Scythes, all grim reapers have scythes, whether it is a training one or their official one. Being a grim reaper isn't so easy. People think we are insane and scary, but it isn't that way.
Well, it’s true we do go around killing people, but that’s our job, death tells us himself who to kill, well not exactly. Not everyone can live forever.
Before death, people were immortal; they lived forever and could look old or young, depending on their skills. Death was immortal and still is, legends say he was one of the most handsome of immortals. He had hair as dark as night, beautiful red and gold eyes, but he had a grim look on his face all the time. It was said that he never laughed or even smiled.
They say that he was called ‘Death’ after he killed a king, he had fallen in love with a beautiful lady, but she was the king's fiance, so he killed the king which resulted in him killing many others. Soon he had people working for him; they were called grim reapers, because of the grim expressions they had, they had no feeling when killing people.
One day Death was taking a stroll, deciding who should suffer the fate of dying. There was a group of people, with strong magical powers, together they were able to chain Death, but Death had his Grim Reapers kill who must be killed. They realized that even if Death was bound, the killing would still go on. Year after year, they hunted down Grim Reapers, killing one after another, until there wasn't that many left. The remaining Grim Reapers banded together, they made a school, no, an academy, Grim Reaper Academy, also known as GRA.
The academy insured the safety of all Grim Reapers and to be Grim Reapers. Not just anyone can be a Grim Reaper, Death chooses. If you are a Grim Reaper or a grim reaper to be, you’ll have a mark on your neck, wrist, arm, somewhere visible, because of that, Grim Reapers are easy to spot. So the academy was built to train all Grim Reapers to live to do their job and to protect them.
The academy consists of seven buildings: the main school, the two dorms, the elite school and dorms, the office building, the teachers and fully fledged dorms. There's also the training ground, the gardens, the clock tower, the observatory, and the runway.
The school had two parts, the elite school, for Grim Reapers with true talents and the normal school, which has five levels, unfortunately, I don't know the five levels.
I was supposed to be attending the school soon, the truth is, I haven’t always been marked as a Grim Reaper. For three years of my life I was normal. Both my parents were Grim Reapers, my mother was a Grim Reaper of the Sun, my father was a Grim Reaper of the Moon, and I’m a Grim Reaper of the Night.
There are many types of Grim Reapers, depending on their marking, my mother was marked with the sun, my father the moon, me, the night.
They are considered categories, so depending on your category, you’ll have a certain job to do. Grim Reapers of the Night aren’t that common, so my parents were a little worried, but also happy.
They gave me my first scythe when I was four, a scythe of safety, the most common type. The scythe of safety is a scythe that cannot harm anyone or anything, they are mainly used by children.
I trained with my parents daily, I did go to school for a while, but things got dangerous, people would try to hurt me and possibly try to kill me. So I learned all the basic subjects at home. I didn’t have any friends, but I liked things that way. I was lonely, I didn’t feel any feeling, I always had a grim expression on my face. I was a pure Grim Reaper.
My parents thought of enrolling me to Grim Reaper Academy, GRA, so I could learn and be safe at the same time. They had enrolled me to go there, but then there was an ‘accident’. One day out of the blue, my parents died, but I don’t think it was an accident, they were clearly killed, murdered, hunted.
After my parents died, I decided not to go to GRA. I stayed at home for several years. It wasn't easy, but I was able to live somewhat peacefully. I was self-taught, I did this until I was fifteen.
Then one day, when I was in the middle of training, some people came into my house, my scythe had swung right in front of them, by accident, of course.
“If you would put the scythe down, please,” the one in front says as she lowers my scythe with her pinky.
My scythe immediately fell out of my hands and landed on my foot, which hurt, but I had to ignore the pain. This was supposed to be a scythe of safety so why was it painful? Now wasn't the time to cry or complain. These people somehow opened my house door, when it was locked and sealed, both by magic and locks. This didn't feel right, some random people had waltzed into my house like they owned the place.
“Just who are? You waltz in like you own the place, who do you think you are?” I say.
“WHO ARE WE? WHO AM I? You don’t know? Kid, you must live under a rock or something, to not know the great founders of the city,” the lady says.
