Chapter 9 - The Memories (1/2)

Persephone

The rooms Xavier got us were quite nice, at least by my standards. They were small and spartan, but they were clean. The bed was of rather decent quality with pillows and multiple brown sheets at the foot of the bed. We each had our own rooms. All of them were roughly identical, with Solskin's having the only window. I pulled out my pocket watch and pressed it to my ċhėst. Starting with my daily prayer, I pulled out my gold coin purse that I kept solely for the purpose of helping the dead pass over to Hades and started renewing their blessings so that any rites using them would be official.

”You done?” Solskin knocked on my door loudly.

”Almost!” Quickly, I finished what I could and opened the door.

”What were you doing in there?” Solskin asked. I did not reply. Solskin appeared to have gotten the message and was quiet.

”Where do you want to go?” I asked Solskin, finally breaking the silence.

”I went to go to a tavern and see if they have any Dwarven Port. I needed a drink after the fight. They didn't, but I'd like to have company for a drink. Can you go?” Solskin replied. There was a flash of fear in his eyes. There appeared to be be more to this request than meets the eye.

”You okay? I'll join you for that drink.”

”It's been a long day. I need to talk to someone.” Solskin said longingly.

Solskin

The excitement from entering the capital finally faded. The journey was short, but in that time, I nearly died. It truly scared me with how helpless I was. The fear crashed down on me. I can only remember falling endlessly. Going up the stairs scared me. Looking out the second floor window of my room scared me. Everything began to take a malicious form, ready to harm me. Memories which I long suppressed, memories of It returned. ”What's the strongest drink you have?” I asked the bartender after he finished serving some people.

I was given a shot of vodka along with a bottle for refills. Persephone had a mug of half-ale and was staring intently at me. I sighed, ”Have you ever nearly died?”

”It is safe to say that we all nearly died there. But, over the course of my life and with my particular job, I have seen many people die. I have developed a strong belief that Thanatos does not want me by his side yet.”

”This was not the first time for me. I nearly died ten years ago when It attacked.” I took a long and deep swig from the bottle, ignoring the tiny glass.

”How strange, my village also suffered attacks ten years ago.”

”Do you remember? The people you lost, I mean. What if it was you? Do you ever wish it was you?”

”Not really, death is inevitable. You just move on from it”