by Jack Wallen
I raced headlong into pointing out Fate’s mistake. “You’ve forgotten, I have no way of gaining access to the EtheRealm.”
Fate reached out a single, upturned hand. In the center of its palm was a shiny, black disk. In the center of the glistening ebony coin was an engraved image I’d never before seen—a circle of tiny, elegant symbols. “Take this.” The request was beyond ominous. I couldn’t help but wonder if my flesh would melt away once I came into contact with the strange rock. “When you have located Judgment, press this against its right palm and, within seconds, you and it will transport back to the EtheRealm, where the two of you can defeat Jons and take back the natural home of Judgment.”
Fate paused to give me a moment to consider my options.
“Why can’t Judgment return on its own?”
“Outside of the relic you now possess, entry into a Realm is limited. One means of entry is via invitation. Somehow Jons must have either tricked Judgment into inviting him into the EtheRealm, or, by way of Scythe, discovered some ancient loophole.”
“And what if Judgment and I fall to Jons?” I dared to ask.
“Not an option, Grim,” Fate said with finality.
“Fine. But how in the hell am I to locate Judgment?”
“Worry not,” Fate did its best to reassure me. I could say, with a certain level of conviction, it didn’t work. “The disk you now hold in your hand will also serve as a beacon to help you locate Judgment.” Fate drew up close and impersonal. “Know this, should Jons get his hands on this one-of-a-kind relic, we’re all lost.”
“As in…”
Fate made a sound to illustrate its point. “Poof.”
“You’re saying this is an all-or-nothing deal?”
“I am,” Fate responded.
“Any bits of free advice you might want to add to that already growing pile of vagueness?”
“Use the utmost caution.”
“Obvious much?” I could feel my intellect draining from my brainpan. “You’re sending me—”
“Not only you, Grim.”
“Oh, no. Fuuuuck no. X isn’t getting anywhere near Jons again. That bastard nearly tore her soul apart. I’m not about to let him get his skeezy-ass fingers on her again.”
Fate floated in close enough that I could feel its eternal energy coursing across my flesh. “Considering there is no Eternal protecting the EtheRealm, you will need someone by your side; otherwise, you will not stand a chance against Jons.”
“And what if Jons uses her to his advantage?” I shouted.
The NetheRealm began to fade, taking Fate along with it.
“Do not fail me, Grim,” Fate warned, its voice edging toward a tremulous rendition of every B-movie sci-fi space alien.
Reality returned like a slap in the face with a perfumed lace glove.
“Grim?” X stood before me, her brow heavy with concern. “What’s going on?”
I was standing, frozen in time, with a plate in one hand and a dish towel in the other. Slowly, I lowered my arms and addressed the issue.
“Fate,” was all I said.
Darthaniel returned just in time to hear my declaration. “Yes, it was fate that brought us all together. That master of karma and truth.”
“No, Darth. Fate as in the ruling entity of—” I nearly said everything, but now I had a better understanding of how the universe worked. “My boss,” I said with finality.
Darth nodded. “Oh, that Fate…with the capital F.”
“That’d be the one.”
A pout drew itself over X’s mouth. “Are we having the special field trip today, or not?”
I couldn’t help but smile. Even with the heavy weight of cataclysm on my shoulders, X managed to lighten my spirit—ever so slightly. “Yes, X, we’re still going on a field trip. Pack your lunch boxes and make sure to have your parents sign the permission slips. Oh, and while we’re gone…remember the buddy system.”
Book 2 Available now! To Kill A Reaper
About the Author
Jack Wallen is a seeker of truth and a writer of words. Although he resides in the unlikely city of Louisville, Kentucky, he likes to think of himself more as an interplanetary soul … or so he tells the reflection in the mirror. He’s also the author of:
I Zombie I
My Zombie My
Die Zombie Die
Lie Zombie Lie
Cry Zombie Cry
Fry Zombie Fry
Buy Zombie Buy
Zombie Radio
T-Minus Zero
The Last Casket
Teenage Wasteland
Kiss & Hell
Punk Ass Punk
Suicide Station
Frankenstein Theory
Hell’s Muse
The Nails of Calvary
The Dark Seduction
Screampark
Klockwerk Kabaret
Tick Tock Girl
Shero
Shero II: Zombie A GoGo
Shero III: Death by Cosplay
A Blade Away
Gothica
Endgame
Control
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Thank You!
Thank you for reading A Tale of Two Reapers. Gaining exposure as an independent author relies mostly on word-of-mouth, please consider leaving a review wherever you purchased this story.