While holding Annala at bay, she pointed at Kallen. Her own Senescence authority withered the girl into a crone. Then she leveraged her Mercy of Death authority to trap the gilded spirit within her body.
“Wish Reaper Gruffle, complete your task right now.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Gruffle generated his Door of Death and rushed into it. As soon as it closed, Samael restored the youth of Kallen’s body and released the lock on her soul. Then she struck Annala in the stomach. The air in the elf’s lungs left her in a great gust and she leaned over.
“Good day,” Samael said. She curtsied and left through her Door of Death.
Annala fell to her knees, then her hands, and then collapsed entirely. She cried her eyes out and ran through possible solutions. From time travel to raiding the abyss, she reached for a solution. Another part of her gave up and lost to grief.
“Stupid! I should have known! I was careless! I should’ve healed faster or fought at the same time or... Eric, you jerk! You said you’d stay with me! You promised!” She stared at the ring on her finger and the tears came faster and harder.
Kallen knelt next to her and hugged her. She rubbed her back while silently crying herself. Perrault stood off to the side, staring into the distance. Only Neuro was unaffected by the turn of events. He stood before the grieving sisters as one at attention.
“Fear not,” he said. “I will make this right. Lord Death’s mercy will be granted to Eric.” He thudded his scythe on the ground and generated his own Door of Death. “I guarantee it.”
Noitearc, the Great Tree that Supports the Worlds, is the sum of all existence. There is nothing beyond it but the Sea of Chaos. Its branches are infinite and the number of world fruit that each branch can support is also infinite. Each world fruit contains trillions and trillions of souls across a self-contained multi-verse. Yet despite this vast expanse, there is one place that all souls regularly travel to, The Abyss.
Located at the very center of Noitearc, it is the final destination for all departing souls and the origin point of all souls yet to be born. It is the hub of the wheel of reincarnation. The managers of this wheel are Life and Death themselves. From the Court of the Abyss, they judge the dead and invigorate the living. It was here that Gruffle exited the Door of Death.
All the kon he collected left him and returned to Lady Life from whence it originally came. All the paku he collected fled from him and formed a crowd around the edges of the court as they awaited their judgment. Without them, Gruffle reverted to his previous stature. This irked him, but he knew better than to gripe in the presence of his boss and his boss’s wife. Instead, he went down to one knee and said,
“Wish Reaper Gruffle returning from the field. I have completed one of the objectives of my Final Wish.” He held out the gourd containing Eric’s soul. “May I have the honor of wiping his memory clean myself?”
“You may do so as soon as you become an official Probationary Duty Reaper,” Lord Death replied. “As soon as I upgrade your scythe, you will acquire this new status.”
“Say what? I haven’t finished my Final Wish yet!”
“Nulso Xialin is dead,” Lord Death said. “Eric Watley is dead. You traded your right to kill Lunas Latrot in exchange for a Royal Right of Annual Decimation in Latrot. Therefore, your Final Wish has been completed.”
“Okay...sure... I’m ready to become an official probie duty...” he snickered, “reaper.”
Lord Death held out his hand. “Now you may begin paying your debt to me.”
Gruffle generated his scythe of moldy wood and rusty metal and offered it up. A dark and regal aura surrounded it. The symbol of office left Gruffle’s hands and floated to the one who gave it to him in the first place. The elder god’s eyes flashed as he examined it.
“Hmm...As is written in the Book of Death, wish reapers must make an accounting of themselves upon completing their Final Wish.”
“Shoot...ah, your um...Deathliness.”
“You agitated spirits and involved them in your grudge.”
“They were let in by Eric poking a hole in reality!”
“You placed the Mark of Thanatos upon a mortal that you had sworn to kill as part of your Final Wish. That is two strikes in one action.”
“It was a good deal! Err, I mean, one less unscheduled killing, right?”
“You attempted to murder someone outside the parameters of your Final Wish, and tried to use the Necrotic Tongue to do so.”
