Warning
I must warn you. English is not my native language, so from time to time you will find some peculiar (as in outrageous) uses of the English language. Please, be tolerant and let me now to fix them. Then, try to enjoy the Story.
The Order of the Mortal Knights
by Elnauhual
Fan fiction, based on the characters and universe of "Oh my goddess" by Kōsuke Fujishima.
Chapter VI
The duty of a goddess
Giörel, goddess first class second category, was very happy. Actually it was not something unexpected, this seemed to be her natural state. Partly because she was gentle, kind and cheerful, but above all because there was no day that she did not discovered something entirely new that deserved celebration. On her way to work, she walk along the trails of that beautiful realm called Heaven humming a melodious tune. She had a premonition, today would be a special day.
She was a very young goddess. Her features retained something of the sweetness and innocence of a child. In addition she had a restless green eyes, a color she thought, reflected her love for things that grow on the soil, because that was her domain. She had a beautiful brown hair. She liked to thread it in a long braid, and always wore a flower on it. Because at any moment another she might need to go to the earth, she was wearing her ceremonial dress that mark her as a first class goddess.
She arrived at the graceful building of the "Goddess Technical Help Line" one of the heavenly organization responsible for granting wishes to mortals.
The building was unimaginable in human terms, impossible shapes, great spaces extended by more than 3 dimensions. Flowers and vegetation make it appear more like a beautiful garden than an office, but such is the way of the gods. There were corridors that crossed heights that would cause vertigo to any mortal by not having any support or protection.
She greeted her supervisor. Othala was a goddess that tried to pretend to be strict, but everybody knew she had a big heart. Despite the eternal youth of her appearance, she had literally centuries of experience.
There were only a dozen goddesses in such large space, but they did not need more. Only special cases were treated here. Common wishes were processed in the office of the "Earth Assistance Center."
Finally she arrived to her place. A stylish and comfortable seat that seemed to float in the air. It had several displays and adjustable controls.
She had recently been transferred to this position and like everything she did, she committed at her fullest in her work, but sometimes she went beyond her duty. She tried to understand everything, even when she was not meant to. Now, after attending some cases with supervision of senior Goddess, she had finally received permission to work alone. That among other things, meant she has been assigned to be in the place that had once occupied Belldandy. This had been her seat.
That name made her feel gentle warmth, there, where goddesses have their hearts. She secretly wondered if one day she would also became enamored of a mortal. However, the mere suggestion had provoked a reprimand from her supervisor. Love had been the cause of a very important loss in her staff did not want another. By now, it was known by everybody that what was holding Belldandy on earth was no longer a contract, but something she considered more important.
Giörel smiled to herself, and then with a rather guilty air, instead of beginning her work opened Belldandy´s file. She already knew it by heart, but there were aspects that did not understand. In order to avoid calling attention, she chose to keep the display in two-dimensional mode, much more discreet.
There it was, a perfect record, since a child, everyone expected great things from her. Her list of achievements was remarkable. Championship in flying brooms racing, songstress spell master, a certificate without blemish as Valkyrie, one outstanding thesis in human history, on the scope of the "Urth" case. However, there were some strange anomalies. Nowhere was not mentioned the name of her main tutor, they were very important she must had one of the best. She also had a strange long period of inactivity. Giörel imagined she had some secret mission or something like that. Celestine's name had been completely removed from heaven´s records and few remembered him. But what most impressed her was the relationship with Keiichi.
Suddenly she heard and annoyed cough behind her. She quickly turn off the display, but it was too late. Her supervisor was floating behind her, with a stern expression.
- Othala, I am sorry, I did not felt you come.
- Again with this file? I think you must know it by heart. In addition, you have more important matters to do than daydream.
Her supervisor actually claimed to be angry, but it was impossible to get angry with this young goddess. Even so, she must do something, she liked the initiative and curiosity, but not in working hours.
- Sorry, but there are many things I do not understand about it. I was just curious. Could you could explain me? You have so much experience!
Othala, sighted. She just could not get angry at those restless eyes. However, she was worried. The fascination with Belldandy seemed to have reached epidemic levels among her staff.
- Only, if you promise to get back to work, then I can spare a few minutes.
