Beyond the brightness of the stars, and beneath the darkness of the soul: There is the dwelling of the Gods. And in one such space within this indescribable cosm is the Crossways of Judgment. It is a great metropolis of multi-hued bridges spaced across starlight and with each bridge playing host to its own city.

There is The Jade City of Enlightenment, where the merits of discoveries are weighted against the truth of the universe, and the means by which these discoveries were achieved. It is a constantly shifting edifice, with all areas of the city growing and shrinking as the influx of scholarly souls fluctuate with the ages. As they depart the mortal world and enter the realm of the gods.

Of similar theme is the Diamond City of Prosperities. So called because it is the passage where all leaders and servants of nations are judged based on not only their lives but also their legacies in servitude to the state. This city is the most dynamic of the crossways. For it is ever crumbling and rebuilding with the fall of empires, the rise of tiny republics, and the tides of war.

Most populous of the crossways is Granite City of Virtues. All come to this city eventually, whether glorious or obscure, emperor or serf. For it is here that the content of ones character is measured against the means of their time, the standards of their fellows, and the overall law of the universe. It is the most stable of the cities, and even snakes around the others. There other cities of course, all of which coil around and orbit one construct at this cosm's center: The Crux of Judgment.

This twisting cube's rapid fluxes and shifts are a conundrum to many a cleric and wizard. As they are not certain whether its course is determined by the changes of the crossings connected to it, or it determines the direction of the crossings. It's substance is the most gentle approximation of starlight that eyes have ever seen, and within are the final passages that all mortals take on their way to their respective afterlives. But, it's interior is one of mystery, for there is not just one room, or court or domiciles, but many. Each individual space is bound only by the confines of the individual minds of its inhabitants.

One space could be a great palace of decadence and another might be the most humble hut in a gorgeous countryside. But one such space was very different from the others. It was no palace, no vacation retreat, but an ocean.

A moonlit ocean of no fish or coral. It was empty water that dwelled alone save for one inhabitant. On a single skiff of average yet serviceable quality was a figure of great height and muscle. He was dressed in simple work clothes, and was busily tending to the rigging and performing various other sailors' duties. But an irregularity in his appearance was just that, his appearance.

He was no dwarf, elf, or human creature. Instead he was tall, perhaps nine feet. He was covered in thick but groomed black fur, and had clawed feet and hands. Most distinctive was his head and snout, they were like those of great and regal hound, and the sound of a few cursory sniffs of the ocean air could be heard from it. The curious creature gave a toothless smile.

Tis never a dull moment in mine duties. But in these uncommon respites, I cannot help but glide to the ocean. Many a god and goddess may call it home, but to mine eyes it keeps strange. Strange and beautiful."

Before he could finish his preparations, a great light shined down upon his soft brown eyes. He Stared at it without so much as a blink.

"Thou might descend good seraph. I am only just beginning."

The light narrowed, and then disappeared, revealing the angel Miranda in all her glory. The moonlight shone upon her golden and silver armor, and caressed her deep brown skin and fine black hair. Her great wings of light did not so much as contract, even as she descended upon the ship, and knelt before the creature.

"My Lord Anubis. It is an honor that you should welcome an Angel of the High Court into your sanctuary."

"Thee and thine fellows hath always a boon to me and mine works. For thine unflinching quest for justice, and judicious enaction of mercy shalt always be welcome."

The Angel kept her genuflection, and seemed on the cusp of a request. But something was keeping her mute. It was an impulse that Anubis knew well, and one that he always tried to exorcise with a gentle tone.

"What hast thou to fear? Speak truly dear Miranda, for though I adore thine company, I must confess a certain eagerness to resume mine leisure."

Miranda pursed her lips, and then took a deep breath before speaking.

"I have a request for you great judge of the dead."

There was a silent nod from Anubis, who then raised a clawed hand to the sky and lifted a chair from the wood of the ship. He laid his great bulk into it, and closed his eyes.

"Thou hast misspoken. It is Barbara Corsange who has the request, and thou hast come here on her behalf."

