'He looked, sounded and tasted just like the most important thing in my life...'  

White-hot Rage

I fell onto my feet, but the impact was still too much for my new bones to completely take. I felt my ankle snap.

I let out a painful cry and quickly rolled under the cover of the large bushes next to the pathway. I heard the thing that was wearing Thanatos' face crack open the rest of the wood from the door and jump out after me. I watched from the darkness of the foliage as he landed with grace, not a scratch on him.

I didn't make a sound, even as the oddest and most painful feeling ran up my leg. I knew it was my bone fixing itself; healing and mending back together. I was far from used to the odd sensation and it left me feeling nauseous. How on earth did the gods get used to this? It felt like someone was holding an electrical charge to my ankle, and something was trying to crawl out from the inside.

I kept my mouth shut and my breathing low as Thanatos scanned the gardens for any sign of movement. It was dark, but I knew he didn't need the light to see. My eyes were adjusted to the lack of light too, but his red orbs were trained like a hunter's. He stood a few feet from me, his black boots hard. I imaged what it would feel like if he tried to kick me with them; probably not too good...

If Thanatos spots me, I need an escape route. No, not if- when.

I bit my lip and twisted my ankle a bit to see if it had healed. It didn't hurt as much and I lifted it up and pressed my other foot against the top. Nothing; no pain. Okay, so at least I could run again.

Thanatos smacked his teeth together, the sound nearly causing me to whimper in fear; "Tsk. I do so hate to do this to you already, my sweet angel..." He lifted his hands up and smiled. I knew what came next.

Blue energy, so striking and hot, flew right from his palms and shot out in a whip onto the ground. He hit the grass with a massive whack and the earth nearly cracked in half. I shivered, but when his eyes turned to the direction in which I was hiding, I knew then that I had to move- and move fucking fast.

I leapt up from the bush and ran towards him instead of away. Thanatos' smile of victory was short-lived. I smacked my hand over his face, scorching it with fire. The smoke that shot up my nose was filled with the scent of burnt flesh and hair and his animalistic scream of anger was enough to push me back.

I hope I didn't come to regret making him angry, but this was the only way I knew how to get away. I shot out a string of ice and swiftly wrapped it around his body and arms as he howled like a wolf, the one half of his face melting.

I wanted to smile, but as if sensing my sudden little spark of victory, Thanatos snapped his fangs forward to bite at my neck. I jumped back and gasped. His eye on the melted side of his face looked so red. So vividly red. Like a robots.

It was horrifying; seeing the love of my life look like that. It scarred me. Deeply. Knowing I caused it only worsened that dread.

He looked... deranged.

I had to keep a clear head- this wasn't Thanatos. This was Alexus' toy, modelled after what I held dear.

The sneer on his face as he struggled to break free from my grip was revolting; and then, he began to laugh. I cringed and stepped back, my hands lifting. I wanted to run and hide, but like the morbid scene of a car crash, Thanatos' red, molten eye held me in place, watching me. 

He snarled. "Run."

The ice whip cracked.

I snapped out of my trance and sprinted towards the stairs.

I swore under my breath as I took the steps three at a time, my feet moving too fast for my mind. I was running for my life, death hot on my heels. I heard the last bar snap as I reached the second floor and then his hard boots slammed onto the marble stair case with fury.

"AURORA!" Thanatos shouted, his usual hypnotising voice sending a pulsating tremor of dread through my body. "You're going to pay for that, you little bitch!"

"It's not him, it's not him, it's not him..." I kept mumbling to myself over and over as the steps became a blur behind my eyes.

I reached the last flight. The last floor was even darker than I imagined, but I knew it better than any other area of the palace; here was where I lived most of the time. I stormed towards the North wing- our room.

I slammed the door open, not bothering to close it. I made my way over to the study, knowing there was a way I could hide from this monster if only I could remember the right combination.

I ran up to the second layer of the large wall covered with books. I waved my hand over the endless row of old tomes and novels, knowing here somewhere was a switch that Thanatos had shown me. The right combination of three books opened the door to a panic room.

