Chapter 33: Chapter 33

CHAPTER 32

RUBIN

I couldn’t stay calm – my heart felt like it would jump out of my ribcage if I stay still, so I started to pace, round and round, waiting.

Suddenly, the relentless rain annoyed me, making me scream in agony.

“Caelum, where are you?!”I exclaimed, my voice echoing into the dark as the raindrops fell, drenching my feet.

Where could he be? Is it possible that he left me all alone for he got tired and he decided to abandoned me? Is this his way of forgetting?

How cruel!

I stomped my feet once again and decided to trudge down the hill, not caring about taking a rest for I cannot wait for him any longer. If I could, I will escape this island and search for him.

I screwed up my face, a wild idea hatching in my mind, “Aeon!”

My voice echoed, bouncing off the wild roots and shaking the leaves. I hugged myself, trying to stop myself from crying. Oh, I just hope that he’ll be able to hear me, “Aeon, please!”

I waited with bated breath, looking around the island for any signs of Aeon and his wind. Frustrated, I collapsed in a heap, crying on my hands and hating myself for being a useless human. I should not have taken the arrow and pierced my chest with it. I should have – wait!

I closed my eyes and concentrated at my wings. Caelum had given me some nectar and hopefully, this will make me half a bit like a god. After a few minutes of waiting, I reached out my hand and touched my back, huffing with frustration for there is nothing.

Hastily, I fumbled for the vial of ambrosia and removed the stopper before raising it to my mouth to drink.

“No!” The vial was knocked out of my hand as Aeon appeared in front of me, his face mutinous, “Don’t drink it!”

“But, why?” I asked him in an incredulous voice, not understanding his opposing of my idea of drinking the vial. “I have to drink this so I can transform, and save Caelum!”

“What, save? Caelum isn’t with you?”

“Yes. Caelum has been missing since dusk has fallen.”

Aeon hissed at my confession, scratching the back of his neck as he looks around. I can sense his worry as he trace his fingers on the collar of his shirt, fumbling with on of the buttons, “Did he mention to you where he would go?”

“No. He asked me to just drink the vial. He was rushing me to do it but before I can even ask him why he is acting so fidgety, he was gone.”

“Bloody hell.” Aeon audibly cursed, bowing his head and running his hands on his white blond hair, pulling at them, “He’s gone to Hades! I should have known about it the first time he talked about his plan. Caelum is going to trade.”

“Trade what?” I pulled at Aeon’s arm and tried to make him look at me as I stand in front of him, “What is it that he’s going trade, Aeon? Why does he need to trade?”

“His soul; Caelum is going to trade his soul.” Aeon whispered, his voice breaking as he continued, “He’s got two souls, you know? Caelum thinks that if the nectar and ambrosia did not work – the only possible way he could do is to risked it – that is why he is going to trade his soul.” Aeon audibly sighs as though it pains him to tell me the reason behind Caelum’s disappearance.

“But,” I bowed my head, “He can’t do that. Oh! This is my fault. I shouldn’t have convinced him to negotiate with Hades. This won’t happen if I just drink the whole of those bloody vials!” I glared at Aeon as he cocked his head to the side and safely tucked the confiscated vial inside his coat.

His purple eyes were shadowed and unreadable. I shivered, watching as Aeon raised his hand and almost instantly, the rain that has been pouring down on the island, halted.

“Don’t take the blame for everything. I am much part of this chaos as you do.” He takes my arm and he flicked his hand, taking me with him.

Caelum’s quarters at Le Chateau materialize in front of us.

I glanced at Aeon’s face to see him unblinking, his fingers spread out while he spread out his hands, as though he was a statue. The room rippled like it was being turned upside down, rummaged through every spaces.

“He is not here.”

“Try the Autahvuwns manor, he might be there.”

Aeon held my arm and with a flick of his hand, we are transported in front of the manor, the glistening water of the fountain mesmerizing me for a moment as Aeon spread his arms and the whole manor rippled.

“He’s not here either.”

“Oh no!” I exclaimed, sitting down beside the fountain.

I do not know what to do if Caelum died because of me.

It should be me, not him but it would have been better if the two of us survives this. I ran my hands through my curls and stared at Aeon who is pacing in front of the manor, his white blond hair appearing luminous under the moonlight. The glow coming from his purple eyes mesmerized me for a minute before I was snapped out of my trance, now focusing of what Aeon was spouting about.

