'It was... I had- I had killed- killed Aurora...'

Albus

"Aurora," Apollo positioned himself in front of the young girl's view, breaking off her vision from the polished dagger on the altar. "Shall we start?"

I'd tried to get her to stop looking at it a while ago, but she couldn't seem to keep her eyes off the weapon. Or should I rather say- the 'ceremonial tool'. Either way, it was terrifying to look at; long, sharp and wiped clean, ready for use.

I made no attempt to show her that I was nervous, even when it felt like my own heart was about to jump through my chest and into her hands.

The circle of mages Apollo had asked for gathered around the room in a crescent shape. They were the devoted followers of an infamous Greek witch, Circe, who lived a very long time ago. Apollo knew them well, having had them perform many tasks for him over the years. Every king had to have his allies, and these witches, no matter how old and vile, were some of the best.

I knew they'd be able to perform the ceremony without fault, but what did worry me were my own shaky hands.

I was the one who had to plunge a dagger through the love of my life's heart, then suck up her soul and the worst of all, wait for her to reawaken. My hand shook and I tried to still it by forming a fist around my belt.

Apollo tried again to get her attention; "Aurora-"

"I can hear you." She sighed and breathed in shakily. Her hand tightened around mine. "Let's get this over with."

I swallowed hard. Apollo caught my eye, his filling with the question of permission. I nodded.

Apollo and I had asked everyone to leave- only Aurora, Apollo and I, in the company of the seven mages, were in the large chamber on the most upper level of the palace. The sun was setting already, indicating for us to get a move on.

Time was wasting away.

So was Aurora. She looked even paler today than she had yesterday, or the day before. Her strength was fading as the magic ate at her, sucking up all her energy. Her mortal body wouldn't sustain the strain much longer. Blood would not hold her together anymore- she needed Ichor running through her veins.

I led Aurora towards the altar; "The cleansing ritual will start now." I beckoned the mages closer with my one hand, Aurora still clutching onto the other. She might look like she was ready and composed, but I could feel the sweat in her palm slide down mine.

Apollo stood back and allowed me to do the talking. I spoke in Latin to them, keeping my face stern; "You may begin. Be careful; no mistakes. She's extremely valuable. You know exactly how valuable."

I didn't really have to tell them how important Aurora was. After Hecate was murdered, the mage's community was up in arms and angry. Now that they would soon have a replacement to guide and protect them, they were all too eager to get involved and secure the ascension. These mages knew what was at stake.

I believe the fact that my heart too, was at stake, was fairly obvious.

I kissed her temple, my image as the god of Death slipping. My cloak tried to grip onto her, but I tugged it back. Now was not the time at all.

Aurora reluctantly let go of my hand and directed her body towards the half-circle of mages. Their hands lifted and they stepped towards her, their eyes closed and from their mouths a soft chanting hummed into the air.

This was the easy part and yet letting go of her was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

Apollo and I stood next to each other as Aurora breathed slowly in and out, trying to calm herself. We watched in silent uneasiness. I felt much better with him next to me, to be honest. Just having someone there. I'd deny it till the day I die, but Apollo's presence gave me some strength to keep a cool head.

The door suddenly opened.

I breathed out a sigh of relief as Hypnos quickly hurried his way over to us on the side. His eyes were locked onto Aurora's figure- she had hers closed now while she concentrated with the mages.

I grabbed his wrist as he came to stand on the other side of me; "Where were you?"

The wave of strength his mere company gave me was unfathomable. Hypnos grabbed my hand; "I'm sorry, but it took some time to get Trita and Sonya to calm down and stay outside. They're almost hysterical with worry." He examined my face as I watched each of the mages touch Aurora's shoulders; "You don't look to good yourself."

I didn't reply. I merely watched her face.

Hypnos and Apollo shared a look. My twin tried again to get my attention; "Thanatos..." His voice was soft, like he was speaking to the young me; "If you want me to do it, I will."

My head swivelled to his. I felt his hot breath on my face as I spoke in a hushed tone; "No. No, I need to do this."

Hypnos orange eyes filled my view; "Will you be alright?"

"I don't know..." I felt him squeeze my hand; "But so long as she is, that's what's important."

"She will be." Apollo said from the other side, breaking our intimate conversation. "Sorry." He shot us a look and cleared his throat; "I get the whole twin-thing..."

"Apollo..." Hypnos was about to snap at him, but I quickly tugged at his hand; "It's okay."

Hypnos furrowed his brows. It was very strange for me to stand up for Apollo, never mind let him interrupt us. I suppose perhaps it was time for us to bury the hatchet.

