“...Oh. Baby. Lower your beak a little, yeah just like that. I’m about to cu-“ A certain colorful muttered as its eyes snapped open. Glancing around at the scenery that was covered in ruins and death, the birdie instantly went quiet.

“Alicia what exactly happened?” Pipsqueak muttered.

“She’s dead.” A feminine voice flowed into his ears. As his eyes darted around, he locked onto a youthful woman who held onto a beautiful golden gem. As the luster of light encased a handsome figure who was wounded at the abdomen. Pipsqueak eyes noticed Alicia’s unmoving and non-breathing body. Unable to move, his eyes welled with tears before a thought dawned on him. Hearing the sobs of the woman who held the jewel, his heart dropped as such thoughts became bleak.

“Why. Please… work again.” Madeline quietly prayed as she gently placed the gem onto Niel.

“If you so wish to desire the return of those lost, bestow me the gem.” A gentle voice echoed.

Donning a silver cloak that seemed to erase his presence from the world. A few steps behind was the presence of death, with beautiful white skin as black fumes decorated its body. An unconscious bloodied figure in white robes laid upon the dignified winged-horse. As her heart palpated, the winged-horse used telepathy.

“We do not wish you harm. Please hand us the Stone of Resurrection and your comrades will be returned.”

“If not, you will never witness the morning sun.” Maximus calmly stated.

Unable to endure the pressure, Madeline released the jewel. Slowly, it floated towards Maximus who grabbed it. Fusing the jewel into his wand, a blinding light encompassed the entirety of the desert. Feeling the pulsation of unfathomable power, Madeline felt defeated and pathetic. As the light lost its luster, Maximus waved his wand as sprinkles of light covered the entire domain. The once dead figures began to groan and moan one-by-one. The ruby-eyed individual awoken to the sight of emerald eyes. As they stared at each other, Maximus sighed before he and Ala-equit departed away from the cathedral. The bloodied white-robed figure fell onto the sand as his fingers twitched as Madeline approached to aid him.

As they traveled a few miles, the atmosphere darkened. Instantly a thunderous roar echoed before cataclysmic lightning descended. Before the impact equal to a nuclear warhead could cause catastrophe, it vanished into golden mist. Further away, Meguri and Xavier was breathless. Anticipation and dread coating their hearts. Regardless, Meguri refused to waver. Summoning her wand as sparrows of lighting appeared in numbers. Maximus and Ala-equit continued walking.

“Those who had slept with death had been awakened. It would be foolish to proceed. Leave here.” Maximus vocalized in a deadpan tone.

“We would be true donkeys if we allowed a demon to command us.” Xavier retorted as lighting danced around his wand. Beside him, Meguri fidgeting as she seemed conflicted.

“What do you mean about those who awakened from death?” Meguri blurted as her eyes tinged with redness.

Maximus stopped before slowly turning. Brandishing his wand that now contained a golden jewel. His face remained stoic as him and Ala-equit suddenly vanished. His voice seemed to be omnipresent as he spoke.

“Death means naught in my presence for I am the...”

Master of Death.

End.