Chapter I (A Wandering Soul)

She woke up lying looking at the white sky as she felt the touch of the grass on her body. She is wondering where her best friend Vince went. She tries to sits up as she surveyed her surroundings. Huge flowers that look like daffodils and roses grew on the place- and there is lake where colorful birds dive to drink water. Some vines can be seen and the grass was trimmed like someone is taking care of the place. The wind blew the petals of flowers that dance in circular motion and scattered themselves on the ground. The beauty of the scenery swept her away but then she was taken aback as she remembered she was not supposed to be at this place.

"Where am I? Is this...paradise?" She muttered to herself.

"It's not paradise- it's my garden." Someone spoke behind her and she turns her head to see a boy who was looking down at her. He has big curly brown hair, big emerald eyes, skin so radiant that it glow and cherry lips. He was wearing all white and she thought if angels do exist, this boy was a perfect example of them.

"Why do you stare at me like that?" The boy asked with irritation on his tone. She lightly scratched her head.

"I'm sorry, it's just you are so beautiful." She apologizes while letting a smile on her lips. The boy's cheeks immediately turn red and he turns his gaze to the other direction.

"Your mouth is full of flattery." The boy scoffs as he turns his back on her and started walking.

"Hey wait...!" She stands up and follows the boy. She starts to get anxious on where she was. Maybe the boy could answer the questions roaming around her head. "Ahm... My name is Zylene. What is your name?" The boy didn't answer as he continued his pace on walking and she continued to follow him. She race through him and stands in front of him blocking his way. The boy looks at her with impatience on his face.

"If you don't want to tell me your name, could you at least tell me where am I- please..." She pleaded.

"You are annoying." He said that set her ears on fire. She didn't expect a beautiful creature in front of her could be intimidating like an adult. She kept her patience thread a little longer for she was not the kind of person who fights with children. She folded her knees with her both hands touching it- so she could maintain an eye level with the boy.

"So rude... How could you say that to me? I'm older than you..." She said pouting her lips in disappointment.

"You are wrong, I'm older than you." The boy answered seriously as he started walking again leaving her dumbfounded.

"You are older than me? How did that happen?" She muttered to herself. "So -hey big brother, where am I?" She asked again that makes the boy stops from walking as he faces her with boiled anger on his face.

"I'm not your big brother! I already told you that you are in my garden..! Garden of Zoi and Thanatos...!" The boy shouted at her in disgust.

"Garden of Soy and Piatos? Is there food in here?" She asked innocently while looking in blank space and the boy put his palm on his face.

"You deaf- its Zoi and Tha-na-tos..! Not Soy and Piatos..." The boy emphasizes the words.

"Ah... Zoi and Thanatos... They really sound like food. Anyways, what are Zoi and Thanatos?" She inquired again. The boy looks at her in disgust.

"It means Life and Death." The boy answered quietly as if he was tired of answering her queries.

"Life and Death?" She felt cold sweats on her forehead. Her heartbeat became unsteady because of the anxiety that came back to her. "Am I dead?" She asked desperately.

"Who knows- only Dis Pater knows...?"

"Dis Pater? Who is that?"

"The Death God..." The boy answered plainly. She fell silent- the word "god" is good but the word "death" brought chills to her spine. She knows she must stay calm, but she wants to freak out.

"I will bring you to him now." She heard the boy said as he waves his hand in front of her and in an instant she was pushed by some force into some well. She didn't notice earlier that there is a well behind her.

"Aaah...!" She fell unto the well as her scream echoed inside. She tightly closed her eyes as fear roam all over her that she felt she would faint. She is praying that the well has water for she will able to survive. She may receive broken bones or else die. She was screaming for a long time, but she still doesn't reach the bottom. She then stops screaming for her throat really aches.

"How deep is this well?" She muttered and felt drops of water hitting her face. She opened her eyes and saw some drops of water rising to the air.

"Great... I'm falling while the water is rising!"

