Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Danny Phantom.

Note: Warning, sensitive topics ahead related to character death. Also, just a heads up, like the first version of Owen's story I'm going to get a bit biblical here but just consider it mythology since I'm putting my own spin on it for the sake of the story itself. We already know a lot of mythological figures exist in the Danny Phantom universe as ghosts or spirits so that's one reason I decided to include demons/wraiths, angels, witches, and so on.

With the wraiths I wanted to create an enemy even ghosts would be afraid of because becoming one is almost like a second death where what's left of them becomes a soulless creature of darkness while their soul or core is sent somewhere else where they're powerless to escape. You'll see why in this chapter which is basically the big reveal that ties what's been happening in Owen's life so far together.

Chapter 32: Unveiled

(Chapter inspired "Phoenix" by Solence)

Owen's POV

"I'm...what?" I asked, frozen in place when the Shadow of Death told me I am the reincarnation of the first Necromancer. "So is that what Azrael meant when he said my soul is bound to this world?"

"Yes." He answered airily, explaining. "As you can imagine reincarnation is not a common occurrence. If it were, many lost souls would seek out the chance to return to the world of the living rather than remain stagnant as they are as ghosts, unchanging. For once time has stopped for them there is no returning. Yet even so, it is their natural instinct to return there because long ago when mankind was still young the world of the living and the dead were closely intertwined as you will soon come to understand."

When the fog cleared I saw what had to be the most beautiful garden in the world with plants and animals decorated in vibrant colors you can't even imagine are real. Everything was so lush. And in the middle of the garden I noticed a woman with long black hair laughing and smiling with a man who had chestnut colored hair under a large tree that seemed to be glowing with this sort of...dreamy halo that made the leaves glint like gold in the sunlight. She reminded me so much of my mom that without thinking I took a step closer but flinched when the playful laughter suddenly stopped and her words turned venomous.

Then the fog rolled back in so I couldn't see exactly what happened next but I heard it alright. They continued their heated argument until finally the woman stormed off, her hand angrily pushing back the wall of mist as she unexpectedly strode past me. In fact, I could feel the intensity of her anger just from that brief interaction as she brushed past me like she couldn't see me either. She was furious and deeply hurt by the fact that her husband did not see her as an equal and expected nothing but absolute obedience...

To be honest I'm not all that religious thanks to the fact that I've always been able to see ghosts which seemed like a cruel thing for anyone to burden a child with, but I had a feeling I knew where this was going so I followed her through the mist until it cleared again to reveal a much more depressing landscape than the one before. The earth was dried and cracked, devoid of any signs of life. There was nothing but the dust at her feet for miles in every direction which is why when a lone figure appeared in the distance they were almost impossible for anyone to miss. That's when the Shadow of Death suddenly reached out their hand to stop me from following her further after she tearfully took the hand of the stranger and they vanished without a trace.

"This is where it all began." He explained sadly. "Since my power has become an inseparable part of you, that's why you're able to see my memory of these tragic events. I'm sure you are familiar with the story of Adam and Eve but there is a story older still that few remember and even fewer accept as the truth..."

Leaning down next to my ear the Shadow of Death continued. "That woman you see before you is Lilith, the one who would later became known as the Mother of Demons. She was Adam's first wife that left the Garden of Eden in a bitter rage only to be seduced by a fallen angel and banished from the garden forever-after. As punishment for her crime Lilith was denied the divine gift of life and cursed so that from that day onward her children's souls would always return to Death so that they might remain pure and untainted by the dark power the fallen angel had given her which soon corrupted Lilith's heart.

"You were her first unborn child that was given the task to pass along Death's power down to your bloodline to protect both the living and the dead from her madness. For when she learned of this curse Lilith swore that if she could not be the divine mother to mankind, then she would destroy the world of men, take over the realm of the dead, and one day take you back to rule at her side. This is the reason you were always reborn almost immediately to prevent Lilith from finding you. However, since the Veil and Earth were one at the time this was no simple task.

"Despite our best efforts, Lilith eventually did find you and since ghosts are extremely vulnerable to her dark magic many of them became Wraiths whose sole mission was to bring you to her. And so it was decided that in order for us to protect you along with the world of the living as well as the dead that, I, Death, would have to make the ultimate sacrifice to finally end the war with Lilith-" Raising one hand and holding my shoulder tightly with the other, the ground beneath us began to rumble, the air itself also becoming so charged with spiritual energy that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

I'm not really sure how to describe what I saw but it was like...a whole layer of reality was being torn away in one great heave which ripped open many holes in the process where you could still see through to the other side. The tremors got so bad at one point I had to shut my eyes since it was making me sick and the Shadow of Death shielded me from the bright light that appeared at the very end of this huge shift with their cloak. After that, it felt like I was floating deep underwater with nothing but raw energy pressing down all round me like water, constantly moving and shifting like ocean tides. But the worst part was suddenly being hit with the intense feeling of unrest as all the ghosts and spirits who had quite literally just been uprooted from their home which had now become entirely unrecognizable.

