Sean's breath caught in his throat and heart began to race. The ring on Nicon's ring finger glinted, before he lowered his hand to remove a golden dagger from a strap on his leg. Snatching Sean's hand, he pressed the sharp golden blade to his palm and told him smugly. "With this ceremonial dagger. Forged in the fires of creation. I will bond myself to you in blood. A bond unbreakable until the end of our existence." Sean struggled to yank his hand free but couldn't pull it free of his grip no matter how he twisted and squirmed. Slicing his palm, Sean yelped in pain and dropped to his knees in an attempt to pull away. Curling his fingers tight, he growled out through clenched teeth. "You mother fucker!" Nicon lifted Sean's hand higher as blood leaked from between his clenched finger to run down his wrist. Bringing his lips close to the blood running down his wrist, Nicon purred out teasingly. "I'll drink of you. Then you'll drink of me. Then bond by blood we will be." Tugging as hard as he could to keep Nicon from licking his blood, he let out a panicked scream. Where was Dark?! Where was Anti?! Natemare?! Anyone! Nicon grinned, taking his time as he tilted his head and slowly extended his black tongue toward his skin.

Sean's skin broke out in goosebumps as he felt his breath puffing over his skin. Only to flinch at a sudden gust of wind that came from behind Nicon. Nicon tensed, pulling back from Sean's wrist but before he could turn around, a pale hand gripped the back of Nicon's neck and slammed him face first into the cement wall. Sean gasped loudly, pulling his hands over his head as someone kicked one of Nicon's legs to stagger his body against the wall. Then when he was completely pinned to the wall, another pale hand gripped one of Nicon's wings and snapped the bone as easily as snapping a pencil between one's fingers. Nicon let a bloodcurdling scream, before fainting and falling into a heap. As his body fell, Sean saw the person that was attacking him. The person was a frightening sight to behold. The person's body was distorted in shadow because the person's huge set of glowing white wings was almost blinding to look at. What he could see of the shrouded person was dressed in a hooded black robe with silver detailing along the edges that bore runes that he didn't know. Around the person's waist was a belt that had two sickles hanging from it. While from a belt across his chest, a huge demonic looking scythe stood out on his back.

Around the person's neck was a choker with skull studs around it and dangling from the front was a small golden hourglass with running white sand. The person slowly folded his huge glowing wings, allowing Sean to get a better look at his face. From within the hood, the person wore a human skull mask and through the eye sockets, he saw silver eyes. The sudden peaceful and welcoming feeling washed over him, causing him to breathe out in shock. "Thanatos...?" Removing a sickle off his belt, Thanatos asked him a bit distractedly. "Are you alright, Sean?" Sean nodded but could feel himself shaking uncontrollably. Thanatos stepped over Nicon to grab his hand and in a quick slice, he cut one of Nicon's fingers off. Prying the master ring off his finger, he dropped the flesh carelessly and stashed the ring in a special pocket within his robe. Turning quickly to face Sean, Thanatos extended out his hand and told him seriously. "Take my hand. Now." Sean could only raise a hand, before Thanatos grabbed it and yanked him up to his feet with little to no effort. Pulling him up against his side, Thanatos started to spread his wings again as he ordered him. "Wrap your arms around my neck. There's not a second to lose."

Wincing, Sean wrapped his arms around Thanatos' neck. Thanatos wrapped an arm tightly around his waist, then with the single flap of his huge wings, he was in the air. Sean whimpered as Thanatos soared out of the tower and gracefully sped through the air. Sean had so many questions burning in his mind, but he couldn't bring himself to ask them at the moment. He was still so shaken up by the events. Why had Thanatos saved him? He was neutral. He thought he'd be the last person in the world to save him. It was strange how safe he felt in his arms. The longer he held him. The more he felt protected and didn't fear or worry about anything. Even when he saw a large demon chasing after them, he couldn't bring himself to worry about it. Thanatos simply glanced over his shoulder at the demon but didn't appear to care. That's when Sean saw her. The white mare was running on a cluster of clouds. It was following Thanatos, but at the sight of the demon, she changed course and bolted straight for it. As she got within range of it, she leapt over it and the demon let out a distressed scream as it aged rapidly to dust and puffed away. The horse dipped down to run under them and Thanatos changed his position to land on her. Folding his wings, he shifted Sean to sit in front of him, then kicked her into a bolt. As fast as Thanatos could fly... his horse was insanely fast as she bolted across the sky like a ghost that billowed clouds from her hooves.

