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Life and Death Chaper One
There was something peculiar about the new surroundings Sonja had found herself in. She had just woken up from an unexpected slumber, not sure what had happened for her to black out so suddenly. Aside from the faint chirping of birds, her fuzzy wolf ears atop her head can't give her helpful clues. Her right crimson eye couldn’t pick up on the changes on her body as her left golden one did, but she can only guess where here is.
From the gentle sniffs she gave off and her claws scratching the rough ground, it’s now clear she is in a cave. Her breathing pinged off concave walls. The sun was beginning to peek through the entrance ahead of her. The stalagmites around her were chipped from wear and tear, and aren't tall enough to reach the ceiling. The leaves that are scattered around the floor smell fresh.
“I don't remember this cave anywhere near my territory. I'm in the same forest… right?”
When she tried to sit up straight, there was a sharp pain in Sonja’s back and legs. It felt as if her body was being pulled apart by horses. She padded the freshly wrapped bandages across her plump body from the neck to her hips; she couldn't even rest her body against the wall, hissing at the piercing pain that came from her back. Blood was loosely dripped out the moment she moved. Thick sticks were tied to the sides of her legs, acting as though they supported her legs. Could they have been broken? The question just as important as how she got injured is who patched her up?
It was as if someone had heard her thoughts, as there were incoming footsteps by the cave’s mouth. Though unable to properly move, Sonja makes sure to put up a dangerous front, turning her body to face the entrance. With a low growl, Sonja snaps at the intruder, using the beast within her as her weapon.
“Whoever you are, don’t come any closer! I’ll rip off your arms and use them to slice your head from your neck.”
“Well, it is good to know you are awake…”
As the hybrid’s eyes adjusted, she was finally able to see who this mystery man is. Even with the sun’s rays, his body was discernible. He wears nothing but black from his hooded cloak to his long pants to his shoes. It’s strange that he didn’t wear a shirt when it’s the beginning of spring. His eyes were a deep brown to the point where they could be mistaken for onyx crystals; one of them covered by dark uneven hair. His face was practically glowing, with rusted rings that pierce his skin from his eyebrow to his lips. Despite his eccentric presence, there’s something about him that fascinates her, for this is no normal man. “Time to eat.”
“Who are you? Why did you bring me here?”
The stranger’s face didn't change as he was being interrogated-although it doesn't help that she was not at all frightening. Not bothering to glance at her, he steps closer to Sonja-who was still wary about her jailor’s intentions. She leaned over so that she figured out what he was doing. Something was now being dragged against the gravel. It was the carcass of a powerful buck, its horns chipped at the tips and abdomen leaking crimson liquid.
“You are hungry. Eat.”
“Why are you helping me?”
The stranger must’ve loved to keep his “guests” in suspense, hiding behind deafening silence as he let go of Sonja’s meal. The two were now at a standstill, their eyes locked onto each other.
There was no point in food and the gesture going to waste-and her stomach did begin to growl at the scent of blood after all. The weakened woman decides to crawl over to the lying buck, baring her fangs as they plunge into its flesh. In her mind, an herbivore isn’t going to be strong enough to feed her, but who knows how long she was asleep? Better to eat smaller meals than throw up a big one. Finally, able to use her exposed claws, Sonja tears at the animal’s flesh as she drains the last of its blood and turns to the meat.
“Slow down. You will get sick.”
At the opposite wall of the cave, the stranger sat slovenly with his hood down, watching as Sonja devoured her supper (Lunch? Breakfast?). He’s studying her every move. Gradually slowing down to a stop, Sonja wiped the excess from her mouth, in desperate need of answers.
“I guess I should be thanking you, but I don’t know your name.”
“It is not necessary.”
“Please, I don’t know what happened, but from this,” she paused to look down at her tattered body, “I can only assume you saved my life. Look, I’ll start. My name is Sonja, what’s yours?”
“…The sooner you eat, the sooner you will heal,” the man grunted, averting his gaze and shifting his dark hair behind his ear.
“Um okay…you are one of the few people I met who aren’t bothered by my eyes and ears. You can’t be used to that sort of thing or at least, not without some fear or paranoia.”
