When the Darkness Comes

(Had to get this idea out of my head before it drove me crazier. Please glance at the tags :3)

“Fin!” 

The uneven terrain of his father’s grape vineyard in southern England made Daiya’s feet falter several times as he hurried toward his best friend waiting for him by the bank of the small pond they often met beside. 

When he finally stumbled through the last barrier, a large blackberry bush that was always determined to try and keep out any intruders, he smiled wide at the young man standing by the water. The disapproving look he got in return only drew Daiya’s smile wider as he ran over, hopping every few steps so that he could pull thorns from his fancy shoes. 

His best friend, and servant, Fin, was already kneeling down as he came to a stop in front of him, shaking his head in displeasure. 

“How many times have I told you not to go running through the underbrush like that? You are going to destroy another pair of shoes, Daiya. And your mended clothing is now torn in several new places.” He chastised as he looked up at a his still-smiling, eleven year old master. 

“Do you enjoy providing extra work for the seamstresses?” Fin asked, standing as he finished removing the thorns from Daiya’s clothing. 

He was easily a head or two taller, being seventeen, on the cusp of eighteen. His hair was a dirty blond and his eyes shone with a blue so light that any mistress would dream to have the color for a gown.

“No sir, but I didn’t want to take the long way! “ Daiya said, running a hand through his own messy dark brown hair, knocking enough leaves out of it to have his mother shaking her head if she were there to see them all raining from his previously-styled faint curls. 

He was growing out of the waves in his hair, and couldn’t wait for them to be gone permanently. Unfortunately, his mother was determined to keep them, even going as far as to make his maids curl his hair on occasion.  

Fin massaged his brow as his eyes closed for a moment, then opened on a sigh as he reached forward, straightening his master’s spectacles. 

“Don’t call me sir. I am your servant, not your master.” 

Daiya just grinned and took one of Fin’s hands before tugging him into the shallow, cold water of the dirty pond. He knew that he would get in trouble for messing up his shoes even more, but he also knew that his father would not mind it after he apologized and smiled. 

Fin managed to slip his off just before being pulled forward, saving his only pair of ratty servant slippers. 

“Oh, Fin? I saw something earlier that I want to try.” Daiya said after hopping around in the water a little, splashing his breaches, as well as Fin’s. 

Fin didn’t seem too interested in messing about in the water, per usual, but he did tilt his head curiously at what his master had said. 

“What did you wish to try, master?” He asked. 

When Daiya splashed over to him, then gestured for him to lean over, Fin did as told. It was at that moment that he let something happen that would destroy every meager little thing that he had managed to work for over his young life. 

Soft lips barely brushed against his own before Daiya was running off, his ears bright red as he disappeared back into the underbrush from which he’d only recently come. 

Fin remained standing ankle deep in the murky pond water, unable to process what had just occurred. It was there, in that exact same spot, that he was found thirty minutes later by a group of noblemen on horseback. Each was armed with a shotgun or sword, and each weapon was pointed directly at him. 

He had trouble filtering through all of the yelling that was being directed at him as he saw some of the men approach him. The bits and pieces he did manage to decipher made his heart sink in his chest. 

Hang him. Pervert. Vile. Forced himself on his master. 

The truth would come to his ears at some point, that the young master had been so excited that he had kissed the boy he liked and wanted to tell his father about it… but sometimes the truth does far worse than help. 

Fin disappeared shortly after the incident with rumors of his death sentence echoing within the manor’s halls for years to come.

“Come on, little scholar, drink up.” 

Daiya blinked out of his thoughts and looked up at one of his university friends. Marks was already beyond drunk, and rightfully so. They had all passed a grueling round of exams, and while he’d gotten the highest scores and was the one being used as the reason to celebrate, he just didn’t feel like losing himself in alcohol that evening. 

I would love to be in bed with a good book right now… or perhaps a textbook so that I may get ahead on our next set of exams. 

It was sorely tempting to slip out the back door and make his way home like he’d done more than a few times in the past. He’d ridden his own horse to the pub, as opposed to his friends, who were intent on hailing a passing carriage to safely get back to their estates. 

As his friends grew more and more rowdy, his decision was made for him. A friend to his right knocked over a half-full mug, dousing his breeches with an overly-loud guffaw. While the humor in being soaked in cold beer was lost on Daiya, he did appreciate the excuse it gave him to get up. 

“I need to go take care of this.” He said as he stood from the bench seat and, after getting some sloppy nods from the group, hurried to slip into the back hall that lead to the latrine, washroom, and back door. 

The alcohol would dry fast enough on his ride home, so he didn’t bother trying to retrieve a cloth from the washroom and instead made his way toward the exit. While the hall was normally lit decently well, there was a very noticeable absence of lanterns in the walkway that evening, so much so that Daiya had to put his hand against one of the walls and follow it to not run into either side. 

He could see a sliver of light coming from the door that must have been only a few feet ahead of him, but right as he reached for it, the old, creaking wood swung open. A man stepped inside, most of his features hidden by the darkness. It looked like he was holding something, like a sheaf of papers, or a notebook, but Daiya didn’t let his curiosity cause him trouble. He quickly ducked back a good distance against the wall and did his best to stay quiet and still.  

“I think that’s everyone, sir. This list stated five prisoners, and we’ve got two females and three males.” The man said in a tone of voice that Daiya had never heard before. He sounded like he had been eating sawdust for weeks and was barely understandable. 

Daiya watched the outline of the man look back toward the now-shadowed opening. 

Another person. 

Hunching further against the wall, Daiya held his breath as the new man seemed to stare straight at him. 

He can’t see me. It’s too dark in here, even with the little bit of light from the moon outside. He told himself, even though he was starting to shake. Daiya wasn’t sure if the men were good or bad, but the talk about prisoners didn’t set him at any kind of ease. 

“You’re sure it was only five? Not six?” The man said as he continued to look right at Daiya. 

The other man glanced down, possibly trying to read his list in the darkness. 

“Yes. Just five, that’s all we ordered.” He said. 

The bustling echoed sound from the main dining room took over the silence in the dark hallway until the man by the doorway turned and stepped just outside, gesturing for the other man to follow. He walked over, likely intent on leaving, but was instead stopped by the second one as he lifted a hand and pointed right at Daiya. 

“Bring him out here.”

The second those words were spoken, Daiya bolted. He scrambled to his feet and started running down the hall as fast as his legs would carry him. He hadn’t grown to be the tallest lad, at only five foot seven, but he was quite quick for his size. 

If only it hadn’t been so dark in the hall… and he hadn’t run right into the wall. His glasses disappeared from his face before he even hit the floor with a loud grunt. 

The sound of the spectacles cracking under a heavy boot met his ears moments later, making the nerves in his stomach scramble like a hill of ants during a rainstorm. 

He was grabbed by the collar of his shirt a moment later and dragged backward toward the door. Daiya struggled and tried to slip from his shirt, but the man’s hold was too tight, constricting the fabric around his neck nearly to the point where he was choking. 

When they finally made it to the open door, Daiya was unceremoniously tossed outside onto the dirty ground at the feet of the other man. 

“He’s definitely not a prisoner.” The man who had grabbed him with the scruffy voice, said. 

Daiya hurried to scoot back against the brick wall of the opposite building, keeping his head down as to not give away that he was practically blind without his glasses. 

“Definitely not.” The second man said. 

Now that you two know I’m not who you’re looking for, leave, please. Daiya thought desperately. 

“Lift your face.” The second man said. 

When Daiya didn’t comply, the first one knelt down and grabbed his chin in a too-tight grip and lifted it with his gloved hand. 

“Not a bad looking lad, though.” He rasped. 

His breath drew Daiya’s brows together and had him stifling a gag as he squeezed his eyes shut. He squinted them open a few moments later, once the air had cleared enough to not risk throwing up from the smell. His eyes jerked wide when he saw the second man’s blurry face only inches from his own. 

Without his glasses, he couldn’t make out much detail besides dirty blond or light brown hair and light colored eyes. 

“…Daiya?” 

How does he know me?

The face in front of him slowly shook back and forth. 

“God must be laughing at me right now.” He said, no hint of humor in his cold voice. 

The hand holding his chin disappeared, but Daiya couldn’t look away from the person in front of him. He tried to narrow and widen his eyes, hoping to fix at least some of the blur from his bad vision, but it didn’t help. 

“You’ve always been blind without your eye glasses.” 

The other man spoke right after him. “I believe I stepped on them in the hall. I heard something crunch under my boot.” 

A faint rumble of thunder warned of a storm approaching.

“Sir, we need to leave soon.” The raspy-voiced man said as Daiya saw his blurry form stand. 

The man in front of him started reaching toward him, but stopped when his friend leaned down and grasped his wrist. 

“Be careful, sir. You know the rules are none too kind to those who break them. If we take him, everything could turn bad.” The man warned. 

The second man’s gloved hand withdrew after a long, tense moment. 

“You look so much like your father.” 

What? He knew my father? 

“He… passed away a few years ago.” Daiya said, his quiet words nearly swallowed up by the thunder of the oncoming storm. 

The man waited a moment before replying, his voice having gotten shockingly darker than the clouds hanging over their heads. 

“I know.” 

Daiya had no words left for him, even though a hundred questions were buzzing around in his head. 

“Master Fin, we need to leave!” Called a new voice from the mouth of the alleyway. 

Master… Fin? 

Blinking away his shock, Daiya shakily crawled forward, trying to see the man before him more clearly. 

Why did I have to be born with such poor eyes! 

“Fin? Is it really you?” He asked as he reached forward, trying to touch his face. 

He couldn’t believe such a thing. His friend had been killed because of what he had stupidly done so many years ago. There was no possible way that he could be kneeling in front of him. 

Right before his fingers were going to touch the side of the man’s face, his wrist was grabbed in a painfully tight grip. 

“Now now, you don’t want to do that, Daiya.” He chastised before nodding toward the opening of the alley. 

“Get going.” 

The man standing beside him hesitated, but did as told a few seconds later. Daiya remained focused on the man in front of him, Fin. His wrist was throbbing already but he was too distracted to try and free it. 

“Fin… is it really you? I thought that you had been killed all those years ago.” He said, sadness making his voice rasp as tears began to prick at the edge of his eyes. 

The blurry face in front of him moved from side to side again before his wrist was abruptly released as Fin stood. 

“I’ll only warn you this once, Daiya. If you do not leave now, you will get hurt. Stay far away from me.” 

Before Fin could even turn around to walk away, Daiya was on his shaky legs and lunging forward, wrapping his arms around the man’s torso tightly. He wanted to scream that he was sorry for what his father had done. That he had missed him so terribly much that he rarely smiled for years after he’d been told that he’d been killed. 

He could feel how tense Fin was from the hug, but he couldn’t bring himself to let go. Daiya simply nuzzled against the man’s stiff jacket and took in a shaky breath. The scent that came with the inhale gave him pause, though. 

He smells like those rich colognes Marks and the others wear, but underneath that scent… death? 

Licking his lips nervously, Daiya leaned away and looked up at the blurry face of his former best friend. 

He can’t possibly be dead, he’s standing right here. 

“You smell… odd. Did you go hunting recently?” He asked.

Perhaps he hadn’t changed after hunting something. 

Fin looked toward the entrance to the alley, then back to him before replying quietly. “Yes… go back inside, Daiya. Now.” 

He was going to tell him that he had been about to leave, anyways, when the man he had sent away returned to his side. 

“Sir, we must go now.” He pleaded.

Daiya hesitantly took a tiny step forward. “Where are you going? And with those people?” 

“You don’t realize how close you are to dying, boy! Leave!” The raspy-voiced man yelled suddenly, startling Daiya into backing away until his back hit the dirty brick behind him. 

To his surprise, Fin followed him, matching each of his steps until he was barely an inch or so away from pressing his body against his own. 

“You look just like the man who murdered me, Daiya. Do you know what I want to do to you right now, so, so badly?” Fin said as he placed one gloved hand on the brick right by Daiya’s left ear and leaned forward. 

“If you do not walk back through that door right now, you will get hurt.” 

Daiya swallowed his nerves and slowly shook his head. 

“You wouldn’t hurt me…” He whispered. 

Fin remained still for nearly a minute before he leaned back and silently turned, heading toward the opening of the alley. When the other man began to follow close behind, Daiya fell into step a few steps back. 

They were all quiet as Fin turned left out of the alley and approached a second carriage that was stopped right behind another that looked similar. Both vehicles had horses hitched and eager to run, their heads bobbing with impatience. 

When he stopped, the other man hurried forward and opened the door to the carriage, then stepped back, his attention turning toward Daiya for only a moment before he looked back to Fin. 

“Master, please reconsider.” He pleaded again, even as Fin ignored him and gestured for Daiya to climb into the carriage. 

“If you come with me, you will be hurt, Daiya.” He said one last time. 

Stepping forward, Daiya straightened his shoulders and held his head a little higher. 

“You wouldn’t hurt me.” He said again with a determination that he knew had to be true. Fin might have been his servant, but they had been true friends for years. He wanted his friend back, and to make whatever had actually happened, up to him any way he could.

When Fin didn’t answer, Daiya hesitantly stepped forward and carefully climbed up into the carriage. 

Wait. No one is in here? None of the people they had taken? 

Confused, but somewhat relieved, Daiya turned just in time to see Fin nod to the other man, then look up at him. 

“You are right, Daiya.” He said, drawing a confused frown to Daiya’s face. 

“About what?” He asked, unsure if he really wanted to know. 

Fin changed his expression, but Daiya couldn’t see it clearly. 

Is he smiling?

“I won’t do it.” 

Do… it? Is he talking about hurting me? 

Fin reached up and grasped the door with his left hand and turned to the other man and nodded. Daiya backed up when the man quickly climbed into the carriage. 

He wished that he hadn’t heard the door slam shut behind him a moment later, and he desperately wished that he hadn’t heard Fin calmly say the words “Hurt him.” Before the lock clicked closed and the carriage began to move.

Song of Thunder

(This book doesn’t seem to understand that Coming Soon means to not bother Theory for a bit >.>) 

“We had warned you, boy. Yet you blatantly disregarded what we kept telling you.” The older man rasped as he stepped forward, making Daiya carefully back up against the wall of the carriage. 

The vehicle was surprisingly big, with all but one small bench seat taken out of it, but there was only so much room to begin with. The ceiling seemed to have been raised, too, allowing for just enough space to stand, but dodging any attacks wouldn’t be easy… especially with his poor eyesight. 

“I don’t know why master Fin decided to take you, and quite frankly, if it wouldn’t cost me my current life, I would throw you off this carriage this second. He’s acting a fool trying to bend the rules, but there’s nothing I can do now that you’re here.” 

So you’re dead, too? 

When the man continued toward him, Daiya bit his lower lip and narrowed his eyes as he did his best to match him step for step. He wasn’t really trying to avoid him as much as he was trying to get used to his blurry movements. His father had made sure to get him trained for self defense, especially considering his terrible eyesight if he managed to lose his spectacles, but he needed a few moments to learn his opponents basic movements before he could stand a chance. 

“Sorry for this, lad. Perhaps you’ll die swiftly by my hand and not have to suffer at master Fin’s keep.” The man said right before he lurched forward. 

Daiya ducked the oncoming punch as he moved to the left, eyes widening and narrowing to try and help him judge distance better. 

The next attack hit him, but just barely. It hurt shockingly bad, though, almost like getting slapped with a heavy sack of mud. He stumbled to the floor, but knew better than to lie there and wait for the pain to dissipate. Daiya scrambled back to his feet quickly, just in time to run out of range of a kick that would have definitely done some horrible damage to his lower torso.

“It’s obvious you can’t see for nothing, so I commend you’re ability to dodge. I know I’m not as good a fighter as I used to be when I was alive, but I can still pack a good wallop.” The man said. 

Daiya had to agree. The man hit unrealistically hard. 

He dodged two more strikes and yanked on the door that Fin had locked, but it didn’t budge. 

“Don’t let yourself get distracted, lad.” The man said from right behind him. 

He had. The punch that hit his left shoulder as he tried to duck away sent him straight into the wall, then to the floor as his right hand swung around to grab the damaged area. The bones felt broken, but he forced himself not to dwell on the injury and staggered to his feet right as he felt the front of the carriage jerk up, knocking him right back to the floor with a pained cry. 

“Ah, that was a fast ride.” The man said before a crack of lightning struck somewhere nearby, making both of them jump. 

Not a few seconds later there came the sound of heavy rain hammering down on the top of the carriage. Daiya watched the man stare upward, but when he didn’t return his attention to him, he slowly started trying to stand. 

The carriage was rocking slightly, and if Daiya had to guess, they were somehow on water now. No water was coming in from beneath the door, however, so he didn’t let his mind wander with curiosity. 

Since the man still seemed distracted, he ran back to the door and, with his good arm, tried to yank it open again. He continuously looked over his shoulder as he worked, praying that the door would somehow unlock. 

“If you just stand still, your suffering could be over that much sooner.” The man said as he slowly lowered his attention from the ceiling of the carriage back to him. “You are just prolonging the inevitable.” 

And you aren’t? You are already dead. 

Granted, he had no real proof that the man was no longer living, but demons weren’t unheard of. People called them by many different names, though all of them were considered demonic undead. 

Many times throughout history people would get resurrected one way or another, but in most cases, they just became raving lunatics and couldn’t really think for themselves, let alone function among humans. Those types of demons were generally called zombies and were subdued and burned as quickly as possible. 

Banshees and wraiths were the next step up. They could think, to a point, but are rarely literally seen and tended to just disappear on their own without much intervention from people. 

Vampires are now considered far more dangerous than previously thought. New research had come out with information about their mental capabilities somehow exceeding a large percentage of the human population. It was once thought that they strictly fed on blood, but after several were captured over the past ten years and dissected, it was discovered that their diet is not restricted to simply liquids. They actually eat nearly the entire human body over an extended period of time, if given the chance. The reason for doing so is still shrouded in mystery. 

Among those who are high enough in function to be classified as vampires, there is one more possible category of undead, but it is so rare that one had never been captured for study, and only three have ever been written into history. The necromancers…

An abrupt punch to his gut made Daiya drop to his knees, his stomach losing whatever he had managed to pick at during his dinner with his university friends. 

“Good lad. A few more hits like that and you’ll be out like a light, then I’ll take care of you nice and painless-like.” The man said as he knelt down and lifted his fist in the air to strike again. 

Spitting out a mixture of vomit and blood, Daiya shakily lifted his head enough to look at the blurry man before him. “But he said not to kill me.” He half-whimpered, feeling like he was about to pass out right then and there. 

“No lad, he said to hurt you, not to let you live. You are a bit sturdier than I had previously thought, but master Fin doesn’t make mistakes when giving orders. He wants you hurt, and until  he comes in here to stop me himself, that’s what I’ll do. He cares not if it ends a life, only that it continues until he declares that it should cease.” He said as he lowered his hand.

Daiya’s already-pained heart sank in his chest at the man’s words. 

“I keep pointing out that this is your fault, but don’t take it to heart, lad. You two seem to have known each other before he passed, but this Finnegan is not the one that you knew. Most of us have made deals with the lord high above for a chance to return, but Fin made the darkest deal one can procure. He didn’t barter with god, but with the devil beneath our feet. He’s not only undead, but can raise and control them, too.”

Daiya had never heard of a demon being able to do such a thing, and his confusion must have shown on his face, because the man slowly shook his head and sighed. 

“Close your eyes, boy. I’ll do my best to knock you out with one more blow.” He said as he leaned back and lifted his fist again. 

Instead of trying to dodge, because honestly, Daiya was close to passing out without the extra hit, he reluctantly let his eyes close… most of the way. What remained of his vision was a little tiny slit as he straightened against the door jamb, feeling it press against his right shoulder-blade. 

“That’s a smart lad. I’ll be quick about it.” 

He was, too. Daiya barely had time to register the movement before he had to react. His ear got clipped by a ring the man was wearing over his glove and he could feel blood immediately begin to run from it, but he stayed focused, ducking just enough so that the his fist punched through the door right at the level where the lock should be. 

Before the man could realize his plan, Daiya rolled onto his back and kicked at the door as hard as he could manage. It jerked on its hinges and the bottom portion opened, giving him enough motivation to pull his legs back and kick one last time. 

The door slammed open, hitting the side of the carriage as it hung from one hinge, loosely swaying in the strong winds of the rainstorm. Daiya struggled to get onto his knees and get outside to avoid the next hit that was surely coming, but a loud yelp had his head jerking up to look back at the man. 

Why is he cowering against the wall? 

Turning his dampening head back toward the storm outside, Daiya glanced up, noting that it was definitely night time. There were many stars shining down through the rain, which was a bit odd since there didn’t seem to be any clouds, but he didn’t bother worrying about such a trivial thing as he glanced back at the man. 

It’s not day time, so he shouldn’t have any trouble moving about. 

Granted, not all undead had trouble with light, just the less cognitive ones seemed to. 

He’s definitely not a banshee or wraith… and his movements aren’t too sluggish. 

It was odd to think that the man could be a high functioning zombie, but the only other option was a vampire. Neither of which should have trouble going outside at night. He thought for a moment longer as he carefully climbed down from the carriage, not minding the water quickly seeping into his blood-stained clothing. 

When he had managed to crawl a good ways away, he fell down onto his back and inhaled deeply. As he took stock of his body, he could feel his broken shoulder aching to the same beat as the left side of his belly. 

Probably cracked or broke a lower rib, too. 

Closing his good eye, as the other had swollen shut, he let himself be swayed by the boat as it bobbed along. He had seen no others outside during his unimpressive crawl toward where he now lay by the railing. It was odd to think that no one was steering the vessel, but he had no interest in returning to the carriage that sat parked behind the other he had seen that evening a few meters away. The horses were gone, but they were another mystery he didn’t have the interest to solve. 

This is quite a fine mess you’ve gotten yourself into, Daiya. He told himself with a half-hearted smile as he listened to the rain still coming down hard in a musical thrum against the ship’s wooden surface. 

Wait a moment…

Tilting his head slightly, Daiya let his good eye peek open to look upon the portion of railing near where his feet lay. 

I swear I hear chirping.

With such bad sight, he’d rarely ever seen what a real bird looked like up close, but Daiya had learned many of their different sounds growing up, and was absolutely sure that he could hear a little finch singing to him. 

This is absurd. There cannot be a finch on a boat in the middle of such rough waters, and during a storm, at that. And I would surely not be able to hear it over such a loud downpour. 

Yet, when he narrowed his eye just so, the faint blurry image of a small grey bird appeared on the wooden railing. 

I’m seeing and hearing things… I must be. He thought as the bird’s song grew louder in his ears, even though the storm seemed to increase in intensity at the same time. 

He was just about to let his head rest back on the worn deck boards when the crack of a gunshot broke through the storm’s noise. Daiya’s one good eye widened as the bird suddenly burst into a rain of feathers, the bullet surely having hit the poor animal. 

How could someone shoot such an innocent creature? 

Grinding his teeth together to try and push through the pain in his body, Daiya slowly forced himself to sit up. He could see a few feathers scattered about on the deck, but it seems like most of the poor thing was blown overboard from the shot or washed into the water by the rain…

Wait. 

Looking up, Daiya felt his heartbeat stutter in his chest as he realized that the rain was quickly stopping. He’d never seen such a strong storm end so quickly, but soon there was no more than a droplet or two tapping against his hair every few minutes. 

He turned his attention to the carriage he had come out of and wasn’t surprised to see the man who had attacked him waiting in the doorway. 

He’ll come drag me back the second it stops drizzling. 

The stress of the idea, the damage his body had already taken, and the chill of the cold rain made him begin to shake. The dots he’d managed to ignore for the past few minutes flared behind his eye, blurring his already-terrible vision. 

The rain has stopped. 

As if on cue, the man leaped from the carriage and started running toward him. At the same time, Daiya felt his one supporting arm give out, dropping him painfully back down to the soaked planks beneath him. 

His eye refused to leave the blurry image of the oncoming man… until something black thumped down right in front of his nose. 

Is that a boot? 

He hadn’t noticed anyone else approaching, but then again, his mind was barely functioning right then. Before he could even try to turn his head and see who it was, a large, dark blanket was dropped over him. It was probably the heaviest fabric he’d ever felt, but when hands slid beneath his legs and back and slowly lifted him up against a firm chest, he suddenly felt the slightest bit safe. 

“Master Fin, I apologize, he slipped away from me during the storm.” 

Daiya knew that the voice belonged to the man that had beaten him, and after a few moments of hazy thinking, he realized that he was now being carried somewhere in Fin’s arms. He suddenly wasn’t sure if he was being saved or just being taken to his doom, but his mind didn’t seem to care either way any longer. It began to shut down, but right before he lost consciousness, Daiya could have sworn that he heard the finch he’d seen get killed, start singing again. The sound of thunder quickly began to follow along, almost as if the bird were somehow summoning the storm to return.

Darker Than Kindness

(It’s 1 AM. This took six hours x.x) 

Shivers wracked his body as he slowly awoke from a fitful sleep. His head throbbed, along with his eye, shoulder and chest, but thankfully the pain wasn’t unbearable. 

I know I shouldn’t be able to move much, but somehow it isn’t nearly as bad as it should be. 

He remembered breaking his left arm as a child, and the pain had kept him from even thinking about moving it for several days. 

My bones must be splintered to pieces after how terribly I had hurt, yet I only feel a horrible but manageable ache right now. 

Of course, he didn’t test it too much. He couldn’t really try, either. From what he could tell, he was still in Fin’s arms, and the uncomfortably heavy blanket continued pinned most of his limbs in place. 

He wouldn’t let me touch him before… perhaps this blanket is to prevent me from trying again. 

It made sense, but it definitely wasn’t a normal blanket. It had to have been made specifically to keep someone from moving much. 

“Master, I believe we are in for a bit of trouble. I know you did not want it mentioned, but it seems like god is already not pleased with the lad being taken…” 

There was no reply from Fin, though the man wasn’t deterred enough to stop speaking, yet. “Can we not let him leave at the town where we’ll be docking soon? Surely that would appease her.” 

Her? 

The deep laugh that came from Fin brought another round of shivers through Daiya’s body, making the man’s arms holding him suddenly tense. He did his best to pay no mind to the growing chill in his bones, but soon enough, his teeth began to chatter and his shaking got even worse. 

When the heavy blanket was pulled away from his face, Daiya blinked his good eye up at the two blurry faces staring down at him. 

“His shoulder is shattered and his left rib is broken… is that all the damage you could really do against him? He is practically blind, and you even forced one of his eyes to swell shut.” Fin stated without a hint of emotion in his voice. 

The  man to his left shifted a little before mumbling. “He’s faster than I thought he’d be… if I coulda just gotten another minute, I woulda had him dead.” 

Fin looked up at the man, making him immediately back away, out of Daiya’s poor range of sight. He refused to look away from Fin’s blurry face. 

“I’ll find another way. We should be docking at any moment. Go get the new set of horses ready, they should be waiting at the port.” 

The sound of the man running from the carriage made Daiya surprisingly uncomfortable. He had hurt him quite badly, but he had done it on Fin’s order. That had hurt far worse than his injuries. 

His good eye narrowed and widened out of habit, trying to focus, though it had been years since it had honestly helped at all. 

“It’s best that you don’t see.” Fin stated before gently settling his lower half on his lap, only to reach up with his now-free hand and grasp the heavy blanket. 

“Wait!” Daiya pleaded. 

He didn’t want to be smothered again. It hadn’t been the easiest to breathe beneath it and the darkness only made his worry much worse. 

“I know I can’t touch you. I promise I won’t move.” He said, not really able to do so with the weight of the blanket on the rest of his body, anyways. 

He thought that Fin might consider it, since he didn’t answer right away, but when he started pulling it back over his face, Daiya tried one last thing. 

“Can I at least have a normal blanket or even a dry shirt?” He asked through chattering teeth. 

When Fin looked away, Daiya pursed his lips, trying to keep from clicking his teeth together so often. 

He can only do bad, young one. Do not request of him what he is not capable of. 

Daiya looked around the dim carriage to try and find who had just spoken, but when he saw no one, he returned his attention to Fin, who was now staring down at him again. 

“What is it?” Fin asked, clearly having picked up on Daiya’s sudden confusion.

“I… thought I heard something, but I believe I was mistaken.” He said quietly. 

Fin remained silent for several moments before pulling the heavy blanket back over Daiya’s face. 

It felt like hours before the blanket was finally removed, but it had to have only been thirty minutes or so. The first thing Daiya realized, was that Fin was nowhere to be seen. The man from earlier was standing over him, folding up the blanket. Even if he couldn’t see his face, his smell was hard to forget. 

“Where are the others?” Daiya asked as he lay at the man’s feet, not feeling strong enough after being cold for so long, to stand on his own. 

The man finished folding the blanket, then set it aside on the bench seat behind him before addressing his question. 

“Do you mean the other humans? They were in the other carriage with you before.” 

It was hard to believe that five people who had just been kidnapped, would be so quiet that he’d not realize they were even around him. 

But you heard that voice. Perhaps that really was someone besides Fin and this man. He told himself reassuringly. He didn’t want to think that he had heard voices in his head. Though, he supposed that would be the least of his current worries. 

“Where are we going?” He asked, feeling the carriage moving beneath him, as if they were back on land. 

“We’ll be stopping at a market to stock up on food for you and the others, then we’ll be off to master Fin’s keep.” The man said as he took a seat. 

That made sense, but that also brought up another question. 

“Am I the only human in this carriage?” He asked. 

The man’s blurry head nodded, drawing a frown onto Daiya’s face. He knew that those people were criminals, to one degree or another, but why was he separated, if the people were with him earlier? 

Had it been because of the rain? Did Fin not have a choice but to run for the closest cover and hadn’t wanted us together? 

“What happened to that bird?” He asked suddenly, remembering the little silver finch that had gotten shot, but somehow managed to live, then continue singing. “Did it really bring the rain back?” 

The loud, sarcastic laugh the man replied to him with drew Daiya to finally force his aching body up to an awkward sitting position. 

“What is so funny?” He questioned. 

When the man leaned forward, he leaned back slightly. 

“That little bird is a blessing… and a curse.” 

What on Earth does that mean? He wondered as he felt the carriage slow to a stop. 

“Time to go fetch the food. Be a good crippled lad and stay.” He said with a chuckle, clearly knowing that Daiya was likely unable to move much. 

When the man hopped down from the carriage and shut the door, Daiya felt his head begin to spin. Don’t pass out again. This is probably your only chance. He told himself as he forced his exhausted body to its feet. 

Why do my injuries still not hurt as they should? He wondered as he hesitantly moved his left arm. It hurt badly, but it was manageable. Let’s get out of here and worry about it later. 

