I stand here, in death’s castle, in Purgatory.
“You have come for the life of Dot.” Mortis said. “avent you?”
“That, and for my friends.” My words were smooth and firm. “Your sins are what killed them.”
“Did they?” He questioned. “I believe it was you who killed my sins and your friends.”
“It doesn't matter.” I stood strong. “I’m here for you and Dot now.”
“There are a few things you mortals have right about me.” He raised his hand. He held up fingers as he went. “One. My name. Two. My look. Three. The only way to reclaim a soul.”
“A musical battle?” I asked.
“Close. It will be a battle of your choice.” Mortis corrected.
“Then I choose,” I stopped and looked over Mortis. I saw a small shimmer over his shoulder. “I choose a battle of blades.”
“I accept. How about the conditions?” He asked.
“Last one still alive, wins.” I have it rigged.
“Deal.” We shook on the deal. “Take up arms.”
“I don't have a weapon.”
“Take one.” He said.
I turned all the way around looking for some wall of weapons or something. There was nothing.
*Chink!*
I looked in front of me and found Morris's scythe caught in a steel chain. I was holding two metal chains. I have my weapon. Death pulled his scythe away. I jumped back.
The battle has begun.
I looked down. In my hands wa my weapon of choice for this fight. Two hand scythes with chains on the bottom. The chances were about as long as my arm, if not langer. The base of the chain was a handle with a ball and a point on it. It was almost as if someone stabbed a pencil threw an apple. I didn't believe this I was imagining this weapon in my mind as I was looking around.
“So you see.” Mortis spoke. “In my world you can fight the way you want. I love a good challenge.”
“Then use your magic.”
“You don't want me to.”
I make the rules.
“Yes. However,” He smiled. I didn't know a skeleton could show emotion but he did. I could sense him smiling “All rules apply to you as well. Rules may be added, but never removed.”
“Ok. Good luck to you then.”
“And to you as well.”
It was on. I made the first move. I swung the chain of one scythe up and back down at Mortis. He jumped aside and laughed. I grinned. He dodged the distraction. I flung the other chain out sideways aimed for death’s side. Dead on its mark, If the mark was the scythe thay he blocked with.
Shit.
He pulled on the channel and drew me in.
Double shit!
I pulled the other chain over and around full circle to deaths hands. I was free! I got up and charged death. I drove the blades into his chest and ran behind him. I found the ends of the chains and they grew taunt. I spun around and ripped them back to me. Death was holding them. He let go and the scythes frew at me! I ducked, just not far enuff. One of the blades clipped my shoulder.
“I win death!” I shouted. “The deal was the last one still alive! Youre dead!”
He walked toward me, then stopped at a short distance away. “Yes. I am dead. But you said still alive. I wasn't alive to start with.”
