'Grief hung like a putrid stench in the air...'

A Tanzanite Throne for my legacy

"Wait," I stopped Thanatos before we could enter the great throne room and hall.

We were back on Mount Olympus; the corridors seemed much less vibrant than the night of the party. The gold glittered and the glass chandeliers and torches were bright with flames, but all in all the palace looked lifeless.

Thanatos stopped quickly and I tugged him to a quieter spot. I'd already told him most of what Pan had told me, but I'd left out one very important piece of information. I needed him to process all before I'd ask him who Pan's father was- and I needed him to calm down even more.

Once there was a face to the name, there would be no holding back the god of Death.

"What's the matter?"

I scanned the foyer for unwanted ears; "There's one more thing Pan told me, but you need to promise me you won't go berserk."

Thanatos' stare was emotionless and that's how I knew he was trying hard not to let his anger show; "Aurora, tell me."

I gave him a pointed look, but decided to go ahead and ask; "Who is Pan's father?"

Thanatos' eyes narrowed; "Why?"

"Because his father is one of the three traitors."

Thanatos eyes grew wide and I watched as the fire grew. He looked livid as he hissed; "I knew it!"

"Keep your voice down!" I whispered and tugged him closer; "Who is it?"

"That bastard, Hermes."

A shaky breath escaped my parted lips; partly in relieve at finally having a name and being closer to ending this, but also partly in having it not be someone I truly respected or knew too well.

"What do we do now? We can't give away the fact that we know he's involved."

"When I get my hands on him-"

"No!" I stopped his threat midway; "Thanatos, we need to keep ourselves in check here. This is like chess. One wrong move-"

"And they take my queen."

I blushed, his blazing eyes too potent for me; "They won't hurt me until I find what they're looking for."

"Sybaris seemed not to care. We need Hermes to talk- to give us the other two."

I nodded and scanned around us again just to make sure we weren't overheard; "What do you have in mind?"

"I'll send my best reaper out to discreetly keep an eye on him, and when the time is right, and Zeus' death has subsided a bit, we strike."

I nodded; "Capture him?"

"Yes. I'll use any means necessary to get those names from him."

I knew he meant torture. I didn't want to imagine all the things Thanatos could do to a man's body that would cause inconceivable pain.

"If we do this," I said with a hushed voice; "We need to pretend we don't know anything, to anyone- including Hypnos and Alexus."

Thanatos nodded; "Alright, ready?"

I nodded and grabbed his hand in mine; "No, but that doesn't matter anymore."

The great hall was filled with all the primary gods, but the rest of the secondary gods, demi-gods and creatures were kept outside, until Hera would allow them to enter.

The queen of the gods stood at the throne; her head in her hands and her shoulders shaking. Artemis and Apollo stood next to her, trying to comfort her as they rubbed her back. Athena stood to the side, her eyes cast down and her usual upright posture slumped.

Grief hung like a putrid stench in the air.

Thanatos and I hastily walked over to where Hera stood. She wiped her tears away and looked up into my eyes with sudden surprise. I felt strange all of a sudden; I was a stranger in their midst.

"Oh, of course..." Her voice was numb, but she didn't look to surprised by Death showing up to her doorstep; "Thanatos, he's on the balcony. They are waiting for you."

Thanatos nodded and gritted his teeth as his eyes caught Hermes making his way up the stairs to give Hera a cup of wine. I pressed his hand and he quickly walked towards the balcony, forcefully pushing down his natural instinct to pounce. Poseidon, Hades and Ares lifted their heads as he stepped out and closed the doors behind him.

No one wanted to hear them investigate the corpse.

Athena spoke up; "Thank you for coming, Aurora."

I nodded my head and turned to Hera, the old woman could barely hold the wine glass and she had no energy to lift it to her lips; "I am deeply sorry for your loss, my queen."

She shook her head and waved her hand to everyone; "I want to be alone," She turned her head to her sister, Demeter; "Take me to the gardens."

Demeter nodded and swung her arm over her sister. They walked slowly towards the large doors on the other end while we watched on with misery. The queen looked withered and much older than the last time I'd seen her.

I looked around the room for any sign of Persephone, but she was missing.

Suddenly, a hand clasped my shoulder; "Oh, dear, you look shaken! How are you feeling? Do you need a cup of wine too? You're so pale!"

I tried to ignore the urge to shove Hermes' hand from my shoulder and instead smiled tightly; "I'm alright, thank you."

"Just shout if you need anything, dearie! This is all so awful! I can't even believe it."

"Hmm..." I tried to keep the sarcasm from my voice; "Tragic."

"Aurora," I looked up to find Athena. Her face was pale and her eyes red; "Does Thanatos know who is behind all of this?"

I gulped, she looked unhinged; "I'm not sure, but you should maybe speak to him about it in private."