My eyes landed on Aurora and my heart ached. The glint of the knife caught my eye.

"How long still?" I asked no one in particular; speaking more to the wind than then to men next to me.

Apollo answered with confidence; "A few more minutes. About ten."

"Well make it through this." Hypnos unhooked his hand from mine and balled a fistful of my cloak in his hand at my back. "We always do."

There might've been far worse things we've had to endure while growing up, but this, watching her and waiting for the inevitable- I couldn't stand it. I felt like tearing my hair out.

To make matters worse, the monster inside me was excitedly scratching at my surface, ready to come out and play. I felt sick to my core. There was a part of me that always wondered what it would be like to- I couldn't even think it.

I couldn't even attempt to say it out loud.

It was fairly evident that I'd always wanted to taste her soul- her delicious white soul. Gods, yes... The moment I met her, that was a fantasy of mine, but...

My other fantasy...

That was-

"You're hurting me." Hypnos whispered as he tried to pry my hand from his shoulder. I was holding myself back. I hadn't even realised.

"Sorry..." I huffed and swallowed hard. Hypnos shot me a worried look.

He attempted to lighten the mood; "So, I'm a little shocked you still haven't interrogated your baby brother about Trita?"

I smiled softly, but it didn't reach my eyes that were locked on Aurora's face with concentration. I knew he would never, in a million years, call himself the 'baby bother', so this must've been a damn serious situation.

However, I didn't take the bait.

Apollo lifted a brow; "Huh... Come to think of it, I never knew which one of you was the eldest?"

"Neither do we." Hypnos shrugged; "Nyx never told us. She says she can't remember."

"Still as wicked and crazy as ever..." Apollo chuckled, but unlike other sons, we didn't defend her honour. Instead, Hypnos joined in. I wasn't even really listening.

The mages backed away all at once and the chanting immediately cut off.

I sucked in a quick breath.

Aurora opened her eyes and they filled with calmness. I stepped forward and in Latin asked; "Is it done?"

The mages nodded and indicated for us to commence the process of destruction, so renewal could start. I quickly turned my head to the two men behind me. Apollo nodded with a sombre expression and gestured for the mages to kneel onto the floor and direct their heads down.

Hypnos was looking at me like I was the same, young boy who only ever wanted to please everyone.

Do this chore for mother, make sure you know how to do this spell before father shows up- if ever- go tuck Eris into bed, make sure Hypnos has a sparring partner...

Do this, do that, go help Zeus, help Hades, learn how to be cold. Hide those emotions; they don't do you any good, boy. Learn how to be like your father- oh! You're so much like your father! Men don't cry, gods don't have time to waste on mortals.

They're weak. Not like us.

You're so handsome, have whoever you want- oh, but mama has a favour to ask you. Will her favourite boy entertain the guests for tonight? Yes, and mama's friend too. You know who... The one who's been asking after you.

Yes, her.

You know what to do.

I taught you well.

Take Hypnos with you.

She might like you both.

"It's okay." I nodded my head to my brother, his eyes filling with a familiar look that I could only ever describe as pain. "Turn around."

I didn't want anyone to see this.

This would be as intimate and quick as I could manage it. Aurora deserved as much.

Hypnos and Apollo did as I asked. They faced the wall, Hypnos slightly out of breath.

I moved over to Aurora, my eyes and my mind now solely locked onto hers. The world faded away, leaving only her. No one else existed. It was just me and her.

I waved my hand, putting up a spell around us, shielding her eyes from the others. They were still there, and they could see us if they were looking, but Aurora and I couldn't see them anymore.

As I stepped up the last few steps, I smiled softly, trying to reassure her. "How are you feeling?"

She nodded and tried to smile, but it faltered; "Good, good... um... A bit numb."

"It's the cleansing ritual; it makes you calm and readies your transition."

Aurora nodded, a long shaky breath coming from her mouth. I lifted my hand to her face, tracing my thumb over her cheek. The chamber quieted down.

We stared at each other, not really ready to end it- or start it.

I decided then that it was time- if I wasn't going to make the first move, we'd be here all day, just staring at each other and hoping there was another way. There wasn't.

I dropped my hand from her face and placed it onto her back. I pressed her forward towards the altar, my eyes fixed on the long dagger. Aurora gulped as the silver glinted off the dying sunlight.

"Any hesitations?" I was obligated to ask her this, but being the strong ice-queen I knew she was, she just shook her head and lifted her eyes up to stare at the sun setting over the earth. The tower gave you the best view of the world.

I nodded and my hand left her back. I stepped around her and with grace, lifted the dagger up by the hilt. It gleamed.

