She trekked through the mountain, not having a specific path to follow. At the base, there was a woman, old in age and covered in rags. A Banshee.
"May 'at be Miss Grell I hear? Heard she'd be coming by today. Master told me ta take her over there ta the Cave, said to show 'er in." Grell looked her over. She was slouched in on herself, wild eyes roaming about and thin brown locks flowing past her waist. She held a comb in her hand, and beckoned her with the other. "Who's your master?" She asked suspiciously. The Banshee smirked. "The King of Death, of course. Master Anubis wishes to see ye." Seemingly satisfied, Grell followed after the Banshee, though kept her Death Scythe ready.
They climbed the steep path, following the blackened earth until they arrived at the mouth of the Cave. From there, Grell's view at the top of The Big Ben Clock Tower seemed pallid and boring. She saw everything from here, and it was amazing.
"Come, come, young one. The Master eagerly awaits yer arrival." The Banshee drew a few symbols on the aged stone, muttering in an incomprehensible language under her breath. The etchings glowed an electric blue, simmering down to vibrant green and then yellow, before disappearing completely. The ground shook as the wall vanished, crumbling to the floor. Dust rose, obscuring their view, but the woman knew what was to be done.
"When ye find yerself on the other side, look for the Pyramid and avoid the rivers! Do not - whatever ye do- drink or touch the water! Watch fer 'eh Jackals, they'll take ye to 'im." With the warning, Grell felt a hand on her back, pushing her into the void where the wall once was.
Down and down she fell, feeling her stomach tighten in knots, not being able to see the bottom. She fell through the darkness, time becoming nonexistent and unneeded. There was no way of knowing how long she fell, but suddenly, she crashed to the ground, rolling down the steep ground. She kept going, until the ground evened and she opened her eyes. She stood, and stared at the new world.
There was darkened sand all around, rocks protruding in patches. In the far horizon she heard the massive sound of water rushing, crashing where it met with the imposing iron gates standing in the river. She followed it upstream with her gaze, and saw that the river was made up by five in total, joining at a point. She then looked the other way, seeing that all the water pooled itself into a giant marsh that lead to a frightful waterfall.
She marveled at the sight. Those rivers had to be Styx, Phlegethon, Acheron, Lethe, and Cocytus - the Rivers of Death. They - despite their name and importance- were hardly known to the Reaper Society, for they had long become abandoned, since the Reapers only collected and did a general judging to the souls.
Howling came from the distance, increasing in volume as a thunderous wave of desert sand flew into the air. Louder and louder they grew, Grell brandishing her scythe. The black spots in the distance became larger and more defined. Jackals. They bared their fangs as they approached, teeth glinting in the sun.
Behind them, rode a man with a Jackal's head. He stopped a few feet short of her, pointing a spear in her direction. "Who are you?" He jabbed the spear, making Grell step back and lower her scythe.
"Grell Sutcliff. I've come to meet Death."
The Jackal faced man lowered his weapon, stashing it in its sheath. His hands lifted the mask, revealing an olive-toned face and dark eyes with sharp features. "I am Thanatos. Master Anubis informed us you would arrive; I shall take you to him." He bowed slightly, motioning for the animals to back off. His right hand grasped the ankh tied on his neck, making it glow a vibrant blue. Another horse erupted from the sand, apparently having been summoned by him.
"Get on Akashi, and follow me." Surprised, Grell obeyed the handsome man. The horses instantly took off, the force behind the pull so strong that she had to grip the reins tightly for fear of flying off the massive creature. They raced across the deserted plains of ashen sand and rocks, passing by the roaring river of Styx. It had the most ferocious waves of all the five rivers, the Nine Gates of Death standing proudly open, allowing the ancient floats to pass, ferrying the dead souls.
She gazed at it in awe, never having seen something so majestic in her entire existence. She kept staring as they rode, but her attention was soon stolen by the towering pyramid they were gaining on. It was enormous, filled to the apex with crevices and vined plants creeping over one of the sides. She admired the view, feeling slightly insignificant against the looming structure.
