The world around me seems to slow to a halt. Colors drain from the forest, leaving behind a monochrome reality.

  The only thing I can focus on is the message before me.

  You have become a member of the Shadow Requiem.

  Congratulations, Clara

  "Thanks…" I breathe, my eyes flickering down to my chest, where my torn clothes expose my new wound that smears Death’s mark. As I struggle to make sense of the situation, a grim figure appears from the shadows of a nearby tree.

  Death himself stands before me, observing the remains of Valoria's form as it withers away into the forest floor.

  "You were able to best one of my Denizens of Darkness, it seems," he states, his voice a chilling whisper.

  I can’t find the words to respond, my mind is in disarray as I try to grasp why Valoria, no, why Valor had done such a thing.

  "That's right."

  Death's reaction is nothing short of annoyance, his presence growing colder, if that was even possible.

  "From this day forth, you are a member of the Shadow Requiem. Blah, blah, blah..." He rattles on before giving up on his speech.

  "Just give me my boon so we can get this over with."

  Three rings materialize in the air between us.

  Ring of Flame: Assists in the control of fire magic

  Ring of Currents: Assists in the control of water magic

  Ring of Resolve: Assists in maintaining control of emotions when you have a goal in mind

  Each was useful in its own right, although that was just it. They were only useful. I needed something more, something that could really make a difference.

  "I got rid of a really strong dryad though, right? Is it okay for Lord Death to prepare such meager rewards?" I ask as innocently as I can, and Death's expression grows even more grim.

  "I am very busy, I think it would be best if you settled for one of these," Death insists, but I shut him down.

  "What are you so busy with? It's you and me, we've got all the time in the world," I say that, but it’s only now that I notice a small pair of hands pulling at the hem of my dress.

  A child hides behind me, cowering in fear. The same soul I had wanted to send to Death mere moments ago, was now trying her best to hide from him.

  "Hello, Ann Bourghway. I’ve been waiting for you for quite some time," Death says calmly, and reaches a bony hand out. But Ann pulls away, harshly enough to nearly make me lose my footing. I turn, keeping her just out of reach of Death.

  "Come now, there’s no need to be afraid."

  "You hurt Valor! You…you’re a bad man!"

  "You still remember that? Why, what a smart girl you are! How about we go and show your grandfather just how smart you’ve become?"

  "Grandpa?..." Ann whispers, and I can feel her grip on my dress loosen, but only for a moment.

  "Yes, grandpa and Jack are waiting for you. Don’t you want to see them? Come, I’ll take you to them!" Death tries to pivot around me, but I turn once more. It’s all I can do to protect Ann from him.

  "Have you no shame? Using her family against her like that," I say, taking a short step forward.

  "Out of the way, Clara Liore. It’s her time to go now." Death looms over me as he says this, but I don’t budge.

  "Her time? Her friend just passed away, how do you expect her to move on like this? She’s terrified!"

  "Ha! Friend? That friend of hers is what ended her life! The girl has been dead and gone for a millenia now. She has had MORE than enough time to make her peace!" Death declares, and marches closer now. Just for a moment, I see my father in him. It’s brief, but unmistakable.

  "That’s not true! You made Valor hurt me! She didn’t want to! She never wanted to! You made her!" Ann cries out, and clings to me tighter than ever now.

  "You saw me?... Even more proof your death was near. That’s right, I had your best friend in the whole wide world pity kill you. Put you out of your misery, so to speak. You were nothing more than a test to see just how well she could listen. The results? Well you can see that for yourself, can’t you?"

  I can’t help but shudder at Death’s words.

  "A soul moves on when they’re damn well ready. You should know this better than anyone else!"

  "Enough! I don't have the time for this." Death reaches for Ann, but the moment his hand grazes her wrist, a golden radiance shines from her. Death quickly pulls away before laughing under his breath.

  "You’re protected by that Karma too, are you? But how much is she willing to stake on a mere child?" Death’s hand clamps around Ann’s wrist, and golden bolts of electricity begin to arc out wildly around them.

  Ann screams as she’s pulled out from behind me, but I hold onto her, pulling back as I look up into Death’s hollow gaze that’s locked onto the spirit between us.

  Death was a God. One far more ancient than the rest. He was closer to an idea than he was a being, and he continues to prove that with his lack of understanding for the souls he is meant to govern over.

  This complete lack of compassion came from obsession. Obsession to collect souls. Obsession that everything must end.

  "The Eternal Dream…" I grunt as I pull on Ann’s arm. That’s what Aetheria called this place. If dying is truly just the final dream, then I should be able to influence it just as I did with Elias, right? If that’s the case, then I have to try something, anything.

