Author's Note: Well, here it is: chapter 20, finally. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to write it. I didn't even start the rough draft of it until a month ago. I am posting it now, though, and if there are any errors, typos, etc., that anyone finds, please forgive me, and just let me know, and I will fix them. Probably in the morning. :)

Chapter 20

Vault of Souls

Reaching out to grasp the golden door handle, the reaper pushed down with his thumb on the lion's tongue. Slowly he pulled the enormous door open, revealing a wall of swirling silver mist. Great, thought Ciel, with sinking stomach: another portal. The reaper's next words didn't help to allay his misgivings.

"I just hope this doorway doesn't lead us into the Abyss," Trenton grumbled, looking back at them. "The higher-ups were not pleased, let me tell you. I suspect a certain William T. Spears will be getting overtime, or even a demotion, after all this." Then, turning back to the door, he stepped across the threshold, and disappeared.

Not without some trepidation due to the shinigami's ominous ramblings, Ciel approached the doorway. Taking a deep breath, he then boldly crossed through, Sebastian following after him. The sensation this time was no less uncomfortable than any of the times before. But he was able to shake off the feeling a little easier it seemed, at least. Slowly he turned around to look at his surroundings, gazing in open-mouthed awe at the sight.

All about them, up and down; all around, level upon level; were rows upon rows of… shelves. Each row was lined with a narrow walkway made of some translucent, crystalline material, which seemed to glow faintly in the rather dim light which permeated the city-sized cavern. Further than the eye could see, stretching out in every direction, the rows of shelves extended, in this unfathomably vast chamber in which they stood: the Vault of Souls.

Radiating almost web-like around them, each interminably long row of shelves branched out from a small central dais, like spokes of a wheel; six rows to a hub. They had emerged from the portal to find themselves standing upon one of the daises, its six terrace-lined rows of shelves extending from its central hub. The doorway from which they had exited loomed behind them, a huge rectangle of glowing silver light. At the end of each row of shelves, a staircase led sometimes up, sometimes down, to another row of shelves, each extending from another dais. The myriad rows reached up far too high for Ciel to see the roof, or to determine if there even was one, nor the floor, for that matter, if one existed.

Peering closer, Ciel could see that on each shelf, displayed upon variously-shaped pedestals, were what at first looked like many different types of jewels of all shapes and sizes. Upon continued inspection, however, he realized that they were actually small, shapeless objects, pulsating and glowing with many different colors of light. Floating above each gem, undulating, formless wisps emanated. A shiver went down his spine as Ciel suddenly realized that these manifestations were actually vaguely recognizable as human bodies and faces—the faces of the souls, themselves.

Ciel looked up at his butler at that point, to see what he thought of all this, and felt his heart sink.

The demon appeared to be in pain. Furrowed brows, tight-lipped mouth, face twisted in a grimace. Ciel had never seen him look quite like that. Magenta eyes seemed almost… hypnotized by the sight before them.

"Sebastian? Are you alright?" he queried nervously, tapping him on the sleeve.

Immediately, the butler looked down at him, away from the rows of shelves, and smiled. But it was a forced smile, Ciel could plainly see.

"Yes… yes. I am fine. I was just… awed… by the sight. As I am sure you are, as well."

Ciel narrowed his eyes at the demon suspiciously. Trenton cleared his throat.

"Ahem. Well, then. Let us proceed…" The shinigami took a small book from inside his jacket, flipping through its pages, perusing through them until he came to one page, and stopped. "Ah, yes… Claudia Phantomhive…. Yes, yes; down…" He looked up, and nodded. "This aisle. Follow me." Stowing the book back inside his jacket, the shinigami began striding in the direction of one of the walkways to the left of them, and Ciel made to follow. Looking back, he saw that Sebastian had remained standing where he was, just staring off into the distance it seemed, rather than at anything in particular.

"Sebastian! Come!" he ordered impatiently.

Glancing at Ciel, he was jerked back from his stupor, and slowly made his way after them.

"What is it, Sebastian? What's wrong?" Ciel whispered in a low, exasperated voice, gently nudging the butler in the ribs as they walked slowly behind the reaper.

"It's… It is nothing, master." Ciel gave him a doubting look. "It is just… there are quite a large number of souls here…"

Ciel rolled his eyes. Sebastian looked at him, then continued speaking hesitantly. "And, well… I may have… misjudged the effect that the presence of so many souls would have on me, in my current state of… of hunger." His crestfallen features clearly revealed his guilt at such a confession.

Worry washed over Ciel; was his demon actually faltering at a task? Of course not, he told himself. But still, he wasn't able to feel fully assured.

"Sebastian, can you… make it?" he queried reluctantly.

