𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇, Clarisse la Rue

𝐱𝐢𝐯. a plan suddenly set in motion

STRENGTH
━━ act two, chapter fourteen.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

NABI HAD FOUND HERSELF IN THE UNDERWORLD, FOR SOME STRANGE REASON. She was a little confused. Nabi didn't really remember dying recently, despite the ticking timer above her head. But being in the Underworld terrified her.

The daughter of Death's greatest fear was dying; being separated from those she loved by a fate she couldn't control.

She didn't really know where in the Underworld she was wandering about, but there was a river nearby. The water looked dark, as if full of sorrows, broken dreams. Insantly, Nabi knew it was the River Styx.

"My dear, winged child."

She turned. Thanatos stood there, in all his dark glory, with his black wings fanned out and his robe draped over himself, a sword sheathed at his belt.

"Dad," Nabi muttered, fearful, "what am I doing here? Have I...?"

"No. You've not died, Nabi. This is merely another dream."

She let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders slackening. He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the sides as he gazed at her and said, "I'm proud. So very proud. I just wanted to appear and tell you so."

The words filled her stomach with a satisfying flame — kindled and bright. She felt her cheeks grow warm. "Uhm, thanks."

His smile grew. "Your mother would be too, if she could see you now."

The flames roared brighter.

Her feelings about him had changed, after the truth about her mother's curse had been revealed. Nabi couldn't blame him for staying away. Thanatos had only wanted the best for her, which was somehow, a little more painful than if he hadn't cared at all.

Nabi remembered the visions. A happy mother; the possibilities of a life she'd never know.

"Ah," A voice piped up, as Nabi felt the slight flurry from a flap of white wings, "you're not the only one who's proud, Thanatos!"

Her heart jumped. She paused, after brushing aside the stupid thought of it being who she had hoped it was. Nabi couldn't help thinking she was a little pathetic. It had been Hebe who had appeared, in a surprising form of a young adult, with her brown hair let out in waves and a flower crown atop her head, sporting a clean, white toga.

"Age doesn't really exist, technically," Hebe waved a hand dismissively at Nabi's confused look, "not here, in the Underworld. So, I suppose you would call this a default of sorts."

Nabi just nodded. Hebe said, "He's right, you know. Mika would be filled to the brim with pride and joy. As are we, of course."

"You put up quite a good fight against that Polyphemus, I must say." Thanatos laughed.

"You... watched?" Nabi asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, but Ares had," Thanatos shrugged, "he informed me about the fight, and was impressed about your stunt with the undead holding that Cyclops down."

"I proved him wrong."

"That you did," Thanatos hummed, "I told him not to underestimate my daughter. He was humbled, at our most recent outing."

"You hang out with Ares?" Nabi scrunched her nose up, "What do you even talk about?"

"Dad stuff. God stuff. The usual."

Nabi was neither a dad, nor a god, so she could only hope that Thanatos and Ares' conversations weren't as awkward or as weird as she imagined in her head.