"The darkness is a good friend, only until she starts getting jealous of the light around you and pulls you closer to herself. She's very possessive."

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Mrithun's POV

They say the darkness can kill. But can the darkness kill Death too? Because there was no explanation for what I was feeling.

I wasn't sad. I wasn't angry. It was just an all-consuming nothingness, shrouded by an uncanny sense of dread. The heart in my mortal form was pounding in my chest and I didn't know what name to give to this emotion. This was nothing like I had ever felt before. My tongue was dry like parchment, and there was no end to that pain.

I was pacing up and down the office, which would not be my office anymore soon. The black walls which I had carefully selected were just plain darkness now. I wanted to see colour; I wanted to see blush, the kind of colour that spreads across her face when I touch her, the hue that lights up the evening sky of the human world.

I stared hard at the crystal light resting in its cove and the light started whirring under my gaze till the brilliant crystal shattered into a million shards and the holder cracked too, raining crystal dust on the floor. I didn't need fancy lights, the light I needed was gone, the illuminating smile was locked away forever in the unending depths of hell and I, the almighty Death, was standing there, doing nothing, nothing at all to try to bring her back.

I had almost rushed after her that day when Atropos ordered her to be imprisoned. If not for Lachesis, I would've landed myself in the Fields of Lament because of my foolishness. No, I wasn't foolish; it was the fact that my concerns were muddled up. The impulsivity had drowned out any sane thoughts for a moment. I just knew they couldn't take away Tora when I was there.

Lachesis had frozen me to the spot with her spell, to keep me in place. And I had let myself be because I was not in control of my body. My emotions were beginning to cloud my judgement.

They say immortals don't have emotions. But then what do I name this weird feeling I had the moment I set my eyes on her? She was just another ordinary human, but there was something about Tora, something otherworldly, and that attracted me more.

A knock on the door broke my internal monologue.

Nish, my little imp, jumped down from the table and flew to the doorknob.

A man burst into the room and closed the door behind him. For a brief second, my mind couldn't comprehend what someone like him could be doing in my office.

"Mrithun, we need to talk."

That single sentence at that moment seemed to carry the weight of the universe. It must have taken him a lot of courage to come up there to talk because the Fates' minions generally tend to avoid me.

"Manibhadra, I'm not sure this is the right time you know..." I began.

"It's about Tora," he blurted.

That one name sent a shock wave through my body. My throat felt gritty as I tried to swallow.

"What about her? Are you investigating the case?" I asked warily. If that was the situation, then I had to put my mental guards up right then.

"Oh Lord, as if!" He threw his hands into the air and his eyebrows frowned, visibly irritated.

"We don't call upon the Lord in the underworld," I said smoothly.

"I know," he spat, "And that's why a human girl is being forced to stay in a prison where even the best of the immortals go insane after a while."

"Human girl?" I tried to feign innocence.

"Oh please," Mani collapsed into my chaise lounge.

"Ouch," Nish whimpered from somewhere.

"Oops!" Mani jumped up again.

"You broke my wing," Nish yelled, his eyes glittering with pain.

"It's fine. You would heal by yourself in a while," I mumbled.

Nish stroked his injured side with the other wing, mewing again.

Mani picked him up gently on his palm. "No no, It's my fault. Sorry little one, I didn't see you."

He then ran his slender blue fingers on Nish's hurt wings, and magic sparkled between them. The crooked wing straightened up in a wink and Nish flapped his black wings, his beady eyes watering up seeing himself brand new again. And without a warning, he dashed at Mani's chest and put his arms on him, giving him a small hug.

"You are a good guy," Nish whimpered, wheezing. "I will never forget..."

"It is fine, little guy." Mani gave a short smile as he stroked him again.

I could see slight dimples forming on his cheeks like pretty little craters. No wonder Tora stared unabashedly at him half of the time. He really was handsome in a cute way. I couldn't help but notice the beautiful blue glow that emanated out of his rippling muscles. He was one of the kinds of immortals, created from the purest layers of cosmic energy. I held back my thoughts before they could run away and fall on someone again — a guy precisely, however flawless. Mortal bodies and brains are indeed unpredictable, channelled and fueled by hormones and swayed by hearts.

"Wow, you can heal?" I asked instead.

"Newer power," he admitted. "I'm still trying to perfect this magic but it's working just fine. I can't control it though it happens when I genuinely feel pity for someone that's hurt. I can't heal anyone just like that."

"Interesting," I mused, as he settled on the seat once more, with Nish playing happily on his shoulder.

"Yes, you know, I used this power once..."

"No, I don't know, and I don't want to know," I snapped impatiently. I was really not in a frame of mind for ramblings.

People never chit chatted with Death. My office was always a place of business. You come in, you get your job done and you leave. No dilly dally and gossip. And currently, I really was not in a mood for gossip. I need to learn why he was here.

He seemed taken aback by my bluntness. But he gained composure quickly and let nothing else show on his face.

"So, you were telling about a human girl?" I insisted.

"Oh, come on," he snapped. "Don't play dumb. Tora told me everything."

"She did what?" I stood up straight, my eyes widening in shock.

"She confided everything in me." Mani lowered his voice, throwing furtive glances around.

"We're alone. Don't worry," I reassured, still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that Tora had spilt the secret.

"But when?" I asked finally.

"I'm coming straight from the pits of hell. " He wiped his forehead. "It's hot in here."

"Because I'm cold as ice," I replied in a matter-of-fact way, "Please continue."

"So, I visited her, and she is in a terrible condition." There was something in his eyes. An unspeakable emotion when he thought about her. There was a strange golden light emanating from within those orbs. "And I was trying to soothe her when she told me the whole truth."

"I don't know why she would do that." I grabbed a fistful of my hair in anger. I would never understand what went on in that pretty little head of hers.

"Well, seems she feels comfortable in sharing things with a friend."

I stared hard at the God of property sitting in my office. Nish was nuzzling cosily at his neck unmindful of who his master was.

That was it. Mani was the safe space, the gentle healing touch that made people vulnerable. He was the complete opposite of the scary ruthless image that I portrayed. He was the softness, the comfort zone that she yearned for, and I could see in his eyes that he ached for her too.

And that caused another tide of the earlier feeling in me, but this time, there was a tinge of bitterness seeping into them.

"Tora likes you a lot," I sighed. "You'd be perfect for her. You're like the ray of hope, a light she can hold on to as opposed to the darkness I tread on and exist in, the all-consuming black hole, the void that is my world. I never make, I only break."

Mani's blue eyes focused on mine. His irises sparkle like the tropical seas.

"I can sense emotions around me you know." His lips curled up into a small smile.

I raised my eyebrows at him.

"And I perceive what you feel for Tora and what she feels for you."

"And what about you?" I was shell-shocked.

"I'll always be the best friend that could never become something more." He laughed. His laughter was laced with sadness, but it was so pure. There was no malice in his intentions. Mani was a person with a kind and sparkling, clear heart.

"I..." I didn't know what to say.

"So, what do you need from me?" I asked finally, dropping the question that had been hanging in the air for so long.

"I want help in breaking her out of prison." His voice rang out well and clearly.

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Authors Note : What do you think of Mani's plan? What will Mrithun do now? Is it worth the risk of eternal punishment to attempt a rescue mission for Tora?