“And a pleasure,” Soul cut in. “He just won’t admit it.”

Seeley chuckled briefly and vanished, off to do his part in fixing some of the damage that the Spirit Bender and Brendel had done. I couldn’t stop myself from hugging Raphael—I needed an outlet for all the happiness flowing through me at the thought of our fae friends and family coming back to us.

“Worry not, young swamp witch. Your paths may cross again, at some point,” Death said. “Nothing is set in stone.”

Nethissis tried to smile, but it seemed like quite the effort. Lumi gripped her shoulders and squeezed gently. “Can you believe it? We’ve made it. We’ve actually made it.”

They hugged each other first, then pulled the whole crew into a tight group hug. I didn’t mind it one bit—we’d all made it. It was a pretty big deal. And I was grateful to have survived all this with them. We were no longer just allies and colleagues. We were friends, close friends, ready to do whatever it took to save one another and the entire world, if possible.

Looking back on the person I’d been at the very beginning of this quest, I could barely recognize myself. I’d left my shell somewhere on Cerix, and I’d become a different person. Naturally, I still looked forward to a few days of solitude in the heart of The Shade, but I was also thrilled by the prospect of my relationship with Raphael, not to mention the victory dinner we would all attend later, after the dust settled.

“You were all incredible,” Lumi said to us. “The worlds you saved owe you a great debt.”

“Lumi, Nethi, we couldn’t have done it without you,” Taeral replied as the group hug split. “Your magic, your support, and… Acantha’s sacrifice… you were instrumental. I’m deeply sorry for what happened to her. I hope you know that.”

Lumi sighed. “I know, darling. She died a hero. She will forever be remembered as such.”

A thought occurred to me. It sounded like a stretch in my head, especially after what Death had commanded, but I had to ask. “Can you not bring Acantha back, as well?”

“She has already moved on,” Death said. “It would be a crime to drag a soul back from beyond. It was her time to go. Her choice. You cannot undo that.”

“We need to accept death when it happens,” Nethissis added, sadness thickening her voice. “What happened to the fae was different. It was caused by the Hermessi, and I understand that. Acantha, on the other hand, voluntarily surrendered her life for us to take Thieron.”

Dream cleared her throat. “Sorry to interrupt this clearly emotional moment, but Nightmare, Kelara, and I are going to stay here and work on Death’s seals, which is totally fine. But what about the rest here? What do you want Time, Widow, Soul, and Phantom to do?”

“They’re looking kind of aimless,” Nightmare chimed in.

Widow straightened his broad back, as if he’d just been insulted. “I’m aiming to crush your head with my bare hands.”

Death laughed lightly. “Widow, my darling, I am putting you in charge of a search mission. Your brothers and sister should join you.”

That certainly got the Reapers’ attention. Soul was practically jumping from the excitement. “Whoo-whee! Where are we going?”

“I don’t know,” Death replied. “I need you to bring the First Ten back together. Well, not ten anymore, but you understand me. The Night Bringer is missing. The Morning Star. Most importantly, the Unending. I need her back here. We have to talk, and I want you all present when that happens.”

Soul, Widow, Phantom, and Time exchanged fleeting but wary glances. I had a feeling this wasn’t the kind of mission they’d hoped for, and certainly not something they were keen on. Eva shot them a grin. “What’s wrong? Not your cup of tea?”

“If you don’t mind me asking, why do we need to bring them all back?” Widow asked, ignoring Eva completely. It made her and Varga stifle a giggle. The Reapers had been our allies, but they had not been the easiest to work with. A mild animosity would forever linger between us—just enough to warrant the occasional snark and jab.

After all, the Soul Crusher had been pretty specific before. They were not our friends. Not per se. They could easily turn against us if it suited them better. Until now, we’d had them on our side because we’d shared a common goal. However, that goal had been accomplished. There was nothing binding us anymore.

“Did I not make myself clear? I need to talk to you all,” Death replied dryly, hands resting on her hips. “Just because I’m under these wretched seals doesn’t mean you get to question my commands. You’d do well to remember that.”

I believed her. The tone of her voice was enough to send shivers down my spine. Then again, the First Ten were basically her children. I assumed they were used to Death in all her states, even when she was having a bad day, and this could easily qualify as such. I did wonder what was so important that she required them all to be present, but I was still wrapping my head around everything that had just happened. Cosmic affairs were too much to handle, even for me.

Herbert grunted as he struggled to stand. I heard his bony knee hit the ground. Turning around, I found him down and heaving, his skin still burnt black and crusty. He’d kept a reasonable distance from Death, along with the other ghouls. They all looked fearful, barely moving as they waited for her attention.

“What will you do with the ghouls?” I asked. “They did help.”

“They eat souls,” Kelara declared. “They don’t belong in this world.”

