Chapter 2: Hearts Entwined, Threads Unraveled
The celestial balance was delicate, upheld by Loviator, the supreme deity who had created a hierarchy of divine figures to govern humanity’s emotions, health, and chaos. Among them were eight powerful subordinates. Cupid, Frigga, Hera, and Eros resided in the ethereal sub-realm of heaven known as Raven, dedicated to love, marriage, and harmony. In contrast, Eris, Whiro, Lilith, and Apophis ruled from Maven, a dark and fiery corner of the underworld, tending to manipulation, health, chaos, and nightmares.
Cupid, the god of love, was unique among them. Every hundred years, he descended to Earth, immersing himself among humans before returning to Raven.
In New York City, Cupid’s mortal routine began serenely. At dawn, he woke in his modest apartment, the morning light spilling over his golden hair and refined features. After his daily meditation and walk, he opened God’s Couch, his café. The morning hours passed peacefully, with Cupid cleaning and preparing coffee.
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. A gust of cold wind swept through the street outside, and the skies darkened.
The café door opened with a sharp creak.
Eris entered, her crimson dress trailing like flames, her emerald eyes glinting with mischief. She smiled, a combination of charm and danger.
“Cupid,” she said, her tone silky and teasing. “What a surprise to see you.”
Cupid, unruffled, leaned against the counter. “What are you doing here, Eris?”
“I just came for coffee,” she replied innocently, taking a seat by the counter.
Cupid smirked. “You came all the way from Maven for coffee?”
“Why not?”
“Fine.” He walked to the entrance, took a small board, and hung it on the door. Closed.
“What’s this about?” Eris asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I’m closing the café.”
“And my coffee?”
“It’ll be ready in a minute,” Cupid said. “Drink it, then leave.”
Eris sighed dramatically. “Forget it. I’ve lost my appetite.”
Before Cupid could respond, another shift in the air heralded more arrivals. The café door swung open as Frigga, Hera, Eros, Whiro, Lilith, and Apophis stepped in, their divine presence palpable.
Eris’s eyes narrowed. “What are you all doing here?”
Apophis, his voice deep and resonant, answered first. “Cupid sent a legate. So, I came.”
The others echoed him, prompting Eris to glare at Cupid.
“What is this about?” she demanded.
Cupid, unfazed, gestured for them to sit. “I thought you’d all want to catch up. So, I invited you.”
Lilith crossed her arms. “Catch up? Since when do you organize social gatherings?”
Cupid smirked. “IFYKYK.”
Apophis groaned. “Enough with the riddles. Just tell us why we’re here.”
“I’ll be back in a moment,” Cupid said, disappearing outside.
Minutes later, Cupid returned with a bouquet of roses. Each flower glowed faintly, its petals exuding an ethereal beauty.
Lilith frowned. “What are you doing with those?”
“These are for all of you,” Cupid said, handing a rose to each of them. “Orders from Loviator.”
Apophis raised an eyebrow. “Loviator? What does this mean?”
Cupid explained, “Hold your rose and think about your beloved. If your flower burns, your love is genuine. If it doesn’t, your feelings are false.”
Eris scoffed, tossing her rose aside. Cupid caught it mid-air, his reflexes sharp. “Loviator will not be pleased if you disobey. Just do it.”
Reluctantly, the gods turned away from one another, focusing on their roses. Moments passed, but none of the flowers changed.
“No change,” Eris said dismissively, glancing at her rose.
Apophis smirked. “I don’t love anyone, so mine remains the same.”
Before anyone could speak further, the café door burst open violently.
Nethra entered, her face bandaged, her expression blazing with fury. Her dark eyes swept across the room until they landed on Cupid.
“Cupid!” she shouted, her voice trembling with anger.
All eyes turned to her as she stormed toward the bouquet still clutched in Cupid’s hand. Without hesitation, she snatched it, holding it defiantly in front of her.
The roses flared to life, burning with an intense fire. The flames illuminated her furious face as she threw the burning bouquet to the floor.
The gods stared in stunned silence as Nethra turned and stormed out of the café without another word.
Cupid’s confident demeanor faltered as he stared at the smouldering remains. His heart, so used to bringing love to others, tightened with an unspoken unease.
“What just happened?” Lilith’s voice broke the silence.
No one answered. Instead, the gods threw their untouched roses to the floor, their petals now meaningless. One by one, they disappeared, retreating to their realms.
Cupid was left alone, the café dimly lit by the embers of the burnt bouquet. His mind raced. Whatever had just transpired, he knew it was far from over.