Luk closed his eyes, the light glow of his blank stare vanishing. How tired he was, and yet something had awoken him. Pain...anger, and regrets. These things he knew, and felt, and remembered. Lifetimes passed before his eyes even as he felt their being fading. This world, mortal and fragile, was calling to him. Luk opened his eyes again, slowly moving from the darkness he had been entombed in for so long to approach the sliver of light that entered his tomb through the smallest of cracks. Someone was calling him here, to this place...but who? "Show yourself and be done with it." He called crossly. "I've not the patience for the living, less you mean to be given rest in my arms eternal."

Vic often sought the dark places to rest, for he felt safe in the enclosed darkness of the earth. The place where his very element could be found hidden away. Yet even in his place of safety, he felt a longing he could not quiet name. He was missing something. He could feel the stirring of other gods and Demi's in the world above, but he shied from making his presence known. A fear perhaps of what may happen to him if he were to walk out amid all that chaos unprotected. So he crept deeper into the darkness then he ever had before. A voice called out, demanding a answer from the winged demi-god. he froze, eyes wide with conflict over whether to answer or to flee. In the end, Vic summoned forth a small golden ball, from which a warm yellow glow emanated to light his surroundings. His tails twitched behind him as he sought to look upon the speaker with him. "I do not mean to disturb you. I was only seeking a quiet and safe place in which to rest."

Luk smirked, walking further into the cavern and turning his seemingly blind eyes toward the voice that drifted from the darkness. His head tilted to the right, he slowly examined the soul before him as he advanced toward him. "There is no where on or under this earth that is truely safe and quiet. Only eternal rest can give you these things." He murmured, resting the end of his scythe against the ground and using it almost as one would a walking stick.

"You've a beautiful soul...Bright against the empty darkness you've surrounded yourself with." He smiled, his glowing white eyes peering deeply into the demigod's very essence. "It's a wonder you're so pure, compared to the evil land you have wandered into."

The figure that approached him seemed...terrible. It was not quiet the right word for him of course, but there was a clear sense of strength and unyielding power to the figure. It only took a moment for Vic to realize why that would seem so. This being was a God. "True, but there are periods of safety, in which one may rest. Things need not be so final as Eternal." Vic softly replied to Luk's almost unintentional rebuke for his simple based reason.

When Luk would speak of his soul as beautiful, Vic of course felt a warmth of pleasure. Yes. He was beautiful. He knew this. All wealth was beautiful, and he held that as truth rather then personal vanity. Yet the manner this God looked at him made him feel as if he were made of glass. It was a unsettling feeling to be sure! "I do not believe Land can be evil. That only intentions are truly evil. Are you saying that there are evil intentions towards me here?"


"The darkness hides many dangers for those who are not able to see them." Luk explained with an air of amusement. He could see the shift of this male's soul. He was pleased and yet...Was this being nervous? The shiver of his soul, perhaps it was only because of Luk's presence here. He straightened up, tilting his head to examine the cavern they were in more fully. "This place does not belong to someone who has good intentions toward anything that is within his reach. But then again, who am I to say what anyone else's intentions are?"

He turned his white eyes back toward the other, smiling. "After all, what does Death ever plan, but for the end of everything and everyone?" He sighed, an almost sad feeling to the air around himself though he did not let it show in his physical appearance. "All things must once day return to the bliss and peace of death. It is a path we all share, an equality we all are born with..." All but Luk, though his existence may be termed as a worse one. Always leading the souls of the dead. A shepard, a guardian. But Death none the less.

"Do you fear me?" He asked softly, closing his eyes so that he would not have to see this other beings soul response. "Tell me...Do you feel fear in my presence?" He inquired with a smirk on his face. "Or do you fear what you think I am...fear what reason you think I am here for?"