- Yes I promise! - Then she hesitated, she was not sure this was the best way to frame her question - Keiichi is not the first mortal who wished to live with a goddess, why is he is the only one his wish has been granted?
Othala stared at her. That was a delicate statement in several respects
- Giörel. All wishes are granted and fulfilled. It is our duty as gods.
- Sorry, I did not mean that, but ...- Othala floated in front of her and gently touched her face.
- But as you must know, humans rarely know exactly what they want, that is why not all goddesses may occupy that chair. You are among those with a sensitivity to guide and interpret their wishes. You can give them alternatives, you can project mental images so that they understand what may imply the consequences of their wishes, you can even make them live in a simulation and give them the opportunity to feel what would happen with a wrong wish, so they have the opportunity to regret. You must be able to decide what to. You must be wise enough to understand what they want, not what they say they want. In most cases, and you must know it, what they really want is someone to love and worship, almost like a goddess and that has been fulfilled.
- But what about Belldandy?
- In this special case, Yggdrasil acted before she could react. Belldandy was very surprised, but she was committed to her work. Now it's your turn. You tell me why that was granted. You have little time here, but you have been properly trained, and should already know the answer.
The young goddess looked insecure; she had hoped her supervisor gave the answer, so she began to recite her lessons.
- We grant wishes to humans, because we get compensation in return and ... Yes!, That's it. If the system allowed a first class goddess to stay with him, means he must be someone very special and great things are expected of him, even more, probably he needs the presence of a goddess to fulfill them.
Then the young goddess sighed with a wistful and romantic look.
- I would like to meet such a mortal.
- No!, I have forbid that to any goddess of my staff. I do not know what is special about him, but the goddesses who have been with him have changed. First Belldandy, then Peorth, and that Valkyrie, Lind. The most powerful of the Valkyries, was changed by a mortal. No, remember, Keiichi is off limits. Now forget it, by now, even I cannot longer see his file, is encrypted with a level five-security key. So, get back to work. Now, give me a summary of your main cases.
Giörel felt some guilt, even without seeing the file, there were enough gossips around. Certainly, the young man had shown signs of being special. He was a mortal who had been able to bear not once, but twice, angels. First, he had been able to support and use Lind´s angel and then he had supported the familiar transformed by Belldandy into an Angel. He had also had been granted a second wish by their rival office, the "Earth Assistance Hotline". That had never happened before. In addition, his wish had been nothing less than to hear that Belldandy loved him. It was so romantic! Moreover, he had been able to call directly to heaven, trying to find a cure for Belldandy! Never before had something like that occurred!
At the stern gaze of her supervisor, she had to leave her secret fantasies, so she got to review her files. She had a list of ten candidates. All carefully selected by the system. At some point, she knew it would be her duty to guide and grant them a wish. Therefore, she proceeded to give her summary of the most probable cases.
- So, you have been assigned ten files. Tell me, which ones do you consider the most important?
- There are three that are almost at the optimal time: Here is Chiara Vimercati from the country called Italy, Mipham Chokyi Lodro from the Tibet and Parthasarathi Somasindhu from India. I wish that Somasindhu would be me first case. His eyes are so sad.
She sighted while looking at his picture. He was young but was bit small for his age, probably he has suffered hunger in his childhood. He had a kind expression, yet the hard edge around his eyes, showed he had known suffering.
Her supervisor crossed her arms in sign of exasperation.
- You are a goddess first class. Not a giddy goddess of love. Now tell me your opinion this "sad-eyed boy."
The girl blushed to the mockery of her instructor. This young Hindu was his favorite, he came from a family from the untouchable caste. She had hard time understanding the word "untouchable", and now she classify it as a painful word. Those sad eyes make her sigh. Would she ever fall in love with a special human?
- He comes from very poor family, for the untouchable caste. He has suffered much, and I think ...
- We do not grant wishes for suffering. Please, stay objective.
- He has the potential to be a great doctor, he has talent to research and develop cures. His actions will bring happiness to many people and we will benefit greatly. But he is about to give up his dreams to be a doctor.
- That is better. Now, what kind of wish does he need to ask?