"Yes...yes I have."

Anubis's face became grim.

"The young Knight's prayers have not gone unnoticed. And I am not so mighty that I shalt not confess to some tears that fell with her own. But not even thine implorations shalt sway the hands of destiny, nor break the tether between life and death."

Miranda rose from her genuflection. She stood straight, and proudly. But there was no defiance in her stance, and only a pained look in her eyes.

"I know. That's why I've come to you. I would ask that you take some time from your busy days and talk to Barbara. She has ever been among your devout, and stubborn as she is, she would listen to your wisdom."

"A seraph of the high court hath intruded upon mine leisure to advocate the grief of one mortal?"

"No. I've come to ask you to help my friend. One who's worth all the help in this world and any other."

There was a light smile from Anubis, and an affirming growl.

"Hadst thou given any other answer: Both thine plight and thine friends' would go unanswered. But though a god, mien assurance is not so unshaken as to upset the confidence of Paradises' finest...bring Barbara here."

"Here my Lord?"

"I would see her character up close, before delivering mine retort."

Miranda smiled and bowed.

"Thank you my lord, I'll bring her right away."

Anubis smiled and bowed his head, before giving a final inclination of his hand. At this signal, Miranda left in another blaze of light. Immediately at her departure, Anubis reclined in his chair and looked at the stars above his ocean.

"To attempt mercy when tired, to speak truth when cloying for silence...are such accomplishments within mine action? It matters little in today's scheme. Tis mine duty to aid those in supplication to me and mine principles. And this task is one that I have let lie for much too long besides."

After a few moments, Miranda's light returned again. Emerging from it was not the angel herself but a tall, muscled, and beautiful woman...though she was clearly in a great deal of distress. Her long auburn hair was a mess, and though she still looked strong, she was beginning to thin, as if she hadn't been eating regularly. Most disturbing of all was the deep and almost predatory look of hatred in her eyes. But despite this dishevelment, and her obvious desire to do something more violent to some distant person, the woman bowed her head and curtsied, the skirts of her black and violet dress brushing against and flowing over the deck around her.

"My Lord Anubis...I-I thank you for letting me come here. I told Miranda that a god had better things to do but-"

"Should I ever be shorn of time for mine supplicants, twould have to be at the hands of the greatest disaster mine eyes had seen. Rise from thine knees dear knight."

She did just that.

"Thank you...can I-will you hear my plea now?"

"Thine pleas hath reached mine ears every time before."

There was some disbelief on her face.

"You've never answered them though. Why?"

Anubis looked at this woman in a very discerning manner. He knew the telltale signs of a coming outburst. Her self-control was hanging by a thread, and given her recent horrors...that was more than understandable. But though he enjoyed every kindness he could give, The Judge of the Dead had his duties. So he remained still in his chair, and his tone brooked no argument.

"Mine answer hath been delayed because there lies no answer. Thine loves are joined in death, and it is neither my place nor my desire to break such bonds."

No tears flowed from her eyes, only shock and pain.

"Why? They didn't do anything wrong, not ever. I...Is it because of me? Am I paying some kind of penance? Please tell me what to do and I'll do it."

"Neither you nor I have any action available to us. Thine Husband, son, and daughter hath crossed over mortalities threshold, and are now met in Paradise."

His tone was firm, and that seemed to bring some delay to the woman's horror. But It came on all the same, along with more tears.

"I've only begged, really begged, once in my life. And that was to the man who took my family from me. Please...I'm begging you now: Give my family back."

"Their taking was not at mine hands. Nor yours."

"You sound like Miranda."

"The Thousandth Angel hath always been blessed with the gift of wisdom. Even more so than her peers."

The woman looked at the ground, and there was only silence save for the sound of the ocean watching breaking about the ship. Her gaze was kept down cast, but her voice gained some firmity in it.

"Then take me too."

"Thine time has-"

"My time? I spent my time killing for the royalty and strong arming for a nation that doesn't even care for its own people. I only started living when I found Kelvin...and my children."

Anubis remained silent, let her finish.

