Lucy lay peacefully on my lap with a smile that broke my heart. I could remember her last words; "Dad and mum are here," she said and pointed deep into the dark alley for a moment, and then her hand dropped.
I was hurt… and badly wanted to cry but couldn't remember how.
Beyond her beautiful face were dry lips, broken nails, and bloodied bruises—proof of the suffering we endured together.
"I can't fill my legs anymore," I muttered.
My lower body felt numb but none of that mattered because it was almost time.
I glanced at the spot Lucy had pointed at. Back then, I couldn't see it, but I can now. Mum was still in that gown Dad got on her birthday. She clung to his firm, strong hands and smiled at me.
Dad stood there with a smile. He carried Lucy in his arms, and all three waved at me with a welcoming smile.
"Da-d..." I gasped, and the waterworks broke, but I had no more tears to cry.
Blood rolled down my cheeks as I cried out my heart as I cried hard. Slowly, my vision blurred, and my thoughts turned foggy. I noticed the darkness encroaching from all sides and a feeling of peace crept into my heart—
"Finally." I gasped. "I can finally leave this wicked world…"
____________
It was dark and lonely here; Lucy, Dad, and Mum were nowhere to be seen, but the pain was gone. My throat didn't feel sore and dry, my belly didn't hurt nor did my chest burn.
It was a big improvement from the suffering I endured so I couldn't complain.
"Get up, it's not your time yet."
The voice was melodic and with it came a whole new world. It was sudden—I found myself on the ground looking towards the night sky filled with stairs and a crescent moon.
The crackling and warmth of fire came from the left, but strangely, I was calm. I wasn't sure why, but I couldn't feel the excitement, shock, or fear; my emotions were blank.
I looked toward the campfire, and behind it was a man, probably the most beautiful man I have ever seen. He had long black hair with purple streaks cascading down his shoulders and pale skin that glittered under the moonlight.
His lashes were long and his eyes had a violet hue to it. The man's lips were painted black like his nails, and he wore an expensive traditional Chinese-style robe with a purple skull motif.
"Who are you?" I asked fearlessly.
The man looked at me with warmth in his eyes as if we were long-lost lovers.
"Death."
His answer was simple and honest. I nodded in understanding and wondered if Lucy also met this man. I shifted my attention back to the stars and sighed.
"I'm ready," I muttered under my breath before shutting my eyes. However, Death's giggles caught me off guard.
My eyes yanked open, and I glared at him.
"What's funny?" I demanded but he giggled some more and even covered his lips and glanced away
I abruptly sat up, wondering if there was something funny on my face.
"Do you think death is the answer to you?"
His question left me frowning and wondering what this man knew about living and the suffering that came with it. I was furious but without the anger. Deep down, I felt frighteningly calm.
I was certain something was wrong with me but that wasn't important now. I needed to hear what Death had to say.
"What do you mean?" I asked in a dull voice.
"The world follows a cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Once you leave this place, there is no peace. Your memory is wiped clean and you are thrown in again. If you are lucky this time you may be born a noble."
Tueh!
I spat in disgust and wiped my lips with the back of my palm.
"So why am I here?" I asked in a suspicious tone.
This man was like a merchant—they start by convincing you that what you have is not good enough before they offer their expensive goods as a replacement.
"Because I have an offer for you."
Seeing the man's face lit up with a mischievous grin, I rolled my eyes—he must have been waiting for this moment. I watched him stand, walk over to my side, and crouch before stretching out his hand.
"I offer magic like never before. A power that can topple empires. The power of death..."
His voice was melodic and enchanting. Watching him speak up close, I was lost, staring at his lips. It took a lot of willpower, but I snapped out of his and shook my head.
The smile on his face said all I needed to know. He was amused by my struggles to stay focused around him. Was this the devil's bargaining tactic?
"What is the catch?!" I blurted out and dragged myself away from him. "And stay back!" I yelled.
If I'm going to be seduced into selling my soul, it should come from a lady, not a beautiful man!
I heard him giggle, probably amused by my struggles. He rose to his feet and stretched his hands out to me again.
"There are things I can't reveal. The power I will grant you will drag you into battles that do not concern you... Struggles of the heavens but it will ultimately lead to Godhood." His voice was stern. "If you survive that long," he added.
I could see the look in his eyes. It was pain, fury, and undiluted hatred, like the one I always wore when I watched people walk by the alley and act like they didn't see me and Lucy.
"With this power, you can avenge your parents and sister. You can punish the people responsible for the suffering you endured and most importantly, If you achieve Godhood. You can bring everyone back. Lucy, Richard, and Martha..."
Ba-Dum!
My heart began beating and my blood boiled. His words reflected my deepest desires; vengeance!
The truth is I don't want to die. I want to live and make these people pay for everything they put Lucy through. I want to make them bleed for every night she cried herself to sleep.
"I want to kill them for killing us," I muttered those words while clutching my chest.
This empty feeling wouldn't let me express the pain and anger I felt properly. I felt broken and believed only by getting my revenge would this pain vanish. I wasn't sure when I took his hand but it felt warm.
"Then revenge you shall get. All you need to do is take my hand."