  Divine Aspect, Eidolon of the Slumbering Tree is calling out to you!

  The Grand Tree? I turn on my heel and I see the tree glowing a vibrant green in this black and white world. Even as the rest of the forest continues to burn, the Grand Tree stands tall. With one hand still on Ann’s, I reach for the Grand Tree.

  Just how my past lives feel like dreams to me, I can still feel them, even after waking; but I am not ready to wake up yet.

  My fingers barely scrape against the Grand Tree.

  The muscles that have left me, that I can no longer move, no matter how much I will them to. The spells that were ingrained into my very being that yearn to be cast once more. All my power is gone, but the feeling isn't. It's always felt just out of reach, and I feel that maybe in this time and place, I can reach it just for a moment.

  Divine Aspect, Eidolon of the Slumbering Tree wishes to know which dream you need

  "All of them."

  Images flash before me. Each a dream from a life long since passed.

  The 16th, my first time hunting down a wild beast.

  The 22nd, my first time taking another human's life.

  The 35th, my first time killing a monster the likes of which the world had never seen.

  The 48th, my first time bringing down a giant, thought to have been extinct for centuries past.

  The 67th, my first time executing a tyrant so hated, their people crowned me as their queen.

  The 79th, my first time slaying a dragon, the only living being to be compared to a God.

  And finally, the 83rd, my first time erasing a Demigod from existence itself, idea and all.

  The feeling of ichor dripping from my fingertips is fresh in my mind, because I am dreaming now, and I am whole, and Death does not look as nearly as big as before. I feel my body grow to accommodate the dreams. Muscles tense across my back, and power fills my form. My twintails blend together, and long, free, flowing hair cascades down my back as a sigh escapes my lips.

  Which life was this? Wounds cover my arms, and face. I have a split lip and I can taste my own blood, but I am alive. A black shirt clings to my body, and tassets hang around my waist. They aren’t the ones that I remember. Beneath them hangs a sash, purple and blue, the colors of my clan. I can feel platelegs beneath my pants, although I can’t see them. Was I a battle-mage in this life?

  I couldn’t remember anymore. It felt as if all my lives had blurred together with no distinctive lines between them. No starting point, and no end. What I am now, is an echo of all of them. I alone am proof enough that they existed.

  "I’ve missed this," I whisper to myself, and look forward, meeting Death’s gaze.

  In my left hand I hold Ann’s. In how many of my dreams had I done this? How many countless times did I take such a simple act for granted? How many times have I said these next words?

  "It’s okay now, everything’s going to be just fine," I say as I pull Ann free from Death, and behind me.

  To stand against a God is no easy task. The deeper they're ingrained into reality, the harder it is to rip them from the seams of existence. The body must be destroyed, but so too must the idea.

  For me, who's cheated Death 99 times, it may be more than an obsession to him now. I might just be the only one who can stand against the concept of death, if just for a brief moment.

  In my right hand, I reach out to Death. Not for him to take, no. This hand holds different memories. Memories of battles fought, and vengeance claimed. It’s difficult to see, but I can feel it. The weight of a hundred dreams rests in the palm of this hand, and I invoke the one spell that their kind hate the most.

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  "The 83rd life, Godslaying: Divine Ruin."

  Death was so caught up in taking Ann that he hadn’t noticed the transformation I had undergone right before his very eyes. How could he? He was a concept, not a man. He had no fears, he had no need for them. Only the selfish desire of wanting to spread the idea of oneself.

  The kickback I receive from the spell is enough to cause the ground beneath me to give out. My arm threatens to snap, but I strengthen it with multiple layers of mana, and then exponentially more. Ann and I are perfectly safe, along with the Grand Tree behind us. The same could not be said for whatever lay on the receiving end of the attack though.

  The Eternal Dream warps as the golden waves of Divine Ruin pulse out across its surface. Each wave terraforms the realm in a far more devastating way than the last, and at its center is Death, taking the brunt of the attack. His frame shudders with each attack that meets him. It’s apparent it had some effect on him, but just how much that was, I couldn’t be certain of.

  Thankfully, I wasn’t done.

  "The 91st life, Godslaying: Holy Hunter."

  The spell definitely went off. A creature begins to materialize next to me, but Death's hand finds itself clamped around my neck.

  "Divine Suppression, Divine Subjugation, Divine Rule." Death spits the spells quickly before he lets out a sigh of relief.

  I feel my body crawl to a halt, as if my blood had turned to ice within my veins. The Holy Hunter attacks, his black engrossed in shadows reaches Death’s neck before he fades away into nothing.

  "Still hiding tricks, are we, Clara? You're just like her… Eternal Dream: Full Control."

