It was months after the Selection, in the late summer. Indu was clinging to her as usual when she woke up that morning. The nights were a little cool, but not enough to require grouping up for warmth. The serpent woman just enjoyed physical contact. Biyu eased her way out of Indu's arms, gently prying away clutching limbs and ignoring grumbled complaints. Near the small hearth of their hut, Hak was curled into a seated ball. Indu had a Human's warmth despite her shape, but Hak was cool like a snake. At this time of the year, the heat was a comfort rather than a necessity. For Biyu, the overnight fire and cuddly serpent left her sweaty.
Giving Hak a wave of greeting, Biyu left the hut. She was used to his dry and polite nature. A part of her wished he was not a Kin. She could almost imagine a romance with him.
Biyu began her morning exercise with unarmed kata, and followed it up with sword forms with her weapons. After that, she danced alone. Muscle memory moved her, leaving her mind empty and clear. Some Elves stopped to watch her as they did most mornings. A few youths snickered snidely, but most just treated it as entertainment.
Finished warming up, she went to rinse herself in the swamp. A quiet splash into the water, a short swim along the side, and she was sitting on the raft with her feet in the water. She needed a drink. Sodden, she returned to their hut to the water purifying barrel. Sediment and impurities were forced from the water, filling a bucket through a spigot on the side. Checking the water was clean, she filled her water skin. She drank her fill before refilling the bladder for later.
Her morning routine done, she checked to see if Indu wanted to practice dancing. Indu looked like she would be sleeping late today. Biyu went to the cook fires and got food for herself, Indu, and Hak. Returning to the hut, she handed out the food. Hak was putting out his fire as the morning warmed. Gently, she roused Indu. Blearily, Indu found the food and attacked it. Biyu watched, still amused how Indu tended to swallow her food whole. Chewing was optional.
Biyu was eating when she felt the presence of Master. Normally, the Great Serpent kept her presence suppressed for the comfort of the villagers. She was announcing herself. Quickly finishing her last bite, Biyu left her hut. Going down onto her knees, she bowed. Normally it was unnecessary, but this felt like one of those times when formality was required.
Shishi, in her Human form, chuckled. "My adorable disciple, there is an opportunity that has come up." She tipped her head. "But it will keep. Go, finish your—Oh, it seems my daughter has finished your meal. Well, child, come with me."
Indu peeked out of the hut bashfully. "Mother," she said. She came out in full, her body hesitant.
Shishi looked at the girl. The pity in her eyes was obvious. "What is it daughter?" she asked.
Indu gave a bow. "May we swim together, Mother?" she asked hesitantly.
Shishi put a hand on the girl's head and rubbed it gently. "Certainly daughter. Come. After Biyu's task is done we shall go for a swim." Indu perked up at that. She followed along, keeping a polite distance behind them. Hak followed.
When they saw the hut they were heading toward, and the man waiting in front of it, both Hak and Indu stopped well back. The man had shallow cheeks, a sour face, a wide brimmed hat, and his hut was on its own little raft attached by a rope to the village raft. Shishi and Biyu hopped over to it, leaving the Kin behind.
The man gave Biyu a glance, before giving obeisance to Shishi.
"This is the Human child?" he asked. While Humans felt revulsion for the Elves, Elves lacked the same innate ability to tell Elves from Humans.
"Yes. Have you informed the Elders?"
"Yes, Lady Serpent. Are you certain you wish to give up this tarnished soul?"
"Do you think I have a desire to crowd myself with criminals? Sinner, declare his sins so that my disciple may know that his punishment is just."
"Just," the man mocked. "Very well, Lady Serpent. He was competing with his best friend in courting a woman. His friend won the woman's heart. They had a heated, drunken argument. It became a brawl, and the friend fell into the waters and drowned. Others attempted to fish him out, but they could not find him. The body has since been found floating in the water and half-eaten. We have many witnesses to the fight. He has shown remorse, but he has a history of violent outbursts. That was one of the reasons the woman favored his friend over him. I have come to the conclusion that death is the proper punishment, for the safety of the village."
Biyu felt a chill run through her. Her body was relaxed, but ready. She felt her breath regulating, and her eyes sharpening. Ah, she was readying herself, like she did for a spar.
