The sound of his voice echoed in my ears. A voice sent across light years, his voice was beautiful and serene, it felt like a flowing river, and yet it annoyed me beyond belief. I had to return nonetheless. This was a special day for all, an event know as the rebirth. it is a special day that the angels celebrate, after all, it was the return of their creator. The universe by it's nature is always in a state of balance, and everything within it must adhere to the balancing act it plays. At any point in time in the universe there are a multitude of two opposing forces acting against each other, fighting in order to keep it alive. Push and pull, good and evil, light and darkness, expansion and contraction. These and many other forces act against and with each other in the perfect machine that is every universe. That being said, there are two forces that govern everything else, two forces that set and interpret the rules, two forces that command and control existence itself. LIFE and DEATH. Both forces created by the universe's ever growing need for order, both determined by their nature and era. One described as the end, and the other, the beginning. She had died before, and now, had returned.
With a gesture of his hand, the sky tore open and a massive black cloud poured from it, slowly it spread, forming a veil over the horizon. A gate, a bridge to the other side. Death had opened a rift between his realm and this. Slowly he walked through, his feet never touching the ground.
Through the gate was a pathway. One rich in colour and vibrance. This was the path to the top. Calmly he walked along the path. After a few minutes of walking, he arrives at the end. A bright golden light shone from the end, and as he slowly approached it, he was welcomed by an angel.
His eyes were bright gold, his hair, perfect flowing locks of white, his skin as fair as the sun, his cheeks were a slight red and his lips were an elegant pink. He was so beautiful, he could have been mistaken for a woman. He stood over death, looking down at him, his wings an immaculate white, and his body covered with a toga embroidered in silver with a name, ' Raphael ' .
" Hello Raphael, for what reason do I have the honour of you specially welcoming me back " he said in a calm, slightly mocking voice.
" You were almost late "
" I was busy, I had an important person to escort "
" No one is more important than the Lady. And no time is more important than her return. Do well to remember that " he said angrily as he turned to walk away.
" I've done this nearly a billion times Raphael "
Death said stopping Raphael from going further.
" And to be honest, after seventh, I don't think I want to do this anymore. "
" Well you must, this is one of your duties given to you by the first lady, so come on and stop being a baby " Raphael said urging him to follow.
Reluctantly, death followed him, trailing behind.
' every so often, life dies and is reincarnated in a new form, she has no memory of her past, or who she was before, she returns completely
anew, with a new nature, new hobbies, a new style, she has new likes and dislikes. She becomes a completely different person, devoid of the personality of her old life. But, there is one thing they all have in common. From the moment they're born to their last days, they all despise death. They are born with resentment and hatred for him so deep, nothing compares. They see him as an enemy, the curse to their perfect world. This is her belief every time. The only exception to this were the ones death calls seventh and second. The only two who were compassionate towards him.
" We're here " Raphael said snapping death out of his thoughts.
Raising his head, he caught a glimpse of her. Slightly above them was a ball of light and energy so bright and powerful only death could stand before it. Slowly it dimmed out, descending as the light faded. Inside a girl could be seen. Turning to Raphael he gestured her to go to the light. Once the light faded, only a girl remained, a girl seemingly no older than six or eight. Her eyes were closed and her body so frail she could barely stand as she fell over, falling into Raphael open arms. In his eyes were love, as he gazed at her, holding her close, as he covered her with his wings.
" So what now? " Raphael asked
" We wait. We'll wait till she gains consciousness "
He said sitting down. Raphael still slightly concerned, held her closer. His arms wrapped around her as a parent would their child. In his eyes were, admiration and love. Cutting off the upper part of his toga he covered her little body.
" Raphael, you aren't like the other angels, are you? " death said as his eyes narrowed on him.
His eyes still fixated on her, no response came forth. Raphael sat holding her for hours, with death nearby. After hours she awoke. like a baby woken from a long nap her eyes flickered, gently and slowly being lifted up. Slowly she gained consciousness as the space around her radiated. Her eyes, both blue and green, with stars floating in them as they do the night sky stared around her surrounding. Sluggishly she turned to face Raphael and immediately smiled. His face lighting up with euphoria. Gently he put her on the ground, still smiling, she gentle pat his head.
" Thanks for helping me out Raphael " she said still patting him.
" It's nothing, milady " Raphael said with a grin.
" So what's up? Been a while, huh life? " Death said strolling up to her.
Her expression immediately becoming hostile.
" That voice, I know that disgusting, wretched voice "
Turning to death, whose hand were open for a hug.
" A being over seven feet tall, a black robe that covers all but his sickening face, a body made entirely of bones. Death . You are death aren't you "
Now she was staring him down, her eyes filled with intent to kill.
