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'I love the killing and the shadows, but I was born for it and you made me think I was cursed with it..'

Moonpiece

Thanatos' POV

A chirping noise pattered along the edges of my mind, slowly inching up in volume and vibrating down. I hadn't even noticed I was listening in until it changed pattern.

Then, as if something had changed in the blackness, the chirping grew more frequent and higher, almost more concentrated. It seemed like it was reacting to something, or some event taking place, but still the sound was submerged underwater or a thick blanket of dark matter.

It grew with fervour, as if prompted, but then fell down in volume, leaving me deliriously anxious to hear it again. I waited patiently. So patiently...

No sound.

Water flowed over, in a stream.

The water grew louder, and a faint thud began patting in the background. Thud. Thud. Thud. It sounded familiar. Thud. Thud. T-thud. T-thud.

The now erratic sound trigger something and the chirping exploded out of the water, blaring out now and causing pain to register in my mind. All along my limbs, I felt it- that pain.

That pain so rare and so heavy, it made me yearn for the water to flow over my senses once again. It bred. Like a parasite; growing...

Then, by some unfathomable occurrence, I realised, with the sharpening of the fretful and desperate chirping, that I knew what the water was.

It was my blood flowing through my veins.

I knew what the thud was.

It was my heart restarting

I knew what this pain was.

It was the sickle's cut slashed across my upper arm.

But most importantly, I knew what the chirping was.

Shadow.

I felt it then, its satin-smooth energy floating over me, like a feather, touching and feeling at my throat. It was looking for a pulse, and as it found one finally after so long, its cries of relief were electric. They brought me back to the surface of consciousness, fuelling me to stop listening to the soothing rhythm of the darkness and concentrate on the thud of my heart trying to pump new Ichor to my cold veins.

I groaned, my head heavy, but its encouraging sounds kept me going. With annoying simplicity, I was able to open my eyes, the darkness even as present as it was a few moments ago. I thought the pain might hinder my movements, but it was more natural to me to move my fingers than it was to breathe.

Breathing out and in was harder than I remember. Of course, I'm fairly sure having a sword plunged through your abdomen and then a dagger through your chest wasn't going to leave you feeling all too well.

Then, to make matters worse, falling about two-hundred metres isn't going to help the recovery process at all.

Its red eyes, wide and fearful, were the first things I saw. Round like plates and its fangs long from hunger and angst. I shouldn't have left it at the palace.

I reached a hand out to pet its head, my arm screaming out in agony, but I wanted to do this. I had to do this. I had to move and feel my limbs and let the blood flow. A sudden gasp racked through me as I saw my hand. It was twisted around, the bone nearly sticking out.

"A-..." Barely a word could fit through my parted lips. I bit my tongue and saw Shadow purr as it lowered itself down so that it could place its head to my hand. It hurt, but not more than I already was.

I let him whine against me, before attempting to sit up, my teeth gritted together. Shadow protested, not wanting me to get up off the ground. I tried to shake my head, but the energy to move was all but gone, wasted on getting myself to sit up right.

My back cracked. I sighed in relief and brought my hand back to my chest. I cradled it in my other arm like a babe, too scared to really look at it, because I knew what came next.

I lifted my eyes to Shadow. Red met red and I nodded my head tasting dried blood on my tongue and lip. It was matted all over my face, I could tell. I was covered in it and so was the ground around me.

"I know, I know..." My voice was pure gravel. It felt like I hadn't used it in nearly a century and sounded exactly the same. Shadow's eyes lowered and its face twisted in worry. "I fucked up, didn't I?"

I wanted to laugh, but it was too sore to even smile. Shadow purred in agreement. I looked up at the dark heavens the stars the only thing visible. Not even the edge of the cliff could be seen. Good gods, how far down did I fall?

"Just like a bandage, right Shadow?" I said to the stars, not bothering to look down. I knew what was coming.

With a twist, I bent my hand back to its proper place, the bone popping out and charged again, ready to heal and set correctly. The crack was more nauseating than the actual shock of pain.

I bit my lip, not wanting to scream because I knew the strain would only make matters worse. I sat there for a good few minutes, looking up at the stars, letting the excruciating pain fade slowly.

I breathed out slowly, a tear coming to my eye from the sudden shock of the fall. I sucked in a shaky breath and tried to move my hand. It cracked a bit, but otherwise, it was ready to use.

"There we go..." I whispered to the stars and Shadow nodded its head with support, but it still looked anxious.

