He came for me that day on a misty plain, and even now, an eternity later, I still hear his words:

"You have served me well Chakan, and sent many souls to me. But, you have grown too strong and powerful. I've been summoned to slay you this night."

He smiled, then said, "To a man of death from Death himself, a wager? If you win, Chakan, you shall live forever: if I win, your soul is mine to do with as I wish."

In my vanity, I foolishly accepted.

The battle was joined...and was fought on all levels...the physical, mental, mystic, and psychic. It was fought on this world and in other planes of existence, with sword and spell we clashed toe to toe. The worlds shook and trembled at our powers. I attacked with such fury, such might, that even Death was taken aback. Seizing the sound of my fury, i fell the dark sovereign. I had defeated Death!

"Fulfill the wager, Lord of the Dead, give to me the gift of eternal life!" Those were my words as I raised my arms in victory, but i should have known you cannot defeat the Harvester of Sorrows.

"Foolish man, " Death said, "Long before your world and long after, until the last star falls to my touch, I shall be. You cannot slay that which does not live. You are a tactful swordsman, so I will not renege on our wager. I grant you the kiss of eternal life, but," Death smiled, "For your arrogance and pride i will temper my gift with this curse." the reaper laughed.

"Each nightfall, evils will be shown to you, and the pain of their victims will be your pain. You will never know rest as you wander this world searching to slay the horrors that haunt your sleeping world. You will suffer grievous wounds, but you will not die, and as eternity rolls on, you crave my touch. You face will bear my visage, and your eyes will burn with hellfire.

So saying, my face withered and my eyes blazed with infernal fury.

"Let it not be said that I am without mercy, " Death grinned, "There shall be an
end to your curse, if all the beasts of the dark are slain, then you may find rest."

It was then that Death left me, the once proud Chakan, clutching the ground in agony. And now I live an eternity in which my sleep is haunted by nightmares and where pain is real and unforgiving. How long till the end?