The Angel of Death

Skittles was trotting alongside his new horse, who did not seem to mind all of the chaos that surrounded him, as Martia flew overhead. Sprite, who was sitting peacefully on her mount, had Fulmen and Taeda sitting behind her.

The journey home from Martia's little reunion was short. Even so, they had received no information from En'dai about extra missions, or anything for that matter.

*Didn't En'dai say he was going to call?*

"Yes," Sprite said with a bit of frustration, "I can't believe this. That woman wouldn't let me have a dragon!"

"I'm sure there was a reason why Life decided to be a bitch," said Skittles as he began to slow down. "Speaking of... what is that in front of us?"

"It looks like a..." Taeda said looking over Sprite's shoulder, "wolf-cat hybrid that's on fire."

Sprite stopped her horse and quickly dismounted. The lavender colored creature that had a halo and flames around its feet remained seated as she approached, staring with orange and yellow eyes. She stopped when she was a foot away. "Would it just so happen that you want to join our group?"

He nodded, "My name is Prasad."

"I guess you were right Skittles," the sylph was grinning, "Life was a bitch for a good reason."

"You are her priestess after all."

***

Skittles clutched his chest and leaned against the nearest tree. They had made it to the forest for the night, thankfully. However, he had been feeling ill ever since they had returned home. Martia had noticed, and was happy that sprite had missed the situations gravity entirely. Prasad's appearance could not be more timely, or so Martia thought.

She watched her bondmate nearly slide down the tree before she took action. *Sprite, set up the tents without us. 'Kay?*

"All right but--"

*A walk, I need to talk flying walk with Skittles.*

"All right," Sprite shook her head and waved, "Just come back before I start cooking.

The dragon gave a quick nod and flew over to her bondmate. They made their way deeper into the forest, and quickly disappeared from sight.

Sprite was left with the angecur and Prasad. "All right, tents," she turned around and grabbed the stakes.  She was interrupted sooner than usual, "What would you do if he left you?"

She blinked at Prasad, "Who?"

"Him," he nodded in the direction that Skittles had left.

"You mean Skittles? He wouldn't leave... he's the one who needs me."

"Are you sure that the Angel of Death needs someone like you?"

Her silver eyes flickered down to her amulet, which was covered by her shirt and coat. She looked back to the wolf creature and asked, "What do you mean by "the Angel of Death." Skittles may be bound to the god of death, but that doesn't mean he's his."

Calmly the wolf looked back at her. "You're wrong."

***

*Skittles?* Martia looked up at him. He was panting and clutching his chest, *You can't be transforming! There's no moon out tonight. You aren't having a heart attack are you?*

He shook his head, "It feels like something's trying to get out of my chest."

*Maybe... we should go back to Sprite.*

"No, I really don't need her to see me like this." He slid down the trunk of the tree, "The last time I felt this light headed was when...."

Martia drew closer and rested her head on her bondmate's lap. *You'll be fine, right?* She squeezed her eyes shut. This was complicated. Skittles had been dead before, but what would happen if he died this time? *Skittles?*

The werewolf did not respond.

*Oh gods... oh gods...Skittles!*

He violently convulsed, and Martia flopped backwards. The werewolf started to cough up blood. He had no idea what was going on, he just did not like it, and wanted all of this suffering to stop.

Martia had no idea what to do. Sprite might have been able to help, but she would probably panic beforehand.

"Well, it doesn't look like I was able to get here fast enough," said En'dai. He had just made an appearance besides Martia, who nearly jumped out of her skin.

*What do you mean? FIX HIM.*

"I don't think you want me to do that."

*If Skittles dies I don't know what I'd do!*

"I somehow think death would be better."

*FIX HIM!* Martia screamed into En'dai's mind as loud as she could.

"Don't blame me if he changes for the worst." With that said, the god of death knelt besides Skittles, who was seething in pain. He leaned forward and whispered something in the werewolf's ear.

Something did not feel right, and something did not feel like Skittles. A burning pain was raising from stomach and slowly crawling along the rest of his body. His heart, his shoulders, even his eyes were burning.

The pain became so bad, it was as if he had lost himself. The werewolf choked, and grabbed for his neck, but he couldn't seem to move. He closed his eyes and slowly slumped forward.

*You made him worse!* Martia yelled at the god of death.

"You're the one who asked for it," En'dai said in matter of fact voice.

*I didn't want you to hurt him!*

"Not much of a choice," the blonde said before turning in the opposite direction. "I'm afraid the rest is up to you two."

*W-wait!* Martia never felt more helpless or abandoned as the god disappeared.  Her bondmate was sprawled out on the ground. She nudged him gently, and got no response. He was not dead, or at least she hoped.

Skittles' hand twitched. All of a sudden his back burned and he let out a horrifying scream. This was worse than any transformation he had felt before. This was a new form of punishment he wished he had never experienced.

Martia backed away as feathers and blood flew through the air. Her eyes were huge in a mixture of shock and confusion. Skittles suddenly had wings, and was in pain clutching his sides in horror.

*Does this make Skittles the angel of death?*

Tears were streaming down the werewolf's face. Why him?