“That was self-defense! She cut my head off first!”
“You used a necrotic contract to force a mortal to complete your Final Wish for you.”
“I had no choice! I couldn’t do it myself because of that Abyssing annoying Priestess!”
“You prevented that same mortal’s death with that same contract, thereby forcing him to endure a state between life and death. Such a thing is abominable in our presence.”
“I had no idea that would happen!”
“You used an official reaper authority gained through your Final Wish against someone you developed a grudge for after becoming a reaper.”
“That’s not fair! The dagger ears wouldn’t let me kill this guy!”
“Wish Reapers are not allowed to use the authority of official reapers. This followed your warning from the Overseer of Necrocraft and your probationary officer.”
Gruffle quivered. “I’m...still okay, right? I’m covered by the wish thing, right?”
“Before I pass judgment, I will consult Samael.”
The Right Hand of Death appeared at his right side. Her demeanor was frosty as always but especially so when she saw Gruffle. She curtsied to her master and said, “Lord Death, I have come as you called. What task do you have for me?”
“I seek your assessment of Probationary Duty Reaper Gruffle. Is he deserving of punishment for what he has done during his time as a Wish Reaper?”
“Yes, he is. Given his pattern of behavior, I see no reason to believe that he will accord himself properly while on official duty.”
If it were possible for a reaper to wet himself, Gruffle would have done so. He instinctively knew what Lord Death could levy as punishment. Gunrai assured him that he would stay on the legal side of the Abyss’s laws, but now here he was, about to sentenced.
“My recommendation, my lord,” Samael said, “is that Benjamin E. Gruffle be sentenced to re-education in the proper Reaper mindset. Part of this shall be to re-experience his own death, repeatedly, so he may develop empathy for those that will be in his care. Before he can hold a scythe again, he must pass through one thousand Nether cycles; eight hundred and fifty with good behavior.”
Upon hearing this, the former troll turned tail and ran away. He couldn’t help it. As soon as he was outmatched, he would run away, even if it was pointless. When Lord Death paralyzed him before he took a single step, he was not surprised.
“Agreed,” the co-lord of the Abyss said, “and five more cycles for attempting to run.”
His right arm shifted into a scythe. From blade to shaft, it was made of semi-solid necrotic light. Unique in all of Creation, it was the ultimate authority for reapers everywhere.
Lord Death tapped Gruffle’s head with the scythe’s blade and chains encircled him. A door opened behind him and these chains dragged him through it. The only sound was that of the door closing.
Then a second Door of Death appeared and Neuro stepped out. As soon as he had both feet in the Abyss, he went down to one knee and said, “Please forgive my intrusion, Lord and Lady of the Abyss, but I wish to bring a matter of urgent and pressing need to your attention.”
“What is it, Third Class Rookie Reaper Neuro?” Lord Death asked.
“I seek to know if it is possible for me to claim my own Final Wish.”
“Oh?” Lord Death raised an eyebrow. “I don’t recall you having any unfinished business.”
“I didn’t know myself, Your Eternalness, but I do. As I was born and breed for your service, I was
arrogant in my station. I sought the death of an innocent child; not out of mercy or to facilitate the cycle of souls but out of blind and misguided devotion to petty dogma. I wish to demonstrate that I realize my mistake.”
“Very well, what is your Final Wish?”
“To release Eric Watley from imprisonment, escort him to his adoptive homeworld outside of the Abyss, and reinsert him into his body so that he may resume inhabiting it and continue living as he did before he was killed.”
Lord Death stared. He snapped the fingers of his right hand. The gourd Gruffle carried appeared within it. He placed his left hand upon it and paused.
“If I allow this, you will become Gruffle’s new probationary officer and provide him with both training and education. Impress upon him the strength and wisdom of your new understanding of your faith and duty. You must do this in addition to your standard duties as the official reaper of World Fruit M-G-G-L-N-2-8-1-4.”
“I will, my lord. I thank you for your mercy and benevolence.”