  No sooner does Death speak these words than my strength leaves me. No longer was my body that of an aged warrior, but a plain, 14 year old girl. Upon closer inspection, I see that my attack wasn’t entirely ineffective. Scratch marks mar Death’s infinitely aged bones. His robe has also been torn in numerous places. In a way, these could be seen as scars. Light bolts of golden electricity can be seen rising from my neck, and biting at his bony hand.

  What happened to being cordial?

  Death glares into my eyes before a low hiss escapes his lips.

  "You...I am being cordial. This is cordial. As you can see, no harm has come to your toy."

  Death releases me, and I fall to the ground with Ann at my side.

  "You may keep the child for now. I don't even want her anymore… I’ve more pressing matters to attend to."

  "More pressing matters?..."

  Death’s form glides seamlessly across the ground as if he were one with the decaying forest, and my gaze follows him to see Clarence standing there. At his feet is the burnt corpse of a Withered Dryad.

  "I uh… It um… I set the forest on fire and this one wasn’t able to get away, so... All I did was release its soul and…" Clarence stutters out, his eyes wide like saucers as they flicker between Death and I.

  "It's uh ni-nice to see you again, Lord Death, sir!" Clarence stutters once more, his entire frame shaking as he does so.

  "There, there, my boy. It is nice to see you too. Your achievements have been noticed, although I must ask. What is your relation to that one?" Death speaks just above a whisper, shooting me an accusatory glance along with a crooked finger pointed in my direction.

  "Clara? Well… she's my cousin, I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for her, honestly."

  All I can see is the tattered robes of Death from behind. His already unreadable face is hidden from sight now. I try to move, but I'm unable to find the strength.

  "I see," Death mutters, shifting from side to side as he reaches deep into his robes. "Are you absolutely certain that you wouldn't be alive now if it weren't for her?"

  Clarence's lips part ways to answer, but I scream. "Don't answer him!"

  At my command, Clarence's mouth clamps shut. Soon enough Death withdraws his bony hand from his robe, the same three rings in hand.

  "Clarence Crowsong, from this day forth, you shall be a member of the Shadow Requiem. Blah, blah, blah. Hurray, huzzah, blah… Please, I implore you, choose any such ring that is to your liking." Death rushes through his speech, just as he had mine.

  All Clarence has to do now is pick the shiny red ring. How hard could that be, right? Fire red, I think to myself. Except I catch a glimpse of numerous little lights in the reflection of his eyes.

  "Really?... Any of them?"

  "Any of them," Death replies solemnly.

  "Even the ones on your fingers?"

  "Yes, even those," Death bellows, his laughter like the rustling of dead leaves.

  He waved a bony hand and the three rings turned into thirteen now. They float before Clarence like a deadly constellation. Each ring is a unique beauty, and each ring holds a promise of power.

  I feel my blood boil. That fucking kleptomaniac… only two of the ten rings that Death wore could be used by mortals. If Clarence were to pick at random, his current rate of survival would be… five out of thirteen.

  "Clarence don't-!" I try to shout, but the space around me becomes cold. So unbelievably cold. My voice does not travel, there is no sound. I gasp for air, only to be met with nothing.

  An Aetheric Needle forms in my hand. I wasn’t sure if I could even damage Death now, but I had to try something.

  A needle launches forward, but it breaks against an invisible wall. I throw another, and then another. Each needle breaks and shatters just as the ones prior did.

  I look skyward, and pray. I pray for Aetheria to come and save me once more, but she only gives me one message.

  Would you like to spend your remaining Karma on strengthening an item? Y/N

  I remember her saying that she didn’t want to enter the Eternal Dream. Was this her way of getting around that?

  "May as well make it count…" I whisper, and pull out Ethel’s grimoire.

  "Yes."

  Infusing your remaining Karma into Ethel’s Grimoire

  Ethel’s Karmic Grimoire:

  This grimoire can store spells that you’ve come into contact with. These spells will be used one time before being forgotten by the grimoire. These spells can be further amplified with Karma, or with your own mana.

  Passive Effect, ■■■■ ■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■: Unknown

  Golden light emerges from the book, coloring the landscape around me once more. Remnants of the spells I’d just used still linger in the air around me.

  Ethel’s Karmois Grimoire has learned numerous new spells

  "Choose wisely," Death advises, and jingles the rings together in the air. Clarence's gaze flits between them, his eyes widening with each one he considers. He reaches for one, then another, his fingers trembling indecisively.

  "Divine Ruin!" My voice shatters the thin barrier surrounding me. The spell isn’t nearly as strong as the last one, but it is more than enough to free me.

