.

8

Requiem for the Pegasus

Kiss for the Scorpiox

The wind grew more enjoyable, he slowed, grazing the clouds with his stretched wings. Beautiful black wings, long and strong. He neighed loudly, entering through a blinding cloud. Not knowing what's on the other side or what's hiding beneath the cold fluff. It was so obvious of his presence through the contrast of colors: black within the white. He was, however, not born with black fur, but white. It was only when Hades had sent for Pegasus from the Underworld to retrieve a vile for a mortal. A mortal who struck a jealous rage within him. Hades went to add final touches upon its purpose, I had gone down from our room and observed Pegasus. He was so beautiful, so majestic.

It was too late for him to stop. I had already swept a curious hand across his white mane and from the moment I touched him, the white changed to blackness. "No!" Hades shout, running to us. Watching the poor, defenseless horse lose his calm nature. The blackness spread, Pegasus, more aggressive, stronger, intelligent and more wild. He shifted entirely. Hades pulled me away, Pegasus wildly neighed and flew from the castle with a frantic look about him. He crashed through the border and never turned back.

Hades was so upset that I had to yank from his angry grasp, run from the castle and travel along the River Styx to avoid his rage. It took some time to understand why. But I it came to me in the edge. Pegasus changed because of my touch, corrupted from all the years in the Underworld. There was still hope. If I were to touch Pegasus again, he would return to his old self but he would forever have the black mane. Different from the other winged horses forever.

Pegasus dived through a lonely cloud, I collected a handful of his soft mane to keep from falling. But even if I did, he would have caught me. He was expressing his gratitude. Unfortunately, I had to break my promise with Perseus to do it. I heard him flying close and without anyone noticing, I ran to where he was drinking from a waterfall's pond. Both of us staring to each other. I walked closer, he backed away. "I'm so sorry Pegasus, I'm going to set things right," I said. He blinked twice and tilted his head, getting ready to jump in the air as a warning. But I advanced forward, laying a touch upon his masculine face. Everything I took returned as fast as his mane turned dark.

His coat glittered as the morning sun sent warmth to the trees. He thanked me once again with another joyful maneuver but we soon went lower. The excitement and happiness grabbing a hold of him as we touched the ground, causing a frightful stir amongst the other horses. I laughed happily, cuddling up to his fur, breathing in his soothing scent. "You're welcome."

"Rosephina," Io called as if I had disobeyed her own order. But sadly the one who I did disobey was standing next to her.

"Perseus," I softly stated. He held my gaze, crossing his arms over his chest. Never mind his strong, warm muscles emerging, I was in trouble. Pegasus bowed, an easier step off. Perseus came while Io slowly began to smile. She knew what I had done to Pegasus who now jumped high in the air, his back legs supporting his weight, a warning. "No," I held him stern, petting him down. "He thinks you might hurt me."

"Hurt you? He doesn't sense things very well does he?" Perseus curled his finger back and forth as a way to say come here. I did but before completing it entirely he grabbed my waist and pulled to him. "And you don't listen very well."

"I'm sorry. I had another promise to see through-"

"Just as long as you're safe."

"That's good," Io interrupted, stroking Pegasus on the nose. "The love between you is what will define the future and as it grows, it becomes even more important than you realize."

Hot blood lingered behind my skin, Perseus grinned incredibly wide. I cuddled into his chest to hide the obvious embarrassment. Io laughed, admiring us in a way she once knew. "Did I say something?" she smiled as wide as he.

"No, you just clarified what we've yet to say," Perseus leaned away, brushing his hands across reddened cheeks.

Pegasus, while, was backing away. Io and I noticed first, Perseus stayed upon my features. I reached out to him but he went further. "Pegasus?" A scream echoed through the woods with violent screeching. Perseus loosened as another man screamed in agony. I clung to him, positioning them back to where they were. But as soon as I tried, he yanked himself away and ran towards the danger.

"Don't come after me!" he shout before disappearing into the eerie lands. "Something's wrong!" his voice traveled.

"Wait!" I followed, moments from breaking into a sprint when Io pulled back.

"No! You must do as he says this time," she struggled, I fought, we both fell.

"Stop!"

Losing patience as well as balance. We both gave out a startled yell before tumbling into the drinking pond where the winged horses had previously been. The bottom remained out of reach, only trusting the buoyancy. I swam to the surface, spitting out the liquid. Io rose from the water soon after, flinging widely to the edge, reaching the mucky sand. Breathing as though it were a traumatizing experience. Water was a fear for her.

I crawled onto the slimy dirt. She tried to open her mouth but was too shaken up to speak. The dirt crunched beneath. I was ready to flee. Io grabbed a hold and slid me back down to meet her side. The sand burned from the friction.

"You're staying right here," she could barely speak. Molded against the sand, I was losing the fight.

