The Lives We Weave

Chapter 4 - The Duality of Being Human

Ahly told me from the beginning that she was returning as human, she requested I check in every so often. I was glad to do so.

As a baby, she was very much loved. Born as a woman this time, in China (now ancient China). The town she lived in was absolutely beautiful. I had never seen buildings in such a fashion and I was completely and utterly enamoured with the architecture. So much so that I modified my rest area to resemble one of the temples (with enough space for all of my jellyfish of course). As a baby she was loved by all of her family, her grandparents, parents and siblings. She grew up a happy child, and I didn't even get to properly see her until her grandfather died when she was 19.

There was no screaming or exclamations of anger this time, she smiled softly at me as I entered the room and reaped his soul.

We then walked together by a slow moving creek.

"I'm quite enjoying this life, Death. I am loved, I feel much like myself actually."

"I'm glad."

"I'm glad to see you, Death. It's been a long time, at least it seems that way to me."

"I am also glad to see you, and I'm glad to see you so happy."

"I'm getting married next year."

"What is married?"

"It doesn't really matter, it will be over in an instant. At least it will seem that way after."

I regarded her statement and made a mental note to research what 'married' is.

She seemed sad when she told me, perhaps 'married' is not a good thing? Or perhaps she doesn't want me to know? I can never really tell what people mean when they say things.

"Death, I must be off now. We have mourning rituals to prepare. I'll be seeing you."

"It is inevitable"

After I had researched what marriage is, I found myself crying uncontrollably. My siblings were so confused as to what was happening that they brought me to Maku's (and company's) residence, which now also resembled a house, just in an underwater volcano.

Maku answered the door and saw me crying hysterically, and the confused expressions of my siblings. She promptly ushered us inside and sat me down on a large comfortable chair.

"Death, sweetie, what's going on?" She asked gently, placing a hand on my shoulder. Land and Fire both rushed to kneel in front of me also.

"She's getting married."

"What do you mean?"

"Ahly, she's getting married."

Famine snorted "seriously, this is what this is about? Why do you care?"

Maku looked at me with understanding, then up to Famine with annoyance "you three have done a wonderful job bringing her here, but you should let us handle this. Maybe find something jellyfish related for when she gets back."

They all nodded and left quickly.

"Is there anything you want to tell us about Ahly? Or maybe how you feel about her?"

"Feel? I don't feel." I pouted.

Fire chuckled slightly "well clearly you do, if you didn't you wouldn't be sitting here crying."

"I am in love with Ahly."

They all nodded seriously.

"Perhaps you should tell Ahly how you feel?" Land interjected

"No I can't, she hates me."

They all stay silent for a second, then Maku went to the kitchen and returns with a large bottle of alcohol, pouring us each a cup.

She raised her cup "to existence, and all its complexities" we follow suit. I think I stayed with them all for a little bit, but the memories are hazy.

It was only 5 years after that night when Fire came rushing into my domain, screaming for me.

I had been resting at the time, and felt extremely disturbed at the intrusion.

"Death, it's Ahly. I need you now"

He needn't have said more.

We travelled quickly to The Place. The beautiful countryside I had seen only 5 years prior was completely and utterly changed. It was barren, people were gone and villages burnt. Her village had been burnt.

"What happened here?" I asked, horrified

"War."

He hurried me along quickly to what looked like a temporary settlement for soldiers. He pulled me to one at the back and a little farther from everyone, this one was larger too.

We entered to find a figure tied to a post, horribly disfigured in such a way that I couldn't even distinguish Her individuality. I would not have even realised it was Her if I had not seen her green hair.

"Ahly? Oh my god what happened to you?"

She coughed up blood before she spoke "they invaded, killed my husband and children, and took me prisoner."

"I only found her because they started burning her." Fire whispered with an emotion I understood quite well, it was what I felt after I reaped Her sister.

"Kill them all." I commanded him. He nodded and exited.

I made quick work of untying her from the ropes holding her up and held her as her entire weight fell to the ground.

"Kill me. Kill me, Death. Please"

"What?"

"I want this to be over."

"I-"

She regarded me for a second "it was cruel of me to ask that of you" she reached up and grabbed a knife from the table, and plunged it into the side of her head. I sat there horrified as to what I had just witnessed, I did not even move when Wrath came to reap her soul for me. I did not move as the entire camp burnt down around me. I did not move when Fire and Land both came to get me. I sat there, staring at the body which had been so happy only 5 years ago.

5 years is almost an instant to me, how can something so bad happen so quickly?

I moved only when Ahly herself came and held me for a very long time. "I'm so sorry" was the only thing she said.

When I did return to my domain, I did not move from Bed for a very long time. Famine sat by my side occasionally and told me how my friends were worried for me. I couldn't bring myself to care.