At long lasting moment, she was finally seeing water. She sighs in relief for she will able to survive the impact. She breathes some air and dived to the water and submerged to its depths. She didn't expect that the water on a well can be so deep. She swam and swam until she can finally see the surface. She thought she might not able to make it for she felt that her supply of air wouldn't last. When she reaches the surface, she coughs really hard catching her breath. She kind of felt dizzy, maybe because her brain lacks air making her vision a little blurred. She blinked her eyes to make the blurred vision go away. As she regains her vision, her eyes caught of a fusuma door in front of her.

"Oh, I'm alive... Thank goodness..." She released a sigh as a sign of relief. "But where am I now?"

Her eyes roam around the place which looks like a bathroom. There are big black candles that light the place. Her sight caught of wind chimes that are made of small skulls. She felt goose bumps as she saw those chimes. She looks at the water- there are red flower petals that floats on it and she was gripping at the edge of a bath tub.

"How did I end here?" While in the middle of thinking she heard splashes of water behind her. When she was about to look who it was, suddenly a large hand covered her mouth. She felt a sturdy body behind her with it's another arm on her body.

"Nng..." She tried to wiggle free but it doesn't move an inch and the hold on her became more tighten. The room was so silent that she could hear the wild beating of her heart.

"Don't move or else I will kill you...?" A cold voice whispered to her ear, making her body shiver. Feeling helpless, fear spread through her body as her surroundings went black.

She woke up in an unfamiliar room. She felt the softness of the bed unto her body and she realizes she was ***** under the sheets.

"Oh my God!!!" She shrieked and blushed hard thinking what might happen to her. Only she could remember was someone grabs her body and she fainted.

"Oh no, it can't be that I'm raped?" She touched her body to check if something was not usual on her. She released a sigh when she confirmed that nothing has changed on her body.

"How are you feeling?" She heard a soft voice asking her. She turns her gaze unto the direction of the voice and saw a young man seated at the chair beside the bed. She thinks he was a little older than her. He has a silver white hair, blue eyes and a total package of a handsome guy with his physical features. He was wearing long white sleeves with a sash of black cloth across his body and black pants. The button of his dress on his chest was open, exposing it. He was smiling widely at her and then she remembered someone threatened to kill her. She pulls the covers to hide half of her face from the stranger as his smile faded.

"Oh, you look afraid." The young man sigh while looking a little worried at her. "If I was in your situation right now, I will feel anxious like you are feeling right now." He puts his left hand on his chest and he kindly smiled at her. She relaxed a little bit at his comforting words- putting down the covers on his face. She sits up covering her body with the sheets. Her cheeks blushed thinking she was ***** while talking to the young man- she thought it was inappropriate to talk to someone like this.

"By the way, I'm Sesen- how about you?" He introduced himself as he lends his hand to her and she hesitantly receives it.

"I'm Zylene." She answered feeling a little awkward.

"Zylene..." He calls her name. "It was a beautiful name." He narrowed his eyes like he was looking from a distance as he continued to hold her hand. Having a creepy feeling with it, she pulled her hand from him.

"Sorry Lasse *(Lady) Zylene..." He apologizes. Although having an awkward feeling- the kind look on his eyes make her to trust him.

"It's okay." Her eyes wandered on the room. Curtains, bedpost, walls are in the shade of either black or red. She fall into silence while set in a deep thought.

"Ah, by the way- your clothes are still wet, please bear with these." Sesen laid a beautiful red dress to her bed. She carefully scrutinizes the dress and she found out it was quite revealing.

"Is this dress too much Sesen?" She asked a little flustered.

"No, it wasn't. I think it will perfectly suit you." He answered while smiling at her.

