Soul Keeper

"You with me?"

"Ever at your side."

Multimuse, multifandom blog ・ Written by Neg ・ Screencap credit

"I guess we'll both have to be on the lookout, then. I've found what I could from Umbrella's files, but... Wesker's writing style is-" Completely fucked up prose "-well, complex at times. And even when he tries to pretend he knows everything and has it all under control, he's still frequently wrong. He's stupid right when it matters most."

His mis-judgements may have played a good hand into many of their own adventures and problem-causing in that facility, but he was far from stupid, as much as they hated to admit as much. His overconfidence made him underestimate his subjects, which often transferred into the logs, which meant that Taro's information was...

"Hey. I know we didn't get far here, but thanks for meeting me anyway. I'll be keeping an eye out, and we can always find one another again if we discover anything. I... don't want to have to rely on someone else for this. I really wanted to keep this between us, but we might end up having to look for outside help. So, really. Thank you for being here."

This ended up not bearing as much fruit as they would like, but... it can't be helped.

"...To be honest, the other half of my plight is that I'm trying not to stay in one place for too long. Especially out of disguise. I know they don't know I'm gone yet, but I'm not trying to give out any leads either. Especially not for the BSAA. Because, uh... I do technically count as a bioweapon under their guidelines. Even if I don't actually do anything."

A bit of context for their sheer unhelpfulness towards that fed guy in the chat, it seems.

"I've been here in evil-ass Montreal for a bit already. I know eyewitness reports are unlikely, but uh... like I said before, I can't really fight. And almost everyone here wants a fight. The situation in Rupestrine is getting dicey, even for me, so... well, I found some wilds some distance away. I can travel over to Insomnia before taking off into those wilds, you know?" They let out a dry laugh, "I thought I'd at least let you know where I'm going next. So you don't worry about me too much. I figure I'm better off in those wilds than anywhere over here, you know? I'd, uh... rather not let someone try to decapitate me again or something." Why was that last part so specific-

Fuck, they're gonna miss Sam Handwich Not The Dog Look Outside Gay Luigi Hat and his trusty buddies The Benadryl Hat Man Shadow Not The Hedgehog and Batman Junior.

"I'll be fine. Wherever I go, I'll be fine. You don't have to worry about me. If I find that thing again... I'll let you know." See? They're smiling. It's all fine!

Maybe he could become a part of that list.

“And you’re welcome, Taro. Regardless of the progress we’ve made, I’m glad to have finally met you in person. Once this Bird Business is all said and done, I’d like it if we could rendezvous under lighter conditions.” A social butterfly he was not, though he truly did enjoy the time he spent with people. They had shown him so much in so little time.

His features scrunched as he considered the next bit they told him. “The BSAA, huh? I did notice that Chris fellow pestering you quite a bit. Of course I’ve been keeping everything I know under wraps, but that gives me all the more reason not to engage with the guy.” Beyond the sparse replies he gave regarding the Clown Crew’s mischief, anyway.

Besides, why label Taro a bioweapon? While they did not explain their abilities in depth, many naturally had powers like theirs. Were they really being sought out over something they were born with? Yes, information on Umbrella was another thing, but that irked him. It irked him a lot.

That meant those two siblings were in danger as well. If the others did not save then first, then… ahh, like they would be beaten by a bunch of militarized bozos.

“Right. I’ve only been here a few minutes and I can see how dangerous it can be.” The reaper lamented. “But it’s a good thing you have options. While I probably could find you if push comes to shove, I appreciate the head’s up nonetheless.” His overall demeanor lightened. This meeting alone might have heightened his seeking capabilities regarding them, which was a positive.

The negative was if he heard or saw anything unpleasant.

“Don’t worry? I’ll be honest with you, Taro. I’m not sure if that’s possible.” He laughed quietly. “But that’s how I am with all of my friends. And the souls I care for.” Tilting, he added, “Still, we’ll work on securing your future. Reality tends to rattle the best of us, yet perseverance goes a long way. You will see a day where you won’t have to keep running anymore… we just have to fight for it.”

Internally, he knew it was the same for his problems. The worst of it had already passed, and another door opened. If he could see the light at the end of that tunnel, he could see it for the next one which stood in his path.

