DragonOC

Death's little predicament- BunniesOfDoom x DragonOC

It felt like it belonged in a strange nightmare; the flock of reapers that wore her dead mother's face. Kaia hasn't thought of her in a while, but her image is sure to be haunting now. She did her best to ignore the reapers, the situation was too dangerous to be focused on her dead mother's face duplicated fifty times over. The situation... how was she the one pulled into this? Why not some death magic practitioner? Or better yet, why not someone skilled in traps and seals and barriers? Well, there's no turning back now.

She immediately grabbed Death's hand when he extended it in an offer of aid. Trying to keep momentum, she lifted the rug as he hoisted her, aiming to throw it out the window first. Then, she blinked, and everything went black. It was like night reached into her mind, coiling throughout her thoughts. Her soul shuddered. This was not balance, it was a single piece of a whole. A one-sided coin. Death's energy had a peace to it. This had... nothing, but with a dash of chaos. She was left dizzy and dazed, first from the darkness. Then, from the woman in front of them. Kaia caught herself wishing to have half as much confidence as this woman in the black dress. She was quite stunning. Frowning at the thought, Kaia blinked quickly in an attempt to rid her mind of the fog that flooded in alongside the darkness. Stars. Now she was seeing stars.

It seemed as though Death was quite popular amongst the gods. It would make sense, though. Together with life, he is the most well-known and probably most powerful. The small woman nearly jumped on Death, he seemed slightly disheartened at her appearance. She could understand why; the more gods show up, the more complicated this becomes. This had to be some kind of record, Kaia thought to herself, meeting three separate gods in a single day. Please let there be some cosmic limit of a maximum of three. This is definitely not what she had expected for her evening.

Nox? Ah. Of course. She could understand how darkness and chaos were infatuated with death. It is one of the sides of death, after all. Darkness, however, did not seem too keen on the idea of Death alongside a mortal human. Again, it was just wrong.

"This might not be my place to speak, but I feel compelled to admit... you are stunning. Darkness in the most beautiful form." Kaia looked to Death and spoke again, not giving Nox time to process or reply, "I was helping Death escape from his entrapment. A mortal man meddling with forces this great is a danger to everything and everyone. Death should happen. It is a part of life. The circle of balance. Without Death, there will never be peace for the mortal soul. It has to be corrected."

Kaia's eyes fell on the rug, she's unable to meet Nox's gaze, "This magic used is older than I've ever experienced first hand, and setting Death free from this body he is trapped in will take time. I don't suppose there is any way you might be able to help? Maybe with some form of script or knowledge so I may learn this language faster? Death needs to resume his duties before the entire world goes up in flames."

Of Light and Shadow - Craw/DOC

She was unsure if she found this back and forth tiring, or entertaining. She had spent most of her life in a small circle due to her rather unique situation. She was used to the quiet life. But no more. She had a goal that took priority.

"My friend may be soft, but they're smart. They will know when to keep quiet and listen, and when to move. I have faith they still live." She almost wanted to chuckle at the word. Faith. Blind belief. Instead, she smiled softly at herself, "I have to believe that."

She produces a tie from a pocket, tying her hair back in a long ponytail, eying the hunter's change in stance. This was the first time she spoke with a hunter. It was rather... exhilarating.

"Give me your rules, and I'll get you more. There are two sealed bottles I can get you on the way out. We can't linger around here for much longer."

Of Light and Shadow - Craw/DOC

With a sigh, she pushes herself up and away from the desk. A manipulator, he says. Clearly not a good one to be spotted this quickly. "I'm in a rather... precarious situation at the moment. This was an unfortunate willing captivity type of thing. Or it started that way, at least." She steps past the body, on to a display case on the far side of the room, "My servitude to save another. A dear friend. But I was a fool for believing this fucker's word. He said he'd set them free if I served him." She opens the glass door, picking up what appears to be a fox's skull, probably left behind from the true owners, "My friend's soft. They'd crumble under the gaze of a monster like this."

She tightly grips the skull in her hand, jaws clenched, "And now they're missing. So, I decided to bide my time. Gather all the information I could. To see if I could figure out where my friend could've been sent. Then, I overheard this demon speak of his so-called stock..." she turns to look at the hunter, "Stock? Like a fucking pig!"

Taking a deep breath, she calms herself. She doesn't want to come across as hostile towards the one with the gun and knife, "The church said they couldn't help me. That, even if they could, it would take time. I didn't have time. My friend didn't have time. I had no choice. I acted out of desperation. But now they know me, and my friend is no closer to safety."

She puts the skull back on its spot, "You need to understand... I can't return to a normal life. I know too much. I've seen too much. Heard too much. Until this ring is wiped from this earth, I cannot rest. I won't be safe until they bleed at my feet."

