I stared angrily into the eyes of a girl I thought I'd come to know. The fact that I was being played should not have surprised me, and yet it did.

"It is not what you think!" Elvira hurriedly soothed, her voice tinged with desperation.

"How is it not? You had Will powers this whole time," I pointed out, skepticism lacing my tone.

"I only got those recently," Elvira said, tears welling in her eyes.

"How could that be possible?" I questioned, struggling to believe her words.

"It is because I gave it to her," stated a placating voice that emanated from Elvira's mouth yet was not hers. I recognized the voice as the same one that called me the second coming of the Angel of Mercy.

I was shocked by this turn of events. Elvira's eyes shifted from their lovely amethyst hue to the darkest black.

"Hello, Mercy. It’s lovely to see you again in the flesh," the familiar voice purred, smooth and seductive.

"Who are you, and what have you done to Elvira?" I demanded, feeling a mix of fear and anger.

"Oh, nothing much. This girl always sought my power; it was her destiny, and she was well-suited for it. Originally, she would have sought an immortal, undying body, but as expected, your presence changes things. You are always an agent of change!" the voice explained, a hint of amusement woven into its tone.

"What do you know of me?" I asked, searching for answers about the entity I was speaking to.

"I have known you for a very long time, Mercy. Even in your darkest days, you sang sweet love songs to me," the voice cooed, a touch of nostalgia creeping in.

"Why do you call me Mercy? Was that my name?"

"No! That is what you are!" the voice exclaimed as if it were the only truth.

"And what are you?"

"I am the Goddess of Death, or in your original world, what you called the Angel of Death," the voice claimed, each word resonating with power.

"Why are you here?"

"I am everywhere, love, but in this instance, I am here because of you," Death stated, her tone both enticing and unsettling.

"I don't understand," I replied, my confusion deepening.

"Of course you don't. You are a confused little thing since you lost a part of your mind. Why do you think I accepted fusing what was left of you into that body when Avo and Skorm asked me to? It was so I could bring you back," the voice said, monotone yet laced with a sweetness that felt almost sinister.

"If that's true, then why possess Elvira?"

"I am not possessing her. She is my Avatar! A part of our being has merged, and thus she gained a small part of my power. In exchange, through her heart, I can feel emotions. I can feel what she feels, and just as part of me is her, then I am with you too. You could say that, just like you and that ‘boy,’ we are now one and the same. We are different parts of each other now. She is letting me fully borrow her body momentarily to explain. This is entirely willing on her part," the Goddess of Death elaborated.

“Wow, you sound like a real romantic!” I scoffed, suppressing the unease that threatened to bubble to the surface. And quite a psychotic loon!

"You doubt me because you don’t remember how you—only you—were never afraid of my touch! I will not despair, for someday I know you shall remember how you shared with me such sweet sorrow," Death declared, her voice echoing ominously.

"How could I forget someone so… unique?"

"Relax, love. I have a gift for you..." Death whispered in my ear as her voice faded away.

...

A moment later, Brom was the first to break the silence. "WHAT THE F@&K?" It seemed even the always calm and collected Brom had a limit.

"Well said, Dad," I added, my own bewilderment mirrored in his expression.

Scarlet was rocking Kren back and forth, desperately trying to silence the now crying baby, too busy to get involved. I could tell she was equally concerned, though. Sorry, Mom!

"Look, guys, I’m not a hundred percent certain what's going on, but Elvira always went to Lychfield Graveyard and met the Goddess of Death," Theresa interjected, her brow furrowed in thought.

"I needed the power to help you and not be left behind. I had no talent; my body was just well-suited to hold her power. She offered more than I could ask for in exchange for very little," Elvira argued, her voice rising in her defense.

"What, so every time I'm with you, my ex I don’t even remember is getting in on the action? Not to mention she’s the Goddess of Death herself! That’s so creepy!" I shot back, my frustration boiling over.

"You are technically a little more than just one person, and relationships are complicated," Elvira defended, crossing her arms defiantly.

