PreviousYou decide to stand back and let Eve handle things. You cannot take care of every little thing, it is unseemly for a god, even one as small as yourself.
Suha begins to circle Eve, he is well aware of her martial prowess and her exceptional speed (having lost to her in footraces several times). Eve takes in the situation instantly and comes up with a plan of action. She crouches low to the ground, feeling the loose earth for a rock. She grabs onto a clod of dust. It will do.
Suha lunges forward with the spear. Eve leaps to the side and throws the dust clod into Suha's face. The dust catches his eyes and nose and he sputters blindly. Eve takes this chance and disappears into the woods. Suha washes his face then runs after her. Because of the covenant between Lili and yourself, Eve cannot be found so long as she stands still. She decides to climb a tree and wait for Suha. Seconds fall away like the skin of an apple being peeled. Then all at once Suha is below her!
She leaps from the tree branch and wraps her legs around Suha's torso. She then puts Suha in a chokehold from behind. Suha begins to struggle, and tries to slam his back (and consequently, Eve) against a tree. Eve realizes the danger and swings her body backward toward the ground. The added momentum trips Suha and he falls hard on to the ground, partially squishing Eve. He tries to flip himself over. His incredible strength allows him to stand despite Eve still sticking to his back. Then all fades away to certain black as his brain screams for oxygen and shuts down. Eve gets up and catches her breath. She grabs Suha's spear. She kneels over Suha, bringing the spearpoint to his neck. She presses down. Then his fair face smites her and she can go no further. There is a great hurt in her heart, as if the blood flew backwards. She gets up. Paces. Drops her weapon. She goes back to pond to retrieve her bow and quiver.
"Brother! Look what I found!"
"Where did you get that Abuh?"
"I-I found it. By the road."
"You found a fresh loaf of bread sitting by the road? Don't lie Abuh." The older leans on his hoe.
"W-well I thought you and I and mother could share it." There is a pause, the older returns to his work, beating the earth with his hoe.
"Did you steal it?"
"No." But the lie was practiced and not uncaught by the older. The older stops.
"Abuh!" Tears fall down the younger's face - he keeps silent. The older's face softens and brings the younger to his chest and rubs his back. "I'm sorry for shouting. But you know you mustn't steal. Do you remember what happened last time?" The younger nods, leaving wet streaks on the older's clothes. "Well that's alright. I'll go with you. We'll return it OK?"
"But what if he-"
"He won't. Don't worry, I'll be there. He won't."
"But what if he's-"
"He won't be. He won't be. It'll be fine." The younger wipes his eyes and smiles and nods. The older tussles his hair and returns to his work. The younger waits and watches. The sun dips below the sky and the older and younger walk hand in hand to the baker. The younger knocks. The older waits. The baker comes to the door. He is a fat man, sweaty, shirtless, hairy. Even his sweat seemed to the carry the stench of alcohol. The boys hearts' sank.
"Eh? Oh its you brats. What you need now?"
"My brother took one of your loaves by accident. He wanted to return it." The baker's face contorts first into understanding, then into rage. The younger holds up the loaf of bread. The baker grabs it and the younger's arm. The younger cries out. The baker tosses the loaf to the side and with the flat of his palm begins to strike the younger's face. The older lunges forward and intercepts the blows.
"Sir, please! I lied! I lied! It was me! I took the bread!" The baker curls his palm into a fist and begins pummeling the older.
"Suha!"
"Go! Go Abuh! Go!" The younger stands frozen as the blood pools in the older's mouth and the blows land like spring rain. Then the younger runs. He watches as the older falls to the ground and the baker switches from fist to foot. "Let me pay it off! Let me work for it! Please! Please, stop sir!" He hears the older yell.
"Pay it off? You?" A dull thud for each syllable. "You son of a whore! I should go to your mother and collect my dues. Eh? Eh? Eh!" At last the baker tires and gives one last feeble kick. Then he slams his door and leaves the older bleeding on the ground. The younger runs back to him and tries with small shoulders to lift the big ones.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He whispers. The older spits blood and stands. Then the younger sees his eyes - like starving lion's eyes and the younger is afraid. Water wells in the older's eyes, and two solemn drops leave two tracks on his dirt covered face. He limps away from the younger. He looses his balance and falls to one knee. Then the younger runs to him and lifts him up and they limp together, home.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
Suha awakes with saltwater in his eyes. Eve stands above him with the spear pointed at his throat. He processes the situation. Then nods. No mercy here either. Always the same. "Well, what are you waiting for?" She doesn't move. Then she throws the spear away and offers her hand. Suha hesitates.
"Aren't they supposed to sing songs about you? What kind of songs will they sing if you can't even beat a woman?" He is stunned. Then he begins to laugh and he takes her hand and hoists himself up. So ye gods, is she to be my salvation?
"I will not forget this Abel - but hold, that's not your name is it? Who are you really?"
"I am Eve, daughter of Lili, daughter of Biumuga, the Chosen of Arlore"
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Topic: You Are a Minor God (Read 104496 times)