Marrying Darkiplier

Chapter Eleven: Appetizing Taboo

Sean followed Dark back to the car, sneaking a glance over his shoulder to look at Thanatos one last time. Thanatos stared up at his roof with narrowed eyes, before his attention drifted to a bright blue butterfly. Lifting a hand, Thanatos let the butterfly land on his fingers. Curiosity had Sean slipping from Dark's arms to ask Thanatos softly. "I'm confused. When I pictured Death... I didn't... I mean, this place looks..." Sean's words failed him. His emotions and mind were divided among other things he'd seen and learned. Thanatos let the butterfly flutter away before teasing him in his soft beautiful voice. "You were expecting a realm of skulls and hellfire in my eyes?" Blushing, Sean nodded. Thanatos grabbed a large scythe that rested just inside the little workshop. The long handle looked to be made of pure onyx gemstone while the shiny curved blade glinted like pure silvery starlight. Twirling it slowly in his hand, Thanatos smirked as he moved by him adding coolly. "I was born from darkness, but I'm tasked to guide those to the light. A gift or a curse from my loving Aunt of light. I'm still unsure about that... but I do my best to save those that don't belong here. I'm the only sanctuary you'll find in this hell."

Dark stepped back from Thanatos, his eyes locked intently on his scythe like it was a snake in the grass. Thanatos didn't seem to notice Dark's mistrust of the weapon. Walking toward the large field of golden grain, Thanatos added over his shoulder. "You see me at the end, but I'm merely the guide to the next stage of your life cycle. Those who fear me... already know the fate that awaits them for their cruelty and pain they caused. For others, I am simply... a friend." Thanatos slowly swung his scythe toward the base of the golden wheat and Sean watched in awe as the entire field of golden wheat fell neatly to the ground in a single puff of air. From the field, bright colorful butterflies swarmed up toward the rainy sky. Each of them carrying a single cut piece of golden grain. As the butterflies flew into the light grey clouds, they vanished in soft twinkling lights. Thanatos seemed almost sad to see them go, but kneeled to slip his fingers into the soft dirt where fresh grain was already starting to grow. Dark shivered, taking a step back from the field. Which prompted Thanatos to quickly chuckle out absently. "Does my power scare you, Damien?" Dark scuffed as his only response. Rising to his full height, Thanatos faced Dark and boldly told him. "That is where you and I differ. You see the power I wield like it's a big stick to be taken. I see it as over a billion souls saved and safely reaped." Sean stared blankly between them, unable to read their sudden intense expressions.

After a minute, Thanatos rested his scythe on his shoulder and told Dark openly. "No. I will not help you with the Dominion. Don't mistake my power as a show of force. I judge and reap. You lords of the realm punish the souls I deem deserving of it. That doesn't put you on my level. Nor in a position to ask me for favors. I will look into the ring and nothing more. Whatever hornet nest you kicked with my mother is on you." Thanatos started to walk away, but Dark snatched his arm. The light rain in the realm stopped midfall all around them and a soft rumble rippled through the sky as Thanatos stilled and commanded in warning. "Release me, Damien." Black veins stretched up Thanatos' arm, while Dark snapped out. "Your mother threatens an innocent soul by keeping him trapped here. The Dominion is plotting to overthrow Anti and send his realm into a war zone... and you are just going to sit back and watch?" Thanatos locked his silvery eyes on Dark, his soft beautiful voice turning into one that boomed like thunder across the realm as he calmly shot back. "I handle more souls in a minute than you handle in a century. I am old. I am tired. And I just want a little peace and quiet. He chose his fate. Just as you have chosen yours. You handle the Dominion on your own. Now let me go. That is your last warning, Damien. Be grateful that I'm choosing to help you at all. I debated hard about killing you the second you entered."

Dark didn't look like he was going to back down. Spurring Sean to rush in and plead with Dark hopefully. "Dark, please? He's done enough for us. I'm sure he is busy. Please? Can we go home?" Thanatos positioned his scythe for a fight, only to jerk his head toward Sean when Dark let him go. Wrapping an arm around Dark's waist, Sean guided him toward the car. Dark's arm embraced him protectively, making Sean feel blissfully safe. Separating from Dark to walk to the passenger side, Sean skidded to a stop as Thanatos just blinked in front of him in a small flash of light. Extending out a hand, Thanatos touched Sean's chest to steady him and whispered into his ear. "You're playing with fire and if you're not careful... You won't be the only one that burns. You can't change what he is. You'll only lose who he was." Thanatos stepped back from him to lock eyes with Dark's narrowed ones. Lifting his chin, Thanatos coolly told Dark. "You're wrong, Damien. I do care about what happens to him. But I can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved." Sean's jaw dropped. He wanted to tell him that he was lying but couldn't bring himself to do it. If he left... He wasn't sure that Dark would be able to follow. With things happening here, he was needed in his realm. He didn't want to be separated from Dark for however long it would take for things to calm down. Lowering his eyes to the dirt, Sean swallowed.