Gods & Mortals

The next morning, Shade was woken up in the all-too-familiar manner; by the chaotic noise of the crowd outside. This had become a daily ritual, though today it seemed even louder than usual. He frowned, suspecting the increased commotion was a direct result of his actions the previous evening. Engaging with the crowd had likely drawn more individuals, each hoping for their own moment of interaction.

After getting dressed, Shade made his way downstairs, where Rose and Natalie were already seated at the table. He greeted them with a casual "Good morning," but his attention quickly shifted to the television. A news broadcast was playing footage of his heated exchange from the day before, complete with commentary dissecting his every word.

"Of course they'd broadcast it for the entire world to see," Shade muttered with a sigh, shaking his head.

Rose chuckled, clearly amused by his reaction. "Oh, it wasn't just the news. You were trending on every social media platform all night."

Shade raised an eyebrow, immediately picking up on the implication. "So let me guess, that meant you couldn't sleep again, huh?"

Rose hesitated, her playful demeanor faltering for a moment. "I mean, I only heard about it this morning, so technically..." She trailed off, her tone nonchalant.

"Uh-huh," Shade said, smirking knowingly.

Rose rolled her eyes, exhaling in exaggerated frustration. "Anyway," she continued, eager to steer the conversation elsewhere, "you've been the talk of the world for hours. Everyone's hoping for more reactions like yesterday."

"Well, that explains why it's even louder outside today," Shade said, his voice tinged with resignation.

Before the conversation could continue, Natalie interjected. "Enough chatter, you two," she said, her warm voice cutting through the banter. "Breakfast is ready. Time to eat."

She handed Shade a plate, then did the same for Rose. Shade looked down and blinked in surprise.

"Blueberry pancakes?" he said, a smile spreading across his face. "What's the occasion, Mom?"

Growing up, Shade had learned that Natalie only made blueberry pancakes when something particularly good had happened. It was her subtle way of sharing her joy, and today appeared to be no exception.

Natalie's smile grew wider at his question. "Well," she began, clearly savoring the moment, "a newly established company overseas reached out to me about a job opportunity. After a short interview this morning, they hired me!"

Shade's eyes widened with excitement. "That's amazing, Mom!" he said, mirroring her happiness.

"Overseas?" Rose asked, her brows knitting in concern.

"Yes," Natalie confirmed with a nod, "but they're allowing me to work remotely. I start tomorrow."

Rose let out a small breath of relief. "Oh, that makes sense."

Watching Natalie hum softly to herself, her genuine joy lighting up the room, Shade couldn't help but feel a comforting warmth.

"Anyway," Natalie said, setting her coffee cup down with a determined smile, "I'll be tied up preparing files and documents for the new job all day. What about you two? Got any plans?"

Shade remained silent, his mind drawing a blank. He hadn't had concrete plans for weeks, a pattern that had become all too familiar. After the revelation of his divine nature, most of his high school friends had grown distant, or worse, stayed in touch only out of fascination with his powers. That disingenuous connection had driven him to cut ties, leaving Rose as the only genuine friend he kept contact with. Coupled with Klaus' ongoing isolation, Shade had found himself stuck in a cycle of apathy, lacking motivation to do much of anything.

Sensing his reluctance to answer, Rose stepped in. "We could figure something out, Shade," she suggested, her voice upbeat. Then an idea sparked in her eyes. "How about we visit Higher World and check in on the others? It's been a while since we've gone, hasn't it?"

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Natalie nodded, her smile encouraging.

"Sure, why not?" Shade shrugged. "Though I'll have to use Runic Teleportation to leave the house, and that ability doesn't get any easier every time I use it."

"I get it," Rose said gently. "But you can't stay cooped up forever, you know?"

Shade sighed, conceding her point. "Yeah, I suppose you're right."

After wrapping up breakfast, Shade headed upstairs to prepare. Once ready, he said his goodbyes before activating his Runic Teleportation, vanishing from his room to his secluded spot designated for reaching Higher World. Rose, on the other hand, exited the house normally, deftly using her abilities to dissuade any curious followers until she reached her own transport point. Within minutes, both arrived in Higher World.