Aurora avoided my eyes. Her jaw locked.

I don't think she would ever look more beautiful than she had in that exact moment- her face staring confidently ahead with her chin up, her eyes determined and the orange and pink light of dusk falling over her like a halo.

A queen.

A goddess.

I pulled my hood up over my head, shielding my eyes.

The day had arrived. It felt so long ago, that cold day in Hades' palace, when he'd informed me of Hecate's murder and Zeus and his plan to immortalize a young mortal girl. I was livid- the thought of Aurora moving up into our world, but now... My breathing was low and shallow.

I took the dagger in both my black, gloved hands and locked my jaw, crushing my nerves into a pulp. Right now, I am not Thanatos.

I am the Greek god of death.

I stepped forward and lifted her chin with the tip of my middle finger. Aurora's blue eyes found mine. If I was going to kill her, and live out one of my darkest, deepest fantasies- one I could barely even admit to myself- I was going to do it right.

I wanted to see her become mine.

Completely.

Aurora opened her mouth to speak, but...

The dagger went through her heart.

The room fell to pieces.

Time passed.

At least, I think it did.

It was only natural that it should've.

Time went so slow, I wasn't even sure if it had frozen, but our expressions certainly had.

Aurora's face was pulled up in shock, and then some pain seeped through, until the monster inside of me nearly came undone while I watched the last bit of life drain from her blue, blue eyes, taking me with them.

The hilt felt heavy and slick, until I realized why.

I was panting, my calm demeanour shattered into the ground.

Done.

It was... I had- I had killed- killed Aurora.

I looked down, the dagger still in her chest. I ripped it out, my hands and the floor dripping with red blood. Her scent filled the room mixed with iron and- and... I killed her.

"Oh, God..." I spoke, but my mouth didn't move. I killed her!

The blood- it was everywhere. Everywhere!

My hands were sticky with it. The smell of it too familiar, building up bile at the back of my throat. My own body was shaking.

Her soul! Quickly, her soul!

I stabbed the dagger into the concrete altar, denting the sharp edge. I brought her into my arms, her limp corpse causing my body to shake. I was panicking. I calmed myself down quickly, knowing that if I didn't steady myself, neither of us were going to make it out alive today.

I pressed my palm onto her bleeding heart and my other bloody gloved hand opened her chin. I concentrated on her soul, the one I could always feel, right there, in her body. My body hummed as a growing white light floated up and into her mouth from her throat. I leaned in and with a hard smack, I clasped my mouth onto hers.

I kissed her.

I kissed her desperately, forgetting for a moment about the soul travelling into my mouth, just wanting to show her how sorry I was for taking so much of her- for taking her life. For everything. I tried so hard to ignore the red river pooling around her lower back; the blood dripping down and creating a crimson mirror on the floor. 

I kissed her until I noticed the unfamiliar coldness- she wasn't fanning hot breath into my mouth. Lifeless! Like a doll. Then, the unbelievable, incredible and completely unsurpassed taste of her soul shot through me.

I moaned loudly, not caring that they could all hear me.

Never, in my four thousand years, have I ever tasted anything so close to heaven. I opened my mouth to savour the taste, and I knew immediately, that that wasn't a flavour I would never be able to forget or match.

I was in utter ecstasy.

Then the shock hit me like wrecking ball.

I screamed; "NOW! Bring her back! NOW!" I yelled at the mages, my shroud dropping like a curtain. I clutched Aurora to me like a stuffed bear, her limp body tucked into mine; "NOW! Fuck! Do it!"

Hypnos was next to me before I had the chance to go insane with anger; "Calm down, they're bringing her back. Just wait-"

"NO!" I screamed, a tear forming in my eye. I didn't even know I could cry? "Now! She needs to be back already- oh! Oh! Did I take too long? I took too long!"

Hypnos tried to pry my hands from Aurora as I shook her. "Thanatos! Relax, you only took a minute- it was quick! She's fine, she's coming back!" I shook her, hoping that by some miracle that would wake her up. 

She does sleep like the dead, after all? So perhaps if I just shook hard enough? If... If  I could just get her to open her eyes... Her eyes...

"A minute?" I panted, my heart hammering. It felt so long? Time felt like it had stood still. "A minute?" I asked again, my eyes wide and full of fear.

Hypnos wrapped his arms around me and tugged me into his chest; "Shhh... Calm down, calm down... Compose yourself."

"Don't tell me to compose myself!" I snapped in his face.

Hypnos nodded with conviction; "Good! Get angry!"

