Chapter 9

Pain starts to grow on my back, tearing my flesh like there's something wants to get out. I can feel a bone grows on my shoulder blade. My knees kiss the ground; my body falls down to the grassy ground, hands slump on the grass. I clutch the grasses near me. I grit my jaw. This pain is eating me, absorbing all my energy. I don't know what is happening. It's so sudden. I don't have any clue.

"Ugh," I cry out of pain.

Even if I cannot see my back, I know that there is really something. It gets larger.

Is this a punishment? If it is, what did I do? I know myself that I did not do anything bad since the day I realize everything.

"Ugh!" I scream as the pain gets worse. Something explodes from my back. I can't take it any longer. I welcome the ground, open arms as my body falls. My body is getting weaker for every second that will pass. It exhausts me. I see drops of blood drop on the green grass.

I gasp for air, crawling to the nearest tree. This is bad. This is really bad. Even though I am an immortal, I feel like I'm almost dying because of this pain I'm feeling.

I cannot sustain it anymore. My sight starts to blur, darkness gradually eating my consciousness.

***

I blink for several times as I feel that someone shakes my body. I squeeze my eyes for me to adjust from the light.

"Time to wake up, Cupid."

I peer to the one who just talk; I'm still adjusting my sight from the brightness of the light. It is still morning. I think it's already nine o'clock in the morning base on the shadow of man standing in front of me. I creep trying to sit, laying my back against the tree beside me.

"Hades."

He smiles, timidly. "Do you like my present, Cupid?" He asks, wiggling his eyebrows.

Confusion plasters on my face, my brows connect into a line. "What present?"

"Look at you back and see it by yourself."

Still puzzled, I follow of what he says. A smile plants on my lips. So, this is the reason of all the pain I feel an hour or two ago.

My wings spread its full length. It shines every time a ray of light dances on its silver-like feathers.

I stand on my feet, smiling. I flap my wings. I feel so light. I thought I will never get my wings back again.

I hear someone chuckles. It's him, Hades. "You look like a child, Cupid. You really miss your wings."

"Yes, I really do. It's almost a month since mother cuts my pair of wings," I reply. I'm still amaze from the feeling of having a pair of wings again on my back.

"Back to business, Cupid," he says. He pockets his smile. "I give your wings back. And now, you can do anything you want to get your beloved Psyche from your Hercules, and get your mother's favorite bracelet and give it to me as you promised."

"Thank you, again, Hades. And about the bracelet, I'll give it to you. I promise. Trust me. We both know that gods like us will never break a promise," I answer. I stop my wings from fluttering, folding it on my back.

"I'm just reminding you, Cupid." He flips his right hand. A black hole appears on his side. "I need to go now." He steps, facing the black hole. He turns his gaze once more to my direction before he enters into it. "Do not ever ruin your promise," he adds. He enters into the black hole. After a while, it vanishes like a bubble.

I gently flap my wings as my body soars; it creates mild waves of wind. I land at the top of the head of the statue kneeling on the post, seeing the overview of the park. For now, I will leave this place but I'll make sure that I will be back to grant every lovers wish. I will fulfill first my promise to Hades and to know everything about Hercules' doings; I'll ask my mother for everything.

Hopping a bit, I ascend, going back to the palace.

***

I ignore the archangels guarding the room as I pass through the door of my mother's room.

"Good day, Mother!" I greet, walking closer to her. She sits on the chair facing the table full of piles of scrolls. I sit on one of the chairs in front of the table; I rest my feet on the other chair, legs cross; I hang my arms on the back rest, feeling at home.

"How did you get here?" eyebrows raise, she questions.

"Isn't it obvious, Mother, that I got my wings?" I smile, slightly spreading the length of my wings to let her see.

"I mean... How did you get your wings back? I did not give those pair of wings back to you." Her voice is still calm but her aura is an evident that she's serious, poker faced.

"I assume that I already learn my lesson and purpose, Mother, because I am not trap inside on that statue anymore. I can also see red strings everywhere that connect two persons. I bet you also know and you can also see it with your eyes, Mother, since you are the goddess of love. Am I right, Mother? That's maybe the reason why I get these beautiful pair of wings on my back," I reply, relax.

"So, the prophecy that you will be the god of love was right," she nods her head. "About the red string you're seeing, yes, I won't deny it. I can also see those things. Originally, I am the reason why humans believe in love and on that wishing pond. I used to stay there. I consume my idle time by giving gifts of love. And don't you change the topic, Cupid. Who give you those wings? I don't believe that you got it because of that." She leans her back on the back rest.

