Once Upon a Story [ HIATUS ]

till Death do them part

TW: theme of death
it's nothing too heavy

Prompt:
"A new soul. One so innocent And
untainted; so fragile and Small. Yet
so feared and unwanted."

I based the main character on the character Grim Reaper, Guide of Souls from the game Crusaders Quest. It's an old contest entry. I did modify it to fit the next story I'm posting.

Word count: 1829
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"Helios, I remember telling you to guard the spirit tree."

The puppy barked and bit his master's boot in defiance.

What does one do with a mutt like this? he wondered, snapping his bony fingers, telling the dog to sit.

"Three heads and you still act like a simpleton."

Helios dropped his head from his master's disappointment.

"If you're going to come along, make yourself useful," he said. Helios grew in size, changing from an innocent puppy to a beastly wolf. His heads snarled as they picked up on multiple scents in the air. Sniffing through the dirt and debris, Helios caught souls that were years old and others only a few days in age.

His noses tingled at a particular scent. Raising his heads, he watched a soul trail manifest in front of his eyes. It was dark blue with specks of black and painted onto the rocks, leading to the fresh soul. Helios barked, marking his next target.

"I see you can make yourself useful after all," the man spoke softly. "Go on, follow the trail."

As Helios followed the new trail, the man walked behind him. His chains rattled with every step, making his presence known to all the undead in the area. Helios barked, making the man look down where he had stopped.

A child no older than the age of 10.

"How did you die?"

"My father killed me," the child replied. "The other souls say you're the Grim Reaper."

"It is a name you humans have given me."

The child stood up, still not looking away from the daunting man.

"Teach me."

"I am not a teacher, child."

"Then make me your successor," he said, pleading with the man. The man whirled his scythe into existence and stopped the blade close to the child's neck.

"I can end your life in the spirit realm," he replied. "Are you not afraid?"

"No," the child said. "I watched my father kill my mother before he did the same to me. I think you would be doing me a favour."

He retracted his scythe, still holding it close to the boy.

"Should you burn while holding the blade, I will have no use for you."

With no hesitation, the child placed his hand on the snath. His flesh remained intact even though he felt intense heat from it.

"Have I proven my worth?"

"Certainly," the man replied, retrieving the scythe. He tapped the chine against the child's forehead, marking his soul.

"Death has contracted you," he told him. "I name you my successor; from Death, you may never part."

"I will act dutifully towards you, Master."

***

"Grim, Master is calling you."