“Everything crosses eventually.” (Part 2)
1360 Words
“What the f**k are you doing in the mortal realm?” Thanastos repeated, this time with an incredulous grin.
“It’s been centuries,” Thanatos continued. “How have you been? How’s Mother? And how’s my useless excuse of a twin brother?”
Zagreus chuckled.
“Nyx remains as supportive as ever. As for Hypnos…” he sighed dramatically, “…he still spends most of his time bothering souls for entertainment.”
Thanatos snorted in amusement before placing a hand on Zagreus’ shoulder.
“No, seriously,” he said. “Explain yourself. Why is the Prince of the Underworld standing inside my bar?”
Zagreus opened his mouth to answer—
but Thanatos suddenly raised a finger.
“Wait.”
He disappeared briefly into the back room before returning with two bottles of beer.
Thanatos popped both caps off effortlessly and handed one to Zagreus.
“Drink,” he ordered. “It’s mortal liquor. One of the few things humanity got right.”
Zagreus copied the way Thanatos drank from the bottle.
The moment the beer touched his tongue, his eyes widened slightly.
He hadn’t realized how thirsty he was.
Within seconds, he finished the entire bottle.
Thanatos blinked.
Zagreus stared down at the empty bottle thoughtfully.
“That,” he admitted, “was wonderful.”
Thanatos laughed loudly.
“This realm has far better alcohol than the Underworld.”
Then his expression shifted back to curiosity.
“But seriously,” he said again, “why are you here?”
Zagreus grew quiet for a moment.
Then he answered honestly.
“To discover my destiny…” he said softly.
His gaze drifted toward the city outside.
“And perhaps… discover myself.”
Thanatos slowly smirked.
“That,” he said, “is a very dangerous thing for the son of Hades to say.”
Zagreus looked at him curiously.
“Why?”
Thanatos leaned against the counter and took another drink.
“Because for the son of Hades,” he replied calmly, “everything eventually becomes interesting.”
.
.
.
Thanatos walked toward the back alley where several cars were parked beneath flickering streetlights. Zagreus followed quietly beside him.
They had spent hours talking inside the bar without realizing how much time had passed. By the time they stepped through the back door, night had already swallowed the city whole.
Zagreus immediately looked around in fascination.
The mortal world felt entirely different after dark.
Groups of men stood smoking near dumpsters, their laughter echoing through the alley. Nearby, women gathered together, talking loudly among themselves.
Then Zagreus suddenly slowed to a stop.
From the darker end of the alley came soft moans and breathless groans.
He frowned slightly.
The air itself felt different there.
Heavy.
Warm.
Filled with lust.
Not love.
Not affection.
Only raw desire.
Zagreus could sense every emotion swirling through the alleyway—desperation, hunger, longing, temptation.
Couple after couple hidden within the shadows.
Curious, he started walking toward the darker side of the alley.
Thanatos immediately grabbed his shoulder.
“Zagreus,” he said flatly, “I would not go there if I were you.”
Zagreus glanced back at him before looking toward the alley once more.
“What exactly is happening in there?”
Thanatos sighed deeply.
“Mortals doing things even the gods indulge in.”
Right on cue, another loud moan echoed through the alley.
Both gods froze for a second.
Then Thanatos muttered dryly:
“That sound probably reached Olympus already. Zeus is likely on his way.”
Zagreus stared at him—
then both of them burst into laughter.
Thanatos wrapped an arm around his shoulder and steered him away from the alley.
“Come on,” he chuckled. “Before you accidentally traumatize yourself on your first night here.”
They approached a sleek black sports car parked near the curb.
Zagreus stopped in front of it immediately.
“Oh,” he said curiously, “what is this?”
Thanatos smirked proudly.
“My dear brother,” he said dramatically, “this is a mortal chariot.”
Zagreus slowly ran his fingers along the polished surface of the car.
“And what do mortals call this particular chariot?”
Thanatos folded his arms proudly.
“A Bugatti.”
The sheer pride in his voice made Zagreus laugh.
“Can your Bugatti carry Cerberus?”
Thanatos nearly choked.
“Cerberus?!” he repeated loudly. “That giant beast? Absolutely not!”
Zagreus scoffed.
“Oh, don’t act terrified. He likes you.”
“Yes,” Thanatos deadpanned. “After drowning me in his saliva.”
Zagreus burst into laughter.
“Do you know how long it took to wash that off?” Thanatos continued dramatically. “Three death nymphs had to scrub me clean for hours.”
Then suddenly, Thanatos stopped.
His expression slowly shifted into horror.
He looked at Zagreus carefully.
“…You didn’t bring him here, did you?”
Zagreus laughed immediately.
“Of course not. Father would truly destroy me if I dragged Cerberus into the mortal realm.”
Thanatos visibly relaxed.
“Good.”
“But,” Zagreus added casually, “I do have a mortal Cerberus now.”
Thanatos blinked.
“What?”
Zagreus let out a sharp whistle loud enough to echo through the alley.
Moments later, a large black German Shepherd sprinted toward them from across the street.
Thanatos stared in surprise as the dog stopped proudly beside Zagreus.
“This,” Zagreus announced proudly, “is Alecto.”
Thanatos looked horrified.
“You named your dog after a Fury?”
Zagreus grinned.
“One of the worst Furies,” Thanatos corrected. “You named a harmless dog after Alecto?”
Zagreus crouched down and scratched behind the dog’s ears affectionately.
Thanatos slowly crouched beside him, studying the animal carefully.
Then his expression shifted.
He felt it.
Divine power lingering beneath the dog’s soul.
Thanatos looked sharply at Zagreus.
“…Did you do this?”
Zagreus smiled softly at Alecto.
“I brought him back to life,” he admitted quietly. “Yes.”
Thanatos immediately stood.
Concern darkened his face.
“Zagreus,” he said seriously, “tell me this is the last time you interfere with death in this realm.”
Zagreus rose slowly but kept one hand resting on Alecto’s head.
“He’s only a dog.”
“All the same,” Thanatos replied firmly, “he is still mortal.”
His voice softened slightly.
“My mother warned you not to interfere with the balance here, didn’t she?”
Zagreus lowered his gaze.
“I just…” he sighed quietly. “I couldn’t let him die alone.”
His hand gently stroked Alecto’s fur.
“You know what the Underworld feels like, Thanatos. Cold. Empty. Lonely.”
Alecto leaned against his leg silently.
“He lost his owner,” Zagreus continued softly. “His grief was overwhelming.”
Thanatos stared at him for a long moment before resting a hand on his shoulder.
“Even so,” he said quietly, “death is natural for mortals. Lord Hades understands that.”
His gaze sharpened slightly.
“And as his son… so should you.”
Zagreus sighed in defeat.
“…Just this once, then.”
Thanatos raised a brow.
“I won’t interfere again.”
Thanatos exhaled heavily.
“If you were anyone else,” he muttered, “I would never allow this.”
Zagreus immediately smirked.
“Oh, please. You were always going to forgive me.”
Thanatos narrowed his eyes.
“You adore me more than Hypnos.”
“That is objectively true,” Thanatos admitted without hesitation.
Zagreus burst into laughter.
Thanatos crouched once more and finally petted Alecto properly.
The dog immediately licked his face.
Thanatos laughed despite himself.
“Still,” he muttered while wiping his cheek, “why name him after a Fury? You couldn’t think of anything better?”
Zagreus only grinned mischievously.
The two old friends laughed together as they walked toward the car.
Thanatos unlocked the passenger door before glancing back at Zagreus.
“Get your dog in the car,” he said. “I’m taking you home.”
- Writer
