Ashley stared blankly at the wall until she felt something hot burn her skin "Ouch". She dropped the kettle of hot water on the counter, picking up a rag to clean the mess she made
The past few days, was a series— of her stubbing her foot on a stool— burning her food—getting startled by anyone who walked past her front door thinking it was the reaper coming to take her. She was either zoning out or in fight or flight mode.
Finding out that she needed to save humanity was like pouring a bucket of ice cold water on her. She wasn't ready to die—she was just nineteen year old what part of the world has she seen—and most importantly she hadn't seen her brother in months
She couldn't even imagine the look on her brother's face when he returned and they break the news that she's dead to him— the thought broke her heart.
Deciding there and then, she wasn't going to let that silver eyed ghost man kill her 'he could go find someone else to use as his ghost bride or whatever' she thought, the determination to refuse him burned brightly. putting her in a better mood.
Which didn't last long, as the door bell rang. A familiar figure walked in.
The shop darkened. Ashley's face hardened seeing him walk past her door— she wasn't going to let this man take away her happy life for some old folktale.
"I see you're not going to come with me willingly" Kyle said, he was already bored of this back and forth
"Why does it have to be me...can't the goddess choose someone else?" Ashley spoke, her voice wavering in contrast to the determination she had ten seconds ago
"I ask the same question everyday...but alas, the goddess never makes mistakes" Kyle replied repeating the same words Ananke spoke to spite her broken essence
Ashley looked around for anything that could protect her if he attempted to kill her in the shop. "If you're looking for protection— nothing in this shop can protect you from me" he said
Narrowing her gaze at him. "I will not let you take my life from me" she said her voice sounding stronger— like the words could make him give up and leave her alone
"Do you know the implications of rejecting your place?" Kyle asked, his voice deep—the shop darkened, he was growing impatient
He paused.
Not getting an answer from her, not like he expected one
"Everybody you know and love will cease to exist, all seven realms will fall into chaos and ruins—and I will destroy it all. Just because of you" every word came out more as a threat than a warning, to make her understand refusing to be the bride wasn't an option. She was going to die either ways
The shop went quiet—the air tense. Ashley almost stopped breathing. Gripping her chest. It was either she died keeping the balance or died watching it fall into ruins.
A small part of her wanted to watch the world fall into ruins— atleast she would be with the people she loved during her final moments, but she knew that was selfish of her...she wanted Leora to get married and live a long life, same with her elder brother who has done nothing but try to provide for her since they were kids
Letting out a sigh "I will go with you on two conditions"
"Speak"
"You will let me say my farewell to my best friend and you will only kill me if we do not find an alternate way for me to go to the underworld alive" Ashley replied— she had thought that since she was chosen as a mortal bride— whoever decided that would have reasons for choosing her fully aware that she was alive. And she was ready to exhaust every option if it meant keeping her alive
Kyle didn't speak. he wondered why this human girl was so stubborn— never for once did he have to deal with such behavior. His brides never dared go against him. Seeing she was determined to not budge until he agreed
"So be it" he relented
Ashley let out a breath she didn't know she was holding "Good. when do we leave" she asked—getting bolder
"Now" he answered
"What?!"
"We are leaving now" Kyle repeated
"We can't...I've not even said goodbye to my—"
"We will find her on our way" he interrupted—impatient
'hell no' she thought, there was no way she was going on a journey she wasn't mentally prepared for
"I've not even prepared myself to leave, I can't just leave my shop untidied...I haven't even packed cloths for the journey"
Tired of her constant rambling— he snapped
"By the third dawn, I will return" fading into mist. The intense dark air vanished with him returning the shop to its light atmosphere
Ashley Watched as he disappeared in front of her 'wait until I tell my best friend I'm married to a ghost' she thought—concerned about how unbelievable it sounded, but since she had no choice she was going to find a way to relay the message to be less— crazy.
Evening came fast. Leora walked in with her sword visible by her side and her cloth half soaked in sludge
Since the day she returned from the forest. Leora and the rest of the veil keepers had been fighting off the creatures attacking the town, trying to hold them off from entering the town
"More shadow creatures huh..." Ashley said, pouring her a cup of water. Picking the cup Leora chugged it down
"They're coming in faster and they keep multiplying" Leora said out of breath. The battle wasn't over yet.
Ashley felt guilty. she was the cause of the mishap. it was getting even harder to tell Leora everything "are you guys holding up fine?" She asked—thinking about where to begin.
"Barely—we've lost ten keepers already, we just hope that the veil closes soon before we all die"
Ashley flinched at the word 'die', her chest tightening. She had to tell Leora and leave before things got worse. if something happened to her dear friend she would never forgive herself
"Lee...I have something to tell you"
"Yeah what is it?" Leora replied turning her attention to on Ashley— concerned.