"Damn," Rose said, her face lighting up as she looked around. "I haven't seen this place in so long, I forgot how beautiful it was."

"Note to self," Shade muttered behind her, wincing as he pressed a hand to his temple. "Never teleport here immediately after using Runic Teleportation."

Soon enough, the two made their way to the apartment building. Outside, Iris and Tyler were seated on a bench, deep in conversation. Iris was the first to spot them, her face breaking into a smile as she stood and approached them.

"Ahh, mija, mijo," Iris said, spreading her arms wide as she neared them. "It's been far too long."

Rose sighed upon noticing Iris. "Hey, Iris," she muttered with less enthusiasm.

"Oh, spare me the formalities, chica," Iris teased, pulling them both into a quick hug. "I've been keeping up with the noticias every time I'm in Main World. What you two are dealing with; it's awful."

Tyler joined her, his expression a mix of sympathy and admiration. "Yeah," he added, standing up to greet them. "You guys are really carrying a lot on your shoulders for the rest of us."

He turned to Rose, his eyes glancing with concern. "I know you chose to put yourself in this situation, but how's your mom holding up with all this?"

"She's a strong woman," Rose replied. "Honestly, she's even handling everything better than I am."

Tyler smiled softly, then shifted his attention to Shade. "And how about you, Walker? How are you guys managing?"

Shade hesitated before answering, his voice steady but subdued. "We've been better," he admitted. "But we're pulling through."

After Shade's words, Tyler's expression darkened slightly. "How's NightSh... Klaus doing?" he asked, his voice tinged with hesitation.

Shade paused, his gaze lowering for a moment. "He's fine… I think," he replied, the uncertainty in his tone mirroring Tyler's concern.

"Oh, that's right," Iris interjected, a flicker of distaste crossing her face. "I heard about what happened with that demon girl. Talk about obsession."

"Kinda reminds me of someone," Rose faintly muttered.

"What did you say?" Iris snapped, narrowing her eyes in mock indignation. Her feigned seriousness broke when she saw Rose's grin. "I'll let that one slide, chica, but only because you're going through a lot right now."

The group chuckled, the tension easing as they continued catching up. Their conversation drifted to sharing stories and updates since the crisis, and after some time, Iris took Rose back to the apartment building to meet with the other female demigods who were in Higher World. Shade and Tyler remained behind, catching up similarly.

Not long after, Trent, Link, and Quinn arrived, their arrival marked by the sound of their steps. Spotting Shade and Tyler, they headed toward them.

"Ah, cool," Tyler said, waving them over. "You guys made it too."

"How've you been, friend?" Trent greeted Tyler warmly, his signature grin lighting up his face.

"Pretty good," Tyler replied, returning the smile. "It's been a minute, huh?"

The group exchanged brief updates before Quinn turned her attention to Shade. "If you're here, I'm guessing Rose is here too?" she asked.

"Yeah," Shade confirmed, gesturing toward the apartment building. "She's inside with the other girls."

"Great," Quinn said with a sly smile. "Because there's way too much testosterone out here for my liking."

With that, she started walking toward the building, leaving the group behind.

"We didn't even want you here anyway," Link called after her, the digital display on his headgear displaying his indifference.

"Oh, relax, Lincoln," Quinn teased over her shoulder. "Try not to cause any trouble while I'm gone. You're hopeless without a babysitter."

As she continued onward, Link's mask lit up with an angry, pixelated emoji, its animated frown displaying his irritation. "Can you ever not be annoying?" he grumbled, his voice laced with frustration.

"I don't know," Quinn called back, her laughter echoing faintly as she entered the building. "You tell me."

She waved a dismissive hand without turning around and vanished into the building. Silence lingered for a moment, the group caught between Link's simmering irritation and the lingering echo of Quinn's teasing.

"She's so hot."