"Yes, yes, I… of course, my lord. What kind of butler would I be if I couldn't withstand the temptation of a hundred million souls staring me in the face with temptation, so to speak?" He managed a weak smile at the end of his declaration.

Ciel scowled. "Well, straighten up then, and come along."

The demon frowned and looked away, seeming to stare off into the middle distance again. To his dismay, Ciel noted a look in his crimson eyes, red irises roiling and pupils narrowed in demonic characteristic, that almost appeared as if he were lost… Shaking his head, the demon seemed to finally come out of his trance however, and then, slowly putting one patent-leather black shoed-foot in front of the other, began plodding along after him. Ciel sighed with relief, and continued walking. But when he looked back after a few moments, he stopped, seeing that the demon had come to a total standstill.

"I… So many… Can't…" the demon whispered huskily, and actually wiped sweat off his brow with the back of his white gloved-hand. "Young master." A cold chill went down Ciel's spine. His hope sank at his butler's next words. "Young master, I… I can't… make it." Sinking down to his knees, the demon put his arm over his eyes, and cried out. "Ahhh! Too… too many… The hunger… is too much! Aaiieeee!" Collapsing completely upon the walkway, the demon then gave out a most heart-rending, keening wail, which shattered the remnants of Ciel's hope.

"Sebastian!" The word was torn out of his mouth as he ran to kneel by the demon's side. His stomach knotted in fear and concern, he clenched his butler's arms and shook him gently. Sebastian's head remained cast downward, his face and eyes screwed shut in clearly visible agony.

Putting his arms under the demon's shoulders, he carefully lifted him up, with no small effort, until he had him standing, leaning heavily on him, Sebastian's hands coming to rest now on Ciel's shoulders as he looked miserably at him. Glancing back at the shinigami, he saw that Trenton had stopped, and stood glaring at them.

"I take it you'll be wanting to help your demon back," he said with annoyance. "Very well then; he can wait in the antechamber. Can't say as I'm surprised. I'll inform the gatekeeper to let him in." Ciel simply nodded in thanks, and turned to Sebastian.

"Come, we'll get you back," was all Ciel said as he started to slowly shuffle along with the demon towards the silvery portal door.

Stumbling and slow, the demon allowed himself to be led, almost falling to his knees a couple times. When they finally made it to the doorway, Sebastian turned to Ciel and said, "I am sorry, master."

Ciel just shook his head. "It's quite alright, Sebastian. I understand. Just wait for me outside, and I shall return after meeting with my predecessor."

"Very well, young master." Dark head nodded; ruby orbs gleamed. "Please take care," he added, before turning and climbing through the mist and disappearing.

Ciel then turned back to see Trenton waiting for them, staring at Ciel with open contempt and exasperation.

"Come along, boy, we haven't got all day," he barked.

Ciel scurried to catch back up with him, and the two of them continued making their way down the walkway.

Souls… souls, everywhere. Ciel felt overwhelmed by it all, still. He swiveled his head back and forth, up and down, gazing in continued amazement at his surroundings. Clack, click, clack. The heels of their shoes echoed faintly as they progressed along the smoothly polished glass of the walkway. It unnerved him to look down and see the myriad rows of shelves below him, almost as much as looking to the side, where just a few feet away there was a sheer drop over the side of the path, with no railing or fence to speak of to act as barrier.

Looking to his other side, at the shelves themselves, was only slightly less disconcerting. Soul after soul, glowing softy in the dusky light, each hovering above their own unique pedestal. Made sometimes of silver, or marble, or bronze, or any number of other substances, the stands were beautifully carven and crafted in shape and design. The souls themselves shone like precious gems, radiating in the light of the sun; a light which was coming from within, however-from inside each one, all on its own.

The constantly shifting, vaporous phantasms danced and swayed above their pedestals, at times appearing quite substantial, at other times no more than colorful mist. As he looked closer at them, he noticed that their expressions were uniformly vacant, with slight smiles upon their mouths, their eyes dim and unseeing; almost as if they were unconscious… or rather, in a state of pure contentment. He wasn't sure which.

As they passed each one, Ciel found himself thinking that some of them seemed to be staring directly at him, their eyes following him as he went by, and occasionally the thought filled him that they looked after him almost wistfully, as if they wished they could somehow escape the confines of their cells and come with him.

He shrugged and shook the feeling off, telling himself he was only imagining it. But he couldn't escape the uncanny sensation, and needed to know. "Can they see me?" he whispered, and then felt immediately ridiculous for asking such a question. The reaper slowed down a bit, and Ciel could tell he was smiling even though his back was still turned.

"Ah, yes. They can see you, most assuredly, my lad," he chuckled. "Probably hoping we're here for them—to awaken them, like we are for Claudia. But don't worry." Here Trenton looked back at Ciel with a glint of mirth in his eye. "They won't bother you. They are confined quite securely in their cages, so to speak."

