Seth wasn't the only one of his kind with a preference for weapons. Several vampires he's come across choose to wield blades with gems engraved into the sturdy handles that can manipulate extra blood flow. Werewolves would wear brawler gloves to enhance their physical strength while maintaining the usage of their sharp claws. Basically, there had to be someone carefully handling the creation of such specialized weaponry.

Seth's scythe was not an ordinary weapon either. The blade could take any life from which it comes in contact with. Whether human or supernatural, their souls would be stolen with weighed judgment and sent to heaven or hell.

A Reaper's Blade is what the merchant called it many lifetimes ago when Seth struck a deal to obtain the legendary object. He never imagined finding the item in such an inconspicuous place, but here he was finally using his purchase after all these years of it being tucked away untouched. He never had a reason to use it before, but the world was a much different place now then it was back then.

No, that wasn't true. There was a time when he was alive that the world was a much deadlier place. Living during the war was both merciless and brutal. Going outside meant facing unexpected death and those in service for their country constantly died. No one was safe.

With the way events were progressing, it seemed that period of time was closer to becoming reality once again. Time seemed to be reversing, gradually day by day the more trouble stirred from the underground society, rising to the world above. The sky was actually a cavern, tucking away the crude nature of this place from prying eyes and the enforcement of the law. In the distance, a castle was perched against an empty landscape. He wondered who lived there, or if anyone lived there anymore.

A bell jingled as Seth entered a local shop. There was the smell of burning ash mixed with the loose particles of dust. His eyes settled into a dark interior with broken empty shelves, a countertop that was left abandoned with cobwebs hanging from the surface, and books littering across the ground.

If the outside world was gloomy, walking inside a building made the comparison more depressing if possible. In the back of the room sat a man with his legs crossed, mindlessly playing with some toys. He wore tattered clothes and had unkempt long white hair. He didn't bother to look up as Seth approached him with an unpleasant frown. "I'm looking for someone who can repair my weapon." Seth gave him an assessing gaze of which the man ignored.

"I'm no longer in business." The man firmly stated, twisting the cogs of whatever toy he was playing with in circular motions. "Find someone else."

Seth opened the virtual pocket space where he stored all of his goodies and pulled out the broken scythe. The virtual pocket space was another legendary object he acquired many years ago in the form of a ring. Given he was unable to carry mortal products without being seen, this invisible infinite space has been quite useful. He did often wonder where the objects went sometimes, but never bothered to find out.

Looking up for the first time, the man noticed the scythe and his tired eyes widened. "How... how do you have that?" His words fell over one another anticipatingly like the sight quenched his thirst.

Bending down to the man's level, Seth revealed a faint smile. "Hello, Grim Reaper. Care to have a chat?"

"I'm not interested in what you're selling." The man said coldly.

"Not even a little bit tempted?"

"You're not going to give me that weapon, so no, I'm not. That weapon is worth a fortune." He explained, shaking his head in disbelief. "Nobody in their right mind would give it away or sell it. How you even came to acquire it, I don't know."

Seth studied the broken weapon in his hand with interest. "I actually bought it from a merchant that seemed to sell many unique items." He recalled pleasantly.

"That traveler must be the richest person in the world." The man released a regretful sigh.

"Honestly, I never caught his name, so I don't know." Seth admitted.

The man fully looked at him, assessing Seth wearily. "You seem to know about my identity, but I'd like to know how."

"Your sign right outside says that you offer funeral services."

The man mumbled something incoherent under his breath. "Regardless, I'm not in a state to handle customers." He immediately dismissed any further thought.

"Did you know the name Mortis is Latin for death?" Seth inquired fondly, letting the words play on his tongue. "Interesting, wouldn't you say?"

"My name isn't Mortis."

"You have business cards lying around." Seth gestured to the discarded parchments on the floor.

Mortis was quiet. "They were for my employee." He finally said.

"Yeah, because this place seems so popular." Seth replied, dragging his words. He just needed to push him a little further and this guy's resolve would crumble.

"Okay. Fine. My name is Mortis. Now, what do you want?" Mortis grumbled, stiffly folding his arms. "Nobody has visited me since the days of the war... I suppose I can hear you out."

"Splendid." Seth chimed happily and rose to sit on the dusty countertop. His feet dangled above the floor just barely. "I want you to make a deal with me and in exchange I'll give you this weapon."

His young expression shifted from confusion into dread. He pursed his dried lips. "You know about the contract..."

"Not everything." Seth corrected, recalling what knowledge he knew. "But some of it."

Occasionally there were times when a dying human would form a temporary contract with a grim reaper and be granted more time in exchange for their souls to be devoured when their agreement eventually expired.

"Instead of granting me more time amongst the living since we both know that's already impossible," Seth began, automatically countering any rational argument. "I want you to lend me your strength and in exchange you'll receive this weapon when I've completed my goals."

"And just what exactly are you trying to achieve with the power of the Shinigami?" His blue eyes flashed coldly within the dark.

Taking a deep breath to clear his mind, Seth knew now was the moment to drop the theatrics and dive into the truth. He'd only have one chance to win him over. "I want to protect those that are important to me. I want to prevent the world from falling apart like before. I know you can help me achieve this." Seth held his gaze, hoping that his determination would reach him.

"Will you give me your soul in return?" Mortis inquired, arrogantly raising his nose.

Seth clicked his tongue in return, looking away. "I'm already returning this priceless artifact, I think that's more than enough." Seth wouldn't bargain more than he could afford to lose.

"Broken." Mortis countered. "But yes, you should already know more than anyone when caring for something, you stand to lose the most." He seemed to speak sadly from experience, but shook his head to dismiss those thoughts. "However, that's not my concern." He flicked his hand in the air.

A contract appeared before Seth with a quill floating beside the carefully written parchment. "I'd like to think I've gained the most too." He smiled faintly and signed his name at the bottom next to Mortis.

Light began to swirl within the tiny shop, centering upon Mortis until the sweeping light came into contact with the scythe Seth was holding. Mortis vanished, turning into those glowing particles that eventually reformed the scythe into the weapon's original state.

The repaired scythe gleamed within Seth's hold, refurbished and like new. Seth smiled faintly, looking upon the shiny metallic surface. "How do you like your new home?"

"...It's uncomfortable but I'll manage." Mortis answered within his mind.

Upon placing the scythe back into the virtual pocket space, Seth thought carefully where he wanted to go and then vanished.

He reappeared in the hospital and took a seat next to Charlie.

Charlie looked at him dumbfoundedly. "Bruh where have you been? I've been worried sick." His mouth was turned into a frown, studying Seth closely. "You've changed." He finally said. "Your eyes... They've become purple."

Oh? He hadn't considered his appearance would change, not that he particularly minded, but how interesting. He flashed his friend a positively vile grin, relaxing in his seat. "Would you believe me if I said I made a deal with the devil?"

"I'm not the devil, you insignificant human ghost." Mortis corrected him, grumbling within Seth's mind. He continued to complain in an ancient language Seth didn't recognize.

Seth ignored him.

"You can still joke around, huh?" Charlie inquired dryly. "Whoever did this must've not beaten you up enough." He decided.

"How is she?" Seth finally asked, his smile dropping.

"She's going to be alright." Charlie explained softly. "She's just asleep right now. Her mom arrived not long ago."

Seth nodded to him in understanding. He rose from his seat and went into the recovery room where Ivory was staying. Her eyes were closed in a relaxed position.

She truly seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

"Oh." Mortis realized, looking upon the sleeping girl. "I understand now... The reason you want to protect this world."