“…You are not the first vampire/werewolf hybrid I have stumbled across in my years. Rather, you are one of the last. And in a world where there are no more pure vampires and werewolves, you are a rare commodity.”
Sonja can’t help but grit her teeth, never once had she seen herself as a common trophy for a human hunter. To think she was the same rank as a stuffed bear. Is it wrong for her to think of slapping her savior across the face? She shook the thought from her head, for she needed an answer to the biggest question yet.
“What happened to me? The bandages? The braces on my legs? Did I almost die from something… or someone?”
This excessive need to remain silent is exhausting, as the woman has every right to know what happened to her. Somewhere along the lines, the ebony-clad man knew that is true and recalled what he could.
“At first, I had no intention of interfering. If I had any common sense, leaving you to die should have been a reasonable choice. I did not care much for you. Rather, I cared about the creatures you were up against.
“You were fighting lower-class demons, a small but potent amount of them. Commonly monstrous with small horns and different hues of violet skin. Some of them were already dead-or what their kind considers as “dead”-but they could land a few hits, specifically your legs. Something tells me that you primarily use them in battle. At that point, I knew you were on the edge, so leaving you to die with dignity was the first thought that crossed my mind.”
“What stopped you from leaving me to die?”
“The fact that one of them cried ‘For the dishonorable Red Queen of Hell! Just give up and come with us!’. If the Ruler of the Pits wanted you, I knew I had to aide you, or so I thought. It turns out you didn’t need my help. You apparently had a strange power inside of you, using a full blast of energy against them when they were huddled up was a reckless but convincing plan.”
“You mentioned only my legs were injured, but what happened to my torso?”
“One of the demons escaped the blast and swiftly rushed behind to stab you multiple times. She’s a crafty one, but frantic, so one good punch forced her off. I did not allow you to die, searched for the nearest decent shelter-this cave-, and treated your wounds. I do not prefer to be a healer, but I was successful in doing so.”
Sonja’s memories flooded back as her newly discovered savior told his tale everything finally fell into place. She was running from one of the many people she despised. The ones she had once called family, the very goddesses and gods that rule this world, only to find out she was nothing but a pawn in an ongoing game.
“It sounds like you know who sent those demons after me quite closely.”
“Let us just say that she and I have quite the history together.”
Discord, the Crimson Queen of Hell. A goddess bent on letting chaos reign and calling it “free will”. To have any sort of interaction with her meant that one’s luck was about to run out quickly. For this person to have met her at least once and still be standing, well, he must have done something to deserve her punishment.
“Thank you, for saving me…I still would like to know your name, since it seems like I’m going to be here for a while.”
With a heavy sigh as though talking was putting a strain on his body, the man rises from the floor and makes his way towards the exit. He lets out a hushed murmur that reverberated from the walls.
“You will not be here long. There is no point in telling you my name…”
And just like that, he was gone, off to the forest that screams freedom. Sonja is intrigued by this man, for if Lucifer shares a past with him, he is either a valuable ally or a dangerous foe.
Life and Death Chaper Two
Every day for a month it was the same routine between Sonja and her inky hero. He delivered her food every few days in the form of a dead animal, replaced her bandages, and then left to do…whatever it is he did. It’s starting to drive Sonja to the brink of insanity to go through this agenda. The only time she was able to even move was to empty the bloody contents from her body-to which led to constant awkward faces from the obsidian hunter. Worse than that, she still has no clue as to who her temporary ally is, or what his relation is to one of her many adversaries.
But not anymore. Today is the day she is going to be firm with him. No backing down, no matter what he says or doesn’t say.
A few hours passed in the day-it was probably early evening by now-as the cloaked wanderer returns with a new animal for her to feed. Tonight, it is a grizzly bear, whose sides were covered in scars that allowed for bleeding without draining too much.
“Time to eat.”
He laid the creature to rest beside her, as he sat at the opposite side of the cave. So far Sonja has regained some of her strength in her legs, able to move around her makeshift shelter for a short time. However, in the factor that was her bloodied torso, her shaky breathing allowed a few steps before falling to the ground. Thankfully, the meals that she has been receiving increased her healing.