"Io-"

"You must not go," she grabbed my dress.

"I'm not leaving him to fight that thing alone-"

"That thing is going to take you away from Perseus and if he succeeds, this world will fall."

Mud attached itself to the side of my face as I looked to her directly. "What?"

"You know what I say, you dreamt of it. Hades sent Calibos to bring you back to him. And you know what will happen if you are taken from Perseus before this journey even begins. He's what's keeping the mortal men appeased from taking this war into their own impotent hands. And you're what's keeping him from losing sight of that true purpose. If you are lost to Perseus, he'll be nothing, weak, powerless. He won't even want to live. This world cannot survive unless one steps up and leads them. You need to trust me," her knuckles turn white. "You're not ready to fight Calibos, he has been given so much power. Hades has kept its existence hidden from you. He knew you would escape one day."

"I need to protect Perseus Io. I'm not vulnerable. Please let me go to him," hands and knees crunched between sand and slime.

"You're not ready Rosephina. He will not kill Perseus unless you are near for him to capture. If you'll let me guide you, I can show you where Perseus is. As long as you stay a safe distance. In time, you'll be ready to fight Calibos," we stare. I gave her slack and dropped flat.

"Alright."

She released her grip, brushing dirty strands from her eyelashes. "Don't worry sister, you'll see what I mean," and stood, pulling me with her.

Bubo flew low, landing on my shoulder, cooing softly. "If I'm here with you, away from Perseus, then he's safe enough. Remember, I'm here to protect him as well."

"What did he say?"

"What you just told me," Bubo lift off and flew in the direction Perseus was. "Show me what you promised."

~ϚϾοЯΡΪο~

Indescribable pain jabbed the very bones inside.

"Shh, he'll hear you," Io violently pressed her finger against her mouth.

Tears streamed over burning lips and down my throat. "How can I be silent? There's so much pain. His arm, his teeth sunk deep into his flesh. I thought you said he couldn't-"

"Kill Perseus, not hurt him. He can survive this pain," Io crept closer on her stomach. She leaned over the desert hill, peering over the edge. "It's alright, the soldiers caught up to Perseus and cut off the monster's hand."

"What? No, that's not good," I rolled over, ignoring my arm screaming with dirt entering its scraped skin. Perseus stood behind the soldiers, staring to the pitiful creature once known as King Acrisius of Argos.

Calibos howled, his hand fell to the dirt. He looked back up, growled once again, then ran fast in the other direction. Perseus kept his back to us, his expressions and reactions hidden. Io squeezed with reassurance the moment he took off across the desert lands. A part of me lurched forward with him but could only remain.

"Go to Perseus, Io," Frustration took over all patience I've held and grasped my tone in the most furious way.

She doesn't move.

"Go!" she jumped up and charged. No more convincing needed. To not be with Perseus with all of these dangers attached is more than I can handle.

The blood finally began took to its boil. The middle finger twisted completely around until it touched the ground.

"Be careful," Bubo whispered.

"I don't have to be," I mumbled, waiting patiently for the transformation to complete itself. The Scorpion stood tall, swinging its deadly tail ever which way to stretch its new muscles. It scans the area, not turning, plenty of time to begin.

"What are you doing?" Bubo silenced his wings.

"He was born from the influence of Hades-" The scorpion snapped to us. Bubo remained in the same position, chirping with fright. Its black eyes observed our bodies, studying each vulnerable movement. "Wukiro," the most fitting name called.

No reaction, only the clicking of fangs. Slowly inviting us inside its cruel mouth. "Don't Wukiro." It needs to become familiar with the name. If only to give us a chance at this. The eyes stayed the same but it vaguely graved its vicious head. "Bubo, cut my skin with your claws."

"No-"

"I cannot control him without him knowing who I am," I moved my arm back and forth, hidden behind. "Just a small puncture."

His hesitant wings shuttered. "Where?"

"Anywhere but hurry."

It clicked his fangs even more, advancing forward with each leg stomping down onto the dirt. Bubo smoothed the surface of my shoulder and sent one of his sharp metal claws in. Bite down, harness the pain. The thick liquid exposed itself to the grim air, the scorpion stopped.

"Good boy," I smiled, walking forward. It remains still, eyes planted on the small droplet of blood streaming down. "You know who I am now, don't you?"

The poisonous tail hovered above. "Rosephina!" Bubo shout.

"It's alright," I reached out to the tail and lightly touched the tip. He shivered uncontrollably, backing away with the jolts more violent. Then he slammed to the ground. Legs spread, fangs jammed into the dirt, eyes closed. I walked towards his large head, knelt before him and kissed his coarse forehead. Lingering for the final touch, Wukiro flashed open. Revealing not black but silver pupils luminously switching back and forth from Bubo to myself. "Stand and go to your brothers."