Challenges
Synurix and Bairun traveled through the pass. The unique and unforgettable scent of fresh grass and daisies hung so heavily over the wide expanse it made them both cough as they inhaled the air deeply.
"Ugh, I hate sweet fragrances…" Evil snorted waving his claw in front of his face.
"I think it's lovely!" Good smiled "A little strong I'll admit but nevertheless quite enjoyable."
It was such a pleasant fragrance and the Goddess adored it. Her irises burst with the content green colour and her cheeks seemed rosier. She twirled happily in the sunlight as the molten ball floated directly above in the blue sky. The wind blew gently, spinning her gown beautifully, like whirling silver, as she spun high in the air. She embraced the soft warmth of the Sun and floated down to the ground. She lied on the warm, damp grass and stared into the cloudless sky. Bairun sat next to her and watched a butterfly glide gracefully around his head.
"I love this island so much." Synurix smiled. Her conscience floated behind her head and started bickering.
Bairun frowned curiously "Mistress?"
"I know I haven't been here long but it feels so wonderful to lie on the grass and watch time go by."
"Although I feel it isn't my place to inquire, mistress, but I thought evil beings were not interested in the beauty of warm sunlit skies and fresh grass." He held oout his hoof and let the butterfly rest on it.
Synurix laughed "I try to avoid clichés!" she sat up and watched Bairun fiddle with the butterfly "But I don't know why I have grown so attached to this place. Maybe it's because it has been untouched by other deities or scarred by Holy Wars. I'm so grateful that Singularity sent me here." She placed her hand on the grass beside her and brushed it across letting free dandelion seeds. The wind carried them away swiftly, over the Goddess' head, across the vast expanse and over the mountains, never to be seen again. Synurix felt at home in Eden and clearly didn't want to leave.
"I love this place too, mistress." Bairun stated "I grew up here and it will always be my home."
The butterfly flitted away on the wind and past Ryoss who emerged from around a corner and looked sleepy. He lumbered over to the two lazily lying on the grass. He smiled as he approached to see the Goddess and Bairun bonding so well. He knew she wouldn't abandon him like Nemesis had abandoned himself. Synurix's eyes returned to gravestone grey as Ryoss's shadow blocked out the Sun unintentionally.
"Hey!" Evil exclaimed "Get outta my Sun! I was catching some rays!" he waved a fist. Good shook his head and pushed Evil away.
The Goddess' eye colour was not to show she was unhappy. She can't control it, however, when they are green it shows she is in a true state of happiness.
"Are you ready for your first lesson, little one?" Ryoss asked, obviously directed at Bairun. Bairun placed his hooves around his snout as he bellowed out a long, strong, and confident moo. Synurix thought Bairun would feel intimidated and small compared to Ryoss's immense size but she was happy he was so confident and ready.
Ryoss nodded and looked to Synurix "Are you ready to let your Creature take the first lesson?"
"Yeah! We are so ready!" Evil yelled loudly.
"Calm down, a loud voice denotes a vacant mind." Informed good.
"…………… Huh?"
Good sighed and disappeared. Evil slumped his shoulders and tried to figure out what Good meant.
Synurix smiled "Of course."
The mighty Creature turned towards the Aztec village and walked over to it leaving large hoofprints in the ground, which quickly disappeared. Synurix floated beside him while Bairun had a little trouble keeping up with the two.
As they slowed Ryoss began explaining Bairun's task "Listen closely, little one, this village does not yet believe in your mistress as a Goddess." He gestured towards the village center "Her symbol," which looks similar to Җ "will hover close to the stone hand depending on the amount of belief the villagers have in her. There are many methods of converting a village but the use of a Creature is the most vital of all. That is why you must learn this quickly."
Bairun understood and nodded. He smiled when Synurix stroked his head. Ryoss stretched his arms wide and concentrated. Multiple miracle-seeds appeared in a little crevasse near the village.
Evil scratched his head "Uh… You gettin' any of this, boss?" Synurix glanced at him and smiled but didn't speak.
"These are food miracles. If you pick one up, Bairun, you can learn how to cast it and impress the villagers even further than usual." Ryoss said and then pointed to the miracle-seed "Have a go at casting the miracle into the village store."
