9 The Trouble With Curses

Minas stood before a wizened god- it was his good friend, the God of Wisdom and Patience. He stared down at the withered old man, worry over his features. It took quite a while for the God of Wisdom and Patience to notice his presence.

"Minas," the god said, his wording slow. He opened his mouth, and Minas could see his pale pink gums.

"Haerv," Minas said, in turn. "You've become old, my friend."

Haerv nodded, his motion as slow as if he were in a pool of molasses. "And you haven't aged, my friend." He looked at Minas up and down. "You've changed. What happened?"

"It's a long story."

The God of Wisdom and Patience laughed, "Go ahead and tell it, my friend. I have not only the patience, but the time as well."

"I've fallen in love," Minas paused, "I guess it isn't that long a story as I had thought." He laughed.

Haerv's face darkened, however, and he looked at Minas with a face filled with caution. "Minas-"

"I know. It's okay," he said, "I will be cautious."

Haerv's face did not lessen in his concern for Minas. He watched Minas face carefully before he sighed. "Alright, I will believe you, old friend. Now, what is it that you need? I know that you did not come this far for a long-that's-actually-short story."

Minas hesitated before he revealed his intentions. "I need your advice."

"What advice?"

"Mai has been sent to a reincarnation cycle. I've managed to sustain her memories and to give her a long life, but I wasn't able to ensure that she would be able to become a goddess after her reincarnation. The twelve reincarnations will temper her body as a god, but her soul needs tempering as well. What do you suppose I should do?"

Haerv looked at his friends face of worry before he sighed in resignation. "You're too weak to even be considering this. You've borrowed power from the neutral Gods, haven't you, Minas? Your aura has gotten even weaker since the last time I had seen you. If this continues, I'm afraid-"

"Please, Haerv. Tell me."

"The waters of rejuvenation."

"The waters of rejuvenation," Minas muttered, his chin on his fist in contemplation, "The waters of rejuvenation, of course! The waters are gentle enough for even a human to use! And if added to the Soulful Flowers, Mai would be able to become a goddess without any problem!"

"But what goddess will she become? You realize that becoming a God has more requirements other than having a suitable body and soul."

"It does?" Minas paled. "What else will she be required to do?"

Haerv shook his head, "You cannot tell her this, Minas. Once she is sent to her reincarnation cycle, she began her God test."

"What are the requirements, Haerv?" Minas asked, forcefully, "I will find a way!"

"And possibly jeopardize her godhood? I would rather not tell you, my good friend. I can tell that you have fallen deep."

"I have, and that is why I must do everything I can for her!"

They grew silent for a moment until Haerv slowly stood up. "You can give her the waters of rejuvenation and the Soulful Flowers, and you can contact her, but you cannot do anything further."

Minas deflated. "Where have the waters of rejuvenation gone?"

"That is another grave matter," Haerv's body creaked with the effort to stand, "It is in Brqi'a's camp. Unfortunately, you have been in isolation for far too long, my friend. The new Gods have begun an uprising, and their first target is you."

Minas grew solemn, "He had conspired with the neutral Gods to send Mai to the reincarnation cycle."

Haerv grew grave, "I'm afraid it isn't as simple as that, Minas. They've planned something worse."

"D*mmit!" Minas yelled. His eyes blazing in fury. Haerv gripped his arm.

"Your curse has become stronger. Don't do anything rash, my friend."

"I am Minas, God of Creation and Destruction, ruler of all," Minas straightened his back, his voice booming with his ailing power. Haerv, however, immediately creaked into a bow.

"Haerv, God of Wisdom and Patience, stands before the King."

Minas nodded in appreciation, assisting his old friend up. "I am not so weak to crumble at a slight hurdle, my friend. I am King."

Haerv watched as Minas hurried away, determination in his steps. Slowly shaking his head, Haerv grew fearful. "I should have known that Tirna was correct- he is in grave danger."

...

Minas stood before the gate of Brqi'a's camp, the God of Slumber before him. "Let me in," Minas coldly said, pushing his way before the God of Slumber.

"I'm afraid- yawn- that you cannot pass, my King," the God of Slumber slowly closed one eye, holding onto a pillow.

"Will you truly bar my way, Virpni, God of Slumber?"

The God of Slumber jerked awake as if he were tormented by a nightmare. "I'm 'fraid so, my King. The New King has decreed it."

