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(32)Hell is a Forgotten Blue

Hey guys, so updating because it's my graduation tomorrow so wanted to share the happiness and excitement! Xx

Enjoy <3

'It was too early in the day to be covered in blood already...'

Hell is a Forgotten Blue

My boots echoed through the hollow metallic hallway of a dark hell.

Tartarus was pungent in its scent- the burnt smell of rusted iron, old copper and despair wriggling its way into your nose and up the bridge until you could feel it throb by your eyes. What a dreadful place...

I tried to resist the chilly air of desperation as I briskly walked past endless rows of steel traps filled with the lowest and vilest forms of earthy creations. No petty thieves or reckless killers landed here- only the cream of the crop; the best of the worst.

The truly evil.

Funny, I'd never gotten an invitation...

I reached the end of the dark pathway; it was high in structure, but I felt claustrophobic all the same. The bars of impenetrable steel were far too close for my liking...

A guard dressed in full Spartan armour stood at the end, his spear sharp and glistening in the torch light. He didn't look like the type to handle visitors; not that Tartarus received many 'guests'.

Usually, when you ended up here, it was for life.

"I'm here to see Cronus."

The guard didn't move, but I could see a vein in his forehead tremble at the mention of the name. The guard raised his chin even higher and held his shield closer to his chest; "You do not have permission to enter, my lord. Please, leave."

This was going to be irksome.

I resisted the natural roll of my eyes and fixed the older man with a steely glare; "Do you know who I am?" The guard's voice had been shaky- of course he knew who I was. He knew all too well.

"Of course, my lord Death, but no one is allowed to see the prisoner without permission from Zeus himself."

"I am busy with an extremely important investigation and this obstruction is wasting my precious time."

The guard was somewhat shorter than me and had to raise his chin to peer into my eyes; "I apologise, my lord, but there is nothing I can do for you without the necessary permission."

I bit my tongue. There was only so much patience a god could generate- especially one as feared as me. I pushed down my anger, feeling the hilt of my scythe vibrate with the need to be used.

"Tell me," I took a step closer to the guard and watched the blood drain from his face, "How sharp is your spear?"

"M-my lord?" The guard looked at the spear as if seeing it for the very first time. His fist clenched around the gold handle as if he was scared I might rip it from him and plunge it into his gut.

I might.

"Your spear, boy- how sharp is it? Sharp enough to cut through bone?" He might be older in his appearance, but these guards weren't gods. If he'd only known about all the wicked ways I've killed he wouldn't be testing my patience right now...

"Yes, my lord." The guard was scared; the sweat glistening on his hairline.

"Really now? From the looks of it, the blade appears... dull. Mine on the other hand," I tapped my fingers lazily against Mort, my scythe, and felt her vibrate with excitement. "Well, she's quite the persuader."

"My lord, I cannot-"

"Chose you next word wisely, boy, or would you like me to justify your murder to Zeus by telling him that you were impeding an official investigation of the gods?"

"N-no, my lord. I understand." I'd never seen a grown man change his mind so quickly before. The guard stepped aside and pulled a large lever. The steel gates rustled with rust and age; "Please, enter."

"Wise decision." I muttered.

I stepped through the threshold, the air colder, and watched as the guard closer the gates behind me- sealing me inside. The guard fearfully avoided my gaze and returned to his post, his spear-hand shaking as he exhaled in relief. I smirked.

All that armour he was covered in wouldn't be much of an issue for me, but there was no time for deviations today; I had a schedule to keep and answers to learn.

Besides, it was too early in the day to be covered in blood already-I barely ate breakfast. Well, that's not entirely true...

I did have Aurora for breakfast, and that was without a doubt more than a mouthful.

I tightened at the thought; her delicious taste still set on my tongue. Moving her legs apart with only my mouth certainly was a good way to start any day.

But enough thinking about that for now, I was here on a mission. I had to remain focused; these are tricky times, and Cronus had always been a tricky fellow.

The pathway to the largest holding cell was wide and dark. I looked up and caught a sight of the dark sky outside. Cronus, the number one enemy of the kingdom, was quite lucky- no other prisoners had such a secluded and vast cell. He was a titan after all, but after thousands of years being locked up, he was now the withered and decaying replica of the powerful and ruthless god he had been.