Determined, he walked over to the door and felt along the handle. It’s the one that was punched-through. He thought with enough relief to make him dizzy as he tried to push the door open, but it refused to budge. Undeterred, he dropped to his knees and began feeling along the outside of carriage for the lock. 

When his fingers found worn twine rope, he realized that they’d fixed it enough to simply hold the door shut. They must think that I can’t get up. Which should have been correct, but he wasn’t going to dwell on why he could move any longer. Instead, he carefully grasped one part of the rope and pulled. When it barely gave any slack, he felt along the simple knot for another length, then grasped and pulled it. 

The rope slid free with a hiss before Daiya dropped it to the ground outside and pulled his hand back in. It took a few tries to force the stuck door open, but when the fresh air hit his face, he couldn’t help but greedily take in several deep breaths. 

Time is short. 

He wanted to look around and see if someone had spoken, again, but the voice was correct. Daiya couldn’t hesitate. 

Licking his dry lips, he carefully but quickly made his way down from the carriage. The moment his feet hit the dusty road, he hurried away from the more-bustling area. I desperately wish that I could see. He thought as he wove his way, as best he could, through the crowded streets. 

Daiya could feel people trying to slip their hands into his pockets, no doubt looking to steal whatever he happened to have on him, but he kept his right hand in the pocket he had his money in, grasping it tightly. 

“Excuse me, sir? Could you spare a little?” Came a young woman’s voice from somewhere to his right. 

He forced himself not to turn and look at her, but soon another voice spoke, asking for coin. Another followed, then another. I will likely have no use for my coin, even if I manage to get away. My injuries will surely catch up to me. He was not feeling too well, either, likely from having been stuck out in the rain, then left in his soaked clothing for too long. 

Daiya finally stopped, and was suddenly surrounded by all shapes and sizes of begging ladies and lads. Children and elderly alike reached toward him, tugging at his stained clothing. 

I cannot feed this many mouths, even if I give them everything I have on me. He thought sadly as he took in the blurry faces. 

His eye landed on one face in particular after a few moments. He couldn’t see their face, but judging from the way their blurry figure was hunched, and the silvery color around their head, he could only assume that they were elderly. 

She is the only one not pushing me to give her something.

“Excuse me, ma’am?” He said, being sure to look toward the old woman as he spoke. 

To his surprise, the crowd slowly decreased in volume and began to back away so that the woman could hobble her way closer to him. When she stopped before him a few moments later, Daiya offered her a kind smile. 

“Lad, you do not look like you are in a position to smile.” The old woman said, drawing a slightly wider grin fro Daiya. 

“What better time is there, ma’am?” He asked. 

The woman shook her head slowly, but Daiya could hear the soft laughter that came from her parted lips. 

“Pardon me, but I really must be going… I just wished to ask you if you might be in need of some money? Perhaps you have some hungry mouths to feed, and I do not believe I will be needing it any time soon.” He said as he fished the coins from his pocket. 

It wasn’t much to him, but he knew that it likely looked like gold to the hungry crowd around him. He was actually quite shocked that not a single person moved to snatch the money. Nor did a single one utter a whisper about it. 

“Quite a few, indeed.” The woman replied.

Offering the money to her, he waited patiently until she lifted her bony hand and placed it in his. “You are a sweet, pure-hearted boy. Never forget that.” She said as she retracted her hand and turned, disappearing among the near-silent crowd. 

Smiling, Daiya closed his hand, only to feel something in it that hadn’t been before. The weight was familiar, but seemed impossible. Shaking, he forced his injured arm to move enough for him to grasp the small pair of spectacles with both hands. 

How did she…? 

Not wanting to waste time, he lifted the glasses to his face using his good arm, settling them on the bridge of his nose. The world came into abrupt focus at that moment. He was standing near a dirty alleyway between several run-down homes. 

No one could possibly live in these. He thought as he looked around… and saw no trace of the crowd that had, not seconds earlier, had him nearly trapped in place. Where? How? 

Time is short. 

Snapping himself out of his shock, Daiya hurried as fast as he could down the deserted streets. He could see what appeared to be a forest up ahead, but as he approached, the ground began to shift as he walked, as if it were saturated with too much water. 

A loud hiss stole his attention right before he stepped past the first tree, avoiding a large pool of water to his left. When he looked toward it, his lips parted in surprise. He’d never seen such a large reptile before. He knew from his studies that it was either a crocodile or alligator, but he also knew that they were definitely not native to England. 

I have not a single clue where I am, though the trip couldn’t have lasted so long that I am now seeing one of these creatures. 

His stomach twisted nervously as the large reptile, that had to measure at least seven or eight feet, slowly began making its way toward him, its body hidden mostly beneath the murky water. 

Daiya was seriously considering turning around and finding another place to hide when he heard the sound of a horse in the distance. 

Please. 

He turned back toward the town, and knew right then, that he had no choice. Fin was approaching fast on a pure black horse that was covering ground far faster than Daiya could ever hope to. 

I have to go through the swamp. He’ll catch me in moments if I don’t. Daiya told himself as he made his sore limbs move. He could feel his injuries begin to hurt more and more as he trudged through the knee-deep water. He continued to look over his shoulder as he moved and was unsurprised to find the crocodile had been joined by two others. Keep going. You need to keep going! 

Right as he finished that thought the sound of a heavy item splashing into the swamp echoed from behind him. Daiya tried to move faster, but his momentum was cut short as the water resisted his actions, tripping his tired feet in the muck built up beneath the surface, pulling him under. 

 When he surfaced, one hand on his new glasses to keep from losing them in the mud, his breath caught in his throat. A grey nose as big as half of his face blew out a long breath, generating a hissing sound that vibrated the water around him.

He swallowed the fear in his gut and slowly straightened himself up so that the creature’s nose was level with his lower torso. It had gotten deeper… Daiya tried to carefully step around it, but the creature easily moved its head through the dark water, blocking him as another crocodile slowly swam over to position itself near his back. 

“Please let me through, I promise I don’t taste good.” He whispered to the animals, his nerves and exhaustion beginning to shake his tired body. 

Do not hesitate. 

Daiya wasn’t sure how he could not. The reptiles were bigger than him and could easily drag him underwater with a simple swing of their heads and a bite. With no other choice, however, he bit the inside of his lip and made his legs move straight for the crocodile. It hissed a warning, but sank below the water when Daiya swore it would attack. 

It resurfaced a few feet away, but its attention was focused on the crashing horse Daiya could hear gaining on him from behind. Determined, he managed to wade through the pool, then pull himself out onto a mossy little island before his body gave out. 

He could see Fin’s horse struggling through some of the deeper areas, making him have to take it around to a separate saturated island about twenty feet away. 

“Daiya! Come here, now!” He yelled as the beast beneath him lifted its feet repeatedly, clearly having trouble balancing on the uneven, squishy terrain. 

Fin. 

He could see him now. The boy he’d fallen in love with had grown. How do you look my age when you were murdered all those years ago? He asked himself, but was unable to voice the question. 

I missed you so much. 

Daiya did not miss the hatred in his eyes, nor the furious expression he wore, but it was his Fin. He swiped his nearly-dry tongue across his lips, then opened and closed them several times before he was able to whisper his thought aloud. 

“I missed… you so much.” 

All of the anger suddenly vanished from Fin’s expression in that second, though Daiya had no idea how he managed to hear him. He didn’t get long to think about it, either. A large, faded grey crocodile suddenly surfaced a few feet away, it’s color so faint that it almost appeared white. 

A deep rumble began emanating from the beast, vibrating the soaked land which he lay on. Daiya could do little more than watch… until a rumble of thunder boomed overhead. 

No. 

His eyes lifted to Fin, whose attention was directed toward the darkening sky. Another rumble of thunder accompanied a few more raindrops against Daiya’s cheek, but he couldn’t even consider looking away from Fin. 

The man’s gaze slowly lowered from the sky, drawing Daiya’s eyes wide with fear. A single raindrop had found its way onto Fin’s cheek. It was burning a hole through his skin as it innocently trekked downward. 

Fin… run!

Even as the rain began to pick up, Fin refused to move. His horse danced beneath him, each raindrop incinerating hair and flesh alike. It snorted and roared as its body slowly disintegrated, its jaw swinging after nearly a minute had passed, the bone completely gone on one side as its left leg crumbled in a hiss of foul-smelling smoke. 

Fin dropped to the wet ground as his own body began to burn with each new raindrop that found him. Daiya couldn’t hold back his tears as he began crawling back toward the water. Right before he got himself turned around and near the edge, his broken shoulder suddenly flared with pain, forcing a loud gasp and groan as he hunched back to the soaked moss. 

It took him several seconds to be able to lift his head again, and what he saw shook his heart. “Fin!” He shouted, though his voice died in the roar of the downpour. 

He will not die from it. Leave while you can. 

Daiya didn’t even consider the voice’s words as he pushed himself into the water. The large white crocodile watched him, but didn’t move. It also didn’t stop its strange rumbling sounds. 

If you are calling the rain, please stop! He thought to whoever must be listening to his thoughts. 

He could barely catch his footing in the mud beneath him, but somehow managed to slowly make his way toward Fin. The man was hunched over against the minuscule tree that had seemingly claimed that small mossy island as its own. 

His body was steaming and missing large patches of skin by the time Daiya finally crawled onto the uneven ground. Ignoring the little remains of the undead horse, he forced his body forward. 

Please, stop the rain. Please! He tried reaching the voice one more time as he shakily got up on his knees and leaned over, carefully hugging Fin’s damaged face against his shirt to try and shield him, being careful not to touch his skin with his own. 

No good can come from that man. 

Daiya shook his head, sniffling from the cold rain as it made his nose run and his body shake. 

Even if that may be true, he does not deserve this! Please, I beg you, stop this storm! 

The only sound he heard for the next minute or so was the heavy thrum of rain falling around him. He wasn’t sure if his pleas had truly been heard, but then he realized one sound that he hadn’t heard for that entire minute… 

You are the crocodile.

The raindrops slowed in intensity, then dissipated completely after a few more seconds. When he was sure that they were gone, Daiya sat back, swaying slightly as he tried to see through his soaked glasses. He lifted his good arm and shakily wiped away most of the water, only to suddenly feel horribly faint. 

Fin’s body was still steaming as he slowly lifted his head. Their eyes met, but Fin’s right one was missing along the bottom, as well as the eyelid and most of that cheek and ear. His hair was also partially burned away on that same side. 

“Fin.” He breathed, eyes widening as they traveled lower, afraid of the damage he’d see. 

The rain had truly been unforgiving. Even though he had been wearing clothing, most of his shirt had dissolved away, taking with it most of his left chest, all the way down to the waste-band of his trousers. His heart lay within a smoldering crevice, unmoving and darker than night. 

Daiya felt shock take over his body as he watched, unblinking, as Fin lifted his burned arm, its flesh missing down to the bone along his lower arm and wrist. Where his gloved fingers used to be, a mess of tendon and bone uncurled, revealing black claws. 

“I told you, Daiya…” Fin whispered as he watched him. “It’s best not to see.” 

I agree. Daiya thought as he fell forward, his body finally giving out.

Born For You

(This song… because, obvious reasons.)

The rattling of something against iron brought Daiya out of his uncomfortable sleep. He was cold. Extremely cold. He could feel the frigid stone beneath him hungrily stealing what little warmth his body hadn’t already lost during the earlier rainstorm. The tips of his fingers were numb, and as he opened his eyes, squinting the damaged one, he realized that his recently-acquired glasses were now gone. 

“She favors such a human? There is no other way that he is alive without her aid if he was not on the list.” 

Who is that? 

It didn’t sound like the man who had attacked him, and it definitely wasn’t Fin. The words were drawn out slightly, as if whoever was talking had to think hard about each one before they could speak it. 

“Will she take him from the necromancer?” Another asked as Daiya tried to sit up, but got no response from his body besides a pulsing ache from his shoulder and chest. 

Nice to know that my injuries are finally back to being normal. He thought sarcastically. 

The sound of faint scurrying had Daiya’s eyes glancing around again, but he could see next to nothing in the dark area. 

“Who… are you?” He slurred out, his words barely audible in the near-silence. 

“Me?” One of the voices answered, right before the other replied. “Or me?” 

Daiya squeezed his eyes shut and shivered. 

“Both.” He whispered through chattering teeth. 

The sound of little feet against stone met his ears once more, making Daiya slowly force his body to move. Thankfully, when he managed to back up slightly, a damp wall let itself be known, causing patches of cold water to spread through his dirty shirt. 

Get up. Come on. He spurred himself on as he pushed as hard as he could against the stone beneath him with his good arm. Daiya felt like he weighed double what he should as he gradually got his tired body into a sitting position against the hard wall. 

With his new vantage point, he scanned the room again, realizing that there were metal bars everywhere but behind him running from floor to ceiling, which was so high above his head that he could see none of it.

I’m in a dungeon cell.

He wanted to be upset about that bit of information, but after what he’d seen earlier, Daiya wasn’t sure if it was such a bad thing to have metal bars between him and what things were surely lurking within the rest of the keep. 

“They are hungry.” The voices replied, making Daiya’s heart stutter in his aching chest. 

“I apologize, but I have nothing on my person to give… them?” He rasped, then coughed several times before getting control of himself. 

When he lifted his head from his coughing fit, Daiya noticed two faint shadows near the bars in front of him. The figures couldn’t have been more than ten feet away, yet he still couldn’t make out any details besides their dark color and short stature. 

He kept his attention focused on them as they got closer, not able to deduce what the creatures were until they were nearly standing at his feet. 

Rats? They’re giant, though. 

And indeed, they were. Each animal was close to a foot tall and the scent of their decaying flesh also told Daiya that they were no normal beings. 

“That’s okay.” One of the voices said as a rat tapped Daiya’s soggy shoe with one of its paws. 

Daiya quickly withdrew his foot, but he was unable to actually get away from the creatures with his injuries. 

“I am sorry, but I have nothing to feed you.” He said, worry clear in his voice, though he tried to hide it. 

The rat creature looked to its friend, then back up at him. 

“You have exactly what they want.” The voices said together as the rat came closer, settling a paw on his shoe again. 

Daiya had nowhere to go, and no way to fight as the wretched smelling creatures began climbing on him. One nudged at his leg as the other began scratching at his bad arm. 

“Would you be so kind as to help me?” He asked whoever he had been speaking with. 

He wasn’t sure where the owners of the voices were, or if they were even in a cell close enough to be of use, but he could do little else as he tried to shove away the giant rats with his good arm. 

“Unfortunately, we can do nothing about them. We are in a different cell, and they only obey the master of the keep as far as not eating someone. He uses them to torture people until they perish, and I’m sorry to say, but it looks like you are his new target.” One of the voice replied as Daiya noticed several more dark shadows creep into his cell. 

His attention abruptly shifted when he felt something puncturing his bad arm. Without thinking, he clenched his fist and swung at the rat, sending it rolling, only to stop a few feet away next to a metal bar with a frustrated snarl. 

“I am not food!” Daiya shouted as he struck the other one that had been pulling at his pant leg. 

It dodged his clumsy swing and growled back as two more stopped beside it, one lifting itself up onto its back legs. Dizzy with worry, Daiya tried to push himself up to his feet, but his legs refused to hold his weight. 

A strong nip at his right shoe had Daiya swinging at the rat there, only to have it lunge and bite his arm before he could retract it. 

“Get off of me!” He yelled, trying to swing his arm, but having trouble with the rodents’ weight. They felt heavier than bricks. 

He twisted his upper body to the left, then jerked it to the right enough to give his arm a little momentum to send the two creatures fumbling away, but he knew they wouldn’t stay away for long. The ones he’d previously thrown off were already nudging at him and the room beyond them was beginning to turn black with bodies of squeaking, growling, zombified rats. 

I’m not sure what you are, or where you are, but if you can here me, I could really use your help again. He thought to the crocodile he’d met earlier, perhaps even the bird, if it could somehow make it rain in the dungeon. It was a very long shot, since he doubted that either creature had been able to follow him, but he was out of options… except for the one which ended in his death. 

When he felt three more bites, two to his legs and one on his left elbow, Daiya tilted his head toward the ceiling, inhaling a breath to scream. He knew that it wouldn’t help him, but he had nothing else he could do. Right as he began taking in a breath, he saw two flickers of red. They were very faint, as if they were far above his head. 

“Oh? You woke it up, lad. Tis’ not something anyone would wish to have in their belfry.” One of the voices from before said as Daiya returned his attention to the rats climbing his body. 

He managed to shove two off, but received three more bites for his efforts. 

“He’s coming, lad. Your suffering will be over soon. It leaves nothing alive and kills far quicker than those vermin.” The other voice added.

Daiya was too preoccupied with the rats to heed their words. They held his attention completely… until a huge gust of wind shoved him against the wall as something incredibly heavy slammed down from somewhere above his head. He could hear the sound of multiple rats being crushed beneath the creature’s feet and felt debris from the broken stone rain against his body, making him tuck his head against his shoulder for a moment before looking back up. 

What in the world is that? 

He couldn’t make out any detail, but for once, he didn’t want to. Whatever was standing before him was easily over six feet tall and had to be nearly double that in length. 

Daiya could hear the terrified squeals of the rats being crushed beneath its massive claws and was silently praying that it preferred them to humans. 

When the beast finally began to move, the sound of snapping bones echoed along with some type of bellowing echo that was coming from the throat. 

“He’ll eat the rats, zombies or not, but don’t get your hopes up, lad. Living food is always better than dead.” One of the voices warned him. 

Daiya bit the insides of his lips to try and keep his teeth from clicking together both from fear and his body temperature. 

“Don’t bother, lad. He knows you are there. He might be some giant mutated undead bat, but he’s one of the best made ones I’ve seen to date. He could pass for real if he wasn’t missin’ a few piece of flesh here and there.” The other voice added, making Daiya’s shaking only worsen. 

If whatever was standing in front of him, leisurely tearing apart one of the cat-sized rats to eat, was a bat of some sort, he never wanted to see it with glasses on. 

“Ah, you’ve got his interest now.” The first voice said as Daiya watched the creature in front of him swipe away the remains of the rat carcass he’d been eating, then slowly swing its head toward him. 

It was making quiet growling sounds, but the vibration from the action rumbled far louder than the actual volume of it. When the creature actually lifted its left front wing-attacked-leg to turn, Daiya pushed himself back against the wall as much as he could. 

Please tell me that you are one of the blessing creatures that man was talking about earlier. He thought as his heart hammered in his chest, bringing a cold sweat to his chilled body. 

When the creature’s face stopped inches from his own, Daiya could actually see its general outline and the faint glow of its dark red eyes. It’s head was a little bigger than his own, with a thick neck that seemed to have a layer of fur in most places. It had the appearance of a fruit bat, from the blurry image he could decipher, but the way it walked was closer to that of an insect eating one. 

To Daiya’s surprise, the creature didn’t do anything else besides watch him. It continued its odd bellowing sounds here and there, and lifted its upper lip a few times to reveal a very nice set of thin, dagger-like teeth, but besides that, nothing. 

“What is it doing? He never plays with his food…” One of the voices noted as Daiya felt something tug at his lower leg. 

He glanced down, being careful to not move his head. There were two rats pulling at his left pant leg and another two coming closer from just behind them. 

“Ah, he does sometimes share. Perhaps he’s not hungry for a human right now.” One of the voices said, making Daiya send a sideways glare in the direction it was coming from. He did not need a play by play of how he was going to die. 

What is your name? 

Daiya winced at the volume of the sudden rumble in his head, but had little time to adjust as he felt one of the rat’s teeth sink into his ankle. He lifted his good arm to try and swipe at it, but to his surprise, a massive clawed hand with what appeared to be a giant wing attached swatted the large rat like it was a fly. 

The others that had been pulling at his clothing, trying to get a bite, paused to look up at the creature. 

Name, boy. 

He wasn’t really sure who was talking, though he had a hunch that the creature before him was the owner of the new voice in his head. 

“Daiya.” He stuttered, doing his best to make his name understandable through his chattering teeth. 

There was another round of deep bellowing sounds before the creature suddenly reared up on a pair of thin, but apparently-strong, back legs. It’s wings unfurled, its connected bony hands moving them outward, as they were directly connected to the top middle portion like a normal bat’s singular claw would be. 

The display was incredible and showed the true size of the enormous creature. Daiya couldn’t help but stare as it tilted its head back and took in a deep breath, then dropped back down abruptly and swung its head forward, roaring with a screeching effect at the encroaching wave of zombified rats. 

The large rodents scattered like ants, disappearing off into the darkness beyond Daiya’s minimal range of vision. He’d had to tuck his left ear against his shoulder and lift his good arm to press his hand over his other one because the roar had been so unbelievably loud. 

The sound was still ringing in his head when the creature turned back to him. You, little human, are my master? It said into his mind, its tone disbelieving. 

“I’m your what ?” Daiya mumbled, not comprehending what the beast had just said. 

Master? I’m nobodies master. 

The creature moved its face closer, taking in a deep breath, then snorting it out on a loud sneeze that shook its head abruptly. 

I had hoped never to meet you. 

Daiya couldn’t help but agree with it. He would have probably preferred never to meet such a creature, either. 

“I apologize, I did not intend to find my way here.” Daiya replied, unsure of what else he could say to appease the strange zombie. 

Apologize… The creature mused as it turned its head away, seemingly in thought, because it said nothing more for the next few minutes as it slowly paced around the cell. 

When it finally stopped before him again, it sat its back end down and then lowered its front, sitting almost like a dog would, if it had giant wings attached to its paws. 

My name is Kovash. It stated with a deep rumble. 

Daiya licked his lips and nodded in acknowledgement. 

“Is he actually having a conversation with that monster?” One of the voices asked the other in disbelief. 

The other replied with a hint of sadness to their tone. “I believe he’s lost it.” 

“It is quite strange that the beast hasn’t eaten him yet, though. He usually doesn’t bother coming down from his roost unless he’s hungry.” The first voice said. 

You two are really annoying. Daiya thought as he started yawning, but got stuck in another coughing fit instead. His chest hurt by the time he was finally able to calm himself and lift his head again. That was the moment he realized that the creature had reached forward and settled one of its clawed hands on the arm he hand unintentionally wrapped around his aching middle. 

Why are you so injured? Fin could not have done this damage. It asked as it gently removed Daiya’s arm from his belly, then carefully ran its claws down along his clothing over where the damage to his ribs occurred. 

“He didn’t… directly cause it.” Daiya whispered, the upset clear in his voice. 

He cannot. The creature replied in his mind, but then added. He may only harm you through another’s actions. 

“He wants me dead so badly, but he can’t do it himself? Why?” He asked. 

It would have hurt worse than all of the hits he’d taken so far if Fin had been the one to deliver just one of them.

Some questions are best left unanswered, Daiya. I can tell you this, though. The creature replied as it finally quieted its bellowing sound and seemed to get a little more comfortable where it lay before him. 

I have heard many whispers concerning what has happened to you on your journey here. If even one is to be true, then we shall have a visitor before long. Hopefully, they will be able to assist us in returning your freedom to you and heal your body before lord Fin returns.

“Wait a moment. You really do want to help me? I don’t understand.” Daiya said, confused. 

Close your eyes and rest as best you can. I can never be your enemy. It stated, making Daiya even more doubtful of its intentions. He did close his eyes, however, because he knew that worrying about the beast would do him no good. If it wanted to harm him, it easily could.  

I will earn your trust through my actions, but for now, just know that I was created with the sole purpose of protecting lord Fin’s Daiya, and that I answer only to you.

Dropping Dead

(Hope you guys are liking this so far XD I’m having fun. And this song 110%.) 

Wake up, Daiya. 

Bobbing his head where he still sat against the damp dungeon wall, Daiya tried to force his tired eyes open, but they refused to cooperate. 

Leave the lad be, Kovash. It’s best that he is not fully awake. 

Daiya couldn’t be sure, but the second voice in his mind sounded like that crocodile he’d met before… and also like that old woman who’d given him the glasses at the market. 

I am both of them, yet not. It replied. 

Somehow, the tone of their voice was soothing, lessening some of his worry. 

We must get him away from here before lord Fin returns. Kovash’s voice drifted through his mind. The other entity replied calmly, its words like a soft breath of wind as they moved along his thoughts. He must be healed, first. He cannot even hold his head up, let alone hold onto your back in order to escape from here. 

Wait… you are here? Daiya asked. 

I have not left your side, master. Kovash replied, only for the other voice to nearly cut him off. He means me, bat. 

Daiya swore he could almost feel Kovash’s indignation as he heard the creature grunt out a high pitched growl. A faint smile found its way onto his dry lips at that. 

I thank you for remaining by my side, Kovash. He said, truly grateful. His attention then turned back to the other voice. Who are you? I appreciate all the assistance you have given me, and for listening to me when I asked you to stop the rain, but why are you so determined to help me?

The voice was quiet for several silent moments before replying. 

I have interest in your survival. 

That answer made little sense to him and drew his grin downward into a frown. 

Do not worry, Daiya. I am no one’s enemy. 

He had a hard time believing that statement, and the entity seemed to be able to tell, because it quickly added. 

I truly hold no grudge towards your Fin. I just do as I must. 

He decided not to dwell on thinking poorly of the voice’s owner for the time being. They had, indeed, stopped the rain when he’d asked and had not outright attacked Fin. They had also helped him multiple times without being asked.

Rest assured, Daiya, I cannot kill him. Even if I wished to. He is not of my making any longer. 

He was about to ask the voice to elaborate further when it spoke again. 

Now is not the time, nor the place, for this conversation. I am going to heal you now, but it will hurt. I apologize, but if I do not mend your bones, you will meet your end in this dungeon. 

Daiya understood, but that didn’t mean that he was ready to feel the searing pain that blossomed from his shoulder as he felt something akin to a dog’s nose nudge at the area. His mouth opened on a silent scream as his head jerked back against the wall. 

You are hurting him too much! Kovash’s voice infiltrated his clouding mind. 

There is little I can do about it. He must be healed now. The other voice replied as the pain intensified. Daiya could feel the bones in his shattered shoulder moving back to where they had originally been. It hurt like nothing he’d ever experienced, and when they began to physically mend, he felt his mind begin to darken. 

Rest, I will wake you when you are well again. The unnamed voice said. 

Daiya needed little more motivation to let the pain knock him out. 

He didn’t awaken until a bright light began to push away the darkness of sleep inside his mind. It is time to leave, Daiya. Knowing that he couldn’t dally, Daiya made his eyes open. He wasn’t really sure what he was seeing at first when his vision cleared from sleep. 

You are a fox this time… He thought to the little silver fox that was balancing easily on his slightly bent legs, its nose twitching only a few inches from his own. 

It was the simplest form to use in this area. It stated with a flick of one of its large ears. 

Daiya simply nodded, then moved his left arm to check the damage. There was a simple soreness there, but the bones were clearly no longer in pieces. With a hesitant smile, he took in a deep breath, feeling the same similar ache in his lower belly, but little actual pain. 

“I feel so much better.” He whispered right before reaching for the fox. 

To his surprise, it let itself be pulled against his chest for a tight hug. His vision blurred as tears began to run down his cheeks into the fox’s soft fur. 

Um… master? 

Daiya blinked several times and looked up at Kovash, but the other voice, the fox’s, spoke before he could. 

Silence, bat. It is fine. 

He wasn’t exactly sure what was fine , but when Kovash didn’t speak again, and instead just looked away, Daiya ducked his face back against the fox’s soft fur. 

Thank you. He thought to the animal. 

You are welcome, Daiya. Are you feeling up to trying to stand? You must be gone from here soon, Fin is nearly back to normal and, no doubt, will be down here as soon as he is able. The voice replied as the fox finally leaned away, slipping from his grasp to hop down to the floor and shake out its beautiful coat. 

After taking stock of his body, Daiya nodded. He slowly moved his stiff legs beneath him, then got onto his hands and knees. His mind swam a little with the movements and he sniffled a few times, but managed not to fall over. 

I am sorry that I could not heal your sickness, but it is not too bad right now. If you get free of this place and warm up and eat well, you should be able to manage it. The fox thought to him as he carefully began pushing himself up using the wall for extra support. 

“I will be alright. You have already done more than I could have hoped for.” Daiya said as he straightened against the damp wall, his attention focused on his breathing. 

It is not easy to escape from these dungeons, even with Kovash helping you. Be aware of your surroundings. The fox warned as it headed toward the bars. 

“Where are you going? Won’t it be dangerous for you to stay here?” Daiya asked as Kovash got up and moved closer, then lowered himself to the floor. 

She does as she wishes. Do not fret over her safety. He thought to him as Daiya hesitantly tried to move toward him but ended up stumbling into his thick, dirty fur. 

Kovash is right. Worry not, lad. I will stall your Fin so that you may leave. He is coming now. 

“What? But you’ll die!” Daiya yelled as he pushed himself back up with the help of Kovash’s height. 

I have died many times, and I shall die many more. My lives are infinite and mean little to me. The fox thought to him as it began to leave his limited range of vision, its silver coat dulling into darker and darker shades. 

“Wait!” Daiya replied, holding his breath as the fox slowly came to a halt near the bars. 

“I don’t want you to die here. Come with us, please?” Daiya asked as he used Kovash to lean on while he carefully walked forward. 

I will see you again outside of here as a different entity, what difference does this life make if I will be reborn again in little time? The fox asked, sitting down and flicking an ear, seemingly running out of patience. 

“It makes a difference to me because you don’t have to die here. We’ll get out of here, even if Fin tries to stop us, so come here. I’ll hold you on his back.” Daiya said, his voice pleading. He didn’t want the fox to give up its life for him just because it would be reborn. 

It hesitated by the bars just long enough for Daiya to lunge for it. To his surprise, the fox didn’t try to dodge, though he could feel its frustration in the back of his mind. 

Be frustrated, but I won’t let you stay here. He thought, more to himself than to the fox as he hurried to climb on top of Kovash’s back and settle in with the fox beneath his left side. 

He felt the giant demon bat begin to flex its muscles beneath him, its wings stretching in preparation to take off when the sound of a heavy door creaking open echoed throughout the dark dungeon. 

He is here. Kovash, you must get us out! The fox shouted in his mind, making Daiya wince as Kovash lifted his lopsided wings. It was at that moment that Daiya noticed the small holes dotting the skin around the middle of his left wing and the two slashes near the tip of his right one. 

Do not worry, lad. He will get us out, but he cannot fly in here.

“Wait. He can’t fly in here?” Daiya squeaked out, his voice cracking on the last word as he saw Fin’s tall, shadowed form halt just beyond the bars of his cell. 

“No, he can’t fly, Daiya.” 

Fin’s raspy voice sent a shiver down Daiya’s spine. He didn’t sound the same as he had before. His throat is still healing. The fox’s voice replied, though Daiya barely heard its words, his attention too focused on the man standing just beyond the cell. 

“Good evening, Kovash.” Fin said, nodding minutely to the giant bat Daiya sat upon. 