When I opened my eyes again I was met with a swirling sea of ethereal blue that soon faded to a deep purple and then finally a bright toxic green. In the aftermath I could see large chunks of land suspended in midair which slowly transformed into a pale reflection of their old counterparts on Earth, many of which had been destroyed long ago either by war or the ravages of time. After that, there was nothing but random doors floating everywhere you looked. That's when it finally hit me what this place actually was, Vlad described it to me once which is how I knew this was-

"The Ghost Zone." I realized, staring wide-eyed up at the Shadow of Death. "I get it now. You're trying to tell me that Death used the last of their power to tear away the Veil from Earth to turn it into this, right?"

Nodding solemnly he lowered his arms and replied forlornly. "That's right. When the Veil was torn away a rift was also formed between the two worlds which is the place where Lilith was banished along with all her dark children. Now only faint echoes of the old Veil remain intact, the original spirit world that once overlapped the Earth directly. Though to be fair, even in ancient times the two very rarely intersected with one another since ghosts and spirits did not possess the power that they do now which is enough to grant them physical form. And whenever a dangerous ghost did crossover into the real world it was the sworn duty of all Necromancers to carry out my will."

"And what IS your will?" I asked, trying to let everything I learned really sink in. "What is it that you expect me to do? I still don't understand why you're showing me all of this when I've got my own problems to deal with. It's not like knowing any of this changes what's happening right now and I'm still powerless to do anything to help the people I care about!"

To my surprise, the Shadow of Death smiled at my reply, wrapped me in a warm embrace and answered softly. "I told you, I am merely an echo Death just as the ones who came to your aid before are echoes of your past lives. But even so, what hasn't changed is that I also want nothing more than to help you in any way I can. It is the least I can do after we trapped you in this endless cycle of death and rebirth which will continue until the day Lilith is defeated once and for all and order is restored to the realm of the dead which has fallen to chaos since Death's demise. But you are not alone. The rest of your bloodline may be lost save for yourself, yet fate has given you the chance to gain two powerful allies that have also been touched by Death."

Looking directly into my eyes, the Shadow of Death's parting words were- "The former friend who brought you here may have dared to steal Death's name, but only you are Death's true proxy, his last remaining angel who shepherds the souls of the dead. Remember this, and you will find the strength to bind him to YOUR will rather than you to his. Should that fail then use the dagger to severe the bond between you and Kurst because what began in blood must also end...with blood."

Danny's POV

Vlad barely stopped me in time by pulling me back sharply by the collar before I collided headfirst with Azrael when he suddenly appeared in front of us out of thin air. Not gonna lie, I kinda thought Owen was exaggerating about the whole 'not sensing him' thing but we really didn't sense Azrael at all. What surprised me even more though is how Vlad unexpectedly pushed me behind him and shielded me with his body while glaring hatefully at Azrael which seemed a bit out of character. Then again maybe he just didn't want me charging ahead and ruining the plan.

"Ah, I was wondering when you'd wake up from your little nap. I must admit I didn't think it would be so soon." Azrael began mockingly, his eyes locked onto Vlad's.

Charging an attack in one hand, Vlad gave him a matching sneer in return and replied. "By the time I'm finished with you, your biggest regret won't be that I woke up, it will be that you ever made an enemy of me to begin with. You should know that better than anyone, Azrael, that I'm not afraid to bend or break the rules when it comes to protecting what's mine. Or have you forgotten already just how possessive I can be? I AM a ghost after all, not unlike yourself."

Throwing back his red cloak that fanned out behind him like a pair of blood red wings, Azrael threw his head back and laughed like we had just told the funniest joke then stopped just as suddenly which was pretty unsettling actually. I mean, I've dealt with my fair share of crazies, but something about the way he was acting seemed...off.

Peering at us through his fingers, Azrael jeered. "You're wrong about that. I am SO much more than that. Just like Owen is more than what he appears. It's a shame you won't survive long enough to witness his ascension. That is, unless you turn around right now before I am forced to take more drastic measures to stop you from interfering. Why would you want to anyway when I can just give you a replacement?"

More than a little creeped out by his sinister word as Azrael gestured towards me, we heard him say. "It may not seem like it, but truth be told I am grateful for everything you've done so I'll make you an offer. A trade if you will. If you agree to relinquish your claim on Owen here and now then I'll help you make that boy there your son instead since I just so happen to have a certain ancient relic capable of sealing memories away which would make him more...agreeable. That way, we'll both get what we want in the end."

