CHAPTER 1- DESTINED FOR DEATH

Aurea’s Room
The Underworld Palace

-Aurea-

The party was in full swing and I was so freakin’ nervous. My brother and I are turning eighteen this day. My mom and my dad threw this large party and everyone was invited. All the gods will be here to celebrate the occasion.

The maids finished with my hair and they turned me towards a mirror. A small giggle escaped me as I hardly recognized the girl staring back at me. Her grey eyes were large and framed with long, dark lashes. She had a blush across her cheeks and her lips were pink.

Platinum blonde hair was piled atop her head and then loose curls were allowed to frame her beautiful face. “You look beautiful!” a voice said. I turned around and saw my mother there. She smiled at me and then hugged me tightly. “I can’t believe it’s already been eighteen years!” she gushed. “Mom. You always say that.” I replied.

My mom stepped back and she urged me to twirl. “I want to see your dress.” She told me and I obliged and twirled for her.

I was wearing a pink ball gown. I designed this myself and of course, it’s pink for it’s my favourite color! My father gave Arachne, the seamstress who made this, some pink diamonds to add to my skirt so that I’ll shine whenever I move. Yes, my father throws around jewels just like that. Pearls from Uncle Poseidon adorned my neck and my wrists.

I looked at my mom and she was wearing a beautiful purple dress which matches her eyes. She also had diamonds sewn in her dress and in her hair. She wore shoes that would make Cinderella cry. It looked like it was made of glass but I was sure that it was carved out of diamonds.

“Mom... Maybe we’ll be able to get our powers now that we’re eighteen?” I asked.

“I hope so...” My mom replied.

Aidon and I were born without powers and now, we’re eighteen years old but still with no powers. It kinda sucked for I wanted to have my own powers and be assigned my duties. But Aidon and I were always hopeful. Maybe we were just late bloomers or something.

A knock sounded on the door and my mom opened it. Then she came back to my side and revealed my father. “I am blessed to be in the same room with the two most beautiful women in the world.” He said. My mom and I both rolled our eyes in reply. “Happy birthday, sweetie.” My dad, Hades, said and then hugged me tight. He kissed my temple and then the three of us turned and looked at the mirror.

“Now isn’t this a lovely sight?” my mom sighed. Well, I think it was actually weird. My mom and I looked as if we were the twins and not Aidon and I. I looked so much like my mother except for my grey eyes which were the only thing I got from my dad. I got mom’s looks and her hair.

Another knock sounded on the door and Aidon entered. He looked stunning in a tux. His black hair gleamed against the light and its dark color made his violet eyes shine brighter. He went towards us and looked at the mirror too. “Well, what are we looking at?” he asked. I heard mom and dad laugh.

Aidon, the older twin, looked like my father except that he had mom’s violet eyes. He and dad looked like twins too. Weird family, right? Another weirder thing is how old we look. Mom will forever look eighteen and I’m eighteen. Dad looks a bit older, though. He looks like he’s in his early twenties. Aidon looks a lot like him and they even have the same towering height. We are the weirdest family ever.

“I think it’s time for us to go down. The party won’t start without us!” Mom gushed and then she pushed all of us out of the room. Dad took her hand and smiled down at her. Aidon and I snorted.

They’ve been married about nineteen years now and they still look like lovesick teenagers. If this were other people, I’d say it’s sweet but when it’s your own parents, it’s really kind of awkward.

Dad whispered something in mom’s ear and she giggled. I saw Dad throw back his head and laugh too. I sighed. They were perfect. Theirs were the most beautiful love story I have ever known. I hope that I find a love like that someday...

I raised my hand to my chest and touched the skin above my heart. All my life, I’ve felt that there was a part of my heart that belonged to someone. It was as if I have all this love in me that is meant for another person. The problem is, I don’t know who he is but I know that he’s out there...

I sighed and tried to forget these thoughts... Maybe one of these days, I’ll finally meet him...

My parents entered the hall first. The doors closed and my mom instructed that we’ll be introduced first before the doors will be opened. I got even more nervous and prayed that I don’t trip or make a fool of myself.

