In the footsteps of death ( Izzy)

[The Izzack]

"I cannot imagine many neutral, private places where we could talk, necromancer, and those few I do, I can't imagine getting there quickly unless you felt willing to trust me with your life to get there. Do you trust a reaper with your life, stealer of souls?" Izzack asked, again feeling the strange disconnect between his words and his intentions, likely caused by the stress of confronting this person, pleasant though she seemed to be. As things were progressing, he could see situations turning sour rather quickly, so as some measure of goodwill, he removed his hood from his head, showing his face so as to show some measure of trust to the necromancer. As soon as he did, however, he felt...different. It was hard to pinpoint exactly in what way, but it felt as if some weight had been lifted, if only a tiny bit. "I would understand if you are untrusting, ma'am, but if you are not, then I am afraid we must continue the conversation here, unless you had a suggestion of your own." he continued, growl gone, though he certainly did not seem any less on edge in Kaleo's presence.

[Yuki]

When Izzack called her necromancer, Kaleo gave a soft sigh. "Please call me Kaleo, or Ms. Kasser if you prefer. Is there a name I may call you by?" Kaleo asked, doing her best to try to calm the reaper and try to show him she was not evil. Though she had a feeling that was going to be easier said then done. Then the Reaper offered he could take her to a neutral place to talk, only catch was she would have to trust him with her life. Kaleo would like to show she could have faith in him but she was a bit unwilling to put her life in his hands just yet. They had just met after all and even though he seemed like he rather talk then attack she just rather be safe then sorry. "I think I may know of a place, do you know Kyanite mountain? It has many caves we could meet up in and talk." Kaleo said and hoped the Reaper would take to that idea. Kyanite mountain was as neutral place she could think of, it was way out of the way and as she said many caves they could pick from. Mean while Zosmia said nothing but never once did she take her eyes off Iazzck as if watching his every move.

[The Izzack]

"That's...a bit farther than the location I had in mind, Ms. Kasser. Do you also have a method for travel? If so, we may run into the same problem. I can't be sure you wouldn't transport me to a perilous location, just as you wouldn't be able to be sure I wouldn't do the same." Izzack said. This woman was cooperative, that was good. She was also a necromancer, which was bad. Still, better a cooperative necromancer than an uncooperative one. "You may call me Izzack." he stated simply. Perhaps he should have given her a pseudonym, as she had likely given him one, but the problem with that was he had no suitable aliases. 'Death' didn't replace 'reaper' very well. "As it is, Ms. Kasser, I shall trust you in this. Know this, however, simple tricks shall not get rid me, and they shall prove only as a reason for violence, do you understand?" he said, serious, but not noticeably angry.

[Yuki]

Soo it would seem that they where at a bit of a impasse then, nether really trusting the other to take the other to a place safely. And the threat the Izzack just said did not really help the trust factor very well. "There is no need for threats young Izzack, I do intend to hear you out. Though if you try to attack I will defend myself." Kaleo said in a tone of a mother speaking to a unruly child. As she was nervous Kaleo was not scared of Izzack, she looked him directly in the eyes though her expression was soft and kind. She had no intent on being difficult but it also all depended on what Izzack did himself.


Kaleo did know how to use portal spells though it was not her strong suit. But she knew she could make one to move to a area she has been to before. Much like mutant with teleporting powers she had to have been or at seen the place she wants to go. Though Izzack's willingness to trust her was a good even though she had been a bit unwilling to trust him. Kaleo nodded, " Yes I can make a portal, follow me." Kaleo said as she then walked back into a alleyway once she was sure no one was watching she started to chant a spell and what looked like a doorway opened up and on the other side was Kyanite mountain. Without a word she stepped in through first with Zosmia close behind, and once Izzy went through it would close behind him. They now stood at a mouth of one of the many caves of Kyanite mountain.

[The Izzack]

"I am much the same, Ms. Kasser. I do not want a fight here, but I cannot let myself be struck down without a fight, as I'm sure you understand." Izzack said. Again, there was something weird with how he was talking, likely still because of that deep dread inside of him. It felt that he wasn't conveying himself properly, that he couldn't convey himself properly. Like his mind was twisting his words even as he spoke them. It was troublesome, but it wasn't like he needed to be a kind, happy man for this necromancer. No, while he felt awkward, and like he wasn't getting his point across, he did feel like he was treating this situation with the severity it demanded.

