Kleftis

Mortem

"No, that can't be. I've never even encountered him! Oh my! There's no way I could've pulled one over on him!" Kleftis shouted

"You truly have. And he finally got you. Praise the King!" Pulchritudo said before a loud cheering of the crowd

"If I ever did I don't remember it."

"Maybe if you saw him then you would recall the events. Let us go to the castle." And she took his hands. Kleftis felt happy now. He didn't care where they were going, as long as he was with her.

They walked to the castle, one of which Kleftis never saw, and he soaked in all the sights. They walked for what seemed like ages. Finally the castle was in view, but still far away.

Kleftis grew weary. He would've given up by now if not for the beauty holding his new hand.

They eventually reached the gate and he was fully rejuvenated.

The gate fell eerily slow. Creaking loudly as the massive piece of matter descended upon them. Pulchritudo stood there in awe, meanwhile, Kleftis was utterly terrified.

Kleftis has always been afraid of water, and this gate was covering a part of a moat. He shuddered as the terrible thought entered his mind

She knows my fear, she'll force me in.

But another fear was also present, the fear of death. His life was changed forever because of it, and he will never forget.

The gate is reaching the ground now, and the SLAM! of this heavy force making contact with the grass, is not helping Kleftis.

All of a sudden, a warm hand holds his and a beautiful voice says "It's okay, you can make it."

Courage flooded Kleftis' heart. He marched across the gate as if it were nothing.

The inside of this castle was massive. The ceiling was so high, seeing it with a telescope would be a challenge. The ground was wide and long, with chairs at either wall. In those chairs were people, obviously dead. He sighed as he saw a familiar face.

"Mama!" Kleftis shouted as he ran to that familiar face

"Kleftis! What are you doing here?" Mama replied

"I think I died."

"I figured that, but, here?"

"The castle?"

"Yes, Kleftis."

"Pulchritudo guided me here so I could meet Mortem."

"Who- never mind, that's not important. Come here." Mama said as she pulled Kleftis into her motherly embrace

Once they pulled away, Mama demanded that Kleftis 'Introduce her to her late daughter-in-law'. Kleftis' cheeks turned as tomatoes and he drudged over to where Pulchritudo stood.

"Hello, I'm Kleftis' mother. And you are?" Mama asked

"I'm Pulchritudo. It's nice to meet you." Said Pulchritudo as she curtsied

Kleftis thought that that was one of the most gorgeous thing she could've done. He was awestruck. Mama noticed this and chuckled softly.

A man interrupted the whole conversation "Hello, Kleftis. I'm Jeremiah Witterman."

Kleftis turned around to find a tall and slender man. "You? You sacrificed your life for me. What he said was true." Kleftis whispered

"Yes, and I don't regret it for a minute."

As if this was a reward, Kleftis held out his hand, his right one. Jeremiah held out his left.

"I want the left." Jeremiah insisted

Compliantly, Kleftis held out his left hand. Their hands grasped each others, and Kleftis felt a bony, elongated hand. Kleftis looked down at the meeting of hands and back up to Jeremiah.

They both had the same idea, apparently, because they locked eyes.

"Thank you."