Bairun glanced from Synurix to Ryoss then walked over to a miracle-seed. He tapped it and the energy of the miracle flooded into his hooves. He frowned at this but then wondered over to the village store. He concentrated and did a large gestured, spreading his arms wide. A single beam of light flowed from both his hooves and to a point over the store. Grain materialized from the point and floated down. People stared in awe and applauded Bairun's efforts. Some children ran up to him and started bowing.
Chuffed, he walked back to Ryoss.
"Very well done, little one, keep an eye on desire flags, the more they are fulfilled the more people will believe in you. Of course, that is just basics, I hope you will begin to experiment with different miracles and methods of impressing." He bent down and touched Bairun's forehead. A sudden flash of bright white light sent Bairun stumbling back and shaking his head. Synurix, shocked by this, frowned at the giant, and questioned the need for that little spark.
"No need to worry, your eminence, I have imbued him with a few basic miracles. This includes Food, Wood, Water and Healing miracles." Ryoss reassured. He stepped over to the edge of the bottom of the mountain under the shade and yawned "I need sleep, wake me when the village believes in you and you are ready to continue your education."
Synurix turned to Bairun and smiled "Go on, then, Bairun. Show me what youc an do."
Bairun looked nervous but trotted into the center of the village. He wasn't sure if his mistress wished him to fulfill their desires or impress them in a different way. He tried the miracles he was given and they worked swimmingly. However, when he saw his Goddess sitting on the ground and occupied in turning dandelions in crippled roses, he thought he'd better try a new approach.
He mooed loudly and waved for the people attention. When Synurix noticed this, she watched too. Bairun jumped a few feet in the air and did the splits, which he was very good at. The people clapped and cheered. Bairun turned to the village center and saw he had been successful in gaining a village for his Goddess. Fireworks burst above and around her symbol. The Stone hand, which held her symbol, changed into the shape of a Cow. It was Bairun.
Synurix clapped and stroked him "Thank you Bairun."
"That was quick, Bairun, I'm impressed." Ryoss' voice came booming from behind them. He smiled and then walked towards the middle of the expanse, right under the Sun. A strange white shape had been painted on the ground. It was huge lineart of two clashing Creatures, one was a Wolf the other a Bull.
"C'mon! Let's hurry and take Bairun to the big guy! I smell combat!" Evil chuckled. He then turned and inquired abo9ut where his counterpart had gone "Hey, boss, where's beardy?"
"I'm right here! Away from you. I don't want your stupidity to rub off on me." Good called from quite a distance away.
Evil sneered and slowly hovered over "Oh yeah, yeah," and waved his claw "Very mature."
Bairun and Synurix followed Ryoss to the center of the picture. It was truly amazing and must have taken a long time to paint. Ryoss stood to one side of the painting and gazed down on it.
"The Wolf. The Cow's eternal enemy. This I am sure you do not know, am I right?"
Synurix turned to Bairun who frowned and continued studying the picture.
"For eons Lupines and Taurus have battled each other and are always keen to hold on to their honor. Battles are always bloody and are mostly to the death unless a deity somehow intervenes. Bairun, if ever you come across a Lupine, you will have the instinct to immediately fight him, and you must, for Taurus honor. If a Lupine spots you, they will also fight for their kind's honor." Ryoss sounded sorrowful.
Bairun nodded, every cell in his body knowing of the eternal feud and hatred for Lupine kind.
"Nemesis often sent me into battle so I foresee the same for you." Ryoss continued "Firstly I will become your size to make things easier." The giant suddenly shrank in the blink of an eye to about Bairun's height. In bewilderment, Bairun pointed at Ryoss and his ears flattened backwards.
"An arena will appear every time there is a fight." Ryoss bent down and scraped his hooves on the floor as a sign of aggression. As he did so, a glittering white ring formed a wide circle around the two Creatures.
Bairun glanced back at Synurix and her smile filled him with confidence. He motioned that it would be no problem. His sign of aggression was unique. He bent down on all-fours, roared loudly, swished his tail behind him dangerously and stomped his back hoof on the ground three times. He then jumped up and went into a fight-ready stance with his hooves up near his snout ready to block and shifting from side to side, ready to dodge.
"It seems although you know how to fight as you look well-prepared. Shall we start?" Ryoss said almost mockingly and started to advance.
