*pushes the chair behind you to sit down*

*ties bib around your neck*

the ones who are suckers for angst and sad stuff, are going to enjoy this

*chef kiss*

*hands cutlery*

Depending on the animal guide a necromancer would have, it showed which traits and capabilities of theirs would excel more, or would be easier to excel, if they would become more strong, intelligent, quick, aggressive, insightful...

Commonly believed, crows are a main omen of death, scavengers wherever there is life rotting away and their caws especially at nights hold ominous messages. However they are highly intelligent and resourceful, learn quickly, adapt and use whatever they have on their benefit.

It had explained a lot as to why Reaper was so quick to learn and conquer knowledge and skills so easily from such young age. And while that was supposed to look like a really good thing, Persephone couldn't understand what was troubling Hades so bad, keeping him in that constant state of intensive silence around his son...

But weeks after the revealation of the wings, he slightly started spending more time around Reaper, when he was home. At the same time he sounded more strict and demanding from him. However that change in behavior didn't affect the smol's mood. He still seemed happy around Hades, just at the end of the days more tired.

Whether from studies, whether from combat and magic training. Then, Hades started taking him to many of his business trips. The first times that had happened Persephone was worried sick. But Reaper would always come back home excited, joyful, with many things to share and describe of what he saw.

He had even described one of those times that Hades had taught him how to summon his wings at will and fly.

In fact they had gone to a distant and quiet field away from life, a pause from business. At first Reaper seemed clumsy with flying, but after just the second attempt he surpassed Hades by taking off and the sky was his to rule. Perhaps that was the most surprised and impressed Reaper had ever seen his father.

An expression for which somebody could kill to see by themselves. And Hades was indeed surprised. Then thoughtful as he recalled his father's own methods of forcing him to learn flight. He wouldn't take him to open and clear fields, no, he would straight up yeet him off high places.

If he wasn't flying, he was getting cracked bones.

He remembered once again why he was hating so much what he was, because all abilities and skills he had claimed were passed onto him in cruel ways. To see Reaper flying so easily as if he was doing so for years happily and excitedly, to see him doing it in the same mood as with whatever else he was doing for all else as part of his training, stirred in him unidentified feelings.

He wasn't sure what they were. But considering he had known miserable ones for a big part of his existence, those were most likely good towards Reaper. Uncomfortable. But good. He wasn't bitter or jealous that his son was conquering much quicker than him the skills he struggled to achieve, just indignation.

Because of how easy it turned out to be to train someone with patience and composure instead of violence. Sure, it was also that Reaper was already brilliant, but Hades would often mentally facepalm wondering how much more different this bloodline would be if his ancestors were taking a chill pill towards their children.

Guess he was lucky he had Persephone to direct his thinking differently and realise that even pretending a little to be nice to his offspring worked wonders. That instead of directing his anger towards his son and simply remove himself temporarily was helping him clear his head and not snap.

Reaper loved both his parents greatly. He loved his mother's gentle and loving nature, playing together and getting to talk with her about any random thing, go crazy and excited together. He loved the time spend with his father, even if there was little to no emotional involvement.

Because no matter where they would go, whether to the afterlife or for business, he knew he was safe with him, he would be there to defend him and learn valuable things from him. He liked his names given by him. Although he had simply named him without asking anybody, the names just sticked around.

Charon, his family was calling him more often and for the main reasons the name Reaper would be heard too was when his father was calling him by full name everytime he wanted to check on his son's progress. Or, more rarely, if he was doing some mischief, or being disrespectful and arrogant and needed to be put back in his place.

But if there was one thing Reaper loved more than simply his parents and the time spend with each, that was seeing them being loving and affectionate to each other.

From a corner he would simply sit with his chin resting on his hands and enjoy even the smallest of moments his parents would share, from simply Persephone rubbing her head against Hades, to seeing them hugging, or slowly dancing closely to the rhythm of some melody the necromancer was humming.

Or when Hades' cold expression would break as he was looking at Persephone while kissing the back of her hand gently. Watching even the smallest of moments and gestures were causing Reaper to copy some of these behaviors, acting sometimes like a cat by bumping gently against the women of his family (no question for Hades).

Or acting like a gentleman and kissing hands, mainly of his mother's to greet and show politeness to her. Being such a cute knight. Or having that one month period where he would pin against the wall anyone at close proximity. By pin, was meant to simply try with his tiny arms to stop his target from escaping to the left or right.

