One day, as they finished the voice lesson, Erik put his lyre away and found Christine very close to him when he turned around.
She was staring into his eyes with a determination he had never before seen in her. The moment he looked into the sky blue of her eyes, he knew he would soon regret whatever it was she wanted.
"Erik," she said, "Why do you wear a mask?"
Erik had known this would come.
"Why would anyone wear a mask, my dear?" He replied coolly.
Christine grew puzzled. "To hide their identity," she said.
Erik nodded. "You speak the truth. In my case, my identity is not the only thing the mask hides. It protects not only me, but also you."
Christine was growing frustrated.
"I know who you are Erik. I know your name and I know you as well. What is it you are protecting me from?"
Erik turned away from her. He was pained by her questions because he knew he could never answer to her satisfaction. He would either force her away through avoiding the truth, or he would scare her away by facing it.
"Christine. I love you. I cannot allow you to see the horrible creature that hides behind the mask. I do not wish for you to ever be burdened with such a thing."
Christine turned away from him now. She huffed angrily.
"How can you claim to love me if I cannot see your face? You know my soul yet I cannot know your face!" Christine sobbed.
Erik turned sharply.
"I know your soul do I?" He asked, "then tell me, who is your mother?"
Christine was shocked and confused.
"Why would that make any difference to my soul?"
Erik could bear it no longer.
"Christine. Answer my question so you may know who it is you wish to see," he demanded.
Christine had never heard him speak so harshly. Tears ran down her pale cheeks as she whispered her response.
"Demeter, goddess of the harvest."
Erik fell to his knees. He clutched at his chest. His heart felt as if it would consume him with a burning flame more intense than any fire he had known.
"Christine! I know your mother wishes for your return. She plagues the earth in your absence. The earth perishes without you but I will surely die of grief if you leave!"
Christine rushed to him and tore the mask from his face. Her face turned white as if she were dead. Hades stared at her in distress. The fear in her face caused him such pain he fell forward. One hand remained over his heart while the other propped him off the floor. He hung his head so she would not be subject to see it. He could not bear her horror.
He knew well what she saw. His face was so like a skull, yet slightly more human. If it had been the head of a dead man it would not have been so horrible, but to be animated as it was, with skin and eyes, made it horrific to behold. He knew of the hole that replaced his nose and the grey skin she should never have to see.
"Now, Christine, you know the face. Death is he who loves you. Death will die when you depart."
Christine stood in silence. Her face slowly regained its pink hue. Tears again filled her eyes and began flowing down her cheeks. She felt sorry for this being who sobbed for her sake.
Slowly, she knelt next to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. This hug was far more gentle than the one she had given him in joy. Hades could feel her sorrow and pain.
"Forgive me," she whispered.
Author's note: Hey, sorry for the hiatus. I have been so busy I haven't even touched my computer in weeks. I appreciate anyone who has been reading this and I hope you all like it. Be back soon. :)
