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Chapter Twenty-Seven
Reaper’s Cove
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(I apologize for the delay. I had some things pop up!)
Hearing him tell me that Lord Mundus had a demon chasing me only made me wonder why. The fact that he was the one who murdered my family and also Kurai’s tribe was there too, but mostly, why? What was his end goal? Was he just bloodthirsty to take on a powerful lineage? Or did he have something personal against my family and the Kitsunes? Was it a power thing? My posture didn’t change. I didn’t feel anything but an empty hallow throughout me. My gaze had lowered to my hands as I tried to put the pieces together, but I couldn’t figure out why and what he had against me. It had to be something regarding power, right?
That cocky title of, ‘Hah, I took on the world’s strongest demons and sorcerers! Fear my power!’ That’s the only thing I could think of. Honestly, It was sad to want to be recognized like that. He was already the underworld’s ruler. Who else does he have to impress? The Celestials? Did he want the Celestials to be scared of his power?
But if only they knew that he was the demon who caused the murders, they’d change that perspective and do everything they could to take him out of power. Surely Michael, the Celestial’s Heavenly Lord, could take him on, right? I mean, they were practically gods. Right? Ugh, so many questions, and I wanted to figure it out. Throughout my body, I could feel the confusion fuse with that little bit of rage to take my own personal revenge. He did, in fact, put me in a practically death state of my life. I was dead. Or.. almost dead? I have no idea. I barely remembered what happened that night.
I didn’t speak to Kurai; I just lowered my gaze to my side to see the new marking. The new mark that sat on my skin was more of a red-orange color, similar to the same firepower that Kurai held within him. I stared at it for a moment, taking in the new image. It wasn’t as ugly as it was before. I traced the lines over the fragile and fresh marking on my side, following every swirl and branched-out line that it held. It was almost in the shape of a flame but with a few extra swirls added to it.
“Snow?”
“Hm?” I then raised my arm as I noticed the same pattern resting on the arm, and I traced that same pattern as well. The mark was raised a bit, being freshly engrossed onto my skin. It didn’t hurt as much as the original spot from Mundus’s demon. It sent a warm feeling through my body - was that because Kurai wasn’t all demon?
I practically zoned out Kurai as he tried to speak to me more, staring at these new markings on my body. I could hear those whispers again, fading in and out of my head and completely blocking out the nogitsune beside me. The whispers were still in some foreign language I couldn’t understand, but I knew they were trying to communicate with me. I frowned as I stared at the marking on my arm, tracing it continuously and nearly falling into some kind of trance. What were these voices, and what did they want with me? Why couldn’t I understand them?
“Snow?!” Kurai’s voice finally snapped me back to reality.
I jumped, turning to him with wide eyes. “What?!”
“At least answer me when I’m speaking to you,” He muttered with that angry voice that I was used to. However, he wasn’t all angry. He was a little concerned.
I gave him a gentle smile, putting my hand over his hands. “I’m ok, sorry.” My soft voice shocked him because his reaction to me speaking like that was to look away immediately. I even noticed his cheeks turning a slight pink under the orange glow.
“I know you’re ok. You don’t need to remind me. You didn’t respond to me when I spoke,” He muttered under his breath, barely glancing out of the corner of his eye at me.” Also, don’t apologize to people when you haven’t done anything. It’ll make you weak.”
A small giggle escaped my lips as I shook my head to reply, “Weak?” I questioned him, and my eyes rolled, “I think I’m rather tough.”
“T-tough,” He echoed, finally returning my gaze. “But this is a serious matter, Snow. I feel as though you’re not taking it very seriously.”
, I shrugged. “What can I do, Kurai? I’m a halfling, a Reaper, with no amount of power I know. I had one training session with Astaroth - that’s it. And that’s when Enoxon went loco-crazy! I’m supposed to guide souls, bring them home, and prepare people for travel. I am a reaper.”
“And I’ve been training for three years to bring you back into this world alive. I’m honestly not even sure if you’re fully alive anyway,” Kurai argued, pulling his hands away from mine. He seemed flustered and worried but wasn’t sure how to handle it. “I went out on an expedition for three years and earned two tails just to bring you back,” He stated, his voice nearly cracking as he stood up and began to pace back and forth. “Two entire tails in three years! I am nearly a full-blood Nogitsune with nine tails!”
Listening to him, I couldn’t help but feel a bit bad. I was just letting things go in one ear and out the other while he was out risking his life to bring my own life back to him. “You didn’t have to do that,” I murmured, folding my hands together as I shifted my back to him.