The path ended and the large spiked bridge creaked as my boot touched the hard, faded wood. It was stable and solid. Cronus' cell was located in the farthest corner of Tartarus and constructed under the head of a massive mountain. A cracked hole through the top of the mountain shone in some light and the fiery torches along the bridge guided me.

Even though it was morning in the underworld, Tartarus was set in perpetual night. These godforsaken beings have not seen the sun in centuries. I sometimes envied them. A crow cackled in the distance and the sound travelled a great distance until it bounced off of the high cavern and out the top hole.

"A visitor?" The voice was still a distance away, but it was frail, almost... desperate.

I pulled my hood down tighter over my face and kept my pace. This was going to be very interesting- the last time I'd seen Cronus, I was barely old enough to join the great Titan war. That day I'd made my first kill; come to think of it, that day I killed quite a few beings. I certainly earned my title with that war. Even Ares, the god of bloodlust, had difficulty matching my killings...

But that had been his own fault- he was barbaric, whereas I was efficient. It seems some things never change.

I remember Hypnos being so... disturbed by his first kill. I, however, felt awoken.

Ready.

The impenetrable glass cage neared, spikes were placed all around it and large steel bars were bolted down against the glass to keep whatever was locked inside- inside.

There was no possible way even I could escape this cage. Some gods really didn't want Cronus to have the chance at revenge...

"Cronus." My voice was controlled and commanding.

A watched as a dark shadow twitched. The figure moved its hands up to help itself up from the uncomfortable-looking bed. A crow shouted in the distance; high above us.

"My, my..." The figure moved at a snail's pace; I waited with impatience. My gloved hand twitched.

Suddenly, Cronus' old and wrinkled face stepped out from the shadows. He looked just like a man who'd been imprisoned and left alone to shrivel up for thousands of years- crap.

"The god of death, Thanatos..." His voice was raspy. I imagine no water or any form of liquid has reached his lips in the past century- maybe even more. "The last time I saw you, you were barely above my hip..."

Granted the man was a giant. I kept my voice cold; "It's been a long time."

Cronus shook his head, his yellow teeth looked so brittle and his fingers were thin and bony. This was nowhere near the great god of time that I'd once knew- looked up to even. Cronus was handsome and muscled, but this creature- well, he looked more like something I'd stomp on if I'd found it in my palace.

"What did I do to deserve such an esteemed visit?"

"I have some questions I want answered."

"Still so commanding... Just like your mother." Something inside me tweaked.

Mother. What a dreadful topic.

I opened my mouth to change the subject back to the matter at hand, but Cronus suddenly sniffed at the air. I raised a brow, but he couldn't see it as my hood concealed the top half of my face.

"You smell of... woman," My joints locked and I felt my jaw clench. Cronus didn't seem to notice the sudden tension in my shoulders and in my face. He took one long whiff and groaned; "Was she good?"

I wanted to rip out my hands and wrap it around his scrawny neck. It would probably only take one measly flick of my two forefingers to snap his neck in half. I tried to focus.

"Have you had any visitors, other than me, in the last few years?"

"Tell me, does wine still taste the same? Water? I never liked it- it was so bland, but now I crave it."

I pressed down the urge to hiss at him. "Cronus, answer the question."

"Cold." He tapped his fingers against the glass and a cunning smile moved up to his lips- I knew it well. Now he looked slightly more familiar.

"So cold. You were always so cold. Not like your brother, what was it? Hibbos? Ah!" He chuckled and it sounded like nails scrapping against gravel; "Hypnos, yes... He was cold because he was weak- he could barely lift a sword."

My eye twitched.

Don't let him get to you...

"Cronus, I-"

"But you! You! So cold!" He was rambling now, like a madman; his dark grey eyes shining, "Like a monster. I knew it the moment I saw you stick your dagger into that titan's throat- you enjoyed it. You remember that don't you? Your first kill, wasn't it?"

I felt my mind race with potent memories. Like a shot of hard liquor they all rushed back- the titan's lifeless yellow eyes, the silver hilt of the old dagger, my mother's proud grin and Cronus' delight.

He'd cornered me at the edge of the battle field- I know your mother wants you to help Hades, but I think you'd be much better off serving me. Join my side. You could have it all...

Your father and I always saw eye-to-eye, and you want to make him proud, don't you boy?

I refused. Hypnos had been standing but a few feet away, and I couldn't bear to look into his disappointed eyes if I'd said yes.