“Two places out. Where could he be? Did Hades held him prisoner? But I can’t take her with me if I will go check the underworld – it will be suicide for the both of us. If I leave her, though, there is no assurance that she’ll be safe -Caelum will have my head if she ever ends up with Hades without him having a say. Plus, I will have no means to track him properly if I don’t take her with me because she has the connection with him and she should be present or near enough for me to perform the enchantment. What should I-“

“The field! Let’s try the field, Aeon.”

“Alright,” Aeon said in a determined tone, his stance changing into an alert one as though he is preparing for a fight. “I hope he’s there.”

And as I closed my eyes, I did not wait for the place to morph with the fields, instead, I focused at Caelum’s face hoping that we could find him soon.

*

“Psyche!”

I sensed him before I saw him.

Aeon stilled next to me while I sprung forwards, staring around the field, “Caelum?”

A few moment has passed and I heard distant mutterings. Aeon is still frowning next to me – his purple eyes trained in the dark, the fireflies glowing as they drifted around.

“Psyche!”

Caelum’s voice sound like it is coming from under the earth, muffled and hoarse. It is so full of raw emotions, full of guilt and misery.

I frowned, wondering about the name he is calling out.

I dove down at the bushes, searching frantically, “Caelum?”

I turned my head and glared at Aeon as he stands there, watching me, his eyes not leaving the space in front of him. I have this sudden urge to slap him off his trance but figured that it won’t earn me a cooperative Aeon, instead, I tugged at his cloak,

“Aeon,” He shook his head to the side as though he was beginning to wake from a dream, “Aeon!” I shouted, having no more of the patience I once had. Aeon remains still and uncooperative, useless for being so powerful.

“Aeon, please. Find him! He’s here, I just know, you can hear him.”

I strained my ears and listened for Caelum’s voice but the slight rustle of leaves and flowers is the only thing I can hear. Aeon chanted as he swept his hands over the field. Without any warning, he marched at the east and barreled down the bushes of violets, his white blond hair the only indication of his presence.

“Oh!”

I exclaimed as Aeon emerged out of the bushes with Caelum leaning on his arm, unmoving and pale. Aeon dragged him out of the bushes and laid him down on the wide space just in front of the table where Caelum usually arrange his flowers.

I leaned down on Caelum’s face and noticed some differences – his sharp features were gone, now replaced by ancient yet enthralling beauty that I have not seen before. His hair that used to appear as though it was blown by the wind now lay in his forehead, pretty curls framing his face making him resemble an angel.

A fallen angel.

But his wings – I gasped; they were wide and big, gold in color. It is glowing under the moonlight, resembling Aeon’s white blond hair.

“He is exhausted,” I agreed with Aeon’s words as he sat across me, staring down at Caelum like it was his first time seeing him.

“He’s so beautiful.”

Aeon raised his brows as he stared at me, frowning at my chosen words. He reluctantly nods, a worried gaze settling in his eyes as he continue to frown. “Yes, he is and I am afraid, he is not the Caelum we know.”

“What?” my question remains unanswered as Aeon continue to frown. He takes the vial of ambrosia from his cloak and tip half of it inside Caelum’s mouth. A moment passed before Caelum finally opens his eyes, bright blue and glowing while his skin shimmered gold.

“Psyche?”

Aeon looks at me with guilt plastered on his face. He assisted Caelum, putting his arms around his waist so Caelum can sit up. Though Caelum appears to not notice Aeon as he remains frozen, his light blue eyes wide open, gawking at me.

“You’re here?”

I take Caelum’s hands on mine and kissed it, unable to speak.

“Does it mean that I am dead too?” my eyes widened at his question. I tightened my grip on his hands, asking for him to look at me, “No, Caelum. You’re not – we’re not dead.”

Caelum frowns, looking away to notice Aeon who is staring at him, “Who are you?”

“I am Aeon – I mean, Anemoi.”

“Did Aphrodite asked for the wind god to lure me back after Hades was done with me?” Aeon’s eyes hardened at Caelum’s words and without saying anything, Aeon turns and left us in the dark, as though he were vapour.

“How rude of you!” I slapped Caelum’s shoulder, suddenly annoyed of his tactless behaviour.

“What?” Caelum tried to shield himself from my assault but I’m faster than him, hitting him at the right places that made him cringe, “What did I do, my sweet? I’ve only asked him a question!”

“Question! Unbelievable.” I huffed, gritting my teeth. I breathe in and out, trying to compose myself and after a while, I finally dawned upon the decision of telling Caelum, I mean Eros, of what happened.