As result, he was trapping the legs only. That was leaving the maids confused, not understanding what game was the smol boi playing, but patiently waiting for the young necromancer to let them and go about their day. He had even done that to his sisters, receiving different reactions from them.

"Oh my! The dark prince has cornered me!" Aphrodite would play along dramatically when Reaper would 'pin' her against the wall, rather only the legs.

"You think you can pin me? You naive boy, you've awakened the tickle monster!" Athena would tease Reaper, who would run away squealing as she was 'awakening' the tickle monster.

"... Why are you like this?" Artemis would ask annoyed, proceeding to read whatever book she was holding until Reaper was getting bored and leaving.

"Oh my! What are you intending to do sir?" Persephone asked the first time that happened to her to play along.

"Hee hee! Got you! Now I'm going to keep you trapped like pàpa does little gorgeous butterfly, with face in the colors of the morning sky!"

That little spawn!

Persephone had completely and certainly understood what had inspired Reaper to be playing that game. Like father like son ò///ó. Thank the stars that was the most intensive of things Reaper had ever seen from his parents, matter of fact when none of them were immediately sensing his presence close watching them.

Because at will, Reaper had learn very early to keep his aura down to not be sensed and detected easily. One more reason he loved watching how his parents were interacting was because of how different Hades was acting around Persephone. Only with her he showed to be relaxed and calm.

More soft and expressive. He was never like that around anyone else, not even with the triplets, not even with his son. That never bothered Reaper much, in fact the only times he feared Hades were when he was laughing and smiling, luckily very rarely.

But in those little moments between his parents, seeing his father caring and loving his mother, it was what mattered the most for him. To see Persephone happier around Hades, to see that she enjoyed his company and accepted it happily with a bright face was making him happy too.

I like it when my parents love each other

He had written on one of his drawings with 2 caricatures of his parents holding hands and with hearts all around.

The happiness in the family of the Renrinks kept going for some more years, with the cherry on top being the news of the newest arrival when Reaper was 7 years old. Another necromancer with which although Hades facepalmed, didn't make dramas and just let Persephone have her time of excitement and happiness.

He just took the news more chilly. In these months waiting for the baby, Reaper could remember a day where his father stopped in front of him and picked him up to be on his level. They were in his office. As an infant he couldn't remember any times Hades had hold him.

Though he was told he was being held often, mainly when it was about going to the afterlife. Probably when he had developed his own cloak was the moment Hades stopped holding him. But as Reaper grew up he could remember vividly 2 of these times.

The first when he was about 3 and a half and the other when he was 5. In those 2 times he could remember, he was taught 2 lessons that would stay with him for the further years that were meant to come for him.

And now, as for a 3rd time Reaper was being held closely by Hades, he could sense he would hear something important. He waited as his father looked at the smaller necromancer focused. Although a child, he could remember most of what he heard.

"You've barely known me. Who I am. You've met how I act while amongst this family and this house... The rest of the world knows me differently. I've done cruel things you can't even begin to fathom, which no matter how many years have passed, many still remember and haven't forgotten. And I've always done them for my own selfish and sadistic goals. I was angry and I was resentful with everyone just because they breathed, just because they weren't miserable. Inoccent and not. For your mother, I changed my path and my ways. But the sins still hunt me to this day... You couldn't understand of what I'm talking about, because your mother gave you uncoditionally and freely all love she felt you deserved. I tried to offer you the best possible conditions. What I never met before her... But you got all that from your beginning. And that's why, no matter what the future brings for you Charon, no matter what path you take, you must be better than me. In actions and words, even if you end up doing similar things I did, unintenionally or not, do them knowing you have a strong reason at least. In the best of your powers, avoid being the past me, the present me and even the future me."

Reaper was looking at him confused as he silently listened. Then he couldn't understand what Hades really meant. But as his father slowly let him down to stand on the floor, he waited to hear him saying anything else. And indeed he did.

"I see in your look that you don't understand me yet. How this monster in front of you used to be someone much different. But if there comes the day you really meet the rotten monster I was, am and will be, you will understand."

And a month after that specific conversation, the triplets were gone, marking the day where the downfall of the Renrinks began.

Just gone. Without a sign and without warning, their presence stopped being sensed around the house. Later around town.