But what were they?! Shit!

Wait- I saw the blood red cover of 'The curios case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde'. That's one. Next, next , next...

"Come here, baby!" Thanatos shouted from the stairs, he was gaining on me; "I'm sorry for what I said- you know I didn't mean it."

Ah-ha! I tapped the tome 'Homer's The Odyssey'. One more.

Think, Aurora! Oh, yes, of course!

My hand reached for the last book; it was actually so obvious- 'Bram Stoker's Dracula'.

The door started to open.

Yes!

"There you are..."

NO!

I whipped around and immediately spotted that familiar handsome face. His skin had healed and he looked as good as always, but his smile still didn't look right on his face- it was off. Wrong.

"Now come down from there and let me show you how much I love you."

I scoffed and ducked into the alcove; "No thank you."

Thanatos roared, his anger vibrating the shelves. I pressed the button to close the door and leaned back in relieve as the small, dark alcove nearly shut, but then...

A hand smacked the closing panel. It creaked against the strength of a four-thousand year old god.

His red eyes shone in and his fangs gleamed with might; "I get the feeling you don't want me around, darling?"

"Get out!" I snapped and kicked out my foot to stop the monster from slipping in, but it was a stupid idea from the start. Thanatos grabbed my foot.

I shrieked as he tried to pry me from the small room, the door still closing, but at a much slower pace as Thanatos held it open as best he could. He growled as he felt my ankle twist and slide from his grip, most of his energy being used to hold the door open.

I could still make this!

I clung onto the wooden panels inside the room like my life depended upon it- which it frankly did. Thanatos snarled and grunted as he gave up and let go of my leg. I slammed back against the wall, knocking air out of my lungs. I heaved and felt the scratches of his nails in my flesh. It stung.

Then, just as I thought the door was going to slam shut, because there was no way he had any momentum left to pull it open, Thanatos smirked at me and did something I never could've imagined.

He slipped inside.

The door slammed shut.

I backed up with one step. One step was the only space between us now.

The monsters smiled down at me, its red eyes so bright in the dark, cramped room. How fitting that it was called a 'panic' room.

The thing smirked; "Hi."

I gulped; the noise filled the room and a devious grin crawled up his mouth.

I tried to back up more, but the wall was in the way. Two people could barely fit inside here. Thanatos closed the distance and pushed himself against me, his large muscled arms placed on either side of my head. I shrunk down, keeping my neck closed.

He laughed and the sound blared in my ears like a loud song; "I suppose for you, the chase is well and truly over."

If only he didn't look like him. If only he didn't smell like him or talk like him; I could still win this somehow, but he did. He looked, sounded and tasted just like the most important thing in my life.

How weak I was when it came to Thanatos. Meanwhile, he was really out there somewhere, risking his life for me and his friends, while I played games with Alexus. No, while I was forced to play games with Alexus.

Alexus.

I pushed the monster back, some of my anger fuelling me on and keeping me from shrinking down into a heap of despair; "ALEXUS!" I shouted up at the air and Thanatos purred, impressed by my strength.

"I like when you fight back-" I slapped him across the face. 

The monster drew back and snarled at me from under its long lashes. I growled like a tigress; "Shut up, fucker. You're not him. I know you're being controlled by her."

"Oh, baby..." The thing chuckled and tried to lean into me. "It's really me, don't fool yourse-"

I punched it back, my fist connecting with its hard jaw. My hand shattered, but so did something in his jaw. I hissed in pain and Thanatos covered his face with his chin. "Come out, you witch. I know it's really you in there somewhere. I know you're trying to scare me, but I won't fall for it."

The monster cracked back its jaw and grabbed my neck in his hand. I struggled to break free, knowing full well this thing wasn't anything but a simple illusionary trick. I should've seen it before- this was Alexus' psyche with the skin of Thanatos.

So this is what she meant when she said she wanted to make me see the monster he really is- so I could set myself free.

Well, let me show her exactly what Thanatos and I would normally do in a dark, cramped little room with barely any oxygen for two people.

