Shuffle shuffle, the sound grows louder and louder as I sleep. Until I hear a guttural moaning and heavy breath in my direction. I toss and turn in my sleep but the noise gets louder and louder. I slowly opened my eyes feeling tired and my heart sank. Before me was the minotaur…he was right on top of me his white sclera glowing in the night, the drool from his mouth ever present but what frightened me most was his axe was raised ready to split my head in two! It came down with such speed I barely had time to move aside. A wet crunch sound filled the air as I rolled away from the executioner's guillotine. I try to back away but to no avail as I keep flopping down my left side. Wondering why my balance was so off and I kept flailing I looked down to see the horror that assaulted my eyes. My left arm…it was gone, cut clean off…blood gushing out of my wound. I couldn’t utter a single word until I finally found my voice. I let out a cry so loudly that it woke up my partner. I screamed.

BELROOOS!!! As I flail on the floor clenching where my arm used to be, my hand is covered in my own fresh blood.

A huge flameball hit the minotaur’s back, startling the beast as Belros screamed, Don’t you dare touch that boy any longer!

A huge fireball hit the minotaur’s back, startling the beast as Belros screamed, Don’t you dare touch that boy any longer!

The minotaur roared in defiance and charged at Belros.

I can't believe you followed us this far! I'm impressed, I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm actually impressed. I didn't think you'd be this desperate for a meal.

Belros was in bad shape, she was bleeding profusely, her body was covered in cuts and bruises. She was in no shape to fight.

Nor am I in any better condition, my arm just got chopped off, what am I supposed to do, Belros needs me now more than ever. I have to be strong, I have to be strong.

I try to get up but I can't, I can't move my body. I'm useless, I'm fucking useless! Belros, I'm sorry.

I know that look on your face, Soda...if you had a face, i can't really tell with the mask and all but from my position, things aren't looking so good. She dodges the minotaur's blunt axe with grace, despite being so hurt.

Belros, you can't win this fight, not in your condition.

I know that but I'm not going to go down without a fight. You're not going to die, I won't let that happen. Soda, you can't do anything in your condition neither can you?

During a spur of the moment she dodges another Minotuar attack and shoots flames into the minotaurs eyes which he shielded but provided her enough time to pick up Soda's weapon and toss it to him.

I'll buy you some time to run, Soda.

What are you saying? I'm not going to leave you to die.

You're no use to me dead, Soda. Now GO!

I'm not leaving you behind, Belros.

I'm not asking you, I'm telling you to run.

I'm not going to leave you behind, you're a Legion member now.

Then as a member of your Legion, do this for me as a friend and a loyal companion. But you can't die here. If you can reach Lucifer's castle it'll ward off all pursuers including the minotaur. I doubt he wants to eat me, but he WILL kill me...yes...he will kill me but as long as my soul is left alone I'll regenerate in time. But you, you'll die for sure.

I'm not going to let you die, Belros.

You're so stubborn, you're just like my son.

The minotaur roars in anger and swings his axe. Belros dodged the attack and shot a barrage of fireballs at the minotaur. The minotaur was able to block most of the attacks but a few of them hit their mark.

I have to do something, I can't just sit here and watch her die.

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Damnit...damnit damnit I can't think straight, is running my only option? I feel so powerless

Run you damnable fool!

With that shout from Belros I start running and then pick up incredible speed, sprinting for my life

Do you wish to have power? An ominous voice ringed out within my head

I don’t have time for this shit, got to keep running!

H-hey wait wait wait?!?! That’s the part where you say, yes I want more power, enough power to defeat my enemies!!!

As I’m still sprinting a little scythe with an eye appears before me. Either I’m hallucinating due to blood loss or I’m officially losing my sanity..

Honestly it could be both but I’m no hallucination, I’m your weapon talking to you. I’m a cursed weapon as a matter of fact and I’m trying to become your avatar right now so stoooop runniiiing!!!

I stop for a moment, panting heavily and while I’m at it I hear the minotaur’s roar in the background. That fucker is pissed.

As I was saying I’m your scythe making direct communication to your head via telepathy. If I level up enough I may even get my own body but that’s besides the point. I can give you just enough borrowed power to save Belros and defeat that minotaur. All you have to do is trust me, trust in your weapon.

Belros told me to run but I’m sick and tired of being Hell’s punching bag. I was shot at, made fun of, stabbed, and now my arm is gone, a piece of my own flesh. I want payback, now. Above all else, Belros has been there for me. I can’t leave a Legion member behind, not again, never again…I never want to feel this hopeless ever again.