The horses came to a stop at the grand entrance. It was made of tan, dusty stone, and guarded by obsidian giants with spears. They were decorated in all kinds of gold, silver and precious stones, glinting in the sunlight. Thanatos came down from his horse, and went over to Grell, giving her a hand as a true gentleman. She couldn't help but tease him over that.
"Oh my, what a gentleman! Do you do this for all the ladies or just for me?" The other smirked. "Not usually, you must be special." He winked playfully, to which she blushed. People never followed her games, it was a refreshing change.
"Come on, my lady, the Master awaits." He offered his arm, like any doting gentleman, and she latched on with a giddish smile. "Well, we must not keep him waiting any longer." The two walked through the halls, passing by various guards and other paths. They made small chitchat on the way, and became fast friends. When they arrived, Thanatos opened the doors to the Throne room.
In the center, he sat in the grandest of thrones, the King of Death, Anubis. He painted the picture Ciel Phantomhive tried so hard to achieve, the one of regal, powerful, royalty - and with natural grace. He had the head of a jackal, as the mortals depicted him; his trousers were loose, and had a navy and gold sash running along his hips and down the white linen of the pants. Olive toned ankles were decorated in the richest of gold bangles, the same as for the toned arms and neck. He wore no shirt, exposing a muscled chest, strong and smooth. His eyes were colored like sapphires, glinting with wisdom far beyond his looks. His thin muzzled graced them both with a smile as Thanatos bowed deeply, announcing their presence. Grell, unsure of how to behave, decided to follow the other's lead, and bow as he had.
"Rise, my children. I welcome you, Miss Sutcliff. What an honor, to have you in my Temple." He rose from the throne, a smile curling into the edges of his muzzle. "And thank you, Thanatos. You have done well." Thanatos smiled at the compliment as the redhead basked in the knowledge of being referred to as the woman she was.
"Come, let us sit and converse. I believe you and I have much to discuss, Grell." He showed them over to a set table, pulling a chair out for the lady and one for himself. Thanatos excused himself, and made a hasty exit.
"Now then, Miss, what may be on your mind to bring you all the way here?" He poured her a glass of water, passing it over along with a dish of finger fruits. She accepted them eagerly and without question. Though she had to wonder, it was strange that he serve her himself, instead of asking any of the servants to do so. Taking a sip of the ice-cold beverage, she responded. "It is a mixture of many things, actually. The first one being that a Legendary Reaper pretends to revive the dead."
There was a pregnant pause.
"Excuse me. Revive the dead, you say? How so?" He looked at her quizzically, and she felt like cringing under such a stern gaze. "Just as I said, sir. He intends to reanimate the corpses. Or that's what I believe, I haven't fully grasped the situation. He is already able to have them moving without a soul. For what purpose, I know not. The Undertaker is quite unpredictable." Slender fingers picked a strawberry, biting into the delectable fruit.
"And what may be the other reason you came here?" Anubis had seemed to absorb the idea. "Simple curiosity, I guess. I read about the Legends, and got fascinated by what I saw." A laugh was shared between the two. It was surprising to her, how he was so amiable, so charismatic, be what everyone at some point feared.
"I believe there to be another reason for you coming here, Miss Sutcliff." Cerulean orbs shone with mirth, and a hidden secret. Following his playful lead, Grell obliged. "Oh really, sir? Whatever could that reason be, that I don't know myself?"
"Your father." He smirked.
"My - my father? I don't quite follow." She stared at him. How could her father be the reason she came here? He had died when she was little, her mother not much after. How was that possible?
"Aye, I knew your father. Brave Reaper he was. Jaeger Sutcliff, one of my most trusted men, and a dear friend." His canine face took a gentle exterior, somewhat nostalgic. "When you read about this place, about this legend, you connected with it. Your father's spirit beckoned you here; it wasn't only your curiosity."
Mixed emotions swelled inside Grell. This deity of theirs, had been so close to her father? To her confidant, best friend, creator? "You're serious?" She couldn't help but ask. It had been so long since anyone had said anything about her family, she constantly forgot she had once had them.
