1. Love

Reality was based on pillars of forces beyond mortal men and their understanding. Seven of these forces represented core aspects of life: Destiny, Death, Dream, Destruction, Desire, Despair, and Delight. Together they were a family known as the Endless.

Each had their duty and domain, but their receptions by mortals were as varied as the siblings themselves. Death was the final destination, the inevitable end of all things living. She was the great equalizer that men, women, children, and all other creatures alike must one day stand before, no matter their morality, belief, or wealth. At least, that was once the case.

Death had turned away from her duty. Her heart was heavy from the stinging rejection of those she was meant to guide. None were appreciative of her efforts, regardless of species. The way people would snarl like beast at her coming made her feel as though she was better suited to be one of her brother Dream's nightmares. After a time, the grievance in her heart hardened into resentment.

In frustration Death had hidden away on a desolate planet brought to brink from war. Moons had fallen upon the surface and the atmosphere was choked with the smoke of burning debris. It was another world brought to its last legs by the ever growing war between New Genesis and Apokolips.

Death lingered on the stone floor of a crumbling fortress that stood upon a cracked plateau. Portions of the fortress still had the lingering scent of burning flesh and broken weapons littered the ceiling and walls.

Death had the form of a woman with long dark hair with pale features that were covered by a smooth bone white mask from the nose up. The red marking etched onto the mask were reminiscent of a skeleton of unidentifiable origins that unnerved those who looked upon her. It was her means of returning the disgust and rejection of those who recoiled from her presence regardless. She wore a simple faded black dress with rough edges and ragged bandages that covered her limbs.

Even during her seclusion, she could feel the suffering of mortals that now desired an escape from their suffering, but her heart was unmoved. When she had freely given this kindness, they only had vitriol to spare. Death had no interest in their concerns any longer. They could enjoy everything the physical world had to offer since they were so attached to it.

She would linger here and spare herself their overflowing scorn.

Power so familiar but distant made itself known before her. Reality twisted and from the distortion two figures fell harshly to the floor with a crash. To her bewilderment, it was a man and a snow white owl.

Death took a closer look at the man as he rose from his impromptu landing. Said man had wild black hair that seemed to have won every encounter it ever had with a comb. His beard and moustache weren't much better though they showed signs of a valiant attempt if nothing else. A prominent lightning bolt shaped scar rested on the man's forehead that was partially obscured by a set of green tinted goggles.

The white owl flew to his shoulder and scolded him with a feminine voice, "That landing was abysmal. There are easier ways of breaking our bones, no need for the spectacle."

The man dusted his worn green overcoat and adjusted his well cared for scarf, "Don't blame me. You were there and know what happened. The next time I'm transported against my will, I'll make sure to demand your convenience."

"I'll hold you to that," the owl spat back in a huff, not appreciating her companion's testy tone.

The man scanned the room with a look of practiced disinterest. It was clear that he found the fort dearly lacking in some aspects, though it didn't seem to be due to its decayed nature. As he scanned the room, her attention was drawn to the jingling caused by the necklace he wore. Said necklace held an emerald in the center that held the familiar essence of her brother Dream, though this was both diluted and a bit removed. Beside the emerald was a black bead that was just saturated with her power. It was no little amount either.

Death rattled her mind for any recollection of gifting an artifact of such power to any being. From the flow of its energy, the bead was freely given so theft was not a concern. She could only assume that in some period of time in the future she would gift this mysterious man such an item. What was her relationship with this man?

The man froze as he finally noticed that he wasn't alone in the room. When his eyes gazed into hers through the mask, she marveled as his look of disinterest melted into something inexplicably warm. With a smile that crinkled his eyes and made him look so much more welcoming.

"Hello, it's a pleasure to see Death herself," he said in a sincerely jovial voice. Harry strolled forward to continue his greeting.

Death rose and met him halfway. It was something of a pleasant surprise that he knew exactly who she was but still felt pleased. She reached out to shake his hand.

Instead of a handshake, that overly familiar and bold man actually took her hand and pressed a soft but firm kiss on the back of her hand without ever breaking eye contact.

Death felt her cheeks warm up. It was a childish and immature reaction, but the weight of that loving look in his eyes blindsided her. She hoped that the mask did its job and hid just how much effect he had on her. By the boyish smile he wearing, it hadn't done a thing.

Clearly her future self was far too lax with this man!