Ch.34

Ivy

Coldness filled my body but the darkness was finally gone. I could feel the rays of sun. The warmth was welcomed.

"Kratos?" I croaked and opened my eyes.

Beautiful green grass and flowers was all that met the eye.

Lilies.

Daisies.

Lavender.

Scents of every kind from dirt to trees. Earth.

I picked myself off the ground, watching my surroundings.

There were no buildings or people. No kratos. No Paimon. Just fields.

Where am I?

—-

Paimon

There are too many. I'm outnumbered by thousands. Even my gifts wouldn't get me out of this one.

I needed to get back to Heaven and regroup with God and Thanatos.

I crept along the outside of the large stone walls- watching the demons and dogs. They were like small children on Christmas morning.

Running down the stairs and straight to the tree. Looking at each and every present, wanting to unwrap it and get the goodie inside out.

Heaven was that tree.

Ivy was the present.

I sped up and reached our portal. Heaven's portal. You were only allowed to cross through if you were pure and approved.

Despite my past, God had cleared me and marked me as pure.

Though nobody, not even god, is pure.

I didn't hesitate leaping through the bright light. Soon enough, I was on the white furry carpet of God's living room.

"Paimon?" Thanatos asked, his voice groggy. He sounded ill. Not again.

"Hey bud," I waved and sat up, pain shooting through my body.

"That portal sucks,huh?" He chuckled and handed me a bag of ice. He was expecting this.

Stupid old people knowing everything.

"Yes sir. Sucks major," I looked around, "where's god?" I asked not seeing him.

"He's dealing with Zeus in his office." Thanatos flashed me a sad smile.

That only meant one thing.

"No." I shook my head and stood.

"I'm sorry Paimon." Thanatos stood with me and placed a skin covered hand on my shoulder.

Sounds normal but not for him. He hates taking souls and if he's finishing growing his flesh then he's been doing a lot of that.

"Paimon?" Thanatos bent forward, peering into my eyes.

I looked back up at him, I was trying to ignore the reality of what has come but I guess not.

"I don't want to hear it, Thanatos. Please." I sat on the sofa and buried my head in my hands.

"She can't be gone." I whispered, my voice cracking.

"Paimon, she's not the one gone." Thanatos lowered his voice and I whipped my head in his direction.

"What?" I asked, confusion overwhelming me in seconds.

If she wasn't, dead who was?

It only took a minute for it to hit me.

Kratos.

"Yep," Thanatos looked at the floor and shook his head.

"Where's Ivy then?" I had disregarded kratos's death. There'd be time to mourn him later.

Right now though, I needed Ivy.