Gods & Mortals

Klaus stood in silence, his fury gradually crumbling into sorrow. For an entire month of solitude, he had been consumed by one relentless thought; that it was all his fault. The devastation caused by the monsters, Xhin's obsessive fixation on him, Avalon's untimely death, Klaus bore the weight of all these events as if they were his own doing. To him, the blame felt justified.

He replayed the thought endlessly: if he hadn't loved Avalon, if their lives had never intertwined, she would still be alive. Yet what tore at him most wasn't just the sorrow of her loss but the suffocating regret. Instead of grieving the girl who had been the light of his life, he wallowed in remorse for dragging her into his chaotic, unnatural world.

Amid this storm of self-loathing, Riley's words echoed within him. She had touched a part of his pain he'd buried beneath the regret. For the first time, Klaus recognized the truth; he didn't need to punish himself. He needed to mourn. Her voice had pierced through the darkness of his denial, pulling him back to reality. Tears began to form in his eyes, slowly trickling down as the realization of Avalon's absence truly set in after so long.

Klaus wept, the weight of his grief crashing down on him. The gaping void Avalon had once filled seemed larger and more unbearable than ever, making him feel as though life itself had been drained of meaning.

"She's... really gone," Klaus whispered, his voice cracking as the words escaped him. Riley held him close, her silence speaking volumes. She didn't try to fill the air with reassurances or platitudes, understanding that sometimes, just being silent was enough. Tears streamed down her own face as she shared in his pain, her embrace steadfast and unwavering.

Shade, listening from beyond the door, remained still. He heard every broken sob, every moment of Klaus' grief, and chose to let the scene unfold without interruption. His own heart ached for his brother, but he knew this moment was one Klaus had needed for far too long.

Minutes passed in heavy silence as Klaus remained in Riley's embrace, her presence grounding him in his sorrow. At last, Klaus gently tapped her arm, signaling that he was fine. Riley hesitated, remaining a bit longer before finally withdrawing, her eyes meeting his.

Klaus stared back at her, his gaze hollow yet sincere. Riley could see it all; his exhaustion, his frailty, the toll his self-imposed isolation had taken. She had felt his malnourished frame in her arms, a stark reminder of how deeply he had sunk into despair. Despite everything, Klaus managed to speak.

"Thank you," he murmured, his voice soft but genuine.

Riley nodded, her lips pressed together as she fought back another wave of tears. She didn't trust herself to speak, knowing it would only break her composure. Klaus shifted his attention toward the door, his steps unsteady as he made his way toward it. Each movement seemed to require immense effort, his body struggling against the weakness born of neglect. When he finally opened the door, he found Shade waiting on the other side.

"Brother," Shade said softly, his expression filled with relief and compassion.

Klaus met his gaze, sorrow etched deeply into his features. The burden of everything poured out. "I'm sorry…" he softly voiced, "for everything."

Before Klaus could say more, Shade closed the distance between them, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Sorry for what?" Shade said, his voice warm with reassurance. "I'm just glad you're okay."

The regret in Klaus' eyes deepened. He realized how much Shade had worried for him, how his silence had only added to the strain on his brother. Klaus had isolated himself, but Shade had stayed steadfast, refusing to give up on him.

When Shade finally released him, Klaus felt compelled to share something important. "I thought about leaving earlier," he admitted, his voice low and trembling. "Your words… every day, I heard all of them. They were the only thing keeping the sanity I had left."

A faint smile crossed Shade's face at his brother's admission. "Then I'm glad I could help when you needed it most," he said gently.

Shade wanted nothing more than to leave the struggles behind, so knowing his words had reached Klaus brought him relief. Suddenly, upon concluding his words, he noticed a faint flicker in Klaus' weary eyes. The light in them seemed to waver, as if his brother was teetering on the edge of consciousness. A moment later, Klaus' body betrayed him and his strength gave out, causing him to slowly fall forward.

Shade moved closer to catch his brother, bracing himself as Klaus collapsed into his arms. Concern flickered in Shade's eyes as he held Klaus, but eventually, he realized Klaus had simply fallen asleep.

Shade exhaled, relief washing over him before he lifted his gaze toward the doorway. There, Riley stood watching, a bright smile lighting up her face. Shade couldn't help but mirror it, his own smile filled with gratitude. Riley had done it. She had managed to reach Klaus.

The next morning, Klaus stirred awake, his body sluggish and numb. The sensation of sunlight on his skin felt foreign after weeks spent in darkness. As the light filtered through the open window, Klaus gazed upon it, a reminder of how far removed he had been from the world. But even with the new day, an emptiness lingered, hollow and aching.

