Dark Silver.

REAPER VERSE.

Sparks rang out in a totally dark environment. Soon a portal tore open, spitting Xelian out. He crashed on the floor, no will to get back up.

He took deep breaths,

This can't be happening.

He crawled, trying to map out his surroundings by touch, but he had no luck. The room seemed empty from his end, not a single object in sight.

But then he finally touched something, very rigid and edgy with an intriguing shape.

"And who are you?" A voice echoed throughout the space, deeper and more masculine than anything he'd heard before.

Xelian froze, unwilling — or unable to look up, even though he knew he couldn't see a thing. Of course, he expected it to be another grim reaper, like Lion. The moral compass was what worried him.

The light came on but he still couldn't look up. Instead, he stared at the curved metal boots his hand had met, boots whose scratches were deep and well-earned.

Xelian gulped hard, sweat dripping from his forehead.

Gathering courage, he forced his gaze upward. A broad man stood before him, probably late thirties, clad in full vintage armor; his thick, broad shoulders could intimidate anyone. In his right hand was what looked like a polished and sharpened twig, too light to match the rest of his looks.

"You are not Lion," the man grunted, scanning the teen's appearance.

"Nor are you dressed like an assassin."

Xelian staggered to his feet, the cold floor biting his skin.

"You knew Lion?" he asked.

"Knew him?" The man tightened his grip on the stick.

 "Lion’s dead," Xelian replied, watching the huge man.

Silence crept into the room, stretching unbearably long as the man’s face flickered with mixed emotions.

"Well, that’s unfortunate," the man finally muttered.

"So you must be the new soul. Xelian, right?" He slid the stick into a sword chamber across his back.

"How do you know my name?" Xelian stared into his eyes, as though searching for something.

"We can’t talk here." The man looked away, tossing Xelian a black duffel bag.

"Put that on. Reaper verse or not," he sneered.

"Blood isn’t a good look,"

Xelian looked down, finally noticing the blood splatters on his green pyjamas.

Minutes Later,

A metal door swung open. The same man walked out, dressed in a plain white long-sleeve shirt, unbuttoned down to the third button, with a pair of black jeans. The armor was totally gone.

Pacing beside him was Xelian, now wearing a black long-sleeve top, green trousers, and a red cap clamped low.

He glanced around at the building from the safety shadow of his cap.

"What is this place?"

"None of your concern," the man cut him off sharply, killing any further questions.

He continued his sightseeing,

I didn't expect this at all. It's all so — normal.

They turned a corner, stepping into an elevator.

Xelian yanked off the cap, running his hand through his hair, scattering it with ease. He sighed, leaning back on the wall.

"Take it easy," the man said facing forward.

"I’ll explain everything once you’re safe."

The kid looked at him, "And who’s after us?"

"At this point — Anyone." The reply was too quick.

Xelian turned his gaze away,

Was this really an unexpected incident?

"That’s comforting," he whispered with a surprising grin.

"What’s so amusing?"

"Huh?" His lips straightened back into a thin line.

"Oh yeah, I heard about you," the man said.

"The one who created a new death column. You've taken depression to another level kid." He smirked.

"Who are you then?" Xelian pressed.

"Quiet," the man snapped as the elevator halted.

Xelian shoved his cap back on as the doors slid open. Sunlight poured in from the glass walls, flooding the space with extreme lighting.

"Keep up," the man took long strides, heading towards the entrance with the teen trailing behind.

Outside, Xelian paused, watching the world before him. The atmosphere and warmth were the same, just the structures seemed different.

"Yeah, you could say that, but it's basically the size of only five countries." the man replied, halting at the road’s edge.

"Japan's the capital, and most identical since the founders were humans from Japan."

Humans? Xelian looked at the reaper with a tilted head.

The man fished a key from his pocket, pressed a button, and a sleek black Ferrari shimmered into view, revealing itself from its rear.

Xelian's eyes widened, "What's this?"

Not only do they possess a tangible society relationship and structures, but it seems they also surpass Earth in terms of technology. This is really unexpected.

"Destiny." 

He turned to the Xelian.

"Call me Destiny. Now get in." The man kept a straight face.

HOURS LATER — DESTINY’S MANSION {THE BLACK WAGON}

"What do you mean, Lion has me? He’s dead," Xelian crosses his legs, leaning back into the black leather sofa.

"He turned you into a reaper. Gave you a name, a purpose. You have to honor it," Destiny replied.

He too sat on a sofa just opposite Xelian, he leaned forward, locking his fingers.

"I don’t give a shit about honor," Xelian gave a fake smile, almost mocking the reaper.

Destiny stared at him quietly, he didn't blink, just focused with a nasty glare.

"Then prepare to fade into nothingness," he finally blinked, backing up.

"If you don’t honor Lion’s wish, there’s no need for your existence." His words didn't sound like a threat, more like a warm warning.

"And if I do fulfill my purpose, what then?" Xelian sat up.

"Then you’ll transition back into spirit form, and drift into wherever the hell you're meant to split." Destiny detached his fingers.

"There's no way around it?"

"Non that I'm away off. Tell me, boy—"

"What is your standing?"

Xelian played with his thumb, he didn't say a word.

I’m not sure if I can trust him — but I sure as hell know I can’t take him.

He stayed silent, eyes narrowed, weighing every word. After some time, he gave a slight nod and Destiny wasted no time in sliding a brown box across the table.

He popped it open, already braced for what he’d find.

"What’s the lifeline?" He asked smoothly, like a professional.

Destiny gave him a short glance before quickly looking back at the package.

"I’ll have to put you somewhere unexpected," he rose from his seat.

"So—" he stretched a finger straight at Xelian,

"—you’re going to school, kid."

He placed his left hand on his chin.

"Semester just started. I can squeeze you in. Light Slumber Prestige… yeah. Perfect place to grow in all aspects. That settles it." He mumbled in a low voice, gently tapping his chin with a finger.

"A freaky overpowered supernatural assassin is after me — and I’m heading to school?" The teen muttered, rummaging through the box.

The thought of facing that monster again sent shivers down his spine.

He glanced at his arm. The burnt scar was gone, yet he could still feel it.

He picked up an ID card from the box,

"Dark Silver?" he read aloud, raising a brow at Destiny.

Really?  he thought.

"You’re already a week behind. You'll start immediately after I get your uniform and other necessities. That should take a day or two." Destiny ignored him, heading for the stairs at the edge of the room.

"Lion spoke highly of you, that's why I'm even considering such a dangerous place after all."

"Then why not change it?" Xelian avoided any eye contact.

"It's the best hiding spot, but also an instant death sentence for people like you. You'll understand soon enough." Destiny paused, his expression shrouded in concern and something else.

"No wonder I couldn’t find him," Xelian muttered so lowly, veins bulging as he clenched his fists.

I wasn’t searching in the right system.

Destiny paused, turning to him and he immediately released his fists, reverting back to normal.

"No funny ideas. The kids at that school are the stars of the next generation. Lay low, kid!"

Lay low? Like hell.

"Don’t worry," Xelian smirked, his eyes burning.

"I’ll climb to the top of the food chain in no time." His grin stretched, unhinged.

'I’ll definitely meet you again. Saviour.'

↑→↓←↑→

Silent footsteps echoed in a dark room. A figure bowed low before another, their identities shrouded in mystery.

"It’s started," the bowing figure said to the other.

"He’s coming."