"Wait, don't the gods usually call upon demigods for missions like these. Does that mean I'm a demigod?" I asked. Maybe this wasn't so bad after all. If I played my cards right, I could have my own movie or even a book series.

"No, but when I was leading the tour at the museum to some dead souls, you took notice of the group, which means you have some magical prowess inside of you. Also, you’re the closest orphan loner I could find."

"I was right! There was a tour at the museum! Wait, I'm not an orphan loner. My parents are alive, and I have one friend."

"Ah, that's right, you are quite the social butterfly. How could I forget. But also make sure to tell your parents and grandparents how much you love them over these next two days."

"Wait are my pare…."

"I've said too much already, plus it's your birthday, so I won't spoil it. You'll hear the news at the end of the week. But anyway, let's get back on topic, your mission. I am a bit short on time, I have to go see Mr. Rami in room 286 soon. "

"Mission? Don't you have people like that Jackson guy to help you or something?" I said, disappointed, watching all my book and movie deals fade away.

"All the great and powerful demigods are retired, they have families and people that will miss them. Also demigods are in short supply these days which means they are preoccupied with other missions. Olympians do not have the power they once did since the fall of Rome, and it isn’t a big enough threat for them to divert their active children's attention. The demigod scarcity led me to seek Apollo for advice. He instructed me to go to the sanctuary of Delphi, her prophecy stated that an ordinary hospital front counter receptionist would be the answer to all my problems." Thanatos stopped petting Theseus, causing the constant loud purring to slow to a low hum. "So in short the reason I picked you is because no one's going to care if you die on this mission."

"But I'm just a regular guy, I'm not born from some great god, I'm not super strong there's literally nothing special about me. What makes you think I'm the best person for the job?"

"If I'm being honest, I have very little hope you will succeed. But I would rather risk you dying over one of my kids. One of the downsides of my job is I must guide my own children to the afterlife. Not to mention it's kind of awkward because I barely see them with my busy schedule. You can’t imagine how weird it is to have the absent father talk on the way to the underworld. " Thanatos reached into his suit jacket and pulled out his phone, typing something. "But I won't leave you high and dry. I've already arranged for your training. We're on a short timeframe, but when we are done you will be as skilled and capable as your spartan ancestors. Oh I almost forgot, one last thing. If you encounter any talking cats, talking rooks, or a guy named Ted avoid them." at that comment one of Theseus’ eyes quickly opened and then closed.

"A guy named Ted? That doesn't really give me a specific thing to look out for," I said.

"Oh, you'll know him when you see him. Nothing good can come from that trio." Thanatos said as he bursted into millions of black butterflies, they all scattered and fluttered through the ceiling and surrounding walls of the apartment. Leaving only a napping Theseus on the couch. Even though Thanatos was not in the room physically, his voice still echoed throughout it, "So, champion, I have no more time to discuss the matter. You have four years to train, or you will be one of the many souls I have to guide to the afterlife."The last butterfly left my apartment, and I was now alone with my napping cat.