Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Chapter 16

CAELUM

The scroll refused to straighten so I put my cup as a paperweight while I read the inscription on the scroll, frowning down at it.

“For he who fell on earth because of love,” I sighed, hanging my head down so it collides with the table whilst glaring at the scroll, stretching my arms. I pulled at my hair and stared at my reflection at the window, my pleading eyes looking back at me as I whispered the next words, “will be ended by the wielder of the arrow...why? Why should she end me? I should be happy because my suffering will finally end but now, I couldn’t. I don’t want to leave!”

Rubin knows that something is wrong when I started to refused her of my attention and treated her like she wasn’t there at all. It breaks me every time I see her hurt but I couldn’t help being afraid that those hurtful eyes will be the one I will be looking at as she ends me.

She is the one in the prophecy.

“You have to stop this, Caelum.” Aeon’s voice rang out as he watches me from across the room. He sits down on the bed, his white blond hair sticking up his forehead as he said, “I shouldn’t have shown you that scroll if I had known that you will take it like this. Seriously, you are no fun ever since then.”

I smirked, before rolling my eyes at him.

“Caelum, you haven’t slept for two weeks – I mean, look at you, you are so thin!”

“Don’t worry, Aeon, it won’t kill me not to sleep, the girl that sleeps at the end of the hall, will.”

Aeon snorted, pulling the scroll from under my face and fixing me a cold hard glare as I rubbed my forehead that hits the top of the table when he did pulled it. “I am doing everything I can, you know, so I can save you. Did you know that I have offered her occasional visits outside? She loves going out and she doesn’t even know about the prophecy, yet. If I were you, I will pull my stupid head off my ass and get out of this room.” He squeezed my shoulder, “I don’t think you are in any danger, Caelum.” Aeon added, his voice hopeful as he smiled at me. Aeon slides the lock on the scroll before he leans down on the table, looking at me.

“It won’t work, Aeon. Distracting Rubin won’t work. The scroll exists because the prophecy is true and you know that.”

“And what? I just found the scroll, okay? Just because it is here does it mean that it is true. It depends on you now, Caelum, how you will take it, live through it.”

“But do you think it matters – what I should do?”

“Of course. If this scroll really meant it then why sulk here and spend the rest of your life cooped up? Waiting for something to happen that we are not even sure of happening?” The wind angrily beats the window as Aeon’s voice continued rising up. He started pacing in front of the desk, his wide purple irises trained on me.” No way should I let you go on like this. I won’t let you wallow in self-pity. If I only had known that you’ll be like this I shouldn’t have tried to make the blasted theories of such--”

“Mate, you better stop ranting for I can see the trees groaning from here. I wouldn’t want another day of tragedy!”

“oh, well...” Aeon stopped pacing, turning his purple irises at me, “Just so you know, I think, locking yourself inside this room is an inappropriate way of dealing with your impending death.”

“You made it sound more tragic when you talk about it.”

"Did I, really?” Aeon raised a brow at me and stretched his arms, the lock of the scroll catching light, blinding me for a second.“It is a very good day outside. You should go out and chase some humans for it is better than seeing you here, sulking.”

“Right,” I nodded my head, deciding to do just that after I changed out of my clothes.

*

“Yer ‘air izz zo leng, darlin’, I luv it!” the blonde woman ran her hands down on my hair, making me shiver slightly of disgust. “ Embrass moi, amour,” I gritted my teeth and stand up, not wanting to get a glimpse of the stupid lass who’s purring down, her hands snaking on my legs as she said, “Don’t leave me, amour!” I walked out of there, smirking down at the little beat that is making my bracelet pulsed in excitement, not caring about the angry insults thrown my way.

I stalked off the end of the town, desiring a greater distance between me and the blonde lass I have come across. I am lucky enough to escape her. She’s so clingy and if I were weaker than I am, I will be succumbing to her lies.