Ciel looked at Trenton with such wide eyed shock that the reaper laughed out loud, and said, "Tcht! Never you fear! I was just ribbing you, boy. Those who have crossed over as souls here are quite content to be in the state they are in. They are kept this way, you see, save for when they are occasionally brought out, and given the opportunity to participate in the Games."

"The Games?" Ciel's voice echoed softly in the chamber.

"Mmm, yes. Occasionally, the chosen ones are brought out and given temporary forms, in order to be a contestants in the Games. They hold tournaments consisting of every kind of game you have ever imagined, and many more. The Gods who are the current guardians of the champion souls are then declared victor of that tournament, and get to keep any souls they have wagered in the game with their opponent at that time."

"Why? Why would the souls here do that for them?" Ciel asked in disgust and pity.

"The winning souls are granted extended corporeal time, as well as luxurious abodes in the Ever Lands, the land of the Gods, as reward."

"Corporeal time?" Ciel asked, thoroughly confused.

"Yes," answered Trenton with a wise nod. "For varying intervals of time, those few lucky souls are granted fully corporeal bodies, in which they may enjoy all the pleasures of the living, with the added benefit of feeling no pain, as well as having bodies which are almost indestructible. I say almost, for humans being the vicious animals they are will always tend to find ways to murder, maim and destroy, no matter the difficulty."

Their souls of their shoes continued to echo hollowly along the terrace: clack, clackety, clack on the crystalline walkway as Trenton went on with his tale.

"Yes, long, long ago, in the beginning, every deceased soul was given permanent, everlasting bodies once they were reaped, each and every one. Allowed to roam the Ever Lands freely to their hearts content, with all the material goods and resources they could possibly want, they wallowed in their every whim and desire. But they squandered that privilege. You see, just because they couldn't feel pain did not meant they could not still wreak havoc, upon the confines of the realm and upon each other, perpetrating crimes of great violence and cruelty. And so, just as in their lives before, with great ingenuity, they succeeded in finding ways to harm each other. The gods were forced to constantly renew and regenerate the bodies of those harmed and killed over and over again, until they grew angry. Their patience sorely tried, and their pride insulted that these souls whom they had treated so well would scorn so highly their handiwork and gift, they withdrew their privileges. Now, they are kept in the states you see them, half awake, half asleep, thus only half aware most of the time. Only the chosen few are taken out and given bodies, and only when they are to be entered in a game of their god's choosing. Most do not score so well when first brought out and given their chance at the games, and so they remain here, waiting…"

Ciel had a sudden thought.

"What about you? You are human, too; well, of a sorts, right? Does your soul not wind up here, too, as one of these… trinkets on shelves… someday? To have to play games for the amusement of gods, and be given the right to a body as reward, for only limited amounts of time?" Trenton grinned smugly.

"Ah, no. We shinigami are entitled to a much higher level of reward in the afterlife than you mere humans. Yes, it is true we were once humans ourselves, forced to tread wearily in that dreary world in which we were born in. We managed to escape early, it is true, although we pay the price once we do. But after our times of servitude are done and our sins are paid off, we are given permanent corporeal bodies in payment, just as perfect as these we now possess, with all the added powers and abilities entailed. In addition, we are granted vast and beautiful realms to reside in, with dwellings designed to specifications of our choosing, in which to live in peace and contentment ever more. Ha!" He laughed. "Yes indeed, it is a good thing most living humans do not know of this fact, otherwise there would likely be many more deaths by their own hands than there already are." The reaper stopped abruptly, Ciel almost walking into him. "We are here…

"And she is not." Trenton stood looking tetchily at the ornate, cloisonné-looking pedestal upon which rested… nothing. A deep sigh was heaved. "Why," he grumbled. "Why can't they just tell us BEFORE we get all the way here, just to find out they are gone?"

"Where is she?" Ciel asked in concern. His grandmother was… gone?

"Yes. Doesn't surprise me in the least, actually. She is one of the most popular ones, a real favorite, as she is exceedingly good at just about every game she is entered into. But, can they tell us in advance? Noooo; they like to keep these things all hush hush, all so secret. And so, we find out when we get here, after having come all this way…" The reaper's rant ended in a huff! Bringing out his little black communication device, he proceeded to rather churlishly press a button on it. After a few seconds of holding it to his ear, he spoke.

"Trenton Farnsworth here, with the Worthy. Level 298, row sixteen. Here to see Claudia Phantomhive. Yes. Precisely. Thank you. Thank you very much," he spoke testily into the device, before stowing it back in his side pocket, and turning to Ciel.

