Page 52 of Orpheus
It was difficult to fully imagine staying in the horrid kingdom of the dead permanently. But no matter what the setting was, I would be willing to grow accustomed to it, so long as I could stay there with Eurydalos.
“Yes. It must be done. I see no other way for me to go on living,” I informed the god.
“Very well. Then you must stand by the edge of the River of Styx,” Apollo instructed. “Pull out your golden lyre, Orpheus. Play your final hymn, your final ode to this world of the living.”
I inhaled and exhaled deeply as I backed up towards the murky river, while facing Apollo still. I was not sure how exactly the god would be able to send me off to the Underworld, but I had a feeling that by the time I was done with my song, I would no longer be living.
Pulling the golden lyre out from within my tunic, I closed my eyes and began strumming on its fine strings, losing myself once again in a trance to the melodies.
A lonely bard there was, traveling the world to share his songs.
Not a soul that heard his music went uncharmed as they listened along.
Word of his talents and skills spread far across the lands.
How he was able to play such soothing melodies, no one could understand.
But this famous musician had a hole in his heart.
He had an unfulfillment that shattered him apart.
It was love that he discovered was what was amiss.
Having someone to cherish, to hold, to find passion with, to kiss.
Then it happened one night, in a castle dining hall.
The bard met an Earth dancer where the two had a ball.
They fell in love and remained inseparable ever since.
Until one day where the musician was forced to say goodbye to his prince.
His lover fell to the ground, having been bitten by a snake.
The dancer perished from this world, causing the bard great heartache.
The musician then traveled to the Underworld to save his love.
Making it his mission to return them both to the surface above.
But one fatal error caused his lover to remain in the Underworld forever.
An error that would cause the two to never be together.
However, the bard was determined to get his lover back.
Even if it meant him having to live in the world that was pure black.
The musician then vowed that he would no longer live.
For living a life without his lover was something he could not give.
And so, he sings this song to give his last breath.
Knowing this hymn will allow him to reunite with his lover in death.
I was so lost in my playing, so numb. As I opened my eyes, I could feel something was not quite right. I stood still in the lush fields at the edge of the river, staring at Apollo. But as I began to look down, I stroked my fingers along the end of a golden arrow that was pierced through my chest, plunged directly into my heart. As I brought my fingers up to my face, I could see them drenched in a crimson liquid. My blood.
