13 The Makings of a War

Minas looked at the pool of water before him, trying to establish a connection with Mai. However, before image of Mai could become clear, it rippled out of focus before once again becoming a reflection of the surroundings before it.

"D*mn it!" Minas cursed, splashing the water before him. He bent over the bowl and gasped as he felt his power trickle out of him. The world was spinning. "D*mn it," he panted.

"Lord?" a voice called out from behind him, and Minas had enough time to turn his head before he passed out.

.....

"He's pushing himself too much, Lorna!"

"I know, I know! He needs to calm down, Kirna!"

Minas sighed and kept his eyes closed for a second more. He didn't want to deal with these chatty twin goddesses.

"I think he's awake, Lorna!"

"I know, I know! Maybe he still doesn't feel well, Kirna?"

"No," Minas sighed and opened his eyes. "I'm awake." He slowly raised himself off the bed, but Lorna placed a hand on his shoulder. Kirna placed her hand on top of Lorna's and pushed him into a sitting position.

"You need to sit. Right, Lorna?"

"I know, I know! He does need to sit, Kirna!"

"Will you please stop that, goddesses!" Minas groaned, holding his head in his hands.

"Stop what? Right, Lorna?"

"I know, I know! I don't get it either, Kirna!"

Minas pointed towards the two goddesses that were sitting on chairs before the bed that he was sitting in. "That 'I know, I know' and saying your names. It gets annoying."

Lorna and Kirna looked at each other before they cracked up. "Phew," Lorna said, wiping a few tears from her eyes, "I guess he's fine if he still has enough strength to complain."

Kirna slyly grinned, "You're plan worked, Lorna." They high-fived.

Minas looked at the two suspiciously. "What plan?"

Looking at the ill god before them, Lorna replied with a solemn face, "We asked Qori to give us something that would transfer some of our power to you." She looked at Kirna. "But Qori said that the only way for that to happen is if you get emotional."

"We weren't sure what to do, but I guess that ever since you met that human, you've gotten more..." Kirna looked at Lorna. Both of them replied, "Alive."

"So? What happened?" Minas continued to ask, one of his hands cupping his chin.

"Well, we fed you the medication, and since you got annoyed just now, it worked!" Lorna replied, a happy look on her face.

"What do you mean it worked? I don't feel any-" Feeling a surge of energy stopped Minas' words in their track. He gasped and closed his eyes, calming the ripples that the energy caused in the small amount of energy he had left.

"You've gotten so weak, Lord," Lorna looked at Minas in sadness.

"Yet Brqi'a has only gotten stronger," Kirna grimly said.

Minas sighed and held his face in his hands. "How far has the preparations gone for Brqi'a? Do you mind telling me, Kirna?"

"He's gotten most of the Gods on his side," Kirna began, "Almost all of the neutral Gods were convinced to follow him because of-"

"Tirna's prophecy?" Minas interrupted.

Kirna nodded. "They're afraid that the human that you've fallen in love with would destroy our existence."

"That's stupid!" Minas growled, hitting the bed sheets menacingly.

Kirna and Lorna spared each other a glance before Kirna continued. "Well, it doesn't seem to be stupid to the many of them. There are only ten of us that haven't defected to the other side, plus a few other neutral Gods."

"Who?"

"Well, obviously Lorna and I. Qori and Eolia and Tirna are still on your side, though we're assuming that Tirna still is since she can't say for herself," Kirna began.

"Wurv, the God of Liberty, choose our side. And Croepl, the Goddess of Agriculture, and Noevl, the Goddess of Springtime, both chose your cause. And finally the other twins as well," Lorna finished.

"Lupa and Sola?" Minas asked, surprised.

"Yes," Kirna nodded. "Lorna says that it's because-"

"They found that Brqi'a wanted to bring suffering to the humans. The twins didn't agree to it, so they chose your side, m'Lord," Lorna said.

Minas sighed, his eyebrows furrowing. "And all of the other Gods agree?"

Lorna and Kirna glanced at each other, sadness on their faces. "They see themselves as greater than the humans, m'Lord," Kirna began. "They believe that they shouldn't serve humans, but that humans need to serve them."

"That's b*llshit!" Minas yelled. "Why don't they understand how important the humans are? They are innovation and creativity. They are what allow us to advance."