Taro was going to keep their head up. They've already promised two people now that they wouldn't give up, but holy shit is it getting hard. Okay. Okay, just re-center, it's fine! It'll be fine, these things had a way of working themselves out. It'll be fine!

Just keep telling yourself that. Someone out there has answers. You just have to find them.

They visibly pause when Death seems to go on a mini-spiral. Right, right... they remember this. Hell, one of these spirals were how they had a first meeting with him over in that chat. Someone called Twospelt, souls being eaten, the poor guy panicking... he was someone who was sensitive to the treatment of the departed. Of course this would upset him.

"They're not dead, I don't think." Not yet. "There's still a chance... if there's no proof they're dead yet, then maybe we can still save them. Maybe we can keep it from getting that powerful."

...But that would require a confrontation. One that neither of them were prepared for. They vaguely remembered that annoying fed guy pestering them in DMs about stuff regarding it, so maybe... maybe there was still a chance.

"...If... someone else has eyes on it, and can track it, maybe..."

They're fully aware they're spitballing. This wasn't something the two of them alone could handle, they would need some kind of outside help, but the options were... not great.

Option one- Ask for help from BSAA and see what they can do, at the risk of them potentially making the situation with Umbrella worse or detaining them for being, by all current means, a bioweapon...

or option B- Recruit from the groupchat. Which seemed like the worst possible option, for multiple reasons; Namely, Wesker would become aware that two assets were loose, and then... poor Gold would know that his sleep paralysis demon was loose. Right after they'd promised to keep it in line for him.

"...Revenent would be one to ignore the immorality of the act, I'm afraid. Damn..." Taro closed their eyes for a moment.

“Right.” Stiffly nodding, Death let reality wash over him. “I can’t go jumping to the worst possible conclusion. They could still be out there.” If those kids could be saved, then so could these subjects. It was not hopeless yet.

The entity attempted to ease back into his chair, mulling over their next point. “Tracking it, eh? If I had all the time in the world, I certainly could try to pick up on its spiritual energy and pinpoint its location. Keeping tabs on it is another issue entirely.”

Death’s brand of omniscience could only show him so much. He could follow his companions to the ends of the earth, but acquaintances and enemies went well under the radar. If only these things were more general. But a narrational conflict would not be nearly as interesting if it could be solved straight away, now, would it?

“We could ask around without bringing this knowledge to the general public. I realize it’s less convenient than texting, but it would be safer.”

It was all he had on that matter. Maybe they could stumble across someone.

An acceptant sigh left him as Revenent’s morality was brought into the picture. “Can’t say I’m surprised. It was never kindly to begin with.

Then he relaxed. Rigid features went soft. “Taro, you have nothing to apologize for. I’m the one who drew myself into this the instant I tried to find you.” He attempted a small smile, shone in arching sockets. “And I don’t regret that for a second. Because that’s what friends do.”

...They can't.

Because what he's saying makes an uncomfortable amount of sense.

Taro kind of just... blocked that time out, or failed to remember much of anything in the haze that followed the incident. Him pointing most of this out put more pieces into place, and they didn't like it.

That means that it fed on...

Taro shakes their head, a stressed expression overtaking their face for the shortest moment before clearing up. Do they really want to deal with the mental load of Revenent's escape and theft of their fellow subjects being their fault? No. They don't.

"I don't know how souls work. It's your specialty, not mine, but... what you're saying sounds about right. It being some kind of... fusion, between all of those people, yeah. I can see why it would keep that many souls. But..."

Alright. Time for the more uncomfortable questions.

"...What does that mean for the other subjects? The ones it kidnapped?"

Right. Back to the primary source of the migraine. The missing subjects. "Is it... can it absorb their souls too? Is that something you can even answer? Is that part of why it..." One paw goes up to pinch at their temples with a groan. "...You know. Why it... took them?"

It was obviously trying to stockpile more power, they had figured this out already. The emotions it feeds off of adds to that power, but there was one other question in the air.

"...If it absorbed their souls, added them to the others, would that make it stronger?"

It was already horribly strong with just the six it had, without the need to feed. Add the feeding, and it gets stronger. But add more souls, and... what exactly do you get afterwards? Would more souls do nothing at all? Death was the most likely person to know, but... Revenent was unpredictable. Everything with it thus far has had way more confusing and upsetting end results than you'd first guess.

...Was that thing only mere steps away from becoming a god? Is that what it's trying to do?

