[WP] Death approaches you and informs you that you have 57 minutes left and that he came early to see it all go down.

"So you came....early to see just how it would happen?" I grunted forcing one hand over the other as I climbed the cliff face. The damn thing seemed to go on for a mile and it leaked an oozing, black, acidic substance. Every time I placed my hands and feet the skin bubbled away with excruciating pain but my wounds still healed like they always had, leaving fresh new skin each time.

"Of course I did." Said the figure beside me, standing perfectly erect, hands behind his back although he floated over empty air. Death had traded in his black cloak centuries ago and decided to keep up with the times. Instead, he wore a perfectly tailored black suit with a red tie, his dark hair slicked back like the perfect gentleman. Even the waves of sulfur coming from the boiling river below us didn't disrupt his calm demeanor. Nor did it remove the smile that played on his face that had been there since he showed up minutes ago.

"In 57 minutes you will die." He had said while I was still near the bottom of the cliff. I had ignored him until now. Making mental notes in my head as I wondered if that would be enough time and what would happen. It would have to be enough. I had come too far.

"I've even got someone else collecting souls around the world right now. Just so I could join you Roderick. Finally I can collect your soul after all these years. That I will get to see you die is only a bonus."

"Hope you choke on it." I muttered. Never stopping my rapid ascent even though the air here was burning my lungs and barely providing usable oxygen. If I could just make it to the top I should be within reach....

"I'll savor it actually. You're an abomination Roderick and you always have been. You think I don't know what you've come here for? There's nothing you can do for her. Even if I can't touch you until your death I've made sure you won't ever be reunited with her again. An old friend will be waiting for you at the top."

I froze for only a moment but it was enough to earn an evil chuckle from the entity beside me. It couldn't be. I thought. I had taken all the right measures to make sure he wouldn't come back. Done things that still left me feeling disgusted when they crawled through my mind. "That's not....possible." I panted and made the mistake of turning to look directly at Death.

In his eyes sat the void. A terrible chilling emptiness flowed directly from the black pits of his eyes. The only light coming from the white pinpoints of souls floating in the vortex. Without realizing it I had lost precious minutes. I redoubled my efforts but not before seeing the cigar materialize in Death's hand as he took a puff and blew it towards me, smelling like a cemetery.

"Guess you'll be finding out soon enough won't you." He taunted.

As I gripped for my next handhold I realized I had reached the top but I hesitated. Sephora still waited for me but it had been years since I had seen the man I was forced to kill. The man who would have also lived for thousands of years if not for the ancient blade I shoved through his heart. The man who wore the same face as me.

The words that greeted me as my head crested the top of the cliff nearly froze me on the spot. "Hail. Brother." In the background Death's laughter echoed in my ears. The minutes until my life ended still counting down.