Chapter 6 A Soul's Departure
The sky turned a deep, bruised indigo, as if the heavens themselves were mourning the impending doom. Thunder growled, trees shrieked and groaned, and the ground lurched beneath Dixon and Aethon's feet, the hut shuddering like it'd be torn from its moorings.
The wind buffeted them, trying to swallow them whole, before silence fell.
A massive tornado burst forth, its funnel cloud twisting like a living serpent, and from its heart, a towering figure emerged, shrouded in tattered black robes that billowed like dark wings.
His face hid in shadows, his long fingers gripped a staff adorned with twisting symbols, and a leather sack hung at his side. As he raised his staff, the air chilled, the wind died, and the world held its breath, awaiting the harvest.
The reaper's footsteps thundered through the forest, each step a deafening boom that shook the earth like a giant's fist.
Aethon and Dixon stood rooted, their eyes glued to the approaching figure.
As the reaper drew nearer, his robes billowing behind him like a dark storm cloud, Aethon and Dixon instinctively stepped aside, their eyes tracking him as he glided towards the bed.
The reaper's staff seemed to dance across the floor.
When he pointed it at Izzy's chest, Dixon suddenly found his courage.
With a fierce cry, he drew his sword and lunged, his blade flashing in the dim light. “You'll not take her!” He shouted, but before he could strike, the reaper vanished, reappearing on the other side of the room.
Dixon spun around, his sword still raised, his face twisted in frustration and rage. “Coward!” He bellowed, stabbing at the reaper again, but once more, his blade met only air.
The reaper seemed to be playing with him, always staying just out of reach.
“Stop playing games with me!” He shouted, his sword slicing through the air wildly as he struck again and again, but his blade still didn't touch the reaper.
As he struggled to land a blow, the reaper gently tapped him on the shoulder with his staff, and Dixon flinched, falling onto the ground, his body rooted to the spot like a tree with deep roots.
He strained against the invisible bonds, but they wouldn't budge. “Let me go!” He shouted, his voice raw with rage and fear.
The reaper turned back to the bed, his staff pointing at Izzy's chest, and a faint glow began to seep from her body. A shimmering mist detached itself from her chest, coalescing into a small, glowing orb that hovered in the air before falling into the reaper's sack.
“No!” Dixon screamed, his voice echoing as the reaper vanished into the darkness. He suddenly broke free, lunging forward with a fierce cry, determined to pursue.
“Let me go!” He roared, but Aethon's rope wrapped around him, holding him back.
“No, my Lord…” Aethon said firmly. “You can't follow him.”
Dixon thrashed about, his eyes blazing with fury and desperation. “I have to get her back!” He shouted, but Aethon held tight.
Tears of rage and helplessness streamed down Dixon's face as he watched the reaper disappear. His body shook with suppressed fury, and his fingers extended, sharp claws sprouting from his fingertips.
With a snarl, he sliced through the rope, freeing himself.
He spun around, eyes blazing with outrage, ready to launch at Aethon. “You!” He growled, his voice threatening. Before he could strike, Aethon blew a gentle stream of air, and Dixon's fury deflated.
He crumpled to the ground, his body weak and shaking. “What...what did you do?” Dixon whispered, his voice barely audible.
“I protected you from yourself.” Aethon replied,
Dixon's chest heaved with exhaustion as he glared up at Aethon, his eyes filled with rage before they slowly shut.
Dixon's eyes slowly flickered open, and he struggled to lift his head. His gaze drifted to Izzy's lifeless form, and he sat up with a jolt, his movements jerky and desperate. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of her still body.
He reached out a shaking hand, gently touching her face. “Izzy... no...” He whispered, his voice cracking.
With a sob, he lifted her body, laying her head on his thighs. Her body lay limp, and his tears fell onto her face, mingling with the pallor of her skin.
“Izzy, wake up... please...” His voice was hoarse from crying. His body shook with sobs.
Aethon entered the room, his expression sombre, and Dixon's eyes flashed with anger. He ground his teeth, his hand stretched out, ready to launch at Aethon. But Aethon held him down with magic, his eyes locked on Dixon's.
“She's gone.”
Dixon’s face twisted in agony. Aethon's words cut through Dixon like a knife, but he knew Aethon was the only one who could help him. Aethon was a master of the arcane, and his knowledge of secrets was unmatched, so he pleaded with him. “Please... there must be a way. I'll do anything.”
Aethon's expression clouded, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. “The only way to bring her back would be to... to pay a steep price. Are you willing to take that risk?”
Dixon's eyes widened, and he nodded eagerly. “Yes... I'll do anything.”
Aethon shook his head, his expression still uncertain. “I don't know if I can let you do that. It's a path paved with darkness and uncertainty.”
Dixon's face contorted in desperation, and he tried to kneel, but Aethon's glimmering thread held him in place. “Please, Aethon... I'm begging you... Find a way to bring her back.”
Aethon’s expression was grave, and he hesitated before speaking. “There’s only one solution, Dixon. But it’s a deadly one.”
Dixon’s eyes locked onto Aethon’s, his face set in determination. “What’s it? I’ll do it. You know, it’s my fault she died. I should have found her sooner.”
Aethon’s expression was sombre, and he hesitated before speaking. “It’s a journey to the world’s end, where the Sun and Moon collide…”
“In the Heaven-Earth Market, destinies are forged and fates sealed. A place where you’ll be given a hen to raise, but the cost is one human life. Are you prepared to pay the price?”