"I am fucking angry!" I shook his hands off and tugged her closer, feeling her cold lips against my neck. I stroked her head like a doll, my anger fading and replaced with deep, soul-shattering grief. A cry erupted from my mouth; "Oh, gods, they can't bring her back! I killed her! I killer her!" Something similar to a sob racked through my chest; "I killed her!"

Hypnos pulled my face to his, my chin in his tight grip. I tried to pull away, but he kept his steely eyes on mine. He looked so sad at the broken sight of me, but he hid it well."HEY! Stop it! Get angry!"

Angry Thanatos was always better than sad Thanatos- always.

When I was angry, I lashed out and broke things. I swore and stormed off until my temper cooled down, but sad me...

I felt every emotion far too much. When I was heartbroken or filled with grief- I collapsed.

Angry-Thanatos Hypnos could handle, but sad-Thanatos, no one could cure.

No one but Aurora...

"YOU!" I screamed at Apollo, my eyes filling with hatred. So much hatred. It was more self-loathing than anything else, but my anger directed it elsewhere. And Apollo was the closest thing possible.

He lifted his hands in fear; "Aurora is coming back. Stay focused and-"

"You little prick!" I yelled. Hypnos pushed me back down onto the round and commanded Apollo to leave; "Go, now! Get out."

The young king nodded and quickly hurried out, knowing that I was far past seeing any reason. I attempted to race after him, but Hypnos was holding me down, nearly sitting on top of me with Aurora in our hands.

Aurora's corpse...

"APOLLO!" I screamed; "Get back in here! You're a dead man!" Hypnos attempted to shush me, but I snapped my fangs at him; "Fuck off! This is just as much your fault!"

Hypnos eyes widened, tears forming in his orange eyes. They matched the dying light. "Thanatos-"

"You told me this would work! I trusted you!"

"Thanatos-" I didn't let him finish as I growled, clutching her to my chest.

"She's dead! She's dead! The only person I've ever fucking loved and I killed her because Zeus had a plan! Because we're gods and she wasn't good enough for them yet! Oh, gods! I killed Aurora..."

The tear turned from one to two and then all of a sudden a pair of strong arms engulfed me.

I tried to shake Hypnos off, but realised then that it wasn't Hypnos.

Aurora was crying; "I love you!"

"OH!" I cried as I held her to my chest, my sobs shaking her body. The warmth in her lips were back and I pressed my desperate mouth against hers, mumbling into her lips; "I love you! I love you! I'm sorry! I am so deeply sorry!"

Hypnos sat back, giving us some space. His eyes were wide with emotion and concern. He breathed out in so much relief. I squeezed her into me, making sure she really was alive and not my sick mind playing a trick on me.

She was.

She was right there.

"Shhh... You have nothing to be sorry about!" Aurora laughed through her tears. She pulled back slightly to look up at me with a beaming smile, her eyes red; "You're crying... I never thought I'd ever see you cry."

"That makes two of us." Hypnos said softly and tried to stand up so we'd have some privacy, but I pulled him back. I squashed him into my side and sobbed into his neck, my emotions all over the place; "You're a cunt!"

"But I'm your cunt." He chuckled and slyly tried to wipe away his own tears.

"Language!" Aurora laughed, but the tears formed again and soon we were all three on the floor of the large chamber, crying. Even Hypnos, his tears more filled with joy than shock and pain at what could have been.

The sun was gone, the mages had left along with Apollo and the chamber died down.

I was clutching Aurora in my one arm and Hypnos in the other; my emotions finally letting up and giving me some time to breath and calm down. I shook my head as Aurora looked down at her chest to examine the wound.

There wasn't a scratch on her; just a blood soaked dress that once was a beautiful white.

Hypnos was the first to fill the air with his soft voice. It was husky from crying; "Welcome to the family..."

Aurora smiled and picked up the dagger that had fallen to the floor. I pulled it away as she tried to slice her palm, but she quickly shot me look; "Please..."

I sighed, too tired from everything to argue. I nodded my head once and let go of the hilt.

Aurora sliced a deep cut across her palm, the blood pooling into her hand. She turned it to the side and let the Ichor drip down onto the floor, mixing with the red mirror that had already dried slightly.

Hypnos and I watched in awe as the deep cut started to heal, and within a few seconds, the gash was completely gone. Like magic- like a god.

I couldn't believe my eyes.

Aurora looked up with a smile and cool eyes.

"Now, where's my night crown?"

*Song- Time, Inception

Everyone still breathing? Barely...

Aurora's a goddess- finally! And Thanatos actually... cried? 

Aurora's dress she eventually chose (or should I say- the dress Thanatos finally let her wear) 

< < END OF PART 2 OF THE WHITE DAWN > >