by Billi Bell
“You’re leaving,” she said plainly as he sat down. He kept his head down, finding a sudden interest in his shoes. “It’s okay if you want to do so, you were always free to leave. Will you go back to the priesthood?”
“I know, and I think it’s for the best if I go,” he said, still not making eye contact with her. “I will continue my vocation as my faith has not been shaken only strengthened by these past days. I have a new purpose, my own.”
“I know you want to become human again, but I’m afraid you can’t do that,” she said. “You are Hades’ only hope for rising now, so I had to block off your mind and soul from all, even me.”
“What!” Dominic screamed. “Why would…” His words drifted off as he fell back in the chair. He clenched his eyes shut in a failed attempt to stop the tears.
“I’m sorry, but if he gets to you then Earth, the afterlife, and the underworld could be his. You will never see your mother, but this way she’s safe. You have to find comfort in that.”
She was right. He was the key to hell on Earth, and she had to ensure he was out of Hades’ reach.
“What am I supposed to do with my life?” Dominic asked. Death hesitated before speaking.
“You can stay with me for as long as you want,” she said. “In fact, for your bravery, I’m awarding you a cloak.” She pulled a red stone from her dress and placed it onto his cassock. The gem embedded itself into his clothing and for a brief moment shined brightly. “Press it when you want to leave the manor or become unseen to humans.”
Dominic smiled brightly. “Does this make me a reaper?”
She laughed. “No, but you are welcome to join me on my duties anytime, and we can discover what powers you may have. I’d like to keep you as an ally, Dominic.”
“Of course, Great Reaper,” he said as he stood from his seat. “I think I’m going to sleep and try to find heaven in my dreams.”
“Call me Persephone…only here of course.” Dominic smiled as he left the library and returned to his room. “Goodnight Dominic and enjoy Paradise.”
EPILOGUE
Dominic opened his eyes to find himself outside of the hotel. He wandered the streets and greeted everyone he passed. People from every walk of life past him by. This time the reception was not hostile. Word had passed around Elysium about who he truly was and that there was no reason to fear him.
He walked for hours around the seemingly endless and diverse landscapes before returning back to the hotel. He’d gathered that people who had rooted themselves built homes and the hotel was for immortals on the outside. He greeted Riya at the front desk.
“Hello Riya, I’d like a room please,” he said softly. Riya smiled and handed him a key. “Thank you.”
“Room 303 and how long will you be with us?” she asked. “Do you know how the rooms work?”
“No, I’m afraid not. May wasn’t around when I returned,” he said. A sudden movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention, Helena.
“I’ll show him,” she said gleefully. “Oh, this will be so much fun. We haven’t gotten a new visitor in a while.”
She rushed him up the stairs and to the third floor. When they got the door, she took his key and opened it. He was shocked to see nothing there, just a small empty room. She doubled over in laughter at the sight of his obvious confusion.
“If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?” Helena asked. She smiled as if she knew a secret and was dying to tell it.
“Lewsworth, England,” Dominic said almost immediately. “With Elizabeth, my mother and I guess Edgar too. He wasn’t so bad.”
“Close your eyes and picture them all there and waiting for you,” she said. Dominic did as she said. Recalling the forest, the cottage, and the town as he remembered. The sounds of the animals and the clank of the blacksmith’s tools as he labored. “Wow, I would miss this too.”
Dominic opened his eyes and nearly fell to his knees. Before him was Lewsworth, his home. He heart skipped a beat when he spotted Elizabeth, Eve and Edgar standing side by side. He and Elizabeth ran to each other, and he held her tight, joyous to find she was as solid as a real person. He kissed her lips and secretly hoped she never went away.
“I’ll leave you now and remember, they are here as long as you believe they are,” said Helena. She blew a kiss before closing the door.
***
After Victor’s ceremony, Death and Ling departed for China. She had chosen a home near the Great Wall and enjoyed the view with Yi every day. It was time to test Yi’s blood, and Ling had been dreading it, so much so that she failed to advise Yi that she would not be excluded.
When they arrived, they found Yi in the back of the home with Percival chatting over tea. Ling held back as Death approached and greeted them. “How is everything going here?” They stood and bowed to her.
“Great, I would say he’ll be ready to start reaping soon,” said Yi, brightly looking over to Percival. “He’s done so well the past few days.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” said Death. “Percival, can you give us a moment?”
“Of course, Great Reaper,” he said proudly. He had come to like the perk of being a reaper and being able to see the world evolve.
Once he had departed, Death stood directly in front of Yi. “We have to talk,” she said. “You are aware of what happened a few days ago?”
“With Hades and his spies, of course,” she said. “I hope you found them all, Great Reaper.”
“I believe we have, but there is something I need to do,” Death said quietly. She turned to Ling, closely watching the interaction. She looked back to Yi, “I need to test your blood too. I’m afraid I can’t show any preferences.”
Yi was taken aback by Death’s words. “Surely Ling has seen my blood, don’t you trust her?”
“With my life, but she can’t recall ever seeing you injured and either way I’d like to see for myself.”
Yi balled her fist in anger and paced in a tight circle. Ling couldn’t wrap her brain around Yi and her defiance. She wondered why she was fighting the test. They had been together for two hundred years, and she’d never had any reason to suspect her as a traitor. She ran over to Yi’s side and stopped her. “Just show her your blood, and it’ll be over with, please.”
Yi stared into Ling’s eyes and grabbed the small scythe from her belt. “Okay, my love.”
She cut into her hand, and Ling’s heart shattered as the crimson blood began to flow.