[Fic] The Tale of Psyche and Eros Redux - Act 4
Title: The Tale of Psyche and Eros Redux - Act 4
Series: Axis Powers Hetalia
Pairing/Character(s): Greece/Japan, North Italy, Prussia, Austria, Germany, Lithuania, Poland
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Fantasy-AU, romance, adventure, humour
Warning: slight crack and a mishmash of all your favourite mythology/folk-tales thrown together
Summary: In which Kiku walks in Death and meets with a number of oddities
Previous Acts: 1 2 3
Act 4
The river churned, dark, murky waters lapping doggedly at its banks. There was a chilly heaviness that lingered eerily in the air. It lingered, restless and smothering, to besiege the hearts of any mortal foolish enough to wander across the border until it drove them mad with despair or grief, it did not matter. Death was not picky with companions.
Amidst the roar of the Styx was another sound, softer and more pleasant. Within seconds, a boat appeared from the mist, a small engraving of a dragon eating its own tail hewn unto its bow. A cloaked figure stood upon the boat, humming a tune as he rowed, his pole cutting through the black waters in slow, swift strokes.
He hummed, a happy tune, almost in rhythm with his paddling and he continued so in such fashion, humming and singing. He was nearly as old as the river, or rather, he felt as old - in truth he wasn’t quite sure of his age anymore. It had been a long time after all, and as he thought about the past, his mind began to wander - memories of his past, their past, about times long before where he remembered vaguely the scent of jasmines and trumpet gentians, of the warmth of the sun on his skin, of the sharp aroma of baked bread and … is that a light, a person over there? No… maybe… ?
Rowing and rowing, the never-ending cycle of thoughts and movement, but still the Ferryman carried on, always humming his silly tune. The light he’d noticed earlier gradually became a shape and he paused for a moment to take a better look. A young man approached the riverbank, three tiny blue flames hovering around him. Perched upon his shoulder was a calico cat with amber eyes and twin tails.
The man hesitated for a second and then bowing, he spoke. “Are you the Ferryman?”
“Sí, the one and only. Otherwise also known simply as Feliciano~!” The Ferryman returned the bow with double the amount of vigour, pushing back the hood of his cloak to reveal his face, now painted with a big, bright smile.
Kiku thought the smile was oddly misplaced, a stark contrast to the grim atmosphere surrounding them. It filled him with a strange sense of comfort however. “I am Kiku, and I am seeking passage into Erebus. May I request for your help in getting across the Styx?”
“I wish I could help you and I think I’m not wrong, but ve, you don’t seem to be dead enough to go across.”
“Indeed. I am pretty much alive and I don’t plan on being otherwise either. I do however have a task to fulfill.” Kiku held up a silver coin. “And I have payment for the passage.”
Feliciano cocked his head then, suddenly interested. “Ahhhh mio amico, I see you know how it works then. This is a pleasant surprise!”
Just as Kiku handed the coin to the Ferryman, he felt Corporal’s whiskers tickling his ear lightly and he remembered what Romano had requested of him.
“Excuse me,” he began. “The wolf-guardian also asked me to give you this.”
Feliciano gazed questioningly at the pouch Kiku handed to him, before reaching inside to pull out a small, roundish object. It was a tomato. An even bigger smile broke out over the Ferryman’s face, but with it came an enveloping sense of sadness. Feliciano thanked him, ushering him into the boat and began to paddle.
They continued in silence for a moment; Kiku glancing uncertainly at Corporal, who only returned his gaze pointedly, and Feliciano rowing hard, the smile still fixed upon his lips but his eyes were downcast and he seemed lost in his thoughts.
“Feliciano.”
“Mmmhh? Oh mi scusi, yes what is it?” The Ferryman lifted his gaze to meet Kiku’s.
“… Is everything all right? You look troubled.”
At this, Feliciano gave a small chuckle. He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand in embarrassment before turning his gaze up to the inky blackness above them.
“I was just thinking of the past, about how there was once two brothers who were very close to each other, even though they were quite different in character. The brothers were orphaned at a young age, so they were taken in by their grandfather, a strong ruler of many lands. The grandfather loved the brothers, especially the younger one and his show of affection sometimes caused the elder brother to become envious. But you see, the eldest loved his fratello almost as much, even if he never wanted to admit it aloud, so he was always looking out for his younger sibling, just like everyone else.”
“A daemon-queen of a faraway land saw the grandfather’s kingdom and wished it for herself. So she devised a plan to turn the brothers on each other. She tried seducing the eldest, promising power and riches if he would rise and turn on his own family. But he refused and in anger, the daemon swore revenge. One day, as he was out shepherding, the daemon cast a spell upon him and when the younger brother came to retrieve him home for dinner, the eldest could not recognize him and only saw a monster before him. Driven by this madness, he struck out at the beast with his knife, wounding it.”