The words hung in the air for a beat too long. Slowly, as if choreographed, every head turned to Tyler. Trent blinked, Shade raised a brow, and Link visibly twitched, his headgear sparking briefly as if it were processing an error.

CONVERSATION

Link: I'm sorry... WHAT?

Tyler: What? Am I lying?

Link: Dude... that's my sister.

Tyler: So? I mean it's a compliment to you as well.

Link: Well, I don't want that kind of compliment.

A brief silence elapsed for a moment.

Trent: I mean... he's not lying though, friend.

Link: Oh, come on. Not you too.

Tyler: Thank you. Besides, you don't typically get to meet a girl who hits all the five B's on the checklist.

Shade: I'm sorry, five B's? What's that?

Tyler: You know... Brains, Beauty, Behavior, Boo...

Link: Okayyy, Tyler. Thank you for your much-needed analogy on my sister.

Tyler: *smirking* I'm just being real, man.

The group lingered together, chatting about the events of the past month. Their conversations flowed easily as they wandered through the pathways of the Exalted City. Eventually, they stopped at the cafeteria, deciding to settle there for the rest of the day.

For Shade, the company was a much-needed reprieve. The past month had been isolating, and the familiar rhythm of friendly conversation brought a sense of comfort he hadn't realized he needed. Hours slipped by, and soon it was getting late on Earth. A glance at the time on his phone reminded Shade it was time to head home.

Before leaving, Shade decided to inform Rose. After bidding farewell to Tyler, Trent, and Link, he made his way back to the apartment building to find her. Despite searching through several floors and common areas for a bit, Rose was nowhere to be found.

Accepting that his search was futile, Shade resigned himself to leaving without telling her. As he exited the building, he crossed paths with Riley, who had just walked into the building.

"Oh, hey, Shade," Riley greeted him with her usual bright smile. "Didn't know you were here."

"Hey, Riley," Shade replied, stopping for a moment. "Have you seen Rose around, by any chance?"

Riley tilted her head as if thinking hard. "Nope," she said, then paused before continuing, "Oh wait, yeah."

Shade blinked, caught off guard by her abrupt change in tone. "So... where is she?" he asked.

"Oh, I don't know," she admitted with a shrug. "But I did see her earlier when she came into the building."

Shade sighed, sensing that Riley's help would only take him in circles. "Alright. If you see her," he said, his tone resigned, "just let her know I went home early."

"Sure thing," Riley said, flashing him a carefree grin.

As Shade turned to leave, confusion about the situation lingered in his mind. Riley's odd demeanor was nothing new, so it didn't particularly surprise him. However, he'd barely stepped away when her voice called out behind him.

"Wait," Riley said, her tone suddenly shifting.

Shade stopped mid-step, glancing over his shoulder as Riley continued in a quieter voice. "How's he been?" she suddenly asked. "Klaus, I mean."

Her words hung in the air, the playful veneer in her expression replaced with something far more serious. Shade hesitated, then turned fully to face her. "Honestly," he began, his voice heavy, "the more I answer that question, the less sure I am of what to say."

Riley studied his face, the weight of his response settling between them. It was clear to her that Shade struggled under the burden of answering with certainty when even he felt unsure. Her eyes softened, realizing that what she'd suspected might indeed be true.

"Let me guess," she said after a moment, her voice steady. "He's been locked in his room ever since he left Higher World, hasn't he?"

Shade stiffened, surprised by her accuracy. "Was it Rose who told you that?" he asked, narrowing his eyes as he searched her expression.

Riley shook her head. "Not really," she replied, her tone calm. "Just a hunch."

Shade hesitated, then sighed. "Well... your hunch is right," he admitted, seeing no point in hiding the truth from her.

Riley's expression grew even graver, her usual cheer completely extinguished. Shade had never seen her like this, and it stirred an unexpected curiosity within him. He was surprised by how deeply affected she seemed by the news of Klaus. 

"Just... make sure he's okay," Riley said quietly after a moment of heavy silence, her voice carrying a hint of something she couldn't quite put into words. Without waiting for a response, she turned away.