- I think he should ask for something to help him gain entry to college and give him strength to confront further adversity. Something that will encourage him to strive and move forward. However, I am getting worried. As previously estimated, the call must have occurred almost a month ago. The College is about to close registrations and he is being discouraged. The optimum period to get his wish is almost done. I even have asked for a system diagnosis, but everything is in order.
- You have asked for a system check? – Othala was annoyed - Please you must inform me before doing it again. For a proper diagnosis, the system but be stopped, otherwise our security could be compromised. A system check involves droop the firewalls to verify them.
- Oh. I didn´t knew that.
But Giörel was not paying much attention, she was contemplating the image of the young on the screen, admiring his sad eyes. If she could change them into smiling eyes, she would be considered the happiest goddess of all.
For a moment, she reminded about Belldandy and the wished she had to fulfill. And that mortal, Keiichi. She savored the name of the mortal, her romantic heart could not be stooped from doing that. The system had agreed that a first class goddess dropped everything and stay with him.
Suddenly the phone rang. Her heart jumped with pleasure. Finally, it was the young Hindu!. At last she would meet him. Quickly pick up the receiver and replied in perfect Hindi, for she had been rehearsing over and over again.
- Rahat karyalay Devi. Fon karne ke liye Tum dhanyavaad, ham AAPAK turant bhaag Lenge.
She turned around to seek approval. Othala smiled, it was the proper accent and intonation. She heard the surprised voice of the young, which was a normal reaction. Now she was prepared to go. Mentally she did a last review of the files. She prepared her business card and could not avoid a last coquetry, and have a last check in the mirror which would transported her, and was pleased with what she saw. Her outfit was correct and her beautiful hair was perfect.
Suddenly she saw something strange on the display and returned immediately to her chair. For a moment, she had seen a powerful energy in the room where the young was calling. She reviewed the system, but there was no trace of what she saw. She could have not imagined, her memory was near perfect. However, she found a time discontinuity in the systems logs, as if something had been erased. She made a questioning look at her supervisor, in a computer system as complex as Yggdrasil, this was very serious. Yet there was no sign of problems.
- Something strange happened and there is an anomaly in the system. Maybe I will not get another chance; I need to go down with him. According to protocols, I should not go down if there is any possibility of foreign presence. Yet currently the system reports none. What should I do?
- Do not worry, I will check the system, meanwhile you do your duty. Hurry up my girl!
Finally, she went into the mirror, where she dissolved into her way to earth. Unfortunately, her worries were correct. If she had listened to the phone line a few seconds more, she would have heard as the voice of the young went from surprise to terror.
The fight was at its peak.
Anang-Reh tensed his muscles, the opponent had almost twice his weight, and the effort required to avoid being thrown required all his concentration. His muscles aching, the last encounter had been very painful, the she-demon he had faced was a worthy rival, but was finally he had defeated her. Now, mentally reviewed the situation. His opponent had pretty much put him on the edge of the track, a bit more and he would be out of the arena. It was perfect!. He could not help but chuckle, which baffled his opponent, who loosened his push a bit. That was all he needed. Anang-Reh push suddenly stopped pushing, and dropped back, pulling his opponent, then expertly he placed his foot against the stomach of giant demon, lift him and made a final push with both his legs. The demon without a foothold, was thrown out of the arena, Anang's foot in the stomach of the demon had been an excellent lever.
He heard a loud crash, just right between judge's seats. Exactly as planned!. Surely, with that, the judges were not going to forget his name again.
The arena was filled with laughter. The tactics of the young were not very elegant, but had been very effective. Soon there were discussions all over the place, while demons of all ages argued about their favorite sport. But the rules were clear, Anang-Reh was the new champion.
Unlike the heaven, where the gods favored open space, in the demon realm they prefer closed spaces, even underground. Not that they like small places. Many of their buildings were huge underground spaces, but they were not caverns. An underground space, for a sculptor means that walls and ceiling are all canvas for working. Therefore, they were full of false columns, geometric figures, statues. It was like a petrified lace. This was no place for nature; it was pure stone worked beyond imagination.
A place where deceiving was an art. False columns, false ways, stairs that went nowhere, put there just for the pleasure of having them. Baroque beyond imagination, it had an alien beauty. Yet, the cold gray stone gave this world a sense of old and cold.
