#dann x reader

They thought they found the cure, the cure to a mysterious disease that's source was never found. Governments all come together to wonder how to solve the issue, but it was too late

This disease was a zombie virus, incurable. Slowly, the reports increased, counting every walker that appeared, country populations being whipped out in seconds.

It had been 5 years since the outbreak. The organisation K.D was formed, they tried everything to make a cure, worked with governments, their option was to drop bombs on large areas of infected, this just killed and destroyed cities and populations of non infected. So they moved to science, trying to find any way humans can be immune to the disease at hand.

CRACK! The rubble and debris of the old mall sounded under the heavy boots of someone. It was silent, very silent, unlike what it would have been 5 years ago before the virus. Kids, teens, and adults would be talking and screaming, the sounds of radio playing the new hit song would be blurring from the speakers, now it's decimated, left to nature.

"Be careful!” A voice sounded behind

"I will” another voice replied, the leader Dann. He had taken 3 of his group on a scavenge to find supplies, not knowing how long it would be until they found another mall or shop around.

"I wonder if there's any walkers in here. I'd hate that” another voice said, hiding behind the broader one. Mujin and Louis, they grew up together, attached at the hip. Where one goes the other goes, Louis volunteered to join Dann on this adventure, Mujin went because of that. A lot of people wonder how the guy has survived just being a leech of Louis.

They slowly walked deeper into the mall, the ropes and wires from the once working lights, ends, and exposed copper wire hung dangerously towards the ground. They spotted an old pharmacy, this is what they needed. They had joined a safe house a few months ago, and one of the children has fallen ill, luckily not by the disease but by a cold that has turned to pneumonia.

"Right, let's see if we can find any medicine and also food and water” Dann whispered as he walked through the old entrance and up towards the old medicine isle, while Louis and Mujin walked towards the little shop situated next door, finding anything food and water since the next large outing won't be until a couple weeks later.

Any noise would echo the halls and that's when they heard the sound of foots steps, running, ever step louder than the first, it was human for sure as walkers are slow, they hobble towards you in packs but this was a single person. Drawing his gun, Dann stopped packing his bag with medicine and creeper to the entrance, gun loaded and ready to shoot. As soon as the footsteps got closer, he pointed the gun out…

He stopped. It was a girl around his age. She panted as she held her arm, wincing a few times. She looked up at the Dann

"Sorry if I scared you. May the entire group is dead because of some walkers, Im lucky, I guess” Chuckling to herself as she tried to slow her breathing, Dann looked at her arm, worried at the condition. Not everyone had water, clean water to disinfect wounds

"Your arm, let me look” Dann said softly, and the girl backed away

"I wouldn't” the girl said

"Why. Where you bitten” Dann said, sliding the gun out his pocket again

"...” The girl looked down, Dann took it as a yes and pointed the gun back to her, right in the middle of her forehead

"When did it happen” Dann asked. He didn't want to kill her, but after watching his mother and brother turn, he knew it was for the best

"This one was recently, maybe about a couple of minutes ago. My first one was 5 years ago and see still kicking around” Dann eyes widened. She had been bitten not once but twice and hasn't changed

"What are you? No one is immune. That's what K.D. said” The girl looked up

"I don't know what's wrong, i think I'm immune…My name is Y/N, by the way” She smiled at him, and Dann pulled the gun down

"I'm Dann. Let me bandage that bite up and clean it. I'll take you back to the safe house and we can talk more there” He stepped closer and grabbed her non bleeding arm dragging her towards the medicine isle he was just in, he saw Mujin and Louis waiting

"Who’s that? Your secret Girlfriend, ah man I knew you could do it” Louis hatred his back “I'm Louis, this us my partner in crime as we call it Mujin” He smiled and looked down eyes widening on fear “SHE'S BEEN BITTEN”

"Guys, guys. It's okay, she might be immune” Dann said, and Mujin looked puzzled

"Immune, but that's not possible” he said, digging in his bag for bandages and handing them to Dann as he sat Y/N on a chair, cleaning and dressing the bite

