Inexorably drawn

Chapter 14

     Two men stand across one another. Two gods. One much shorter compared to the indimidating size of the one before them. It's a cold day in the overworld, but it isn't the same as before. The weather looks clear, letting cozy sunlight melt the snow gradually. Little fish, probably spies of Poseidon, pop their heads out of rivers far away from the two gods, looking at young women washing their clothes on the shore.

Above all, unlike in the gloomy underworld, here time circles around itself with an unchangeable pattern. According to the knowledge of mortals, the time now is called Dusk.

"I'm here father." The steady voice of the short god turns the looming figure before him around.

"Finally." A deep and collected voice responds. "Let's get this over with boy."

"In a hurry?" Zagreus huffs, clenching his bow.

"Indeed. You should already know by your past failures that paperwork is not easy." Hades grabs his cloak and burns it behind him, summoning his large spear.

"I'm better off beating you over and over again than working for you." As war loving as ever, Zagreus finds his blessing from Ares burning excitedly inside him.

The Prince grabs an arrow and glances around, wondering if Thanatos is anywhere near.

"You seem distracted." The king of the underworld expresses with displease at his uninterested opponent.

"Yes. I want to get this over with as soon as possible. I got bussiness with Thanatos."

"Bussiness?" The large god holds back the laughter behind his sinister beard. "Didn't you two have enough fun traumatizing our guests?"

"What?" The words coming from his father are completely unfamiliar.

"You really thought putting a few blankets as a doorway would stop Olympus' curiosity? Be glad that Aphrodite and Eros didn't gossip about it." The man crosses his arms with a frown.

Ugh I figured Aphrodite wouldn't let us go under her nose. But Eros? Thanatos' counterpart...

"I didn't know Eros came." Zagreus continues unsurprised.

"Is that what bothers you boy? Thanatos has a reputation to uphold. Don't ruin it." He drags his voice lower towards the end, labeling this a threat.

"Ruin it?" Zagreus' feet vaporize the snow. "Taking advice from you about my relationship is the last thing I'd do. Thanatos made the decision with me, I never tried to ruin his reputation. He's still as hard working as ever."

"It better stay that way. Otherwise you're the one to blame for his downfall."

"Blast you." Zagreus snaps, drawing back his bow and shooting an arrow right through his father's shoulder.

Without flinching, the god pulls it out, casting invisibility on his body.

"Stop blaming me for things I'm not in control of." The Prince sends more arrows flying accurately right on the King of the underworld as soon as he removes his invisible cloak. "What do you know about Thanatos' happiness anyways?"

Hades teleports behind the Prince, stabbing his side with the spear and tossing him towards the blue river.

"Way more than you. Thanatos is perfectly fine with his current job. He has no need for extra responsibilities."

A single tear seems to well up under Zagreus' eyes, but he immediately brushes it off.

"How do you know that?!" His voice trembles, unlike his hands that run back and forth to shoot arrows. "I've been friends with him for so long. He never smiled when talking about his job."