I look at them in shock, didn't the founders like die or something, or was that just some other random story that isn't true. If they were even alive, I would expect them to look like their in their hundreds, but they look like they’re simply in their thirties, maybe even younger.
I looked at them for about five minutes, then I turned around and grabbed my scythe from the floor. There’s no way they could be the founders, they probably were hunters. This was dangerous. My scythe of safety was useless against them. Luckily, my parent's scythes were still in the house. I ran into the room where they were, I opened the seal using the special keys. I grabbed my father’s scythe and ran out of the room. I pointed the scythe towards the people.
“I know who you are. You’re the Hunters, if I were you I’d leave now, the founders died a long time ago. You can't fool me,” I say.
“Smart kid, I like this one,” one of them said to the other.
Before they could say one more word, I swung my father's scythe at them. These losers would pay, the hunters killed my parents, now they were here to kill me too. They should’ve killed us all at once, things would’ve been easier that way.
“Whoa! This one’s fierce, but we’ll take care of her in no time,” the same guy from before said.
What made me mad was that he called me a “her” when I’m a guy, a boy.
“Losers, you can't even tell the difference between a girl and a boy. You see, the thing is I’m not a girl, I’m a boy, so get your facts straight!”
They looked at me in shock and then they left, turned around and huddled in a circle. I couldn't hear what they were saying. After speaking to each other, they turned around and looked at me.
“Sorry, we thought you were someone else, you see the thing was we were looking for a girl, she’s probably the one next door, also, we didn’t come to kill anyone, we were going to take an apprentice. It did seem strange that you had a scythe, by the way, where'd ya get it?” The lady who used her pinky to set down my scythe says.
“I didn't think that you were this stupid, anyone would’ve guessed by now. You see, the thing is that I’m a Grim Reaper, now if you don't leave, you’ll be on Death’s list, ”I laugh.
They looked at me, then drew their weapons. “If you say what you are then we can't just leave yet!”
“Hmm. Fine, if you want to be that way. You’ll regret it, everyone who is close to you will die, your leader will die, all the Hunters will die, ”I say as I grip my scythe.
They looked scared, I could tell, I’m surprised that they didn't know that I’m lying. I never met death and I never will, I’ll just get rid of hunters. I haven't even been admitted to the academy. So there’s no way that I’ll be a fully fledged Grim Reaper.
“Kid, look here, we don't have time, let's finish this fight quickly,” the lady says.
Oh yeah, don't worry this fight will be quick, I’ll just kill you all here once and for all, then I can get back to relaxing. You guys ruined my day, I have a whole entire day planned, and now I’m thirty minutes behind schedule.
Without waiting for their move, I swung my scythe forward, they blocked me with their swords. They were aiming towards my heart, I used the scythe to block their attack. I need to come up with a plan.
I spotted the scythe of safety, these people don't know about scythes that well, they’re fools. Maybe I’ll just fake my death. Yeah, that’s right, I will!
I dropped my father’s scythe and raised my hands. “I surrender, I’m done here.”
“Heh, we knew you’d give up,” the lady says with a smirk on her face.
Right, when she raised her sword I grabbed the scythe of safety and stabbed my heart. Luckily as a master of faking deaths, I always have fake blood in handy.
“I wouldn't let someone like you end me, farewe-”
I pretended to die and waited for their response. I could tell that they were looking at me, they said something, then left.
I waited a full ten minutes before getting up, and in some cases, they tended to come back. I’ve always got to be prepared for anything. They were gone for sure. Those idiots even locked the door behind them. What kind of losers do that? Whatever the case, I need to clean up this mess here. Sorry father, for using your scythe without permission, I have to live for you and mom. So I’m pretty sure you’ll forgive me when we meet in the afterlife.
I picked up my father’s scythe and put it back where it belongs. The fake ‘blood’ was all over the floor. This was going to take a while, I scrubbed the floors and then picked up my scythe of safety. My favorite shirt was soaked and stained with the fake ‘blood’.
Whatever, I could always get a new one. I went to my room and changed into a t-shirt with a leather jacket. I put on my boots, grabbed the house keys, my wallet, and then set off for the store.
I don't go shopping much, only for food, clothes, that kind of stuff. I guess that I’ll get a shirt like my favorite one, the one that just got stained. I hate those hunters, hopefully, they’ve gone already.