"Not like that they aren’t! At least not normally!" I bounced back, exasperated.

"Well, everyone wants to be with the pretty blonde, but nobody wants to sleep with Death!" Elvira pouted, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her voice.

"How is that an argument?" I demanded, feeling the tension rising.

Just then, a voice crackled to life through the guild seal in Scarlet’s hand. "Scarlet Robe! Archmage Maze is looking for you."

"Bring him here, Mother! I've been expecting him. I’ll have to deal with this later!" I exclaimed, giving Elvira a glare.

"Scarlet Robe, can you dismiss your family? I need to talk to you about something," Maze said, his tone all business.

"If it’s about the mysterious wizard that fought Jack, it’s best we stay," I added, knowing our shared history with that monster.

"How so, boy?" Maze asked sharply, his eyes narrowing.

"Because I AM THAT MAGE," I replied, my voice steady and firm.

"HAHAHA," Maze laughed, the sound echoing off the walls.

"No seriously, who was he?" Maze added, still chuckling.

"He tells the truth," Scarlet replied, her gaze unwavering.

"You too, Scarlet? This isn’t funny," Maze grumbled, though I sensed the beginnings of doubt in his tone.

"It is not a joke," I insisted as I cast [Dark Visage]. The old man's face contorted into a comically shocked expression.

"I have mastered magic in ways others in this time have not. There is a part of a hero from another time within me—one who hails from a future where Jack succeeded in destroying the world. He started with Oakvale, but I have prevented its fall this time. I know that in the other timeline, you served him by force and were betrayed. It was a tragic end. I have shown I have the means to defeat him. Give me time and resources, and he won’t stand a chance. I also have other things to offer that even you cannot turn down." I bargained with Maze, my conviction is unshakeable.

"What can you offer that even I could not refuse?" Maze questioned, skepticism evident in his tone.

"When you died in the future, you said that for some, defeating death is all there is and that you had failed. I know how to create a spell that can halt aging, but it won’t stop you from dying by blade or spell. The same may be true with life force; once that’s depleted, you may just die from an unknown cause. But until then, your body won’t age," I explained, my resolve hardening. I wasn’t concerned about upsetting Death; if anything, I hoped it would anger her. But she likely wouldn’t care, especially since everyone would eventually die.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"That is indeed a great offer. Just the fact that I will not need to keep serving that monster is enough," Maze agreed, the weight of my proposition sinking in.

"Good, because Theresa has Will powers as well and will be joining me at the Guild. Also, I’ll need you to teach me how you perform your short-range teleport. I’m a bit worried about figuring that out on my own since my version of the spell is unique," I negotiated.

"Of course, I wouldn’t want to hold back on your lessons, and the more, the merrier," Maze chuckled, the tension easing.

"Are you ready to go now?" Maze asked.

"Can we make just one stop? I need to get something from the Temple of Skorm."

...

"Welcome to the Temple of Skorm… Oh, Archmage Maze… and two children?" the Skorm priest said, his eyes widening in recognition.

"Yes, well, this boy has business with your God!" Maze told the priest, a hint of urgency in his voice.

"Does he?" the priest replied, skepticism lining his features.

"Pray to your God and ask him if he wants you to give me Skorm’s Bow. He will answer you if you do," I commanded, my voice steady and authoritative.

"Your joke is not funny, kid," the priest said, his tone dripping with disdain.

I responded by using force-based light energy to lift the man off the ground, executing a "Darth Vader" maneuver by grasping his throat. "I said ask your God! He is expecting me!"

The priest complied, dropping to his knees in prayer. After a moment of tense silence, he shot upright, his expression one of awe. "Yes, my Dark Lord!" he exclaimed.

The priest hurried into another room, rummaging through something. I could hear the sound of multiple locks being undone. When he re-entered, he held Skorm’s Bow—the most powerful bow in the Fable universe.

