KM-13 sent me holographic messages, asking to meet again. Usually I would have just blocked his clumsy and unwanted attempts at romantic banter, but he was a cyborg. Most of his holograms showed him blowing up things, building a career in Chaus. I was not sure how much I envied his excitement. I did not know exactly how he had gotten my contact info to begin with, and I did not believe that there was any way to permanently keep him out of my system. Attempting to block him might have upset him. However, even at the risk of angering a homicidal cyborg, I could not find it in my heart to answer him.

I had ignored messages from the Keres-sisterhood as well as his. At this point, getting back in touch might have provoked a murderous response. I supposed it would be safer to search for a new employer.

I wanted to find a more simple life. In a world that was not cruel or dangerous, my efforts to find peace might have been more fruitful. What kind of employment options did I really have as an ex-serial-killer, hunted by Hades and Lex?

I regretted not having taken Arto's laptop. Going back to earth would be suicidal, even more than it had been the first time. I was not from earth. They were not like us. Who did I care for and why?

But I remembered the music. If I had had Arto's music now, surely my memories of him could have been revitalized.

Using links and simulations that I found on the website of Nyx's temple, I set out to enrich my soul. Emptiness and heartbreak was not going to singularly define me. I would not let it.

Reading through some of the published scriptures of Nyx was the only thing that made sense to my heart. I felt whole, or at least comforted. Orpheus's music gave me a spiritual feeling, carrying me beyond clouds and all the way into Tartarus. Knowing the risks but deciding to live rather than fear, I used my last available avatar to visit a sermon in Nyx's temple.

The temple guard allowed me into the temple after I presented him with a special hologram I had attained while exploring their website.

There were more candles inside of the hallways than there had been last time and a dusky congregation ambled seemingly aimlessly all through the temple. In the midst of the central arch stood an especially prominent-looking human. He appeared to be very tall and muscular in the way that only an avatar ever could be. His black clothes were of the finest silk that I had seen to this point. He strut around the main arch with overt importance.

People started gathering around him, and I followed the stream. All the lights were dimmed as we stood together in the temple. The man started chanting verses from Nyx's scriptures, his voice weighty and rough. Some of the other faithful repeated what he said, others responded with their own favorite verses. I stood and silently enjoyed it. The ceremony lasted for about one hour.

Nyx's priests lit up the candles to end the darkest hour of night.

I stepped to the man in the middle and broke the silence: "Thank you."

He nodded, his face straight and content. Another attendee of the ceremony joined in: "Thank you, Hades." and bowed down deeply before him.

"Children of Chaus are my passion as well as hers.", Hades said, glimpsing at a big statue of Nyx.

My face must have unwittingly expressed dissent. He spoke quickly and assertively: "Are you disagreeing?"

"It's a multifaceted world.", I said.

He nodded again, discontent with my apparent defiance. "I am glad you enjoyed the ceremony.", his tongue cut through his words with pretend kindness.

I smiled, unyielding. Hades turned around to talk to the other attendees.

Feeling ambiguous about this turn of events, I teleported out of the temple back to my ship.

It had been weird to finally see Hades. He was less transparent than I had imagined. More diplomatic. His aura ignited fear as well as devotion. I felt more conflicted than anticipated. All Chaus are evil, but some Chaus are viciously attractive.

I wondered how my life might have been had I not run from school. It was a funny idea as a play in my mind. As a birther of Hades's children, I would likely have had all kinds of privileges. The nicest house, the nicest food, the best servants. But what good is the best house if one is not allowed to leave it? It would have been a different life.

It surprised me how much I was still thinking about Arto. You never know until you kill them I guess. After you kill them, you learn to miss them. I would have preferred a life with Arto over any other man. Maybe it was just because he was the only man I had ever known that did not pose an active threat to my livelihood. Well, now he might. If someone had tried to blow up my home planet I would kill them too.

At least I had Hubris. At least I had Hibiscus. And at least I had scriptures. Everything I had now, I had worked for myself.

The loneliness was building up, it was time to have a chat with KM-13. I supposed he was the closest thing to a friend I had.

I did not blame him for his part in killing Arto. We had both wanted to destroy earth. We had both chosen to hate Lex more than we loved life. By the standards of the vast majority of ethical doctrines we would have been judged quite harshly. Now and before we tried to blow up earth.

Maybe mother Nyx would create a better tomorrow. If she did not, then maybe it was not supposed to be. I had never really liked the choices I was given.