Classroom of the elite short Stories

Cupid

The sky feels like it's perpetually twilight—an endless lavender and gold stretch where the light never fades.

As I glide through the palace, it was a realm of endless twilight, where my feet barely touched the ground as I glided through the halls, leaving trails of shimmering mist that wove through the ethereal light.

The air is warm, humming with a soft melody that vibrates through me. This is my home, a place where love is more than an emotion; it shapes the world below.

In this palace of eternal twilight, where love’s essence flows like light, a persistent question lingers—do my interventions truly alter lives, or are they just ephemeral distractions?

I’ve always excelled at scattering moments of love like stardust, infusing them with my essence. Yet, doubt remains. Do these fleeting sparks truly make a difference in the grand tapestry of lives, or are they mere distractions, as ephemeral as the mist I leave behind? Every success felt hollow, a drop in an endless sea of need.

Perhaps it’s my own insecurities that cloud my view, but the question persists—am I truly making an impact?

As I head towards the Hall of Fates, I remind myself.

Love is more than just an emotion; it’s the very fabric that binds every world together. It weaves through all lives—human or celestial—connecting us in ways both seen and unseen, forming bonds that stretch beyond time and space.

As I glided through the palace gardens, the ethereal blooms and floating wisps of light filled the air with their gentle hum. I spotted a group of celestial sprites flitting about among the flowers.

“Lila! Come play with us!” one of them called, its wings glowing softly.

Not today, little ones. Duty calls,” I said with a grin, though their disappointed faces tugged at my heart.

She pouted “You always busy with work,” another chimed in. “You’re missing out on the fun!”

I chuckled softly “forgive me, but it can’t be helped.”

As I continued my walk, the celestial sprites' laughter lingered in the air, a reminder of the carefree moments I often missed.

I passed a group of fellow celestials chatting in the gardens, one of them noticed me and waved with a mischievous grin.

“Lila, have you heard about the new constellation they’re forming?” she asked, her eyes bright with mischief.

I smiled faintly, though my mind was preoccupied. “Not yet. My focus has been elsewhere lately.”

“Well, it’s supposed to bring some fascinating changes to the twilight!” she said, her tone playful but with an undercurrent of seriousness.

“Sounds intriguing,” I replied, glancing back at the Hall of Fates. “I’ll catch up on it once my task is done.”

With a final wave and a smile, I moved on, the atmosphere subtly shifting as I approached 'Hall of Fates.'

I pause before the archway to the Hall of Fates, my eyes drawn to the floating map inside. It hovers in the air, suspended by threads of light, each one representing a soul on Earth.

I’ve seen this map countless times, and each time it makes me feel both small and powerful. My domain lies in the faint glow of hearts waiting to connect, in the threads of love binding people together.

A presence beside me stirs, and I don’t need to look to know it's Amarus, the guardian of this realm.

His aura shifts through seasons, each one more vivid than the last. He doesn’t speak immediately, and I can feel his gaze on me, assessing.

Amarus glances at me, his eyes shadowed with unspoken thoughts. “Another assignment, Lila,” he begins, but there's a hesitation in his voice that wasn’t there before.

I tilt my head, sensing more beneath his words. “You’re worried I won’t succeed?”

He shifts, almost imperceptibly. “This one carries a weight I haven’t seen in a long time... it might feel more personal than you expect.”

Prying further doesn’t feel right, so I ask, "Who is it this time, Amarus?"

He waves his hand, and the light clarifies—a young man surrounded by brighter souls, yet his own light remains steady, cold, and distant. I frown, feeling a flutter of uncertainty.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka," Amarus says, his tone heavy. "A soul isolated by design. Your task is to kindle love in his heart."

I study the faint glow representing him. "Why is his light so dim?" I murmur.

"Ayanokoji’s detachment isn’t just an individual problem. His isolation threatens more than just his own happiness—it could unravel the bonds that hold many lives together."

This doesn’t sound good. If his isolation continues, it could trigger a series of negative effects, affecting relationships beyond just his own.

Amarus’ eyes are shadowed with regret. “I’ve seen what happens when a heart remains untouched, Lila. The consequences... they linger far longer than you might think. I hope you can succeed where I could not, for the sake of many more lives than just his own.”

A heavy knot tightens in my chest—a mix of dread and determination. For the first time, I wonder if this task might be too much, not for my abilities, but for my heart. I've always succeeded in my missions before, but something about this one feels different.

The weight of Amarus’s past failure and the stakes of this assignment press heavily on me. I worry about the potential consequences of my actions and question if I am truly prepared for the challenge. This mission feels like a test not just of my abilities, but of my very essence.

I extend my hand, summoning my bow of light—familiar and comforting. It’s crafted to pierce through barriers and ignite love.

Amarus watches as I draw an arrow, its tip glowing pink. I can feel its power, ready to bridge the gap between souls. “Be careful,” he warns. “Fate always tests people in ways they cannot yet foresee.”

I release the arrow, watching it streak down from the celestial realm, leaving a trail of light. I’ve done this countless times, but this time, as it disappears into existence, I feel something different.

As I descend, the celestial realm blurs, fading into a swirl of colors. I feel a familiar heaviness as gravity pulls me down.

As I take on my mortal form, the sensations sharpen—the grace of twilight turns heavy, and every breath reminds me of this body's fragility.

The air feels thicker, the light harsher, grounding me in a reality far removed from the celestial realm’s eternal twilight.

My form shifts, the sensation both strange and familiar. Light and shadow swirl until I am fully grounded in my new, earthly form.

With a rush of wind, I vanish from the celestial realm, leaving only a whisper of light.

But as I descend, a question remains

Can I kindle a flame in a heart determined to remain cold?”