A fusion of people. An affront to nature. Revenent was a product of Umbrella, alright. Those other three who were created in the past year were somewhat similar to that end. They were born via the torment of multiple figures, their DNA residing within them. One perished at the hands of their siblings, who lived on. This organization’s cruelty knew no bounds and it disgusted him.

Everyone deserved a chance at life. For them, however, it must be torture to know where they came from. Did Revenent think the same of itself, he wondered? Or did it carry the will of every last one of the subjects it encompassed?

Either or. It did not excuse what it was doing. And if what Taro was theorizing was true, then. It was far worse than he had assumed.

His stare went blank, devoid of any emotion. Every time he had hoped for a break in the cycle, it began anew. Selfish, wretched things with no substance to their name would just up and decide it was a perfectly fine and ok idea to take what did not belong to them. Something precious, something which exceeded mortal value.

The very essence of a person. Of their thoughts, their feelings, and their dreams.

All for them. Because in their minds, a soul was just an object. Not a sentient, sensitive vessel preserving one’s existence.

Damn them. Damn them all to the flaming pits of Hell. Why can’t you all just DIE OFF already?

“I.” It came out as a creak. “I don’t know if it can. I was hoping… nobody else could.”

Lurching, a shaky exhale resounded. “O…Of course it would, if it could do that. They’re. Like batteries, if exploited. They can power anything anyone desired.” His stoic façade faltered. “Should they have the ability to… and blatantly ignore the inherent immorality of the act.”

They knew they'd gone quiet in the group chat for... god, yeah, a week, which was unheard of for them at that time. They were in there almost daily, posting whatever they had on hand. A sudden silence must've been jarring.

"...Truth be told..."

"...I don't remember anything that happened. I was just... out cold. I struggled to wake up after the fact, I had a wound that's healed, but... everything was so foggy. I still don't remember what happened, but I think I was put under for some kind of procedure."

Is that still what they're going with? They've been doubting that for some time, but they can't really dispute it with themselves, either.

"...It does have psychic powers. It... it's some kind of energy vampire, I think...? It feeds off of negative emotions. I think it was riling you up on purpose to feed off of you." They readjust in their seat, "In the files, it was mentioned that it once kidnapped a scientist and kept her for multiple days to feed off of her. They were starving it to keep it weak. If I had to guess, it got desperate and wanted to lure someone closer to feed off of them."

"...It seems like it lost the connection it had to Gold. It couldn't send him nightmares anymore, so it figured that you could be lured closer if it knew that I would be MIA for a while. Revenent is... hard to understand. It spent so long being weak, and suddenly, it started getting stronger. I didn't know why it suddenly got so strong."

Taro's ear twitched at the mention of other souls. They sat back, humming in thought. Death was the only person they knew who could see souls like this, so... maybe...

"...In the files, it said that Revenent was made up of six people. Six people that melted together because of... something they were trying to do. Like a proto-version of Gold's experiments. They fused, and created... that thing. It has all of those souls...? All of those people were dead, if memory serves right, but you sensed all of those souls?"

Was that why it seemed so erratic? So aggressive towards the Umbrella staff? Why it was calling itself an 'angel of death'? What exactly was it working towards now, though?

"I hate how unpredictable that thing is." They huff tiredly, "How dangerous it is, now. I bet it only took out the facility solo so it could feed off of the fear it would cause and... make itself stronger. Death... I don't know if anyone can actually stop that thing anymore, let alone if it just keeps storing more power. If it has the other subjects, then it's got a bunch of batteries right there with it. If it takes other people, it's just... going to..."

Holy fuck, Umbrella created an uncontrollable monster. It feeds off of negative emotions, so a fight with it could just make it stronger. Taro genuinely has no idea how to counter this.

“I’m going to be honest with you, Taro.” His tone was stern yet concerned. “While you might think you were taken in for testing, I have my doubts that this is the case – or that Revenent was purposefully baiting me for a mere taste of my anger.”  

Sliding his hands towards himself, he lowered his gaze and scowled. “It just doesn’t add up. You don’t remember anything leading up to your coma, which is suspicious, and Revenent was blocking me from seeing that, or rather, the aftermath? Wouldn’t the grief from seeing you in dire straits be more beneficial to it than ticking me off for a minute?” His expression deepened, tightening as he speculated.