"Haven't seen them."

"I don't know."

"No."

"Why, what's the matter?"

The citizens didn't know, Persephone's friends hadn't seen the triplets either. No matter where they searched and asked, all Persephone and Hades would hear were answers like these. And a month of searching later, the skeleton woman started breaking. Days and nights the tears wouldn't stop flowing.

Her sobs and cries were becoming more and more desperate. Her emotions were even more out of control with the new baby inside her. Day after day, Hades felt his soul bleeding more and more with his wife's desperation and sorrow, then for the triplets being gone.

To see her hope little by little being reduced and her joyful self fading away. He was searching a lot more intensively and with bigger dedication for any information, any sign that could tell where were the triplets...

3 months later, still no result.

Persephone had given birth to Reaper's baby brother, Grim Thanatos Renrink. His delivery unlike Reaper's was short and quick, pain of only a few hours. But it was a baby that had arrived in sad times and would have met almost complete neglect if not for Reaper.

Persephone was way too unstable in her emotions to properly and constantly care for the little one, Hades was a lot busy both with his work and searching for the triplets. And in the middle of this whirlwind of frustration and tears, Reaper was standing and watching as little by little, day after day the happy family he knew was falling apart.

To console himself and the baby he would go sit in his room and sing whatever songs he knew and had learned by soul from his mom. Trying to explain the situation to his little brother. Describe to him the triplets. Sometimes he would fly away to short distances to get some fresh air. He felt he had to be brave.

To stay strong and patient, try to give hope to himself that things would eventually be alright. His sisters would be found. They would return home, go back on doing their work and activities, his mother's smile would appear again on her face, Hades would bring back the order in the house and go back to teaching Reaper. Or watch him being affectionate towards Persephone...

And for just a moment, Reaper thought that all those would soon be back.

He woke up one night and as he wandered the corridors he heard quiet conversation from his parents' bedroom. He eavesdropped, but the words were incoprehensible. He managed to peek inside and saw Hades kissing Persephone on her forehead.

Then he pressed his own against hers, whispering something else with a sad expression. But the boy smiled, it had been a while since he had seen his father showing any affection. But he didn't stay long, to not get caught. He went back to bed, for the first time in months relaxed.

The next day Hades had left again.

It was Persephone and the 2 little necromancers left from the family. Which was common. Except that situation was lasting for about a month, then Hades would be back temporarily.

The month became 2.

Then 3.

In those 5 months Reaper saw Persephone breaking even more.

She had started monologuing lowly, while hugging her own self tightly and looking down with wide open eyesockets. She was awknowledging her sons even less than before, more lost than ever. As much as Reaper was concerned, he wouldn't dare approach his mother.

As much as he didn't want to, he was scared of her.

The plants and flowers in the garden wouldn't get close to her either if she went there. In fact day after day, month after month they seemed less lively, more pale. They were feeling her sadness and being affected.

The most heartbreaking but terrifying thing Persephone would do was deep in the nights, where as Reaper would sleep soundly, her loud scream would breach through the walls of the mansion. For the rest of those nights, he would tremble and stay with eyesockets wide open.

All while keeping company to his brother Grim, who was crying startled and scared from his mother's screams. Like the big brother he was, Reaper was trying to soothe him, both to help him get back to sleep and in the back of his skull horrified of not wanting to actually attract his mother.

All I hear are screams
Everytime I dare to close my eyes
I no longer dream
Only nightmares of those who...

No! They didn't! There was no proof! Reaper had to just wait some more...

At last, news.

From a high place Reaper watched as the stranger dressed in black from top to bottom walked inside the main hall of the mansion. He had almost mistaken him as Hades, but soon realised that the stranger wasn't as tall as him. Just... anonymous.

Persephone swarmed the stranger to tell her anything about her daughters and Hades. After a whole minute of keeping silence, the stranger crammed their hand in the pocket of their long dark coat. They pulled out something small and delicate, barely shining. They threw that towards Persephone's feet, who stepped back as another sob was climbing up her throat.

"I apologise for being the bringer of these news."

That was all the stranger had said.

As Persephone was falling on her knees and her loud cries of pain and despair were echoing around, they turned their back and exited the house.

"NOT YOU TOO HADES, DON'T DO THIS TO MEEE!"