I moved my legs. They'd managed to heal just fine. I lifted my eyes to the heavens and closed them in reprieve. I couldn't take any more pain. Not right now. I had to let the blood pump a while longer, and get this shock and throbbing out of my head.

Aurora.

Oh, my angel...

All I wanted to do was get to her, to save her. To be with her.

I stood up, the mere thought of her bringing me more energy and willpower than I ever could generate on my own. Shadow protested and tried to get me to stay put, but I shook my head; the only thing I had the energy to do, other than stand. And stand I could barely do.

I leaned against a rock, my breathing heavy and shallow. I groaned as I tried to pull myself up, but it was a futile attempt. Just as I was about to give up, a hand reached out to steady me, and I sighed in relief. I leaned against it, thinking it was Shadow, but as my eyes shifted up to its, I realised Shadow was standing behind me, cowering like an angry cat.

Its edges were alive with black flames licking at the air, and its snarl was low and full of warning. It wanted the strange hand off of me.

"I don't need your help." I said it slowly, trying to pronounce each word. It was difficult with my tongue still matted with blood and soft cuts.

"Family should help family."

I didn't stop the laugh that flowed from my chest this time- it couldn't be helped. It quickly turned to a cough and the hand moved me into her chest, filling me with warmth. 

She sat me down onto the dirty floor and watched as I coughed up heaps of blood into my palm. The smell of it churned my stomach for the first time since I was a young boy; it was dark and sticky.

"Oh, my boy... You really never learn, do you?"

"Go away, Nyx." I wiped my bloody lips with the back of my hand and waited for her snarky response. It never came.

I lifted my eyes to my mother. She was looking at me with something I'd never seen before. It was... scary.

Was that- Is that concern on her face?

"You need a healer. The cut on your arm is making it difficult for your body to fully mend. Let me-"

"I said-" My head turned to her, my red blood-shot eyes full of exhaustion; "Go away, Nyx."

We stared at each other for what felt like the longest time.

I don't remember my mother ever looking so old. She always used to look after herself so well; every skin treatment, body therapy and method to reduce her aging was tested and tried. Nyx knew she was beautiful and she used it to her utmost advantage. But now here, as her yellow eyes pierced into mine, I saw creases on her forehead and along the edges of her neck. Not even she could escape aging.

"You're not even grateful for my aid?"

I shook my head, the lack of interest in this conversation abundantly clear. My brows knitted together in soft anger; "Grateful? You never taught me how to be grateful for anything. Don't you remember?" I searched her eyes, my voice soft and barely audible; "You said I deserved everything. Well, mother..."

I removed her hand from my upper arm; feeling heat from her touch for the first time in a very long time was uncomfortable. "Did I deserve this too?" I pointed down to my broken body and all the red dirt surrounding us. 

She didn't move, so I continued, words spewing from my mouth like acid; "Should I be grateful for all the times you smacked me for being too tired to practise anymore? Should I be grateful to you for all the nights you lent me out to your friends? Like a trophy?" I scoffed and my throat ached with regret at the action; "Tell me, mother, should I be grateful to you for every awful thing you taught me? How to kill without remorse, how to bury every emotion for the sake of your unblemished image?"

Nyx shook her head and opened her mouth to speak, but I wasn't finished; "How to torture and how to maim? Should I be grateful to you that I was villainized before I even had the chance to be? If you think I'm a monster towards you, then you only have yourself to blame..."

She was quiet. The air around me was cold and for the first time in a long time, I shivered. I felt it eat at my bones; the bitterness of winter. The night was still.

Finally, she spoke, but her tone was unlike what I've heard before. It sounded nearly like she was speaking to the dirt, all her vigour gone and replaced with an ashen expression; "I made you strong."

I didn't bother replying. I just stared at her, wondering what had caused my mother to think like this.

"Don't tell me you don't have the need to kill. Don't pretend that you don't love the darkness." She searched my eyes, looking for a sign of affirmation.

I inhaled deeply, knowing she would see it there in my eyes; the same sin. "Of course I do." I lifted my thick brow with a dire lack of humour; "But no child should have to grow up thinking that they're only good for one thing and that they'll never be able to change any part of themselves. I do love it. I love the killing and the shadows, but I was born for it and you made me think I was cursed with it."

My eyes bore a hole through hers, my hatered for her growing dimmer until I was left with something even more harrowing; indifference.

"What made you so broken?" I asked, not wanting an answer. Nyx's eyes widened at my question and like glass, I saw her face crack with pain.

I averted my eyes, not caring, but also knowing that that wasn't entirely true. She was my mother- unfortunately; I would always have this small piece that would try to protect her. From what, I wasn't too certain about. Perhaps herself.

