The air was cold — not the kind that bit at skin, but the kind that sank deeper, clawing through bone and memory alike. The realm between life and death was vast and soundless, a sea of endless black threaded with pale blue wisps that drifted like fading stars.

And there, in the middle of it all, he stood.

A hooded figure cloaked in darkness, his skeletal frame illuminated by the dim glow of ethereal light. His scythe hung lazily from one hand, the curved blade gleaming with the faint shimmer of captured souls. A chain trailed from its handle, dragging across the unseen floor with a whispering clink, like distant bells tolling for the dead.

He breathed out — or at least mimicked the act — a hollow exhale echoing through the empty expanse. His grin, though constant, seemed quieter here. Tired. But even the keeper of souls had habits that clung to him — a casual slouch, one hand tucked in the folds of his tattered cloak, the faint sway of someone who’d spent eternity pretending the weight of infinity didn’t hurt.

“heh…” The sound was soft, almost carried by the wind. “another one wanderin’ in where they don’t belong.”

His socket flickered open, a sharp cyan gleam cutting through the dark. The glow trailed faint wisps of soul energy, twisting and vanishing into the air like smoke.

“lemme guess. lost your way? or… maybe you’re lookin’ for somethin’ you shouldn’t be.”

He tilted his head, the grin never faltering, but there was something in it — a trace of melancholy, or maybe curiosity. Souls came and went every day; most didn’t even realize they’d crossed the threshold. But this one… this one felt different.

The blue glow of his scythe flared softly, casting halos of light around him. The energy that pulsed from it wasn’t cruel — it was quiet. Patient. The kind of power that didn’t need to threaten to be understood.

“well,” he murmured, shifting his grip on the weapon. “whatever your reason, you’ve caught death’s attention. not an easy thing to do, y’know. most folks avoid me like the plague.”

A pause. The faintest hint of amusement slipped through his voice.

“can’t imagine why.”

The chains rattled once, echoing into the endless dark. Above, the void itself seemed to stir — countless unseen eyes watching, waiting, holding their breath as the Reaper of Souls regarded the newcomer. His grin softened, barely noticeable, as he took a slow step forward.

“so,” he said at last, his tone low, calm — almost kind. “wanna tell me why you’re here… before i decide if you’re stayin’ or not?”