Kovash let out a quiet grumble in response as he slowly began backing up to his right. 

Get ready. He will start climbing as soon as he is able. The fox warned, making Daiya slowly sink back down to wrap his arms snugly around Kovash’s neck. 

The fox slipped its head between his left shoulder, allowing it to see a small amount over the giant bat’s matted fur. 

“You again…” Fin growled, clearly not happy to see the small animal with him. 

“Leave it alone!” Daiya yelled back, putting as much determination into his voice as he could muster with his sore throat. 

Fin’s blurry expression seemed to change into one of surprise, his tone matching the emotion as he replied. “It?” He blew out a breath of air and chuckled. 

“It.” He repeated, shaking his head as he took a step closer to the bars. 

“The disgustingly righteous… frustratingly interfering… and all around bitch that is the one and only god… is now called an it. “ He hissed with humor, making Daiya’s heart nearly stop. 

God? 

There was silence for a few moments before the fox’s voice entered his mind again. 

I prefer more simple names. Do not worry. 

Daiya couldn’t find the words to continue speaking. He had the actual god that people prayed to and worshiped, tucked beneath his arm in the body of a fox? 

Do not dwell on it now, Daiya. Hold on tightly. The fox’s voice said right before he felt the muscles in Kovash’s body bunch beneath him. Daiya barely had time to refocus his attention and tighten his hold on the beast before there was a sudden, harsh jerk and they were scrambling upward. 

The climb was rough, and Kovash’s bony clawed fingers slipped more than a few times on the decrepit stone walls, but somehow, Daiya managed to stay on his back as they ascended.

It wasn’t long before the scratching and squeaking sound of the zombified rats began to follow them upward. Daiya didn’t dare look back, however, and instead focused on holding on to both Kovash and keeping the fox safe. 

Tighter, Daiya. Kovash warned as he suddenly leaped across a large gap and slid into an opening so dark that Daiya hadn’t even noticed it with his poor vision. 

The moment the bat landed it began to sloppily run, its wings fluttering noisily like a sailing canvas in a raging storm. They took a sharp turn that jarred him down against Kovash’s body as the sound of bricks crumbling echoed in the small space. They ended p in what seemed to be another tunnel carved into the keep before starting to climb again. 

The scratching of the encroaching rats grew louder, spurring Daiya to hold on even tighter. “Kovash, we need to go faster! It sounds like they’re catching up!” 

Daiya, can you grab my leg? 

It took Daiya a moment to process the fox’s request, then another few seconds before he was about to figure out a response. 

What? Why? He asked, confused. 

The fox replied right away as it began squirming beneath his arm. Just do it. If you do not, I will jump from here and be gone to the rats. It said, making Daiya scramble to carefully snag one of its back legs. 

The moment one slipped into his sweaty palm the fox spun around, yelping from the yank to its leg, but seemingly pushing past that pain as it gave out a high-pitched snarl. 

“What are you-” Daiya began to ask right before an abrupt stream of fire shot forth from the creature’s small mouth. 

How in the world? He wondered as he saw the few rats that had made it close to them drop to the floor squealing, covered in crackling flames. 

Wow. 

When the fire dissipated from the fox’s mouth a few moments later, Daiya tucked the small creature back underneath his arm. It was good timing, too, because Kovash spoke a quick warning into his mind at that exact second. 

Duck and hold on! 

Daiya did just that, and not a moment too soon. Kovash rammed through what looked to be an old caved in brick roof, sending them sprawling out into the chilly night air. 

Wait a second. Why are we falling? 

The fox beneath his arm sneezed before replying. 

He has holes in his wings. Did you think that he could fly? 

Daiya started to scream his response as he scrambled to keep his grip on Kovash’s diving form. “You said he couldn’t fly inside!” 

Correct. The same rule applies to outside, too. The fox replied nonchalantly right before they landed hard upon a balcony… only for it to crumble from the abrupt force of their fall and combined weight. 

“Kovash! This was a terrible escape idea!” Daiya yelled again, holding on for dear life. 

I have very few pieces of brain matter… perhaps I should not have been the one to decide upon such a thing. Kovash replied with little unease as they landed again, this time on a tilted roof covered in decrepit shingles that gave way easily, forcing Kovash to slide unceremoniously downward until he slipped from the edge of the structure. 

They fell for only a short period of time afterward before they landed one final time on a patch of soggy, overgrown plant matter. 

Well, that wasn’t fun. Daiya murmured in his mind as he sagged against Kovash’s body, too exhausted from his fever and the stress of their illogical escape to bother lifting his head as the zombie began traveling through the swamp that encircled the large castle. 

We should be alright for now, Daiya. Get some rest. Kovash will bring you close to the town you saw before. There is a doctor there who will take care of you. 

Daiya nodded against Kovash’s fur. 

Thank you. 

He paused in his thoughts for a moment before adding a small bit of humor. 

Should I pray to you now or later? 

The faint laughter that echoed through the back of his mind as he began to let his body relax drew a tired smile to his face. 

I hear enough of those, so if I may request it of you… please do not. Ever. 

Daiya’s smile widened for a moment as he gave a quiet chuckle. 

Duly noted.

Where Death Sleeps

He wasn’t sure what time he awoke, nor the day, but Daiya felt a thousand times better than he had before he’d passed out. His body was a little numb, but as he flexed his fingers and toes, feeling began to return with little pinpricks of sensation that drew a smile to his face. 

“Looks like you’ve finally returned to us, lad.” An old but gentle voice said somewhere to his left. 

Daiya took a few more moments to relax before he let his eyelids slowly lift, taking the darkness away from his vision. After a few blinks, the straw roof a small distance above him became clear, reminding him that Kovash was supposed to have taken him to a doctor back in the town he’d previously run from while being chased by Fin. 

“Your large bat friend gave me quite a fright when he suddenly appeared behind my small home while I was tending to the garden, then let your prone body slip from his back.” The man said as he hunched over, clearly having a little trouble due to his age. He pressed a damp cloth against Daiya’s forward for a few seconds before leaning back with a nod of approval. 

“You are very lucky, lad. Another day or two without medicine and you would have been lucky if you ever managed to open your eyes again.” 

Daiya slowly sat up as he returned the man’s nod, glad for his help when he reached forward to assist him. When he was finally leaning comfortably against the headboard of the small bed, two old pillows between him and the wood for slight padding, he turned his attention fully to the old man. 

“I apologize if Kovash startled you… but was there not another creature with him?” He asked, wondering what had happened to the fox, to… god. 

I cannot believe that such a creature was the god everyone reveres. He thought that it must have been a trick of some sort, but there was no question that his bones had been healed by the small animal, and it had definitely spit fire back at Fin’s keep. 

“No, lad. Just your scary bat friend arrived with you. He is likely still lying just behind my home. I could not get him to move on, no matter how much I badgered him.” The man said right before Kovash spoke into Daiya’s mind. 

I am here, master. Are you feeling better? 

Daiya felt his smile grow a little wider as he replied. Yes, and yes. Thank you for looking after me, Kovash. 

It was my pleasure, master. Kovash replied before Daiya returned his focus to the old man before him. 

“Thank you for helping me, sir. Would I be able to ask you a few questions, by chance?” He asked as the man offered him a glass of warm water. 

“Of course, lad.” 

After taking a few moments to nurse his drink, Daiya reluctantly lowered the half-empty glass so that he could speak clearly. 

“Do you know Fin, the master of the keep far upon the hill in the distance?”

The man nodded his head before speaking. “I do. You see, lad, he owns this town in a dark, twisted way.” 

That idea didn’t sit well with Daiya at all. 

“Do you mean to tell me that he terrorizes these people?” He asked, sitting up a little straighter. 

The man sighed out a quiet breath, seemingly unsure of how to respond for a few moments. When he finally did, Daiya’s heart sank. 

“Yes, and no. You see, this town is nothing more than emergency meals for him and his horde.” 

But what about those people that had been brought here with me? Does that mean that they are in this town, too, and not at the keep? 

“What of the people that are brought here? There were others that came with me that seemed to be on some sort of contract or list…” Daiya said, unsure of how to phrase how the people had literally been taken away much like cattle at a stockyard. 

The man seemed to understand right away, because his expression changed to one of grim unease. “Ah, yes. The list from god.” 

What on Earth is he talking about? 

“That list contains the names of those who have done things so heinous in their lifetimes that they no longer deserve to live… thus, they are signed over by the one and only, to be used as food for master Fin and his few demons that require such diets.” The man said grimly. 

Daiya couldn’t wrap his mind around what the man had said. The little fox… the crocodile, and the bird. They had all helped me. They had all been god. Yet she actually sentenced other people to be murdered by Fin? 

He knew that some people did terrible things, and even could somewhat understand the death penalty for such actions… but to allow them to sit in that frigid, dirty dungeon infested by giant undead rats, only to be eaten by demons when they needed a meal? 

“God!” He yelled toward the straw ceiling as he forced himself to his feet upon the bed. 

His balance swayed, but he refused to fall as he screamed again, dizzy with anger. 

“Show yourself! You call yourself god? Yet you do such terrible things to those who praise you!” 

His fingers curled into fists as he felt the old man gently grasp his left arm with his own bony fingers, but Daiya was too angry. “You helped me, but sacrificed others! What do you know of me that I will never be like one of them?” He yelled, finally dropping to his knees on the worn blankets when his stamina gave out, leaving him shaking and panting. 

“Lad, I know that it seems harsh, but would you  not have horrible people taken instead of innocents?” The man asked, making Daiya grind his teeth together in frustration. He wanted to ask why anyone must be taken, but forced his mouth to remain closed as he slid from the bed and headed for the door. 

“Please be cautious in your actions. There is little we can do against such demons.” The man warned, making Daiya stop in his tracks and turn around abruptly. 

“Perhaps so, but if the people on the list cannot be acquired, then humans from this town are taken, are they not?” He asked, his voice barely above a growled whisper. 

The old man slowly nodded, wringing his leathery hands together as he looked down at them, unwilling to meet Daiya’s eyes. 

He looks guilty. 

“Why do you look like you are the one who sends those people to their demise?” He questioned, taking a step closer to the man, who quickly backed up, hunching against the dry mud wall of the home. 

“I do as I am commanded, lad. Lord Fin and the heavenly one above have struck a deal that has lasted years.” Daiya squeezed his eyes shut for a brief moment, trying to stem his fury. 

“Heavenly? There is nothing of the sort going on in such a deal!” He yelled before storming out of the home. 

Daiya was not surprised when Kovash appeared before him a moment later, scaring the few townsfolk that were walking about doing their daily tasks. 

“Kovash, can you take me back to Fin’s keep?” He asked as he climbed up onto his back. 

He was starving for some food and still quite thirsty, but if what the old man had said was true, then perhaps he could find a way to break the deal that was made. People, no matter their dead, deserved to rot in a dungeon before being eaten by demons. 

“Lad! You cannot change the contract! It is signed in lord Fin’s blood!” The man said as he stumbled from his home, clearly out of breath from his hurry. 

“Did god sign it in such a way as well?” He asked, making the man’s brow crinkle with uncertainty. “How is it that you know such details about their situation, anyway?” He continued, narrowing his eyes on the old doctor. 

The man hesitated until Kovash lurched forward, snapping his needle-like teeth inches from his face. 

“I am the maker of this town’s list when there are not enough humans gathered from the outside!” He rasped, staggering backwards until he was beneath the straw roof of his tiny home. 

Kovash started for him again, but Daiya reluctantly halted the creature with a single thought. It was not his place to harm the man for doing what he was instructed. For all he knew, the doctor was threatened, and would lose his life if he refused. 

“Lad, I did not wish for such a task, but if I quit, my life is forfeit and the task is handed to another.” The man said as he twisted his hands together nervously. 

At that moment, Daiya realized something he was shocked that he’d missed. 

“You are a demon.” 

The man bowed his head as he replied. “Yes, lad. I was killed many years ago testing a new medication I created to try and help a young girl who had come into my care. Unfortunately, I had miscalculated the dosage and my system just couldn’t handle it. I am grateful that someone else picked up my work after I had passed, and completed the process, saving the lass before she could be taken away by death, too.” 

His words gave Daiya pause, making him reconsider exactly how terrible the man truly was. 

“Does it not bother you to send humans to their death? Is there not a way to stop it?” He asked. 

The doctor slowly shook his head. “Every single soul I send up that horrid, twisting road haunts my thoughts, but I know no other way. I was given my life back in return for handling this terrible task when needed and have been allowed to help those who seek me out in this town, yet when the time comes, I must select those who have the weakest health, whether due to age or sickness, and send them away. I wish I could say that it was a blessing to end the suffering of those who cannot be healed, but I know that is not true.” 

He paused for a moment before lifting his tired eyes to Daiya’s. 

“There is one way to stop it, lad.” 

Daiya leaned forward on Kovash’s back, eager for an answer. 

“If Fin were to be put to rest, there would be no more need to sacrifice lives for his hunger.” The man said quietly. 

The idea of killing Fin did not sit well with his stomach at all, but the man did have a point. Fin was no longer the person he’d known. He’s killed many people, deserving or not. 

“How, exactly, can he be killed? He was nearly completely dissolved by rain previously, yet he still managed fine after a short recovery period.” 

The man nodded solemnly, his eyes turning sad. 

“A demon of his strength, from what I am aware of, can only pass on when their contract of resurrection is completed.” 

Those words repeated in Daiya’s head as he road Kovash back toward Fin’s keep. It would take a good while to get there, but this time he was free to do as he wished and happily munched on baked bread he’d bought with the few coins the old man had spared him. He’d spent just about all of it on the couple loaves, but that was fine with him. He knew that it was unlikely he’d ever return to the small town alive. 

It was approaching evening when they finally stopped just before the drawbridge leading into the castle. Beyond it, Daiya could see little flickering red eyes in the darkness ahead of them. 

“I’d like to speak with your master.” He shouted across the long wooden bridge, his voice echoing into the keep, bouncing off its walls as it decreased in volume with each repetition. The squeaking of thousands of rats met his ears moments later, but Fin remained absent. 

“Please. I don’t expect to walk away from this situation with my life, but I would like to speak with Fin at least one more time.” He shouted toward the rats, who only increased the volume of their hissing as a few stepped away from the darkness of the building and clicked their teeth at him in warning. 

Kovash was just beginning to back away as more of the rats appeared when they both heard a snort from only a few feet behind them. A shiver ran down his spine as Kovash slowly turned toward the sound. A giant black horse stood not but a few feet away as it snorted again, stamping its foot on the damp soil beneath it as its large head bobbed. Upon its back sat Fin, his cold eyes completely focused on him. 

“Fin, I won’t try to run away again… but could we possibly talk before I am killed?” 

The question seemed to take him by surprise, because his eyes widened a fraction and he had no words to speak for several moments. When he did finally react, it was to spur his horse forward with a slight nudge to its middle. The giant beast snorted, then jerked toward Kovash, snapping two rows of very unhorse-like sharp teeth at him. The gesture spooked them both, making Kovash hesitantly stumble back onto the drawbridge. 

He recovered quickly and crouched, half turned toward Fin as he bared his own needle-like teeth in warning. The horse shook out its mostly-intact mane and gave a snarl in response, though didn’t try to bite again. 

“Move.” Came Fin’s calm order. 

Daiya looked up from the horse’s face to Fin’s and licked his lips nervously. He was letting them walk in instead of being attacked where they stood, but  Daiya knew that he would undoubtedly block their escape if they tried to leave. 

They walked slowly into the large castle, Kovash’s claws clicking loudly among the tiny patter of the rats as they scattered to make way. I wonder how amazing this place would look if it were brought back to its former glory. He thought as his eyes roamed around the dusty, dilapidated interior of the main hall. It had long since been ransacked. Most of the tapestries that had been hanging upon the walls were torn to shreds, swaying in the faint breeze brought in by the two large double doors that apparently remained open behind them. 

A large spiral staircase was partially collapsed toward the back of the large room they entered. Dust moats danced playfully around it in the minimal moonlight coming in from cracked windows high above their heads. 

The carpet, which had once been a deep shade of maroon was stained from many years of misuse and several portions of the runners that branched off toward different halls were chewed nearly to shreds. 

I wonder who had lived here before Fin? 

The sound of heavy boots dropping to the dirty floor brought his attention back to him. Fin had dismounted his demonic horse by the spiral stairs and was watching him silently. 

“Coming.” Daiya said as he quickly pressed his leg against Kovash’s side, spurring him to move forward, though he could tell that he was reluctant to get any closer. 

When Fin turned and easily traversed the partially destroyed stairs, Daiya raised an eyebrow. Kovash simply snorted, following with a bit more effort and more than a few slips of his clawed hands. 

Fin was already at the far top of the stairs by the time Kovash had clambered through the broken area. Daiya tried to hide his smile as he slid from the bat creature’s back, then turned to pat his head a few times. 

“It’s alright. You did great. Thank you for getting me past there, I would have likely hurt myself.” 

Kovash had seemed frustrated, but once he was praised he gave out a quiet rumbling grumble and leaned into Daiya’s hand. “Alright, just a quick scratch.” He said, letting his smile widen as he ran his nails against the skin behind Kovash’s ear for just a few moments. 

When he had finished, Kovash shook his large head and sneezed, earning a chuckle from Daiya as he finally turned back to Fin and started walking, Kovash glued to his side. 

Fin began moving again when they were within feet of him, keeping himself just far enough out of reach in case either of them tried to do anything. Not that it would be of much use. Even with Kovash’s size and strength, as far as either of them knew, Fin was immortal. 

His attention began to wander again as they followed. The hall they were in was less damaged, but still showed its age and had clearly not been cared for in a long time. Spider webs, some larger than himself, draped over almost every possible surface. A couple of them, woven in thick patterns, even had several zombified rats trapped within them. 

Daiya was so focused on his surroundings that he hadn’t noticed Fin had stopped until he ran right into his back. Before he could even react, he was pinned up against the wall beside a thick wooden door. Dust rained around them, drawing several abrupt sneezes from Daiya. When he could finally breathe again without a tickle in his nose, he looked up into narrowed, angry eyes. That was about the time he realized that Fin’s gloved hand was at his throat, firmly holding him against the wall with little effort. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bump into you.” He rasped, feeling Fin add pressure as he spoke. 

Thankfully, Kovash didn’t hesitate to intervene right then, his teeth snapping air right where Fin’s arm had been not a second earlier. Daiya took in a grateful breath of stale air once he was released, but was surprised when he looked up to meet Fin’s eyes once more, only to see an emotion flicker across their empty black depths. 

He… almost looked happy? No. Perhaps, reassured. 

It was a shock, one which Daiya wasn’t able to recover from fast enough before the door beside him was jerked open and he was shoved inside. He stumbled backward, landing on a rectangular gold and red carpet that was far less dusty than he expected. In fact, as the door shut before him and he glanced around the dimly lit room, he realized that it was the first area in the entire keep that was actually very clean and well cared for. 

The floors were swept free of dirt and dust. The window only had a slim crack going from the top left corner down a few inches, disappearing into the side. The bed… well, it called to him like nothing else. He’d been asleep for days on that doctor’s old bed, but the one before him was covered in thick down blankets with pitch black silk-covered pillows. 

“I will return when I am able. If you choose to leave this room, you forfeit your life. Even Kovash will do you no good.” 

Daiya stood as he received Fin’s warning, but when no other words met his ears and he heard the sound of his heavy footsteps disappear down the hall, he realized that he was actually being left alive. 

Until later. 

I will do my best to keep you safe, master. Kovash thought to him as he settled just beyond the closed door. 

Pursing his lips, Daiya took one more quick glance around the room before deciding that the bed was just far too tempting an offer to pass up. Kicking off his dirty shoes, he eagerly slipped beneath the blankets and settled his head upon one of the soft pillows. 

I might be in hell right now, but this bed feels like heaven. He thought as he let his mind begin to drift. Before he fell asleep, he noted one more thing that made him a little uneasy, though he couldn’t figure out why. 

The down blankets and pillows, while clearly well maintained and cleaned, smelled just like fresh soil that had been dug up from right beneath the Earth’s surface…

Moonlight Ice

(These lyrics though… and I’m enjoying writing this a bit more than I should lol) 

“Fin, wait for me!” Daiya shouted as he stumbled through the grand hall of his father’s large home, his clumsy feet easily tripping him several times. 

He was about to fall for the third time that morning when a pair of strong arms caught him in an awkward hug, then set him back on his feet with the accompanying sound of a frustrated sigh. 

“Master Daiya, please do not run.”  Fin said sternly before releasing Daiya’s shoulders. 

Not wanting to make his friend mad, Daiya nodded quickly, though it was clear that Fin’s warning had gone in one ear, and straight out the other, for the boy was off again not a minute later…

The feeling of something brushing against his hair had Daiya stirring, rubbing his cheek against the soft pillow it rested on. When the brushing paused, his eyes blinked open, taking a few moments to adjust to the minimal light of early evening coming through the small window. 

Wait… evening? 

Had he really slept part of the day away? 

When Fin’s tall frame stepped partially in front of the window, Daiya quickly pushed himself up, letting the blankets pool around his waist. 

“I apologize for falling asleep.” 

He was going to say that he hadn’t been feeling well, and had still been tired after being at the doctors for several days, but Fin would obviously know such things. He had, after all, been the cause of his health issues. 

“What is it that you came to say?” Fin asked, turning from the window to meet his gaze. 

 Daiya looked down at his lap, then back up, doing his best not to appear nervous, though he knew that if he stood up right then, his legs would likely have trouble holding his weight. 

“Is there a way that I can help you?” 

Fin remained motionless for several seconds before he tilted his head slowly to one side, then returned it to its upright position. 

“You wish to help me, Daiya?” He asked, narrowing his eyes slightly as he spoke. 

Hearing his name on Fin’s lips sent a shiver through Daiya’s body as he quickly nodded. 

“Yes sir. I know that you have made a deal that has changed you into what you are now… so, is there anything I can do to complete your contract?” He said, surprised by how strong he managed to make his voice sound. 

When Fin walked over to the edge of the bed, Daiya licked his lips and forced himself not to scoot away. 

“So you spoke with the demon doctor and think that you now know enough to change your circumstances?” He asked as he leaned over and grabbed Daiya’s chin with one gloved hand. 

“You will die today, Daiya. You can do nothing else. When you refused to leave that day I offered you the chance to walk away, you sealed your fate. When I made my deals, this island became a place all its own. No one can come or go without my permission, god’s, or the devil’s.” 

Daiya swallowed, his throat suddenly feeling far too dry. He felt Fin’s thumb press against the skin there as he completed the action, a shiver running down his spine in response. That’s when he realized something he’d missed earlier. 

“You are very cold.” 

It was common knowledge that the undead had no body heat and were cold to the touch unless they were well fed, but to be felt even through a thick pair of leather gloves? 

“Have you not eaten recently?” He asked. 

Fin frowned. “I have eaten.” 

The idea of Fin eating one of the people he’d seen in the dungeon didn’t sit well with his stomach, but thankfully it was mostly empty at that moment. 

Pursing his lips, Daiya thought for a moment before reaching up and grasping Fin’s gloved hand. It was immediately retracted, but Daiya held on tightly, keeping Fin from being able to take it back completely. It clearly frustrated him, but when the glove began to slip a little, he stopped fighting and let him pull it closer again. 

“Why are you so cold?” Daiya asked as he let his thumbs slowly massage the worn leather covering the palm of Fin’s hand.

He knew that he was making Fin uncomfortable, but he just couldn’t possibly let himself die without at least getting some answers. 

“You will be cold soon, too.” Fin simply replied as he looked to the side, drawing Daiya’s attention to the little circular table beside the bed. 

He brought food? 

It looked like some type of grilled, sliced meat. Fin picked up the plate with his free hand and offered it to him with a slight nod. 

“Eat.” 

Before Daiya could even consider it, a familiar voice slammed into his thoughts hard enough to spark an immediate headache. Do not touch that! 

Daiya winced, a hiss coming from his lips as his grip tightened abruptly on Fin’s gloved hand. It took him a couple moments to pull himself back together and take in a few calming breaths before he could reply to her. 

Go away. 

He could sense her frustration, but he frankly did not care. She might be god, but she also gave away lives she had created to be murdered. 

I did what I had to do in order to keep the majority of the nearby towns safe from him. God replied, then added. Do not eat that. It is human meat and laced with a very strong poison. You will die almost immediately if a piece simply touches your tongue. 

Daiya felt Fin’s free hand settle beneath his chin and lift it slowly so that their eyes could meet, but he couldn’t manage to focus with the new voice in his head. 

I am to die anyways. Surely there are worse ways. He replied, feeling her frustration begin to turn into anger. You are not to die! You must get out of there at once! 

Sighing, Daiya refocused his attention on Fin’s face, finally realizing that he was holding his chin. Clearly he had been trying to figure out what had taken away his attention. 

“God does not like that I am here.” Daiya said simply, his words drawing Fin’s eyebrows downward. 

“It does not matter what she likes or dislikes. You will not leave this room with your life, and she will not have you in death.” Fin stated simply. 

Daiya wasn’t sure what the last part of his sentence meant, but his thoughts took him to another worry. 

“What will become of Kovash when I die?” He asked, needing to know that the zombie would be alright. 

Fin looked toward the door with a dull expression, then returned his attention to Daiya. 

“What will come of him, will come.” He said before picking the plate back up from where he had set it on the bed and offering it to Daiya. 

“Eat.” 

The idea of even touching the human meat made Daiya fidget, but he knew that he truly could die a much worse death if he chose not to eat the poison. With shaking hands, Daiya accepted the plate and stared down at the three thin strips of seasoned meat. He wouldn’t dare think that they smelled good, though, normally grilled meat was one of his favorite dishes. 

Wait. 

Looking back up at Fin, Daiya spoke. “Why this, and not some other food?” 

The look in Fin’s eyes remained unemotional, making Daiya’s heart hurt. 

He’s not the same. Even if he did get it for you because grilled meat was your favorite, it’s still wrong because it’s a person. He told himself as he set the plate aside and slowly stood from the bed, giving Fin enough time to back up so that they wouldn’t make skin to skin contact by mistake. 

“Eat it, Daiya.” Fin stated again. 

Smiling sadly, Daiya gave a small nod. “I will, but I wanted to do one more thing before I’m gone.” 

Fin seemed skeptical, but remained silent as Daiya took a careful step closer. He could see Fin tense at their proximity but he refused to back away again. 

“Let me touch you.” 

There wasn’t even a second of hesitation before Fin replied. “No. Eat.” 

With a surprising amount of determination, Daiya took another step forward, forcing Fin to step back. “Will something bad happen to you if you touch a human?” He asked. It didn’t make much sense if something bad happened if he touched people, because he needed to eat them to remain alive . 

When Fin’s back hit the sill by the window he bared his fangs in warning, but Daiya just grinned. “You don’t scare me. For some reason, you can’t physically hurt me.” He said as he took one final step, then lifted both of his arms to press his fingertips against the soft fabric of Fin’s shirt. 

“I think it’s because of the deal you made… and I’m also starting to think that you aren’t allowed to touch just me as part of it, though I’m not sure why.” He said as he looked up into wide, startled eyes. 

Master, the rats are coming! Kovash warned seconds before the door began to rattle on its hinges to the sound of squealing vermin.

“I don’t know if the way you are now is because of that deal or because of what happened to you in your previous life, but I do hope that my death will let you finally rest peacefully.” Daiya whispered as he ran his right hand up along Fin’s chest until it was grabbed abruptly by a strong gloved hand. 

“Do not touch.” Fin warned again, his words slightly slurred because of his elongated fangs. 

Daiya looked off to the side for a moment, seemingly very interested in the old rug. Fin slowly followed his gaze, but both of them froze, sharing a startled gasp, when Daiya slipped his free hand beneath Fin’s shirt and brushed the tips of his fingers against frigid skin. 

He would have retracted his hand immediately, because it honestly felt like his fingers had been encased in ice after only three seconds of contact, but Fin’s hand had locked around his wrist, preventing him from moving it. 

“F-Fin?” Daiya stuttered, his lips beginning to shake as he started to feel shots of ice dart up his arm from his numbing fingers. 

Lifting his head, he felt his breath catch in his throat as his gaze met pure black eyes. No whites were visible in the dead stare and he got no reaction but a tightening of Fin’s already harsh grip on his wrist when he tried to break the contact. In fact, Daiya couldn’t stop Fin from slowly pressing his hand further against his lower torso, inciting harsh tremors to vibrate his freezing arm and work their way into his chest. 

They gasped in unison again, but as Daiya started having trouble getting in enough air, Fin was seemingly having the opposite issue. I’ve never seen him breathe as a demon before… but his chest is definitely expanding.  And his own was absolutely struggling to do the same. 

Coughing loudly, Daiya squeezed his eyes shut as his vision spun. The next few seconds were a blur as he began to hear a loud humming sound in his ears and his feet stumbled to try and keep himself upright. 

The feeling of soft fabric from the bed’s thick blankets was lost on him as he dropped down onto them. He couldn’t manage to get in a good breath any longer and was shivering violently to the point that his muscles were beginning to pulse with sharp pains. 

He was so close to going into shock that he didn’t even notice the bed depressing on either side of his waist, or what Fin intended to do until he felt the man’s other now-bare hand against his cheek. The touch immediately triggered another round of gasping coughs, bringing dots before his barely-open eyes. 

“I ca-… can’ breathe.” He rasped, trying uselessly to pull away from Fin. 

When the ringing in his ears became overwhelming and he felt his body no longer able manage with the meager bits of oxygen his weak gasps managed to bring in, Daiya decided not to fight it any longer and allowed his panic to slowly subside into acceptance. 

Fin hovered over him, balancing on his knees on the bed as he breathed just a little faster than normal. You’re breathing. His pale complexion was nowhere to be seen, replaced with a healthy tan glow. Your eyes. That light blue so faint that I always felt like I was getting lost in the sky above when looking into them. 

Faint shivers tried to maintain Daiya’s body heat, but there was little that could be done as his heart began to quiet. Fin settled some of his weight on Daiya’s stomach as he finally released his limp wrist to add his other palm to Daiya’s cheek after tugging the glove free with his teeth, cupping his face gently. 

They exchanged no words as the remainder of his life drained away. The last thing his mind registered was a blurred image of Fin leaning forward and the faint brush of too-warm lips against his cold, faded blue ones.  

“You can look all you like, but there is no more life in that body you wanted so desperately.” Fin said as he slowly climbed off of the bed and turned to glare at the white gecko staring at him on the wall by the door. 

The cries from the rats outside the door had all quieted and there was not a sound from Kovash, either. The presence of a new death permeated the room as Fin stalked over to the gecko and lifted one hand, flexing his fingers as claws elongated from the nail beds. 

