Black as Light

Flexing his hand in the soft moonlight drifting through the window in Fin's bedroom, Daiya moved the man's body with cautious curiosity. They continuously fought for control, but as time went on and Fin did not consume food, his ability to resist him decreased to the point they were currently at.

Daiya turned his head toward the door at the sound of a knock. It would be another offered meal set on a tray just outside. He had not wished to starve Fin, by any means, but he could also sense many of his thoughts, and as he came to understand just the very surface of his mind, he knew that Kovash would pay dearly if he allowed him freedom.

Anger flared around his own thoughts from the necromancer but Daiya took a deep breath and made himself stay calm. To his surprise, Fin's keep was not nearly as bad as he'd thought it would be. Sure, he'd been following him off and on as a ghost, but he'd had to disappear whenever his mind began to get drawn into Fin memories.

The last time that had happened, when Kovash had attacked Fin's horse, had really scared him. He hadn't been able to do anything but repeat what Fin's mind was pushing upon him until his undead bat friend intervened.

It had hurt, a lot.

Another shock of anger flared in his mind, making Daiya wince.

I can't let you hurt him any further. He is a kind creature. He does not deserve to be murdered for helping me.

There was also a communication problem between them, even though they currently shared the same body. While Daiya felt like Fin could understand him, for the most part, he was unable to receive any kind of spoken word from the man. All he got were emotions, and most of the time, it was anger or hatred.

I just want to love you, but your heart is so dark. I can't find any way inside.

Daiya wrapped Fin's arms around himself, needing to hug him, but not being able to do it any other way.

You waste your time, boy.

Looking up, Daiya swept his gaze across the room quickly, in search of the owner of the new gravely voice in his head. His first abrupt search gave him nothing, but when he actually turned Fin's body as he carefully looked about, he realized that something, or someone, had definitely entered the room.

"How did you get in here?" He asked the small black fox who was lying comfortably upon his dead body that still rested in Fin's bed. Its front paws were crossed, its posture clearly relaxed as it gave a little yawn and flicked one obsidian ear.

When the voice didn't respond, Daiya frowned. He looked around the room one final time, then narrowed his eyes back on the little creature.

"You say that I am wasting my time. How would you know such a thing?" He asked.

He could sense Fin responding to the new entity, but he couldn't figure out if it was a positive or negative. He almost seemed indifferent to it, which was odd, since when god had showed up as a silver fox, he had tried his hardest to kill her.

"How would you know him at all, as a matter of fact?" He added, taking a step closer.

We have dealings. I just sensed something amiss, so I am here. The animal finally replied, making Daiya even more confused.

"Who are you, to have dealings with him?" He asked, knowing that it was no ordinary animal, but also unsure of what its intentions were regarding Fin. He didn't want the man to be put through any further hardships.

Your loyalty is exhausting. Is this not your corpse I am resting on? Do you not hate the man you now possess for doing such a thing to you? It asked, its other ear flicking before it yawned a second time.

He did dislike what Fin had become, but he knew that there were other things at work causing his temperament change. Even when he'd gotten into trouble as a lad and Fin had gotten punished for it, he had never seen hatred in his eyes. Anger and frustration, very much so, but even though he speaks mainly of those past instances haunting his current life, Daiya knew that there had to be something more pushing his thoughts to such extremes.

"Are you why he is like this now?"

The fox sneezed, its small jaws parting into a crooked grin.

He is as he is, because of you, at this moment, boy.

"You know that is not what I meant." Daiya grumbled, walking closer until he was nearly hovering over the unimpressed creature.

When the animal didn't respond again, Daiya reached out, snatching it by the scruff. Instead of struggling, it just raised an eyebrow at him, looking quite bored.

You do not have the heart to kill me, even though, as I am sure you know, that this creature's life has no affect on my own. It thought to him as it hung in the air, tail swishing slowly from side to side like the pendulum of a coo-coo clock.

Pursing Fin's lips, Daiya took a deep breath, then sighed it out, holding the fox a little closer.

"The other animal that can speak to my thoughts claims to be the one and only god... surely you do not claim the same thing?" He told it, shaking the creature slightly with his frustration.

God? Such a prestigious name for a bitch. The fox replied, flicking another ear as it wiggled its nose slightly.

"If you are not god, then what are you? Another type of undead?" Although... it did not seem dead. It's fur coat was quite complete and had a healthy sheen that was impossible to ignore. Its eyes were also bright with life and as he looked a little closer, its chest was moving as it inhaled and exhaled.

