Chapter Text
“...And this is the home that was given to me, befitting Elysium’s greatest champion!” The king gestured grandly around himself at the open, airy chambers. “Your rooms are adjacent, and I took care to ensure that they are suitable to your stature.”
Asterius stepped inside, blinking at the fineries around him.
The king continued to rattle on, but Asterius couldn’t focus on it; he was lost in the light and beauty around him, trying to take in everything at once. He walked up to the massive bay windows that looked out over the fields and hills beyond, and just stared out in wonder.
Elysium was beautiful and strange, gloriously untouchable and since the King had led him off Charon’s boat, Asterius had followed behind him as meek as a cow on a lead, turning his head back and forth and staring at everything.
He wouldn’t be allowed to stay, of course. The charade would end, the king would laugh and explain that this was part of his punishment; to be given a glimpse of paradise to tantalize him forever in tartarus.
Or maybe he would be kept as a trophy, chained in the arena for the sport of the king and whatever mighty shade fancied a fight with the Bull of Minos.
Asterius didn’t think he would mind that. Not if he could have the light.
He knew the sun did not pierce the depths of the underworld, but the light that bathed him here felt like the sun he had imagined for so many years in the labyrinth.
Asterius closed his eyes and turned up his snout to feel it better. Turning his back on the king made the fur on the back of his neck prickle; all of his instincts told him he was in terrible danger from his old enemy, but he ignored them.
What could the king do now? Kill him again?
He only turned when he realized that the king had gone silent. He was looking up at Asterius- strange to see how small he really was, when he loomed so large in Asterius’ memory- his expression unreadable.
Asterius braced himself. This must be where the facade dropped, where he was condemned to whatever fate the king had in mind for him.
Immediately, the king resumed his bright, wide grin. “Ah, forgive me, I have forgotten my manners. You deserve refreshment”
Asterius no longer felt the gnawing ache of hunger that had followed him all his life. But he would eat or drink if the king commanded him. There was no reason not to humor him, if it meant that Asterius might have the light for a few moments more.
The king reached for a trio of golden bottles on a low table in the center of the room, then hesitated. Instead, his hand went to a bowl filled with colorful food; fruit, if Asterius’ foggy memory was correct.
“Here, friend!” The king held up a large, rounded red object “Try this.”
Asterius regarded the apple dubiously. He’d never taken any pleasure in eating; for him, food meant screaming, the snap of bones, the rank scent of blood. All it had ever given him was the animal satisfaction of avoiding death for another day.
He had killed and eaten the sacrifices sent into the labyrinth because he had no other choice. If there had been other food in his past, it was too long ago for him to remember.
But the king looked up at him, expectant and- almost hesitant. As if he feared Asterius’ rejection.
Dutifully, Asterius bowed his head. He took the apple delicately from the proferring hand, noting that the king didn’t even flinch as massive teeth passed inches from his skin. Then Asterius tipped his head back and crunched the apple down in a single bite.
It tasted like sunlight. His eyes closed on reflex, so he could focus on the mix of sweet and tart that sparkled across his tongue. He chewed slowly, savoring the texture of the fruit, not wanting the moment to end.
When he opened his eyes, king Theseus beamed. “There we are! The first of many luxuries that you are sorely owed, my friend!”
With the light on his fur and the sweetness on his tongue, Asterius could almost believe him.