“I can’t see its insistence on keeping me out as being an elaborate act to feed off of me, especially since the encounter hardly lasted. If it was willing to keep a scientist in its clutches for days, why would it settle for a transient moment between us, knowing what I am and how it would end right there if I lost our little skirmish?”

The more he prattled, the more he trembled. Shakily, he exhaled.

“It must be hiding something. I don’t know what, but I suspect you are at the center of it all. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be stubborn about blocking my sight, going on and on about me not ‘snooping’ where I ‘don’t belong.’ As if checking on a friend isn’t my business.”

Gripping the side of his head, he hissed, “It even had the gall to say I was invading its privacy by delving into your condition. That in itself is a red flag to me. Because why would it say that when I was just trying to see you, and you alone?” He looked to them with urgency plastered across his face. “Would it really speak so nonsensically just to get the shortest rise out of me?”

His fingers loosened as he realized his breaths were becoming erratic. For both of their sakes, he paused to focus on evening them out, counting internally until he was regular again.

“Either or. Yes, I not only sensed those souls, but I saw them as well.” The deity slumped in his chair. “I don’t like it, but I suppose those being natural to it are better than them being stolen from somewhere.” There were more than enough people doing that as it was.

Glumly, he considered the rest of the knowledge he was bestowed. “Not that it changes much, does it?” Pinching the scant bridge of his nose, he commented, “I don’t want to give into despair in spite of what you say, but… it does look awfully bleak. We’d need someone who’s somehow more powerful, or doesn’t feel anything at all. Both of which are extremely rare.”

Well. Maybe the former is not as difficult. They had literal gods in the chat who were leagues above him in strength. But would they actually care to fight the damn bird? Augh.

"...If I chose not to talk about anything that's stressing me out right now, I wouldn't be saying anything." Their headache was getting worse. "There's two years worth of stuff. Some of it from way back when is still important to explain current stuff. I know it's a lot to unpack, but if I don't now, then..."

Then what? Keep it hidden forever, layered under jokes and deflections? For the rest of your life?

"Revenent... it's still out there, somewhere. I don't like how quiet it's been. I don't like that it's refusing to give up anything. I..."

Sam's form flickered briefly as Death mentioned taking a deep breath. Worry about their health? "I think I'm as healthy as I can be, all things considered." It's normal to have a headache that makes you start squinting, right. If they took a deep breath right now, it might just turn into an anxiety attack. "I'm fine, man. Really. DVD Normal, or whatnot. I'm alright. I'm fine."

A severe shimmering overtakes his form, the disguise very visibly glitching. It's nothing... scary, unless you thought that Sam's random VHS-like quality was alarming. Until...

...

"...I'm so healthy and normal right now." They let out a quiet whine of distress. "Could an unhealthy person do this," They vaguely motion at the two of them chatting. "I'm doing great."

They've deadpanned every single word so far before putting their face in their paws. They haven't had to really... open up about any of this. They said a lot to Shadow (not the hedgehog), sure, but that one never responded. That one just kind of... nodded. Kept smiling. Death? Nope. Like it or not, he had as much of a stake in this situation as they currently did.

"...I just... wish I had some clue... what was happening. Please, just share your theories. Don't... worry about me. I'm as fine as I can be. I've been laying low. I've been staying out of... too much trouble. I'm trying to figure this out, but I've hit a wall and am losing my mind. Can you just... throw me a bone here."

Everything had been bottled up inside up until now. Asking of them to wait for a minute longer had to have frazzled them even worse. He would have apologized, had they not been on a roll. He let them keep at it, for their sake.

A mouthless grimace formed as Revenent was brought back into the spotlight. It was quite the nuisance, and for what? He had several pieces, though they did not seem to fit. How could somebody want to do supposed good, while also inflicting suffering upon potential allies? It made zero sense to him.

When ‘Sam’s’ figure flickered, Death startled vaguely. “Are you… sure you’re…”

Oop. The strangeness occurring before him was a tad alarming, but his nervousness ebbed as another took place of the fabricated man. Akin to the profile image he had seen, there sat a canine with a shadowed visage. Their visible eye was not nearly as intimidating, however, lacking the red glare he recalled. No, they appeared much too exhausted in comparison.

And that collar… hm.

