Dead Men Tell Tales (Specter, Reptile, and Hades)

Arthur's Bay, Camelot [06/05/2022]
“Fuck you, bitch,” Specter says aggressively to Reptile. They were arguing again, but this time it was something more serious than it usually is. The tension between them has reached its breaking point. Reptile sneers and says, “I’m the bitch? Who’s the one who ran from the Archmage the first time and let Void die? Could’ve been the one to sacrifice themselves since you’re basically dead anyways. Maybe he woulda run away since you smell like Death anyways. Dirty fuck.”

“I’ll show you death.”

“Do it bitch.”

The two begin fighting each other. Reptile slashes at Specter to which they let pass through them using their ghostly abilities. Specter gets a good hit on Reptile, causing him to stagger. He recovers and sprays toxins at Specter. They cover their mouth and grab a nearby weapon in the office and impales Reptile. He looks down then up at Specter, who realizes what they just did. They start panicking and talking fast to Reptile, but it becomes muffled as he starts to fade off. The last thing he hears is “I’m sorry” before it all goes black.

Reptile opens his eyes again and finds himself in a prairie. He looks confused and gets up to look around. The hills roll for what seems like an endless amount of distance. The sun is bright and high in the sky. He sees a house to his right and walks towards it. The house is modest in design and well kept, with no external impurities. He knocks on the door and waits for a few, until it opens. He sees a young man answer and he smiles and says, “Oh hi. Can I help you?” Reptile responds, “Uh I’m actually a bit confused and lost. I don’t know what’s going on really.” The young man chuckles softly and opens the door wider, “Well, I see no reason to leave you like that. Come on in.”

Reptile walks in and sees an evenly modest internal decoration. The house is clean, albeit with a few things strewn around on coffee tables. The TV in the living room is on playing a drama show. He smells the sweet fragrance of something in the oven. The young man closes the door and walks to the oven in the kitchen. He takes out a large pan of freshly made chocolate chip cookies. He places them on the counter and turns to Reptile. “Would you like something to drink?” he asks to which Reptile asks, “Yeah, do you have tea?” The man smiles and starts the kettle, “Of course I do. Have a seat. The cookies will be ready to eat soon.” Reptile obliges and sits at the table in the kitchen connected to the living room. He looks around more and out the window, which emits a very pleasant light into the kitchen.

The man sits down across from Reptile and starts up a conversation, “So, what do you remember last?” Reptile thinks about it and answers, “I remember getting stabbed by my best friend and then everything going…” Reptile then starts to realize it. “Oh fuck, I’m dead,” he says as he rubs his face in anxiety. The man looks at him and confirms, “Yeah, you’ve officially passed over."

"So then where am I? Hell?"

"Would Hell look like sunshine and rainbows?"

"Heaven then?"

"Nah. This is the Underworld."

"So Hell?"

"Two very different places. Underworld is simply where people come after they die."

Reptile looks down at the table somberly. The man gets up and pours tea into a cup and gives it to Reptile. He also puts three cookies onto a plate and puts it next to the cup of tea. "Yeah, it's a lot to take in," the man says as he bites into a cookie on his own plate. "Why are you so casual about this?" Reptile asks. The man smiles and says "Well I've been here for a very very long time."

"Who are you?"

"Oh I didn't say my name did I? My name is Dawcus. You?"

"Uh Reptile."

"... that's your real name?"

"Well no. It's a codename, but I pretty much go by that."

"Codename? You a part of an organization or something? CIA? FBI? NATO?"

"CACG."

"Ooooh that one. I've seen a few of your guys pass through here. The ways they died were unfortunate."

"So what do you do here? Do you just live here?"

"Sometimes I go out here to get away from my responsibilities."

"Like what?"

"Mostly dealing with people. It gets tiring after a while you know?"

"True."

"So what was your status in the CACG?"

"The Roundtable."

"Big wig huh? Sucks that you died."

"I kind of need to go back. I still have stuff to do."

Dawcus looks at his plate and then at Reptile. He gets up and walks up to him. He smiles and asks, "Like what?" Reptile looks a bit uncomfortable and answers, "There's a demon that will destroy the world in a few days if we're not ready. Being one member down means heavy trouble."