The realization of Avalon's absence pressed on him. For the past month, regret had drowned out everything else, keeping true sorrow at bay. But now, with the dam broken, the weight of her loss was crushing.

Klaus sat up slowly, his gaze roaming his surroundings. He was in his bed, though he didn't remember getting there. Memories of the previous night were hazy, but the emotions were crystal clear.

Turning his head, Klaus spotted Shade slumped in a chair beside him, fast asleep. It didn't take long for him to piece together what had happened. Shade must have carried him to bed and stayed by his side through the night. Klaus felt a pang of guilt, recognizing the toll his actions had taken on his brother. He sighed softly, then rose from the bed as quietly as he could, not wanting to wake Shade.

He moved to a drawer, pulling out a blanket. With careful hands, he draped it over Shade's sleeping form before heading to the bathroom to freshen up.

The shower did little to dispel the dizziness that clung to Klaus like a shroud. His body was frail, his limbs unsteady, reminding him of the toll his neglect had taken. He also hadn't eaten in weeks; possibly not since before the human extinction crisis. The realization startled him briefly, but he dismissed it as another quirk of his divine nature. What lingered instead was the understanding of just how long he'd been lost in his isolation.

As he showered, fragmented memories of his self-imposed exile surfaced. He couldn't recall much with clarity, only the overwhelming rage that had burned through him like a wildfire. Every moment had stretched unbearably long, and the world beyond his anger had felt irrelevant, insignificant. The memories left a bitter taste, so Klaus pushed them aside for now.

Once he was clean and dressed, Klaus made his way downstairs. Each step was a trial, his movements unsteady and slow. His body protested every shift, but he pressed on, his resolve quiet but firm. By the time he reached the bottom, he was already fatigued. Yet something caught his eye before he could take another step.

In the living room, Riley lay sprawled on the couch, fast asleep. Klaus paused, his gaze softening as he took in the sight. Her presence confirmed what he'd only half-remembered from the night before; she had truly been there.

He hadn't been sure if what he'd seen of Riley in his room was real or a desperate projection of his mind. Though they had barely spoken before this, a solid reason why a projection of her would have been weird to him, she had come to his aid regardless.

Klaus felt a quiet gratitude well up within him, unexpected but genuine. He also had an idea of why she'd chosen to sleep on the couch instead of leaving or returning home.

As Klaus entered the kitchen, he pulled a bottle of water from the fridge. He paused, staring at it for a moment, realizing that his body didn't crave it. Regardless, he tilted his head back and took a sip. One gulp was enough to leave him feeling strange, as though he'd just consumed a dozen bottles of water in one go. His stomach churned uncomfortably, almost rejecting the sensation altogether.

The odd reaction made Klaus pause. His body had grown so accustomed to its deprivation that even the smallest attempt to nourish it felt foreign. He sighed, accepting that he'd have to ease into normalcy. It was absurd, but he wasn't surprised; divinity often bent the rules of his body in unpredictable ways.

Before his thoughts could spiral further, the faint sound of footsteps descending the stairs caught his attention. He turned toward the staircase just in time to see his mother, Natalie, appearing at the bottom. One hand covered her eye as she stifled a yawn, her movements sluggish in her half-awake state. Still groggy, she made her way toward the coffee machine with single-minded determination, clearly intent on starting her morning routine.

"Morning, honey," Natalie mumbled absently, not even glancing up as she fiddled with the coffee machine.

Klaus stood silently, watching her. A few moments passed before Natalie froze, her hand hovering mid-motion. Slowly, her eyes widened as the realization of his presence dawned on her. She turned toward him, her expression shifting from sleepy to shocked in an instant.

"K-Klaus?" she stammered, taking a hesitant step closer as if unsure whether her mind was playing tricks on her. "Am I... am I seeing things? Is that really you?"

Klaus gave her a small, tired smile. "Morning, Mom."

Her shock melted into raw emotion as she rushed toward him, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. Klaus felt the warmth of her embrace as tears streamed down her face.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Natalie whispered, her voice breaking under the weight of her relief.

Klaus' expression softened, the guilt of the past month pressing harder on him. "I'm fine, Mom," he said quietly. "I'm sorry for making you worry for so long."

Natalie stepped back slightly, her hands still resting on his arms as she looked him over. "Don't apologize," she said firmly. "Shade told me everything. I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

Klaus nodded slowly, his gaze dropping. "I didn't know how to handle it," he admitted, his voice trembling. "Losing her... it felt like my life ended along with hers. I didn't know what else to do. I'm sorry for putting you through that."