"I will leave you for a while so you can change." He bowed as he turn his heel on her and leave her alone. While alone, she looks at the dress once again. She can't wear something daring like the dress in front of her. But does she have a choice? She took the dress and immediately changes into it. Like the young man Sesen said, it suit perfectly on her. It has a deep neckline almost exposing her chest, and her back was barely exposed. The length of the dress touch on the ground and the fabric felt nice to touch. She looks at the mirror as she turns around back and front. She was really uncomfortable on the dress. There is a knock on the door as it suddenly opened. She froze standing looking at the direction of it. Sesen was standing there and walks to her direction. He gave her a satisfied smile as he approached her.

"As I said- it perfectly suits you." Her cheeks went red to his compliment.

"Thanks for the dress Sesen..." She said gratefully while hiding her red cheeks.

"No need to thank me- Lasse Zylene." Sesen answered while smiling.

"You can just call me Zylene." She returned his smile on her.

"I'm sorry but that can't be." He gave her a troubled smile. She was silent for a moment because of the anxious feeling came back to her.

"Allright then, can you tell me where are we?" She then breaks the silence.

"You are here at the Land of the Dead." He answered that make her eyes wide open.

"Land of the Dead...?" She repeats his words like a whisper. "Am I dead?" He thought for a moment before he answered.

"As I know, you can't enter the Land of Dead if you are alive. But..." He hangs his next words.

"But what?" She asked him to continue.

"Your entrance here is quite a different story I guess." He confused her more with his words.

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't enter on the door where souls of Dead people seem to go. You are in the castle of the Death God." She felt cold sweats run through her spine.

"Castle of the Death God?" What the hell she was doing here?

"A boy sent me here and I don't know his name." She felt her breath will stop any moment.

"I know..." She looks at him in wonder. "I've read your memories when I held your hand. I'm sorry Lasse Zylene..." He apologies to her bowing his head. She was having a little hard time to comprehend on their conversation.

"You have powers...?" He slowly nods at her. "What am I doing here- I'm just a mere mortal...!" She shrieked like it was the right thing to do.

"Honestly I don't know why." He answered calmly and then she remembered something.

"The boy said- only the Death God knows the answer to my questions. Where is he?" She asked Sesen impatiently.

"I don't think this is the right time to talk to him." Her eyebrows knit at his words.

"Why not...?" She asked weakly.

"Why not passed this day and try to meet him tomorrow. You must be tired." He answered calmly like he was trying to soothe her. She felt that she was too dense not too think the situation that she may put him.

"I think you are right Sesen. I'm sorry-I didn't consider your status or the situation you might be in." She apologizes while looking sad at the ground.

"It's all right Lasse Zylene. I think you can meet him tomorrow so don't worry." Sesen tried to cheer her up and she gave him a little smile. "I think you must rest for now... Good night Lasse Zylene..." Sesen bowed his head as he stands and walk towards the door.

"Good night Sesen." She said as she watches him leave.

She lay down on the bed feeling the soft cushions touch her body. Her body was exhausted but her mind was so alive that sleep wouldn't want to accompany her. She sits up and her eyes roam around inside the room. Her eyes caught of an hour glass at the bedside table. She senses something is wrong with it. The sand inside the glass doesn't fall down on the other side.

"How did this happen? Maybe the something blocked the way that's why the sand can't pass to the other side." She touched the hour glass and suddenly a little amount of sand falls. She smiled at what she sees but soon it faded because the sand stops from falling again.

She took the hour glass from the bedside table- scrutinizing it if something is blocked on its hole. She could not see anything that blocks the sand from falling down so shake it tremendously- but the sand doesn't want to fall.

"It's not working at all." She said a little disappointed as she stops shaking the hour glass. She heaved a sigh and returns it to its place. She stands up and restlessly walks inside the room. Her sight caught the big closed window. Feeling in need of fresh air, she opens the window and saw it was dark outside. The cold breeze of the night greeted her that makes her shiver. Her gaze was turn into the dark blue sky. She was surprised to see how big the moon and the stars that light up the sky. As far she remembered the moon was not the size that it was almost in front of her. It was big that it could light the whole place. Even at a far away distance, she could see a lake where bunch of flying lights settling on the grass. She thought maybe those are fireflies. She could also see a river that flows between two valleys. It's beautiful scenery, yet the anxiety was taking on her down again.

