Among Achilles' Heel's many reality-bending abilities, Cupid's Arrow was far from the strongest—but it was the most inescapable.
"In the name of love."
How many atrocities throughout human history had been committed in the name of love?
"Because I love you, I can trample over you without restraint!"
"I love you, I'm doing this for your own good—so you should obey!"
"I love dogs, so I won't leash them—to set their nature free!"
"I love freedom, so I refuse restrictions—I demand the right to breathe!"
"I love democracy, so for this greater love, your nation must perish!"
At its core, "love" in this context was never about the other person—only about the self.
True love required empathy, not the forceful imposition of one's own will.
And Cupid's Arrow embodied this twisted logic perfectly.
"Cupid" used his arrow to impose "love"—a psychological shackle.
Any act of resistance from the target would be deemed a betrayal of that love, punishable by death.
Faced with this unreasonable "love," Loshu's first instinct was persuasion.
He activated Anomaly-3329—Rainbow Lollipop, attempting to sway "Cupid's" attitude.
"Listen, we're not enemies. We—"
"Shut up!" "Cupid" cut him off. "I know you're silver-tongued. From now on, any words you speak to me will be seen as betrayal! And betrayers die!"
Instantly, Loshu's heart rate skyrocketed to 200 BPM, his chest tightening as if his heart might explode.
This was Cupid's Arrow's effect.
Just as he'd guessed—a tyranny enforced in the name of love.
Seeing Loshu fall silent, "Cupid" smirked.
"Good. I'd love to kill you. Don't give me the chance."
"The Master" interjected, "Enough, 'Cupid.' The boss wants him alive."
Loshu glared at "Cupid" on the opposite rooftop, considering whether to use another ability to kill him outright.
But the moment the thought formed, his heart rate spiked to 300 BPM.
He collapsed, writhing.
"The Master" crouched beside him, tapping his cheek.
"Don't even think about harming him. Any hostile intent equals betrayal."
Loshu was speechless.
Not even allowed to think?
Was he just supposed to lie down and surrender?
If he fell into Achilles' Heel's hands, his fate would be worse than death—permanent containment, like a Keter-class anomaly.
No freedom. No sunlight. Ever again.
He'd seen enough Foundation Sites to know—their cells were worse than San Quentin.
The steel room of The Dark Heart.
The "protective" containment of The Fragile Boy.
The 110-Montauk procedures for The Scarlet Bride.
If that was his future, he'd rather die fighting.
The Way Out
By now, Jianjia Cangcang's effect had faded.
Barbie and the others rushed downstairs, soon appearing at the guesthouse entrance.
In her hands was another pair of restraints—possibly Dimensional Shackles.
Not that it mattered.
Under Cupid's Arrow, Loshu couldn't even think of escaping.
But he refused to give up.
Through trial and error, he mapped the punishment thresholds:
Attempting to kill "Cupid" → Heart rate unbearably high (300+ BPM).
Attempting to flee → 200 BPM.
Attempting to move → 250 BPM.
But if he avoided thoughts of "Cupid" or escape, his heart remained normal.
Understanding the rules, Loshu frantically flipped through the Anomaly Catalog, searching for a way out.
He stopped at Page 42.
This might work.
Instead of activating it immediately, he observed Achilles' Heel.
Thanks to Martyr's Radiance, none dared look directly at him—only stealing glances.
Haloperidol mitigated mental hazards but didn't grant immunity. Prolonged eye contact would still affect them.
This was his chance.
Loshu tapped Anomaly-082—Fernand the Cannibal's ability:
Self-Deception.
If I can't convince you, I'll convince myself.
"I truly don't want to betray you. I love you too."
After murmuring this, his heart rate stayed steady.
Self-Deception bypassed the Arrow's punishment.
He pushed further.
"I love you. I just want to be closer to you."
With that, he took a step toward "Cupid's" building.
No spike in heart rate.
It worked.
Moving toward "Cupid" was interpreted as "love," not betrayal.
But this wasn't enough.
Barbie, sprinting toward him, shouted:
"What's he doing? Stop him!"
"Cupid" yelled from the rooftop: "Halt! Another step is betrayal!"
Loshu paused, then flipped back to Page 1—The Original.
Back to where it all began.
In the next instant, he teleported behind "Cupid."
Hands twisted.
Neck snapped.
"Cupid's" head spun 180 degrees, his expression one of shock.
He tried to speak, but his crushed windpipe allowed no last words.
"Cupid" was dead.
Loshu pressed a hand to his own chest, feeling his heartbeat stabilize.
Aside from the Nine-Tailed Fox medic he'd mentally enslaved in Site-19, this was the first Foundation personnel he'd personally killed.
"Cupid" had died baffled—how had Loshu betrayed him?
The answer was simple:
Loshu hadn't intended to kill him.
He'd simply used SCP-173's ability—and chosen not to restrain himself from the final twist.
Every time he'd teleported before, he'd held back.
This time, he didn't.
Confirming the threat was gone, Loshu turned away, leaving behind one last remark:
"I loved you to death."