Revenant

"Welcome to the world of death." Azrael let out an evil smile before walking past him to her table and picking up one of the books she walked up in the other direction. Just before reaching the large door, she turned back.

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up!"

August, who was still in disbelief that she suddenly agreed to it. It felt suspicious that someone will accept without murdering him first. She definitely has tricks upon her sleeve but if it means him having a chance to survive, he will do anything for it.

August still nodded and followed her, what could be worse than having a grim reaper as your wife?

Azrael barged open the door, and soon they were in a serene dark street, with dim light only coming from the full moon poignant on the clear sky. The streets were quiet, even street cats were not to be seen. The tranquillity of the air was uneasy.

Azrael walked forward without hesitation, while August tried to be alert and something about the place was telling him that it was not right. They continued walking the silent street, the only sound was her heels making a staccato beat against the concrete street.

Just moments later, they reached a playground. A cold air enveloped them, sending a chill down his spine. The playground was nothing different than any other playground but in the dark, it looked like some kind of haunted abandoned place.

Just as August thought it would not go worse, a tittering sound came from inside. Instinctively, August got closer to Azrael who was not at all fazed by whatever was happening. Instead, a devious smile appeared on her coral lips.

"Looks like we got your first prey." Azrael glances at him through her peripheral view, the smile still on her lips. August was puzzled by her sudden words.

Prey? His first prey? Was he becoming a serial killer to get her approval? He gulped hard thinking about what he needed to do for a living. He was referring to his life choice.

Azrael walked inside, while August stuck to her afraid someone would attack him from the dark. August keeps his eyes alert, looking around hoping no one does anything to him. But suddenly she stopped in her tracks, making him stumble onto her. But he was quick to repulse back, knowing the woman in front of him.

Azrael just hissed, sending a sharp glare at him. But it was not long before the same giggling voice caught their attention. August swallowed feeling the cold air around them, he slowly glanced in the direction of the voice.

There it was, inside the sandbox. A small child of around five or seven years, sitting in a sandbox, with his back facing towards them. He looked nothing abnormal with his raven hair until his head was turned towards him. The sight horrified him.

Half of his face was burned, with dark black eyes. The burnt skin was starting to rot, even his body was covered with bruises and rotten skin. Those dark midnight eyes made a hole into August's soul.

The more August looked at him the more he was startled, he tried shifting his gaze to Azrael unable to take it. He knew it was wrong to feel disgusted by someone's appearance but he couldn't help it. It was too terrifying for him.

August was not someone to feel horrified not by look. Blood and explicit images were something that never scares him. Murder, crime and mystery were his things after every time he had accompanied his sister with crime documentaries and somehow grown fond of watching serial killer stories but the way the kid looked was really traumatising. The skin rots and melts in sync.

While Azrael just continued to look at him like she was used to. She kept a poker face with her arms crossed over his chest. August was more surprised by her way of acting, emotionless and void. A sense of familiarity yet not.

August didn't want to think much, just the thought of that familiar emotion bringing back someone to his mind. And he was the last thing August wanted right now.

"Ready to fight?" Azrael questioned, glancing over at him.

Again, August had no idea what she meant. Fight whom? That little child was already having a face of horror. He could understand how many people would call him a monster. And he was not going to kill a child.

"I am not going to kill or fight a child." August mustered up all his courage to answer her.

Azrael chuckled at his answer, "Child?" She arched a brow staring at him in amusement. Then her eyes turned serious with a straight face, she spoke out, "There is no child here. That's a revenant and with each passing second they roam on earth their powers get stronger." Azrael explained to him keeping an eye on the kid who was still playing innocently.

"Then will you kill him?" August asked, trying to absorb every bit of information. Azrael snorted, hearing his question. Turning her body towards him, her eyes fixed on his.

"Not me." She raised her brow, trying to keep her smile in. "You will." She calmly pointed her finger at him.

August's jaw dropped hearing her, is she crazy? Asking him a mere mortal to kill a soul that has power. Now he does regret accepting to marry her. If he gets life then that kid will kill him. He has no chance of winning against a spirit that has power.

"Don't worry, you will get powers too. As my groom, that's the pro." Azrael smiled and innocently replied as if she already knew what he was thinking. Her infamous devilish smile came back.

August let out a laugh nervously, trying to think of a way out, he had no urge to fight against the small kid who was a ghost. Coward maybe but he already had a lot for today now fighting a child. He was doomed, even if he got power he feared another thing.

"How about you fighting this time? I will watch and learn." August suggested, sheepishly smiling.

"No. It's against the rules for me to fight or use power against spirits." Azrael cut him, keeping herself composed as if it was nothing.

"So you ready? Even if you don't, it doesn't matter." Azrael answered it for him.