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It had been an accident of course. He hadn’t meant for anything to happen! But his domain had dragged him further and further into its embrace at a terrible moment. The spear pierced through him easily, going right between his ribs before yanking itself out and returning to its owner. It had barely missed his wings that sat on his lower back, but it definitely found its mark. The waters of the Styx bubbled forth to meet him, and he let it swallow him whole.
Originally he had been going about Elysium sending off shades into sleep that asked him to do so. He had even talked to Patroclus who sat by his river day and night without ever leaving or moving. It was his job as Sleep to give comfort to the dead and living, and it gave him great joy to do so.
Emerging from the Styx was a weird thing, the blood dripped from his long curled hair, oozed through the feathers of his wings on his head and lower back. His robes were soaked with it as well, yet all of him dried completely just a couple feet from the steps. It had been so long since Hypnos had been in the House, so long since he had given up his place there, and for good reasons. His bare feet padded across the floor as he made his way towards the new record keeper, a shade who met his approach with shock.
“Hiya! Can you tell me how I died?” He asked politely, ignoring the sound of a gong behind him and listening to the shade stammer out that he died to a ‘prince Zagreus’. Now he just had to find out who this Zagreus was, and why he put a spear through him.
“Hypnos!” Thanatos boomed out behind him, spinning him around by the shoulders to look him over. “You died! How did you die?” For someone who acted like nothing bothered him, Than sure did get his feathers ruffled by quite a bit.
“Some prince named Zagreus it seems! Took a spear right through the ribs!” Hypnos cheerfully explained, watching with interest as his brother’s face darkened considerably. Perhaps he knew this prince? Either way he seemed quite upset about the situation.
“My son killed you?” Hades rumbled out behind him, seemingly both interested and utterly disappointed. So it was the prince of the underworld that had killed him. He wondered what he had done to warrant being killed, he didn’t remember upsetting anyone recently.
Then a shout came from behind him, as something other than a shade emerged from the Styx. He was well built with black hair and flaming feet, but was quickly shoved back into the river when Thanatos charged him. But once killed he simply emerged from the river again, this time pleading with Death as he approached once more.
“I’m going to skewer you on that sword of yours.” Death promised in a low tone, pausing only when Hades called out once again. Telling Thanatos off for acting without his saying so, acting without any thought of reason or consequence. Even when he had backed off, anger seemed to simmer beneath his skin, who knew that Than cared so much?
“You’re Zagreus right? You have a pretty good throwing arm!” Hypnos chuckled, watching with interest at how awkward the Prince was. The kid obviously hadn’t meant to kill him, so it would be quite funny to rub in what he had done. What better time to get in a jab or two at him?
“Yeah, sorry about that mate.” Zagreus apologized half heartedly. “ Who are you by the way, I don’t think I recognize you.”
“Oh yeah, I left before you were born I think! Name’s Hypnos, I’m Sleep Incarnate.” He happily greeted his murderer, holding out a hand with what he hoped was a welcoming smile. When the Prince took it, he pulled the other closer so that he could look him fully in the eyes. And then opened his secondary set of eyes, bewitching the prince and sinking him in sleep. “And I know for a fact that you need a nap.”