"A high angel will be here momentarily to take you to the Ever Lands to see your kin. It has been a… pleasure… serving you," he sniffed. Deigning from giving any reply except to turn his nose up in the air, Ciel then looked away and stared back at the empty pedestal.

A great whoosh of air blasted him, the result of two dark golden-hued wings flapping softly, supporting the angel that had suddenly appeared before him.

Jumping back a half step, he looked up at the tall creature who had materialized out of nowhere, blocking his view of the shelf. Flinching in fear at the thought of stepping too far back and right off the walkway, he carefully took one small step back after having first glanced surreptitiously over his shoulder to assess the distance. The angel smiled in mirth.

"Ciel Phantomhive… My, my." His grin grew wider. "I am Richard, Guardian of the Vault, forth level. I will take you to see your grandmother."

"Th… Thank you," was all Ciel could manage, looking up at this radiant creature standing twice his height before him. Gloriously flowing, honey-brown locks fell around his shoulders, with dark brown eyes that sparkled merrily from a face of beautifully noble features and olive complexion. Pale blue robe was belted in place around his body with golden braid rope, twin serpentine heads as latch. A gaily colored wreath of flowers bedecked his head, made of bluebells, yellow daisies and rue. His feet were sheathed in leather sandals that laced up strong and graceful calves.

"Well then, shall we go?" the angel jovially suggested.

Richard was certainly an improvement so far on Mordecai at least, Ciel thought with relief.

"Much obliged," he managed.

The angel then raised his arm, and Ciel lurched and almost lost his footing as he was immediately transported away from where he had been an instant ago. A blinding white light assailed him, which he found he had to hide his eyes from with his arm. After a moment, though, the light died down to a brilliant green glow. Peering out, he found himself standing before a vast stretch of land, carpeted with lush, emerald-green grass.

Directly before him rose two majestic gates of gold and pearl, with rolling hills and rivers beyond. Fruit-filled gardens dotted the land, which was lined with streets of gold. A majestic tree stood just barely visible far off in the center of the land, with bluish mountains towering mistily in the distance.

Turning all about, he saw that he was surrounded by myriad different cities, each with their own unique landscape.

To his right were multiple hilltops, each level with their own gate, with far off palaces of gold and silver and pearls. Stately white horses and camels wandered freely about. Bountiful gardens, shady valleys, and cool fountains covered the land. Rivers of what seemed like milk and honey flowed sweetly throughout, overhung by tall trees waving their lush and fragrant fronds in the soft breeze.

Over here were ornate shrines with many levels of flared roofs; elegantly column-lined temples over there. Many more varied structures and landscapes dotted the land as far as he could see. A few tall, strangely-costumed figures wandered slowly throughout some of the cities, some with tribal headdresses and some with shining armor, others with wings like angels; some of monstrous appearance, in the shapes of half-man, half animal.

The angel looked down upon Ciel, and smiled. "I see you are impressed, and rightly so, for a being of your stature. It is a privilege which very few still-living humans have ever experienced."

Richard waved a grand, white-robed arm once more, and the two were then subsequently transported to the flower-filled front lawn of a lovely little French villa-style cottage. A flagstone path meandered its way through a garden full of sunflowers, gardenias, irises and tulips. The angel nodded as Ciel looked back at him, and then promptly disappeared into the ether without so much as a word of farewell. Ciel shrugged, then turned back and slowly approached the little house, which was lined with rose-covered trellises, with pale blue nasturtiums climbing its white-washed stone walls. Gradually he advanced, until he came to the door of the house, reaching out to knock on the door to announce his presence.

Before he could grasp the brass door knocker, however, the door opened, revealing a lovely young woman, with long, wavy, coppery-red tresses. An aqua green silk-weave dress of a plain but elegant cut and style graced her form, with cinched waist, high lace collar, wide hoop skirt, and long sleeves. Ciel realized in an instant by her face who she was.

Steely-blue eyes, the color of a surly sea, opened wide in jubilant surprise to see him.

"Ciel! My darling grandson!" she exclaimed, flinging her arms around him in a hug he felt uncomfortable returning, as was usual with anyone who embraced him; well, almost anyone. "I was notified of your coming just moments ago, and I am overjoyed!"

"And I, as well, am very pleased to meet you…" He paused, at a loss of what to call her. "Grandmother." The word came out so stiffly, Claudia backed off, and looked at him with minor disapprobation. Then she smiled warmly, seeming to instantly forgive his coldness.

"You may call me Claudia." Her smile was wide and genuine, her voice of a musical lilt, and Ciel felt suddenly at ease.

"As you will… Claudia." Bowing his head, he reached out and took her hand in his black-gloved one, even bringing it to his cheek for a brief moment before touching it with his lips. "I am deeply honored to have this opportunity to meet you."