Suddenly, Ryoss lashed out with his bottom hoof but Bairun dodged it and spun a round-house kick counter. Ryoss ducked underneath and punched Bairun in the stomach. A little winded, Bairun shook his head and focused. He then suddenly turned and bucked twice. The first time whacking Ryoss hard in the jaw making him stumble in shock and the second hit him in his chest causing him to fall back.
Synurix watched apprehensively. She hoped Bairun wouldn't be too hurt after the fight.
"So, are we winning?" Good asked.
"'Course we are! Our Creature's the best!" Evil answered.
Synurix smiled "He's certainly doing well for his first fight even though it has only just started."
"Yeah but he'll kick that sheep's –" Evil began but Good swatted him in the back "Hey, what's that for?"
Good sighed and shook his head.
The slightly bloodied Creature stood and wiped a hoof across his jaw. He slowly moved closer readying a hard head butt. Bairun didn't wait and was already charging towards him, elbow out. His elbow connected sharply in Ryoss' neck but the guide retaliated with a low kick, which tripped Bairun up, and he landed on his back. Confused but smart enough to roll out of the way before Ryoss could get in another hit, Bairun quickly sidestepped behind Ryoss and grabbed him around the waist. Ryoss let out a concerned bleat as Bairun lifted him in the air and slowly flipped him backwards. Ryoss slowly stumbled to his feet, dazed from hitting the ground so hard. He steadied himself and ran up to Bairun who expected a head butt, however, at the last minute Ryoss switched to a kick and his hoof crashed into Bairun's head. Bairun hit the grass hard. He lifted him self slightly and shook his head. He sensed Ryoss directly behind him and quickly flipped to the side, dodging a finishing blow and kicking with both hooves, hitting Ryoss in the abdomen and sending him flying half-way across the arena. Bairun stood and knew he had won as Ryoss held a hoof up in surrender.
"That was an important lesson, Bairun." Ryoss said as he returned to size. Then, he drew a glimmering spiral in the air with the point of his hoof and did a pushing motion. A Large waved of rainbow coloured light grew from the middle of the white painting, now spattered with a little blood, and grew and grew till it was almost as tall as Ryoss and covered him, Bairun and Synurix in wonderful healing light. Some of the brusies on both the Creatures faded a little but they were still marked.
Ryoss hung his head almost in shame "I have a secret for you." He said just above a whisper, fear clearly present in his voice "But I must warn you," he looked up and deep into Synurix's and Bairun's eyes "This knowledge is dangerous. Please, come only when you are ready. What I will tell you is forbidden knowledge…" His ears pricked up and he smiled "Why don't you try out what you've learnt while I sleep?" he pointed over to another pass, much lower than the main one. Bairun and Synurix looked curiously but couldn't see anything. When they looked back though, the giant was already laying down to rest.
"Did I do well mistress?" Bairun asked as he and Synurix walked towards the pass Ryoss had pointed to.
Her eyes flashed green and she smiled rather like a proud child I think you did amazingly well!" she ruffled his ears and let out a little laugh "I don't think Ryoss really had a chance."
Bairun grinned "Thanks, your words are meaningful."
"Yeah! We totally beat that bag of mutton up!" Evil snickered.
"Uh… We?" Good inquired raising an eyebrow.
"Well, Bairun totally beat him up then." Evil replied with a little less enthusiasm.
"Do you not think it is strange for Ryoss to be frightened of telling us a secret." Synurix asked her conscience her slender finger stroking her cheek in curiosity.
"Yes, very strange indeed. A little alarming wouldn't you agree?" Good agreed.
"He freaked me out too boss." Evil nodded.
Good's eyes widened and he flew over to the Creature which stood before them all in front of the pass. An Ogre "Ugh… How horrid," Good grimaced "I think he's trying to speak."
"Me guard here. Me big hungry, Me name Sleg." The Ogre growled almost louder than it's stomach and roared aggressively.
"He's guarding the pass and his outside our influence so…" Evils shrugged "Let's send our Creature out to fight him!"
"Oh, I wouldn't resort to combat with the poor thing. Hmm… He looks hungry." Good suggested.
Bairun frowned "What do we do, mistress?"