Never one to delay the beast any longer, the hybrid hobbles before the fallen bear, unsheathing her fangs and claws as she feasts with delight.
“Eat slower. Learn some decency.”
“Says the man who refuses to tell me his name after a month...”
“It is not my intention to keep you here for so long. I am doing the best I can just so I can get back to my life.”
It rarely occurred to Sonja that this man had a life out of this cave. Whenever he was here, she could sense the tension slip off his shoulders, proving the outside world was an inconvenience.
“So, you want to tell me how you found this forest? I rarely see humans pass by here, mainly because they’re scared of the monsters that lurk.”
“I take it you are one of the said monsters?”
“…Maybe? Humans are so unoriginal, and I can’t help that I have to keep to myself for obvious reasons.” Her brown wolf ears on top of her head wiggled to prove her point, along with pointing at her eyes with her maroon finger.
“Humans are petty to believe such superstitions.”
“It’s not like they’re wrong… Anyway, are you going to answer my question?”
The ebony traveler really didn’t like to answer Sonja’s questions, preferring silence by any means necessary. But Sonja had more willpower than to be swayed by rudeness, glaring at him while his head was down waiting for a whisper.
“…It is part of my duty. That is all you need to know… It is late. Get some rest.”
As though he was on a hectic schedule, the stranger rose to his feet and left the cave once again, leaving the young woman to ponder his parting words. There is no chance she can get an answer just by talking to him. She wanted to chase him, but the blood of the bear is beginning to weigh her down, forcing her eyes to shut and drift into oblivion.
Sonja wakes up in the middle of the night and sat up in a calm panic as her vision adjusts to the darkness. It could've only been a few hours since she saw her guardian leave their “home”, and yet felt a presence close by.
Her ears picked up something in the distance. Something that wasn’t the nocturnal wildlife that roamed the land. It is the sound of a conversation. One of the speakers sounded familiar.
“Why is he out there? Whom is he talking to?”
Desperate for answers, the woman rested her hand against the closest stalagmite, using her strength to bring her to her feet once more. It was a miracle that her legs are almost back to their proper health, only shaking for a moment until they stabilized. Even though she feels great, it’s best to remember not to push herself.
One step at a time, Sonja lowers her head to exit the cave, breathing in the scent of the pines. The feeling of the dirt between her toes feels more surreal than she thought, as she walks slower.
“I never missed the earth more than I do now, and it’s just within walking distance from that cave…can’t tell now if it was a sanctuary or a prison.”
But now was not the time to explore. It’s time to discover the reason why she was even here. Sonja makes sure to hurry as she searches for the strange sounds, hoping to find out a fragment of truth.
After ten minutes of traversing the woods, the young woman finds the source of the whispering, she holds back her gasp with her hand. Quick on her feet, she crawls into the shrubbery beside her to listen in. She did indeed find her noir hero, but he isn’t alone. He’s with someone she never wanted to see again.
“Can you not read my mind right now?”
“It cannot be helped, it is in my nature. Besides, I do not need to read your mind to know how weak of a King you are. Now, where is she? Your sister needs her more than you do.”
The infamous Bronze Telepathic Goddess, a known warrior of Hell and one of Discord's closest brethren. The woman known as Ghamidah presented herself in a modest manner, wearing faux leather with trademarked feathers surrounding her dress and boots. As the wind blew behind her causing her curls to bounce, Sonja can smell the ash on her that still burned with dying might. Hell always follows the wicked. But there’s something more troubling than her appearance; it was her words that brought a chill to her spine.
“I do not have time for games, Sorrow. Bring her, and you will not hear from me for a long time.”
Life and Death Chaper Three
Of course, it was too good to be true. No way a perfect stranger would save a monster girl from a gang of demons, especially when he has no earthly business wandering through the woods. But this is too much to accept, especially for Sonja who is now paralyzed alongside the bushes.
This is the legendary Onyx King of Death He never seemed to be as pompous or arrogant or even near insane. He was just…distantly kind.
