It was at Decelis Academy. It was in the late hours of the evening when Athena came to Heli’s room in the evening. Heli was about to close his eyes at the time.
But Heli, however, was always ready to comfort the love of his life.
That’s right!
Heli had been admiring Athena for most of the school year. And ever since the day they met, Heli had an absolute desire to love her, to care for her and grow old with her.
All he wanted was someone to stay by his side. He didn’t want to be alone anymore. He had felt lonely ever since his mother and father died from the hands of the Krampus.
This was the murder that Headmistress Narissa mentioned to Athena.
Heli welcomed her with a caress on the cheek. Athena laid beside Heli, cuddling up beside him.
“I’m terribly sorry to interrupt your dreams.”
Heli smiled. “It’s okay, I’m sorry you have trouble sleeping.”
“It’s not just because I have trouble sleeping…it’s because…I miss you…and I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I have such a desire to love you. I want to care for you, grow old with you, even in sickness and in health.”
Heli was surprised.
“That…that is a really beautiful thing to say. I think…we will be better off together, than apart.”
“I believe so, too, Heli.” responded Athena, as she caressed Heli on the top of his head.
They then came closer to each other.
Suddenly, their lips clicked together, as if they were magnets on a refrigerator door.
All night, they made love.
In the morning dawn, the couple wrapped themselves in each other’s arms, keeping their warmth from the cold outside.
But suddenly, there came a knock at the door. But Heli wasn’t awake enough to answer it.
*~*~*~*~*~*
The person on the other side, pounded on the door, as if he was making the sound with his fists.
Athena stood up and slowly answered the door. It was William!
“What are you doing in Heli’s room?!” he asked, having hands on his hips.
“I was just saying a faithful good morning to him.” Athena answered.
“Then why didn’t you answer me in the evening?”
“Because I was in a deep sleep.”
William eventually gave up and left the room without saying a word.
Heli yawned.
“Who was at the door?” he asked, sleepily.
“William Drexler IX!” Athena said frantically, “He was asking why I wasn’t in my room when he was knocking at the door.”
Heli then caressed her head and kissed her on the forehead.
“Don’t worry,” he said softly, “I shall make sure that no one in this school shall ever hurt you.”
Tragically, that promise didn’t last long. It was while Athena took a nap in her own bed, when the door suddenly opened.
I thought I closed the door, Athena thought, I guess I must have forgotten!
Both William and Vincent came to drag Athena out of her room and into the auditorium…where they were going to cane her.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Vincent had her crouched down on a desk, and vowed himself to cane her fifty times. He brought out the pole, ran up to her, and flogged her in the back.
She yelped in pain.
Meanwhile, Shion, Odette, and Heli were outside the doors to the auditorium. Both Odette and Shion had tears in their eyes.
“Why are they doing this to her? She did nothing wrong!” Odette sobbed.
“I know, this is not right!” answered Shion, softly.
Heli scowled. And marched up to Vincent to confront him.
“WHY ARE YOU HURTING HER?!” he screamed at the top of his lungs, “WHY ARE YOU HURTING THE PRINCESS OF THE SERPENTINE?!”
Vincent stopped. He heard those very words from his own best friend.
“What do you mean the princess of the Serpentine?”
“Why are you hurting Princess Athena?!”
Princess Athena, Vincent thought, I thought she was assumed dead at fifteen? Why would she be alive today?
Odette cried hysterically. She ran to the door and banged on.
“LET HER GO, DON’T HURT HER! DON’T KILL HER! SHE DID NOTHING WRONG!”
Her banging on the door startled Vincent harshly. Somewhat and somehow, Odette managed to actually break through the door.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Athena stood up straight, as if she was unharmed. There was a catch, though: a Serpent or Angel like Odette, Athena, Heli and Shion, they can’t feel pain at all.
Athena gave a death look at Vincent and William.
It’s high time that I show my truest, most purest self! My personal self. Who I really am.
And so, Athena was lifted up slowly…William and Vincent both backed away. They noticed Odette floating in sync with Athena.
And then, just when they were about to admit their wrongdoings, Narissa entered.
“What in the world is going–”
Suddenly, Athena and Odette, at exactly the same time, rose up and let their wings spread.
William and Vincent fell to the ground with their jaws dropped.
*~*~*~*~*~*
“It’s true!” said William, “What had been rumored had been true!”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” chided Vincent, “She is a young girl that is a Serpent but not a princess.”
Both girls from each side floated down, gracefully landing to the floor. Heli waited for Athena to be in his arms.
Athena flung her arms around Heli’s neck and kissed his right cheek.
“I love you so much!” she said softly.
“I…” Heli stammered, “…I love you too. I–I won’t ever abandon you…ever. I promise.”
Heli practiced his Violin. His fingers danced on the strings as his bow swayed like a beautiful palm tree.
Athena’s breaking point was where Heli hits the highest notes on the violin. She wouldn’t contain her longing love for him.
How she would long to just kiss him after every performance in the chances he might get. But in the end of his miniature performance, Athena’s wings didn’t bother to appear.
Strange, she thought, I thought my wings would appear once after Heli’s violin practice was over.
Night fell from the blue sky. Decelis Academy and the students prepared for their evening classes.
Sometimes at this hour, students would practice for their upcoming performances, such as the play, the musical, and even the most exciting event of them all: The NightBall Cup!
Athena always had been looking forward to that event the most. She hoped that Heli would win for the Serpent team.
Unfortunately, all of the events that were supposed to take place this year were canceled, due to the incident with Athena.
The whole school began to spread rumors about her abilities and powers. And they would rumor about Heli as well, thinking he would rather be with someone that was as beautiful as an Angel than a total baddie.
Heli didn’t want to rebel for a girl. He wanted to rebel for his life. And so did Athena.
Athena pursed her lips as she heard Heli playing the violin for the evening students. She was locked in her room, since she wasn’t allowed to attend any of her classes. She began to cry.
Why, she thought, Why are people fearing me, instead of supporting me? They don’t know that the Krampus is after me!
After Heli’s performance, Athena passed out. After crying, and from her negative energy, she fell intensely ill. Her heart had stopped.
By the time Heli broke in through the door, he found the unconscious Athena.