With its hand still around my neck I screamed out; "Wait! Okay! I see it now! I do!"

Thanatos' eyes lit up, and his grip loosened a bit. He left go slightly, his hand slipping from my neck. I took my chance. I pounced for his lips.

Thanatos snapped back, his shock too great to contain. He dropped his hand from my neck and stood with wide eyes as I passionately fixed my lips on his, moving them with eagerness. I wrapped my arms around his neck and wiggled my body against his, stirring him awake.

The mirage that Alexus had created, moaned underneath my touch and the tension dropped from his shoulders. I smiled into his mouth, knowing I'd foiled her little plan with one strike.

All along I didn't have to fight back, but instead, just give in like I had the first time we'd met. Give in to the primal yearning Thanatos and I had for each other no matter the situation. I suppose then it was a good thing he was wearing the face of the man I could never say no to. It made this so much easier.

I heard a woman's howl and then, a familiar voice spoke over the darkness of the room, like a celestial voice; "NO! No, no, no! You're supposed to hate him! You're supposed to fear him!"

I ignored her angry screeching and kept my mouth moving in tune with the monster, knowing it wasn't Thanatos, but he reacted like Thanatos would've. He was in a daze, his tongue begging for entrance.

I didn't mind making it hot and steamy, knowing it was breaking Alexus while she watched. Another cry of fury rang through the room as the mirage Thanatos moved his hands through my hair and sighed into my mouth.

"What was that about the chase being over?" I chuckled and hoped that Alexus was dying inside and ready to rip me back to the real world.

The monster moaned, its previous command to kill all but forgotten, like I'd overwritten his controls; "Don't stop."

"STOP." Alexus shouted and I heard the panel of the door slowly churn open. She wanted me out of here with him.

The light was blinding and I pulled back a bit to glare at her with an evil smirk as her face appeared from behind the sliding door. She looked pissed and even crazier than she had before. Thanatos kept licking at my neck, his hands moving all over my body in a new kind of need.

"I said stop!" Alexus grabbed his shoulder and he growled at her, keeping his lips on my cheek; "But you said I could do what I wanted to her!"

"This is not what I meant!" She tried to pull him back but I kept him close, knowing it was my sure fire way of getting her to spit me back out to reality and away from her dream-world.

"No," I moaned up at the monster, my eyes filled with want; "Stay." I knew even mirage Thanatos couldn't say no to me.

He shivered and snapped at Alexus to let go. She looked positively livid as she saw me wink at her; "That's it!"

With the wave of her hand, the world faded and I was pulled back into the black wall, the darkness sweeping over me and the cry of the monster begging her to bring me back, but I was already flying through a whirlwind of night.

My celestial spirit hit my body hard and the cold air of reality clung to me, leaving me so incredibly angry.

Hypnos' POV

I landed in Thanatos' palace with my two feet moving fast; leaving no time for me to process my surroundings.

My twin had instructed me to make sure every fortification was well under management and secure. Thus far, everything was going as well as could be expected, with both sides heavily armed and angry, but something wasn't right. I knew Aurora was missing and I knew Alexus was involved.

It left quite the bitter taste in my mouth.

But something else was troubling me- why on earth would Alexus take Aurora when she clearly already has the upper-hand? Taking Aurora is only putting herself at more risk and making her a bigger target than Ares, which isn't what she'd want. Was there something I was missing? I had to know, and I had an inkling I knew where she'd taken her, if Alexus even was behind her kidnapping.

I slammed the doors open to the large chamber. Opis shot up in fright, but immediately eased down as he saw my face; "My lord Hypnos! Thank the gods, I thought-"

"The girls. Are they in there?" I nodded to the close and bolted door.

Opis nodded and quickly hurried over. "They were instructed not to open it. I can-"

"Trita!" I screamed at the door and banged a fist against it, ignoring the old man. He didn't seem too fazed by my sudden outburst.

