《Fallen》


 Trouble in the lobby

    A man with blood-stained clothes walked into the hotel. He wore a tux with that was slightly wrinkled in the front and the dark stains were obvious of the splattered blood. I assumed it had just been another victim he had enjoyed. Scanning up to his face a mischievous smile was cracked along his thin lips. He was standing tall scanning the room. His eyes meet mine for a split second; I looked away staring downward, examining my glass intently that was filled with a thick red liquid.


    ¡°Ah, and here I heard you were dead.¡± His voice was cocky and I could sense his smirk spilling with enthusiasm. He stepped beside my chair placing a dirty hand on my shoulder. Becoming angered by the motion I moved my jaw placing aggression in an obvious expression. The hand was removed slowly.


    He then walked past me and sat down from across the way in a comfortable chair that resembled the one I, myself, was sitting in. He leaned forward folding his hands and continued to smirk in a devilish way. His light blue eyes which resembled that of crystals, staring into my golden colored.


    ¡°Careful, your horns might show.¡± I mocked letting a small smile rise then fall.


    He scoffed feeling at ease.


    Leaning back in his leather seat he gestured for a drink in a gentleman like mannerism. A small child in a hotel uniform came forth supplying him with one similar to mine. The boy''s black hair slicked to the side and his albino like skin glowing politely with his burning red eyes. The boy then shuffled away and the man took his time before speaking. He was swirling the drink then took a small sip. I did the same.


    ¡°So tell me¡­¡± The man started. ¡°What is a fallen like you doing in a child like that?¡± His expression became stern and serious but I showed no emotional change. Instead, I simply cocked my head remembering what my outward appearance was.


    ¡°This was the only vessel that could hold me. I didn¡¯t have any other choice.¡± My small voice became harsh cutting into the man''s chest. I sat my drink down at a small round table beside me then brushed my soft black bangs to the side. He nodded eyeing my small childlike figure.


    ¡°Crowe, how did you know I would be here?¡± I asked sighing in slight frustration.


    His eyes flickered. ¡°It gives me tingles when you take control of a conversation.¡± His smile grew displaying perfectly sharp teeth. I sat silently watching his lips as he took another drink trying to hide his giddy enthusiasm.


    ¡±Well, your soul suddenly disappeared from my view. I took a guess. After all, this is the one place you love the most.¡± He said gesturing widely to the area around us.


    ¡°I don¡¯t love this place.¡± I cut in abruptly.


    Crowe¡¯s face showed confusion and his smile faded into a thin line.


    My small brows furrowed together in frustration at his stupidity.


    ¡°I despise it, My father gave this to me to run. A burden that crushes me. I only keep it to prove I¡¯m strong.¡±


    Crowe shifted. ¡°I see, your¡­. Father¡­¡± His voice was low and hesitant, I could tell that even with a small mention like that, struck fear. We were silent for a while taking in long and short sips from our drinks, listening as people checked in and out of the hotel.


    I took another sip.


    ¡°Crowe¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°How do you see this glass?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ what do you mean?¡±If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°I mean, what do you think is in my glass?¡±


    He shifted again.


    ¡°Human blood?¡±


    I smiled. Tapping my nail against the glass.


    ¡°Yes, and do you know why I drink human blood?¡±


    ¡°Because we are demons.¡± He looked around seeing black eyes shine in the darkly lit hotel.


    ¡° Ah¡­ you see Crowe, that is where you are wrong. You are a demon, everyone that checks into this hotel is a demon, all the waiters here are demons, yet I, am a Fallen.¡±


    He gulped. Trying to figure out where the conversation was going. I lifted my glass examining the liquid, swirling it around a little.


    ¡°Crowe¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Do you know what a fallen is?¡±


    ¡°Of course¡­. It¡¯s¡­ an angel that was cast out of heaven. A Fallen is one that loses its wings and all its power and ability to ever receive grace.¡±


    ¡°And¡­¡± I pushed


    ¡°They¡­ become monsters.¡± He sounded minuscule and afraid, as if his answer would upset or off throw something.


    I set my drink down one again.


    ¡°Do you know what¡¯s different from them and me?¡±


    ¡°You¡­ still, have your wings¡±


    ¡°Which means what Crowe.¡±


    ¡°You still have your powers...¡±


    I looked Crowe in the eye. Taking note of his every feature. His long brown hair was greased over to the left side and he was well shaven, his ears pointed slightly and his icy blue eyes glowed.


    ¡°That''s right Crowe. That¡¯s right...¡± I said smirking.


    I stood up letting my twelve-year-old body stretch. My smirk faded and was replaced with a childish scowl.


    ¡°Crowe¡­ next time you enter my hotel. Make sure you¡¯re not followed.¡± I drew in a long breath seeing one of his bushy eyebrows raise. He turned toward the glass window wall seeing a line of wolves. Crowe arose at once.


    ¡°I¡­ I swear I didn¡¯t know.¡±


    I sighed turning my body toward the entrance doors as a wolf stepped inside.


    It instantly transformed into a man wearing ragged street clothes and smelled like cheap beer. I gritted my teeth at the sight.


    ¡°I''m sorry, didn¡¯t you see the sign. No dogs allowed.¡± I grunted.


    He laughed. ¡°Please, who would listen to a Fallen like you. Especially in that body¡­ ¡± He smiled displaying sharp yellowing teeth. I clenched at the sight digging my nails into my palms.


    ¡°I¡¯m saying this to you as a warning. Get out of my hotel.¡± My tone took and I raised my head to seem taller than my 5¡±4 self.


    Tension rose throughout the main office area. Demons that were present halted to watch the showdown. Crowe walked over to my side bending slightly to reach ear level.


    ¡°Come now¡­ let¡¯s finish this.¡± His voice tickled my neck and a seductive look formed in my eyes. My arm rose aiming right at the Licen. The lights started to flicker and a high frequency could be heard. The wolf twitched at the sound becoming uncomfortable. He clamped his hands over his ears groaning.


    Blood started to trickle from his eyes. The rest of his pack outside winced and crumbled to the ground unable to withstand it like their leader.


    At the sight of his comrades he raged.


    ¡°You Bitch!¡±


    My golden eyes glowed letting off an angelic presence.


    I smiled feeling the pleasure from his pain.


    ¡°Burn In Hell!¡± He screamed.


    ¡° Already been there dear, didn¡¯t really work for me.¡±


    My fingers snapped and the sound of their bodies being torn apart echoed throughout the hall. Blood spurted in every direction letting off a dreadful smell.


    My arm silently fell back to my side.


    ¡° June,¡± I called sternly.


    A woman with the hotel crest on her cheek appeared.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡° Clean up this mess... I hate the smell of dog.¡± I turned and headed toward the silver elevator doors.


    ¡°Hey. Shadow,¡± called Crowe. His voice seeming breathless.


    I stopped. ¡°Yes, Crowe?¡±


    ¡° ...you sure you¡¯re a fallen...¡±


    ¡°I am¡­ just, not exactly¡­¡±


    ¡°One more thing,¡± Crowe called hesitantly.


    I looked over my shoulder silent.


    ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to show me how you did that.¡±


    I smiled letting warmth flood my petite body.


    ¡°Maybe some other time. But please, be sure to check into the hotel.¡± I took a step into the metal box and hit the 13th floor.

 Message from a dead sister

    Stepping into the darkly lit hall I walked passed multiple canvases showcasing sceneries of death, famine, sickness, and horror. I smiled slightly at the feeling of home.


    This hotel was given to me by the great and all-seeing Death. My father¡­


    He entrusted me to keep this place running and, with all my might, I have. Though, after all this time I¡¯ve grown to hate this place. It has become a burden, a burning steel that jabs into my pride. This place has brought war, pity, and hatred. It¡¯s even the reason as to why I¡¯m a Fallen.


    The Remains, a group of wolves and other magical creatures watch and wait for a moment to rip this place to shreds. To find a seam at which will crumble my home to dust. I, knowing this, overwatch every decision and with keen accuracy, I make sure there are no holes in which thirsty dogs can come crawling through.


    There are many more groups that wish to see this hotel fall such as, the Night Prowlers. They feed on children''s nightmares and cause distraught for adult humans. They consist mainly of vampires and witches but, though they are weak their group grows to over thousands, making them a serious threat to many. We also have The Watchers, a group of magicians who abuse their power to perform trickery, they give man the ability to dive into his dreams but only to have the carpet ripped from underneath as he falls into an endless hole of defeat.


    Images of gangs and groups formed in my mind until my attention was drawn away. I looked at my door curiously noticing it was already opened.


    I stood there annoyed that someone would break into my room. I stepped in flicking on the lights but became agitated when they didn¡¯t spout electricity. Walking in further, I noticed something sitting on my bed. A young bo, one around the same age as the vessel I was in. His soul trembled quietly and flickered with a bright yellow glow.


    Human.


    Moving forward I noticed he was bound and gagged with white thread.


    I stopped at the corner of the bed and lifted my chin so I was able to look down on the pathetic creature. His cheek was cut and wrist purpled and bruised. His brown eyes pleaded for help.


    I smirked seeing another soul in my peripheral vision.


    ¡°This is one hell of a welcoming present,¡± I stated loudly. I turned toward my closet seeing it open slightly. The red soul burned brightly now with anticipation.


    ¡°I-It¡¯s the l-least I can do¡­¡± spoke the voice.


    I walked silently toward my window leaving the poor boy helpless. The closet opened a little more behind me. My smirk faded as I recognized the vibrant colored soul.


    Crossing my arms I became annoyed; After all, my sister and I don¡¯t necessarily meet eye to eye. Our hotels are against each other and she allows lowlife dogs into hers.


    ¡°Dear s-sister. Why m-must you stand in the l-light. You know it b-burns.¡±


    Frowning I closed my eyes focusing on her quivering voice. It was soft and had a delicate touch when it reached one''s ears, yet it pinched your mind like a prick. The constant stutter she had was somehow soothing instead of interruptive.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± I asked sternly not willing to let the conversation drag.


    ¡°Just¡­ a f-friendly hello. After all, it¡¯s b-been three hundred y-years¡­ ¡±


    The boy whimpered and squirmed on my bed as he saw the image of my sister.


    A stunning twenty-year-old woman with big breasts stood in front of him. She wore a black leather dress that cut up to the thigh on one side. Her pale skin shone like silver in the dimly lighted room. Yet, the most impressive thing about her was her fiery red hair. It grew down to her thighs and had thick curls that swirled into curious clumps. Her long lashes were coated with thick mascara and her lips were pronounced with a light brown color. Her deep jade eyes entranced every man and a small gold necklace placed itself delicately upon her overgrown chest.


    ¡°Yeah right. The last time we saw each other, I was slicing your throat open.¡± I glared at her. Though the memory brought a smile to my face. She pouted and tightened her crossed arms. It was obvious my words unsettled her.


    ¡°Come n-now, that¡¯s in th-the past.¡± Her hint of aggression showed otherwise.


    My vessels small lungs took in a sigh as I examined the world outside my window.


    It was a world of darkness. The sky hung low with an eerie presence and the small stars twinkled as if the hope to keep them alive was slim. My sister shifted at the silence.