"Where is the woman?"
"She is waiting with him in the village center."
Shishi gave a nod. "Then give my disciple the instrument. We shall go to him."
Biyu accepted a knife, a long and sharp thing just too thin to be a sword, and made of steel. She checked the edge before following the Sinner and Master.
They went to the village square. A thick pole had been erected in the center. A man was lashed to the pole by his wrists and ankles. A woman glared at the glowering man.
An Elder with a long gray beard was speaking to the people. He greeted Shishi politely as they arrived while ignoring Biyu, and only glancing at the Sinner.
Shishi commanded Biyu, "Kill this man."
A young man, swarthy and broad shouldered with a face Biyu was sure women would find handsome, stood up. "What? Why is she doing the Sinner's job?"
Shishi answered blandly. "Because with this she will become a god, and the next step of her training will begin."
There were murmurings and shouts. Hands raised in outcry. Furious shouting rose up from a few young men. The young man stepped forward, anger in his eyes, and he demanded, "You will make her a god? A Human!?" He spat out the last word. "It should be me! Or at least one of the People of Elfé."
Calm as always, Shishi looked over the crowd. "Who here would like to see Logan made a god?" There was a hiss of breath as the young man's name was said. He looked at Biyu with a hint of trepidation. Biyu waited patiently, keeping her expression schooled and her eyes on the man to be executed.
A woman lifted a hand. "I wouldn't see Logan made a god. He is not a bad man, but he can be… intense." The man did not dispute it, but he did give her a sour look.
"How about Hera?" asked an older woman. The Elders all conferred a moment.
"You would trust Hera to protect you? To fight for you?" asked Biyu's Master.
"No," said a boy. "She hasn't the stomach for butchery, let alone a fight. She can cook, but she has to pretend the meat isn't from animals."
A woman said, "I wouldn't want to be a god. Sounds too difficult for me."
"Another recommendation?" asked Shishi.
Biyu said, "Weapon Master."
There was silence for a moment as the crowd mulled that. One person reluctantly said, "That is an idea."
"He is a hero," said another.
"I ain't," the man protested. "Besides, I'm retired. I'll be an Elder soon. Who needs a god who's already old?"
"You will be as you are now for many years. Awakening slows one's aging. Between that and your Divinity, you may remain as you are long enough to walk many Steps on the Path of Ascension. You could reclaim your youth in time," Shishi said.
Grimacing, the man shook his head. "I'll be that kind of god, won't I? An eater of souls. That's the kind of god she'll be?"
Shishi gave a jovial nod. "Indeed!"
"I'd rather not have the temptation, if it's all the same, thank you. If you did offer it to Logan, I'd kill'm. If he didn't eat the village, he'd start a war." He gave Biyu a long, hard look. "You're making her into that?"
"Since she did not demand the death of the boy who tried to kill her, I've been waiting for the Sinner to judge someone. Or, maybe give her Elderwood's next offering. After this, I will train her on what it is to be a god like me."
She took in the faces of the crowd, with her eyes and something more. "You worry what she will do, once she has devoured her first soul. Remember. At the Selection, she was provoked. None of you were killed, even though I would have put that boy to death. Only he was struck, and that was hardly unjustified. Even your Elders' have accepted that. Given her forbearance then, what do you have to fear?"
Eyes turned away at her challenge. Still, there were currents of worry, fear and anger. The young man still glared. "Did she earn such a great boon?"
Shishi sighed, and her face pulled into an exaggerated frown. "I forget, sometimes, that our pact does not mean I may do as I please. I am a god, so I am allowed some whims. This, I see, will not be borne without explanation.
"So, I will explain. This woman has no friends, no family, no life. She reminds me of myself, when I Awakened as a Sacred Beast. I have chosen to give her what I did not have. A mentor, safety, and shelter. Skills to live in the world, and the ability to defend herself.
"As my disciple, she has no hatred of Elves except for any reasons you give her. She can be your friend, or, if that is too much, your ally. So far you make an enemy. Be that as it may, she is my disciple, and only a Human by birth. Much like I am a serpent by birth, and you are Elves by birth."
It was obvious that her speech did nothing to change the attitudes of the Elves. Having heard her reasoning, the young man had one more angry question. "Then, what if she slaughters us for power once she has a taste for it?"