Lord Death removed the stopper in Gruffle’s gourd and a stream of black fire emerged from within. It took the shape of an anxious Eric Watley, who relaxed instantly when he saw Neuro. Then he looked around with interest.
“So this is the Court of the Abyss. It’s not how I imagined it would look like.”
Neuro cleared his spiritual throat and Eric genuflected next to him.
“Lord and Lady Abyss, I mean that in the best possible sense. The majesty of your realm was beyond my mortal comprehension.”
It might have been his imagination, but did he just see the stoic and solemn anthropomorphic personification of death crack a smile?
“Third Class Rookie Reaper Neuro has volunteered to guide you home.”
“Really?!” Eric asked. Neuro nodded. “Thanks!”
Lady Life spun of a ball of shimmering white light and held it in the palm of one hand.
“This is a fraction of the kon that Gruffle stole from the people of Latrot. They no longer have any need of it, so I will grant it to you, Eric Watley, as an apology for how my husband’s servant has mistreated you. It will mend your body.”
“You have my deepest thanks, Lady Life. Your generosity and kindness are matched only by your beauty.”
She smiled and levitated the sphere to Neuro. He accepted it with due reverence and placed it within his cloak.
Lord Death’s scythe arm slashed the air next to him and reality split in two. From that gap, a regal door of hard black light appeared. It was closed.
“Push it open, and prove that you possess the strength to leave my presence.”
Eric appraised the door. “...Did Mori Enaz try this?”
“Yes, and he failed,” Lord Death said. “He used all his strength, wisdom, and magical ability but could not budge it. How will you succeed where he did not?”
“I left my mortality behind in Mt. Fiol and became a gilded spirit. I have a god’s strength, an immortal’s wisdom, and an elf’s magical ability.” Eric placed both hands on the door. “Like everything else in Noitearc, this door is fundamentally transparent mana.” He took a breath and stepped through the door.
Neuro bowed to his lord, and then to his lord’s lady, and followed Eric.
Back in the world fruit M-G-G-L-N-2-8-1-4, on the planet known as Tariatla, and within the body of water called the Latlis Sea, and on top of a pillar of rock, two girls continued to mourn Eric’s passing. When a Door of Death appeared in their midst, they did not care. Then two hands pushed their heads apart and lifted their chins. It was Eric and he was smiling carelessly.
“Hi,” he said while drying their eyes. “Miss me?”
Kallen was too stunned to speak. She didn’t even breathe. Annala cried harder and said, “It’s already happened. I’ve turned into Aunt Tris already.”
Eric stuck two fingers in his mouth, and then into Annala’s left ear and Kallen’s right. They shrieked and pushed him over. Then Kallen turned on Magic Sight and examined him while poking him. Annala hesitantly turned to Perrault. She was heartened by the wolf’s annoyed expression at the phantom of Eric, but she still had to ask.
“Perrault, my familiar, you are connected to me and would never sugar coat things for me. Please, tell me, is he real?”
Perrault sighed. “Yes, he’s real. You may commence with the mushy reunion.”
Annala’s lips were locked onto Eric’s before the end of the second sentence. Kallen smiled as broadly as possible and smacked his head.
“Idiot...Making us worry like that...! He could have told us...”
As the kiss continued, Perrault tapped her human feet and said, “Break it up, you two. Just because neither of you needs to breathe is no reason to prolong your face sucking. There’s the next mission to plan for and...you can’t hear me, can you?”
She sighed, went back to wolf form, and settled in for a nap. Kallen, still smiling broadly, sat next to her, petted her, and thought of how joyous it would be to have both her adoptive younger sister and birth younger sister at her side, and how soon that day would come.
Miles away, in the very center of Latrot, Ariel Selios knelt before the Grand Obelisk. She wore the robes of his clergy and had his Piercing Eye tattooed on her forehead. Her eyes gleamed with her new divinity. Like her sister, she spent the last two months meditating to achieve apotheosis. She was now a gilded spirit, but unlike her sister, she retained a neutral elemental alignment. This was necessary to accomplish the task Order had assigned her.
