Anya finds herself in trouble. She's been running for a while now. Hiding among the trees and watching out for any danger that might lurk in the surrounding area.

Everything around her has gone completely insane. She did not expect things to turn out this way. Well, she really expected this but not so soon. She only has herself to blame. As much as she wants to ignore the things that's been happening around her, it's just not in her nature. Curiousity can kill the cat but who cares. She's not a cat in the first place.

One would wonder what is making her feel like she's having a rough day. It started a few hours before New Year's Eve. Flashback to the time when she was choosing pasta.

"A pleasure to meet you, disciple of Aguaye."

A man stood behind her. He was tall like maybe over seven feet high. He took off his hood and Anya saw that the unknown man looked handsome having a chiseled jawline. He had a bronze skin tone that made him look like one of those ancient gods in tv shows. His eyes were different. They were of bright amber making it look like it glows golden when hit by light at the right angle. He was staring at her intently like she was being observed.

"Do not scare her so much Denali," another man came out from behind one of the shelves at the left corner.

This man was not as tall as the first one but Anya guessed he'd be over 6 feet tall. He also took off his hood as he stood in front of her. She saw that he has beautiful olive skin that made his downturned emerald eyes glow enigmatically. She noticed he wears a black snake designed ear cuff on his left ear.

Anya saw both men were clad in flowing hooded dark red cloaks. They both had a pin stuck to their left chest area. It had an intricate pattern of two white masks. On the left side is a smiling face while the right bore a sad one. Encompassing the two faces are the wings of what seemed to be a crow with its head on top of both masks. The crow had small, bright and sharp ruby-like stones that serve as its eyes.

Without hesitation Anya said, "Let me guess. You're not humans, are you?"

She gripped the handle of her shopping cart tightly. These two do not seem hostile but there's nothing wrong in being vigilant.

The one with the snake ear cuffs gave her a warm smile. "Be at ease my lady. I am Baladan and my companion here is Denali."

Baladan pointed to the man with the amber eyes and continued, "We are death magistrates of the 5th and 8th division of the Immamuh Death Court. We mean no harm but rather we seek your assistance, disciple of Aguaye."

Anya looked at them warily. Sensing no harm from the two she relaxed. "My name's Anya."

"You do not seem surprised about us being death magistrates," Denali said as he watched her expression.

"And it seems you already know me as a disciple of Aguaye. You don't hear me complaining about you finding out my identity," Anya countered meeting his gaze with her own.

Denali stared at her while Baladan merely grinned.

"This is the first time I've seen death magistrates. I was expecting you guys would look like skeletons wearing black robes and carrying huge scythes," Anya continued.

"Funny you mention that. Death reapers are the ones who wear black robes. Death magistrates like us wear bloody red ones on top of our uniforms. I do carry a huge death scythe which I like to hide with my magic, lady Anya. But, it isn't a standard issued weapon if that is what you're thinking," Baladan commented enthusiastically.

"Okay. First of all, kindly drop the 'lady' you just added to my name. We do not live in the Victorian era. I know you're being courteous but it sounds too old-fashioned."

Baladan's eyes was filled with amusement. "As you wish,.... Anya."

"As much as I'm curious about the clear distinction you said between death reapers and death magistrates regarding clothes, I'd rather ask the most important question first. What exactly do you need me for?"

"I'm guessing you have already heard about the massacre that happened in this city a few weeks ago," Baladan replied.

"You mean that which involves the mutilated corpses of young college students, their professor and an old couple. Yes, it's still a huge news around here. What does that have to do with me?"

Baladan and Denali looked at her with a grim expression on their faces.

"We believe something evil has come to your city."

"And?..." Anya's left eyebrow raised with utmost curiousity.

"....and as a disciple of the great lady Aguaye, it is your duty to help us rid of this evil." Denali was the one who answered her with a firm look on his face.

"Let's make one thing clear here guys. I may be her disciple but I am in no way bound to help you or the Death Court in any manner."

"And who said such a thing? You have been given a great privilege to be her disciple thus, it is your duty to serve for the greater good."

Anya laughed so hard. This man called Denali obviously has a strong sense of dedication to his duty flowing in his veins. This is going to be interesting, she thought.

"I hope this isn't some sort of noblesse oblige you are spouting on me. And btw, the one who explicitly told me to not get myself involved with you people is the great lady Aguaye herself."

"Lies... Lady Aguaye is of many things but she is compassionate and she has a sense of duty and justice," Denali argued.

"I do not lie." Anya crossed her arms in front of her. Clearly she's getting annoyed the more she speaks with this man.

Baladan noticing the tension rising, moved in between the two raising both his hands in front of them to stop them from bickering further. "Alright you two. That's enough." He continued, "Forgive us if we have caused you inconvenience Anya."

"Baladan..."

"We can not impose anything on her. She's not obliged to do anything at all." Looking back at Anya, Baladan continued, "Have a good evening Anya."

Denali was obviously not happy with Baladan not taking his side of the argument. However, seeing Baladan has already decided, he did not speak any further but rather muttered under his breath about her being an 'unruly brat with no sense of duty'. Seriously this guy, Anya thought.

Baladan and Denali turned their backs and were about to leave when Anya called.

"Wait!"

Both men turned around each with a puzzled look on their faces.

"Give me four days. I still have a lot of things to finish and think about."

To say that the two death magistrates were surprised is an understatement. With a questioning look Baladan asked. "You'll help us? You said..."

"I know what I said earlier. But I also know you're right. Something is happening. I can feel so much resentment these last few days. If left unchecked it might cause a lot of trouble."

That was the reason she is in this kind of predicament right now. Damn this big mouth of hers. She really needs to keep her mouth shut and most importantly not to meddle in anyone's business. Afterall, this wasn't her fight to begin with.

She was just an ordinary human with an ordinary life a few weeks ago. And now she's doing something that turns out to be dangerous. Anya is no hero nor does she want to be one. She is as selfish as any other human being living on the surface of the entire planet. She is no champion of justice. Even so, setting aside her own curiousity, she also knows that the wheels of her fate have started turning the moment she agreed to all these shenanigans. She had been warned. Whether she likes it or not, sooner or later, she'll have no choice but to confront this side of reality. So why not face it head on now? Why wait?

Feeling the cold night air, it reminded Anya of what her master said. The serene voice of the lady Aguaye still rings in her ears.

"I know you only want to live. But the price of living will cost you. The moment you become my disciple you will be pulled into a world full of betrayal and chaos. Let me tell you child, one of the truths of this world. Resentment brings malice. There will always be poor souls trapped in darkness. Tell me... would you wish them well? Would you do something to save them? Or would you let them sink into madness for all eternity? The choice is for you to make..."

Looking up Anya noticed the stars have already shown brightly in the sky.

"The price of living, eh..." Anya knows. After all, the more you take, the more you have to give. That was what her grandmother taught her. That was what have been passed down by her ancestors for generations until now. She is no stranger to such concept. Life is precious but it is never free.

Anya looks around. She does not see any movement behind the trees. This is good, she thought. She continued moving forward until she heard the rustling of leaves nearby. Facing the direction of the noise she waited for what she thinks might be an ambush.

Light came from the trees. It rested on the ground upon which it moved and focused on Anya. She blinked back and partially covered her eyes with her right hand.

"Anya?!..." came the startled voice from the trees.

"Oh sh*t," was all Anya could say.