Master of Death

Chapter 12 - Charity

Charity

There is kindness in offering a hand to those who have been without one.

When I come to my senses, I realize that I must have fainted from exhaustion. I can hear the metal of armour  clanking as people move around, and feel warmth at my feet but coldness at my side. I open my eyes to see a white tent over my head and a light blanket over my body. When I turn my head to the side, I am thrilled to see Thanatos' sleeping face. I roll over to simply stare at him, relieved that he is still alive and hopefully well after this whole ordeal. After a couple minutes I decide that I best not wake him, so I sit up slowly as I possibly can as to not disturb him. Cerberus perks up where he sits at my feet, tilting his head as if to wonder what I'm doing.

"I am hoping that you can watch him while he is asleep," I tell the wolf quietly. "If he wakes before I return, would you lead him to me?"

Cerberus nods just before I get to my feet. I am surprised that I can see no trace of blood on my dress, or smell the stench of death on it for that matter. However, that very smell burns my nose when I step outside the tent into the sight of a ruined city. The remaining soldiers are searching through the rubble for any survivors, but appear to be having little luck. I am on my way to the cliff where I saw Neuth last night when Saito jogs up to me, a relieved expression on his face. He is covered in blood the same as all his men, and is as exhausted as I imagine they all must be.

"Isis! Good to see you up; I was worried that you and Thanatos were not going to make it out of here alive," he pants.

"It is more of a relief to see that you and a good number of your men have made it through this ordeal. Though nothing good can be said about how your city was destroyed, at least now Ra will not attack you again," I respond.

He glances up at the sun for a moment before returning his attention to me. "I want to thank you for saving the people of my city, and the majority of my army. I know that gods have more pressing matters than to save humans, so I appreciate that you and Thanatos were willing to save so many innocent people,"

I watch the soldiers moving rubble with their bruised bodies and setting up larger tents to treat the wounded. "Gods exist to balance the natural order of the universe. Although there are times when gods bestow calamities upon humans, it is also within their abilities to spare them if they see fit. I am not yet a true goddess, but I know my role and what it is I must do, both for gods and for humans." I offer Saito a fleeting smile. "Not every god is interested in tearing the world apart..."

"Yes, I suppose that is true. Not even that beast that Thanatos unleashed did any harm to us. He sat with the two of you  ever since we found you,"

"His name is Cerberus," I respond slowly. "I would like if you were to call him that,"

He is momentarily stunned, but nods with a small smile on his face. "As you wish, goddess."

I nod in appreciation and get on my way to the cliff overlooking the ruined city. After the long hike, I hold out my hand to will what I desire to appear. In my palm is manifested a flute made from bamboo, which I  begin to play without much prior experience.

It is a beautiful day that I hope will not be spoiled by tragedy, and there is something about the sounds of the birds and flute that make me wish it were peaceful like this everyday. Only I know that it will be a long time before there is peace like this for many people. I suppose... I am at peace each time I am with Thanatos. Speaking of which, I feel his dark aura approaching from behind me.

After the song has ended I tuck the flute away in my sleeve and turn slightly to see Thanatos a few feet away. At first all he does is watch me with Cerberus beside him, but then he walks swiftly towards me. He moves so fast that my mind cannot keep up with his actions, and before I am aware of it he has a hand around my body, one in my hair, and his lips firmly pressed against mine. This kiss is different. There is so much lust and pure love in it that I become unusually dizzy and forget to breathe. When he ceases, I lean my head against his chest and try to catch my breath while he holds me tightly against him.