The setting sun kissed the fields of wheat as they swayed in the wind. Children ran along a dirt path, passing an old man in a wagon. A young woman chased her daughter as the little girl giggled and laughed. It was a beautiful evening. Ash soared above the mortals, drifty lazily as he watched them head home from a day's work. Most mortals couldn't see Gods and those who could were usually shipped to the capital to become priests, called Hiereuses. Ash didn't like his Hiereus much. They, like all mortals, tended to only hear what they wanted to hear and never actually listened to him. There was only one human who could see Ash that Ash truly liked.
Touching down gently in front of his temple, he turned to look over the hills. Below him, at the bottom of the nearest hill, he could see smoke rising from chimneys as dinner was prepared for the weary workers. The dirt path that leads to his temple was empty. The person wasn't here yet. Ash leaned against the temple wall to wait. This might not be his biggest temple, nor his fanciest, but it was his favorite by far. As Ash waited he became aware of a lone figure approaching. It was a young man, about nineteen with dark hair and strong arms secured around a bundle of wheat. Ash pushed off against the wall and floated towards him. As the person reached the temple he glanced over at Ash. His eyes lit up as he smiled so brightly that the rising sun could not compare.
"Ash." His name coming from the man's lips sounded more wonderful than birds' song in the morning. Ash would rather hear that one voice than any other sound on Earth.
"Eiji."
Eiji shifted the bundle of wheat so he could get a better look at Ash. Ash felt a thrill of delight run down his body at the gaze. Eiji was the only human who saw him for what he actually was. Unlike the Heireuses he didn't just twist Ash's words to fit his own needs. Instead, he listened patiently and answered truthfully, even if he knew Ash wouldn't like the answer.
Ash could still remember when he had first met Eiji. It was after he was wounded in a fight with Arthur, the god of steel. Ash had hidden in this temple when Eiji found him and nursed him back to health. Even after learning Ash was a God he didn't treat him any differently. When Ash had recovered he had begged Eiji to keep his ability a secret. If Eiji went to the temple, the Hiereus would twist his mind until he stopped seeing the real Ash. Eiji agreed to keep the secret, not wanting to leave home either.
"I'm so glad you're back." Eiji's said as he walked up the temple's steps. "Hold on, let me finish today's sacrifice."
They entered the temple together. It was an airy place with doors facing the sunrise and sunset. Engraved in the stone walls were Ash's three symbols. Wheat, for growth, A Lynx for protection, and Fire for death. Ash held the domain over the sun, fire, moon, stars, and anything else that created light.
Eiji heaved the wheat into the alter and picked up the torch that lay next to it. Placing it in the sacred fire that was always lit, he set the wheat aflame and tossed in a pinch of salt. Ash felt the energy rush through him as well as Eiji's emotions. Ash only required humans to give him a daily sacrifice of wheat. It was just enough power to help him keep the skies clear, the wheat healthy, and the people happy.
"So where did you go?" Eiji said turning back to Ash. "You were gone all week."
"Were you lonely without me?" Ash wrapped his arms around Eiji and landing on the ground next to him.
"Don't get so dramatic." Eiji rolled his eyes. "I need you around so all our food cooks evenly and my family stays warm in the winter. My bed has been cold without my personal warmer."
"You make it sound like you only keep me around for my perks," Ash said fake pouting. "Your wheat offerings are not enough to cover all of that."
"Oh?" Eiji coyly leaning in and kissing Ash. "Does that work as a payment?"
"Hmmm." Ash tilted his head. "Not sure. You should probably try again and see if it's enough." Eiji laughed and hugged Ash close, kissing him deeply. Ash leaned into the kiss enjoying Eiji's presents.
"I really did miss you," Eiji muttered against Ash's lips.
"Sorry, it took me so long," Ash said gently. "I didn't want to leave but it would've been rude not to attend a wedding at my temple."
"Was it an important wedding?" Eiji asked pulling away and starting for the temple. Ash wrapped his arms around Eiji's neck, so he was floating behind him.
"I don't know." Ash nuzzled his face in Eiji's hair as he walked on the dirt path. "But they had it in my temple so I couldn't ignore it. They even sacrificed an entire pig to me." Eiji gave a low whistle.
"That must have given you a lot of power."
Ash let go of Eiji and floated to the ground to stand next to him. "With this much power, I can promise you sunshine whenever you want. Ask for the sun to shine at night or to walk through fire. Ask for fireflies to adorn your head or to be able to bath in icy water and stay warm."
"I bet you have better uses of your power than just spoiling me," Eiji said ducking his head in embarrassment.
"Nothing makes me happier than to see you smile," Ash said, enjoying the blush that spread across Eiji's face. "Especially when you make that expression. My sunsets could learn from your beauty." Eiji's face flushed harder.
"It's unfair. I can't flirt like you." Eiji said scowling. "How am I supposed to compete?"
"You do plenty well." Ash snorted. "Trust me when we first met I was so flustered by you."
Eiji shook his head. "You're unbelievable."
