30 Gods

We had our heads down in front of these... powerful beings. Let´s call them that for now. I refuse to admit that they are indeed gods. Basically, the definition of god - the Christian definition - doesn´t really allow for more than one god. That is what my education from my former life tells me, but to be honest they do seem kinda convincing...

The pressure disappeared as they change their attention from us towards one another. I noticed from the corner of my eyes Elder Irvin rise and one after another we rose, too.

"So... we did agree, that Doite will start this year, right? You said you needed a few more believers?"

His voice was flowing seemingly fluently going from one word to another. It seemed almost melodic as his voice came from seemingly nowhere.

"Right."

Firm and low his voice seemed to make the earth tremble a little.

"Yeah, thanks guys I really..."

Even though he was grateful I could tell a bit of an arrogant tone from his voice and it really rubbed me the wrong way. It´s the kind of tone that you wouldn´t take seriously when he apologized.

"Domhain! I challenge you to a fight!"

Zawis... You did listen to Elder Irwin, right? I stole a glance at Elder Irwin and saw a faint nostalgic smile on his face. I felt like I wanted to facepalm. Challenging the gods... wasn´t disrespectful?

The powerful beings stopped and looked at Zawis. I could see his leg trambling as the gods stared at him who dared to interrupt their conversation.

"No."

Finally, Domhain answered rumbling and denying Zawis´s request.

"Fist, Doite."

"Nah! It is fine! I will let you take him since I wasn´t really interested in him! So do your thing!"

"Fine... Come little one."

Zawis grinned as he stepped forward to fight a god.

I could feel my brain hurting. What do you expect from challenging a god? A beatdown? Are you a masochist? Well, we all kinda are... but...

You know there is a story about a man wrestling with God or at least an angel. That was Jakob when he received his name Israel, that name means God fights or God rules. Basically, a lot of names that have El either in front or at the end could be from the bible as El is a Hebrew word for God.

Be that as it may, Jakob did wrestle with somebody at the Jabbok. Either a symbolic fight or a real one with some entity. Most don´t assume it was god since Jakob manages to hold on until the morning came and the opponent needed to leave. So he gave up and got his reward: A blessing and a name change to Israel. It is an inspiring tale about the might of the founder of a country even though he started out as a deceiver, who cheated Esau from his birthright. And unsurprisingly had to flee...

This... is different.

I glanced down at Zawis who for the hundreds of times got beaten down by Domhain. He seemingly did not pull his punches. Zawis´s face was already beaten bloody and his nose broken. He should really stop before this gets out of hand.

I looked at his body slowly staggering to his feet and grinning he charged at Domhain once again. Domhain simply raised his arm and punched him once again.

I think I get where the villages do get their fighting form from if this is a regular happening...

This time Zawis didn´t get up anymore, but I could see his muscles flexing and straining and trying to get up.

God, he is stubborn... but he did not manage to get up and Domhain returned to his stone bowl.

"I accept you."

Then he turned towards Doite and made a gesture that seemed to say: Come on! Your turn.

"Okay, then! Don´t worry guys I only intended to take three of them. The rest is all yours."

If a fire could smile I am pretty sure it would smirk right now...

"Oh, many thanks... I myself only intend to take one."

Since we are thirteen There would be nine left for Domhain? Will I be able to become Uisces or Doites chosen one? It seems like they already know which one they wanted to choose, though.

The fire turned its attention towards us. He let his scorching gaze flow over us and I could not help but gulp seeing an intelligent inferno taking an interest.

"Just so you know. You are allowed to refuse my blessing."

He said that but honestly, I don´t think anyone but Zawis will be brave enough to do that with him in front of us, seemingly ready to burn us away.

"Ing, Sint, Irmin! I choose you! What do you say?"

Elder Irvin gestured the three kids to step forward and they did... hesistantly. They took a knee in front of them and bowed their head with fear in their eyes.

"It is an honor to accept your blessing."

Their voices croaked and the volume was greatly reduced in comparison to their time in the village.

"Great!"

He reached his hand out and touched their forehead leaving a small burnt mark on their skin. As I watched this marking in horror smelling the burnt flesh in the air the mark did disappear and with it the smell did, too.

While the kids returned to their place visibly shaking at their experience, the fire did return into his stone bowl and turned its attention towards the water being.

"My turn! I will make it nice and easy since I am not a brute like you... Engilde! Come forward or stay your choice."

Of course, she stepped forward and Uisce put his hand on her head. I saw her shuttering, but she kept standing straight.

After a while, both of them returned to their places and Looked at Domhain.

He did not say a word but came forward and he hit the remaining children one by one until they collapsed. Not one of them managed to take as many hits as Zawis did.

Elder Irvin will have his hands full after this...

He then stopped in front of me.

"Not this one."

He returned to his stone bowl and kept silent.

What? So I did not get chosen in the end? Why?

I looked at Elder Irvin as I felt the world spinning out of control. His face looked very surprised, but he kept his calm and waited for the gods to continue.

Behind me, I could hear the children whisper among each other until Elder Irvin gave them a dirty look.

While the gods looked at each other, finally Elder Irvin stepped forward. Fell on his knee and rose his loud voice towards the gods standing in front of him.

"This is Arn. She is the daughter of Gulda. One of our strongest and bravest warriors. If she is not destined for greatness, then I don´t know who is. Might one of you be so gracious and grant her your blessing?"

"Weak!"

"Stubborn! Far too inflexible to fit my blessing!"

"Scheming! Far too cold-blooded for my blessing!"

The god's voices seemed to ring in my head. Yeah, I am weak, but that doesn´t mean I will lose all the time, right?

Stubborn? Am I really stubborn?

Scheming? I don´t think I am, though?

How do they even judge? Do they know me, and if yes just how?

What can I do to convince them to give me a blessing?

I don´t want to leave the village...