Here the Ferryman paused, head bowed. For a moment, there was only the sound of his pole splashing through black waters. Kiku said nothing, understanding that no words were needed to fill the silence, but watched him with concern nonetheless, emptiness gnawing at his heart. Feliciano then continued.
“Only when he felt the splash of blood upon his hands did he recognize the ‘beast’ as his own little brother. Panicked, he tried seeking help - it was however, a fatal wound. Unwilling to give up, the eldest fled to the realm of Erebus and was even willing to trade his life for his brother’s. Moved by his pleas, the Lord Death said that if the eldest would serve under him for the rest of his days, his brother will live. He agreed.”
“I see. So you’re Romano’s elder brother?” Kiku mused as he glanced at the Ferryman, studying his features and noting that stubborn lock of hair that curled just like his brother’s, except that it curled to the left instead. “You look very much like him.”
“Elder…? Oh no, amico! You’ve got it the other way round.” Feliciano laughed, eyes gleaming with humour. “Romano’s the eldest. I’m the youngest of the Vargas line.”
“Ah, but you said…”
“I couldn’t let my fratello throw himself into eternal servitude.” Feliciano smiled again, this time with some pride. “So I begged Lord Hades to take me as a servant as well, to help my brother make amends for his mistake. Besides, if it were the two of us, Lord Hades agreed that we only need to serve him for a century and then we are free~!”
The kitsunè tilted his head, shifting as he felt Corporal move away from her seat beside him to rub her flanks against the Ferryman’s shins.
“A century is a long time for mortals.”
“Ve, it is, but he is my brother.” Feliciano reached to scoop Corporal up with one hand, letting her clamber around his shoulders, purring. He chuckled, stroking the cat affectionately, before turning back to Kiku. “And if you care deeply for someone, you’d do anything for them, right?”
Kiku thought of Herakles and replied in a softer voice, “Indeed.”
They had finally reached the other side of the Styx and Kiku made sure his remaining pouches were secured safely in his clothes before getting off the boat and unto the riverbank.
“Thank you, Feliciano- ” Kiku began only to be nearly bowled over by the sudden flurry of movements. He felt hands wrapping around his neck and before he knew it, Feliciano had him in a bone-breaking hug.
“Grazie Kiku, for passing me Romano’s gift! And for listening to my boring little story. Ahhhhhh, I get quite lonesome down here sometimes, and even though I’ve made a few friends, I never get around seeing them much, you know! So I’m really grateful that we could have met and you’ve been really nice to me~!”
Kiku tried as politely as he could to squirm out of the Ferryman’s python-like grip.
“It is my pleasure to be able to help you.”
“Oh, oh, before I forget, could you help me with one last favour?” Feliciano reached into his cloak and passed a small branch of violet flowers to the other man. “Please, pass these to Ludwig.”
Kiku nodded and watched as Feliciano pushed off with his pole, and giving the kitsunè and Corporal one last mighty wave accompanied by a loud “In bocca al lupo!”, he paddled off into the faraway mist.
“Crepi il lupo.”
* * * * *
“Are you certain this is the right way, Kiku?”
“There’s only one path from the river and I’ve followed Romano’s directions as best as I can.”
A careless sniff, and then - “Romano only told you how to get to Erebus, but not exactly to where Hades resides.”
Kiku flatten his vulpine ears at Corporal’s words. She was quite right about that. Uncertain as he was however, there was no other path in sight, and he didn’t understand how or why, but he instinctively knew it was best to keep to the path and not stray elsewhere. He was sure Corporal felt it too - she was bristling and growling under her breath, her claws digging slightly deeper than usual into his clothes. Kiku stroked her head gently, trying to calm her, while he himself took comfort in feeling the warmth of her fur in his fingers.
All around them the land was cold and shrouded in shadows darker than black. If it were not for the fox-fire, it would have been nearly pitch-black.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here?”
The kitsunè froze in his tracks at the new voice, his heart beating faster. He casted the fox-fire towards the direction of the speaker, but whoever it was slunk back into the shadows and Kiku only managed a glimpse of sharp fangs and a snow-white tail. Corporal’s growls grew louder and she stood before Kiku, several times larger now, hackles raised.
“Such cute little creatures you are, I might actually be forced to pet you!” the voice cackled, and this time Kiku saw a pair of red eyes blazing from the dark at him.
“You’re an insufferable ass, you know that Gilbert?” Kiku turned at the sound of the second voice. A huge tan and black dog-like creature appeared from his right, wearing a deep, dignified scowl upon his face. The first voice cackled again, and slunk out from the shadows, revealing himself to be a snow-white dog, his tongue lolling out as he grinned widely. There was a scar across his right eye.
“Hey, takes one to know one!”
The two huge Alsatians growled at each other, towering over Kiku and the kitsunè wondered if he should make a run for it then. Before he could react, a third Alsatian stepped right up before him.
