Dissecting The Reaper

Chapter 9

Kid wakes up in the middle of an alleyway wondering why the world is sideways. Only when he stands upright, the world remains sideways. Everything is in differing hues of purple and the colours shine before him, shifting like blending colours of an oil painting. The world is surreal, his energy spikes. A ruthless instinct to destroy. A madness he remembers faintly as if from a past life.

He wanders around until he sees a window, walking up and staring into his own reflection. His eyes are lined in bright white and stretch across his face. They're the wrong way, as if turned 90 degrees and enhanced to dominate the rest of his features. Kid has reaped enough souls to recognise this. He is a Kishin. And as a Kishin, he isn't too worried about it. Self-awareness is one thing over compassion or sympathy for his own situation.

Leaving the alleyway and entering a busy street, the Kishin grim reaper sees these vulnerable souls packed together, so delectable and corruptible. But he can't do it alone, he realises. And heads towards the school in search of his weapons.

*

The alarm bell rings, Soul lifts is sleepy head from his desk, blinking around the classroom as he awaits his eyes adjusting. "Huh what's happened?"

"Professor Stein!" Maka calls to the floor of the amphitheatre. I stare up at her, face expressionless. My plan has come to fruition, what a darling display of a debacle from my students. The pandemonium to finalise my experiment awaits.

"I'll go and find out. Everyone stay here," I walk out, aware of how loudly my footsteps echo up the rows. I can barely hide my elation. The chaos I cause in the halls, witnessing teachers and students panicked eyes roam around for answers as to why the alarm is sounding. Their uncertainty the fuel for my soul's energy.

I enter Death's office. He sits on the clouds watching through a screen. It depicts the love feee of Death the Kid as he tears through death city in search of his weapons, devouring weaker souls along the way. "Lord Death?"

"Stein..." he doesn't take his eyes off that screen. "What could have happened to him?"

"His soul has been corrupted," I exhale heavily, the weight of the responsibility of Kid lifted from my shoulders. "I understand you must be upset. But we have a city to consider, What should I do?"

"Find the Death Scythe and reap him,"

I'm shocked by how much Death's voice sounds like my own. How detached he is. Shock fades to amusement. He can't even acknowledge his feelings while telling me to reap his son. It's too painful. I smile, the clouds reflecting off his glasses, hiding the spark of joy in my eyes behind their glare. "What about simply keeping him imprisoned like Ashura?" I want to ensure the decision to kill his second son is his entirely. And as such must protest. 

"That was a mistake," Death shakes his head. "I made him suffer for years just to keep him safe from himself. I caused him so much pain, locking his soul away like that. It's cruel not to reap a Kishin,"

I nod in understanding. Logic packed with flaws but eliciting joy from me nonetheless! I've never seen him like this. It makes me want to replicate this feeling again and again.

"And Stein?" I've barely reached the door. My hand hovers over the handle.

"Yes, Lord Death?"

"I'm sorry I suspected you,"

I don't answer, I simply leave to fetch Spirit.

*

"Oh Stein, don't bother me now," he lies across the futon with a brain soaked in alcohol. "Such a depressing day this is for the entire Death City..."

"You don't have to tell me that," I stare down at him, impatient of his whining. Emotions aren't something I can allow myself right now. Dealing with the loss of my experiment fills me with a silently boiling rage concentrated in the centre of my chest.

"Stein...?"

I realise that I'm leaking fluid. Constant barrages of waterfalls from my eyes. Spirit stands, he hugs me tightly. His fear gone. Perhaps the rage I felt was grief in its first stage. I grieve my experiment and the person who inspired it, the obsessive but dignified reaper. Someone so interesting I'll never have the pleasure of dissecting again.

"Stein!" Spirit slaps me in the face, bringing me back to reality. I reach up, my cheek stings just barely.

"It's been a while since you've done that,"

"Get it together!" He urges me. Yet can't hide his own turmoil. "We have a Kishin soul to collect,"

I'm proud of him for handling this well. But myself, I'm ashamed of. What have I done?! I admonish with a scornful tone. Fuck. I ruined my experiment, I ruined Kid. The person who gave me such joy and amusement. I should have handling this so much better. Handled him so much better.

"Indeed we do," I hoods out my hand, palm up. Wrist tense and ready for a heavy scythe.

Spirit transforms, still as beautiful a sight as I remember. I hated being deprived that sight for so long. Gripping his handle, we venture forth to slaughter the Kishin reaper.

~~~

The End. I suggest you go check out my book of Soul Eater/ Franken Stein oneshots!

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