“Anyone can do anything regardless of their health, if their desperation is strong enough. That doesn’t mean it isn’t taxing on them.” He advised, pausing as they covered their face. Even with their reassurances, he could not help but doubt the words. Trouble or not, they were clearly fatigued. How much rest did they actually have, within the span of their acquired freedom?

Still. They were here to talk. This meeting would be rather unproductive if he just sent them to sleep.

“…I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be overbearing. I’ve simply seen this too many times to count – and it’s hardly ended well.” His fingers laced. “Then again, those people didn’t have anyone reliable to talk to. I’ll toss you as many bones as I can, whatever my knowledge may amount to.”

Quieting, Death considered where to begin. “I suppose I should start with the attack, since you mentioned that first.” He leaned forward, internally recounting the details in a split second before drawing them out.

“When Revenent reared its ugly head at me… it was because I was trying to find you. At the time, you’d gone MIA in the chatroom. I feared something awful had happened to you.” Death’s sockets narrowed, detesting the visual. “For some reason, though, it didn’t want me to look. So, it interfered. I’m not sure what it did, exactly – I was feeling a mental strain. Some kind of pressure, possibly telekinesis if I had to guess.”

Folding in on himself, Death admitted, “Desperate to know the truth, I pushed back as hard as I possibly could. It wasn’t enough, even with the help of the souls under my care.” His hands clenched as he clarified, “That being said, the last thing I noticed was that… it had other souls with it.” This in itself caused him to glare to the side. Just what he needed was another thing exploiting the dead, potentially.

Well. He was Death, after all. He's probably been in more difficult places for more difficult happenings, so maybe fucked-up Montreal really wasn't that bad for him. If he was nearby, maybe they should-

"EUGH-"

They jumped several feet in the air and promptly lost their disguise from the shock. When he said he was nearby, they really didn't think he meant he was right outside the building. They really expected to have more time to emotionally prepare themselves for this.

There's the sound of chairs clattering as Taro attempts to fix themselves up before the door opens-

"Hey, man. Thanks for meeting me here, hope it wasn't too bad of a travel." You didn't hear them panic just a second ago, no way. He props the door open with both hands, "Come in, those guys out there are way too aggressive. I dunno about you, but I'm not much of a fighter. You know, the real me under here. Not Sam Handwich Not The Dog Look Ooutsyde Gay Luigi Hat. Not that it stops me from finding trouble."

He's being incredibly calm for how nervous he actually was. Once Death was inside and the door shut, he did deflate a bit. "I don't know how the hell anyone can live here, this place sucks-"

The Canadian inflection dropped gradually as they plop down in a chair, motioning to one just across the table. They cleaned this one just for you. Lunch snuffles around somewhere in the corner behind them. "...Kind of weird to make appointments with like... anyone outside of Umbrella. Damn. Existing outside of there feels... weird. Nice, but weird."

You can't go back to what you had, you can never return to any of that again. You're stuck in hiding for the foreseeable future.

"...Right, no, you didn't meet up with me for that. I guess I really wanted to talk to you about the elephant in the room. Or... the bird, technically. Revenent. Everything that happened, Really. Elaborating on myself. Whatever else has to be said, with all of... this happening."

They sigh heavily, a hand going up to their head and carding through Sam's hair. They're stressed enough to feel it in their muscles. God, where the fuck do they even start...?

"...It hurt you really bad that time, didn't it? What happened?" Swapping information was probably the best way to start, but... holy shit, their real voice just sounds tired. "I... I've spent a long time trying to make sense of anything it did. How it treated us, how it treated others, any of that. I've never understood it, even though I... I had all the documents and the answers there, but I never-" Pause. "I could never figure any of it out. I can't figure it out now, either. I... the other subjects, it..."

But they met him nonetheless, attempting to be as casual as possible. It was a tad strange to be speaking to someone who wore another’s face without it being a threat, if he was being honest. Especially when he had actually seen the inspiration for the disguise before, already making out the little details which did not quite match up. Fortunately, this was Taro and not somebody else. He could relax.

“It could’ve been worse. Only two hooligans had the bright idea to try and tackle me.” The entity gave a shrug. “Still, you’re welcome all the same. I agree though, let’s not dawdle out here.” He too was not an expert in combat, and he was not about to prove it against whatever else lurked in the alleyways.