Not expecting the reaction I will receive from him.

“No, you are lying. A thousand years? I possibly can’t wait that long! It was you who forgot me, Psyche. You are forgetting things.”

“I tell you for the nth time – you are Caelum, not Eros! And my name is not Psyche, I am Rubin. Rubin!” Caelum sits there, arms crossed; an angry frown gracing his face as he fixed his eyes on a flower, refusing to acknowledge my argument.

“You know that no matter how much you tried to explain to him, he won’t listen to you.”

Ihe smooth eerie voice carried through the field and I couldn’t help but shake my head, watching Hades as he drifted forward, resembling a ghost.

“Hades, what are you doing here? Aren’t you finished with your business?” I rolled my eyes, taking Caelum’s hand on mine to assure that he won’t be snatched away from me. Caelum looks at me, his face splitting as he smiled.

Hades shakes his head and rubbed his hands together, smirking as he said, “With him, yes, but with you, I’m afraid, no.”

He walked closer, bringing such a depressing feeling that I shivered, feeling hopeless of my situation.

I tighten my hands on Caelum’s, trying to remind myself of my hope only to frown when he remained sitting next to me, frozen as though he were a statue.

“But – I,”

Hades snatched my wrist with such agility and wrath that I did not know he has come to possessed. I hissed and was shocked to see Hades, snatching his hands from mine as he flinched, “A trick!”

I frowned, looking down at my wrist to see a hand print. Hades ran his hands on his hair, sighing, “Both of us had a bargain and you promised me your soul. Now you dare to tricked me like how he did!”

Hades waves his hand and all of a sudden, I was thrown back like I have been hit by a strong wind.

I quickly rose to my feet, ignoring the numbing feeling on my back side as Hades pulled at Caelum, dragging him like Caelum was an oversized doll, “Hades!”

“He is mine now, Rubin. You’ve failed to do what I ask of you for you chose to defy me and obey him instead. I shall make you see the consequences of your actions as I take him back with me.” Hades gritted out the words, his hands waving and I watch Caelum floating up to the air, unblinking and immobile, Hades turning his back.

“My soul – I’ll let you have it, Hades!”

Hades clenched his fist on his side as he turns to face me, rolling his eyes, “Can’t you get it? You cannot trade your soul for it has been tampered with when you consumed that nectar!”

“What, that’s it? Just because I consumed a bloody nectar, I cannot trade? Come on, Hades. We both know you have better reasons to come up with than saying that lame excuse!” I gritted out, shaking my head as though I am seeing Hades for what he really is for the first time.

“You don’t understand for you have a very simple mind, Rubin.” He drawled, looking disappointed. “A soul that has consumed a nectar is halfway through being a god. The process should be completed by consuming the ambrosia or rectifying the soul with a power of a god, or a goddess to restore it back to its human form or continue, to make another god,” Hades explained, his bright luminous hair now growing dim as he calms down.

Hades conjured a chair out of nowhere and sat – though, he had not released Caelum who floats freely, appearing like an oddly shaped balloon.

“Then do it. Rectify my soul, remove the trace of nectar and transform me back as a human.” I snapped, not risking Hades to speaking my thoughts out loud for me as he focused his eyes on mine.

“I told you, I cannot do it.” Hades huffed, running his hand on his hair, “I am the god whom you promised your soul with. I cannot tamper, rectify or do anything with your soul until the trace of nectar is gone. Do you understand where I am coming from or should I make my point clear with diagrams? Perhaps some images would suffice?” He turned so that he can wave his hands and make some images float.

I swatted them away and delighted at how they disappeared like smoke. I burried my face on my hands, having this sudden urge to cut my frizz to my hairline and scream bloody murder, quite annoyed that Hades cannot help me now.

Who will aid me now?

As I ponder on the idea of having a possible saviour, the forgotten field rippled as though a huge hand ruffled the flowers.

“Aeon?” I called out, noticing the odd movement of the flowers and the way they danced with the wind, only to jump back as Aphrodite appeared out of the daisies.

“Oh, darling. I am afraid I am not the god you are searching for.” She gently smiled at me, her hand slightly brushing my cheek before she turns at Hades. He appears like he was stunned, rigidly standing, his hands flicking back so that Caelum’s body fell on the ground, a lump of cloak and curls.

I tried to dive down for him but Aphrodite held out her hands in front of me, shooting me a meaningful look. I gritted out my teeth, watching her as she turns at Hades whose face is as luminous as his hair.