Here the arena was a huge space surrounded by huge arches, where each demon could have an ample area, since they did not like to be crowded. Ranks and class separated them. But the passion for this sport was the same on all.
Anang-Reh was in the middle of the arena, standing proudly, as if trying to counteract the awkward move he had done. There was a long pause, but finally one of the judges managed to regain some dignity. He approached and reluctantly raised his hand, indicating victory.
He knew his tactics would be criticized. A self-respecting demon would never fall to an opponent, even if that mean to win. But he did not care. With this victory now, he had a chance to be selected for the elite fighting squadron, and there, maybe he could become one of Hild´s bodyguards. As a male demon, he knew there were few opportunities to enter Hild´s inner circle. She was known to despise most male demons and used to called them "brainless". Anang-Reh, happened to agree on Hild´s opinion in this matter, a lot of them really were brainless.
For example, the Shak-ar was a popular sport among the warrior class and with some resemblance to the rules of sumo. It´s goal was to take the opponent out of the circle and originally it was a contest to test strength. So, there was no rules to say how the opponent was defeated. This small detail had allow him a way him defeat several opponents much larger and stronger using intelligence and tactics, to the chagrin of those who still wanted to see this sport a contest of brute strength.
- Father - shouted the young, seeing a man approach, which hardly seemed older than him. Nevertheless, among both gods and demons the appearance is a bad way of measuring age. The man was a little more sturdy and taller. His clothes were simple, but he was wearing various ornaments, which indicated his high rank.
The man ignored the effusive greeting of his son. Yet the brightness of his eyes were more than enough to show that he was proud, but it was inappropriate for a person of his position to show affection. The boy went beside his father and began to walk along with him, as if instead of leaving and exhausting wrestling match, he just had walked out of a library.
- What is going now in politics?
- I wish politics were as simple as a meeting of Shak-Ar. However, I think you would not be so out of place, I see that you care more about results than using the accepted way to fight. Nevertheless, returning to your question about politics. Hild simply refuses to listen. Sometimes I think she is over the gods' side, instead of her own people. Why we want to train in fighting and combat if we never fight a worthy opponent? All this only serves to scare occasionally these mortal worms living on earth. I say we should be masters of the mortal world, and take everything that belongs to ours by the right of our power.
The young man was exhausted, but he could not show it with his proud father, he just kept walking when he just wanted to throw into a katra bath to relax his aching muscles.
- Father, but during the war, before the doublet system, we suffered many casualties.
- So what?, that is what warriors are for. They are expected to die eventually.
- Father, I ...
- Forget it; you are too young to understand this. Nevertheless, I say, soon we will be able how to remove Hild.
- Father, you should not say this in public.
The young man looked around cautiously. Hild had a tight grip on what demons could say about her. Expressing their views so freely, could be dangerous.
- Son, never mind. She is still powerful, but each day she loses more power. She lost strength in the war, so she has to turn to some clever tactics to stay in power. But we may be able to overcome that.
- But I think she ...
- Stop it. I know your opinions. I cannot understand you. You know that while she is in power, you will never go very high. As a female, she just trust in her own class, no matter how inept they are. Just see that stupid demon she keeps on earth.
- Marler?, She is not stupid. You do not know her.
- So, you know her well? - The man raised his eyebrows in mock surprise.
- The young man paused a moment. He gave a defiant look to his father.
- Yes, I know her and I must say that appearances are deceiving. She has taught me many things of the mortal world.
- And, why do you want to learn something from those inferior beings? We only need to learn how to frighten them.
- Do you know how I beat my last opponent?, I learned that movement from humans, it´s called judo. See, even we can learn from them how to win. Marler has taught me many useful things about them.
The man laughed and pointed his finger at his son.
- Could it be that you are the one judging by appearances? After all, she has a very desirable body. That is the only good thing she has.
The young man's eyes narrowed in contained anger. His father was touching a sensible nerve. While jokes about Marler misadventures were common jokes, he had learned the real reasons behind that, yet he could not reveal them.
- Enough, I do not want to talk more about this subject.
- Why not? She is a friend of that half-breed daughter of Hild. She has been unable to expel the three Norns out of the earth. I suggest that there must be something more between them. I cannot imagine any other explanation for her ineptitude.
