Fater's corner

People remember what they want to remember, even if there are things they should never forget. Every time humanity forgets, it seeks help from the wise. Again and again. Every thousand years I wake up from my dream to help them to stay alive. Why? Because if they don't, I'll stay asleep forever.  Why should I help them then? My time is limited. I depend on them, I have to help them again and again or else I die. But let me ask a question: Who will save me?

 

I opened my eyes. This shrine again. The rotten and half collapsed stone building full of dirt. Who will ask for what now? They didn't even clean this place. I lifted my head and surveyed the area. Oh, god, a few dead shrine maidens near my foot, five soliders and a fat man behind them. This will save time. He has a very arrogant look in his eyes, I don’t have to spend years to find out who’s slave I’ve become.

 

"Dear maiden of the ancients, I'v come with a request" He said. I almost laughed.

I stood up from the stone table used for summoning, and smiled happily for my body. Sleeping for hundreds of years wears my mind out.

 

"What might that be?"  Said little me while looking at the dead near me.

 

He laughed joyfully for his fortune, his greedy mouth turned for words again.

 

"The demons are destroying the word. People are starving and dieing.  Save humanity."

 

White fog appeared near me and the stone tablet behind me started shining. He said: Save humanity. My head turned pale first when he spoke, but after I saw the writing I felt relieved. What a fool.

 

"Why are my maidens dead?" I asked about the dead shrine maidens, I didn't even know about.

 

"They were tainted by evil. They went against the kingdom. You know the rest."

 

I was thinking hard how to outsmart him, but he was just a fool. I don't even care anymore about playing along anymore. I'll only get more angry.

 

"So your country is under collapse and you want to save it by destroying other races. Or am I wrong?"

 

"Your wrong. I don't care about this country I'm just after the wealth it will bring."

 

He said it. He fucking said IT. I was holding back because I thought I might be wrong but this is again a rotten situation. Last time I spent long years getting them off me but he didn't even managed to bind me with something like: Serve me, or Make me wealthy. He's just a fool. This will be easy.

 

While I was thinking grinning he showed the same expression. Gosh, he thought I'm helping him. The only order I have to follow is what’s written in the stone tablet in my shrine. I started to laugh loudly. This is the best awakening in my life. I'll enjoy it.

After calming down I walked right in front of him.

 

"Could I ask for your gracious name? What are you planning?"

 

A playful smile was on my face,  I don't deny. The soliders were looking dumbfound. He looked at me with happiness and greed.

 

"This human in front of you is the first prince of the Roria Kingdom, Justin Hail Oter Wils. As for what I'm planning, I'm planning on enslaving the demon race. For now I'll be satisfied with you in my bed. You will-"

 

With this I ended his life. I don't even want his blood on me, so I just slashed him into two with the power of the wind.

 

"You're not even worthy called to be a human being. You dared to step inside my shrine. Don’t worry I'll make sure your blood won’t make it dirty."

 

After saying that I looked at the soliders. They were not that stupid, they were taught manners. They one after another  fall on their knees and bowed. Smell of urine hit my nose.

 

“Since you just followed orders I might forgive you. The ones who killed my maidens come forward”

 

Two soliders came forward and bowed, they did not dare to look upon me. Their leader spoke.

 

“These disgraceful servants of yours hurt them. Their lives are in your hands.”

 

The leader was quite the disrespectful person or he was just glad he wasn’t the one. So I took his head.

 

“His head will serve as contentment. The other's lives shall be spared. If I ever cross my path with you and see the dirt in your souls, I’ll devour it.”

 

Why are they this stupid? This is so sad but I was just too happy. I’ve never been that happy in my life.

 

“Go back and report of my awakening and message: I’ll do my utmost to complete my task. I’ll stay here, send me new servants and everything I’m in need of.”

 

They bowed again and left hurriedly. I just realized that I was smiling the whole time. This will be fun.

 

---------

 

While I’m thinking what to do with my boredom, I noticed that the shrine maidens souls are all tainted except one. Just how wicked this world became? With a sigh I devour all the souls but the pure maiden’s.

 

“Evil beeings should not exist… - Of course I’m no exception.” I added.

 

I lift the body that used to contain the pure soul floating alone in this room, then place her on the altar. Concentrating on her soul, I placed it back into the tiny body.

 

“On this altar of mine

you shine as Altair now,

your Soul shall renew,

coexisting with the old.