“Hades.”

“Aphrodite,” He said, his voice just above a whisper.

“I believe you don’t have to do this, Hades. Eros has paid you.”

“He paid for his own only and not her. He paid your promised but not hers. Aphrodite, her soul is promised to me.” Hades pointed an accusing finger at my face, his eyes full of hate and betrayal. “They went behind my back, seeking the god’s sustenance to achieve immortality. She consumed some nectar, Aphrodite, without asking our permission. To top all of that, Eros stole it for her!”

“I am very much aware or that, Hades. In fact, without my warning, Eros won’t be able to formulate such an idea if I haven’t sown the seed of curiousity in his skull. I am the facilitator of this so I take full responsibility of my actions. I should take the blame.”

“As you should,” Hades agreed, his luminous blue hair glowing brighter than before, “Then, I shall make you see your true purpose here, Aphrodite. You now agree for me to take her instead of him, willing to trade a mere human like her, a banished cupid who cannot even follow the strictest of your rule, in exchange for the son you greatly adored after all his betrayal?”

“I don’t have favourites, Hades. I love them all, equally.” Aphrodite vowed, her face unreadable as her eyes glistened with tears. “How dare you make me choose between the both of them?”

“Of course.” Hades smirks, his pale eyes glinting dangerously, “You know, it is not my fault that they end up having to trade with me. They won’t be here if it weren’t for your obnoxious ways in the past. You thought, I am far down below that I cannot even offer you options.” Hades clicked his tongue, looking guilty but determined as he sneered at Aphrodite.

“I just want to inform you, Aphrodite, that I am simply taking what is rightfully mine. You should be glad I am generous enough to be offering you alternatives.”

“Grandma,” I took her hand on mine and smiled, focusing at her face, “It’s okay. Take the nectar out of my soul and let Hades have it.” I nodded at his direction and sighed.

“I don’t care what happens to me – as long as I get to spend my last few days with Caelum as we originally planned – that is the greatest gift you can give me.” I whispered, my voice breaking. I crouched down on my knees, not able to hold it in any longer as pitiful sobs wrecked my body, making me shake.

“But, Rubin –“

“I understand. Caelum matters more to you and you need to make your decision.” I straightened up, averting my eyes so I will not see her hurtful glance, “I will not be able to live knowing that Caelum, or Eros, was taken because of me – I just thought you should now.” I offered her a smile only to huff, bowing my head for I felt like I am a failure.

It is all my fault after all.

Aphrodite shifted and she brought her hands to my cheeks and wipe my tears, whispering, “Do you think he will?”

The question caught me off guard.

Aphrodite lifted my chin up and smiled sadly, “My child, this is the first Cupid we are talking about. Eros has loved you for a millennia, do you think he will forgive himself if he finds out that he is the cause of your perish, again?” I shake my head at her, sobbing.

“No matter the past or the future, he has always loved you. I am afraid, he will do everything just so he can follow you. Your sacrifice will be wasted for he will never allow this to happen for the second time.”

I shake my head at her, squaring my shoulders, “No.”

The courage that surged within me felt as though it were electricity, refreshing my mind, “I will make him promise it if I have to. I won’t let him follow me – you have to make sure of that!”

Aphrodite pursed her lips as she looks across to a bored Hades, whose eyes are fixed on Caelum, his jaw tightly clenched, before saying, “Alright then.”

Aphrodite waves her hand and with a wave of her wrist, something warm and smooth is being lifted out of my chest, sliding up to my throat and out of my mouth. She held it momentarily before she clenched her fingers around it, crushing such a delicate source of immortality and power. She sighs, turning at Hades, “You’ll give her two more days.”

“A day only,” Hades stubbornly says, his eyes now filled with mirth.

I don’t know if I should barrel at him, kick him on the groin and scream at him. Oh! I would also like to pull his hair out just so I could figure if it would feel hot or not on the palm of my hand.

“Yes it will, and no, I won’t even permit you a feet next to me knowing you have such wild ideas of hurting someone as immaculate as I. My hair is out of bounds, obviously. It is too delicate for such a mere human’s hand.” Hades concluded, smirking at me as he continue the staring contest with my grandma.

“A day and a half,” Aphrodite whispered and I watched as Hades’ lips thinned at the offer, nodding. He released his hold at Caelum before he fades into the night, the spot next to me shimmering as Aphrodite followed his example, leaving me cold and confused.

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