“How unfortunate for you, my lady.” Fin mumbled as he glanced back up to the new form God had chosen to take. “It seems that on top of receiving my true life back, I am also rewarded with keeping my undead abilities…” 

Before the gecko could react, Fin slammed his hand straight through the wall where it had been. When he retracted it, he shook off the blood from the reptile, then headed for the door. 

“You can do nothing with your magic in this room, and this is where his body will remain forever.” He stated with a content smirk as he stepped through the door, then slowly shut it behind him, leaving Daiya’s prone form in near-complete darkness. The only bit of light granted to the small room was one slim, faint line from the moon. It struggled in the hazy night sky to give off the one simple, soft ray of light that ghosted across Daiya’s pale face, dust dancing within it as if in a sadistic celebration of what had just occurred.

To Touch a Soul

Life had finally begun again within the keep’s old walls. Where there once was debris and dust littering the staircases and halls, the areas were now surprisingly clean. Each window had been scrubbed free of grime and cobwebs, along with the carpets, floors and any other possible surfaces.

While traces of the zombified rats could still be glimpsed in the castle’s dark dungeon, they no longer roamed the halls freely and kept mostly away from the building. Without their main food source overrunning the area, a majority of the large spiders also vanished from the keep’s grounds. A few might be spotted here and there high upon the looming towers of the building, but one would just think that the shadows played with their vision, since arachnids surely couldn’t reach such a size.

“My lord, how have you been feeling?” One of Fin’s many new human servants asked as he offered him a small tray of tea and cookies, setting them on the little table beside the large winged chair he currently sat in within his study.

The room had been decorated in deep reds and golds, with a black rug in the middle of the floor that matched the chairs scattered about the area.

“Better by the day.” Fin replied, honestly shocked that his body hadn’t begun to revert back to being a corpse.

His skin remained soft and warm to the touch. Where his eyes had once been faded and dark from death, they now showed the color of the sky on a bright sunny day.

“That is very good. You have made a miraculous recovery, my lord.” The man said as he tidied up the area, then excused himself.

Fin watched him leave before picking up the warm tea cup and lifted it to his lips. It actually tasted as it should. The cookies, too, tasted of sugar and cinnamon when he took a bite from one a moment later, then slowly chewed.

Having been undead for so long, he’d had to make up a rather intricate story about how he had just been severely sick for so long and was suddenly getting better and in need of real sustenance and more help around the giant keep. He had also had to make up a story about the humans he’d murdered, and found that blaming a crazed zombie, which he had easily been able to provide as proof, was easy enough to convince the townsfolk.

Pressing another cookie to his tongue, he savored the taste. Flavor was something he’d been denied the moment he’d been resurrected. When one is no longer truly alive, things like taste buds do not exist. Everything tasted of nothing. He ate because it had sustained him, and for no other reason. There had been no pleasure in it… or anything else.

That thought brought his attention down to his crotch, a twisted smile appearing on his lips. He’d yet to have the chance to enjoy himself in such a way, but he fully intended to do so in the coming days. He had missed out on so many things…

Leaning his head back, Fin allowed his eyes to close as he took in a slow, deep breath.

Let him go free. You have his life. Do not make his soul remain trapped in that room.

Cracking his eyes open, Fin narrowed them on the small tabby cat sitting atop one of the wing chairs across the room from him.

“Be gone, bitch. You had your chance to take him and you failed. He belongs to me now.” He said lazily, making a shoo gesture with his right hand before bringing another cookie to his mouth.

The cat’s fur ruffled and it hissed quietly, only drawing Fin’s smirk wider on his lips. He was about to close his eyes again and ignore the almighty annoyance, when he noticed something flit across the edge of his vision. His attention immediately drew to his left, where the door was still firmly shut and not a shadow was moving about.

When he returned his gaze to the cat, it was staring toward the door as well. After a few moments of silence, her eyes found their way back to his, though the uncertainty in them drew Fin’s hand to an abrupt halt, leaving the cookie he’d been about to sample inches from his lips.

They had both seen something, but neither of them had clearly gotten a good enough look to determine what it was.

Setting the cookie back down, Fin stood from his chair and walked to the door, glancing over his shoulder as he pushed it open.

“You will not have him. Be gone or starve in this room.” He said before stepping through and closing the door behind him.

He was just turning around to head up the newly reconstructed main spiral staircase when something blurry moved quickly down the railing.

It was clear, that time at least, that it was some sort of poltergeist. After having spent years murdering people in the dungeons below his feet, ghosts weren’t an uncommon sight. Humans weren’t as attuned to them, so most of his new staff just considered the apparitions wandering beams of sunlight coming through the high windows playing tricks on their eyes.

But he could tell that it had been a young child judging by its size and movement. It was an odd thing, but the ghosts of older humans tended to move slower and slower. Only children really appeared to run about so quickly.

He had killed children, when sick ones were sent to him, but it had been at least a year since a human younger than twenty had been murdered by his hands for food.

Licking his lips, Fin calmly begin heading up the stairs, nodding to several servants as they milled about from upstairs to the main floor, or vise versa.

At first, he didn’t notice anything else amiss as he made his way toward his bedroom. Everything was quiet, but when he set his hand upon the handle to the door, the ghost flitted along the hall to his left, disappearing after just a brief pause by one of the narrow dressers placed along the hallway for random storage needs.

“Be on your way, little one. Nothing good will come of you remaining here.” He said to the spirit.

When it didn’t appear again, Fin turned his attention back to his room and entered. Daiya’s corpse lay still upon his bed, not a particle of dust settled upon his skin.

Leaving the door open, he calmly walked over to the bed and tilted his head one way, then the other. He had left Daiya alone for several weeks, but perhaps it was time…

Reaching forward with his right hand, Fin let his fingers hover just above Daiya’s pale face. He hesitated for several minutes before allowing the tips of them to quickly brush against Daiya’s frigid forehead before he yanked them away.

He wasn’t sure what he had expected, but he had been wary. If touching Daiya’s body had again somehow took away the life he had stolen, Fin would have been killed, again. He remembered very well what had happened so many years ago. How he had been beaten to within an inch of his life, then thrown into a river to drown below the surface. He had struggled for air even when there was no hope and felt his body grow colder and colder beneath the chilled water.

Shaking the memories away, he took a deep breath, then released it threw his nose as he returned his hand to Daiya’s face, pressing his fingers into his pale skin as his claws slowly extended to points.

“Rise, Daiya. You have slept long enough.” He commanded, lifting his hand slowly as his fingers curled.

When, after several seconds, nothing happened, Fin straightened back up, a look of confusion on his face. He had never failed to raise a soul.

“Wait a moment…” He whispered as he turned his attention back to the open doorway, only to see the blur of the child spirit from before dart away.

Retracting his claws, Fin followed the little ghost into the hall and down the path leading to another renovated staircase that lead high into the west tower. He was just about to begin climbing the stairs when a light blurred down the thin decorative railing to his left.

He was too slow to react as he finally saw the child partially materialize and stumble hard onto the floor with a mute yelp.

It was gone the next moment, but Fin didn’t need to have seen the result of its unwise play sliding down the railing.

“You broke your wrist that day.” He said to the particles of dust that danced along the faded candle light that lit the area.

The memory brought an ache to his heart, and his back. Daiya had wanted to try what the older boys had been doing and had gotten hurt while Fin had been fetching him a snack from the kitchen. He’d gotten whipped fifty times and left locked in the icy dungeon all night without numbing medication because he hadn’t stopped him from getting injured. The next morning he’d been held down to receive enough stitches to make him pass out from the pain.

The morning after that? He’d had to put on a fake smile and wrap Daiya in tight hugs as he cried on and on about his injured wrist.

He waited for the little boy to appear again, and was surprised when it stumbled from the railing a second time, repeating what it had just done, before vanishing again with a silent wail.

“Return to your body, boy.” He ordered the little ghost.

When it simply repeated the same actions a third time, then disappeared again, Fin felt his frustration growing. He had never been ignored by any form of undead. Even after he’d regained his human life, his necromancy skills had not waned in the least.

“Daiya.” He said sternly, narrowing his eyes on the spot where the boy had disappeared.

There was no movement for several minutes, and he was about to accept that he had wandered away for the time being, but then the little spirit stumbled from the railing again abruptly, crashing into the floor as if it actually could hurt it.

“Enough of this, Daiya. It is time for you to go back to your body.” He told the crying ghost.

To his surprise, the apparition finally drew its faded eyes up to meet his.

“Be on your way back. You will find nothing good wandering about out here.” He told it.

When the boy just looked down, then vanished again, Fin growled, scratching at his messy mane of dark blond hair as he turned his narrowed eyes toward the railing.

He’d met ghosts that were confused before and repeated memories from their pasts over and over, but they had never ignored him so easily. They most certainly had never been able to go against his commands.

Like clockwork, Daiya’s little ghost reappeared a little ways up the railing and began sliding downward, a nervous smile on his pale face. When he came close to the end, where he was destined to replay his fall again, Fin lunged forward. He knew that it was useless. You couldn’t just catch a random ghost. There had to be a want for help and a very high level of trust. The ghost had to feel safe in order to be able to physically make contact with another person. He wasn’t sure why he had even bothered… but somehow, as the boy slipped from the railing, giving a silent scream, his small body fell like a faint cloud into Fin’s waiting arms. He weighed nothing, yet did not fall through Fin’s arms.

At some point Fin dropped to his knees, his eyes as wide as saucers as he stared down at the little ghost in his arms. He could barely feel his translucent body, but as he stood back up, Daiya came with him.

He’d never thought that a ghost would allow him to touch it, but he didn’t hesitate to hurry back to his room and set it by its body… except it refused to release its new hold around his neck. When he lifted his arms to detach the boy’s, his fingers slipped right through his form.

Not finding the humor in the child hanging onto him, Fin glared down at the tear-stained face shyly looking up at him and pointed to Daiya’s corpse still resting on his bed.

“You need to return to your body or I will not be able to bring you back.” He stated.

The boy looked over his shoulder at his deceased older self and quickly turned away, shaking his head against Fin’s shirt. Sighing, Fin felt that for once, he was at a loss as to what he could do in a situation.

“Why do you refuse to return to your body? Do you not want to return to the world of the living, even as an undead?” He asked the child, only earning another shake of its head before it vanished again.

How interesting. The great necromancer Finnegan cannot control a ghost? God teased as she sat down in the doorway to his bedroom and began lazily cleaning a paw.

Fin lifted his upper lip, baring a fang at her before walking over and promptly kicking the cat several feet down the hall.

“Be gone you disgusting demon.” He hissed, earning one back from the cat before he felt something faint around his waist draw his attention downward.

Daiya’s ghost had reappeared, its arms wrapped gently around Fin’s middle in a hug.

He contemplated trying to get it to return to its body again, but it seemed fruitless. Ghosts didn’t just refuse to do something because they could. There was always a reason.

“Very well. You do not have to return at this moment, but you must stay with me.” Fin stated, meeting the ghost’s eyes as it lifted its head. He would not allow god to claim Daiya’s soul.

“Do you understand? Stay with me.” He said.

It took the child a few moments of consideration, but it slowly nodded before disappearing again. Fin turned his attention to the cat once more, only to see it slowly pacing away, its tail flicking in frustration.

He could feel the boy’s soul against his back, as if it was using his body to hide from the cat.

“You are no fool. Be wary of that feline. She is not as she seems.” He warned the boy before locking the door to his room and heading back down the stairs to continue his daily tasks. A faint sensation that felt like little fingers touching his left hand every few moments let him know that Daiya, was indeed, remaining right with him.

A Fly to Die

“Master Fin, is something the matter?” One of his stablehands asked as they walked his horse up to him, handing off the stallion’s reigns with a questioning look around. 

Daiya, stop spooking the horses. He thought to the boy’s ghost as it ran before his horse, making the animal snort and jerk its head. It shouldn’t be able to see him, but animals were perceptive creatures. It probably knew that Daiya was there. 

The ghost, which had grown a few inches since the last time Fin had seen in a few days ago, glanced up at him with an excited smile before vanishing, only to reappear on the animal’s back, making the stallion nay loudly and kick its back legs out, startling the stablehand. 

“I think there is something about. The horses are never this spooked.” The lad said as he quickly managed to regain control of the animal. 

Fin pursed his lips and took the reigns, dismissing the lad with a nod before turning to tug the horse from the stables and out into the fresh, crisp, morning air. 

“Where have you been? Did I not tell you to stay with me?” He said, seemingly to no one at all as he calmly walked the animal toward the length of field that lead into the forest he planned to travel through upon its back… if he could make sure that Daiya would no longer scare the animal into possibly throwing him off. He did not wish to die again . 

Daiya, who appeared to be around ten or so now, flashed in front of him a few meters ahead, running through the knee-high grass. Fin slowed on the dirt road he was walking and watched the blades of grass spread for Daiya’s phantasmal body, but then blow right through him a moment later. 

“You will trip if you are not careful.” Fin said, remembering when he’d taken Daiya out to play in a very similar field. 

He’d complained for months that he wanted to run through the high grasses and that it seemed like fun. Of course, Fin had argued that he would hurt himself. The darn boy was prone to causing himself bodily harm, which, in turn, ended with himself getting whipped or injured by his father. 

“You tripped in a similar field when you were ten and injured your ankle… the left side of my back was whipped so badly after I carried you back home that I couldn’t move my left arm for several days.” He said, knowing that the ghost wasn’t minding him as it ran about. 

Shaking his head, Fin climbed up into the saddle of his horse and nudged it forward slowly. It was still wary, its ears flicking back and forth as its nostrils flared, but it obeyed and began walking. 

When Daiya began repeating the same action of running forward, then disappearing into the grass, Fin realized that he was replaying another memory. 

“I will not dismount just to try and catch you again. You know what you are doing and can stop on your own, if you so wish to.” He stated simply as he spurred his horse on a little faster, trying to outpace Daiya. 

Of course, he knew that the ghost could move much quicker than a normal person, so it was no surprise seeing him moving beside him in the field at the same pace. His form wasn’t running fast enough for a normal person to keep up, but his ghost moved just enough to keep up with his horse. 

Free the poor boy. You are causing him to repeat your memories. 

Fin scowled as he looked around, trying to find whatever creature the annoying almighty bitch had decided to appear as this time. 

When he couldn’t find her around him, he narrowed his eyes on his horse… then noticed something drop onto his shoulder. 

“You would be a fly. Be gone, whore, your new lifespan will be over in less than a day. Don’t waste it bothering me or I’ll end it now.” He said, not enthused by the bothersome god on his shoulder. 

  He will keep hurting himself unless you stop him. God said as she vibrated her tiny wings, making an annoying buzzing sound by his ear. 

“He can stop whenever he wishes. I cannot control him.” Fin said as he spurred his horse to go faster, hoping that the tiny bitch would fall off. 

Of course, he wasn’t that lucky. 

You are using his ghost to replay your memories. He is trapped in that room, and you are the only one who ever goes in or out of it, so his spirit attaches to your conscious and appears as you wish it to. God said, drawing a frown to Fin’s face as he watched the little ghost fall, then disappear again. 

“Why would I bother wishing him to appear as a little boy, continuously repeating the errors he made that got me the most injured before I was murdered?” He snarled, his fingers itching to reach up and smash the frustrating bug on his shoulder. 

Whether you wish it or not, he is replaying the memories your mind is choosing… and he is feeling the pain, over and over again because of it. 

Fin took several minutes to consider her words before slowing his horse to a stop as his eyes searched the tall grass for Daiya. He didn’t care if the ghost got hurt, but if him physically stopping him again would keep Daiya from repeating his actions and possibly startling his mount… 

Slipping from his horse, Fin headed to the last spot he’d seen Daiya disappear from. The grass was easily up to his waist as he made his way through it. 

Left. God mentioned, drawing his attention to the side right as Daiya started running through the grass there. 

He ran after him, but when he reached for his faded body his hands slid right through without any resistance. Daiya stumbled and fell a few moments later, disappearing into the air as he landed. 

“I can’t touch him this time.” He said with frustration. 

The little fly buzzed around his head before landing in his hair. 

You don’t want to help him enough. It said. 

Fin glared and shook his head hard, trying to dislodge the bitch without smashing her into his hair. 

“Why should I wish to help him? He has caused all of the problems in my terrible life!” He snarled at the same time something materialized a few yards in front of him, drawing his attention to it. 

The look on Daiya’s pale, ethereal face actually had Fin pausing.

You love him. Even after everything he unintentionally put you through. That is why you created that abysmal beast, Kovash. to protect that young man until you somehow managed to break free of the deal you made with the devil. God said, drawing a warning growl from Fin as he stepped forward, then knelt down in front of Daiya’s little crying form sitting in the tall grass. 

He was unsure what he should do, because he honestly wanted to just leave the boy there, but he knew that Daiya would follow him. 

Do what a human would who is concerned, strictly to stop this bothersome repetition. He thought to himself as he reached forward. Unsurprisingly, his fingers slipped right through Daiya’s pale face, but he refused to give up right away. 

Licking his lips, Fin retracted his hand slightly, then moved his thumb along the line of his cheek. He couldn’t feel anything right away, but as he persisted, doing his best to force some sort of sincerity as he looked into Daiya’s wide, watery eyes, he felt a slight resistance beginning to press against the pad of his thumb. 

“Let us stop this now, Daiya.” He said, making the ghost fade slightly. “Return to your body and I can resurrect you when I return.” 

The boy appeared to sniffle, making Fin lift his other hand to try and pat his faint hair, but he never got the chance. Something heavy as hell, feeling almost like at least six-hundred pounds of dead weight, slammed into him like a brick. 

Fin was sent flying, skidding once he hit the ground all the way across the dirt road and into the tall grass on the other side. His whole left side throbbed as he lay there, groaning as he listened to the sound of his horse’s shrill screech of fright… followed by a loud thud, then silence. 

“Dammit, Kovash.” He growled as he forced himself up. 

The sound of the horse being dragged met his ears as he slowly crawled out of the frustratingly tall grass. He wasn’t happy to see the giant bat demon hungrily devouring his mount. 

“That is the third one, you bastard.” He said as he made himself rise, stumbling a few times on a likely damaged left leg. 

It didn’t feel broken, but he couldn’t be sure. 

When Kovash had a good mouthful of his steed, he turned his head toward Fin and lifted his upper lip, baring plenty of needle-like teeth stained with blood. 

I was hungry. 

“I told you that you could eat the remaining humans in the dungeon!” Fin yelled as he limped closer, stopping only when Kovash swallowed his food, then snapped his jaws with a snarled warning. 

Master Daiya does not want me to eat anymore people. 

Fin paused at that thought, frowning as he brushed God, who had decided to find purchase on his shoulder again, off. 

“You can communicate with him? Even though he is a ghost?” He asked, bewildered. Even when he was undead, he couldn’t understand most ghosts, let alone have a conversation with one.

Of course I can. He is my master, and he has decided not to leave yet, so I will stay here and protect him from you. Kovash replied as he tore another large chunk out of Fin’s deceased horse. 

Some of the new workers from his property were beginning to carefully come closer with weapons ranging from swords to pitchforks used to move hay. Sighing, Fin lifted his right arm and signaled for them to stay back. It had been hard enough getting people to work for him after everything he’d done with a carefully spun web of lies, so he’d rather not lose any of them just yet. 

“If you can speak to him, then surely you know why he is refusing to return to his body?” He asked. 

Kovash twitched his ears a few times and silently noted the growing mob of wary humans before returning his attention to Fin. 

Of course I know. 

Holding back a scowl, Fin took another step forward. 

“Why will he not go back? I can bring him back as an undead if he would just return.” 

The look Kovash gave him had Fin glaring in return. He waited impatiently for the beast to finish what it wished of his poor steed before it licked its lips and stood, revealing Daiya’s small ghost form squatting down behind his left leg, staring at the remains of the horse with a sad frown. 

Just know that he understands there is no benefit to returning right now. Kovash said as he backed away a few steps, then laid down before nudging at Daiya’s body. To Fin’s surprise, the boy had clearly felt Kovash’s touch and stood, then turned toward him right away. 

They seemed to exchange silent words, because Daiya’s lips were moving every few moments, or he was shaking or nodding his head. Fin was just about to step forward again and try to stop Daiya from considering whatever Kovash was trying to get him to do, when the little ghost scrambled up onto Kovash’s back and hugged him tightly around his thick neck so that he could hold on. 

I know you will not dwell on him much as you are, but I know why I was created. I will do my best to keep him free from harm until he is comfortable returning to his body… or leaving this world. 

Before Fin could reply Kovash was darting off through the grass faster than he thought the scruffy giant bat could move. 

He cannot leave this world with his body trapped in that room. Fin warned Kovash as he began limping toward his encroaching crowd of servants, several offering him help back to the keep. When Kovash didn’t reply after several minutes, Fin figured that the demon had given up on a response, but when he finally stepped foot inside his home, the creature’s words rumbled through his mind. 

I will do whatever I must to make my master content… four walls and a selfish necromancer will not stop me until I am forced back into the ground from which I came. 

Fin fought to keep a straight face as he carefully made his way up to his room, declining medical attention for the moment. When he threw his door open and saw Daiya’s corpse laying still on his bed, he sighed, then growled. 

Just because I cannot put you back with my abilities, does not mean that I cannot end your ability to interfere. Keep your distance, or you will find yourself buried so far beneath the soil you now walk on that you will never be able to claw your way back up to the surface.

To You For You

(100% this story from the song lmfao!) 

Master, are you enjoying yourself? Kovash asked as he calmly trotted about the wet bog, his paws sinking into the patches of mossy earth beneath them as he moved like a disproportionate equine. 

It had been several days since either of them had seen the necromancer up close, and Kovash was glad for that. Daiya had become more playful and was rarely repeating actions. God had spoken to him previously about how the little ghost was copying Fin’s memories, which was understandable, but he knew that it wasn’t so simple. If Daiya was strictly bound to repeat what Fin’s mind pushed upon him, he would not be hanging onto one of his scraggly wings, bouncing along the moss mounds in the bog as he bobbed the wing up and down carefully. 

I love you, Kovash! Daiya thought to him with a wide smile on his eleven year old face. 

And I you, young master. He replied before slowing and lowering himself enough so that Daiya could easily ascend to his back. He set off a few moments later toward Fin’s keep, per Daiya’s instruction. He disliked bringing the boy around the necromancer, but he could not deny his master’s requests. They remained out of sight for the past several days, just simply checking up on Fin. The man clearly knew that they were around, but to Kovash’s knowledge, had not laid eyes upon them since their meeting in the field three days ago. 

When they stepped out of the foliage surrounding the swamp into knee-deep, murky water, Kovash scanned the area before them cautiously. He knew that Fin was secretly happy that he was taking such good care of Daiya’s apparition, but the threat he had given him previously still stood. If given the chance, Fin would act on it whether he truly wished to or not. 

I want to hug him. I miss him. Daiya thought to him as he leaned down, hugging his thick, fuzzy neck. 

I understand, master, but he is dangerous. Kovash thought in return as he began skirting the edge of the swamp slowly, allowing Daiya to look about from the safety of his back. 

They remained silent for several long minutes, the sloshing of his paws and folded wings moving through the mucky water the only thing making sound in the chillingly-quiet area. Not a single bird peeped in the trees above, and no other animal made its presence known, so it was no surprise when Kovash noticed the silhouette of a man straightening from the dirty water many meters ahead. 

The next thing he knew, hands that were definitely not that of an eleven year old took a good hold of his scruff as Daiya leaned forward to get a better look. He could sense the young man’s excitement through their bond and snorted, not liking the fact that Daiya really was still smitten with Fin, even though he knew that the man was horrible. 

Kovash sneaked a glance behind himself, noting that Daiya had indeed grown again. He now looked to be somewhere in his late teenage years. 

Do not let your heart rule your judgement, master. He warned, taking a few slow steps backward to put more space between the two. Even if Daiya wanted to get closer to Fin, it would not work. Whenever the man was near, Daiya got sucked into one of his memories and was forced to repeatedly hurt himself until he could fight his way out of the darkness that clouded his poor mind. 

When Fin simply watched them, Kovash halted his retreat but bared his needle-like teeth in warning. 

He needs me. Daiya thought as he began sliding from Kovash’s back, only to be snapped at by the giant bat creature, making him scramble back up to his previous perch. 

You know what will happen, master. Kovash reminded him as he continued taking steps backward. He wished, more than anything over the time since he had been reborn, that his useless wings would mend and allow him flight. 

I brought you to check on him, and he is clearly fine. We should not dwell here. He stated as he began to turn, only to here the sound of Fin beginning to rush toward them through the water. Before Kovash could even turn to face him, a mass of bones and black liquid erupted from the muddy swamp beneath Fin, forming into a skeletal horse as it lifted the necromancer from the water and began bounding toward them. It’s body began filling out in patches of rotting flesh as Kovash swung back around and bolted. 

His claws sank into the thick bank of moss, the force of his forward momentum creating divots as he sent muck flying behind himself. It was clear after a few moments that there would be no outrunning the zombie steed, so Kovash was forced to stop abruptly, skidding back into the the deep muddy water as he turned to face his enemy with a deafening screech. 

To his surprise, Fin had a bow drawn as the horse made short work of the distance he’d managed to gain. The first arrow was dodged, but as Kovash roared and began charging the encroaching beast, another whizzed through the air, hitting its mark upon his shoulder with a solid thud . 

He would have just yanked it free of his flesh easily if his right shoulder hadn’t begun to smolder. It… hurts? Pain was an unfamiliar thing to an undead, yet the fire that began burning through the muscle along his shoulder forced him to stagger forward and shift his balance to his left front leg. His muzzle dipped below the surface of the water but he refused to take his eyes off of Fin as he slowed his horse just enough to take another shot. 

Kovash tried to dodge, but he was not used to only having three limbs at his disposal and the arrow slid neatly into his back, mere inches from where the fire started by the first arrow currently spread. 

Kovash, why are you burning? Daiya asked, his thoughts flustered as he tried to pat at the new flames beginning to sprout from the second projectile. 

I do not know, master. It… hurts. Kovash said, his voice turning into a whine as his body dropped mostly beneath the dark water. 

Daiya stayed perched atop of the small strip of his back that remained above the surface, his mostly-invisible hands doing their best to push water onto Kovash’s burning flesh. No matter how hard he tried, even going as far as to fumble into the water himself in order to move more of it faster, Daiya’s efforts appeared fruitless as the flames burned hotter with the additional water. 

“I had warned you not to meddle in this issue, yet you kept him away from me for days, Kovash.” Fin said as he dismounted from his horse and slowly walked toward them through the water, notching another arrow in his bow as he spoke. 

Daiya sniffed back iridescent tears as he looked between the two, then stumbled through the water to stand in front of Kovash’s burning body, his arms out to either side in protest. 

“Fin stopped a yard or so away from him and leveled his bow at Kovash’s submerged head, ignoring the fact that the weapon would travel directly through Daiya’s translucent chest to find its target. 

Daiya, run! I am not worth your soul! Kovash shouted into his mind, drawing the ghost’s attention over its shoulder just long enough for Kovash to see his sad smile. 

He had no idea if Fin could truly harm Daiya’s ethereal self without directly damaging his real body, but it did not sit well with him at all to see the arrow pointed straight at his master. With his last burst of energy, Kovash forced his body back above the surface of the water and gave out a strangled roar. 

Rest well, Kovash. I will see you again, I hope. Daiya thought to him, sending a shiver through Kovash’s still heart. 

Master! 

The sound of the arrow being loosed drew Kovash forward, but his body refused to move fast enough. The projectile did not strike him, however. He looked on with the same wide, horrified eyes that Fin now displayed as they both stared at Daiya’s wavering form. The steel tip of the arrow protruded from his transparent back while the shaft pointed directly up at the demon

responsible for the act. 

Master Daiya… Kovash thought as he painfully limped close enough to nudge his soaked muzzle against the boy’s side. The action slowly drew Daiya’s arms downward from where they had been held out in a defensive gesture to shield Kovash. 

He then took an uneven step backwards, catching his balance as his gaze dropped to the dark water, then slowly lifted back up to Fin’s. When neither of them moved for several moments, Daiya lifted his left hand and reached forward, hesitantly touching the tips of his clear fingers to Fin’s hand. The man’s bow was still held firmly in his left hand from the shot he’d made, remaining perfectly still until Daiya’s fingertips began to disappear into his own flesh.

The reaction was instantaneous, as if a shock of ice had shot through Fins’ body, but as Kovash watched Daiya begin to step into the man’s own body, he realized that the necromancer was unable to respond. 

Possessing him…? 

He did not know how it was possible to do such a thing since Fin still seemed to have all the abilities of an undead, though he now had a beating heart. He was snapped out of his own thoughts when he heard Daiya’s quiet words slip into his mind. 

Be safe, Kovash. I will give you as much time as I can. 

He wanted to reply, but as Daiya vanished completely into Fin’s larger form, the necromancer let out a horrid scream and stumbled forward, nearly falling face-first into the water. There was clearly a battle going on inside of him for control, but Kovash knew that he would be useless to Daiya in such a fight with the current damage to his body, so he forced himself to stand and begin retreating. His skin still flickered with flames, but thankfully the damage was no longer spreading. 

Daiya, please be free of harm. He thought as Fin staggered to the side, then jerked his head back, his fangs bared as Daiya’s soft, kind eyes stared out at him. 

Go. I will find you again. Daiya thought to him before Fin turned and stumbled through the mud and muck until he was close to the bank of the swamp. His body convulsed once abruptly before lurching forward, his upper half settled on the wet grass just far enough out of the water to be safe from slipping back down into it. 

Kovash retreated at that moment. He was not sure how far away he’d managed to get before his body refused to move any further, depositing him in a dense portion of underbrush made up of several large thorn bushes and thick shrubs. His vision wavered the moment his head dropped to the damp ground, and far too quickly, everything went black.

Black as Light

Flexing his hand in the soft moonlight drifting through the window in Fin’s bedroom, Daiya moved the man’s body with cautious curiosity. They continuously fought for control, but as time went on and Fin did not consume food, his ability to resist him decreased to the point they were currently at. 

Daiya turned his head toward the door at the sound of a knock. It would be another offered meal set on a tray just outside. He had not wished to starve Fin, by any means, but he could also sense many of his thoughts, and as he came to understand just the very surface of his mind, he knew that Kovash would pay dearly if he allowed him freedom. 

Anger flared around his own thoughts from the necromancer but Daiya took a deep breath and made himself stay calm. To his surprise, Fin’s keep was not nearly as bad as he’d thought it would be. Sure, he’d been following him off and on as a ghost, but he’d had to disappear whenever his mind began to get drawn into Fin memories. 

The last time that had happened, when Kovash had attacked Fin’s horse, had really scared him. He hadn’t been able to do anything but repeat what Fin’s mind was pushing upon him until his undead bat friend intervened. 

