บท 259: Atelia

Upon his return some hours later, Thanatos permitted a sullen expression of grief, anger, and loathing to spread across his face. He'd never been in such a position before, never had to think on behalf of another, that demanded sacrifice. His life he could give, but what had been asked…

Presently, Thanatos stood amidst the highest peak of the Palace of Stygian, breathing in the icy gale fluttering across his cloak. 

He sighed and said, "Why are you here?" 

"Zag told me you were depressed," came the voice of Aurora entering the spire to spy a glance. "I had to see it myself." 

Thanatos cursed his brother beneath his breath as Aurora crossed the distance in her hand a decanter of whisky and two glasses. "What happened?" she asked, pouring him a drink. 

He accepted, swallowing the entirety in a single swig. 

"Wow… That bad?" 

The distant silence became her answer before Thanatos broke it with his sultry voice. "I was ambushed…"