 

You will be my aid this life, your life is mine. You are my slave, exist for eternity, for my sake.”

 

No matter what, even I can’t resurrect the dead. At least for now. Too bad you won’t remember this word, it would help so much.

 

I’m surprised of myself, I was never be able to use this ability. I always had to be afraid of being used, so never dared to display my abilities that controlled life. No.. I was always beeing used. If I’m strong enough I might break this tablet that restricts me. No, that would be too good.

 

While I was thinking that the woman opened up her eyes. Looking at her surroundings surprised, she locked her eyes on me.

 

“Your name shall be Ichi. I’m your master, the god of this shrine. I order you to learn everything in this word, I give you one of my eyes, as an ability. You shall see the truth behind lies and be able to remember anything.”

 

She showed respect in her eyes and kneeled. Obeying should be the greatest joy of a slave and her soul is binded by me. I mean fate. There is no way she would betray or not love her master. Serving me is the greatest pleasure in her life.

 

“May I ask a question my lady?”

 

“Do so. And call me mistress from now on.”

 

“Of course. Then... Why are you naked, my mistress? It will ruin your body in this cold. If it’s alright please wear a cloth until I get something worthy of you“

 

The reborn woman said understandable things, while turning her eyes at an expensive looking box the prince bought with himself. It’s probably full of disgusting things so I didn’t want to open it, but if it’s her it’s okay, probably.

 

“Get me the finest and most beautiful piece you can, then eat the flesh of these sinners to get stronger. Your existence is still weak, you are just barely breathing and wasting my power to keep you alive.”

 

“I understood, my mistress.”

 

After saying that she stood up, bowed again, and headed for the box. After a few seconds of searching she brought me an ocean blue silk kimono. It’s size was really small. Noticing my discouragement she raised her voice.

 

“The size might be discouraging but it will look astonishing on mistress, I promise”

 

“Then this will do. Go and replenish yourself, after that clean this place out. I will head out and take a look around the surroundings.”

 

Saying that, I left. I headed outside my altar, which was in a cave under the Saint Roria Mountain. Sometimes I wonder where I left my naming sense. What kind of god was I? I can’t say I remember everything. Of course I have the memories of old, but what I felt and what I forgot I do not know.

 

I'm thinking too hard. Arriving on the top of the mountain, the highest point is a flatted stone. Standing there I started to get dressed. That night, while the moon shone in full, no one knew what kind of red was unleashed onto that world.

 

---------

 

“Of course it’s different you stupid, it was more than a thousand years ago” I stated with a small tear on my cheek.

 

This spot on the top of the hill is very helpful. I made it in the past so I can quickly understand this world’s state. Using my powers I can see everything from here. There is a valley with a small village near here. It’s almost empty. The harvest seems poor, but there are too few humans. No demi-humans there. They are probably starving. They can’t really hunt here, animals wont approach my shrine. In the west is a huge lake with a small city, more than 20 kilometers away. It seems the trading is flourishing. I mean there are a lot of fish and slave. So there are the demi-humans. Considering the numbers, and looks humans only tolerate criminal and non-human slaves. Poor little ones. Only a few of them are humans but they seem worse than animals. The human slave trading is probably underground.

 

“Maybe something happy somewhere?” Wishing for the best I take a look a at south.

 

Hm.. Such a huge city. There is a castle in the middle. Somehow it’s  different what I remember. Were the other castle cities destroyed? Well, it’s history now. This city looks better. The people seem unhappy but they are probably safe and fed. Booring. On the north-east the soil seems good and many small villages are spread all around.

 

And the east. Of course this is where the bad, bad demons try to live. Probably the islands are also under their control. Good job guys, you have better living circumstances than the humans.

 

“This is why the humans want war. If the other seem happy and wealthy instead of learning from them, they act greedy. Humans are powerful, but without a clean mind and heart they will undoubtedly fail.”

 

This is the time to murmur prayers for this world. It’s not like it will help, but I’m still a goddess.

 

While doing that I noticed I feel like I’m being watched. I search for the location, but I can’t find anything in the near. Thinking what to do I turn my head towards the general direction. The only remaining castle in the south. Who dares to gaze at me like that?

 

A small flash, what was that? Maybe a telescope? Shit! I thought last time I managed to destroy even the concept of it. It feels awful to see that your work is useless.

 

After a minute of searching I found it. The surrounding seems like a royal suit. Is that little creature a princess? As I gazed at It, it seems It realized I perceived It. It steps back shocked, but after It calmed down, the little one started to wave while smiling.

