Nikai returned to the souls awaiting their journey to the afterlife. The ambulances had arrived, but the human paramedics were oblivious to the underworld beings who were working by their side. The souls seemed calm enough, and there was no sign of the Blight. But it was best to be cautious.
Quickly, Nikai pointed two fingers to the ground. A circular symbol with intricate characters lining its edges appeared, glowing a pale green.
There were three ways into the underworld: through the Gates, through a portal that tore through the fabric of time and space, or through soul collection. The first was the most common, and the second was the most dangerous. The third could only be carried out by a Reaper.
Eyes closed, Nikai prayed for a smooth journey and recited the incantation that would send them all to Hell.
It was much later when Nikai was finally done with his Reaper duties—well, almost done, there were always reports to be filed and emails to be sent. But that could wait; he needed to see Four. The exchange between the two Kings earlier had left him out of sorts, and he had questions for his friend.
Nikai expected Four to be in the throne room of the Fourth Court doing what he’d come to think of asKing things, such as settling a petty dispute between some souls or listening to the Librarian complain about the lack of resources devoted to the Archives, but the throne room was empty.
I am going to see the stars, my friend.
Nikai knew exactly where to find his King.
He went outside, whistling jauntily as he climbed the hill to the Garden of Tongues. At midnight on the seventh day of each month, the Garden hovered between the underworld and the mortal realm for a few precious minutes. You could sit and look up at the blanket of inky sky above with its pinpricks of scattered light.
Stars.They were the same ones the humans could see.
In all the years Nikai had been a Reaper, Four always came here whenever the worlds were aligned, just to see the stars. Nikai never understood why the view captivated him so, but there was a melancholy about Four that was loud and pressing when he was here. Yet it was a hollow sound, dull and empty, like a piece of him was missing.
Nikai checked his watch when he finally got to the top of the hill. Seconds to midnight. Just in time. He entered the Garden, but the place was deserted. Strange. He had been so certain that he would find his King here.
He glanced around the empty garden again. Where was Four?
A noise behind him made him turn. Someone was scrambling up the hill, footsteps heavy, panting loudly.
It was the new Reaper from earlier.
“Nikai!” she cried, running to him.
“What’s wrong?”
“He—he’s—” The Reaper choked on her words.
Nikai held her shoulders. He could feel her trembling. “Calm down; tell me what’s wrong.”
A sob caught in her throat. “It’s Four... he’sgone.”
2
Rui
Eighteen years later
“Stop!” Ada hissed. “We have to put up the barrier first.”
Rui shook her head at her best friend and schoolmate. “Not until we’re closer to the nest.” She took a step, and Ada hissed again.
“We agreed to go on my cue.”
“We can dawdle, or we can go on offense,” Rui snapped, tightening her grip on her swords. “I’ll take down the Revenants myself.”
“You and what army?” Ada sniped back. “It’s anest.”
“I said,myself.”
“Gods, Rui. Are you trying to make up for yesterday? When I kicked your ass during our spell-casting session?”
