Cold Grey Light of Dawn

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Past, few years later...

The Reaper huffed rolling up his sleeves with a groan. He was helping a soul in the middle of the desert and it was so hot. The man's business partner dragged him out into the heat saying he found diamonds, but had just killed him instead. The soul showed him the whole story. He promised to be harsh on his business partner. The soul was satisfied and swirled away.

"Oh, hello there Reaper!" Someone said from behind him. Matthew stood up and turned quickly spotting a man. He had tan skin and red hair. His eyes were orange and he had a dark dusting of freckles over his cheeks. He guessed the man was a fire spirit by looks. "You're really good at hiding. I've been looking for you for years!"

The Canadian took a step back as the man snapped his fingers making a flame. He didn't want to fight and looked for a shadow. The fire spirit laughed and quickly lunged at him. Matthew yelped in surprise spreading his wings and hopping into the air. The man growled and grabbed his ankle leaving a burn. He pulled him down out of the sky. The Reaper landed hard on his wing with a cry.

"You're the weakest one I've fought yet." The fire spirit said with a cocky smile. Matthew glared up at him. Something was off about his speech. He wasn't sure what it was, but it wasn't from an accent. The Canadian made a move to get up, but he just kicked his ribs making him fall back onto his already injured wing. Matthew growled angrily wanting to get away from the man. "Oh, so scary. You don't even carry a weapon do you?"

"You wired me awake and hit me with a hand of broken nails. You tied my lead and pulled my chain to watch my blood begin to boil." Matthew sang starting to skitter backwards trying to get distance in between them. The man just stepped after him with a smirk, he wasn't paralyzed. "But I'm gonna break, I'm gonna break my, gonna break my rusty cage and run. I'm gonna break, I'm gonna break my, gonna break my rusty cage and run."

"Not going to work on me Reaper." The fire spirit smiled. He tapped his ear. Fear started to bubble up in his stomach. "Deaf in one and can't hear out of the other."

The Reapers eyes widened as the man just kept advancing. The fire spirit tried to kick him again, but he grabbed his foot and pulled him down. Matthew picked up a handful of sand and threw it at him. He quickly rolled onto his feet and looked for a shadow. He didn't think to protect his back as he moved. He cried out in pain as he felt something cut and burn his side. The blond quickly turned back to the fire spirit and put up a force field in time to block another knife.

"You'll be an easy kill." The man purred throwing another knife at the field. It lodged in it making it crack, but didn't go through.

Matthew growled dropping the force field and making a new one. He was bleeding and in pain. It was hard to keep focus. His breathing was quick and panicked. He knew he needed to get away as soon as possible, he knew he couldn't win a fight and it scared him.

The fire spirit was about to throw another knife, but stopped. His expression shifted from cocky to terrified. The Reaper looked to his side seeing Pitch with his scythe in hand. He looked furious. The fire spirit took a step back and was about to run. The Nightmare King growled angrily swinging his scythe. He easily struck the man in the neck. He crumpled in a heap and didn't move.

"Matthew?" Pitch asked carefully turning to him. He offered his hand and the Canadian took it. The Nightmare King could see the pain in his eyes. He was swaying and almost fell. Pitch picked him up bridal style. "Let's get you home and taken care of."

"It hurts." The Reaper said quietly wrapping his arms around Pitch's neck.

"I know." The spirit of darkness said creating a shadow and stepping through it.

Pitch took them through to their kitchen. He carefully set the blond down on one of the kitchen chairs. He had noticed Matthew seemed to be favouring one wing. He stepped through another shadow grabbing his medical supplies before going back to the Reaper. He set the kit on the table next to him and looked up at Matthew. He nodded and Pitch carefully peeled back his shirt to see the wound. He blotted the blood away before cleaning and stitching it closed. The Canadian never expected Pitch to be so caring, but no one thought a reaper would be gentle and kind.

The Nightmare King tapped his knee telling him to put his foot up. He did and Pitch looked over the hand shaped burn shaking his head.

"There's nothing I can do for the burn." Pitch sighed wrapping it so it wouldn't get infected. Matthew just shrugged. "How is your wing?"

"Sore." The Reaper said. "I think it's just a sprain. I didn't hear anything break."

"Alright." The spirit of darkness said closing the medical kit. "Why didn't you sing? Or shadow jump? Or fly? Anything to prevent the injuries?"

"There weren't any shadows. The man was deaf and I couldn't fly with my wing." Matthew said shaking his head. This was the first time a spirit managed to hurt him before he was able to get away. "I don't know how to fight and I don't carry a weapon."

"We should change that." Pitch said. The Reaper looked up at him. "It would give me peace of mind knowing you can defend yourself if your powers aren't affective. I don't know if I'll always be available to help you."

"Will you teach me?" Matthew asked. He knew it was a good idea to learn how to fight.

"Of course." Pitch smiled pressing a kiss to his forehead.

-❄️" Fear dims when you learn things."❄️-

Past, few years later...

The Nightmare King had taught him well. He was one of the most dangerous spirits and a good teacher. Matthew picked it up just as easily as he did shadow jumping. He knew how to use just about any weapon, but favoured a short sword or dagger. He now stayed and fought every spirit he encountered to get more experience.

Pitch had watched him from the shadows the first few times. He was confident that the Reaper could easily protect himself and left him alone. He was very proud of him. Matthew didn't mind fighting as much as he thought he would. It helped him get some frustration out.

The Reaper knew he'd changed a bit in the last few years. He knew he'd become more hostile and grumpier towards spirits. He liked being left alone and they constantly pestered and attacked him. He didn't mind living with Pitch though. He still enjoyed talking about books and having tea with him. They were still 'dating,' but Matthew didn't have feelings for him. He was fond of him, he was one of his only friends. He was happy enough where he was, but he did feel kind of stuck.

AN: Song used is 'Rusty Cage' by Johnny Cash.