Vic found himself looking around the cavern with a slow sweep of his eyes. He tried to see these dangers that were spoken of...yet sadly... "All I see is a cave." He admitted. Vic could not bring himself to think that a cave could have ill intentions. Though this one that the God spoke of might. He had said as much in fact. Vic drew his several tails around him, so they swirled around his legs and upper body as a protective cloak.

Vic's worrisome thoughts faded from the forefront of his mind when the God would speak of Death. "Well..there are some things that even Death can't claim." Vic found himself unable to keep from speaking his words. "I can't be claimed." Wasn't that one of the mortals sayings? 'You can't take it with you'. They were, of course, referring to money and possessions...Wealth. It could not be taken past the doors of death from the mortal realm. It was one of the few things that could be denied. When one died, they carried only their souls and experiences with them...Ah...but Vic was thinking far more literally then figuratively now.

The final questions posed by the God caused Vic to flick his adorned ears back against his head. Was he afraid? Vic's eyes lifted to glance back up at the ceiling of the cave. He avoided the other Gods because he was uneasy. He was not certain he was ready to face them. he did not know if he was ready to face he expectations that would come. Pick a side. Choose a Lord or Lady to belong to.

Since when did Wealth make choices? That might have been the very heart of his unease. They would look to him to make the choice. Wait on him to decide. They would coax or offer him something. They would give him reasons and wait for him to choose. Wealth did not choose. Vic turned his eyes back to the god, and he shook his head slowly from side to side. "I do not feel fear...not precisely. I know What you are. Though I'm not certain Who entirely...and I suppose I know what reason you are here for...but I do not believe you will receive it."

Luk laughed, his eyes flashing open to gaze upon the soul before him yet again. "Ah yes, the mortals and their words of great wisdom. And yet, they also proverb that wealth can buy you no happiness or love. Again, they typically speak of money in such a case, but riddle me this little demi-god....Is not love and happiness the richest of treasures?" Luk moved to seat himself on a rock, his scythe coming to lay across his lap.

"Of all the souls I have seen, the most beautiful are those who knew both of hardship and trials, and also of deepest love. The memory of a newborn son in a father's arms, the love of a man for his wife, a mother for her daughter. These bonds, memories that the mortal soul carries so dearly past their mortal lives, is in my opinion the real wealth that mortals have." Luk lent down to slid a finger over his scythe blade, feeling the sharpness of the metal for a silent moment before he raised his head again.

"I came here because I thought I felt the calling of a soul...Lonely and cold as the life I myself live. It is my job to lead such lost and lonely souls." He raised his hand, summoning three white orbs to his side. "I am Lukarius, God of Death. Shepard and Guardian of Souls. It is only proper that we should be introduced, since we have the pleasure of one another's company for a bit. Don't you agree?"

There was a irony in the Gods choice of words. Wealth. Vic found himself half smiling, though he kept his tails wrapped around him still. "It is truth. Such things can be the most valued of riches, but it also depends upon the heart of the one holding them." Vic looked to the golden ball he was holding and he gently rolled it about in his palm. "For one who does not value family or friends, love would never be their greatest treasure."

Vic was silent then as the God would speak on the beauty of souls and what gave them, what he assumed, a luster of appeal. His eyes followed the play of the Gods finger over his blade, then returned to his simple little golden ball. It was only when the God spoke of hearing a calling that Vic glanced back to him. He surely had not meant him? Yet...did not Wealth call to others? A calling to come and be claimed. Seek me. Find me. Take me. Though Vic was positive that only applied to the mortals.

After it was that the God introduced himself, and affirmed to Vic who he was. The Scyth had sort of given him a strong indication of whom he spoke to. Plus the comment about death. Vic lowered his eyes once more, though it was now so he could inspect the fur on one of his golden tails. "I am Vic Lucre. Demi-god of Wealth. I bare no other titles, as the one I carry is weighty enough I think." He picked at the tip of his tail for a moment, so he did not have to look back at Luk.