I attempted to stand up again, my limbs creaking at the movement. It was easier this time, after giving them a moment to rest and allowing the blood to flow down and pump fresh oxygen to all the broken parts.

Nyx stood up quickly to help me again, and that's when I lost my patience. I slapped her hand away, not bothering to look at her. "Don't touch me."

"Thanatos-"

"And don't say my name." I avoided her eyes as I took a limp step forward, keeping myself straight while leaning against a boulder; "We will never speak again."

"I won't allow that-"

"You do not own me, Nyx." I turned to her, fixing her with my angry eyes. She took a step back, her expression fearful; "You never have, you never will. I did not grow up loving you; I grew up fearing you. I won't let you dictate what I am anymore."

I turned to move, but her hand clasped around my upper arm and she pulled me towards her. I growled, but as the words left her mouth, so did all my breath. "I love you, Thanatos!"

My head whipped around to her and it felt like I'd been slapped. I scrunched up my face in anger. Nyx shook her head in confusion; "Why are you looking at me like that? I love y-"

"Do not fucking dare say that again!" I screamed and Shadow scurried in behind me, his teeth barred. "No!" I tried to shake her off, but Nyx was adamant.

"I only ever wanted you to know how special you were! You could have anything you wanted and you still can, because you've always been my favourite! I may not have shown you love like other mothers, but I-"

"No, Nyx! How dare you say that to me now? How dare you?" I felt a tear prick at my eye, not from sadness or shock, but from pure anger. "I spent my entire childhood longing for you to tell me that you loved me, like a mother should and now, today, when I'm a grown man and the damage has been done, you have the audacity to tell me like this?"

I scowled at her, my glare intense and filled to the brink with abhorrence. "Do you know how many nights I practised Blood magic under the covers of my bed, alone and on the verge of an agonizing panic-attack just so that you could finally tell me that you loved me? Or at least fucking liked me!"

I ripped my arm back and shot back from her like she was on fire. Nyx took a step closer and I snarled at her to keep her distance; "You have no right to say that to me!" My expression twisted up in shock; "If you love me, you wouldn't have done the things you did."

"I do love you! Thanatos, you're my son! You're my baby boy-"

"If what you're saying is true; then you're forgetting one little thing." I clenched my teeth together and glared down at her, my anger shooting power into my once-lame body; "You love yourself far more."

Nyx didn't make an attempt to move. I stared her down, daring her to step towards me. I shook my head and dropped my eyes to the ground. With a small laugh, I bit my lip and looked up into her sorrowful eyes; "What did you expect to happen today? Honestly? Did you think I was going to roll-over and kneel for you? Come now, Nyx. We both know I'm the first-born prince of the old family."

I eyed her up and down, "I don't kneel. You taught me that."

I walked past her, my cloak vibrating with emotion as it swished behind me. Shadow scurried along after me, glaring at Nyx as he quickly ducked away from her.

My mother's voice echoed over the chasm and slowed down my feet to a halt; "Second."

I turned around slowly, my eyes widening.

"Wh-" I paused and tried again; "What did you just say?"

Nyx turned around, her normal calm demeanour of superiority back. "Second."

I shook my head, slowly at first, but then it quickened. "No. First."

"Hypnos was born first." Nyx didn't smile as she said it, but I knew it caused her great joy in seeing me shaken. "You're my baby boy."

I didn't really know what to do. I just stood there, looking at the ground, contemplating burning down her palace. It wasn't that big of an issue that Hypnos was older than me- other that the fact that he was going to hold it against me for the rest of my life, but it was the mere fact that I was so done with being disappointed for today.

That was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

I was fucking done playing nice.

I'm so done with this shit.

"Ah, look who it is... Speak of the devil." Nyx smile widened slightly.

I turned to see Hypnos approaching us, his eyes fixed solely on me. He rushed up to me and in a matter of a split-second I was wrapped up in his strong embrace, his familiar scent all too comforting. I leaned into him, finally giving in, and my body weak.

"You fucking moron!" His harsh words were right by my ear, but I couldn't care less. "You dolt! You prima-donna! Why the hell did you think doing this alone was going to help, you overgrown toddler!"

"You're insults are getting worse by the decade."

Hypnos growled at me, his hands on my shoulders, keeping me upright. "Shut up, baby brother."

I rolled my eyes and leaned my head back with a loud exasperated grunt. Of course he'd overheard; "Great! That's just great... How about we all just stand in a nice long line and throw some rotten tomatoes at me too, huh? Sounds like fun? Yeah? Great. This is great. I love being forced off a cliff and having every bone in my body broken and then being told that I'm pretty much just delusional in every aspect of the word and that most of my childhood was a lie, but you know what. That's great. Great."