Quickly, the young mortal girl rushed up to the door and fiddled with the lock, but Sonya, being the more rational and wary one, halted her friend's hasty hands; "Wait! It could be a trap!" She spoke up towards the door; "What's the password?"

Trita impatiently scolded her; "It's Hypnos-"

"Hush!" Sonya said and listened in for me to answer.

I sighed and impatiently banged my fist against the door; "Dodona." It was a very good thing that Sonya was so security-conscious, but I was in a hurry. There was much to do and little time to spare.

Suddenly, the door swung open and I was forced back by two long, thin arms wrapping around my neck. Trita's lips found mine with alacrity and all I could taste was worry. I held her close, but tried to unseal our lips so I could speak; "Get inside."

She had no chance to obey my order, as I picked her up and carried her in like a statue. Sonya nodded quickly and closed the door behind us, but not before blowing a kiss to the old butler sipping at his tea.

I knew Opis; there was no way in hell he was naturally this calm. The faint smell of rum scurried up my nose as I entered the foyer of Thanatos' room. Opis must've laced his tea with the sweet drink- no wonder he looked so relaxed amidst a war. Poor man.

I placed Trita on the ground, my hands finding her shoulders. I bore my focused eyes into hers and before anyone had the chance to speak, I anxiously asked; "Has Alexus been here?"

"Alexus?" The beautiful brunette furrowed her brows and shook her head; "No, why? Is she okay?"

"She's the traitor."

Sonya gasped, her hand finding her mouth, but Trita didn't look too surprised. She hissed at the floor; "I knew it. Bitch." Suddenly, Sonya's shocked voice spoke up from behind me; "Wait- why are you here? Why aren't you helping with- Oh." Her eyes glazed over.

I moved to comfort her and to spark some reassurance, but her eyes quickly teared up and her voice cracked as she spoke; "Aurora?"

Trita grabbed my arm; "What? Is she okay? And Thanatos and Barrios?"

I hushed both of them, my edginess not helping to ease their worried minds. They looked fraught with distress and angst as I moved them over to the couch, my voice filled with no emotion.

"Alexus might have Aurora, we're not certain. I'm here to see if she might've left some clue in the palace, but I wanted to check in with you two first. Relax," I fixed them both with stern eyes and pushed them back onto the couch; "Aurora is more than capable of handling herself. Thanatos and Barrios are fine. The war broke open in Hades' palace, but it's moved to most parts of the kingdom."

"Wait, you're not telling us why Alexus had Aurora?" Sonya asked with anger.

I shook my head; "We don't know. Perhaps as leverage, or perhaps to strike a deal for immunity? But Thanatos and I are trying to find her. Apollo has a whole section of his guard looking for her, along with a squadron of reapers. We will find her, don't worry."

I couldn't tell anymore if I was trying to convince them or myself. Or perhaps the small voice in my head that kept trying to reach out to Thanatos, knowing how direly petrified he was right now. I couldn't imagine it. Having the one I love so dearly... lost to me.

I grabbed Trita's hand and found myself pulling her closer, just to feel her familiar warmth; "I'm sending Barrios here, to keep you both safe."

Sonya sighed in relief at the prospect, but Trita shook her head; "You can show up here and then leave again. No. I won't allow it." I caught a tear running down her cheek and pressed her in towards my broad chest. She struggled to break free, her eyes livid; "No! You're not leaving me here-"

"I have to!" I said loudly, shocking even myself. Gently, I calmed down and stroked her arm; "I need to. My brother is out there somewhere, probably neck-deep in spilled blood. He needs me, Trita."

"I need you."

It broke my heart to leave her here, looking so lost and unable to control the events unfolding around her. But I had to. I needed to. I squeezed her hand and kissed her head; "I'll bring back Aurora, I promise."

I attempted to stand up, but Trita shook her head and frantically latched on; "NO. No, don't leave. You could die, all of you could die! Let me come with! Let me help-"

"No." Sonya and I said in union. We shared a quick look. She understood that this was no place for mortals. "But at least take Trimorphe and Shadow with you. They're both going out of their mind with worry. I don't think we can keep them locked in here with us much longer."

