InquisitorMaster One Shots [discontinued]

Wilted (Levight)

Within life, death is a guaranteed end. That's how things work, life and death circle each other, maintaining a perfect cycle, within life there is death and within death, there is life. The two concepts cycle each other for eternity, never faltering, never-ending.

Before the day of your death, you get the chance to see the reaper that'll take your soul.

But for some reason, Light's been seeing his reaper for the past two weeks.

It was a dark figure that would appear in the corner of his eye every so often. It was hardly noticeable, but amongst crowds, they'd be there. Watching. Waiting.

Light's heard of these reapers before in myths and legends, even some accounts from his life that were on the verge of death. For example, on his grandfather's deathbed, he had mumbled something about a young lady with white hair and dark clothes standing in the corner of the room watching him, he didn't seem scared, nor did he seem worried. Instead, Light's grandfather was rather calm, peaceful. He didn't believe it then, but he sure as hell believed it now.

According to legend, reapers get bound to a human's soul that's on the verge of death and patiently wait for their time to die. If Light's been seeing this reaper, shouldn't he be dead by now? Not that Light wanted to be dead, but he's not afraid of death either- not anymore, at least. When he started seeing this reaper, he was terrified, always avoiding anything that seemed dangerous, always worried about the day. But after two weeks to contemplate that his time was soon, he's come to accept it. He's just glad that he has time to hang out with his friends and decide which of his belongings go to who.

He was curious though... this reaper, his death bringer, he was always there, just watching. Light felt their presence, sometimes it was stronger than others, so he wondered if he could talk to it. He didn't plan on begging his way out of death, he's sure the reaper had no choice anyway. It would be nice to have some company when he did spend some days alone, not wanting to be too suspicious with the squad, not wanting them to worry about him because of how much time he suddenly was spending with them.

He had decided, why the hell not? It's at least worth a try.

A few days pass, and he's alone in his house, drinking some iced tea and eating gummy worms. Then he feels it, the familiar, lingering presence of death. It was easy to identify, the heavy atmosphere, the feeling of being watched, the quietness, all of it let Light know they were near. Light slightly glances to a mirror placed on his wall, one that faced the entrance of a hallway. And there, he saw a dark, shadowy figure looming there. He had a good look at them this time, they had a ripped cloak and a skull mask that covered their face. Perfect time to try and interact with it.

Light turned to look behind him, and the figure vanished. Every time Light looked directly at it they vanished. But its presence was still there, he knew it. "Hello?" He called out, sitting up and staring into the dark hallway. No response.

"I know you're out there, and I know you're a reaper," Light paused, waiting for a sign of interaction to be met with nothing. And so, he continued, "It's been taking you a while to reap my soul, so I uh, I just wanted to talk, it would be nice to know a bit more about the person who's gonna take my soul, y'know?"

Light chuckled awkwardly. It stays silent for a few moments before Light tries again, "You can have some of my gummy worms if you'd like!"

The silence returned, but only for a brief moment. A deep, echoey voice finally replies, "You aren't afraid of me..?"

It was heard everywhere, in every direction. Light looked around, a bit excitedly, as a smile peeked through on his face. "Nope!" He declared proudly.