[ WP ] The personification of Death is a very discerning creature , and has n't let you die for centuries . This is your 200th meeting with Death .

`` Death, you bastard, why am I still alive!?'' Hansel screamed hoarsely at the fragile old man behind the shack's counter. The lone shack at the end of the bridge at the end of the world. 
 
 `` Because I am preparing you, like a well-marinated Christmas turkey. Really, you're quite near the basting stage.'' His lips were thinner than nightcrawlers, nearly non-existent. `` Now my question to you is when will you stop visiting me? This is already our 200th meeting, and I'm sorry to say that I do n't have an anniversary gift for you. Will a hug suffice?'' 
 
 Hansel clenched his fists. `` Oh, if you did n't take on such a nimble vessel, the things I would do to mutilate you --'' 
 
 `` Hush.'' 
 
 `` Excuse me?'' 
 
 Death signaled for Hansel to jump behind the shack's wooden counter. 
 ou 
 Not exactly feeling comfortable with the idea, but trusting a man who had outlived him by pretty much the beginning of the universe, Hansel did as he was told. 
 
 `` What's going on, Death?'' Hansel whispered. 
 
 `` You do n't have to whisper. I just wanted to get you out of the way before the buffalo stampede killed smashed you into sorry little bits. Although, I could have just put you back together, but you know how much that inconveniences me.'' 
 
 Hansel slumped down behind the counter and sat cross-legged. `` And yet you always seem to find a way. Did you know I buried my great-great-great granddaughter last week?'' 
 
 `` You revealed yourself to her?'' 
 
 `` Her life was spiraling out of control.'' 
 
 `` No, but why should it matter to you?'' The answer escaped Death completely. `` Please refrain from bringing up the argument that I have no family, and therefore no human attachments. I'm quite invested in you, and I think that shall have to be enough for both of our lifetimes.'' 
 
 `` But how long are you intending my life to be exactly?'' Hansel asked. He played with a bottle cap that had managed to find a home in a cob-webby corner of the shack's dirty floor. `` It has been centuries, and I still do n't look a day over 40.'' 
 
 `` I have often wondered what age group you ultimately appeal to.'' 
 
 `` That is neither here nor there, Death. Please, just answer the question,'' Hansel pleaded. 
 
 `` Shall I tell you a story about time to make a very simple point that you insist on missing every time we have this discussion?'' 
 
 Hansel sighed. `` What is it?'' 
 
 `` It's about a king and his bravest, strongest knight. Mind you, this story never really happened, so do n't go trying to find references.'' 
 
 `` Just tell it to me, Death.'' 
 
 `` You have nothing but time.'' 
 
 Hansel frowned. `` Sometimes I get the feeling I do n't.'' 
 
 `` And there is a reason for that too, if you'll let me tell my story.'' 
 
 `` Fine.'' 
 
 `` The king, from a young age, knew that he was very, very different from all of the other children, from all of the other people in the kingdom. He was a prince then, and nobody would say anything to his face, but there was often talk of his reserved, solitary nature. 
 
 But none of that mattered to the boy, because despite everything, he loved his kingdom.'' 
 
 `` I know how this goes. You're the king, and I'm the knight who is supposed to save your kingdom. Is there some sort of secret war coming that I should know about? Maybe prepare for?'' 
 
 Death shook his head. He shed a few white hairs in the process. `` Yet again, it escapes you. Why must I be the king in this story?'' 
 
 `` Because I'm definitely not the king.'' 
 
 `` Why not?'' 
 
 `` Why not? Are you serious?'' Hansel gestured to himself. `` There is not a thing about me that alludes to me being a king.'' 
 
 `` Would you let this world end if it were in your power to stop it?'' 
 
 Hansel paused. `` I doubt that's the only qualification.'' 
 
 `` Fair enough,'' said Death. `` How about this one: would you let your world end if it were in your power to stop it?'' 
 
 `` My world? How is that any different --'' 
 
 `` Think, son. Reflect. It's in there in that thick skull of yours somewhere. Each time you visit me, we simply go through the motions.'' 
 
 `` That's odd,'' Hansel said. `` I do n't... I know I visit you often, but I do n't actually recall the specifics of those visits. It's almost as if...'' 
 
 He fell into a fetal position clutching his head in pain. The scream that ripped free from his throat was a song all-too-familiar to Death. 
 
 `` I get a bad reputation, you know,'' Death said while Hansel squirmed on the floor. `` Death to you humans is synonymous with the end. But I have the unique ability of stalling death long enough that it becomes preservation. How does that make me the villain in all this?'' 
 
 `` Help... me...'' Hansel spat out the words between grit teeth. His whole world seemed to be melting away. HIs entire body felt hot as if with fever.. 
 
 `` Your world, Hansel. Have you seen her recently?'' 
 
 Her. 
 
 The one word itself triggered a host of memories, years upon years worth, of a sleeping knight and the king who vowed to protect her. To one day cure her. 
 
 Annabella. 
 
 `` Annabella. That's her name,'' Hansel said, tears leaking out from his eyes. It hurt just to say the name, and the worst of it was that he had no idea why. `` Tell me, Death.'' 
 
 Death put his hands to either side of Hansel's face. `` I will show you a dream. Find peace in it.'' 
 
 And the dream began. An old man with a young child. The young child grew up and became a man. He fell in love with his world, but he saw it under the threat of one unstoppable force. His father: Death. 
 
 But he loved his father. He could never stop him or make him cease to exist. 
 
 So his most loyal knight, as powerful as she was beautiful, made a bargain with Death. 
 
 `` Let the king know Death for what it is. Let him understand the frailty of life. Let him understand it over and over again until he hates us. Until he loathes our very existence. Let him know the truth that in the end, there is nothing to love, nothing to save.'' 
 
 And so Death froze the kingdom and sent the king away to a distant land with no memory of his kingdom or of his followers. He did not age, and he did not die, but those around him did, and each and every one pained him until he thought he might go mad. 
 
 But he never did, not really. Perhaps because he was Death's son. 
 
 Still. 
 
 `` I have only one question for you, Hansel,'' said Death. `` Do you want to save Annabella?'' 
 
 Hansel, his face drenched with tears, opened his mouth. 
 
 `` Very well,'' said Death. 
 
 -- - 
 
 x-posted to my subreddit r/LaboratoryLux. Check it out for more of my stuff!