"So what we going to do with her” Mujin asked

"Take her back to the safe house, have Ivan fully dress the wound and try and figure out how the fucking hell she's immune and why K.D lied all these years” Dann explained as he helped Y/N stand up, picking up his bag with the medicine and handing some to Y/N “Painkillers”

"Thank you Dann” Y/N took two of the pills and swallowed them, following the three strangers out the mall into the sunlight

"So, how you end up in the mall” Louis asked as he struck up a conversation for the long walk ahead

"I was with my group. There were 5 of us, all friends and my sister. We were looking for supplies to last us a couple days, when we were attacked by the Walkers, i only survived with a bite and a few scratches” Y/N smiled a bit thinking back to the group, all of the girls where like sisters, it's was said but they had good times.

"We never got your name” Mujin said

"Y/N”

"That’s really pretty” Louis commented and Y/N smiled.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

"I was so close."

Filled with melancholy, king Dann lived his days in misery. He left his kingdom a tall, proud man in search for his love but once he returned everyone knew something was different. His advisors and subjects gave him time to mourn before he had to return to his duties as king, but nothing felt the same.

He shrugged meetings off, he felt shame every time someone mentioned a possible war breaking out. Dann let his advisors and generals rule his kingdom, feeling far too removed from himself to be able to do anything.

Dann collected but never read any letter from his fellow kings. He let them pile up before rereading old letters he wrote to y/n. The ones they kept as well as his, remembering and almost cataloguing which letter came before the other, organizing and chronologizing their time together.

He stepped down from being king. He was no longer the same Dann as before, his grief was too strong. Maybe if he came back with y/n, Dann would have been strong enough but not now. He was choking on grief and anxiety, hearing about a small, but growing, war breaking out was his final straw. He was washed in agony and pain, every night he dreamt of his lost love and he needed some time to himself.

Stepping down from his position, Dann moved to the farthest part of his kingdom, living a life of isolation. Many people tried visiting him, friends, kings, government officials, townspeople, family, even. But he turned every face away. He traveled across the border, from shack to shack, farm to farm. Any woman or man showing love for him, they were turned away. Any form of affection, care, understanding Dann dismissed.

He began traveling from kingdom to kingdom, usually along the outskirts and each kingdom's countryside. Finding refuge in temples and abandoned castles or homes. Even sleeping along the dirt roads or deep in the forests. Anywhere far from people, safe in his own world.

Dann gave little mind to anything but the sun. Still able to feel the warmth from when he was crawling out of the underworld, seeing that glittering light that gave him hope. Dann prayed to that. To the idea that he can reunite with his love in another life.

Dann gave up his community, his happiness, his lyre. He no longer sang, he longer laughed, he felt no humanity, he just wanted to live out his life as simply as he could. He walked and walked and walked some more. The only thing he could do that didn't hurt the people around him.

His grief and guilt ate at him every day. The echoes of his love haunted him, your screams and cries were buried in his mind and haunted him every time he closed his eyes.

After one night in a temple, Dann began to pack to leave for a new area. The women who took refuge in that forest began harassing him. They were strong willed, they humbled each other to give thanks for whatever shelter took them in. They believed Dann must give offerings, be it libations or a prayer, something to give thanks to the gods looking out for him.

"You can't leave without giving thanks!" They yelled.

But Dann paid no mind. He didn't worship anything, he didn't feel the need to. Regardless of whose god it was, he paid them no mind.

As he began walking away they pulled his shoulder back, demanding him to show respect for the hospitality given. But Dann said nothing. Even as they began slapping and punching him. He said nothing. Feeling them rip his arm off, blood dripping down his skin as they tore him limb from limb. He said nothing.

No cry of pain or fear. Dann was killed and did nothing.

It felt like nothing, really. His body hurt, it ached so badly. Dann wondered how your body felt, pain shooting up your leg when you fell down. How the poison must have felt running through your veins, slowly feeling yourself metamorphosize into death.

But as his body slowly stopped aching, Dann felt himself change. He felt nothingness, fluidity as he moved. He saw a glimpse of that cave before being engulfed in darkness. Waking he saw the ferryman, Charon.

"It's been a while, kid. You held up well enough."

