Chapter Eleven: One Infuriating Deity

So that's it huh? I rang the bells, summoned the Harvest King, and helped save the island. Well that's great, I'm super happy, believe me. But, but being the keyword, what now? I'm a rancher, single, and frankly in no mood to deal with the Harvest King. Let's start from the beginning. The morning after all the drama and the saving of the Goddess, I opened my mailbox to a pretty annoying letter. This one was almost as bad as Selena's. It was from the Harvest King, telling me to hoof it all the way up that mountain as soon as possible. I planned to go up there eventually, but it rubbed me the wrong way that he wanted me to go when he told me to. As if I was at his beck and call. Oh and not to mention he tried to kill me, I'm still a little sore about that. So is my throat, thanks for asking.

You wouldn't believe how hard it was convincing Jin I wasn't mugged or something. He kept freaking out when all I wanted was some pain pills. So just to put a thorn in his rump, I waited two days afterward. If it was super urgent he would have come to me or something. Ok I know it may sound a little childish, but I have my pride, something I know he has enough of for the whole island. I walked over to the Garmon Mines though, telling Finn to watch the animals, seeing as it would take all day to trek the mountain. So with hammer in tow I hoofed it up that mountain, all the way to the tippy top. And of course I am going to use the hot spring, I was exhausted! After a thorough soaking I walked carefully up the stairway to his throne. And there he was, the almighty Harvest King, in all his flaming red headed glory.

What an infuriating human. Her slow pace was astounding, not to mention she'd waited two days to respond to my letter. I turned towards her when she stopped in front of my throne. Her eyes were the same dark pools of before, only they were giving me a none too pleased glare. Her brown hair was rumpled, and her clothes wrinkled from her hike up his mountain. Even though she stood straight with her hands on her hips, she seemed exhausted. He could tell, but she refused to acknowledge weakness in front of him. "You're late." She shrugged. "You said 'as soon as possible,' meaning when it's possible for me." She said. "Whatever, let's get to the point. Do you know someone with a pure heart?" The question seemed to surprise her, for her eyebrows raised high above her brown eyes. "A pure heart? I can't say I do. I could do whatever it is you need." I sighed, rubbing my brow in annoyance. "I said someone with a pure heart. You do not have what I need." The human crossed her arms; her words were sharp with anger. "And what would you call my heart, oh almighty Harvest God?" she asked. Patience, patience… I told myself. "I have no need of you, come to me when you find one with a pure heart." The human dropped her arms in disbelief. "I hiked all the way up this mountain for you to tell me that? And you want me to drag a person with me when I find one with a pure heart? Are you crazy?"

The human had a good point, even though she was annoying. "I will make a path for you. All you have to do it touch it and it will send you here to me, and vice versa." I raised his arm briefly and laced my power into the runes by the doorway. "You may go now." I said and turned my back to her. The humans footsteps began to recede but she stopped for a moment. "Thanks." And she quickly left. I felt it again, that light lifting in my chest, and the pain that followed. I wrestled it down and subdued it. The pain was there, but I was able to control it somewhat. But this human was dangerous; she has a strange effect on me. She makes me… feel? Is that the word for it?

I left the Harvest King to his seclusion on the mountain. He was true to his word, for there by the door way were runes that faintly glowed. I touched them hesitantly, and they responded by glowing brighter. I felt a familiar pull in my gut and whirling of the world, and then I was at the base of the mountain. I will never get used to that. I walked past Owen, waving as I went, and made my way to the Harvest Goddess Spring. There she was, in all her beauty, the Harvest Goddess. She was resting on the ground and leaning against her tree. Edge lay in her lap and the other sprites were in similar positions around her. The Goddess opened her eyes and smiled in greeting, beckoning me to join her. I sat beside the Goddess and made myself comfortable, Edge hopped into my lap and Finn took Edges previous position.

For a moment we said nothing, content in each other's company, it was the Goddess who broke the silence. "What was it my brother wanted?" She asked me. I rubbed Edges head, as I would a cat. "Something about someone with a pure heart, he wouldn't tell me why he needed it though." The Goddess pinned me with that look of hers. "A pure heart? If not you, then who…?" I shrugged, not having an answer either. "What is it the Harvest King likes as a gift?" The Goddess's eyebrows lowered in disapproval. "Why do you ask Hikari?" I met her concerned eyes. "Well seeing as I'm obligated to interact with him in the near future I'd prefer our conversations to be more civil." The Goddess nodded, understanding my reasoning. "Just promise me you'll be careful." I nodded. "Apples of the finest quality." She told me. "I only have one apple tree though…" The Goddess patted my in reassurance. "Then make a cocktail with them. Though I can't see why he likes them, alcohol is so bitter."

