine, someone I needed but quite frankly Tyche I do not have to explain myself to you! Now set aside your childish differences and hand it over!"

She whirls around, strutting further inside before running her hand down her dress, "What is it that sets her apart from someone like me or someone like, Her."

I follow her, my anger slipping, "Give me the shard."

She lifts the shard, blowing it softly with her lips it lifts in the air, hovering just above her, "Hmm no."

Two swords appear in either one of her hands, they glisten in a flow light as she twirls them in her skilled hands.

"Falcatae." I charge forward swiping at her back but she goes down on her knees blocking the scythe with her two swords raised above her head.

She forces herself up with a hard push sending me flying back, Tyche faces me a smirk on her pink lips. She points her left sword at my chest, the right raised in an and above her hand, "Come on baby."

The curved blade of my scythe catches her sword rilling it from her hand before she can even react, the other sword swipes at my side but I block it with the long stick of my black Scythe. I push against her hitting her in the grave with my elbow before using the scythe to sweep her feet from underneath her.

"Enough of this, face it Tyche you are no match for me."

She lays on the ground her chest heaving slightly, she smiles before conjuring a small blade and impaling my thigh with it.

I bowl in pain as the blade enters clear through my leg, grilling the hilt I pull it from my thigh. The blade drilling with blood is flung into one of the many pools turning the clear water a foggy red.

"You will pay for that sweetheart."

I raise my wings allowing them to carry me as high as this ceiling will allow, her eyes became wide with fear knowing she with step a boundary. I fly down kneeing her in the face before pinning her down.

"No! Stop, I'll give you what you want. Please my love!"

The blade of my scythe cuts into her throat a small trickle of blood running down her neck soaking her pure white gown. The symbols on my scythe will kill her, she will not heal from this wound if indeed I sever her head completely off.

"Give me one good reason." I threaten.

"Your succubus," I press down harder, not liking her mention of Adeline. "Your succubus is in danger." She forces out.

I lesson the force of my blade, "Explain or I will sever your perfect head from your body."

••••••••••••••

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-Ash
Xoxoxo