"I will," Shade replied, though her words left him puzzled.

He watched as Riley walked slowly down the hall, heading deeper into the apartment. There was a restraint in her demeanor, as if she wanted to say more but held herself back. Shade couldn't help but feel touched by her concern. He found some solace in knowing that so many people still cared about his brother.

Finally, Shade left Higher World and returned to Main World. The quiet of his house greeted him upon entry. Natalie had already gone to bed, and Shade didn't blame her. He knew her new job would demand her full energy the next day, so he decided not to disturb her.

Walking softly through the upstairs hallway, Shade stopped at Klaus' door. As had become a daily habit, he sank to the floor and leaned back against the door, gazing at the lightbulb on the ceiling in silence. 

"Hey, Klaus," Shade began, his voice carrying the weariness of the day. "Another day without you again, I guess."

He let out a deep sigh before continuing, recounting his day as if his brother were listening. "Not much happened today. Humans are still... well, humans. The ones outside are as obnoxious as ever. But Rose and I did go to Higher World. It's been so long since I've been there, and seeing everyone again was nice. Felt like a breath of fresh air."

Shade hesitated for a moment, his tone softening as his thoughts turned inward. "They all asked about you," he added. "They care about you, you know. A lot more than you probably realize."

The silence between his words felt heavy, almost expectant. After a pause, Shade spoke again, quieter this time. "I know you'll find the strength to pull yourself out of this eventually," he muttered. "And when you do... just know I'll be right here."

Shade leaned his head back against the door, letting his eyes close. The quiet of the house wrapped around him like a heavy blanket, and for a while, he let himself sink into the stillness, lost in his thoughts. It wasn't until a sudden knock at the door echoed through the silence that he was jolted back to reality.

Frowning, Shade sat up, listening. It wasn't unusual for the humans outside to pester them, but the timing seemed strange. A second knock came, sharper this time, pulling his attention fully. Frustration prickled at him as he stood and made his way downstairs, seeing the possibility that it could be Rose and not what he had assumed.

As he opened the door, his irritation was replaced by pure shock. 

"Riley?" Shade asked, his voice betraying his disbelief.

There she stood, wearing an oversized black hoodie with the hood pulled up, a cap peeking out from underneath as she masked her face with the night skies. She looked up at him and smiled faintly. "Hey, Shade," she said casually. "Mind if I come in?"

"S-Sure," Shade stammered, still struggling to process her presence.

He stepped aside to let her in, closing the door behind her as she moved into the living room. Riley lowered her hood and removed her cap, placing it beside the couch before sitting down. Shade remained standing for a moment, staring at her. His mind raced with questions. He wondered why she had chosen to come to their home during such a critical time with humanity and how risky it was.

"I bet you're wondering why I'm here," Riley said with a faint smile once they had settled into the quiet living room.

"Kinda," Shade replied, his tone tinged with confusion. "You do realize that just being here could make you a suspect for being a demigod, right? That's exactly what happened to Rose."

"I know," Riley admitted, her smile fading as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "But... I couldn't just leave it alone."

"Leave what alone?" Shade asked, his curiosity sharpening.

"Klaus," she said softly. Her answer hit Shade like a sudden gust of wind, leaving him momentarily stunned. Before he could process her words, Riley continued. "He lost someone very close to him, and now he's been locked away for over a month. That's why... I wanna help him."

Shade's shock was evident as he stared at her, trying to gauge her seriousness. "You want to meet him? In this condition?" he asked incredulously. "You realize my brother's not exactly... approachable, especially in situations like this."

"I know," Riley replied, her gaze dropping to the floor.

Her quiet demeanor mirrored the weight Shade had seen on Rose's shoulders recently. It was a shared burden, one Shade himself carried too.

"It's just that..." Riley began again, her voice barely above a whisper, "I can't leave him alone like that. I wanna try to help at least."

Shade frowned, uncertainty shadowing his features. "And you think just walking in there and talking to him is going to help?"

