Inexorably drawn

Chapter 9

     The rosy red expression on death incarnates' face is a sight for sore eyes. He had just been minding his business as usual up in the overworld, bringing souls to Charon and taking human lives who's time had expired.

While making his way to a Spartan camp, he sensed the Prince's presence in the Underworld, calling for him. That is when it all began. When he arrived, Zagreus was sitting at the edge of the river Phlegethon, his feet rivaling it's heat as they barely touch it. On his right hand, Mort is laying in his gentle grip, button eyes seemingly looking back at Thanatos.

The god pulls out his scythe as he sees the ground shaking and bursting behind the Prince. Quickly, he slashes through the skeletan Dracon, forcing it to collapse to a hunded pieces. He looks over to the unsurprised Prince who turns to him with a smile.

"Thanks Than." He cheers him on, splashing some lava into the air with his feet.

"Is that all you called me for? A Dracon?" Thanatos asks unsure, looking around to see if there are any other enemies lurking behind the pillars.

"To kill, yea. But I wanted to talk to you about the family meeting we'll be having back at the house."

Death accepts this, postponing the deaths of some mortals. He sits down besides Zagreus, staring at the raging lava.

"I'm all ears."

"Well, I know you're busy so I will try to make this quick." He pauses, looking down at his firey feet with a nervous expression. After a deep breath, the Prince finally feels capable of looking death straight into the eyes. "After I talk to everyone, I want us to go to my chambers and finish what we started." He exhales, scratching the back of his neck. "Of course...If things are too noisy or busy outside, we can always go elsewhere. I know a couple peaceful locations for us Than. But it doesn't have to be this way if you don't want to. I just know that everyone will be busy and you can dodge some work for a night or day...with me."

When his averted eyes return to death's, he realises that the red expression on his face couldn't have been caused by the boiling lava next to them. Thanatos covers his face with both hands, leaning forward.

"Seriously, why are you like this Zagreus?" He mutters, feeling dizzy from all the heat and the talk itself. "You know I'm not going to dodge my work for any reason at all."

His strict tone makes the Prince fall into despair. He sighs, pulling his feet away from the lava.

"I totally understand. Sorry for taking your time."

"I'm not done yet." He gulps, tugging the gold around his neck. "Any reason except for you. We're gods but I won't let our relationship be strained by that, even if our time spent together means a hundred humans waiting in line for me.

Zagreus grins widely, barely able to keep himself from jumping at the other.

"When is that family meeting going to be? And how will I know when to come?"

The enlightened Prince holds Mort up high like a shiny jewel.

"Mort will help us." He exclaims, the soft fat rat quietly accepting the situation.

"Ah I see. You've thought it all." Thanatos chuckles, lowering his lover's hand. "See you soon then."

He disappears once again, but this time Zagreus isn't sad or unfulfilled, he is happier than ever, ready for what's to come.

A while after dying a slow and agonizing death in lava, he emerges from the pool in the house feeling unstoppable. As if he sensed his son's joyfulness, Hades raises an eyebrow, looking down at the boy.