Death's little predicament- BunniesOfDoom x DragonOC

Making her way up the steps and to the door, Kaia reached out for the handle but stopped short. She activated one of her spells with a short phrase, "Show me the threads of magic beneath." With this, a faint glow started from a magnifying glass tattoo close to her wrist. Two wheels of interlocking spells appeared on the door. She examined them, "I may not have given this man enough credit..." She span both wheels until two pieces overlapped to form a solid circle, "But I can't give him too much." She opened the door and stepped through, Death and the reapers following.

She spoke over her shoulder, "Please don't let your reapers just go too far. I don't know if there might be spells to trap, attack or even drain energy. It'd be a disaster if he got his hands on your pure death magic." Walking into the main room, her eyes scanned about. Kaia wasn't even sure what to look out for. This was a desperate man who got his hands on old magic. Old magic was lost and no longer permitted for very specific reasons. Who knew where he got it from and what else he might have. He could have a spell that, should she touch the wrong thing, could peel the skin from her body. If she glimpsed what he didn't want seen, could melt her eyes in her skull. He could drown her with the water in her own body. Turn her bones to dust. Drain her- no, she stopped her thoughts. This was not the time to recount old family tales of old magic. Maybe she could...

Just then, a reaper passed Kaia, moving across the carpet in the center of the room, clashing against an unseen barrier. It turned back, but there was another barrier. It went in a circle, around and around and around, pushing against the unseen force, clearly confused. Kaia swore under her breath, carefully approaching the carpet. Activating the same spell with the same phrase, nothing seemed to happen. Slowly, she lifted the corner of the carpet. As she feared, the trap was at the bottom. Not beneath on the floor, no, on the underside of the carpet. She could not see the complete spell this way. It glowed with a shimmer, something that only happens when a lot of energy has been poured into it combined with a true understanding of where to focus that energy. A perfect spell, if you will. Since Death can't use his magic to break the spell, Kaia will have to free the reaper herself. The problem was that this one won't be as simple as altering a few things, this will need time. Time they cannot spend here. Just as she looked up, a second reaper entered the circle, joining in the confusion of the first. She gave a heavy, exasperated sigh, looking at Death. These... creatures, really were dim. Clearly barely a mind. But why would they need intellect if they only existed for one purpose.

"Keep them off the carpet. Better yet, send them outside," she whispered, quickly adding, "Through the basement. I'll be right back." She got up to her feet and moved to the bookcase on the far side of the room, scanning over the spines. Most of these just seemed to revolve around different ingredients used in modern-day magic. Here and there's a book she'd seen in nearly any caster's home, teaching basic spellwork and the roots of magic. The strangest one was a book on gods in entertainment. Not gods as they are in mythology and legend, but in entertainment? There are quite a few differences, she thought.

She shook the light confusion from her mind, now sneaking down the faintly lit hall. Upon reaching the magician's bedroom, she found the door open on a crack. Peering in, she could see him passed out on his stomach, the corner of a phone peeking out under the pillow. She could feel her heart racing, the clamminess on her forehead, she wasn't cut out for this kind of thing. She found no spells at the door, carefully pushing it open, hoping in her soul that the hinges are oiled. Suddenly, the magician's phone rang, and he shot upright, "No payment plan!"

Kaia found herself back up the hall in an instant, dropping next to the carpet, rolling it up. "He's awake," she spoke with an urgent, hushed voice, "To the basement. Hurry!" Luckily, the reapers were composed of pure energy. It would've been a disaster had they had physical bodies. Rolling the carpet, the reapers appeared to protest as their energies were forced to change shape, rolling into the spiral of the carpet, unable to escape the border of the magic. "I'm sorry," Kaia rushed, "A few minutes." She hoists the carpet over her shoulder. It wasn't very large, just deceptively heavy. They made their way back downstairs, towards the only exit she knew was safe to pass.

Of Light and Shadow - Craw/DOC

She keeps him in the corner of her eye as she speaks. He's smart and she's not particularly fond of spinning tall tales. This will fall apart soon, but she means to keep him calm. She's in no mood for some pointless grandiose fight. Less so in this dress. This hunter's appearance has surely made things more complicated for her now. Sure, it could be easier if he just rolled over and died, but she finds herself intrigued. Maybe, just maybe, this man could be an advantage.

He holsters his gun and she can feel herself relax a bit. She wasn't even aware of her stiff shoulders until they went away. This man also seemed to relax some after a sip or two. Good, she wanted a peaceful exchange. She listens to him speak. So, he's alone. Or, at least, he works alone.