Kirna and Lorna nodded. "You don't need to tell us, m'Lord," Lorna said, "We know this."

Sighing, Minas raised his head from his hands and looked at the twin goddesses before him. "I'm sorry for my earlier outburst, twins. I just- I just don't know why these Gods aren't willing to understand the implications of their decisions."

"They're scared," Lorna began.

"From what?" Minas said.

"They're scared of change, m'Lord," Kirna replied.

"I mean, look at the prophecy- 'A single glance and heart entranced/The King of Gods has fallen/But greed and envy mark his demise/By a deceitful god's despise/With few true and loyal allies/ He bears the world for his queen/While existence hang upon her dreams'. It literally screams that change hangs upon the balance of a puny, insignificant human," Lorna said. "Your human."

"She isn't mine, yet," Minas subconsciously replied. He rubbed his face, "Tirna's prophecies are always correct, but they tend to be hard to interpret. What do they believe that the prophecy means, Lorna?"

"Well, obviously, the Gods believe that your time has come, m'Lord. And that it is now Brqi'a's turn to rule the Gods."

"And?"

Lorna gulped, "And, like we said before, they think that your human- I mean, your almost human is going to destroy everything."

"So they plan to... what? Bring suffering to the humans?"

Kirna paled, "Not just that, they plan to kill your almost human."

"Mai!?!" Minas quickly jumped out of the bed, "Why do they want to kill her!"

"Because 'existence hang upon her dreams', but-" Kirna paused and looked at Lorna.

"She's taking the test to become a God. They can't kill her outright," said Lorna.

Minas sighed in relief, but their next words made him pause.

"But they can always influence things in the human world, m'Lord. They can make it so that she dies an unnatural death and-" Kirna replied.

"Fails her goddess tempering," Minas whispered.

"Plus," Lorna's voice was merely a whisper, "She still needs the waters of rejuvenation and the Soulful flower."

Straightening himself, Minas looked at the young goddesses before him with a determined gaze. His eyes flashed with a glint before he spoke, "The odds aren't in our favor, but even so, I'll make sure that she'll make it."

"Even at the cost of your life, m'Lord?" Kirna anxiously asked.

Minas turned his head to look at the concerned goddess. He slowly nodded, "Although I would love to live the rest of eternity with her if she so chooses, I would much rather that she survive than me. I've lived a long existence, while hers is only just started."

"We won't let that happen," Lorna gripped Minas' hand, "You are our Lord, King Minas. While your almost human is going to be our Queen. We won't let either of you disappear."

Minas laughed and the resoluteness in his voice was captivating. "Of course I would do the same."

.........

After Minas had rested in the twins' house, he was sent to Qori's hospital on the grounds of his health.

"So you're back, disgusting," was the first sentence out of Qori's mouth. Minas laughed when he saw the true disgust on Qori's face.

"I like you, Qori. You're reactions to me are so much more refreshing than others," Minas said.

"Shut your mouth. Even your voice gives me a headache," She looked at the god before her in anger. "What were you doing. Oh wait, I know. You were doing something stupid."

"I had to make sure that Mai's okay."

"By using almost all of your energy to make a connection with the human world? This is the time when the curse is the worst, Minas. And here you are spending your energy like you've got a surplus of it. If that isn't idiotic, I don't know what is."

"But it worked out-"

"By putting the strain on the twins! They won't be able to leave their godspace in a few millennia, Minas! If your existence wasn't in danger, I wouldn't have had to go through with these extreme measures," Qori's anger radiated off of her body in waves. "And not only that, but stupid Uyir went over to Brqi'a's side! Why do you have to be so weak and stupid!"

Minas stared at the goddess before him in sympathy. "I'm sorry, Qori." Hearing the god's apology, Qori burst into tears.

"You-you're just s-so unbelievable," she sobbed, "You need to care more about yourself, Minas."

"Mmhm," Minas gently replied, patting Qori's hand.

"You also need to stop being so stupid."

"Mhmm."

"And you need to save your human."

He tightened his hold on Qori's hand almost subconsciously, "Yes."

It took about an hour for Qori's sobs to cease. It was afterwards that she went dove into business.

"The wound on your soul was aggravated. You're going to lose more power now, Minas."

"What else?"

"You can't contact the human world. At least not anymore."