"Demon huh? The Archfiend?"

Reptile looks a bit surprised and stammers, "Y-yeah. How do you…"

"Word comes around. I have a few people on the outside who let me know about things."

Reptile squints at Dawcus and asks, "Who really are you?"

"People call me many things: Godless, Secular, son, young one, Grim Reaper, and Hades."

Reptiles eyes open and he stammers, "You said Hades?"

"Yeah, Ruler of the Underworld. At least until I pass it on to someone else."

"Pass it on?"

"Yeah. Hades is a title. Named after the first ruler. Many people before me had the title. Baron Samedi appointed me as ruler after he was done. Enough of that though, back to what you were saying. You want to go back?"

Reptile nods and tries to explain, "My world is in danger, and I died cause of a stupid fight. Is there a way to go back?"

"There is. I just need to look at your file and ask dad."

Dawcus goes into the living room and opens up a shelf while is full of binders and files. He prunes through them and picks out a small folder. He opens it and reads it. "Was recruited by the CACG after several breakouts of another organization and few murders of innocent people in your body count."

Reptile looks away in shame and Dawcus continues, "Died in a petty fight against agent codenamed Specter. Huh, I know the struggle."

"You had a fight with a friend too?"

"Yep, my sister. Despite me not being able to stand her sometimes, she's my best friend. Been through a lot. We still do go through a lot. She's the Sun and I am the Moon. We matured a lot since our last fight though. A few years ago. Now when we have different opinions, we leave it at that or come to a compromise. We know each other have a job to do. We're doing our best."

Reptile looks at Dawcus as he reminisces and looks through the folder. He finally finished up and closes it to look at Reptile. "Will you guys be okay if I bring you back? No bad blood?" Dawcus asks. "Yeah. I know he didn't mean to actually do it," Reptile answers.

Dawcus nods and puts the folder back into the shelf. He looks up and starts talking, "Hey dad, I got someone who wants to come back to life. His name is Reptile." The room is silent for a bit then Dawcus seemingly keeps talking, "Oh you know him? Cool. Says he needs to come back to deal with a demon….yeah Archfiend…okay cool. Alright I'll do that  Okay bye. Love you too." He looks back at Reptile and smiles softly. He gives Reptile another cookie and goes to the sink to wash the plates and cups. "I'll guide you back to the land of the living," Dawcus says as he finishes up cleaning the dishes and puts them away. He motions Reptile to follow him and reaches a door inside the house. Reptile stands next to the door as well and looks at Dawcus.

"It was nice meeting you Reptile. You have…issues…but don't we all? Hey, if you need help. Let's say, bringing that demon down here with me so I can deal with him, call me. Just say 'Hades, I seek punishment on this demon' once you weaken him enough and I'll take care of the rest."

Reptile nods and asks, "Who is your dad anyway?"

"Oh. The Seraph."

Reptile looks taken aback and Dawcus chuckles. He opens the door and behind it is a bright light. He motions for Reptile to walk through and he does so. The light envelops Reptile and it slowly fades into darkness. Reptile blinks and sees Specter still over him. Specter's eyes grow wide and a smile comes across his face. "Holy shit! You're alive!" Reptile sits up and says, "That I am."

"Dude I'm so sorry I seriously didn't-"

"I know man. It's cool. But I don't think I'll have another chance so let's not try to kill me again."

"What do you mean?"

"I guess I just cashed in a favor with the Grim Reaper."

"Wait, the Afterlife is real?"

"Yeah, and it's pretty beautiful."

"You got to tell me more about it."

"I got you. But first I need to get a new shirt. You kinda destroyed it."

"Oh yeah. Right. Also where did that cookie come from?"

Reptile gets up and scratches his head then looks at his other hand, holding a chocolate chip cookie. He takes a bite and smirks. He responds and says, "From the Reaper himself. He's a good baker. Makes good tea too."

Specter takes a piece and eats it. He smiles and pats Reptile on the back. "Come on. We got a briefing from Void soon."

"Void? Where's Arch?"

"He's off-world training. He'll be gone for a bit."

"Hope he's doing well."

"Yeah me too. Anyways, come on, let's go."

The two walk out and head towards the Roundtable office, ready for the new briefing for the coming decisive days.