Thanatos made Dark's driving seem slow and rough. The few demons they encountered in the sky let out startled screams or single phrases before puffing into dust. Nothing could get within even seven feet of him or his horse without dying. Putting his hands on the horse's neck, Sean bit his lip. She felt cold but her hair was so soft to the touch. He could even feel her strong muscles beneath her skin. She was unlike any horse he'd encountered. Thanatos kept his arm around his waist, keeping him from falling off as she dashed across the sky with enough grace to be a divine equine. Then without warning, she leapt into a vertical dive and Sean let out a scream as he watched the ground approach. Just before she reached the ground, she leapt again in order to straighten out and run across the familiar wheat field with euphoric ease. Butterflies swarmed Sean's stomach until all he could do was laugh them away. Gradually, she slowed down from her bolt to a proud little trot up to the Thanatos' cabin. Sean breathed a soft exhale as the light cold rain fell upon them. It was strange how it only started up as Thanatos got here, but he enjoyed it too much to question it. Sliding off his horse, Thanatos pushed his dark hood back and pushed up his human skull mask to show his beautiful features.

Reaching up to help him down, Thanatos told him calmly now. "Sorry about that. I didn't want to draw too much attention to myself. I kind of... stand out when I leave." Setting Sean down, he yanked his mask completely off and gestured for him to follow him inside the cabin. Sean cautiously obeyed, cradling his bleeding hand. Inside the cabin was warm with very little material things. Thanatos removed his stuff to mount them of a statue as he told him casually. "Do you have a favorite tea?" Sean shook his head. If he did, he couldn't think of it right now. Thanatos pushed his silver hair away from his face, setting to work to make tea without a word. Allowing Sean to take in the statue of stuff that he'd been wearing. Was it what he considered armor? Was that wear the grim reaper got his look from? People seeing him battle ready? Peeking around the statue, he grimaced when he didn't see the wings. Which prompted Thanatos to chuckle out. "They aren't apart of the assemble. They are mine. They are... part of me." Raising an eyebrow, Sean blurted out. "Really? I didn't think demon wings looked like that. They were so-" Thanatos cut him off to say a bit grimly without looking at him. "That's because they are not. I'm an angel."

Sean's jaw dropped. He was left speechless by that. He'd never pictured the grim reaper as an angel. Pouring tea into two cups, Thanatos held one out for him to take, telling him with a small smirk. "It's alright. I'm used to it. Go on and ask." Accepting the cup, Sean shifted on his feet and mumbled out. "But you live here with... and I always pictured angels... differently." Thanatos gestured for Sean to sit in a chair by the little stove. When he did, Thanatos set his own cup down on the floor and carefully took Sean's bleeding hand to look it over. Without meeting his eyes, Thanatos answered distantly. "It's complicated. So... let's just say that... I was stolen and... remade into what you see. I'm one of four fallen angels to be precise. Just another set of toys that Khaos keeps around for her amusement." Hissing as Thanatos touched the raw skin, Sean blurted out. "The four horsemen of the apocalypse? Khaos has them and she still wants Dark to..." Thanatos rolled his eyes, telling him honestly. "Khaos corrupted us. But she doesn't control us. If she used us... we wouldn't do things HER way. We'd fulfill our purpose. We reset EVERYTHING. We spare no one. That's not what she wants. So, she keeps us on display." Grinning to himself, he dapped a warm wet cloth to Sean's palm and added. "While she can imprison the others. She can't imprison me. No one can cheat me, and no one can kill me. Nothing controls me, but I am more powerful than she can possibly imagine."

Smirking, Sean teased back. "So powerful that you don't destroy her? Even though she is... crazy?" Thanatos set the wet cloth aside and began to bandage his hand as he told him warmly. "There is a difference between having power and knowing what to use it for. She serves a purpose just like you do. It is not for me to enforce my will on others. I simply make sure that when your time comes. You go without fear or pain. I take you where you need to go. So that you don't get lost." Finishing up his hand, Thanatos gently placed his hand on Sean's and smiled as he whispered into his ear. "I'm not the perfect looking angel. But you can count on me to be there when you need me." Getting to his feet, Thanatos lightly patted Sean's shoulder and took his own cup of tea to the other chair across from him. Taking a sip of his soothing tea, Sean asked curiously. "Why did you save me?" Leaning back in his chair, Thanatos stared into his cup as he replied openly. "Because... he was going to kill you before your time. And I can't have that. I have a system. I don't like it when people try to change it on me. I need things to happen a certain way. Because when they do... it helps others. They will hate me for taking someone they love... but from loss... special things happen. It brings people closer. It reveals things about yourself. Gives you a little nudge in the right direction. I live for that."