    ¡°He¡¯s coming¡­¡±


    Her words stopped my beating heart. I froze in place and in that split moment forgot how to breathe. Stunned, I felt fear creep into the hollow place where my soul used to lie. Confusion gripping my brows.


    There¡¯s no way.


    ¡°What the hell do you mean?¡± I spun around in a fit of rage ¡°He¡¯s¡­. He¡¯s¡­.¡± Afraid to speak more, I bit my bottom lip. My silky black bangs covered my face hiding my confusion and disbelief. My sister¡¯s long slinky arm reached out and grasped onto my shoulder.


    ¡°He¡¯s coming home, Shadow.¡± Her words snapped me out of my fearful daze.


    ¡° Dawn¡­ Let go of me.¡± My eyes glowed golden as I glared into my sisters soul. I watched as it quivered slightly with fear. Slowly the heavy sensation left my arm and millions of bumps prickled my body. Blinking, the color of my eyes became dull and my rage subsided. I suddenly became embarrassed, I had only called my sister by her name when we were younger. Saying it now felt childish and weak. The thought brought back anger but controlling it I kept quiet.


    ¡°Well, i-i must be going¡­ enjoy your g-gift.¡± She gestured toward the young boy.


    Then with the silent whisper of the wind she vanished. I stood there silent, not willing to let myself believe what she mentioned.


    He couldn¡¯t possibly be back. There¡¯s no way. After all, he¡¯s dead. I killed him myself three hundred years ago. Unless...


    The boy on my bed started to cry. I looked at him one eyebrow raised. Thoughts of him left my mind and were replaced with an unamused feeling.


    Pathetic.


    ¡°Well¡­ you want to live?¡± I sighed at the human crossing my arms.


    The boy shook his head up and down as his small fists twisted violently in the white thread that was cutting into his wrists.


    I walked around the bed and envisioned a small blade. Instantly my hand grasped onto a knife with a jagged edge. Slowly I began to free the boy from his bonds. While doing so I caught a whiff of his scent. He smelled familiar. My eyes started to glow.


    For some reason, the smell pissed me off. As if a memory I locked away was desperately trying to make its way to be remembered. My senses rose wanting to rip the boy apart. Shaking away the rage I made conversation.


    ¡°Boy, what is your name?¡±


    I suffered quietly trying to hold back my inner monster.


    ¡°Thomas¡­please... don¡¯t kill me.¡± Fat tears were still rolling down his bruised cheeks. I scoffed not feeling a damn thing for the boy. My cold heart froze over with hatred. After cutting the last thread I smiled viciously. The boy got up quickly and gripped his wrist wincing in pain. I looked down at the knife I held in my hand hiding my hideous look.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Thank you¡­ thank you.¡± the boy repeated. His eyes looked over to the door. Slowly he walked over to it then his pace picked up.


    Five, four, three.


    The boy reached out his hand and held the doorknob, he turned it hearing the click as it unlocked.


    Two¡­


    He opened the door letting in light.


    A smile appeared on his face and he took in a breath of relief.


    ...one¡­


    My smile grew and as quickly as his smile disappeared so did his soul as it slipped down my throat¡­


    ***


    Days passed and my hotel boomed with popularity. I was throwing a party soon and the guest list grew as availability shortened. Standing in the middle of the lobby I was pointing to a specific spot where a streamer was falling.


    ¡°No! Not there! Wait, where are you taking those? Anyone got the time?!¡± Questions and orders kept popping out of my mouth. The hotel workers raced around furiously. Vibrant colors swirled around me and I slowly became agitated.


    A hand was suddenly clamped down onto my shoulder. Disturbed I looked and saw the clean-cut demon with crystal blue eyes.


    ¡°Crowe.¡± My voice trailed off as I saw a demon with a bright yellow hair pace by smoking.


    ¡°Uh, miss! There is no smoking allowed in the hotel. Please take it outside.¡±


    The female demon scowled but left without complaining.


    ¡°Hey, Shadow.¡± Crowe snapped his fingers getting my attention again.


    ¡°What Crowe? I¡¯m busy¡­¡± I stated to him turning away. Crowe impatiently grabbed my fragile hand and dragged me away from the responsibilities I had.


    ¡°Crowe I can¡¯t..¡±


    ¡°Stop!¡± He interrupted. Frustrated I stood there silent. My arms crossed and examined my tall friend.


    He looked nervous and never made eye contact. His hands fidgeted as he brushed them through his hair. He kept watching the doors and the hotel staff.


    ¡°Shadow listen to me, someone is going to try to sabotage your hotel.¡±


    My mood dropped.


    ¡°Oh come on Crowe. That¡¯s impossible, I, myself, watch every decision that''s made here.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not impossible! Someone is coming. Someone powerful. You can¡¯t throw this party.¡±


    Becoming agitated I shook my head.


    ¡°I have to. This party will be the main event of the year. It will allow me to talk to rich businessmen who might be willing to share their company. You know¡­ make deals with devils¡± Laughing at my own joke Crowe became stiff and his eyes locked on something behind me.


    ¡°I-I have to go Shadow.¡± His heavy hands clasped onto my shoulder and he looked into my eyes.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t hear from me¡­ It¡¯s too late but don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you. Please, please Shadow...Don¡¯t die.¡± His lavender soul danced rapidly in his chest.


    ¡°Crowe¡­¡±


    Before finishing, he ran into the kitchen never looking back.


    Confused I stood there quietly thinking of his warning. The thought of someone sabotaging, let alone finding out information was impossible.


    ¡®Could it be.. Him? No no no he¡¯s dead and that was just my sister being a bitch trying to scare me. But¡­ still¡­¡¯


    ¡°Miss? Where would you like the table decorations?¡± I turned seeing June the hostess panting.


    ¡°Pardon me June but don¡¯t scream.¡± June blinked once and by that time my hand was through her stomach. I cocked my head feeling the warmth of her soul. The purple soul flickered in fear as my fingers brushed against it.


    Purple¡­ Not lavender¡­


    As a Fallen, I am able to see everyone''s soul. It¡¯s a curse that was placed upon me as if saying ¡®this is what you no longer have¡¯. Seeing souls make it easy for me to see what kind of creature im dealing with.


    Demons have purple souls and they flicker rapidly. Vampires have red souls and they are mainly calm. Humans have yellow souls that are very bright and filled with hope. Werewolves have rusty orange colored souls that sing loudly. Angels souls are blue and are powerful, jokers are green, and her father''s, death, is silver.


    Pulling back my hand I stared at my feet. June dropped to the floor like a soggy noodle gasping for air as a shocked expression overcame her face.


    Ignoring her, a faint memory played in my mind. My father was holding me in his lap as my sister raced around our mansion. He told me once that souls fade when they die.


    Looking back toward the kitchen doors I worried for Crowe.


    I sighed frustrated with my confusion. ¡°June I''m done for today, finish the rest as you please..¡±


    I walked toward the little restaurant across the lobby.


    It was a shabby place with booths and high tables. Once in a while, you would see a waiter walk by holding a tray of eye-catching sweets. The smell of various foods danced in the air and candles flared brightly in colored jars.


    Sitting down in a booth I envision a pen and in a split second, a fancy metal pen laid still on the table. I picked it up and started clicking it.


    Click,


    Two doors one in the back of the room and one in the front. All guests are to enter through the front. If anyone is seen sneaking in they are to be killed on the spot.


    Click,


    Twenty guards. Eight on the inside lining the walls. Two at the entrance, two at the back. The guards must be at least twenty feet away from each other when lined up.


    Click,


    Fifteen servers all must have the house crest imprinted on their body. Females on their right cheek males on their left hands.


    Click,


    Vaults and registers are to be locked up and the key in my possession, all other rooms except bathrooms are locked and the key cards locked away.


    Click,


    Guests are to be dressed fashionably and must have a written invitation signed by me.


    Click,


    ¡°Milady, your drink.¡± I looked up and saw a young waiter. He had short brown hair and deep green eyes. He was tall and had a friendly feel to him. As he placed my drink on a small round coaster I noticed the crest on his right hand¡­


    ¡°What is that?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Milady?¡± His voice trembled slightly as he replied.


    ¡°The house crest. It¡¯s on your right hand is it not?¡±


    He looked down at his hand seeing the small rounded symbol.


    ¡°Yes, milady.¡± he hesitated. My ears perked hearing his heart begin to race.


    Click.


    ¡°Put your right hand on the table.¡±


    Hesitant, the waiter did as told and placed it gently on the wooden platform.


    ¡°Good¡­ now close your eyes.¡± I smiled watching as he gulped down his fear.


    Click.


    ¡­


    His eyes closed and my fist came crashing down onto his hand. His scream echoed throughout the small restaurant. Folks passing by stopped to see him struggle. He crumpled to the ground in agony.


    I sat back grabbing my drink.


    He screamed more as blood poured from his wound. Grabbing the pen with his left hand he thrusted upward ripping it away from his injury. Panting furiously tears streamed down his face as rain would on a window. I examined my glass full of human blood swirling it around. The waiter bowed sniffing, then quickly excused himself from my presence.


    I smiled in satisfaction and watched as he fled into the backroom. Bringing my eyes back to my glass I focused on the silence. My thoughts bounced from one thing to another. The warning from my sister, the warning from my friend and the mistake in my own hotel. Too many things were happening at once. Could it just be an accident or, could it really all relate to him?


    ¡­


    ¡®Hey¡¯


    My drink slipped from hand, it crashed onto my table bleaching it red and rising a putrid smell.


    I stood up instantly and left to the bathroom avoiding the staring eyes and murmured conversation. My eyes dried out and my breathing became irregular.


    ¡®That voice¡­ Its¡­ ¡®


    Moaning in pain I gripped the sink. I looked at my reflection and saw my eyes turn black. Twisting on the faucet on I splashed stinging water into my face.


    ¡®Hey!¡¯


    The voice echoed in my head piercing my thoughts. I winced in pain and fell to the ground muffling my screams. Static arose cracking my skull.


    ¡®Stop¡­ please.¡¯ I begged wanting the pain to end.


    Who are you? Why can¡¯t I control my body?


    Clicking my tongue I slammed my eyes shut focusing on deleting the voice.


    HEY!


    ¡®Stop¡­ just relax kid¡­.¡¯


    I couldn¡¯t breathe.


    Clenching my teeth I fisted my hands tightly around my ears.


    H¡­


    ...


    Letting out a breath I fell backward on the bathroom floor.


    The water from the sink poured rapidly out of the spout and filled the spinning room with a crackling noise. I blinked back tears that formed in the corners of my eyes. Slowly regaining my strength I sat up staring at my feet in a daze.


    The voice never spoke again.

 Drifting Ashes

    His hollow words echoed bitterly in the abyss of darkness.


    ¡°Pathetic¡±


    They crawled up my shattered spine and pushed their way into my broken wandering thoughts. My body laid on the cool icy wasteland. Nothing in sight, only a single warm yellow light glowed next to my arm. My long silver hair stretched out in spastic layers and I was drenched in blood.


    Painfully, I reached out trying to grab the light.


    ¡®Milady.¡¯


    ¡°Almost¡­¡± I stretched farther and felt the warmth of the light flood my fingertips.


    ¡°I''m sorry¡­¡±


    ¡®Milady please¡¯


    The light flickered and disappeared as my bloodied hand wrapped around it.


