Bardrick POV
My eyes narrow slightly. I dont beleive this was supossed to happen. What I expected was either be judged and sent to hell, which admittedly I was sorta terrified at truly eternal torment... Or I'd be able to actually see my beloved lttle sister again in a sort of purgatory or something...
But then something unexpected happens... What seems to be another Reaper or the equilavent of death appeared in front me. At least I assume its a 'Death'. Its another skeleton in what I assume to be a realm of judgement... But were getting a bit off track. Said being asked for me something.
"I'm fine. Thank you, Mister..." I reply with a bit of more tension than my previously casual attitude. Why am I not freaking out about seeing skeletons talking to me? Well, Its mostly 'cause I've been preparing myself for years for this moment. I couldve been turned to a worm autmatically after death, I couldve gotten eaten by some monster that posed as a god, etc. I always like to think of worst case situations so I dont get shocked by much...
He noticed me being in quite deep thought- Very observant I noted, from how all this thinking is taking less than a second to process- and chuckled with a mirth that I felt was simutaniously fake, real, care-free, and deadly all in one... "Good to hear that kiddo. Thought for a sec you would go brain-dead on us from all that smoke coming from your ears." He states casually, his voice deep and foreboding, yet having a permenant sense of mirt in it... Just like that creepy smile of his.
The short skeleton(I mentioned he was short right?) then tilted his head to face the much taller and creepier Grim Reaper. "Hey buddy, Why ya look so grim to see me?" He says, before turning in a random direction and somehow winks his bones around his eye... I swear for a second I heard a drum as well...
The fleshier skeleton semmed to sigh, and shake its head. " What do you want this time Dusted One? Cant you see Im in the middle of something?"
"I dont have any eyes, but I do see what you mean," Dusted said with another round of comedic drums and a wink to an unknown audience. "I'm actually here to call in a favor." He says as Grim semms to rub its hidden forehead. This would be pretty funny if I didnt hear what he said next.
"Im gonna need the soul of this human here for a little project of mine." He said, dim small white lights blinking in his eye sockets, as he chuckles again.... Oh no... I then realize something. He doesnt have a scythe, instead he has a few medical sickle on his back. Something I didnt notice 'till he turned around to wink at the 'sky'. But then I recheck that memory, I also saw some syringes and other such stuff. Noone carried those around willy nilly.
So hes either a drug addict, which makes no logical sense considering what he is, or he's a surgeon... or maybe even a scientist... And the way he said Projects had me a bit shook, reminding me of my own projects I did on both living and dead bodies of humans and animals alike. I always made their death painless if possible, but sometimes, things just didnt go their way... And this is a Reaper... I have no body, only my soul, which means... those tools...
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Oblivious to my obvious terror at such a scenerio- or perhaps ignoring it- Grim waves nonchantantly at Dusty. "Whatever. One less soul to judge." Hey, hey! Dont wave me off like that! You fucking lazy boney asshole! Stupid mysteriously OP beings trading giving sentient souls like humans trade fucking pokemon cards!!
Seemingly pleased, Dusty claps his bone hands, and I suddenly start glowing a blue aura around me, before flying towards him! Holy shit, what the fuck?! Stop chuckling you fucking creep! He suddenly grabs me by the head, and looks at me in the eye... And his left eye is glowing Purple...
"Hehe. Hope ya hungry, 'cuz your gonna be eating alot of 'nothing' to start off." He says in a scary serious voice as he touches my soul with a golden fire, before throwing me in a pitch black portal.
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Grim sighed at the sight. She didnt like how scary The Dusted one liked to act, but its not really her problem to deal with it. Still... "You didnt have to go so rough with him. H-he's still only a human..." She said with a slight stutter in her voice. A normal being couldnt hear it due to her skeletonal nature, but her voice was full of fear. Fear of being alone with 'The Dusted One', 'The First Shinigami'... and her eldest (Hint: Now only-) sibling.
Said skeleton turned his short head to her with that iconic smile of his. The same smile he made when he played with her when she was young, as well as the same smile he made to any deity governing death and reincarnation that he killed and absorbed. He nodded at her statment, and replied, "True, but I needed to get him into that realm as quickly as possible. The owner is currently busy with her twin. That should be enough time to give him an decent affinity that shouldnt happen naturally. Add to the fact he is my champion, I think it would be smart to use my enemies weapons against them." He said in a cold and powerful tone, one that made her bones shiver in terror. Then he gave a low and hollow laugh.
"Besides. Its not like he'll be human for long." He finishes off, before waving. "See ya Grim, take care." Then he was gone. Breathing a sigh of relief, she said, "See you soon Seigi... The Great Grim has some work to do... Nhehehe..."
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"W...where am I?..."
"Who am I...?"
"..."
"..."
"Theres... Nothing here...."
"Does that mean...."
"Im nothing too?...."
"..."
"... Thinking is so hard here... I dont remember my name...."
"What was it..."
"..."
"Ugh... I think I'll just sleep....."
"Better.. If I.... Sleep....."
Suddenly I saw a glowing small figure with long black hair covering her back and eyes, a small smile on her face. "Dont give up Brother. We'll get through this, I promise! For science!..."
Lola.
'Yeah... Her last words.... Were to not give up, wasnt it?...'
Sighing, I gave a small genuine smile. "Sorry these lazy bones failed you Lola... I promise, I'll do everything in my power.. to-"
...
'I... forgot my promise...?'
'No... no.... nonono...'
Suddenly a light appeared as I decended into a madness, a madness from forgetting the only thing that kept him going. A madness that will shake the world he enters, a hunger for power and meaning not seen since eons ago, and a mind to make his madness his will.
Silently, I float towards the circular white light. 'Silence' A familiar voice in my head says with no emotions. My madness quickly being hidden behind a mask of Apathy, like I did before she helped me.
After all... Madness isnt hysteria...
It can be very... heheh...
Quiet......