A Madness Most Descreet: Prologue

The child stared knelt on the bed, her golden eyes unfocused. Her clothes were torn, her alabaster skin marred with scratches and bruises.

“…Are you alright?”

She blinked up at the shadow hovering above her, Lord Death ran a bony hand threw her black and white hair.

“…My child…my sweet innocent daughter…”

 

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it, Blanche?”

“Indeed it has, Lord Death” the woman bowed before him.

“No need for such formalities. Why don’t you call me Shini-papa like you used to?”

Blanche glanced up at him with cool golden eyes, “…I’m not a child anymore, Father…”

“Too true, you are one of the most accomplish Reapers since I welded my scythe in the reaping of souls” Lord Death nodded.

“That is high praise coming from you, Lord Death…” she smiled softly.

“…Asura is back”

Blanche froze, her head snapped up, “Asura…?! How did he escape?! I thought your shield was unbreakable, Father!”

“As did I…but it seems I miscalculated the power of the black blood that now provides his strength…”

“…Why have you called me here?”

“I have Stein training a few students with superior skills, I’d like you to assist him”

Blanche flinched, “…I haven’t seen Stein in over three years…”

“Now is not the time to be petty, daughter” Lord Death replied, his voice losing it’s childish air.

“…Yes…you’re right, father, forgive me…” Blanche conceded.

“Go introduce yourself to the students. Kid is among them so gaining their trust shouldn’t be too hard…” Lord Death went on.

“Yes of course…Father?”

“Yes, my child?”

“…Do you think Asura’s Madness is…?” Blanche began.

“We’ve had this conversation before, Blanche. There is no possible way for you to contract Asura’s Madness. Or Stein’s for that matter, yours has always been the voice of reason…”

“…yes father…”

 

“So what did the old man have to say?”

Blanche glanced over at the tall, lanky boy leaning against the wall. His fiery red hair was held back in a wild pony tail. Black tattoos snaked down his arms, swirling around his bare torso and up his neck.

“Apparently we’re supposed to be training these kids to fight monsters…” she sighed shaking her head.

“Feh, isn’t that a little unreasonable? They are kids after all…”

“…I faced my first Keishin when I was four, bare handed without a Death Scythe…” Blanche replied.

“Yeah but you’re the daughter of Death himself…”

“Whatever, it’s not like these kids have a choice. Asura is coming and if they’re not prepared, they’ll be dead” Blanche said bluntly.

“…You sure you’ll be okay dealing with…Him?”

“…Why not…he was my husband after all…”