“I remember you found their dietary habits rather useful when they were ridding us of specters,” Nightmare pointed out, his lips pursed.

“It doesn’t change what they are or what they do!” Kelara replied.

Death demanded everyone’s attention, and she didn’t even have to make a sound. The air turned to lead around us, putting pressure on our heads, forcing us to look at her. I felt her presence in the pit of my stomach, like a dark omen. She could not be ignored.

“The ghouls are a complicated issue,” Death said. “Yesterday, I probably would’ve agreed with Kelara. I’ve thought them wild, mindless animals. Today, however, has proven otherwise. Most of these creatures are not beyond redemption.” She set her sights on Herbert. “You, in particular, are an interesting specimen, Herbert. I’m willing to find a solution for your kind… one that does not require extermination. Contrary to what people might think, I’m not a fan of killing creatures of any kind.”

Herbert whispered in his ghoulish language, prompting Varga to translate for the rest of us. “He says he’s deeply sorry for the choice that led him down this path. They all are.”

The ghouls were former Reapers. While most had turned to savage beasts, there were clearly plenty out there who retained a conscience. Feeding had been instinctual for them, something that had to be done in order to survive. Whether it was flesh or souls, the ghouls here didn’t exactly take pleasure in consuming them. The more they went without souls, the more they decayed. Those present were at the bottom of the ghoulish food chain and had grown accustomed to flesh, rather than souls. Chances were the specters they’d eaten until now would reverse some of the damage that time had done to them, but that would not be forever. They’d need to feed on souls again in order to bring themselves closer to the Nevertide-type ghouls.

“I am considering forgiveness,” Death said. “But they must accept their condition. I cannot reverse a Reaper-turned-ghoul. I cannot fix such corruption, not even when I get Thieron back in my hands. But I can spare them from execution. One rule, only: they can no longer eat souls. If they’re caught eating souls, they will be obliterated. Do you understand me, Herbert?”

The ghoul nodded. Varga listened carefully. “He says they only ate specters to help. They’ve long been used to flesh. They’ll stick to cemeteries and war zones across the universe, where they can feed off the bodies. Herbert will personally make sure the ghouls don’t cross the line. If they do, he’ll turn them in himself.”

“What, so they’re staying together? The whole six dozen of them?” I asked, quite surprised, remembering that ghouls were solitary creatures, by nature.

“I suppose Herbert thinks he can control them better if they stick together,” Death mused, her black gaze fixed on him. “He has good intentions. I appreciate that. Herbert, so be it. Find yourselves a world where conflict is common, and spread out, so you don’t have territorial issues. Mind yourselves, and never eat a soul again. That is my condition. If any of you break it, the Reapers will come for you all. One of you is enough to go against me, and I will make sure you’re all wiped out of existence.”

Herbert nodded again and growled at the others. One by one, they shimmered and vanished, off to find their own place in the world. Personally, I was a little worried, but Death’s condition sounded rather good. By holding them all accountable in that group, they would make sure no one touched a soul again, purely for self-preservation. Of course, the other ghouls out there would not be so lucky.

“I will deal with the others when I’m free,” Death continued. “I need my Thieron to take the rest of them out in one snap of the fingers. The Reapers are too busy to hunt their fallen brethren.”

“At least Herbert gets another shot at things, in a way. No more running and hiding,” Taeral said, smiling. “I honestly think he’s earned it.”

“Oh, Taeral, ever the merciful and kind,” Death cooed.

“You’ve done your parts. What are you still doing here?” Widow said, his arms still crossed. I could’ve sworn he was smiling beneath that gimp mask, but even Varga couldn’t see through it—and not for lack of trying. That leather was special.

“We’re going to miss you,” I replied, trying not to laugh. “But I guess you’re right. It’s time we part ways.”

“Take the pink waters back to your world,” Death advised us. “Think of Earth. It’ll feel like a longer journey, but you will get there, eventually.”

Phantom bolted from the Reaper crew and wrapped her arms around Taeral, surprising us all—especially Taeral, who was downright speechless. “I will miss you, Fire Star Prince. Messing with your head was so much fun.”

“I hope it never happens again, but… okay, thanks, I guess?” He chuckled awkwardly.

It felt weird being here in the presence of Death and Reapers. Amazingly, some weeks ago we didn’t even know they existed. Now, we were tight buddies, so to speak. The nightmare had ended. The cult of the Hermessi would take a while to clean up on each of the planets in the GASP federation, but we’d get them all eventually. The damage done by the Hermessi would be fixed, as well.

But the hurt they’d caused us all… that would never go away.

At least we were safe now. We were free. There was a future ahead of us. Taking Raphael’s hand, I found myself eager to start a new chapter. To fill in the gaps between reality and Phantom’s dream. We had much work ahead of us, but with this newfound strength, we’d push through, as always.

Zeriel

I refused to let go of Vesta.