"Oh yes. Deathly serious, my darlin'." He winked playfully, to take the somber out of her mood. It proved to be useful, as a tiny smile crept on her sharp-toothed mouth. "I was in fact, awaiting your arrival for that reason. I had hoped your father had left something of the Deathlings behind. Something that would lead you here, seeing as I cannot travel to the mortal realm myself. There's only so much I can do at times." She smiled at her father's memory.
"He wanted to bring you here, one day. He wanted to show you our world. Your father thought you'd make an incredible General to my forces. From what I've seen, he wasn't too off mark." His voice was sweet, laced with amusement, and something else, something far from his reach.
"I honestly have no words for that." Grell confessed. "I honestly don't know what to say. Why would he think that? I was only five when he died." Tears started to prick at her eyes, but she wasn't sure if it was of happiness at hearing her father's praise, or sadness at being reminded that she'd lost him.
Anubis stood, jewelry clinking and clanging delicately as he moved. Strong arms surrounded her, offering a comfort that had not been shown to her in a while. It was different from Alan's comfort, or Eric or Ronnie's. It was...fatherly. It was the embrace of a parent, something that she had been deprived of for so long. She welcomed it without question.
"I am not only known as 'King' or 'Master', to all of the Deathlings. Sometimes, they call me 'Father'; but that doesn't mean that I don't act like one all the time. Your father was one of them, and as such, I consider you one of my own. You are always welcome here. I would very much like to see how right your father was. Up until now, I think you'd be a Lieutenant." He chuckled, letting Grell have her vent of emotions.
"Lieutenant?" She perked up, wiping away the tears.
"Yeah. In here, it's: Chief, Lieutenant, Captain, Commander, and finally, General. I think you'd make a splendid Lieutenant, you definitely have the guts and the skills." He ruffled the top of her head, just like her parents did in her early childhood. Though that wasn't the sense in which she had asked the question, she appreciated the thought and confidence in her abilities.
"Of course, that would be given if you wanted to join our ranks." That certainly gave her a stop. "Join your ranks? I mean no disrespect sir, but I stand with the Reapers. I came to you to ask about what could be done in regard to the Undertaker's specific case, not to join a new force." Anubis was not even disappointed - well, only slightly.
"I thought as much. I just want you to know, Grell, that whenever you wish, you can come. You are part of our family. Also, siding with us does not mean you will leave the Reapers. Your father was both." He pat her head. "I believe we've talked enough for today. I'll have Thanatos take you to your room for the night, and tomorrow morning we will discuss both issues further." He left the embrace, pulling the redhead to her feet. "I have some other matters to attend at the moment, so I'm afraid I won't be attending dinner. Such a pity." Anubis lead her to the door, and called for Thanatos. "I shall be seeing you soon, Miss Sutcliff." He made a slight bow, and departed.
"Come on, Miss Grell. I'll show you around the Realm if you'd like." The man, only a few years older than herself in appearance, offered. His mask was cast aside at the moment. "My shift already ended, it'll be fun."
"Are you asking me on a date? How forward of you, darling." She teased.
"Perhaps, I just may be." He replied, a smug grin. A horse was summoned, appearing under Thanatos, and making him rise to look like Prince Charming. "Ride with me?" He extended a hand. Smirking, she took it eagerly.
"I accept your invitation," she said coyly, " Where to first?"
And dooone! Finally I got this one ready, it took me much longer than usual, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. What do you think of Anubis and Thanatos? Both are my OC's named after Death Gods...and Grell's father? I may explore a bit more of him later on. Um...what else did I want to say? Oh yeah, I thank you all for your patience and for you know, reviewing , favoriting the story and all that. It makes me feel incredibly good about my writing and myself. Sometimes, I wake up and when I check my phone and see that someone has reviewed or favorited or followed the story, I just can't help but think, "Whatever the hell happens today, it's gonna be a good day, people like what I do. Screw everything else." So, a big thank you for that! Good-whatever-time-it-is-where-you're-at (because I don't know).
:) Loooove youuu!
~Silver Shadowstorm
