Inari: I’ll be sure to meet with Mother soon. Thank you, sir. Ah….would you mind pointing me in the direction Rozuys and the children went in, please?
Robed figure: There in a place where no one judges them, where they can be children, without fear of judging eyes. That is where you will find them.
Inari: Do you mean….there?
*With confirmation from the hooded figure, Inari abandons the idea of breakfast - their appetite had long been lost thanks to their encounter with those poor excuses for gods - Inari made their way back the way they had been that morning. As they thought, the children were not at the grounds where they had been playing before - Inari couldn’t blame them. They wouldn’t want to be under ‘divine’ eyes either if they had been so insulted - But, once again, with fox at their side, Inari made their way into the forest.
Unlike that morning, the forest itself seemed less inviting. It made sense - if this place was as the Robed Figure had described, then it was a safe haven for the Half Blooded. Considering how their brethren had acted before, it made sense that gods were not particularly welcome. However, Inari made sure to remain calm. While not a true nature god, they were a god of agriculture and had great ties to plants. As such, as they followed the fox, they made sure to stretch their senses to the forest, to allow it to see that they were not there to harm the children, that they only hoped to help them, to let them know that they were on the children’s sides.
Despite this, when they reached the location they found Rozyus in earlier that day, neither Parame’s son, nor the children were there. Likewise, the scent the fox had been following seemed to have ended. However, there was something there, even if it was not who Inari was looking for. What appeared to be tiny balls of light, dancing near the statue, not the fae from before, rather these were wisps. Were they acting as watchers for the children? Or were they linked to one of the children’s powers?
Either way, Inari needed to assure them that they were not the enemy*
Inari: Honourable spirits, I wish to check on my friend, Rozyus, who, along with his friends, were so rudely insulted by dispicable being who had no right to do so. While I put them in their place for the insult, it is not the same as comforting those who were victims of such poisonous words. May I speak to them? At the mercy of the children, of course.
*In short bursts, the wisps seemed to glow brightly as if talking to one another, considering the young ones words. It took them a moment, but, ultimately, they began to light the way through the forest, slowing down slightly once entering a clearing. There were wooden platforms suspended a few meters from the ground dotted with dozens of surprisingly intricate structures - it appeared to be small village. Inari wandered around for a while, admiring the architecture before pausing, hearing voices. It was the voices of the children. Making sure to remain out of sight, Inari paused to listen to what was being said, concerned. By their tones alone, he knew that they seemed quite panicked.*
Child 1: The hell was that!!! Who give those bastards the right to speak like that! I feel sorry for their people if they think they can get away with there actions!
Child 2: I know right! And on our sacred grounds! They need to pick up a damned book - this land, this sacred land, was made for US! This place was made for us by Mother, so we could live in peace! Not to be subjected to this crap! ‘Vermin’ they called us… well their incompetence is the real plague thats spreading.
Rozyus: ...As much as I agree with that, we st-
Child 3: I… I can’t take this any more… Even our own parents gave up on us…. That’s why we’re here… I-is our existence that much of a sin…? If we’re that revolting, why didn’t they kill us at birth…? Surely that would have been more merciful! *Tears up*
*There were loud murmurs with in the crowd, a few of the children clenched their fists with anger, others began to tear up. But all, in some way, agreed silently.*
Rozyus: DON’T SAY THAT!!! DON’T YOU EVER SAY THAT AGAIN!
Child 1: *Quiet voice* It’s true, isn’t it…? Spoken or not, it’s how we all feel… Taking our lives seems like the merciful option...at this point, don’t you think…?
Rozyus: I concur. So the road we’ve walked down has been hell - so what? You’re walking on broken glass and our feet are bleeding - so what? Let me tell you something good. The reason why they’re afraid of US… We have all their strengths and very little of their weaknesses. Our hearts are bigger and because of their mistreatment of US, we’re stronger emotionally than them. To give up now, to not stand our ground and fight for our right to be - what will that say to the generation that comes after us?
Do I believe that ALL gods are like that…? No… no I don’t. But the ones that are on our side, don’t you think we should befriend them?
Child 2: And what good will that do? Th-
Rozyus: They will talk. With enough time and exchange of compassion, I believe that they will come to like us too.
Child 4: Yeah, but liking us will not stop us from getting a beating. It won’t get us a decent meal. It won’t get us our parents back…. It won't get us love.
Rozyus: ...Not if we have this defeatist attitude…. Listen, I know we're all scared. I know we’re at the end of our ropes, but I don't feel like we should give up! Not yet… Yes, stand up for yourselves, but make them see you as a person, too. We’re not ‘vermin’, so let's stop acting like it.