- Father. She is not inept. In time, you will find out.
The man looked at his son. He was becoming too brash and would not tolerate it. He needed to enforce some discipline, but not in public. He just turned away and left him there, leaving him speechless. However, he began to think that there could be a good side form this. He could take advantage of that friendship. He thought that for some reason Hild had been tolerant on that inept demon, so maybe there was something else. - I think his friendship will provide us with vital information. Son, you will have to learn some things about real politics.
Meanwhile in a New Delhi slum, Somasindhu was walking along a miserable street, he was surrounded by a sea of people who went along as if he was not there. Bitterly he thought if they knew his identity, indeed many would think he did not deserve to exist. He was a Dalit, an untouchable. Although casts were officially abolished, reality was still very different. He had managed to escape abject poverty, yet he still was not very far from it.
He arrived at the dilapidated building where he had gotten the cheapest accommodation and intermediately he went to check the mail. Nothing, nothing!. He already should have the verification about his scholarship and the first payment. He searched deep into his pockets and barely was able to find some rupees. He would hardly eat that day. Then look at the pay phone of the building and decided to take a chance and phone to the scholarship committee. There should be some kind of mistake.
It was an old phone, which fit perfectly in the state of the place. Everything seemed about to collapse by old age. He could only afford one call. Maybe he would have to accept the offer from the local healer and work for him. He always had customers, but his customers did not seem to improve on health yet he managed to have their purses lighter. The healer had discovered Somasindhu seemed to have magic hands. He had a way to listen to patients and find out what they had, then with a few simple tips and cheap medicines they really improved. The healer thought he could have use for his talent. He wondered why he wanted to be a doctor; he did not need that to earn a lot of money.
However, Somasindhu did not want that. He wanted to study medicine and help many people, but no just for money. He took the card from the scholarship committee, then with utter care he chose on of his coins and placed it on the old phone, then with extreme care, he dialed the number... and then He heard a beautiful voice. It was feminine and delicate, her intonation was very educated, it was the Hindi of the educated people:
- "Goddess Technical Help Line. We have received your call; I will go immediately to attend you."
He yelled in surprise, it was a wrong number and he had no money for another call ... Yet the voice had bewitched him. Then he heard a noise behind him and turned to see.
The Hindu religion possibly has one of the richest imaginations with an elaborated set of images of gods and demons. Some of those illustrations of demons are horrific, but none of this prepared him for the vision he saw.
They were two gigantic creatures. They barely fit on the common room where the phone was. They were so horrific that his mind could barely register them. Freakishly muscular bodies, sharp claws, scaly skin. Their face was grotesque and brutish. He screamed in horror and tried to run. One of the creatures simply extended his arm and took him like a man clutching a doll. He felt a terrible pressure and heard his ribs broke. The pain was unbearable. Then he heard in his mind a laugh and a few words.
- Yagoth, stupid, you are going to kill him before time.
- But I just barely touch him.
- Mortals are so fragile!. Give it to me.
Somasindhu cried, when the other being pull him out of the hand of Yagoht.
- Look how fragile is he. You just need to use a nail and rip here. He will die in a few minutes, just the time we need.
The monstrous being extended one of his fingers, which had stood out one of his sharp nails and made a frightful cut the in the throat of the boy. He attempted to scream but his throat was filled with blood and only came out a gurgling noise. After that, they just dropped him and somehow disappeared from view, but he knew they still were there.
Suddenly, from a battered mirror in the room came a divine vision. The most beautiful girl he had ever seen floated out from there, with a broad smile and a card in her hand.
He thought it was a Devi who came for his soul. When she saw him, she screamed and then floated to try to help him.
- Somasindhu, what happened? Who did this? - The young man was surprised to hear his name on the voice of this beautiful vision. He was really convinced she was Devi, a Hindu goddess.
Meanwhile the young goddess watched in horror as blood came out his neck. She tried to contain it with her delicate hands; her card was stained with blood. It was useless. For a moment, she was petrified with horror.
Then she recovered. After all, she was a first class goddess, and a well-trained goddess. She breathed deeply to calm down and concentrate looking the solution among all the magic she possessed. There was very little time and recalled ... The spell of Urd!. It was somewhat clumsy, inefficient and primitive, yet fast and it worked. She had studied it in class. There was no time for something more elaborate, it was the solution to be used in an emergency and she was a first class goddess. She should be able to achieve it easily.