Riley lifted her head to meet his gaze, her expression raw and somber. "Trust me..." she murmured, her voice laced with a quiet conviction. "I know."

For a moment, silence filled the space between them, heavy and unspoken. Shade saw something in Riley's eyes; a deep sorrow, but also a stubborn resolve. It wasn't a reckless plan; it was something she truly believed in.

Finally, Shade sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

Riley nodded solemnly. "Trust me," she said again, her voice steady this time.

With a reluctant shake of his head, Shade relented. "Fine," he muttered. "I'll take you to his room. But if this goes sideways, don't say I didn't warn you."

A faint smile returned to Riley's face as she stood, nodding in thanks. Shade led the way up the stairs, the two of them moving quietly through the dimly lit hallway.

When they reached Klaus's door, Riley paused, her hand hovering near the knob. The oppressive atmosphere emanating from the room made her chest tighten. It wasn't just the weight of Klaus's grief; it felt like the room itself held an impenetrable barrier, keeping the rest of the world at bay.

Shade stood a few paces behind her, watching in silence. He could see her steeling herself, summoning the courage to press forward.

Without a word, Riley knocked softly, the sound barely audible in the stillness. Then, with a deep breath, she turned the knob and pushed the door open.

As Riley stepped into the room, she was swallowed by an oppressive darkness. The windows were tightly shut, the blinds drawn, and every trace of light extinguished. The faint glow from the hallway behind her barely illuminated more than a few feet ahead. She hesitated, her heart pounding, before taking cautious steps forward. Slowly, her eyes adjusted, and a shape began to emerge; a figure on the bed, draped entirely in a blanket, unmoving.

"K-Klaus?" Riley called softly, her voice trembling.

For a long moment, there was no response, just the suffocating silence of the room. A chill crept down Riley's spine, her apprehension growing. But she steadied herself, pushing forward.

"Hey, Klaus. It's Riley," she tried again, her voice gentle but steady. "I just wanted to check on you... make sure you're okay."

The silence persisted, oppressive and unyielding. Nothing in the room moved, save for Riley herself. Yet she refused to give in.

"Look," she said, her tone firming, though her voice quivered slightly, "I know you've lost someone incredibly important to you. And I know you blame yourself for what happened to humanity. But you need to know that it's not your fault."

She took another step forward, her resolve solidifying. But as she did, a palpable force rippled through the room. It wasn't just in her mind, it pressed against her, heavy and suffocating, as if the very air was warning her to stay away. She faltered, her breath hitching, but she didn't retreat.

"I know company is probably the last thing you want right now," Riley continued, her voice softening as she battled the tension in the room, "but I also know it's what you need. You need someone to remind you that it's okay to hurt; that it's not your fault. But most of all, Klaus... you need to truly grieve."

Riley took another cautious step forward, and the force in the room surged, slamming into her like a tidal wave. Her knees buckled slightly as her body screamed at her to leave. Before she could fully register the sensation, the darkness ahead shifted. Suddenly, a being stood ahead of her in silence.

It was Klaus.

Klaus was suddenly ahead of Riley, standing mere inches from her, having risen from the bed without a sound; before the blink of an eye. His towering frame loomed over her, his presence suffused with fury and anguish. His hair was unkempt and longer than she remembered, framing a face that was gaunt and shadowed. His once-vivid, yellow eyes were dull, void of their usual brilliance, yet the raw intensity they emitted made her chest tighten. Even the humans outside could feel the sudden shift in the atmosphere.

"Get out."

Klaus's words were spoken softly, but they cut like a blade, accompanied by his terrifying glare. The oppressive force in the room spiked to unbearable levels. Outside the door, even Shade flinched as he felt the intensity emanating from the other side. Anxiety gnawed at him as he debated whether to intervene, his concern for Riley's well-being heightening.

But then, to Shade's shock, as well as Klaus's, Riley did something entirely unexpected. She stepped closer.

