I often wonder why people resist their death. I understand it's a permanent removal from our world, and I understand that can be terrifying. But what's the point of resisting? Even in the unlikely event that the target bests me in a fight, I'll only be rendered deadish. I will be back, and I will keep coming back until my duty is complete. There is no escape, so why try and fight the inevitable?
The man I killed today tried multiple ways of convincing me to ignore my duty. First it came to physical combat, where I lazily let a very obvious, very dodgeable uppercut connect with my jaw. I've never had a bone broken, but the pain was… underwhelming. Fellow Scythes often talk about their first injury on the job. They somehow always spin it into a tale of glory and pride, but after today I wonder just how much those stories are embellished.
The second, after I managed to subdue him, was the standard incredulous attitude towards my age.
“How can you even claim to be a Scythe? You barely look 16! Who did you steal your ring from!?!”
I am in fact 15 years of age, but I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of letting him know that. Not that I could with a broken jaw. It was fairly standard for people to question my age and validity as Scythe Victoria, though it never stopped anyone from trying to “kill” me to escape their own deaths. Me being a child still seems to only infuriate my targets, as if the thought of some kid being their killing was embarrassing or implausible. Why should it matter if they are going to die anyway? It's not as if he will hold a grudge in the afterlife.
Third, after becoming more and more upset over my presence and lack of answers, was the bargaining. Apparently, the target was a well known drug dealer in the area, which gave him access to lots and lots of money. He must have forgotten, or maybe he just hoped I didn't care, that Scythes don't need money or very many physical possessions. Whatever the man had to offer, I don't think he realized that I wouldn't even consider accepting it.
After listening to him talk some more, I decided to just end it. Drew the pistol from my robe and pulled the trigger. He was dead before he hit the ground. I couldn't help but think how anticlimactic it felt. We fought, he broke my jaw, he begged for mercy, and yet it ended the same way it always does. Which brings me back to my original question. Why do people resist their deaths?
Would it be cruel of me to ask?
-From the Scythe journal of H.S. Victoria
If you’re familiar with the book series “Scythe” you can just skip this part!
In the perfect world, nobody dies. There is no crime, there is no poverty, there is no death. Anyone who does is revived by advanced technology, everyone reasons pay without worry, and nobody has a reason to commit a crime. In this story, that world is a reality. The world is run by a sentient AI known as the Thunderhead. The AI is omnipresent and omniscient. It says all, and knows all. Yet, it seemingly works only to make man-kind flourish.
In the other hand, overpopulation is a major issue. To keep this in check, there is the Scythedom. They are an organization of professional killers. They are the only people the Thunderhead does not interfere with, nor does the Scythedom interfere with the Thunderhead. When a Scythe kills someone, they are not revived. They are dead forever, though a Scythe can grant people immunity from this process.
So uh, that's a basic rundown of the plot of the book series, but I don't really want to follow it word for word. If you have questions or anything, or wish to deviate let me know.
My character would be Honorable Scythe Victoria, a newly ordained Scythe. Your character can be literally anything, though I advise for it to NOT be one of her targets. It can be, and it could be fun, but just expect a very standoffish role out of me then.
I dunno if any rules come to mind. My post length and post rate are dependent on my partner. Do you want instant 1 paragraph posts? I can deliver. Do you want novels? I can do novels.
If you are somehow interested, or you have questions, hit me up?
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