Looking up, he saw her bright grayish-blue eyes sparkle with a hint of tears; happy ones presumably, he hoped.

"My dear grandson. I am just as honored that you would choose me as the one and only deceased soul you are permitted to visit. I have wanted so much, and waited so anxiously for the day I would get to meet you. I have often thought about you, wandering so bravely and alone in the world, having taken on all the burdens and responsibilities of your father before you." She smiled sympathetically. "As a Watchdog of the Queen myself, I know full well what a thrilling but sometimes horrifying and taxing job it can be."

Claudia paused, and looked at him a bit curiously. "I must say, I am surprised it was me, and not your father whom you chose to meet. He will be dearly disappointed when he finds out. What can have possibly persuaded you against that choice?" A teasing frown on her face turned into a laughing smile. "But I am still very pleased and flattered that you picked me."

Her smile was infectious, and he smiled back. There was something uniquely unassuming and charming about this woman that had him feeling more at ease than he had in a long time. But then he remembered exactly what had kept him from deciding to meet with his father… His life choices were like a black weight on his soul that he feared would be only too visible up here in this place. He felt a wave of guilt go through him at the additional recollection that he had only chosen to visit his grandmother in order to ask her a certain question. He felt like a heel and a horrid person, but still he was glad to have had the opportunity to do so, and was determined to make the most of it.

"Claudia," he began, not wanting to allow this pretense to go on. "I wish to ask you a question, if I may." He winced at the awkward wording in which his question came out due to his discomfort.

"Of course, my dear child. But first, do please come in, and I will fetch you some refreshments. We have no real need to eat here, but the act is still enjoyable, and so we do indulge if we so desire."

A few minutes later he was seated on the back veranda of the cottage at a beautifully little wrought iron table and chair set, eating and drinking the most delicious foods and beverages he had ever tasted, shy of Sebastian's. Thinking of his demon made him reflect on his butler, and he hoped he was alright. He smiled. The stupid fool; thinking he could withstand the allure of a million souls all at once…

The far off sound of water lapping at a shore could be faintly heard, surprising him, as well as the plaintive cry of seabirds echoing from somewhere far above. He could even smell a bit of salt air, and looking about, Ciel realized he could just barely make out a vast expanse of water in the distance.

"The sea? Here?" His tone was filled with surprise.

"Oh, it's an illusion, but one I enjoy, so…" His grandmother smiled. "Ah, my young scion. You are so handsome, and so like your father. You know, you are the same age he was when I was taken from him by cruel happenstance."

Ciel hadn't thought of that until now, and a chill went down his spine.

"Ah, ah. But he grew into a fine young man, after all; although fate dealt him a hard blow, as well. But pray tell, what is the question you wish to ask of me?"

Ciel took a deep breath. "I was thinking of my father just the other day, and I remembered something he once said… about you." Claudia's fine eyebrows went up, but she waited silently. "He was telling me about how Undertaker had been a very dear friend of yours, while informing me of the characters of the various members of our… circle of friends. He said that you had always told him that Undertaker was a very valuable ally, one to treasure. He mentioned in passing that you had once told him something about Undertaker having given you a 'second chance at life.' I always wondered what that meant, but never had any actual conjectures, until the other day… when I suddenly wondered if it was possible for the meaning to have some similarity to the circumstances that I had experienced, namely this 'second chance' which I myself have been given… by a shinigami."

Claudia's eyes opened wide, and a look of surprise suffused her face. It was quickly replaced by a shrewd, pleasantly amused expression.

"My dear, clever boy. Yes. You have surmised correctly. I am astonished. But of course, as kindred souls, who have shared the same fate, it would be more apparent to you, the meaning of those words. Yes, I was judged worthy, at the tender age of nine."

Claudia's slate-blue eyes took on a faraway look as she continued.

"Yes, on August 6, 1839, I died. It was a hot, summer night, in the heart of Paris. I was with my mother and father, waiting to see an opera-a treat I had been mightily looking forward to. The first French performance of Lucia di Lammermoor, as I recall, at the Théâtre de la Renaissance." She frowned, remembering the event. "The line was long, and my parents were busily talking with some friends we were with; thus they didn't notice when I went after a stray dog that I had espied, across the way. Following him, and calling to him, I went down a side alley, thinking I had finally cornered him and would get to pet it—I adored dogs, and it was a sweet, creamy-furred little pug. I called to it again, but then out of nowhere a man jumped out, and grabbed me. I tried to scream, but he put his hand over my mouth. It was then that I reached for the hidden dagger, a present from my father, in my jacket. Brandishing it, I managed to slice at his arm, and he backed off. But my foolish bravery was my own undoing in the end, as he easily overpowered me. Taking the knife, he stabbed me in the heart with it. I collapsed to the pavement, in shock, as my life's blood poured out of me. The man looked wild-eyed at me, and then ran. The world grew blurry. I was too dazed to scream out; I could only lay there, in a heap, waiting for my life to end, or maybe for someone to come find me, and rescue me. Someone did."