"The best times of my life...weren't even my own. Holding my son in my hands while he was born...talking with my daughter about all the things she was going to do...lying by the fireplace with my husband...and forgetting the world outside for just an hour or two. Even the hard parts: getting them all out of trouble, the arguments...I know that, not everyone has a family they love, but I did...and I couldn't save them. They died because I wasn't strong enough."

"Barbara..."

"I know. I'm being selfish. So many other other good people and other loved ones die and when it happens to me I think I'm special...but I'm not strong enough. I'm not strong enough to think any different, and I don't want to be. I want to hold my children again, I want my husband to hold me again..."

Anubis uplifted a hand once more and conjured a handkerchief from the air. It fell into Barbara's waiting hands and she brushed her eyes with it.

"Thank you."

"Thou art welcome, and you have mine sympathies, and all the regret I can muster within mine heart. But mine answer remains unchanged, and not for the motive you keep in heart."

"What do you mean?"

Anubis stood from his chair.

"Thou hast lavished far too much cause on thine shoulders, Dame Knight. Twas not your fault, and twill never be your fault."

"But it was. The sword was in my hands."

"Thine hands were chained to a another's will. Thou art seeking a way to feel powerful, even in thine weakness."

"The hell does that mean?"

Anubis sat next to Barbara, and lifted her up to sit next to him on the deck.

"Even gods know frustration. But the crux of will's freedom is just that, the individual's bearing on it. No matter how powerful one is, the will of the individual is that of the individual. Thou cannot hold thineself responsible for the sins of the sinner."

"What do I do then?"

Anubis smiled as gently as a giant jackal humanoid could manage.

"Thou must live the life which thine loves could not. To mourn them is only righteous, in its ability to help one move on."

"My son...my little girl..."

"All the more reason. Thou lookest for a way to empower thyself. Yet this path is not one that thou ought take. To stand strong in the midst of adversity is great, to be weak in its aftermath is necessary."

"I'm not good at being weak."

"Thou shalt grow, only if allowed to feel small. Only be brave, when allowed to feel loss. And can only be righteous, when made to triumph over vice. Thou art strong young knight, and hast valor and years enough to bear many a setback and partake in many a joy. Thou hast been of mine favored supplicants for some time, trust in mine words when they speak of thine many virtues."

Barbara leaned her head against the mast, thinking on what Anubis said.

"You make it sound so simple, and I'm grateful for that...I don't think it's that easy for any person, let alone someone like me to do that though."

"Thine heart could bear the weight of marriage and motherhood, and such bonds are not lost in the absence of their contractors. Should thine own strength fail, take from thine memories, and know that distant as they are, they are still powerful in their beauty."

She still remained silent, but with some conviction in her eyes. That same violet fire was there, and began to blaze forward with the same magnificence that Anubis held in such esteem. He knew she would bear this horror, and perhaps even get on with her life and find happiness anew. If not with new love, then in the execution of those duties of justice and honor that she held so sacred. This alone deserved a reward. So, he stood up and offered his hand.

"Accompany me to the helm."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Nothing in the least. But thou hast come far in these few moments, and should be awarded for thine fortitude. So please, walk in my path."

She did so. And they climbed the stairs to the small bridge where the wheel remained still. Anubis then pointed to it.

"Take thine course where you will."

"It just works that way?"

"Indeed."

She looked at the wheel with a suspicious eye, but then took it in hand. All at once the ship began to move. First forward, and then upwards...into the stars. Water dripped from the hull and fell back into the ocean, and the ship's prow pointed directly towards a steadily growing light. Anubis knew, or rather guessed at its origin. For the light was not one of its own, but a growing black pit in the sky that instead drew light in a great ring around it. He knew where that maw lead, and gritted his fanged teeth.

"Even now he gazes upon my doings, and those of all gods and mortals...if only there were some screen with which to shut his eyes from our lives...no matter."

"Barbara. What is our course?"

"I...I don't know. I just grabbed the wheel and I...I guess I wondered if we were going to see my family in Paradise. That's where they are right?"