It had hurt, a lot. 

Another shock of anger flared in his mind, making Daiya wince. 

I can’t let you hurt him any further. He is a kind creature. He does not deserve to be murdered for helping me. 

There was also a communication problem between them, even though they currently shared the same body. While Daiya felt like Fin could understand him, for the most part, he was unable to receive any kind of spoken word from the man. All he got were emotions, and most of the time, it was anger or hatred. 

I just want to love you, but your heart is so dark. I can’t find any way inside. 

Daiya wrapped Fin’s arms around himself, needing to hug him, but not being able to do it any other way. 

You waste your time, boy. 

Looking up, Daiya swept his gaze across the room quickly, in search of the owner of the new gravely voice in his head. His first abrupt search gave him nothing, but when he actually turned Fin’s body as he carefully looked about, he realized that something, or someone, had definitely entered the room. 

“How did you get in here?” He asked the small black fox who was lying comfortably upon his dead body that still rested in Fin’s bed. Its front paws were crossed, its posture clearly relaxed as it gave a little yawn and flicked one obsidian ear. 

When the voice didn’t respond, Daiya frowned. He looked around the room one final time, then narrowed his eyes back on the little creature. 

“You say that I am wasting my time. How would you know such a thing?” He asked. 

He could sense Fin responding to the new entity, but he couldn’t figure out if it was a positive or negative. He almost seemed indifferent to it, which was odd, since when god had showed up as a silver fox, he had tried his hardest to kill her. 

“How would you know him at all, as a matter of fact?” He added, taking a step closer. 

We have dealings. I just sensed something amiss, so I am here. The animal finally replied, making Daiya even more confused. 

“Who are you, to have dealings with him?” He asked, knowing that it was no ordinary animal, but also unsure of what its intentions were regarding Fin. He didn’t want the man to be put through any further hardships. 

Your loyalty is exhausting. Is this not your corpse I am resting on? Do you not hate the man you now possess for doing such a thing to you? It asked, its other ear flicking before it yawned a second time. 

He did dislike what Fin had become, but he knew that there were other things at work causing his temperament change. Even when he’d gotten into trouble as a lad and Fin had gotten punished for it, he had never seen hatred in his eyes. Anger and frustration, very much so, but even though he speaks mainly of those past instances haunting his current life, Daiya knew that there had to be something more pushing his thoughts to such extremes. 

“Are you why he is like this now?” 

The fox sneezed, its small jaws parting into a crooked grin. 

He is as he is, because of you, at this moment, boy. 

“You know that is not what I meant.” Daiya grumbled, walking closer until he was nearly hovering over the unimpressed creature. 

When the animal didn’t respond again, Daiya reached out, snatching it by the scruff. Instead of struggling, it just raised an eyebrow at him, looking quite bored. 

You do not have the heart to kill me, even though, as I am sure you know, that this creature’s life has no affect on my own. It thought to him as it hung in the air, tail swishing slowly from side to side like the pendulum of a coo-coo clock. 

Pursing Fin’s lips, Daiya took a deep breath, then sighed it out, holding the fox a little closer. 

“The other animal that can speak to my thoughts claims to be the one and only god… surely you do not claim the same thing?” He told it, shaking the creature slightly with his frustration. 

God? Such a prestigious name for a bitch. The fox replied, flicking another ear as it wiggled its nose slightly. 

“If you are not god, then what are you? Another type of undead?” Although… it did not seem dead. It’s fur coat was quite complete and had a healthy sheen that was impossible to ignore. Its eyes were also bright with life and as he looked a little closer, its chest was moving as it inhaled and exhaled. 

I have many names, but you humans tend to call me Devil. 

Daiya dropped the fox immediately. It plopped to the carpet with a quiet squeak, then slowly picked itself up before turning an annoyed gaze up at him. 

That was rude. 

Stepping back, Daiya glared down at the creature, unsure of what to do. The devil was definitely not something he ever wanted to believe was real, yet if this creature was in fact the devil…

“Why on Earth are you here, of all places? Has Fin not suffered enough? Leave him be!” Daiya said, his words ending in a shout as he backed away nervously. 

What makes you think that I have come here to torture your poor demon, boy? It asked as it sat down on the carpet. 

“If you are not here to cause trouble, then why have you come?” 

The fox was silent for another bout of time, drawing Daiya closer with a growing frown upon his lips. He was just opening his mouth to speak again when he learn the sound of claws lightly scrape against the sill behind him. 

Speak of a bitch, and she shall appear. Devil said, staring over Daiya’s shoulder with indifference. 

Turning, Daiya’s brow furrowed in confusion at the silver fox sitting by the window. 

“I thought you couldn’t come in here like that.” He said, knowing that she clearly hadn’t come through the door and the window was locked… and quite high off the ground. 

Fin’s power has been waning so it was not so hard to find my way inside without needing a physical entrance. She replied as her eyes cut to Devil. 

They seemed to start a conversation between themselves, because as the silence stretched between the three of them, he could see their expressions change, or a ridge of fur rise in distaste. By the time they were finally done discussing whatever it was that took up their time, a half hour had already gone by. 

Daiya, with Fin’s magic so weak right now, you should be safe to return to your body. I can help you once I bring you back. God said, hopping down from the window to stretch like a feline as she walked a few steps closer. 

When Devil didn’t reply, Daiya looked over at him, only to see the fox’s eyelids halfway closed, its head resting on its paws. 

“I find it hard to believe that you have nothing to say about this situation. Surely you can hear what she said to me?” He asked, drawing the fox’s attention briefly before it closed its eyes completely. 

It is not my place to intervene in decisions made by others. He replied, making Daiya quite confused. 

“Why did you come here, then, if not to intervene?” 

The fox slowly let its eyes open again as its ears flattened against its head. Curiosity, boy. That is all. 

Daiya found that hard to believe. The devil himself randomly appears before him because he just happened to be able to possess Fin, and he found that interesting enough for the trip? 

Yes. It is not everyday that a necromancer can be controlled by a simple ghost. It replied, drawing a pout from Daiya. It felt like there was more that the devil wasn’t saying, but he couldn’t really push it to talk. 

Turning his attention back to God, who had laid down on the rug a few feet away from the other now-dozing fox, he offered her a hesitant smile and resumed their conversation. 

“What did you mean by bring me back? Can you actually bring me back to life?” He asked skeptically. 

The silver fox sat up and nodded. The action drew an ear flick from the seemingly-sleeping black fox, making Daiya hesitant, but hopeful. He would very much like his life back, as long as he didn’t steal Fin’s new one in return. 

“Will Fin be okay if I am revived?” 

Another nod. 

You will get a new life force. It will have no affect on him. 

That seemed almost too good to be true, but if it were… 

I could have my life back and Fin could keep his. 

With a determined look, Daiya walked over to his pale body and began reaching toward it, only to pause abruptly. I would not do that yet, boy. Devil said, making Daiya straighten and stare down at him where he rested near his left foot. 

“Why do you speak now? What is it that you want?” He asked, a little frustrated that he had interrupted him during such an important decision. 

As the black fox finally stood, the silver one pinned its ears and got to its feet, too. They seemed to be having another thought conversation as the silence took over the space. Ten or so  minutes later, the black fox turned its attention back to him and twitched its little nose once. 

I have an offer for you, as well. 

Crossing Fin’s arms over his chest, Daiya waited. 

Return to your body and allow me to bring you back, as an undead. 

The look he was giving probably appeared quite humorous. 

“How would that benefit me, as opposed to getting my life back?” He asked, confused. 

She never said that you would get your life back. She said that you would get a life. The fox said, swishing its tail before scratching behind its ear a few times. 

She is offering you a life. I can offer you a chance at getting your life back. It said, making Daiya really give pause and think. 

There is far more risk to his offer than mine, Daiya. Do not fall for his trap! He is the one that made Fin the way he is now. God said, drawing a frown onto Daiya’s face. 

He had been told that Fin had made a deal with the devil. 

“Your dealings with Fin…” He said, earning an uninterested sneeze from the fox. 

He requested help from me. I have my own set of rules I must play by when I offer solutions to humans who ask things of me. We came to an agreement after I warned him of the possible outcomes. He chose to accept it. I did not force him to do so, nor did I affect anything after we had sealed the pact. He made himself as he is by choice. 

Daiya swallowed the lump in his throat that built as Devil spoke in his mind. He hated what he said, but he could see why Fin might have decided to accept his deal, especially if God had denied him one. 

“What were the terms of his deal?” He asked. 

The fox yawned again, but it looked like it was baring its teeth more than anything. 

The terms are his, and his alone. I do not have that information any longer, and he will not give it. 

He was about to reply when the silver fox walked over and sat in front of the black one, looking quite unhappy. 

Daiya, time is limited. Agree to return to your body and I will bring you back. She said, looking toward his corpse before returning her gaze back up to him. 

“Wait. I haven’t heard his deal yet. If I come back as an undead, how does that benefit me?” He said, remembering that Devil had offered him a choice, too, but not told him what it was yet. 

The black fox grunted, seemingly getting bored as it turned to look at his dead body. 

The deal that I can give you… Return as an undead, and if you can bring Fin to love you, as you love him, your own life will be restored to what it was. 

Daiya liked the sound of the devil’s words, but he was still unsure. There had to be something else to what he was saying. 

He is not mentioning that you could become a brain-dead zombie, banshee, or wraith. Many of which cannot even communicate, let alone function on their own. 

He didn’t like the sound of those possibilities. Daiya would like to think that he’d be turned into a vampire, or at least a high functioning zombie, but the odds were not in his favor. 

It was unnecessary, you know of the risks concerning zombies in general, do you not? Devil asked, glancing back at him. 

“I do know a small amount.” Daiya replied before the devil turned his attention back to his dead body. 

Then you had no need for me to comment on it. The bitch is right, however. If you take too long to decide, there will be nothing we can do to assist you. He said as the silver fox pinned her ears back and nodded. 

Licking his lips nervously, Daiya stepped forward and looked down at himself. 

“I think it is time to go back.” He whispered as he reached forward. 

I accept your deal, Devil. He thought to the black fox. 

His vision blurred as his fingertips touched his own cold skin and he began to feel himself being pulled free of Fin’s body. He was almost completely merged with his own when his fading vision showed the silver fox suddenly leap onto his chest and snarl down at him. Her previously-bright eyes were now pitch black holes. 

What is she- His thoughts were interrupted as he felt a harsh pain begin to stab at the top right side of his head. He knew that he shouldn’t have been able to feel anything, but it definitely felt like his skull was being lit on fire. The pain started making an excruciatingly slow circle around his scalp, making Daiya struggle to hold onto Fin just enough to be able to breathe through it. 

A loud roar, one that definitely didn’t belong to an animal, but sounded more like an abrupt firestorm engulfing the room, nearly deafened him as his aching eyes saw the black fox burst into a flames, then literally jump into Fin’s form that he could no longer keep standing. His mind went black as the pain got too severe to handle, pulling him into unconsciousness. 

The devil yelled through Fin’s mouth. His words were not understandable but his actions spoke far louder than any slew of letters possibly could. He knew that God was trying to force her wants on the boy, and since they had a deal to complete once he awoke as an undead, Devil was in no mood to humor her. 

He moved Fin’s body, snagging the fox and slamming it into the wall behind him before snarling and grabbing hold of the partially formed halo that was trying to forge its way, crackling and sparking, along the poor lad’s head. 

He knew how much being claimed as an angel hurt. He’d been one, and as he felt the blistering ring scald his hand through Fin’s, he growled loudly and pulled as hard as he could. 

The halo crackled with an ear-splitting bang, jarring in his profusely bleeding palm. 

If you wish for this boy to survive, even without a heartbeat, by your side, lend me your strength, necromancer! 

There was little physical response, but the overwhelming hatred and anger he had felt since forcing his way into the man’s tired body slowly waned, allowing Devil to focus just enough to give one final, harsh yank on the damned shackle. 

The halo vibrated abruptly in his palm, then, with a sound so loud that his own vision blurred from the damage to his hearing, even through Fin’s senses, Devil pulled the partially completed halo free of Daiya’s head. It shattered in mid air like the ground when a lightning strike had gone astray and found land. 

With little energy left, Devil relinquished his hold over Fin, allowing the injured, unconscious man to slump to the floor. Unable to hold a solid form, he noted that God, too, had needed to retreat, her presence no longer palpable in the room. 

I shall take my leave now, too. I will be back to seal our deal when you are able, Daiya. The only help I may offer to you, is that your memory is your weapon. Do not forget.  He thought with one final stare at the two before dissipating.

Speak of the Devil

He felt… nothing. 

Daiya could sense that he was back inside his body, but no emotions touched his thoughts, though he forced himself to bring up memories as he laid there. The devil had been very specific about not forgetting, though when the images flashed before his closed eyes, they brought forth nothing but indifference. 

“I can feel you there, Daiya. Open your eyes.” 

Fin’s voice was compelling, but it triggered no love from him like it would have previously. He did try to do as he was told, however, but his eyelids felt weighed down and refused to lift. 

There were a few moments of silence before he felt a pressure beneath his left eye, then the lid was being lifted by one of Fin’s fingers. 

The man’s face was blurry, but he could see him leaning over. 

“You need to focus and awaken fully. I have food waiting for you.” He said, the simple word tugging at something deep in Daiya’s mind. Food. I want it. 

That was the only thing he now felt. Hungry. 

Food. 

He tried to sit up, but his body refused to do as it was told. 

“Keep trying. There is good food for you when you can get up.” Fin coaxed. 

He must have moved the food beneath Daiya’s nose, because he quickly picked up the scent of something delicious. What it was, exactly, he couldn’t be sure, but he desperately wanted to eat it. 

“It’s for you if you sit up.” Fin said. 

Daiya felt something brush against his hair and finally, his left eye decided to cooperate and its lid slowly lifted after Fin released it. 

“There’s one.” Fin said quietly as he reached for Daiya’s right eye and gently lifted its lid with a blurry, bandaged hand. 

It registered in his mind that Fin had gotten hurt. He did remember the interaction they had been having right before he went unconscious. It had been god that had caused the injury while Devil was trying to free him of the burning halo. No emotion came of the understanding, though. 

“Focus, Daiya. Open your other eye for me.” 

He couldn’t understand why he would do it for him. There was no doubt that he felt a pull to do as he was told, likely because Fin was a necromancer and often commanded the dead, but there was no real want to do it… he just felt like he had to, to a point. The memories that had stayed with him told him that he had, once, been very interested in doing anything to keep the blurry man before him happy. 

Blinking his other eye, Daiya opened and closed them a few times to push away some of the blurriness. 

“There you go.” Fin said, finally leaning away out of Daiya’s limited line of sight. 

“The dark edges of your vision will clear up as you eat more. You need to sit up so that you can swallow correctly. Your muscles, especially the ones in your throat,  aren’t going to work as well until you’ve consumed a lot.” He said as he grabbed him beneath his shoulders and pulled him backward up against several pillows. 

Daiya noticed right away that the man’s hands were warm… and also that he, himself, was not. He immediately began craving the warmth when Fin’s hands disappeared from his skin. 

“You want to be warm, I understand. When I was first resurrected it was all that I could think of. It will never go away, but you’ll be able to control it as long as you keep yourself well fed.” 

Why did he need to control it? There was something warm watching over him right at that moment. Without thinking about it, Daiya tried to move his legs over the edge of the bed in order to stand, but he was barely able to get them a few inches before they refused to listen anymore. 

“You need to eat or your body won’t be able to respond much.” He said as he lifted something on a fork close to Daiya’s lips. 

It smelled amazing, but at the same time, he couldn’t bring himself to open his mouth. The meat was clearly raw and still a little bloody. It made his mind completely focus on it, yet his jaw refused to budge. 

“Daiya?” Fin questioned with a confused frown as he pressed the piece of meat against his lips. 

He wanted to eat it, desperately so, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. 

It could be human. 

He couldn’t figure out why he was declining since he had no emotions to be bothered by, yet even when Fin reached over and gently tried to open his mouth, he refused to even part his lips. 

You will have your hands full with that one, necromancer. A voice thought into both of their minds, considering Fin turned at the same time Daiya did to see who had spoken. 

His vision was still bad, so he couldn’t see the entity, but his memories told him that the voice belonged to Devil. 

“I do not need your poor humor, Devil.” Fin said as he pressed the meat closer, but received little response… just the flare of Daiya’s nostrils as he took in the scent again. 

You know that you cannot open his mouth for him. He must understand that it is human flesh you are trying to feed him. Even if he cares for nothing now, he still does not wish to eat another person. Devil replied, earning a scowl from Fin. 

Daiya didn’t understand why he wouldn’t allow himself to eat the food. He did not care if it was a person previously. It was not one any longer. Yet, his mouth would not cooperate and remained tightly closed, no matter how much Fin tried to coax it open. 

Do not fuss with him so much, necromancer. You know that newborns can break easily. Just get the lad something else. Devil said, the tone in his voice seemingly entertained. It sounded much different than the bored one in his memory. 

Perhaps it was enjoying itself watching Fin struggle with something he should easily be able to control. 

I am indeed, little zombie. Devil replied. 

His words were seemingly only to him, because Fin stalked out of the room a moment later, taking the plate of meat Daiya wanted with him. 

You do not really want that, boy. I would bet my left paw that when he returns, with a plate other than human meat from one of the last prisoners in the dungeon, that you will suddenly be able to consume it with no issue. Devil said as his fox form finally came into Daiya’s limited line of sight. 

It hopped up onto his bed and nonchalantly sat down beside him. Daiya tilted his head slowly, the action dreadfully slow to him after having been able to move freely for so long. 

It will get better once you eat, but I am afraid that you might not have drawn the best lot of luck, lad. Devil said as he looked up at him with eyes that actually appeared somewhat unhappy. 

I do hope that I am wrong. He added before they fell into a calm silence that lasted until Fin was stepping back through the bedroom door. 

Daiya’s attention immediately turned toward the scent that came with him. A new kind of meat, or really, several kinds, graced the plate where the previous portion had been sitting. The blood had even been washed off before it was refilled, because Daiya could barely smell the previous offering at all. 

Without even thinking about it, his mouth slowly opened, his dry tongue eager to be moistened by the food coming closer by the second. 

Your boy might be dead, but he still has a heart, beating or not. Devil chimed with a snort that had Fin flashing his fangs at him for a brief second as he sat down on the edge of the bed. Before he dealt with the food, Fin grabbed Devil by the scruff and tossed him away, sending the black fox tumbling unceremoniously onto the carpet and out of Daiya’s limited range of vision. 

And to think I offered such a man a deal. Devil said, getting a grunt from Fin as he turned toward Daiya and lifted a piece of what appeared to be beef to his lips. 

It took him less than a second to lean the few inches forward and snap his jaws down on the morsel. Instead of releasing the food, however, Fin kept his hold on part of it, spurring Daiya to let out a quiet growl, then lean away to try and tug the food free. 

Why are you training him like a hunting zombie? Do you not intend to care for him now that you have completed your contract with me? Devil asked Fin. 

Daiya had not known that their contract had ended during the time he was unconscious, but his attention was far more focused on the food he was still trying to tug from Fin’s fingers. 

He could only think that he resembled the stray dogs he had seen in his lifetime as they fought over a rabbit carcass one of them had managed to catch. 

“I will teach him how to survive, but that is all.” Fin said, his voice cold as he finally released the piece of meat. Daiya didn’t hesitate to swallow it, but it took a few moments to actually slide down his throat. 

You still hold him at fault for what happened? After all of this time? Devil questioned as he came back into view and sat by the edge of the bed on the floor. 

Fin shrugged one shoulder and offered a piece of chicken, which was quickly bitten and torn apart by Daiya. The meat was much easier to tear, allowing him to make short work of the piece. 

“I’ve lived in my hatred for so long that it is not something I can find myself dismissing, even if I wished to try. I completed my contract and while I do regret that I bartered his life against my fondness of him, and lost, I have changed and there will be no happy ending.” He said as he offered another piece of meat, this one far tougher to tear away from him. 

I find it hard to believe that you would just leave him after he has given so much to you. Devil said right before Fin snarled at him and stood, trying to kick the black fox, but missing at the last moment as Devil jumped away. 

“He only gave me what I rightfully deserved after he had been the cause of my death!” He yelled, only to calm himself down after a few deep breaths and return to his seat. 

As Daiya focused mainly on consuming the remaining morsels offered to him, he considered his situation. He could live on his own, but the deal he had made clearly stated that he had to make Fin fall in love with him.

It seemed utterly impossible, and useless. He no longer felt any emotion toward the man, let alone love. He also felt no need to return to the living, though the warm that brushed against his lips from Fin’s fingertips each time he offered him a piece of raw meat had Daiya’s body yearning for more, he figured that he could just find his own heat. 

The ideas on how to do such a thing flashed through his mind as he ate, each one more gruesome than the next. 

I do hope that you find it in yourself to keep him by your side. His mind is not stable right now and he could end up doing things his heart could not stand. Devil said to them both, earning a quiet laugh as Fin gave Daiya the last piece of food he’d brought, then licked his own fingers. 

“His heart ceases to beat and his thoughts are not my concern. When I am content that he understands how to survive on his own as an undead, then I will banish him far away from this land and be rid of the retched memories he evokes from my past forever.” Fin growled before standing and storming from the room, the door slamming behind him. 

Daiya watched him go, only wishing that he would bring more food back for him soon. 

Perhaps this deal was not one I should have garnered. You are not even in a position to talk, let alone seal our pact. 

The black fox thought as he gave a quiet sigh, drawing Daiya’s attention with a blank stare. 

I cannot make him do anything, nor can I tell him about our deal. My apologies for putting you in such a situation, but I cannot stay here any longer at this time. Do remember your memories and what you must do. 

I will return when I am able. 

As Devil spoke, Daiya tried to get off the bed, his body wishing for the heat he knew the fox would possess. His limbs were still far too sluggish, however, and by the time he finally managed to fall onto the carpet with a surprised but calm grunt, Devil had vanished completely. 

(I’m sorry Daiya >< It might get better awkwardly cheers for him)

Learning Death

It had taken him three days before his body felt like actually moving more than a few inches at a time. He had eaten far more meat than he normally would have in an entire month, but he was finally feeling a little better. 

His vision had mostly cleared, but he still lacked the ability to communicate verbally. It wasn’t hard for him to think the words, but when his mouth opened and he tried to speak them, nothing but a quiet moan came out. He didn’t even sound like a normal zombie, either. Fin said that he was closer to a sad dog than an undead. 

His attention turned toward the door as it swung open, then closed immediately behind Fin. He hadn’t brought any food with him for the first time in a while, making Daiya wonder why he had returned. Even if he was going to sleep, he would always bring at least a few pieces of meat to feed him. 

“Come, Daiya. We will be seeing how well you manage outside today.” He said as he walked over and offered him a gloved hand. 

He had dawned the gloves, he’d said, because they take away some of the warmth, and yearning, that came along with the contact. It was true that it did take away some of the heat, but to Daiya, it simply made him want for the contact more. 

Most zombies would try to take it by force, and likely end up killing the human either by mistake or intentionally. He didn’t quite feel like that was a valid option, though. He desperately wanted to feel warm, but the only human that held his interest was Fin. He’d thought about other humans that surely must have body heat as well, but his mind refused to consider them. 

With his normal blank expression, Daiya reached out and grasped his proffered hand. It took a minute to be able to stay steady on his feet. Fin refused to help him besides that one hand, but Daiya was determined and managed after a few slight sways. 

“Very good. Let’s be off, shall we?” Fin said as he headed, not for the door, but for the large window with the faint crack in its pane. 

Daiya inched his way closer once Fin had hopped up onto its sill. He wasn’t sure how they would get down, though he hoped that Fin would not choose a literal fall. He was already dead, but that still didn’t sound very good for his already-troublesome body and Fin likely wouldn’t be able to manage the height. 

He was just leaning a little closer to look outside as the window opened when Kovash suddenly appeared before him. Fin snarled, jumping slightly at the creature’s abrupt appearance, but Daiya just blinked. He did not think Fin would have let the beast remain walking among the living, yet it now stood before him, clinging onto the window with its sharp claws as it leaned its head inside to nudge at Daiya’s face with its cold, wet nose. 

Master, it pains me to see you in such a state. 

Did it really cause him physical pain? Tilting his head, Daiya reached up to set his hand on the beast’s large head, then tapped it a few times. It took some effort to keep his balance while doing so and the pet looked a little more like a slap, but it was a success either way. 

I will help you find your way back to the world of the living, master Daiya. Kovash said into his mind before Daiya felt strong hands grasp beneath his arms and lift him up onto Kovash’s back. He instinctively dug his hands into the beast’s fur, holding, possibly, too tightly, but Kovash didn’t complain. When Fin moved closer, Kovash raised his lip to snarl. 

“Don’t give me that, beast. What do you think will come of him if I am not there?” He asked as he flashed his own fangs, then swung up onto the zombie’s back to sit right behind Daiya. 

Feeling the faint warmth radiating off the man as he leaned over and Kovash carefully started maneuvering down the keep’s walls, Daiya couldn’t help but release the hold his left hand had and turn slightly, grasping Fin in an awkward half-hug before he turned the rest of his stubborn body. 

“Daiya, now is not the time.” Fin growled, though the warning fell on deaf ears. 

Even through his clothing Fin felt far warmer than he did. Pressing his face against the man’s shirt brought a sigh to Daiya’s lips at the same time his arms locked firmly around Fin’s back, having slid beneath his fancy jacket. 

You should have known not to get so close to him. You are lucky that he is not violent. Kovash thought, evidently to them both, as he continued to descend. 

“I am still a necromancer. The dead would not challenge me.” Fin said as they finally reached the soft mossy ground. 

I challenged you many times, and even as a ghost my master fought against you. Kovash returned, making Fin growl quietly but not speak. He tried a few times to remove Daiya’s arms from around him, reminding him that he needed to get used to not being warm, but after a few minutes he gave up. If he tugged at Daiya’s body too much, he could easily break it apart. And while he was very good at raising bodies from the grave, mending ones that were already walking wasn’t quite his specialty. 

Slipping from Kovash’s back, Fin stumbled backward a bit, doing his best to keep the young man in his arms and not let his legs hang down uncomfortably. 

“Daiya, please release me.” Fin said as Daiya looked up at him, pursing his lips. 

“How can you still make that face when you are dead?” Fin complained, drawing a confused frown to Daiya’s face. 

Fin sighed, staring up at the sky for a moment before looking back down. 

“Fine, I promise that I will let you hug me later, okay? So please release me.” 

It took a lot of effort to make himself let go. The warmth was dangerously tempting, but he managed to release Fin and take one awkward step backward after a few tense moments. 

“Good. Now then, let’s see how well you can get around.” Fin said as he began walking away from the keep, heading toward the bog. 

The ground was very soft and gave way far too often for Daiya to keep himself upright. He stumbled about like a one year old trying to find its footing. He fell more than a few times before he managed to fumble his way up to where Fin had stopped about twenty feet away. 

“Good, you are learning to balance better.” Fin said as he began walking backward along the edge of the swampy area. 

Daiya followed him but needed to focus on where he was putting his feet, so he only looked up every so often to be sure that he was still going the right direction. 

When he finally made it to Fin again, who had stopped near a large fallen log that was partially submerged in the cold water, he looked up to meet his eyes. 

“Are you still not able to speak, Daiya? Can you not say my name?” He asked, earning a frown and quiet moan from Daiya before he tucked his head, appearing embarrassed, even though the emotion wasn’t truly there. 

Fin shook his head, then reached forward and lifted Daiya’s chin so that their eyes could meet. 

“Do not worry. You do not need speech to survive well out here.” He said with a reassuring smile. 

Daiya wanted to focus on his words, but the small amount of warmth coming through his glove, that was still pressed against the bottom of his jaw drew all of his attention. It took every ounce of control to keep from reaching forward and wrapping his arms around the man again. 

“Resist, Day.” Fin said quietly as he kept his hand where it was, clearly testing his will. 

Daiya’s attention split between the heat from Fin and a strange feeling in his non-beating heart at the mention of his old nickname. He had not heard it in so many years, that it seemed to have startled him a little. 

When he didn’t respond or react for several moments, except for letting a tiny line of drool begin at the edge of his slightly parted lips, Fin leaned closer, his brows creased with confusion. 

“Daiya, come back to me. Do not lose your focus.” 

Perhaps you should use some food for this training exercise. If only to be able to keep his mind on the tasks you wish him to perform. Devil projected into their minds from somewhere nearby. 

“I do not need your help. I have trained countless undead.” Fin said at the same time Daiya finally managed to regain control of his thoughts… and promptly stumbled forward to wrap his arms tightly around Fin’s middle. 

Warm. 

There was a dark snicker in the back of his mind before Devil commented again. Oh yes, you are doing a lovely job. You should just be happy that he doesn’t seem to have an aggressive bone in his body and keep him safe with you. 

Clearly frustrated, Fin tried to remove Daiya again, but the newborn zombie refused to budge. 

“I am not going to keep him! If you keep bothering me about it then I will send him away this evening and be done wit him!” He hissed at the same time Kovash stepped closer and bared his own needle-like teeth in warning. 

You will not throw out my master like the trash that you are! He growled. 

Fin sneered and set one hand on top of Daiya’s head, patting his hair with a growing smirk on his face. 

“Your master  prefers me.” 

Only because you are warm. If I- “Well, you aren’t. So be gone until we need to return to my room.” Fin said, cutting off Kovash’s thought as he worked on coaxing Daiya to release him. 

It took another promise to finally get him to let go. Now he owed Daiya two separate contact times… and they had only been working outside for less than hour. Of course, he didn’t intend to actually intentionally spend time just letting him hug him. He had important things to do, and dealing with Daiya was only important until he could manage for himself. Then he would be gone from his life for good. 

“Come on. We have a lot to learn yet.” He said as he gestured for Daiya to follow him, glad that Devil’s presence seemed to have vanished for the time being. 

The next three hours they spent together were filled with what to do and what not to do. Mainly, what things were good sources of food, and easy to catch, as opposed to what weren’t. Daiya had a lot of trouble keeping his attention away from squirrels, though it was clear that they were something he would never be able to catch. They looked very warm and he wanted to taste one, but Fin wouldn’t even help him catch one, and his mobility skills were quite lacking to even try. 

“Daiya, you are no dog. Nor are you able to hunt like one. You need to choose things that you can easily get a hold of.” He said, gesturing to a fallen log that likely hid a large amount of different insects. 

He didn’t mind the idea of eating them. He could even move the log easily with his undead strength, but there was just something about eating a warm, delicious mammal that called to him. 

Without really thinking, Daiya stepped up to Fin and reached forward, taking his arm, gently, at first. 

“What are you doing? I said that we could be close later. Now isn’t the time.” 