Dann was shocked, he's here? He's actually here. He looked around, seeing if he was actually in the underworld.

"I, uh, I don't-"

"Don't worry, kid. Your tab is paid for."

"It is? Don't I need the two drachma?"

Charon swatted at Dann, "Don't worry. Hop on, Kid."

Dann climbed in. Taking a look around, it's not as dark. Was it so dark because he was alive last time?

"Ah, well, word on the river is: your y/n is out by the Elysian fields. Which just so happens to be our first stop."

Dann's eyes lit up, "Really?"

"Of course. You've worked too hard to get them, last thing I want is to see you two broken up, again."

"Charon, thank you."

"Ahh." He swatted at Dann, "Don't even mention it."

Charon drove past the Styx, Lethe, Acheron, and for a special show drove through the Phlegethon.

"These stops aren't for you, remember that. Even in your self hatred, you're not getting the bad ending you want to give yourself."

Dann nodded, feeling his eyes water. His time of misery wasn't something he thought he'd be rewarded for. He was giving himself penance for losing his love.

Charon drove towards the farthest end of the rivers he could take, "Take care, kid."

"You, too."

With that, Dann raced as fast as he could to the Elysian Fields. He almost slid on his face when he saw you. You raced to each other, and like before leapt into each other's arms.

Finally!

Two hearts beating to the same rhythm.

"I missed you." You said, feeling tears run down onto his shoulder.

"Not as much as I missed you."

You both laughed.

You looked up at him, his tired, red eyes smiling down at you. He leaned down and kissed you, holding you against him before breaking away.

"We're never going to part again, I promise." You told him.

The underworld was different. It may have not been the perfect life you expected with each other, but it was better than before. While you shared a utopia with others, you had each other. You could relax and talk for hours. Having all the time for a millennia with each other. You could walk together, from here or there. Dann often followed behind you but you could occasionally get him to lead the way somewhere, he would usually walk backwards facing you when he did.

"... if you can lead them back without talking or looking back at them."

'Huh?'

Dann stared with wide eyes. Looking up at them with tears threatening to fall.

"Okay. I'll do that."

With a wave of her hand, You ran out from a shadow. Disoriented you looked around, seeing Dann you raced into him. Hugging and keeping a strong grip on each other, you're not getting away from each other now.

"Dann! How did you get here?" You asked as horror filled your face.

"No, no. I'm here to take you back home." He laughed, "We're going home."

You stood there for a second, staring into each other's eyes. His smile never faded as you gazed at his face.

"Let's go home." you said.

"On the condition," Hades began, "that he does not look or speak to you until you're out of the underworld."

Y/n looked up at Hades before whipping back to Dann.

"We're going home." He smiled, his confidence tore at your heart. You can't imagine how tough this journey was.

You grabbed onto his face, holding his cheeks into your palms before leaning up and kissing him.

"Let's." You nod.

With that Dann stood in front of You, tall and proud as he began walking back to the entrance. Even when compelled to talk, You heard no sound come out. You followed him through the field.

'It can't be that long, right? This won't be too hard.' You try to convince yourself.

Dann immediately feels his confidence slipping. From the start he began to walk slower, not wanting you to get lost. He carefully treads along the rocks and boulders making his way to that bridge across the Cocytus. He slowly walked across the bridge, trying to not pay attention to the wails below.

But those wails are all you can hear. Fear struck your body as you heard the cries of these people.

'What condemned them to this fate?' You thought.

You carefully, and as quickly as you both could, crossed the bridge and kept your distance from the river. Walking through the field, you continued on in silence. Every small sound Dann heard made him anxious. 

'What if they're lost? No, no don't think like that, they're right behind me. Y/n is fine. We'll be fine. We're going home.'

He felt himself go mad, but he kept his head held high and walked on. Even though his hands shook and his thoughts made his mind pulse in pain, he walked on. You trailed close behind. Watching his spin his head around in anxiety, wanting to hold onto to him. To show him that you're here, you're not lost nor injured.

Walking up the Phlegethon river, you made sure to watch for your footing. A few steps behind Dann and you carefully stayed away from the fire. Thankfully, the gods made a little bridge to cross, similar to the one over the Cocytus.