"It's not the reason why I come and visit you here, Mother. I want to know something. I want you to tell me about Psyche. What did you do to her? Did you really kill her? I saw her yesterday with Hercules," I ask, sitting properly. I face her. "Please tell me, Mother."

"I killed her."

"But why is she with Hercules? You're not telling the truth, Mother. I know you're hiding something."

"Do not accuse me of lying, Cupid. You know that I never tell a lie in my whole life. Why would I do that? I am the goddess of love and beauty. I do not lie. I always say the truth."

"I asked Hercules about it. He only answered me that I need to ask you about this matter, Mother." I stand then I walk around the table, eyes pleading. I kneel on her side. I hold her left arm. "Please..."

"I really don't know what you're saying, Cupid. I really do take the life of Psyche. You're a witness of it. You saw it with your eyes," she convinces with her soft voice, looking at me. "I really do, Cupid."

"No. That's not true. You're lying, Mother."

"But if she's alive, I don't know how it happen. Just remember this, Cupid. Love will always find a way to get you back home."

"You're lying!" I grip her precious bracelet. I pull it away from her pulse.

Her eyes grow wide. "Give it back, Cupid!"

A portal comes into sight; there are hands holding her body, pulling her inside. In just a second, it disappears.

I fall on my knees, questioning myself. What just happen? W-why is she taken by the dark? What is this bracelet for?

***

I glide on the air, making my way to Hercules' place on the top of the highest mountain on Earth – the Mount Everest. The heavy group of clouds and fog that covers the highest point of the mountain welcomes me. Small particles of frozen ice form at the cold atmosphere; it sticks on the feathers of my wings. Descending, my toes gently kiss the platform on the top of Mount Everest.

"Hercules!" I call. I walk straight to the living creature sitting on a small bed of rock. "Hercules!" I call again when he did not respond.

He peeks on my direction, surprised. "What brings you here, my dear cousin? Did you miss me?" He grins. He extends his arms as he stands.

"What did you do to her, Hercules?" I stare directly on his eyes, furiously.

"Who's she?" He blinks his eyes as if he doesn't know who's I'm referring to; as if he's innocent.

"What did you do to Psyche?" I maintain my facial expression to be intimidating. I know he will not tell me if I'll be easy on him.

"Ohh... I tell you already to ask your great mother, dear cousin. Did you ask her?" He hisses, smirking.

I clasp his neck with my left hand. I lift him. "I know you did something fishy, Hercules. I, myself, saw how Psyche died on my shoulders. What did you do? How did you take Psyche from the spirit world?" I say, clenching my jaw.

He holds my hand, tapping it; he's trying to get away, gasping for air. "O... o... kay... I-...I'll... tell... y-... you... J-just... l-let... m-me... b-breath..."

I loosen my grip, releasing him from my grasp.

He leans, holding his knees. He takes his breath quickly, coughing. "Just like what I expected, you still have the soft and kind heart, Cupid," he laughs. "That makes you weak in all situations, my dear cousin. And do you think I will tell how and what did I do? Hell no! I won't let you take my Psyche anymore. She's mine. She will always be mine." He clutches the rock beside him. He throws it towards me.

In an instant, I unsheathe my sword, cutting the rock into two. This is the sword my mother confiscates after she cuts my pair of wings. I take it from her room after she's being pulled inside the portal.

Before the rock falls, splitting, he dashes on me, ready to swing his blade on my flesh. I cover my sword; it makes sparks as our blades clash.

"Just accept it, Cupid. Psyche does not love you anymore. She can't even remember who you are. She's already all mine before you show yourself up on her." He takes a few steps backward, breathing heavily. He grips his sword, ready to attack me any moment.

"You should be the one who needs to accept the fact that she does not love you, Hercules. And just let her rest in peace. She's dead. Giving life on a dead is against on our rules – rules for the creatures with immortal blood – unless the God on the highest rank, higher than the titans, gives permission to do so."

"I don't care. All that matters is that she's with me now. All mine!" He screams, approaching me. He swings his weapon and our blades meet again.

As much as possible I do not want to make a cut on his flesh because if I do it might cause his death. He's still a half mortal. Demigods consists both bloods of a mortal and immortal that makes them half-bloods.

"Hercules, do we have a visitor?" a soft and lovely voice speaks out. I know that voice. It's her voice –Psyche's voice. I look at her; I can see her pale skin complexion, her red heart-shaped lips, her pointed nose, her emerald eyes, her long eye-lashes with perfect curve and her golden hair. It always amazes me.

I feel something hits my nape making me to embrace the solid ground.