Chapter 23

This is the ending made it extra long for you guys.

The throne room was teeming with all the upper class citizens of the realm and the elders of each kingdom. War walked around talking to his guests, being as cordial as he liked. His guests weren't all that pleased to be there but it was out of respect that they came. Strife kept his head low and out of the vicinity of War's eye as he kept himself close to the throne doors. His back to the door, he felt it was locked. Great.

Death arrived at the gates leading to the capital. The guards stood at full attention at the man in the black cloak. Death removed his hood. Most of the guards nearby turned white, like seeing a ghost and others stayed in attention, obviously new recruits who didn't know the man standing before them.

"As your former and soon to be lord again, I order you to let me pass." Death commanded. A smug angel trotted to Death on his horse.

"You're no longer king. Go back to the jungle where you belong." He pulled out his sword. Death pulled out his scythe. He summoned it after his bout with Strife. How foolish of Strife to hide it under the Crow father's wagon. He disarmed the angel. Seeing he wasn't a match for Death, he pulled back. Death walked straight toward the other guards and out of intimidation they moved out of his way.

After talking to the elders, War signaled Uriel to talk to him. He and Uriel walked away from the crowd so unwanted ears didn't hear them. He knew every kingdom did not respect him. Most of the nephilim made it obvious of their distaste of him and he wasn't getting much respect from those who weren't ignoring him.

"Have you found any of them yet?" He whispered to Uriel.

"No. We lost track of them at the Crow father's home."

"That old coot." War muttered angrily.

"I never trusted him. He's probably working with them to redeem himself. Still, there is no chance of the curse being broken." Uriel decided now was a good as any time to continue with her bad news.

"We found Absalom's body in the woods yesterday. His face was in one of the traps."

"Death." War cursed.

"And Strife. We spoke to some people who saw him at an inn with a woman."

"What did she look like?" War asked immediately.

"She was dark haired- a nephilim."

"Fury." War whispered.

"I don't care what it takes. I want you to find them. Get all the men to hunt them I-"He stopped when he saw a nephilim at the doors.

"Is that Strife?" Uriel looked in War's direction. It was Strife struggling to pick the lock of the door.

"If he's here, then Death cannot be far behind." War figured, and then he fixed his posture and faced Uriel again.

"Kill him." Then turned away and returned to the crowd, staying around the edge just in case.

Death moved forward in the capital towards the throne room doors. As he passed by, servants gasped and murmured seeing Death again. They never knew the truth to Death's absence, which sent rumors through the city; he abandoned his title for his love, Fury, he died, he disgraced himself, etc.

Uriel walked through the crowd gracefully to not bring attention to herself. Strife was working with the lock. It was a difficult one. On gut feeling, he looked back and saw Uriel moving towards him. He turned back and worked faster. He struggled a little more and finally… yes!

The doors burst open and Strife went to the side barely holding on. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to the doors. Death stood on his horse. He looked to his left and saw Strife giving him thumbs up.

The people were murmuring in disbelief. They couldn't believe their eyes. Death has returned. Though many didn't believe he was dead, they were still shocked to see him. They believed all the rumors that surfaced in the realm.

Neither knew the truth of the matter, but it was going to be settled today.

War's face contorted in pure evil. How he hated Death. Death kept his angry eyes on War as he marched towards him. War waved a hand and Uriel arrived on horseback with her sword in hand behind Death.

Death turned his horse around to see Uriel charging on him. Death stormed on her, his scythe and her sword clashed sending sparks from both weapons shooting around the room. Uriel hit Death with his elbow knocking him off the horse. He fell back but landed on his feet. He aimed his scythe at Uriel and threw it.

The scythe came so fast that Uriel was knocked off her horse. Another scythe was hurdled at Uriel and she slapped it away from her with her sword. The scythe hit the ceiling window, which shattered into small pieces. They ignored the falling window pieces and swung their scythe and sword at each other. This went on for minutes until Death finally got the upper hand and kicked Uriel down. The sunlight beaming in the room, Death looked back and saw it.

The moon was moving in front of the sun. The Crow father's prediction was coming true.

"A day without a night and a night without a day," Death murmured. Fury would be changing soon. He had to get to her. This would be their only chance.

War looked at the open ceiling and saw the eclipse taking place. Was it possible? The charred council said the spell could never be broken unless it was by him and War wasn't going to do that until Death was dead.

"Crow father, wait! I'm coming!" Death shouted, running to the doors, but Uriel jumped in front of him. This battle was going to continue whether Death liked it or not.

Death swung his scythe at Uriel's sword with all he had. He was going to finish her quick and get to Fury so they could touch. He knocked Uriel down and ran towards the door. Uriel reached out and tripped Death, his scythe flew out of his hand as he hit the floor. Uriel stood and slammed her sword down at Death. He rolled out of the way and tripped Uriel up, causing her to lose her sword. Strife slid the scythe back to Death. He grabbed it and slammed it into Uriel's chest. He pulled the scythe out and Uriel clutched the wound and fell over dead.