    ¡®Shadow!¡¯


    My eyes opened suddenly. Looking up I saw the crystal blue eyes of my tall demon friend.


    ¡°Crowe?¡± I sat up quickly and took in the familiar scenery of my room. I sighed and brushed away the memory of my dream.


    ¡°You okay Shadow?¡± Crowe asked as he sat down on the edge of my bed.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± I breathed ¡°What about you?¡± Last time I saw you you were running away as if spooked.¡±


    Crowe took in a hesitated breathe. He sat there pondering on what to say.


    Though instead of answering he leaned forward and delicately kissed my forehead.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough¡­¡±


    A confused look burrowed itself upon the features of my face. My eyes searched into his and I leaned forward wrapping my arms around his waist.


    I felt his body grow tense but after a moment he relaxed. I buried my face into his back and listened to his heart pound deep within his chest. Time passed slowly and I begged it to stay this way, but the thought of our last conversation was stained into my memory.


    ¡°Crowe.¡±


    ¡°Yes my queen¡±


    ¡°I''m worried about you¡­¡±


    I felt his body take in another deep breath. His heartbeat never changed and he seemed to fall once again from stiffness.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright my lady, I will be fine.¡±


    My eyes lightly glowed and I pondered upon the thought of his words.


    I looked through his skin and saw the purple soul flicker silently. It spun in a slow movement. It was a dull color but sparked with interest. No doubt a demon soul but one that was modest yet brilliant.


    ¡°Shadow.¡±


    My attention was torn away as I focused on the pain in Crowe¡¯s voice.


    I looked up through my bangs with lonesome eyes.


    ¡°I think I must be going.¡±


    Stubbornly, I sat there not wanting to let go of my friend. Not wanting to let him wander into danger. He was scared and I knew it. But, I slowly released my hold on him and watched as he stood up. He turned and faced me putting his hand on my cheek.


    I tilted my head putting weight into his hand and felt his breath on my hair. He leaned down once again and kissed my forehead. A small tear trickled down my face and fell into my lap. Emotions that I¡¯ve never felt before filled my small body and stabbed every open part.


    ¡°Until next time.¡±


    Then within an instant, Crowe was gone from my room.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    My small fragile body quivered in pain as I came to the realization that he wasn¡¯t coming back.


    Crowe was infected with fear and paranoia. Something demons should not have. Fear is like cancer to their kind, and almost impossible to get rid of.


    The only way to defeat fear is to accept it and use it to your ability. But this is a game of chess. Fear is so much bigger than anyone or anything could ever imagine. It swallows you whole and you won¡¯t even realize it till it''s too late...


    ***


    I walked into the main lobby and took in the bright decorations hanging from the high ceilings. I marveled at the well-set tables which had thick fabrics overwhelming the wooden platforms. Each had a unique flower surrounded by jewels and rose petals. Then on the outskirts of the decorations were sparkling silver dishware. Soothing violin music danced with the candle flames that were placed strategically around the room. I smelled all sorts of foods with a hint of sour-tasting blood. I smiled as my long-awaited project fell into place.


    ¡°Milady we have three more days till the actual party is there anything you see that must be done?¡±


    Taking in another look around the room I let my lips curl in an upward motion.


    ¡°No, this is¡­ perfect.¡±


    Walking away from my servant I played with the end of my dress. Its deep colors swirling in random motions. Never seeming to have an end.


    I walked toward a window and looked outside seeing the forbidden world. Monsters of all kinds passed by and vampire children chased each other nearby the wall of glass. I remained there motionless. Not letting a single thought disturb this moment.


    I looked farther past the children and saw a bright glow rise up.


    ¡°I guess the festival of feasts has begun early this year.¡± I started quietly.


    An older looking hotel servant walked up and bowed respectfully.


    ¡°Madam, we would appreciate your presence in the next room.¡±


    I gave out a half-hearted sigh and walked to the other side of the main lobby. Passing through double doors a room of deep red walls came to sight. Staff members stood out of the way as I continued to a seat that was waiting for me.


    Sitting I stared at the stack of papers that were placed in front of me.


    I waved my hand and within an instant, a fat ink pen appeared in my childish hand. With every swirl to my name, the clock behind me ticked. Hours passed and i wasn¡¯t even halfway through the stack. I looked up and scanned the face of a staff member. She was young with short black hair. It was longer in the front and shorter in the back as a normal bob would look. Though I noticed the ivory stripes that were slightly hidden behind her pointed ears. I smirked as I made another swirl to my ¡®w¡¯. Taking in a deep breathe I let my chest rise then fall with ease. I looked up again. There was something off about her. As if, she wasn¡¯t there to begin with.


    Writing my names twelve more times I thought about the words Crowe had spoken to me.


    ¡°Someone is coming. Someone powerful.¡± His words had offset me and had been in the back of my mind for the past few days.


    ¡°Someone powerful¡±


    Only a few monsters had reached Crowe''s list of powerful. A slight chill washed down my spine.


    ¡°It¡¯s impossible,¡± I stated aloud brushing the memory aside stubbornly.


    Night fell and my arm ached with soreness. I dragged my body upward and nodded to the staff members. They all nodded back and watched as I left the room.


    The next day I repeated the same as before. Signing an endless stack of papers.


    Each paper had to be signed before the party. Which was tomorrow at 11:00 am. These papers were valuable and desperately needed They were the passes or permission slips for monsters to enter through my doors. Each, I knew by name, and by the end of the night tomorrow I would have made deals with more than half if all goes as planned.


    A burning passion to finish signing fueled me to finish my stack before the break of dawn. My hand screamed for relief and my head dropped to the table with exhaustion.


    ¡°Finally..¡±


    ¡°Madam, your outfit is set for you. Would you like one of us to assist you?¡±


    I straightened up and glanced sideways at the old staff member. His white hair and beard were neatly groomed and his eyes soft with compassion.


    ¡°No need. Just please make sure everything is set.¡±


    ¡°As you wish milady.¡± He said bowing low.


    After rising, he, and every other member of staff, left the room leaving me. I glanced down at my doll-like body. Dissatisfied with my outfit I snapped my fingers and suddenly appeared in my room. Glancing to my bed layed a long black dress.


    Slipping it on I looked into my mirror and straightened my hair. Then parted it while bringing half up in the back. I cocked my head and admired my vessel.


    Then with another snap of my fingers, I appeared in the main lobby.


    All staff members were lined against the walls and two stood patiently by the doors.


    10:45 am.


    I closed my eyes calming my nerves and running business lines through my head. Deals and faces to match. Souls to watch for and remarks to hold in. As I opened my eyes my blood ran cold. A human stepped through the glass doors and within an instant, my world crumbled to pieces.


    ***


    ¡°Shadow listen to your father.¡± Death said picking me up and placing me on his knee. ¡°Now, darling look. If a human were to ever step foot into your hotel it¡¯ll burn to the ground and nothing will be left but ash and the stench of death.¡±


    ¡°But daddy, humans can¡¯t get into our world...right?¡±


    My father smiled and looked into my eyes.


    ¡°You''d be surprised.¡±


    ***


    Walls crumbled, monsters screamed, smoke filled the air and flames engulfed everything.


    My world. My life. My hotel.


    Was gone.

 Losing Control

    Breathing in flaky ashes my skin burned from the flames. Piece by piece, everything that was valuable crumbled to the ground and become useless. I sank to my knees astonished at how much pain I felt inside. My body trembled and ached. A sob fell from my parted mouth and tears fled from my eyes. I clutched my chest and leaned forward screaming out it agony. My screams echoed throughout the streets bouncing off the walls and and down into dirtied waters.


    I screamed not caring about anything else. Not about the blood trickling from my back or the body wrenching pain in my stomach. Instead, I screamed at myself for not seeing this¡­


    ¡°Shadow!¡±


    I stopped after hearing my name.


    ¡°Shadow where are you?¡±


    Crowes husky voice was heavy over the crackling flames that subsided to the side.


    Crowes eyes searched the rubble and placed his eyes onto my quivering body. Concern grew to a climax and he ran toward me sliding on his knees. His arms wrapped around me and his breath brushed through my hair.


    ¡°Shadow¡­¡± His voice sounded pained, but my heart didn¡¯t want to hear it.


    I wrapped my arms around him and gripped the back of his shirt.


    Through my whimpers, I searched the area for any sight of life. Coughing could be heard and I saw his figure rise from the ashes. Deep inside him glowed a flicker of hope.


    Human.


    My eyes glowed with anger, all my pain fled away from me and was replaced with devouring rage. I pushed Crowe away and began limping toward the unwanted being.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Shadow, Don''t!¡±


    Closing the distance between us, the man spun in circles calling out a name.


    ¡°Thomas!¡±


    I halted remembering the familiar name. An image of the boy in my room flashed in my head. I gritted my teeth in even more frustration.


    ¡°Damnit.¡± My eye¡¯s glowed even brighter, Their golden color burning like florescent lights.


    Human children can come and go through my hotel without realizing. They have a so-called ¡®free pass¡¯, for a child can be molded into good or evil. But when an adult or a human of fifteen and older pass through any entrance my world will be burned.


    My nails dug into the palms of my hands. A burst of hot energy ignited inside of me and it was enough for me to reach the human man. His eyes locked with mine.


    Bringing my right arm up and clasping his face my eyes burned with excentric rage. The man''s screams were muffled by a high shrill that made the earth shudder. The ground shook and moaned. The sky darkened and sent streaks of burning electricity to the ground nearby.


    My back arched and two vast black feathered wings stretched out. Both seem to have a heavenly feel but looked as though they¡¯ve gone through hell. They were scarred and damaged. Ripped and burned. The father¡¯s skin began to bubble and pop as if he was being cooked inside out.


    ¡°Shadow!¡± Crowe called trying to snap me back to reality.


    My vision shifted in and out of focus. My body glowed with a vibrant golden color. My wings stretched further out, hiding my hideous face. My teeth began to sharpen and my fingernails grew into pointed daggers. The man¡¯s eyes were filled with horror and a flash of his boys faced crossed my mind.


    ¡°Y O U P A T H T I C  B E I N G¡±


    My vision failed as I heard the limbs and bones being peeled apart from the disgusting human.

 Let the Game begin

    ¡°Shadow¡­ Hey, can you hear me?¡± Crowe¡¯s familiar voice filled a small damp room.


    ¡°Crowe, give it up.. It¡¯s late. She¡¯ll wake eventually.¡± a young woman''s voice tried to comfort the panicked demon. She sounded exhausted and diminished.


    Though in my horrid state, I could still hear Crowe¡¯s rapid heartbeat. ¡®Fear¡¯


    ¡°Crowe? I have a question for you.¡± Said the woman''s voice hesitantly. I heard his pacing halt and shift.


    ¡°You seem as though. Riddled with Fear.¡±


    The beating heart I heard skipped a beat causing it to be thrown into an array of rapid beats.


    ¡°I should be going. I¡¯m just¡­ thinking too much.¡± His body lifted from beside me and a breeze picked up within the room then vanished.


    The woman sighed and shook her head in defeat.


    ¡°What happened?¡± I croaked opening my eyelids. The sensation of seeing ached my body but I pushed through it and sat up.