I arrived at Crystaldell Galleria, now it's time to find that one store that I always go to, well not always. I wandered around the mall trying to remember the name of the store, then something out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. It wasn't the store, but I was pretty sure that I would find something here.
I wandered around and then I saw it, the perfect coat, it was a long ankle length coat, it came with a belt and it had a silver lining, the fabric was thin, it was perfect. I reached for it, but at the same time, someone else grabbed it.
“You!” I snarled.
“You!” The person shot back.
“I was here first!” We both said at once.
“Get away, this is going to be mine, so just find something else!” the person said.
“No! Do you really think I’m that much of a coward? I challenge you to a duel!” I replied.
“A duel? Like with scythes?” The person asks.
“So you’re a Grim Reaper too, huh? This will be fun, I haven’t used scythes against anyone,” I laugh.
“Right then, but you don't even have an official scythe do you?” He shot back.
“Nope, but I can get one customized soon,” I say.
We both walked up to the cashier and slammed our hands on the desk. “That coat, we’re putting it on hold!”
Man, I can't believe I just challenged someone I didn't even know, what was I thinking? Well, this is a perfect excuse to customize my own scythe. I walked over to the escalators that led to the very top floor, the floor where only Grim Reapers are allowed.
“ID!” The people at the top demanded.
I opened my wallet and showed them my ID, which had the letters GR in bold in the top right-hand corner. “Now can I go?”
They looked me up and down, then sighed. “Yes.”
I ignored the stares at me, I just needed to get a customized scythe, finish a duel, grab that coat and get out of here. Which shouldn’t really take that long, I suppose.
I walked to the scythe customizing store and slammed the door open. I think I made too much of a big entrance because everyone in the room was looking at me as if I had just picked a fight.
I walked over to the counter and slammed my hand on it. What is it with me and slamming stuff? “I’m here to get a scythe customized, so what do I need to do?”
They looked at me as if I was an idiot, then they called someone. The owner of the store himself came. “You requested a scythe?”
“Yes, what about it?” I replied.
“Right this way then,” the owner shows me to a room.
There were all types of curved blades, staffs, jewels, whatever you wanted on your scythe.
“There are certain things that Grim Reapers must have on their scythe depending on their type, so what type are you?” The owner asks.
“Night,” I reply.
“You’re lying, they aren't common, show me your mark. I won’t just believe someone who says that. There are many who lie about their classification. Sorry, but you can't fool me.”
I sighed. “Fine, you want confirmation, right? I’ll give you confirmation.”
“Also you need to show your identification, I can't give you a scythe if you haven’t been given permission.”
This guy was really getting on my nerves, I wasn't given permission, I was given a pass, maybe that counts as permission. I lowered the collar of my jacket to show the mark on my neck.
The owner gasped, but then nodded. “Now I need the identification.”
I opened my wallet and pulled out a card and a slip of paper, I slammed it into his hand. He looked at it and examined it very closely then sighed.
“Ah, well give me a minute,” the owner dug through some sort of chest.
He turned around with a box in his hands, he opened the box. In the box were gems. I would have to choose one, I wouldn't be able to take back my choice. There’s a moon, star, diamond, oval, rectangle, heart, and some other unknown shapes.
“I’ll take the star and one of those,” I say as I pick up one of the unknown shapes.
“Wise choice,” the owner hands me the star.
The owner left me to choose the types of blade, staff, and any other additional gems or items to add to the scythe. I chose a sun gem and a moon gem because those were the types that my parents were. After that, I chose a long staff and put my star on the top, I put the other shape in my pocket for safekeeping. After that, I put three other gems in the middle of the staff on both sides. I chose two blades, putting a moon and sun gem in each blade.
I put a blade in my satchel in case I wanted it to be double-sided.
Lastly, taking a silver quill, I wrote my name on my staff, it automatically carved right into it. Yes, I always wanted to make my own scythe and now I could, that guy from earlier had given me a pass.
It seemed that he didn't have his own scythe either so he was going to get one customized too. Once I finished putting the pieces together I went to the front of the shop.
“Hey, do you know where I can get several daggers?” I asked.
