"Why?" I gasped, my body writhing as I coughed up blood. The pain in my chest was unbearable, feeling like it was filled with mud, a heavy weight that seemed to drag me down.

Psyche let out a cold, cruel laugh, the sound sending shivers down my spine. “I won't allow you to take Cupid away from me again!” She pressed the knife harder against my chest, relishing in my suffering. I gritted my teeth and raised my grimoire, attempting another one of my spells, but before I could even have a chance to cast it, Psyche grabbed both of my arms.

"A mere human..." she sneered, pulling the dagger out of my chest. I gasped as the pain intensified, my body convulsing uncontrollably. "...can never beat a goddess," she continued, her voice dripping with contempt.

"Raphael..." I whimered as I collapsed on the floor, my thoughts turning to the only person who could possibly save me. But Psyche didn’t even give me a chance to breathe and pulled my hair up. I had never felt so powerless and vulnerable, completely at the mercy of a being who saw me as nothing more than an inferior creature.

"Please, stop..." I begged, my voice breaking. But the goddess only laughed harder, her dagger sinking deeper into my skin again. The pain was unbearable, and I couldn't hold back the tears that streamed down my face. I begged for mercy, but it seemed like she couldn't even hear me. The thought that this might be the end for me was too much to bear. I didn't understand why she hated me so much, what I had done to deserve this treatment. Why was she doing this to me?

In an instant, everything went black and I felt a sudden surge of power awaken within me. It was like a force I had never known I possessed, flowing through my veins and driving me forward.

When I came to, I saw that I was choking Psyche, my hands wrapped tightly around her neck as I lifted her off the ground. She struggled and gasped for air, her eyes wide with confusion and fear. I couldn't understand what was happening, or how I had gained this inner strength. All I knew was that I couldn't stop myself, consumed by a burning anger and a desire for revenge. As I tightened my grip, cutting off her vessel’s air supply and watching her face turn red, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction wash over me.

"How...did you defeat me?" Psyche gasped, her voice ragged as she struggled in my grasp. I was momentarily stunned, unable to believe what I had just done. I released her immediately, my hands trembling as I looked at them in shock. To my surprise, they were unmarked, with no wounds or cuts. Even the wounds from the blade that had pierced me were gone, leaving behind only my torn uniform, almost exposing my naked body.

"What happened to me?" I whispered, my mind racing as I looked at Psyche again, who had lost consciousness. I couldn't understand how this was possible, or how I had managed to overpower Psyche. All I knew was that I was filled with confusion and fear, unsure of how to process the events that had just occurred.

But then I remembered what Psyche had called me earlier.

"A mere human can never beat a goddess."

A human? I am not a human, but rather a demon trapped within a mortal form. It was hard for me to wrap my head about the reason why she came to that conclusion. Aside from that, her notion that I would try to steal Cupid away from her was absurd. Angels and demons are diametrically opposed, and can never love one another. It seemed implausible that I would be attracted to an angel whose beliefs were so fundamentally opposed to my own.

As I stood there, lost in thought, the world around me was suddenly awash in a sea of red. I knew without a doubt that the being which had haunted my steps for the past few days had finally arrived.

I have already had to confront Dabria and Psyche, and now I find myself facing yet another entity. How unfortunate I am to be plagued by such inconveniences.

"Forgive me, Psyche," a rich, velvety voice echoed throughout the space.

"Reveal yourself!" I called out, spinning around in a desperate attempt to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic creature that had filled me with such confusion. From the shadows of the alley, a figure emerged, stepping into the dim light.

"It's you..." I whispered, taking a step back as his form struck a chord of familiarity within me, though I could not place where I had seen him before. His head was crowned with a mass of curly pink hair, and he was dressed in a sleek tuxedo. The icy gaze of his pink eyes sent shivers down my spine, and as our eyes met, my heart raced with a strange, unfamiliar sensation. I clenched my fists, trying to steady myself against his strong, intimidating presence.

But at the same time, an inexplicable desire stirred within me to draw near to him, to embrace him and feel the warmth of his body against my skin. It was a feeling that I had never known before, as if a slumbering part of myself had been awoken by his presence.

