So, if you enjoy the kind of short stories I write, you'd probably also be interested in the work of Lavanya Six. Her shorts are collected in "The Fun and Perky Warrior's Wolf tail" which is linked in my Favorites. This next piece is play on her own latest work, chapter 11 in her series, and features Death from Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" series.


Hahn and DEATH: A Remix

It was supposed to be glorious. The last surviving member of the raiding party reaches the Admiral's observation deck, boldly announces his intention to destroy the monstrous Firebender who would destroy the last bastion of civilization on the planet, and then charges. The Admiral dies with a scream, the spear plunging easily into his heart, and as he gasps his last, realizes that his whole life was for naught, that he was a fool to think he could stand against the rugged warriors of the Northern Water Tribe. In some versions, the hero of the story follows the admiral into death, his task complete. In the better tellings, he goes on to escape, sustaining injuries, but beating back the army that would stand between him and his bride to be (a spirit-touched Princess!) who of course would greet him with a passionate kiss.

After all, that was the kind of stuff that was supposed to happen with heroes.

Thus, Hahn was justifiably confused when all he experienced was sudden vertigo, lots of wind in his hair, and then a very cold, hard stop.

He looked around, and saw not the observation deck of the Fire Nation's command ship, but the outside hull of the ship bobbing atop the ocean waves. He saw not the twisted, bloody body of the enemy admiral, but his own form, head at an odd angle, being dragged down into the ocean by the weight of his stolen armor.

MANY WOULD HAVE EXPECTED BETTER DIVING TECHNIQUE FROM A MEMBER OF THE WATER TRIBES. IT'S STRANGE HOW FEW CONSIDER THE TEMPERATURE OF THE OCEAN THIS FAR NORTH. I VE MET QUITE A FEW SWIMMERS FROM THIS REGION, AND NONE HAD EVER TRIED IT MORE THAN ONCE.

Hahn turned to face the- speaker?- and suddenly things were much clearer. After all, what could be a better avatar for the Spirit of Death than a skeleton with glowing eyes, swathed in a black cloak, and holding a scythe?

The classics had to be respected.

Hahn, or rather, his immortal remains, looked down at where his body had sunk, and then back at Death. "That wasn't how it was supposed to be."

IT RARELY IS, was the not-unkind reply.

"I would have expected I'd be sadder. Aren't people supposed to cry when you come? But I just feel disappointed. I don't even care about leaving Yue, so much."

THAT'S THE LACK OF HORMONES. THINGS CHANGE WHEN YOU ARE NO LONGER BOUND BY YOUR PHYSICAL MEAT. BUT EITHER WAY, THERE'S NO NEED TO WORRY ABOUT YOUR PRINCESS. SHE WILL DO WHAT IS REQUIRED.

Well, there was that, at least. Something else about the statement captured Hahn's interest. "So there's more? For me?"

The eyeholes of Death's skull twinkled blue.

"Reincarnation? Or the Spirit World? Or something else?"

THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DISCOVER. SOME CONSIDER THE JOURNEY AN ADVENTURE ALL ITS OWN.

Hahn liked the sound of that. He felt himself fading away, and wasn't bothered by the sensation. However, before he could completely disappear into whatever came next, another thought occurred to him. "But... will anyone else every know about my adventure? How can I be a hero if no one knows?"

Death actually shrugged his bony form. IF THAT IS HOW YOU DEFINE A HERO, THEN I SUPPOSE YOU CAN'T. TO BE HONEST, THE CONCEPT OF HEROISM HAS CONSISTENTLY CONFUSED ME. IS THAT TRULY HOW IT GOES?

The last legacy to Hanh's existence would be his reply. "I guess I wouldn t know."

END