With a look of confusion as though this point was obvious, she said, "I will kill her. We have a pact."
There was nothing more to be said. Still, anger and fear wafted over the collected people. Biyu would have preferred just fear. She doubted most would never do worse than spite her, but anger could lead to poor decisions. Fear, she thought, would keep them timid so long as she was not aggressive. Even with her growing power, she would rather not have to defend herself from a village.
"Biyu, kill this man," Master once more commanded her.
Biyu walked up to the man. He started to thrash, but other wriggling, he could do little. She was too short to reach his critical points, so she leaped up to grasp him. Her legs clung to his waist, and her eyes were just below his own. He tried to headbutt her desperately, but she leaned out of his reach. Her hand grasped his hair, her back arched, and she forced him to stretch out his neck. Using her hips, her shoulders, her arm, and what little weight she possessed, she slashed the knife across his throat with her all her empowered strength. The sharp blade slit the man's neck as he soundlessly screamed.
The skin peeled back, and his throat parted. She could see his split trachea, and the pull of neck muscles, no longer anchored, curling up in his neck. Pulses of blood pumped with his heart from his arteries, while more blood drained out over his skin. She looked at the wound, taking it in. It was not so different from butchering, she supposed, except he was still alive.
Biyu remained clamped to his waist, watching his eyes as they stared at her. They went from pained to angry to panicked to pleading. In his desperation, he even looked to the woman he had offended to beg mercy. She had none, her smile grim while her eyes shed tears.
He struggled, still, and Biyu swung about with his movements. Her grip on him was sure. It took time for his strength to peter out. Longer than Biyu thought it would take. She had always thought death was a quick thing, and the fictions with death speeches from wounded men a dramatic embellishment. Watching the life slowly drain from the man, she knew she was wrong.
His body stopped thrashing, and jerked and heaved instead. It took her a moment to understand he was trying to breathe. The color of his skin faded, the pink turning purplish. His eyes stopped looking at her, instead staring as he became listless. The heart still beat, she could feel, but it was slow and uneven. As the man gave a last shudder, after prolonged minutes, Biyu released the body and landed on the raft to look up at the cooling corpse.
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The crowd, there as witnesses to justice as tradition demanded, had been silent at the show of violence. No one commended the man. He would not become an ancestor to reside in Shishi's Hell until called upon for lost wisdom, advice, or to celebrate in their festivals. He was consigned to Biyu's Hell to reside, forever parted from his people.
When his last failed attempt at breath was taken, and the vindictive woman looked upon the man with cruel joy for what she had lost, Biyu felt a pulse of power. The soul was hers, and though she felt new power enter her, it was not yet ready for use. It would take time for it to assimilate into her power. To be digested.
After cleaning the blade on the man's clothes, she returned it to the Sinner. He accepted it with a grudging nod, but still avoided looking at her.
Biyu turned to Shishi. "What next, Master?"
"That is all, my cute little disciple. Go, do what you do every day."
As she left, she did not notice the shocked looks of the villagers, witnessing what they thought was a child kill without remorse. There had been no discernable emotion, just an intense interest in watching a man die. Those who doubted the wisdom of granting her a demon's Path shuddered. Others began to wonder.
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Weapon Master watched as Biyu bowed her greeting to him, then went to begin combat practice.
Today was sparring with real weapons, and so she readied her paired daggers. He saw the look on Biyu's partner's face. He guessed what was to come when the sparring partner raised a hand. "Master, I want to trade partners!"
Biyu did not wait on Weapon Master's response, but moved to the edge of the sparring grounds and began practicing her kata alone. She was doing them slowly and purposefully. He suspected she was practicing with the new power she had gained.
Weapon Master weighed his options, and decided to give them time to settle. Tomorrow, or the day after, he would force the trainees to spar with her. Their village had no Transcendents, and had no idea how to create one. Only Lady Serpent could Awaken new Transcendents, but she could only Awaken demons. Those who gained power through the killing of others. Well, there was one Awakened, but he was an outsider that Shishi allowed to visit them.
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At lunch, Indu was enthusiastic. She ate her meal with gusto, and prattled on about her time spent with her mother. Biyu was happy for her, and she judged Hak pleased as well. Seeing Indu so cheerful made both of them happy.
