"Here we go," she said, taking out a paper.

"I have released the ten plagues,

The seven sins sprout from my curious hands,

And it seems I can't do much due to their escapade,

Come, find me in Milan.

Where the golden bowl reaps what you sow,

Come on before thrice the cock crows."

"I never knew Pandora was in Milan," said Amoris.

"Yes, but she's in a place where the diseases and plagues are there," said Klaus circumspectly. "We need loads of luck and illusion."

"Phantasos and Kairos," nodded Amoris.

After calling them, Klaus outlined the plan. "You'll have to go there; I won't come. Find her, and don't let the plagues touch you."

Candy hugged him. "We'll be back."

Klaus looked at her. "I care for you but I promised Amoris that I'd help and so.."

Candy put her finger on his mouth. "I know. We owe her."

"Pandora lives right in the epicenter of the most recent disaster."

"Yes," said Klaus. "Go there," He remembered something but decided he'd tell them later.

As they switched on the GPS, something which Kairos carried for traveling, they spot the location.

"Twenty-five kilometers to the left," said a voice.

They all went towards the place, under an appearance. They'd been using one of Kairos' old cars and to go in their real forms could prove to be a danger. Except for Candy, who might've looked like she was going for some pantomime.

They rubble from the recent earthquake was visible as the rescue operations were removing the debris to spot any people or bodies.

"You see that opening where no one is there?" asked Phantasos. "That is my best guess. She'd be underground..."

"Where nobody can see her," completed Kairos.

"I vouch for underground," piped up Amoris.

"Anybody scared of the dark?" asked Phantasos. "Well, you can stay with me."

They all gave him a look as they went out of the car.

They knew it was Pandora's residence, seeing a golden bowl hanging from an arch so high. It was hidden from the common faction world.

"Ten plagues," said Candy. "Seven sins. Which one is better?"

"If we're lucky we won't run into the seven sins," said Amoris.

The quadruple walked in. Right on entering, they noticed the brickwork of the place. Red and brown brick walls with armored people lined the walls. They couldn't tell if it was real.

A lady in a flowing traditional dress with long sleeves and veiled face walked down.

"What were the ten plagues?" asked Kairos.

"According to the Christian myth," said Candy. "There are ten plagues that infected Egypt because its ruler, King Pharaoh would not accept God. The first one..."

She felt really thirsty and wanted a drink as she looked at the others. It seemed like they wanted something too.

The lady seemed to enjoy the scene even though her face was covered. Everything changed as the brick walls diminished and the open air came into view. "Thirsty?"

They nodded as she walked up to a well and gestured towards them. Candy walked towards it and threw the bucket in, collecting water and then pulling it up. She rose it to her lips but then spotted something. Thick red liquid was swimming instead of pale clear water.

"Blood..." she choked out at the woman.

Amoris looking at the woman as her meshed lips curved upwards. "We need...water."

The woman shook her head as one of Amoris' arrow hairs reached up to her. She took it and twisted it hard but Amoris no strength to scream. She closed her eyes hard, pursing her lips tight.

"Even luck will fail, child," the lady spoke. "I'm Meriba."

"So, what's the deal?" asked Phantasos.

"Wouldn't it seem so simple if compromises were there? There is much more."

"And what does...much more mean?" asked Kairos.

"What about love?" asked Amoris.

Meriba snapped her head up as her veil lifted slightly. Her red lips seemed to be reconsidering her decision. "You are Cupid?"

"Someone akin," said Amoris. "Daughter of Aphrodite and Hades."

"I have lost my son," she said.

"Death and love have no connection," said Amoris, raising her eyebrows, clenching her tight fists. Her throat was starting to get even more dry. It seemed that someone was scraping the very last drop of moisture.

"He was my life," she said, as they all felt their parched throats being moistened. "If you can bring him back..."

Amoris continued in the same dry tone. "Death and love have no connection."

They rest of them wanted her to shut up as they felt that she'd ruin everything.

"Amoris..." said Phantasos.

The lady had eyes only for Amoris. "Except that our loved ones die."

"As they should."

Kairos felt like slapping Amoris. Never before had he felt something like this and he felt like hitting his head on the wall. "Show us."

Amoris glanced at him, wondering if he was planning to trick Meriba.

Meriba led them away as Candy whispered to Amoris. "Just follow the plan. We'll get drinks if we can please her."

A sleeping boy shrouded with a white cloth appeared.

"Bring him back?" asked Meriba.

Candy stepped forward upon Kairos' signal. "Little child. Your mother is wounded and knows not that innocent souls will always be led to the Elysium."

She pulled out a chocolate. "If Hermes wills."

Soon, Hermes came in with an apparition of the boy. Candy looked at Meriba. "See? He's safe."

The boy looked at his mother, sucking at the chocolate Candy had given him. "I'm safe momma. I will always be."

Meriba rushed forward trying to hug her son but he dissipated soon like a melting ice-cream.. Melting into the other world. Meriba cried hard as her veil was fully lifted. She looked up with watered eyes. "You have deceived me."

Cue the rolling of eyes. Amoris bit her lips hard.

********

Athena played with a box, twirling it in her hand. "This is...amazing."

Hera frowned. "Yes? What's that?"

Athena laughed. "You could say it was voodoo box. Rather than a doll. I control what happens to them inside."

"Where did you get it from? I suppose you made it yourself," Hera said warily.

Athena nodded vigorously. "Of course! But, what would you know? Busy with Zeus...."

Hera's eye twitched but Athena didn't notice.

"It was of course all in the plan. You giving the paper upon which we wrote that to Kairos. He seems...interested in you," said Athena mildly. "Well, be careful. Dad's not forgiving."

"I know," she snapped.

"And yet, I suppose it is the beauty. But perhaps, it is ever changing like a chameleon. Your beauty is oscillating between the crevices of time, occasionally stumbling upon the mighty rock of wrinkles."

Hera walked away, her sash flowing after her. She couldn't stand it.

And it was not the fact that her beauty was being thrown in her face.

Athena saw miniature figures of all of them walking inside in the box, being terrified. But, this was only the beginning.

I doubt there would be an end.    

******

So, whom do you hate more? Athena or Zeus? And who's your fav character? For me, it's Phantasos! Um, oh yeah and the fact that Hans is a hermaphrodite came up after i read a book, Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy...if u know? Anyway, have fun.

Yours,

Rose