When Kaleo opened the portal, Izzack took a split second to take note of it. It was slightly different visibly to the portals he made, but it would appear that functionally, it was almost identical. Were this any other time, with any other people, he would have spent some time asking about it, and how Kaleo made them, to compare and contrast to his own spells. This was not another time, however, and these were not other people. As such, he walked through the portal without a word, and tried to force disinterest on himself as the portal closed behind him. He would have liked to watch it as the spell ended, to see exactly how it closed, but to do so would be to show a weakness, and that wouldn't do. Not in this situation. "Now that the matter of privacy has been taken care of, Ms. Kasser, shall there be any other matters that shall delay our conversation?" he said. though his voice seemed emotionless, there was a definite undertone of impatience if one was paying close enough attention. He'd much rather get this whole situation over with, being near these people made him much too uncomfortable.

[Yuki]

Oh bother the way Izzy was going on one would think She was going to do a sneak attack or something. Did he really think she was some sort of evil dead summoning necromancer? But then again that is what normal necromancers did.. But she was not like other necromancers, besides the fact she had turned her sister into a undead.. But that was only one time she had a reason to do so, and she swore not to do that to anyone else. Though that was something she was most likely going to have to prove. " You wish to speak with me due to what my sister is correct?" Kaleo said in a calm manner. Not seeing any point trying to hide the fact that Zosmia in her sister though she had a feeling that would have little effect. Zosmia remained close to Kaleo as if expacting Izzack to attack, the undead girl never took her eyes off the Grim Reaper watching him very closely.

[The Izzack]

"Ah, so she is your sister, that would explain some things. Already I am glad that we decided to talk instead of fight." Izzack said. Hearing that they were siblings changed some things in how he viewed these two. For one thing, it meant that it would be easier to believe that the necromancer had given some free will to her construction, as Zosima had asserted. It also gave him a few more ideas as to what the motivation was for raising this corpse, certainly better motivations than before. "Before we begin speaking of your sister directly, Ms. Kasser, would you please tell me the motivation that you had for raising her? I can assume a great many reasons, but I'd rather hear it directly from you before I think too highly, or lowly, of you." he asked, seeming slightly more at ease than before, even with Kaleo's shadow Zosima watching his every move. She made him feel as if he should get ready to fight, but if he did that, Kasser would certainly notice, and then this whole meeting would end, likely in bloodshed if Zosima had anything to do with it. He was briefly relieved that he no longer felt her emotions. If he had, he had no doubts that he would have brandished his scythe right then and there, and to hell with the consequences.

[Yuki]

Kaleo had noticed how intensely Zosmia was starring at Izzack, she then placed her hand on her sister's shoulder. " Zosmia its ok, please relax." Kaleo said with a smile in a soft and caring tone. She could understand that Zosmia was just being protective but she did not want the Izzack to think she was going to attack. With a roll of her eyes and a annoyed huff Zosmia stood down stepping away from Kaleo and her gaze not as intense as before. Kaleo nodded in approval then looked back at Izzack when he asked what her motive was in turning her sister into a Shikabane Hime. Kaleo gave a saddend look and looked at Zosmia as if asking for permission. Zosmia looked at Kaleo for a good long minute and nodded. Kaleo nodded and looked back at Izzack.



"There is no real easy way to put this.. On Zosmia's 17'th birthday... She.. She was murdered in the most brutal way... When I found her her legs and arms had been cut off while she was still alive.. By sheer will alone she lasted as long as she did till I found her.. She then begged me to turn her into a Shikabane Hime.. I was only 18 at the time, We both knew what a Shikabane Hime was due to our studies as Necromancers. Yes we come from a long line of Necromancers did not really have a choice really The magic in our blood.. Anyway,It was on the spot decision. I did not want to lose my sister that way and she did not want to die.. After I turned her into a Shikabane Hime we both then vowed to find her killer and bring him to justice. Soon after High school I worked on getting a law degree and become a private detective, using my skills as a Necromancer to solve cold murder cases. And more recent ones as well. All the while looking for any murders that was similar to my sister's.. When the day comes we do find him and bring him to justice, I will undo the spell placed on Zosmia when she will be able to rest in peace." Kaleo said as she tried to fight back tears. This was the first time the two sisters had ever told anyone this story. Even Zosmia was looking down at the ground trying to fight back tears though a few would escape and fall to the rocky ground.

