“Come.”, the voice behind the mask said enchantingly.

I followed the strange man across the landscape of myriad souls. I couldn’t see where the souls were headed to, only the path that was laid down before me.

“Welcome to Hades. the Fates decree your life is due, and so I stand before you.”

The figure held his scythe up, stopped and turned to point it at me. Wicked, strange energy flowed out from the scythe and into my being. Suddenly, a wave of a realisation hit me. With my mouth agape, I stood there while my memories that were etched into my being flowed before my very eyes.

I have lived many lives and slayed many creatures. It all started with a deal with the Fates and that snob of a king Eurystheus. I knew the man that stood before me was indeed Thanatos, so-called God of Death. More like Hades’ errand runner if I had to give him a label, though I am pretty much already an errand runner myself.

“Most souls pass on without my greeting, but it seems the Fates declared we must do this again. I trust you have remembered, but just in case, I am Thanatos, guide of the dead.” he said with authority.

I walked forward to greet him yet again, the same lines I remembered from the many times I have been here, over and over and over. I had to owe it to him though, he kept his promise with the Fates well enough.

“Thanatos, it’s been a while. How’s Hades holding up? Still trying to earn favour with the Gods? Must be boring sitting in that corner of his all day staring at souls.”

“That is none of your concern, child of Alcmene.”

Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time. None of the Gods ever use my name. I’m but Zeus’ bastard after all.

“That’s Heracles to you, so are we doing this or what?”

Annoyed, Thanatos looked upwards, I followed his gaze.

“Stop. Do not stare directly at the Fates or Atropos will sever your thread, focus solely on my palm.”

A coin appeared in his hand. The shallow image of the Fates engraved onto them. Clotho and Lachesis on one side, and Atropos on the other.

“Now, place your hand on the coin and declare.” He held his palm out towards me.

“May the Fates witness this epic coin flip, yadda yadda what the coin says is final, yadda.”

“Take. This. Seriously. Heracles.” I can tell I struck a nerve. Behind the mask, he most certainly said that through gritted teeth.

“With the Fates as our witness, may the coin write my destiny”. I said cheekily.

Thanatos shook his head.

Shortly after he clasped his hand over mine, said more wicked enchantments, and let go.

I tossed the coin upwards.

Thanatos reached out as the coin fell and grabbed it.

“Clotho and Lachesis smiles upon you. Your soul is free to return to your body. Now make haste, capture Cerberus before King Eurystheus finds out you perished once more.”

“Hey, you’re keeping count aren’t you? How many lives has it been?”.

“Leave.”

“Come on, I know you’re counting.”

“Eleven.”

“Huh, one more to twelve. Though it hurts like a bitch to have my heart ripped out by that demon dog.”

Thanatos waved his hand, and I awaken once more.

​

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Totally had to do some research for this one, not too familiar with Greek mythology but I decided to try my hand at it. Also sorry if I didn’t exactly follow the prompt.