image [https://i.im.ge/2024/05/03/ZYV9ur.chapter-35.webp]
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“What?” Gage blinked at Hye-jun. “You want me to what?”
Hye-jun smiled and started walking down the path of the valley. “I know. It won’t be easy for you. I don’t expect it to be, but when have I?”
Gage looked to the sky and shook his head before following after her. “Hey, Hye-jun? Who does a god pray to?”
“I may be dead, but I am still your Daja and you,” She grinned wolfishly over her shoulder at him, “Pray to me.”
Gage shook his head and walked after her. Their path wound its way through the valley. It had grown a little since he was last here. The waterfall was still a baby of a thing, but even from the far end of the valley they could hear its faint roar. The plants were thicker, though none of them overgrew the path. “Daja, I’m not going to argue with you. I don’t think even I could win that argument, but why should I take your place instead of finding these people a safe place to live?”
“You mean besides running from your problems?” Gage grunted at Hye-jun’s words but didn’t interrupt her. “Because if you leave, by the time you make it back you may not have any followers to save. No, I do not mean he will kill them off or force them out, as much as he seems to want to do so, but that they may not worship you anymore. If you leave, they may feel you are abandoning them, especially if he starts answering their prayers.”
The path brought them to a small beach along the creek. Hye-jun found a small boulder sticking out of the sand and took a seat. Kicking off her slippers, she dug her feet into the sand. “Oh, that is nice. A pleasant warmth instead of the blistering heat out there.” She jerked her head back down the path they had come. “Going into hiding keeps you in their lives. You can build your power base and have the strength to fend him off when he makes his move later.”
“I may have the power, but I still don’t know how to use it. I’ve only done healing and partial transformations.” Gage casually crossed the beach and stepped into the water. He enjoyed the touch of the flowing water, something that had been absent all his time in the new world. “I didn’t even realize he was a god until he told me.”
“Then,” Gage stiffened at the teaching tone that entered Hye-jun’s voice, “How did he know you were?”
“I don’t know, honestly. He had me brought up. Confronted me right off the bat. Though Ma’tuk was with Faelenor. I wouldn’t have understood what he said if it… wasn’t… for.” Gage closed his eyes and mentally berated himself. He hung his head. “Ma’tuk. He saw Ma’tuk a while ago, in the marketplace during one of his speeches. Since he has his own archon guiding him, he recognized its meaning. He didn’t have Ra’xar with him at the time. That’s why I didn’t have a chance at knowing about him.”
“Take my place, Gage. Protect your people. Heal them. If you are concerned with talent or technique, I could help you with that.” She raised her hands and gestured around them. “You know where I am, and I am still your teacher. I can still teach you here. It is not like I am going anywhere. The customs and traditions of the other peoples of the settlement, I am sure you could learn a thing or two from them as well.”
Gage stood in the water for a long while. Its cool touch was soothing. “Alright, Daja. I’ll do it.”
He turned as she placed a hand on his shoulder. “Listen to me, Gage’kin. Do not blame yourself and do right by those who believe in you.” She gently turned him to face her. “When you get back, take my form. Then take my body and wrap it in the spare bandages. Put it in the backroom. We can discuss burials later.”
Hye-jun looked thoughtful for a moment before continuing. “You know, helping a god come up with burial traditions is not something I have heard of anyone doing before.”
Gage just shook his head before scooping her up into a hug and holding her tight. “I will be back for my lessons Daja.”
When they parted, Gage walked back down the path. Before he knew it, he stood before the tent flap in the canyon wall. As he stepped through, he found himself in his body once more, staring down at Hye-jun’s body. “My Lord? Are you ready?” Ma’tuk’s voice drew his gaze.
“It’s done, Ma’tuk. Thank you. Hye-jun has been taken to the Haven. We had a…” he hesitated, “A discussion. Grab me the rolls of bandages from over there. I have some work to do.” Gage closed his eyes and fell into his power. He absolutely saturated Hye-jun’s body with it, this time not receiving any feedback or shock from her. Gage focused on keeping his breathing nice and even as he began the process of learning everything of Hye-jun’s form and copying it over.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
…
Gage was panting as he sat back and opened his eyes. Immediately he could tell a few differences. He stood slowly and shifted his feet to do so comfortably. His height had not shifted as he and Hye-jun had been about the same height already. Gage now had long, black hair that hung about his head, reaching down to just past his shoulders. Overall, he felt lighter, more so than he thought he should. He did a small jump and felt like he floated for a moment before he touched the floor once more.