I nodded my head and peered over to the balcony side, where I spotted a big bushy tail waving in the air. Trimorphe was pacing up and down, watching the horizon, her fur on end. Shadow hovered in the corner close to the magical snow leopard, his edged flaming out. I knew that was a sign that it was agitated or hungry. I can't image food was a very high priority for it right now; not while it's master was fighting off armies somewhere.

"Barrios will be here shortly." I whistled softly, alerting the two entities to my presence. We'd originally stationed them here to keep the girls safe, but Sonya was right; they would be more useful outside with me, looking for my brother and Aurora.

Trimorphe rushed in, her purring loudening as she caught sight of me, obviously hoping Aurora might step out from behind me or something. Shadow followed suit, but its toothy grin wasn't in place- it looked sombre. It could taste the bitterness in the air.

I gestured for them to follow me, but before I left the large chamber, I quickly squeezed Trita's hand. She eyed me with a mixture of fear and anger, but I knew where it stemmed from.

Thanatos had told me about her past. Trita had abandonment issues, but I never realised it was so potent. This must be horrible for her. I sighed and tried to be as gentle as I could. I was never the best at being delicate or overly emotional- that was Thanatos. He knew how to react to emotions; he'd experienced all the flavours before.

I suppose I had as well, but I never let them through. I blocked the down and hid them from the world, from myself. But as I looked down at Trita, crying onto Sonya's shoulder, fearing for not only my life, but for her friend's too- I made a promise.

I'd open myself to change.

If Thanatos can do it, then so can I.

But first- war.

I untangled Trita from me and swiftly kissed her farewell; there was no need to prolong this even more. She protested, but I ignored her attempts at keeping me close, and it broke my heart. Sonya took Trita's hands in her own as I prepare to leave. They watched as I left, their eyes filled with anxiety.

I closed the door with a bang. Opis nearly fell from his chair. "Barrios is coming to keep an eye on them; when he does, I want you to join them inside the room." Opis nodded at me, his cheeks flushed from the rum. I grabbed his shoulder and bore my eyes into his; "If anything happens, you let me know immediately. Yes?"

"Of course, my lord." Opis nodded. I attempted to leave, but the old man's hand grabbed my wrist, his eyes sobering up; "I don't want to alarm you, my lord, but I heard a noise earlier. It may have been my imagination, since there shouldn't be any more people in the palace, but..." He leaned and furrowed his brows; "I do believe the vault's door creaked?"

My eyes widened. The vault. The Aegis.

Was Alexus right under my nose? With Aurora?

"I need to move..." I muttered and quickly turned to the door, Trimorphe hot on my heels. I left Opis to his strong tea and ripped open the door, my mind focused on getting down to the bottom floor where the fault was kept. Maybe I'm not too late.

Suddenly, a black blur shot forward.

"Shadow!" I attempted to grab at it, but the black entity was far too fast for my slow hands. It fled into the night sky, leaving Trimorphe and me staring after it with unease.

There was only one place it was headed- Thanatos.

This left me with a difficult choice- do I continue on to try and save Aurora, or do I go to where my twin was, not knowing if he was hurt? I knew where I wanted to go, but if Thanatos knew I could've done something to save Aurora and I hadn't; well then...

The choice is fairly obvious.

I stormed down the stairs, the vault's large doors clear in my mind.

Ares' POV

"Dammit!" I shouted as I watched Thanatos fall down the large chasm, his black figure disappearing into a pit of darkness. "Fuck!" I slammed my fist against a stone pillar, smacking a large crack into the hard stone.

Hermes hissed under his breath, the sickle still clutched in his hand. I eyed it with unease, but didn't let me apprehension show. Once a weasel, always a weasel, but right now, I had more important allies to worry about. Or should I say 'former' allies.

"Alexus." I barked and Hermes' eyes shot up from the canyon; "Where is the witch?"