I entered a diner only to be taken by surprise as I see Rubin, sitting with a guy. The diner was so full that she hasn’t even noticed me as I passed by their booth and settled just behind their table.

“You are se beautifu’,” the guy said as he leans close, “I vod like to show you more lovin’ if you vant to.” I chanced a peek and cringed in disgust, not believing that such a human can exist.

How can Rubin stand the foul creature?

He looks like an overgrown chameleon, his eyes too big for his head and his shoulders slumped over. Rubin giggled and I groaned, how can she act like that in front of the beast?

“Vod you like to go vid me to me quarters, I can show ye more lovin’ you vod vant to feel.” I couldn’t stand it anymore. With my fist balled up, I rose from my seat and yanked him up from his, “Be careful of your words, mate.” I gritted out the words, ignoring Rubin as she puts her hand on my arm.

“Caelum, what are you doing?”

“Vo is this guy?” The man glared at me with his pathetic droopy eyes, only intensifying the anger that I am feeling inside me. I am seething. Not being able to hold myself any longer I pushed him down on the table and walked back to where I was, ignoring the glare that Rubin directed at my way as I called for the waitress and asked for a cup of strong coffee. Rubin stared at me in disbelief as I smirked at her. She looms over the guy, checking if he is alright.

I snorted.

Now, she is concerned with such foul creatures like him.

Biting the sides of my cheek, I forced myself not to look at them, taking my phone out of my coat pocket to distract myself. I can hear the guy whispering, “Perhaps a kiss vod do,” I frowned, turning away from my phone to see him leaning closer to an oblivious Rubin. I quickly raise from my seat; taking the guy by his collar and landing a punch on his face, throwing each of them stronger than the first.

I felt my spirits being lifted up by every bone cracking as his cheeks bleed, his eyes struggling not to close. I can hear Rubin speaking in the background but I couldn’t seem to understand what she is saying, like her voice is coming from the other side of the earth as I continued – the white-hot anger I am feeling serving as the fuel to my burning desire of punching the living daylights out of this guy. The bones on my knuckles cracked as it collided again and again with his cheek. His eyes were closed and his face a bloody mess yet I still proceed, clearly unsatisfied of the outcome.

I felt a slap on my arm.

“Caelum, stop! Please stop.”

I felt another slap on my arm and only then did I noticed Rubin screaming at me to stop, her warm hands grabbing my face, forcing me to look at her.” Caelum, stop. Please, stop this!” She held my hand and whispered, “Come on, let’s get out of here, okay? Come with me,” She drags me out of the diner, leading me out to the park nearby.

The bright sun sobered me up and I look down to see her tiny hands enclosing mine as she pulled me. We stopped by an oak tree; both out of breath and shaking.

“Caelum, why did you do that?”

“You don’t understand his true intentions.” I gritted my teeth and look down on my feet, continuing, “I knew it from the very moment he spoke. You haven’t seen his face - I can clearly read him.”

“Why? Is it because you see the same expression that you have every time you started luring humans in your trap and take their hearts?” Rubin spat, making me stand there, astound of her words. “If you really care for me, Caelum, you will let me experience life on earth even though it’s temporary. You’ve had all the fun for all those years you’ve spent here. Let me experience some of it, too.” Rubin sighs, walking away from me.

“But I don’t like you to experience love like this. I don’t want you to be with other guys.” I bit my tongue, not liking the words I just said.

I looked up to see Rubin faltering on her step and slowly turning at me. “Why? Because you want me all for yourself?”

I nodded, tongue tied; looking as stupid as I possibly could and I was surprise when Rubin let’s out a laugh, shaking her head at me. “Really? Then why do you keep on ignoring me for the past week?”

“It’s because...” I stopped, averting my eyes upon her face to make her perceive the longing that I am feeling for her, unable to put them into words.

“See? This is what I am telling you. You can’t even make excuses good enough for me to believe.”

I gritted my teeth. Is she really that naïve?