Luk chuckled, his face lighting up as he looked toward Vic with amusement. "You certainly have a weighty title, that is to be sure." He agreed. Luk released his hold on his scythe with one hand, letting it rest fully over his lap as he reached out with his hand. "Come sit with me, I will do you no harm. I am too weary for such things at this moment." He motioned to the souls still floating around him. "Keeping these little ones together is wearisome enough for today."

The blond haired god gestured with his hand again, inviting Vic to sit with him. "You are hiding from everyone who would seek you. This must be lonely for you. If so, why do this to yourself? There is more to do then fear the living."


Vic hesitated for a few moments as he considered the Gods offer. There was no harm in merely sitting beside him he supposed. Vic unwrapped his tails from around himself, then approached Luk. Vic did not speak again until he had sat himself down and brushed his tails back behind him. His eyes lifted to look at the floating lights around Luk. "What are they?" He found himself asking while lifting a claw tipped finger to try and poke at one. He did not follow through with his attempt though.

Vic peered at the god beside him as he considered his answer. "There is much going on up above. I am not certain if I am ready to face all of it yet. Besides, I am closely tied to my nature. Do not others seek Wealth? It feels wrong for me to go seeking them. It is not so much that I fear the other gods, but rather I feel that they will not understand my nature when we meet. I do not want to instill disfavor in them before I find the One for me. I am nervous that I will be left without, which is a thought that saddens me."

Luk tilted his face away from the demi-god, gazing at the floating orbs with an almost proud look on his face. "They are spirits, usually invisible to most. Souls of the dead that were lost and wandering freely around. For a soul, to be unbound to drift wherever they will go is a scary thing, most especially after being held to one place for a whole mortal lifetime." He reached up, gently catching one in his hand and pulling it closer so that he could inspect it closer. "This one has had quite a few bad moments in it's lifes...There are many speckles of darkness in this soul, though I doubt you or any others would be able to see it."

Luk turned his face back to Vic as he let the spirit go so that it could float up to join the others again. "I am giving them stability again, by collecting them. I give them a place to rest. I keep them safe from the world that is too big for them, and help them find peace with the loss of their physical body, that they can move on to another."

When Vic would speak of himself, Luk only sat in silence and listened with his eyes closed, a faint glow showing through his eyelashes. He gave his head a faint nod once the male was done talking, opening his eyes again to smirk. "I mean no offense to you Wealth, but you will never be left without. You are right that there are those who will seek you out once they know of your existence. Some may even seek to capture your allegiance by force. However, hiding alone only makes one more vulnerable to attack. It does not give one any true defense."

He gave a sigh. looking toward the single area of light that was coming from the cavern ceiling. "I am Death. I seek nothing but souls. I care not for riches, I care not for health, or beauty. All souls are beautiful to me, all souls are worth my time. It is they I seek, nothing more." He paused a moment, then turned to look at Vic again. "What is it you want in this lifetime, Wealth? What is it that your soul seeks?"

For a few moments Vic stared at the glowing lights. To him, they all appeared the same. He could see no difference between any of them. he coud barely tell if there was a difference in color. Perhaps he could only see them at all because they were hovering around Lukarius. Since he could only see them in the general area of where the God sat.

"You have a important job, but I suppose that is to be expected since you are a God." Vic thoughtfully remarked. When Luk would explain that he was right in the fact he would be sought out due to his domain, Vic managed a half smile. Even when he would mention that force might be used to obtain his loyalty, the demi-god could not help but give a small chuckle. Oh...if only the God knew how true that was. But that was the way of things! Vic would not change it at all.

This time it was Vic's turn to close his eyes. Luk had posed a question that was hard for him to answer. "You will scoff. Or laugh." He assumed. Vic closed his fist over the small golden ball he had been holding, and he felt it's metal form compress. Carefully he began to squeeze the ball, his fingers pinched and twisted a small bulge of the gold, and he began to spin it into a thin golden chain. He did this just so he had something to keep his hands occupied. With his hands busy and his eyes focused on his task, Vic exhaled a slow breath and responded to the question posed to him.