"What is this place?" While lost on her thoughts, she heard a soft knock on the door as it slowly open. A figure of a woman appeared wearing a long red dress with apron which looks like the maids used, which is a good part. The worst part is the woman doesn't have a face. She felt her blood drained from her face as fear spreads on her body.

"Who are you? What do you want?" She asked in quivered voice. "... Please don't come near me!!" The woman doesn't answer as it slowly approach her and she steps backward. She lost her balance as she hit the edge, making her fall from the opened window.

"Aaah...!" Her screamed echoed because of the silence reigning in the surroundings. "Oh Lord, please spare me!!!" She tightly closed her eyes, waiting for the hard pavement to hit her.

"......." She could not feel a hard pavement but she felt someone was holding her. She slowly opened her eyes, seeing a beautiful creature whose face was only a few inches from hers. The beautiful creature was a man that held her frozen breath. Thick brows, pointed small nose, a hard jaw and a pair of thin plum lips. He has a jet black hair that hides his forehead that looks like so soft to touch. Sesen was good looking but this man- was damn perfect. The only odd thing about him was his bloodshed eyes with long eyelashes. Both of his arms held her body closed to him that she could feel the warmth from his body. So, he catches her fall- but she could tell that this man was looking surprised at her and she wonders why.

"How long do you intend to stare to me like that? Are you not going to screamed?" Even his voice is so manly that she would want to hear him speak the whole day. She can sense a slight irritation on his voice. His beautiful face distorted a little and she felt she was knocked on something that she realizes he was talking to her.

"Ahh... Sorry..." Why does she need to scream? She apologizes while hiding her blushed cheeks because of embarrassment. How long is she absent minded staring at him? While fidgeting on what happen, she suddenly falls into the ground.

"Ow!!!" She felt pain on her butt as it kisses the ground. She gave him a puzzled look- surprised at his sudden actions.

"You are not afraid of me? I was surprised... A brave little pig..." The corners of his mouth raised a little.

"A pig??!!" All her admiration for this man grumbled all at once. She glared at him while he was removing the dust from his clothes. As she looks at him, he was wearing white long sleeves with a black vest and black fitted pants. He was also wearing a black coat that touches the ground.

"You are too heavy like a pig..." The man said as his eyes squinted looking down at her. "Are you a deaf too?" Her lips awed at the arrogance of the man.

"I'm not a pig and I'm not deaf. I can clearly hear your insults Mister." She slowly stands up while removing the dirt from her dress.

"I'm just saying the truth." The man answered as he smirks.

"Tch... Is that how you treat a lady? You were an ill mannered man!" She said in disgust. She can't imagine someone calling her a pig when she considered herself a beautiful woman. Not because she was boasting but many boys were saying she was, but this man sees her like a pig.

"Is that how you say you're thanks to me for saving your life? Who is the ill mannered on the two of us?" The man said with irritation on his voice. She fell silent for a moment.

"He was right... He did save me." She said to herself.

"Sorry for calling you like that." She apologizes... "...and thank you for saving my life. If something I can do to you as favor, just asked me." She said while bowing her head.

"I don't know if you are really thankful and sorry... But I really don't mind at all. I just happen to passed by." She raised her head to meet his eyes. Was it her imagination that she saw a hint of sadness on his eyes? He turns his back on her and started to walk. In their short talk, she didn't know why this guy leave an impact on her.

"Wait..." The man stops walking upon hearing her. "Can you at least tell me your name so I can remember the person who saves my life?"

She dares to ask his name.

"Elrik..." The man whispered without looking at her.

"Elrik..." She repeated the words softly while smiling. "I'm Zylene..." She introduced herself.

"I didn't ask for your name." He coldly answered without looking at her.