I have many names, but you humans tend to call me Devil.

Daiya dropped the fox immediately. It plopped to the carpet with a quiet squeak, then slowly picked itself up before turning an annoyed gaze up at him.

That was rude.

Stepping back, Daiya glared down at the creature, unsure of what to do. The devil was definitely not something he ever wanted to believe was real, yet if this creature was in fact the devil...

"Why on Earth are you here, of all places? Has Fin not suffered enough? Leave him be!" Daiya said, his words ending in a shout as he backed away nervously.

What makes you think that I have come here to torture your poor demon, boy? It asked as it sat down on the carpet.

"If you are not here to cause trouble, then why have you come?"

The fox was silent for another bout of time, drawing Daiya closer with a growing frown upon his lips. He was just opening his mouth to speak again when he learn the sound of claws lightly scrape against the sill behind him.

Speak of a bitch, and she shall appear. Devil said, staring over Daiya's shoulder with indifference.

Turning, Daiya's brow furrowed in confusion at the silver fox sitting by the window.

"I thought you couldn't come in here like that." He said, knowing that she clearly hadn't come through the door and the window was locked... and quite high off the ground.

Fin's power has been waning so it was not so hard to find my way inside without needing a physical entrance. She replied as her eyes cut to Devil.

They seemed to start a conversation between themselves, because as the silence stretched between the three of them, he could see their expressions change, or a ridge of fur rise in distaste. By the time they were finally done discussing whatever it was that took up their time, a half hour had already gone by.

Daiya, with Fin's magic so weak right now, you should be safe to return to your body. I can help you once I bring you back. God said, hopping down from the window to stretch like a feline as she walked a few steps closer.

When Devil didn't reply, Daiya looked over at him, only to see the fox's eyelids halfway closed, its head resting on its paws.

"I find it hard to believe that you have nothing to say about this situation. Surely you can hear what she said to me?" He asked, drawing the fox's attention briefly before it closed its eyes completely.

It is not my place to intervene in decisions made by others. He replied, making Daiya quite confused.

"Why did you come here, then, if not to intervene?"

The fox slowly let its eyes open again as its ears flattened against its head. Curiosity, boy. That is all.

Daiya found that hard to believe. The devil himself randomly appears before him because he just happened to be able to possess Fin, and he found that interesting enough for the trip?

Yes. It is not everyday that a necromancer can be controlled by a simple ghost. It replied, drawing a pout from Daiya. It felt like there was more that the devil wasn't saying, but he couldn't really push it to talk.

Turning his attention back to God, who had laid down on the rug a few feet away from the other now-dozing fox, he offered her a hesitant smile and resumed their conversation.

"What did you mean by bring me back? Can you actually bring me back to life?" He asked skeptically.

The silver fox sat up and nodded. The action drew an ear flick from the seemingly-sleeping black fox, making Daiya hesitant, but hopeful. He would very much like his life back, as long as he didn't steal Fin's new one in return.

"Will Fin be okay if I am revived?"

Another nod.

You will get a new life force. It will have no affect on him.

That seemed almost too good to be true, but if it were...

I could have my life back and Fin could keep his.

With a determined look, Daiya walked over to his pale body and began reaching toward it, only to pause abruptly. I would not do that yet, boy. Devil said, making Daiya straighten and stare down at him where he rested near his left foot.

"Why do you speak now? What is it that you want?" He asked, a little frustrated that he had interrupted him during such an important decision.

As the black fox finally stood, the silver one pinned its ears and got to its feet, too. They seemed to be having another thought conversation as the silence took over the space. Ten or so  minutes later, the black fox turned its attention back to him and twitched its little nose once.

I have an offer for you, as well.

Crossing Fin's arms over his chest, Daiya waited.

Return to your body and allow me to bring you back, as an undead.

The look he was giving probably appeared quite humorous.

"How would that benefit me, as opposed to getting my life back?" He asked, confused.

She never said that you would get your life back. She said that you would get a life. The fox said, swishing its tail before scratching behind its ear a few times.

She is offering you a life. I can offer you a chance at getting your life back. It said, making Daiya really give pause and think.

There is far more risk to his offer than mine, Daiya. Do not fall for his trap! He is the one that made Fin the way he is now. God said, drawing a frown onto Daiya's face.

He had been told that Fin had made a deal with the devil.

"Your dealings with Fin..." He said, earning an uninterested sneeze from the fox.

