Chapter 23 Chapter 22

Chapter 23 Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22

AILA

“Psyche!”

I sensed him before I saw him.

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

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

“Psyche!”

Caelon’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, “Caelon?”

I turned my head and glared at Emyr 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 Emyr, instead, I tugged at his cloak,

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

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

I strained my ears and listened for Caelon’s voice but the slight rustle of leaves and flowers is the only thing I can hear. Emyr 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 blond hair the only indication of his presence.

“Oh!”

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

I leaned down on Caelon’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 Emyr’s blond hair.

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

“He’s so beautiful.”

Emyr 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 Caelon we know.”

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

“Psyche?”

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

“You’re here?”

I take Caelon’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, Caelon. You’re not – we’re not dead.”

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

“I am Emyr – I mean, Anemoi.”

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

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

“What?” Caelon 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 Caelon, 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 Caelon, not Eros! And my name is not Psyche, I am Aila. Aila!” Caelon 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 Caelon’s hand on mine to assure that he won’t be snatched away from me. Caelon 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 Caelon’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 Caelon, dragging him like Caelon was an oversized doll, “Hades!”

“He is mine now, Aila. 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 Caelon 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, Aila.” 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 Caelon 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 buried 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.

“Emyr?” 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 Caelon’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 Caelon 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, Aila –“

“I understand. Caelon 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 Caelon, 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 Caelon, 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 Caelon 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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