I think I passed out at that moment because after that I found myself dangling from chains and dressed in rags; shirtless. The chains burned the skin which came in contact with them. The entire place was black on black and even my eyes which were capable of sighting even in the darkest nights failed me. All I could make out was the bars in front of me and the never-ending hallway up ahead.

Am I in hell? Is Hades or Satan or whoever it is that lives here going to come in and welcome me? It seemed I was forgotten for the longest time, though I couldn't quite be sure since there were no windows. I wondered if I wasn't dead, but that would mean I was alive.

Doesn't matter dead or alive you're in hell either way. It didn't matter, the pain was all I felt. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. Doesn't it?

If I get out, so help me I will annihilate whoever is responsible for such. I had promised myself. I will kill them, all of them.

I am not dead. I AM DEATH!

I must've been there for days before Zeus and Apollo had come in. I had been right after all. I was still alive, so much for hoping.

They had dirty water that looked like it must have come from the sewers and something that didn't even resemble food. I arched an eyebrow at them as they entered.

"You still alive?" Apollo asked in wonderment and abject horror. I smiled sadistically at him, my injuries infected.

"I'm a tough bastard." My answer automatic, though every syllable broke more of my already broken jaw. "Let's see whom I can take to the grave with me." Apollo took two steps back. I laughed, though the sound didn't resemble it. "Oh, trust there's nowhere far enough for you to run when I get out. I will kill you all and Erebus's head is going to be my prize this time." Apollo shook fiercely.

"Let's get out!" He hissed to Zeus. "This guy isn't right in the head." Zeus scoffed.

"He's chained and wounded what is he going to do?" Zeus argued. Slowly stepping closer to me. "Watch." He said to Apollo before he came up to me with an arrogant swagger. "Your little crew is caught. We caught them this morning and your programmed little friend "Alexia" is also gone. You're on your own Black! You doomed yourself for nothing." My head hung low as he forced me to eat and drink that crap. "Now tell me the truth, you bastard!" He spat in my face.

"I am Death," I stared at him in the eyes. "And you will feel my wrath!" I promised him.

===

My days blurred together as they turned to weeks, perhaps even a month. I had no way of knowing, but as I lay in the hell-hole, I quickly learned that the weasel had lied to me. They didn't have the others. They were safe, and I was still alive. At least they hadn't caught them, yet. That isn't total defeat.

It had become a sadistic routine after a while. My mornings, or at least what I thought were my mornings by the guards' position and their rant would be Doctor A, coming in and testing all kinds of drugs on me to most I would appear either immune or allergic. He would curse me and my heritage, as if it were my choice, get mad and get out ordering the other guards to "teach me my place" and so the lashes would commence from a 50-150 depending on the doc's mood. Then they would tie me back to the wall with the burning chains and leave me there to dangle like a piece of meat waiting to be butchered.

My afternoons would have the highlights of Moros and several commanders and generals coming in and trying to "negotiate" with me leaving in fits when I refused to cooperate, which would result in more lashes and a slimy thing running down my body leaving burn marks all over. Sometimes even electrifying me. Then a child of about 8, I gave the nickname of Blue, came in to clean up the mess. I tried talking to Blue, but it was of no use as he never responded.

After he would leave Erebus and Selene wouldcome in, spit on me, curl their lips and try to negotiate again. I wouldrespond with a smart-ass comeback, he goes into fits like his son, bangs me upsome more and would leave after I had finally lost my consciousness, or he gotbored. Poor kid returns to clean up the mess and me, sometimes going as far assneaking in an apple when no one was watching. I thank him, but he stillrefused to talk.

It was on one of those days when Blue had returned that I discovered the horrifying truth. He... he wasn't alive. He was one of them! One of the silhouettes that had haunted me all my life. 

He was dead.

"Blue," I tried again. "Who are you?" The kid looked up at me with a faint smile, though his eyes were glazed. 

"The necromancer shall always be victorious against all odds." He shrugged as he returned to help with some of the infections that have been giving me a fever. 

Has the fever finally gotten to my head and left me delirious? Skies, I certainly hope not!  

The necromancer... what is a necromancer? I tried to talk to him some more, press him for answers, but eventually, the fever and pain won out and I was out cold again.