That’s good to hear, form a contract with me here and now in exchange for say a bit of your very delicious soul and you can have my powers.

What other choice do i have. You better have a smoking hot body when you get your physical form you hear me. Here I thought giving you my power was enough, you’re a greedy master

Our souls became intertwined with each other as black fog formed around us and when it dissipated I was wearing a tattered cloak, my cut off arm was back but not entirely like my own. It was on fire, spiritually burning yet I can feel it as though it was skin and bones. If I had a mirror, I’d say I really did look like the grim reaper right now. Yet I feel this surge of energy as if I’m enshrouded in vigorous darkness made manifest into power. Just enough power for the minotaur.

You relish this feeling don’t you, the feeling of the power bestowed upon you coursing through your veins and-

You talk too much, lets kill this fucking minotaur.

Rude, can a spirit have some monologuing here, no?

I rushed back to Belros as fast as I could and though she was beaten even more than I wanted to look at I’m at least glad to see she’s still putting up a great fight. I guess it is true, Belros is way out of my league.

What are you doing back here you fool!

It’s okay Belros, I made a contract with my weapon, it’s apparently cursed…am I cursed now? Nevermind not the point, I come to help you.

Belros parried the axe swinging minotaur and flew back to my position in a protective manner. Are you sure you can handle yourself?

Yes I can, I even got this awesome demonic arm now.

With some tension finally leaving her face she spoke, alright…I trust you because I’m exhausted right now, my SP is low, my MP is running out, and I’m really on the verge of death here. SHe nearly collapsed into my arms but I held her steady.

I told you I wouldn’t leave you behind.

She smiled. I guess you are just like my son after all…

Go to sleep, I won't let you down.

Belros promptly passes out.

I put her down behind a rock and face the minotaur who looks a little worse for wear with a smug smile.

So how about it you overgrown cow, why don’t you go eat this middle finger and take a dirt nap! I taunted.

I called upon my weapon and took off my mask. My eyes glow red as I pull my hood over my head. I charge at the minotaur and attack.

The minotaur raised his axe and blocked my attack. It wasn't going to be that easy. We started exchanging blows. The minotaur got hit a few times, but it was nothing serious. It was clear that I was the superior fighter, but the minotaur was stronger. Soon enough an opening was made and I managed to slash the minotaur deep in its chest. That wasn't enough to take down the minotaur, however. The minotaur swung its axe at me, narrowly missing. I quickly dodged out of the way, and then charged back at the minotaur. I slashed him again, deeper this time. The minotaur was still standing, but just barely. I charged at the minotaur one last time, and slashed him across the throat.

The minotaur fell to the ground, and I watched as it slowly died. Not before long the borrowed power that belonged to me for a small period dissipated and I was given unbelievable phantom pains. My left arm was gone again and it was as if my soul was tearing itself to pieces.

Oh that’s because your soul quite literally is tearing itself to pieces and given it to meeeee~ your new official avatar.

Why do I have an avatar?

Well most Reapers have avatars. They’re usually emotionless husks given form to do the master’s bidding but not me. I’m technically a cursed weapon given the title of avatar which lets me retain my individuality, yaaay~

If you were sentient this entire time why didn’t you help out when we needed you most.?!

Hey don’t get angry at me master, I couldn't. I'm just a weapon, I have no body yet and I only just learned telepathy, it was completely out of my hands…um…hilt…whatever I have no hands!

You picked such a shitty timing to introduce yourself, a weapon of mine. What do I call you? I said as I picked up Belros with my one arm and carried her. She at least had the kindness to wrap her legs around me to make the carrying easier.

I don’t have a name master but if you could, I would be honored to be named by you.

After giving it some thought about her sudden appearance during a tight situation and her bubbly personality I spoke. How about Grimsley?

Um…she scratched her nose and looked to the side.

How about Grim

Grim, GRIM I like it, I like it, Grim!

Welcome to the Legion Grim, population 3 now.

The Legion? What’s that?

It’s my gang, kind of have to start it over again. Bummer, but with members like you two, it makes me happy.

Belros stirs a bit after hearing that, as if to give her approval.

Master, you're really kind.

Only to those deserving of my kindness.

As we ventured closer to Lucifer’s domain I started to realize that the trees began to dissipate. Yet the air was thicker and colder somehow. Until we finally reached our destination. The Demon God Lucifer’s Castle. Feeling so relieved I put Belros down, I set aside Grim, my scythe and I collapsed onto the pavement.

No longer having the strength to carry on and having lost an arm, I put back on my mask…and passed out.