| Gundam Wing: Legend of Mystiks Chapter 7 � You�re not really going to---� � Duo,� Cosmos snapped quietly as she moved her scythe over her shoulder and rested it against her back momentarily before letting it go and making sure it remained within the holding field, � it�s my job. It will be your job. It must be done. Now watch.� � I can�t.� � You better! If you don�t learn from me, Death will teach you himself! And right now he�s pretty pissed off at you and would make you do it his way, which isn�t pleasant for the Reaper!� Cosmos placed her right hand on the old man�s forehead; her thumb near his right temple, her index finger near his left temple. The other fingers were relaxed, obviously not part of the process. She closed her eyes and let her head fall back slightly. Her body glowed a dark purple, which traveled down her arm and surrounded the man. The old man didn�t react initially, then was suddenly completely still. No breathing, no minute shifting. Nothing. Then he seemed to split in two. The younger one sat up while the other stayed on the bed. He stood and looked at Cosmos, then Duo. � Let�s go.� Cosmos opened her eyes as Duo took a step back. � Hai, let�s.� Without glancing, she grabbed Duo�s left hand with her right and the man�s right with her left and phased across several planes before stopping. � Here we are.� A tall man met them, his right hand clutching an almost ludicrously huge scythe. It was as tall as he (six-two), with a four foot crystal blade. The man gave a gentle smile to the soul. � Ohayo, Soul. Do not be frightened. This is where all souls come.� The soul calmed as it realized it would not be hurt. It let go of Cosmos� hand and stepped forward. � So where do I go now?� � That is your decision. Since you have done so much to help others, you may either continue to the other side�--the man gestured to a door on his right--�or be reborn into another body to continue helping others.� The left door was indicated. The soul took no time to think. � I want to be reborn.� � Are you sure? Once it is done, you cannot change your mind.� � Hai.� The man�s smile grew a bit. � As you wish it. You shall return to the Earth to be reborn. Through there.� The door on the man�s left opened on its own and the soul calmly entered into the whiteness beyond. The door shut and the man faced the other two occupants of the room. � I�d say it�s been a while, Cosmos.� � Only a month, Shinigami-sama.� � You�re my best Reaper. Do you know how many compliments I get on you per week?� � Iie.� � At least . . . Oh, I don�t even know! And if I don�t know, then something�s going on.� � As in?� � I have souls who go back requesting you be sent to get them again the next time.� � Honto ni?� � Hai.� He finally noticed Duo. � Omae.� Duo snorted. � Greetings to you too! Mou, you�re a real jerk.� Shinigami�s eyes widened slightly. � Excuse me?� Cosmos elbowed Duo and hissed, � That�s not exactly the best way to start off with Shinigami, ahou! You�re gonna be his subordinate for a long time, whether you like it or not!� � So? Am I supposed to be afraid of him?� � Iie, you�re just supposed to show the proper respect so he doesn�t make sure you die a thousand different painful ways!� Duo marched over to Shinigami and looked up at him. � It�s your fault, no da.� Cosmos smacked her forehead aggravatedly. <Didn�t even listen to a word I said!> � What are you talking about?� � What am I talking about. Ha! You know perfectly well!� Duo waved his arms and, consequently, his scythe at the Death God. � Solo, the kids at the Church and Father Maxwell and Sister Helen!� � Oh, them.� � Oh?! That�s all you can say?! Oh?!� � Duo, they do not want you to worry about them. They�ve all been reborn and promised to find you. They don�t remember it, but their souls do and they will invariably seek you out.� Cosmos observed this with interest. Shinigami-sama was being awfully patient with Duo. Normally he would�ve sent a Reaper to a Chamber of Torture for talking back to him like this. Must be because Duo was new and didn�t quite know the rules yet. <I�ll ask later.> She refocused on the other two. Duo was complaining still. Shinigami raised his hand, silencing Duo immediately. Duo clutched at his throat as he tried to speak but failed. � Duo, stop your worrying. That�s all it is, no da. A lot of worry. Just go back to bed and sleep.� With a small wave, Duo disappeared. Cosmos stepped forward. � Shinigami-sama.� � Hai, Cosmos?� � You were rather patient with Duo.� � Go to bed, Cosmos.� � Doushite?� � . . .� � Doushite?� � . . . Promise not to tell?� � Hai.� Shinigami chuckled. � Mochiron. You�re just a little information center, aren�t you? Always following up on things you think are suspicious. That must be why the souls like you so much.� � Sir?� � You radiate knowledge, they say. Anyway, you wanted to know why I was so patient with Duo?� � Hai.� Shinigami began to wave his hand at Cosmos to send her back to where she had come from. � Why wouldn�t I be patient with my own son?� |