The owner nodded and came back with a huge box. “You can look inside here, if it isn't to your liking, then you’ll have to get it somewhere else.”
I nodded and the picked up two big daggers and three smaller ones. “How much will it be?”
“The total with the scythe and the daggers is one hundred thousand. Mainly because of the scythe, plus those big daggers are specially enchanted. I can give you a discount since you have a pass. The total will now be fifty thousand.”
Huh? Ripoff! Luckily my parents were rich, maybe. If I can't pay for it I’ll find other ways.
I fished my card from my wallet and handed it to the owner. “I don't know if it has much, I think that it might have enough to pay.”
The owner nodded then gasped. “You have more than a million on this card! You fool! This is a platinum card! You thieving scum!”
I swiped my card from the owner and then ran out the door with my weapons. I took my card and shoved it in my wallet and made my way down the mall.
I went to another shop, the enhancing shop, it enhances your scythe making it powerful in certain areas.
I made my scythe a lightweight, making it easier to swing around, I did equip it with special abilities too. Once I finished enhancing the scythe I put on a glove and left the store.
Next up is picking the perfect outfit, an enhanced one too. I went to another store and picked up a long coat with a slit, a black long sleeve shirt, leather pants, a belt, and knee length boots.
Now I was ready, I walked out of the store and remembered, if the hunters were out there they would recognize me. I went to another store and got some shades, you could think of it as a mask or some sort of disguise.
I went back to the scythe customizing store and found the guy waiting for me. It seems that he also got a new outfit and enhanced his scythe too.
“Well then, shall we get going?” I say as I turn my head to make sure the scythe shop owner wasn't going to make me pay extra.
“Wait!” he says. “If this is a duel it has to be official, so we’ll do it at GRA, they have a dueling stadium there. Also, there will be plenty of people to watch and judges too! Plus I already reserved a time.”
Great, I told myself I would never go to GRA, but I’m not going to attend the school, so I might as go, after all, I did challenge him.
“Right then, I understand,” I say.
So the two of us set off for GRA, several other Grim Reapers probably realized that we were going to do a duel followed along. On the way, I swore that I saw one of the Hunters, but nobody else seemed to notice. Great, I probably imagined it.
It took us a while to get to GRA, it was much bigger than I expected. Everyone there wore all types of different outfits in the school colors depending on their category. They all had the crest of the school pinned somewhere on their clothes.
I felt so out of place, everyone looked at me, they knew that I wasn't a student here. I didn't have the crest anywhere on my clothes, just by looking at me you could tell I wasn't a student here. I did have a scythe, but students weren’t allowed to carry around their scythes, they had to stay in their chambers. I knew this because I had read the handbook a while back.
I let the guy I was going to duel lead the way, the school grounds were quite big, I’m surprised he knew how to navigate around here. I could tell that we were almost there, you could hear the cheers from the stadium. Then we were stopped.
“HALT! What business do you have here?” a guard roared.
The guy whom I’m dueling with reached into his pocket and showed the guard something. “We’re here for an official duel! The one scheduled in about five minutes.”
The guard looked at him then gasped. “The deathmatch! The duel to the death! Right this way.
The guard showed us where we could get ready. The room was vast and luxurious, there were other people there equipped will scythes of all kinds. I took my second blade out of my satchel and folded it into its knife form, then attached it to my belt.
“The winner of this round is Black Shadow! Next up we have to new competitors, they are doing a deathmatch! There will be a five-minute intermission, take a break quickly and be ready to watch!” the announcer's voice boomed.
Someone came up to me with a tablet in their hand. “You can either choose your real name or come up with a name.”
I can't let people know who I am, so I can't use my real name. I guess I’ll come up with a name somehow. I typed in a name and gave the tablet back to the person.
“Now is the time you’ve been waiting for! Here we have Harper of Crowguard!” The announcer said as my opponent came out. “Against Alastair Woodling of Woodlight!”
When I came out from my side, I quickly looked down at my belt to make sure that my second blade was secure. I will win this duel, that way I don't make a fool of myself. I can't believe I ended up using my middle name and my second last name. What was I thinking?
Before I could think anymore the announcer’s loud voice boomed, “Let the duel begin!”
