Syndesi, the residency of Thanatos himself, might have been the most peculiar of places indeed. The hardest to understand, according to Amara. In short, it was the land of spirits, located just under the land of the living mortals and neighbouring Hades' residency called Mavros. For those humans and scientists, it was the core of the Earth made from solid iron, surrounded by extremely boiling molten lava. For others, the awake ones, it was a completely different world altogether; an expanse, where a living being would not survive.

Teleportation made Amara unexplainably queasy, yet luck was on her side that morning and Thanatos slid through the Earth's surface, with ease. She ignored the slight surprise, when they appeared outside of his property and not in the formal surrounding of his office, for, that used to be the norm all those many years ago - the very time period, when she used to reside in his dwelling.

She stood still, not yet taking a step forward since they appeared and simply stared at the scenery, knowing Thanatos was beside her. From the corner of her eyes, she even saw him looking at her profile and wondered what he saw. Knowing he could see her every movement, left her muscles feeling tense. She did not yet identify if this was an unpleasant feeling, the knowledge of his closeness bizarrely comforting even.

And she was grateful of his weirdly calming company, as she was forced to return to this locale, for, the centuries of living in the mortal world made this place a colossal unknown for her. Because she was away for so long, the mixed memories of this place could not be stopped, as she peered at the gigantic gothic structure; a castle which appeared as if it would collapse with a simple breeze.

No such thing happened.

The fortification stood more upright and dangerous, naturally repelling wrongful creatures. The darkness of the atmosphere made the thick walls darker, like nothing you ever saw on the mortal Earth and no one would guess they still stood on a part of the same planet.

Indeed, only for mortals, would this setting be too advanced to envisage.

Amara together with Thanatos started walking towards the superstructure which forbade itself, to show any signs of weakness. It had no visible wear and tear, only black solid rock bricks placed tightly on top of each other - no windows fitted to show what is inside apart from a terrace leading to Thanatos room. It was lonely, secluded, isolated. Its gloomy architecture fitted perfectly for a sorrowful and lonesome prince.

It did not take them long and they have reached their destination, whilst Amara prevailed lost in her memories of this place. She was realising, how nervous she suddenly felt to be back, where she went through torture as well as, a small touch of happiness. She never thought it would be this way, as she stood in front of the black, massive and thick metal gates, in pure darkness. Although she should have seen nothing, she saw everything.

Every black flower, every black piece of dry grass, every black tree and every dark part belonging to Syndesi.

The wind was also stronger than any destructive wind on the Earth, the temperature reaching below minus hundred degrees Celsius. With every breath, Amara's lungs were expected to freeze, yet It did not happen. Her whole body, only welcomed the temperature change, as it pleasantly caressed her pale skin. There were no better words to describe it than 'a nice summer breeze', yet only for those, who were made for these kinds of conditions.

The gates opened agape on their own accord, making Amara jump a little. She did not know why herself when she was expecting it to happen. Perhaps, this particular day just caused her to be a little nervous.

'I have to run some errands, so please make your way to the room you used to occupy,' Thanatos voice sounded for the very first time since they landed on the black grass, 'I have left you a dress you can wear for the ceremony, which I hope will be to your liking. I will seek you out, once I return and we together will welcome my guests.'

Amara turned towards him and nodded as a response before he disappeared - a smoke followed by a black silhouette.

Ignoring her beating heart and insecurities, Amara pushed her nervousness to the back of her mind and walked through the gates. She saw the front of the castle even more clearly, remembering every last detail from her memory. It had not changed at all since she last saw it, more than two centuries ago. The black grass was still neatly cut, every piece the same height and the black pavement was still covered with the same small grey pebbles. The castle was still as if it was only built yesterday.

As she walked on those stones, she felt glad those flats decorated her feet, instead of the simple black heels, she so wanted to wear that day far too early in the morning. She knew, with each small step, the thin heels would bury deeper and deeper into the rocks. The land was remarkably big also it was not a surprise, it took Amara a good five minutes until she reached the castle. She, standing at a more than average five-foot-five frame, it was still nothing compared to the front doors which were six times or even taller than her; the only doors which led inside.

She looked up, remembering the magnificent nature of the doors, yet again being overwhelmed by the style of them. Of course, not just the doors had the power to leave someone speechless. It was simply everything about Syndesi. It was amazing how much taller this one castle can be, than anything else ever built in the mortal realm.

The doors suddenly opened in the same perfection as the gates did, but this time, not on their own. On the other side of the doors, stood a gawky tall guy who she recognised, simply as Edgar. This middle-aged man was quite lanky, yet his heart, was in a right place and of all the servants which belonged to the prince, she recognised a welcoming kindness in him. That seemed very precious within the confines of these dark castle walls.

'Good morning, Miss Amara. It's very nice to see you again,' Edgar greeted expectantly with a smile, showing his stained teeth with overbites, 'The whole castle has been looking forward to your arrival,' He added and moved to the side to let her in.

Amara found it hard to believe, souls who she never met, or met only barely, have been looking forward to her arrival. Someone like her held no significance anyway and she knew Thanatos thought so too. She let it slip past her ears until it was a mere faint memory. There was no need, hoping for something which she could not have; a permanent company in her lonely life. Although Elisabeth was a friend in her life, she was still temporary and would eventually die and that knowledge in itself was lonely.

No, she wanted someone permanent who would keep her company for the rest of her immortal existence.

'Hello Edgar, it's very nice to see you indeed. I see you had a haircut,' Amara mentioned, when she noticed his black hair being shorter, cut in an almost military style.

'Yes, Miss. I feel it is tidier this way.'

