Red String (Under Revision)

Chapter 9

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.