The Odyssey of Scylla

Chapter 10

I pulled the new dress over my head and clung to my new curves as it went down my body. I was trying to outshine every announcer that was going to be at the Supreme's gathering. Hokuto had explained that Serpent, Chariot, and Death weren't the only children of the Supreme conquering worlds. He had daughters too. Strong, imposing Kukunda females that would make me look pathetic in comparison.

I jumped when the electric currents trickled through my body. I couldn't get over how quiet Death was.

"I like this dress. The color flatters you." He held my hips and pressed his lips to the back of my head.

"Hokuto put a rush on its construction. He wanted me to shine for you tonight."

Death turned me to face him. He threaded his tentacles through mine. "You always shine, Scylla. Do you remember the first time you presented before my squad?"

I closed my eyes and recalled the moment he was talking about.

---

I kept readjusting my outfit and fidgeting with my hair. Meeting the primary members of Death's military force made me nervous. They came from so many different planets that they'd made an impact across the entire fleet.

The door behind me opened, and I turned around. The eight aliens behind me talked low and eyed me with great suspicion. I swallowed hard.

Death strode in behind them but stopped, for only a moment, then made his way to his chair. "Introduce yourself."

I stood up straight and looked at the eight before me. "My name is Scylla Ariti. I'm from Earth, and I'm human."

"Some introduction." A giant blue alien smirked.

"When I said introduce yourself, I meant INTRODUCE yourself. Like you would be, little star."

The group chuckled, and I knew the star comment was an insult. If Death wanted me to introduce myself, I guess I could. Hokuto had told me to bring whatever I thought was necessary to make an introduction. I reached down and picked up my electric guitar, and pulled its strap over my shoulder. I toed on the amplifier and pulled the pick across the strings.

I played the song in my head, messing with its arrangement before playing out the cords and words. Fancy was a powerful song whose meaning wasn't lost on me. In a way, I was Fancy out in space, planning on charming the masses and keeping myself from the bottom any way I could.

I took on Fancy and made the song my own. I didn't want these nine aliens to ever doubt my reason for being here. I was here to play for Death, make him infallible on the planets he conquered.

The last line left my lips, and I took in deep heavy breaths. Death wanted an introduction; I hope that he'd gotten what he wanted.

---

He chuckled. "I can feel how you felt that day. I enjoy knowing you took pride in showing me up."

"You like that I was shoving your patronizing tone in your face?"

Death leaned in and kissed me. "Oh, I did. Every time you prove your defiance, it excites me."

I wrapped my arms around him. "Defiance isn't a good thing."

"On the contrary, your defiance is a good thing because you are so loyal to me. It lets me know that you could fight me on things you need to."

I kissed him. "I'll only defy you when you need it."

"Good." He paused. "We need to head to the transport. Are you ready?"

"Yes, let's go knock them dead."