Chapter 31 — Enter Mercy

Susan stood on the top of a hill with her gaze to the west. Around her lay decapitated limbless bodies, and scattered skeletons. It wasn’t her fight, and not her deed, but she silently praised the being who had done this.

She was an artist of death, and a designer of fear. She was a lady who knew her craft, and her desire, she sometimes failed to please.

“I’ll be going soon, Mercy,” Susan said. “Surely, that’s not all you have to offer.”

“Wake, Mercy!” the voice of a child echoed.

There was a rattling as bones became one, Susan turned to see.

Soon, a girl of five stood before her, and in the eyes of this girl was the glow of death.

“Susan!” the little girl said.

“Mercy!” Susan said. “Mind telling me what happened here?”

Mercy took slow steps towards Susan. “I killed them.” She walked past her and stood to look at the west.

“Then why lay amongst them?”

“Sometimes, one gets tired of killing. So I was resting.” Mercy glanced at Susan who noted a small smile on her face before Mercy’s gaze returned to the beautiful green hills of the west. “I wonder how many do offend you in a day, Susan.”

Susan always had a silent admiration for Mercy. Why she was everything Mercy wasn’t, Mercy was worse, and usually always found a way to control herself.

“How do you do it, Mercy?” Susan asked.

“Whenever someone asks for mercy,” Mercy said, “especially at the hands of a bad man, or bad men, I always listen. When he decides not to listen, he wakes me up.”

“So you subject yourself to sleep.”

Mercy looked up at Susan. “Even you do subject yourself to sleep. It’s the only time we can pretend that nothing happens. But you know how the night is. Quiet, and evil, bad people willing to exploit it, not knowing who it truly belongs to. I exist to be a threat to evil itself. But you know the problem, Susan?”

Susan shook her head, for no matter how powerful she was, she couldn’t read Mercy.

“These bad people may never read about us,” Mercy added. “I subject myself to flames, and torture, and from the start, it always makes me laugh because, in the end, I’ll only watch myself heal. Nothing can destroy me. Nothing. Unless God of course.” Mercy returned her gaze to the west.

For so long, Susan had silently been in search of Mercy. She never told anyone, but the ageless little girl had been a figure even history couldn’t keep track of. She had called Mercy here, and somehow, Mercy had answered.

“I never thought I’ll ever see you,” Susan said. “I mean, I heard the stories, but you were like a myth. And worse, you were a child.”

“I love to remain so,” Mercy said. “It’s who I want to be every now and then.”

“So, would you destroy me? Do you think me worthy enough?”

“Of destruction, yes,” Mercy said. “But you’re one person I’ve had a civil conversation with for a long time.” She turned to Susan. “I believe in ghosts. Hell, we make them out of stubborn humans. For the being who laughs at our existence, they should be put down. Your heart thrills me, Susan. It consumes. Me, my entire person, is disaster, yet see how peaceful I am.”

It was then Susan reflected. Since she arrived here, she felt her being was put under control. Maybe, it was in submission to Mercy. Or maybe, her powers recognized one itself couldn’t touch, or someone of great respect.

Susan sighed.

“I know what you think,” Mercy said. “The first being you see who can destroy you says no to your request. I know the feeling. I feel what people feel. Everything that is, unless their fears, which sometimes make me think they don’t feel fear enough, but actually, it’s who I am. I would keep you alive. But I make no promises. Do not wrong me, or these lot, it would be the way I’ll reposition those beneath the blood sea.”

“So, you don’t fear my mother,” Susan said.

“I was there when she was crafted. I know her all too well, and I can kill her without breaking a sweat. You see the thing, Susan, people like your mother understand power, which is why she barely uses it, or more accurately, uses it with wisdom. She’s the trident of the blood sea. Did you know? Here is the only place she can’t see. And why? Because I am here. Humans made me. Unforgiveness makes me smile. Then, there’s nothing to hide the one lacking mercy from me. Forgive your mother, and maybe, I won’t see you.”

Susan grinned at Mercy. “I highly doubt that.”

Mercy chuckled. “Yeah. Me too. One joy is that I’m able to kill myself, and I can stay so until some fool thinks it best not to forgive. And you know these beings are bound by one blood. Different types they may be, but one being made them. As powerful as I am, I still follow the rules. You should too, Susan. Learn to control yourself. Learn to subject your rage, and lust, and your powers would truly serve you. We, after all, are servants to different beings. Mine, I’m certain she may soon be seeking me. I know her call, and she would call when she senses I’ve been gone for long.”

Susan nodded. “It is an honor to be in the presence of a master. Truly, I am humbled.”

Mercy smiled. “Wait, till you see who I serve. Go now, Susan. Live with the rest, like a human. Surprise your sisters, and everyone you stay with. Try to love. And if you can’t, call me to a place of death, and I’ll find you.”

Susan gave a single nod. “Sure, I will.”

“I must rest now. Goodbye, Susan Hill.”

“Goodbye, Mercy.”

“It would be easy to disappear. But what’s the fun in that?”

Susan laughed.

“On a second thought, it’s the best way to leave,” Mercy said, and then vanished.

“Yes, it’s the best way to leave,” Susan said, and moved home with light speed The translucent form of Mercy materialized. “Take care, Susan.”