    ¡°M, lady! Your hotel is being rebuilt as we speak and investigations are being launched a how a human even entered our dimension.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± My tone was small and my entire being felt insignificant.


    ¡°I shall fetch you some water please rest for the time being.¡± She then left the room but even before she finished her sentence I flopped back onto the cot It¡¯s stiffness causing discomfort throughout my entire back but the ability to lie and do nothing was refreshing. A rush of exhaustion flushed through me but I opened my right eye peering at the young woman.


    Her blonde hair laid softly on her shoulder while smaller hairs rose through static electricity. Her green eyes shifting from different decorated plates and cups. A green soul hummed inside her flattened chest. She was beautiful but her sharp jaw brought a strong look to her.


    ¡°You¡¯re and trickster.¡± I scoffed.


    ¡°I prefer Joker. But yes.¡± She replied kindly not seeming to have any effect by my disgust.


    ¡°Why are you helping me? My kind tried to destroy yours.¡±


    ¡°M¡¯ lady, those days happened millennials ago. I hold no grudges. Besides, your hotel has kept me in business.¡± She smirked. ¡°Plus you are protecting my brother.¡±


    Her words suddenly clicked and a smile cracked across my stern expression.


    ¡°Gretchen. Sister of Crowe and the owner of a small business hotel that was set up to give guidance and evaluation to passing demons and monsters. Your reputation is one of the best for being the kindest evil being this world has to offer. No need to mention, your ear for hearing private information and selling it to the highest bidder¡± Even with my short explanation I was merely scratching the surface of who she truly was. She had a reputation for murderer, thief, and many more horrifying titles.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Indeed.¡± She turned to face me holding a tray of sweets and a glass of purified water. She set it beside me in the chair Crowe had once sat.


    ¡°Would you like to hear what I¡¯ve heard?¡±


    My ears perked but I remained my calm mood. ¡°If you wish. No one is forcing you to speak.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± she began dragging a wooden chair to sit next to the other. I sat up again taking the water and gulping it down rapidly.


    ¡°Word on the street is Death is back in town, but he¡¯s not alone.¡±


    "Go on," I said letting my eyes dilate with interest.


    ¡°Because these two are back, the reputation of ¡®Death¡¯ is now higher up for wanted. Demons and monsters from all around are coming to fight each other and some are even doing polls. Of course, we know that no one will make it because it¡¯s between you, Dawn, Eve, and¡­ Temno.¡±


    My gaze hardened. ¡°Temno is dead.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately not. Even though you did successfully kill him. Your brother is well alive. It also seems like your sisters and brother are setting up traps for each other out of the competition. Your hotel burning is just the beginning and the first placement in this massive game of chess...¡±


    ¡°So the time has come for one of us to claim our father¡¯s position,¡± I said staring down into my empty cup.


    ¡°Yes, All the Angels of death, are to fight it out till the last one standing. To be honest, you are the strongest. After all, you¡¯ve fallen and still have your...gifts.¡±


    I took in a breathe trying to analyze my situation. My health was now fully regained and my wounds no more than small scars.


    "How is it that Temno is alive?" I asked.


    Gretchen shrugged. "No idea."


    A knock suddenly abrupted from the door.


    ¡°Come in!¡± called Gretchen. She stood up and strengthened her skirt and fixed her hair. Then she walked into the room beside the one I was in. The wooden door swung open slowly and In walked a small girl with white hair and chocolate-colored eyes. Her skin was milky and expression blank. Her layered hair was pin-straight and she has longer bangs that framed her face. She looked goddess-like but the two horns that were sprouted from her head drew away that assumption.


    ¡°Ah, miss Eve. It¡¯s so good to see you¡­¡± Gretchen''s voice trailed off as she made eye contact with me. With a swift movement, I stood then vanished from their sight entering the landscape of an abandoned apartment building. Searching the area quickly to make sure I was ¡®safe¡¯ I waved my hand summoning Crowe.


    The tall demon was shocked to see me and even more shocked to see that he was standing in a puddle of mysterious liquid.


    ¡°This better not be pee.¡± He spoke unamused but his friendly smirk was visible. I took a step forward and gave him a hug. The feeling was warm.


    ¡°Shadow?¡± I jutted my eyes opening realizing the odd state I was in. Taking a big step back I cleared my throat. The atmosphere around us took on a darker theme and the lights stumbled to a lower flame. My voice became low and my eyes began to glow. as if a golden flame was igniting behind my eyes.


    ¡°Crowe,"I said lifting my chin to meet his gaze. "Shaded of Liviathia, Officer and Official of Chrochianth army. I extend my arm to you in a plead for assistence," my arm rose outstreatched to him. "become my second in command and help me defeat those who wish to steal my rightful place as Lord Death. In doing this you will become a victem in Eve''s, Temno''s and Dawn''s eyes. Will you help me in this deadly game of chess?"


    Within an instant Crowe lowered himself and knelt. His head lowered but his icy gaze never left mine. He took my hand within his and spoke,


    "It would be an honor, M,lady"


    My eyes began to burn a darker shade. "As my second in command we are equal. Let the game begin."


    Instantly the area became light and we were once again standing in the abandoned apartment building.


    "As I''ve heard, I have a target on my back but, that doesn''t mean I don''t have a kill list myself.¡±


    My eyes started to glow vibrant and Crowe¡¯s sharp teeth shone brightly as his eyes glistened with interest.


    ¡°Can''t wait.¡±

 Dawns blackmail

    Dawn watched outside her own hotel window as her sister¡¯s hotel which was slowly being rebuilt. She was silently watching, letting her bottom lip quiver slightly for she had a faint fear that Shadow was still alive. After all, if she was dead, why would they be rebuilding her empire? Dawn turned away from the window after hearing a faded knock at her door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± She called, trying to keep her voice from going enchanted like. In entered a husky looking man, he had a rough beard that consumed his lips and piercing yellow eyes.


    ¡°Mistress, I would like to congratulate you on the death of your sister. But we now must focus on more pressing matters.¡± He stopped and cleared his voice. ¡°Your younger sister Eve. There are reports and sightings of her across town. Nothing about your brother yet.¡±


    ¡°Anything on my Father?¡± Dawn asked, refraining from turning around.


    ¡°He hasn¡¯t moved locations yet.¡±


    Dawn remained blank as her eyes examined the distant fire and construction. ¡°Find out more information on Eve¡¯s plan of attacks. Keep me updated on my father and let me know immediately if my brother appears. This is war. And unfortunately, This world is now our battlefield.¡±


    The gruff-looking man bent low. ¡°Of course, also, Hellen would like to speak with you.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Dawn asked questioningly.


    ¡°A female werewolf that you had locked away and are blackmailing for personal use. She would like to speak with you about her family and their circumstances. Just  a simple ¡°check-up¡± to make sure that you still have something to use against her.¡±


    ¡°Ahh yes, send her in.¡±


    Dawn began to play with her long curled hair. Behind her walked in a tall woman with long fluffy ears. Sprouting from her lower vertebrae came a tail that swooshed slowly side to side. She had masculine appearance but her bubbled chest kept any other assumptions from appearing.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    ¡°Hellen is i-it?¡± Dawn asked after noting the stillness in the room.


    The woman crossed her arms and her yellow eyes stared deeply into the Sirens back.


    ¡°T-tell me. What is it you w-would like to know?¡±


    ¡°My family bitch. We had a deal that if I helped the human into this world you would release me. Yet, here I am.¡± The she-wolf was visibly upset and wanted nothing more than to disappear. But she wasn¡¯t going to back down until she got what she came for.


    ¡°Indeed,¡± Dawn said slowly, turning to face the werewolf. ¡°W-well, unfortunately, your family is d-dead.¡± A mischievous smile slid onto Dawn''s face and she cocked her shoulder bouncing her breasts.


    ¡°What? Dead! You promised me!¡± Hellen stepped forward clutching her hands into fists. ¡°You bitch that was my family!¡±


    ¡°Yes well, you took too l-long and they did nothing but scream. In fact, I k-killed them the first day I hired you.¡±


    ¡°Hired me? You didn¡¯t hire me! You kidnapped them then forced me to do your dirty work! How¡­¡± By this time Hellen was close enough to strangle Dawn and they both knew it.


    Dawn stood there smiling, taking in Hellen¡¯s features. Admiration consumed Dawn and she became lustful for blood.


    ¡°Hellen.¡± The vampiric Siren lunged forward grasping the woman''s neck. Her fingers laced around her throat choking away any hint of oxygen. Hellen struggled in the grasp, clawing and kicking at Dawn but was stone cold as Dawn licked her fur ear.


    ¡°Hm, you taste like my last victim.¡± Hellen was then thrown across the room with her back slamming against the large window. With air being released back into her lungs again she lost focus of vision. Dawn licked her fingers hungrily sucking on the salt that stained her hands from Hellen¡¯s body.


    ¡°You¡¯re, you¡¯re a monster!¡± Hellen screamed watching Dawn with wide eyes.


    ¡°You should meet my brother.¡± Dawn turned away from the frightened dog and opened her door bringing in a soft wave of satisfaction. ¡°You belong to me. Unless you¡¯d like to kill yourself.¡± a chuckle of hysteria filled Dawn¡¯s throat and she left the room leaving Hellen speechless. Sorrow and frustration filled the tall woman and she sobbed at the loss of her family, her freedom and her future as Dawn''s pet.


    Dawn traveled down the long hallway and passed by several smells. Some rancid, others sweet.


    ¡°Eve, My d-dear younger sister. What is it you¡¯re p-planning?¡± Dawn¡¯s question floated into the room she entered. One that was empty and cold. But after further inspection Dawns eyes were placed onto a tall slinky figure in the middle.


    ¡°Is it ready?¡± Dawn whispered.


    ¡°Your father would be impressed.¡±

 The Attack

    Crowe and I cleared off a dusted table and began working on a plan.


    ¡°Dawn will be easy for me, I know her past and her fears. I know exactly how to destroy her. My only issue is getting close enough to do it.¡± I said drawing a quick layout of the hotel.


    ¡°Leave that to me,¡± Crowe spoke up. ¡°There¡¯s a group called The Remains I have connections with.¡±


    ¡°The Remains? You mean the group that has been wanting to destroy me since the birth of my hotel?¡±


    ¡°Precisely,¡± he said, flashing a toothy smile. ¡°As you know, they are a group consisting of wolves and other magical creatures. Well, ever since your hotel burned down they have been terrorizing the area around here looking for information on who did it. After all, that was their goal.¡±


    ¡°I know who did it.¡± I hissed. ¡°Dawn, she baited the human by bringing his son to this world. I assume, she has someone who can cross easily between dimensions. They must¡¯ve led him over knowing deliberately that his presence would make my kingdom come crumbling to the ground,¡± My fist slammed against the table sending an echo throughout the forgotten building. I took in a slow breath and regained my composure.


    ¡°How are you going to contact them?¡± I questioned.


    ¡°I know their leader, A spunky little blonde. Hellen I believe her name is. I recently heard she got mixed up in some nasty affairs so It¡¯ll be interesting to see her take on this type of thing¡±


    ¡°Alright, well go and get yourself an army. We¡¯re going to need it. Dawn may be with the slum of our world but she is also partnered with the leader of the Night Prowlers.¡±


    ¡°Whoa, wait.¡± Crowe¡¯s smile dropped and his eyes grew in size. ¡°Night Prowlers? You mean the group with over a thousand members?¡±


    ¡°Indeed I do.¡±


    ¡°Damn, just who the hell is she?¡± Crowe asked, still unsteady.


