A kiss to die for

Lady Death's words hung in the air, a mix of playful charm and sinister intent. The way she looked at me—like a predator inspecting its prey—sent shivers down my spine. This wasn't just any adversary. This was *Death*, personified, incarnate, standing before me with a bemused expression and a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.

"I've heard of you," I said cautiously, trying to keep my voice even. "But I didn't expect we'd meet so soon." What the fuck just happened? I wanted to lie yet, I ended up saying such a stupid thing. What the fuck should I say if she asks me how I know her? Ah, crap! Of course, I am in my soul form, and before Death, who could lie? Shit!

Lady Death's smile grew wider. "Ah, so you are aware of me. That is so rare. Most mortals can't understand my existence and recognize me, really. How odd."

Her voice dripped with honeyed malice, a melody that seduced and unnerved me simultaneously. Words rippled through the space between us like an animate air responding to her whims. I swallowed hard, my heartbeat beating rapidly even as I tried to appear calm.

"Why am I here?" I asked, plant both feet firmly on the ground. My body felt as if the weight of the world now fell on my shoulders, a burden in her presence. I stood tall, repressing the oppressive force by force. I could feel the Phoenix Force, so that's something. I knew I wasn't dead or else we wouldn't be having this conversation.

"You brought yourself here," she said, her trace of an idle finger through the air. The mist around her coiled like a serpent. "That little stunt you pulled with the Phoenix Force left cracks in your soul—cracks I couldn't resist slipping through."

"Figures," I muttered, though I wasn't sure if I was trying to reassure myself or buy time to think.

Death cocked her head to one side, examining me as if I were some particularly fascinating bug under glass. Then, with a single step, she closed the distance between us. My breath hitched as her hand rose to brush lightly against my cheek. She was cool; not unpleasantly so, either. It was almost. comforting. And that was the most unnerving thing of all.

Seduction!

"You intrigue me, Aron," she whispered, now softer, almost tender. "Your soul. it burns brighter than most. I can taste your defiance, your fear, your strength." Her eyes narrowed a little, and her smile turned wicked. "It's delicious." She licked her lips with a smile. Well, her smile was like one of those horny nympho girls you see in anime or a nympho yandere with a deadly smile.

I stepped back instinctively but felt the earth tug at my feet, keeping me planted in the soil. I don't even know if it's soil or something else. Whatever. Gotta stay strong. "Delicious?" I said, trying to sound firm while my heart pounded with excitement. "If you're here to collect my soul, you're wasting your time."

Death's laughter sounded like she was making broken glass tinkle. "Oh, darling, you're misunderstanding me. I'm not here to collect you—not just yet, anyway." She leans in a bit closer, her voice dropping into a whisper. "I'm here to make you an offer."

"An offer?" I repeat, my tone laced with suspicion.

She nodded, circling me slowly, her gown trailing behind her like liquid shadow. "You've seen the chaos that's coming. The Sentinels, Trask, politics and games. And beyond that." She paused, her eyes locking with mine. "You've seen it, haven't you? The alien signal. The storm brewing in the cosmos. Thanos is coming."

That bastard? Wait a second! Don't tell me this version is that fucking insanely in love with Death, Thanos? Shit! If Death was bringing him up now, it couldn't mean anything good.

"And you're telling me this because.?" I prompted, crossing my arms.

Death stopped in front of me, her gaze piercing. "Because he wants you dead."

"Thanos wants 'me' dead?" I couldn't help the incredulous laugh that burst out of my mouth. "What for? I'm just a guy with a fiery bird."

Her expression grew dark, and for the first time, I saw something akin to frustration flash across her face. "You underestimate yourself, Aron. You've caught his attention. He's jealous of the bond we could share."

That caught me short. "What bond?" I remember Death using mortals to play her games and even seducing some just for fun. And judging from our conversation so far, I am her new plaything.

Death's smile returned, slow and serpentine. "Ah, you are clever, aren't you? Playing coy won't save you, darling. You know what I want." Her hand brushed against my chest this time. "You. At my side. My partner. My equal."

The weight of her words sank into me, and it hit me like a jolt that she wasn't just playing games with me. She was dead serious. Death, the eternal force, needed me as her consort. It had my insides twisting, but I managed to meet her gaze.

"And what if I say no?" I asked, my voice steady as hell though an inner maelstrom churned within me.

Her eyes sparkled with mirth. "Oh, you'll say yes," she purred. "You'll beg me for the chance. Let me show you why."

Before I could move, the whole world changed. The empty plain of the desert dissolved into darkness, and I was overwhelmed by a deluge of senses. Images rolled before my eyes-victories, ecstasies, and powers so overwhelming that I felt a losing breath. I stood at the head of armies, commanding forces that would make even the Phoenix Force seem like a mere spark. I felt her touch, her presence, her whispers of eternity.

It was intense... For a moment, I almost said 'YES'.

But beneath all of this, I felt the lie. This was no gift of power. It was a leash, gilded and masquerading as freedom. If I let myself into her arms, there was no escape.

I gritted my fists, pushing the images aside. "No," I said, my voice steady.

Death's smile faltered, just for a moment. "No?" she repeated, as though the word were a strange new verb to her.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "You're good, I'll give you that," I said, forcing a smirk. "But I know your game. You offer power, pleasure, whatever I want—but there's always a price. And I'm not interested in paying it."

Her expression shifted, surprise giving way to something darker, more dangerous. But beneath it all, I caught a glimmer of... Admiration?

"You're stronger than I thought," she admitted, her voice dipped in curiosity. "Most would have given up by now."

"Yeah well, I'm not most," I said, crossing my arms. "And if Thanos is coming for me, I'll handle him on my terms, not yours.

Death looked at me for a long time, her face inscrutable. Then, to my utter astonishment, she laughed - a real, musical sound that resonated through the nothingness. "Oh, Aron, you are adorable," she said, her smile coming back. "You think you can resist me, but all you've done is make me all the more curious. Fine. Play your little game of defiance. I'm watching. Kill Thanos and his army. Show me a bloody show filled with death and then I might just give you a kiss to die for..."

The mist began to roll in upon her, and I felt the weight on my chest begin to lift. But just before she vanished, she leaned in one last time, her lips brushing against my ear.

"Remember this, darling: you can't outrun me. No one can."

And with that, she was gone.

I gasped, sitting upright in the infirmary bed, my heart pounding. The machines around me beeped in protest, and Kitty stirred beside me, her eyes groggy with sleep.

"Aron?" she murmured, blinking up at me. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I said, though my voice trembled. "Just a bad dream."

But as I lay back down, the weight of Death's words lingered. She was watching—and the game was just beginning.

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