Every river you passed, Dann's mind kept spinning more. This is why Hades told him to not look or talk to you. He's playing with his mind, he knows even the most cowardice can become brave with enough of a crowd. But alone, mentally alone, no one to hold or talk to, that's when a man's at his lowest. That's when doubt comes in.

Dann doesn't even notice they're coming up on the Acheron. 

'Halfway there.'

He sighs in relief. So close. But his face drains of all color as he remembers.

"We have to climb carefully." He says aloud, hoping there's someone to hear his words.

But you heard them, you heard them well and clearly. You follow him, past the bridge and through the mountainous terrain. You follow him even when he doubts You're there, even when he's slowly moving an inch at a time to ensure you can follow behind.

'I have faith in you, Dann. I know we can do this. We can do this together and go free.' You think. Praying those thoughts can reach his mind.

Climbing uphill is hard, and Dann takes a breather once you reach the top. Looking upwards, he can see the small hole of light from the upper world.

'We can do this.' He thinks to himself before walking up the fields.

The fields were long and distant but they feel like nothing compared to the steep mountainous incline he climbed. Closer and closer he sees the Lethe river, taking a better look he sees the souls of the recently deceased drink from it. They're forgetting their earthly bodies, ready to go further into death.

'Not again, not for Y/n. I won't let that happen.' He thinks.

You crossed the bridge over the Lethe, it was more narrow than the previous bridges. That worsened Dann's anxieties, nothing worse than the thought of his love forgetting him. He almost cries as he hears a familiar voice echo out.

"Kid! Over here!"

Dann's eyes lit up as he raced down to Charon. The two run as fast as they can, you were barely keeping up with Dann as he sprints down the miles of land between the rivers.

"Ah, you've finally done it." Charon laughs, "You two come on in, this time you don't have to worry about sitting."

Dann makes his way to the upper middle of the ferry, making sure there's plenty of space for you behind him. Sitting, he can smell the sea of the river Styx, in all its greatness and horror.

"I heard your song. Good luck." he said, Dann could feel those words pierce right into his heart.

"Thank you." it was barely above a whisper, as him and you left the boat.

He can do this. It's just a little ways upward, rockier than before, but you can do this. Walking past boulders and rocks, Dann made his way upwards, seeing glimpses of the bright sun shine on his face.

As he climbed higher and higher, Dann grew even more nervous.

'Could they have gotten lost? What if they got hurt.'

These thoughts grew so apparent and painful, Dann could have sworn he heard you yell the same way you did when bit by the snake.

Shock filled his body as he spun around, almost sliding down the hill.

"Y/n." he had tears filling his eyes.

With wide eyes, a ball forming in your throat, his love whispered out.

"Dann."

And you, dying a second time, uttered no complaint. For what could you complain of? Being loved?

You reached out to each other in a pathetic effort as you were whisked back into the underworld.

Dann stayed there for a second before tears finally spilled from his eyes. He fell onto the ground and put his hands to his face. Crying out what felt like a river, he continued crying as he crawled his way upwards. Finally reaching the top, he crawled his way out of the cave through the small hole he could barely fit through.

He crawled out, hair messy, face full of tear stains and dirt. Not even their normal dirt, underworld dirt, it was black and pungent. Ivan and Mujin kept a distance because of the smell, like Dann was playing in a graveyard with rotting corpses.

He looked up at them with puffy eyes. There was no worse look of disappointment than that. Than in himself. His one task, the one thing he needed. Slipped away.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Making his way towards the Acheron River, Dann saw that there's a significant drop as soon as you see this river. He'll have to climb carefully down, walking into the lower regions of the underworld haven't been easy so far. Climbing downwards, Dann makes his descent further into the heart of the underworld.

He made sure his footing was strong and his hand gripped the earth tightly but he still slipped down occasionally. This was not a place people explored, the earth had no reason to be reliable for Dann, but he still hoped it would help him. This was nerve wracking, sliding and climbing lower. The only time he could rely on the earth was when he was leaning against a boulder, which wasn't too reliant.