    ¡°She isn¡¯t as she may seem. She hides behind her tactics and her form of attack is fairly sloppy. Dawn is what we call a Vampiric Siren. A beauty that entrances anyone by simply speaking. Her powers are mere manipulation and blackmail. She wasn¡¯t always this way though. In her past life she was happily married.¡±


    ¡°She was human?¡± Crowe asked sitting down on the corner of the table.


    ¡°Yes. She was an everyday beauty. She grew up rich and had everything she ever wanted. She was the basic, good human. But once she married her husband became paranoid. In his mind it was that his wife was sleeping around with any and every man. It wasn¡¯t true, but he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that she was cheating on him. Drunk with jealousy he beat her to the brink of death.¡±


    ¡°So how¡¯d she become this?¡±


    ¡°She made a deal with Death. If he gave her the ability to take revenge she would become his precious little angel. Death agreed and gifted her with becoming whatever she wanted. Making her choice she soon found out that her human husband was actually the one cheating and she destroyed him by devouring his insides. She then continued with every other man in that town. No man, boy or infant was left.¡±


    Crowe chuckled a little. ¡°I guess she really is evil. I always thought she was a basic beauty who sat by and did nothing.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, she hasn¡¯t lashed out in years and now-a-days she simply has low levels doing her dirty work. Hence the need for her army. This is going to be a bloody battle but fairly easy.¡±


    ¡°I hope you know what you''re doing, Shadow,¡± Crowe said standing up and heading away. ¡°I¡¯ll get going. Also be sure to lay low. Demons all around are suspicious of whether or not you¡¯re actually dead. We can use your death to our advantage.¡±


    ¡°I know, now get out of here and do your job. I¡¯ll gather my own information.¡±


    ¡°Yes Ma''am¡± Then in a moment, Crowe was gone from my sight and appeared far underground. ¡°I¡¯d like to speak with Hellen please.¡± Crowe said flashing his smile at a round demon. The round gentleman was stuffing his face with rotten parts  and simply pointed to the woman across the table. She too was quite round and licking her plate.


    ¡°Hm? Hellen? How do you know her?¡± The woman asked slurping up blood.


    ¡°She and I go far back,¡± Crowe answered without giving anything important.


    ¡°Well, if you find her, tell her we would like to kill her.¡± Said the woman grabbing more from the gentleman''s plate. ¡°We were told she was the one who destroyed that blasted hotel.¡± The two, round demons gruffed angrily but continued eating.


    ¡°Really? How?¡± Crowe asked, taking a seat next to the woman. He took in more of the surrounding area. They were sitting in a well lit underground cave. Demons, werewolves, and creatures of all kinds walked the long stone hallway whispering amongst themselves. The direct area he was sitting in would be considered the ¡®dining area¡¯. A small section full of tables sitting beside a long buffet full of meats, fruits, and other mysterious foods.


    ¡°Who knows. Maybe she is working with someone. But we''re gonna kill em.¡±


    ¡°Ah, and if I happened to know who she was working with would you be willing to assist me in taking them out?¡± Crowe said, dragging the woman''s plate away. Her eyes trailed up his arm to his face and the man across the way stopped watching them.


    ¡°What do you know?¡± She pushed letting a dark expression take her face.


    ¡°Dawn, One of the daughters of Death. She somehow forced the poor she-wolf into this mass plan. Hellen is Dawn¡¯s pawn.¡±


    The gentleman across the table pipped up, ¡°And you know this how?¡±


    ¡°Shadow.¡± Crowe said not thinking ahead.


    The cave became silent and one by one the group of the Remains started surrounding Crowe.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Boy, you better explain yourself or you are about to become tonight''s dinner.¡± Said the woman showing her glowing yellow teeth.


    Crowe made eye contact with a multitude of monsters then arose and stood atop the dining table.


    ¡°Ladies and Demons, monsters and creatures of all kinds. Shadow is dead. I know this due to her last words and having her die in my arms. I was once her partner but now I seek revenge just as all you do.¡± He scanned the crowd and was astonished at how quickly they were willing to take blatant information, ¡°Dawn, The owner of a massive hotel just downtown has sabotaged your plans of murder and took away your want for blood. But now is your chance to redeem yourselves! Help me take down her hotel and destroy her plans. She holds captive one of your leaders!¡±


    Whispers erupted among them and Crowe smirked at the reaction.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Hellen! She was kidnapped and forced to do this feat alone. Take a stand! Fight! Destroy the Siren!¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡± said a couple of werewolves raising fist. Demons started gnashing their teeth and woops echoed throughout the cave.


    ¡°What do we want?¡± Crowe asked.


    ¡°Blood!¡± Cried the crowd.


    ¡°What do we want?¡± He asked louder feeling the hype in the creatures below.


    ¡°Blood!¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s go get it!¡± Crowe hollered and watched as the group started traveling out of the cave. Hundreds of beasts could be seen and their screams for blood swallowing Crowe''s laughter of success.


    While Crowe was working on building my army I decided to do my part. But my mind was wondering how he was. During my explanation of Dawn, I took the chance to examine his soul. It was back to full vibrancy and health.


    Was I just imagining it?


    Not giving it any more thought, I tried to sense my father. I closed my eyes and everything around me vanished. Projecting my mind to different places in the world I scanned for my father''s soul. It would be easy to spot because it was bright silver. The soul of Death. A one of a kind. The idea of having his soul within my fingers frustrated me and I started to lose focus on my actions. Instead of searching for his soul, I stumbled upon a dark conversation.


    ¡°Please! Please don¡¯t hurt me! I¡¯m just a messenger.¡± Cried a voice. It was raspy and broken.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about your life. This is my game. My father is a tricky bastard and I will be the one to take this game. I am the one who is destined to win. Not my sisters, not my brother, no one but me! And sadly, if I want to make this my destiny, I need to get rid of you.¡±


    ¡°Please! I won¡¯t say anything to anyone, I¡¯ll disappear!¡± Begged the voice.


    ¡°Evil will do, as evil does.¡±


    ¡®Hey¡¯


    I snapped back to reality and fell to the ground gasping.


    ¡°No no no no.¡± I said trying to push back that voice.


    ¡®Who are you? Why are you in my body?¡¯


    ¡°Just relax kid!¡± I screamed feeling my insides begin to burn. Crowe suddenly appeared before me and panicked.


    ¡°Shadow? Shadow what''s wrong?¡± He knelt beside me and was trying to shake me as if I was having a nightmare.


    I felt the voice fade away into nothing and I opened my eyes.


    ¡°Did you do it? Do we have an army?¡± I asked, trying to be normal.


    ¡°Y-yes. Shadow what happened?¡± Crowe asked not wanting to let pass what just happened.


    ¡°Forget it! We have to move.¡± I grunted taking a stand. Crowe was hesitant but followed my orders.


    ¡°The Remains have begun their journey to Dawn¡¯s hotel. They are just about there but we must hurry, and you can¡¯t be seen. They still don¡¯t exactly like the reality of you being dead.¡±


    ¡°Let''s go.¡± I grabbed Crowe''s hand and we appeared a block away from the gates of the hotel. It was a large place replicating a mansion. Tall metal bars surrounded the property and the hotel itself was brightly lit.


    ¡°Blood! Blood! Blood!¡± Chanted a swarm of vicious monsters. Each one holding a weapon or flame. After reaching the gate they began banging on the metal bars screeching even more so than they had.


    Crowe pointed to the room I was meant to be in. He then left my side and rushed over to the swarming group.


    ¡°That¡¯s my second in command for you,¡± I said smiling and waiting for the opportune time. A loud clang sounded and the metal bars fell to the ground. Demons, monsters, magicians, and creatures of all kinds flooded inside the open gap. Their clamoring grew louder and I watched as Dawn¡¯s army suddenly flooded out from inside her hotel.


    Now was my chance. I blinked and was suddenly standing inside a rancid smelling room.


    ¡°Disgusting,¡± I said.


    ¡°T-that¡¯s not very nice,¡±  Dawn said running at me from behind.


    In a swift movement, I dodged her attack and watched as she spun around letting her long sharp nails catch the light.


    ¡°Ah dear sister, what an anticlimactic entrance,¡± I said smirking with rage. My eyes began to glow and I felt my power surge inside of me. The idea of killing her was thrilling.


    ¡°Well when compared to yours, it does seem to be that way,¡± she said, defending herself. ¡°Though, my army is prepared for anything.¡±


    ¡°Please, your army is a bunch of low levels. You hide behind them taking your moves slowly in this deathmatch.¡±


    ¡°Y-yes well, I was the one who started all this. After all, getting you off the map was fairly easy. Destroying you from the inside out is even better than I thought.¡± She giggled and I became pissed.


    ¡°Shut up! I¡¯m here to take your life, so accept your defeat.¡± I waved my hand out and was gifted a long slender scythe. The metal within my hands was smooth and slim. The blade pointed and looming.


    ¡°Face defeat? Why my dear, we¡¯ve only just begun.¡± She lunged forward and let her arms slid to her side to make her glide easier across the room. I knew what she was doing. Her words were enchanting me and I was losing my focus. She attacked first. I felt the sting in my palms as her bladed nails came crashing into my weapon. I countered by pushing her back and jutting forward, swiping my blade across her chest. I barely missed and droplets of blood sprayed along the walls.


    With each strike, the room around us rumbled. I had to get closer.


    ¡°C-come on sister, is that all you have?¡± She cackled and slashed my side. I felt the hot sting rip through me.


    Gritting my teeth I continued trying to get closer.


    Dawn was blind to see my motives and was intent on killing me quickly.


    ¡°When I win this I¡¯m going to kill Death! He won¡¯t even know what hit him!¡± She called leaping over me and slashing me once again, but while she was in the air I took the chance to hook her leg dragging her back down the ground.


    ¡° C H E C K M A T E¡± I yelled, swinging my weapon behind my head. We both watched as it cut clean into her chest. Her screams filled the room and drowned out every sound. It was a high pitch scream. One that replicated the sounds of a wailing infant. I pushed down harder and her wails grew. The walls around us began to crumble.


    ¡°Y O U  F E EL T H A T¡±?  Y O U ¡® R E D Y I N G¡±


    Her red hair was sprawled across the floor and her body was completely numb. I watched as her soul flickered inside her throat.


    ¡°Shadow,¡± she whispered. A tear escaped the corner of her eye and traveled down to the ear I knelt down to. ¡°There¡¯s a bomb, under the city. You have to win. Eve she. . .  ¡± Dawns choked on her blood and began to cry. ¡°I just, I-I ju-ust wanted to be¡­ loved.¡± Dawn let out a slow breath and her soul faded accepting absolute death.


    ¡°Shadow!¡± Called Crowe from just outside the room. ¡°Shadow we have to go! The building is coming down!¡±


    I looked at the lifeless body laying below mine.


