Hello, I am Death
Hello, to introduce myself, I am known by many names. I am known as the Grim Reaper, El Muerte, Angel of Death, or just Death. My job is to watch people and take them away when their time in mortality is over. Some might say that my job is rather sobering. I, however, find it rather enjoyable. I get to watch the stories of people's lives, both short and long, both exciting and boring. Although, I know the time when each person will die, it is always amusing for me to watch as people's lives unfold to their utter demise. Then, I welcome each person to my humble abode in the afterlife.
Many people believe they can escape time and avoid me. The thought is rather absurd and amusing. How long do they think I've been working at this job? Though, I must admit they do give a lot of interesting stories to tell. But for now I will only tell you one. It is a diverting story of greed, malice, pride, and, of course, me. It's a story of a family who thought they were untouchable even by Death, myself. It took place a few hundred years ago...
There lived a family of nobles. There was a husband and wife with their two children. First is the greedy father, Gifre. He was a plump man who always had gold hanging from his neck and arms. He was extremely rich. Who wouldn't be, if you stole all the wealth from the people beneath you? He could spot a speck of gold from a mile away and any jingly sounds caught his ears like the sound of a bell to a cat. It was only logical that he married a wealthy wife, as well. I think he said "I do" to the money rather than his bride.At the time, I was afraid to tell him that his riches would be gone in the hereafter.
His wife, Danna, was a thin, dignified looking lady that often dressed much like a saint. She's a little too high in her chair, if you know what I mean. She believed she was a saint and rightful judge to her people. She was a prideful woman who thought she could do no wrong. She trusted in her wisdom and hers alone. She thought she received her judgment from the gods. In truth, she only judged according to her gut feeling, though it was probably just indigestion, if you ask me. If she believed that someone did something wrong, it was to the dungeon or death, despite whether she had proof or not. She was always right. She's a woman, who would tell her she's wrong? However, she did not realize that there exists a greater judge, myself, and her judgment would soon come.
Their son, Griffyth, was a strong and built young man. His dark eyes lusted for blood. He glorified in violence and battle. He did not care for land or treasure that he won, only the thrill of combat. He challenged any man he could get a good fight out of. He went and won his first battle when he was only fourteen. To show his victory, he perched the head of his enemy on the end of his sword and drank his opponent's blood. He even went on to the next course and ate his enemy's flesh. He was such a cute little cannibal; wasn't he? It was funny listening to the guy who died as he was swearing revenge from the dead. No worries, your revenge will be come sooner enough. That boy's life will soon be within my hands.
The daughter, Ceindrech, was a beautiful girl with a slender body, oval face, and flowing hair. She was obsessed with her own beauty. There was hardly ever a moment where she did not have a mirror at hand. She constantly fretted about her appearance fearing, even at her young age, that her beauty was fading from maturing age. She thought there were no other women more beautiful than herself. She believed her beauty was meant for her family and those she deemed worthy, only. She was indeed a vain woman; she'd marry her mirror if she were given the opportunity. Too bad there's no beauty in a corpse.
During supper one night, Gifre counted some gold pieces as he ate. His wife sat across from him signing different papers of people charged for crimes. When she got tired looking through them, she would go through the papers alternating randomly between innocent and guilty. Ceindrech had her mirror in front of her as she watched herself eat, making sure that she did not eat too much. She did not want to ruin her perfect figure. Griffyth entered the room with a bloodied sword. His face was dirty and his clothes ranked of blood and decay.
