Death's Stigma (NanoWriMo14)

Chapter 30

"Here you are, one demon." Nadia dropped the creature in front of Lord Death.

"That wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. Grim gets to have epic battles and this thing barely lasted a minute." Selena complained.

"Speaking of which is he up yet." They heard a yelp of pain and a thump come from Grim's room, presumably as he fell out of bed. "That answers that."

"Good job girls I will begin working immediately." Lord Death as the demon suddenly shot across the floor into the armory. He calmly followed it and the door creaked shut behind him.

"Sometimes the boss really freaks me out." Selena said as the girls flopped on the couch. Suddenly Nadia jumped straight up into the air.

"Bloody hell Grim! I told you to warn me the next time you were going to do that!" She yelled.

"What just happened?" Selena asked chuckling softly.

"Grim just bound the twins to his mark. When ever he does I get a jolt like someone just tazered me in the back."

Nadia stood up and opened the door to Grim's room.

"What the hell are you doing Grim? You still only have one leg and you're trying to bind the twins."

"I'm sick of sitting on my ass, I need to do something." He replied.

"It's been three hours, get some rest you lunatic." She closed the door and sat back down. "I swear he's gonna get to Skyra's chamber and drop dead from exhaustion."

"What are you guys gonna do? Skyra is coming and she'll be stronger than all of her generals."

"I don't know." Nadia said looking down. "So much is at stake and we've lost so many allies."

"Well hey you guys got me and Grim's uncanny ability to cheat death better than a cockroach."

"Thanks for coming back Selena. It can't be easy being around me and Myst."

"It's alright, I've seen a demon's influence over humans first hand. I know it wasn't your fault."

"But..."

"When I was eight my best friend started acting wierd. She started getting cuts and bruises in the middle night and she was skittish around everyone. When I asked her what was wrong she said she was fighting with her imaginary friend. She talked about how he would tell her to do bad things and hurt her when she tried to ignore him."

"What happened?"

"They found her family Christmas morning. Her little brother had been thrown from his room into the swimming pool. They found her parents in bed. Her dad's head had been sawn off with an electric carving knife and her mom had a knife sharpener plunged into her eye. They never found her and she has become an urban legend. Be a good kid and listen to your imaginary friends or Lonely Amy will leave you all alone."

"They never caught her."

"They never will, I hunted her down two years ago. She had become completely consumed, her mind indistinguishable from the demon's. I shot her as she tried to break into someone's house. I scattered her ashes in the ocean so she could final have some peace after everything that demon put her through. So believe me when I say I know it wasn't your fault."

"Thank you." Nadia sighed with relief.

"A little help please." Grim said as his bedroom door opened. Nadia got up and helped him onto the couch.

"I told you to rest." Nadia nagged.

"I was unconscious for an entire day, if I need anything its food."

"That's Grim, the only things he ever worries about are food, sex, and demon slaying." Selena teased.

"Hey..." Grim started to protest. "Considering I can't drink anymore I guess she's right."

"It is finished." Death said reentering the room.

"How did you do that so fast?" Selena questioned. Death cocked an eyebrow. "Right, you're Death." A swarm of small crystals poured from Death's hand and up Grim's pant leg. He rolled his jeans up and a black prosthetic had attached itself to his leg. It looked like armor, ending in a plated boot verses a foot. Grim stood up and flexed his new apendage.

"Let's go kick some ass." He said hopping from foot to foot.

"Grim we killed all the Generals, there is no one left." Nadia said.

"Nadia is correct Grim, you need to gather your strength before Skyra arrives."

"How long do we have to wait?" He said his face becoming serious.

"Three days." Death said bluntly. No one spoke as that fact hung in the air.
"In that time you must learn how to properly control your abilities and prepare your gear."

"So you want to train me like a bad movie montage?"

"I will not be training you. Now that the generals are dead the portals back to the underworld are open again. I will try to weaken Skyra from the other side."

"The ultimate evil is coming in three days and your leaving us here alone." He stated angrily.

"You and Nadia are the most powerful Reapers I've ever had at my disposal. You have the demon's power and your shadow rune, there is nothing else I can do for you. I wish you the best of luck."

Lord Death bowed to all three of them then left the sanctuary. Rage radiated from Grim as he slammed his fist into the wall.

"Fucking useless." He growled under his breath. Nadia and Selena jumped up as he started to go outside.

"Where are you going?" They yelled. He went up into the church above a ripped a cloth covered bundle from the rafters with a chain.

"What is that?" Nadia demanded.

"The thing that's going to help me win." He unwrapped it to reveal a sword.

"Is that my saber?" Nadia asked taking a step back.

"Yes and the shattered piece of Katie's weapon form made from Myst's stone."

"And what are you going to do with it?" Selena asked.

"Forge a weapon that even the devil himself would fear."

"Fuck no! I don't want to be anywhere near that sword again, let alone have it be part of my body." Nadia protested.

"We purged all of Skyra's power from it, now it's just an incredibly strong sword made from demon's."

"Grim! You can't make her do it." Selena said taking a step towards him.

"And I won't. I chose to give everything to get Kelly back, I will not force others to make the same decision."

"Damn it Grim." Nadia said moaning. She paced trying to think. "Just do it before I realize what I'm doing and change my mind."

"Thank you." Grim said taking the stuff back into the armory.

"Why are you doing this?" Selena said grabbing her shoulder.

"Grim and Katie saved me from Skyra's control. I promised Katie I would protect him and do anything to help Grim get Kelly back. If doing this helps me keep those promises it is worth it in the end."

"Good luck." Selena said trying to get her to smile. "Grim is a regular made scientist when it comes to weapons."

"You don't know the half of it." She said as they walked back into the sanctuary.

Hey readers! I want of a show of hands. Who is ready for the balls to the wall, action packed, epic as all hell six or seven part finale, because I am. The final battle is at hand and it shall put all battles before it to utter shame. I've had this final fight running in my head for months and now I finally get to write it down and blow you all away. As always leave a comment and tell me what you think.