The Oracle of Tartarus [malexmale]

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

 "Ugh, as if being locked in the palace alone wasn't bad enough..."

Noe didn't bother to finish his sentence and just sighed miserably, his knees drawn to his chest and his arms folded on top, head resting on them as he watched me finish cleaning his room before I stopped at the foot of his bed to look at him.

He had finally managed to clean up and stopped bleeding. His back healed perfectly so the skin was smooth, even when it connected to his wings that we managed to clean off with a bit of difficulty due to the fact that Noe didn't know how to use them. We couldn't find a shirt that would work with his wings, so his torso was bare. He only wore loose gray sweatpants now and he looked so much smaller without his uniform on. He probably felt smaller too, something I'm sure he didn't appreciate.

"I'm sorry, Noe," I said again, making him look up past his hair, "But you have to stay here. We can't risk anyone seeing you like this. At least, not until we can figure out how to handle it. I'm not even going to tell my brothers." Noe blinked, looking at me in surprise.

"But if they find out on their own, they'll be mad at you again. Like when you kept the secret about your life forces being connected." He added, frowning. I nodded grimly, balling up one of the bloodied pillow cases, letting it burst into flames in my hands before it turned to ash and fell to the floor.

"So I need to move quickly. I need to inform the servants that you're ill and need to be left alone. I will be the only one to care for you from now on. If you need something, let me know, but don't leave the room. I'll pick up some cell phones from Styx tonight so we can use them." I explained calmly as I turned the lights in the bathroom off, then turned to see Noe frowning at me.

"And what do I do while you're out running around trying to save me?" He asked. I studied his expression, knowing full well that my answer would set him off. He couldn't come with me, couldn't leave in general. He had to remain here and from his room, there was really not much for him to do. I would have to give him my laptop at least to occupy his time, but knowing him, it wouldn't keep him entertained for long.

"I'm going to find someone to talk to," I said, ignoring his question and making him slump down in disappointment, "I need someone I can trust with this. Once I find someone, I'll ask for more information on oracles. In the mean time, Noe, please stay here and do as much research as you can."

"Research?" Noe asked. While it wasn't his usual thing to do, he looked relieved to be able to help.

"Yes. I'll get my lap top and bring it to you. Look up as much as you can on oracles as well as Phoebe. And also go back over what happened that night in Styx, piece by piece. Analyze every detail you can. Chat with Abel online or Sept or Leon, even Kyros, and ask them what happened that night so you can know for sure. If they ask, tell them you lost something and are looking for it. If they offer to help, tell them that's fine. You need something to do anyway. Do you understand?" I asked. Noe nodded, sitting up a little more comfortably now. I nodded to him, then went to the door, slipping out of his room.

I backed away and waved my hand over his door, placing a spell barrier, just like the one that engulfed Tartarus. It would prevent anyone from coming in... and leaving.

I went to my office down the hall and grabbed my laptop, coming back into Noe's room to see him still sitting there, waiting patiently. I gave him the laptop and stepped back, watching him pop it open and type a few things. He worked much faster than I, something that was probably a little pathetic considering the fact that I spent a good portion of my life on there communicating with Hades or Thanatos.

Wait, I realized.

Thanatos.

He was Death. Surely he could keep a secret and while we weren't the best of friends, I valued Thanatos loyalty and kindess for others. He may be Death, but that didn't mean he enjoyed killing people or watching them die.