Scowling at Azrael I scoffed. "Pfft! Yeah right, like Vlad's really gonna listen to-?!"

"Daniel, be quiet and let him finish." Vlad interrupted, glancing back at me with a deep calculating look, almost as if he was seriously considering it. Normally, I would have expected this kind of backstabbing from him but now I knew better and took the hint. Vlad was only trying to buy Sam and Tucker more time to reach Owen by playing along with Azrael's insane idea to brainwash me so I followed his lead retreated back a few inches, giving them both a look of disgust.

"No way. Vlad, you'd really give up on Owen just like that...?" Shaking my head I clenched my fists and continued angrily. "Oh my god could you BE any more selfish?! I thought the whole point of coming here was to save him, not make a deal with the devil!"

"I'm only weighing my options Daniel." Vlad argued in a very business-like tone. "The truth is, I pitied Owen just as I pity you for having a father like Jack Fenton who fails to realize how fortunate he is. While you're not academically inclined like your sister, the potential I see in you is just as exceptional so can you blame me for clinging to the dim hope that there's still a chance for us to become a family?"

The way Vlad looked at me after that almost made me forget he was putting on an act for a second since I haven't seen that look on his face since my parents college reunion at his castle. A look of genuine fondness and pride because of how similar we are. In some ways Vlad is the same as ever but in other bigger ways he HAS changed, we've all noticed it, especially Owen. The old Vlad would have leapt at a chance like this but now that he had found Owen who clearly needs someone like him a lot more than I do and actually WANTS to be a part of his life, his family, there was absolutely no reason for Vlad to consider Azrael's stupid offer...

And Vlad told him as much point blank with that darn Cheshire-cat smirk of his by saying off-handedly. "No offense to Daniel, but why should I settle for less now that I've found something more? You really should have considered bringing someone like Owen into my life when you know that once I set my mind to something there's no changing it. And I have chosen to take back what's already mine."

"So be it." Azrael interrupted before I could say anything in response, his voice turning icy. "Then you have chosen to die."

With a wave of his hand Azrael and a swirl of blue flames summoned the ghost wolf Eris told us about to his side. It was more like a lion honestly with how gigantic it was and there was something ominous about the way it looked at us while bearings its razor sharp fangs. That thing was definitely thirsty for our blood so only its loyalty to Azrael kept it from lunging and ripping our throats out on the spot.

I've got to hand it to Vlad, he's really got Azrael pegged because this was exactly the outcome we were hoping for. With all of his attention on us Azrael had no idea my friends had snuck past him and his pet with a 'relic' of our own that would take Owen far away from here. And now that his wolf was here too, that meant no one was left guarding Owen so all there was left for us to do was to keep him busy. If there's one thing Vlad and I excel at though, it's annoying the crap out of our enemies.

Owen's POV

"...oh good, he's opening his eyes!" Tucker sighed in relief when he saw movement under my heavy eyelids.

Her voice shaking, Sam answered. "Thanks for letting me know but just...give me a second ok? I haven't been so scared since Danny walked out of his parents portal after it turned on. Thank god I know CPR otherwise Owen might have-"

"It's ok Sam, I was scared too but the important thing to remember is that we did it and he's going to be fine. Thanks for showing me how to do it." Tucker said warmly, comforting Sam as much as he could.

I was confused at first until it dawned on me that the shock of my awakening might have been too much for my heart to handle and I stopped breathing. That must have been how I was able to pass through the Veil, or what's left of it anyway, so the Shadow of Death could show me those visions like when someone's life supposedly flashes before their eyes in the split second before they die and go towards the light. Turns out that even if I wanted to go there too I don't have a choice. I'll...always come back until I finish things with Lilith...

But first off, it was time I cut ties with my 'friend' Azrael.

Noticing my sudden movements, Sam and Tucker fell back and yelled in surprise. "Whoa!"

After the agonizing experience I had just gone through none of us expected that I'd be able to move that quickly, but as soon as I saw the glint of silver out of the corner of my eye I reached for the dagger, closing my hand around the hilt. Springing to my feet I used the strength of my anger to keep myself moving even though my body still ached all over. Hell, I didn't even notice when the bandage around my left wrist came loose and fluttered to the floor, revealing that the cut was almost completely healed. A sure sign that the ritual to turn me into a fully-fledged Necromancer had been a success...

Too bad I wasn't going to let Azrael enjoy that victory for too long, especially since the last thing the Shadow of Death shared with me was his real name which I hoped would be enough to get through to him before I had to resort to using the very same dagger that once killed me to cut myself out of his heart. Well, not literally but you catch my drift. One way or another, just like the Shadow of Death told me, this would have to end in blood and the only question is will it be mine-

-or his?