Her words cut down the reason I am slowly developing and I wearily glanced at her as she began to stomp away, my chest tightening painfully. Making my decision, I ran after her and pulled her hand, making her turn at me with surprise plastered on her face. I can feel her emotions shifting to irritation as her wide green eyes squinted at me and I leaned down, realizing that she have golden flecks shining about inside her iris.

Closer, I drew down until our foreheads touch and I tilted my head to the side, brushing her nose and covering her lips with mine.

*

“Why won’t you let me see you?” A mysterious girl’s voice rang loud and clear as I floated in the dark.

Where am I?

“If you love me enough, you won’t ask to see my face, “ I turned and slowly, the girl develops, as though she was being painted in the dark mass. Her form changes and now I can see her clearly : the vicious red hair, supple red lips and vivid green eyes.

She was the girl in my dreams and also the girl I have kissed.

My hands twitched as I fled into the night.

I know full well that this is a memory of the past but how come I ended up here when I should be enjoying a heated kiss with Rubin?

What happened?

My wings slowly drew back my shoulders as I landed down on the cold dark earth where the very same girl was in. Sneakily, I draw the covers off of her and lie down beside her, instantly drifting off to sleep.

It might have been night or day but I woke, the pain in my eyes unbearable and I couldn’t see.

Everything is covered in darkness and pain.

“What did you do?”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry!” I can feel the hot oil drizzling down the sides of my face as I began to fly, leaving her there. I can feel the wind blowing on my face as I soared but there is something wrong – the scene shifted and I found myself looking at her. She was lying down on my lap, gazing up at the sky, eyes wide and blank while she whispered, “I will find you. I will come to you.”

Her form shimmered and she dissolves into a trail of red dust.

*

I quickly opened my eyes and see the very same girl, eyes closed. My lips tightened as I lean closer to her, savouring every bit of her only to stop.

“hmp!” I whimpered, pulling away as I felt the pain on my chest.

“Caelum?”

My hands moved in their own accord and before I realized what I have done, Rubin was glaring up at me as she holds the side of her face that is slowly turning red. “Rubin! I didn’t mean to -”

She did not give me any chances to explain myself as she walks away. I tried to follow her but the street is too crowded and the pain in my chest only intensified. I called out her name but my voice was drowned by the numerous noise the humans are exhibiting.

Annoyed, I flicked my hand and returned back to the manor. Aeon was sitting at his desk, a book on his lap, looking at me with his suspicious gaze. I shook my head at his direction, marching out of his study and up the stairs, clenching my jaw. I threw the door open and locked myself inside my room, my knees buckling almost instantly.

“The memories are not true. It is not true. It was only my imagination, I just conjured it inside my head,” I ran my hands on my hair, and whispered to myself. “It was because of Rubin and what we’ve done. The action triggered something yet what I have seen is not true. I shouldn’t believe it for it is not true!"

I hastily pulled the scroll from inside of my coat and threw it down on the bed, breathing harshly. The pain in my chest lingers as though someone had pressed a hot metal on my skin, burning it. I gathered some of the books from my night table and furiously turned the pages, eager to find something to assure me that what I have seen is not true and is a product of pure imagination.

I should look for a way to reverse our fate, to drive her away and not lure her in. I have to find a way to stop this for I am afraid that as the days passed by, I may not be able to control myself and everything I will do from then on will only worsen our situation.

Deciding, I took the scroll and flicked my hand, ending up at the flower field. I glared at the dome, marching up and plunging inside it. I am welcomed with total darkness as the veins remain tightly intertwined with each other, not permitting any light from bleeding inside. I settled next to the carousel and put the scroll down on the damp soil. Closing my eyes, I silently thought ‘I want to die. I want to die. I want to die.’

The dome disappeared.

The damp soil was replaced by gleaming granites as the smell of death, moss and rotting flowers infiltrated my lungs. “I’m glad you called. I was hoping for a much earlier meeting but it seems that you are kept busy by that charming little cupid,” His voice eerily echoed and I look around noticing his dark form that is drawing close.