The weapon appeared far more sinister than I remembered. The red part of the guard pulsed like a beating heart. Taking this thing might not be a good idea! I hesitated, reluctant to claim my once-favorite ranged weapon from the game. This was real life, and there were consequences to dealing with the devil. I didn’t want the damn thing for myself...

"It’ll be fine, just take it!" Theresa scolded, tapping her temple next to her eye, the motion indicating she had looked into the future and deemed it safe.

I accepted the weapon from the priest only to hand it to Theresa once we were out the door.

"For me? You shouldn’t have!" Theresa squealed in mock surprise, though she seemed genuinely happy to receive the bow. I squinted my eyes at her, trying to gauge her true feelings.

The previous version is below.

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  I stared angrily into the eyes of a girl I thought I'd come to know. That fact I was being played should not have surprised me and yet it did.

"It is not what you think!" Elvira hurriedly soothed.

"How is it not? You had Will powers this whole time," I pointed questioningly.

"I only got those recently," Elvira teared up.

"How could that be possible," I questioned believing such a thing could not be true.

"It is because I gave it to her", stated a placating voice that came out of Elvira's mouth and yet was not hers.

I was shocked by this turn of events. Elvira's eyes turned from their lovely Amethyst color to the darkest black.

"Hello Mercy, It lovely to see you again in the flesh," The familiar voice purred.

"Who are you and what have you done to Elvira?" I demanded.

"Oh nothing much, this girl would always seek my power as it was her destiny and she was well suited for it. Originally she would have just sought an immortal undying body but as expected your presence changes things. You are always an agent of change!"

"What do you know of me?" I asked searching for an answer to whom or what I was speaking too.

"I have known you for a very long time Mercy even in your darkest days you sang sweet love songs to me," The voice cooed.

"Why do you call me Mercy? Was that my name?"

"No! That is what you are!" The voice exclaimed as if it was the only truth.

"And what are you?"

"I am the Goddess of death or in your original world what you called the angel of death," The voice claimed.

"Why are you here?"

"I am everywhere love but in this instance, I am here because of you." Death stated.

" I don't understand," I replied.

"Of course you don't, you are a confused little thing since you lost a part of your mind. Why do you think I accepted fusing what was left of you into that body when Avo and Skorm asked me too. It was so I could bring you back," The voice monotone with what felt like an attempt to sound sweet.

"If that's true then why possess Elvira?"

"I am not possessing her. She is my Avatar! A part of our being has merged and thus she gained a small part of my power and in exchange, through her heart, I can feel emotions. I can feel what she feels and just as part of me is her then I am with you too. You could say that just like you and that "boy" we are now one and the same. We are different parts of each other now. She is letting me fully borrow her body momentarily to explain. This is entirely willing on her part," The Goddess of Death explained.

"WOW, you sound like a real romantic!" I coughed. And quite a psychotic loon!

"You doubt me because you don't remember how you and only you were never afraid of my touch! I will not despair for someday I know you shall remember how you shared with me such sweet sorrow," Death declared forebodingly.

"How could I forget someone so... unique?"

"Relax Love, I have a gift for you...", Death whispered in my ear as her voice faded away.

"..."

Sometime later Brom was first to break the silence, "WHAT THE F@&K". It seems even the always calm and collected Brom had a limit.

"Well, said Dad", I added.

Scarlet was rocking Kren back and forth to silence the now crying baby to busy to get involved. I could tell she was equally concerned though. Sorry, mom!

"Look guys I'm not a hundred percent certain what's going on but Elvira always went to Lychfield graveyard and met the Goddess of death," Theresa said joining the conversation.

"Look I needed power in order to help you and not be left behind. I had no talent other than my body is well suited to hold her power. She offered more than I could ask in exchange for very little," Elvira argued.

"What so every time I'm with you my ex-something I don't even remember is getting in on the action. Not to mention she is the God of Death herself! That's so creepy!" I argued back.

"You are technically a little more than just one person and relationships are complicated," Elvira defended.

"Not like that they aren't! At least not normally!" I bounced back.

"Well everyone wants to be with the pretty blond but nobody wants to sleep with death!" Elvira pouted crossing her arms.

