Guided by Fate (Fiz-Bun Fluff)

Chapter 42

A strange bolt of white and black lightning struck the ground, sending a shockwave rolling across the field.

The dust cleared, revealing a strange woman. She was taller than me, but still easily a foot shorter than Emi. She had black hair tied in a bun, and wore a dark beige Chinese dress. In one of her hands was a large, strange scythe, with a line of strings along the handle, and a large white section connecting the blade to the handle. She wore no emotion, and I could see a crack across her face, and on her free arm.

"... you're in the wrong world," She said in a deadpan.

"It's you!" Emi gasped, balling up a fist.

"Who's that?" Luna asked.

Fiz tilted her head, eyes wide. "That scythe-!"

The woman swung the weapon, rolling it across her wrists as a strange, haunting flourish played from the strings. "You recognize it. Your aura is that of a healer. You and I have had many run-ins before, I would guess."

"Wait, is she from your old world?" Dyhart asked, shifting his weight back and forth.

"In a way, I belong to no worlds." She says calmly. "I dwell between this life and the next. I am the keeper of the border."

Luna's eyes widen. "You're, what, magical boarder control?"

The woman paused, contemplating for a moment.

"Not in the way you think. I have no issue with your presence in this world," She said, pointing to Fiz.

"Then why are you here?" I asked, relieved. For a moment, I was worried I might lose Fiz again.

The woman lifted her scythe and leveled it at Emi silently. The rabbit growled and left forward, clearing several feet in a single stride, then swung her fist.

The woman didn't seem to take a step, but was suddenly next to Dyhart.
"You have no right to resist. You've stolen from me, and both my siblings."

"Shuddup! I don't even know you!" Emi growled, spinning around.

The woman drew her scythe, placing it to the young man's neck. Luna gasped, and Emi froze.

"...I do," Fiz said. "That symbol in the sky, it's a symbol of Life and Death. They're your siblings, right?"

The woman nodded. "Correct. Who, then, am I?"

"You're... the mediator. The one who brings the living to Death. You're the reaper, Shikoke." Fiz said, her breath slightly shaky. "Every healer knows of you. We all meet you at some point."

"Correct." The woman said, her arm still and the blade of her scythe unmoving.

Dyhart quivered.

"Why are you here?" Luna asked.

Shikoke released Dyhart - who let out a choked sob. The reaper placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It was not my intention to frighten you. But I needed to stop your friend."

"WHY ARE YOU HERE!" Emi bellowed.

"You have stolen three things," Shikoke said calmly. "Your body, your spirit, and a piece of me."

"Wh-what..?" I asked. Fiz grabbed Dyhart and hugged him, his head pressed into her shoulder. "What are you talking about?"

"Her soul belongs to Death. She stole a body from Life. And finally, she possesses my missing piece." She said. "I have come to collect."

"You're that doll?" Luna asks. "I thought you were some curse or something."

"While I am a doll, I am not a curse," Shikoke replied. "The curse was laid by Taiyo. She wished to have free reign over my dominion."