King Rhadamanthys leaned on his spear as Mike rose from the dirt. When he did, he noticed Rhadamanthys wasn’t the only one in the amphitheater. Mike looked warily at the man who came down the aisles, heading toward Mike.
Rhadamanthys turned. “Ah, Zagreus. You bear something for this man, do you not?”
Zagreus stopped short. “How do you–” He shook his head. “Nevermind.”
Rhadamanthys chuckled. Zagreus went over to Mike, and took his hand. Zagreus took out his sword, and placed the point on Mike’s palm, then rammed it through.
Mike tried to pull back, but was impaled. It didn’t bleed – it didn’t hurt, but something, some bit of his essence leaked out onto the blade, twirling around it like tendrils. Then Zagreus pulled the blade out. “What did–”
Zagreus kissed him.
At first, Mike tried to pull back, but he felt something familiar about the kiss…Kael! Mike blinked, fell into the kiss, and responded in kind. Then he heard a light cough.
Zagreus parted from him, and Mike turned to see Rhadamanthys with an amused little smile on his face. Zagreus turned to Rhadamanthys and stated, “He is not to be judged.”
“I have only been here to keep him company, Zagreus.”
“He is free to wander the Realm where he wishes.”
“I have not kept him here.”
“Father has a plan for him.”
“I know this.”
“Excuse me?” Mike said, “But he’s right here?”
“So I have noticed,” said Rhadamanthys. “I was curious, and wished to see you for myself.”
“So I can go anywhere? Like on Charon’s boat?”
“Do you have coin to pay the ferryman?” Zagreus said, almost sounding like a demand. “Do you wish to drink of the River Lethe?”
“No, and no,” said Mike. “Geez. You don’t have to be so pissy about it.”
“I dislike being a messenger boy,” he said, “Especially when I have other things to concern myself with.”
“He is in Elysium,” said Rhadamanthys quietly.
Zagreus took a breath, letting it out slowly. Then he turned on his heel, like a military man, and marched back up the aisles. Mike watched his back and said, “What the hell was that all about?”
Rhadamanthys watched him also. “He misses someone very dear to him that followed the Death of Paragon.”
“Death of Paragon–”
“It is of no concern of yours.”
“It sure as hell is! Where’s Scott, then? Kael?”
“Neither has crossed the rivers.”
“What about –”
Rhadamanthys whirled on Mike. “If you wish to know, wander Hades yourself. I am no gossip.” He hitched up his spear and turned to leave.
“Wait. Rhadamanthys.”
“You are not to be judged. I am not needed here.” Then Rhadamanthys took three steps, and he was gone.
Mike looked around the amphitheater. “Well, if I can go anywhere, I might as well stay here for a while…”
~~~~~~~
Post 400!