Dann took another minute to breathe before trekking onwards to the river.

Which one was this?

Reaching the river, Dann swam across as carefully as he could. Ivan didn't tell him much about Acheron. Keeping his head high, he swam as best as he could to shore. The waters moved faster, they looked inky black and Dann felt himself needing more energy to swim than before.

This could either be the water is thicker or Dann is more tired. Dann kept his eyes on the land mass ahead of him, head still high as he moved forward. He had to carefully grab onto the shore's edges and hold on as best as he could to ensure he didn't get engulfed in the tide.

Climbing to shore wasn't easy, it felt like a hand was reaching up and grabbing at his ankle to pull him back in. But, thankfully, Dann was stronger than the waves. Catching his breath, he began walking further down. There was a weird light a few miles ahead of him. A light orange glow, he couldn't quite tell what it was or where it was coming from. But he's sure that the light could lead him to where he needs to go.

Once he walked close enough, maybe half a mile away, he noticed where the light was coming from. Phlegethon, the river of fire.

Dann was told that the river went down to the deepest pits of the underworld, where the most evil monsters reside. He keeps a good distance from it, not wanting to have any accident. But how is he going to walk past it? How is he going to get to the throne of Hades if he can't cross this river?

"Ahh, finally caught up to you, kid."

Whipping around, Dann sees Charon.

"You look like you need some help." He chuckles.

"Pretty badly." Dann smiles helplessly, staring at the fire river.

"Hop on."

Dann could swear his ears began ringing, "Hop on?"

"Just on the lip, like last time. I'll help you over the fire."

Dann shakingly walks over to the boat. Holding onto the edge before resting one foot on before hopping the other on, too.

"See, nothing scary."

Dann kept a white knuckle grip onto the boat, he was not letting anything slip. Not this far in.

Charon turns the boat to where Dann can cross onto the other side. Resting one foot onto the soil before the other Dann dashed a good foot away from the edge.

Charon let out a laugh, "I'll see you around, kid. Hopefully when you get your y/n back."

"Thank you, again, Charon." Dann smiled at him.

He wasn't sure how kind the people down here would be. But who knows, maybe Charon's just tired of all the dreary souls passing through.

Taking a deep breath, Dann cleared his head and looked away from the fire. He hears a light buzzing sound, like distant talking.

Who's talking?

He continued walking towards that direction. Ivan said something about the final river but he can't remember right now. Not after that fire or the hellhound.

As Dann continued walking the buzzing sound grew louder. More insistent, stronger, Dann felt his head ache along his forehead. This noise was insufferable but he continued walking along.

Walking past more fields and trees, the talking-buzzing sound stopped sounding like that. It grew higher, whinier. Like someone was crying or wailing in the distance. Dann doesn't quite know where it's coming from until he sees bodies float along a river. 

"The Cocytus is the last one before you can enter the realm of the god Hades. It's full of the cries and woes of the deceased, those who were not given burial rites."

The words echo throughout Dann's mind.

'Those poor souls.'

Regardless of his feelings, he continued on. Walking beside the river, he was looking for anything that could help his cross. He wasn't sure how materialized the bodies were, and he wasn't eager to test it out. After some time walking, he found a small bridge. Racing his way across, he was almost there.

The closer he got the more his heart raced, feeling his emotions again. After all this walking and figuring out the place, he can finally see his y/n again.

Finally.

Before he knew it, Dann was face to face with a set of palace doors. Black and shiny, like they were made of onyx. He knocked on the door carefully and the doors swung open.

Ahead of him was a temple, tall and magnificent. Black and gray stone covered everywhere, it was dimly lit, like the rest of the underworld, and the little things he could see were made of gems.

Walking to the throne at the end of the temple, he bowed and fell to his knees. The god Hades, huge and terrifying, sat at his throne. Beside him was his wife, Persephone.

"I heard you were coming. Tell me your name, mortal."

His voice was echoing and struck Dann with both anxiety and awe.

"Dann. I'm king Dann."

"What have you traveled all the way here for, king Dann." He almost laughed, calling out the title king.

'What's a king to a god.' Dann thought.