She began to chant, but was taken aback, could not detect any vital energy sources! Something was blocking them. There was no time to seek any; she should draw it from her own energies, which were limited on earth. However, there was no other solution.
She resumed her chant; it began to grow stronger and stronger, forming a luminous sphere of vital energy directly extracted from her. The young man was about to lose consciousness, when he was hit by the vital energy. For a moment, he lost his breath, but regained lucidity. Somehow, he felt how the wound in his throat began to close and the broken bones were recovering. Finally, he received a last burst of energy, expelled all the air he had and then breathed deeply ... like a swimmer coming to the surface, his body was trembling, he could not control it.
Then the young goddess sat along him in the floor, took him gently, as if he and no weight and put his head tenderly on her lap, crying with relief. She still had her business card in hand and the blood in it now was mixed with the tears of the goddess.
Gently she caresses his face. She had dreamed about helping this young man, but not like this, what had happened?.
- Somasindhu, can you talk?. Tell me what happened to you, I came to grant you one wish; I am here to help you.
The young man was trying to regain control, finally he exclaimed, pointing to the wall.
- Devi! Rakshasa, Rakshasa, They are hidden there!
Giörel turned to the wall, just in time to see the monstrous beings appear. They really deserved the name given by the boy: "Rakshasa", the evil spirits of Hindu mythology.
The goddess react in time to the threat, She raised her physical barrier, but was exhausted. At the first blow one of them with his powerful fist, her shield was broken and she was thrown against the wall.
The other being took her in his hand, like a broken doll and squeezed. She was more resistant than the mortal was, but was weak and the being oppressed her with his full force. Giörel screamed in pain. Somasindhu felt deep rage against those who were hurting the Devi. He dare to try to rescue her, but was pushed away as if it were an insect and crashed against the wall.
Giörel attempted to defend herself and began a spell to summon the forces of earth, but her body was crushed again and the pain made her lose concentration. Then the being spoke in a raspy and deep voice
- Look, the tiny goddess has guts, do you really want to fight?. It is useless, we just need your heart.
And without saying more, he show her his hideous claws and with them savagely penetrated the chest of the goddess. She screamed in pain as she felt how her body was torn apart.
The awful being pulled his claw out of her and took out something bright. It glowed with a soft light and seemed alive. It was the heart of the goddess.
Then he bursted into a laugh that chilled, and threw the body of Giörel to the floor, as something useless, then went to the wall, where both beings disappeared.
Somasindhu was still stunned by the blow, but made an almost superhuman effort. He approached the body of the girl. Incredibly, she was still alive. The heart of a goddess is the source of her energy and the secret of his knowledge, but her body retained some power, however soon it would be over.
He lifted her in his arms and touched her delicate face. He wept with rage, grief over what happened, and he had not been able to avoid.
Giörel sighted, she had dreamed to be in the arms of this boy, finally she had fulfilled her dream but knew she had little time to live. In the midst of pain over the brutal attack and her deep wounds, she remembered her duty as a goddess.
- Somasindhu, what is your wish? ... What do you most want to be in life?. I have not much time.
He has speechless, what kind of question was that? She was dying!
- Somasindhu, please tell me, I need to hear it before I go.
- A Doctor, I always wanted to be a doctor.
Giörel breathed on last time and concentrate what little energy she had left, then chanted a incomprehensible spell and with her last energy sent a shock of light into the dilapidated phone, then her body began to fade.
- Somasindhu, promise me you'll be a good doctor.
- I promise, I promise, but please do not die! DEVI!
Somasindhu made a painful cry when the girl finally vanished. His arms were empty as it had she been a dream.
Then he saw in the floor the card the goddess had been holding. He took it and read:
- Giörel, First class goddess, second category. Goddess Technical Help Line
Then he pressed the card against his chest and began to mourn.
(End of Chapter VI -rev2)
notes:
- Dalit. Strictly this is not caste, but the name given by themselves for those belonging to the poorer castes in India. Usually it refers to the untouchables. Although officially abolished, there is still much discrimination, especially in the more remote villages.