“Do not waste my time. You know she is meant for something far greater than being your playmate.”
“You must have me mistaken. I took her in to heal her, whatever she does when she leaves is up to her.”
It’s surprising to Sonja that Sorrow would just let her run wild after she has recovered-considering it would be violating a direct order from either of his older sisters, one of them being the Devil. Even he has to answer to his superior…
“Hmm…” Ghamidah stops, turning her head to stare in Sonja's direction, “We seem to have a little mouse poking her nose where it does not belong-or in this case, a little puppy…”
Now cursing herself for forgetting she was hiding from a mind reader, Sonja painfully runs away going who knows where. She had no plans to fight in a war between Goddess and Lucifer, no matter how much it matters to the world and its inhabitants. All of her life she has been haunted by reckless murder for different and extreme ideologies, and she wasn't going to be responsible for it anymore.
Lost in both the forest and her mind, the young woman never realized that there is a more pressing evil in front of her than behind. A showdown in the forest is starting to brew.
“…Hello, Ghamidah.”
“Sonja. You know why I’m here.”
“Good to see you, although I’ve always hated the stench on you-or just in general. Sulfur is bad on the nose.”
[“Stop it. Just come quietly with me to Hell. I do not want to hurt you; you are my friend.”]
Sonja can see right through her former ally’s lies, knowing full well what she is to her: a tool. A martyr for a war that will never die. This is too much talk, and there was only one end to it.
“I’d rather die than go to anyone else! I’ll show you how far I’m willing to go!”
With the full force of her body, Sonja gave a running start towards the telepath, ramming into her with nothing but brute strength. Perhaps it was her pride blinding her, or even her rage for Sorrow, but whatever it is, it took away all the strategic planning she needed right now. Ghamidah simply side-steps away from the attack, raising her leg and striking down against her back and slamming her to the ground. It wasn’t the pain that made Sonja wince and shudders, but it was the fact that her bandages were turning from beige to red.
Nearly a suicidal move, the hybrid decides on something that would cause her to die: turn into the beast that rages inside of her. Pooling all the energy she has, her body grows bigger, furrier, and less human (or vampire in this case) by the minute. Now only a brute of a werewolf towers before Ghamidah.
“…Why even fight when I know you are in great pain?”
Her eyes now pretentiously closed, Ghamidah balls her hand into a fist and punched her way inside Sonja’s stomach, gripping at her insides with little remorse. The poor animal can’t even stand, already on her knees before her friend. But with dying optimism, Sonja is happy to die. Anything is better than going back to Hell fully intact. Now with nothing left to keep her awake, Sonja’s eyes snap shut, ready for whatever awaits her on the other side.
However, after expecting the worst, the woman groggily opens her eyes, unable to move when she spots a familiar face.
“You! You’re the Grim Reaper! You’re Sorrow!” she shouts as she fails to sit up.
“So, you know who I am. You should be happy I found you before Ghamidah almost killed you.”
He sounds more furious than usual, so the hybrid chooses to be gentle with her questions.
“What-argh!”
“Your wounds need tending to again. Lie down and shut up. It is hard enough for me to do this without you interrupting.”
“Not until you tell me the truth! I heard you two talking about me. Are you going to hand me over to anyone? Or do you just plan to have me stuck between dead or alive! You don’t make any goddamn sense, so just tell me what you want!”
The glare from her eyes was stronger than the brows that furrowed, as her hands were clenching with fury. There is no way to avoid how her emotions ruled over logic, but Sorrow just wants some peace and quiet.
“…You really are a pain. Do you think I wanted to be your keeper when I found you? The fact that Discord is going to this much length to bring you back makes it even more troublesome, so why is it you cannot just die already?!”
“YOU THINK I HAVEN’T BEEN TRYING?!”
The Reaper sits silently, wanting to retort until he heard her words and is confused by what she screamed.
“I’ve wanted to die for a very long time. I have nothing left to live for, and the people that I thought I could trust-your cursed family-just want to use me. Where’s the sense in going on after that!? They can find another gullible human to put into a trance. I’m better off dead far away from any of them, including you!”
