Viktor shivered, relishing being able to move freely again, but he only wanted to curl up in a ball. A familiar void surrounded him, and Viktor only hesitated briefly before calling, “Are you there?”

A cold breeze turned into a chuckle against his right ear. “I’m always here, Viktor.”

“Am I dead?” That would be fitting.

“No. Father Lena has the ability to lock souls in place. It’s one of the reasons he rose through the ranks and is feared by many.”

Viktor shuddered and hugged himself. “What’s he doing now?”

The breeze ruffled his hair affectionately like one would do with a dog or small child, as Death didn’t try to hide his glee. “He’s trying to see if Nadia has a soul. She doesn’t, not the way you humans do. But that doesn’t mean he can’t hurt her…”

“What do you mean by that?” I know Nadia is a doll and doesn’t use mana. But what else can Father Lena do to her? “Is he trying to kill her?!”

“He is. And she’s doing her best to kill him. Nadia stabbed him, but Father Lena saw it coming and avoided a fatal injury. They might kill each other at this rate.”

“No!” Viktor surged forward, but the void didn’t change. He felt his legs moving, but nothing supported his feet. Viktor looked around, hunting for any clue to escape, but the void stayed the same. And Death was amused.

“You want to save her?”

“Yes. Let me out. I have to save Nadia!”

“Why?”

“What?” The breeze turned heavy as if an arm was wrapped around his shoulders. But Viktor didn’t need to turn to look. He knew it wouldn’t be there. But he felt the weight regardless.

“Why do you want to save the woman? She’s sent Zum many souls over the past few days. I’d say he’s getting close to making his final play. Why do you still want to save her instead of dealing with Father Lena after the battle?”

“Because I love her. I don’t care what she is or what she’s done. I love Nadia and will make her my wife…” Viktor frowned and tentatively placed his hand over his shoulders, expecting to feel his body… but finding something long and bony instead. He didn’t jerk away. “Are you… testing me?”

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A bony hand patted his arm soothingly. “Maybe a little bit. You’ve been through a few things, and Nadia did betray your trust. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve witnessed people killing for less.”

“I’m not like that.”

“I know.”

“You promised me a life together with Nadia in peace.”

“I did, and it shall be so… once Father Lena is dealt with.”

Viktor wasn’t sure he liked the way Death said that. “Are you picking favorites?”

“No. Which is why I brought you here instead of leaving you where either side could hurt you by accident. You may leave once the battle is done.”

“But I want to help Nadia.” Death squeezed him tightly, and Viktor couldn’t get over how strange it felt to feel something pinning you yet still being free to move. It made him panic. “Our deal means nothing without her!”

“She doesn’t have the right kind of soul. There’s nothing I can do to help her.”

“Except undo what Father Lena did, and let me help her!” The arm’s position didn’t change, but Viktor couldn’t shake the feeling that Death was looking at him. Him, and no one else. It was terrifying, but Viktor refused to close his eyes. “You said you brought me here. That means you can send me back.”

“You’ll still be bound by Father Lena’s mana.”

Viktor frowned as his exasperation grew. “Then undo it and let the fight proceed as it will!”

“I can’t.”

Viktor blinked. “What do you mean you can’t? You’re Death. We’re your clerics. Our powers came from you”-

“It doesn’t. Your power comes from mana, which is a form of Life. You do not belong to me because you can see spirits. You belong to me because all Life will fall to Death in time. Even the products of Fire and Water are no different. I am free to bargain with whoever I choose. But I can’t aid you in this fight. Father Lena has skills you do not… But the same can be said of Nadia.”

“Her soul-stealing, you mean?” But Viktor knew that wasn’t true. If Father Lena can lock souls, then he must have done so to his own. And Nadia said she wouldn’t waste time trying to steal it.

The chuckle came from every direction. “Very good. I’m glad you’re mature enough to understand when you make mistakes. It’s a trait many lose despite being old enough to know better.”

Viktor didn’t want to be praised. He wanted to be free, but the pressure from Death’s arm was absolute. Death didn’t want him to leave. And Viktor wasn’t foolish to think he could defy Death. But he wasn’t above asking for things. “Can you at least let me see them? I’ll go mad from waiting.”

“You already did. You’re welcome.”

Viktor looked around, but nothing had changed. “What am I thanking you for?”

Death chuckled and patted Viktor’s head but said nothing, leaving his unwilling guest to stare helplessly into the abyss.