Ash laughed again and gently took Eiji's hand. "I missed you too." Eiji's expression softened, and he squeezed Ash's hand gently.
They were almost to Eiji's house now. Ash could see the small thistle-roofed cottage up ahead. As they approached the yard Eiji waved at his mother who was outside taking down the laundry. She smiled and carried her basket over to him.
"You're home late."
"It was my turn to do the daily sacrifice."
"Your turn?" His mother heaved the basket on her hip and raised an eyebrow. "You always volunteer for it." She looked up towards the sun. "Ash must favor you. We always seem to get nicer days when you oversee the sacrifices."
"You have no idea," Eiji muttered as Ash slipped his arms around him. Then louder he said. "I'm going out late tonight. I want to do some night fishing in the river."
"Again?" Eiji's little sister Yumi appeared around the corner, wheat in her arms. "Ug, do you have a secret lover or something? Why do you always fish at night?"
"I don't have a lover!" Eiji spluttered. "There are just some fish that only come out after the sun sets."
"Oh, I see. Did the fish give you those marks on your neck then?" Yumi grinned evilly. Eiji clamped his hands over his neck quickly. Yumi raised an eyebrow.
"It's not what you think." He muttered.
"Surreee," Yumi said. Ash sniggered and Eiji shot him a look. While Ash couldn't interact with things that weren't in his domain, he could interact with Eiji. This was unusual even for people with sight.
"Stop teasing your brother Yumi" Eiji's mother put her free hand on her hip. "There's nothing wrong with your brother going out to meet his lover in the middle of the night. My only complaint is that you never bring this person home with you." She gave her son a disapproving look. Eiji started the two women in exasperation.
"I'm going inside." He finally huffed, turning away.
"Wait, wait" Yumi put down her wheat and grabbed his arm. "Sorry I teased you. I need you to do something for me." She took out a small piece of paper. "A bunch of these were nailed in the message pole in the town square. The town scholar is going to read them when he finishes today's labors."
"Then we should go there and wait for him to tell us what it says," Eiji said. Yumi glowered at him.
"Or you can just tell us!" she pressed. "You can read after all." Eiji froze in surprise. Ash didn't blame him. He had been keeping it a secret that Ash had taught him to read.
"How did you know?"
"I saw you teaching Sing yesterday behind the storage shed. Why didn't you tell us earlier?"
"Who taught you how to read?" Eiji's mom asked surprised. Eiji pressed his lips and glanced at Ash for help.
"Tell them you met someone from the next town who taught you," Ash suggested. Eiji repeated his message.
"I bet it was your secret lover," Yumi said, her evil grin back.
"I thought you were going to drop it," Eiji growled.
"You make it too easy!"
"Yumi let him read the paper in peace." Eiji's mother said. Eiji took the paper stiffly and quietly read it to himself. His face darkened as his eyes traveled down the paper.
"The negotiations with the King of Theeta aren't going well and there's going to be war." Yumi and her mother gasped. "To ensure victory, they are going to make a…human sacrifice to one of the gods." Ash's blood went cold. Eiji's mother held Yumi close, eye's glued on her son.. Human sacrifices were the most powerful sacrifices. One human life could sway an entire battle. Some Gods like Arthur loved the power rush, but Ash hated it.
"A human sacrifice?" Eiji's mother whispered. "Which god? Who is going to be the sacrifice?" Eiji was quiet, his eyes downcast and his face pale. The fact that he wasn't answering scared Ash. There was only one reason he could think of for Eiji's silence.
"Please tell me it's not going to be to me," Ash whispered.
"I'm sorry," Eiji muttered then louder said. "It says here that 'The sacrifice will be made to Ash the god of the sun, fire, and light so he may rain fire on our enemies.' They haven't decided who the sacrifice is going to be yet. The decree will go out tonight so we should know by tomorrow."
"But Ash is a peaceful god," Yumi said shakily. "Right? He always makes sure our wheat grows and that our food never burns." Eiji put down the paper and forced a smile on his face.
"Of course, he is." He hugged his sister and mother. "Ash is peaceful. He doesn't want a human sacrifice."
"You don't know that Eiji." Eiji's mother said quietly. "If the Hiereus say that's what Ash wants then it's probably what he wants. They are his mouthpiece after all." Ash clenched his fists. He hated the Heireus more than anything. They spoke for him but only said what they want. The more Ash thought about it the more his fury continued to mount. How dare they say he wanted human blood. Ash hadn't had to deal with a human sacrifice for hundreds of years. When it last happened, the people got greedy and kept on killing their citizens. Ash was forced to abandon them so they would eventually stop.
Without a word he stomped into the house. He couldn't take Eiji's family's fear anymore. Behind him, he heard Eiji give a quick excuse and follow him in.
"Ash wait." He caught up with Ash in his room and turned him around. "Are you alright?"
"No, I'm not." Ash hissed in a low voice. "I hate it when people kill for me." He ran his hand through his hair. "If they go through with this I will help them but then I'm going to abandon them." Ash sat down on the bed "I won't live anywhere that takes their own people's lives for me." Eiji sat down next to him.
