Standing before the Pale Gate, Master left upon the surface of Alos. I could not help but sigh. How long had it been since we gazed upon her? Although it will seem Master had a great time. Shame she had to leave.

  "You're here again?" Zanris bitterly wined and appeared to my rear. She rested her chin on top of my head, "Will you play with Zan? Mr. Bear is starting to smell." She muttered lazily, slowly slouching onto my body as if she was too lazy to stand.

  Running my finger over the marvelous runes of the Pales Gates arches, a comforting sensation touched me. "Death Eater, Ava, a title given to you for all your slaughter. Are you bored now? I am. When we got to Alos, I had thought that maybe we would be able to see our masters." Zanris gently muttered, "There is no killing, no chaos; it's just boredom, and It's killing Zan."

  "Its. It's not so bad." I replied meekly, unsure how I truly felt. Ever since I became one of the four Abyssal Children, Master forced us to slaughter. Father would be sad for sure. But Arsene did promise to bring him back.

  Trailing her hands through my pink hair, Zanris ran her finger down my cheek. "I lie because I am a devil. But you shouldn't lie to yourself. Of all the Abyssal Children, you were renowned for being the most bloodthirsty on the battlefield."

  My heart trembled. Bitting my lips at her tackless words, a warm abyssal qi wisped over my fingers. Reminding me of Master, everything turned to darkness as the air of decay touched my nose. Filling me with a profound sensation of death, I could not find it in me to fear but rather smile.

  "Ava Silmor," A charming voice called, pulling my attention. I turned to a charming young man dressed in a long navy suit jacket, showing a golden vest beneath. Around his neck laid a grey Cravat, held up by his snow-white tunic. "Quite the surprise, we were not expecting you. Why not have dinner with us? Our Lord has decided that we need not always behave like savages and has decided that we should learn."

  "You are?" I asked, taking an involuntary whiff. My cheeks began to burn at my shameless behavior. Dummy Ava! Why did you do that! Dummy!

  "I mean. Sorry. Forgive me! I am sorry!"

  "No! No!" He charmingly said, unknowingly causing my cheeks to burn even hotter. "it's my fault I am still new to this proper behavior. I am Julius. No surname as of yet. And do forgive us for not inviting that devil that was clinging to you. Our Master wished only for those of our blood to join."

  "Just me?" I muttered as he nodded.

  "Come, the Master has long been interested in those that follow Our Queen." Julius charmingly swore; he turned to his back and beckoned to follow. I continued after him when an awkward silence appeared.

  Come on, Ava! You are making it Awkward! Julius probably doesn't even sense it! You must make conversation! You still know how to do that, right?! Talk! Talk! Talk!

  Lowering my head, I sighed at my cowardice, keeping my mouth shut as we made our way up what appeared to be a tower of many floors. I suddenly felt the laws shift as Julius touched upon a large door that looked to take more than twenty strong men to open.

  "Raise your head," A dreadful voice, cold as the iciness of the dead, resounded.

  Peering up for but an instant, a warmness of the very Laws of Death, washed over my soul. Standing at the head of the Refectory Table, I saw a kind-looking elderly man pale to the bone, with the warmest smile I had only seen in father. He was in similar attire to Julius, but he was in all black, reminding me of Arsene Snow. He, too, loved wearing all black.

  Standing around the table, I saw similar men and women all welcoming me with warm smiles. " Ava Silmor," The Elderly Lord at the head of the table called. "I welcome you, my child, to the Table of Death. Around the Abyss, we hunted depraved beast who held no chance of growing sentience like us."

  Glancing at the table filled with meat, prepared hundreds of ways, and the various wines, set around the table for everyone to have a glass, I didn't know why but I felt it was my duty to bow and bow I did.

  "You may call me Death," He uttered gently and pointed towards the empty chair near the head of the table beside him with his frail, boney, looking fingers. "Take a seat, my dear. We have much to discuss. Much indeed."

  I glanced at Julius, who merely smiled and nodded. Not wishing to offend Death, the apparent Lord of the Pale Gate, I proceeded to his side as many laid their eyes on me. Wishing to find a hole to hide, my stomach began to turn. I hated being the center of attention. I don't know how Father did it so well.

  I remained standing, waiting patiently for Lord Death to take his seat, and took my seat moments after he did. "I am sure you are confused as to why I have summoned you here. " He calmly said, "Oh due forgive me, please everyone do start eating. You needn't wait for me." He softly addressed, shifting his attention to me. "Well, I will start by saying, I would like for you to learn under me."

  Startling me, my jaw dropped, "You're going to train me?" I involuntarily asked, covering my mouth at my rudeness.

  "It's okay, darling. Speak your mind. You have that right. Our Queen granted you life, and Arsene gave you freedom." Death warmly said. "The other children are not like you. You are strongly aligned with Death. They must seek out the other gates to find their home, but you. This is your home."

  Overwhelmed by all of this, a wave of information regarding my Queens location touched my heart. "We of the Abyss are always connected, and you as a Knight to our lady must be ready to protect her. Especially in this game, with the False King."

  "Everything has a price," I muttered, knowing it to be law. However, I grew startled as everyone burst into laughter.

  "Within the Abyss, my lady, you need not worry of price. Here you are free of restriction, free of any law." Julius seated across from me remarked.

  "I am sure you have questions, but first, let us feast……" Death lightly said, bearing a kindred smile, "Eat till your stomach is filled with Life, and then we shall talk about the truth."