Children:..... Sure….. Yeah…. Whatever…
*Feeling that this might be the best time to show themself without risking them flying into another panic or retaliating on a lone god, Inari stepped forwards, making sure to appear as harmless as possible. They knew that the children would recognise them as the god who had politely asked directions early on that day, even if they hadn’t listened to the rumours of the young god that had befriended their leader*
Inari: He is right, you know. Sometimes for change to happen, someone must take the first step. By acting with integrity that the gods themselves have failed to display, you would prove them wrong at their own game. By doing so, not only would it give younger gods reason to doubt the slander of the current generation, but it would also force the elder gods to face their own values. After all, they do say that actions speak louder than mere words.
*Hoping to prevent any of the children from fleeing and not listening, they then did something that would likely shock every child there to their core - before them all, they moved to their knees, hands before them and bowed, forehead pressed to the top of their hands*
Inari: While I can never speak for the gods as a whole, not even for those of other pantheons, I can only hope to ask that you might forgive the ignorance of the other gods. They can be cruel and stuck in their ways. It angered me that those whom I should call ‘brethren’ would speak of others the way they speak to you. The way they try to belittle you. Whether you are divine, mortal, a mix of the two, it doesn’t matter. You are all living beings. Your existence came into this world because you were wanted, no matter what people say. As such, that others would treat you as they have is hypocritical at best. *Closing their eyes* I know that words are merely words. However, even if other gods forsake you, I know that Mother loves you more than anything. And I wish also to help you where I can, for the sake of Mother, for Rozyus, whom I call ‘friend’ and for your sake as well, with what little I have to offer. That is my word as Inari Okami.
*The children stood in awe in at the display of the humbled god. Rozyus’s eyes shone fondly at the sight of his friend, knowing that, no matter what, they would stand by both him and his siblings. It was like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The boy bowed to both the God and his siblings before addressing them one last time.*
Rozyus: My kin… please, think about it before I next return…
*With that, the two returned back to the temple. Whispers began again, though less so than before. They had not been walking for more than five minutes, however, when they heard the desperate cries of children, and the angered voices of younger gods.*
Child 1: P-please forgive us, we did not mean t-
God 1: Shut up! Just hearing you breathe is enough to make me gag!
God 2: Just kill them already. It’s not like anyone will miss these brats. Might as well slaughter the vermin. A few less halfbreeds the better, right? The divine race needs to stay pure, right?
*Inari’s eyes shimmered with anger at the sight of other gods doing the exact same thing as Zeus had the day before. Even worse, they were saying things like that? Within Parame’s own lands? When it was common knowledge that she had her own half blood child? Why was it that their so called kindred were all so stupid. Hands clenching into fists under their sleeves, Inari’s smile became that fixed fanged smile once again, prepared to once again cut down god’s stupidity with scathing words once again before informing Parame that she needed to do something about this. However, it seemed that this time, they were not the only one prepared to jump to the Half Blood’s defence, as another had heard just as much and was enraged.
The two ran were the children’s cry were coming from. They were backed into a corner, trembling.*
Child 1: P-please forgive us! We won’t enter the temple again! P-please, just let us go.
God 1: Excuse me, did I just hear you give us an order?
Child 2: No-no, certainly not! We j-just-!
*There was a slow rumble as a presence was released. It was thick and menicing, something beastial. The children looked up from their tormentors to see one of their own summing a weapon.*
Rozyus: *Growling tone* Make me older
*The cloak, which had veiled the boy’s nature had now been torn to ribbons by the boy’s presence, eyes now blackened and his form was not that of a child, but that of an older boy, matching the tormentors own age.*
Children: My Prince! Our prince is here to save us! Master!
Rozyus: It would appear that these children have apologised more than enough for their state of being. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about that. Just like there is nothing that can be done about your ignorance! WE did not ask to be born. We did not chose to be what we are, but We will make a place for ourselves. And you’re right…
*The Boy drew his blade, swinging it in a rhythmic pattern that cut through the air.*
Rozyus: I should just kill you brats already. I might as well slaughter the vermin gods and goddesses that throw around their authority to fuel their own ego. You all seem to have nothing better to do other than pick on these peaceful children. How boring life must be for you, if the only way you see to pass the time is to pick on those with no power to fight against you. Ha… ha... Hahaahaha! But not I. I’m mixed with one of you… so even if I were to kill one or two or all of you derivative fucks, the most I will get is a slap on the wrist! So let me exercise my power this time… *Psychotic grin and low voice* You were all warned. Now I play no longer…
*Black petals fluttered as the boy raced in short bursts, swinging his blade down at the god one after the other, after the other, his graceful movement juxtaposed by his wild eyes and blood hunger for blood froze all present. Only the scream and the slicing of meat and cartilage rang throughout the whole of grand temple. Even Inari, who had been enraged himself, blanched at what they witnessed. Still the boy was not done.*
Rozyus: Funny… is it not? Did you think that these gentle creatures would stay gentle as you repeatedly beat them down? No. Oh no, no,no,no,no. NO.