"I desire that which all Wealth seeks to inspire. Wealth is meant to be collected. Sought after and possessed. The reasons behind this matters little to wealth. I hope that will come to pass for me as well. I can not just Give myself, for wealth that is given rarely has any value."

"Truer words have not been spoken." Death agreed softly, his hands moving to slowly caress the handle of his scythe. "Many mortals strive for wealth and prosperity to be gifted to them, yet they know nothing of the hard labors such gifts command." Luk laughed a little, tilting his head as if listening to the spirit nearest his ear. "Yes, the souls of those who work hard may be speckled with darkness and hardships, but their fruits are souls filled with first person knowledge, wisdom, lessens learned, and sound advice. The wealthy born rarely learn much at all, save what their books say."

Luk brushed the soul away with a wave of his hand, focusing on Vic once more. "You've a beautiful soul." He said again, slowly looking deeply into the light he saw at Vic's chest. "You would be a beautiful spirit. Were you to ever die, that is. But back to your desires, friend. Collected? You have a wish to be collected, valued...but truely, are you sure what you seek is not love? Is it now the purpose of the collector, to love the things he collects? My spirits, for example. I tend them, almost as a mother does her young. In some senses, I love them, as a gem maker does each diamond he uncovers from the rough. So perhaps, it is truly love you seek, not just the need to be a piece collected."

Luk gave Vic a smile, almost as if he knew something the other did not. What a pure soul the demi god had, especially given the domain he ruled over. But did not their domains work well together? Any a man has been murdered because of wealth, and who was it that collected the pieces, but he? What irony brought them together, that they would converse as such?

With a slow nodding of his head, Victor ruffled his tails behind him. Just because he was the demi-god of wealth, it did not make him a greedy sort. He understood the value of true wealth. The shallow and the deep of it. Perhaps his understanding of both the good and the bad aspects of his domain was similar to the Death Gods understanding of souls. It was a curious thought.

But curious became strange when Luk would speak of his soul. Vic lifted a hand and gently placed it over his chest in a unconscious gesture. As if somewhere in the back of his head was the concern that his soul might suddenly just flitter out through his chest. He had no desire to die of course, and the comment was rather unsettling. Vic turned his eyes back down to his half formed golden chain. To be loved...cherished...protected... Those were things that one did with wealth right? "I suppose that yes. To be loved would be a wonderful thing. Though I am content to merely be what I am." He paused his words and resumed twisting the gold chain out once more.

"There is nothing you can be, but what and who you are." Luk agreed, nodding. "To try and be anything else is a tarnishment that your soul need never know." He inspected Vic closely for a moment, then slid to his feet, the souls drifting to move around him as he made to circle Vic. "You wish to be collected, and what am I other then a collector? Tell me, what would you do if I were to claim your soul here and now to add to my collection?"

He raised his scythe ever so slightly, as if to inspect it again for its sharpness. "I do admire it quite much, and it would be a wonderful addition." He mused softly, as if he knew the fear that the demigod had when he'd placed his hand over his chest. "I would never let it out of my sight. It would be my prized possession."

Luk finished his circle of Vic, then lowered his scythe again to lean on it as a walking stick. "But alas, I do so like the appearance of your soul inside your physical bond. To sever it would appear such a crime." He chuckled, winking. "So I shall leave it bound and chained for now, and admire it's glow from afar, shall I?"

A tarnishment? What a curious comment. Vic's ears flicked back on his head. He did have to wonder how trying to be untrue to himself would cause him to look tarnished. Vic's head lifted from where he had been busy staring at his chain when Luk would rise up from his seat. His head turned to watch Luk's circling of him until he could not turn it comfortably any further. "I..." Such a question! Vic's eyes widened a little. Yes...he did want to be collected but...his soul? Unconsciously his tails wrapped around his body once more so only his body from his shoulders up was uncovered. "I suppose... I would do nothing. You are God." He answered honestly. He was only a Demi after all, f Luke decided to harvest his soul, what could he do? Or for that matter, would he want to do anything?