Today was a fishing day, so she and Indu fished. Fishing was becoming a pastime Biyu enjoyed. Spending time with Indu made it better.
Indu had a habit of curling up around her while they fished. When they met, Biyu had thought it was because serpents were attracted to heat. Later, she realized that was the kind of person Indu was, but she had no one to be physically affectionate with. Her mother was disinterested. Hak liked the heat, but was not enthusiastic about touch. The children of the village found her fascinating to touch, but their mothers were afraid of her.
After spending so much time together, Biyu had become immune to Indu's clinginess. The lack of lust was a major part of that. The other was getting accustomed to someone wanting to be close to her for no other reason than because they liked her.
Hak joined them, bringing a mild liquor made from a fruit that grew from floating swamp plants. The fruit was tart to the point of being unpalatable, but the liquor was made by blending it with a much sweeter berry. It was a perfect addition when enjoyed chilled on a warm summer afternoon.
They drank and fished, enjoying a lazy afternoon. Biyu spent the end of the day going through all her armed styles with a weapon. She alternated between being perfect with her forms, and going through them as quickly as she could. When the day turned to twilight, and evening meals were ready, she bathed and then joined her roommates for a meal.
The day was over. It had been slow, full of exercise and practice, but she had spent much of it relaxing with the Kin. They both seemed to appreciate it as well.
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The next morning she danced with Indu. It was strange, to be leading a person who was thrice her size. Stranger still to dance the man's part. She had been taught so she could teach her own daughters one day.
In many ways it was nice to lead, and many Elves stopped to watch as they danced. With more mana to invest into her body, she moved so much easier. Strength, stamina, and dexterity had all improved. Her flexibility was the only thing that had not, but she had always been able to bend in ways that her tutors told her were unladylike. She had to agree that sitting with one's feet looped behind their neck was not something to do in polite company.
Dancing done, it was time for combat drills once more. Following that was archery. The new instructor was quiet and direct, telling her everything she would do that day. Then he watched her do it, only stopping her to correct her, or to tell her to take a break when her form was suffering from exhaustion. The enhancement of her body made the bow easier to handle, but she was far from indefatigable.
Biyu had lunch. Today was usually her day to help break down carcasses, but Master met her and told her she would be studying with her twice each three day. It was time for her to learn how to be a god, if barely more than one in name. A godling, Master informed her.
"I thought I was a demon?" asked Biyu.
"The difference between a god and a demon is a hand span, and from the mountains to the God Finger Cliffs. A god gains power from worship and the souls of their devoted entering the Heavens. A demon kills and takes those souls into their own Hell. So slender is the difference, that a demon is just another kind of god. It is so vast, that a demon is Divine from the moment they step onto their Path whereas mortal gods do not see Divinity until they are near Ascension to the Heavens. A demon grows from slaughter. A god grows from fame. Thus are gods revered, and demons reviled."
Biyu's Master paused in thought. "Oh, and the Hells are upon the earth, and the Heavens are somewhere beyond. Gods Ascend, and join the Heavens. Demons are forever forbidden the Heavens. Most demons do yearn for them, though."
Frowning, Biyu asked, "You too? You are denied the Heavens, Master?"
"I am a Sacred Beast. Some say that Sacred Beasts are forever denied the Heavens. Animals are not born with a soul. Some Sacred Beasts supposedly never attain one. How or why we get souls only Lady Secret knows. I was a demon when I Awoke. I do not remember when I became one. My life started with long moments of dullness broken up by flashes of understanding and terror. It is a fearsome thing to go from knowing everything about yourself and your world, what we call instinct, only to suddenly Awaken and realize you know so much less than you thought you did.
"To see the Humans and Elves as not just creatures to shy away from, but to fear as a threat beyond your reach. Growing your strength to protect yourself from predators that walk the world as gods. You are lucky, my adorable disciple, to have been born able to think, learn, and feel.
"Now, to begin with we will commune. Next, you will learn to hear a prayer. Then, I shall teach the simplest blessing. It is also the simplest curse. Finally, we will try to visit your Hell. It may not be developed yet, but we shall see.