Right as Fin finished speaking Daiya lifted his sleeved arm to his lips and hesitantly bit down just a tiny bit. 

Before he could process what had happened, and that he had gotten shoved, Daiya was sinking into the cold swamp water. He tried to remind his body how to swim, but his limbs weren’t coming even close to doing what they needed to, and he couldn’t figure out a way to make himself stop sinking, even though he was taking in air. 

Can my lungs not hold air at all now? 

It wasn’t really surprising, but it was inconvenient. He sighed out the breath he had taken and let himself sink to mucky bottom. Once he had settled, he looked up, squinting a little at the faint light coming through the murky water. 

I need to get back up there…

Of course, he supposed that he didn’t, but he doubted that remaining in the water for a long period of time would be a good idea. He tried one more time to swim upward, but there was no way that was going to happen. So, he slowly moved until he was awkwardly standing in the thick mud. If his balance had been bad on land, it was twice as terrible in the water. There was just enough fluctuating resistance and give that he had a lot of trouble staying up, but when he fell, it was in slow motion and just kept putting him back where he had started. 

After several failed attempts, he looked around, glad that his eyes didn’t seem to mind the dirty water. That way? He turned his body while still on the bottom, then started crawling toward a slope, that he hoped, lead up to the surface. 

The mud started to thin out the higher he managed to get, and after ten minutes or so, his head finally managed to breach the surface. He took a few seconds to blink away most of the dirt particles that had gotten into his eyes, then realized that Fin was sitting just a few feet away from him on the bank, a half smile on his face. 

“Not bad. As I’m sure you now know, water is not your friend. If you fall into somewhere that’s too deep, you might never be able to get out. Be wary of any body of water you come across.” He said as he stood up and walked over to him, offering him a hand as he knelt close to the edge of the water. 

“And do not try to bite me again. I will never be food to you. If you do that again, your punishment will be worse than this.” He said as he helped Daiya from the water and back up onto his feet. 

The scent of the swamp came with him, clinging to his skin and the minimal clothing Fin had given him. Looking up at the man, he noticed that his nose was wrinkled and he clearly was not happy with the scent he coming off of him now. 

“Let’s get you back and cleaned up. You learned enough for right now.” Fin said, whistling as if calling a horse or dog. 

Kovash appeared from their right, having not even been hidding. 

Do not call me in such a degrading way. He growled before leaning down and allowing Daiya to climb onto his back. 

Before Fin could join him, Kovash straightened and bolted for the keep, easily scaling the walls, seemingly having had practiced quite a bit. When they got up to the window, Kovash was very careful about leaning inside enough so that Daiya could slide slowly from his back. He took so long to move his soggy limbs that Fin had time to walk all the way around and through the keep to get back to his room right as Daiya’s feet were hitting the floor. 

“Come, you need to wash.” He said, picking up Daiya without waiting for any kind of response. 

When he was deposited in the small washroom next to a tub of cold water, Daiya looked up at Fin, only to have his minuscule clothing removed abruptly. 

“Get in.” Fin said, pointing to the bath as he grabbed something on the counter near the washbasin. 

Daiya did as told, settling in the cold bath and leaning his head against the tall side closest to Fin. 

“Just stay still. I’ll clean you up, then you can rest.” Fin said, making Daiya close his heavy eyelids without thinking. He had not realized how tired he was until he drifted off right in the middle of Fin gently scrubbing soap into his messy hair.

Dress for Distress

He should have expected it. There was no way around the annoying issue that now hugged him in a vice-like grip, even while fast asleep with its head pressed up against his chest. 

He’s even beneath the blankets. 

Pursing his lips, Fin slowly awoke and began his task of untangling Daiya’s arms and legs from around him. It didn’t help that zombies tended to re-enter rigor mortis whenever they slept too  deeply. His arms and legs were locked in place like a statue’s.

“Daiya, wake up.” He said, using his abilities to press his words into the young zombie’s mind. 

It didn’t work right away, which was no surprise. It was hardest to control newer undead. He did, however, sense a response deep in Daiya’s mind, so he continued to speak quietly to him until he finally noticed one of his eyelids flutter. 

“There you are.” 

When a quiet groan, which still resembled a small puppy, met his ears, Fin grinned and began gently rustling Daiya’s hair. 

“Wake up for me, Daiya. We have things to do today.” 

Fin could sense Daiya’s hesitation since he was finally  so warm. 

“I still owe you another time together like I promised, and perhaps you can earn more today, so please release me.” He said, adding the polite word to try and coax Daiya a little more. 

He waited patiently for a few more moments, then was rewarded with soft brown eyes staring up at him. 

“Welcome back.” He said as he felt Daiya’s arm slowly begin to unwrap from around his chest. Once his upper body was free, the young man’s legs followed suite. 

Fin hurried from the bed and was clothed and ready for the day by the time Daiya was able to get himself into a sitting position with his legs hanging over the edge. 

“We will be doing something far different today, Daiya.” He said as he walked over to the door and opened it, gesturing someone inside. 

The woman who stepped in didn’t appear to be more than a peasant. She was dressed decently, but nothing like the women Fin kept in his keep. 

“We will be getting you fitted for a few garments today.” Fin said, drawing a blank stare from Daiya, as well as a tiny bit of drool. 

“It is not uncommon for someone of higher status to take a tame zombie as a pet… at least for a short while. I believe that it’s about time that you began coming along with me on some small errands.” 

The seamstress walked around Daiya repeatedly after he got himself up, wrapping a line of measuring tape around him at just about every angle one could think of. Fin watched Daiya try to follow the woman with his eyes, but his head turned far too slowly to be able to manage. 

“Perhaps you would do better if you were sold to a master instead of left in the wilds…” He thought out loud as he watched Daiya’s delayed reactions. “Kovash was right about one thing. You definitely aren’t an aggressive type.” 

Turning his attention to the seamstress, who was now bringing in several garments to try on Daiya, he spoke as he gestured back to the zombie. “Let’s see if we can make him appear appealing to someone looking for a pet.” He said, earning a nod from the seamstress as she set down one item, only to pick up a nicer one. 

“This one, my lord?” She asked. 

Fin nodded, then stepped forward and began tugging off Daiya’s borrowed loose shirt. It took him a minute, because Daiya still wasn’t able to react very quickly, but it was off as soon as his arms were mostly over his head. 

The soft fabric of his borrowed pants were much easier to remove, leaving Daiya completely naked before them. The seamstress began to immediately tug the first article of clothing over his head, but Fin quickly snatched it and held it up with a frown. 

“It doesn’t seem to work with him. What else have you got?” He asked as his eyes scanned Daiya once more from head to toe. 

The woman returned to the many garments she had brought, sifting through them for a few moments before pulling out another item. 

“What about this, my lord? With these trousers?” She asked, holding the outfit up. 

 Fin licked his lips slowly, taking a third glance at Daiya, then the outfit. 

“Try that one.” 

The woman nodded and took her opportunity to get the shirt on, since Daiya hadn’t lowered his arms much yet. The pants were a bit harder, with Fin helping lift each of his stiff legs. The clothing was very loose, but that was what the seamstress was for. She’d fix anything Fin liked so that it fit perfectly. 

The soft grey shirt with golden embroidery looked quite good against his skin tone and brought out his eyes more. The trousers, a pale blue with several light brown buttons running down one side, made the outfit look comfortable but also elegant. 

“I like it.” He said as he reached forward, adjusting the shirt on Daiya’s shoulders, then reaching lower to tug it a little tighter around his torso. 

“I definitely like this.” 

He was just stepping in closer to tug at the pants that were starting to slip downward on Daiya’s hips when he felt strong arms lock around his chest. 

Not again. 

“Now is not the time for this, Daiya.” He chastised, though he knew that it was partially his fault for getting so close. 

Perhaps if you show him some affection he might release you. Came Devil’s voice somewhere in the back of his mind. 

Why would I ever do such a thing? Fin replied a little more harshly than he’d intended. 

I could give you a long list of the why’s that you would argue until they were twitching on the ground, stabbed to death, resurrected, then murdered again, but how about thinking about the why not’s? You likely have very few of those. Devil replied, appearing to his left as his fox took a seat atop Fin’s reading chair. 

The hell do you mean, why not’s? If I have no reason to do something, and it will not benefit me, why should I do it? He replied, frustrated. 

Fin struggled for several moments trying to remove Daiya’s arms from around himself, but, of course, the zombie was stubborn. 

He just wants warmth and has given his life to you. Could you not simply show him a little? Perhaps he will start listening better if you prove that you can give him some willingly without him having to be so cold that he insists on taking it? 

Clenching his teeth, Fin forced himself not to try any harder to remove Daiya’s arms. He didn’t want to risk breaking either of them. 

Your words are laughable. A zombie will always seek out warmth. Have you not seen them walk into fires willingly? They come to heat like flies to flames! 

“My lord, is everything alright?” The seamstress asked hesitantly, staring up at him with wide eyes. 

Taking in a deep breath, Fin sighed and shook his head. “I believe that I’ve developed a very wicked  headache. Please see that these clothes are fitted to his measurements and make another outfit similar to it but in different matching colors.” 

The seamstress seemed more than happy to take her leave and quickly gathered up the garments she had brought, besides the set still on Daiya, and hurried out, shutting the door behind herself. 

A headache, hm? Devil asked, earning a hiss in response. 

Yes, it has black fur and a frustrating attitude that never ceases to annoy me. 

Devil shifted on the chair and flicked his tail once, then his right ear. Such a shame, this headache of yours. I fear it will not go away soon, and if it does… it will not be for long. 

“I will prove your ridiculous ideas futile right now, then you can leave me in damn peace.” Fin growled as he abruptly wrapped his arms around Daiya and hugged him tightly to his chest. 

At first nothing changed. Fin figured that it wouldn’t, and was soon smirking as he glanced over at Devil.  

Patience is a virtue when dealing with young undead. Devil reminded him, crossing his paws over each other where he now laid upon the top of the large reading chair. 

Fin hissed, but before he could speak, he began to feel Daiya’s arms actually loosen from around his body. Not only that, but they soon found their way between them, tucked in tight as Daiya nuzzled his right cheek against Fin’s chest and sighed silently. 

Oh look, the devil actually knows something the cocky necromancer does not. How can that be? Devil said with overflowing sarcasm. 

Growling Fin shoved Daiya down onto the bed, then turned toward Devil with his sword drawn. 

“You are asking to die again, fox!” He yelled, only receiving a head tilt from both Devil, and Daiya as he slowly worked on getting himself back up into a sitting position. 

As if you killing me will kill me. You will simply get blood on your nice chair and I will just return again and again. Devil taunted, flicking an ear with disinterest. 

“For what reason! He is dead! I have fulfilled my contract with you! Even if he had agreed to another, surely you would not waste your time trying to actually help him? There are rules, last we spoke about your deals.” Fin said. 

I may not complete his contract for him in any way, but I may say what I wish and torment his tormentor without repercussion. 

Anger rising, Fin walked over to Daiya and lifted him up, then swung him around to his back. Like expected, in moments Daiya’s arms were locked around him, the warmth his body gave off too much of a temptation to fight. For once, he was glad for it. 

Get up here you useless hunk of guano. He called to Kovash. 

It took the creature several minutes before it appeared out of the swampland far below. The moment it was close enough Fin leaped from the window sill down onto its back. 

You are a heavy bastard. Kovash snarled into his mind, earning a hit on the back of his head. “I have a dead man on my back.” 

A dead man that has more heart than you ever will, beating or not. 

They landed hard on the saturated ground below and Kovash gave him little warning before he began sprinting toward the swamp. 

“Careful with your words, bat. I can still bury you, even without my magic.” 

I have seen old women wield shovels far deadlier than you ever could. Kovash replied as he bounded from little moss island to moss island in order to spare Daiya from the water he clearly wasn’t used to yet. 

“Find something for him to eat. I forgot to have someone prepare his meals today.” Fin said before Kovash sped up, turning toward a more dry forested area. 

The moment they were back on mostly-solid ground Fin hopped off of Kovash’s back, then watched the demon dart off into the underbrush to hunt. 

“Get down, Daiya.” Fin stated as he knelt in the damp grass. 

When Daiya didn’t respond, Fin sighed and tried again. “Please get down, Daiya. Kovash will bring you food shortly, but you cannot eat while on my back.” 

He wasn’t sure what exactly got through to the zombie, since, technically, it could still eat while on his back. Of course, Fin wouldn’t let him even think about such a thing, unless he wanted his neck to get bitten up when Daiya accidentally misses munching on his lunch. Daiya started to carefully unwrap his legs from around Fin’s body first, which didn’t catch his notice until it was a tiny bit too late.

Daiya flopped onto the ground, his back getting immediately damp through his new loose shirt as he lay there, staring up at the canopy of trees with a blank gaze. 

Why are you throwing my master you dimwitted fake human? Kovash hissed into his mind right as the beast appeared from a copse of trees to his left. 

Deciding not to grace the demon with a response, Fin simply turned and helped Daiya up into a sitting position. He would have gotten him standing, but the moment the dead animal was dropped in front of him Daiya lunged for it. The only problem… his teeth were having trouble getting through the tough hide. 

Best help him, almighty necromancer. Kovash snorted, sitting down and licking his muzzle a few feet away. 

“I am a simple dimwitted human, am I not? How could I assist him?” Fin snarled, though he obviously could just tear the flesh apart or cut it with his sword. 

I just wanted to hear you call yourself that. Kovash said as he quickly sauntered back over and easily ripped a gash in the carcass’s side. Eat up, master. 

“I really should just rekill you… At least you’ll be gone once I sell off your master.” He said, drawing Kovash’s attention abruptly. 

Excuse me? He stated as he got back up and started stalking toward Fin with his hackles raising. 

The rage he felt building in Kovash actually had Fin hesitant to test the creature much further. Of course, he never backed down from instigating something he disliked. 

“I plan to sell him once he’s stable and knows how to manage himself somewhat decently around humans. He’s not aggressive, so it should work well.” He said, not even finishing his sentence before Kovash had turned toward Daiya. 

Without another thought to him, Kovash waited a moment for Daiya to tear off a decent chunk of the deer before abruptly shoving his head beneath him, then moving forward quickly. It was a bit awkward, and Daiya almost feel off a few times, but with a few fast adjustments and some balancing, he had the zombie lying on his back. 

Thankfully Daiya’s instincts kicked in and he latched onto the bits of fur around his neck. 

If you think he is so useless, then I will take him. You are now free from your burden, bastard. 

With that, Kovash snorted and darted off far faster than Fin could hope to catch. Even if he managed to summon up a horse to give chase, they would be far enough away to give them a worthwhile head-start. 

I will find you! I always do, and when you face me again, you will not be able to walk away! You will not be able to get off of this island with what remains of your life. 

There was silence for a moment before Fin received a snarled answer in his mind. 

Watch me. 

(I’m so tiredddddd. Went to Seaworld for most of the day lol)

Talking Life

Kovash ran for so long that by the time he finally slowed to a stomping walk, the sky was beginning to dim. His ears flicked about, trying to pick up any sound that was out of the ordinary, besides himself, but everything was comfortably quiet. The living world around them was beginning to go to sleep for the evening. 

He slowly lowered himself to the ground, waiting as long as it took for Daiya to carefully climb from his back. When the lad was sitting somewhat correctly on the damp grass at his paws, Kovash turned his head and nudged his face, then licked it. 

I hope that you are happy with this freedom, master. 

He sensed an uneasiness from Daiya, but didn’t need the lad to speak in order for him to understand. 

You will grow used to not having him around. I know that you have entered some sort of deal with Devil in relation to him, but Fin is not someone who cares for your well-being any longer. He has changed, and now, so must you. 

Daiya looked like he wanted to say something, but the sound of a snapping twig a few yards away drew Kovash’s attention. He stood, hackles bristling and ears pointed forward as he tried to decipher what was there before it had a chance to come out of its hiding place. 

Whatever it was, its steps were uneven. It didn’t seem like it was trying to be quiet in order to sneak up on them, either. 

Fin would not be so obvious… At least, not in such a simple way. 

That thought brought realization to his widening eyes. 

Daiya, please get on my back again. It is not safe here.

He was grateful that the lad didn’t hesitate to start doing as he was asked, but his body was not cooperating with him enough for the action to be done quickly. 

  When two degraded zombies fumbled out of a thick patch of thorn bushes, then began to crawl toward them when their balance completely failed them, Kovash bared his teeth and snarled. 

They would be more than easy to dismember, but it wasn’t those two specific zombies he was worried about. There were always more if they found you in secluded areas. Cities and villages were one thing, but out in the wilderness, they could eat bugs, carrion, just about anything they could get their hands on. 

Some didn’t make it that way, but many could. 

As if responding to his worry, the other bushes surrounding them began to rustle, drawing Kovash closer to Daiya in the hopes that he would manage to latch on faster. The lad was grasping his fur, but he could tell that he wasn’t gripping strong enough for him to take off yet. 

He slowly began backing away as more zombies appeared, but to his dismay, Daiya was beginning to loosen his grip on him, not increase it. 

What on Earth are you doing, master? We must get out of here, your body is still too alive for you to be safe around other undead. 

At his words, Daiya released him completely and took a somewhat-balanced step toward the zombies. 

What are you doing, master? Kovash asked, his thoughts startled as he hurried to put himself between Daiya and the growing hoard approaching. 

As if their zombie issue was not enough trouble for that moment, a loud boom overhead told Kovash that melting into a mass of blood and bones was soon going to be an issue, too. 

He wasn’t sure if Daiya would be affected dramatically by the fresh rain, but he didn’t want to chance it. Rain was the one thing that hurt the stronger zombies more than the weaker. The weaker usually didn’t like the sun much, but he hadn’t noticed Daiya mind more than a squint or frown. 

Master, we must go! Kovash said, nudging Daiya’s right shoulder from behind as his anxiety grew. 

Daiya only took a single step forward, then lifted his right hand in a stop gesture. 

They have no reason to listen to you, you are not a necromancer! 

Even as he thought those words, Kovash saw them being proven shockingly false. The horde of undead that had been encroaching on them slowly came to a halt. They all seemed confused at first, but as Daiya began limping toward them, they parted just enough to allow him through. 

What is going on? 

Kovash followed closely upon his heels, but Daiya seemed to be in complete control of the previously dangerous situation as the zombies encircled him slowly. They moved away just enough to give them a few feet of space once Daiya had stopped, putting them in a large circle of undead that must have numbered close to twenty. 

When he finally felt that they were safe enough to calm down a little, Kovash turned his attention to Daiya, who stood stock-still beside him. 

The lad was looking up at him with a smile Kovash hadn’t expected to see on his face ever again. 

Master? 

Daiya opened his mouth and closed it a few times before Kovash heard a very faint whisper from him. 

“Rest.” 

A sudden cloud of weariness washed over Kovash. It was something that he wasn’t used to feeling and it hit him hard, making him stagger slightly. Shaking his head hard, he tried to dispel the feeling, but only brought upon a wave of dizziness to go along with his newfound confusion.  

Master, what are you doing to me? He asked as he pushed back the blurriness in his eyes to look around at the zombies surrounding them again. 

What? 

Daiya had slowly turned to face several of them, and with just a simple gesture of his risen hand, those standing began to collapse to the damp dirt beneath their feet. The creatures on the ground lowered their heads. 

Kovash felt his own legs begin to weaken, lowering him unwillingly to the ground as he saw Daiya slowly turn back to face him. 

Master, why are you doing this to me? 

His vision blacked out for several seconds before returning to see Daiya kneeling in front of him, his eyes a little more focused than Kovash remembered them being. He wanted to ask what he was doing again, but the words broke apart in his foggy mind as Daiya settled a hand atop his fuzzy head. 

“Sor… ray, Kov.” Daiya rasped, his voice dry and painful even to Kovash’s ears as the lad tried to speak clearer. 

The rustling of zombies quieted as he lay before Daiya, fighting to stay awake as crickets took over as the only sound in the area. His ears picked up nothing else in the area for several minutes, but then he heard something that had his dead heart actually shake with dread. 

Footsteps, with a slight limp. 

Don’t Daiya, please. It’s not safe. He begged, forcing the words from his darkening thoughts. 

They seemed to have not been heard in the lad’s mind, though, because soon the sound of the footsteps faded… followed by his consciousness.

Walking Death

(The second part of the last chapter) 

The rain was merciless as it fell in torrents across the grassland Daiya found himself standing in hours later. His bare feet sunk into the saturated, mossy soil beneath them, making walking a tremendous effort, considering he had already been struggling to remain upright as it were. 

His eyes turned to the heavens, the droplets of rain burning his flesh, though he could feel nothing as it began to dissolve. 

A bit of movement drew his attention slowly to his left. A rabbit. It was still quite a distance away, but Daiya somehow knew that the creature was dead, even though he could not make out any specific physical characteristics yet. 

It’s left ear twitched, then it hopped a few bounds closer before standing back up onto its hind legs, clearly interested in him. Daiya nodded to the rabbit, his mouth open slightly, perhaps with the want to speak, but no words formed as the rainstorm somehow grew in strength. Blood began to run down the right side of his face from the damage the precipitation was causing, disturbing half of his vision. 

His instincts told him to seek shelter, yet his mind was failing in moving his body back toward the trees he had left behind some distance away. Instead, he knelt down, the action incredibly slow in order for him to keep his balance. 

As if the motion called to the rabbit, it hopped over, stopping just a foot or so away before flicking another ear. Daiya paid it little mind as he carefully got himself situated on the ground. His attention seemed to become fixated on his burning hands as he flexed their fingers into the wet moss beneath them. 

He couldn’t manage to look away until he felt a sudden weight settle upon his head, causing him to try and lift it in order to see what had occurred. The rabbit, being mysteriously absent from in front of him all of a sudden, silently told Daiya that it was likely the creature, especially because there was a little damp, clawed paw next to his left eye. 

It felt odd to have a rabbit draped over his head. He did not understand the reason for the creature’s awkward interest in resting on his hair, and he wasn’t sure he wanted it to remain there. 

Responding to the animal’s odd decision, Daiya leaned his head back slowly, continuing the action until he felt the panicking rabbit slip from his sizzling scalp. 

With the critter removed, Daiya began to look over his shoulder, but by the time he managed to complete the action, he felt the bunny climbing into his lap. 

Pursing his bleeding lips, he slowly turned his head back around, then looked down, only to see a different creature there. It was an undead, too, but where the rabbit had damp fur, the medium black bird that settled on his leg had feathers that shone oddly in the downpour. 

He narrowed his eyes on the animal, having never been very interested in birds… at least, not since one had defecated on him when he was five years old. He was just working on getting his steaming arm to lift and remove the animal when he noticed a long, thin leg stop before him, followed by another. 

The rain that had been dissolving his tired body was partially blocked by whatever new creature had just appeared, drawing his attention away from the bird out of curiosity.

It was a deer. Clearly not a fawn, but definitely not an adult, either. It stood with its head bent over Daiya, it’s right eye clearly missing, as well as several tufts of fur and a few scrapes of flesh. 

He wasn’t sure why the deer had arrived, or the rabbit or bird, for that matter, but he did not mind the shelter the larger animal was providing. 

A loud boom overhead alerted him just in time to feel a shock of lightning vibrate through his body after having struck the saturated ground yards away, jolting his muscles uncomfortably. The strike made him consider moving again, but his limbs were already slightly sunk into the muddy and mossy ground, making moving them nearly impossible for his awkward, undead self. 

He tried, never the less, to get up, even going as far as to grab hold of one of the deer’s legs and try to lift his soaked body from the ground. His efforts failed. 

Daiya decided to settle back down, hunching as close to the large animal in front of him to try and prevent any further damage, having finally realized that he was likely going to be unable to survive if he continued to remain beneath the fresh rainfall. 

He stayed still for an unknown amount of time, his thoughts having ceased, his vision faded into darkness. A soft touch against his less damaged cheek brought him slowly out of his unintended slumber. 

“I had told the animals to find you for me, yet none had returned…” Fin whispered as his fingers gently sifted through Daiya’s wet hair, then moved beneath his chin to lift it. 

The look on the man’s face wasn’t readable as Daiya stared up at him with his good left eye, his injured right one finally closed to prevent more damage. 

Fin released him after another moment and straightened, allowing Daiya to notice the large amount of other animals around him that must have gathered while he’d slept. There had to be nearly an entire herd of deer in the area, as well as several kinds of birds and other mammals. 

“I had only raised a few to find you… I am not sure why there are this many with you.” Fin mumbled as he leaned down again after glancing around the area.  

Daiya noticed that the rain had just about ended as he watched Fin drape a cloak over his head, blocking most of his vision, then felt his body being lifted into the man’s arms. 

“Where is that damned bat I gave you? You should not have been walking around on your own.” He growled as Daiya immediately snuggled in. 

For once, Fin didn’t complain at all about the abrupt, tightening hug. In fact, he almost seemed to return it, holding Daiya just a little bit tighter. Perhaps he was actually worried for him once it had started raining so hard… but that was quite unlikely. 

“Le… lev.” Daiya tried, butchering the single word he was trying to say. 

Fin paused near one of his large undead horses and shifted him a bit in his arms. “Did you just say something?” He asked, sounding shocked. 

It was still hard to speak, but Daiya was determined. He failed a few more times, only managing a couple tired moans, but finally he was able to get a simple sentence out. 

“Leave Kova ’lone.” 

He couldn’t see Fin’s face, since his own was snug against his neck, enjoying the warmth there, but Daiya felt Fin’s arms tighten around him a little more before he carefully got them onto his horse and, likely, heading back toward the keep. 

“He left you alone to nearly die. If I see him again, I will make good on my promise to end him.” 

Fin sounded almost like he was angry about him possibly dying, again, but Daiya brushed the thought aside. He wanted him gone, surely he wouldn’t be too upset if he met his end in such a way.

“You are clearly not a mute zombie since you are beginning to talk again. I’m not quite sure what you are, but my curiosity is piqued. I believe that I’ll keep you until I see what kind of undead you actually are.” He added, making Daiya’s lips tilt up just a tiny bit. 

His memories told him that he should be happy with Fin’s decision, but his heart was still unresponsive. The only time it had reacted at all was when he was forcing Kovash to fall asleep. It had hurt, but he knew that it had needed to be done. Daiya felt that Fin would no longer be lenient with his former creation, and while Daiya loved the creature, it likely would not have let him try to return… and in order to complete his deal, he’d had to find Fin again.

On Edge

“Will you stop squirming? You are worse than an angered toddler.” Fin grumbled as he tried to press something against Daiya’s damaged scalp. 

The injuries he’d sustained from the rainstorm had slowly begun healing, helped along by the amount of food Fin had been bringing him. They were far from perfect, however, and Fin was quite determined to speed up his healing with annoying bandages and medical poultice. 

The scent of the medicine bothered Daiya’s nose after days of having it forced upon him. He lifted his hands to try and push Fin’s away from his head, where he was trying to apply another glob of medicine before he, no doubt, added another constricting bandage. 

“I swear you were never this problematic to deal with when you got hurt as a child. You would come running to me to get a bandage for a wound that barely even bled.” Fin grumbled as he swatted one of Daiya’s hands away and began wrapping an uncomfortable length of bandage around his head. 

Daiya growled a little and leaned away, making one of the strips of bandage sag down around his damaged eye. 

It seems like someone got caught out in the rain. What a shame that he was undead during that abrupt storm. 

Fin’s attention immediately turned away with Daiya’s good eye slowly following to land on a little silver songbird that had come in through the slightly open window. It perched upon the wing chair. 

“You tried to kill him just because I would not let you have him. How benevolent of you, my lord .” He hissed, getting an excited chirp from the tiny bird. 

Fin was just about to walk over and snag the little creature, clearly intent on snuffing out its useless life considering the look on his face, but he paused mid-step when another bird flew through the window to join it on the chair. The two creatures hopped about, ruffling their feathers and flitting around on the fabric, seemingly not caring that their lives were in danger. 

Daiya slowly slid from where he had been sitting on the edge of Fin’s bed and stood, glad that his balance had been improving, even as he was recuperating from his injuries. His words, however, came and went, and never stayed for long. 

“Do you think that I will consider not killing the birds if you might not be one of them, bitch?” Fin said as he continued his way over to the chair. 

She is not one of them, but by all means, kill them anyways. They are quite noisy. Devil thought to them, drawing a frown to Fin’s face but an awkward half-smile to Daiya’s. 

We do not need a physical form to bother you, necromancer. Devil said as a large hawk flew through the window, both of its talons easily grabbing the little birds and snaring them against the cushion of the chair with ease. 

It ruffled its feathers and then began pulling apart pieces of the screeching birds, silencing them in seconds as it worked on consuming the dying creatures. 

But it does not hurt to remove any possibilities. Devil said, clearly giving himself away as the larger bird currently making a meal out of the other two smaller ones. It took him little time to make both animals disappear, leaving behind only a few feathers scattered about the chair and floor. 

“What are you doing here, Devil?” Fin asked as he pushed the hawk right off the top of the chair so that he could drop down into it and lean his head back.

I just came to check on my boy. Devil said, having already hopped up onto Fin’s bed so that he was standing right beside where Daiya was, making the young zombie slowly turn and look down at him. 

What on Earth have you let that evil wench do to him? Devil hissed into their minds, getting a growl back immediately. 

“That blasted bat I had originally raised to watch over him ran away with him.” Fin replied as he turned his head toward them, scowling at Devil as Daiya carefully got himself seated. 

It took Devil only a few seconds to get himself situated in Daiya’s lap, reminding Fin of a plump chicken instead of the master of the underworld. 

This plump chicken was considering giving you some helpful suggestions, though it doubts that your poorly functioning brain will be able to comprehend them. Devil said at the same time a third bird flitted through the window to land on the carpet. 

It promptly loosed a dropping there, silently telling them that God had arrived in her new physical form. 

I can heal him, you know. God said as the bird hopped about lazily. 

The hawk in Daiya’s lap sneezed, and Fin was about to reply when they all heard a knock at the door. 

“Come in.” Fin said, getting a little more comfortable as the seamstress he’d assigned to Daiya previously came in with an armful of clothing. 

“My lord, I have completed the outfits you’ve requested, and a few more that I believe you will like.” She said, bowing as she stole a few quick glances at the two birds in the room before setting the items next to Daiya on the bed. 

Fin stood, examining the new clothing as if Devil and God weren’t in the room. 

“These should do for now. I will have him try them on and see how they fit.” He said, earning another bow from the woman before nodding toward the door, effectively dismissing her. 

When he returned his attention to the clothing, to his surprise, Daiya was already reaching for one of the shirts with the more comfortable fabric. 

“You want to try it on?” He asked as Daiya slowly stood, effectively depositing Devil’s hawk form onto the floor without a care. 

Devil didn’t seem to mind, though, and happily skipped away to try and catch God’s wary smaller form. As the two danced about the room, Fin helped steady Daiya, then took the item he’d been picking up and set it back down. 