 

“Pure little thing, whose brother I just killed, be happy while you can. The fact that I’m awake means something is about to happen.”

 

I smiled back at her with my whole heart behind it. Seeing that she happily ran away, towards a room where the mother of her’s is sleeping peacefully.

 

I walk back to the room where Ichi is still cleaning the shrine. When she notices me, she bows.

 

“I’m terribly sorry but I was not be able to clean this place yet. Please forgive me.”

 

Looking at her work in this place, the bodies were nowhere to be found. Furthermore the place itself was half through cleaning already.

 

“Forget that, instead, how were you be able to work so fast? And where are the dead?”

 

She is looking at me with frightened eyes.

 

“As commanded I ate them all. Have I done wrong?”

 

“No, that’s not the case. How were you be able to do that during this short period of time?“

 

“After the first my body became strong enough to support itself, then using their power I hurried to meet the mistress’s expectations. I hope mistress won’t consider me useless.”

 

Listening to her my mood became better. I feel happy for the first time in the last three millennium.

 

“You did well, Ichi. I’m looking forward to live in this world with you.”

 

“It’s an honor, my mistress.” She sighs in relief, and continues to work smiling.

 

I walk next to the altar, where I slept about a thousand year. My heart feels delighted. I touch it gently, in response a drop of tear flows over my face. ‘No matter how much I hate this, I still can’t stop myself from loving it. This stupid little rock.’

 

Thinking strange things I lie down on the clean altar and fall asleep to regain more of my power.

 

----------

 

“Mistress, please wake up.”

 

Hearing some noise I wake up. Oh right, I remember. I killed that pig and and binded a soul. How long did I sleep I wonder... I slowly open my eyes and look at the girl beside me.

 

“Please forgive me my rudeness, you have visitors. The queen arrived ten minutes ago. What should I do?”

 

So soon. Goodby cruel world, I loved you. Just joking. I stand up to find out, this room has been cleaned and fixed. It’s befitting for a goddess. Just how talented this girl is?

 

“How long was I asleep?”

 

“A few days I belive”

 

“Am I ready to meet her?”

 

The girl responded instantly.

 

“I think your dress and the room are both fine enough to receive a guest, but those lowly creatures should be honored just to meet mistress in person.”

 

I let out a faint laugh. I just love this girl, maybe I should reward her later.

 

I nod at her smiling, and sit on the altar like a maiden should. Ichi hands over a silk cloth, I put it around my clothes.

 

“Let them in then.”

 

With this, she leaves the room. After a few seconds of boredom, they appear before me. First is Ichi, leading them. She bows before me and stands a little to the left to me, facing the guests. The guest are entering in order: a tall woman who seems to be the queen, with strong charisma. The second is a wise looking old man. The last is a little girl, whom I saw before.

 

The queen respectfully bows, while the other two are kneeling while bowing. This should be alright, I think. I don’t want to anger them anymore. While thinking that Ichi was the first one to speak.

 

“Show respect before the mistress” She frowned at the queen. Hey girl, you think you worth more

than the queen? Or you just hate her? I raise my right hand in front of Ichi to stop her.

 

“Don’t be so tense. You just made me do something useless.”

 

“I’m terribly sorry my mistress.” As if I could be angry at such a good girl.

 

While smiling I return to my original pose. I look at my dear guests.

 

“Welcome my dears. You can raise your heads. Please name yourselves.” Ichi was frustrated at my politeness, but I think respect should be earned. The queen spoke.

 

“I’m Queen Aurora Alice Juliet Rose Nightray. I’m honored to meet the goddess. These are my close aid Earl Anselm Banech and my sole daughter Princess Aurora Rose Nightray.”

 

“We are honored” They said.

 

“We are here to greet the mistress’s awakening and we ought to learn her intentions.”

 

Looking at her it does not seem they seek my aid, they are afraid of me.

 

“I suppose a person that hands a superweapon into the hand of her own child and aims at me, do want to know my intentions”

 

They all froze. Even Ichi who seemed angry first don’t know what to do. Seeing this reaction they did not manage to advance enough in knowledge the be ahead of me. The queen realized this is a terrible situation for her and started her move.

 

“I’m terribly sorry to speak out of turn, but I’m not sure what the mistress is talking about.”