I'm glad I didn't follow Cronus. It was tempting, but it wasn't worth it all, and I was young at the time- my body full of adrenaline- rational thinking was swept aside.

So instead of answering him, I'd swung my blade at his throat. Of course, he was much more experienced and more powerful at the time, and he sent me flying into hard rock pillars.

But now, things were different. This god was no god anymore- he looked mortal, and sickly.

"I'm not here to talk about the good old days. Answer the question."

Cronus' grin widened and it sent a stream of shudders down my spine. There were only two men who could strike fear into my very being; Cronus, and my father.

"No. No visitors; you're the first for about... a millennium? I'm not sure- I can't keep track of the time all that well anymore. My powers are nearly faded."

I nodded curtly; "Where is your sickle? The one forged by Gaia."

Cronus laughed and the crows laughed along with him. "I couldn't care less! I'd lost it during my clash with Zeus; who knows where it might be?"

The last clash- that was on Mt. Etna. I should have a look there. That weapon must be somewhere...

After thousands of years I had the feeling it wouldn't be too easy to find.

I couldn't tell if he was lying. He was always far better at it than most. Cronus smiled down at me, the glass cage high up and out of reach; "Now tell me- why are you here to ask me such trivial questions?"

I didn't bother to respond; "Antío." I greeted the old god and turned to leave, but his desperate voice stopped me; "Wait, boy! Tell me; what does Earth look like now? Do mortals still fear us? Could you not bring me some food, some wine?"

I clenched my jaw.

Aurora would never leave here knowing she didn't help an old, frail man, but I knew better. Cronus was desperate for some form of social interaction, but I also know that he'd do anything to get out of this endless hell-hole.

I continued to leave.

"Fine then, but tell me, from one god to the other- what has happened out there that has Zeus' lackeys asking me questions? Or do you want the sickle for yourself, Thanatos? Was that your plan? To overthrow Zeus?"

I bit back a growl. "I am not his lackey."

"I seem to have struck a nerve..." Cronus palms were placed eagerly on the glass as he watched me with his snake-like eyes. "You should never have turned me down."

"And rot here with you?" I scoffed; "You made your bed, Cronus."

"I could still give it to you, you know?"

I paused.

Cronus voice was hushed; "I could still help you overthrow him..."

"And how would you manage that from here, and withered as you are?"

Cronus smiled, his eyes glistening; "Oh, I can't. Just interested to see your response. You seem genuinely unfazed."

I rolled my eyes and continued down the path towards the bridge. Cronus tried again to test me, to gauge some sort of reaction from me, but this time, it worked; "The woman, did you force yourself on her? What was she like?"

I tried to regulate my breathing. There was no point in getting upset.

We were gods; rape and sexual deviance was a common thing- especially in ancient times. Cronus had been so long deprived of anther human or god's touch. The mere smell of a female probably drove him mad. I know the simple scent of Aurora made my mouth water.

"What colour was her hair? Was she supple?"

My feet moved faster. Soon my boots clamped against the hard bridge; my black cloak flaring out behind me and my hood fixed over my head.

Cronus' voice followed me until the end; "Thanatos! Come back! Tell me!"

I nearly ran over the guard as he stood next to the open gate. "Has there been anyone else to see Cronus in the last hundred years?"

The guard shook his head; "No, my lord. Is everything alright, my lord?"

I gripped him by the neck and picked him up off the floor- every last bit of my patience gone.

"Tell anyone I was here and I promise you I will find new and even more painful ways to disembowel a body, do you understand me?"

He had no words; only nodding his head hastily like a chicken's.

I opened my fist and he dropped onto the ground with a thud, the spear clanging onto the ground. I ripped open the sky with my bare hands- the feeling releasing some frustration.

Mt. Etna would be cold this time of the day. I just hoped that Aurora was having better luck than me.

I spared one last glance in the direction of Cronus' high perched cell. The short interaction took more out of me than I'd thought it would. I never could shake the fascination and respect I felt for him, but for once, another feeling passed through me while we spoke.

The same feeling I'd grown accustomed to whenever Erebus' eyes locked onto mine.

My father's cold, blank stare was unsettling.

Antío- Goodbye (Greek)

Did you notice the title reference from book 1? Chapter 16 is called 'Hell is a Cherry red' ;3
We're making some progress...

Erebus- The Greek personification of darkness

*Anthony Hopkins- Cronus

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