Aidon looked down at me and smiled. “Happy birthday, little sister.” He said with a huge grin. I grinned back and then took his hand and squeezed it. “Happy birthday, brother.”

The doors opened and loud cheers and applause echoed around the hall as my brother and I stepped inside. Half the hall was decorated in blue while the other half was pink and frilly. I laughed while my brother stared at the pink side with disgust in his face. “Mom’s really great with these things.” I said and Aidon nodded but he kept his eyes in the blue side.

We walked towards the table and the gods greeted both of us Happy Birthday. I smiled at everyone and thanked them graciously. My brother and I mingled among the other gods and goddesses. They each gave us their blessings and their gifts.

My feet ached and my head buzzed so I walked over to the gardens to take a bit of rest. I saw my brother Aidon seated on one of the benches. I approached him and sat beside him. “I hate these parties.” He said. I patted his arm to comfort him.

Suddenly, we saw a swirling black mist which solidified into three old ladies carrying a loom. We shot to our feet as we looked at them. “Happy birthday.” They said in unison.

“Approach, Aidon. Firstborn of Hades, the King of the Underworld. For your birthday, we give you an answer. Ask any question of us and we would answer truthfully.” Aidon gulped and then walked over to them on shaky legs. He whispered something to them and they replied in hushed voices.

Aidon came back towards the bench looking stunned.

The Fates motioned for me to come to them and I did. I pondered over the question I wanted to ask. Actually, I wanted to know who I’ll end up with. I wanted to find out if I would have the same happiness that my parents and I have. I want to find out who I’ll spend my eternity with.

“Who will be the one I would love and be with for all of eternity?” I asked breathlessly. They each took a deep breath and then answered in unison.

“You are destined for Death.”

“What?!?” I asked. “What does that mean?” I asked them. They smiled kindly at me and then vanished. I was allowed only one question after all. Now, I wish I didn’t have to ask that question for it only left me as confused as ever. I walked back to the bench and sat in silence for a long time. Beside me, Aidon’s body was tense as he gazed off into the distance.

We both sighed. “I think we’ve been gone for a long time. We have to go back.” My brother said. I nodded and took the hand he offered. We went back to the hall and I plastered the smile back to my face. I mingled, chatted and danced while smiling when deep inside, I was scared and confused with what the Fates told me.

“It is time for the traditional eighteen roses!” My mom announced and my uncles and the other Gods fell in line.

First dance- My father.

Of course, first dances are always for fathers and I grinned all the while as we twirled under the diamond chandelier. “Enjoying yourself, princess?” he asked me. “More than anything, father. Thank you for this.” I replied and he smiled sweetly at me. “You look just like your mother.” He said with a sigh. “I know dad... You told me a thousand times before.” I answered and he laughed.

“You, your brother and your mom are my greatest treasures... You know that too, right?” my father said. “You haven’t said that before dad... But I know it now." I answered and then kissed his cheek.

Second dance- My brother, Aidon.

“Please don’t step on my toes. Please...” I pleaded and he rolled his eyes. Days before the party, mom had us practice dancing and after the day, my toes felt as if they’ve been crushed by a hammer.

“Don’t worry, sister. I dance better now.” He said and then proceeded to show me his improvement. I smiled at the end of our dance for he only stepped on me once.

Third Dance- Uncle Zeus

“Anyone of these nitwits courting you already?” he asked. His body crackled with electricity as he eyed the gods who lined up to dance with me.

“No, uncle. No one. And you’re scaring them to death!” I chided and he laughed.

Fourth Dance- Uncle Poseidon

“Is there a man here who is courting you?” was the first thing Uncle Poseidon said to me as he took my hand. I rolled my eyes. “No one, uncle.” I replied and smiled at him. “Good. They will fear the wrath of the oceans and the storms.” He huffed.

Fifth Dance- Apollo

“Hello cousin, you look absolutely beautiful today.” He greeted.  “You don’t look so bad yourself.” I replied. Then throughout the whole dance, he proceeded to tell me just how happy he is with his marriage to Daphne.