" Come on, this is the first time I've seen you in weeks, you do this everytime I see you, just give me a hug, won't you life " he said, putting his extended arm away
" Why would I hug you, you parasite, scum, the blemish on this otherwise perfect utopia.....Where's your scythe? "
" Why do you want to know where it is? "
" Where's your scythe? " she said looking dead at him
" You want to fight me? "
" I want to kill you, so bring your scythe and let us begin "
Both their eyes filled with intent, as they slowly walked up to each other. Stretching his right hand a scythe manifests. Their eyes locked on each other.
" No "
" Huh? "
" I said no, I won't fight you "
" What? Why not? "
" The hell you mean why not, your like what two feet tall, I could literally just kick you, you're just a child, I won't fight a child, go take a nap or something "
Death said looking at her, her cheeks a bright red as she desperately tried to hold back tears.
" Fight me– "
" No "
" Fight m– "
" No "
" Figh– "
" No "
" Stop cutting me off, that's so rude– "
" No "
Now her face was red, unable to hold back the tears, she began crying, running to Raphael. Holding her as he tried to console her.
" What's wrong milady " he said gently
" He–he was being–being mean to me "
She said between sobs as she held onto Raphael tighter.
" I am so sorry "
" Tell him to fight me " she said pointing at death.
" I'm sorry but I'm unable to do that. How about this, in order for him to apologize, he'll takes you out for a treat, maybe icecream " he said looking at her
Sniffling she replied. " That–that sounds nice "
" Yeah it does "
" But, can't you take me? why should it be him? " she said pointing at death with a look of disgust.
Carefully, he moved her aside and walked towards death. Lifting his head as he whispered in death's ears.
" I need you to teach her like you always had. I know losing lady Gaia was difficult on you, but please "
" You can do it? can't you Raphael? "
" As much as it pains me to say, no one knows the lady better than you "
" Ughh, aright, I'll let her follow me. Hey life come over " death said signalling her to come over.
" No "
" Excuse me? "
" I said no " she said folding her hands and looking away.
" You've got to be kidding me "
Now annoyed, he walked up to her.
" Cut the crap. I get it, I said no, so you're mad and being a baby about it, but we have important things to do. Things more important than fighting and I'm here now so c'mon let's get going "
" No "
" You're being a child "
" I am a child, what was your excuse "
Now enraged, as he puts his hand over his face as he sighs heavily.
" I do not want to deal with this, just behave and come with me– "
" No "
" Just– "
" No "
" Just– "
" No "
" Just– "
" No "
" ARGHHH! AHHHH! WHY ARE YOU SO INSUFFERABLE!– "
" See, it doesn't feel good when someone cuts you of does it "
" Fine..I'm sorry, now come with me please "
" No, I like being here, I'm not going anywhere with you "
Both their eyes meet. Hers filled with smug confidence and his, with righteous annoyance. Now at his limit, he slowly squats and picks her up, lifting her with ease, as she struggles and thrashes.
" Let go of me, damn it " she said as she hits him repeatedly.
After a few minutes of walking the bridge between the layers comes into view and death begins crossing the bridge with life on his shoulder. After a few moments they arrive at the other side. A garden, in a park in a coastal town. The land filled with trees, the water a pristine blue, the sky as bright as ever, it was a perfect day that showed the extent of the beauty the park had to offer. The day was bright but not hot, and the sun peeking out of the clouds regularly to say hello. Next to them was an ice cream parlor, fitting for the day. After all, it was summer.
" Would you like some " he said tilting his head in the direction of the parlor.
" Sure, but put me down "
" Oh, sorry my bad "
Gently he set her down. The smell of vanilla and chocolate filled the air. She couldn't resist and went flying at the stand, while death trailed slowly behind her.
" Come on D, hurry up "
"no need, I can't be seen by most of the living. Only a few can see me. Worse than that, I can't interact with the human world either. When I'm on the second layer I have to levitate a few inches off the ground, I avoid all contact with every surface, and at all cost I can't touch anything in the living world, for anything I touch will wither away and die. That is unless, I put on this mask " he said bring out a human mask from seemingly nothing,
holding a human face mask, slowly putting it on as he removed his cloak. Immediately, his head was filled with bold white locks, his eyes a deep greyish blue, his bony body covered by skin, his cloak vanishing into thin air. Now behind life he leaned in, gazing at the flavors.
" So which one do you want? "
" How am I meant to know that? I've never tasted it before "
" Hmm, good point. In that case I'll order my favorite for you "
" Eww, what's your favorite, guts and rot? "
" That sounds really appetizing, I think I might try it " he said sarcastically
Turning to the vendor, a young lady with blonde hair, and a bold smile.
