[Siberian]

Almost there.. Almost.. Malakai was focusing on his task, getting close to picking the lock. He could feel it. His bony finger was grinding harshly against the sharp metal edges of the lock but he was doing it.

Or not.

Footsteps broke his concentration, and he peered into the darkness to make out friend or foe. Elites would be rushing at him, so it shouldn't be them. His allies all sounded.. heavier than these footsteps. He only ever knew one person that walked as softly as this. It couldn't be..

The reaper jerked his finger back, realising now that he was stuck. There was no time to continue and no time to pry his finger out gently. This was going to hurt. With all of his might, he pulled back, feeling his distal phalanx snapping from middle, which sent excruciating pain throughout his body. But he was free to arm himself now.

“Long time no see, Malakai.” That honey sweet voice, distorted by the twisted echoes of this godforsaken palace.

This was not the friend that Mal had once known, and yet he could not bring himself to raise his scythe. Perhaps they were right and he was too soft, but he needed answers. “Why are you doing this? You were good once. Good to us.”

Icy blue eyes now bore into Malakai's very soul. Eyes that were once filled with kindness and compassion were now a reflection of their cold colour. “Can you not see it, Malakai? The good we are doing? There are no more tortured souls. Death has never been this efficient.”

The younger reaper clutched onto his scythe. “No more tortured souls? Look around you, Veryx. You'll see plenty. Can't you see the pain you caused?” He didn't want to fight. This could all be made right, if only he would listen.

Yet Veryx frowned. “No. Grim has a plan and I shall follow through. If you cannot, then I am sorry.”

Malakai spat at the man's feet. “No, you're not.”

A swing of the large black scythe was the response, and Malakai ducked just in time to escape the deadly weapon. When he swung his own scythe it merely sliced the air. Veryx had moved already. It was Mal's knowledge on the man's tactics that kept him alive as he leapt up and spun himself around, his scythe following his movement. Scythe blades clashed, the screech of the metal ringing through the otherwise dead hall.

Mal pushed through, gaining some ground. Too much. Veryx kicked the reaper in the gut, breaking free from the struggle of scythes, and bringing his weapon in for a low sweep. Malakai stumbled backwards, lost his footing and fell back. It saved his feet, but he didn't intend to stay down.

“You used to stand for something!” He cried out as he rolled out of the way of the next attack. “You used to care!”

Scrambling to his feet, the reaper blocked the next attack, the blades fiercely biting into each other. Veryx had gotten much stronger, but so did he. He would not give up.

“Cease this hopeless fantasy, Malakai. There is nothing left to fight for. Everyone is gone. I can at least make this painless for you.” And in those words lay the remains of his once caring nature. Corrupted and twisted. Too far gone.

The struggle raged on, each time with blades interlocking. It never went beyond flesh wounds. They were holding back and they both knew. Yet Grim's orders haunted Veryx' mind, and there was no option but to obey.

The ex-guide leapt back, breaking free from the fight to plant his scythe into the ground. He jumped onto the end and leapt into the air as the scythe vanished and reappeared in his hand. A spin, a grimace, and the scythe blade buried itself into Mal's shoulder.

Out of shock and pain, the reaper let go of his weapon. Veryx wasted no time in pulling the blade back and kicking Mal's scythe out of his reach. Malakai scrambled backwards, his back now against a wall. No escape. He looked up at Veryx, the pain of betrayal in his eyes.

Veryx raised his scythe, aiming for the final strike when Mal managed to bite through newly forming tears.

“When did you stop seeing us as souls? When did you stop being a guide?”

Veryx hesitated.

[speak]__________[plead]

Writing by DoctorDraca
Art by me

link to cover in signature

[DoctorDraca]

O:

[wolfsong-mapleflame]

*whimper*

[swampfiend]

ahh this is amazing <3
veryx be like.
(sorry my brain is tired, cannot think of funny outcome to this)

[scythe.]

ohh this is getting good <3

[spooktunes]

*whimpers and hides in corner*

[shadows.]

god i love this comic so much

maLAKAI GO

[Kittehhcat]

*hides with Twilibane* ;-;
V-vv-v-eryx d-d-dont k-kill him!!

[AirAngel]

;A; BBY

[zakki]

that cliffhanger though
amazing work as always, both of you! i love it ahh