*Flashback*
“I bet you can’t catch me!” Romulus squealed as his older brother excitedly chased after him.
At only a mere six-years-old, he knew right away Thanatos was his most favorite person in the world. Not that he didn’t adore his parents, they doted on them and made sure the two boys had everything they could have ever wanted. It was just something about his brother that made him feel strong, protected, and loved. He had friends whose older sibling's sole mission was to torment their younger ones, but Thanatos wasn’t like that and it was one of many reasons he loved him so much.
For Thanatos, he felt the exact same. As his ten-year-old body raced behind his brother, he relished the fact that they would be best friends forever. No matter what came their way, he promised he would have his brother’s back at any cost. It came naturally to him, and Romulus made it easy.
“Do you want to play catch?” Romulus jumped up and down in glee. From behind his back, he pulled out his favorite baseball.
Thanatos arched his brow, “You sure you don’t mind me playing with it? I know how much it means to you.”
Romulus smiled brightly, “It’s more fun sharing it with you.”
The two boys tossed the ball around the large field enjoying the way the sun made the ball seem to disappear as it floated in the air. It was like a game in itself. Can you spot the ball before it lands? Can you then catch it and throw it back? It was simple, but it was fun. Tossing the ball at Romulus, Thanatos accidentally threw too far. As the baseball landed in the nearby bushes, Romulus frowned. His mother had warned them to never go near that part of the yard, only saying it was dangerous.
He tried to fake a smile, “It’s okay really.”
But deep inside Thanatos knew his brother was really sad about it being gone. Puffing out his chest, he placed his hand on his brother's shoulder. “Not to worry, I’ll get it!” And he took off after it before Romulus could object. Searching the bushes, he drew farther and farther into the woods.
*Where is it?*
He wondered.
“Looking for this?”
Looking up, Thanatos froze as he stared at the elderly man holding Romulus’ ball. His coiled fingers clutched the toy tightly and stretched it out for Thanatos to take. Thanatos hesitated. He didn’t like the man, there was a darkness about him that though his ten-year-old mind couldn’t understand, he still knew was there. Still, he was a big boy and as such, he needed to be brave to get back what meant so much to his brother. Taking the ball, he mumbled a quick thanks before backing away. The old man smiled a bitter smile, his yellow teeth appearing to crack and fold.
“You’re a good big brother looking after your brother's things. I know Romulus appreciates you.”
The chill went up Thanatos’ back, “H-how do you know my brother’s name?”
“Because he told me just like he told me yours was Thanatos. He told me quite a lot. Like the fact that he’s keeping a secret from you.”
He rolled the ball in his hand, “Romulus and I have no secrets.”
The old man laughed harshly, “He said you wouldn’t believe me if I told you the truth. He told me weren’t smart enough to figure out when someone is lying to you.”
Thanatos felt his heart sink to his shoes. Why would his brother keep secrets? He knew he wasn’t as smart or gifted as Romulus’, but he never thought he would make fun of him behind his back. He tried not to cry. “I-I am smart. I just have trouble sometimes.”
The old man pointed his crinkled hand to his dirtied shirt, “Hey, I know that. In fact, I think he’s jealous. He knows you’re going to be something special but him not so much.”
“Me…special?”
The old man waved him off, “Psh you have no idea. I’m Apep a powerful sorcerer and my magic tells me that you Thanatos are going to be amazing. You’re going to be very powerful, able to bring life into the world. People will love and adore you just for existing. You’re going to be a star.”
Thanatos felt his spirit’s lift. Was he really going to have powers? It wasn’t inconceivable they did run in his family, though no one was for certain who would get what. He thought about all the things he could do for others once he got his powers. Like providing food and houses for the sad people he sees sleeping on the street covered in newspapers. He jumped up and down.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!”
Apep clapped his hands together in glee. “Believe it! Now you see why Romulus kept that from you, he’s jealous of the powers he got instead.”
Thanatos stopped jumping, “What’s wrong with his powers?”
Apep turned his head. “Well…I don’t know if I should tell you it’s kind of scary for a child your age.”
Thanatos puffed out his chest. “I’m a big boy.”
Apep sighed, "Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. Romulus won’t be as amazing. In fact, quite the opposite. He’s going to become mean, hurtful, and dark, and he will kill many people. He will be so fascinated with death he will become the reaper of souls. The most feared and disliked person on the planet, doomed to forever be alone.”
As Thanatos thought of his little brother, his own heart filled with sadness. He could no longer hold his tears, “I-I don’t want Romulus to have those types of powers.”
“I’m sorry nothing can change that…unless…” Apep put his hand to his chin, “You could always trade your powers for his. I know a way to do it.”
Fear rolled through Thanatos. “Why can’t you just make us both good?”
“I’m not powerful enough to create new powers, but I can change the ones here already.”
Though he didn’t want to admit it, Thanatos was terrified. He didn’t want to be hated, and feared, he was a good boy. Apep shrugged his shoulders.
“I understand. I mean I don’t have any little brothers, but I probably wouldn’t trade my powers to protect them either.”
His words gutted Thanatos. How could he be so selfish? Sure, Romulus had hurt his feelings by telling a stranger he wasn’t smart, but he was still his little brother and he loved him. If protecting him meant trading their powers, then they would do just that.
In a voice low, he whispered to Apep, “Please don’t tell Romulus.”
Apep crossed his heart as he spoke, “Oh, I swear. You’re a good big brother Thanatos. He should be proud to have you.”
Thanatos wiped the tears from his eyes, “What do I need to do?”
Apep bent down to his level and swirled his hand producing black mist. Placing his hand on Thanatos’ little chest, his eyes glowed as he watched his little body shake. Thanatos didn’t feel any pain at first, then there was quite a lot. Yet he was a big boy, and he would fight through it if it meant Romulus wouldn’t have to. After a few seconds, he saw a floating mass in the center of the black mist. His body felt funny, almost empty, and suddenly he no longer felt sad. Standing Apep looked down at him.
“All done. Now your powers are switched. I’ll keep this from Romulus If you keep the deal you’ve made a secret too.”
Thanatos shook his head, his mind distant as if on autopilot. Turning he took one last look at the sorcerer before making his way back to Romulus. Apep transformed his features and stared as Thanatos walked away. He looked at the blackened heart in his hand, smiling at how easy it was to take.
“Hey! What took you so long? I was really worried.” Romulus said running to hug his brother.
Thanatos body stiffened, and he unwrapped his arms from around him. Placing the ball in Romulus’s hands, he said in a flat voice, “I don’t want to play anymore.”
The two never realized this would be the last time they would play together again. Walking away from his teary-eyed brother, Thanatos felt nothing as he thought of the deal, and the secret he would forever keep from the one he’d vowed to always protect.