“I understand, my Lord Order,” she said reverently. “To prove my loyalty to your cause, I will pacify my sister and convince her of the error of her ways. If this is not possible, I will kill her along with Eric Watley.”
Eric’s Journey Concludes!
Journey to Chaos Book 5: The Highest Power
However, I don’t have a preview ready for it. I have something else. While proofing this book, I came up with the idea of a short story anthology as a companion to this series. Right now, it is called “Before Eric Arrived” and will feature backstories for certain characters.
Why did Basilard agree to be Eric’s bodyguard? What was Tiza’s life like before she joined the Dragon’s Lair? How did Nolien ended up joining a mercenary guild? Finally, a glimpse at the reality of Annala’s life instead of the metaphors present in this book. This last one is currently being written. Bear in mind that what you are about to read is the roughest of rough drafts.
Before Eric Arrived: Annala.
Annala’s hair whipped behind her as Albatros IX landed. It was much more energetic than she felt. As the airship’s claws found purchase, her hair settled down. Limp and dull was a better reflection of her mood. A hatch opened and another girl ran out and hugged her.
“How’s my favorite elven sister?”
The pilot lifted her up and spun her about.
“Fine,” Annala mumbled.
“Annala, greet your sister properly,” her mother said. “She went out of her way to pick you up and took a break from work to help you settle in.”
Annala pushed her sister away and glowered at her mom. “Why should I? I don’t want to live in a stinking hive of temps! You’re basically exiling me!”
Her mom put her hands on her hips. “With that attitude, it will definitely be an exile. What did Sister Sagart —”
“You mean, Sister Saggy Guts?” Annala interrupted.
“Kallen, if you would...”
Annala’s sister smacked the back of her head.
“What did Sister Sagart teach you about the proper attitude?”
Annala sighed in exaggerated fashion. “Attitude shapes perception and perception shapes reality. You have the freedom to change your attitude, so you also have the power to change your reality.”
“Keep that in mind during your trip.”
“It will be impossible not to! Kallen made me listen to it every day by sitting on me and pinning my wrists.”
“You’ll thank me for that someday,” Kallen said.
“Besides, I only had to do that the first few times.”
“It was more than a few times!”
“But it wasn’t every time, right?”
“...Well...maybe...” Kallen stared at her and, under her big sister’s gaze, she cracked and blurted, “Okay! I admit it. Listening to her wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”
“And?” Kallen asked.
“...and she helped me.”
“Aaaanndddd?” Kallen asked.
“And she’s like my grandmother, I owe her a lot, and she has the wisdom of a sage! What do you want from me?”
Kallen hugged her again. It was a gentle grip while stroking her hair. Whispering in her ear, Kallen said, “I want you to smile again.”
Instead, Annala started crying. She clutched her adoptive big sister and sobbed into her chest.
“How can I smile when I’m going to outlive you?”
Kallen rubbed her back and rocked her back and forth. Looking over her head at their mom, she said, “The next time you see her, she will be happy. I promise.”
Afterword
I know I said this would be published in 2016, but stuff came up. I feel bad about that. Hopefully, you found this book to be worth the wait.
I had a plan going into this book, but the story kept branching out in unrelated directions, so time was needed to keep it all together. I love it when that happens. Sure, it made this particular book take longer, but it also sowed the seeds of other stories that I can write within this world. Two threads, in particular, gave birth to a potential Zettai-centered spin-off. Frankly, it amazes me how much story potential is in that little girl; her initial purpose was basically world building for Ceiha and now she’s likely going to become a protagonist in her own right. Nor did I expect Gruffle to become a major villain.
Granted, he’s still a thug manipulated by the real villains, but that he could serve as The Heavy is still significant. I thought of him initially as a grunt who wouldn’t appear outside of Looming Shadow. It’s fascinating how those things develop without my knowing.
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