“You need to take off those clothes first, Daiya.” 

It seemed to take him a few moments to comprehend what he had said. A thin line of drool slipped from the edge of his mouth and ran down along his chin before Daiya realized that his arms would need to be lifted in order to remove his borrowed clothing. 

The action, Fin noted, was performed twice as quickly as it had been previously. “You are getting even better with your movement.” He said as he tugged off the shirt Daiya had been wearing and replaced it with the soft blue one that had been made for him. 

 I like that one. Definitely suites him more than anything you own… or you in general. God said as her tiny bird landed on the armrest of the chair he’d been sitting in. 

Instead of bothering with a response, Fin leaned over and yanked Daiya’s loose, borrowed pants down and helped him step out of them. He then looked through the garments the woman had brought and decided on a pair of faded white pants. They didn’t quite go down to his ankles, but they actually looked stylish that way. 

“Very nice.” He said, looking the lad over with an approving nod. 

“Once your head heals up more, you’ll catch quite a few eyes… though I do not know if I want to sell you now.” He said, then shrugged. “We shall see what happens, but I am tired of staying in this stuffy room, and I’m also not quite pleased with our feathered guests. How about you come with me? I have a get together in a short while, but I would not mind being early.” 

 Daiya managed to give fin a half smile, earning a small one from the man as he reached forward and took his hand. Without thinking about it, Daiya tightened his fingers around a few of Fin’s, but did his best to keep from holding him too strongly. 

“Come, let us leave these problematic poultry to themselves.” Fin said, tugging Daiya out of his room and shutting the door right as both birds tried to fly through. 

He reveled in the sounds of their bodies plunking against the hardwood. “Is it bad that I think that was pretty funny?” Fin asked, glancing sideways at Daiya. 

Mustering up his focus, Daiya pursed his lips, then licked them a few times before whispering a response. “They can… be brat.” 

Fin raised an eyebrow at his reply, then chuckled quietly as he reached up and softly patted his hair where he wasn’t injured. 

“Brats, yes. That’s a good word for them.” 

Giving Daiya’s hand an encouraging squeeze, Fin began heading toward the large spiral staircase that would take them down into the open foyer. He hadn’t exactly planned out how Daiya would manage stairs, because, honestly, most zombies failed them miserably unless they were of the most competent class of undead. 

He had his doubts. 

 Daiya seemed hesitant when they came upon the stairs draped in soft red cloth. The marble on either side of the carpet was fairly new, since they had all been fixed after Fin had regained his life, so as Daiya began to hesitantly lower one foot toward the first upper step, Fin quickly stepped behind him and grasped his waist gently. 

“You will hurt yourself further doing that.” He said as he carefully moved Daiya to the left a step or two. 

“Right here. Step on the carpet. The stone can be very slippery.” 

It seemed to take a few moments for the movement to register in Daiya’s mind, as he seemed fixated on the fact that Fin had released his hand, and was holding it up in front of himself with a frown. 

“You are a bit of a brat, too. Okay, here.” Fin said as he stepped around Daiya and took his raised hand, then carefully began helping him make his way down. 

As expected, the lad made several mistakes and would have fallen if it weren’t for Fin’s diligence. By the time they were close to the last few steps Daiya was clinging to him as if he were strictly seeking warmth, but self preservation was there, too. 

“Oh, master Fin. Who is that zombie?” A high-pitched woman’s voice asked as they finally finished their descent. 

Of course, Daiya did not loose his grip much, but Fin just settled one arm around his shoulders and smiled up at the woman walking toward them. 

“My zombie. He had a bit of a run in with some fresh rain, but he’s healing up well.” He said, drawing the woman’s attention to the damage on Daiya’s head that was hidden, mostly, by uncomfortable bandages. 

Being reminded of the thing made Daiya finally release Fin, only to begin tugging at the wrappings around his head. 

“Come now, do not do that, Daiya. I have told you many times that your wounds must be covered to heal well.” Fin grumbled as he tightened the bandages Daiya was loosening. 

They pestered each other for a few moments before the woman’s laughter had them both turning their heads toward her, their entwined hands and arms frozen in mid-action. 

“You two are adorable. Why have I not seen this lad before?” She asked as she walked over and gently lifted Daiya’s chin with one hand. 

“He’s not quite cold to the touch yet. Is he recently dead?” She asked, looking up at Fin for an answer as another person joined them in the large room. 

Fin hesitated for a moment, but figured that it wouldn’t matter if he told them the truth. 

“Yes. He passed somewhat recently and is still learning how to be an undead.” 

The man who had joined them smiled down at Daiya as he shook Fin’s hand. 

“I’m a little surprised to see you with a zombie. You didn’t seem like a man who liked undead pets.” He said, reaching toward Daiya’s chin just like the woman had, no doubt to get a better look at his features. 

Unfortunately for him, he hadn’t planned on Daiya actually responding. The moment the man’s fingers came close to his mouth, Daiya tilted his head just enough to clamp down. 

The man hissed, but the bite wasn’t really hard. It was more of a warning, with an added growl attached to the action for emphasis. 

“I… suppose he doesn’t like much physical attention. I’m still working on figuring him out.” Fin said as he gently removed the man’s fingers from the young zombie’s mouth. 

He couldn’t really chastise him for the bite, though. They had been poking at him and as a zombie, he hadn’t liked that kind of thing either. 

“What’s his name? Is he a local from the village or a traveler?” The woman asked, clasping her hands in front of her, likely to keep herself from trying to touch Daiya. 

After Fin had regained his life, he’d begun allowing normal travelers to find the hidden land he had created. He was still careful about the number of people that came in and who could settle, but the population of the area was definitely growing. 

“He was a traveler who had come to a rather unfortunate end.” He said, feeling Daiya start to nudge himself closer. 

Since he wasn’t being excessive, Fin wrapped one arm around his shoulder and pulled him against his side. 

“He’s actually a very calm zombie. He only bites when he’s curious, and I suppose when someone does something that bothers him.” 

“He’s quite handsome, and I believe that my wife would think him adorable. Do you plan to sell him once he’s trained a little?” The man asked, the question unsurprising to Fin. 

He’d definitely been right about the lad making a wonderful pet. Even his little bites weren’t that bad. Neither time had even drawn any blood. 

Fin gestured for them to head for the banquet hall where the get together would take place and then took Daiya’s hand to tug him along behind the guests. 

“The idea has crossed my mind, but I am unsure.” 

Once inside the room, Fin realized that most of the people he had invited had decided to come early, too. He was still new to large groups of living things. The undead never bothered him, mainly because he could control them with a simple thought… except for Daiya. 

Glancing down at the lad, Fin thought his strongest order to him simply to step in front of him and bow. Daiya just looked up at him with a nervous frown and stepped a little closer, likely because some of his guests were encroaching on his personal space and not because of anything he had tried to order him to do. 

“Good afternoon, Fin. Who is this lad that you brought with you today?” An older gentleman asked as he lifted a flute of champagne. 

Fin was just opening his mouth to respond when Daiya squeezed his hand and stepped forward just a little. 

“Am his.” He said, trying to smile, though his lips didn’t quite complete the action. 

Fin’s eyes widened at his statement and he set a hand on Daiya’s head, making the zombie grumble just loud enough to cause a string of laughter from the growing crowd around them. 

He spoke with the group for a short while before finding himself a spot by the large glowing hearth with another group of mostly young men, smoking cigars and chatting about all of the business coming to the local town, putting more money in their growing pockets. 

Fin couldn’t argue that there was a good amount of extra money coming into his own coffers. It wasn’t exactly something he cared to discuss, though listening didn’t bother him. What was starting to annoy him, however, was the topic continuously shifting to him possibly selling Daiya. 

It didn’t help that the lad was sitting next to the large grate before them protecting him from the burning fire inside. He was shifting from sitting to getting up on all fours and reaching toward it. Thankfully, the grate was quite sturdy and Daiya didn’t try to push hard enough to worry Fin. 

After a little while he allowed his attention to divert back and forth from the conversation around him and Daiya. 

It was nearly two hours later, after he’d gotten up to simply relieve himself, that he found Daiya nearly on the edge of being horrifically burnt. The lad was just nearly over the heavy grate even though he’d asked the distracted group talking around him to keep a simple eye on him. 

“Daiya!” He yelled, causing the zombie to pause, but not in the best position. He had been balanced, poorly, on the top portion of the grate. 

He was just beginning to fall forward into the burning hearth when Fin bolted forward and grabbed Daiya, spinning him around so quickly that they both fell to the floor. 

Fin’s back hit the warm grate while Daiya fell into his lap, their weight pushing the screeching heavy metal a few inches closer to the fire. All of the talking in the room came to a sudden halt after a round of gasps echoed around them. 

One point for me, bitch. Devil’s voice thought through Fin’s mind at the same time he heard a grunt from God. 

He didn’t bother responding to either of them, though. Instead, he just held Daiya tighter. “You stupid, undead idiot. If you wanted heat, you should have just taken it from me.” He growled as he hid his face in Daiya’s neck. 

He didn’t care who was watching. His heart was stumbling over itself with the stress of the entire situation and just needed to stay right where he was and breathe.

Changes

Frowning, Daiya tugged at the thick leather collar that was now around his neck. It had a long, small chain leash that could attach to it, though it was unclipped at that moment, the leash hanging on one of Fin’s belt loops. 

“Stop pulling on that, Daiya. It’s for your own safety.” Fin grumbled as he glanced up from the desk he was situated at in his personal study. 

Daiya had been allowed to come with him, but only because he kept opening the door to Fin’s bedroom when the man was out. Sure, he had been ordered to stay put, but as he gained more and more comprehension with each passing day, he’d decided that not all orders were worth obeying. Especially ones that kept him away from Fin for such long periods of time. 

Lowering his hands for the tenth time that day, he slid them into his pockets and let his smile widen. Fin gave him a look in return, but it just made Daiya’s heart fidget a little in his cold chest. 

There was a strong knock on the door a moment later, drawing Daiya’s attention at the same time Fin spoke. 

“Get the door. That’s my meeting for this hour.” 

Daiya did so, letting in an older gentleman dressed in fancy, well-fitted clothing. 

“Ah, is this the zombie lad people have been whispering about since your get together?” The man said as he walked over to Fin, who was rising from his seat in order to offer his hand. 

“Yes, sir.” He replied. 

Daiya wrinkled his nose slightly. The man smelled like fish. 

“Please, have a seat.” Fin said, gesturing to several of his comfortable wing chairs by one of the large windows. 

They spoke of different trades, and not to Daiya’s surprise, a large part of the discussion was toward the trade of fish and different exotic foods. He stood as they spoke, trying to decipher another scent that was coming from the man that seemed familiar, yet not. 

The men were delivered tea, brandy, and bread a few times throughout their meeting, that extended quite longer than the single hour Fin had mentioned and Daiya was ordered to find something to occupy his time several repeatedly. He ignored Fin’s words, however, his attention fixated on the scent that drifted to his nose every so often. 

The meeting was finally winding down after a while, and it was clear that Fin had definitely favored his cups of brandy over the tea, considering the man’s behavior. If there was one thing Fin enjoyed when not weighed down with work, it was a good bit of alcohol. 

Daiya watched Fin’s guest slowly stand, his actions only slightly influenced by the drinks he’d consumed. He expected him to say something in terms of his intent to depart, or something concluding the meeting in general, but when he simply gave a sad smile and retrieved a pistol from within his suit-coat, Daiya’s eyes widened a fraction. 

“You claim to be such a decent man now that you are no longer undead, but I will never consider you anything more than a murderer. You used to fill your dungeon with villagers for your meals!” The man yelled, his upset coming through his oddly calm voice. 

Fin was trying to blink through the alcohol that blurred his mind to process the man’s words quicker. 

“You may have thought that you were doing us a favor by taking only the sick or weak from our town, but my daughter could have survived her illness. The young lad down the road a short ways might have been handicapped by trying to help people gather firewood during a bad winter and had gotten his leg mangled, but he was amazing with numbers and could have easily found himself work with management.” The man yelled as he waved his gun around, then slowly lowered it to point at Fin’s chest as his words died down. 

“I do not know how you breathe now, but I do remember seeing this boy quite alive in town recently. Now he stands beside you like a pet just wishing to be around its master, yet you collar him and order him about.” 

Fin scowled at the man’s words and reached toward the gun, only for the man to shove it against his chest, forcing him sloppily back further down into his chair. 

“You are a greedy, dirty bastard and I don’t care if the devil himself makes me pay for this.” He yelled as he cocked the gun. 

Daiya felt his unbeating heart shiver in his chest at what he was witnessing. No. He reacted as quickly as his body would allow, putting all of his effort into his actions. He just managed to fall onto Fin as the man began pulling the trigger, but when the gun finally went off, Daiya realized that he’d been moved and blood was warming his heating body from above. 

Too hot. 

He knew that he shouldn’t be getting hot. 

Fin’s body slowly slumped over onto him, soaking more blood into his shirt as Daiya heard the man who had shot him run from the room. 

Fin. 

With more ease than he had felt since he’d died, Daiya carefully moved Fin’s body so that it rested in the chair he’d just been in. There was a hole in his chest, right above where his heart was. 

“Why did you do that?” He asked, not having any issues speaking. He did not bother trying to blink back the tears clouding his eyes as he spoke. “And why am I alive again? I feel my heart beating but yours is fading beneath my palm.” 

You are alive because you completed your contract. Devil’s voice replied in his mind. 

Daiya frowned and looked around the room, not seeing anything out of the ordinary until he looked back at Fin. 

A squirrel? 

“I didn’t want him to die for me to get my life back!” He rasped as he yanked off his stained new shirt and pressed it against Fin’s bleeding chest. 

I do not control how my contracts are completed. Fin’s actions were his own. 

“He should not have done it, though! I was already dead! I could not have become more so.” Daiya cried. 

Make a deal with me and I will bring him back.  God’s voice said. 

The squirrel, now on Fin’s head, chattered in annoyance at the idea. 

He murdered him. He deserved to die for him in the end. Devil said, not making Daiya’s mood any better. 

“Fin?” He said as he reached forward and touched the man’s face. He got no response, and as he moved his hand down to Fin’s lips, his heart began to hurt. 

Just one more deal and you will have him back. Both of you will be alive once more. God pressed, making Daiya grind his teeth together in frustration. His mind was still having trouble catching up to his current abilities, so he decided to just act on instinct. 

Leaning over, he pressed his mouth to Fin’s now-slowly bleeding injury. The blood tasted of sour copper, but Daiya felt like he was doing what he should. 

Do not die, Fin. 

He could sense the man’s heart struggling to beat beneath his lips. 

Do not leave me. I need you, good or bad. I don’t wish for you to leave. 

A hand gently settled against his hair and patted it once, making Daiya lift his head. 

“Fin?” He whispered right before Fin lifted his arm and slowly wiped the blood from Daiya’s lips. The man was smiling with exhaustion in his eyes, but Daiya could only sniffle as tears continued to run down his cheeks. 

“No more contracts, Daiya. I believe we have both had our fill.” He said, his voice barely audible.  

Daiya wanted to say so many things as he watched Fin slowly push himself up in his chair and scoot back, then carefully pull him in for a light hug. 

“I don’t know how I am still alive, but whatever you did, please keep doing it.” He said as he gave Daiya a minute squeeze.

He wasn’t really sure what he had done, and looked up at Devil for some sort of answer. The squirrel sitting upon the top of the chair flicked an ear, but shook its head. 

I did nothing. Devil confirmed. 

God, did you do something to him? I have not agreed to any deals! He thought to the other deity. 

No… neither of us have acted upon him. He should be dead. She stated, clearly confused, too. 

“Daiya, please. It hurts.” Fin whispered, making Daiya purse his lips and lean forward, hugging the man as he nuzzled his face into his neck and pressed a kissed to his overheating skin. 

“I’m sorry, I do not understand what I did, but please don’t leave me.” 

Fin took a deep breath as he spoke, exhaling it with a shudder before taking another. Daiya hugged him a little tighter as he reached down between them and began pressing his fingers into Fin’s damaged chest. 

The bullet definitely could not stay there. Even if Fin was somehow healing from his words, it was highly unlikely that he’d be able to live with the metal lodged in his chest. 

Fin hissed and tried to push Daiya away as he began to pull it out, but he refused to move. 

“You will be fine, Fin. Do you understand? You will not die from this.” Daiya said, putting as much determination into his words as he could while focusing on his task. 

The moment he felt the little metal ball slip free from Fin’s chest, he tossed it off to the side and pressed his hand back over the wound. 

“Heal. You will not die today.” 

He allowed his words to end in silence, making Fin’s labored breathing the only audible sound in the room. 

Interesting. I have never seen anything like that from a living being. Devil thought to them at the same time a little bright blue butterfly landed on the top of the wing chair beside him. 

That is something only a powerful necromancer can do, and only to the dead. Even we cannot raise the deceased to breathe again as a living being unless a deal has been formed. 

Right as God was finishing speaking, Devil’s squirrel pounced on her butterfly, eating the creature in a few simple bites. 

You do remember that eating my physical forms do nothing to me, right? God thought in an annoyed tone. 

Devil’s squirrel flicked its tail at the same time Fin began rubbing one hand up and down Daiya’s back in a comforting gesture. 

Of course. I just like annoying you, and you choose quite tasty creatures most times. Devil replied before hopping off of the chair to disappear from sight. 

Be on your guard, boy. God cares little whom she harms when she wants something. And you are something even I am unsure I can protect from her much longer. Best figure out your abilities before she decides to start using force. 

Frowning, Daiya was about to question him but Fin held him tighter and growled a quiet warning. 

“Be gone. We will deal with her when she comes.” 

There were no more words from Devil, leaving Daiya to believe that he had left, for the moment. When 

Fin finally sighed out a deep breath and held him a little bit closer, he decided to worry about the two bickering beings later. He was finally getting what he wanted, and he wouldn’t trade Fin’s attention for the world.

To Dust

Daiya refused to let Fin move from his bed the next several days. He might have been alive, but his injury was nothing to scoff at. The local doctor had visited twice, once to tend to the wound and the other time to give him medication to take for a starting fever. Fin had refused to take the bitter pills, but Daiya would have none of his stubbornness. 

Fin bit him twice when he tried to shove the pills down his throat, but Daiya was persistent. He had his own injuries to tend to, and had lost his patience for Fin’s complaining quickly. 

“You could at least try to hide it in the food, you brat.” Fin said as he sat up in his bed and rubbed at his head, messing up his hair even more than it already was.

Daiya was in the process of gently rubbing medicine into the damaged skin around his eye when Fin spoke. He was sitting at the man’s small work desk with his ankle crossed over his opposite knee. Instead of replying, he continued to remain focused on his current endeavor, clearly not feeling the need to respond. 

Fin grunted and stood up, finally drawing Daiya’s attention up to him as he began working a bandage around his damaged eye. 

“Give me that. You always wrap them too loosely.” Fin said as he walked over, clearly a little unsteady on his feet.

 Daiya scowled and ducked around him to plop down onto the bed and continue wrapping the bandage. Fin turned around, sending him a glare that would have terrified the scariest undead. 

“You do not worry me, Fin.” He mumbled as he tied the fabric behind his head, then finally looked up with a cocky half-grin. The damaged side of his face still had trouble with expressions off and on, but it was definitely getting better. 

Before he could process what he was doing, Fin was leaning over him and his back was flat against the soft blankets of their bed. 

“You have definitely changed, Daiya.” He growled quietly as Daiya swiped his tongue along his lips, then leaned up on his elbows to steal a kiss.

Fin sat back on Daiya’s legs abruptly, wiping at his mouth before his hand was gently grasped and pulled away from his lips. Daiya kissed his knuckles and sighed, his eyes closed as he pressed Fin’s hand against his forehead. 

“I’m so happy that you are here.” He whispered before pressing another kiss to Fin’s palm. 

There was a quiet hiss from Fin, but instead of pulling away, he remained still while Daiya nuzzled his right hand like a cat. 

“How did you save me, by the way? You still don’t understand what you did?” He asked as he slowly got himself seated beside Daiya on the bed, who quickly found his way into Fin’s lap.  

Instead of answering, Daiya just wrapped his arms around Fin’s neck and snuggled in with a content sigh. He’d been asked that question a hundred times, but he couldn’t give an answer he didn’t have, so he gave none. 

When Fin realized that, he sighed and gently grasped Daiya’s waist to remove him from his lap. 

“I have things to tend to, now that I am able.” He said as he stood, only swaying slightly. 

Daiya looked ready to argue, but Fin pressed a finger to his lips. 

“Enough. I have rested plenty. I have things that need taken care of, and I cannot see to them if I am lying in bed all hours of the day.” He said as he headed for the washroom to clean up. 

His bath had been filled earlier in the day, so it was cold when he finally settled into it, but it still looked like he enjoyed the cool water. Daiya tried to help him scrub himself a couple times, but the man was stubborn! 

They both paused after Daiya’s third attempt was foiled by Fin grabbing both of his wrists and holding them up and to the side. Silence took over as Fin glared and Daiya pouted. 

“Are you still going to try and sell me? You love me. You can’t sell me.” He said, his tone seeming worried. 

Fin’s eyes softened slightly before he yanked Daiya into his bath, making the guy yelp as his clothing absorbed the cold water. 

“No one would buy you now.” He said as he pulled Daiya against his chest and leaned his head back against the wall. “You are far too stubborn and pushy.” 

Daiya opened his mouth to reply, when his eyes caught light shifting along the wall across from them. 

What is that? 

“What’s wrong?” Fin asked, his body tense. The hand he had on Daiya’s back was pressing harder as he straightened and looked around. 

If he wasn’t worried, Daiya would have thought that Fin’s protective behavior was adorable. It made him want to kiss him, but he couldn’t lose focus. There was definitely something else in the washroom. 

“Show yourself.” He said as he slowly turned in Fin’s arms to face the golden light that was fading in and out near the wall. 

The lights wavered, then a young man somewhere around twenty slowly materialized. He was balancing on the edge of the bathing tub with ease. Bright white and cream wings lifted and lowered slowly from where they were attached to his back. Some of the feathers disappeared into the walls on either side of him, but he didn’t even seem to notice. 

Can he move through walls? 

“ We will not accept anymore deals, be gone.“ Fin said, a strong warning in the tone of his voice. 

Daiya stared at the young man, who wasn’t wearing more than a wrap of cloth around his waist that reached a little past his knees. The man blinked slowly, the action unnerving Daiya for some reason. 

“They cannot speak, but their gestures are deadly. Do not take anything he does lightly.” Fin said as he carefully began shifting his body so that he could push Daiya behind him.

Looking over the man again, Daiya noted his sickly white skin, pale nails and dreary blue eyes. Atop his silvery-blond hair sat a halo that crackled quietly in the enclosed room. He felt like he was missing something, but his focus was broken when the angel began lifting its left hand and leaning toward him. 

It didn’t look like it would have been able to make such a move without falling into the water, but it easily leaned forward. Its wings spread out wide to either side of him to vanish further into the walls. 

All of a sudden, Daiya was out of the tub and fumbling onto the washroom floor. He slipped once trying to get up, then hurried from the room with Fin hot on his heels. They both turned toward the room in time to see the angel step through the wall, ignoring the open doorway completely. As it rematerialized inside the bedroom, Daiya’s eyes widened. 

His nails are turning black… and it looks like the skin on his right arm and leg has pulled taut over just bone now. 

“Why is he changing so dramatically?” He whispered as he hesitantly backed away with Fin beside him.  

“Changing? He looks just as disturbing as he had when in the washroom.” Fin said as he started reaching to the side for the dagger he had resting on his desk. 

Daiya pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes on the slowly approaching angel. 

“His nails are turning black, and the right side of his body looks like there is no longer any muscle. It’s like he’s a walking skeleton with skin pulled over bone.” He said, drawing a raised eyebrow from Fin as he drew his dagger from its sheath and brandished it at the man. 

“I do not know what you are seeing, Daiya. He appears as he did in the washroom to me.” Fin said as their backs hit the far wall of the bedroom, halting their retreat. 

“His eyes are becoming pure white. Fin, I think he is a zombie.” Daiya said. 

Fin seemed surprised by his statement and narrowed his eyes on the angel, who had stopped only a few feet away and was already beginning to lift his arm again. It was the right one, its fingers bony and getting paler by the second. 

“Angels have never been zombies, Daiya, and this man is clearly one of God’s filthy creations.” 

Licking his lips nervously, Daiya stepped forward and mimicked the angel’s gesture, raising his arm just a little faster so that the action completed before the man’s. 

“Stop.” He said with a firm tone as he widened his fingers. 

The angel’s arm halted abruptly, but the man seemed to be straining all of a sudden. His fist was shaking, but he was not reacting besides that.

“He actually stopped?” Fin questioned, clearly awed as he walked around Daiya and up to the angel. 

The halo atop the man’s head crackled and snapped as fire grew along its edges. 

“She’s trying to give him commands, but he can’t move… because of you.” He said quietly as he looked back at Daiya. 

He really wasn’t sure how he was doing what he was, but Daiya kept his focus and started slowly walking forward. There has to be a way to stop him permanently. I wish I knew how to make the undead return to the ground. 

He’d seen Fin do it a few times when he was done using a zombie horse or minion, but he got no response from the angel after thinking the command several different ways. 

 When he got within a foot of him, Daiya met the man’s white eyes and frowned. He gave no sign of recognition. Perhaps she is just seeing through your eyes. Perhaps you are no longer able to rest beneath the Earth. He thought as he let his eyes rise to the vibrating halo sitting atop his head. It hovered just barely above his now-white hair. 

“I remember when she tried to put one of those things on my head. Even dead, it did not feel good.” He said with a sad smile as he began reaching up with his other hand. 

“It will burn your flesh, Daiya, do not grab it.” Fin warned. 

He remembered. Fin had gotten his hand damaged saving him from being turned into an angel, but for some reason, Daiya didn’t feel worried. 

“I can help him.” He said, earning a scowl from Fin, though he didn’t try to stop him. 

“The only thing he wants is you, for God.” He said. 

Daiya smiled sadly and gently grasped the burning halo atop the angel’s head. It didn’t hurt him, which prompted him to tug on it. It began vibrating harshly as he put in more effort. 

“Let him rest.” He said, anger in his voice for the poor man that was being controlled against his will. 

The crackling in the room grew to a near-deafening buzz before the halo shattered in Daiya’s hands with a thunderous boom. The power released from the small object sent him and Fin stumbling backward and to the floor. 

Daiya shook his head to try and clear the ringing in his ears before he looked up to where the angel had been standing. 

Dust and bones. 

Fin stood from where he’d fallen against his desk, eyes wide with surprise. 

“Rest in peace.” Daiya whispered before he noticed flickering lights beginning to materialize around the room. 

Fin hissed and grabbed Daiya’s wrist, tugging him closer to the window, working the latch to open it with his free hand. 

“More of them. He was just a warning.” He said as the window swung outward and  a strong gust of wind blew into the room. 

Fin was just turning to start climbing out the window when a set of jaws filled with needle-like teeth snapped closed right in front of his nose. 

“Kovash!” Daiya shouted happily as he watched his bat demon secure itself to the overhanging shingles. 

May I be of use, master Daiya? The zombie thought into his mind, drawing a huge grin to his face as he swung up onto his back. Fin quickly followed, though he received a grunt of displeasure from Kovash for doing so. 

“Let’s fly, Kovash.” Daiya said with a grin as his beloved demon jumped from the window just in time to avoid a bright flash of fire, no doubt conjured up by one of the angels that were now lurking in their bedroom. 

Master, I am glad to be of service, but do you not remember… I am unable to fly. 

Daiya leaned over and wrapped his arms around Kovash’s fluffy neck and whispered against his fur. 

“Fill the holes upon his wings with flesh. Rebuild his body.” 

He couldn’t look to see if his words were actually taking affect as they fell, but when they got about ten feet from crashing into the damp Earth, a sharp gust of wind caught beneath Kovash’s wings and they were suddenly ascending away from a growing group of undead angels beginning to become visible around the swampy area.

“Damn and hell. You can heal people and zombies, and touch halos. I believe that God made a big mistake trying to change you by force. Your deal with Devil might have given you undead abilities by mistake, while her burning a halo partially upon your head… might have infused some of an angel’s power into you.”  

Daiya looked at Fin, confused. 

“You have the strength of a deity, Daiya.” 

Like God and Devil? 

It didn’t make much sense to him, but he couldn’t argue that he felt quite different than he had before everything had happened. 

“If I do, good.” He said as he smiled at Fin, then leaned over and wrapped his arms back around Kovash’s neck before speaking to the bat demon. 

“Let us go pay God a visit and thank her for my new abilities, hm, Kovash?” 

The creature beneath him snickered, then let out a shrill screech before flapping his wings and ascending higher into the darkening sky.

A Devil of a Plan

Kovash carefully made a running landing on an old, overgrown dirt road a short distance from the main town after being in the air for a short time. 

If you are looking for God, you have quite a journey ahead of you. Devil said, his voice echoing into Daiya’s mind. 

What do you mean? Is she not just hanging about like she normally does, Intent on causing trouble? He replied in his mind, hoping that his words found Devil. 

She is around, yes, but not as herself. We do not need to show our true form to be able to use our abilities or travel in this world. He replied. 

Daiya understood that well enough from his past meetings with them. 

Then where might I find her true form? He asked.

The cold lands to the north. He replied, drawing a frown to Daiya’s lips. 

He was going to respond, but his train of thought was cut off when Finn gently began rubbing his thumb along Daiya’s skin, having seemingly slipped it beneath his wet shirt. It didn’t seem like he was trying to get any kind of reaction out of him, though. Daiya knew that crossing his arms and rubbing his thumb along his skin was just a sign of stress for him, but he couldn’t help the shiver that ran down his spine at the attention. 

Finn will need to remove the barrier he has placed over his land in order for you to travel. If you try to leave without his permission, you will be forever lost in the fog. Devil said. 

Daiya looked over his shoulder as Finn hopped off of Kovash’s back to stretch. 

“Finn, can you remove the barrier you have on this land so that we can find God?” Daiya asked as he slipped from his demon’s back, too. 

Kovash took that opportunity to shake out his matted coat and run off toward the town, disappearing behind a group of trees a few moments later. 

“I can.” Finn finally said as he finished stretching out his naked body. “But I don’t want you to leave.” He added. 

Daiya frowned, turning to Finn with his hands on his hips. “Why not? We need to take care of her or things are just going to get worse.” 

Finn gave a little half smile and settled a hand on Daiya’s shoulder. 

“Yes, things will get worse. That is why I will be the one leaving to deal with her. I want you nowhere near that creature.” He said. 

What? 

“But I am stronger than you now! I can fight her, too.” He said, taking a step closer, only to get pulled into Finn’s chest by a strong hug. 