Barely even after she finished, Sorrow strikes her across the face, her cheek stinging red with chills. Eyes wide and hand nursing her new mark, Sonja didn’t back down and cry but only sits quietly.
“You think I have not tried to stop this? Do you think I want to be remembered as their brother? That I could have kept them from killing each other long ago? I do not, but I make sure I bear that cross every day for the rest of my life; Goddess knows I’m not going to die anytime soon…” The King had to take a deep breath, turning away from Sonja while clutching his left temple. She wanted to say something, but when she spots his hand turning pitch black and exposing his skeleton, she inches away to hide her fear.
“But you? You seem to enjoy complaining about it than doing something. Do you really want to put others’ lives at risk to save yourself? End your life after the sacrifices I can only assume people have made for you to be here? Something tells me you did not want to hurt Ghamidah when you saw her. Do not tell me you would rather watch a young human die, much less entire towns being used as battlegrounds. My sisters may have every one of our kind pinned against each other, but they all have their reasons to fight; some of them even have stronger wishes not to. You might be just as self-centered as them if you do not make up your mind. Do not think you are being selfless because you will not fight…I have tried…”
Sonja wants so desperately to close her ears and not hear the painful truth that haunted her for months, but the Reaper’s words sounded genuine and filled with enough agony for a dozen men. How much of the blame did he have to endure for something his sisters do? Just how cruel was life for Death in his own kingdom? Whatever it was, he spoke with valor that was more honest than anything she had been told.
With a huff and a rip of the last of her new bandages, the Ebony King stands up and gladly leaves. And with that, all that remains is a lonely girl to reflect on those harsh words…
Life and Death Final Chaper
It has been a long grueling week since Sorrow and Sonja spoke to each other-sans the awkward grunts and silent nods. It’s clear that they were in two different states of mind to the point where they would rip each other’s throats just to be right. The two were also obviously used to being without any form of friendly communication, but now that they had quite the dose of it, it makes their encounters more unbearable. But even with silence, there’s always something to do in the meantime, and for Sonja, it was to both think and practice.
Whenever Sorrow left to do whatever it was he did-whether it was collecting souls or hunting animals (like there was much of a distinction), Sonja’s left to her own devices-trying to take the past events to heart. It was true that she didn’t want any more bloodshed for the sake of this war, but she was born into it. And this was no different...was it?
All the hybrid ever wanted was to do some good for this world, but never knew what it could be. As she was trying to decipher her actions, her hands began to glow an opaque white, blinding her with tears that she had been holding in for years.
“What good are these powers if I do nothing with them? If I can’t even control them, or myself? My survival meant too much to me to the point where I’ve become selfish too…”
While her mind pulses with her revelation, her hands begin to burn brighter, passing through her arms and the rest of her body. Her magic was finally back.
Meanwhile, Sorrow-waiting just outside the cave’s entrance-gently drops the specially prepared mountain lion beside him, watching as to how his roommate finally regains her power after her indecisiveness…which saddens his decayed heart. Despite how harshly he spoke to her, he finds that he’s developing something for her that was entirely foreign but a wonder to have. Is this what they call “friendship”? Now that it looks like she made a choice in what to do. She is going to leave, forcing him back into the shadows of solitude.
“Are you going to stand there all night, or are you going to come in?”
Sorrow’s vision focuses back on Sonja, miraculously healed and standing as though nothing happened. The pair still feel uncomfortable having a full minute of eye contact, but to even have their voices heard is a step forward.
“...Forgive me...I am just tired.”
Suddenly with the courage to walk forward, the young woman wraps her arms around the King’s body, embracing his cold skin while feeling his chest rise. Unsure of what to do, he merely mimics her movements, but it’s just as genuine as hers as he savors her warmth.
“Thank you…for talking some sense into me. I was angry for so long...I couldn’t help myself.”
“I was merely speaking my mind, I do not need thanks for that. Besides, I was angry as well.”
“Yes, you do. You're a good person, just really… quiet.”
Sonja lets out a small giggle at her compliment but releases him when she spots her meal by his foot.
“A cougar! How did you know that is my favorite?”