Blushing, Thanatos sipped his tea before mumbling out. "Sorry. I don't talk to many people in my line of work." Chuckling, Sean shrugged out. "I don't mind. I'm just... Thank you. For saving me." Thanatos finally looked up at him, his voice a bit wispy when he told him. "You're welcome. You'll be safe here until Dark gets back." Blinking, Sean asked with concern. "Where did he go?" Thanatos rolled his eyes, admitting gruffly. "He went off world to help Anti collect a temporary vessel. They plan to kill Khaos and if it plays out... Well... I shouldn't say." Thanatos took a casual swig, but Sean found himself meekly asking. "Thanatos...? When I die... Will..." Struggling to find the words, Sean gave up with a heavy sigh. After a brief moment of silence, Thanatos told him gently. "I won't tell you when or how. Because then you'll go out of your way to avoid it... but I will say... You'll be happy with what I have planned for you." Sean let himself smile but started to feel a bit morbid. Which Thanatos felt and brought the mood up by asking curiously. "So... now that you owe me for saving your life. I want something from you." Tensing, Sean shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He couldn't image what Death wanted from him other than his soul. He couldn't have kids with Dark to claim a first born... could he?

Hearing Thanatos laugh was like soft clinking glass. It erased all the fear and worry from him, before Thanatos asked lightly. "You know... I've never been invited to anything. And the only way you can repay me your debt... is to give me an invite to your wedding. I could use a drink to toast to your health. It's not often that I give out my blessing." Chuckling, Sean shrugged out. "Sure. I'd be honored to have you there. You'll be the life of the party." Thanatos laughed so hard that he nearly spit his tea. Sharing in a hearty laugh, they enjoyed some small talk to fill the silence. After finishing his soothing tea, Sean caught himself drifting off in the chair. Jerking awake for the third time, Sean rubbed his eyes and mumbled out sleepily. "I'm sorry... I'm just so..." Thanatos took his empty cup, then coaxed him up to his feet as he warmly told him. "Stress will do that. Come with me." Leaning against Thanatos, he hummed softly as his only response. Thanatos walked him over to a little window nook with fluffy pillows and eased him onto them. Snuggling up in the nook, Sean stared at the rain as it lightly pattered the large windows. He could see out them for miles. Watching the freshly grown wheat sway with the breeze outside.

Thanatos draped a blanket over him, whispering to him like an old friend as he rubbed his shoulder. "Get some rest, Sean. If you need me. I'll be right outside." Sean nodded, his eyes already closing. The sound of the gentle rain and the warm tea in his belly sent him right off without a fight. He partly wondered if Thanatos had done something to his tea... but if he did. He didn't mind too much. It was so peaceful here that he just wanted to get lost in it for a while. Snuggling deep into the warm blankets, he dreamed that he was sleeping on a rain cloud. Far above the world. Far from any danger. He never wanted to wake up from the dream. It was only when he started to hear the beautiful song of someone singing that he opened his eyes and peeked out from under the blanket. Outside the window in the vast wheat field, Thanatos was sitting on the ground with his back against his sleeping horse. His hand gently caressing the threads of swaying wheat as he sang a slow heartwarming song to them. The sight of it was cozy and wholesome. It was clear to him now that Thanatos was an angel. Not only were his features beautiful but his voice was divine. To his surprise, Thanatos didn't look lonely. He seemed... happy and content being here.

Easing up from the nook, Sean slipped out into the soft rain to approach him. The mare opened her eyes, her head perking up to watch him with calm interest. Thanatos smiled over his shoulder, asking curiously. "Did I wake you? I'm sorry." Shaking his head, he moved closer to the wheat and asked curiously. "What were you doing?" Still caressing the wheat, Thanatos told him with a bright smile. "These are the souls from all over the world. As they fade from the world, their souls grow into strong wheat stalks here. Unless some demon intercepts them. Then I have to go track them down and bring the good ones back here. While they grow, I like to sing to them. It comforts some of them before I harvest them and sent them on their way to the next life." Blushing, Sean asked lightly. "Seems less... personal to harvest them." Thanatos chuckled a little, correcting nicely. "It's more than that. Using my scythe to harvest them. A part of me can be with EVERY single one. I ask them their favorite part about living and take them to where they need to go. Then... I'm just me again. Only with billions of new memories and answers." Biting his lip, Sean asked. "What has been your favorite answer so far?" Smiling distantly, Thanatos told him in a serene voice. "Was from Allison, age six, from Pennsylvania. Her favorite thing was animal crackers. She asked me if the next place had any. I told her to ask when she got there."

Smiling to himself, Sean said softly to himself. "This job must be tough." Thanatos shook his head, telling him honestly. "No. I enjoy being the one they see. The one that comforts them." Getting up to his feet, Thanatos added over Sean's shoulder a little playfully. "I enjoy not being what they expected. Helps me remember that I am a good guy. Even if I have changed." Patting Sean's back, he told him excitedly. "Come with me. Let's try to get that ring off." To Be Continued...