Hypnos whistled softly; "Wow, Aurora's right. I never noticed how much you ramble when you're stressed."

Nyx was smiling at us from the side. I glared at her and snarled; "What the fuck is so funny, mother dearest? Would you like to tell me that I'm actually adopted too?"

Nyx shook her head, but avoided our eyes. Her smile grew thin and she looked to her side; "No, no..."

Hypnos and I crossed our arms and gave each other an annoyed look. Why was Nyx really all the way down here? What is she playing at?

"Not you." Her eyes found Hypnos and the world shook to a standstill.

Hypnos opened his mouth to speak, but like a shocked fish, all he could do was open and close his mouth like he was mumbling. I instinctively grabbed hold of my twins wrist, not really sure if now he was my twin.

Nyx eyed us for a few seconds, her mouth set in a serious thin line.

The air was still and no one moved. We just stood there, staring at each other. Quickly, as if snapping out of his stupor, Hypnos' head shot to mine and his wide eyes searched my red ones with so much pain. I was still in disbelief, my body locked down with the great unease and anger, but then, like a stuck gear that sprung loose, Nyx started laughing.

"Oh, relax!" She clutched one hand onto her stomach and closed her eyes as her loud cackle filled the canyon. It was painful, but at the same time so very relieving.

Hypnos and I stared at each other, not entirely sure of what was really going on.

"Gods! You two look like I just told you the world was going to end!"

"This isn't a fucking joke!" Hypnos growled; "Are you being serious or-"

"No, no! For God's sake, relax darlings."Nyx chuckled and wiped a tear away from her eye; "No one is adopted. You're twins and you're both my sons. No need to stress..."

"Stress?" I scoffed, "Bloody stress? You're a sadistic petty woman, you know that Nyx?" I slowly let go of Hypnos' wrist, letting the blood flow back into his hand. I nearly had a heart attack.

I'm not sure what I or Hypnos would've done if we'd just discovered that we weren't actually related at all. I'd probably go on a rampage and Nyx would be first in line.

Hypnos still looked shaken, but he was quick to want to get back to business. I saw a hint of trouble in his eyes; "We need to go. Apollo is looking for Aurora, but I'm not entirely sure where they are-"

"I wouldn't worry about her, if I were you." Nyx examined her nails and I felt like snapping them off with my teeth.

"Why?" I empathises every letter, my tone thick with impatience. I was running low on care.

"Aurora is prepared for Ares, no doubt. Your father made sure of that."

Hypnos' eyes shot to mine, but I was glaring a fire down at Nyx. I stepped forward, but Hypnos' hand shot out to hold me back from her. Matricide is never pleasant.

"Father?" I struggled to say the name, my father's image popping up in my head. I tried to push it back, his dark eyes too much to bear right now; "What have you done?" I whispered at her.

Nyx smiled softly; "Helping to keep you safe. Your father would never have gotten involved if I hadn't explained to him the dire situation."

"What are you talking about?" Hypnos asked: his voice just as soft. It was like we were speaking in hushed voices; afraid he might hear us and appear from the shadows.

Nyx didn't seem to care, her voice loud and proud; "I explained to your father that if Ares wins, Cronus is to be set free. And no one wants a repeat of that, now do we? In addition, he wants to make sure his two eldest sons have the means to an end."

"'Means to an end'? What does that mean?" I took a step forward, my anger nearly replaced with curiosity. What was she playing at?

"Aurora has the sword."

She didn't have to say another word. We both knew exactly what she meant. We knew which sword and why that was so relevant. I carried it around with me for years when I was a boy. I knew every ridge and bump on the handle, every silver shine of the blade and I knew every way in which to kill with that weapon. It had become a part of me, until one day, it was ripped from me and the pain was almost as agonising as losing a limb.

Hypnos and I backed up, our eyes locked onto the area above Nyx. We stopped moving, not from the news or the sudden shock that Aurora, my fiancée, was carrying a nearly six-thousand year old sword that could kill a god with one clean blow.

No, we stopped moving when we spotted the fog.

I don't remember it ever being so... thick.

We both had nearly perfect postures- no slouching, no leaning against things when talking to an authority figure, no hands in your pockets, but as the fog rolled in closer, surrounding Nyx's feet, I straightened my spine until I thought it might crack back.