Natalie's heart ached as she saw the pain etched into her son's face. "Klaus," she said, her voice tender yet firm, "you never have to apologize to me for hurting. Losing someone you love so deeply is unimaginable. But I want you to know that whatever happens, I'll always be here for you."

Klaus met her gaze and offered a faint, reassuring smile, even though the ache in his chest hadn't lessened. He hated seeing the pain his actions had caused her and silently vowed to protect her from feeling it again.

They talked quietly as Natalie moved around the kitchen, preparing breakfast. Klaus tried to help, but his unsteady hands and weak body betrayed him. Natalie gently insisted he sit instead, waving off his attempts, which he reluctantly obeyed.

A sudden knock at the front door interrupted their conversation. Klaus barely had the energy to rise, so Natalie excused herself and went to answer it. When she opened the door, Rose swept inside, her movements brisk and purposeful.

"Sorry I'm late, Nat," Rose began, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "The crowd outside my place was worse than usual. It's getting more annoying to navigate through them."

Natalie chuckled softly. "Good morning, Rose. You're looking great today."

"Thanks," Rose replied with a smile. "I finally managed to get some decent sleep last night after weeks, so I feel rejuvenated. But don't tell Shade I said that," she added with a playful smirk.

The two exchanged lighthearted banter, but Rose's mood shifted the moment someone emerged from the kitchen. At first, she didn't register who he was, assuming it was Shade from the corner of her eye. But when her gaze fully met Klaus', she froze. Her smile faded into quiet shock.

"Klaus..." she whispered, her voice trailing off as she stepped closer to him.

Her eyes searched his face, taking in the gauntness, the weariness, the toll of his grief. Without a word, she moved forward and wrapped her arms around him in a firm but tender embrace. Klaus hesitated briefly before raising his arms to return the hug, his movements slow and uncertain.

Rose held him tightly, her silence speaking louder than words. Her concern was etched deeply into her expression as she buried her face in his shoulder.

Klaus and Rose lingered in their embrace, a quiet moment of connection that brought a soft smile to Natalie's face. When Rose finally stepped back, her eyes remained locked on Klaus, her expression a mix of relief and surprise.

"It's really you," she murmured, her voice almost disbelieving.

"I guess," Klaus replied, his voice steady, though his usual detached demeanor remained.

Rose studied him for a few moments longer, her thoughts visibly churning. Slowly, her expression shifted, tinged with frustration. She had been by his side for weeks, visiting daily and waiting for the moment he would finally leave his self-imposed isolation. But the one night she hadn't been there was the one he chose to emerge.

"What changed?" she asked softly, the frustration and confusion threading through her voice.

Klaus didn't answer immediately. His gaze drifted past her, settling on the couch in the living room. Rose followed his line of sight and noticed Riley still asleep, her quiet form lying on the couch. Rose's confusion deepened, her brow furrowing as she turned back to Klaus.

"Riley?" Rose questioned, her voice low with curiosity. "Just how much did I miss?"

Before Klaus could respond, another voice interjected from the stairs. "A lot," Shade said, his tone light but firm as he descended. "Morning, everyone."

Rose's eyes snapped toward Shade as he joined them. "What the hell happened last night?" she asked, her curiosity evident.

Shade didn't hesitate, recounting the events of the previous night. He explained from his encounter with Riley in Higher World, to how she had succeeded in pulling Klaus from his isolation. Rose listened intently, her expression cycling between disbelief and amazement as the story unfolded.

"I can't believe that worked," she finally said, shaking her head. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I did," Shade replied matter-of-factly. "I messaged you as soon as it happened."

Rose frowned, pulling out her phone to scroll through her messages. Sure enough, there Shade's message was, buried beneath dozens of others. Realization of what had caused her to miss it dawned. 

"I was... asleep," she said quietly, her disappointment evident.

After weeks of sleepless nights spent worrying about Klaus, the one evening Rose allowed herself to rest was the one she missed the emergence.

Klaus noticed her distress and stepped in. "You don't have to feel bad, Rose," he said, his voice steady but soft. "I know you've been coming here every day since I shut myself away. I know what you've risked, revealing your identity for my sake."

Rose's attention snapped to him. Klaus continued, his tone unchanging yet filled with sincerity. 

"You weren't there," he said, his eyes meeting hers, "but I'm glad you're here now."

Rose's emotions relaxed at his words. While she still felt a twinge of regret, Klaus' calm assurance helped her focus on what truly mattered: he was here, standing before her, doing fine and beginning to heal.