Just then, the bells rang—a warning bell. It was over. The Crow father was going to follow Death's orders and kill the hawk. He shouldn't get mad Death told himself. The Crow father is only doing what he told him to do.

"Crow father, make it quick," He whispered.

The Crow father heard the bells tolling. He looked towards the sky and saw the moon in front of the sun. It didn't matter now. Death had failed, the bells attest to that. He was dead. The hawk was standing by him unaware of what was going on. The Crow father held the knife in his hand. He didn't want to do it. He was sure Death would come back. The Crow father begged Death not to do it. He told him to wait until the eclipsed happen. Now he was dead and the Crow father had to kill Fury. The blade was shiny and sharp. He aimed it at the hawk's neck.

"Forgive me."

Death faced War and walked towards him. War's arrogant smug face made Death want to rip his head off shoulders right then and there.

"Kill me, Death and the curse will go on forever. You must think about Fury." he said softly, knowing that would get him. He knew Death would never put Fury in any harm.

"Fury is dead." He said bitterly.

"She no longer has to suffer from the curse you put on us." His grip tightened on his scythe.

"Now I'm going to send you to a place where you will never join her." He raised his scythe to strike him down.

"Death." His whole body froze. No, it couldn't be. It was impossible, but he couldn't help taking the chance and turning around.

Fury stood at the other end of the room in a purple dress. War turned away from the sight. No, it was impossible. She couldn't be standing in the flesh, in daylight, but there was no denying the fact the spell was broken. Death faced War again and approached him in anger. He was being shaken by Death.

"Look at me!" Death growled. Death shook War again and forced him to look at Fury.

"Look at her!" He shook him again and moved back in front of War so he would look at her and him.

"Look at us!" Death released War and walked to Fury. She started walking to him, her right hand extended to him. Halfway, Death fell to his knees; he lowered his scythe to the floor. When Fury reached him, Death grabbed her right hand, tightly. He didn't want to let her go. Fury smiled down at him and ran her fingers through his hair, lovingly; amazed she was touching, seeing him again after so long.

The Crow father was now beside Strife as they watched the two lovers reunite. Fury looked up from Death to War; her eyes were full of scorn. War smiled at her as she release her grip from Death and approach him. War couldn't help but smile. He still loved her. She was coming to him.

When Fury reached War, she slapped him hard. The force of her skin cut through his. Blood crept from his cheek. She turned away and walked back to Death.

War's face knotted in anger and pure hatred. How dare she return to Death and not him? He would end this too. He grabbed the sword by Uriel's lifeless body and raised it at Fury.

"If I can't have you…."

"Death!" The Crow father called out. Death turned and threw his scythe at War. It pierced through his chest. War fell back slump in his throne chair. His eyes were still on Fury who watched in shock.

"Fury…" He said in his dying breath as the blood from his mouth trickled out.

Fury stood there with her hand over her chest trying to calm down her racing heart. War almost killed her. Death stood and took Fury's hand and pulled her away from the site. He stopped in the middle of the room and the two stared at each other for a moment before exploring. They touched each other's hair, caressed their face. They had to make sure it was real, they weren't dreaming but this was a reality.

"It's almost unreal…" Fury said stroking his face. Her hand rested his chin. A smile crossed his face.

Death smiled and took her hand to kiss her fingers and then her lips, lips he has been dying to taste for three long years. They embraced each other, not wanting to ever let go.

Death slowly parted from Fury and searched the crowd for Strife and The Crow father.

"You two, come here." Strife and the Crow father stepped out of the crowd and walked to them.

"You two have helped us in ways we can only begin to thank you for." Fury hugged the Crow father and Strife, grateful for they have done for her and Death.

"You're our truest friend." Fury said and kissed Strife on the cheek. Death wrapped an arm around Fury keeping her close.

"I would be honored if you both joined our kingdom. Maybe even Strife could become a soldier."

"Me? A soldier of the Hellguard?" Strife pointed to himself. He couldn't believe the offer. All his life he was on the wrong side of the track, but these two—Death and Fury's story changed his ways to the side of good. He didn't feel that need to steal or lie anymore.

"I'll be honored and I won't let you down."

"It's more of a privilege to be welcome back, Death. It is I who should be honored." The Crow father said. Death nodded and faced Fury again. She yelped, laughing as Death lifted her up and spun her around, her smile and laughter warming his heart.

"I never thought I'd see your smile again. I love you so much."

"I love you too." Fury told him.

He lower Fury back to the ground and kissed her again, sending all the love he had for her, the love he had held and waited to express for three years to her with a promise they will never be apart again. Fury returned the kiss just as eagerly with the same promise. Their love had been put to the ultimate test and passed. They will never be apart again; they were now close and would never be far away from each other ever again...