“…I got lucky and it attacked me.”
After a half-hour of devouring a ferocious feline down to the bone marrow, it’s time for Sorrow and Sonja to discuss what was bound to happen: the end of their arrangement. The Ebony King is no longer obligated to tend to a magical hybrid that is now fully healed, and it’s clear that this would be the last time they see each other…right? The male can’t contain his curiosity any longer, acting before thinking as he asks the ultimate question.
“What are you going to do now? Are you going to fight for Heaven or Hell?”
“…I’ve been trying to figure that out all this time…I want to fight, but not for either of them. I want to stay with you.”
The second she finished her sentence, the Reaper nearly coughs out a lung, unsure of whether he heard wrong. Is she looking for a death sentence-no pun intended-?
“As far as I know, there are four kingdoms, two Queens and two Kings. I’m already accustomed to Earth, so why not plant myself with someone I trust? The King of Earth himself?”
“But…I am not a worthy King; it is just a title that holds little meaning.”
“If I can’t have self-pity, neither can you. Besides, something tells me you aren’t sick of me just yet. So, will you have me as your ward?”
To even believe this is an option was outrageous…but at the same time, brought so much joy to Sorrow. Sonja could be stubborn, dismal, and literally monstrous to the point where she was a danger to others and herself. However, she was also considerate, honest, and brave. It was clear. She could be ready to defend her new friend and his honor until her time comes to an end.
As if he were to remain silent forever, Sonja’s starting to have doubts about whether he wants her around anymore-until he cradles her head and brings her to his chest, confirming his answer.
“It will not be easy.”
“When has it ever been for creatures like us? By the way… Can I call you ‘Lucius’ from now on?”
“Why?”
“You are more than just an emotion; you are the brightest light I’ve known in my life. One that convinced me to keep on going, more than anything. You deserve a name that proves that you’re so much more to others-starting with me…I don’t have to if you-!”
“No…Please call me Lucius from now on. I like it…”
Sorrow's Sequential
I was told this was a normal thing; that with these dark yet essential powers, I'd be a strong and just king. But I was scared. None of my sisters and brothers have what I have. If I ever went too far...well, if I felt bad for the small rabbit I met when I discovered my abilities, I'd be mortified about a human.
At least the one person who wasn't afraid of me was my twin brother, Isambard, for he had a power worse than me...
...But it was these powers that ended our bond. Isambard couldn't contain his "capabilities" to where he destroyed an entire island. My elder sisters saw this not as a threat to our home or the inhabitants, but to their rule over all of us. Even worse, I was the only one who could and had to get rid of him. I can still see that look in his eyes... Agony, misery...betrayal. It continues to haunt me to this day more than anything in my millennia of existence.
I forced him into Purgatory just because he was trying to prove he's a good person, but was too far feared when I'm not around. My sisters saw this as a chance to appear more godlike than they already are. Until then, I never wondered where the souls of the dead go after I lead them through the portal, but I do know that it's a monotonous hellscape.
This was the first of many tragedies to come...
From transforming humans into monsters to manipulating our own kin, to even a full-scale war, I couldn't take it anymore. I renounced my title as King and left everything behind as my family grew heavily divided. If my sisters wanted to obliterate everything they built just so fate can decide who will be the "One True Queen", then let them. I'd prefer giving their "sacrifices" comfort leaving this world behind; their ghostly wails burden my heart more than anything...and I could have prevented it all...
But even with the destruction, they leave behind, hope can grow from the most unlikely of people-or creatures in this case. Amidst the war, there grew a woman of bat and wolf, used as another pawn by Goddesses White and Red. She escaped, lost in both the world and her damaged psyche...just like me. It was as if we were destined to join forces, free everyone from this unending torture...even fall in love.
However, these small victories couldn't last. Her light has gone out not half a night ago, my brothers and sisters stripped of their souls and reduced to nothing, and ironically I shall follow suit. There may be nothing left of this world soon. As my body decays back to its true form and my essence is devoured by a monster in a familiar vessel, my only wish is that this world and my onyx torch can keep moving forward.
Sonja...I hope to join you soon.