"You're right," Rose said, exhaling softly as she let her guilt go. "Enough about me. How are you?"

Klaus hesitated, the weight of her question evident in the silence that followed. Shade and Rose both watched him, their concern palpable as they awaited his answer. Finally, Klaus spoke.

"I'm... not sure," he admitted, his voice low. "But I'm... trying to be fine."

His honesty brought a flicker of worry to Rose's face, but she didn't press. She could see the effort it took for him to open up, and she appreciated his willingness to let them in, even a little. Klaus, sensing their concern, began to recount his experience in isolation.

He spoke of the rage that had consumed him; a fiery hatred directed both at Xhin, who had singlehandedly torn his life apart, and at himself, for failing to prevent it. Time had become meaningless in his solitude, his days blurring together in a haze of fury and despair. Only when Shade had finally reached him had he realized just how long he had been lost in his grief; over a month.

Shade recounted the events of the past month from his perspective, describing both his personal struggles and humanity's collective experience. As Klaus listened, he was struck by the revelation that an entire month had passed since he isolated himself. The realization caught him off guard. 

To Klaus, the time had felt like an eternity, yet in retrospect, it seemed to have passed in the blink of an eye, a strange contradiction that he couldn't fully grasp. Shaking off the disorientation, he chose to focus on catching up with the others, asking about their experiences while he had been withdrawn. 

By the time Natalie finished preparing breakfast, she called them all to the kitchen. 

Klaus explained that his body couldn't handle a full meal yet due to his prolonged fast. He would need to ease back into eating gradually. Rose found this an intriguing insight into the peculiarities of their divine nature, but Shade couldn't hide his sympathy for Klaus. Sensing his concern, Klaus reassured him that it wasn't a big deal.

The group shared light conversation until Rose eventually broached a deeper topic. "What do you plan to do now?" she asked gently. "Do you have anything in mind?"

Klaus remained quiet for a moment, deliberating before responding. "For now," he began, his voice even but resolute, "I want to meet with my father. I have questions about everything. And maybe... that will help me find some closure."

Rose nodded thoughtfully. She could see that Klaus was still grappling with his pain and anger. His resentment toward the gods had always been apparent, even before their involvement with their demigodly activities. But if meeting with Sol, his father, could help Klaus take a step forward, Rose was more than willing to support him.

Their conversation continued as a movement from the living room occurred. Riley had woken up. She sat up from the couch, rubbing her eyes before focusing on the kitchen. Her gaze lingered on Klaus, who was mid-conversation with Shade and Rose, and a smile slowly formed on her face as she noticed his improved state. Rising to her feet, Riley approached them.

"I'm glad to see you're doing better," Riley said warmly, addressing Klaus directly.

"Yeah," Klaus replied, his gaze shifting toward her, his tone neutral but not dismissive.

Though his expression remained stoic, Riley had grown accustomed to his demeanor and wasn't fazed. But before anyone could respond further, Klaus pushed himself to his feet, his movements slow and unsteady. Each step toward Riley seemed to cost him effort, yet he pressed on until he stood directly in front of her. His eyes met hers, and his voice softened as he spoke.

"I really want to thank you, Riley," Klaus began, the sincerity in his voice silencing the room. "I didn't realize how much I needed to hear what you said last night. I'm grateful for what you did. Living the way I was... it wasn't honoring her memory."

His words were heavy, laden with raw emotion that hung in the air. Riley, visibly moved, offered him a small, encouraging smile.

"I'm just glad you were willing to listen," she replied. "Coming to terms with something so painful isn't easy, but you did. That's what's truly impressive."

"Regardless," Klaus said firmly, "I owe you more than I can say."

Riley smiled again, a warm and reassuring expression, but her features shifted slightly as something occurred to her. "By the way," she began, "the reason I stayed here last night was because I couldn't risk the attention of being seen leaving. Honestly, I'm sure it's still not safe now. Do you think there's a way I can avoid being outed as a demigod?"

Rose and Shade exchanged uncertain glances, neither able to immediately provide a solution. Klaus, however, seemed to have an idea forming in his mind.

"I'll take you home on my way to Higher World," Klaus said to Riley, his tone calm. "I'll use my Burst Speed, so you don't have to worry about being seen."

The suggestion was practical, but concern immediately flashed across everyone's faces. Given Klaus' current state, the idea seemed unwise.

"Are you sure?" Shade asked, his brow furrowed. "You still seem pretty worn out."

"I'm fine," Klaus replied simply, his expression unfaltering. "It's no big deal."