As Persephone was crying and screaming, Reaper was clenching his chest tightly. Anxious and scared, he had realised damn well that something horrible had happened to his father. But didn't realise what yet.

And then his mother lost her senses, falling on her side. The maids around the house started swarming her, trying to get her to wake up, commands were given to prepare space for her to rest, call the doctor, anyone...

When she was removed from the main hall, only then Reaper dared to come out of hiding. Only then his steps lead him towards the object the stranger had thrown. No one had seen it in the fuss. He approached it with caution as if it was going to bite him. Well, soon enough emotionally.

A golden ring with a white lily on top.

There were 2 of those rings. And obviously his parents were wearing, each from one. Persephone was already wearing her own, so, that was his father's...

He remembered.

"The day my ring returns but not me, that will be the day you know I am where all monsters end up."

Another of his eavesdrops towards his parents had given him memory of those words. Hades had told Persephone that, as they were relaxing, as they were simply being a happy couple...

That day it wasn't just one child needing comfort and a hug. As both little necromancers were in Reaper's room, the older one was crying silently for all that was getting lost, Grim crying seeing his brother doing so, not fully realising why, but understanding all too well how heavy the situation was.

From that day things would only get even worse. And this time Reaper had to actually witness more clearly as another of his family members was fading away.

It wasn't just from the day Hades was announced... gone. The day the triplets dissapeared, Persephone's sadness and despair had started eating her from inside. Those became sickness that was making her slower, weaker, less connected with reality.

Hades was the final blow for the sickness transform to full Grief, get to Persephone worse than before, causing her to end up bedridden. From a distance Reaper would watch as his mother was staring up to the ceiling motionless. Only her mouth was moving.

Whispering and murmuring, while her tears were running. Calling for Hades to come save her from her state. Begging her daughters to come back, that she would die if they weren't here with her. Complaining and asking, why was this happening, why her, her daughters, Hades.

Why why why... And often after asking such questions, she would start screaming and sobbing loudly, sounds which were making Reaper feel as if his soul was clawed out of his ribcage and being shredded to pieces.

Other times, Persephone would sing. On times like these she was sitting up. And then, staring outside the window, her sweet but lamenting voice would travel through the halls and rooms of the mansion. Lullabies she would sing to Reaper and had sung to the triplets in the past. Songs calling out for Hades, sounding like a constant dirge.

*enters through the window of your room slowly*

*headpats you*

*sigh*

no questions asked, just get preached again with another song.

*puts down gently on your table the

video*

*feeds you mousaka*

*exits quietly*

Day after day, Reaper felt Persephone's aura becoming weaker. And by the time he was 9, it was almost nonexistent. She was more like a corpse, her singing and lamenting a whisper barely heard.

...

25 months after the downfall started, Reaper was told by one of the maids that his mother wanted to see him and Grim. Despite concerned and uncertain of how their interaction would go, holding his 2 year old brother by the hand the 2 small necromancers walked in the room Persephone was resting.

Somehow, after so much time with suffering and loosing strength, the skeleton woman seemed to be somewhat alright.

The aura was still very weak, but something from her old self and that glow in her eyesockets had returned. Moreover she seemed calm. She watched as her sons were walking in and pat the spot next to her for them to come up. Reaper helped Grim get on the bed, then he climbed up.

"Mama? Is there something you wanted to tell us?" He asked to get the dialogue started. He remembered as Persephone slowly reached out and put Grim on her lap, staring at him carefully and silently.

As the tinier boy smiled at her, Persephone smiled back. He didn't look like her or Hades at all. But she remembered that he did look like her mother-in-law. Except certainly softer and more cheerful. She caressed him gently for a few seconds, then... she gently closed him in her embrace and started silently crying.

"You arrived at times nobody expected to go bad. And it's not your fault at all. You didn't deserve the neglect I've given you. I'm sorry sweetheart..." She looked at Reaper and streched out her arm, inviting him for a hug as she kept crying.

Having kept his distances for so long from Persephone caused Reaper to accept wanting to feel his mother's touch. He leaned close to her and even like that, he felt happy to be close to her warmth, whatever there was left from her body.

He remembered as she admitted that even if the Grief had striked her so hard, she still had to attend to her sons in any way she could. But the Grief again had eaten her from inside almost completely, the strength and power she had. And too late her mind cleared enough to escape from it even a little.