| When the scenery changed this time, Cynthia and Blair were in
what appeared to be a cold, dark cave. Ghostly lights floated about the
room. As her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, Cynthia noticed they
were in an underground hall. She saw Psyche sitting in a simple, wooden
chair. "What is this place?" Cynthia asked her guide. "This is the Underworld." Blair said. "The Underworld!" Cynthia exclaimed. "Is Psyche dead?" "What? No, no," Blair replied. "Venus sent Psyche to fetch something from Perserpine, the Queen of the Dead." "Oh," Cynthia said. Psyche stood up as a beautiful woman entered the room. The woman had a solemn appearance, yet appeared quite pleasant in comparison with the dark, dreary chamber. "Is that the Queen?" Cynthia asked. Blair nodded. Perserpine carried a small, golden box like the one from the museum. Proserpine held the box out to Psyche. "Here. This is what Venus desires. I've enclosed some of my beauty inside as she has asked," Proserpine said. "Take this straight to her and do not open it yourself." "Thank you. Venus will be grateful," Psyche said as she took the box from her. Psyche bowed and then left the room. Cynthia and Blair followed her as she made her way back through the Underworld. They traveled past the three-headed guard-dog, Cerberus, and the ferryman, Charon, along with countless other sights of the Underworld. After reaching the mortal world once more, Psyche stopped to rest. "I wonder how the goddesses put their beauty into boxes for one another," Psyche said to herself as she examined the box. "Surely, it won't hurt if I just take a peek." Psyche carefully lifted up the lid and looked inside. No sooner than she'd done so, she swooned and fell to the ground. "She's dead!" Cynthia cried. "Not dead, but asleep," Blair corrected. She patted Cynthia's arm comfortingly. "Now, don't get so worked up," she said, and then pointed upward. "The hero's here." Cynthia looked and saw Cupid flying overhead. Cupid landed next to Psyche and replaced the lid on the golden box. Then he took one of his arrows and gently tapped Psyche's side to wake her. Psyche's eyelids fluttered open. Upon waking, she was surprised to see Cupid again. He stroked her cheek lovingly and smiled. "I see you're still too curious for your own good," he said. Psyche hid her face from him. "You're angry," Cupid said. "I understand. When we first met, I hid my identity in order to protect you, but it seems I've hurt you more than anyone." "No, I'm ashamed for not trusting you," Psyche replied, "and for my foolishness." "Then we're both ashamed," Cupid said. "So, we both deserve another chance, don't we?" Psyche nodded and cried silent tears of joy as she embraced her husband. Blair placed a hand on Cynthia's shoulder. "Time to go," she said. The museum slowly reappeared around them. "So, that's the end then?" Cynthia asked. "Well, that's all I have to show anyway," Blair said. "If your curious, afterward Cupid went to Jupiter and received his blessing to marry Psyche. They married again, but it wasn't in secret this time. Psyche was given a cup of ambrosia so that she could become immortal like Cupid. I'm hoping to procure the cup at some point, but as you can imagine it's more difficult than it sounds. The way this museum works it's essential to have the right items to tell the whole story." "I see," Cynthia said. "What about Venus? She couldn't have been too happy." "Yes, well, not even Venus can overrule Jupiter," Blair replied. "Though I imagine it must have been rough at first, Venus and Psyche eventually settled their differences." "That's good," Cynthia said. "Hey, Blair?" "Yes?" Blair said. "What other stories do you have around here?" Cynthia asked. Blair smiled. "What kind of story did you have in mind?" THE END |
LINKS:
Coverpage
Introduction
Part 1: And So They Met...
Part 2: Sisters' Scheming
Part 3: Psyche's Tasks
Part 4: And So It Ends...