Ignis Amare

Death Scythe

I can't get through these Flame-Keepers fast enough. Taking care of the ones in the immediate area wasn't that difficult, but Beatrix must have brought an entire squadron.

I break the last one's arm, knocking him out and bolting back to where I left Kendra when I hear a gunshot. My stomach drops, the shot means Beatrix has decided to capture Kendra. That gun is an ice gun specially made to extinguish an active flame.

I arrive too late as I see Kendra's unconscious bloody body with Beatrix hovering over her.

"Beatrix, what do you think you're doing?" I stumble towards her. I feel that familiar feeling of despair and lifelessness creeping inside me.

"Oh, is Death Scythe going to make an appearance?" She turns toward me as Kendra's flame flickers once again. I think her eyes open, but it's too late. It's all my fault. Someone is going to die because of me again.

"Aiden," I hear a familiar whisper. "I'm okay." The voice sounds so far.

"What happened to Kendra?" I slur out, not quite in control of my body.

"This is perfect!" Beatrix laughs. "Hey Kendra! Do you know why we call him Death Scythe?" Beatrix asks, stifling a giggle. It's because if you see the scythe, someone is already dead.

More Flame-Keepers come out from somewhere. I'm not sure where, but they hurt Kendra. The one I've been waiting for, my twin flame. I'm so sleepy.

I nod off, trying to stay awake. Ah, it's happening again. They're all going to die.

I don't know what Beatrix shot me with, but it doesn't have the desired effect. Or maybe it does, because I can't move. I'm still conscious, barely. I called his name and told him I'm okay but I'm not sure if he heard me.

It looks like Aiden is falling asleep, and a dreadful feeling has set in my stomach after Beatrix's comment. I couldn't beat her because I couldn't kill her. Is Aiden going to have to kill again because I couldn't? Anger wells up inside a body that can do nothing to release it. All I can do is watch and wonder if this was Beatrix's plan all along.

The Flame-Keepers raise rifles similar to the gun Beatrix shot me with, but Aiden doesn't seem to notice. I can't even scream, and this sight is killing me.

I notice Aiden's eyes dull from that beautiful white to a dark silver.

"Now boys, not all of you are going to make it. But if any of you do, you can say you saw The Death Scythe and lived." Beatrix says warily.

Silver flame leaks out of Aiden's body as the Flame-Keepers fire, but nothing comes out of their guns. They look confused and start backing up as Aiden's flame forms a silver cloak around him. It covers him head to toe, leaving a shadow over his face. The only thing visible are his dark silver eyes.

He raises his right hand, and without a sound, a scythe made of silver lightning appears. Beatrix's head moves quickly, scanning the Flame-Keepers as if looking for something.

"Not a single one." She whispers. "Well, this is what all of the experimenting and training was for, but he's even faster than before. Thirty of them, that fast."

As she shakes her head, every single Flame-Keeper present drops to the ground. Some lose their heads, arms, or legs. Some fall with deep gashes in their chest, and all of their guns are sliced through.

"He didn't stop him at all this time. You must be special, Kendra. The Death Scythe is Aiden's subconscious. Usually, his conscious self restrains it to some degree, but this time, there's nothing. He's completely let go."

"This...your...fault." I manage to croak.

"You're right, but even I didn't expect this. Beatrix says solemnly. Her purple flame forms armor, a sword, and a shield. She looks like a gladiator.

"I don't think he'll hurt you. I knew he was hiding and where from his father. I'm a double agent in the Flame-Keepers, and a war is coming that will ravish the world.

Dante thought if you both met that he would finally be able to accept this part of himself and be able to properly utilize it.

But his mind is weak. He's seen and done things no child should have seen or done. I curse his father for that. He's not a kid anymore, but I love that boy. Kendra, you need to be strong. Strong enough that he'll finally accept himself."

My mind is breaking under this revelation. 

"Flame-Keepers followed him because you were trying to train him... without him knowing?" I managed to speak.

"Yes, he's a fool for thinking he could change this world without bloodshed. We all know it, but that's exactly why he's the best of us."

"Get away from her Beatrix." Aiden's something else surfaces again, this time angry.

"Your keepers were nothing, but he is still reluctant to end you. This warning is the first and last, though you will still die. You may die a warrior."

Beatrix moves away from me.

"Good, you will still die with some dignity and respect from this one."

My heart is tearing apart. Aiden is about to kill Beatrix without even knowing any of this.

"You would let me kill you?"

"Yes."

"What's wrong with you?"

"I love you."

I remember our earlier conversation. Beatrix loves him, too. He can't kill someone who loves him. He'll never forgive himself. He'll never smile that innocent, pure, beautiful smile again. The world needs that smile.

I will not let him do this. My love for him replaces the confusion I previously felt. So you think you're death Aiden? Well, I am you.

The power was always there. The strength was always there. I rise from the ground, my wounds healing, earning a shocked glance from Beatrix. But Aiden never takes his eyes off her.

My black flame coats my body in a cloak similar to his except my face and forearms show. My eyes glow gold, and golden lightning forms a double-bladed scimitar in my left hand.

Beatrix focuses back on Aiden as he makes a move that I know she can't follow, but I can. I step between Aiden and block his downward swing.

"Aiden." I demand with a something else of my own.

He stops and teleports behind me to go at Beatrix again, but I turn to restrain him from the front of his shoulder down before he can swing again.

"Don't test me. You can shut out the entire world, but you will not shut me out. You made a promise to me, and you will keep it. Even if I have to beat you into keeping it."

His cloak starts to shimmer into a bright silver. "Ken...dra." His normal voice begins to come through.

"Look at me, Aiden. Look at me Now."

His scythe dematerializes as he quickly turns to look at me. His eyes are now a bright silver to match his cloak.

I sigh of relief and smile big at him and say one word.

"Beautiful."