At the end of it all I was alone, and I finally had peace. I could finally rest on a real bed, and not an imagined one made of filthy hay. My armor clinked as I sat and laid down.

I rested and slept a dreamless sleep, until a voice whispered into my ear..

"Awaken, wearer of Isabelle."

I thought it was just my imagination, until I felt the cold steel on my neck.

"It is time."

I opened my eyes, and I beheld a visage unlike anything I have ever seen. A hooded woman in chains, paler than the full moon with an ornate sword reaching for my throat. As my eyes darted down I realized she had no feet, and no shadow.

I asked "Time for what? What's happening?"

She sheathed her sword, and whispered with a soft yet intimidating voice "Time to fulfill your obligation. Your agreement with me."

"What... what agreement? I don't know who you are!"

"Of course you do. Take a closer look."

As my eyes became more focused, I trembled. I rose from the bed and my knees shook.

"You... you are..."

"Yes. I am what waits all living beings from the moment they are born."

I screamed Death's name and turned for the door. I ran through the blood-stained hallway and I managed to reach the front gates of the castle. However, Death was faster, as the bridge leading over the lethal moat has broken into countless splinters.

Death floated above the moat, looking right back at what I imagine to be the most frightened expression I could possibly make. I asked her what she would want from me.

My tongue flapped with fear "Did... did you come here to kill me? To take my soul?"

"Yes."

"But... but why? I... am young! I am healthy! I have no illness and no tragedy has befell upon me. Neither poison nor weapon has touched me. Why are you here? What is the agreement you claim to have with me?"

"Isabelle."

"What?"

"Your suit of armor. Her name is Isabelle, and as she has served you, you must abide by the rules."

"I don't understand..."

"Why do you think that suit is immune to all magic, and all weapons? Why do you think it is indestructible? Because that suit is made from my own flesh."

"WHAT?!"

"As long as life exists, so shall I, and the same goes for the armor Isabelle."

I... have been wearing... Death's essence on my own body?

"You say you have no illness? Did you not notice what has changed? Have you not seen your own flesh?"

"I... ever since I found this armor... I never took it off, not once in the past two days..."

"Then let me remove it for you, and show you the truth..."

Death waved her sword, and spoke in a divine language that I failed to understand. The clouds swirled above my head and a bolt of lightning struck me. The pieces of Isabelle fell off my body, one by one, and I screamed with terror when I saw what had become of my body.

My skin was as pale as Death's, and I no longer have a stomach. Only maggots and bile fill my abdomen, and I realized that I had felt no pain.

"Young soldier of the Malinith... Your body has died from the moment you put on the armor."

"No..."

"Yes, and you have killed nine hundred and ninety-nine humans after that, meaning Isabelle's time with you is up. She has served her purpose as armor for those truly willing to give up their lives to-"

"WAIT! PLEASE! I NEVER KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS!"

"I don't believe you. The contract was written plainly on Isabelle's breastplate."

"I... I'm illiterate... I can't read... please..."

"Illiterate?"

"Yes, I... I'm just a farmer's son, I... I never officially joined the army, I volunteered when the war came into my home."

"Hm."

Death turned away from me, deep in thought. She had a reputation for cruelty, and at that point in time, eventhough I was pleading for my life, I never dreamt she would ever reconsider.

"I suppose it would be unfair of me to impose such a contract on one who cannot possibly have agreed to it. I am Death, after all, not the Devil. I may be harsh but I do not deceive."

I felt relief. Ecstasy, even, until she continued speaking.

"You will remain in the mortal world, but you must perform one task."

"Wh-what would that be?"

She waved her sword and the pieces of Isabelle formed back on my body.

"Do you know of the Mage Isaac of the Leafsin Valley?"

"Yes, I have met him once."

"Burn his spellbook."

"Pardon?"

"He is a powerful mage with many spells at his command, but he suffers from poor memory. His spellbook contains a powerful spell that raises the dead and makes them his slaves. He has been abusing that wretched spell for decades but I am unable to destroy the book. The dignity of death is sacred, and this man has committed too much blasphemy."

"May I ask why you aren't asking me to kill him as well?"

"His spellbook is more important than him. Anyone in posession of his spellbook can re-cast the dreadful magic. Now go. Find that horrible object, so that my clients can have their peace. Your body will return to normal once you have accomplished your task."

"Very well. Thank you for your mercy, Death."

"Do not thank me, and mercy is not mine to bestow. Go."

She vanished, and I quickly went on my way to Leafsin, hoping to find the spellbook in the Mage's home. Isabelle clinked and clanked while the maggots rattled in my innards.

At least Death will not come for me anytime soon.