Page 32 of Thanatos' Craving

“And why is that?”

His words struck a chord within me. I could sense the deep longing and sorrow that lay beneath his impassive exterior. He had become a prisoner of his own duty, trapped in a realm of perpetual detachment. It was a lonely existence, one that I couldn’t bear to see him endure any longer.

“You don’t have to feel nothing,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “There’s more to life than just duty. You deserve happiness, too.”

Thanatos turned his head slightly towards me, his eyes now glowing a soft blue inside his hood. “You don’t know what my duties are. Come, let’s feed you,” he said dismissively.

I opened my mouth to argue but my treacherous body let out a loud growl, and I groaned in frustration. I was hungry. In fact, I was famished.

Thanatos hummed. “Even death cannot silence the call of hunger,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. He gestured for me to follow him as he turns his back.

Curiosity and hunger led me to follow him, my footsteps echoing in the cavernous space as we traversed deeper into his home. There are no windows or doors, just smooth dark stone with a hint of reflection. The torches gave off enough light to see in front of me. The darkness was all but a friend here to him.

With each step I took, my bare feet felt the warm surface of the stone beneath me. It was a stark contrast to the chilly air that surrounded us in the depths of the Underworld. As we made our way through the winding tunnels, I couldn’t help but wonder if this warmth was a result of the Underworld’s fiery inferno orsomething else entirely. My body shivered, goosebumps rising on my skin as we ventured further into the cave. The dampness and musty scent only added to the eerie atmosphere, a constant reminder that death resided here. I kept my thoughts to myself, not wanting to disturb the delicate balance of this place that was clearly his domain. Despite the discomfort, there was something strangely captivating about the dark and foreboding aesthetic of his home.

After we navigated through dark, winding corridors, we finally reach a small chamber. The only source of light was a dimly lit fire crackling in the center that cast flickering shadows on the stone walls, reminding me of the shadows that clung to Thanatos.

A sturdy wooden table took up most of the room, set with simple yet elegant dishes. The smell of roasted meat and freshly baked bread filled the room, which made my stomach growl even louder. It reminded me of how long it has been since I last ate. My mouth watered at the thought of sinking my teeth into some food.

Thanatos took a seat at one end of the table, his robe draped around him like an impenetrable shroud. I gingerly took a seat across from him, feeling a mix of anticipation and apprehension. This meal felt like a pivotal moment between us—a chance for connection amidst the vast divide of our worlds.

He gestured for me to start, his skeletal fingers gracefully gliding over the table as he poured wine into our goblets.

I picked up my fork hesitantly and cut into the succulent piece of meat before me. The knife glided smoothly through the tender flesh, releasing a burst of savory aroma. The anticipation in the room is palpable, the silence broken only by the crackling of the fire and the subtle clinking of silverware against porcelain.

Hmm, I wonder where the food goes if he doesn’t have a stomach?

I brought the morsel to my lips. I glanced up at Thanatos, his gaze fixed on me. There’s a certain intensity in his eyes that I can’t help but find captivating. It’s as if he’s studying me, trying to understand something that remains elusive to him.

The first bite exploded with flavor in my mouth, the rich juices mingled with the natural sweetness of the meat. It’s a symphony of taste that brings me back to life with every chew. The other hunger that gnawed at me—the one where I got to know Thanatos more of who he really is—dissipated as I continue to eat.

This was possibly the best food I ever tasted.

I continued to eat; the silverware clinking against the plate. I drank the wine from the goblet. Because yes, I would call it a goblet because that is what it was. A huge, overly decorated metal cup that was far too heavy for my human hand, which I needed to take two to lift.

I gazed over the rim of the goblet and could see the faintest two blue lights coming from his hood. Two eyes, and they were growing brighter by the minute.

“I-I’m sorry. Was I supposed to wait to eat?” I put the goblet down and pressed the napkin to my lips. “Sorry, I don’t know god etiquette.”

Thanatos stayed quiet, but the lights in his hood go out. They come back again and his shoulders slump.

Ahh—he closed his eyes. But why can I see those glowing lights in his eyes now? When I first met him, there was nothing but darkness.

“You have done nothing wrong,” he said in a deep voice. “I was just admiring how a human eats.”

I took a long blink. “Excuse me?”

Does he think I’m an animal? A zoo creature to look at?

“N-no! Not at all.” His voice rose and his hand reached over the table. “It's just, I’ve seen no one enjoy food the way you are. Ifind it fascinating.” He rested his elbow on the table and leaned on his hand.

I squinted my eyes and took another bite of the meat.

Damn straight, I like this food.

“Well, the emotion is called joy. And my stomach is thrilled and appreciative of all this food.” I rubbed my stomach gingerly.

His animal whined beside me, nudging my leg with his nose. He was so quiet I didn’t even notice him the entire walk here. “Aw, beastie wants some food?” I nuzzled him with my nose and grabbed a hunk of meat.

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