"Then you're going to leave our country?" he said barely over a whisper.
Ash looked up into Eiji's scared face and felt his anger drain. Even if the stupid Hiereus were trying to ruin everything he wasn't going to get Eiji involved.
"I won't abandon you. I will come to live here in your village. I'd protect you so even if this country falls. I'll be here always." He paused. "I mean if you want me to stay."
"Yes, if that's alright with you." Eiji intertwined his fingers with Ash.
"Tonight, let's go fishing together and forget about tomorrow." Ash lifted Eiji's hand and kissed it. Eiji's face finally relaxed.
"Let's do that." He agreed as he snuggled against Ash.
Once the sun set, the two set out again. It was a clear night and Ash made sure that the moon, which hung overhead, brightening the world around them. Yut-Lung may have dominates over the night and darkness, but Ash still controlled the moon and stars. It was for that reason Eiji never fell while traveling at night. The path he walked always lit with moonlight.
"You know some people have noticed that we rarely have a cloudy night anymore," Eiji commented as he unpacked his nets. "They are starting to say that these lands are sacred."
"They are." Ash said casually. "Any place you walk is sacred."
Eiji ducked his head in embarrassment. "Be that as it may, don't you think you should tone it down a little?"
"And let Yut-Lung blind you with darkness so you fall and hurt yourself?" Ash scoffed. "Not happening. He still hasn't forgiven me for falling for you." Eiji made a small sound as he finished setting up.
"There." He glanced shyly at Ash. "The summer equinox is coming up. I was going to bring cooked fish for the festival. Could you help out?"
"You want me to use the power I got from the pig on fishing?" Ash asked.
"If you want."
"Of course, I do." Ash raised his arms. Easing out to the extra power he reached into the darkness. With a plant or object sacrifice he could control the warmth of the sun, but with animals he could do more. He touched the minds of lesser creatures in his domain. Fireflies answered him glowing with their little lights. Calling them they flew forward, lighting up the area. Eiji gasped in excitement at they flew around him, their light reflecting in his dark eyes. Ash savored the moment before guiding them over the water. Instantly fish started jumping, trying to eat the little bugs that hung over them.
Eiji gave a whoop and started swinging his net. He caught them one by one. When he finished he had over sixty fish. As he bagged them Ash sat down against a tree feeling tired but pleased. Controlling so many little creatures took a lot of concentration. When Eiji finished he stopped to catch his breath.
"Everyone's going be thrilled by this." He panted sitting down between Ash's legs and leaning against his chest. "Thanks." Ash hummed and ran his figures through Eiji's hair. They sat together in the darkness watching the little fireflies dance around. With the little energy Ash had left he moved them in groups to perform a wild dance for Eiji's entertainment. Eiji gasped with pleasure as he watched the bugs fly and drift in different patterns. The sound was so precious that Ash couldn't help but lean over and kiss Eiji's neck. Eiji giggled and brought back his hand to touch Ash's cheek.
"What do you want me to make for the festival?" he asked.
"I get to choose?"
"Of course." Eiji twisted his head to smile up at him. "You helped me catch all of these. It's only fair that you get to choose the dish, so what will it be?" Images of different meals flashed through Ash's head and his mouth started watering. Eiji's cooking was always delicious. He would bring the food and burn it at the altar. It didn't get a lot of power, but it tasted really good.
"I'll think about it." Ash finally said. "I first need to first deal with this human sacrifice issue." He could feel Eiji tense.
"Ah right, that's tomorrow." He muttered turning to face the pond again. Ash gently hugged him.
"Whatever comes of it, you and your family will be safe," Ash vowed. Eiji hummed but still seemed agitated. After a few minutes, he suggested that they headed home.
They walked back together, the fireflies fluttering around them and the moon guiding their path. Ash kept up a running conversation until the tenseness left Eiji and he laughed again. By the time the house was in sight, Eiji's smile was genuine. His mother must have seen him coming because she opened the door when they arrived at the front gate.
"Eiji?" she eyed the bag on his back "Is that all fish?"
"Yep." Eiji held it up proudly. She stared at him her mouth slightly open. It took Ash a moment to realize that the moon was still guiding Eiji's feet, and the fireflies were still adorning his head. Quickly he released all of them from his power. Eiji's mother blinked in surprise, one hand over her heart and the other grasping the doorframe.
"Graces child you must be blessed. Ash favors you at night as well as the day." Eiji tilted his head in confusion. Ash nudged him.
"I'll explain inside."
As they lay together in Eiji's small straw bed Ash told him what his mother had seen when they returned.
"Oh, that explains things." Eiji sighed resting his head against Ash. "You got to be careful. If everyone thinks I'm blessed I might be sent to the temples as a Hiereus."
"I won't let that happen," Ash promised. "You'll get to stay here in the fields forever." Eiji laughed and nuzzled closer. They fell asleep holding each other,
Completely unaware of the trials to come.