" Can I have some ice cream please for me and my daughter? "
" Sure, what flavour would you like? "
" Hmm, I'll have two scoops of strawberry with a double glaze of carmel and extra almond, with fudge and chocolate on it "
With a concerned look the vendor served him both cones. The chocolate and caramel oozing out of it, the bright pink of the strawberry barely visible. The mere sight of them could give a regular person diabetes, but there was a smile on his face, unworried, unwavering. Strutting down the stony pathway. After a few steps, he arrived at a brown bench where he sat.
" You gotta try this " he said with an extended arm.
" Quite a sweet tooth you have there? "
" You think so? "
The summer sun melting away at the ice cream as he held it hoping, she'd take it. The chocolate falling off the cone as his hand remained, jeering her on.
" Fine " she said, finally taking it off his hands.
" It's too sweet " she said taking a lick
" Really? Guess I never noticed. I guess this is just how I like it "
" You couldn't get anything with a more subtle taste? "
" I don't know, I've never tasted any other flavour, so I wouldn't know if there was something that tasted better or worse "
" Hmm "
The day was beautiful, as the world seemed to blossom around her, the tree over the bench was bright and lush, the flowers beneath her were bright and colourful. The crickets churned despite it being day, and butterflies of all colours surrounded her. The day was a little warmer now but the tree provided and excellent shade. A dark patch that was cool despite the vibrant day.
" Why are you here? " She said coldly, not looking at him.
" To buy icecream– "
" No... Why do you exist "
With those words his eyes widened expressing his shock.
" This world is beautiful, it's bright, it's vibrant, every creature and every structure is charming, radiant, dazzling. It's all breathtaking. Then there's you. The dark patch, a stain in an otherwise pristine world. A parasite that only knows destruction and death. A being that takes pleasure in devouring existence and beauty and lives that could've been"
Tilting her head she looked directly at him, her eyes glaring as a gush of wind flows by. Her marble eyes not filled with hate for him but with compassion, for the lives around her.
" So I ask you again, why are you here? What reason and for what purpose do you exist? "
" Hmm, I see, that's the way you see me. In your eyes I'm probably a monster, someone who destroys everything you've built, someone who destroys your paradise. In truth I do take pleasure in killing them. Although not the way you think. Come with me "
Slowly but intentionally he got up, removing the mask as his cloak and bones reappeared. Turning back he looked at her.
" This world is beautiful indeed, but I do need to be here" he said calmly, his voice radiating disappointment.
" Come with me please " he said floating away.
Curious, she followed him. They went on for hours, along the way death stopped for a few moments, bent over catering to something, eventually calling life to continue the journey. Slowly the sun faded in the background, giving way to night. The butterflies vanishing in the distance and the birds bidding everyone a good night, now the world was different, very different than mere moments ago. A gush of wind flowing by as it carried an unsettling shiver.
" We're here "
Slowly she caught up to him.
slowly the realization of what she'd just seen struck her, the night now cold and hollow as the crickets played their Rhapsody, a tune that now carried despair and pain. Her eyes flickering, as she began to shake with emotions she had never experienced before. THIS WAS DISGUSTING, REVOLTING, REPULSIVE.
" I'm sorry I had to bring you here, especially at so young an age, but I need you to see this " his voice a monotonous and depressing sound.
Fury burning in her eyes, she grabs him.
" THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! Pain and suffering and anguish, they all exist because of you! "
" I understand your anger but this isn't something to be angry about, it's something to be happy for— "
" Happy?! Happy!? Look at her, she's no much older than me, LOOK AT HER DAMNIT! "
Her anger and rage burning, as she gazed once more at the scene, tears pouring from her eyes. A girl aged twelve, hung on the ceiling and her body covered by bruises and cuts, her face broken and bleeding, yet, no one seemed to care, all passing by.
" This is your fault! "
" No it isn't. My job and my duty is to take their souls when their time has come. That being said, humans have the ability to cut their lives short, I'm here only to retrieve what's left"
" Damn you! Non of this would exist without you, suicide won't exist without you, you are the cause of everything! " She said as tears poured down her face
" You're just like everyone else, you tend to speak before you know anything.... You know nothing of what transpired here today"
Slowly he walked towards her, his face showing regret and compassion.
" A wise friend of mine once told me, do not show anger and hate to injustice alone, do not show anger to those who hurt others, rather, show compassion, show remorse, show regret and show love to those who've been hurt....oh Amber, you know not how happy I am that you're at peace" he said stretching his hand across her face.
" Because you chose to rage without understanding and speak without knowledge, I'll enlighten you "