Yet when Luk lifted his scyth, Vic found himself realizing that the Death God had brought up a concept he had never considered before. As much as he wished to find his place, to be taken and held by the God he would dedicate his life to... he knew he did not want to die. Vic felt a warmth in him concerning some of what the God said, yet at the same time a uneasy chill when he spoke of other things.

Vic shifted finally to stand upon his feet when Luk set his scythe down to lean upon it. His eyes were fixed on the God with a unblinking stare. he felt relief that the God had decided not to try and remove his soul from his body. "Thank you. I am still rather attached to my physical form." He gratefully replied. "There is still much I'd rather like to do before I am rendered fleshless."

Luk laughed happily, his eyes closing again. "Yes, we all would enjoy keeping the flesh on our bones under the control of our own person, but never the less we will all have to one day face the possibility of entering a void together." He said earnestly. "Who is to say what our tomorrows will bring, for mortal or god alike. We are all brought into this existence by one hand or another. Mortals by the hands of gods, and gods by the hands of our makers. Who can say whom that is."

He gave a bit of a scoff, as if the idea of having a maker above himself was both disdainful and laughable. "Death is the only existence I know, and the maker of me would have to be one with quite a queer humor. Elsewhile, perhaps I displeased them in my own past life, that they would punish me to be cast adrift myself. Ever to be alone. For who would ever befriend death?"

Turning to walk a few paces from the demigod, Luk paused to glance over his shoulder toward Vic, then gestured with his scythe. "Come walk with me. I hear more souls calling to my being, and I can not let them rest in darkness whist I can bring them peace and solitude."


"Notice how the saying is always 'IN death' and never 'AS death'. For a god, our beings rely so heavily on our worshippers. A god that is idle will lose his worshippers, and what is a god without his worshippers but a falsehood against existance?" Luk inquired, looking toward the wealth demigod curiously. He enjoyed the blunthood of Vic's comment, for death was a truth unavoidable and he could appreciate truth in its coldest forms."Humans, the large ones you speak of, often speak of their gods, do they not?" Luk asked of Vic, inspecting his soul again. He enjoyed seeing the demigod's soul speak the mans thoughts through its own language, a language he himself knew better then the spoken one. "What difference is there between them and us, but that they can make our mortals, but we not theirs? And as we are, so are they. If they have gods, what are they, but mortal?"

This was a terribly deep subject. Vic feared that the deepest part of himself was just how deep into the earth some of his domain could reach. That was hardly the view of a philosipher! And wasn't that part of the poetry surrounding Death? He felt quiet out of his league in this discussion! "I...I do not know Luk." He answered honestly. "I can only assume that there is some synergy between us and them, just as there is between the mortals and us. It just..comes about in a circle." Vic glanced down at his chain and gently linked the two ends together so now it formed a necklace. He unthinkingly flicked it over his ears and down around his own neck. "We exsist because the mortals need us. Maybe the large humans exsist because we need them, and then perhaps something else exsists because the large ones need them."

Luk gave a faint nod of his head, and couldn't help but smile at the demigod's response. "This is very true." He agreed, before stopping. He lowered his scythe, bending over to whisper toward a dark crack in the cavern walls that appeared to be created by falling rocks. He remained this way for a few silent moments, his whispering the only sound in the stillness, until a small white orb finally materialized out of the crack and came to circle him.

"Sometimes they need persuading." Luk explained, watching the small orb. "Mostly the children who were always taught never to trust strangers, and the young souls that've not been reborn often... Curious how they shine the brighter, the older they become." He looked back at Vic, then nodded to his necklace. "You enjoy your domain, I see. It is a lovely one to rule over." He offered, moving the topic of discussion away from the deep and heavy, and back to the demigod.