A Dance With Death

|| Chapter 50 - The Dance Postlude ||

       

Caius stands firm on the ground with his knees apart, showing minimal movement. He conceals his dagger behind his back, his grip on the golden-engraved hilt tightening. Death meanwhile, spins his scythe effortlessly in his hand and bangs it lightly against the ground, causing the ground to tremble at a lower magnitude.

"What have you done?" Death says, his dark eyes piercing into Caius.

"What was needed to be done," Caius replies with the same intensity, except this time, there is a slight nerve to his voice.

I rub my palms against my cheeks, removing every trace of my tears on them as I back away, and slowly reach out to Niall. His nervous stare travels from Death to me. I nod at him, assuring him it's okay. I try hard not to look at Althea. Beside her, kneels Ektor. His head is bent low, and his hands on his head, still fighting against the effect of the break. Having witnessed the murder of a reaper has affected him in the same way Raiden had described -- that I can make out from his weakened and pale body.

"This is what you get," Caius continues. "This is what you deserve."

"This is idiocracy," Death shoots back. "You've taken enough from this world. So much that it cannot be returned what it should've been. Congratulations, you destroyed the Order -- my Order."

"Can't take all the credit. Your weakness had a huge role to play."

"I can't let you follow this path anymore."

"You can't kill me."

"And you can't kill me either. Looks like we've reached a dead-end."

"Killing Death. Sounds tempting. Sounds like the only option."

"What, you want to kill me?" Death chuckles. "Want to be the new Death?"

"I am far better than what you ever were."

"Why? Because you've killed more? Because you stay true to the word 'death'?"

"Good to know you finally understand me."

"And you plan to kill me how?" Death lowers his scythe, pointing it at Caius in a scoffing manner. "With that dagger of yours? You do know that I made that to kill reapers, and only reapers."

Caius shrugs and reveals the dagger. He then brings his other hand to the blade and slides his fingers across the gleaming metal, remaining silent.

"I would like to have the dagger back, by the way," Death says. "Stealing is a new low, even for you Caius."

"You should've hidden it well then," Caius says matter-of-factly.

Niall slightly nudges me by his elbow. "Do you think we should get out of here?" He whispers.

"And go where?" I reply, my head buzzing due to Death's presence. "My body is here, and it won't matter if I go away. Whatever happens to either my body, or my image, it will kill me anyway."

Niall nods. "So we stay here?"

"Do we have an option?" I turn back to face Death and Caius. Niall says no more.

Death's eyes start to fade too its initial grey colour. His face returns to a shade that is almost human-like. He sighs. "Do you even realise what you're doing to yourself?" Death asks. "Can't you feel it?"

"The power? Of course I feel it."

Death shakes his head. "Stop lying to yourself."

"I'm not."