"So arrogant... I just gave it, so you won't call me a pig or anything the next time we meet." She answered defensively.

"So, you are really positive in meeting me again, huh?" His words made her brows knit. The man shakes his head like it was holding his laughter as he started to walk again. She watches his back as it disappeared in the mist of the night.

"Lasse Zylene, are you okay?" She turned into the direction of the voice and saw Sesen looking worried at her.

"I'm fine Sesen." She answered while letting a smile on her face, but it soon faded when she saw his company.

"Oh my God...!" She tightly closed her eyes and hides her face to her palms. Grasping the situation, Sesen looked scornfully at the woman.

"You scared her." She slowly opened her eyes and removes her palms that cover her face meeting Sesen's cold eyes. The woman runs in front of them and bowed her head to the ground like it was asking for their forgiveness.

"You must be punished... You almost killed her." He continues to scold the woman with icy expression. Sesen seems really angry. She didn't know that Sesen could be as strict and scary.

"Ah, Sesen- I think there is no need for her to be punished." She took the courage to interrupt him. "It was also my fault for being afraid with her, even though she did anything to me." She explained as Sesen listens to her.

"Still she did scare you, am I right?" He asked in concerned.

"Yeah... I think anyone would be scared if someone appeared on you without a face- which is not normal for me. Maybe a little adjustment is all I need." She slightly scratches her cheek while releasing a nervous laugh.

"This is your first time to handle her right?" Sesen look down at the woman as it nods as an answer. "I will tolerate this mistake this time, I hope there were no more to come. Understand?" The maid bows to the ground again. "You can go now." He dismissed her and the maid immediately stood up from the ground and leave.

"Lasse Zylene, you must be cold. Let's go back to your room." He said while smiling at her as he leads the way to her room. He returned to his usual self and she begins to wonder where did the scary and strict Sesen go? She nods as an answer and just followed his lead.

When they reached her room, she sits on her bed while Sesen took the chair beside her bed.

"I'm really sorry for the inconvenience, Lasse Zylene." Sesen bowed to her as he apologizes. He really seems troubled because of what happen.

"You don't need to apologize; I'm just fine- see?" She pressed her cheeks with both of her hands, squeezing her face as her lips form into a mouth of a fish. Sesen released a small laugh and she smiled at his reaction.

"You are really a kind one, Lasse Zylene. If something happens on you, I might be dead right now." He said while giving her a troubled smile.

"Dead- immediately?" Sesen just nod at her query. "What is your position in this castle Sesen?" She suddenly asked him.

"I'm an Akerate (Butler). I served the Death God." He answered as he lowered the tone of his voice.

"Akerate?" She repeats the words quietly. "The Death God, what kind of a god is he?" She asked curiously.

"He was strict and a little scary but he was really kind and brave God." Sesen answered while smiling. He really seems to know the Death God. "Lasse Zylene, I'm glad that you didn't have a scratched and not hurt- but how did you survive your fall?" Sesen asked changing the topic.

"Ahm- a man saves me to my fall. He catches me before I hit the ground." She answered.

"A man...?" Sesen asked.

"Yeah, a man with ruby colored eyes. He said his name was Elrik. Do you know him- is he like you Sesen- an Akerate?" She notice Sesen was set in deep thoughts.

"No, he doesn't serve anyone." He answered as he stands up from his seat. "Lasse Zylene, it's getting late. You need to go to bed and rest." She felt like Sesen wants to drop their conversation.

"Good night Sesen." She said as she smiled at him.

"Have a nice sleep Lasse Zylene." He bowed down on her before he stormed out on her room. She lay down on her bed and wonder why Sesen was uncomfortable when they start talking about that man named Elrik. Maybe Sesen didn't like man because of his rudeness.

"He might be rude and intimidating but he did save my life." She muttered to herself while looking at the ceiling of the room. She really wishes when she wakes up from her sleep, she was at home. With unsettled thoughts on her mind and body exhaustion- she fell asleep.

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