  "Ah, you've made your choice. A bold decision, indee-"

  Death loses his footing as the force of the barrier breaking hits him, and so does Clarence. The ring that Clarence had been holding onto flies high into the air, alongside 12 others.

  I wouldn’t make it in time. The rings were falling, and I was too far away. But I had to do something.

  "Zephyr’s Burst!"

  Out of all the rings, there was only one I saw that was somewhat safe. It would have to do. The wind listens to me, and that ring falls faster than the rest.

  It slides right around Clarence’s finger. In the blink of an eye, Clarence has completely disappeared from sight.

  "Now, for you, You’re always surprising me, you know that?" Death rises from the forest floor, and withdraws a necklace.

  My eyes light up at the sight of it, but just as soon as I notice it, I turn away.

  "You know this item, don’t you?"

  Finally, I let out a sigh. "Yes, I know about the Necklace of Resurrection."

  Death is prepared to continue, but I stop him. "And no, that is not how I’ve ‘cheated’ you so many times."

  Death’s joyful expression falls away.

  "I suppose it does not garner your attention then," he says, and puts the necklace away.

  "Perhaps I could interest you in something else then? My scythe? You may be able to deal a fatal blow even to me if you were to wield such a weapon. It would make for a good reward, right?" It shimmers deep from within his robe, but I shake my head.

  "You know what I want."

  "And what might that be?"

  "Bring my cousin back."

  "Which one? We wouldn’t want me getting it wrong. You have a big family, you know."

  "Clarence Crowsong. I want you to bring Clarence Crowsong back here, you stupid, bony fuck."

  "Alright, alright, I understand. Congratulations, Clara Crowsong. Welcome to the Shadow Requiem. I hope that you enjoy your boon." The hollow chuckle of Death echoes in my ears as he disappears from sight.

  Clarence appears before me, a ring falling from high above. I snatch it out of the air and take a look at it. The Ring of Wandering. It was capable of taking one to faraway lands, and even faraway worlds.

  "Clarence… you idiot," I whisper, dropping to my knees to examine him. I cradle his soot-covered body in my arms. The world had resumed its normal flow, leaving us in the burning forest now.

  I can’t tear my eyes away from him. They’re wide, as if he had seen something he wasn’t meant to. His clothes have been reduced to tattered rags, his skin marred with ash. He was alive, but just where had the ring taken him to?

  "I’m back?" Clarence chokes out, his voice barely a whisper.

  "You’re back, now shut up," I snap, and pull a piece of ash from his hair, "I’m sorry."

  "Hey, don't blame yourself, it was my choice. I got greedy."

  "Your choice?" I scoff, bitter laughter bubbling up from my chest. "You were manipulated, just like I was. Death played us both in the end."

  "True. But we’ve been close to death so many times now, what’s one more?"

  "Is that supposed to be comforting?"

  I look up, and Ann is watching us.

  "You don’t like the bad hooded man either?..."

  "No, I hate him." I say, standing to take the girl's hand in mine. "Let's go, Valor wanted me to take you somewhere safe."

  The section of the forest we were in was already up in flames. The air is thick with smoke and the scent of decay as Withered and living dryads alike flee in panic, their awkward waddles taking them to safety.

  Terra grabs a hold of Clarence, and together the five of us make our escape.

  "Hey, one of them is following us." Terra calls out to me.

  I glance over my shoulder just in time to see a small, quivering dryad latch onto me. It clings tightly to my leg, trembling in fear. It isn’t a Withered Dryad I had become accustomed to, but a living, breathing, dryad.

  "Just grab him and run!" I shout, grabbing a hold of Ann.

  Terra scoops the dryad up in his hands, and we leave the forest behind.

  *

  Once we reach a safe distance, I set Ann down. As soon as I do, she dashes toward Seraphine, and tries to jump into her arms next.

  "Stop it!" Seraphine barks, holding a foot out to keep the child at bay. "What are you doing!?"

  "We're gonna be friends!" Ann exclaims, launching herself at Seraphine with a barrage of hugs. Seraphine struggles to fend off the affectionate assault, her eyes darting towards us as we set Clarence down against a tree.

  Ann manages to wrap her arms around Seraphine's neck, dragging her to the ground with a thud.

  As the two spirits wrestle, I hear a soft chirp. A small creature jumps from my shoulder and floats to the ground, staring up at me with bright, curious eyes.

  "Sen," I whisper, reading the name above his head. The healthy dryad is void of any withering. It spins in a circle, its tiny form standing proud before me. "So, Sen, are you going to be spending some time with us from now on?"

  He gives another chirp, and holds a hand up to me. He’s holding something small, and I pluck it out of his hand. A seed?...

  Seed of the Grand Tree:

  Plant this seed in a good place