[The Izzack]

Though he seemed impassive on the outside, on the inside, Izzack could not help but sympathize. "I see...Should your story be true," and he had no reason to believe otherwise, "It provides a clear motive for your crime. It was not out of malice, but desperation. A moment of weakness, where you did something that cannot be forgiven, though, considering the circumstance, it can be atoned for. You have been through much, Ms. Kasser. You and your sister both, but sadly I still cannot merely let this matter rest, no matter how much I wish I could." for the first time since he had met the two, his voice sounded...gentle. That strange standoffish behavior seemed to have melted somewhat, and he almost seemed human again.

"You say that you hunt for the killer of your sister, Kasser. Tell me, have you made progress? Are you any closer now than you were, those many years ago?" he asked. Sure, he felt he could believe them, and he certainly pitied their circumstances, but that didn't mean that this could be a lie. As much as he wanted to simply believe, he had to treat this as if such things were still in doubt. He wouldn't want to let the necromancer go, if this was all a hoax, and the undead still needed his help.

[Yuki]

Kaleo knew Izzack was going to ask how close she was to catching the person that had killed Zosmia. She wished she could say she was close to finding him but she knew he was in this area, "I wish I could tell you I was close.. But I can't, though a lead did bring us to this city. A year ago a young teenage girll around Zosmia's age was killed the very same way.. That is why we came here. Though when I spoke to the spirit of the girl she only knew as much as Zosmia does... A masked man in a blood red colored hooded cloak.. Though she did say something else that worried me.. He had what appeared to be zombie's with him.. And he said something about a sacrifice.. I fear this man may be a necromancer.. If so I fear he may be killing people for some sort of sacrificial ritual. I may be a necromancer but I do respect the dead and only call on them if I need info for a case.. This man has no respect for the dead and is killing people for his own means... If he is still in this city I will put a stop to him." Kaleo said her eyes filled with determination.


At that bit of info Zosmia looked shocked, and she then glared at Kaleo. " What?? And you did not tell me this! What if this creep finds out you turned me into a Shikabane Hime! He could come after you! Then your death would be my fault!" Zosmia said getting angry again though this time it was more from worry about Kaleo's safety. Kaleo sighed and looked at her sister, "I did not tell you that because I did not want to worry you... I can take care of myself I don't need to solely depend on you Zosmia.. I may have turned you into a Shikabane Hime but you are not my slave.. You are still your own person and I would not have it any other way." Though that was answered with a hard smack on Kaleo's cheek. " You idoit! " Zosmia growled in anger then stomped off a ways but still stayed with in eye sight. Kaleo stood there in absolute shock after Zosmia slapped her. She then lifted her hand to her now red cheek though said nothing as she looked down at the ground giving a soft sigh.

[The Izzack]

Izzack did his best to ignore the argument between the two sisters, though he did take note of the words Kaleo spoke. "Another necromancer? If you speak the truth...this is grave news. Grave news indeed. I cannot say that I have felt the presence of another necromancer besides you two, and other zombies would...they would not escape my notice. This does not mean he is not in the city, however." Izzack mused. He had been keeping an emotional mask on this whole conversation, but it appeared that it was beginning to break. He seemed conflicted, as if he was stuck with two options that seemed to go against his interests. He also appeared somewhat worried, which was to be expected. Another necromancer loose was certainly nothing to scoff at, and it would appear that this one was much less likely to discuss matters with him.

"Tell me," he said, after some time silent, "Were this necromancer...dealt with, you would release your hold on your construct? Free her the instant that this monster was brought to justice?" he asked. He seemed very intent on Kaleo, staring her right in the eyes, looking for any sort of deceit, anything at all that would tell him whether or not she lied to him in her response. It was more important now than ever to know the truth. As it was, his decision, of the utmost importance in his eyes, was dependant on how she answered.