Here she stopped, and took a deep breath. Ciel took the opportunity to do so, as well, not realizing he had been holding it for quite some time.

"A tall man in a dark, full-length coat stood before me. Incredibly long, silver locks flowed from a knot on the top of his head. His fringe covered most of his face, but what I could see of it… Ahhh, it was the face of an angel, with a pair of half-framed spectacles covering the most mesmerizing chartreuse eyes I had ever seen, seeming to actually glow in the darkness of the alleyway. In his hand was an immensely long and terrifyingly shaped scythe, with a ribcage and a skull adorning the top, and a crown of thorns threaded about it. The wicked-looking blade glittered sharply in the moonlight, with its deathly sharp edge. I watched, frozen, as he leant over me, bending down and gently brushing the hair away from my face. A tear drop, just one lone tear, fell from his eye, and splashed upon my cheek. I blinked. Who was this man? I had no idea, but I found I could not be afraid of him for some reason." She stopped, and looked at Ciel. "I believe you know who this was?"

"Undertaker." Claudia nodded.

"Yes. You know him as Undertaker. To me, I knew him as my savior. The angel of death had come to take my soul, but instead he looked upon me, seeming to read my life as it poured out of the gaping wound in my chest. I myself caught bits and fragments of it, as my life seemed to pass before my eyes: I saw myself as a wee babe, being sung to while in my mother's arms, then learning to walk and talk; learning to read, and then devouring mass quantities of books, every book I could lay my hands on. Being so proud and unafraid the day I was first put on the back of a horse; my first day holding a sword. My father himself teaching me how to wield a blade, and giving me my treasured dagger. The dagger that would someday end my life…"

Here, his grandmother's beautiful blue eyes clouded up with tears. "Ahhh, how sad I was when I thought of what he would think when he saw what had occurred, when he saw my dead body with the blade he had given me embedded in my chest. But it was not to be… In the blink of an eye, the images were done, the vision gone. Then this glorious angel of death suddenly sprang up, and let out such a wretched howl I had never heard in my life. It was the sound of a grief-stricken soul, an anguished cry of inner pain the likes of which rent my heart and brought fresh tears to my eyes. I stared as I heard the words the man next spoke. I am sure you are familiar with them:

"'I declare this soul of worth to the world!' he shrilled out to the heavens, in a defiant voice. 'I will have no more of this foul business, this taking of souls of such innocent creatures as this!' he declared heatedly. 'From this day forth, with this last soul's judging, I am done. No longer will I labor to do such a wicked and thankless task. I hereby renounce this duty which was so long ago forced upon me!'

"And then he threw down his long-handled scythe, the blade rattling on the pavement stones. 'I've been wondering what would happen if there was a continuation to the end…' I heard him mumble something about. 'Perhaps I will pursue this line of reasoning further one day…' All of a sudden, I saw two more men appear out of nowhere, wearing strange suits, the cuts of which I had never seen the like of. They each grabbed an arm of Undertaker's, and said that they were taking him off to be sentenced. Piercing me straight in the eye with a mischievous smirk, Undertaker yelled out to me.

"'Run! Go! Run away now, little girl; go, and live well, till the end of your days!' he ordered. And so I ran. Springing up, I gave not more than a small backward glance, before running with all my might back to my parents. They were still laughing and talking obliviously with their companions, never having even been aware that I had been gone. Looking down, I saw that the wound had apparently disappeared, along with my dagger, although the hole it had rent in my dress was still gapingly obvious. Asking my maid servant for a cloak, with the excuse that I had become chilled, I succeeded in hiding the tear until we got home that night, and afterwards destroyed the dress in the hearth in my room. No one ever knew. Except Undertaker, of course.

"Apparently, as I later found out from him, he had put up a terrific fight with the other two shinigami come to take him away for punishment, and somehow he succeeded in getting away. Furthermore, a second shinigami was required from then on to confirm any declaration of a soul of worth, after that, in response to what they thought was spurious and unfounded judgement of my soul. We became good friends, afterwards, however; although at first always meeting in secret. He was greatly intrigued by me; my soul was one which he had never encountered the likes of before; I know not why. He had grown weary of being a grim reaper, he told me, for longer than any other reaper still in existence. It was high time he left, as they were not showing any signs of letting him go voluntarily up until then.