This time I didn't hesitate. I stretched out and his smile widened into a sinister grin. Before my hand could reach his, a bright light filled my eyes and for a moment I was blinded.
________________________
My eyes fluttered open but the world was a blur. All I could hear were whispers and gasps—I was confused.
Slowly, my vision became clear, and I found myself in the same smelly alley, but there were people gathered at the entrance. They covered their noses while whispering amongst themselves in hushed tones—I couldn't make sense of what they were saying.
"Step aside!" A wicked and annoyed voice came from the crowd.
The crowd makes way for three men dressed in long, dark woolen coats with brass buttons. They had tricorn hats and knee-length trousers tucked into their boots. Wooden batons strapped to their waist.
"City guards," I groaned and shifted my attention to Lucy.
Her peaceful face had gotten paler, and the stench was worse, but I didn't care—I'll take her with me until I find a nice place to bury her.
The gasps and murmurs increased when I moved. These people pointed at me in horror as I rose to my feet with a corpse in hand—they must have thought we were both dead and that's why they bothered to spare us a glance.
Even the city guards couldn't meet my gaze. Their eyes danced between Lucy and me while they pulled out their batons.
"On your knees!" A guard screamed in a shaky
He had a slim face and a fat nose. For some reason, his grip was shaky, and the fear in his eyes was hard to miss. But it wasn't just him. I glanced at the crowd but they avoided my eyes; their disgust had turned to something different—fear.
"I SAID GET ON YOUR KNEES!" The second guard screamed but he peeped himself simultaneously.
"Why are they so afraid?" I muttered, feeling confused.
I wasn't sure what was more surprising; their fear or my lack of fear. A fifteen-year-old was standing before a small mob with guards pointing their weapons at him. Shouldn't I feel a bit uncomfortable?
'Why do I feel perfectly calm?'
{Have you forgotten? You are no longer like them. You have magic now, very powerful magic... Its influence changes people... It changes things... It will change you over time… this is just the beginning}
Death's voice returned but as a whisper in my ear. I could feel his presence, intoxicating and soothing. I looked over my shoulder, hoping to see his beautiful face. However, what I saw explained why they were terrified.
The darkness behind me was thick, it felt heavy. From the darkness were shadow tendrils flanking my sides. I wasn't sure why, but I felt connected to this darkness; all I needed was a thought, and it would act.
"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!" An elderly voice rang from a distance with a sophisticated accent.
A noble!
I frowned and glared in that direction. Sure enough, onlookers fled in different directions—none dared to block his path or they may suffer a faith similar to mine. The city guards got one glance at him and hastily bowed.
"L-Lord Blackwood, w-we weren't expecting you!" The leader of the group screamed.
Slowly, Lord Blackwood's figure began to take shape. It was a towering man, nearly 6' 5'' ft, with his long gray hair running down his shoulders. For someone in his late fifties, he had an intimidating physique.
He was dressed in a fitted jacket with a high waistline, worn over a linen undergarment with a wide collar decorated with blue embroidery. This man wore knee-length trousers and his knee-length silk socks with a blue cape that looked stupid
He glanced at me pensively at first, then looked down at Lucy for a few seconds before looking past me and his eyes narrowed.
"Can't you see that child possesses a talent for magic?"
I frowned at his words. A boy was covered in dirt and blood, emaciated, and sickly. He had a corpse in his hands and all he saw was magic.
I watched the city guards glance at me with terror. All three fell to their knees and rammed their heads against the ground three times.
"WE ARE SORRY WE DIDN'T NOTICE YOU, MAGUS!" They begged.
Without waiting for my response, they ran out of the alley like terrified cats, leaving Lord Blackwood alone. Only now, I was alone with him, did I notice how terrifying this man was.
The alley was spacious enough for three city guards to stand side by side but only Lord Blackwood occupied all that space. The seasoned gleam in his eyes belonged to men who had spent half their lives on the battlefield.
But even now; I feel empty. No fear, no joy.
I hated him but it couldn't show beyond a slight frown. Expressing emotions beyond light facial expressions feels forced now.
'Is this normal?' I couldn't help but wonder.
"What's your name?"
Lord Blackwood's voice was heavy, like a fist pounding a drum at full force. Even though his question was a request it sounded like a command. If it were before I died, I probably would have flinched at this.
"Derek," I answered, and he nodded with a small smile before stretching out his hand.
My stomach churned and I felt like throwing up. Seeing this disgusting noble trying to replicate the graceful actions of death filled me with deep disgust.
"You have a strong talent for magic but no backing. If left alone, you may end up like the little one in your hands without realizing your potential. Join the Blackwood family and I will treat you well."
My head tilted in confusion, wondering if this man was stupid. A filthy noble like him was the reason all this happened to me in the first place.
I was going to curse him and reject but Death's voice came first.
{Accept his offer. To survive, you need a foothold and he is not the one that killed your parents but you can find them through him.}
My brows narrowed and I clenched my fist. I was against the decision but even my resistance felt hollow. Every emotion I felt had a trace of emptiness that came as an aftertaste before I could even enjoy the emotion.
I clutched my chest hard, wondering what this feeling was.
{You will get used to it. Trust me.} Death assured.