She nodded curtly- like a soldier. I watched as she stepped aside and walked towards the balcony. She joined the men. I had the feeling she was always more at home among the males of her kind.

Hermes was now busy trying to comfort Artemis, and Hephaestus and Dionysus were drinking with miserable faces by the opposite balcony, far from the throne and the corpse.

I looked around, wondering where Persephone and Amphitrite were. Persephone was probably taking this quite hard- Zeus was her father, and she loved him dearly. I couldn't image what she was going through. This was unheard of- the king of the gods was dead. Zeus, the legend, the myth was gone.

I noticed Aphrodite standing near the window. She looked nervous as she rubbed her arm, her eyes blankly staring into space. I contemplated going to her, to comfort her in some way, but the a familiar voice halted my step forward.

"How are you?" I turned my head to the concerned voice. Apollo watched me with his bright blue-green eyes; "I should be asking you that question."

Apollo smiled sadly; "I'm holding up..."

"You're not out there, helping with the investigation?"

Apollo lifted his eyes to the balcony; "The only two people there who actually care about the murder are Thanatos and Poseidon- the rest all care about who's going to get the throne. I don't think another set of suspicious eyes would help much..."

"Hades just lost a brother, and Athena and Ares loved their father- just like you."

Apollo scoffed; "I didn't love my father. And neither does Ares. Athena, though, she loved him to a fault."

"You saying this doesn't help your case much, you know."

"I know." Apollo pursed his lips; "But what's the point in pretending to like him now that he's dead? Everyone knew Zeus had countless enemies. Most of his children detested him. Even his own queen hated him."

I folded my arms; "She hated his ways- that's different."

"Be rational, Aurora; Zeus was bound to die. The odds were always against him. Kings don't last very long here."

I gritted my teeth- the casualness of death and the ease with how these people dealt with family was horrific. Revenge was always number one; and then lastly came forgiveness and compassion.

"Where I come from, we respect the dead."

Apollo smiled at me, but it was mocking; "The dead don't care."

"We care- that's the difference."

Apollo and I glared at each other for a while, and then his eyes landed on the pendant around my neck. He reached out to touch it and I shivered, but not in the way he thought.

"You should know that when I take the throne, I'd give you the first option of being my queen."

"How generous." I scoffed. How dare he be so forward? His father's corpse isn't even cold yet!

Apollo sighed and let the pendant drop; "What on earth do you see in a man that hides in the shadows? You deserve a man who can show you the light."

I smiled, but it was full of loathing; "Apollo, the sun doesn't shine out of your ass, don't pretend like it does."

I walked away, leaving him open-mouthed and angry. He didn't make a scene, but instead shrunk away as Thanatos opened the glass panel. And he had the nerve to call himself a 'man'.

I walked over to a real man as Apollo strolled towards his twin sister; he swung his arm over her shoulders and whispered something in her ear, making her blush. Thanatos noticed my annoyance.

He looked too composed for a man who'd just had to examine a corpse of someone who treated him like a nephew and who he'd known since he was born. He was having a horrible day; I felt guilt override my senses for having been the cause of a heavy degree of it.

"How is it? Are you okay?"

He nodded; "His heart is ripped out, just like Dardanus'."

I peered over his shoulder, but Thanatos' gloved hand stopped me; "Don't. I don't want you to see that."

I nodded. Frankly, I didn't think it was wise for Thanatos to see it either, but who was I to keep the god of death away from, well... death. I just hoped that this moment wouldn't stay with him, imprinted on his brain forever, leaving his dear memories of Zeus scarred and tainted. A man who treated him like a son.

Poseidon walked out, his usual bright blue eyes filled with grey specks and an icy glare; "Thanatos, will you stay for the decision."

Thanatos solemnly placed a hand onto his friend's shoulder; "Of course, I wouldn't dare leave you alone." And then of course seeing someone so close to him, like a brother, so deeply wounded. It hurt.

Poseidon smiled sadly. His eyes suddenly found mine, and he was lightly shocked by my presence; "Oh, Aurora... My apologies, I didn't see you."

"How are you holding up?" I asked as I leaned in to give him a heartfelt hug.

"So strange..." He mumbled; "You're practically a stranger still and yet when you ask, it feels genuine."

I pained for him- his eldest brother had just been murdered, and yet I couldn't help but wonder if he really was sad or if he was just a very good actor.

Everyone was a suspect now.

But I could see from Thanatos expression that he would never suspect his best friend. I had to stay objective.

"Gods, goddesses..." Hades' booming voice echoed off the vast hall, all the way up to the high ceiling. "Please, gather."

I felt Thanatos' hand clasp around mine as he pulled me closer and to the side. We were out of the centre and more hidden as we watched. Apollo stood at the centre, right by the throne.

He certainly was trying to fly close to the sun, but I'd noticed I much more preferred the shadows.

"Our king has been murdered."

