Josie Hooper’s son.

He snapped the watch shut. This was the only way.

With a trembling arm, he held out the watch to Thanatos, whose bony fingers stretched towards it with glee. They were close, so close they were almost touching—

‘NOOOOOOOOOOO!’

Virgo charged towards Elliot, arms outstretched, ready to snatch the Chaos Stone from under Thanatos’s nose—

‘Virgo! Will you GO AWAY!’ he roared.

‘I don’t think so, young lady!’

Virgo screamed as she was yanked violently upwards into the ash-filled air.

Nyx, suspending Virgo from her talons, turned to Elliot. ‘Give my son what he is owed,’ she said. ‘I will not be asking again.’

She waggled Virgo from her vast height to make her point.

Something in Elliot crumbled. He was sick of watching the people he loved in danger. He was sick of negotiating impossible deals. He was sick of having the future of the world on his shoulders. And it was all because of this Chaos Stone. Yes, it would give him the world. But all he wanted was his world back again.

Slowly, with a casual flick, Elliot Hooper gently tossed the watch to the Daemon of Death.

‘There,’ he said quietly. ‘It’s yours.’

Thanatos stood completely still for a moment, as if he couldn’t quite believe what had just happened. He flipped open the lid of the watch. His face was illuminated by the unearthly rainbow of colour from within. He smiled.

‘Thank you,’ he said finally. ‘It’s been a pleasure doing business with you. Mother – return the girl to the ground, please.’

‘As you wish,’ said Nyx, casually releasing Virgo and letting her plummet towards the ground. Virgo’s screams filled the air as she tumbled end over end towards her certain death.

‘In one piece,’ Thanatos added.

‘If you insist,’ sighed Nyx, swooping down and dumping Virgo on the ground.

‘You OK?’ Elliot asked.

Virgo, ashen-faced, nodded, brushing herself down.

Elliot watched as Nyx fluttered down beside Thanatos, taking in the eerie glow of the Chaos Stone alongside her son. They exchanged a look of unbridled triumph. Elliot had to look away to quell the sickness in his stomach.

‘You should leave,’ Thanatos commanded Virgo eventually. ‘Elliot and I need to conclude our business. This pathway will return you to Earth. It’s a fair walk, but Hypnos will point you in the right direction.’

‘But I—’ Virgo began.

‘Just go,’ croaked Elliot. ‘Please.’

Virgo paused for a moment and stared at her companion. Elliot willed her to leave, to take safety while it was on offer. Maybe she understood, maybe she didn’t. But a few seconds later, with a compliant nod, she turned around and headed towards the tunnel that would take her to freedom.

‘So are you OK, hot stuff?’ Hypnos whispered to Elliot, as Thanatos and Nyx shared a muttered conversation. ‘That was quite the hot tub.’

‘I’m fine,’ Elliot scowled. ‘I just want my mum.’