Ch. 5
"Now you stand reborn before us all. So glad to see you well"
A Perfect Circle "The Noose"
I made my way through the guillotine gateways and approached Lord Death along with the others anticipating my arrival. "Hiyah! What's up?! Good to see you again, Vladimir. It has been a long time hasn't it?" "Yes indeed. It's been four years since we've spoken, sir." Even after time has passed, he still kept his really goofy voice, and silly demeanor. "Vladimir! I'm so happy to see you again!" I was suddenly being crushed by an intense bearhug which made breathing impossible. I couldn't writhe my way out, so all I could do was feebly mutter: "Ugh, it's...good to see you too Marie.." She still refused to let me go, and I slowly began to feel lightheaded. "Can't breathe...please..."
A couple of seconds passed until Professor Stein finally intervened. "Alright Marie, I think Vlad perfectly understands how much you missed him." I was released and could breathe once more. If there was one thing I didn't want my epitaph to read, it was: "Perished by suffocation at the hands of Miss Marie." Stein then placed a hand on my shoulder and in a kind tone greeted me. "It's great to see you again, Vladimir. How have you been after all this time?" I looked into the eyes of my former mentor and smiled before replying. "I've been better, but seeing you all again has certainly raised my spirits." "Did someone say my name?" I heard someone abruptly ask. I turned around to see the degenerate Death Scythe walk towards me. I merely snickered and sarcastically replied, "No, but it's good to see you too, jackass." We shook hands while laughing and our meeting seemed to commence.
I looked to find Sid and Justin to which Lord Death informed me, "Sid is currently filling in as a substitute teacher for Stein during our meeting. As for Justin, he volunteered to complete a mission in Brazil at the last minute." I scarcely spoke or interacted with Justin, so it didn't really matter if he was present for this gathering or not. Rather than inquire further, I simply shrugged and dryly quipped; "Oh well, guess he didn't wanna see me again after all these years that I've wept yearning for his presence." I was surprised to see Spirit, Marie, and even Stein stifling their giggling at my jest. "It seems you still retained your sense of humor, Vladimir. However your presence was not requested so you could joke." My smile immediately vanished and my face returned to a stern state. I grabbed a cigarette from my pocket and asked while I lit my coffin nail, "Alright then. So what is the genuine reason for my summoning?" Lord Death clapped his hands together before he began to elaborate.
"I'm not sure if you are aware, but lately there has been a steady increase in the number of Kishiin Eggs appearing throughout the world. I've already assigned Azusa and a team of 20 to hunt down any threat throughout the continent of Asia. However, if the time comes, I may need your colleagues here to travel to wherever more foes lurk and exterminate them." It was after a couple of seconds passed that I put out my cigarette and proceeded to ask him; "And so what is it that you would have me do?" He didn't have to hesitate with his request. "I would like to assign you as a leader for a group of students and guide them on missions to seek and destroy other pre-kishiins." What he was asking me certainly did surprise me. Just thinking about being responsible for the safety and well being of other students honestly scared the shit out of me. It's already bad enough that I failed to protect my former partner. Now I'm asked to watch over a handful of young bloody whelps?!
Marie must have sensed the conflicted state I was in, because she approached me and asked me in that unfaltering kind tone of hers: "Is something wrong Vladimir?" I didn't want her or the others to know how much I was freaking out on the inside, but I curtly replied. "No. It's just that I was not prepared to be given such a responsibility after having been gone for so long." I doubt my facade convinced anyone that I was genuinely calm. Lord Death spoke once more but with a hint of understanding in his voice. "I comprehend that what I'm asking of you is tough, mentally taxing, and rigorous. But I believe you're the ideal person to lead these students in the upcoming months. You would even be honoring Sareena by undertaking this task." At the careless mention of her name, I had to bite my tongue until it bled to keep from shouting furiously. Yet rather than lose my composure, I bitterly bowed my head while swallowing the blood seeping in my tongue and consented. "Fine I'll do it. Just tell me who it is I'll be responsible for so we can get this mess taken care of." Of course he was pleased to have me at his service once more. "Wonderful! I will have a list of chosen students for your group prepared soon. However I ask that you come tomorrow morning to meet them." I simply nodded at his orders, and as I turned to leave the Death Room he waved and called out in his typical wacky voice. "See ya in the morning, Vladimir! And thank you again for volunteering!" I turned around to face them one more time and said before exiting, "Yeah, don't mention it. And next time, don't manipulate me by name dropping Sareena in hopes of getting me to do your bidding."