    ¡°Shadow! Let¡¯s GO!¡± Crowe¡¯s cries were growing distressed. I left the room taking Crowe out with me. We appeared just outside, where the gates were once standing. We watched as the hotel crumbled to the ground, flames engulfing everything.


    ¡°I should go, let me know if you have any captives.¡± I turned away and caught a glimpse of silvering white hair.

 The Death of a Friend

    Finding myself in an unfamiliar room I collapsed to the ground. The room was brightly colored and smelled new. ¡°Good to be home¡­¡±


    I panted feeling blood seep between my fingers. I was bleeding from my side meaning the gash that my sister inflicted on me, was deeper than I had originally thought.


    I was too focused on trying to heal myself that I never noticed a worker come in. She stood letting her mouth drop open with shock.


    ¡°My lady?¡± She half-whispered. I whipped my head in her direction and took note of my crest tattooed on her right cheek. ¡°My lady, what? How? When?¡± Her voice was growing shrill and I flinched at both her voice and the stabbing pain.


    ¡°Get in here and lock the door,¡± I ordered. The woman did as told and with fashionable time. She kneeled down by my side and pulled my bloodied hands away trying to tend to it.


    ¡°Lay down Miss.¡± She started, ¡°Relax, I will apply pressure. You focus on healing.¡± I followed her chain of commands feeling silly but happy to feel the relief. Her pressure was sharp and direct but I could now focus on what I needed to do.


    Minutes passed and I slowly regained energy. My servant was silent though I could hear the questions scratching inside her head. Her delicate purple soul flickered brightly inside her chest. The wavelength echoed softly. I sighed and began to tell her the story of what happened. I kept my eyes closed, still focusing, and she sat there listening.


    ¡°Then afterward I came here without thinking, I just had to get out and I couldn¡¯t let Crowe see me in such a way. Besides, I must contact Gretchen and tell her-¡±


    ¡°Gretchen? She has passed Mistress.¡± Said the servant girl cutting in. My eyes opened and I bolted upward to look her in the eyes.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± I growled feeling my rage boil inside. ¡°When?¡±


    ¡°A few hours ago. Her body was found after her neighbors saw the explosion. My Lady, Gretchen Aguilliar, is dead.¡± Her eyes held a saddened look but nothing beat the horror on Crowe''s face as he appeared in the room during her last few words. He fell to the ground biting into his hands. Rage, Sorrow, and Disappointment flashed through his face. He didn¡¯t cry, he didn¡¯t scream. Instead, he sat on the floor biting into his fists holding in anything that wanted to come pouring out.


    My wound had healed and I erased any evidence of blood by quickly hovering my hand over the tainted spots and making them disappear with a simple thought. The servant arose bowing her head and staying quiet until I spoke.


    ¡°What do you know of the crime?¡± I questioned.


    ¡°Reports are that Eve, Youngest Daughter of Death entered her home and caused some kind of explosion. Witness accounts claim they heard screams and glass shattering. Nothing else has been noted and the scene is still left as it was. Investigators refuse to do anything until the new title of Death has been announced.¡±


    ¡°Understood. I will go and look around then, see if I can find any last-minute evidence. What is your name?¡± I asked, taking a stand and clasping onto the servant''s shoulders.


    ¡°Ruby, Your highness.¡± She answered smiling. Her short brown hair cupped her face and her red eyes shone brightly into mine.


    ¡°Thank you, Ruby, for the information, keep everything that has happened here unspoken. Say a word to anyone and you won¡¯t live to see another day.¡± My tone grew aggressive and Ruby shivered underneath my grasp.


    ¡°Yes, Ma''am.¡±


    ¡°Crowe,¡± I said turning to the demon crouching on the floor. ¡°I need you to come.¡± He still hadn¡¯t spoken and simply nodded in a shallow way. I touched his arm and brought us to Gretchen¡¯s home. The place was destroyed and just as Ruby had said, glass fragments were everywhere. Layered into the wooden beams of the home, dotting the ceilings and nothing was left without being riddled with the sharp and jagged pieces. Crowe was still crouching low but he had stopped biting his hands.


    I waved my hand across the room and chanted a simple spell.


    ¡°et restituet te iterum erant. monstrate furta apparuistis¡±


    Pots and pans clattered and objects began to lift from the ground. The glass pulled itself from its new home and returned to its original space. Two forms took place beside the flipping table. They were hollogramic and muffled.


    Gretchen stood within a door frame. She looked back and I recalled the action. She was looking at me at that time. Meaning the time of her death was no more than moments after me leaving.


    ¡°Ah miss Eve, It¡¯s so good to see you¡­¡± the rest of her words were drowned out as she crossed the room.


    A small figure entered. Eve. I scowled at her image. A fragile-looking beauty with curled horns atop her satanic head. She was pale and had her long white hair gently laying over her shoulders. The blue eyes scanning the room eerily.


    ¡°I¡¯ve come for information,¡± Eve said, crossing the room and passing Gretchen. She was outwardly rude but did so with grace. Gretchen was noticeably nervous yet knew that this was her domain. Her home.


    ¡°What is it you would like to know?¡± She asked. The holographic memory glitching momentarily.


    ¡°... Location of Death...Dawn is planning¡± Her words were lost but reading between the lines it was easy to figure out what she wanted.


    ¡°Word on the street is¡­.. And you sist..¡­ bomb¡­.¡± Gretchen responded.


    I was taken aback by her words. ¡°My sister had a bomb?¡±


    At this Crowe stood and answered my question. ¡°A man we captured worked for Dawn. Said he was some kind of explosive scientist. He used chemicals found in the human realm and deadly chemicals found here. When pushing them together, they would create a bomb bigger than anything a human could create.¡± The information stunned me. Dawn had this up her sleeve. With the bomb and killing Death, she could come back to life as the new Death.


    ¡°And Shadow? What¡­. She¡­ it?¡± Asked Eve. Both Crowe and I were confused by the disconnected words but we watched as Gretchen started passing the room.


    ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± She said. She covered her mouth and started shaking her head. ¡°I can''t, I can¡¯t¡± She repeated this phrase over and over until Eve grew impatient. Slamming her foot down making my recreation glitch. Gretchen had fallen to the floor and the room was in disarray by the action.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°Crowe, we need to find that bomb,¡± I said, giving him a serious look. ¡°If it goes off killing Death, Dawn wins.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, The poor guy lost his marbles and helped us out. He was so upset after realizing he was brainwashed by your sister. He couldn¡¯t think of hurting his own kind. So, he went with a little bit of the group to diffuse the bomb.¡± Crowe said, not tearing his eyes away from Gretchen.


    ¡°Where is he!¡± Where¡¯s Temno!¡± Crowe gulped and I watched as she raised Gretchen off the ground without touching her. Their conversation had suddenly taken a twisted turn and Eve had lost her temper. Though, visibly, she was smiling with a peaceful look in her eyes.


    ¡°Please! Please don¡¯t hurt me! I¡¯m just a messenger.¡± Cried Gretchen choking on the force around her throat. I watched as the two argued and the words lined up exactly with the ones I had previously overheard before.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care ¡­. ife. This i¡­ My fath¡­ ricky bastard and I will be the one to take this game. I am the one who...ined to win. Not ¡­. sisters, not my brother, no one ...me!¡± Eve giggled and I couldn¡¯t help but smile at the cruelty. ¡°And sadly, if I want to make this my destiny, I need ¡­. rid of you.¡± The image started to cut and I watched as Crowe grew distressed.


    ¡°No,¡± said Crowe stepping toward the false Eve. ¡°No! Shadow do something! Why are you just standing there? React! Do something!¡±


    ¡°Please! I won¡¯t say anything to anyone, I¡¯ll disappear!¡± Begged the demon.


    ¡°Gretchen! No!¡± Crowe screamed as he clawed through the figures. I stood by and remained still. I didn¡¯t have it in me to feel sympathy for him. I was instead, numb.


    Eve smiled at the image of Gretchen and began closing her fist knowing that the action was closing Gretchen¡¯s throat. ¡°Evil will do¡­. evil does.¡±


    Within seconds a white light flashed and the room was suddenly brought to its previous form. Tables flipped, cupboards blown open, and glass. Glass everywhere. My image spell slowly wore off and we stood once again in the destroyed home.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go back to the room and recap on our information.¡± I outstretched my hand to Crowe. His face was blank and I searched within his chest to still see a calm purple soul. He grabbed my hand and together we appeared back into the hotel room.


    Crowe let out a long breath and sat at the edge of the room''s bed. I walked around the room taking note of its size. It was fairly large and had beautiful tinted windows to peer at the outside world. Instead of curtains like in the old one, I now had long swinging blinds. Across the room, over by Crowe was a desk with a small lamp on top of it. An oil painting hung above it and about 90 degrees from the desk was the closet. It was deep and had tall sliding doors. The bathroom was past it and had all the essentials but the shower was very well designed. I told myself that I had to give whoever did the planning should receive a raise of some sort. The room was carpeted and only the bathroom had tile. The room also had a phone, a TV and an air conditioning set. But more pressing matters had to be pondered upon so I summoned Ruby before me. She was slightly shocked but happy to retrieve the things I ordered.


    ¡°Crowe, We need to discuss our next step,¡± I said going over things in my head. Crowe was silent but stood beside me as I lined things up and started to redraw out our plan. ¡°First things first. What happened to the Remains and other groups?¡± I turned to Crowe and he smiled.


    ¡°The Remains have officially dismembered. After the war, they found no reason to fight anymore. I mean, you''re dead, and Dawn¡¯s hotel has crumbled. They got their revenge.  The Night Prowlers also Disbanded due to no leadership and the massive loss of members during the war.¡±


    I nodded slowly taking in the information. ¡°And for sure the bomb has been defused?¡±


    ¡°Yes ma''am,¡± Crowe said. ¡°I went with the group myself and saw him diffuse the bomb.¡± His smile grew with pride.


    ¡°Yes well, there¡¯s nothing wrong with double-checking. You never know who will lie in these kinds of situations.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°What about Hellen?¡± I said recalling the name. ¡°Wasn¡¯t that one of the reasons they helped us out to begin with? For her?¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ Yes.¡± Crowe''s eyes shifted and danced around the room. ¡°She may have been killed.¡±


    ¡°Crowe?¡± I pushed.


    He let out a short sigh and shoved his palms into his pockets kicking the ground looking foolish. ¡°She had taken Dawn¡¯s side. I tried to reason with her but out of the loss of her family or something she¡­ Begged me to kill her.¡±


    I frowned imagining the scene.  ¡°Pathetic.¡±


    ¡°Come now, don¡¯t be so harsh. I¡¯m sure any other demon would want to die after losing their family.¡±


    ¡°Do you?¡± I asked turning in my chair to face him in a more direct way.


    ¡°... no.¡± He said quietly.


    ¡°She¡¯s pathetic,¡± I stated, turning back and continuing writing things out. ¡°Next is, we have lost our main source of information. Gretchen was the only person I trusted enough to give me real facts. Besides you of course. Now that she¡¯s dead we hit a wall.¡±  I folded my arms on my small chest and closed my eyes in frustration. ¡° Eve knows something. The faster we take her out the better.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your plan of attack? We can¡¯t do the same thing as we did with Dawn. The army we had is gone and from what we saw with Gretchen¡­. She¡¯s strong. Besides, you aren¡¯t very strong anymore.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± I said, raising my voice in annoyance. ¡°What do you mean by weak?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say you were weak!¡± Crowe said, raising his arms in defense. ¡°I just said that you''re not as strong as you used to be. What¡¯s with that anyway? You talk to yourself, then lose yourself. Your power glitches. What happened to the badass snapping thing?¡±


    I took in a deep breath letting it fill my lungs. ¡°My power is just fine. I¡¯m just having a little bit of a hard time because¡­¡±  My sentence faded and Crowe looked at me with a crooked stare.


