A Rose

What if instead splattering, blood turned to roses? "Well. . . That's fairy tale talk!" One might say. However, the truth would be there was one being that did this. Her name was Mao. Mao was considered a minor Goddess among a small group of angelic-like beings. These beings all wore robes much like the Grim Reaper, but in various colors. Like the Grim Reaper, the robes hid their faces. There was a reason why they looked this way. They all followed Death as the God of Gods. The one true Grim Reaper. Thus as the followers of Death they were all reapers, for there are many reapers but one Death. Legends speak of Death bestowing some angels that have fallen with power should they wish to follow his teachings rather than burn in the underworld, return to whence they came, or anything in between. Death did not offer in a threatening manner, for he was a being if balance, the choice was theirs. About 10 of the fallen angels accepted and since then they have offered others this path and now many reapers thrive and they all follow and pray to Death. Death said they need not pray or even acknowledge him because all they needed to do was to help guide souls to their destination. The first of his reapers was named Mao. Mao wore white robes and had skin as tan as a perfectly baked dinner roll, long claw-like nails that were pure black and a near perfect grin. The only one with a more charming grin than her would be Death himself. Mao was a magnificent being her wings were large enough to eclipse the moon at night. Her feathers were longer and thinner than typical angelic wings, and her feathers were purple towards the top of her wings and they turned to red as one looked down her wings. Though a reaper, she was amazingly sweet and caring for all souls she guided. She would hold their hand to comfort them, she would sing to them, and she would dance with them a little. All so that the souls she guided could feel at peace. Many reapers guide with pure neutrality in their hearts for they believe that is to be like Death. Emotionless and neutral as respect for the dead. However, Mao knew Death on a much deeper level than the typical reaper. Death seemed emotionless and almost strict with his powerful stance, but Mao saw the other side of him. He wasn't as hyper and cheery as her, but Death was very very kind to each soul he came into contact with. If there were a lost child's soul Death would kneel and comfort them before resting a hand on their hand and sending them on their way in a burst of light. If it were a lost female soul he would twirl her gently and dance with her slowly until she burst into light to continue their trek. If it were male, Death would wrap an arm around their shoulder and talk with them as they walked before, like other souls, they would burst into light. Only Death could actually warp these souls on their way, all other reapers, Mao included, had to guide them to their end. Mao respected that and she knew that Death would approve of her embracing her individuality to comfort the souls as she and they enjoyed their walk together. Though reapers seemed to have no enemies directly, there were battles. Souls that refused to accept that they were dead, demons, bad spirits in general, et cetera. The never ending job of a reaper was never that easy. At one point there was a group of demons that thought it would be a good idea to destroy all of the reapers so that no soul can be guided to their destination and demons could feast upon these lost souls and become infinitely more powerful. They never knew that under Death the reapers would never pass on, but they would vanish for a moment. The blood of reapers was a thick, clear, shimmering substance that would freeze any soul that came into contact with it with the exception of any reaper.

The demons knew this and planned accordingly. They planned to annihilate the reapers with dark magic attacks from the feet of the reapers upwards in massive columns so that the blood of the reapers would get trapped in the columns of darkness and fall into small puddles that could be evaded. This way no blood splattered and no demon would be petrified in place. The attack began and Mao stood behind the wave of reapers and watched, planning her move. It was her job as the lead reaper to make sure if the enemy managed to actually get to her that she would end them. All of them, even if by herself. The reapers were fast and powerful slaying demon after demon, then the demons began their plan. Strange circles appeared under the reapers, group by group as the lead demons summoned their magic. Boom. It was successful, well, partially. Though demons are old and powerful, they are way too confident. It began to rain reaper blood as the columns burst upwards. After many demons began to freeze, the demon army quickly adapted. Though it was practically raining reaper blood, the demons played evasive maneuvers as the lead demons continued their quick onslaught. The reapers tried to adapt as well, but there were too many columns. Mao noticed that more and more demons came by to join in. It was as if they all had a similar idea. It was becoming unbearable how many columns appeared and Mao had a little special trick. Her blood formed in the shape of a massive rose garden. So, she arose and the rest of the reapers knelt and the demons cackled. Without the leader, surely the reapers would fall. Mao quickly sprung into action, the demons focused their magic everywhere, but Mao was much stronger and quicker than the average reaper. She summoned her scythe and danced so elegantly around the magic and through the waves of demons, slicing them to pieces and banishing them from whence they came. She sliced her way to the center of the army of demons. The reapers watched as Mao spread her wings and flew upwards, right in sight like a large target. The demons unleashed everything they had against Mao and she accepted it. The reapers watched as her blood rained upon the demons, appearing to miss and the demons cackled even louder than before. Until. . . A bright burst of light enveloped the demons and they all screeched in horror and pain. Some fled desperately, but most were consumed. When the light faded all that was left was a massive garden of pure white roses. They seemed to glow and burst with light. A truly beautiful sight especially in this realm of the dead.

The reapers stood there in awe. . . Other reapers began to reform from their puddles of blood, but Mao did not. The reapers needed to continue or their war was not truly won and souls would be eternally lost. A few days passed when suddenly the rose garden began to fade in a shimmer of light and Mao returned! A shadow was right behind her and a random reaper that was trekking shrieked and pointed thinking it was a demon. What walked forward was not a demon though. It was Death himself and he held Mao closely. Death looked at the reaper and spoke in a deep calming voice "Even Gods and Goddesses need to be guided in the end." Mao laughed happily and smiled and spoke to her reaper "You do not need to fret, you do not need to frown, you do not need to be emotionless. I am happy. I am in the arms of he who has blessed me. You need to embrace yourself, not an idea. The creed of Death is not to hide emotion, it is to comfort the lost souls on their way home. I know Death shall guide me. Though reapers do not normally die, there is an end for everything eventually. The only thing eternal is Death himself. I unfortunately gave too much of myself up and I can't recover. Now he guides me. . . I am happy. Pass my farewells to the others." With that she giggled next to Death as they seemed to walk nonstop before vanishing in a ball of light.

The end. Thank you for reading and please do note that my writings shall be flawed, for they are free written in a matter of moments. If you like what you read, please follow me I shall be posting many fantasy/unreal stories. I hope you enjoyed my little story. I tried to use some pictures that were not overwhelming. I shall always end with a random irrelevant note: Remember, even if you do not like someone, it doesn't mean that you should disrespect them, always respect your fellow humans.