The action caused his attention to be drawn to his chest and he flushed. Gage was not just the very image of Hye-jun, he was Hye-jun. As the extra weight on his chest and the lack of weight between his legs confirmed for him. “This is going to take some getting used to.” He, or is it she? Oh, this is going to mess with my head, pressed her lips together. The voice that came out was Hye-jun’s, now his own. Though the voice of his inner thoughts was still that of Gage.
It was more than that. Gage’s body now was identical to Hye-jun’s. It had been long and hard work, but he had managed to copy everything. From her anatomy to her skin and hair, her voice, and eyes as well. Yet when he looked down at himself, herself, he saw she was wearing Hye-jun’s clothes as well. He could feel through them. Actually feel them, not just wearing them, but through them. It was faint, almost dull like the plating and scales Gage had grown. Somehow while he was changing his being, he managed to grow Hye-jun’s clothes as well. When he touched them, it felt like cloth. The sensation was more in depth than touching one’s hair.
He jumped as the tent flap rustled and spun about. A dwarf was stepping in, cradling his arm. Gage turned hurriedly towards Hye-jun’s body to cover it or something, only to see it wasn’t there. Not only was the body gone, but so was the scene of the struggle. Ma’tuk was missing as well. A brief panic filled Gage’s chest.
“Daja,” The dwarf’s gruff voice drew his attention. “I hope this is not a bad time.” There was a light tint of strain in the voice.
“No, no. Not at all.” Gage-jun turned back to the dwarf. “My mind was… elsewhere. What seems to be the problem?” She guided the dwarf to a spot to sit on one of the mats for patients.
The dwarf sat, “I sprained something, I’m sure. If I did not have a large order to fill, I would let it rest and heal, but…” He trailed off.
“Of course. Let me see it.” She took the arm and pushed some of his power into the dwarf. Quickly he identified the damage, which was in fact a sprain. It took only a drop of power to ease the pain and reduce the swelling. “That should take care of it. I suggest you still don’t go lifting anything heavy or twisting it too much.”
The dwarf blinked in surprise and lifted his arm. He twisted it back and forth gently. “The pain. It’s gone. Daja, thank you!”
Gage-jun was already shaking her head. “Just do your best not to do it again. Especially today. Trekking back and forth to the hut will take just as much time, if not more than it would to just let it heal properly.”
The dwarf was already nodding. “Of course, Daja Hye-jun! I will bring a gift after work this evening.” He was already walking towards the tent flap.
“That won’t be nec-”
“Nonsense! This job will feed my family for a few days! I insist! I will leave it inside the flap. Thank you!” With that, he was already outside and in the alley. Gage just shook his head after the dwarf a moment before spinning about.
“Ma’tuk! Where are you?” He hissed out in her whisper.
The flap to a side room rustled and Ma’tuk zipped out. “Apologies my Lord. I wrapped Daja and moved her. You were so deep in trance, and I did not want someone to walk in.”
“It is fine, Ma’tuk. Thank you. I, um,” Gage looked down at herself. “How do I look?”
“Spot on my Lord, uh, oh, my Lady?” Ma’tuk started doing a lazy spin, tilting.
“I honestly don’t know. Use ‘Lady’ for now, I guess. Existential crisis about sex and gender can come later. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Oh, butter biscuits.” She put a hand to his mouth, eyes going wide. “What do I tell the tent? Do I even tell them? What about you? Hye-jun and I think it was because the Son had spotted you that he knew about me. If you are seen again, he will know I am still around.”
“My Lady, please.” When Ma’tuk spoke, Gage shut her mouth with a slight click. “I do not fully know what is going on, but I have an idea considering your actions since you helped Daja Hye-jun cross to the Haven. If I must not be seen, then I have an idea my lord, with your permission…?” Ma’tuk trailed off leadingly.
“By all means Ma’tuk.” Gage gestured to the orb. He watched as Ma’tuk began to glow brighter. Its color grew darker as it seemed to collapse in on itself. As Ma’tuk did whatever it was it was doing, Gage could feel it drawing on his power. There was a brief flash and hovering in the air before him was a necklace. The cord was made of braided green thread and from it hung a pinkish sandstone medallion. Gage caught it before it dropped to the ground.
“Ma’tuk?” she asked tentatively.
“I am here my Lady.” The voice sounded in the air around him and was still identifiable as Ma’tuk’s. “Only those who touch me should be able to hear me now. I do not like this form. It is constraining, but given the circumstances it seemed like the best option.”
Gage slipped the cord over her neck and nestled Ma’tuk into place. Exhaustion swamped him and she sagged with a whimper. “Day is not over yet.” Taking a deep breath, Gage straightened her back and moved to the back of the tent to make some tea.