*The Boy raised his hand casting a inky mist over the gods.*
Rozyus: Though I know this little tear and greet will not kill you - you’re of the immortal sort, god that can’t easily die… *Chuckle* This spell will certainly keep you... ‘busy’. Now you will been as rotten on the outside as you are within. Your divinity will slowly be stripped from you till you're nothing left but an ‘in between’, neither divine nor mundane. Powerless and unable to return to your respected ‘heavens’.
But I’ll show you mercy, you have two options. KILL yourself, be reborn again into something with at least two functioning brain cells, or be genuinely nice to those you have wronged. *Whites of eyes turning black*
Or else.
*Not wanting to bring even worse fates on the half breed children, and also not wanting to just sit by and allow more people to die on sacred grounds, Inari quickly forced himself to react through the heavy intent that paralysed the air, quickly moving in front of Rozyus and lightly covering the hands holding the blade with their own, not to restrain, but in gentle pleading. Though somewhat worried that the other might be too far gone in his rage, Inari kept their voice gentle and even, not allowing themselves to fear and further bring down the boy’s wrath*
Inari: Rozyus, you have proven your point. However, if you were to continue with this path, all you will do is prove all the dark things spoken about your brethren right. It is true that what they have done is despicable and those who yet live shall still be punished for their actions. However, show them that you are better than they are. Giving mercy is not a weakness. Please, Rozyus.
*The Boy relaxes slightly, head tilting slowly as the boy’s posture changes, once more in a way that commanded authority. The other gods collected there severed body parts shakily and left screaming that the boy’s Mother would hear of his transgressions.*
Hooded Figure: Pity. I doubt that would work, sweet children, as the actions of all present has been broadcasted to your respect pantheons. With the exception of the few, you will all be punished. You have disgraced yourselves. And you, young prince... I will deal with you myself. That curse, didn’t I tell you to refrain from using it? Didn’t I express that it is a double edged sword? *Sigh*
Rozyus: I know that! It is precisely why I used it!!! *GROWL* Anyway.
*The Boy looked at a trembling servant.*
Rozyus: Take the children to mother, I am not able to at present.
*The Boy’s presence seemed to dissipate, along with his older form. His body now faced away from both the children and the gods.*
Rozyus: When it is time for my punishment, send for me. *Sigh* One such as I should not resist it.
*The Boy began to walk, before resting against the well, feeling drained. The danger now passed, Inari took a few shaky breaths, honestly surprised that their gamble, essentially risking the same curse had Rozyus truly been lost to berserker rage, had actually worked. While they wanted to go after Rozyus straight away, they knew that they could not truely do that. They should at least make sure that the children got safely to Parame and that the servant wasn’t overly traumatised, and should at least thank the Robbed god for his intervention also. After all, thanks to him, they had more witnesses to at least back up why Rozyus acted as he had, so they could at least have the true story known rather than one spun by the original instigators-turned-victims
That in mind, Inari turned to the Robed God*
Inari: ….Thank you. I know that you did that of your own volition, but even so, because of you, the children are safe for now and the truth is known. I’m sorry I didn’t intervene sooner…
Robed God: *Hum* There's nothing you needed to thank me for. Rather, it is I who needs to thank you. You comforted those children in the forest and tried to calm that boy down… well, as calm as one can be in these circumstances. I do empathise with him, though. A small child having that heavy burden of leadership. Trying to keep their kin safe loved and warm only to have idiots like them trying to kill the ones you slaved your entire life to protect. I truly understand, but given his position, there was another way. But I’ll teach him that another time… Oh and don't worry about that curse, it is only to banish the wicked and those you truly despise. But the pay off… well, it leaves one completely drained.
For the moment, mind taking him somewhere he can rest? I’ll come by later with lunch for the two of you, but until then, both of you stay out of sight. Ok?
Inari: If you think that those children will be ok getting to Mother, then….I’ll take my leave.
*Giving the robed god a final bow, Inari quickly hurried after Rozyus. They had a feeling they would eventually be the leading expert in a new game of ‘Finding Rozy’.
The Boy had wandered off down a dark hall, braking down halfway to a familiar door. Sobbing uncontrollably. The tapping of footsteps coming to met him.*
Disembodied Voice: Well done, little one. How did it feel to finally release all that hatred? good, no? Shall we do it again? Hmmm, next time, let's actually end them. Together.
[END]
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