'That, it is. It suits you, I must say.'

The man who she had a lot of respect for, smiled politely and thanked her, 'Thank you ever so much miss.'

Amara, who was already turned and ready to leave, turned back around, to face him, 'Edgar,' she said, but stopped to send him a smile, 'Tell me, how many times have I told you to call me Amara?' She asked him and patiently waited for an answer.

'Many times, would be my guess,' He answered simply.

'I have always called you Edgar and never used formalities, as you always kindly allowed. Please tell me if that is fair?' she asked, 'please try to be more informal Edgar and call me Amara,' she said peremptorily, otherwise, she was still nice and calm.

The statement might have been overblown, perhaps unnecessary, however, she hated being treated as if she was more than others. Also, if anyone deserved to be treated equally or even regarded highly, it was indeed Edgar. He always helped her, when she was in need of moral support. It has never been easy, living in this place, where many scratched their own back without looking at others. Those sorts of people used to get no words from her.

'I will try Miss, I mean Amara,' He answered but, yet again, had to correct himself, 'It's just hard to remember, but I'll try.'

'Okay Edgar,' She said politely, 'I will see you later,'

'I hope so too. I am truly glad to see you back in Syndesi. It was somehow sad around here, without you. Even his highness was kind of saddened.'

Amara had not continued the conversation any further. She only smiled at Edgar, yet felt uneasiness building in her chest. Maybe it was his statement which made her feel that way. It would not be at all surprising when the poor girl did not know how it felt to have someone caring for her, even in the slightest way.

Nevertheless, she turned away and started the walk towards her destination; the very room where she used to reside. In no doubt, those four walls will bring back old memories, yet she desperately wanted to avoid that from happening. She was definitely not here to return to her haunting past.

She needed to steer clear of those bad thoughts.

She entered deeply into the pitch-black interior, knowing exactly where she was headed, as she took long but calculated strides. The inside of the castle was built in the same nature as the exterior, black, black, black everywhere. For Thanatos, black will always be the new black, forever and always. 'Just like his soul', he would most probably say. Nothing in this building made it more welcoming; no paintings on the plain black walls and no decorations placed on the black yet shiny tiled floors. The air stayed as cold as the outside if you excluded the wind. The giveaway was a fog, which escaped Amara's mouth, every time she breathed out.

However, she paid no attention to the atmosphere, for she knew it far too well.

Something stopped her from walking further, however.

A sound, very beautiful heartwrenching sound of a piano. Amara presumed it came from the music room, the only space which had the power to bring happiness in this castle. At that moment, however, you could almost feel the sadness radiating from the unknown pianist.

She followed the sound until she was able to enter the spacious music room. Although it was still black including the piano, the white smooth keys were the perfect antinomy of the darkness. The pianist, a slouched male figure, swayed with the rhythm of the nocturne no. twenty and Amara listened to the emotionally played piece, each key stroked so softly and elegantly.

She recognised the golden-haired German as the soul of a Gestapo soldier she gathered during Nazi Germany, after a few heartbreaking events. When she walked closer to the piano, continuing to listen to each perfect tone, she noticed his shut eyes as he gently pressed the keys. He played so perfectly, giving his all into the soft music until the hall went completely silent.

'I was meant to be a cold, German Gestapo Wachtmeister,' his deep voice rang the emptiness of air.

Amara looked at the male's profile, almost backing away when she saw tears falling down his cheeks. It was so unlikely for a soul to cry, if not impossible, yet him, Erich, cried and there were no words needed.

She was there at the conclusion of the year 1944 when the German committed suicide at merely twenty-one years of age. He was heartbroken and his broken soul could not carry on living in the mortal body. But it was not him who caused his fall, it was others whose souls were possessed by pure darkness.

'yet I have still loved that boy. Such a beautiful and pure soul he had indeed. When he smiled, his whole face would brighten but he used to say, those smiles were only reserved for me.

'But the only thing which was worse than being a Jew in Nazi Germany was being a Jewish homosexual yet, my heart still loved him.

'Maybe if I didn't, they would have left him alone.'

'Do you truly believe they would have, though?' Amara calmly asked.

'No, but his demise might have been milder than the torturous death he received instead.

'Oh Amara, how do you stop being haunted by the previous life?'

His question begged for his torturous thoughts to stop.

'Would it make you happier if I told you he is truly at peace now forever in paradise?' Amara Asked.

She did not know the whereabouts of his love, but to see a broken soul who was dead for almost 74 years was not right. She would rather lie to him than see him suffer for any longer, though somehow she doubted, her lies would help him escape his prison.

'I would be happy, yes,' he smiled sadly, 'but I don't think I can get rid of those images of suffering in his eyes before they ended his life.

'Disgusting animals they all were, and the worst thing in it all was, the punishment was for me. They knew nothing would be worst for me, than watching someone I care about being tortured.'

He laughed yet there was no emotion in that action and returned to playing the saddest pieces of Frederic Chopin.

Amara sighed and slowly backed away, making her way towards her original destination, still a little saddened by the events but completely used to that kind of pain.

It took no time at all before Amara stood outside her room, a black door covering her view. She was desperate not to cross the threshold, for, centuries have passed when she last saw the four black walls of her old room, which probably have not changed. No matter what fears she carried, her hand still reached for the handle and slowly cracked the door open.

The same rose-scented air freshener, she so loved, assaulted her nostrils, her vision was met by black plain walls and a luxurious dark wooden post bed which she still remembered. She walked around, needing to take everything in, her fingers stroking gently, all she could grab; the texture of the walls, the fresh smell of the bed covers, the softness of the black bed curtains.

Just everything which was as she remembered.