"The New King? That goat? You all have become subservient to a hooved creature such as Brqi'a?" Minas scoffed, "You all will regret this choice. The God of Trickery and Deceit such as Brqi'a cannot be trusted." Minas purposefully walked away, his steps showcasing his power. However, as soon as he left the sight of the God of Slumber, Minas knelt to the ground, dry-heaving.

That is where the Goddess of Love, Eolia, found him.

...

Waking up for the first time in a millenium, Minas had no idea where he was.

"So you've finally decided to wake up, eh, Minas?" Eolia asked him, chuckling as she read a magazine about teen love.

"Eolia," Minas said, "What-"

"What happened?" Eolia chuckled, "You've fallen in love, that's what happened. When Tirna had foretold this, I didn't believe her! Now I wish I had more faith in the Goddess of Oracles and Forbearance."

Minas' face darkened and he quickly lifted himself from the bed. However, he grew dizzy and his head promptly returned to the pillow.

"Tsk, tsk, Minas. You shouldn't have gotten up so quickly," Eolia scolded, "You're almost out of energy. Even for you, this is a new low. Where has it all gone, I wonder?" Eolia giggled, "Oh, I know! You used it to save your new b-e-a-u."

"Silence, Eolia," Minas grimaced, "Even hearing you gives me a headache."

"Oh come on, dear great-great-great-great-great-great-etc.-grandfather of mine!" Eolia whined, "You know how much I love a good love story!"

"I am the God of Creation and Destruction, Eolia. Technically, I am the more like the 'father' of every living thing."

She giggled once more, "But you're bothered when I call you old, aren't you? And I think I know why~ your lover is young, isn't she? How scandalous!"

"She isn't my lover yet, Eolia."

"Yet, he says," Eolia repeated, a gleam in her eyes.

"Yet, as in not now, Eolia," Minas forcefully reminded her, "Mai is her own person. I will not pressure her into anything. Even to be a goddess- if at the end of it all, she wishes to return to humanity, I will let her go."

"Boo, you're no fun, Minas. Don't you know that overbearing, rude, cold, expressionless, mysophobic, and rich boys are in?"

Minas looked at the Goddess of Love with a blank face. "What do you do in your free time, Eolia?"

"I read Young Adult fiction and shoujo manga."

"No wonder," Minas muttered.

"Hey! At least I'm not a prude like you," she huffed.

Sighing, Minas gingerly lifted himself off the bed, no longer feeling as dizzy as before.

Eolia finally lost her smile as she watched the ailing God of Creation and Destruction. "Why do they treat you like this, Minas? You created everything. How can they not appreciate what you have done?"

Minas looked up at the young Goddess and his face revealed eons of weariness. "People fear what they do not know, Eolia. Not even I know what I can do, so how can the other Gods even fathom my power? They fear me. And as such, they are envious and greedy."

Eolia sighed. "Tirna did not mean for this to happen," sadness flashed passed her eyes at the mention of her comatose lover, "She wanted to warn you. Who knew that Ocis, that snake, would have been there?"

"I do not blame anyone, Eolia. There is an order to anything and disorder to everything. Not even I can control Creation and Destruction, I don't think."

"Good," Eolia said, quietly.

Minas looked out of the window, remembering the day of the prophecy.

...

It happened too long ago for Minas to remember, but he did remember that it was before he was cursed.

Tirna had sent him a message through Eolia, asking for him to come. Heeding her call, Minas ventured out into her swamp. When Minas reached her small hut, Tirna had exited, a grave look on her face.

"Minas, God of Creation and Destruction," she began, her eyes turning the misty blue of her foretellings, "Ruler of All. Beware, for your fate is intertwined with another." She began to sing, her voice an eerie monotone,

"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."

Taken aback, Minas could only quietly go over the prophecy. "What does this mean, Tirna," Minas urgently asked, looking back up at the Seer. He was just in time to see her fall.

"Tirna!" A scream broke through Minas' reverie and he quickly caught the Seer. Eolia appeared beside him, her hands shaking. "Tirna! I told you," she sobbed, "I told you that you shouldn't have pushed yourself!" Carefully taking the unconscious Tirna in her arms, Eolia sank to the ground. She wept as she rocked Tirna in her arms. "Please wake up, Tirna. Please."

Minas watched the scene with the eyes of an outsider, the shock from the previous prophecy still ringing in his ears. He felt intrigued for the first time in... since the beginning of his waking memory.

However, despite the prophecy and Minas' expectant wait, the only part that had come to pass was his curse. After a few more millennia, Minas no longer grew hopeful. He returned to his half-hearted state.