Before anyone could react, Riley wrapped her arms around Klaus in a firm, unwavering embrace. She pressed herself against him, her head barely over his shoulder. Despite the confidence in her actions, her trembling hands portrayed her fear.

Shade's breath caught in his throat as he watched from the door, his eyes wide with disbelief. Riley held Klaus tightly, refusing to let go even as the force in the room seemed to war against her. She shut her eyes tightly, bracing herself for whatever might come next.

Klaus's body was thinner than she'd remembered, his frame frail beneath her touch. She could feel the edges of his shoulders and the slight tremor in his form. It was a stark reminder of how much he had neglected himself in his isolation, but she also understood his situation all too well.

"I know you don't want to hear this," Riley began, her voice trembling as the weight of her own emotions surfaced. "But you need to grieve her properly. You need to let yourself feel this pain." She hesitated, her arms still wrapped firmly around Klaus, before adding, "I know because... I've been where you are."

Her words hung in the air, fragile yet determined. Riley understood that in Klaus's current state, her story might mean little to him. She could feel the overwhelming force of his emotions, and she knew full well that if Klaus truly wanted her gone, she would already be out of the room. The fact that she remained standing gave her the courage to continue.

"She was my best friend back in middle school," Riley said, her voice growing quieter as the memory surfaced. "We decided to skip school that day, and go shopping, just the two of us. It was my idea." Her voice cracked slightly, but she pressed on. "But on the way there... we got hit by a drunk driver."

She squeezed her eyes shut, clinging to Klaus tightly as if grounding herself in the present. "I subconsciously moved ahead and tried to shield her, tried to take the brunt of the impact instead. But somehow, I managed to survive. And she... she..."

The room seemed to grow even quieter, save for the faint hitch in Riley's breathing. "I blamed myself for her death," she continued, tears rolling freely down her cheeks. "I mean how couldn't I? It was my idea to skip school in the first place. For the longest time, I couldn't do anything without thinking about her. Without feeling the guilt pressing down on me. I couldn't even go back to school because of it."

She paused, gathering her strength to share the part of herself she had buried for years. "Fourteen months," Riley said softly, her voice breaking with emotion. "Fourteen months, one week, and five days. That's how long it took me to finally leave my house again."

Outside the room, Shade's heart sank. He leaned silently against the wall, the weight of Riley's words crashing down on him. He'd always known her as the cheerful, carefree one, always bringing light to those around her. Hearing her share such a deeply personal and tragic experience shook him to his core. He now understood why Riley was doing what she was and why she had stepped into Klaus's suffocating darkness.

"Even though I shut everyone out," Riley continued, her voice tinged with sorrow, "even my own mom... I secretly wished someone would've told me what I'm telling you now."

Her tears fell more freely, streaking down her face as she kept her eyes shut over Klaus's shoulder, his face remained shadowed in the dim room. "Klaus," she murmured, her voice raw, "I know the pain you're carrying. I know the blame you've put on yourself. But you can't keep doing this to yourself. You have to grieve. You have to mourn her. Isolating yourself... all it does is prolong the pain. And you know, deep down, that she wouldn't want this for you. So please..." Her voice cracked again, a quiet plea slipping from her lips. "Please, instead of punishing yourself, honor her death by mourning her."

The room fell into a still silence, broken only by the sound of Riley's soft sobs as she clung to Klaus. She had poured everything she had into her words, leaving herself vulnerable, but determined to reach him. She could feel the rapid thrum of his heartbeat beneath her chest, the tension still radiating from his body. But slowly, something shifted.

Riley felt Klaus's rigid form begin to soften in her grasp. His breath hitched, his shoulders trembling as if under the weight of an invisible burden. Then, quietly at first, she heard it; a faint, broken sound that grew into unmistakable sobs.

Klaus, the stoic and powerful figure she'd known, broke into tears.

"She's... really gone," he whispered hoarsely, his voice hollow as the truth he had tried so desperately to deny finally took hold.

Riley tightened her embrace, her own tears falling freely as she held him.