~ Chapter Seven ~
  Shadows & Lies

“… and Lieutenant E. Becker.”

Death closed the tome with a soft thump.

Smite looked at him silently from a nearby tree branch. They had arrived at what appeared to be a battlefield, and early at that. The battle had not yet started, so Death had passed the time reading from the Collection Tome, verbally reciting all the names of the souls due to be released that day.

Death climbed down from Mortis and walked over to a nearby rock ledge. They were high on a hill looking over a large expanse of open field, with a small valley to the north and a thousand-man army to the south.

Death laid the Great Scythe against the rocks and walked closer to the ridge to view the pending battle. He was proud of the fact did not get caught up in the affairs of man.

Well, almost.

True, he had been distracted as of late. Since leaving the Brewers house that night had worked feverishly to focus on his duties. The past couple months had gone very well and he was caught up. His being early for this inconsequential battle was testament to his recent hard work.

Deep in thought, he took a few more steps towards the ridge. The grass and foliage shriveled and died as the Reapers cloak brushed past. Death stopped and straightened up. He stared intently over the battlefield. Yes. He needed to forget that insolent girl. Her time will come. Focus on work, it’s what you do best he thought. And he did it very well.

“Death, be not proud.”

The voice came from behind the Reaper, drifting on the rotting stench of decay. It was then the Reaper noticed that the brush around him was smoldering, with tufts a small flame appearing here and there. Knowing what he would find, the Reaper slowly turned to face the source of the fetid voice.

The figure sat on a old stump, which blackened and smoldered from an unseen heat. Arms crossed a broad chest, the human figure appeared to be in his twenties. A ruddy complexion was capped by jet black hair, and he was dressed in a fashion that Death was not familiar with. A dark gray jacket & pants were accented by a white shirt and an assortment of jewelry that appeared on his hands, neck and face. Death thought it a pity that the individual had not seen fit to wear any shoes, but doubted there was a cobbler alive that could fashion a style for cloven hooves.

“Satan.” Death acknowledged.

Satan straightened up and walked over to where Death stood on the ridge. Standing beside him, he scanned the view in front of them intently.

“So, what are we looking at today?” asked the Father of Lies.

Death turned back towards the view and remained silent. He did not like the fact that the Other had seen fit to pay him a visit. It was never a good thing.  

Satan gave Death a sideways glance and shrugged. “The Conversationalist, as always” he mused.

Satan saw that there were now 300 to 400 men leaving the small valley to the north. Five minutes later cannon fire erupted from the south and hundreds more men charged the oncoming army.

“Ugh, more war." Satan croaked. "So tiresome.”  Then he brightened.

“Here, have a look at this. MUCH more interesting.”

He raised his right hand and flicked his wrist. Instantly a small red box appeared. It had a translucent square on one end and a white circle on the other.

Satan pressed the circle and the square lit up. “They call it an iPod. Won’t be available for about three hundred years, but I know a guy.” Satan winked.

Death glanced at the device then back to the battle. Satan held up the iPod so that Death could see.

“I like watching the Britney Spears videos. The ones made before she got fat, that is.” Satan pushed the circle again and female figures danced across the small square.

“Amazing. You will come for her too early I think, Thanatos.” Satan sighed. “Of course, she will wake me up each morning and serve me waffles and champagne, so its not a bad thing I suppose. Something to look forward too...”

Satan watched the tiny pictures on the box and moved to and fro to unheard music.

Death shifted his weight and watched the carnage below. Satan was baiting him with his tricks and manifestations. He was waiting for him to get to the point. Above the battlefield, clouds were forming and shafts of bright light were starting to radiate from behind them. The angels would be here soon.

Satan saw it also, and stopped his movements. “Hmm” he grimaced, then considered the iPod again.

“Sure you don’t want one?” he offered. “They come in black also.” The wrist flicked again and now the box was black.  Death ignored him.

Satan lowered his arm “Okay, don’t say I didn’t offer.”

“I’m not interested in any of your offers” replied Death.

Satan smiled. “Shame, you’d really like Britney. Then again, maybe not… considering all the times she will cheat you. Of course, she’s not the first…. ”

There it was.

Death turned to face Satan. Satan tossed the iPod into the air where it vanished in a puff of smoke. His face took on a look of serious concern as he leaned in closer. “Word has reached me that you seem to be having difficulty performing your duties, Thanatos.”

Death leaned in closer as well, his glowing red eyes giving away his irritation.

“I don’t answer to you.”

Satan stared intently into the skeletal face for a moment, then turned away.

“True, you don’t. You are a ‘necessary evil’ as we say in the biz.” Satan dusted off unseen dirt from the front of his jacket and circled back to stand in front of Death. He suddenly grabbed the front of the Reapers cloak and pulled him close. Mortis stamped nervously and Smite flew to a nearby tree top, squawking loudly.

“But you listen to me now” the Devil hissed. “You get your act together, and quickly. You are screwing up the game by not paying attention. Souls are getting away.  My souls.”

Death stared back. He knew souls were not destined for one side or the other; each soul created its own destiny while on Earth. Only those souls that were not clearly good or evil needed the Reapers added assistance in finding their way. Satan would always assume all souls were meant for him, and any soul ascending to Heaven were considered stolen.

More lies, more intimidation.

Death would not have it.

<< Chapter 6 To Be Continued...