Epilogue - The Wolves of Death City
"So the curse remains," Kid concluded, "because it wasn't the moon priest's soul that powered it. It was this." He held up the knife for inspection. "A soul trapped inside this knife. Most likely belonging to the sun priest. But now, with Galf Lunard's wrath and resentment gone, the girls have complete control over which form they take. Girls?"
By way of demonstrating, Liz and Patti ducked into wolf form and each turned in a small, neat circle before changing back. "Neat, right?" Patti trilled proudly. "And with soul resonance, we can keep our human memories, too."
"They're full weapons now. They'll need training." Kid dragged in a welcome breath of air. The clouds of the Death Room revolved around them like any day would, easing his mind with its familiarity. He closed his eyes and felt the peace of it, sharing the feeling with the two nervous souls buzzing around in resonance with his. Liz was edgy, gripping her sister's hand like a lifeline while her street confidence decorated her face. Patti just had a nervous energy, ready to fight or run a marathon or recover a million more corrupted souls-exactly the mindset she'd need.
Lord Death stood before them with one large hand tapping what might have classified as his chin, his face unreadable as always. "You've certainly done a lot, Kid," he said. "You could have just taken them in and waited for a set of weapons easier to...handle."
"I could have," Kid agreed. "This may not have been the easiest way. But I think it turned out the best." He shared a glance with Liz, just a brief meeting of their eyes, and she nodded back.
"Well." Lord Death began, and his son and the Thompson sisters held in a breath. "I, for one, welcome you to the Death Weapon/Meister Academy."
The three of them let out a sigh in unison.
"There are, of course, a few more things to take care of," Kid added, turning to face the girls. He produced the Order's masks from his cloak and held them out. "Liz, Patti, will you keep these artifacts in your care, and make sure they won't ever be used to evil purposes again?"
"Of course!" Patti said, accepted hers. Liz just nodded, meeting his eyes with a shy smile. She knew what was coming next.
"And, er, ahem," he added, adjusted the skull-faced tie at his throat. "Now that you've been assured there's no threat in living your own lives here...will you be my weapon partners?"
"Hmm, I dunno, we'll have to think about it." Liz winked at Patti, and they leaned into a huddle, whispering back and forth.
"Will there be adventure?" Patti asked suspiciously.
"And more compliments on our weapon form?" Liz added.
Kid stammered. "Y-yes, of course?"
"Then I guess…" Liz drawled, painfully slow. "I guess we'll give it a go. If my sister's all right with it."
"Hmmmm…Yeahhhh." Patti agreed.
Kid fell to his knees in relief, and they helped him back up, laughing.
"Oh, dear," Lord Death chirped. "I see you two have figured him out already."
"He's easy to read," Liz chuckled.
"Like an open book. Hey, do we call you Dad now, or just Principal Death?" Patti inquired innocently.
Startled, Liz gasped and put her hands on her hips. "Patti! You can't just…"
Lord Death shrugged his massive black shoulders. "I actually don't know. Am I the principal?"
Kid groaned. "Dad."
"I built the darn thing, I guess I should be. Anyway, scoot, scoot!" he shoveled his hands toward them, bouncing amiably. "You three should get back to Gallows Manor, settle in. Get used to your new life. Class tomorrow, you better not be late!"
"This is so surreal," Liz said, laughing as they turned toward the pathway leading out of the room.
"Yeah," Patti agreed. "D'you think maybe I'm dreaming?"
"Your eyes are open," Liz observed.
"Yeah, but maybe I'm I'm awake dreaming that I'm asleep. Or—ooh! Maybe I'm asleep, dreaming that I'm awake, wondering if I'm dreaming."
"That doesn't sound very likely," Liz argued, though she'd gotten lost after the first third of that sentence.
Lord Death rested a hand on Kid's shoulder before he could follow them. The boy turned to stare into his father's hollow eyes questioningly.
"Kid," Lord Death murmured. "I'm proud of you. I hope you know that. You have a lot of work ahead of you still. But I'm so proud."
"Thanks, Dad," Kid replied, a smile bursting out with the words.
"Now get on. They'll be lost in the school without you to guide them." Lord Death gave him one last push, and Death the Kid darted after his weapons, slipping his arms into theirs until they were locked in an unbreakable, marching line.