I gave the Goddess my thanks, pried Edge of me, and then pried Finn of the Goddess. I waved goodbye, assuring Edge I'd be back soon, and made my way home. I walked past Lemon and patted her head as I went. She mooed in response and resumed grazing. I rummaged through the shipping bin till I found the apples I picked. I then walked inside and attempted the apple cocktail. It came out a success; the sweet aroma filled the room. I placed it in my fridge, awaiting tomorrow.

I watched the land below me. The villagers of the island went about with their everyday lives, mingling with each other as they went. Humans hadn't changed much. They were still simple in their ways and roamed about with whatever tasks they had on mind. But I felt no warmth at the thought of watching them like I used to. Only one human still believed in me. I sighed. Nothing has changed. The sun was just rising; the soft colors of dawn blanketed the land. Its light rose and touched my skin. I closed my eyes and basked in its energy. Behind me I heard footsteps. The Human? It was, she walked up to my side and looked from me to the land. "What is it you do up here?" I spared her a glance. "I watch the land and it's life. I control the energies and make sure the balance of nature is stable." She inched closer to peer over the edge. "I thought you just stared at rocks all day." I was about to return with an insult of my own but when she turned to me; her face was lit with a mischievous smile. Was she actually teasing me? "I've brought you something." She said and reached into her rucksack. "A pure heart?" I asked. She frowned. "Yeah, you know, since I can fit a person in my bag." She said sarcastically. "Then I do not need what you have for me, human." I said harshly.

Her anger was obvious; as she pulled a cocktail out of her pack and pried open his fingers. She placed an Apple Cocktail in my open palm; the sweet aroma filled my nose. "My name, Harvest King, is Hikari. Learn it, remember it." I met her gaze and took the cocktail. "You have taste. My highest regards." Her eyes became that soft brown color again. I quickly turned my back to her. What an infuriating human.

He turned his back to me in that arrogant way of his. As if I wasn't good enough to pay attention to for more than five minutes as a time. But he did say thank you, kind of. Now if he'd only learn how to smile and stop giving people the evil eye he might be considered sociable. "I'll see you tomorrow," I told him. "Perhaps you can bring what I need next time instead of wasting my time." The Harvest King said. "Last time I checked, you're immortal. I'm sure you have plenty of time." I replied sharply. "You try my patience, human." "My name is Hikari!" I yelled at him. "It makes no difference to me, you're all the same." That's it. I stomped my way on his throne and in front of him. He cast his annoyed eyes at me, and I my resolve faltered. The sun cast light onto his face, revealing his masculine features.

I'd never taken a good look at his face before, or his eyes for that matter. He had red eyes like his hair, but they were flecked with dozens of shades of red, orange, and yellow. As if the very flames of the sun lived in their depths. He raised one arrogant brow in question. I gulped and remembered my anger. "I may be a human, but don't classify me for what species I am. Everyone is different! I am not like those people way back whenever who abandoned you! I can see you, I can hear you unfortunately, and I believe in you. Just as I do the Harvest Goddess. Can't you see that already?" I must have imagined it; it had to be an illusion. Because for a fraction of a second his eyes revealed to me the enormity of his pain and how is wore on him. Just how deep it ran and how he wished he could forget. It was gone in an instant, masked behind that cool and cold glare of his. I felt guilty, and it must have shown on my face. Because he waved his hand in dismissal, his aura was shuddering with his anger. "Go. Now."

I didn't argue, so I left him. As I reached my fingers toward the runes I yelled one last time. "See you soon!" And I disappeared. I would prove to him I wasn't like those people so long ago, plus I kind of got a kick out of irritating him. Call it an adrenaline high, whatever. I walked over to the waiting Lemon, who was sitting on the grass beside the Blacksmith. She was glaring in a none to friendly way at Calvin who was exiting the mine. He glanced to the cow, a look of fear on his face. I called Lemon, who eagerly ran to me. Just for her own amusement, the cow stomped her hoof near Calvin, who all but yelped. I waved to him and Phoebe who was coming out of the mine as well. Lemon kicked off at a run, eager to return home. I dismounted and led the animals in to their shelters. As I closed my door one though kept running through my head. What an infuriating deity.

She'd seen it, for one second I allowed my composure to fall. Damn, I can't do this. The human stirred me too easily, with a few words she was a capable of changing my emotions. Was she a witch? No there was only one witch and she is in the forest. Why do I feel these things, why do I still think about her after she is gone? What an infuriating human!

(Note from little old me. Just a heads up. I'm going to be hopping from first point of view to third person point of view writing. Just so you don't get confused. As for what is going to happen in the next chapter, you'll have to find out! Oh and I'm feeling extra giddy lately and I want to write. If anyone has any requests and or suggestions feel free to message me or leave a review with an idea. Don't you hate it when you want to write but have writers block?)