I was confused by these unfamiliar emotions.

"We meet again," he said as he summoned his glowing bow. The strange feelings receded and I braced myself for the coming confrontation.

I could feel my heart thundering in my chest as I uttered his name. "Cupid."

***

RAPHAEL

I gasped for air as I ran, my eyes frantically searching the area for any sign of Rory and Tiffany. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't find them. Exhausted, I leaned against the wall, pressing my hand against my heaving chest as I tried to catch my breath.

"Damn it," I muttered, turning my gaze in all directions. "Did Tiffany know that I was following them?" I balled my hands into fists, a feeling of unease settling in the pit of my stomach.

I smacked myself on the forehead, berating myself for my own stupidity. "Damn, how did I let them get away?" I cursed under my breath.

"Such a fool."

I heard a voice and turned to see a woman with purple hair and glowing yellow eyes. She was surrounded by a cloud of butterflies and had black wings that were spread wide as she flew towards me.

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"Dabria," I said her name as she landed gracefully in front of me. "What are you doing here?"

She brushed one of the butterflies off her shoulder and placed it gently on her finger, a sly smile on her lips. "No matter how hard you try to keep Aurora locked up," she said, "fate will always keep the two of you apart."

Without hesitation, I reached out to grab her collar, but she anticipated my move and pushed me against the wall with ease. Her strength was overwhelming, and she pinned me in place with her arm against the side of my head, her intimidating yellow eyes fixed on mine.

"You know, Raphael," she said, dragging her finger down my cheek to my chin. "You're no match for me in your current state," she whispered, her face inches from mine. I gritted my teeth, frustration coursing through my veins.

I knew she was right. I didn't have the power to defeat her yet. What was I thinking, trying to fight her?

She stepped back, waving her hand dismissively and giving me a disgusted look. "I really don't like touching guys," she said, her voice laced with contempt. "I'd rather touch your girlfriend than you."

"Shut up," I snapped, anger and protectiveness for Rory welling up inside me. "Leave her alone."

Dabria shrugged. "Okay, okay. Fine by me," she said, a fake smile on her lips. "I won't tell you where she is then."

My ears perked up at her words. “What? Where is she?”

Dabria tilted her head, a sly expression on her face. "Why should I tell you? What's it to you?"

I couldn't believe her audacity. "Have you completely forgotten everything I've done for you in the past?" I retorted, my words causing her face to turn grim.

"I remember it all too well," she hissed, her eyes narrowing. "It's also because of you that peace was jeopardized in heaven's realm. If not for your actions, then–"

"Then angels would have remained ignorant of the sensation of love," I interjected. "Do you really believe that you would have been granted the gift of love if you had only lived to serve the Mighty High? Do you truly think you can love Raven with an empty, soulless heart?"

"Quiet," she growled, her voice deepening. "You have no right to speak of my late lover."

"Then we're on the same page," I said firmly. "Now tell me where Rory is."

Her face contorted in anger as she raised her fingers, making a strange sound. Suddenly, the surroundings began to blur and distort. It seemed as if the air around us was becoming hazy and difficult to see through.

As the illusion lifted, realization dawned on me and I turned my gaze back to her. "Are you the reason I can't find her?" I asked, my voice laced with suspicion.

Dabria looked at me with disbelief. "Are you joking?" she asked, her voice dripping with mirth. "Psyche and Aurora are hanging out right now."

"Psyche?" I exclaimed, the name of the goddess slipping off my tongue. "Rory and Psyche have met?"

"Well, you can just go and see for yourself," she said, waving her hand dismissively.

I quickly made my way over to the unconscious form of Rory, taking in her open mouth and startled expression. I shook her shoulders gently, trying to rouse her from her trance-like state. My eyes fell upon her tattered clothing, as if she had just been through a fierce battle.

“Who did this to you?” i gritted my teeth and roamed my eyes around for the perpetrator.

And there he was - the man with the curly, pink hair and icy eyes to match. He was the reason we had been forced to return to the beginning, and now he stood before us once again, intent on disrupting my plans.