“Gilbert, Roderich. Enough already.” The newcomer said, his voice clipped with annoyance. He was the largest of them, with piercing blue eyes and a coat like gold. He frowned hard at Kiku and Corporal, who was still growling cautiously at the dogs.
“We are the Cerberus, gatekeepers of Death. You have wandered far from home, fox.” Kiku felt the golden Alsatian’s icy glare scrutinizing him. Placing a hand on Corporal’s shoulders to calm her, he stepped forward, dipping his head in a polite bow but not breaking eye-contact with the Alsatian.
“State your purpose for being here clearly and we might be kind in how we handle this.”
Kiku dutifully told the gatekeepers of his task.
“I apologize if it seems too much, but please, I ask that you grant me passage with these as payment.” He reached for the pouch again and held out three sweet cakes. At the sight and smell of the cakes, all three Alsatians’ ears perked up. Gilbert leaned in closer excitedly and snapped up a piece at once.
“Gilbert, you are truly an idiot, to be won over so easily with cake.” Roderich said, sniffing disdainfully.
“If that’s so idiotic, why are you eating it as well?” Gilbert sneered, licking his lips happily. Roderich only continued to munch on his share silently, refusing any reply. The golden Alsatian glared exasperatedly at them before letting out a resigned sigh.
“Since you two have already eaten it even before any discussion, I can’t possibly refuse the man his request anymore.” He accepted the last piece from Kiku, nodding his thanks, before stepping aside to allow him through. As he did, Kiku saw the path leading through a gate which he was quite certain wasn’t there before. He was about to continue on when a thought struck him. He turned back to the golden Alsatian.
“Pardon me, sir, but would you happen to know of someone named Ludwig?”
The golden Alsatian met his gaze steadily, curiousity in those icy-blue eyes. “Yes I do. I am Ludwig.”
“I’ve been asked to deliver something to you.” Kiku held out the branch of violet flowers he’d kept carefully within the folds of his yukata. “These are from Feliciano Vargas.”
Ludwig’s eyes widen in mild surprise at the sight of the flowers, but at the mention of the Ferryman’s name, his expression soften. In a swirl of grey shadows, the Alsatian changed into a tall, blonde man dressed in a dark green cloak. He reached for the branch tentatively.
“… Heliotropes.” He murmured, bringing the branch closer to take in the sweet scent of the flowers. “Thank you.” He said simply and while his brows were still furrowed sternly, Kiku noticed the faint shadow of a blush dusting his cheeks.
“When you return, will you deliver my reply to him?”
“Of course, as long as it is within my means to.”
“Please tell him this,” Ludwig paused, visibly steeling himself for what he was about to say next. “'Ever since you arrived here, I’ve always loved you. And no matter how many hundreds of years go by, I will always love you more than anyone in this world or next.’ ”
The kitsunè committed those precious words to memory and then offered Ludwig a reassuring smile. “I will do my best to convey it to Feliciano.”
After exchanging thanks and bidding the gatekeepers farewell, Kiku carried on past the gateway with Corporal, finally entering the House of Hades.
* * * * *
“Who goes there?”
The man frowned hard, seated upon his rosewood throne adorned with dark-green ivy and blood-red lilies, their petals and stamens reaching upwards like long, spidery claws. Above his throne was a large engraving hewn into grey stone - a grinning skeleton crowned with a wreath of laurel, the sun held in one hand, the moon in the other and encircled by a dragon eating its own tail. His green eyes were bright as fire as he studied the figure who had just entered his Court.
Kiku stepped forward cautiously. Behind him, Corporal followed suit, her twin tails held up high in apprehension.
“Forgive me, your Majesty, but I come seeking audience with your Consort. An important task was given to me by way of Francis, lord of all that is beautiful.”
At his words, the Lord Death regarded the kitsunè bemusedly, before tilting his head to face his side. Kiku followed his gaze to rest his eyes upon to the beautiful young lady seated next to the man. Her eyes were like bright blue jewels, their colour rich with a sapphire blaze. They bore into him, scrutinizing him. A bright-red poppy flower was tucked neatly into a corner between her ear and silken locks.
As she leaned closer towards him, as if to take a better look at his features, he caught a whiff of her hair. It was like golden flax and smelt of honeysuckle budding in the spring; a contrast to the deathly cold and clammy air of Erebus. She was gorgeous, Kiku thought.
“You’re here for like, beauty cream right?” squeaked the woman in a somewhat high, but fairly unmistakable-
Kiku blinked, still staring and stunned in momentary disbelief.
“Hel-lo? I’m like, talking to you over here, you know.”
So he wasn’t just imagining the male voice; she was really a he. Why had Francis and Romano previously referred to the Lady - no, no, he’s a man - of Death as female, Kiku would probably never know. In fact, he figured it was probably best not to know. Giving both of them an apologetic smile, he dipped his head and knelt before them respectfully.