"The rest of the tale you know, as he eventually became fast friends with not just me, but with my father, and the rest of the circle of lords and ladies who aided us, working as an undertaker. No one ever knew his true identity except myself; and I swore never to tell anyone, keeping my word until my death. Ahhh…" She sighed. "My death… Yes, that was hard. I believe that was the final breaking point for him. He was there, and was powerless to do anything about it. For me to have lost this life which he had given me a second chance at so early, at so young an age still… that was something he hadn't counted upon. I'm afraid what it must have done to him afterwards; perhaps you can tell me how he is doing?"

Ciel spent the next two hours telling her about all the things that had transpired in the years since his aunt had died, up to his having completed his revenge, as well as anything he could think of that concerned Undertaker. He left out certain sordid details, of course; namely, anything about the contract with the demon. She was astounded, and then at the end, saddened; but with hope in her heart, she said. For she expressed a desire that Undertaker would one day come around again to be on their side, as a trusted part of their inner circle once more. Ciel had his serious doubts about that, but he said nothing, preferring to let her hope.

There were questions that he wished to ask yet. "Claudia, can you tell me more-anything at all-about what it means to be a soul of worth?" It was still so baffling to him, and here was someone who had both the firsthand experience, and immense knowledge as well.

"Hmmm…" Claudia mused for a few moments. "Well, I can tell you that only a few dozen humans in the whole history of human civilization have ever been declared such. Maybe four dozen, at the most. So, it is quite the honor. As to what, exactly, the criteria for the honor is, I am a bit unclear still, although I have done many long hours of research on it." She went on to tell of a great many more interesting things that astounded him greatly, including some more details about Worthy Souls, and the history surrounding them.

"Ahhh, but the library here is amazing—more extensive than all the human world's libraries combined." His grandmother's eyes lit up thinking about this with sheer wonder. "It is like paradise visiting it. One last thing I can tell you is this: a human is changed when they are declared worthy. The very structure of our bodies is altered, I have discovered, in some way. Only very slightly, mind you, but it is necessary in order for a human to be able to withstand the atmosphere, or something about this world, here, apparently, much less being able to withstand the journey through their 'portals' required to get here."

Ciel's eyes opened in surprise at this. She smiled at him, and continued.

"It also gives that human the enhanced ability to see shinigamis, even when they are not deliberately showing themselves to humans, which is necessary of course, for when they come up here, to visit their one deceased soul."

"Ahhh. I see." Ciel nodded. "Yes. Of course. That makes sense, indeed. Thank you so very much, Claudia, for all your time and information regarding this. It has quite perplexed me, to the point of distraction, trying to understand what has happened to me."

"Of course, my dear boy. Also, there is one more thing." Smiling, she leaned over to him with enthusiastic interest in imparting even more of her treasured knowledge. "I have discovered that those special abilities of a worthy soul are inheritable."

Ciel's brow shot up and his eyes widened. She nodded.

"Indeed. I observed the phenomenon in your father when he was but a lad of seven, and had the unfortunate opportunity to witness the death of a criminal, in a case I was investigating. He seemed shocked, and asked me, "Mother, what is that… person?" I looked to see where he was pointing; it was a shinigami, come to collect that person's soul. The reaper, too, was shocked, at having been seen by not one, but two humans, let me tell you. I prevaricated a bit, I must admit, and told him simply that his ability to see came from myself, being an ability which I, too, possessed."

She looked at Ciel again, and blinked away tears. "Ah, but your father will be so pleased to hear what a fine young man you have turned into." Ciel bowed his head in acknowledgement, but said nothing. "And he will also be so very happy to find out that you have finally avenged his and Rachel's deaths. So very proud of you, and so thankful to you, I am sure."

Ciel found he could not accept the accolades that he knew were based on a lie.

"I didn't do it for them." The words came out as the sound of an anvil hitting the floor, their sound shattering the pleasant atmosphere and happy face of his grandmother. She looked disturbed and confused by what he had said. "I did it for myself; no other. I wanted to make them suffer, as they made me suffer; thus I killed him and his son as revenge. That is all."

Claudia looked stricken with disappointment, the look on her face a pain in his heart, but he went on.

"It was just a game; and I won it, like all the games I play." He smiled with self-satisfaction. She did finally grin back, at that.

"Ah, yes. I see; and you played the game well, then. I always enjoy a good game, myself. You will fit in quite nicely here, someday, I can tell; although hopefully not for a long, long time. But come the day you are once more reunited with not just myself, but all your kin up here, you will be a most favored soul indeed, mark my word; a true champion. You are sure to win a great many games, and thus receive much privilege and rewards." She smiled contentedly. "We shall have many days to spend together, along with your father and all the others of our family and friends who are also similarly gifted." She looked immensely pleased when she spoke, her eyes sparkling in anticipation at the thought. Ciel scowled unhappily.

Once more he found he could not dissemble in front of his grandmother; he did not quite know why. He eyed her a bit sheepishly however, when he spoke.