"Cupid..." I breathed, staring at him in disbelief.

He looked back at me, his expression blank. "Demon," he spat out, his voice filled with venom. He raised the bow and arrow he held in his hand, aiming it directly at us. Without warning, he released the arrow and I reacted on instinct, pushing Rory out of harm's way. She was still in a trance, and I knew this was my chance to manipulate her memories.

I placed my hand on her forehead, and she slumped into my lap, unconscious. My hand began to glow with a soft, blue light as I placed it on the ground.

"Stop this!" Cupid yelled, his voice filled with anger as he stormed towards us. "No matter what happens, what you want can't be granted!"

"Shut up!" I yelled back, unleashing a burst of magic towards him. "If love is the key to victory in this fight, then I will not let any obstacle that comes between Rory and me keep us apart," I declared with determination, my conviction growing stronger with every word.. "Because I am the only one - the only one worthy of taking the Mighty High’s throne.”

His eyes widened as he realized he was trapped, unable to avoid the attack. The magic struck him in the head, and he crumpled to the ground.

Breathing heavily, I turned my attention back to Rory. I placed my hand on her forehead, a single tear rolling down my cheek. "Memoria Dispareo," I whispered, casting a high-ranking spell.

“I'll do whatever it takes to ensure that you don't remember him again. If it takes my entire lifetime, I'll make sure that you can just stay with me, isolating ourselves from the world, and forgetting about everything else.I promised that I will do anything in my power to achieve what we desire.”

I gently leaned Rory against the wall and helped her sit down. I wiped my eyes before checking on Tiffany, who lay unconscious before me. However, as soon as I touched her skin, she turned to ashes before my very eyes. With a sense of foreboding, I turned my attention back to Rory, knowing that the fate of Psyche's vessel was intertwined with hers.

The Divine Curse.

"Do you really think everything will be okay if you continue to keep her away?"

"You've been watching for a while.” I turned my gaze to the person who spoke. "This is what I think is best for her, Dabria. You're not in a position to question me."

I stood up again and was about to walk back to Rory when Dabria suddenly grabbed my shoulder and turned me towards her. Her yellow eyes narrowed. "This shit matters to me, Raphael," she said with a growl and pointed to Rory without breaking eye contact with me, "I was ordered to devour her soul! She's not supposed to be here anymore! When will you wake up from your delusions?!"

I averted my gaze and shifted my feet to turn away from her. I walked back towards Rory and stopped in front of it. I tilted my head towards my shoulder to glance at Dabria, who was still standing in the same spot as before, "Forget what happened, Dabria," I said firmly and picked up Rory and scooped her in my arms. I held her close to me as I carried her out of the room, leaving the unconscious Cupid behind. “Don’t get involved again,” I added before leaving her in that corner with the unconscious Cupid.

I couldn't give Dabria my memory-wiping spell, because like me, she had the ability to manipulate the memories of others. However, I trusted that she would choose to remain silent rather than get involved with us. She had her own problems to deal with and had a lot to lose if she became a hero now. She had almost jeopardized my plans by trying to make contact with Rory, but I wouldn't let her get away with that easily.

I looked down at the peacefully sleeping Rory in my arms. I noticed that her uniform was disheveled, so I used the spell Resetri to restore it to its previous appearance. Unlike Rory, I was able to use magic even without a grimoire. My power came from within me.

I gently kissed her forehead. "Sleep well, my love. Once you wake up, everything will be restored to its rightful place. We'll be able to return to the rhythm of our love, undisturbed."

As I felt the warmth of my tears gathering once again in my eyes, I could not help but bite down on my lower lip and clutch at my chest in despair. Despite my efforts to hold back the flood of emotions that threatened to overcome me, they proved to be stubborn and only made my pain all the more excruciating.

My knees buckled beneath me, and I found myself sinking to the floor in defeat. Wrapping my hands around my face, I sought to hide my grief from the world

"I robbed your memories, but you stole my heart. Isn’t that unfair, Aurora?"