Anubis nodded.

"Most assuredly, keep thine hands at the wheel and gaze at the horizon though."

"Of course...does that mean we're going to see them?"

"It is within mine abilities to grant one last goodbye. A more hopeful end then what hath been dealt."

"What happens after that?"

The Judge of the Dead smiled a toothless smile.

"That choice lies in thine own soul, and it's enaction within thine own will."

"I get it. Well, thank you for this much at least."

They sailed on. But their course did not change. Onward towards that gaping pit they went, and the closer they came to The Maw, the more nervous Anubis became. For even the gods tremble at some things.

"It cannot be. If her heart truly lays with her family, and yet we go closer and closer to his domain then..."

"Barbara: dismiss thine course."

"But you said-"

"It has no further bearing. Cease!"

She looked forward, and perhaps for the first time apprehended her destination. The Maw was open before them, and seemed only a few seconds out of reach. Anubis saw the growing desperation in Barbara's eyes. Her grip tightened on the wheel, and the ship kept moving. Anubis was about to lean forward and wrench Barbara from the wheel, until something happened. She walked away from the wheel on her own. With a single step back, Barbara took her shaking hands away from the wheel, her eyes ablaze with grief and confusion.

"Where is my family?"

Before Anubis could answer, The Maw opened once more and tendrils of shadow emerged from its depths. Anubis thrusted his clawed hand forward and violet flames poured forth and burned the tendrils...until more came.

"They are within his hands now...how did such travesty take place?"

Barbara looked towards the tendrils, as they wilted beneath Anubis' projected inferno.

"No...they're there aren't they? They're in whatever the hell that leads to."

She then turned to Anubis, with some hurt in her eyes...until finally she turned back to the wheel, took it in hand: and then turned back to the ocean. They sped away from that place, until Anubis felt confident enough to quite his barrage. The Maw closed as they fled from it, and they crashed into the ocean with fearful abandon. Miraculously, the ship itself remained intact, and both god and knight remained standing. But Barbara was not done.

"What the hell was that?"

Anubis did his best to control his own rising fear.

"That desire to hold love in one's hands again. Twas so strong that The Abomination was able to grab hold of it and carve his path into even this holy sanctum. But if that is true..."

"By some travesty of nature, thine family hast been snatched from Paradise, and imprisoned where not even the most valorous angel nor the most spiteful demon would hazard."

"There's a place like that?"

"Beyond the bounds of most infinite creation are places shaped around, by, and through it. This Maw hosts many a great horror...and all of them held in trust and enfranchised by a single master."

"That's where my family is? How?"

"There judgement was an affair of mine own making, and there passage into Paradise witnessed by many. They could only have been stolen away after their arrival."

Barbara's disbelief was beyond reckoning.

"So this...this thing walked into Paradise itself and stole the souls of my family!? And took them away?"

Anubis could only nod grimly.

"Tell me of thine family's killer again. Though much is within sight of the gods, there are paths that are closed to us."

"His name is Xavier Bonaparte, a red dragon."

"Why hast thou never given his name in thine prayers?"

"I didn't want to it just...it just hurt to think about him."

"Grief: both chain and poison..."

Anubis once more conjured chairs from the wood of the ship. One for him and one for her. His control and power was fading, and fear crept in. The sight was such a slight one though, that only the most perceptive could note it. Barbara took such a note, and was overcome with more fear than anger.

"I'd heard of red dragon knights, but only rumors about Xavier."

"The Crimson God hath taken great pains to remain and project from obscurity at will. But one measure beyond all keeps him from retribution's reach. A bond with creature of the Maw that I spoke oft just now. For with such ties, Xavier lies concealed from destiny's eyes and demonic insight. His tracking is beyond our power, and even those of The Beyond. It is by this bond that I suspect your family has been claimed. For the Crimson God hath cursed all he kills to be sent into the hands of The Maw. "

"The Maw...the Angel's call it "The Corruption" don't they?"

"Thine friend hast talked freely with you."

"Only as much as I have...What do I have to do to get my family free?"