"My spouse died. I need them back." He confessed, voice faltering as he spoke.

"You need them back?"

"I cannot live without them, I will not live without them."

"How can you convince us?" The goddess asked, she heard the echoes of his playing throughout the underworld.

Testing him, seeing how well he can stand on his feet.

"I have nothing. I have nothing but a lyre. If you will listen, I can try."

Hades looks down at him, "My wife's heard your playing before. Sing us a song, then. Make me feel young, again. Sing for this old man."

Dann took a deep breath and drew his lyre. There was nothing scarier than a fool playing alone. No crowd to cheer him on, no loved one smiling at him. Dann looked up at the gods, remembering his y/n and why he came here. He's here to bring his love back.

 Calming his mind, Dann began strumming his lyre before beginning to sing. Singing a tale of mankind's love, of the love Hades had for his wife.

Dann sang of how soft and feeble a man's heart is. The main and hardship he felt being a king, how a king can be hard but a man can be soft. The feeling of love can bend anything to softness. How it felt seeing his love get bitten and fall to the earth.

Dann sang of Persephone, sat in her mother's garden, with a bouquet of iris, crocus, lilies, and roses. How Hades fell to his knees, the softness of his love likened him to a man. Walking towards her, bended on one knee before asking for her love.

The underworld stood still during his song. The plight of a man in need of his most beloved. This song made the vultures leave their feasts. Sisyphus sat atop of his boulder, listening to the song of Dann. Tantalus forgot his water and fruit, enamored by the words of this poet. The bloodless spirits stood still or sat to weep at his words. The nymphs laid down their urns. And even the god Hades, most feared, most turned from, he sat and felt the tears trickle down his eyes. Heart swaying from the words of Dann.

Hades took Persephone to a private area outside of the temple.

"You felt that." Persephone said.

"I did."

"So what should we do?"

"We can't just give up a soul." Hades argued.

"Why not?"

"He hasn't earned it."

"And how will he?"

They stood and thought on what to do.

"If you turn him away, Hades, there'll be talk of martyrdom."

"But if I let him go then I will be soft-hearted."

"And everyone will try to sing their way out of the underworld." Persephone pondered on this dilemma.

"Then make him work for it." She had an idea.

Walking back, they took their spots at their thrones.

"King Dann, you ask for your spouse back?" Hades asked.

"Yes, I do."

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Waking up, Ivan and Mujin began packing for their travels with Dann. The three of them began traveling east towards the cave. It was far off and in a dangerous area but Dann was adamant about this.

If Dann was in any better of a mood, he'd see the beautiful countryside. The hills rolling with herds of sheep and goat frollicking, the tall mountains painting the horizon. He'd see the beauty in the creeks and marshes. But his eyes were glued to their destination, the far off cave that he will go down to take his y/n back.

 Traveling between mountains, they came across the smallest opening of a cave.

"Go through here." Ivan said, "You will climb downhill and through rivers and fields. Go past the three-headed dog and you'll find your way to the god and goddess of the underworld. Ask them to bring y/n back."

Dann hugged the both of them, "Thank you. I owe the two of you everything."

"We will be here for you when you come back." Mujin said as they walked over to some rocks and sat.

"Dann." Ivan said.

Dann turned towards him.

"You may not enter again, unless it is for your death. The people and things down here do not like messing with the living. It's not our place here, be careful."

"Thank you, I won't ask this of you, again."

Dann took a deep breath in before crouching into the short opening. He was able to slide his legs in before slipping into the darkness of the cave. It was small and required too much maneuvering. Obviously the living are not meant to come down here, but Dann had something he needed. He needed them back, in any way he could. He had to try. He had to try something, anything.

It smelled like iron and dirt, a deep earthy scent that permeated. His eyesight was gone, not used to the darkness of the cave, when he could see it was almost pitch black. Only the tiniest rays of dim sunlight peeked through. Dann saw the rocky terrain he had to climb down, beneath him was a mile or so of dirt before a giant river. It wasn't a normal river, this river looked like a sea. Splashing with fast racing water circled around.

Dann began his descent into the underworld.

