He walked inside and soon came across a vast hall. Approaching a counter, he noticed a woman seated in a leather chair. Although she appeared young, she possessed the wisdom of thousands of years.
"The chief wanted to see me," Thanatos said in a dry tone. He was eager to return home quickly and prepare for his ceremony. Even though he would never admit it or show it to anyone, he somehow missed his family.
"I know. Just go to his office; he's waiting for you," the woman replied in a professional tone.
Without wasting any time, Thanatos briskly walked towards the chief's office.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in," a deep voice echoed, and Thanatos entered the room.
There, he saw the chief of the grim reapers—a man of advanced age, tall in stature, and adorned with a long gray beard. Thanatos couldn't fathom the true age of this creator before him. Grim reapers took an extensive amount of time to exhibit signs of aging. A grim reaper could easily be 3,000 years old and still appear like a 22-year-old woman. However, he didn't want to dwell on this thought. Ultimately, his speculations and musings would prove futile. So why bother?
He noticed another person in the room—a young woman. She possessed long black hair that cascaded down to her hips, deep blue eyes, and an exquisitely shaped figure. He wondered if she could conceal those features under a cloak, just like every grim reaper did when escorting a soul to the afterlife.
"Please, have a seat. I want to introduce you to someone," the old man said in a neutral tone while gesturing towards the young woman.
"This is Morgana, she will be your partner after your ceremony," the old man explained.
"Wait, he isn't an adult grim reaper. If you ask me, he looks like he's at least 180 years old," Morgana expressed her confusion. She was certain that not only she, but others would have the same impression upon their first meeting.
"Yes, I am 180 years old, but when I came of age, I worked a 3,000-hour shift," Thanatos felt compelled to clarify this to his new partner. He didn't mind having a partner if it meant he could go out and hunt dreadharvesters. He would gladly accept any partner, especially if they were as beautiful as Morgana.
"Oh, now I understand. So when do we start our work?" Morgana turned and inquired with the old man.
"In two days. Tomorrow is his ceremony. I know you live far away, so just stay in this youngling's house," the old man said.
"Hey, I'll make this clear. If you try anything funny while I'm sleeping, mark my words—I will personally castrate you," Morgana's voice turned dark as she uttered the threat. Thanatos could sense her seriousness.
"Do you think I'm human? Why would I want to do something like that?" Thanatos replied unequivocally. He had no fondness for humans and had already sent many rapists to hell.
"Now, let's go. I'm hungry, and I'm sure you are too," he stood up and waved his hand, gesturing for Morgana to follow him. Morgana didn't appreciate the attitude of the man before her, but she was indeed hungry and decided to overlook it.
The two of them embarked on their journey to Thanatos' clan.
"Hey, do you have any preferences for food? I'll make sure you get it. After all, you're my guest," Thanatos expressed his uncertainty about the woman. Nonetheless, he wanted to be a good host.
"No, not really. Eat whatever you want. I'm sure your mother missed you dearly and will cook whatever her cute little son desires," Morgana playfully teased Thanatos, perceiving him as a typical grim reaper.
"Hey, I think we're going the wrong way. As far as I know, this is the path to the Gravestone clan," Morgana pointed out, having familiarized herself with the powerful clans.
"No, we're on the right track. We just need to go a little further," he responded naturally.
"By the way, what is your name?" Morgana had a foreboding feeling when she asked, but she needed confirmation.
"Oh, right. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Thanatos Gravestone."
'Fuck, I knew it,' Morgana's thoughts were confirmed—Thanatos was indeed the sole successor of the Gravestone clan.
"We're here," Thanatos's voice snapped Morgana out of her stupor, reminding her that they stood before a colossal door. The door bore the emblem of a gravestone, with a scythe engraved upon it.
As soon as they approached, the door opened magically, revealing a woman in a maid uniform.
"Young master, please follow me, along with your companion," the maid briefly glanced at the young woman beside her master.
Without wasting a moment, Thanatos walked inside, and Morgana, surprisingly calm, followed him and the maid.
After a five-minute walk, they reached a building. The maid opened the door, and a young woman emerged, accompanied by a young man.
"Oh, my son, it's been so long," the woman, with her elegant appearance and blue hair, greeted them warmly. Morgana couldn't comprehend how she managed to pull it off. Right before her eyes, the woman behaved like a mother welcoming her son home from school.
"And you must be Morgana. Please, come inside," the young man spoke gently.
"Mother, let go of me!" Thanatos struggled, attempting to break free from his mother's embrace.
Morgana couldn't contain her laughter. She found it highly amusing to see a man named after one of the most legendary grim reapers struggling to escape his mother's hug, as if he were a schoolboy.
"Alright, let's all go inside," Thanatos's mother said, wearing a bright smile.