"So sit, child. Like this." She sat with her legs folded, her feet under her knees. As Biyu did the same, Master reached out her hands, palms up. "Place your hands upon my own. Good. Close your eyes, and reach out to me. Desire to speak with me."
Biyu tried to do as she was commanded. Her mind cleared, and she heard clearly, Do you hear me, my adorable disciple?
Trying to answer, Biyu thought, Yes. Master.
Very good, my adorable disciple. This is communing with a god. It is similar to prayer, which is why we did it first. With a prayer you, as the god, just listen. But first, you must sense the prayer. That is the trickiest part. Communing is a stronger pull. You will always know when someone wishes to commune. Now, you will try a prayer.
Will I be praying to you?
There was amusement in Master's tone as she replied, Of course not, my adorable disciple. What point is there in you praying to me, if you are learning to hear prayers? Listen, child. Listen for your name, for someone looking for you, or even listen for someone poking you on the shoulder.
Biyu ignored the impossibility of hearing a poke on the shoulder, and tried to open herself. While communing, she was in a void without sound or distraction. She was no longer in her body. Trying to feel her body, it felt like trying to hear a shout from far away. Instead of seeking her body, she turned away. Beyond her body, there was a tug, a pull at her attention.
Biyu followed the feeling, and it grew. In moments, she found her attention focused on the source. It made up her whole world. She listened for words, and when she found them she knew the voice.
Biyu, please grant me the blessing of your friendship. Stay with me and Hak. Make a village with just us, where there are no bullies. Let me find a worthy Kin to be with. I want someone to love. Biyu, can you hear me? I hope not. I shouldn't have said that. Oh, forget it! Just be my friend. Let me hug you more. Take me to revelry and dance with me to the music, instead of practicing. Am I a good dancer yet? I hope so—
Realizing she should probably answer the Kin's stream of nonsense, Biyu interjected, I hear you Indu. Of course, I'll be your friend. I will dance with you. I… I'm sorry, I don't think I can start a village with you and Hak.
There was no reply from Indu. "Could you hear me?" she instructed her body to ask.
It was Master who answered. "A prayer is the beseeching or praising of a god. You may bless the one showing devotion, but a prayer is one way. That is the difference between communion and prayer. However, one may draw a worshiper from prayer into communion. Do so, if you wish."
Biyu tugged on the praying Indu, and felt the other slip into her 'embrace' for lack of a word to describe it. With Indu in her presence, she repeated her earlier reply to the prayer. She could feel Indu's emotions. Embarrassment welled and suddenly the communion ended.
Shishi was giving Indu a disapproving look while the serpent woman hid behind her mother. "Next is blessing. I had intended to do it while you were communing. Disciple, find the place of communion within yourself. Tell me when you have found it."
Doing as she was bid, Biyu closed her eyes. She searched for the state she had been in. No longer within her body, but tethered to it. She struggled and wiggled, moving a part of herself that was not physical, nor her mind when she manipulated her mana pool. It was difficult, but she found the place. "I have it, Master."
"Good. Now, do you see yourself as a body, or something else?"
Biyu considered. She did not really sense anything. She was. "I am."
There was a moment of silence. "Well, that's not going to help. Imagine yourself as a tree. Thick branches. Thin branches. Twigs. Leaves."
That took some time. She had trouble imagining how a tree might see. Imagining her branches swaying in the wind was much easier. The shaking of branches like the shiver of her body. Sometimes she would sit and watch the trees sway while she fished. It was a fascinating sight to see so much movement and color. A part of her could not wait for her first fall, and the changing of the leaves so much poetry was devoted to.
"I have it Master."
"Good. Find a twig. A tiny one with a single leaf on it. When you find it, snap it off."
Biyu did as she was instructed. It hurt a little, but only a little. "I have done it Master."
"Are you sure? You do not seem to be in pain."
Biyu tried to hold it up to show her Master, but it occurred to her that she had no hands to hold it. Also, Master was not there to see it. "Yes?"
"Fine. Now, put a desire into it. Something you would wish for Indu. Make it a very small wish. Like her next meal will taste good, or that she will be happy today."
Biyu placed a wish in it that Indu would be treated well. The twig grew on her, and it became a small branch. At the same time, she saw her tree shrink. Pain throbbed through her.