That made him freeze, and I could feel the anger swell inside his body. That connection, his emotions pouring and mixing into mine - I knew it was still there. I could feel the markings on my arm even feel warm and heated as his emotions swirled.
“What do you mean? You’d rather just be… Dead?” He questioned.
“It just seemed like you did a lot to help me, and I’m not sure. I guess a thank you is in order, but… Honestly, Kurai, you just wasted three years on someone you barely knew.”
Kurai was utterly stunned, and I was pushing his buttons now. But every time his anger mixed with my emotions, it turned me into, like, this angry person. Like, his feelings became mine. I couldn’t help it. I barely knew what I was saying.
“I don’t… You… What?!” He was speechless.
“Think about it,” I spoke, returning to face him as I stood up to match his energy. I couldn’t help but raise my voice as his anger grew vigorous and welled inside me. “Lord Mundus wants me dead, not you, Astaroth, the Celestials - but me. He killed my real and adopted parents because he wanted us dead for whatever reason!” My hands flailed around as I began talking with them, motioning to different spots in midair. “He basically raised you, so he’s no reason to kill you - just me and my family. I’m sure he murdered the tribe to lure Ren and Sayuri out! He wanted them. He wanted me.”
“Snow, are you even listening to yourself?!” Kurai snapped, approaching me and towering over me.
I stared up at him, holding my ground a few inches from his face. “He wants me dead. Not you - you’re pushing your life to save someone you barely know. You would’ve never known he was this ‘evil demon lord’ if you just… Never came after me in the first place.” This anger, this fear… I had no idea what I was feeling. I was heartbroken but also in a very vulnerable spot right now. I was practically killed twice!
“I-” He was stunned as I held my place against him, and his eyes narrowed down to me. He shook his head, “You don’t know anything about him, Snow. This underworld is frozen because of him.”
“Becuase of ME, Kurai! If I were dead, this underworld would be in this perfect little pit of fire! If I were finished, we would be in a different situation. You would’ve never been bound to me, nor I to you. You could’ve lived as the Perfect Prince of the Underworld under Lord Zonoth and Serelia, gaining your tails without playing protector. You would have your own life, Kurai,” I told him, my emotions finally getting in check as I realized how I was feeling. I was able to push Kurai’s emotions to the side. Sure, I might sound a bit crazy, but what would things be like if I was dead? Things might literally be fine - Mundus would have what he wants - whatever it was, and no one would question him because he’s the Lord of the Underworld - the Crimson Prince.
“Well, it’s not like that, Snow. I am your Guardian, and you now belong to me as my halfling.”
“What?” I questioned him, turning my head. “Belong to?”
Realizing what he said, Kurai immediately bit his tongue and backed up a few feet away as I radiated angrily. Yes, that was a quick snap. How dare he say I belonged to him. My body felt on fire as I turned to face him, feeling every inch of my body spike with anger. “Belong to? I don’t belong to anyone.”
“That’s not what -” He said, stepping back and putting his hands up as if to defend himself.
That anger continued to rise, and I felt something in my body stir - something dark. I glared at him. I’m unsure why it set me off, but it did. “You think I asked for all this? Did you think I asked to be chased down by that damn demon you call a ‘brother?’!” I snarled, my teeth gritting with anger and my fists clenching. Something inside me was trying to force itself out. “I didn’t ask to be bound to anyone. I didn’t ask for you to save my life. I am grateful, sure, but that does not mean I belong to anyone.”
“Snow, calm down - I didn’t mean that,” He said, losing his balance and tripping over a chair.
“You bet your ass you didn’t mean that, and if I ever hear you say something like that again -” I growled to him, feeling the anger rise to my fingertips.
“Snow, you really need to calm down-” His eyes grew wide as he hurried back some more until his back was against the wall.
“Calm down?!” I said, pointing at him. “I AM CALM.”
“S-snow, stop!” He said, snapping at me and trying to get through to my head.
However, it felt like my mindset was pushed down inside me, and whatever anger I felt was rising to the top - like how someone blacks out with rage. That’s what it felt like. I could still make sense of my surroundings. At least, I thought I could. A few books had fallen on Kurai when he bumped into the bookcase behind him. But those books were strange. They were solid black with a small red outline. That’s when something bumped into my head, and it kind of brought me to my senses. “What the hell?!” I scowled, turning my head to immediately look at what bumped into me. A book was floating beside me, covered in a black shadow. When I moved my hand, the book moved too, and a few more books had fallen on top of Kurai, which forced him to grunt as they hit him.