Shade hesitated, his skepticism lingering. Still, knowing Klaus had already planned to head to Higher World, he ultimately let it go, though not without some apprehension.

From the side, Rose spoke up. "I honestly forgot you've managed to bypass the restriction of only using your light speed at night. That's pretty impressive."

"I guess," Klaus said, his tone flat as usual.

He chose not to elaborate on what achieving such a feat had cost him, unwilling to dampen the mood. Without further discussion, Klaus headed upstairs to prepare for his departure.

While he was gone, Rose took the opportunity to approach Riley. "By the way," Rose began, her voice calm as she caught Riley's attention, "I don't think I've said this yet, but thank you for helping Klaus."

Riley blinked in mild surprise, then smiled. Rose's sincerity was evident, her expression soft but resolute as she continued.

"I've sensed the pain Klaus had been harboring every day I've come here," Rose said, her voice tinged with emotion. "Even now, I can tell he's not fully okay, but the weight he's holding right now is significantly lighter because of you."

Rose glanced down for a moment as if gathering her thoughts. "I really care about him," she admitted, her voice softer. "And I know your actions helped him in a way that, as a close friend, I couldn't. So... thank you."

Riley's smile widened slightly at the heartfelt gratitude. "Like I said earlier," she replied modestly, "most of it was him being willing to listen. All I really did was talk."

"Well... that was clearly enough," Rose insisted gently.

Riley nodded, though her smile dimmed a little as her gaze drifted. "It's good that it was," she said, her tone quiet. "Because honestly, that was possibly the most terrifying thing I've ever done. And that's saying something, considering I've met someone like X."

Rose chuckled softly, though there was an understanding in her eyes. The two talked for a few more minutes until the sound of footsteps signaled Klaus' return.

Klaus descended the stairs, his usual demeanor intact. He was ready to leave, but before stepping out, he turned to Riley, briefly meeting her gaze. Without a word, he extended his arms toward her.

"Hop on," he said flatly. "I'll carry you in my arms until we get there."

Riley's face flushed red at the gesture. "W-Wait," she stammered, her voice rising slightly. "I didn't think you meant, like... cradle me in your arms."

"Does it matter?" Klaus asked, his tone as indifferent as ever.

Riley couldn't help but feel like she was overanalyzing the situation compared to Klaus' straightforward demeanor. Her cheeks flushed, and she tried to push past her embarrassment. "You really are oblivious, huh?" she remarked.

"You learn to live with it after a while," Rose said from the side, smirking knowingly, familiar with what Riley was experiencing all too well.

Klaus, unbothered by their remarks, effortlessly scooped Riley into his arms. She quickly pulled her hood over her head and adjusted her cap, preparing for the trip. As Shade opened the door to let them out, Klaus disappeared in an instant, a clear testament to the incredible speed at which he moved.

At that exact moment, Klaus arrived at the location Riley had provided. He gently set her down before slumping forward, breathing heavily. Though his gasps were quiet, they portrayed his exhaustion. He realized with some concern that his body might be in worse condition than he had initially thought. Meanwhile, Riley was wide-eyed, her face glowing with exhilaration.

"Oh my gods," she exclaimed, a thrilling grin spreading across her face. "We just traveled miles in the blink of an eye!"

She patted herself down as though ensuring she was still in one piece, her amazement palpable. "That was... so different than I expected," she said, her voice filled with wonder. "Not as painful as I thought it might be, though."

Klaus straightened up slightly, still catching his breath. "I guess," he muttered, unsure how to respond to her enthusiasm.

Her curiosity began to outweigh her excitement. "How does it even work?" Riley asked, tilting her head as she studied him. "I mean, you're carrying someone, a body that possesses matter, while moving at the speed of light without harming them or even disrupting the space around you. It's... scientifically baffling."

Klaus met her gaze, his face as unreadable as ever. He shrugged. "I don't know what you want me to say."

"I'm guessing you've never thought about it?" she pressed.

"Not really," he replied. "It just... works."

"Fair enough," Riley said, shaking her head with a chuckle. She realized she wouldn't get a more detailed answer, and that was fine. After a few more brief exchanges, Klaus finally regained his stamina.

"I'll have to get going now," he said. "It's better so no one spots us together."

Riley nodded, understanding his concern. "Guess I'll see you later," she said with a warm smile.

Klaus gave a small nod in return before vanishing, leaving Riley alone.

Klaus reappeared at his usual transportation site, his breaths shallow as he worked to recover from the strain. After a few moments of rest, he steadied himself, placing a hand on the poster that served as his portal. The surroundings began to dematerialize before he finally vanished, on his way to Higher World.