He requested help from me. I have my own set of rules I must play by when I offer solutions to humans who ask things of me. We came to an agreement after I warned him of the possible outcomes. He chose to accept it. I did not force him to do so, nor did I affect anything after we had sealed the pact. He made himself as he is by choice.

Daiya swallowed the lump in his throat that built as Devil spoke in his mind. He hated what he said, but he could see why Fin might have decided to accept his deal, especially if God had denied him one.

"What were the terms of his deal?" He asked.

The fox yawned again, but it looked like it was baring its teeth more than anything.

The terms are his, and his alone. I do not have that information any longer, and he will not give it.

He was about to reply when the silver fox walked over and sat in front of the black one, looking quite unhappy.

Daiya, time is limited. Agree to return to your body and I will bring you back. She said, looking toward his corpse before returning her gaze back up to him.

"Wait. I haven't heard his deal yet. If I come back as an undead, how does that benefit me?" He said, remembering that Devil had offered him a choice, too, but not told him what it was yet.

The black fox grunted, seemingly getting bored as it turned to look at his dead body.

The deal that I can give you... Return as an undead, and if you can bring Fin to love you, as you love him, your own life will be restored to what it was.

Daiya liked the sound of the devil's words, but he was still unsure. There had to be something else to what he was saying.

He is not mentioning that you could become a brain-dead zombie, banshee, or wraith. Many of which cannot even communicate, let alone function on their own.

He didn't like the sound of those possibilities. Daiya would like to think that he'd be turned into a vampire, or at least a high functioning zombie, but the odds were not in his favor.

It was unnecessary, you know of the risks concerning zombies in general, do you not? Devil asked, glancing back at him.

"I do know a small amount." Daiya replied before the devil turned his attention back to his dead body.

Then you had no need for me to comment on it. The bitch is right, however. If you take too long to decide, there will be nothing we can do to assist you. He said as the silver fox pinned her ears back and nodded.

Licking his lips nervously, Daiya stepped forward and looked down at himself.

"I think it is time to go back." He whispered as he reached forward.

I accept your deal, Devil. He thought to the black fox.

His vision blurred as his fingertips touched his own cold skin and he began to feel himself being pulled free of Fin's body. He was almost completely merged with his own when his fading vision showed the silver fox suddenly leap onto his chest and snarl down at him. Her previously-bright eyes were now pitch black holes.

What is she- His thoughts were interrupted as he felt a harsh pain begin to stab at the top right side of his head. He knew that he shouldn't have been able to feel anything, but it definitely felt like his skull was being lit on fire. The pain started making an excruciatingly slow circle around his scalp, making Daiya struggle to hold onto Fin just enough to be able to breathe through it.

A loud roar, one that definitely didn't belong to an animal, but sounded more like an abrupt firestorm engulfing the room, nearly deafened him as his aching eyes saw the black fox burst into a flames, then literally jump into Fin's form that he could no longer keep standing. His mind went black as the pain got too severe to handle, pulling him into unconsciousness.

The devil yelled through Fin's mouth. His words were not understandable but his actions spoke far louder than any slew of letters possibly could. He knew that God was trying to force her wants on the boy, and since they had a deal to complete once he awoke as an undead, Devil was in no mood to humor her.

He moved Fin's body, snagging the fox and slamming it into the wall behind him before snarling and grabbing hold of the partially formed halo that was trying to forge its way, crackling and sparking, along the poor lad's head.

He knew how much being claimed as an angel hurt. He'd been one, and as he felt the blistering ring scald his hand through Fin's, he growled loudly and pulled as hard as he could.

The halo crackled with an ear-splitting bang, jarring in his profusely bleeding palm.

If you wish for this boy to survive, even without a heartbeat, by your side, lend me your strength, necromancer!

There was little physical response, but the overwhelming hatred and anger he had felt since forcing his way into the man's tired body slowly waned, allowing Devil to focus just enough to give one final, harsh yank on the damned shackle.

The halo vibrated abruptly in his palm, then, with a sound so loud that his own vision blurred from the damage to his hearing, even through Fin's senses, Devil pulled the partially completed halo free of Daiya's head. It shattered in mid air like the ground when a lightning strike had gone astray and found land.

With little energy left, Devil relinquished his hold over Fin, allowing the injured, unconscious man to slump to the floor. Unable to hold a solid form, he noted that God, too, had needed to retreat, her presence no longer palpable in the room.

I shall take my leave now, too. I will be back to seal our deal when you are able, Daiya. The only help I may offer to you, is that your memory is your weapon. Do not forget. He thought with one final stare at the two before dissipating.