“You-your eyes,” Kurai replied, covering his head as a few more books fell on his head. “Snow, you need to stop. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
My mind immediately turned back to Kurai as he spoke, and I realized that when my gaze returned to him, the book that bumped into me flew directly at him and smacked him on the side of his head. Numerous books were around the room. I couldn’t believe my eyes as I watched the books start to fly around the room at an alarming speed. It was as if they had come to life, trying to escape from their shelves. Pages fluttered wildly as the tomes whizzed past my head, narrowly missing me. It was a truly magical sight but also quite dangerous.
“Ow..” He muttered, rubbing his head. “Honestly, I am sorry.”
Hearing his words, ‘I’m sorry,’ made me feel a bit better, and it pushed down whatever anger was raising in me. The anger that was subsided also made the surrounding books that were floating fall hard to the ground with a thud as they hit the ground. I felt a bit dizzy, too, as if I had just done something that took the strength out of me. I was dizzy to the point that I stumbled to the side, only to catch myself on the table. I put my weight on the arm, holding my body up, feeling dizzy as the voices faded from my head. I frowned and looked around the mess that I had caused.
Kurai had shoved the books off him and immediately got up from the ground and approached me.
I frowned, shaking my head at him. “Just… stop, please,” I murmured to him and turned away. “I um. I probably should… Just… Sit down… And um, I don’t know.” I was feeling weak from whatever just happened - and lightheaded. Surely I didn’t cause that? I leaned against a wall and slid to the ground, sitting on the cold stone below me. My head leaned back against the stone cave walls, and I closed my eyes, the room spinning in the darkness around me: no more voices or anger from Kurai or myself. My emotions were null again.
“What happened?”
“I’m only going to assume that your anger triggered your magical powers within your body,” Kurai explained as he awkwardly shuffled in next to me against the stone wall. “I, for one, did not cause those books to fly at me,” He murmured.
“I’ll throw something else at you if I hear you speak like that again, that’s for sure,” I replied, still slightly upset with how he spoke to me.
A sigh escaped the nogitsune as he sat against the wall and stared at the mess I had caused. “It’s usually something that can trigger a response - and sometimes you just can’t control it. Well, you cannot control any kind of magical power that you have, at least not yet.”
I shook my head, ignoring that comment. “You pissed me off, what can I say?”
“... A lot of magic can show its true power at first sight of anger - and it seems you were angry enough that your magic, whatever it may be, showed up. Thus, why books were flinging themselves at me - because your response to the anger was directed at me,” He explained.
I then felt something lying on my lap. When I gazed down, the Nogitsune had placed his tail into my lap - his fluffy tail that I’ve had the luck to pet once. I remember that silky black from my first healing sessions with him. My immediate reaction was to pet his tail literally.
It, surprisingly, calmed me. Kurai was embarrassed to the point he, once again, avoided my gaze and continued to speak, “A Reaper’s magic power is strong, from what I’ve been told. You are practically in charge of one’s life. A Reaper juggles the lives of many humans - old and young. I’m… Not an expert on reapers, but –”
His voice was cut off when a familiar voice chimed in and through the caverns of Reaper’s Cove.
“But I am!” The voice cheered throughout the caves.
Into the room came a familiar darker face, eyes shining a bright gold with excitement.
“Yushin is…” Kurai replied, his voice just barely above a whisper.
“That’s right, and don’t you forget it, lover boy,” Yushin told him, giving him an arrogant grin. “Snow! I’m so happy to see you’re okay! I heard today was the lucky day you’d finally returned to me!”
I still stroked Kurai’s fluffy fox tail, but my gaze shifted to the cheerful Spirit Walker. He caught my attention. His skin had a flawless tan tone, and his jet-black hair was perfectly styled. His eyes, a dazzling shade of gold, sparkled in the orange cave lighting. He wore a black shirt with intricate golden markings that enhanced his regal demeanor. Adding a white headdress, almost like a scarf, made him look all the more majestic and mysterious. His presence seemed to draw me in, and for a moment, I forgot about the turmoil inside the cove. It’s been a while. I don’t remember him as happy as this, but I was glad to see him again. Even if he did completely turn my life around in a straightforward event and make me almost destroy him when I found out about Sora. I offered a friendly smile, replying, “Hey, Yushin. It’s great to see you too!”
“Welcome back, My Reaper!” He said, offering a hand out to help me off the floor. “Ah, quite the mess in here? Do I need to remove the angry one?” Yushin asked, gripping my hand and pulling me upwards. “I can remove him with a quick flick of my wrists if you’d like, M’Lady!”
Jealousy twisted within Kurai, and I barely felt it, but it was enough to realize that he didn’t like how Yushin was speaking to me. But it was nice to see Yushin again, all happy and excited. “Thanks, Yushin, and yeah… I guess my anger got the best of me?”
