Soul Keeper

"There's a LIGHT inside your SOUL that's still SHINING in the COLD."

What he saw on the other side was nothing short of mystifying. The whole space was distorted, frozen in time regardless of how the cosmos swirled above. Five figures were far up front, including the one whose face matched that of the icon he perceived in that chatroom. Notably, the green eyes in their visage were dull.

And while the reaper did recognize a majority of the combatants fighting for his dear friend’s sake, scrambling about to attain the upper hand, he did not pay that any mind right now. Gazing off to the side, he found him. Or rather, them, as another had him cushioned on her lap.

His appearance, even at this distance, was gut-wrenching. He could not even begin to describe it.

Before anyone else could happen to notice he was there, he sped over in hopes he could assist in his recovery. Lending a hand to the fighters would come afterwards.

Besides, he was not the only one who planned on partaking in this bout. Others would soon follow.

He took a long pause, momentarily observing the hundreds of new souls which populated the space.

“But what?”

With a perturbed grimace, he gazed towards the abyss beneath him. Whatever the issue, it would not present itself. Not yet.

“I’m… going to regret this, aren’t I?”

Staring up into the moon above, he grimaced. Even if he kept it at bay, he would have to face the music eventually. Might as well rip the band-aid off now, as he tended to do.

Reluctantly, he shut his sockets. And let the flow of information wash over him.

“…damn it. Of course you’d do something when my back is turned.”

Hollows cracked open. He grimaced.

“At least Chimizo informed them, but. It seems not everyone is sold on your untrustworthiness. Or the intent behind what you did to him.” Oh, Taro. Please be careful around that creature. “Why does this always have to happen…? At this rate, will we have to be wary of anyone new?”

Death shook his head. It should not have to be this way.

“Hopefully… that Gameshow Host will emerge safely. And that you don’t scar Mari Gold for life.” He hissed under his breath. “I just have to put my faith in whoever is being called upon the settle the situation.”

For now, he would just have to offer his support.

While Death was not entirely comfortable with being out and about at the moment, he needed to check in with his former instructor to see if keeping those two at the school was acceptable at any point. Drifting through the halls, he was not entirely expecting to bump into anybody with the exception of Lure.

But he was proven wrong as he was approached out of the blue – by a student, to his amazement. Bony brows raised as the kid greeted him, polite and respectful. His expression eased as it became apparent this little one was familiar because of the teachers. Ah, did they really talk about him in class? The idea flustered him a little.

“Well, hey there, kiddo. Good evening to you as well.” They still operated at night, right? He at least assumed as much. “So the teachers are talking about me, eh? I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised. After all, I was taught by them when I was about your age.” Technically speaking, anyway. Though he could not put a number to it, he was still a child at that time.

Thoughtfully, he held a hand under his jaw at the question. “My work…? I don’t see why not. Some of the details are a bit complicated, but I should be able to summarize it for you.” Because the last thing he wanted was to confuse this fellow.

Clasping his palms together, Death explained, “Simply put, my job is to help Lost Souls pass on to the afterlife. They come from reality – also known as the human world – and wind up in our world, unable to move along without assistance. That’s where I come in, to sever their connection to reality, freeing them from their troubles.”

He extended his arm to the side, willing his scythe to appear in his grasp. “In order to do that, I use my trusty scythe here. It has the power to cut ties, specifically ones we can’t see with our eyes.” The instrument was then dismissed, in case it was too unnerving to keep out.

“Of course, it would take forever to do my job if I had to find these souls myself, so I established a little system where the souls can come to me for help.” Pointing out the window, he indicated the moon. “See, when the moon there is completely dark, it becomes a portal to the Lost World, which is where I tend to the spirits. Once it’s open, the souls will gravitate towards it to come find me. It’s a well-known fact among the dead, so most don’t need directions.” Keyword being most.

The reaper softly clapped, nodding towards the eager learner. “That’s about the gist of it! I hope that was an easy lesson to take in. Much as I’d like to hang around and take questions, though, I’m here to tend to some business with Mr. Salaman. Maybe I can answer whatever crosses your mind if we bump into each other again sometime.”

“Are you sure they’re going to be okay like that?” Neko Zombie was the first to speak, paws clutching each other. Their claws kneaded at the air, fidgeting in concern. There was nothing to scratch at, nothing to graze to temper their anxiety.

The taller of the two roughly chafed his skull, dragging fingers through his hair. “They’re in a comatose state and shouldn’t need much to subsist while they’re held down there. Still, I’ll… feed them a bit of my energy wherever I can. I’d hate to see their progress somehow reverse on itself.”

Frayed whiskers twitched as the cat frowned. “And you think this is the right thing to do? How is this any different from before?” They swiveled, glowering at him. “You’re just going to leave them alone, in some dingy cellar? What sense does that make?!” Their fangs bared, gritting in exasperation.

“If anybody somehow finds out about this place…” Death sagged, “They need to be hidden somewhere nobody else can access. Only I can undo the seal.” So he hoped, warily facing them. “But I know what it looks like. I don’t like it, either. Unfortunately, though, it doesn’t seem like there’s a better way to handle this.”

Brushing messy hairs back into place, he sighed, “We could always move them to the school if we absolutely have to. I’m just reluctant to foist that responsibility onto others, you know?” The reaper rubbed the back of his head.

