““It sucks having a famous dad,” DJ continued to think out loud. “Everyone expects me to be just like him, but look at me.” He gestured to himself. “Not exactly dragon slaying material.”

“I dunno about that,” Riley smirked again. “You could lull a dragon to sleep with your boring personality, then sneak up and go for the kill!” She jabbing his chest with her finger.”

“He who sees evil and does naught is just as complicit as those who stain their hands with the act.”

“Something about the way he sits — it’s too still, too calm. It puts me on edge, like he’s watching me too closely. Gives me the feeling that something's about to happen, even if I can’t prove it.”

“It wasn't the standard emergency announcement from my training sessions; this voice was much too sardonic with a pitch so ambiguous I couldn't tell if it was male or female. Everything is fine. After all, no one was screaming, no alarms were blaring and nothing seemed to be on fire—so far, so good.

But why am I the only one awake?”

“My mentor once told me I wouldn't die. She thought I was way too stubborn to open the door when Death knocked. But when Death came for her, he didn't pound on the door. He silently came inside and erased the pain I couldn't take away from her face. It went the same way with the many souls I helped throughout the years. He just came, whether he was welcome or not.”

“She pressed the glowing lily to her chest, the cool petals steadying her. "...Thank you, mysterious friend. Thank you." She stayed for a moment, warmed by the unexpected kindness.”

“He could only stumble backward down the corridor as the long blade slashed and tore through the air. It had to weigh a ton, but they carried its momentum into each swing like a dancer of death.”