A cat had just hopped into the basement. Death eyed it with intense curiosity. His lips were pulled into a thin line on his face and his brows were crushed together as he tried to determine if it was a normal cat or the follower of some kind of a god. Another appeared, then another. Death let out a groan as more and more cats made their way into the basement. The one thing he didn't want happen was happening directly in front of him- while he was stuck in a cage. He frantically scratched at his scalp in anxiety as he felt the magic of his fellow god manifest just behind Kaia. He tried not to rip his hair out of his head as he let out a guttural groan. Artemis. Why did it have to be Artemis? 

 When Artemis made comments about hunting and tracking, Death let out a snort as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Yeah? How's that going for you? Any good kills lately?” Artemis shot Death a glare before he turned his attention back to the young woman. When she said that only Death could take his throne, Death himself enthusiastically nodded. See even this mortal girl understood the politics of it, though he wasn't surprised to hear that the gods were trying to take control of it. A lesser god could really enhance their status if they got control of the throne. It only made getting him out of this mess all the more urgent. 

“Look Artemis, I'm glad you paid little ole me a visit but if you don't mind,” Death stepped through the melted bars and by Kaia's side, “I've got a very important duty to uphold.” The moment he was freed from the cage, his reapers closed in around him and Kaia. There was an excited jitter that swept through all of them as they finally had their master back. Then the dim-witted reapers did something that Death really should have expected but hadn't even thought about. Some of the reapers merged with him. When a reaper is out in the world for a long while, they begin to lose their connection with Death and his magic and need to merge with him to renew that connection. Usually, this was a natural thing that didn't even require Death's attention. Typically, they would merge with him for a short while before running off once more to do their duties. However, Death was currently locked within a mortal body that did not like him using his magic. So when the few reapers reached out and merged with him, his whole body lit up with the fire of a thousand suns. The reapers failed to merge and only pushed harder against his restraints until they finally accomplished the merger and disappeared within Death's temporary form. 

Death dropped to his knees, wrapping his arms tightly around himself as the pain engulfed every nerve in his body. The runic markings lit up along every inch of his skin, burning their markings into his flesh. He quivered there on the floor, trying to take deep breaths through the pain. Eventually the pain subsided as the reapers were fully absorbed into his magic. He finally was able to take a deep breath before he locked burning red eyes on Artemis across the way. The god of the hunt was squatting just in front of Death now, having somehow closed the distance between them when Death dropped to his knees. 

“That looks awfully painful. I haven't seen runes like those for a good thousand years. This magician of yours really did his research.” He straightened to his full height with a groan. “I'll go report to Life now. She's been looking for you, ya know. She's the main advocate to keep your throne free for your return.” 

That caught Death by surprise. His head shot up as he locked his eyes on the other god. “They are? Why? What's their motive?” 

Artemis gave out a hearty laugh as he slung his gun over his shoulder. “They're your partner, Death. They did stay by your side for a few millennia, didn't they? Maybe there's still some feelings there.” The god gave a shrug of his shoulders before he continued. “Or maybe they just don't want to deal with the mess of getting reacquainted with whoever gets your throne. Most likely the second one.” He laughed for a moment before he snapped his fingers and was gone, leaving Death alone with Kaia and his reapers. Death stood there, silent as he thought of the news he just got. Life was advocating for him.  That was a surprise all in itself. They hadn't exactly separated on good terms. He would have to find a way to thank them.