The Free Spirited Death Reaper

In the deepest parts of the Netherworld, there was nothing but darkness in the air. Gloom enveloped every object, and the density of darkness made it extremely difficult to even hear a whisper. This is the area where souls came to pay their for their sins, and to await the crossing of the River of the Oblivion before being reborn into the mortal realm. It was silent, empty, and lonely, filled with the lost people who were guarded by the reaper who showed them the right way.

But today, something was amiss. One of the most stubborn and unpredictable reapers was nowhere to be found. Thana, known for her willful nature and tendency to ignore protocol, had vanished. But today, something was amiss. One of the most stubborn and unpredictable reapers was nowhere to be found.

A man appeared out of nowhere in the fog. This man was an informant from the heavenly realm, tasked with ensuring that the balance between the realms was maintained. He was dressed in a silken white garment with a golden hue, His face was stern, and his eyes reflected an otherworldly light. This was Seraphiel, one of the most honorable messengers of the Heavenly Lord, and he was not pleased.

"Thana!" His voice echoed in the void, and it had bounced off the hard surface of the Netherworld. To which the silence is answered only with the echo of his voice fading into nowhere. This was exactly the kind of irresponsibility he had come to expect from Thana.

"Where could that troublesome reaper be?" Seraphiel muttered and was gradually becoming more and more annoyed. He had to look for her everywhere; however, there was nothing that indicated her existence there.

Seraphiel let out a deep sigh and lifted his hand. Without a word, he flung his arm up and a bright spinning hole opened up—the entrance to the mortal world. If Thana was not in the Netherworld, she would be in the mortal realm, where she used to escape when she was not allowed to run around.

In the mortal world, the sun painted the sky in an orange hue. The crispy sound of leaves and the faint buzz of the water flowing in the distance. Behind this peaceful scene, a figure stood on a hill overlooking a small village. It was Thana, her long black robe blending with the shadows as she watched the world below.

Her usually cold expression had softened, and there was a touch of a smile on her lips. She had been coming to the mortal realm for a hundred years, ever since she had guided different souls crossing the River of Oblivion. One of the souls she had helped was the man, who was now an old villager, living a simple life with his family.

Thana felt weird about it, but as long as he could see him happy, she was already satisfied with the outcome, even if he had no memory of whom he had once been.

"Humans are so fragile!" she said to herself, still staring at the man entertaining his grandchildren as their giggles filled the backyard. "But they are resilient too. "

Thana often pondered the lives of those she had guided. She was supposed to remain detached, to simply do her duty and move on, but she couldn't help herself. She was curious and fascinated by the mortal world. That was why she loved escaping and going outside, even though she was strictly forbidden to. Besides, being a death reaper was not the most glamorous of professions, so why not find a little enjoyment when she could?

Absorbed with her thoughts, Thana failed to realize that there was someone right behind her.

"Thana."

The voice was cold and commanding, which pulled her thoughts out of their daydream. Thana turned around at the sound of the voice and looked straight into the eyes of Seraphiel. His expression was cold, leaning forward slightly with his arms folded across his chest while staring at her in a highly disapproving manner.

"Seraphiel!" Thana exclaimed, trying to muster a look of innocence. "What brings you here?"

"You know why I am here." He answered me in a manner that did not give room for an argument. "You have been slacking off again, Thana," he said, "The Netherworld is not your playground. You're supposed to be guiding souls, not wandering around the mortal realm on a whim."

Thana huffed, crossing her arms defensively. "I wasn't neglecting my duties. I was just… taking a break. Besides, the souls can wait a little while. It's not like they're going anywhere."

Seraphiel frowned at her, and all the friendly demeanor he had was fading fast. "Are you still not getting it into your thick skull that your responsibility is important. You cannot just do whatever you want."

Thana rolled her eyes, her stubborn nature flaring up. "I know, I know. But you don't understand, Seraphiel. It's different down here. The mortals… they're interesting. Watching them live, grow old, and die—it's like watching a story unfold. I just wanted to see how it ends."

Seraphiel sighed deeply and massaged the bridge of his nose. "Thana, you're a reaper. Your job is to guide souls, not to get involved in their lives. You're supposed to be impartial, not attached."

"I am not attached. I just… I like to watch, that's all." Thana said.

Seraphiel frowned and shook his head; he did not look entirely convinced. "Enough of this. You're coming back to the Netherworld. Now."

Before Thana could argue, Seraphiel reached out and grabbed her by the ear, dragging her away from the hill. Thana yelped in surprise, trying to pull away, but Seraphiel's grip was firm.

"Ow! Hey, let go! I can walk on my own, you know!" she complained, her voice filled with indignation.

"Not when you keep running off like this," Seraphiel retorted, his expression stern. "You need to take your responsibilities seriously, Thana. This isn't a game."

Thana pouted, but she knew better than to argue further. Seraphiel was one of the few who could punish people for breaking the rules, and she wasn't in the mood for a full-blown confrontation. She was pulled back to the portal and forcefully guided to the Netherworld, she looked back one more time at the village down below.

The doorway shut with a slight glow, and the familiar darkness of the Netherworld surrounded them once more. The gloom after such a sunny environment enveloped them and made them feel more suppressed than before.

Seraphiel released Thana's ear, and she rubbed it with a grumble, glaring at him. "You know, you don't have to be so rough."

"I wouldn't if you just stay put and not wander around," Seraphiel replied. "Do you know the kind of problem I get into whenever you are not around, You are so lucky to be alive".

Thana rolled her eyes again, clearly unrepentant. "They can handle it. It is not like they are doing anything else. "

Seraphiel could not hold his temper any longer and replied rather sternly, "That is not the issue…" "You have a duty, Thana. A responsibility. And if you can't take it seriously, there will be consequences."

Thana's defiance faltered at his words. She was well aware that Seraphiel was not one to make empty threats. However, the idea of being confined to the Netherworld, with no chance to visit the mortal realm, filled her with a sense of dread. She was passionate about her job despite how she disliked it by complaining all the time but she also enjoyed the liberty of doing anything she wanted.

"Okay," she said under her breath with an evident displeasure. "I'll be more careful. Happy?"

Seraphiel eyed her warily, but after a moment, he nodded. "See that you are. The balance of the realm was rather delicate, and it was our job to maintain it. You're too valuable to lose, Thana. Don't make me regret giving you another chance."

Thana sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I'll behave… for now."

Seraphiel merely raised an eyebrow, as if calculating to the very inch the truth of her words. Finally, he nodded his head in agreement and his face brightened a little. "Good. Now, get back to work. There are souls waiting for you."

Sighing deeply, Thana turned and went back to her position and sluggishly started to move in the opposite direction, leaving the place. But as she was getting deeper into the darkness of the Netherworld, she couldn't help but glance over her shoulder, back towards the portal that led to the mortal realm.

She realized she must stay and manage the land, but Thana was a mule-headed. For now, she would do as Seraphiel asked, but she couldn't promise she would stay away forever.

After all, she was Thana, the reaper who did things her way, and no amount of scolding from a heavenly informer would change that.