239. Thanatos’ Words
Thanatos’ Words
‘Hekate.’ His voice was soft
as we led the legions,
soft enough that Hermes,
walking close by, could not hear.
I looked at him and his kind eyes
held a thousand years of concern.
‘Tell me,’ he asked softly,
‘that you are sure you want to do this.’
I knew what he was asking.
Thanatos knew about my parents.
He knew how much I had
hated the Titanomachy.
And he was right. What was I doing?
Was I truly going to lead an army
to protect the same Olympians
who had caused me such pain?
Who had driven my mother
out to sea after abandoning me?
And locked my father into
a prison made of torture?
Was I ready to face
who I would be after I had led
a war? What if another child
was left abandoned after this?
And that would be my fault.
But if everything fell into place
according to my plan,
this would be less of a war,
more of a surprise attack.
And one thing I knew,
about the element of surprise:
if executed properly,
this would be over quickly.
I turned to Thanatos
and smiled reassuringly,
despite my own worries.
‘Yes. Yes I am sure.’