"Relax." Hermes had the nerve to tell me how to react. I wanted to hiss at him, but he held the sickle tighter in his palm. "She broke me free from Thanatos' dungeon and handed me the key to the sickle and the Aegis. She's still on our side."

"And where is she now, huh?" I mockingly expended my hands and gestured to the wide space around us; "While my men are dying and my blood is being spilt? Didn't she promise me she'd help in this war; keep me from harm?"

Hermes eyed the cliff; "Look, shouldn't we be more worried about whether or not Thanatos-"

"Leave him." I spat down the chasm, my teeth gritted; "He can't survive that fall. Not while he's so hurt already. That small cut of the sickle should make healing extremely difficult."

"But not impossible." Hermes snapped in; "Don't be hasty- we need to sort him out before he-"

"We do what I say we do!" I ripped the sickle from his hand before he had the chance to react, his attention still on the deep abyss in front of us. Hermes snarled at me from the side and I quickly pointed the sickle at his chest, causing him to step back and hiss under his breath.

"Now, where is Alexus? I need her to open up a portal for me into Olympus so I can get to that idiot brother of mine before he has the chance to retaliate."

Hermes held up his hands and shook his head; "She's in Thanatos' palace. She has Aurora."

"Aurora?" My ears perked up. How delightful. I'd gladly take the young mortal down this abyss to see Thanatos' expression as I kill her. Perfect. "Excellent. So she is on my side still. How efficient of her."

Hermes rolled his eyes, knowing it was a jab at his slack for the past few weeks. I knew he'd been captured and held captive, but honestly; did he expect me to rescue him? How sickening. I'm not his father, nor his friend. I wanted capable allies, not someone to wait on.

He'd defiled my plan far before I had the chance to perfect it.

Imbecile.

"Contact her. I want a portal there."

"Here..." Hermes threw over a ring. It was a portal summoner. I knew it well. "Alexus gave it to me before she left; it will take you to the palace. She wanted me to give it to you before you kill Thanatos. She wanted to see us do it."

I nodded my head. I leaned over to pick it up, but kept my eyes on the sneak in front of me. Hermes was perhaps docile in some regard, but he was still a charlatan. I didn't trust him at all.

I twirled it in my fingers and a large lilac- coloured portal opened up; I was definitely Alexus'. I grinned; this was going to be easier than I thought. If only Thanatos were here to see me now, but no worries; I planned on finding him before he had the honour of dying by my blade.

Wanted him to see all the things I could take from him.

Aurora, his dignity, his respect, his hope and of course, his life.

Hermes smiled and stepped forward to enter the portal, but his steps halted as I slid the sickle through his stomach.

The young god chocked and with shocked and wide yes, he looked up into mine with anger. "W-What ar-are-"

"It's a shame really." I smirked as I pulled out the sickle and plunged it back in, this time twisting it and making sure that there was n possible way for the young god of thievery to ever come out alive. I watched his life drain. "You would've made a wonderful servant."

I pressed my hand against his forehead and watched as he stumbled back and over the cliff; joining Thanatos down in the deepest pit of black.

I wiped he bloody tip of the sickle on my dark blue cloak and watched as the horizon opened up with a red hue.

Dawn.

How appropriate and refreshing to start the new day with my rule.

With a wide smirk, I picked up the golden Aegis from the ground where one of Thanatos' faded mirages had dropped it when it had disintegrated. How pitiful these men where, who fought with magic and trickery. Real warriors fight with steel and iron, and do not hide behind cloaks and daggers.

But no matter, when I'm king, magic will be but a peasant's tool; a forgotten art.

I stepped towards the portal, hoping Alexus had dealt with any more issues. 

It was time I was paid my due.

Love how we get two sides of equally murderous men who are more similar than they'd like to admit.

Ares and Thanatos have undeniably many traits in common, such as; sociopathic (Ares) and psychopathic (Thanatos) tendencies, a taste for arrogance and cruelty, a streak of entitlement fueled by their mother's and of course, they're both a little mad.

But naturally, there are vast differences too and it's fun to watch them argue over who has the bigger and 'badder' reputation.