Hades pulls off his coat and his luminous blue hair floated, licking the top of his head. Curiously, I observed how each strand of his hair drifted as though the wind is blowing at it.

“Staring is rude, you know,”

“I know – it’s just that your hair...”

“Oh! Of course. You are so fascinated by it that you actually told Walt Disney about it and did you know what they did to my character ? They made a horse blow my hair off!”

“Did they?”

“Oh, don’t act so surprise.”

“But I am not the one who give them the information about your hair, it was Aeon who—”

“Anemoi. I prefer to call him by his original name as I do to you, Eros.” Hades settled next to me, conjuring a fire from thin air to keep us warm. “Why did you decide to visit me here with no notice? I visited your home and I saw her – I thought my warnings for you would sufficed, to make you stay away from the cupid but I guess, I thought wrongly of you.”

“You made her followed by the possessed and even chased her out with your sword. How am I supposed to leave her like that?”

“You mean – my attempt was a failure?” Hades scratched his eyebrow and tried to flatten his glowing hair down on his forehead. “At least though, I have tried, on which you cannot really say the same. You did not try to distance yourself from the Cupid ever since day one. No efforts exerted!”

I huffed, hating the way Hades is scolding me.

“I know what you are thinking and I will stop your train of thoughts before you go-“ Hades takes the end of my coat as I stood, grabbing it tightly as he said, “Since you are already here, I am going to show you something that will make your life easier.” Hades fishes something out of his robe and held it out for me to see – the golden arrow glinted back as it reflected the fire, so ethereal and ancient and powerful.

“Why do you have a cupid’s arrow, Hades?” I whispered the words, my eyes not leaving the arrow Hades was holding. If I touched it, would it—

“It’s not just an ordinary cupid’s arrow – it is the original – the one that Aphrodite have conjured and –“

“and used on me, I know. Aeon and I had figured about that years ago, but I did not know that the arrow still existed.” I held out a finger and cringed, expecting for it to burn my skin like it did when I touch the bow Rubin had used.

“Well?” Hades inquired, letting go of the arrow so it floats, just a centimeter away from my finger, not even hurting me. Smirking, I snatched it from the air and studied the engraving. “It was never really an arrow. It was a prophecy made solid, you can see the engravings, it was written in the old tongue. It tells about the fate of the wielder and the victim and how all of it will end up.”

‘In my chest’ I thought bitterly as I focused at the writings. I held the arrow back to Hades who shakes his hand, “No! You keep it. The arrow is yours to hold from now on.”

“But the engravings – it surely pertains to my death! Why give it now when that cupid is currently residing with me?”

“To make it all easier, of course. You did ask for it, didn’t you? You wanted to die.” Hades smirked, accentuating his bright blue eyes which glowed while his weird luminous hair floats, licking his scalp as though his head were on fire.

“I do. But Rubin—”

“Rubin will do what she is meant to do and that is to finish you. It’s her fate and yours, made because of the mistake you made. Brilliant, isn’t it?” Hades’ eyes changed color as he smiles at me, his eyes now molten gray. “This is it. You know I have been wanting this to happen for thousand of years. Now, I can restore the imbalance brought by your existence. Gaea won’t be able to stop me from reaping what is promised to me by Aphrodite a millennia ago.”

“I don’t understand. You told me that you will help me. I thought you have agreed!”

“I did. I am helping you, Eros. Don’t you realize, this will end your suffering. It is time that you die and return.”

“But I don’t want to die.”

Hades rolled his eyes at me as he points down the arrow and waves his hand, “Eros, I believe that this is the only way, it is the only thing I can give you. Of all those years you spent on earth, I believed that you can find a way to escape this predicament if you try hard enough.” Hades winks at me, leaving me there in the cold dark dome as I remain seated on the carousel, the golden arrow on my hand and the scroll lying down on the ground, his voice still reverberating, “If you try hard enough.”

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