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Death was just waiting to pick up a new arrival who’d been around for ages. It was a peculiar case indeed; he did notice his guest was also scheduled to appear before someone else, someone well above his station.
“Hello, Death.” A voice like running fluids pierced the blank emptiness of the void. Death paused for the briefest of moments; even he felt insignificant compared to the Axolotl’s magnitude. “GREETINGS, O GREAT ONE. I ASSUMED YOU HAD MORE IMPORTANT BUSINESS TO DEAL WITH.”
“I am afraid this cannot wait. It is an urgent matter unto itself.” “AND WHAT COULD REQUIRE THE MIGHTY AXOLOTL’S ATTENTION?” The larger being let its tongue slide out. “The one you are expecting invoked my name.”
Death’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “DID HE? WAS HE THAT DESPERATE TO ESCAPE MY CLUTCHES? OR WAS IT JUST A COINCIDENCE, A HAPPY ACCIDENT?” “This was no mistake; it is as Jheselbraum and I foretold.”
Death removed his hood. “AH YES, THAT GRACEFUL ORACLE OF YOURS. SHE ALWAYS HAD A KNACK FOR GUIDING ME TO MY NEXT VISITORS, AND THEN SOME.” “I am flattered that you speak so highly of me, Death.” A voice like sweetened honey rang out, and Death turned around to see where it came from.
A slim figure wearing robes walked forward. “LADY JHESELBRAUM, I SEE THAT TIME AND DISTANCE HAVE NOT DIMINISHED YOUR BEAUTY. YOU ARE AS LOVELY AS WHEN WE LAST SAW EACH OTHER.” As Death spoke, her seven eyes widened, her gaze drifted, her lips curved into a sheepish smile, and her face turned a darker shade of purple as she blushed at the praises being given.
“Oh, stop it. When we first met, you offered to take me to your home reality instead of studying to be an Oracle. You even told those intoxicated leech-worms lurking in the alleyways you’d be there to collect them.” Death shrugged. “I DO NOT CONDONE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OTHERS FOR PERSONAL GAIN. BUT WHILE YOU WERE UNABLE TO SEE YOUR OWN FUTURE AT THE TIME, YOU RECOGNIZED THE POTENTIAL AFTER ENCOUNTERING YOUR SOON-TO-BE MASTER.”
Jheselbraum giggled in delight, then changed her expression into something somber. “I am sure you have heard?” Death nodded. “THOUGH SUCH A FATE WOULD HAVE BEFALLEN HIM EVENTUALLY; THE FOLLY RESULTING FROM A RASH DECISION OR ILL-PLANNED DEAL. I KNOW YOU TWO WERE… CLOSE. VERY CLOSE.”
Jheselbraum stared downwards in regret. “I had not yet received my gift of sight, and so failed to see what he would become. The anger within him consumed our reality, then many more. When given the chance to avenge it all, I could not accept that his power surpassed my own until it nearly cost me my life.”
The Axolotl slithered between them. “Bill believed he would not call upon me, and that his plans would succeed; he was gravely mistaken. I am leaving to confront him.” Death put his hood back on. “I BID YOU GOOD LUCK, AXOLOTL.” Jheselbraum nodded. “Send him my regards, master.”
The Axolotl vanished in a flash of light.
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Death found himself in the surprising company of a fellow soul-snatcher, though he noticeably wasn’t one content with just waiting around.
“SO, YOU ARE THE BEAST OF THE UNKNOWN?” A large tree-like creature with branches for hands and glowing white eyes stood before Death. “I did not plan on coming here! I must continue to trap those who stray from the beaten path!”
Death materialized an hourglass that had filled with sand at the bottom. “MY APOLOGIES, BUT I AM AFRAID YOUR TIME HAS ALREADY PASSED. BESIDES, ONE MUST BE MORE PROFESSIONAL AND DISCREET, NOT SO AGRESSIVE IN WHAT OUR ACTIONS ENTAIL.”
“No! Curse you, Woodsman!” The Beast howled in rage as Death’s scythe struck him down.
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Andrias Leviathan, King of Amphibia, had been visited by Death many times before; Death had never been able to claim him due to his lord’s interference. Andrias glowered at the skeletal figure before him.
“Here to complain once more about not getting the chance to take me? No matter. When I join my ancestors in the Core, I will not need to worry about you ever again.” Death made no movements. “DO NOT FORGET THAT EVERYTHING DIES, OR IS OTHERWISE FORGOTTEN. YOU AND YOUR MASTER WILL JOIN YOUR CHILDHOOD FRIENDS EVENTUALLY.”
Andrias bristled with rage at the mention of Barrel and Leif, reaching for his sword which he ignited. Death didn’t flinch as a blade of fire passed right through him. “You dare speak of my friends?! Father was right about friends leaving one behind! Those traitors…”
“WERE THE ONLY CONSCIENCE YOU TRULY HAD. AND NOW THEY ARE GONE,” an unfazed Death replied smoothly. “NOW THERE IS NOTHING IN YOUR LIFE KEEPING YOU FROM NOT SEEING THE DELUSIONS OF YOUR FATHER AND HIS PRECURSORS. YOUR ANGER AND THE CORE’S MANIPULATIONS WILL CONSUME YOU AND EVERYONE YOU MEET.”
Years later, as he and his lord lay defeated by mere humans, Andrias realized Death had been right.