The Devil's Part Time Worker

Chapter 20

I walked through the town. It's inhabitants wailed and screamed to be reincarnated. I moved through them on my way. Every time I did, it either got really cold or I felt dreadful, but I had to continue on. I finally reached the moat. The black water below looked more like slime than water.

"Why have you stopped?" Said the hooded man.

"As much as the black slime looks like fun, I think I'd rather cross the bridge. Oh wait, there isn't one!" I said pointing to the raised bridge. The man chuckled to himself.

"You heroes always have a temper of some sort, don't you?" He said. He snapped his fingers and the bridge lowered. The dead rushed quickly at the opening. As soon as that had happened, a white barrier appeared blocking them out. They continued to throw themselves at it. Crying, wails, and screams filled the air.

"After you." Said the hooded man bowing and motioning at the barrier.

"Can I even get through it?" I asked watching the dead repeatedly smash themselves against it. He nodded and grabbed me. For someone who looked so feeble he picked me up like I was air. He flung me through the barrier. My head hit the ground hard. He was laughing as he phased through the barrier after me.

"What the hell?!" I yelled at him after spitting out dirt. He chuckled and pulled me back to my feet.

"Welcome to the Black Castle!" He said motioning at the enormous building before me. The towers and walls made me look like an ant. The place looked like it had been covered in a deep dark ash.

"Woah! This place is amazing." I said.

"I'm glad you enjoy it so much." Said a voice behind me. I jumped forward and summoned my gear. Drako yelped from behind me and scrambled up my jeans and into my sweatshirt pocket.

"No need to be so alerted Dragon Spawn." Said a much taller hooded figure. In his hand was a scythe and his red eyes peered at me from under his hood.

"Your majesty." Said the old man bowing. The Reaper pardoned him and let him rise. I was on my way to follow suit, but the Reaper stopped me.

"You need not bow to me. You're not a servant of mine Dragon Spawn." He said. I rose back to my feet. The ghosts seemed to turn into a swarm of angry bees once they saw the Reaper in the court yard. Whailing and screaming. The Reaper shook his head.

"That barrier has never faltered once since it's creation. They never give up." He swung his scythe into the ground. I was cloaked in a dark veil, and when it cleared I was in the throne room of the castle. The Reaper glided up and sat in his throne. The old man ran up and took his spot by his side.

"Oh that's right! I never introduced myself. I'm the Reaper's personal adviser and right hand man. It was quite fun to accompany you through your adventure." He said bowing and chuckling. The Reaper turned his attention to me.

"Why did you come here, Dragon Spawn? I'm sure you didn't come to make small talk and drink tea." He said leaning his head on his hand. I nodded.

"I came here to reclaim a fallen friend." I said. The Reaper suddenly became interested again.

"Is that so?" He said.

"Yes! My friend, Sodoka, saved me but it cost her her life. I'm here now to return the favor by saving her." I said. The Reaper summoned a ball and whispered some words. The ball grew with a black smoke growing inside. The smoke turned from black, to gray, to white, orange, and finally a deep crimson.

Inside was the banshee from before. It's hair clung to it's skin. Parting to see it's eyes like before.

"Ah, that one. She showed up in my garden about a day ago. This is what you wish to reclaim, Dragon Spawn?" He asked. I nodded.

"Very well." He said raising his hand. The ball rised up to the ceiling and burst into flames. It turned to ash and fell to the floor. The Reaper motioned for me to follow. I did and he led me through winding halls. Evantually we entered the castle gardens.

"You will be put through tasks to show if you're to be trusted with such a task as reclaiming lost life." He said. "There will be three trials. Each one more difficult than the last. It will break you, Dragon Spawn. If you don't give in first. Enter the grove when you are ready." I couldn't see his eyes, but I knew they were staring at me with great intensity. I breathed in a deep breathe to steady my nerves. Drako licked my hand from my pocket. I rubbed the foxes' head and entered the grove.

Hey guys! Sorry for the hiatus. I had some emotional stuff that turned into some drama. It's all sorted and I should be writing more regularly. Also check out my other books: Purgatory or Eyes That Aren't Mine.