Her eyes moved to the door when he mentioned them unlocked, "I... don't have anywhere to go anymore. They completely destroyed my apartment and I don't feel safe knowing they know where to find me." She tightens her arms around her, shivering as another rumbling sounds outside. "I'm sure they'll kill me next time. Or worse. They don't take kindly to escapees."

"You hunters," she started, gaze falling on the glass in his hands, "You're the honorable type, right? If you can help me, I might be able to help you in turn. See... I heard many of their conversations during the demons' meetups. There might be plenty I could tell you that could make things easier and safer for you. But that would put me in a lot of danger. I'm sure they would figure it out. At the risk of sounding like one of them," she motions with a hand to the corpse, "Why don't we make a deal? Help for help?"

Death's little predicament- BunniesOfDoom x DragonOC

Kaia sucked the tip of her finger until the flow of blood from it lessened. She was following Death's movements when the reapers had joined with him, causing his human body to go through agony. She couldn't help but feel sorry for Death. All they wanted was to return to their duties, but was now forced to walk the earth and experience things they were never meant to. She assumed Death would despise thinking a mortal pitied them, a force so great and powerful, so she tried to hide it. Her eyes lingered on the burning symbols until they faded and disappeared again.

It may have been a good thing that it was Artemis who found them. He seemed to only want to find Death to report back to Life and the other gods. There seemed to be a decent amount of politics and unrest amongst the gods, especially since Death's disappearance. Regardless, the news of Life seemed to have breathed new life into Death. Kaia chuckled at her own thought, glancing over at Death. "So, Life and Death, hey? I guess it's settled, then. Opposites do attract."

Her eyes moved back to his arms where the symbols burned, they seemed to start from his wrists every time, she wondered if that was relevant somehow, "I believe Artemis confirmed my suspicions. Magic like that is no longer known in today's times. It'll be a bitch to figure out and translate, and that means keeping you from your duties for an extended time. You didn't perhaps see him with a tomb or even a notebook? Anything could help speed up the process." She looked to the window, the cool night air whispering by, "Before we leave. We might not have an opportunity like this a second time. He'll be on guard and possibly on the hunt once he discovers you've escaped."

Of Light and Shadow - Craw/DOC

She quickly wiped her eyes with a hand, "Poison? Under the nose of a demon? That'll be suicide." She stepped into the room, careful to not disturb the body or the pooling blood. Placing the tray softly on the desk, as if afraid to make sudden sounds, she turned to close the door. "You can have the drink. You look like you need it." The woman straightened the short dress, clearly frustrated by its lack of cooperation, before reaching for the decanter. It opened with a soft pop, the spiced liquid running over the ice with cracks. She slid a coaster closer to the man, placing the drink neatly on top.

"I've been trapped in this damned place for three months," she started as her eyes darted about the room, "They abducted me just as I got home from working the bar in a club. Then they stuck me in this awful, revealing dress and made me serve them. Said they'd sacrifice me if I didn't listen." She leaned back against the desk, pushing a stray lock of black hair behind her ear only for it to slip forward again, "So I listened. Tried to be friendly..." Her thoughts trailed off.

The wind howled outside, the scent of rain thick in the air. Lightning flashed brightly through the boards, followed by a boom of thunder. Her dark eyes were drawn to the boarded windows, arms wrapped tightly around herself as if chilled to the bone, "There's three more, you know. Involved in this ring. I heard them talking. Saw them. Each have their own following. Those poor sods don't know any better. Most believe themselves saved." Again, her eyes settled on the corpse, "Fuck, he's one ugly bastard..."

Of Light and Shadow - Craw/DOC

The glass clinked against the sealed decanter as she placed them on the tray. A scowl pulled at her lips. Patience, she reminded herself, she'll have what she's after soon enough. She just needed to keep her cool for a while longer. Her eyes moved to the ridiculous maid outfit she was wearing. "Depraved fucking demons..."

Picking up the tray, she went from the kitchen towards the study. Such lavish house, filled with useless artefacts. It lost its shine when these worshippers repossessed it. Doors locked from the outside, cultists praying behind each. A shiver ran her spine, not one of fear or discomfort, no. One of utter disgust. It's a wonder she'd been able to wear the mask this long and not be found out. Not much longer.

She pushed down the door handle, the golden brown liquid in the decanter swayed side to side. She sweetened her voice, reaching for the light switch. "Mister Reinolf, you're sitting in the dark again." With a click the light flooded the room. She froze, eyes on the corpse surrounded by blood. Slowly, her gaze moved to the man in a trenchcoat, processing, assessing.

Tears welled her eyes, a soft smile tugged at her lips, "He's dead... you killed the demon."