Gone was sadness, away was fear. Now there was only determination. Barbara's eyes raged once more with a mission and goal, one that Anubis knew.

"Thou hast not the power to slay the Crimson God, nor would I see thee condemned to the path of vengeance."

"What if I did have the power? And there was someone to keep me in check?"

"In check?"

"I'm not gonna kid myself. I've never been real good with managing my temper, and I've always had to lean on other people to make sure I didn't break some idiots teeth. So I'm going to do this...I swear my life to you."

Anubis' eyes widened.

"Thou knowest well the price of fealty to death. To become mine angel, shepard and host of the departed ...thou shalt not be hollowed entirely, I can see to that. But thine identity and sanctity, these you shall have to forfeit. For thine powers shalt not be thine own, but in service to creation and it's laws. Choice and determination, impulse and creativity, they shall remain but be at the mercy of thine oath. Thou shalt be hollowed: Undead."

"Xavier won't stop until he's dead. And from the sounds of it, that won't be happening anytime soon, unless I figure into the picture. And...I can see the fear on your face my lord. If I can bloody the nose of your rivals, of The Maw's master: Won't that help you and all the other gods?"

The Judge of the Dead became sad.

"I took my post in celebration of those lives which hath been lead, and those lives which follow. For all thine vices, thine mortal hearts grow and contract to such wondrous loves and triumphs. Why forsake that? You spoke of begging, well hear now the entreaty of the very god you so passionately implore: Do not ask this of me. Mine own fear and infirmity renders me amenable to thine oath, and mine overtended ego yearns for the chance at the Crimson God's blood. But from the heart of one who has heard thine prayers, seen thine weakest and strongest moments, and seen you bear both...please do not take this course. By my post as Judge of the Dead and witness of infinite lives: I beg this of you."

Barbara looked as if she were thinking on this intently. But that same fury was in her eyes, that same commitment. Perhaps that was more admirable than anything. A creature who could bear their own convictions while apprehending the reasons of others. Barbara was always a long favorite of his, and always would be. But her next words filled him with a strange mixture despair...and some jubilation, the latter of which gave him no pride.

"Make me your angel. Give me the power to enact justice for the dead, and to destroy Xavier Bonaparte."

Anubis stood, and she knelt. He placed a clawed hand upon her head, and as the waves began to shift, and the boat rock, amethyst flames burst from his hands and enveloped Barbara. Her dress seemed to melt and transform into blackened steel that traced across her body and shaped to her form. The iconography of death and it's judge wove itself into this fearful shell, and righted Barbara's hair and the her scars of her recent trials. Anubis called out over the inferno.

"Barbara Corsange. Thou art now a Death Knight. The dead's shepherd, the justice of the wronged, and mine Angel."

The fire's quit, and Barbara rose from her genuflection. Anubis was about to present her with a mask, her badge of office, but then she held out a gauntleted hand to stop him.

"Please, you've given me enough. I have something that should work, Miranda gave it to me."

"Thou shalt wear it well I think. Go now, the power to leave is within thine hands. I will call upon thee again, when thine mission and mine will once more turn asame."

She smiled, and then closed her eyes. In a burst of that same amethyst flame, she vanished from sight, and went once more to the world of the living. Anubis himself looked towards the stars once more, and on the turning of the moon. He could see the barest hint of sunlight supplanting it.

"Mine leisure ends...and how quickly so."

His simple clothes transformed into the armor and vestments of a god, sleek and silver with trim of ruby and sapphire on the gauntlets and chestplate. Upon his brow was a simple headdress and helmet that seemed more like a crown then a helm of battle. He then took the helm of his ship and made ready to sail towards the starlight.

"Back to the halls of Judgement, where mine duties call me. And where I shall await the news of mine favored's sacrifice, of my curses' fruit."

And so Anubis left his little vacation spot, and went back to the outer parts of his city. Where he sat in judgment over the final gifts of the virtuous, and last atrocities of the wicked. 

So closes "The Oath", A Tale of Caminus and Yishu.