"I will not be coming back here," he said. "To visit or to dwell ever again, I am afraid." His grandmother frowned.

"What are you talking about? Of course you will. The day your life, however long or short, is finally over, your soul will be reaped and will inevitably be brought here, to dwell for the rest of eternity, will all of us."

"No." Ciel shook his head. He couldn't stand lying to her he found; he had to tell her. "I made a pact, a long time ago, that will prevent that, I am sorry to say. On that day, when I was a captive and soon to be a sacrifice to a demon by the cult that kidnapped me, I made a deal with that demon, instead." His grandmother quailed in her chair, eyes wide and hand covering her mouth. Ciel faltered at continuing his confession, but his courage prevailed; he had to do it, had to tell her. Something inside him, a part of him deep down, just wanted her to know; to accept him for what he truly was.

"Yes, I sold my soul to the devil who appeared at the summoning, in return for my rescue, and afterwards aid in my quest for revenge." Claudia continued to just shake her head, as if in denial or disbelief in what he was saying. Reaching up, Ciel then pushed upward on his eye patch, pulling it back and over his head. The contract seal in is right eye burned with an almost painful pulsation.

"Noooo…" The strangulated whisper broke from his grandmother's throat. "No!" she screamed this time. "Tell me it isn't so! How can it be? You sacrificed your soul, your very soul to the devil! You renounced God—you must have! I know how these things work; I have researched much here, as I have said. I know what is required to summon a demon in such a ritual: you must call out against God, rejecting Him, disavowing all belief in Him that created you, thus damning your soul to hell, already. This is the thing a devil needs in order for him to be initially drawn to you." Her face scrunched up in a grimace of disgust and disdain. "And then you made a pact with him; a sworn pact to give him your soul, in exchange…" Here she actually spat upon the floor. "In exchange for your own selfish desires."

Her words stabbed at him like daggers plunged at his heart. He had hoped she would take it better; he didn't know why.

She backed suddenly out of her chair and stood up, facing Ciel with a look of hate-filled agony on her once lovely, gentle features.

Ciel cringed. A slight edge of fear filled him, as he wondered what she was going to do. The words she flung at him next were like darts to his soul.

"Get thee gone from me!" she hissed. "Begone, you sinner, from my sight, this instant!" And here she furiously snatched up a small golden bell from a shelf near her, and rang it with all her might. In less than an instant, another angel stood there, this one with short, black hair that glistened like the night, and violet eyes that pierced Ciel's with their accusatory glare.

"Trallendor, take this… disgusting… thing… away from me-away from the sanctity of my dwelling, and from my person."

The angel descended on him, glossy black wings flapping menacingly behind him with each step, until he stood directly before him.

Ciel quaked a little looking up at him, but held his ground, cold anger filling him, displacing the pain in his heart.

"Ah, I see you have displeased our champion, Claudia." He looked at Ciel, seeming to take special note of his exposed eye, and then nodded knowingly. "I take it she did not know of your disgusting dealings and relations with a foul beast; with a demon?" he spat. "Tsk, tsk. Come, then! I will gladly rid her of your presence!" And with that, Trallendor transported them both away, to be whisked back to the Vault of Souls. Ciel found himself standing on what he presumed was the dais which they had first found themselves on, with the silvery door perched in the center.

The angel sneered gloatingly at him. "You may enter, and wait for Trenton to come guide you back." His white teeth glowed threateningly in the dusky light of the chamber, with its millions of souls seeming to all stare down at Ciel as he stood there from their shelves. Without deigning to acknowledge Trallendor further, he tossed his head aside, and swiftly turned on a pivot away from him. Without hesitation or even a backwards glance, he then stepped through the portal, feeling the sway of the disorientation for only a moment this time.

There, standing directly before him, as if he had been waiting for him like that, watching the door all this time, stood his demon. Sebastian blinked, red eyes gleaming, and then a broad smile spread over his face.

"I see you are returned a bit early, master, and in some disgrace, I sense." Ciel bristled at first, but then, seeing his butler standing so tall and unruffled in his pristine swan tailcoat with perfect stance, something inside him melted. His heart seemed to burst with relief and gratitude and… something else… Familiarity; yes, that was it. Just the ease and genuine affection of a familiarity that was bred by their having been companions for so long now, the two of them.

Without even thinking, he went up to him, and threw his arms around him, embracing him tightly. "Stupid demon," he murmured into the warm, smooth black wool of the breast of his jacket.

And then Sebastian's arms wound themselves around him in turn. Ciel sighed, some of the pain leaving his soul already, draining out of him like poison from a wound. Ahhh, he thought to himself. Yes. This was right: this felt good: to be back in the arms of his demon; back where he belonged.