Death's Successor Completed.

Chapter Twenty-One The master's secession Racheal's pov

Luna helped dress Racheal in some casual clothes and a new snow jacket. She hated not wearing her dragon scale amour, but the bandages prevented her from wearing it comfortably. Moonlight shone through the ached window. It was late in the evening the monks had retired for the night.
Racheal and Luna tiptoed down the hallway. Kaiden opened the library door. "You ladies are late. Being punctual is practical." He muttered. Flicking through one of the thicker books, "Why invite us here, Logan?" Luna asked, sitting at the wooden table.

Logan's voice echoed through the dimly lit room as he spoke. "I found something you all need to see." The musty smell of old books filled the air as he continued, "I referenced the books and found nothing on David's identity, so I dug deeper into the monks' collection." The sound of pages turning could be heard as Logan searched for the information he sought. Suddenly, he exclaimed, "And found this." He lifted a heavy stone tablet and placed it on the table with a thud.

They engraved the tablet with ancient symbols and depicted scenes of battle. Logan pointed to the images as he spoke. "According to the pictures and texts recorded on this stone, an ancient warrior and the high priest of a blood cult performed animal sacrifices to the gods to protect the city." The sound of swords clashing and screams of pain could almost be heard as he continued, "They were attacked by the magical resistance, and the warrior fought against these humans. There were thousands of casualties on both sides. The humans who wanted to eradicate the magical beings and those fighting for their existence."

Logan's voice grew more intense as he revealed the fate of the warrior. "His own cursed sword, said to be a conduit for a poisonous dryad. Its soul sealed within the blade, eventually stabbed him and David died, striking down the last of the magical resistance." The smell of burning metal filled the air as he described the poisoned blade, "Before the burning poison paralyses the warrior and he fell, consumed with revenge, the warrior called upon the goddess of war, the queen of Phantoms, to avenge his kingdom and family."

Logan's eyes widened as he continued, "The Morrigan granted his request, presenting him with a scarlet scythe." The sound of metal scraping against stone filled the room as he lifted the tablet again, "All the blood from the battlefield entered the blade, giving him physic control of his enemies' blood." The feeling of awe and wonder filled the room as Logan spoke of the warrior's transformation. "He drove the magical resistance into hiding and became the first reaper in service to the goddess."

A hush fell over the group as they absorbed the story. Finally, Racheal spoke. "So, they portrayed death as a hero? "Luna snorted. "Never seen him perform a heroic act." They stood around. The pictures were clear, the colouring of the stone suggested the age was ancient.

"I believe the legend; it explains his combat experience. This stone is over three thousand years old. The goddess said David became a reaper around that period." Logan sat the tablet gently on the ground.
"It proves one thing: death isn't the traitor we seek. It's someone else. I'm waiting for Layla to send me the lab results on the blood I collected." Logan explained.
Luna rubbed her temples. "So, we are back to square one."
"Not quite. I found some blood at the crime scene that doesn't belong to Cole. Layla is testing the blood. I'm not sure what happened to his scythe."
"It's safe with me, Logan. Cole left it in my care." Luna said.
"Good, you don't have the weapon on you, do you?" Luna shook her head.
"So a traitor who is possibly walking around death's realm murdered Cole and death accused Luna with no proof? Wouldn't he be smart enough at three thousand years old? He would investigate?" Racheal asked.

"His mental state at the time was questionable. Racheal, we have a lead." Logan said. Racheal paced. "Luna, are you sure you can defeat death?" Racheal leaned. Against the wall.

Her jaw clenched, having witnessed death's brutality. The dark shading of Luna's scar, which she hid under her clothes. Luna tapped her chin, thinking, "If I regained my memories maybe, but I think Kaiden's training is helping."