He planted both feet onto the earth with at least one hand to further stabilize him. Dann took his time climbing downwards. The dirt had a layer of mist on top, staining his hands as he crept, but he continued on until he could stand upright. As he walked closer to the river, Dann tried remembering the vague map Ivan told him.

Styx.

It was the river Styx. The river where the hero Achilles was said to be bathed in, the first river into the underworld. Dann carefully walked towards the river, seeing a ferryman in the corner of his eye.

"You got your ticket?"

Him and his ferry appeared beside Dann within seconds.

"No."

"No? Oh, you're not supposed to be here, aren't ya?"

"No."

"Is that all you know how to say?"

"No-"

The ferryman laughed, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to get my spouse back." Dann's heart raced a hundred beats a second.

"Your spouse? They're dead and gone, my friend."

"No, not them."

"Are you sure? You don't even know how to cross this river."

"You said I needed a ticket? What if I could play you a song instead?"

"A song?" He laughed, "You wanna play me a song in exchange for your two drachma? Okay, I'll entertain your idea. Play me your song."

Dann nervously brought out his lyre, Ivan said that he could play a song as a bargain. His playing was good, he was known all throughout the lands for his lyre strumming.

Exhaling his anxieties, Dann strummed his lyre and began singing a tale, a tale of never ending love.

"That wasn't half bad, kid."

Dann felt his heart leap.

"Will you let me take your ferry?"

"I'm sorry, only the dead can take this ferry. You're not there yet."

Dann could feel his heart break, the strings tightening around it and almost slicing it to pieces.

"But I can help you. I can try." The ferryman thinks on it. "How about you grab onto the ferry as I drive it through here. You won't be on the ferry, but you can swim across."

"You'll let me?"

"We can give it a shot."

Dann grabbed onto the lip of the boat and held on tight, the ferryman rode the boat carefully through the river. Dann uses all of his strength to hold on, he's made it this far he's not letting anything get in his way.

Finally making it to shore, Dann walks onto the ground before sitting. Breathless and panting, he needed a break before venturing forward.

"I'm surprised you made it."

"Thank you. Truly, thank you. What's your name?"

"Charon."

"Thank you, Charon. I won't forget this."

"Ahh." He swats at Dann.

Dann sat there, catching his breath before standing and making his way towards the other distant river. If he remembers correctly, Ivan said there were five rivers.

'Only four more to go.'

The field was far, Dann's ankles burned as his feet carried him further into the underworld. Walking and even more walking across fields of black grass and deep red dirt. His eyes have adjusted to the darkness, but there wasn't much to see. Just fields of rocks, the occasional glisten of the black waters.

There wasn't much of a smell aside from the light dirt and water smell. The flowing rivers gave an aquatic scent to the underworld, that with the ever lingering iron scent.

Walking well into the field, Dann felt something watch him. It wasn't a person, the dead were too preoccupied with themselves to pay attention to him, but there was something. Three pairs of eyes followed him. His anxiety grew as he walked closer and closer to the second river.

Dann felt the earth begin to shake, melodic thumping as he turned around and saw a beast trot towards him. Dann, in an adrenaline rush, dashed towards the river and dove in. He began swimming across the river towards the other piece of land mass before the beast could pick his scent up.

Dann swam to a rock in the river, covering himself from the beast before it walked off. He watched it carefully, seeing its three heads, one snarled at him while he ran towards the river, the other two were either looking around or sniffing out the air.

Dann's lucky he made it out, but he has to be careful.

He was halfway through the river as he realized this was the river Lethe. The river of forgetting your earthly body.

No.

 He swan with his neck craned high, making sure there isn't a drop that reaches his chin. He swam and swam, using every last second of adrenaline to move himself further into the underworld.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

The more he has, the more he holds, the greater the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Being a king was no easy task. One had to be diligent, intuitive, ahead of everyone else when it comes to preparations. One has to be intelligent and be trained, strong and resilient.

There will always be the threat of violence, be it from one's neighbor, friend, foe. Your peace treaties can mean nothing in an act of compulsion. And a king had to be aware of it all, no matter how big or small, a fire can grow. A glowing ember can still cause a forest fire.