His companion grumbled. “I guess,” they relented. “It’s just… I don’t know. A huge pain, to think they might be put at risk simply because you’re doing your job.” Even though they did not think meddling in otherworldly affairs should count. “I’ll do what I can to hold the fort, but I’m not invincible. You know that.”

The entity puffed. “That I do. For your efforts, I’ll be sure to keep the fridge stocked extra. And if you need to take breaks, you may step out of the house whenever I come around to tend to them.” Remorsefully, he bowed to them. “I understand how frustrating this must be. I truly am sorry for all of the trouble I’ve brought, and if this winds up being too much…”

“…it’s fine.” Neko Zombie interrupted him. “Anywhere is better than that prison. And, well. You’re not the only one who cares about those kids.” They tsked. “I can deal with it. Just keep me fed ‘til this blows over; that’s all I ask.” Their nose scrunched. He really was a sap.

Stupefied, Death stared at them. Then he nervously laughed. “Right, right.” He straightened. “Can do, Neko. Hopefully, this… won’t take nearly as long as the conversion did.”

A side-eye and a snuffle were all he was given before the feline flopped into the bean chair pile. They were done talking.

“…guess we could both use some rest after this, huh?”

He clambered in as well, allowing the other ghoul ample space. Hollows shutting, he lied back.

The flames have not abated. He was shaking, knelt in front of the comatose children. They were physically complete, with nary a speck of silver on their persons.

“It’s not… it’s not safe enough yet.”

Palm shielding his eyes, he choked on an unneeded breath.

“And I can’t… bear the thought, of anyone ever hurting you. Not again.”

Somberly, Neko Zombie sat in the corner. Their head dipped, melancholy and disappointment shone in their amber eyes.

This was why they did not dig into the business of others. It was more hassle than it was worth.

But Death was too soft to consider what was best for himself. And this time, it may just bring too much attention to them, if they were not careful.

It was nauseating, how many souls there were. Outside and inside, genuine and fabricated alike. He had done this song and dance before, yet it did not change how disgusted he was over the numbers.

Kidnapping and constructing people. Wesker did not settle for one or the other, no, he had to have the entire unethical package wrapped up in a bloody bow.

Grumbling, the reaper shook his head.

“What matters is he’ll get his just desserts.” He scoffed. “And I might own a new stress ball.”

"PARDON THE INTRUSION, FRIEND. I COULD NOT HELP BUT NOTICE... WE GOT OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT PREVIOUSLY, DID WE NOT? SUCH IS THE RESTRICTIONS OF INDIRECT COMMUNICATION, I'M AFRAID! I DO APOLOGIZE FOR RATTLING YOU, DEATH. IT WAS QUITE HORRIBLY UNBECOMING OF ME."

It's a cat...? It has a few too many legs. And that tail...

"ALL THIS TALK OF CURSED OBJECTS... QUITE ALARMING, IS IT NOT? TO THINK THAT SOMETHING SO SMALL COULD HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT... OH, THEIR POOR MINDS. HORRIBLE, IS IT NOT?"

It's unclear if this... thing was actually feeling bad for them or not. Was it the permanent smile...? Or was it the fact that the distorted voice was almost amused?

Nobody should be able to find him with such ease, yet creatures beyond the veil managed it time and time again. Be they deities, eldritch creatures, or whatever else in-between, they were not welcome no matter how amicable. This thing, which stalked towards him from the bleak void unlike of his own, was no different.

His shoulders bristled underneath the epaulettes guarding them. Black hollows squinted at the feline sporting a cheshire smirk, uncanny in its appearance. Not only was he far too used to being around a cat who scarcely ever smiled, but their expressions were always genuine. Harmless, even.

This one, from its cryptic manner of speech to the vague hints of humor in its tone did not match that energy. It was labelled sinister the instant it referred to him as a friend.

“So you’re the one who’s been flustering those chatters. Personally, I find it unwise of you to reveal yourself like this, but I digress.” He huffed. “Of course it’s horrible – they already deal with enough as it is. Then for that to be thrust upon them… it’s aggravatingly unnecessary.”

Not even those who found the damn thing were solely affected by it, either. That bunch were dragged under in one fell swoop, and Taro was distressed as a bystander in the chat room. They went there to take a break from their difficulties, as did many others, and it was sullied by whatever this ‘rock’ was supposed to be.

You are Poseidon.  🌊

You are not chaos — you are force in motion.

Stillness exists in you, but it is never passive. Beneath calm surfaces, pressure gathers.

Emotion does not pass through you gently. It arrives as tide, as surge, as impact. You do not simmer — you shift. And when you move, others feel it immediately.

Your presence is depth. People sense there is more beneath what they see, something powerful enough to reshape ground itself.

You are instinctive, reactive, alive with intensity. You do not calculate storms — you become them.

You are power that stands beside the crown, not beneath it. Where authority commands, you enforce. Where order is declared, you make it real. Not the voice that rules the sky — but the force that ensures the world listens.

You carry the energy of the right hand to a sovereign: indispensable, formidable, and never contained.

Yet you are not only destruction. Like the open sea and the untamed horse, your spirit longs for movement without restraint. Freedom is not comfort to you; it is necessity. To be confined is to be diminished.

You carry the power of momentum — once you choose a direction, resistance breaks against you.