Finally the spinning calmed down. I was dizzy and wanted to puke.

“Sorry, I didn’t warn you beforehand. It’s alright if you feel dizzy. Everyone feels like that for the first time.” Amethyst said as soon as she noticed me panting. “ Are you alright? I know just the right thing to cure you. Look around you.” Amethyst added.

I followed her instructions. There was no desk, in fact the whole room changed. We were in a garden. Along the sides of a path, bushes were flowering, red, rose, yellow, white… There were all kinds of colours. The trees growing around were big and tall. Their leaves were dense enough to cover the light from the sun. They shone brightly with the yellowish light from the lanterns, hanging the branches. I could also hear the sound of running water.

Amethyst continued to take my hand. “ Come,” she said, pulling me, “ I have more to show you.”

Shortly after, she was dragging me around. From time to time, she would hold me close, pointing at different plants with enthusiasm. I felt a faint familiar feeling. The feeling of an eager mother showing her newborn the world. The smile of my mother quickly flashed through my brain. Though her face was fuzzy, her smile strangely resembles the sweet smile of Amethyst.

“ Is something wrong?” Amethyst said, breaking my mind, “ I noticed you were staring far away.”

“ No there isn’t. You just reminded me of my mother.” I replied quickly, I could feel my face burning red in embarrassment.

“ I’m honoured,” Amethyst said smiling, “ I hope I can help you, my dear. By the way, would you like to grab something to bite? I bet you haven’t eaten since coming here.”

Amethyst led me down the path. At the end of it, there was a pavilion made of glass. Its structure was made of metal, a dark grey one. They were so thin that I mistook them for metal wires. They were curved into shapes of leaves and flowers. It was beautiful.

Once again, Amethyst pulled me into the pavilion and put me on a seat. Suddenly, silver butterflies appeared. Two of them appeared to be leading the way. Groups of four were tied with strings, carrying plates and covers. “ Don’t underestimate them, they are pretty strong,” Amethyst smiled at my shocked face. Soon the table was filled with food. They smelled delicious. I could feel my saliva dripping from my mouth. I haven’t eaten since the accident.

“ While you are eating, would you like to listen to a story?

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“ As you know, I am a demi-god. One of my parents is a god. Having a god as a father is not as good as you think. Especially when they have dozens of children. Do you know what gods do? They satisfy their desire. Some like to go hunting, others like to play games. We mortals are merely tools in their games. Our sufferings and joy are all for their entertainment. Some even participate in their own games, toying with mortals, to fulfil their own lust. They pretend to be one of them. Once their eyes land on someone, they snatch them away. Most of the mortals would accept because of their status. Those who are faithful will refuse, but not many survive the wrath of gods. Those who survived are scarred for the rest of their lives,” she paused, “ Are you following? My dear.”

I nodded, “ Is that why you were so aggressive to the gods? But how can I know if you are telling the truth? ”

“ I would’ve loved to say to trust me, but no sane person will trust a stranger for the first time. No, there isn't any way to verifi, known to the public anyway. The only proof is to interview the survivors of such attacks. And you would become enemies with the followers of those gods. Those who speak ill against them are silenced. Perhaps a well known example is the prosecution of heretics.”

“ I understand, but how did you find out the truth?” I asked.

“ That is the story that I am about to tell.” Amethyst chuckled, glad that I asked. “ Now listen carefully.

“ There was once a princess of the Rossia Kingdom. She was a great beauty, the gem of the decade, she was called. And as you’ve guessed it, caught the eyes of many. Mortals and gods alike fell head over heel for her. But she was already deeply in love with a prince of a neighbouring kingdom. She would do anything to be with him. One of the gods realised that she wouldn’t be swayed away, so he kidnapped her and forced to live with him. And he proposed to her a deal, to bear him a child for her freedom. And as expected she bore a child. That god’s plan was to break the relation of the princess and the prince, so that she can be his. Unexpectedly, the prince accepted the child as his own. But his anger toward that god was unignorable. As soon as he ascended the throne, he ordered the burning down of the temples of that god and the followers to be exiled. Unfortunately, that was proven to be a fatal mistake. His kingdom fell soon after, with his people slaughtered by the alliance faithful to that god. The prince was killed, his soul tortured by that god. The princess, mourning for his death, closed herself in a castle tower, cursing it. To this day, she is still guarding the prince’s remains.” Amethyst tensed up as she finished her story. She had a distracted look on her face, staring at her hands.

Seeing her like this pains my heart, I got up and sat on the chair next to her. “ Would you like a shoulder to lean on? You can use mine if you like.” I said, near her, within arm’s length. She was startled by my sudden appearance, but quickly relaxed, smiling kindly at me.

“ How sweet of you darling , I’ll take you up on your offer.” She leaned on me, putting her head on my shoulder. Her hair as smooth as silk brushed my face. “ I was that child. That god took care of me. He cut me off from the mortal world, away from my mother.” There was another pause, “ Could you do me a favour?” She said quietly, “ Could you help me meet with my mother?”