Prologue

The door creaked loudly as a girl stepped into the dimly lit, underground room. Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, swaying from side to side as she made her way to the middle of the room. A simple, squared, wooden table with two chairs on each side was the only furniture.

"Please, take a seat, Miss Clarke," a deep, intimidating voice boomed. He was covered with a black cloth, his face hidden away. The only part of his body to be seen was his bony hands placed on the table.

"How do you know my name?" The girl asked as she stared deep into the hidden face of the man sitting before her. He was known to most others as the Grim Reaper.

He chuckled. "I know everything."

Cathyia paused, then tilted her head up. "I don't want to waste time. Let's get this over with as soon as possible."

"You are indeed correct. But before we do that, I will need you to sign this contract of consent." He waved his hands and black mist spread across the table, slowly fading out as it revealed a scroll along with some ink and a feathered pen.

Cathyia quickly scanned across the page. She whispered the details to herself. Two players would gamble for the power and position of the Grim Reaper until one lost and died.

She was desperate. In her current state, she felt dislocated from the rest of the world. Ignored. Invisible. Plus, the rank system needed to be destroyed. People born without money were suffering and laughed upon, while the rich were drinking away without another care in the world. Crimes were being committed without the government doing anything about it, and Cathyia was willing to avenge them all.

She grabbed the pen after dipping it in ink, quickly signing her name. It was better to do it fast before she changed her mind.

"Fabulous." The Grim Reaper said as the paper folded itself up and rolled over to one side of the table. With another wave of his hands, the pen and ink disappeared too. Instead, poker cards appeared.

"Now, I'm sure you understand the basic rules of poker," he said, the hint of a mischievous smirk in his voice.

Cathyia nodded.

"Then let's begin the game of death."