"How is that an argument!" I demanded.

"Scarlet Robe! Archmage Maze is looking for you," said the Guildmaster on mother's guild seal. The guild seal not only can teleport but also acts like a cellphone for heroes and guild members.

"Bring him here mother I've been expecting him. I'll have to deal with this later!" I exclaimed giving Elvira a glare.

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"Scarlet Robe can you dismiss your family I need to talk to you about something", Maze said.

"If it is about the mysterious wizard that fought Jack it's best we stay," I added.

"How so boy!" Maze said sharply.

"Because I AM THAT MAGE," I replied.

"HAHAHA", Maze laughed.

"No seriously who was he", Maze added.

"He tells the truth", Scarlet replied.

"You too Scarlet this isn't funny", Maze grumbled.

"It is not a Joke," I said as I cast [Dark Visage]. The old man's face was almost cartoonishly comical.

"I have mastered magic in ways others in this time have not. There is part of a hero from another time in me. one who hails from a future in which Jack succeeded in destroying the world. He started with Oakvale but I have prevented its fall this time. I know that in the other timeline you served him by force and were betrayed. It was a tragic end. I have shown I have the means to defeat him. Give me time and resources and he won't stand a chance. I also have other things to offer that even you cannot turn down." I bargained to Maze.

"What can you offer that even I could not refuse?" Maze questioned.

"When you died in the future you said that for some defeating death is all there is and that you had failed. I know how to make a spell that can halt aging but it won't stop you from dying by blade or spell. The same may be true with life force. Once that's depleted you may just die from an unknown cause but till then your body won't get older," I explained. I wasn't concerned about upsetting death. If anything I hoped it pissed her off but most likely she wouldn't care. Especially since everyone will still die eventually. It just delays the inevitable slightly.

"That is indeed a great offer and just the fact alone I will not need to keep serving that monster is good enough," Maze agreed.

"Good because Theresa has Will powers as well and will be joining me at the guild. Also, I'll need you to teach me how you do your short-range teleport. I'm a bit worried about figuring that out on my own since my version of the spell is unique," I bargained.

"Of course, I wouldn't want to hold back on your lessons and the more the merrier." Maze chuckled.

"Are you ready to go now?" Maze asked.

"Can we make just one stop? I need to get something from the temple of Skorm."

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"Welcome to the temple of Skorm... Oh, Archmage Maze... and two children?" The Skorm priest said.

"Yes well, this boy has business with your God!" Maze told the priest.

"Does he?" The priest replied.

"Pray to your God and ask him if He wants you to give me the Skorm's Bow. He will answer you if you do," I commanded the evil priest.

"Your joke is not funny kid," The priest replied threateningly.

I responded by using force-based light energy to pull a "Darth Vader" and pick the man up by his throat, " I said ask your God! He is expecting me!"

The man did as he was told going into prayer on his knees only to suddenly shoot up after doing so. "Yes my Dark Lord", The Priest shouted.

The Priest went into another room and rummaged for a bit. I could hear the sound of many locks being undone. Once the Priest re-entered the room he was holding the Skorms Bow. The most powerful bow in the Fable 1 game. Death had told me that Skorm agreed to give me the bow in exchange for me being placed here. Same with the Sentinus mace from the temple of Avo. Not sure why they wanted me here so bad but okay I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

The bow looked far more sinister than I remembered. The red part of the guard pulsed like a beating heart. Maybe taking this thing is not a good idea! I was reluctant to claim my once-favorite ranged weapon in the game. This is real life and there are consequences to dealing with the devil. Also, I didn't want the damn thing for myself...

"It'll be fine just take it!" Theresa scolded taping on her temple next to her eye. The motion representing she had looked at the future to make sure it is safe.

I accepted the weapon from the priest only to hand it to Theresa once out the door.

"For me? You shouldn't have," Theresa squealed in mock surprise. Still seemed happy to get the bow though, I thought as I squinted my eyes at her.