Amoris ✔

Rabbits and rebound curses

Nyx shrugged as a painting erupted from the ground. He wore a black and white suit with a red hat. He was tipping a greeting with his bowler hat. The painting didn't fall, neither did it have any intention of doing so. And then, the man walked right out, lifting his eyes, his head still bent.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," he said. A cunning smile laced his lips as a rabbit jumped out from the bowler hat.

The rabbit had garnet eyes that would have pierced the skin of anyone who dared disobey. A laser pair of eyes. He pulled out a stopwatch without a chain and showed them.

"Tick tock, find my chain,

Before this music makes you insane."

"A talking rabbit! And what an amazing painting!" gushed Phantasos. "You know, except for one thing. You are not innocent and cute."

The rabbit glared at him and jumped on him, showing the clock. "Soon, we shall meet, foolish one."

Kairos bit his lips, muttering something.

"Good day to you, everybody!" said the man as the rabbit jumped into the hat and the man took a big step into the painting and never again out of the frame.

A sharp music blasted from all sides. It was terrifyingly comforting.

"That's...weird," commented Nyx. "I expected some kind of terrible music."

The music washed their ears as Candy bounced on her heels, closing her eyes. And then, she swayed and started to dance. Like a true dancer.

Nyx's eyes widened as she rushed toward her. "Candy! Stop dancing! We've got to get out of here."

Candy's eyes were innocent and blue as she pouted. "You don't know life if you don't know dance."

In fact, Phantasos had started singing to the tune as Kairos and Nyx looked at each other.

"This is an elimination game," said Kairos tersely.

Nyx shook her head. "We need to counter this. We have to sing. Badly. Before the music affects us."

Kairos raised his eyebrows but he trusted her. "I don't know how to sing..."

"Good. Then, it will be natural."

Nyx and Kairos raised their voices, jumping out of rhythm. In no time, Candy and Phantasos had come, strangling them.

"Do not disrespect music."

They continued; Nyx even injected choking voices in her lyrics. Kairos screamed. Like a girl. He was gripped by Candy.

"Man...I can't believe a girl can strangle..."

Candy pressed his neck hard.

*******

Veronica and the others reached the premises soon. It was a bit hard to get their souls here, but what was even harder was to dispose their now sleeping forms somewhere safe.

"I would suggest a cemetery," said Mirabel. "If you know, we can breathe underground."

"Ah, but that is the problem," said Veronica had said. "We can't."

Zest bit her lips, thinking. "We could use an invisibility potion? But, it isn't strong..."

"I would-would suggest pi-pixie dust," said Hans. "It-it's hel-helpful."

"Pixie dust?" asked Zest as Mirabel clapped he hands together, hugging Hans.

"Of course! How could I forget? The pixie dust will keep us rejuvenated no matter where we are."

Veronica glanced around. They were crouching behind an olive tree. The factions had taken rest and were having something to eat before guarding Styx.

"Do you think Hades is in this or not?" asked Athena, swallowing a fly.

"He seems unsure. But, that is reasonable. The souls are increasing ever more in his realm. He has to take care," replied Apollo, shooting an apple and munching on it.

"Maybe," snorted Poseidon. "By the way, where's Zeus?"

And as soon as his name spewed out of Poseidon's mouth, they saw Hera leading him to the Styx.

"Swear by the river."

Zeus looked at her, pleading. "Is it necessary?"

"Swear that you won't look at another woman," she said firmly.

Veronica looked at them, smirking. "This is gonna be fun."

"Hera's strong," said Mirabel, awestruck.

"For all the cheating she suffered? Yeah, or maybe just foolish to stay," said Zest. "But, I see there is a revolution up here."

Hans couldn't disagree. It was a revolution and unlike anything.

Veronica got up, dusting her dress. "Now, let the secret come to use."

"Whe-where are you going?" asked Hans.

"Just watch the fall of the most reputed god of all."

Veronica glided as Athena shouted. "Don't do it, dad!"

Zeus took one look at Hera's firm and set eyes and looked at the waters. He felt like throwing up. He was against this...against Amoris...His eyes hardened the same time as Hera's softened. She turned him around.

"You don't have to. I am sorry for commanding like this," she said, taking his face. And then, she kissed him. Athena knew it.

Zeus looked happy as looked at Styx. "No, honey, anything for you."

He swore. "I swear that I won't look at another woman in my life."

"You are bound by this oath, forever. Dare you break it, you will be swallowed by this very river upon which you have sworn as a punishment for your never ending passions. You will die a million deaths by this very river."

Zeus gulped, looking up to see a beautiful woman he had never seen. He whistled and that was all it took for the waters to swallow him.

Hera sighed miserably. "Well, now that that is over, I can live my life."

"I knew it! I knew your reverse psychology plan all along!" shrieked Athena.

Hera smiled. "True. And I knew your plan all along."

*********

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