not bad for someone with a flu X3 though it took me alot longer to do it. anyway, Im glad i gave chapter 1 a proper cover ^^ it shows how Sophie was fairing before Damion agreed to the trade: Sophie for Oliver's soul. And i think her eyes just really stand out, that helps with the story of when Damion became transfixed on them. I <3 how i did Damion's ripped shirt X3 Any way PLEASE tell me what you think and enjoy the story. Its short, but it tells how they came to be and why. ^^


Your Soul to Keep~

In this world where you die, your soul can't pass on until they are extracted by the soul collectors (Demonic beings). They will come to you when they know your time is coming to an end (whether you accept it or not), and they have these special blue stones that extract the soul.

If the souls aren't extracted, they are in danger of being devoured by soul eaters (creatures that looked like random things put together). Nobody knows where they came from; only that they disrupted the balance of the cycle of souls. It is up to the collectors to kill them and collect the souls back.

The soul collectors cannot love nor be human (even though they can disguise themselves as one). Also, they have no name.

Until one night when a soul collector comes for a dying boy's soul, and is instead offered a perfectly healthy, young girl's soul in exchange. The demon knows there are no exceptions and that eventually all humans die when their time comes, he should just turn down the offer, just take the boy's soul, and end the boy's suffering; though he seems to be drawn to this young woman before him. Especially with those stunning, green eyes.

Sophie was always told that she had a big heart that it was so that it showed on her skin (she has a heart-shape birthmark around her collarbone area). Her parents died when she was just a baby, and a stranger found her and gave her to her aunt, uncle (who is terrible btw) and nephew, Oliver (the sick boy). For 20 years, she has worked hard to earn a roof over her head and three small meals a day. Sophie loves her aunt and Oliver was more like a big brother to her that she cared for very deeply, but her uncle was harsh and cruel and didn't see her as anything but a possible marriage to a rich family.

When the sickness came and many soul collectors came and took the souls, Oliver came down with the sickness too, and his father feared for his son's soul/life when the collector came for him. Thinking fast, he threw his niece in front of the soul collector and yelled, "HE'S NOT DEAD DAMMIT, BUT IF YOU WANT A SOUL TAKES HER'S! A SOUL FOR A SOUL!!!"

Sophie trembled at the sight of the soul collector and was shocked that her uncle would actually be that cruel, but looking at Oliver she wanted to save him and would give her soul up to save his.

When the soul collector accepted, Sophie was surrounded by black smoke and was in what looked like a divine mansion. She watched as the collector dropped his black bag, and out came what she believes were souls. The demon kicked the bag and yelled out, "YOU TOO!" and one more soul came out and it looked dark. Sophie presumed it was one of those evil souls. They all lined up and a door of light opened up, so all the good souls went inside, but when the evil soul tried to go too, the soul collector snatched it.

He looked over at the woman and asked, "So do you believe that soul collectors devour souls too?" She looked at him and trembled. When he looked like he was about to place the soul in his mouth, Sophie let out an EEP! and at that the soul collector chuckled.

"Gotcha, but no that would be too kind to a sinner," and then he chucked the soul into a different door, where shadows reached out and snatched the soul and the door slammed shut.

The soul collector looked down at the girl and noticed she was still trembling.

"Why don't you look at me, girl?"
"I'd rather not see my death when you take my soul."
"Hm," was his response and walked up to the girl.

Her trembling increased and she whispered, "Will it hurt?" as tears began to form.

The soul collector continued to look down at her and finally said, "Get up girl. I won't be taking your soul tonight, your time isn't up yet."

Sophie rose cautiously, but still didn't look him in the eye."Then why did you agree to take me instead?"

The collector didn't answer her and asked, "Is this better?"

The woman looked up this time and saw his horns and wings were gone, his tipped ears were rounded, and the blackness was gone around his eyes. He looked human!

"Will you please hand me that shirt?" he asked as he was hanging his weapon.

Sophie got the shirt but when she saw his turned back to her, she saw scars decorating his back and the bat-like wings tattooed on his shoulders were where his wings just were.

"If you're not going to take my soul yet, then what am I to do here?"

He yawned and said "I'll figure it out in the morning, but for now on you live here until I decide to take your soul."

As he was heading to his room, or so she presumed, he waved his hand and another bed room appeared.

"This is where you will sleep," and he was almost to his room when she stopped him with another question.

"Wait!..Uhh..Thank you, but what do I call you? Surly you have a name."

He crossed his arms, and leaned against the door frame as he looked at her and said, "We aren't given names"

She huffed at that. "We'll I don't think you'd appreciate me calling you demon. Uhh, can I call you Damion? It kind of sounds like demon."

"Hm very well," he said, and went to bed.

Sophie quietly went into her room, noticed some drawers, and looked in them to find clothing then slipped into a night gown. She got into the ridiculously large bed and snuggled into the pillows, she missed her aunt and Oliver so much she cried herself to sleep; wondering what is to be her fate in the morning.

As the soul collector lay in his silk sheets, his mind began to wonder to the girl, and the name she gave him.

"Damion" he said testing it out, and feeling a foreign feeling in his chest, but he ignored it. It had been a long night of collecting souls, and slaying soul eaters. He would figure out what to do with the girl in the morning, he just needed sleep now. As he closed his eyes he saw those same striking green eyes before his dreams took him completely.