“I see. Did you end up throwing books at the fox?” He asked casually as he began to pick up the room from books.
“Unintentionally,” I replied to him. “It made me a bit woozy, honestly.”
“Magic will first do that to you - we just have to explore it and learn more about it. Typically, reapers are excellent wielders of black magic - or death magic,” He explained to me as he returned a whole stack of books to one of the shelves.
“Good to see you too, Yushin,” Kurai muttered as he got off the ground, dusted off his legs, and shook off his shirt from any possible collected dust.
“Mighty magic - but I am unsure if you wield the same magic. I’m sure you do, and it’s something we’ll have to explore in your training - that, by the way, you’ve skipped out on for three years,” The Spirit Walker glanced over to me, giving me a cold side-eye. But his body posture was relaxed as he continued to speak to me, “I am glad to see this worked out for the best.”
“Ah, well, whatever it was, it made me feel like crap on the inside,” I told him with a sigh, picking up the last book and dusting my hands off. Turning to him, I caught his glimpse of curiosity as he looked me over, eyeballing me.
“Good to know you’ve not changed, except for the new marking on your arm - which I assume the one on your side has been changed as well. Congratulations, Kurai. You saved the reaper. You ought to be proud of yourself!” He said with a bright smile.
Yushin is still as passive-aggressive as ever, but I couldn’t help but feel at ease with him - even if he did something idiotic. I don’t remember all the events, but… That’s OK. It was for the best, I hope.
“Nevertheless, Snow, I was able to complete the jobs the past few years as a Spirit Walker and continue guiding souls while you were in your trance. I still have not brought Yuna home, but I know she’s unharmed. I wish to see her again, but…” He trailed off.
I noticed he seemed a bit troubled, and I went to question it, but he quickly changed the subject.
“Anywho, we need to get you in the field soon!”
“Can that wait?” Kurai questioned him, stepping up beside me, barely in front of me.
“Um… No, I’ve been waiting three years to bring the reaper into position and train her,” Yushin replied with a slight attitude towards the nogitsune. “Not everyone could run off and train for three years while Mundus’s demon roamed freely.”
“Run off?” Kurai questioned him, glaring at him coldly with his sharp, amber eyes. “I’m the reason Snow can even start her training.”
“You’re also the reason she was put off in a stasis for three years when we all knew you could do it from the get-go,” Yushin argued, turning away from him.
“You don’t know anything - you were flaunting in the fields gathering spirits while I busted my ass to get this!”
“A Spirit Walker does not simply flaunt, Kurai,” Yushin stated over his shoulder as he motioned for me to follow him. “Come along, M’Lady!”
Kurai narrowed his eyes as Yushin left the room into another clearing.
I looked between the two and slowly went after the Spirit Walker, following him down the dimly lit cavern walls and into another room. He brought me to the original room I had woken up in when Enoxon found me. It had a massive tree in the middle and numerous candles lining the room, with multiple crystals floating around it. It was definitely a gorgeous room, and between the lighting of the room, it was very mysterious but lovely and serene.
“I want to show you a few things, Snow. Starting with the major connections to Reaper’s Cove. Since the first time, you and Enoxon refused to be shown the Caverns. How will you become a Reaper if you don’t allow me to guide you?” He questioned, glancing over his shoulder at me and smiling. “Come along, come along!” He stated, pulling me ahead and falling into step beside me - leaving Kurai behind in the dust. “Now, as you know, this cavern has several parts - many magical levels and places you need to see. Starting with this, The Soul Tree. It’s similar to the Spirit Tree, but… It serves a different purpose. This tree will show you the deaths of humans or demons, each branch representing someone different. Only the Reaper and Spirit Walkers can access these deaths. It will also allow guidance to the Celestial World - very important - do not misuse.” He motioned to the tree. “The tree is practically a map of death - for you and me to access,” He flashed a quick grin at me. “Of course, you saw your room - your living spaces - which can be changed to your liking with a quick spell, that you can learn another time. Now, for our next room, you will be shocked. No, Kurai, you cannot come along. You will be unable to pass the gates to it.”
“What?!” Kurai groaned, glaring at him coldly. “Are you sure you’re not just saying that?” He asked him, his voice rumbling with anger.
“Yes, I’m sure. You will be sent to the Shadows if you try and enter,” Yushin threatened, giving him a cold glare and then turning to me, his coldness disappearing as he smiled. “Come along,” He gently reached out to my wrists and began to drag me after him.
I glanced over my shoulder at Kurai and shrugged, mouthing, ‘I’ll be right back.’