"Stop right there. Whatever you wished, change it now. Quickly! Something small!"
Biyu tried what Shishi had suggested, that Indu's next meal would be delicious. The twig shrank, and the pain in her subsided.
"Do you feel better?"
"Yes, Master. What—"
"Later! Now, reach out and put it on Indu. You should know where she is, if you focus on her."
Biyu did something similar to hearing a prayer. She felt Indu. Reaching out, she placed the blessing onto the idea of Indu. The twig was jabbed in a bit, to stick there, and that was it.
"Very good. Open your eyes. Ask your questions now."
Biyu opened her eyes. Indu was there, curious but quiet. "Why did it hurt?"
"Well, apparently your ability to imagine a tree is very good. What you did was pinch off a bit of your soul. That is, your Divinity. Then you hung it onto Indu with your wish for her. That is a blessing, or a curse. The bigger the blessing, the more of your Divinity it will use. Your wish was too large. When the wish is too great, it will devour you. You will cease to be, and only you'ree Blessing, or curse, will remain. That, dear disciple, is how vengeful and guardian spirits are born. Death wishes that consume the limited souls of those who pass with but one great regret.
"Now, you can use techniques or Divinity to make the effects of a blessing or curse stronger. The easiest things are those aligned to your domain or your aspect. Since you use poison, a blessing against poisoning, or a curse to make someone easier to poison, are the most effective for you. Particularly if you can bind it to the techniques you have yet to learn, such as [Envenom] or [Poison Immunity].
"Others will work as well, at least until you find your domain. A domain is a wonderful and terrible thing. I am not a strong god. My domain is this swamp. When you are within this swamp, you are within a part of me. I can command all the swamp as I wish. The water, the trees, the very air will attack my enemies."
Pausing in her lesson, she lifted a hand, and a tree ripped itself free from the swamp. It changed, slowly, to a more Human form. It roared, lifted its arms, and all the Elves stared in shock and horror. With a snap of her fingers, it was a tree again. It was a little more Human shaped, and in a new place, but just a tree.
"A domain is two things. It is a concept you encompass, and it is how you press your will upon the world. A domain of the seas means you are one with the ocean. It also means the ocean is wherever you go. You command the ocean as a lord commands his subjects. In your domain, your power is all but absolute. Without it, you are at the whim of others.
"Now, my darling disciple, there are other things you should know. A blessing or curse is a part of you. That means you will always know where the one bearing it is. You may use it upon whomever you desire if you are interested in their activities. However, gods can get upset if you bless or curse their devoted without reason. Do keep that in mind.
"For now, you may use blessings and curses upon my people. They must be minor and not cause injuries. Soon I will teach you a healing technique, and we will use it to make a blessing of good health. Understand?"
"Yes, Master."
"Good. Now, do as you did when you created the blessing. Go to that space, but do not make yourself a tree."
Biyu returned to a place where she was and was not herself. "Ready."
"Turn your eyes inward. Look not at yourself, but inside yourself."
Trying to do that, Biyu felt a sudden queasiness. Her vision blurred and her sense of self collapsed until she was in her body once more.
"Ah, not yet? We'll try again on your tenth soul."
Biyu grunted while her hands kneaded her temples. That hurt rather badly. She asked, "Is Indu my worshiper?"
Indu shifted, uncomfortable. "Yes."
"Do you not you want to go to the Heavens?"
She lowered her head, before glancing to her mother. "No. I want to be with you."
Biyu pressed her lips into a thin line. "You do not even know what I am the god of. I certainly do not."
Shifting, Indu said, "You're my friend. I want to be together. I… I can change my mind. But, I don't think anyone I like is going to the Heavens. Hak worships Mother. He even worships before every hunt, and gives her part of his catch to her in tribute. The villagers are dedicated to Mother, as part of the pact… they all go to Hell."
It shamed Biyu that she had to think about it before she decided what she should do. She was sure anyone else would have done it right away. With a hug, she held Indu tight. "Thank you," was all she said.
Looking around, she noticed that it was well past the afternoon. Dinner was nearly half done. For once, she escorted Indu to dinner. They were going to dance at the revelry tonight, after all.
Master said nothing, and it was obvious that she considered her children to be free to worship whomever they chose.