Minas rose from his sitting position, distress in his features. "I can't do that, Qori. I need to see-"

"You need to see your human, I know. But don't you realize that you have ten Gods on your side? Sure, there aren't as many of us, but we're steadfast and loyal and we're also able to contact the human realm. We can see your human. Plus, there are still a few Gods that are neutral. Last I've checked, Ocis and Releva, have almost chosen your side."

"I don't want Ocis," Minas growled, angered.

"He's made a few mistakes, Minas, but don't we all? You can't blame him for the rest of existence. That's just not fair."

Huffing, Minas turned his head away in contemplation. "Tell him that he's in, then. Let's move on to Mai. She's taking her goddess test right now."

"Yes, and?"

"How long do you think she can go without the waters of rejuvenation and the Soulful flower?"

"You mean you haven't tempered her soul!?!" Qori shouted, a mixture of horror and surprise on her face.

"Don't yell," Minas said, wincing. His head was pounding.

"I'm sorry," Qori absentmindedly replied, "but taking the Gods test without a tempered soul is nigh impossible. She shouldn't have been able to take the test without an already tempered soul."

"But she's taking the exam right now."

Qori looked at Minas. "If that's so, then she can only last two more lifetimes before her soul power runs dry."

Minas took a deep breath. "Then we only have two lifetimes to get her the waters of rejuvenation and the Soulful flower."

"That's not all, Minas," Qori continued, "We need you to keep your power above a certain limit. The only reason why Brqi'a hasn't taken over your rule is because of your crown." Qori pointed at the inconspicuous black coronet on Minas' head. "And you can't keep your crown manifested if you don't at least have some power in excess."

"I understand," sighed Minas. "So our war will be about our influence in the human realm?"

Qori nodded, "And we need to do our best to make sure that your human passes."

"What a hard task."

"Especially since you are incapacitated, King."

........... In Minas' castle

Minas stood before the scrying water, the Gods that actively choose his side surrounding him.

"Do you see her?" Qori curiously asked.

Minas shook his head and stared at the water harder.

"I should be able to find her," Croepl said. "Since it's spring at her time and as the Goddess of Agriculture, this should be a piece of cake."

"What I don't understand is why you won't let me do it, Mother," Noevl huffed, crossing her arms.

"She's right, you know," Sola replied, pointed towards Noevl, "She is the Goddess of Springtime."

"Yes," Croepl agreed, "but she also has a terrible sense of direction."

The rest of the Gods snickered as Noevl's face turned red. "Mother!"

Croepl snickered. Suddenly, the scrying water before them flickered to the vision of a young girl with short brown hair and deep blue eyes.

"That's her!" Minas' pupils dilated, "That's Mai."

Lupa looked at Minas and clapped him on the back. "You have good taste, m'Lord."

Glancing at the lewd smile on Lupa's face, both Minas and Sola hit him on the back of his head. "Don't be disgusting, brother!" Sola scolded, hitting her brother twice for good measure.

"What?" Lupa whined, "I was just saying the truth!"

"One more word out of you," Minas began, "and I will personally rip out your reattached arm, Lupa."

Lupa shivered and quietened. The Gods returned to the vision on the water. Mai was following two boys as she walked to a carriage.

"Where is she going?" Minas muttered. He hadn't realized that his face had relaxed and the frown that had marred his featured had turned into a genuine smile.

"Watch and maybe then you'll find out," Qori sarcastically said.

They spent a few minutes for the carriage to arrive at their destination. "That was a bit long!" Eolia said, surprised.

"Why is she- oh my goodness!" Sola yelped when the men appeared before Mai and her companions. Sola's eyes narrowed, "This is the work of Heshe, that b*tch!"

"Calm down, Sola," Lupa whispered, "And please don't insult her. I still-"

She whirled around to look at her twin brother. "And she ripped your arm off as an answer! You need to get over her, Lupa! Don't be stupid!"

"Focus, guys," Minas bellowed, his eyes glued to the Mai on the scrying water. "We need to figure out what they're trying to do to Mai."

The Gods quietened as they focused on the tiny figure on the water's surface.

"She's so- holy crap!" Eolia exclaimed, watching as there were more men inside the hotel.

"What can she do with her tiny body!?" Eolia looked at Minas with scared eyes. "We need to help her!"

Minas looked at the worry on the Gods' face before him. He grimly shook his head. "Just watch."

The Gods looked on in tense silence.