Let me know if he tries anything weird, Kurai’s voice echoed in my head. I’ll tear him limb to limb.
I huffed at him, raising an eyebrow. Shaking my head, I returned to Yushin and followed him to a darkened area at the back of the cave.
Yushin lifted his hand on a shadowy-covered wall, and it began to glow a bright golden color, lining the cave room with numerous lines of gold, even turning the gemstones from orange to gold. He muttered something under his breath, and I noticed his golden eyes were shining as brightly as the gemstones in the room. Shocked, I watched as they began to glow brighter and brighter before being pulled in through a narrow path. The narrow track opened up to a huge hallway lined with millions of candles, leading up some giant stairs.
“The Hall of Life,” He introduced me to. “Everyone alive, you will see their candle here and many portals leading to more. Each one represents a different soul. Each life is accessible by the reaper herself, no one else. I nor Yuna can access these candles. No one but you. You can see how much longer one has in life by the candle stick or the flame. If you connect your hand to a candle stick, you may see how someone’s death will be recreated. You do not have access to interacting with their death, as it is fate.” He explained to me, making his way down the eerie hall.
As I made my way down the Hallway of Life, the soft glow of the candles illuminated the way, casting a warm and inviting ambiance. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, each depicting a different life stage. From childhood innocence to the wisdom of old age, the tapestries captured the essence of living a full and complete life. As I gazed upon the candles flickering in the dim light, I couldn’t help but be struck by the symbolism of each one. The bright and vibrant flames represented joy and celebration, while the dim and flickering ones described times of struggle and hardship. It was as if the hallway reflected life, with all its ups and downs, highs and lows.
Despite the challenges that we all inevitably face, the warm glow of the candles reminded me that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. I felt a sense of peace and comfort as I continued down the hallway. It was crazy to see what a soul was seeing through their eyes. To have their life flash before my eyes, knowing what each human has to look forward to. Knowing that I can access everyone’s life with a simple candle blows my mind and makes it seem scary. What if one accidentally went out? Do the candles predict that?
“This is incredible, Yushin. Everyone’s life is here and seen through these candles?”
“To those that are alive and breathing air, yes. The ones who have passed, well, those candles will disappear, and you will not have access to those anymore. If you wish to access the life of someone who has passed, it’s practically impossible. You have to find a soul to access their life. It’s a very complicated thing,” He explained to me. Come up here.”
He brought me to the top of the candle-lit stairs leading to a small but empty room with a candle flickering brightly in the middle. “This is your candle. No, you cannot access it; no, you cannot see how you die when you will die, or if you will die. You cannot see your past or anything along those lines.”
I stared at the single-lit candle in the room, its light burning a bright and robust red color. The candlestick it was on was a solid black color versus the rest of the white candlesticks that lined the room and hallway.
“There are numerous portals here that will lead you to another room of candles, but it can get very confusing if you access them. You may get lost, and it will be hard to find your way back,” Yushin warned. “I would suggest not exploring the other halls. There is no reason to.”
Ignoring him, I continued staring at the bright candle that flickered before me. To think, this candle was mine. My entire life sat with that candle - my past, my future... Everything - in that candle. It was too bad I couldn’t access or do anything to it, but I wouldn’t want to know when I died anyway. That seemed horrible. If I can die - didn’t they call me a Halfling? Can I even die? Ugh, so many questions.
“Snow, did you hear me?” He questioned me.
“Uh, yes. Don’t go exploring other portals - it will get lost. Got it. Is there ever a need to explore other halls and candles anyway?”
“Our previous reaper did not, so I cannot imagine you will need to,” Yushin smiled softly. He placed his hand on the display that held my candle, staring at it with me. “It’s incredible. Being a Reaper?” He asked me, his voice low.
“This is wild!” I murmured, “Every single one of these candles tells a future?”
“And a past,” He replied. “An entire story within these candles.”
“Incredible,” I murmured again and nodded, looking back at him. “Do you have a candle?”
He nodded, “I do - as Yuna and everyone else you know.”
“Kurai, Enoxon, and all of them?”
Once more, he nodded and sighed, “That’s right. I won’t tell you where they are, though. I’m sure it won’t take you long to find them, though. I’ll let you explore more if you’d like, but I must return to the main room. And Snow,” He paused, glancing at me gently, “It is good to hear from you again. I’m happy things worked out. And… I’m sorry about Enoxon. I want you to know we will help you with any decisions you make,” His voice was like a soft river flowing, full of sincerity and care.
“Thank you, Yushin. We’ll figure it out together,” I replied, and with that, he left the Hallway of Life.
We welcome back Yushin!