“Indeed I am.” He said meekly, and told them of his story - of breaking Love’s trust and of Beauty’s trials for him to achieve repentance and perfection; of the wolf-guide and his brother, the lonely Ferryman; of the Cerberus, gatekeepers of Hades.
Death and his Consort listened attentively and when Kiku finished, the man with the golden hair rested his chin against his hand, legs crossed and eyes closed momentarily. When he reopened them, there was new sense of attentiveness in them. He let out a soft sigh and said, “We have heard stories of you for quite some time and now that we’ve heard of your quest with our own ears, I see that your journey has been an arduous one.”
“It is pretty impressive for one mere fox, that I have to say.” Death added, nodding at Kiku, a touch of respect in his voice.
Kiku bowed his head. “I was fortunate to have help from many kind friends.”
“Well, your own story certainly is far more interesting than those whispered to our ears.”
“And I did promise to give Francis the cream once, long ago.” Death’s Consort smiled at the fox, beckoning him to approach the throne. “So show me, like, your junk and I’ll- ” A hand clasped hastily over his mouth before he could finish the sentence.
“Feliks,” Death said to his Consort, frowning hard. “Stop teasing the fox.” He gave Kiku an apologetic glance, chuckling rather sheepishly.
“Ahaahaahaa! Toris, you’re such a spoilt-sport sometimes!” Feliks huffed, pouting rebelliously.
Kiku could only smile uncertainly at the two. Perhaps even Death has a sense of humour as well.
Once he had received the cream from Feliks, he thanked both of them, bowing graciously and they wished him the best of luck.
Thus he completed his final task and with that, the kitsuné began his journey back to the Living. As he reached the gateway and its Keepers once again, he gave them more sweet cakes and reassured Ludwig he had not forgotten his promise.
“Hey if you ever do visit again, bring more of those awesome cakes! Hehehehe!” Gilbert called after him. Kiku only laughed, and promised to try.
He gave another silver coin to the Ferryman and delivered Ludwig’s message as Feliciano took him across the Styx. “Ve, Kiku, I’m sooo happy to hear that! Grazie, grazie, graaazie!!”
Kiku didn’t even try to avoid the crushing farewell hug Feliciano gave him before they parted ways.
As he watched Feliciano paddling away, singing a happy tune to himself, Kiku felt Corporal jump up to perch upon his shoulder. She nuzzled affectionately against his ear, purring softly and his lips quirked into the tiniest of smiles. He stroked the calico cat’s head once and then staring straight with his head held high, his eyes bright, he continued forward.
He was finally heading home.
To be continued~
Act 5
_ _ _ _ _
First off, I’m so, so sorry for taking so long with this Act! I think that kinda explains why Act 4 turned out to be extremely long; my muses were trying to make up for it lol.
Secondly, I don’t know who’s following this fic anymore but for those who’ve commented on the previous Acts, thank you so much for your reviews! And a gazillion thanks to tinywhitekitty for being an unofficial beta of mine. I do think your feedback/comments helped a LOT with all the fics I've written so far.
And after writing so many characters (even for short scenes) I realized that I find America’s easiest to write. Writing Greece and North Italy is difficult too, but seriously, the hardest character for me to write in any fic is Japan. I always feel like I can never do justice to his characterization/dialogues. I do try my best though :/
Translations:
Sí - yes
mio amico- my friend
mi scusi - excuse me
fratello - brother
grazie - thank you
In bocca al lupo - Literally means ‘into the mouth of the wolf’. It’s the actual (and correct) way of wishing someone ‘good luck/good fortune’ and is akin to the English saying ‘Break a leg’.
Crepi il lupo - Literally means ‘may the wolf croak/die’ or ‘I shall eat the wolf’ and is akin to the English “Thanks.” This is the reply when someone wishes you ‘In bocca al lupo’.
Notes:
- Feli and Romano’s backstory was inspired by the famous Roman legend of Romulus and Remus.
- The scene for Ludwig and Feliciano was of course, inspired by these scenes. Oh GerIta, how I love you <3
- Heliotropes are pretty flowers, and symbolise devotion and faithfulness.
- The symbol engraved unto Feli’s boat and above Toris’ throne. The dragon (sometimes also a snake) eating its own tail is also known asOuroboros, and represents self-reflexivity .
- In the language of the flowers, red poppies, red spider-lilies and poison ivy are all commonly associated with death and the dead.
- Music! Feli&Romano’s backstory and GerIta moment. Even if you don’t like HetaOni, you can’t deny it has beautiful instrumental songs.
- I now feel like writing one-shots of this verse for Feli & Romano’s and Ludwig & Feliciano. Yes/No? : D
I hope you enjoy this Act and thank you for reading ~ ♥