Iku dropped to the ground like a rock as soon as Jonathan cut him free. He slowly picked himself up and looked at the young boy with caution. Despite having seen it first-hand, it was still hard for him to believe that the Immortalis would kill the man protecting him, and with such ease as well.
"Are you just going to stand there and look at me or are we going to take our leave of this forest?" Jonathan asked.
"You do recall I was sent here to capture you," Iku questioned. "Why would you want to leave with me when I am incentivised to take to my employer?"
"And who do you think that person is?" Iku's eyes widened. "Now if you're done wasting time, shall we?"
The Immortalis began to walk without waiting for the assassin's response. Iku could not even begin to comprehend why this child before him had gone through all this trouble. He decided to not let it bother him. He was not being paid to care.
Fólórunsó watched as the two left. His physical body was dead, but his spirit still lingered. He let out a sigh of frustration before sitting on his corpse. This was the third time he had died, and it was just as painful as the first. No, this time was the most gruesome yet. He turned to face his heart, the organ pulsating ever so slightly as the last bits of light bled from it.
A dark haze rolled into the forest. From it emerged a spectral being covered in a tattered robe with a skull for a head. The haze emanated from the being's mouth, pouring out from its ajar jaw. Its sockets were filled with a green light in place of eyes that stared blankly at Fólórunsó's soul.
"He is waiting for you," The spectre said in a disembodied voice.
"I know, Agbari," Fólórunsó replied. He stood up from his corpse. "Shall me?"
The haze swirled into a single focal point and imploded into a dark green portal. Agbari stepped through the portal with Fólórunsó close behind. The two were briefly enveloped in a dark light that made Fólórunsó's non-existent blood chill before finally spitting out at the other side of the portal. They had gone from the vibrant life of the Tru Forest to the desolate nature of a realm unknown.
The sky was green and cloudy with a perpetual gloom hanging in the air. The ground was grey and lifeless, with nothing but dust, sand and ash covering it. The two were stood before an imposing gate made of black marble and lit up by the spectral fire that lit the darkness with its green glow. The gate creaked open, causing the ground to shake and the sand to swirl into the air.
"We were not expecting you to be back at the Realm of Oia so soon," Agbari said, breaking the silence.
"I don't think anyone expects anyone at the House of Duinn," Fólórunsó retorted. His clothes had been replaced by a similar robe that the spectre wore.
"On the contrary, we expect everyone. All souls must come home. You are the exception for now,"
They walked through the gate and into the domain of one of the Lords of Duinn. Of the nine beings who ruled this realm, Oia was the Lord of Fraud and Integrity. In her domain, those who lived as frauds are punished until they repent whilst those who were honest are rewarded lest they fault their ways. Fólórunsó could see on either side of him the bliss and pain enjoyed by the souls residing in the domain as he walked past them.
"There seem to be fewer souls here," Fólórunsó commented.
"Mortal beings are living longer than usual," Agbari commented. "And the older souls are fading out of existence. This is no major concern. Eventually, this land will be brimming with unlife again,"
They arrived at a fortress at the centre of the castle. Its size dwarfed all other surrounding buildings, and its structure was jagged and crooked as if it was about to crumble or come to life.
"I cannot accompany you any further," The spectre said. "I shall be waiting to return you after your meeting,"
The fortress' doors opened revealing its entrance like a gaping maw. Fólórunsó walked through the dimly lit hallways until they finally reached the centre room. There waiting for them was a man seated on a wooden chair. His body, from head to toe, was covered in bandages like some kind of mummy. Not even his face was visible. Over his bandages, he wore a large trench coat with ripped seams. Had this been anywhere else, this man would have been perceived as peculiar and nothing else. But Fólórunsó could feel the alarming amount of Revel exuding from this being. It was so much that it made the room feel filled by him and him alone.
"Fólórunsó," The man said as he stood to his feet. "Welcome back,"
"Dullahan," Fólórunsó replied.
"What has done you the honour of sending you back to this House?" Dullahan asked.
"I ran into a slight inconvenience and was caught off guard," He explained. "It won't happen again,"
"Oh, but it will. I mean, you can only access the power from your contract when you die, so you'll always need to die, especially when it comes to taking care of your end of the deal,"
"Speaking of," Dullahan continued. He approached Fólórunsó until they were only an inch apart. "How is our target?"
"It's proving a bit difficult to find him and take him out but rest assured, it will be done,"
"I expect to. It is your life you are trying to secure here," The bandaged man turned to return to his seat. "You are dismissed. When next I see you, I hope to hear a substantial report,"
"When next you see me, that man's life will be dead by my hands," Fólórunsó bowed and took his leave.
"For your sake, I hope so," Dullahan said, his right eye glowing a dim green underneath his bandages.