My nails jammed into the hard ponds of my palm and my jaw locked, rubbing my teeth together and sending warning signals to my brain, but I was weak to ignore them. all I could do was stand and watch as Erebus walked out from the thick, black mess of fog and stand next to Nyx.

His eyes were the shade of dark. They were black. Plain and simple black and bottomless.

The night was still as we stared at each other, not really sure if we were even allowed to breath, never mind speak.

I tried to blink, but his eyes rolled from mine to Hypnos' with slow ease. I couldn't even budge my mouth to address him. I was... scared.

When was the last time I felt like this? Like a little boy...

"Hypnos." Erebus nodded his head once. It was direct. His voice was the same, so calm and yet so direly terrifying. Like a storm waiting to break lose upon the ocean.

I heard my brother swallow and he nodded his head once in respect. "Father."

"Thanatos." Erebus did the same with me, but his eyes lingered for longer.

I, too, gulped and bowed slightly; "Father." I thanked Gaia my voice didn't crack. It felt like it might at any moment.

Nyx merely smiled from the side, observing. Erebus folded his hands behind his back and examined us. I wanted to crawl away. He clenched his jaw; "Interesting goddess."

"You do mean mortal?" Nyx said snappily. I knew they were referring to Aurora.

Erebus looked down at his wife and sister, his black eyes devoid of any emotion; "No." I wanted to smile as Nyx's haughty expression dropped, but I kept it away. This wasn't the time.

"Tell me," My father took a step forward and we both inched to take a step back, but managed to stand our ground. It wasn't as much as we were afraid of what he'd do, but Erebus was too intimidating- too suffocating. It was unbearable sometimes. "This goddess... Are you fond of her?"

He lifted his eyes to mine. I kept my stance, but my words stumbled out like a child's; "Yes."

Erebus narrowed his eyes; "What are your intentions, Thanatos?"

"We're engaged."

This news clearly shocked Nyx. My mother had no idea, but as the bomb dropped onto her head, she made it plainly clear how much she hated it. With a snarl she stormed towards me; "What!"

I didn't back up. If I wasn't going to back up for Erebus, there was no way in hell I'd back up for Nyx.

"You're marrying her?" Nyx shouted at me, her eyes livid and hot with rage. I clenched my teeth, wanting nothing more than to growl in her face, but Erebus watched me carefully. Nyx, however, didn't hold back; "She's a bloody mortal! She's so beneath you, Thanatos! Wake up and realise what you're throwing away! This family was built on power and royalty! Gaia and her brood wishes they could be in the position we are today!"

"Is that why you envy her so much?" I asked softly, but everyone heard me.

Nyx's eyes popped wide. "I do not envy my sister! Her son is in prison, her grandson dead and her little world is crumbling around her!"

"And you're standing here; whereas you could be with her, helping her mourn."

Nyx couldn't believe my words. I didn't have any need to say them with a sour tone, all I had to do was keep calm and that aggravated her even more. I was supposed to be the child that took after her to most- well, other than my sister, Eris- so having me calm and poised made her skin crawl.

Nyx turned around in a huff; "Are you going to let him speak to me like that?"

Erebus stared at me, his eyes examining me as if he hadn't even heard his wife's voice. I stared back.

Slowly, he sighed and spoke in a dry tone; "Get to the sword in time. I want this mess cleaned up before dusk."

With an unfazed turn, Erebus walked back into the fog and just like that, the sixteenth time I saw my father was over. And the next time was probably another five hundred years in the future. Who knew...

Nyx stared after him, but quickly decided to join him, her patience dried up. She hissed at me before disappearing along with our father; "You're making a big mistake!"

As the fog grew thin and left nearly nothing hovering above the cold, muddy ground, a sudden peak of the sun flew over the hills and illuminated the dark canyon with some white light. I sighed, my limbs sore from being locked in so tightly.

Hypnos swiftly formed a portal behind us, pulling me towards him; "We need to get you healed-"

"No." I clasped his shoulder; "First, Aurora-"

"Shut up and listen to me for once!" Hypnos grabbed my cheek and shook my head from side to side, bringing me up from a dazed state. "You're getting a healed first and then Aurora, do you understand me?"

I was about to growl at him, not used to be spoken to like that, but quickly he pulled me into the portal, and the sudden jump was enough to shut my mouth for me. Shadow reattached itself to me and was now nothing more than what appeared to be an ordinary shadow.

I knew he was right, but knowing Aurora was out there somewhere, with Erebus' sword and no back-up, made me sick.

Erebus is right.

If Ares wins, it'll only be the start of something horrific.

*Erebus- Javier Bardem
*Nyx- Angelina Jolie