    ¡°Because¡­¡± He said dragging out the word.


    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business. My hotel is being rebuilt quickly so my power will be back to full capacity. Even now, I¡¯m almost to full power.¡±


    Crowe shook his head but accepted the answer unwillingly. ¡°How far along is your hotel? I mean this place was burned down what? A little over 24 hours?¡±


    I nodded shortly. ¡°My hotel is almost back to its original form. I have hundreds of workers working non-stop. Even to this point, I have monsters checking in for the night. But we don¡¯t have time for that. We need to discuss Eve.¡±


    Crowe stepped forward now standing directly behind my left shoulder. Fitting for a demon.


    ¡°What¡¯s her story? Was she human too?¡± He asked picking up the photo of her. Ruby had brought in ¡°She¡¯s kind of cute. For a bitch that is.¡±


    ¡°Yes well, unlike Dawn she wasn¡¯t human. Eve was born into a human family yet she was a witch.¡±


    ¡°A witch? In a human family? How?¡± Crowe asked, respectably confused.


    ¡° You know anything about the Witch Trials Of Salem?¡±


    Crowe grew astonished but stayed quiet. The look gave me confirmation that he knew enough.


    ¡°1692, Salem had a little over a year of executions, persecutions and mysterious deaths. Eve, a child during those times was born cursed. She was born inhuman and at the age of 9 forced to be hung after being caught performing witchcraft.¡±


    ¡°So she hung,¡± Crowe said understandingly.


    ¡°No,¡± I said, correcting him.


    ¡°But I thought all those who were persecuted were forced to hang?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, but Eve escaped the day of her execution. She ran with dogs and men chasing her. She crossed a frozen lake but unfortunately, she fell through the ice and drowned. While falling to the bottom of the lake she made a deal with Death.¡±


    ¡°Just like Dawn did,¡± Crowe said, setting Eve¡¯s picture down. ¡°What was the deal?¡±


    ¡°To let the trials end and let her become the next angel of Death. Death agreed and she was brought to this domain as his youngest daughter. The witch trials ended shortly after, sometime in May of 1693.¡±


    ¡°So she wanted to be an angel of Death¡­ That¡¯s new.¡±  Crowe said piecing things together.


    ¡°Yes. After her new life began she went on to become the most powerful witch anyone has ever seen. She controls the earth and the domain itself. She can change the weather in a split second. She can cause earthquakes by slamming her foot down.¡±


    ¡°How are we going to kill her?¡±


    I smiled slyly. ¡°Take her off the ground.¡± Ruby suddenly entered the room and was carrying blueprints and a basic map of our small world ¡°Wonderful! Let me see¡± I said reaching for the papers. Crowe backed away and we spent the next few hours talking about the plan and figuring out places Death could be hiding. In the early morning, we would take our chance to strike Eve by using me as bait.

 Taking the final queen

    Morning came slowly but I took every second to measure how much my powers had grown overnight. The feeling was immense but I knew that with the wrong move I could waste it. My sister was strong. Killing an Earth bending witch would be no easy feat.


    ¡°Shadow?¡± Crowe said my name in a husky voice and I recoiled at the sound. Something about him was off. ¡°What are you doing up already? Did you even sleep?¡± He continued standing up from the floor.


    ¡°You do realize we don¡¯t need to sleep right?¡± I asked smiling, letting go of my previous thoughts.


    ¡°Right, but you need all the power you can get. I¡¯m just looking out for you.¡±


    I sighed at his answer and nodded. ¡°I¡¯m alright. I just finished scanning my power actually.¡± I looked down at my hands examining the lines. Within my blood flowed angels blood.


    ¡°Hey, speaking of power,¡± Crowe began, ¡°we know about Eve¡¯s abilities. But, what are yours?¡± He asked coming to sit beside me on the bed.


    ¡°Omnikinesis.¡± I answered, ¡°But I¡¯m limited. Imagine a power bar and with every swipe of my hand it goes down slightly.¡±


    ¡°Omn-what?¡± Crowe asked, scratching his head still waking up. He yawned and I watched as his sharp teeth clamped together and his lips covered them.


    I laughed lightly but explained. ¡°Omnikinesis, It''s the ability to control anything from nothing. I can make object form from thin air. I can force people to explode and create a sort of false reality.¡±


    ¡°Force people to explode¡­ Like what you did with that wolf a few weeks ago?¡± Crowe asked, recalling the gruesome scene.


    I nodded ¡°he was lower level so it was easy, Eve will not be so. In order for me to cause any damage like that, I¡¯ll  have to physically touch her.¡±


    ¡°I see, and these false realities, like what you did at¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t finish his sentence and turned away.


    ¡°Yes. like I did at Gretchen''s.¡± I said, ending his words. ¡°I can also fly. Since well, wings.¡± I said taking a stand. ¡°We should go, it''s time.¡± Crowe followed me and I went over the plan in my head. ¡®Take her out of town. Trap her and destroy. Simple.  We just have to make sure the playing field is something we know. The city isn¡¯t exactly ideal, but with the chaos of monsters and the weight of building it would be difficult for her to have any control.¡¯


    I looked back at Crowe once more and unlocked the hotel door. ¡°Let''s go,¡± I said, expecting to step out into the hallway. Instead, Crowe and I were met with flat terrain. One with soft snow and green grass budding underneath. Tall bare trees surrounded the area and Eve stood in the center of it a good distance away. ¡°Good morning,¡± She called from her spot. Her voice carried itself to us by floating on the wind.


    I took a step forward instantly trying to get the layout of her world. Now was no time to fret. The playing field was flat and thin. The air was sharp and it would be difficult to hide with such a bright and clear area. The sky was grey but the clouds were high above making it impossible to reach. Facing the facts, our place of a bustling terrain and weighted area was out of the question. She was the queen of this chessboard.


    ¡°Crowe, stay behind me,¡± I said calmly as we continued to walk. The door behind us closed and sunk into the ground. I knew Eve had something up her sleeve. But why such a small area. Wouldn¡¯t the more land be better in her benefit?


    ¡°Tell me what you know,¡± Eve demanded, cutting to the point.


    ¡°You first,¡± I replied with a sense of adrenaline filling me. I twirled my fingers grasping onto my weapon of choice, a scythe. I felt my eyes wanting to glow but in doing that would cause me to lose too much power. I had to stay calm and think ahead.


    ¡°Look at you being all flashy, you were always so quiet compared to us. Looking perfect and begging for father''s attention.¡± She lowered her gaze focusing on the ground beneath our feet. Her small jaw holding a white smile. There was blood on her clothes.


    ¡° Yes, well, father preferred the strongest child to be his favorite. And that, fortunately, landed on me.¡± My taunts didn¡¯t affect her but I was now a decent distance from her to tap into her soul waves. They were steady and it was dark and had orange streaks lacing through it.


    ¡°Father was a coward.¡± She hissed. I clenched my jaw and halted in my steps. ¡°But I must congratulate you on killing Dawn. Though, honestly, I think it just proves how weak you really are. We both know Dawn was pathetic. She couldn¡¯t even threaten right. All she did was hide and complain. Pretending to have the upper hand.¡± Eve lifted her chin up, eyeing me and she gave me a knowing look that she knew exactly what I was doing.


    ¡°Stop examining, we still have some time. I¡¯d like to give you a little bit of help.¡± She scoffed. I tightened my grip on the metal bar I held. Crowe shifted behind me.


    ¡°Welcome to 1962. Early spring. No one is here because I can¡¯t make people.¡± She shrugged. ¡°Your only point of attack is to face me head-on. After all, you can¡¯t hide here. Once I kill you and your¡­¡± She gave a disgusted look toward Crowe, ¡°Animal freak, I¡¯ll kill dad. I bet you didn¡¯t even know he was under your nose this entire time.¡± She started to laugh in a menacing way.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    I was confused by her words. ¡°What do you mean? Where¡¯s dad?¡± I growled at her.


    ¡°Oh, please, as if you haven¡¯t figured it out. He¡¯s in your hotel!¡± Her annoyance became apparent in her tone.


    ¡°What about Temno?¡± I asked, raising a brow. I watched her soul dance inside her chest.


    ¡°Who cares, when I become Death I can raise all the witches, and erase anyone I please. Once you two are dead I¡¯ll destroy Dad and claim the title of Death.¡± She raised her foot off the ground and I foresaw her next action.


    ¡°Jump!¡± I screamed, looking back at Crowe.


    As Eve¡¯s foot stamped into the ground, the playing field became uneven. Crowe and I jumped moving ourselves through the air and landing onto a safe patch of earth. Pieces of the world started to fall and disappear. Other parts broke off and floated upwards.


    So this was her trick. The land was thin so she could create different levels. She has control over each and every piece. Anything she doesn¡¯t want will either fade or she¡¯ll move to come crashing on top of you.


    ¡°Welcome to my world Shadow.¡± Her voice was twisted and the immense power within her boomed with authority. I clung to my weapon and watched her carefully thinking quickly about what I should do.


    Eve began her move by taking the floating land around me and pulling it back towards the ground. I lurched forward rolling on the ground before the pieces came crashing into the original terrain. Dirt gathered in the air and found its ways down into my lungs and into my eyes.


    Brushing away the stinging pain, I quickly examined the area once again. Floating pieces of earth surrounded the area and I quickly tapped my chest and outstretched my arms.


    Within seconds hundreds of replicas of myself formed. Some with wings, others without. Some with weapons and others in a twisted form of two species mixed.


    One by one in a mass, my replicas charged at Eve. Those with wings flew upwards and I joined them coming up with my next plan of attack. I felt like the air was against me. The world was spinning rapidly and it was hard to focus on what was actually ground.


    It was Eve¡¯s turn though. She stayed steady and formed large sinkholes along the ground. They swallowed up the clones and their screams filled the air. Eve then chanted something and bent forward almost kissing the ground beneath her. A low rumbling erupted and the land was drawn upwards into the sky catching all the ones with wings and swinging them onto the ground. Our bodies laying the foundation. I heard the cracks of bones break and the ground beneath us halted in its climb toward the sky. This was her way of keeping us on the ground. If anyone went flying she would simply raise the playing field and force their feet to stay planted.


    Crowe was doing his best dodging all the side attacks placed on him. Vines lashed out like whips, the earth swallowed my creations.


    I raised my scythe into the air and struck the ground causing a massive tear in the earth. This move made the ground bounce and rip. Eve became unsteady and I took this chance to lunge forward. My movements were swift, I swiped my blade across her chest. Unfortunately, my attempt was slow. Eve plunged into the ground only to pop up behind me a few feet away.


    With a simple wave of her hand, the grey sky became darker and rolling thunder could be heard. Its low vibrations rumbling in our chests. I had to make a move fast.


