“But my life shouldn’t mean anything to you Panna, if it is so worthless.” I reply a look of fear and confusion painted on my face.
”You speak boldly for someone who is most likely going to die. Tell me traveler whats your name?” Panna says chuckling.
”Ah my dear I’ve gone by many names which should I pick to share with you. Also I doubt I’ll die tonight.” I say the fear washing off my face like it was never there.
”Tell me the most common name and why you won’t die tonight.” Panna orders.
”You might know me as Thanatos.” I say a smirk sliding into place.
”Never heard of you, shot the troublesome man.” She orders waving her hand dismissively. I can see the six men, and it’s clear at least half of them have heard about me. To add to the tension I stoke the flames in the fireplace to heights that could burn everything on the mantle. I also wrap tendrils of shadow around those who don’t seem to recognize my name.
“Men get out of here unless you want to die tonight.” I say quietly. They obey and scurry out the door.
“I’ll punish you six later.” Panna calls after them.
“You see, the problem in ruling with blood and fear is many people want you dead Panna, including me.” I tell her shaking my head mockingly.
“Well the good thing is that no one has the guts to stand up to me.” She says taking a drink from her wine glass. “I mean, except for a nobody like you. You’re probably using someone else’s name to instill fear into my very loyal subjects.”
“You might also know me as the reaper or angel of death if we’re talking about my professional names, but you probably know me as Theo.” I say to Panna.
I watch as the blood in her face drains, she’s remembers me then. “T-theo ? No, he was banished to hell!” She roars.
”Ah you see, I was in hell for thirteen years, thanks to you, and they finally reviewed my case. You see, they found me not guilty of the crimes you were able to make everyone believe I committed when I was five. They gave me these awesome powers and released me back here to collect souls when they’re ready to move on. I control fire and shadows it’s quite wonderful really. I’ve been back for about five years. Actually the first soul I helped pass over was our dad’s.” I say smirking as I let the fire and shadows dance on my fingers.
”No, you’re not him! He wouldn’t hurt me, not even when I betrayed him! The last thing he said to me was that he loved me!” She screams in denial.
”I did love you, then. But thirteen years in hell really changes a man. Especially an innocent one. Tsk, but then you weaved your web of lies about my crimes. I mean mass murder, arson, drownings? What do you take me for? A psycho?” I ask her in false shock. ”Thirteen years ago I would never be capable of those things, but we’re not thirteen years ago now, are we? No, we’re not. You see I also have to kill people for my job, hence the name angle of death.”
Panna looks up at me smiling. “So you’re really alive? I missed you so much! I love you Theo! I love you so much!”
”Hold up now, I was Theo thirteen years ago, but now? Now my names Thanatos. You my dear are bound for hell, oh say hi to the devil for me!” I say with a bright smile.
”You really are psycho, aren’t you? I mean to think that you can come into my palace and just say I’m going to hell and that you, of all people, are going to kill me? No, I don’t think so.” She replies coldly.
”Ha, you’re finally getting it aren’t you? I’m a fucking psycho yes, but I’m the best! Call me all the names you want, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re bound to go to hell. Also a tavern is not a palace.” I say gleefully.
”Screw that, and screw you.” Panna says turning and running out the back door.
”I was hoping you would run tonight.” I say with a sigh.
I let her stumble out onto the main road so everyone can see the spectacle I’m about to create. “Help me! He’s going to kill me!” Panna screams.
About a dozen men step between me and her but I just laugh, realizing that the six men didn’t warn anyone about who I am. “Step out of the way and I won’t hurt you.” I say laughing. “This is a family matter.”
”Mrs. Panna’s only living family was her father who died five years ago.” One of the men tells me.
”Oh, didn’t she have a twin brother? I could’ve sworn Theo existed.” I say my smirk sliding back into place.
”Well he was banished to hell eighteen years ago, after Panna showed everyone the crimes he committed.” Another one said.
”But, he was five? How could a five year old commit mass murder and arson? Especially since his father was the one who did it all. Plus how many people has Panna tortured, beat, and killed since Theo was banished?” I ask him.
”How do you know it was his father?” The same man asks.
”Because I was Theo, thirteen years ago.” I say with my signature smirk.
”He’s been in hell for the last eighteen years. What do you mean thirteen?” He asks puzzled.
”Well my case was reviewed five years ago and I was released as Thanatos, the reaper, and the angle of death.” I replied. “Actually the first soul I took to hell was my father’s.” I see the moment my names register in their brains. Eight of them step out of the way while the remaining four clearly don’t know who I am. I let a wicked smile replace my smirk. “I’ll give you one more chance to move out of my way.”
“No we’ll protect Mrs. Panna with our lives.” The tallest one tells me.
”Yay.” I reply my smile growing even bigger. I bring my shadows and fire back to my fingertips. I send them forward in ropes tying the four men up. Only one was lucky enough to be caught by the shadows, the rest were screaming in agony from flames wrapped around them. The other shadow wrapped around Panna and pulled her to me. I release the four men and turn my back. “Say hi to the devil for me, my dear, dear sister.” My scythe is in my hand and I slash it across her chest, drawing her soul out. I smile as I watch more shadows shoot out of the ground and pull her soul under. “Goodbye dear town. Until next time.” I disappear in clouds of shadows smiling to myself.
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