~A Final Choice~ (Skephalo)

Chapter 13: A Gatekeeper.

~??? pov~

I cross the smoky border into the war torn wasteland. Everything seemed to be on fire, dried and burnt blood decorated the cracked ground.

Being weary of my black dress, I carry a knife with a jeweled handle for protection. It would be a worst case scenario that I would actually have to use it, so lets just hope I don't run into a demon.

After all, I'm not welcome here. Not after everything that has happened.

I continue walking on my own through what was once the demons' kingdom, a hint of disappointment fogging my mind as I pass the shredded ruins of building and piles of trash.

They did this to themselves, and for what? Power?

I slow as I shake my head, the black veil coving my face swaying with my careful movements.

It's such a waste. War is never worth the toll it brings.

I tip my sunhat with respect for the fallen.

We may have won the war, but at a great cost of demon and angel life alike...

As I continue across the burning plains of hell, I act as a scout for any signs of life.

I approach a pile of garbage before stopping, sighing to myself.

I know XD told me not to be here, and maybe it isn't my place to be on what was once a battlefield not too long ago, but XD is barely old enough to consider himself a god, and he will learn one way or another that he has no power over me.

The soft sound of footsteps breaks my thoughts. I listen carefully, and then one of my hands instinctively goes to my dagger, and I put the other out in front of me. Whatever was walking around was coming right towards me.

I wait for the suspected demon to come around the pile of trash. It quite unexpectedly didn't seem to notice my presence, and continued until it had rounded the corner to face me.

Was it a demon like I had expected, yes. But there was something I hadn't taken into account as I look down at the tiny figure.

It was a child, looking around the ground, like it had lost something. It was carrying a slightly burned, woven basket.

That's when the kid looked up at me, and I got the first glimpse of its features that were hidden by a very short, hooded cloak.

The kid had milky, pure white eyes and skin the color of the night sky on earth. Its small horns pointed straight up, and its hair was short and knotted. It was wearing baggy, dark grey pants and a light grey tunic, one that seemed to be slightly torn, and dusty. It wasn't even wearing shoes...

The kid blinked at me a few times, before giving me the warmest smile I had ever seen, showing his slightly pointed teeth as he held the basket up for me.

"Are these yours, miss?" He inquired in a sweet voice.

I lift the cover off the basket, keeping my hand on my dagger, to see what was inside.

What I found shocked me, and left me slightly heartbroken.

The basket was full of broken sword hilts, handles, and decorative jewels. All of which belonged to fallen soldiers. 

I look back a the kid, and then crouch down, trying to seem less intimidating.

Demon children are rare, mainly because demons don't normally get along with each other, let alone other species. So what is this one doing out here?

Taking a deep breath, as to keep my voice steady, I begin to ask him a few questions.

"What's your name darling? Where are your parents?"

The kids grin dropped into a confused frown, before he responded.

"I don't know, Momma told me to leave a few days ago and to not come back."

"Can you take me to where that was?" I ask, horrified that a mother would abandon her kid, especially one who seemed so young.

The sweet grin returned to the child's face.

"Of course miss, follow me!"

The kid begins to lead me through the deserted battlefields of hell, and even with my extraordinary height, I could still see no life in the vast cave space.

I follow the kid to a known fortress, where he stops and gives a proud smile.

"This is the place Momma told me to leave!"

I barely noticed when he looked up at me, my eyes had begun to water with painful tears.

This fortress had been the last standing place that demons had. It was the last attack made by the angels in the war. The winning blow. There is now way anyone who was in this fortress survived. I know that. XD lead the attack himself... There's now way anyone could have gotten out.

The demons are gone.

"Are you okay miss?"

I kneel down to the small child, and put my large hand on his shoulder.

"Do you have a name dear?"

The kid shook his head.

"Listen kid, you may not understand what has happened now, but I need you to trust me."

"Okay!" He grinned.

"Your new name will be Badboyhalo, named from the dark part of history, and the light that you have inside of you, alright?"

The kid nodded slowly, to show that he understood.

"Come here darling..." I say as I open my arms.

As he comes to me, I lift the small child up, holding him close to me as my hand resting on his head begins to glow purple with a spell.

"Rest little one." I command, and the spell takes grasp of him, lolling him off to sleep.

I sigh as I hold him near me, feeling as if time was standing still.

"Death."

I turn my head to see a young god standing behind me, his green cloak slightly blowing with a nonexistent wind.

"Death, what are you doing here?" He asked in an almost demonic voice, "And what are you holding?"

I take a deep breath before turning around to face they young god.

"That is none of your concern, XD." I say sternly, holding Bad tightly and XD's eyes fell on him.

"Oh, so I missed one? Not a worry, Death, I can take care of it now." He reassured, holding his pure white hand, which was completely detached from the rest of his body, still hidden under his cloak, out in front of him as his hand began to glow a bright green.

"No!" I shout, as I knock his floating wrist away with a simple glance and a spell.

"Oh? And why is that?"

I giggle slightly at his mocking response.

"Because, XD... I have found myself a new gatekeeper."

~Author time!~

I almost gave away the fact Bad would be getting a backstory in the last chapter, BUT I STOPED MYSELF.

But aside from that, I really like this chapter. I think I did a pretty good job.

So how are you guys doing? I know I'm doing okay.

This may be one of my shortest author times'...

Oh well.

Make sure to take care and stay hydrated lovelies!

<3