    Crowe appeared suddenly close to Eve trying to get his foothold on the unsteady field.


    Eve slammed her foot once again into the ground and electricity rained from the sky. My replicas all being struck and some fading into dust. I, too, was hit. The burning feeling coursed through my veins and I was surrounded by a white flashing light. It cut into my flesh and struck my wings.


    ¡°Shadow!¡± Crowe called.


    The electric attack halted and I was brought to the sight of Crowe being dragged underground.


    My breath hitched and I used my wings for momentum plunging forward. Eve, regaining her attention on me, also forced herself toward me. We both met, my scythe cutting through her side as her palms met my skin. The touch itself caused my blood to boil and we swept passed each other taking in the fatal blows. My skin started to bubble and crack. But Eve screamed as her wound caused her innards to seep out.


    This was a race against time. I had to finish this. But how?


    Her gaze forced itself upon mine. Her white teeth turned yellow and her skin became spotted with age.


    I called upon more replicas and reached my hands into the ground summoning blazing fires. The field once again fell into smaller pieces. Smoke choked out the air and its tongue grasping at anything. The hot fire caused Eve to blink giving me a chance to push myself backward blending within my army.


    I coughed gagging on my own blood. My wings ached with pain and I was being drained of power. I wouldn¡¯t be able to destroy Eve with a touch. There was no way.


    Eve, faltering slightly, attacked the fakes and ripped through the flames only to take in a scene with me nowhere in sight.


    Eve screamed in frustration, her voice echoing throughout the land. It made the air shake and down rained more lightning.


    I was brought to the flaming pain of my wings being struck. It sounded like a million wars beginning at once, and the smell of my flesh burning made my head go numb. Now was my chance though.


    I pushed off the floating earth and outstretched my arms toward Eve''s neck. Now was my chance to kill her, now was my chance to end it all, now was my one and only chance to take this game''s queen.


    My hands gripped her neck and with my speed, we plunged through the thin earth. Down we crashed her scream filling my head, her nails clawing into my skin. Air whipped around us and we fell.


    Suddenly, everything around us went dark. My body felt heavy but I never loosened my grip for a second.


    My eyes began to glow and small air bubbles surrounded us. We were underwater.


    The water was ice cold, and the bottom beneath us was deep.


    Eve¡¯s white hair waved around her face and her mouth gaped open as she tried to chant a spell.


    As the oxygen left her mouth I let go of her throat with one hand and shoved my arm down her esophagus. I sprawled out my fingers stretching the tube. Further and further I went until I felt the warm bulb of her soul quiver against my fingers.


    Eve¡¯s eyes rolled into the back of her head.


    I looked on with pleasure as I dragged out her soul from her mouth.


    I watched as I pushed Eve¡¯s body down into the endless darkness and I watched as the world she created faded.

 The final play

    As the world faded I was brought deep underground. It was the basement of my hotel. Heat radiated from the ceiling of the room but the cement ground was cold. I was laying on my stomach dripping wet and blood seeping from my body. My bangs sticking to my face and my wings stood in a broken shape.


    ¡°Crowe?¡± I asked, wheezing in pain. My power was drained and my entire body was aching. I was covered in blood and I felt tears pour from my eyes as I tried to move. Something was wrong. I could smell smoke and the sound of screams came into earshot. The horrific sound was muffled as I laid on the cold floor. Monsters? Screaming?


    ¡°Crowe, where are you?¡± I called again, this time letting my voice break into sobs. I was starting to feel an emotion inside of me. It was unpleasant. And I was¡­ afraid. ¡°Crowe!¡± I screamed feeling my chest tighten in anguish. My body threatening to destroy itself.


    Crowe appeared before me but everything was off about him.


    It wasn¡¯t Crowe. The soul inside his chest was white. His back was facing me and something illuminated his image from the front.


    ¡°Hello, dear sister,¡± A smile stretching across his lips. His voice dipped low and the way his eyes grew from inside Crowe''s skull was abnormal. He turned and within his hands was a silver soul.


    ¡°This¡­ Has definitely been an adventure.¡± He licked his lips admiring the thing inside his claws.


    ¡°It¡¯s a shame, having to kill you like this.¡± He continued, ¡°Forgive me for laughing, but you were just,¡± His tone bubbled with excitement. ¡°You were just so perfect!¡±


    His throat let out a chilling cackle, the sound echoing in the basement and bouncing off the walls creating a hollow sound.


    ¡°What did you do?¡± I made out, my voice becoming chopped as I could feel blood filling inside my throat. Breathing was becoming hard, almost impossible.


    ¡°Ah, where should I begin? I guess, going off recent events.¡± He spun on his heels spinning in a circle. His eagerness spilled from his presence. ¡° I redesigned Dawn¡¯s bomb-making it mine. After all, it gave me the exact location of Death. Who would¡¯ve guessed that he was patiently dying in your little hotel.¡± Temno, inside the body of Crowe, looked to the ceiling. Taking in the crumbling surroundings


    ¡°The bomb goes off while we are in another world, once we return, I retrieve his soul. Oh, but no no, that is not my greatest feat. In fact, that was probably the easiest part.¡± He sang, lifting his voice higher and higher. This entire situation was making him high on invisible fumes.


    My body quivered as I listened to his story. How could I not have seen it? I moved my hand giving my chest more room to expand. I let out a faint groan feeling my bones crack.


    ¡°My greatest feat was either putting this entire Game into Father''s head or getting you kicked out of heaven to be my pawn.¡± He became quiet and I was forced to ponder upon his words.


    My body screamed for attention to be healed and I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of him being the master of this war. How could he have created this? Was it not Death who gathered together us siblings?


    ¡°What are you saying?¡± I asked, clearing my throat dragging myself into a different position along the basement wall. ¡°How are you even alive?¡± I bit my lips trying to stop the tears that were streaming from my eyes.


    ¡°Millennias ago, Death created me as a ¡°helper¡±, but I was bored and talked him into creating this deadly game. This masterpiece of the strongest monsters in the universe at each other''s throat. Fighting, tearing themselves apart for nothing!¡± He cackled again. ¡°And I joined myself. I mean, Crowe was just begging to be taken. And you! Oh my dear sister, you were wonderful from the moment I saw you in heaven. You HAD to be mine.¡± Temno danced a little in place wrinkling the suit he was wearing. His eyes dancing around the room.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Why?¡± I felt my throat tighten as I spoke this word. It was becoming hard to see.


    ¡°Oh catch up.¡± He spat. He stopped dancing and watched me with his cold, dead eyes. ¡°I was the one who told the angels you broke the rules. That you had felt hatred against a human. Against God¡¯s beloved creatures. You hated the father of the child you were sent to watch over. You committed evil.¡±


    ¡°No, I,¡± I started, ¡°I couldn¡¯t help it! He was beating her!¡± I screamed letting my body go into a wave of anxiety. ¡°I-¡± Temno cut me off continuing his story.


    ¡°Humans are just as evil as Demons. After I told the other angels they tortured you. The sight was beautiful.¡± He said smiling.


    ¡°The ways your limbs were torn apart. Your wings peeled away from your spine.  Your skull caving in on itself by the pressure of their hands. You''re very being, shredded by your own kind. How your own pure soul was torn from your body. Everything about you getting pounded into Dust.¡± He scraped his foot along the cracks of the ground. His tongue licking the soul in his hand. He giggled slightly.


    ¡°But you? No no, you never died. And I loved that about you. No, you fell between the heavenly dimension taking with you the desire to be evil. You took that girl to become your vessel. I was positive you would have killed her but instead, you choose to suffer, letting her soul thrive inside of you. Locked away. I bet she broke through the cracks once in a while. Talking inside your head. Fighting to take back her body. And she¡¯s still alive to this day. Isn¡¯t she?¡± He stepped forward now standing at the base of my feet. Lowering the glowing soul of Death.


    ¡°After I found you again,¡± he spoke slowly, ¡°I told Death and he promised you your wings again. You took that deal in a heartbeat. My plan for a show was coming to life. But then you murdered me.¡± his tone became flat. ¡°You ripped out my heart Shadow. So I thought I would return the favor.¡± He crouched low next to me and we both eyed the soul within his hand. His claws squeezed around the soul. Its frame cracking and a liquid of sorts gushed from the inflicted punctures.


    He looked at me with steel blue eyes and as I caught his gaze the soul was crushed into an empty and flat object. ¡°I took everything from you.¡± he knelt down onto his knees and went into a comfortable position in front of me.


    ¡°I am now the all-powerful Death. Anyone who dies or lives is at my will. No one can escape me. But you, oh shadow you are still my favorite pawn. Join me, become my queen. Refuse and I will have you relive those years of torture. You¡¯ll die and I¡¯ll bring you back. Then you¡¯ll continue this twisted fate. Forever.¡± His  tone was now hushed, ¡°Join me.¡±


    ¡°Go to hell.¡± I spat. Lurching my fingers toward his throat but he caught my attack easily bringing my fingers to his lips. I could feel his breath tickling my skin.


    He snickered at my words. ¡°Been there darling, didn¡¯t really work for me. In fact, I hated it so much that I chose to rule over it.¡± He took in a slow breath releasing my hand.


    ¡°How about this. A life for a life.¡± He said eyeing my body in a vile way. ¡°Trade bodies with me. I¡¯ll give you Crowe in exchange for the little girl with wings. You¡¯ll lose everything again, your power, your wings, your life. But you¡¯ll be saving Crowe.¡± Temnos eyes flickered for a moment. ¡°We both know that if you try to switch bodies again without a soul, you¡¯d just fade from existence. After all, something without a soul can¡¯t live outside of a body.¡± He sneered, cupping my face within his hands. The movement of my head sent shock waves down my body.


    I couldn¡¯t feel my limbs. I couldn¡¯t see past Crowe''s face.


    ¡°Give me Crowe,¡± I whispered, feeling myself slowly drain into nothing. He clicked his tongue as if embarrassed for me.


    ¡°I pity you, after your fall you pretended to be something you are not, you wanted to be evil. But in the end. You were first an angel.¡±


    I coughed up more blood feeling the last bit of my power slip. Temno tilted closer whispering over the screams of monsters from above.


    ¡°What¡¯s your last words? I¡¯ll be sure to give them to your friend.¡± His lips now by my ear I took in a quick breath,


    ¡°Checkmate,¡±


    instantaneously my conscious jumped into Crowe as Temnos soul tried to slip out. But with the last inch of my power, I turned Crowe''s eyes golden, pushing back his own conscience.


    I grabbed the soul forcing the Crowe¡¯s muscles to close around the soul. In a last effort, I pushed my ability letting my conscience slip and Crowe awoke crushing the soul within his hands.


    The basement was silent and all that could be heard at that moment was the mufflings yells of the world above. Crowe¡¯s eyes focused in and out on the body lying in front of him.


    ¡°Shadow?¡± Crowe spoke.


    The little girl''s eyelids fluttered open and her body was healed in seconds.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± She asked, her small voice quivering at the unfamiliar man sitting before her.


    Silence filled the room and a calm washed over Crowe as he settled into a new power dragging itself within him. A single tear escaped the corner of Crowe¡¯s eye as he took the girls hand.


    ¡°My name is Death. Come, I¡¯ll take you home.¡±