Sixth Dance- Hermes

“I think you’d love my gift.” He said. “What is it?” I asked excitedly. “Paper with wings.” He replied and I squealed with glee. “You can write on it and then send it anywhere and the message will surely arrive. And it shall be very fast.” He said with pride.

“Thank you!” I replied. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that there are text messages and instant messages for that now.

Seventh Dance- Dionysus

Actually, he was a bit drunk this time and we just swayed and swayed while he bragged to me about his accomplishments. Dionysus is like that but he’s always the life of the party and I do love him.

Eighth Dance- Hypnos

He didn’t talk much and I could see how shy he was. He told me that he hoped I would like my gift. He said that it was a pillow and he had it especially made. I could take it anywhere and I would fall asleep instantly.

Ninth Dance- Morpheus

He told me that he didn’t have enough time to find me a suitable gift so he just tweaked Morpheus’ gift a bit. He told me that I could whisper what I wanted to dream about on the pillow and I will surely have it.

I laughed and thanked him for his gift. It was absolutely wonderful!

Tenth Dance- Hephaestus

“I’ve got the perfect gift for you, lass.” He said with a grin. I seldom saw Hephaestus smile and it warmed my heart to see him like this. “What is it?” I gushed. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a little cellphone. It had a touch screen and when I held it, it lit up and showed a map.

“I know you can’t teleport and I know what a dratted hassle it is. So I made you this. Just type in where you want to go and it will bring you there. Anywhere in the world, lassie.” He said and then winked at me.

I threw my arms around him and hugged him tightly. “This is one of the best gifts ever! Thank you!” I said.

Eleventh Dance- Ares

“My gift for you is a dagger. It is one that belonged to Helen of Troy but I had it refashioned. It will protect you always. Carry it wherever you go.” Ares said. I thanked him graciously and we carried on dancing.

He wasn’t much of a dancer and he stepped numerous times on my toes. He always apologized and told me he hated dancing.

Twelfth to Seventeenth Dance-

Nothing much happened, really. I actually danced with shades. They were once famous but they were now dead. Dad invited them because of their status: Daedalus, King Minos, Achilles, Odysseus, Theseus, Jason and Ajax. They were all very handsome men and all of them were famous Greek heroes. I danced with them with an awestruck expression on my face and asked them to tell me about their famous battles.

Eighteenth Dance- Thanatos

They said that the eighteenth dance is the most important one and it should belong to someone you love. I have no boyfriend and no special suitor so I guess mom just lined up the men pretty randomly. Thanatos was Dad’s best friend and maybe that’s why he got this last dance.

Thanatos took my hand and a tingle of warmth spread from my palm right towards my entire body. He looked at me and I felt uneasy once more. He always looked at me with a funny expression that I did not know what.

He is one of the brooding gods and he rarely smiled. Right now, he wasn’t scowling but he wasn’t smiling either. I got uncomfortable with looking into his eyes so I just looked at his neck. He was really tall and the tip of my head only reached his shoulders. “You look beautiful.” He remarked in a strained voice.

“Err. Thanks.” I replied. We twirled around the ballroom and it seemed we were both very uncomfortable. He opened and closed his mouth countless times and it looked as if he wanted to say something.

“Err. I—“ he started but the music stopped. I looked at him expectantly to continue what he wanted to say but he let go of me, bowed and walked towards the other side of the room.

Weird. I placed him out of my mind and went back towards the party. Everything passed in a blur and nothing much really happened afterwards.

The party ended and all gifts were moved to my room. I unwrapped them with much glee. I placed Morpheus and Hypnos’ gift on my bed.

The last gift I opened was a slim rectangular box. Inside it was a beautiful black rose preserved inside a glass. It was one large paperweight and it was very beautiful. I have never seen a black rose before and it was rare that I saw a real one. Most of the plants here in the Underworld were made from precious gems. Weird, right?

This black rose is weird too but it was also strangely beautiful. I tilted the box upside down and looked for a note. A black paper fell from it. I opened it and read the letters written in gold ink. There were only two words there and no name or hint from whom the present came from.

“Forever yours...”

________________________________

First chapter!

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P.S. Pic on the right is Hayden Panettiere who is casted as Aurea. :)

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