The Devil's Brother

Ch.26

Thanatos

"Baby, its not your time." Alkestis held my head in her hands.

I opened my eyes to see my beautiful queen. Her forest green eyes clouded with worry. 

"Don't fret, my love. I'm fine." I smiled and attempted to sit up, but my side screamed in pain.

"Its not your time, Thanatos." Alkestis shook her head sadly.

"It is, Alkestis. Im here. You're here. We can be together." I smiled,happiness clouding my better judgement. 

"Our time will come. But right now? Your people need you. Our daughter needs you." She placed a shaky kiss on my forehead.

"I need you." I clutched onto her hand for dear life.

"Wake up, Thanatos." She stood from my side.

"Alkestis! Please!"I cried as she abandoned me.

"WAKE UP GOD DAMN IT." A familiar voice yelled and pulled me out of whatever trance I was in.

I blinked a few times then a bunch of ugly mugs came into view.

"Paimon."I grunted and squeezed my eyes closed.

"Oh thank hell, you old bastard." Paimon sighed and hugged me.

"What happened? Wheres Alkestis?" I looked around but only saw my friends.

"Alkestis? What?" Artemis arched an eyebrow at me.

"She was just here.." I trailed off and looked around the room.

"The grim reaper had a 'dont go into the light' experience, huh?" God joked next to me.

I chuckled lightly and slumped back into the bed. She wasn't with me. It was a delusion my mind made up.

Fuck! 

I wanted to scream or punch something.

"Than, you good?" Paimon put a hand on my shoulder and I took a deep breath.

"Yeah. Im good. What happened, exactly?" I cleared my throat and looked down at a bandage on my side.

Images from the fight came flooding into my mind.

I was bit by one of those retched hellhounds.

"How am I here?" I looked around the room and counted everyone except Ivy and Athena.

If they brought me to Mount Olympus, they'd have to trade a soul for mine. Thats how the goddess worked here.

"We,uhm." Paimon looked to an angry Ares.

"We traded Athena for you." God answered.

"What? Why?" I looked to Ares,"Are you okay?" 

"It was actually my idea." Ares gave me a comforting smile but that made me even more confused.

"You'd trade your sister for me?" I looked at him, astonished. 

I would never trade my daughter,Paimon, Ivy, or God, for anyone. They were my family and they weren't leaving my side.

"She was spiraling. It was her time." Ares smiled sadly and Artemis gave him a small hug.

"Where's Ivy?" I looked around. Was she on her own?

Hades could get her. Lucifer could.

"We left her at the Palace with Kratos. She's okay." Zeus chuckled.

"Everything is fine, friend." Paimon smiled widely at me and I nodded.

I guess the man children had everything under control for once. 

"Im proud of you. All of you." It was my turn to chuckled as they gave me a confused look.

"You've all grown so much. Remember when they were just babies learning the ropes?" I nudged God.

"Sure do. You guys were adorable. What happened?" God scrunched up his face.

"What happened to us? Look at you old man." Artemis grabbed a grey strand of hair out of his white locks.

"Can that even happen?" He whispered to me.

"Don't ask me, Mine is permanently black." I winked.

"We better get back before Ivy comes up here herself. She's been sending a messenger back and forth for the last week." Paimon smiled to himself.

This fool was in love.

"A week? Alone with Kratos? No offense, Zeus." He waved dismissively. 

"Yeah, but Eros checked on her two days ago? She was fine, just misses you." Paimon winked at me.

"Please, She misses you as much as you miss her." I returned the wink with one of my own.

"Say what now?" Zeus glared at Paimon which sent us all into a fit of laughter.

"Nothing Sir. Shall we skadaddle?" Paimon stood and saluted Zeus.

"Skadaddle?" God and I asked in sync.

Im usually the hip one. I knew all the newer lingo and the cool kid hangouts. |

Well according to Ivy, but she was a book worm who never left her home. So maybe i wasn't so hip.

"Yeah, like scoot, beat feet, leave?" We all nodded at the third one.

"Kids these days." Zeus shook his head.