[Siberian]

It was truly devastating to return home. The dead were left in the streets. Gore and filth spread between the cobblestones. Malakai had to force himself not to throw up as he ran through the grim remains of home. It would soon become a memory that would forever be carved into his mind. Horror to top the guilt.

It was getting hard to move now. His breathing was shallow, filled with fear and sorrow. He slowed down, hopelessly surveying the environment for survivors. There were no signs of life. Every second felt like an hour as he wandered the streets. Every life lost weighed heavily down upon him. This wasn't a rebellion or a war. This had been a culling.

The sky took on a dark shade, its bleak colours fading into an obsidian void. As Malakai looked up, a feeling of dread started to creep over the outer circle. A storm of despair, crawling ever closer. For a moment, Malakai could not move, his gaze fixed upon the last remaining light that fled the realm. He knew what was happening. He knew that Grim's wrath would follow him here. It was inevitable.

With his arms spread wide open, he awaited the avalanche of dread. Yet before everything turned dark, someone grabbed his arm and pulled him inside one of the houses.

Familiar faces eased his mind. Survivors. Friends. He was greeted by those lucky few who managed to escape or were late with preparations. They had been spared from the massacre, but not from the pain. Despite this, Mal breathed a sigh of relief. Not all was lost.

“You were with the stealth team, weren't you?” A reaper asked him as she tended to his wounds. “What happened?”

It was tough putting everything into words. He tried to explain, tried to tell the story, yet too much had happened. For a while, there was a dreadful silence as he stared upon the floor. The only words that left his mouth were those that troubled him so.

“Veryx is dead.”

The group looked at him in shock. Then awe. The news brought relief, although it was short lived. This storm was no coincidence, and they knew that Grim would return to finish what he started. It was Malakai who broke the silence.

“He died so we could have a chance. I will not let that go to waste. Grim will come at us in a blind rage, with no one by his side.”

Although it hurt to turn one's misery into their victory, he was certain of it, and the other reapers nodded. With most of the resistance wiped out, it was up to Malakai now, and something had changed. He seemed more powerful, more in control. There was fire in his eyes, burning away the uncertainty and fright.

“This is not how we are meant to live. We should not spend our lives in fear of someone who has forgotten what he stands for! We aid souls, however necessary. And we will do that by ending this corruption once and for all!”

His words were thick with determination. Words that assured there would be justice.

For Jess. For everyone.

A new leader had risen, and news spread through the remains of the outer circle fast. Reapers came out of hiding, gathered and joined out on the streets. Those who refused to participate in the rebellion had no choice but to seek out this new promise. They too had lost loved ones. There was nothing left but to unite.

All helped to clear the streets, to say a final goodbye to their loved one. Though time was of the essence and with a single call the reapers converged near the rim. They would not let anyone pass through their home again. Malakai stood at the front, scythe in hand, his voice louder than ever.

“We are reapers! We shall fear Death no longer!”

Reapers cheered. Inspired and ready to fight for all they had left. This war was far from over, but despite their low numbers the reapers had one thing no one could take from them:

A chance.




writing by DoctorDraca
art by me
link to cover in sig

[Kat]

Wow. That is some amazing artwork accompanied by some amazing writing. I love all of the colors and lighting that you've done in this piece, Siberian. It's beautiful.

And oh gosh. This is kind of nerve wracking. I don't want Grim to die, as awful as he is being, but I obviously don't want anymore reaper casualties, either. I'm rooting for Malakai, and hopefully Veryx' death will not have been in vain, but aw man. Grim. :c He really brought this onto himself, though.

[corrosive_limes]

Amazing art ovo
Cant wait to see how this turns out

[abxy]

darn i feel sorry for all of them
sorry for Grim
sorry for Malakai
sorry for Veryx
sorry for ALL THE REAPERS...

...but I'm rooting for Malakai

[CompleteCuriosity]

This is great, so inspiring and mesmerizing. The writing and art are just amazing v.v

[LOCW_Bluestarwarrior]

OOH. Love that art, man...

But woah Mal is angry holy crap. XD
Yeah I'm rooting for him. Poor Grim, but he needs a butt kick.

Am I correct in assuming that this is the end of this alt universe side-comic? There's no spot for a 'next page' link like there usually is, unless you just haven't named it yet.

(And I'm still working on MY Reaper. XD My human art is so difficult!)

[Appreciate]

yeas finally =D

[Appreciate]

Oh my god
I am piled with the feels

[DoctorDraca]

OOH. Love that art, man...

But woah Mal is angry holy crap. XD
Yeah I'm rooting for him. Poor Grim, but he needs a butt kick.

Am I correct in assuming that this is the end of this alt universe side-comic? There's no spot for a 'next page' link like there usually is, unless you just haven't named it yet.

Ah, a smart observation there. Originally this was meant to be the ending, but after some discussion we may be planning some extra content. Though unlike Corrupted up to this point, in which the writing had been finished way before the drawn parts, both the writing and art has yet to be made. Which means I get to work as hard as Sib now. But we're taking a hiatus first as school will be starting up soon and things will get busy.

So, no, this is not the full ending, but anyone is more than welcome to discuss how everything will go down. After all, we allow (and welcome) questions and discussion on the cover page.

[LOCW_Bluestarwarrior]

Ah cool. Sounds good!