Even during peaceful times, there was always the threat of war. When the growing tensions between the small folk of each kingdom, every king and leader of their country or group found themselves stressed and worried..

But here, on a cool autumn day, feeling the first breezes of the changing season, Dann felt calm.

He saw the cool morning sky and felt his nerves leave his body. The clothing he wore wasn't tight nor restricting, the responsibilities of his kingdom weren't on his shoulders, he was sat at the end of an aisle with the happiest face his people have ever seen.

He was no longer a king in this moment, he was a man with a soft heart. A heart that continued beating under his breast, making Dann's nerves shoot towards the heavens as he waited for his spouse to walk up the aisle.

As you arrived, the music began playing. Soft strings plucked in a heavenly song, they sung into the air as you walked closer and closer to Dann. You both smiled at each other as the distance closed. Dann's eyes widened as his heart sped up with every step you took. As you approached he held his hand out to grab yours. Something no king has done.

You spoke their vows, promising to love and wed until your last breaths. Dann continued smiling, feeling like the happiest man. The priest blessed you both as you exchanged rings. Turning towards the crowd, you and your husband walked together to greet your kingdom as their rulers.

After tireless months of yearning and aching Dann grew the courage to ask for your hand and today his smile never fell from his face. He understood his father, this was the most important and happiest day of his life. Every chance, Dann looked down at you. Soft brown eyes and a wide smile as he held his hand on your back or shoulder.

As you finished the ceremony, Dann sat with his lyre as you danced with your entourage. His playing was the best in the kingdom; people say that the lyre was practically made for him. Every string was plucked carefully and flowed together in a fluid manner. Anyone who heard him play, knowing him as their king or not, agreed. He had a skill that challenged the gods.

But playing so well, you couldn't see nor sense the snake you danced around. Slithering their way out, you stepped on the creature. Its reflexes kicked in as the serpent bit down on your ankle. Falling to the ground, a great wave of pain pulsed throughout your leg.

A cold, stinging pain travelled up your ankle and into the deep muscles of your thigh. You held onto your leg, biting down onto your lip as you felt your muscles tense into stone. Your yell woke Dann from his playing, rushing to your side.

King Ivan rushed to your side, using his skilled magic to heal your leg. But nothing worked. The palace's doctor was too far, the poison was shooting throughout your body too fast. You collapsed anytime you tried holding yourself up, the guests tried holding you up but nothing was helping.

Dann could feel your soul leave as he held your hand, begging you to stay awake. So distraught, all Dann could do was hold your head to his heart. His heart was broken, there's no one else he could marry, not after this.

After some minutes, the palace's doctor arrived. Him and Dann helped carry you towards his quarters. Setting you on a bed to investigate what happened.

"A snake bite." Dann said, his voice was low as tears threatened to fall from his eyes.

"Curse the gods who turn their back on you, your highness."

Dann stayed by your side most of the night, even as the doctor retired to his personal quarters. He held your hand as it stiffened, he wiped your cheek as he felt the hot tears drip down his face.

Of all things, of all times. Dann cursed the gods.

The next morning, Dann called his fellow kings into his meeting room. He asked them for help, he asked Ivan for help. 

"No. This is too dangerous." King Ivan stated.

"Please." Dann pleaded, "There must be a way. Please, let me be with my spouse, again."

"He's right," Mujin said, "I know it hurts, but this isn't worth the risk."

"Everything is worth the risk." Dann said, eyes intensely staring at him.

That stood in silence before King Ivan spoke. He was the most skilled in magic, if anyone were to help it should be him.

"Okay." Ivan said, "I'll help you. I'll show you to the cave that travels through the underworld."

"You will?"

"I will, as long as you know how serious this is."

"I do, I will be thankful forever, thank you."

They continued on their day, Dann in mourning as his guests were accepted for another night. Dann felt a mess and it was obvious how painfully affected he was. You were his everything. Your gentle hands, your caring smile. He was so enraptured by you, he rejected as many ladies as he could just to have you in his arms. Waiting and yearning, all for it to be taken away. The gods played him as another Tantalus, always trying to grasp but never able to hold onto something.