“Yes, you are likely stronger than I am now. That does not mean that I want you to get hurt, though.” He said, making Daiya’s heart stumble a little in his chest. 

It made him happy that Finn finally cared, but it really wasn’t the time to be stubborn. 

“Kovash won’t fly without me.” He said, pouting a little. 

Of course, he wasn’t positive about that, but the bat demon did tend to favor him and never seemed to happy to be around Finn. As if speaking about him had summoned him, Kovash came to a stumbling landing a few feet away. He was holding something in his mouth, making Daiya step out of Finn’s embrace and walk over, curious. 

“A pair of trousers?” He asked as he took the garment from him. 

Kovash snorted and jerked his head toward Finn. 

I don’t want his naked butt on my back again. 

Daiya snickered and was about to toss the pants to Finn when he realized something. 

“He doesn’t want you riding him naked… and I don’t want you riding him at all.” Daiya said to Finn as he held the pair of pants against his chest tightly. 

If Finn wanted to be unreasonable, he could be, too. 

“Daiya, give me those and tell him to take me to God. We will bring you back to the keep until things are settled. I’ll have my guards watch over you.” He said, earning a scowl from Daiya. 

“Your guards weren’t of much help earlier. I am safer with Kovash.” He grumbled right as a black fox wandered out from the overgrown grass to their left. 

Might I offer a suggestion? He said as he sat down between them. 

Kovash lifted his upper lip in response, letting Daiya know that the thought was likely broadcast to everyone. 

“What do you want?” Finn asked, not bothering to hide the dislike in his voice. 

I want you to put clothing on. Besides that, though, I’d like to see God be put back in her place. 

Finn rolled his eyes and grabbed the pants from Daiya, yanking them on as he replied. “And your actual suggestion?” He said. 

The fox twitched its whiskers. 

If I saw correctly, Daiya can control the undead, and angels. He thought, then continued. If God’s angels are undead, then she, herself, is likely so now. 

Daiya was surprised by the information, but was still unsure where he was going with it. 

She’s a terrible monster and won’t hesitate to try and kill either of you if you find her true form. Perhaps if Daiya can control her long enough, Finn can deliver the final blow. Devil said. 

Finn crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. 

“And you will do what?” He asked. 

The fox twitched its nose and sneezed. 

Watch with glee. 

Scoffing, Finn walked over to Kovash and began to jump up onto his back. Only, Kovash was clearly not interested in offering his services, because he quickly side-stepped, leaving Finn to stumble forward with a curse. 

“I am curious, Devil. Why do you two seem so at-ends?” Daiya asked as he easily hopped up onto Kovash’s back. 

Devil waited a few moments before sighing and replying. 

We were both similar beings at one point. We got along well and took care of the human realm together. He thought to them as his fox slowly began walking about, its tail swishing slowly behind it, as if contemplating his story. 

We had an agreement to never reveal ourselves to humans, but God grew to dislike the idea, unbeknownst to me. She began to perform miracles for the humans at an illogical rate. Babies who were to die from disease suddenly became cured. The poorest of beggars found gold beneath their dirty pillows when they awoke the next morning. 

People began to take notice of all of the miraculous things and had little evidence of their origins. When we did one or two things here and there, humans tended to allow the memories of them to fade over time.

With so many things going on at once, people began to question what was really happening. That’s when God began to make her actual presence known. 

They began to worship her and her greed for acknowledgement grew worse with each passing day. I didn’t notice until it was too late. 

“You were probably too absorbed in yourself to realize it.” Finn said before he finally managed to climb up onto Kovash’s back, earning a snort from the demon. 

Of course. I just love myself so much. Who wouldn’t be obsessed with themselves if they were me? Devil replied, clear sarcasm in the tone of his thought as he sauntered over to Kovash and hopped right up onto his head. 

Lift the barrier and bring Daiya with you, Finn. You need him for this, and as much as I would rather sit back and watch you two do all of the work, I have decided, grudgingly, to assist you. You are welcome. 

“Welcome,” Finn muttered as Kovash unfurled his wings and began to take off. 

Daiya chuckled and grinned when he felt Finn’s arms wrap around his middle and hug him tightly. 

“The barrier will be down by the time we fly through it.” He said, clearly not happy that he was taking Daiya with him. 

“Don’t worry, we’ll head north and take care of God, then all make it back safely.” Daiya said as he reached for Devil. 

He tucked the fox against his chest and held on tightly, not wanting him to fall off and die, even if he would just be reincarnated. 

Time for some fun. Devil thought to them as they passed through the fog barrier and slipped out into fading, dark blue skies. Be ready come morning. God will not be forgiving to those seeking to harm her. Devil warned. 

Daiya licked his lips. 

“We’ll be ready.”

It Comes Raining Down

(The A/C went out and Pepperjack decided to take the best seat in the house. I literally had to hold her while I shut the door or she’d just jump right back in.) 

“Why are we not there yet?” Fin asked for the sixth time, drawing a grunt from Devil’s fox where it had perched atop Kovash’s fuzzy head. 

I told you that I can only get you there if you believe me able. Yes, I had said that she was north and eventually you might have been able to find her, but your bat couldn’t even manage to figure out which direction that even was. 

Kovash snorted at his words. 

I am missing most of my brain. Pardon me for my lack of knowledge. Please take up your issues with my horrible creator. He did not put a compass in my nose. 

“I can put one up your-” Daiya turned partially and pressed a finger to Fin’s lips. “I swear, you two never get along” He grumbled, earning a grunt from both of them in response.

As fun as it would be watching you two fight while we’re hundreds of feet in the air, I’d rather not die again so soon. Devil said as he tapped a paw against Kovash’s head. 

So how does this believing thing work? Because we have been flying around in fog for the last several hours. Kovash replied as he began to descend, though the specks of blurry ground far below them didn’t seem to get any closer no matter how far down he tried to go. 

It’s a magic she has cast over this area. Like Fin’s barrier, it bars people from being able to enter or exit without permission. Devil said. Sometimes they can’t even land correctly, as the ground appears to be very far below, when in reality it is just an illusion and causes many horrible crashes and deaths while flying. 

His words had Daiya’s eyes narrowing up ahead. 

I can break the barrier, but you three have to believe that I can, no matter how illogical it seems. Her rules are different from Fin’s. Devil added. 

“Well, we literally have nothing to lose, so I do believe that you can break her barrier and help us find her. You can turn into anything you wish and live as many lives as you choose. It only makes sense that you can guide us through this simple haze.” Daiya said, looking over his shoulder at Fin with a smile. 

He huffed, but then hugged Daiya closer to his chest as he rested his chin on his shoulder. 

“Fine. I do believe that you can find that bitch. If any of us can, it would be you, anyways. Sure as hell not this dumb bat I shouldn’t have made.” He grumbled. 

Devil flattened his ears to his head and looked down at Kovash. 

Get me out of this place so that I can throw this fool off of my back. Kovash thought, making Daiya sigh. 

He didn’t think that it would work considering their attitudes, but as he lifted his gaze, he was surprised to see a giant forested mountain peek approaching rapidly. 

“Up, Kovash!” He yelled as he leaned down, holding on tightly as Fin nearly suffocated him with his own arms around his middle. 

The demon beat its wings dramatically, just barely managing to avoid several trees before crashing into a particularly large one that had been partially concealed by another harsher fog. It seemed to tower over the rest of the mountainside forest. The impact against its trunk jolted them all from Kovash’s back and into its thick canopy before they even had a chance to respond. 

Daiya tried to snag a branch as he began to fall through the condensed leaves and snapping thinner twigs around him, but his fingertips kept slipping from the thick dew on the slick wood. He was just reaching for one more branch that he thought might hold his weight when he felt a strong hand grab his wrist, abruptly halting his descent. 

“I don’t think so.” Fin said as he carefully hauled him up onto the branch he’d managed to catch himself on. It wasn’t the sturdiest, but it did hold them both decently enough. 

“Devil?” Daiya shouted, hoping to see the fox somewhere as he looked around. 

When he got no response, he looked down through the dark green leaves that surrounded them. “Kovash?” He yelled, then waited. 

Not even a thought from him. 

He was about to accept that him and Fin were on their own for the moment when he noticed something large climbing up the immense tree toward them. When it got a little closer, fumbling a bit as its claws slipped here and there, he grinned. 

“Kovash!” 

His face lit up with a relieved smile, only for it to fall not a moment later as he realized something off about his bat demon. His eyes weren’t red like that before… and his coat wasn’t a dirty white.  He almost hadn’t had enough time to react before the beast was upon them. It’s jaws snapped inches from his face as he threw himself off of the branch to the right side, taking Fin with him by sheer surprise. 

“What are you doing?” Fin yelled from surprise as he tightened his hold around Daiya’s middle with one arm and reached out to try and stop their descent by snagging a branch with the other. 

“It’s not Kovash!” Daiya replied as they fell. It was a relief to see the bristling bat demon stop abruptly and roar down at them. 

“Kovash, we need you!” He shouted as he turned his attention toward the rapidly approaching forest floor. His demon was nowhere to be seen, but right before their bodies were crushed against the damp leaf litter and struggling weeds beneath the monstrous tree, a large lizard-like creature shot out from between the thick grove of trees to their left. 

It dove just fast enough to catch them and swerve to the side, then began ascending upward before they could meet their end with a harsh crash landing. Daiya wrapped his arms tightly around the reptiles black neck as it pumped its wing hard to rise through the woven branches of the tree they’d just fallen from. 

They moved higher than the demon imitating Kovash after only a few moments, allowing him to get a good look at it. 

Is that? He thought at the same time Devil slipped into his mind. The one and only bitch, yes. 

“She tried to trick me by changing into Kovash… but she’s still a silvery-white. Can she not change her color?” He asked, remembering all of the animals she had become in the past. 

For the most part, yes. Once in a long while she might have the power to change the color of her animal, but it takes a lot of effort. Devil replied. 

“Your color is black, isn’t it?” He asked, though he knew that he was correct. 

The large lizard grunted as it flapped its enormous wings and they finally broke free of the giant tree’s canopy. With the brief reprieve, Daiya took a good look at what exactly Devil had turned himself into. 

“Are you actually a dragon?” He asked, confused about a few things he noticed with Devil that he had never seen on the mythical creature’s sketches. Though it made little sense for him to be anything else that he could think of, even considering the fact that dragons didn’t technically exist. 

Yes. You humans have odd imaginations when it comes to dragons. They do not really exist, but your fanciful images gave me ideas to play with. Eventually I decided upon this form. The larger versions in human works were illogical and ill proportioned. 

Daiya was about to comment when they heard a loud shriek come from just within the canopy of the giant tree. 

Hold on. Devil said right before he jerked his giant leathery wings downward and to the side abruptly, whipping them to the left at the same time God’s white version of Kovash broke free of the thick leaves and came at them. 

Their quick change in direction forced her to slow and turn, giving them much needed seconds to pick up speed. 

“Where is Kovash?” Daiya shouted over the wind that whipped his hair and nearly muted his words. 

I do not know. I had to shift as I fell, but I couldn’t get my wings working well enough to completely stop my fall. By the time I was able to move well again, you needed my aid. He said. 

Daiya nodded as Fin leaned back slightly, loosening his grip as God began to close in. He considered asking Devil to go faster, but he was carrying two people, and he had no doubt that he would have gone faster if he could have managed it. 

We will have to fight. I will try to get us on the ground before she can strike. He thought to them as he dove abruptly back into the large tree’s vast canopy. It’s long branches reaching out in every possible direction made Devil have to focus solely on maneuvering to keep either of them from losing their heads. He managed to get about halfway down the tree before he was forced to land on a giant limb as God’s claw’s caught his back left leg. 

He staggered when they hit the limb, nearly stumbling off of the side before he could right them with his giant wings. The jar had Fin slipping from his back, his grip around Daiya’s waist failing. He managed to stay on the branch, but God didn’t give him much of a reprieve as she turned her attention to him and lunged. 

Devil was still working on turning back around, his back leg giving him trouble, so Daiya hurried to slide from his back and reached out toward God quickly. 

“Stop!” He yelled, causing the undead demon to halt abruptly. 

He felt his hand jerk forward and to the left, mirroring holding her back, as if he were actually doing so physically. 

Release me, boy! This man has caused all of the horrible things in your life. She said, trying to sway his mind, though it had been made up the moment he’d met Fin outside the bar that dreary evening. 

“He’s pulled me down into hell and followed me back from it. When I was young, I made his life horrible without realizing it and I know that I didn’t deserve what he did to me in return, but the moment I met him, I knew that I loved him and always would. My mind has never swayed from that decision.” Daiya said as he flexed his fingers inward slightly, trying to keep her from getting any closer to Fin as he hurried to his feet. 

God hissed loudly and began to struggle harshly, forcing Daiya to raise his other hand and focus intently. As much as he was trying, he couldn’t help but slowly become distracted as angels began to appear, their bodies dropping down onto branches all around them. 

“Stay focused, Daiya. We’ll take care of them.” Fin said as Daiya heard Devil leap from the branch they had landed on and start flying about. Devil lunged for different branches judging from the sounds and shrill shrieks around them, but he did his best to keep his attention on God. 

You cannot kill me, boy. You waste your time, and your life. God said as she began to turn toward him, even though he was doing his best to keep her still. 

Her mouth opened slowly, revealing the same needle-like teeth that Kovash sported. 

Fin stepped up beside him, his left hand raised toward God, a smirk on his face. 

“I still have my powers over the dead, even if I’m alive again.” He said as he wrapped his other arm around Daiya’s middle and pulled him closer. “And I won’t be letting you touch a hair on his head.” 

Daiya couldn’t help the quirk in his lips at Fin’s words. 

The angels won’t stop. I can only dismember so many before they are replaced by triple the amount. Devil said into their minds right before a loud roar echoed from somewhere beneath them. 

Is that…? 

Kovash erupted from a particularly thick bushel of leaves and twigs, snapping several and sending leaves flying everywhere as he soared high above their heads and slashed two angels straight through with his giant claws before circling around and removing two more from their posts and cutting their wings in the process. The angel’s bodies disappeared below them, their silent screams reaching no ones ears. 

I hope I am not late, master. He thought to Daiya before he tackled God’s prone form, his teeth sinking into the flesh of her shoulder as they both went over the edge of the branch and disappeared in a spiraling ball of snarling wings and fur. 

Daiya ran to the edge of the branch and looked down, but was unable to see anything. His attention was taken not a moment later by something that suddenly landed a few feet away from him and Fin. 

The angels. 

He was about to lift his hand to force it to stop approaching, when he realized something. 

“You are undead… I should be able to control you.” He said out loud. 

Fin stepped up beside him, a confused look on his face as Daiya flashed him a grin, then ran forward and swung up onto the angel’s back. It silently hissed and struggled, but the moment Daiya yelled for it to follow God, it froze and seemed to take a moment to consider the abrupt order. 

“Daiya, get down, now!” Fin shouted as he hurried toward him, only to stumble backward when the angel suddenly leaped into the empty space beside the branch they were on. 

Fin was just opening his mouth to yell again as the angel’s wings spread and began swiftly carrying Daiya downward, but his words were cut off when Devil’s dragon landed before him, huffing a breath of smoke as he lowered his body slightly. 

Get on or I’ll leave you here. Move. 

Fin only hesitated for a second before he jumped up, having to find a handhold quickly, because Devil didn’t wait a second before darting off of the branch and spiraling downward. He gave a loud roar of his own when they heard Kovash’s far below. Fin wasn’t sure what they were trying to communicate, and why they weren’t just using their thoughts, but when he felt Devil’s body getting hotter beneath him, especially under his palms, his eyes widened. 

Freeze her. Devil  finally thought to him, though it felt like it was broadcast to everyone. 

“Got it.” Fin said as he reached a hand down over Devil’s neck and focused on the thrashing white bat demon as it fought tooth and nail with Kovash mid-air. 

Her body jolted, but it didn’t stop until he noticed Daiya running along a mossy branch, the angel he’d ridden down to that elevation nowhere to be seen. His right hand was outstretched toward her, giving more strength to their combined effort. Her wings faltered, making her lose her equilibrium, allowing Kovash to get another nasty bite in, this time to her throat. 

I apologize, Kovash. 

Devil’s words drew Fin’s eyebrows up at the same time Daiya frowned and looked up at them. 

“Wait… Devil, don’t!” Daiya yelled at the same time Fin felt Devil’s body-heat warm his hands to the point of pain. A second later, and Devil’s dragon was rearing back, then unleashing a giant rain of flaming lava down upon God… and Kovash. 

(Sorry for the cliff hanger, I’m tired XD)

A Piece of Peace

Daiya felt Kovash’s presence in his mind fade away as his and God’s body dropped in a quivering mass to the forest floor. Angels rained down from the sky, their bodies thumping to the ground before they began to sizzle and decay. 

Shaking, he carefully made his way down the remainder of the tree trunk, slipping into Fin’s arms as he helped him down. 

“Fin…” He whispered as he wrapped his arms around the man’s neck, returning the strong hug he was getting. 

“I know, Dai. I saw and I’m sorry. Even though I hated him, I wouldn’t have wanted him dead. You loved him, and that’s all that mattered to me.” He said before Daiya squirmed his way free to turn and look at the smoldering pile of fur and flesh. 

The haze around them had begun to diminish and the gigantic tree beside them was starting to whither. He felt his feet move closer to the two large steaming bodies in front of him, stopping right at the edge of the smoldering grass and leaves. 

Tears ran tracks down his dirty cheeks as Devil’s large dragon stalked over to him, sniffing the pile of bodies near his feet. 

I apologize, Daiya. It was Kovash’s plan. He said solemnly as he reached forward and scraped at the charred remains. It was impossible to tell what ashes had been his good friend. 

Daiya watched quietly as Devil continued to paw at the mass, then started nudging his nose into it. 

“Okay, that’s kind of gross.” Fin said as he walked up beside them and knelt down. Daiya joined him, fighting to keep himself from reaching out and burning his hand. 

Wait. 

Devil’s thought drew their attention toward where he was beginning to pull away from the burned remains. Just as his nose lifted from the pile, a new one appeared from the ruin. 

“What…?” Fin whispered at the same time Daiya gave a quiet gasp. 

Tiny little bat wings followed soon after, one of the claws protruding from it managing to snag Devil’s snout. The hold allowed Devil to pull it, and in turn, easily maneuvered the small creature from the steaming ashes. 

“It’s… a baby Kovash.” Daiya said in disbelief. 

The tiny bat-demon released Devil and dropped to the singed grass, shaking its sandy brown coat out before looking up at the three faces staring down at it. 

“Please tell me that he can’t talk yet.” Fin said as he reached toward the little Kovash, only to jerk his hand away abruptly as the tiny demon lunged for his fingers. 

Bite me! 

“Kovash!” Daiya cheered as he scooped up the little guy and hugged it tightly. “I’m so glad that you’re okay.” He said, earning a snuggle from his friend. 

Thank you for caring, master, but I feel as if I am no use to you in this little form. Kovash replied to their minds as he squirmed free of Daiya’s arms to climb up and perch on his shoulder. 

I did not have time to do much else, Kovash. I apologize. I had to grab your soul before it drifted off, but your body was too badly damaged to save enough flesh to reincarnate you at your normal size. Unfortunately, you will have to wait and grow like any other living thing. Devil said with a hint of humor to his words. 

“Wait… like any other living thing? You mean?” Daiya said as he looked at Kovash and grinned. 

Yes. He is alive now. 

Renewed excitement coursed through Daiya’s veins as he plucked Kovash from his shoulder and squeezed him in another suffocating hug. “I’m so happy for you, Kovash! Isn’t this great, Fin?” He asked, grinning up at his love. 

The man’s expression clearly didn’t seem to agree, but after a moment he just sighed and offered a small smile. “If it makes you happy that he is alive and well, then I am happy, too.” 

Devil’s dragon snorted at that, but Fin just bared his teeth before looking around them. The forest had brightened considerably and where it had once been desolately silent in the wake of their fight, he could now hear birds and small animals slowly returning to the area. 

“This place is beautiful now that I can take the time to look at it.” He mumbled as he turned in a circle. 

Indeed. She used to make things gorgeous beyond your wildest dreams. Hills of flowers. Forests of tall, outreaching trees. It is unfortunate, how things turned out. Devil thought to them as he nudged his nose back into the pile of ash. 

When a small silver paw reached out and swiped at him, Devil snorted out a puff of smoke. 

“Wait, is she back?” Fin asked as he quickly stepped in front of Daiya, who simply side-stepped him, wanting to see and not worried about the possibility that God might have returned.

Not quite. I let her memories go, but her body has been reborn. He thought to them as a second paw emerged from the grey pile and grasped his nose, little claws catching his scales to allow him to pull her out. 

A tiny baby silver fox fumbles its way free of the pile and flopped to the ground with a squeaky grunt. Devil calmly reached down and grabbed her with his jaws, then lifted her onto his back. 

I will take her. We will start anew. He said with a nod toward them. 

“Treat her well, Devil. I’m sure that she will do great things in your care.” Daiya said as he reached over and took Fin’s hand, squeezing gently. 

Devil gave them a pointed look, then nodded toward a small group of trees. Another dragon-like creature, this one a faded emerald color, walked out from behind the tree. Unlike Devil, it had a mane of pitch black hair down its back and bright blue eyes. 

He will take you back home. Devil said before turning his narrowing eyes to Fin. 

I would warn you to not harm Daiya, but I believe that he intends to handle you better than you know. 

Fin’s mouth opened slightly as he stared down at Daiya, then back to Devil as he began to flap his giant wings and take off from the ground. 

Enjoy yourself, Daiya. You have earned it. 

They waited in silence until Devil was gone, then Daiya slowly turned toward Fin with a glint of mischief in his eyes. 

“What’s that look for?” Fin asked, backing up slightly, only to feel the withered remains of God’s tree at his back. 

Glancing down at Kovash upon his shoulder, Daiya winked, drawing a groan of discomfort from the little bat demon. 

I will take my leave before I wish I were still dead. He thought to them as he carefully climbed down from Daiya’s shoulder and bounded over to the dragon that had remained waiting for them. 

After another moment, both of them disappeared into the forest, leaving Daiya and Fin alone. 

“I love you, Fin.” Daiya said as he stepped forward, clasping his hands behind his back nonchalantly. 

Fin fidgeted, looking around them, though it was obvious he wasn’t sure exactly what he expected to find. 

“I love you, too,” he said right before Daiya’s mouth covered his own abruptly, cutting off anything else he might have wanted to say. 

The kiss held all of the emotion Daiya had been keeping within himself since he’d been young. All of the love he’d wanted to show the man he’d thought long dead. 

When they finally broke apart, they were both panting heavily. Daiya’s eyes were on Fin’s bare chest, his tongue swiping across his lips hungrily. Fin’s own eyes were dilated, his lips moist and parted as he took a careful step forward. Not wanting to waste the opportunity, Daiya closed the distance between them again and reached up, while at the same time using one of his legs to take one of Fin’s out from underneath him. 

His man fell backward into a thick pile of leaves and Daiya eagerly followed him down. 

“Fin.” He whispered as he leaned over from where he rested upon Fin’s chest and pressed his mouth to his. He would never grow tired of kissing him. 

It took a minute, but soon Daiya felt Fin’s body relax beneath his own as strong hands grasped his hips and squeezed, then moved upward to wrap him in a tight hug as they continued to explore each others’ mouths. 

“Daiya.” Fin rasped as they broke the kiss again, their eyes meeting. 

He’d waited so long to have Fin’s affections. To see love in the man’s cold eyes. 

Fin pushed himself up slightly in the leaf litter and was about to speak when he clearly noticed something over Daiya’s shoulder. With a frustrated grunt, he took Daiya’s wrist and stood, pulling him up before turning and walking behind the massive dead tree. 

“What are you doing?” Daiya asked as he stumbled along, only to be grabbed and kissed hard when Fin stopped walking. 

When he was given a moment to breathe a minute later, Fin leaned back against the tree and smirked. 

“I wasn’t interested in giving Kovash or that stupid dragon Devil had summoned a show. The peeping bastards.” He growled, only for Daiya to tilt his head back and laugh with fervor. 

When he had finished, his laughter dying down to a few small chuckles, Daiya wiped at his watery eyes and looked up to see Fin smiling at him warmly. 

“As much as I would love to ravage you where you stand, and I feel, that you hold the same sentiment, I believe that you deserve somewhere a little more… private.” Fin said as he grasped Daiya’s hand and lead him back around the tree, then gestured for the dragon to approach. 

Daiya snickered and smirked, leaning up on his toes to steal another kiss from Fin. 

“You want to keep me all to yourself, master Fin?” Daiya said with a hint of taunting to his voice right before he was unceremoniously tossed up onto the dragon’s back behind Kovash. 

Fin joined him a moment later, wrapping an arm around his waist as he grabbed the dragon’s mane to hold on with the other. 

Right before they took off to head home, together, Fin leaned over and pressed a kiss to Daiya’s ear, then whispered. “Until death

do us part.“ 

-End

Epilogue

Fin rolled over, groaning as his body protested. He was completely worn out. Cracking his eyes open, he narrowed them when he saw Daiya grinning back at him, the lad’s hair a complete mess on the pillow from when he’d run his fingers through it repeatedly during intercourse. 

I’ve never been with anyone who has had the energy to fornicate so much. He thought as he let his eyes drift closed again. He’s a rabbit, I swear. 

Daiya had said that it had been his first time, with anyone, and Fin did agree that he had seemed a little unsure of himself once they had finally lost their clothing and he had the lad pinned beneath him, but after their first coupling, he was very keen on learning, and pleasuring them both, as much as possible. 

Tired. 

He felt a kiss brush against each of his eyelids and slowly allowed them to drift open again. Daiya offered him another sated smile before scooting closer. Fin moved automatically, wrapping his arm around the lad so that he could pull him firmly against his chest beneath the thick blanket that covered them both before letting his eyes slip closed again. 

“Fin?” Daiya whispered as their legs slowly tangled together. 

There was a quiet grumble from Fin’s chest in response, spurring Daiya on to nuzzle closer. “I love you, Fin.” 

Those words brought Fin’s eyes open for a third time, a hint of darkness to their shade. 

“Why, Daiya?” He asked, his voice raspy from sleep. “I killed your father. Technically, I killed you, too.” He said as he tightened his hold on his lover, uncomfortably afraid that he might try to slip from his grasp. He knew that he didn’t deserve him… but he would never let him go. 

When he felt soft lips press against the underside of his chin, Fin sighed and tilted his head down in order to meet Daiya’s lips with his own. They kissed for several quiet moments before their mouths broke apart. 

“I understand that I should not have feelings for you any longer. You were a terrible person. My father might have done something horrible to you that justified your reaction, but to kill me for it… and to hurt so many people out of spite. It is not okay.” He said, making Fin’s heart ache in his chest. 

Daiya pressed his forehead against Fin’s collarbone and let out a soft breath that ghosted over Fin’s skin, raising bumps along its path. 

“I cannot explain it. I have always loved you. As a caretaker. As a demon that tortured me to my last breath. As the man you are now.” He nuzzled closer and Fin gladly tightened his hold on him. If it was uncomfortable, Daiya held his tongue on it. 

“There was never another person on my mind. No lady that father brought before me was good enough to replace your face in my mind. I cherished every single memory I had of you. Even as I grew and those memories faded, I refused to forget about my first love. I was so determined to find a way to marry you one day. I’d never thought that you would just up and disappear. That you would never come back for me.” 

There was a pause as Daiya caught his breath. Fin took that moment to press a few kisses to his soft hair. 

“Then you were suddenly there. In that dark doorway like an angel come to take me away from the monotonous life I’d waded through since your passing. I couldn’t believe that it was you in that alleyway.” He whispered. 

Fin took in a few deep breaths before responding as he began to run one of his hands up and down Daiya’s smooth, warm back. 

“I made a very stupid deal. Traded part of my soul for a chance to come back and kill your father. I wagered too much.” He said quietly. 

Daiya stared deep into his eyes after he had finished speaking. Fin saw the pain there. The memories that had remained. 

“I know that I should be mad, but all I can think of is that I’m so grateful that you are back with me… and I understand now that you suffered greatly because of me when I was a child. I shouldn’t be here with you. You should still hate me,” Daiya said as he wrapped his arms eagerly around Fin’s back. “But I can’t even think about considering that. I don’t care about any of it. We both made mistakes and did things we shouldn’t have, but I have you here now, and I don’t ever want to let you go.” 

They lay in silence for several minutes before Daiya sat up, the action making the blanket slip down to settle around his waist. Fin’s eyes followed it, and he would have been lying if he said that he wasn’t almost ready for another bout. 

“I can’t change who we are, or what we did, but I can promise you that I will always stay by your side.” He winked, then added. “Even if you get tired of me.” 

Fin chuckled and grinned in response as he abruptly swung his body overtop Daiya’s, pushing the lad down onto the soft mattress and pillows. 

“Tired of you, hm? Well, we have been moving quite quickly with our affections.” He mused as he ran his fingers lazily along Daiya’s chest, watching with great satisfaction as the lad’s body responded to him with shivers. 

“Perhaps I might get bored if we are too eager with each other… Perhaps I will need to seek another partner.” Fin thought out loud right before Daiya scurried out from beneath him to the far side of the bed by the wall. 

“I… perhaps we should not be too hasty.” He squeaked. 

Fin had only been jesting, but he couldn’t find the words he’d meant to speak as he stared at his lover’s naked body on full display for him. And only him. 

“Come here, Daiya. I am not quite satisfied with our time together, yet.” He said as he reached for him. 

Daiya fidgeted, unsure, but when Fin took his hand and pulled him back to settle in his lap, he seemed to relax against him once more. 

“I apologize. I was poking fun at you. I cannot even consider looking elsewhere for affection. You are the only one I have ever truly wanted, and I will not be letting you go.” He said as he leaned down, stealing a gentle kiss. 

When Daiya didn’t respond after he leaned away, Fin frowned and lifted his chin so that their eyes could meet. The lad was pouting at him, and he would have been lying if he said that it didn’t bother him. 

I am growing soft. 

Right as he thought that, a certain hand that he hadn’t been paying attention to grasped him firmly between the legs. 

Alright. Definitely not growing soft. More the opposite. 

“I do not like being the subject of jokes, Fin.” Daiya grumbled, making Fin squirm as the lad’s hand worked his length. 

“I will try to hold my tongue better.” He hurried to say. 

Fin held his breath for a few seconds before Daiya released him with a cheeky grin. 

“I want that tongue to belong to me.” He said before reaching up to cup Fin’s face. “I want everything you have to belong only to me.” 

Fin’s heart hammered hard against his ribs as he tilted his head and pressed their lips together again, then whispered. “I will give it to you, Daiya. Everything.”