[Yuki]

Zosmia was going to be grumpy for sometime after this.. Oh well it was nothing new, Kaleo was used to her moods and knew she would get over it. When Izzack started to speak again Kaleo looked at him and nodded in a agreement that the idea of another necromancer was grave news.. She knew what necromancers could do coming from a family of necromancers and learning how to control her magic and powers. Though unlike most her family she did not see the dead as play things and tools.. She still saw them as people even though they no longer had bodies.. The truth was even if her sister had not been killed she would have left as soon as she could of anyway. Then Izzack asked the same question he had asked before, though this time it seemed her answer really mattered this time. Kaleo then returned Izzack's gaze looking him directly in the eyes as well. "Yes, it was a promise we both made together, when her killer is brought to justice I will undo the spell. As I said before I respect the dead.. And if Zosmia wants to pass on even before we can find her killer I would still release her and just look for that monster all on my own." Kaleo said with great determination. She was not a selfish person or tried not be anyway.. The only real selfish thing she did was turn her sister into a Shikabane Hime.. It was a crime she wanted to make up for in anyway she could, deep down Kaleo always felt bad for doing that even though Zosmia had wished for it.

[The Izzack]

Izzack went silent once more, for much longer this time around, all the while maintaining eye contact. "I see," he said, finally, "I have reached my decision as to what should be done about your crime, Ms. Kasser." for a moment he seemed...afraid, perhaps? Definitely concerned, in any case. "Your sister must be freed, pure and simple. One such as her should not be here, that much is obvious, but the one who placed the burden on you is not without guilt. As it stands, a soul cannot be truly at peace while it still has matters to see done in the world of the living." he paused again, for a short time. He seemed to be hesitating.

"Kasser, necromancer, I lend you my aid to bring this man to justice. My soul be bound to thy will. I shall see your sister freed. This, I promise you." he swore, kneeling down before Kaleo. As he spoke, the emotions within him seemed to flare up wildly, as if in defiance, but he had made up his mind. Better a necromancer he knew than one he did not, especially when the other seemed to be more liberal in his choice of thralls. "My scythe and robe are at your disposal, and so is the man within." he continued. The lines he spoke were learned long ago, though he had never thought he would need to swear his loyalty to anyone, he was happy he had been made to memorize them. "From now until my duty is fulfilled, my life shall be yours." he finished. As the last words left him, he felt a stillness within him. A sudden lack of any and all emotion. The change was so sudden he almost cried out, barely managing to hold in his shock.

[Yuki]

At this moment in time Kaleo wished she could read minds as She stared into Iazzck's eyes he into hers. Though she said nothing as she waited for Izzack's answer. when he started to speak once more Kaleo prepared herself for the reaper just to try and attack them. But that far from what Izzack was planning it would seem. He offered his help in the search for Zosmia's killer, Kaleo could not hide her shock of this, this was the last thing she thought a reaper would do. He then went as far as to kneel down and give a oath, a magic one binding his very life to the task. Kaleo stood there speechless as she stared down Izzy, she had no idea how to even react to this! After fighting to get over her shock Kaleo shook her head. "W-wait You don't have to that. This is not your burden its just ours. I don't know how long its going to be till we are able to track him down. I can't just let you make it your mission when its not your burden to carry. Really its fine you really don't have to." Kaleo said trying to get Izzack to step down from that oath. This was not his problem he should not have to deal with it at all.. Or so Kaleo felt anyway. Zosmia was just as shocked, she was within ear shot still and came walking back as Izzack gave his oath. Though she was not very impressed, " Hey I did not ask for your help.. We don't need you.. Zosmia said in annoyed tone as she crossed her arms.

[The Izzack]

"The words have been spoken, Ms. Kasser. My oath is binding." Izzack said simply, as if he were merely discussing the weather. The retreat of that dread made him feel...empty almost. "Even were it not, I would see no reason not to make this my mission. There is another necromancer, one that I would have to deal with regardless, and were I to help you deal with him, I'd take care of your transgressions. As it is, I see no reason not to aid you." he continued, awfully calm. With that said, he stood up, and faced Zosima. "You did not ask for my help, this is true, and perhaps you don't need me. I don't remember, however, asking you whether or not you needed help. This is not about being nice to the two of you, understand, this is about stopping an evil, and undoing the sins of your sister. As it is, there was no reason to take your feelings into consideration when I was making my decision." he said, though he was being rude, he didn't mean to be. It was simply hard to focus hard enough on the conversation to waste time on pleasantries. He made a mental note to apologize later for his rudeness when he was back to normal.