.....

"How is Tirna, Eolia?" Minas quietly asked, having remembered that he hadn't visited Tirna in the past decade.

"She's fine, but she still hasn't woken up."

"Give her more time, Eolia. I'm sure that she will wake up soon."

"It took her twenty millennia to wake up last time. It's been forty millennia, Minas."

Minas sighed as he looked at Eolia. He thought back to Mai. "Love. It is only now that I realize how painful it can be."

"But there is no regret," Eolia whispered, a slight smile on her face.

Minas nodded. He turned to leave the room, lifting his arm to signal goodbye.

"See Qori! Your wounds need to be treated!" Eolia yelled at his back. She shook her head when Minas' back was beyond her sight. "That girl will be targeted, Minas. You have to do what you can to protect her," pain flashed in her eyes, "That is my only regret."

.....

Minas stumbled in his journey to the hospital of Qori, the Goddess of Medicine. He no longer had the energy to fly, so he quickly alighted and planned to walk the rest of the way- he only had five mountains, three forests, and four streams to pass.

Halfway through his walk, Ocis found Minas and stopped before him. "Minas, my King," Ocis, the God of Betrayal, said, his back completely bent in deference.

Minas looked upon Ocis and sighed. The god was remorseful for what happened, but he will never re-attain his confidence. But who could expect the God of Betrayal to be loyal?

"My King," Ocis began, "I have brought a carriage to assist you in reaching Qori."

"No need," Minas said.

"King!"

Minas sent him a sharp look and Ocis quieted, that one glance leaving goosebumps in his flesh.

"Leave me, Ocis."

"Yes, King."

Minas watched Ocis leave before he continued his journey. It took him seven days to reach Qori's hospital.

"You are such a stubborn god," Qori's voice came from the doorway of her hospital. "Had you accepted Ocis' offer, I would have been able to treat you faster."

"Qori. It's good to see you again," Minas said, sarcastically.

"You know I don't like your face, Minas. You're disgustingly handsome."

"Yes. Yes. All the Gods know how much you love Uyir."

"I do. Now get your injured *ss in here so I can heal you."

"Yes, Ma'am."

...

"It's an injury to the soul," Qori announced, holding up the stethoscope.

"How deep?"

"Deep enough that it's going to cause problems. You need to start conserving energy, Minas, or else you won't be able to exist."

Minas took a deep breath. "How long do you think I can last?"

"As long as you don't do anything stupid and with your energy expenditure as of now... you can survive 1500 years, give or take 200 years. But most likely take."

"And if I do anything stupid?"

"100 years. And all of these are human years, Minas. I know you love that human, but-"

"But nothing, Qori. When I saw her, it was as if something I had been missing for all of my existence was finally filled. She is my whole world."

"But she may not even love you."

"But I love her."

"You're intolerable."

"Thank you. Are there any other injuries?"

Qori shook her head, handing Minas his clothes back. "Change back into those and put the hospital gown into this laundry bag."

"You quite like these human... things, don't you, Qori?"

Qori grinned. "Yeah, it's amazing. I also really like needles. Want to try one?"

"No."

"Hmph, wasn't expecting you to." Qori turned to leave the room, but stopped at Minas' next question.

"How is Uyir? Is he still angry?"

Qori turned, her eyes red. "Yes! And all because I told him that stem cell research was a necessity for mankind! That idiot can't imagine the amount of lives that could be saved! If the embryos used are going to be unhealthy, why can't we harvest the stem cells and save other lives?"

"Uyir is the God of Nature, Qori. He believes that any living being has equal weight."

"What about stillborns? They're dead. Uyir just doesn't want to realize the practicality of this! And animals kill each other all the time!"

"Yes, but they do so to live."

"And that's what stem cells would do! Saving many from killing a few. It's exactly like organ donation!"

"Except there is no consent."

"The parents can consent."

Minas sighed. "This will get us nowhere. I must leave and check on Mai."

"Fine. Just leave the oeras on the counter before you leave."

Minas nodded his head. "Wait, Qori!" An idea flashed through his mind.

"What?"

"You don't happen to have a flask from the waters of rejuvenation, do you?"

Qori looked thoughtful for a moment before she shook her head. "No- I used my last vial on Xqui. I haven't been able to get more ever since Bqri'a took it over."

Minas sighed, "It was a good chance."

Qori's eyes softened. "I'm sorry."

Shaking his head, Minas replied, "No. It's not you who should be sorry." Brqi'a should be.