 

“Enough. It seems you are not wise enough to know about things like that. I will forgive. Of course I’ll seize everything that can be used to harm my beloved mountain. As for what role I fulfil in this unjust world, my job is to save humanity from destroying itself. The judge will be me.”

 

Feeling relieved the queen almost falls on her knees. Her aid grabs her in time, and supports her. There is serious killing intent coming from Ichi. Calm down kid, the words I spoke was just to scare them. Even if they destroy the whole mountain, this altar should be safe. I mean I don’t care even if they destroy the whole continent. Though it would be lonely.

 

“Kid, you seem like you want to speak. Be my guest” She waited for her turn obediently, of course a kid would be happy to speak with a goddess.

 

“Thank you, my goddess. You are truly beautiful. I don’t know what you were talking about before, but I can promise our country loves you more than anything, please don’t be angry.”

 

“I’m can’t be angry at a good girl such as yourself.” This is true, I like cute, obedient kids.They are pure.

 

“Can I ask the mistress something?” She asks shyly.

 

“If I’m capable of answering.”

 

“Could the mistress tell me her beautiful name?”

That day this was the second time, when the queen’s heart skipped.

 

---------

 

“Could the mistress tell me her beautiful name?”

 

Before I could even think about what to respond, the queen spoke again.

 

“Please forgive her rudeness, even though she loves fairy tales, she’s not old enough to understand what is the truth and what isn’t.” Again a faint laugh leaves my mouth.

 

This is amazing. I’m actually having fun. It’s stupid though.

 

“Ofcourse. I permit you to call me the Mountain Goddess.” If I was the one who made this mountain, then it should be true, no? Though history would probably record me as the slave goddess. If I had not destroyed it.

 

“Thank you Mountain Goddess!”

 

The queen took it as simply as: I like children. Not knowing what will anger me she didn’t dare to act against me. Good. Well, she was glad I didn’t erase them.

 

“Anything else I can help you with?” I asked smiling. I don’t want to leave a bad first impression. Ichi might not like it, but it’s not like I care.

 

“Two shrine maiden will arrive tomorrow and the kingdom will provide you 10 slaves. Food and supplies will be provided weekly. If it’s possible we ask you to make the shrine visitable for everyone. If you decide to move to our city, please indicate beforehand, so we can prepare an appropriate lodging.”

 

“I will stay here and I will make the outer shrine visitable. This room will be sealed from visitors. Intruders naturally will be eliminated.”

 

The queen did not ask about the pig guy, she probably knew he’s dead. My clothes should be an all revealing factor. That’s why neither of us wouldn’t bring up that talk. She tells me that this kingdom was ruled by a king for a long time until about a year ago. That’s the date when he was killed by demons.

 

Demons are basicly creepy, intelligent, monster looking people, but similar to humans. Beastmen are also considered demons. Though they are cute and fluffy. Demi-humans are children born from parents of different races.

 

Since then all demi-humans were enslaved or ran away. The queen were left here with trouble causing stupid children and a corrupt kingdom. Cleaning seem impossible for me, but she tries her best it seems. At least they are still alive. That child of hers is the only reasonable candidate. All others are tainted by evil. I mean their hearts. It wasn’t me, just saying. The motherly love saved their lives, but they won’t be rulers of this country anymore.

 

“I suppose I give you some time to act, but if it’s inefficient I have to start cleaning. I believe you know my methods.”

 

“I understood and thank you.” She said.

 

Not long after they left, leaving a box full of expensive clothes and another one with everyday necessities (for a human). What’s wrong with these people giving me everything free.

 

Ichi bowed before me again.

 

“I finished my tasks. What shall I do?”

 

“You did well. You may rest” I said it plainly. Now, what to do with this everything here. My first task will be: achieving self-supporting. 10 slaves should be enough, right?

 

“My mistress, why were you so kind to these insects?”

 

It’s true that even I’m a little furious at the fact that the little girl was not taught well. You can call it as a child’s innocence, but it’s a serious taboo to ask one’s true name. As a god I know theirs just by glancing at them, but knowing my true name would mean owning me. I take a despising look at the magical tablet near the altar. I know more than anyone how frightening is to expose your name.

 

“You may think they are just insects, but do you know why I hate their technology? Your soul should feel fear just by looking at it. It remembers. If I let them evolve they will be capable of destroying me. After they destroy me this world will vanish.”

 

Shocked from my words, she bows then leaves. She also has a lot to think about, not just me.

 

“I’ll always guard you, my dear.”