A low, angry rumble grew over the gods and Thanatos and I watched as Hermes joined in- pretending to be angry and saddened by the horrid news.

Thanatos snarled lowly; "I want to choke him."

I stroked his hand to calm him; "Soon..."

Hades continued; "To ensure our kingdom does not falter under this great threat, and until we can find whoever is responsible for this atrocity, I vote we elect a new king as soon as possible."

Another uncertain grumble echoed off the walls.

"Yes, let's get this over with." Hephaestus said as he raised his ale with sad eyes.

Aphrodite rolled her eyes at her husband and stormed off to where Hera and Demeter had left through. Ares didn't seem to concerned that she was angry- he watched Hades like a hawk.

"I agree." Ares said with his gravelly voice.

Apollo nodded, but Athena next to him didn't seem too keen to have the memory of her father wiped away so quickly.

Hades nodded sorely; "Then it's settled. I shall take the throne as my brother's successor-"

"I am the only legitimate son of Zeus and Hera, I will take the throne!" Ares shout was aggressive.

Apollo walked up the steps and scoffed; "I think we all know I am the better option."

"My father wanted me as his successor!" Athena said from the centre of the room, her dark eyes livid by their disrespect.

"A woman? Don't be ridiculous!" Ares mocked her and took a step towards her. Athena drew her spear, but before anything harsh could happen, Poseidon stepped in between and shot them both a deadly glare. "Shut up, both of you. My brother just died."

Hades sighed, and it sounded sincerely tired; "As the second eldest brother of the household, it is tradition for me to take the throne. Let us all respect tradition."

"The old days are dead!" Ares said with a dark glower.

Apollo chimed in; "Agreed, new blood is needed."

"A woman should handle this." Athena stepped closer, but then the whole room slammed silent as Hades smacked his staff against the throne.

"QUIET."

Thanatos and I watched every reaction, looking for any form of clue.

Hades rubbed his temple; "This is the law of our kingdom- we respect the law."

"And who will take over your domain while you sit here, on Mount Olympus?" Hermes asked with a raised brow.

He didn't seem to keen on Hades being king.

Clue. Could be a trick too...

"I will still reside in my palace in the underworld, but I will come up regularly until this crime is solved and we will formally appoint an heir."

Ares and Apollo muttered under their breath, but Athena nodded.

Hades eyed the gods agreeing faces; "And just to make certain that I do not bear too many titles, I shall assign a ruler for the Underworld, in my stead, who shall carry on my duties until I can return to them."

We all nodded and I scanned the crowd. Thanatos was watching Hermes with silent hatred.

"Thanatos."

Thanatos lifted his head to Hades with confused eyes; "Yes, my lord?"

Hades held out his staff; "You will be my successor; the king of the Underworld."

I found Persephone crying in the back rooms; Amphitrite was sitting next to her, softly soothing her. The large chamber was dressed in gold and polished glass, but it lacked luster, the atmosphere all but dreadfully morbid.

"Persephone?" I whispered as I got closer.

The young queen of the ocean looked up to me with her sad eyes; "Aurora, I'm glad you're here- she's in so much pain."

"I can speak for myself!" Persephone shouted and a sob racked through her chest. She looked different, her sweet little mask of innocence was gone.

I came to sit opposite her and she lunged forward to hug me. I folded my arms around her and rocked her body from side to side. My eyes found Amphitrite and she merely shook her head with a sad frown on her pretty mouth.

Poseidon, Hades and Thanatos walked in, deep in conversation.

Hades' eyes immediately shifted to his crying bride and I stood up to give him some space to hold her. She cried into his shoulder as we watched. Hades dismissed us, but before we could leave, he grabbed Thanatos' sleeve; "I trust you; catch this madman."

Thanatos nodded and held the staff of Hades tighter until his knuckles turned white. He didn't need any more reason really. "You have my word."

Outside the room, Poseidon was tugging at his hair; "This has gone too far."

"Go home, rest. Today has been a long day for all of us." Thanatos said as he gave Amphitrite a strong hug and she nodded. Poseidon let his wife lead him to down the stairs, so they could head home. We watched them leave quietly, the air of the palace layered with tension.

Thanatos' hand found mine. I looked up at him with a small smile as I tried to lighten the mood; "So... King of the Underworld? Wow."

He smirked while shaking his head; "What about you?"

I furrowed my brows; "What about me?"

He laughed and ripped open a portal with the long, black staff- it glowed with a bright red hue as the deep, black hole open up and silver flames licked at the air.

"If I'm the king of the Underworld that means that you, Aurora Venerelli, are the queen of the Underworld..."

My breathing stopped.

Wait- what...?

I have to say my favourite part of this chapter is where Thanatos says; "I want to choke him." - referring to Hermes and Aurora replies with; "Soon."

I think that really shows how they've grown together; she would never have let his monstrous side surface like that, but she's a lot harder and darker than she was when this story started.