The early morning sun cast its soft glow over the quiet streets, the faint chirping of birds providing a peaceful backdrop. It was an almost cruel contrast to the chaotic events of the night before.
The trio—Odette, Momo, and Okarun—stumbled along the path toward Momo's home, each carrying the weight of exhaustion and adrenaline still pumping through their veins.
Odette sighed heavily, adjusting the strap of her teal handbag as she glanced at her reflection in a nearby window. Her hair was a frizzy mess from the humidity, her face barely holding onto the remnants of makeup.
She tugged her oversized checkered sweater tighter around her shoulders, trying to fend off the slight morning chill.
"Seriously, Dot! What exactly are those cool powers of yours?" Momo asked, her voice cutting through the silence. She grinned at Odette, clearly impressed despite her own bedraggled state.
Odette raised an eyebrow at the nickname. "Dot? That's new."
"Well, it suits you," Momo replied, shrugging as she adjusted her bag. "But seriously, I need to know. The scythe, the cloak, that whole badass Grim Reaper thing? Where did that come from?"
Odette smirked, though her exhaustion dulled the usual sharpness of her expression. "It's... complicated. My grandmother says it's part of some ancient family thing, but I'm still figuring it out. Last night was the first time I've even tapped into it that deeply."
"Ancient family thing? That sounds so cool!" Okarun piped up, his voice filled with genuine awe. He winced slightly as he walked, his body still sore from Turbo Granny's possession. "You looked like a literal goddess of death back there."
"Yeah, well, being a goddess of death comes with a side of exhaustion and a headache," Odette replied dryly, though she couldn't help but smile at the compliment. "But thanks, Kenny."
"Do not call me Kenny," he muttered, his face turning red.
As they approached Momo's home, the first thing that caught Odette's eye was the tall torii gate framing the entrance. Its deep grey beams gleamed in the morning sun, exuding an ancient, almost mystical energy.
Ken hesitated as they reached the gate, his expression uneasy. "Um... I don't think I should—"
Before he could finish, his body erupted into flames the moment he stepped through the gate. "AHHH!" he screamed, flailing as the fire consumed his form.