Death's little predicament- BunniesOfDoom x DragonOC

"Maybe I should let you stew in that thought for a while." Kaia walked around the cage, more closely examining the blood magic. "I'm getting you out of this cage now, but you're still trapped in that body." She felt a shift from Death after she said this, even Death's magic within her rippled. Her body trembled in reaction. "I'll try to help with that, too. Getting worked up will only make things more difficult."

A gray cat jumped through the window, landing gracefully with a chirp. Kaia turned her head towards it. "Quite the time for a visitor, don't you think, Death?" The cat stared at her a moment, then at Death, then at the hoard of reapers. "Is it different with animals? Or just cats?" An orange cat plopped in next, followed by a tuxedo. Kaia now frowned, confused as to the appearance of these cats. Her confusion grows as more jump into the basement, chirping and purring. Gods, it's the reapers all over again. Death seemed to be bothered by this, but she couldn't tell if it was concern or annoyance.

Kaia moved her attention back to the runes when the voice of a man sounded behind her, "Now this is golden!" She spun around as a hearty laugh came from the man. He stood at the centre of the cats, dressed in an old British hunting suit. A belted jacket with large pockets hung open to show the cream-coloured shirt beneath. The loose pants brought in at the knee by darker boots. The man had a fitting hat, a rifle over his shoulder. He wore a walrus moustache over a brilliant smile, eyes a deep brown.

Almost instinctively, Kaia activated the runes in her tattoos, her arm crackling with electricity. "Who are you?" She demanded, but was met with a chortle. "What are you?"

"Now that, my dear, is quite a question!" He takes a stance with the rifle as if posing, its stock against the floor, hand wrapped around the barrel. Cats rub against his legs as he nobly stares into the distance, "I have been called by many a name! Arnakuagsak by the courageous Inuit. Mixcoatl by the fierce Aztec. Artemis by the curious Greeks. I am the god of the hunt! Nature, the plants and animals. Tracking and hunting is the name of the game! Exhilarating! Don't you think?"

The lightning subsides as Kaia turns back to the runes, "I mean you no disrespect, but I need to focus on this. And I do bid you to please keep it down."

A frown furrows Artemis' brow, "You see, I have come out of curiosity. The gods are at each other's throats, each claiming the right to Death's throne."

"Only Death has the right to his throne. The balance would be screwed if another god took over the duties." She produced a multi-tool from her pocket, flicking open the small knife, "You wouldn't like if Loki now decided to pick up that rifle of yours."

He cats hissed at her as the god clutched his rifle tightly with both hands, "Don't be ridiculous. Loki wouldn't know a hare from a rabbit!"

Kaia cut the tip of a finger, drawing additions to the runes. She stood back as smoke started rising from them. A small section of the cage bars then started heating, glowing red-hot before losing their shape to a puddle on the floor.

Death's little predicament- BunniesOfDoom x DragonOC

The reapers made short work of her circle, gobbling up Death's magic within. It shouldn't have bothered her, she knows Death and its reapers are powerful, but dismantling it with such ease? It was unsettling. She'd have to work on improving them, then. Part of her wished that people could see reapers. Then they might've followed her request and not tagged along. But now, having a black mass of finality floating behind you through the streets? It sent a shiver down her spine, filling her with an anxiety. Unnatural. All of it. At least they got the raccoon, poor thing. Kaia kept fighting the urge to look back over her shoulder at the reapers. They took back the energy within that circle with such haste. Will they dismantle her for what remains within her, too?

They reached the house. She's never been here so regularly before. Kaia almost visibly startled when the reaper spoke again, she'd been thinking of how to get Death free without the magician becoming aware. She nodded, "That's where he is. Follow me."

She led the way around to the small basement window, it was blacked out, painted over. She scratched off a piece of the paint with a nail, checking for magic before peering in. It was dark, she could barely make anything out. Death was still in the cage. She could feel his familiar magic. The reapers surrounded the house, making Kaia feel like this was some kind of ridiculous skit or prank. She channelled the smallest amount of magic though her hand, drawing runes on the wooden window frame. It started rotting and crumbling away. Fuck... I'll have to move after this. I'll never get my ingredients so easily again. She quietly pulled the frame back and laid the window on the grass. Death was staring at her. She felt his eyes burning holes through her.

Kaia popped her head in, lights from outside barely illuminating enough to make out rough features. Death looked impatient. Well, he was going to have to wait. She was too short to drop down to the floor without either hurting herself, or making a noise. Then she saw it; a chair against the wall. She brought herself back up, turning into the face of her mother. "Shit... some space, please." The reaper backed away a full inch. She exhaled loudly, pointing into the basement, "See that chair? Please set it up just beneath the window here. Think you can do that?"