Walter watched from his domain as Tivwo stepped into the dark green waters, chewing on his finger nervously. He had no guarantee that what they were trying to pull off would work.

Purum appeared in a pool next to Walter, swimming next to her two previous companions as they relaxed beside the still waters. They smiled at her playfully as she swam, one going as far as to splash the mermaid with water.

“You think she can do it?” Walter asked Purum as she swam up.

“Shouldn’t you know better than I?” Purum answered.

“I’m doing my best not to think about it,” Walter said.

Purum was right, Walter did know better than his helper. His aspect knew that nothing could take a soul after it had passed. That was why there was a story, to show how impossible the task was.

Now that he was in his domain, Walter felt more connected to his aspect. With the connection came more stories, each one a journey into the underworld to retrieve a dead lover. All of them ended in failure, and there was no reason this one would be any different.

But the human part of Walter knew otherwise. This was a new world, with new rules. Stories of Death weren’t common, at least not yet.

That left some wiggle room, and Walter was going to try his best to exploit it.

It didn’t make him any less nervous.

“You’re doing everything you can,” Purum said, placing a hand on Walter to reassure him. “And I believe that this will succeed.”

“Thanks,” Walter said.

The god turned back to watch Tivwo.

The girl had started her journey downward, the lapping waters broken as she plunged down. The shallow, sandy beaches fell away, replaced by thick plants and tough rocks, Walter watching all the while. Curious sea animals flitted around Tivwo, trying to discern if the new arrival was a predator or prey.

“Ignore them,” Walter urged. “You can’t get distracted.”

Walter knew the girl couldn’t hear him, but he couldn’t help it.

To her credit, Tivwo held a stronger resolve than Walter expected. There weren’t many children brave enough to follow a half-baked plan by a fledgling god barely into his role.

The girl swam downward, past the plants and sea creatures, until the light from the moon above retreated and her breath started to give. Still, the girl continued downward.

She tried to continue when her breath ran out completely, only for her limbs to seize up.

“No. No no no…” Walter muttered. “This isn’t how the story goes.”

The god bit his finger hard enough to draw blood. Nothing spilled.

Purum swam beside Walter, gently pulling his hand away and pointing. “Don’t worry. You left me with more than just a new body, you know.”

Through the portal, a bubble of air had appeared to cover Tivwo’s head, giving her the precious air she needed. As the girl breathed, the bubble shrank, only to grow larger as Purum’s gifted mermaid scale released fresh air for her to breathe.

“How?” Walter asked.

“As far as I can tell,” Purum started. “You brought the stories of mermaids with you when you came, and used them as a base for this body. Well, some of those stories involve rather fantastical things.”

The mermaid chuckled as Walter’s jaw dropped.

The two watched as Tivwo regained control of her limbs and continued to dive. Eventually, the pale purple light of the moon fell away to the ink-black darkness under the water. Strange sea creatures started to appear as Tivwo swam, their currents rocking her every which way.

But the girl stood resolute, and she continued diving. Eventually, Tivwo swam past the sea creatures and toward her final leg of the journey to Walter’s domain. The ink-black turned into the dark blue that permeated much of Walter’s underworld as Tivwo swam closer.

“I guess we should prepare to meet our guest,” Walter said. His face couldn’t hide his grin, no matter how hard he tried.

Purum swam off, not bothering for an answer as she spoke to Walter over her shoulder. “I’ll go fetch our guest, shall I?”

Flipper, still on Walter’s shoulder, squeaked as the mermaid left.

“I don’t know if she’s too eager,” Walter replied. “She probably considers reviving Turum as a final act of revenge against Tushen.”

Flipper squeaked again.

“I know you’re worried about me taking her on as a helper, but I don’t think she has ill intentions.”

Flipper huffed.

Walter chuckled and scratched underneath the turtle’s chin. “Tell you what, you can show her the ropes. If she gets out of line you have full permission to chide her. Just, make sure its in the form of a mild prank or something. Nothing too traumatic.”

Flipper rolled his eyes and sent along another emotion. Walter opened his mouth to answer, but Purum returned that moment with Tivwo in tow.

Walter sighed. It was time for him to play his part, and he didn’t relish the opportunity.

The god stepped forward, drawing his power toward him and focusing it on Tivwo. The young girl, who before was looking with wonder at the glittering starlight pools, flinched under Walter’s gaze.

“You… are trespassing,” Walter started. He did his best to sound intimidating. A god of Death wouldn’t allow a mortal into their realm.

Tivwo gulped and almost turned away, but Purum placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder and nudged her sight over to a pool housing a familiar soul. The sight of Turum filled Tivwo with resolve once again.

“I’m sorry for trespassing,” Tivwo bowed. “I just… I wanted to see my mother.”

Walter gestured to the pool. “Then. Here you are. You’ve seen her. Now, be on your way.”

“No, wait!” Tivwo said. “I… I want… no. I need to take her back with me.”

Walter raised an eyebrow. “You need? Are you demanding that I give your mother back?”

Tivwo nodded. “Yes.”

Walter narrowed his eyes and squared his shoulders, making himself taller as he looked down on the girl. “Foolish! Who are you to make demands of me? I am Death! I am the end!”

The air around the glittering pools howled, pushing Tivwo back a couple steps. The girl grit her teeth and held her ground.

“I am my mother’s daughter!” Tivwo yelled. “And I still need her!”

The aspect inside Walter roiled, spilling out to yell at Tivwo. “As if Death cares for the needs of one girl! I am the end that comes to all! I am that which can not be escaped. But… if you’re in need of a mother, you can always stay here. I’d let you be together. I’d let you stay with her.”

The offer tempted Tivwo. The proposition would still let her see her mother. The girl could see it now, she and her mother resting together in the pools of clear water. Admiring the starry landscape overhead and divesting themselves of all their troubles. It would be a simple, easy existence.

Tivwo shook the thoughts away. She knew that this wasn’t the end. She’d used the sight, and had seen what Walter had to do. If Tivwo agreed, the girl would get to stay with her mother for a time, but it wouldn’t be the existence she wanted. Both of them would forget everything about each other as they were prepared to re-enter the world as fresh souls.

“No.”

“You refuse?” the aspect of Death questioned.

“No, I propose a counteroffer,” Tivwo said. She thought back to Death’s boast. “You claim that none can escape you, and that you come to all. In that case, why not make a wager? Let me leave with my mother, and I will hide from you. If you find me, you have both my and my mother’s souls to do with as you please. But until then, I get to keep my mother.”

The winds howled as Death considered the option. Inwardly, Walter was jumping for joy. This could work! He knew things would be tricky, considered how quickly everything had happened. Tivwo didn’t have the musical skill of Orpheus, or another grandiose power to convince death. But a wager against a keeper of the underworld was excellent. Walter had forgotten the fact that wagers with Death were almost as popular as journeys to the underworld.

“How long must I wait before searching?” Walter asked.

“One year,” Tivwo said. “Let me take my mother and hide for a year. Then you can search.”

Walter offered his hand. “Then, shake my hand and bind the contract. You may have a year to hide from my gaze, and once I find you your souls are mine.”

The girl looked up at Walter, smiled, and shook the gods hand. “Deal.”

After shaking, Walter snapped his fingers and turned to Turum. “You’re free to go, for now. But know that I plan to see you soon.”

Turum’s soul nodded, stepping out of the pool to stand next to her daughter.

“Now, be off,” Walter said with a wave of his hand. “I’m sure you can find your way back.”

Tivwo bowed. “Thank you, Walter.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” Walter said. “You still need to get home safely.”