All the seats were filled, everybody was watching, they seemed to be cheering for the guy who calls himself ‘Harper’. I couldn't lose to him, no I wouldn't.
I positioned my scythe in the defense position, he would most likely try to attack my side since I was in defense but I have different plans. He started to run forward, he tried to look like he was aiming for my heart, but he was clearly aiming for my side.
Before he could hit me, I quickly turned my scythe and swung it around, jumped back and took off the blade. Everyone looked at me as if I were crazy, but I had plans. Quickly folding the blade and putting it on my belt, I ran at full speed toward one of the tower walls.
Everyone gasped, they knew that I would get cornered, but they didn't know what plans I had. Heh, this guy who calls himself ‘Harper’ will face the biggest defeat he has ever faced in his life, I just have to wait till nightfall, just another hour till the stars are out.
I ran at full speed and then jumped onto the wall and back to the ground, vaulting over Harper. He looked at me in disbelief, not many people could master this move, it was one of my father’s tricks. I kept running from tower to tower jumping on and off.
Now it is time for the whirlwind effect! I took my staff and spun it around as I started to run again. This time I vaulted up with my staff and as I jumped down I spun my staff at a quick speed. The dust around me started to swirl upward as I ran around, clouding up the whole arena space.
It took me about an hour to do it, and finally, as the dust cleared, I hit a switch, the top of the arena opened up fully, the stars shone, it was nightfall. The time when I’m strongest, as a Grim Reaper of the Night, I’m most powerful at night, especially when both the stars and moon are out.
The dust faded, in a dramatic sort of way, there across from me stood Harper. He had his scythe ready, I took both blades of mine and attached them on both sides, then I raised it, letting the star absorb the power of the stars.
It was already nightfall, this quick, yes, indeed, after all, it was in the afternoon when I went out shopping, then evening when we came to the arena, now nightfall, the time I’ve been waiting for. Normally, at this time I would’ve been training with my magical abilities, but now I have an opponent.
Before I could think Harper came swinging at me, he had grown stronger too, I looked at his scythe, great, he was a Grim Reaper of the Moon. I looked at the moon, today it was a crescent, I looked at the top of his scythe, of course, he had chosen a crescent. Whatever, I was stronger now too, plus I have the power of the night, the stars, and the moon. He’ll be no match for me.
“So it seems you fall into the same category as me,” Harper says as he smirks.
What was with that smirk? Whatever it was, it was just weird. “No, wrong, I am a Grim Reaper of the Night, a way stronger class than a Grim Reaper of the Moon, face it you’ve lost, just take the coat and leave, or else.”
Harper looks at me and then smiles. “So you’ve surrendered? How cowardly, well then it seems that this duel is over. Plus you can't end it just yet, this is a deathmatch duel.”
“Who said that I surrendered? I simply gave you a warning,” I quickly said without thinking.
Everyone watching is just silent and surprised, then they start cheering. “Go, whoo hoo!” “You’ve got this!” “Turn him into dust!”
I could tell that they were cheering for the both of us, I didn't need anyone to cheer for me. I had to win for the sake of my parents, who never lost in a battle, except for when they were attacked by the hunters.
“Now’s the chance to leave, you still have time, I’ll give you thirty seconds, then if not, be prepared to lose,” I say in a cold tone.
“Never! I won't be known as a coward like you!” Harper shot back.
Right, if this is a fight he wants, then I’ll give him one. I ran towards him at full speed, with my scythe in my right hand and my left ready to move. Harper deflected my attack, but he was struggling, I jumped back, my scythe had dropped. I was defenseless. Harper grabbed my scythe and threw it to the other side of the arena, it was out of my reach. Luckily, I don't need weapons to fight, I have other ways.
Harper came running at me and he had his scythe right above my neck, but I grabbed it and pushed him back. I tossed his scythe aside and went to grab mine, but then I was grabbed from behind. Harper had a second blade and it was at my neck.
“You underestimate me, Alastair Woodlight,” Harper said, putting a lot of emphasis on Woodlight.
I struggled to get out of his grasp, but he was too strong. He was right, I did underestimate him, but he also underestimated me. I could hear the crowd cheering for him, my vision was getting blurry, it was hard to breathe, I stopped struggling, then everything went black.
ns 172.70.178.84da2
