19. Elf?
1375 Words
Should she be scared? Ereshkigal laughs, but that is not necessarily a good thing. The goddess’ ways are not just mysterious, but dangerous, too. Being alive and stuck in hell puts Siobhan in the same category as all the demons. She is not bold enough to think that she could be on the same level as Ereshkigal and Nakir. The goddess is all-powerful and Nakir is the commander and overlord of all demons. The generals might feel differently, but the truth is they all fear him. She should too, but her sense of preservation is gone as soon as she looks at him. Nakir is toxic for her, but she can’t help herself, she loves him. She can’t even look at him right now. Curious as to what he thinks about her, but too afraid of his reaction to find out.
“Whatever you’re contemplating, do it on the ground,” Ereshkigal orders. “I don’t like you standing on the table. That’s just bad manners.”
“Yes, my Lady. At once,” Siobhan bows. She jumps off of the table and walks towards the goddess. The feeling of wings on her back is unusual, but her balance is perfect. They don’t hold her back in any way.
“The wings retract if you think about it. Just picture them folding in and out of sight,” Nakir tells her.
“You don’t like them? I find them fascinating,” Siobhan counters to his remark. He can do what he wants with his own wings, hers are amazing and she doesn’t have to listen to him.
“Whatever,” he scoffs. Siobhan looks at his back as he walks away. His mood seems to be even darker now that she’s alive again. Should she worry?
“Let him be,” Ereshkigal pulls her in a different direction. “He’s always grumpy. I, on the other hand, am happy that it worked. Just look at what you created!”
“The garden? It is amazing,” Siobhan smiles. “Did it look like this before?”
“A long time ago. It was Nergal’s garden,” Ereshkigal whispers. “I love it.”
“I didn’t know I missed nature so badly,” Siobhan tells the goddess.
“There are a lot of things we never think about, but we miss them all the same,” she answers.
“May I ask why there is a darkness dome over the palace?” Siobhan inquires.
“It’s a protective spell that keeps the demons out of my space. They still find loops and holes to get in, so I have Naryshka to discipline them. I think they turned it into a game over the centuries,” Ereshkigal explains.
“Is it not enough to forbid them? They should obey you, right?” Siobhan asks.
“One would think that. Demons have no sense of self preservation or fear. They might be afraid of Nakir, but they counter that fear by acting as if it doesn’t exist. Demons are more complex than we give them credit for,” Ereshkigal scoffs.
“Or you could just call them stupid,” Siobhan shrugs.
“They are not stupid. They put a lot of thought and effort into their plans,” the goddess chuckles. “I think they are bored.”
“Don’t they have jobs?” Siobhan wonders. What do the demons do? Just sit around and wait to be summoned?
“Some do, but most minor demons are servants. They don’t have much to do. Even the generals just sit around and argue most of the time,” the goddess tells her.
“I would think there would be more to do in Hell?” Siobhan looks over at the goddess.
“We used to have tournaments for entertainment, but I get bored watching demons fight. They never come up with anything new,” Ereshkigal frowns. “Reading is much better, don’t you think?”
“A good book can take you places,” Siobhan smiles. The love for reading is probably the only thing they have in common.
“Hm? Should we organise a tournament?” Ereshkigal hums. Is that a song? The melody is not just random, Siobhan thinks.
“Don’t look at me, I was never much of a fighter,” Siobhan answers.
“I guess not…” Ereshkigal smirks. “But we have to test your skills somehow.”
“My skills? I’m a witch. My powers died with me,” Siobhan is puzzled by the goddess.What is she playing at? What skills?
“You are not merely a witch. You were just reborn in your true form. Siobhan, you’re an Elf. The magic is different, your skills are different. You might not be a fighter, but we don’t know,” Ereshkigal winks.
“I can obviously influence nature and make things grow,” she smiles. The garden is her new favourite place in the palace.
“About that,” Ereshkigal makes it sound ominous to her: “you should really grow us some fruit. Strawberries are my favourite.”
“So that’s your devious plan? You wanted me to be an Elf just to grow fruit for you?” Siobhan laughs. It should have been clear to her that the goddess does nothing without personal gain.
“It was a thought,” Ereshkigal shrugs. “You really should pull your wings in. Nakir didn’t tell you anything about the perils of having your wings exposed like that?”
“What perils?” Siobhan blanches. Why would wings cause harm to her? Or put her in danger? What is the goddess talking about?
“Oh, pet. You have so much to learn,” Ereshkigal sighs. “Your wings are like an extension of your soul. And your soul is beautiful. Demons will strive to take it, but you belong to me. Don’t let it get in your head that my protection will keep you safe at all times. They don’t listen. They will try. Never go out alone.”
“I have no intention of leaving the palace,” Siobhan nods.
“Good. Second thing: anyone that touches your wings can seriously harm you. They are not the source of your power, but an outlet. Keep your wings to yourself. Protect them at all times,” the goddess continues.
“Oh,” she mouths almost inaudibly. Siobhan never gave a second thought to wings. She never had them, and the angels she knew were all trying to look as human as possible.
“It’s not something anyone explained to me. I never had much time with my grandparents. And even then, it was in the human world,” Siobhan says. She thinks about Nakir’s words and pulls her wings in. It doesn’t hurt when they fold and disappear into her back. Magic is awesome.
“Even so,” the goddess scoffs: “protect your wings. Doesn’t matter if you’re an angel or an Elf, don’t let anyone touch your wings. It’s a very intimate affair. Soul altering.”
“Got it. They’re mine and mine alone,” Siobhan nods.
“Good. Get some rest. I’ll go talk with Nakir about your test,” Ereshkigal disappears in a sliver of smoke after saying it. It must be great to be able to do that, Siobhan thinks. The goddess doesn’t boast about her powers, but she does strange things from time to time. Like just now. What’s wrong with walking to the other side of the palace if you have all the time in the world?
Siobhan sits on her bed to rest. She doesn’t feel sleepy, just a bit tired. It’s strange that she doesn’t feel hunger or thirst either. It’s been a while since she ate anything. And there isn’t anything remotely edible around here. Should she grow some fruit? What do Elves normally eat? She doesn’t want to be a cliche and stick to berries, but those should be easy to cultivate. She just has to figure out her magic. Her body doesn’t look any different, except for the wings, but her magic feels strange. There really isn’t a better word to describe it. It’s not the same anymore, but not foreign either.
- Writer