Following ‘Sam’ inside, Death cast the darkness one last wary glance before the door was closed behind him. “You’re telling me,” he coughed, “I was only out there for a few minutes and could hardly sit still. How anybody could live around here without checking over their shoulder every other second is hard to believe.”

Nevertheless, the setting was irrelevant. What mattered most was what they had been meaning to chat about. Realizing he had not seated himself just yet, the ghoul awkwardly rubbed the back of his head and settled into the one offered. Was it just him, or was it cleaner than the others? Aw.

“I can only imagine how much of a relief this must be for you.” Curiously, he side-eyed the pup as he spoke. “I’m glad you’re not trapped down there anymore.”

His gaze returned to them as they dismissed the topic and moved on. Right. It would be nice if they could discuss more pleasant things, but this was not the time. “Of course. But if anything’s too overwhelming to talk about, you don’t have to force yourself. I can sense how heavy it weighs on your shoulders.” Not simply because of their gestures, either. Souls tended to give off the emotions of their bearers quite well.

Bony lids lowered at the mention of Revenent’s attack, trailing towards stiffening hands. “I should delve into that, shouldn’t I? I’ve had theories about what it’s been doing and why, though I can’t be too sure myself.”

Then the other subjects were brought up. His head raised, almost jolting. While he did want to know what they were implying, it seemed to be taking its toll immediately.

Death... he'd gotten past their walls surprisingly quickly. How the hell did that happen? Not even their clown squad had gotten as far as he did. So much so...

That they were sitting here, willingly waiting for him. As he replied to their DM, they couldn't help but sweat. Taro hasn't spoken to anyone in-person outside of umbrella in a little over two years, and for someone like him who knew even a little bit about what was happening and had happened... ough, they felt a little sick. Sam's hands were sweating.

Yes, they were in disguise. They still had to be, even if it made them feel bad. They don't really want him seeing their scars or the electric collar that they hadn't figured out how to get off yet. Their illusions could only cover so much of that stuff. Fuck, they just. They don't want to upset anyone over this-

[I'm huddled in some back-alley room. I think it was a restaurant at one point. Clear and safe in here. I checked.]

You know, before... whatever happened here. They're still not convinced it wasn't mold. Sam Handwich Not The Dog Gay Luigi Hat, you better be glad they like you as much as they do or they wouldn't have come back to fucked up Montreal for you.

...Fuck, this one didn't even have a visible name on the building, did it? Just a whole lot of damage from looting and fights, it looked like. Lunch wandered around and sniffed at a few overturned chairs somewhere in the background.

[Should I like. Step outside to flag you down or.] Did either of them even know what the other looked like. [I'm disguised as Sam. Not the dog one. Look for the pink sweater. I'll explain more later.]

The reaper hummed, waving his shining scythe blade at incoming ghouls like a torch. It seemed to spook them off well enough. Were they aware of what it was, or did the glow given off by it serve as a warning to keep their distance?

It at least allowed him to pay attention to the additional messages. Taro seemed a bit flustered, which spurred a tinge of guilt. Should he attempt to track them by bending the rules? Revenent was not around to interfere. And since they were far closer in distance than they were before, it should not be very taxing.

He detested the notion of cheating to forward their progress, yet. Stressing his friend out was the worse outcome, in his opinion. They should not have to force themself to run around just to pinpoint a cloaked skeleton wandering about a sea of anomalous beasts.

‘No, the place is too vast for that. Don’t push yourself.’ Death calmly replied. ‘I’ll come to you. The clues you’ve given will help.’

Wait. Disguised as… Sam. They could do that? Owlishly, he blinked. There were many Sams, but there were only two he had met as of late. One was a dog, the other a human. Then they must be referring to the latter.

Another useful detail. He could hone in on this. With a bit of focus, he tapped into the energies of this universe and narrowed his options. It was not quite like pinpointing someone based on their soul’s frequencies, though it would do.

There. He could see it. A path leading to a run-down door. Hurriedly, he followed it, clonking a couple of testy critters along the way. Death was not the fastest around, but he made it in relatively good time.

At the entrance, he stopped and took a breath. Even if he would not be meeting Taro in their true form, it was still their first time meeting in person. He smoothed out his hair, dismissed his scythe, and gently knocked.

“Sam, are you in there?” Best to use the disguise’s name to protect their identity. “It’s me, ah. Death. Would you mind opening up?”