Synruix sighed and looked at Bairun. He was still bruised, he was hungry and he needed rest. She couldn't let him fight in this condition it would be cruel for him. She smiled "You make your way back to the temple, Bairun, I will deal with this."
"Thank you mistress." Bairun said gratefully and trotted of at a quick pace back towards the temple. Synurix waited for him to disappear around the corner. She then turned to Sleg.
"Ogre, what is your business here?" She asked, hovering closer.
"Go away. Me guard here. Let no one pass. Not even silly dressed girl." Sleg replied almost spitting.
Insulted Synurix growled "Hold your foul tongue you vile bad-mannered beast. You do not speak like that to a deity. How dare you."
Sleg snorted and lunged at her. Suddenly he flew backwards and skidded hard against the ground. Bairun stood in fighting stance much different to the one he ahd in his previous battle. He was bent low to the ground, front hooves just hanging above the ground twitching, legs wide apart, head tilted low in order to show off longer horns, and face twisted in a vicious and intimidating snarl.
"Bairun! You can't fight as you are!" Synurix pleaded.
Bairun turned "Mistress, I must."
Synurix floated in silence and then nodded understandingly. She then glided over to a rock and sat down to watch the fight unfold.
The ogre stumbled to his feet unsure of what just happened. He saw Bairun and laughed loudly slapping his sides as if it was some kind of joke. An arena appeared. Bairun stomped and roared even louder this time and it sounded like a moo at the same time. The ogre just tapped his shoulder, held up a fist, and then crouched, ready for the fight.
Bairun let Sleg attack first. All he did was a half-hearted swipe that Bairun easily dodged and was met painfully with a quick whack to the side of the face. Obviously angered by this Sleg snorted and kicked low. Bairun dodged this with ease as well and followed up with a forceful head butt that made a sickening crack as his skull collided with Sleg's. The force was so strong Sleg fell onto his front. Bairun moved out of they way to avoid getting knocked over as the ogre got up. Sleg suddenly charged and took Bairun by surprise with a hard tackle sending the bull skidding on the grass on his back. Taking a chance, Sleg Jumped onto Bairun's chest and stomped down hard. Struggling and flailing about on the ground Bairun let out a low angry moo and flipped Sleg backwards. As the ogre and he regained their balance, Bairun positioned himself for a heavy attack. He kicked underneath Sleg's legs to make him collapse on the floor and stood over him. Bairun then began punching his face rapidly, harder every time. He then grabbed the ogre's arms, heaved him upwards and quickly ducked low, and flicked his head up. When Bairun's head crashed upwards into Sleg's stomach, the ogre flew backwards and into a wall. He crashed with bone shattering force and fell onto his front. He didn't move. Bairun walked over and watched Sleg dissipate into thin air.
Synurix flew over and hugged Bairun "You really showed him!" she spoke happily.
Bairun smiled faintly, weak from the fights "Thank you… Mistress."
The Goddess' face switched immediately to concern "Bairun, you should get back to the temple and rest. She stroked his head and closed her eyes. Slowly, Bairun faded and appeared in his pen much to his surprise.
"Wow! Our Creature won two fights in a row?" Evil asked, shocked "That's great! The little guy's got character!"
"Yes, I suppose he did well but fighting isn't everything." Good protested.
"Yeah, whatever let's go see what that chump was guarding!"
Synurix glided silently through the pass. A little archway stretched above and there was an old mine at the end of the little piece of land. But that was it. Nothing special. However she spotted a chest. She opened it and inside was… A beach ball?
"A beach ball?" Evil cried "We went through all that for a lousy beach ball?"
"There you go with that 'we' thing again." Synurix laughed.
"Yeah, but-"
"Hang on," Good interrupted "A miracle dispenser has appeared by our temple!"
As soon as Good finished his sentence, Synurix was already half-way there leaving her conscience to catch up. She liked toying with them sometimes.
Synurix slowed down as to not wake Bairun and saw the miracle dispenser was an Increased Healing miracle. She seemed overjoyed at this and immediately broke the seed and used it on Bairun. It was the same miracle Ryoss had used after his fight with Bairun.
Bairun rolled onto his back and stretched. He saw Synurix and stood "Mistress, what was that ogre guarding?" he asked, yawning.
She smiled "A beach ball," Bairun raised an eyebrow making her laugh but then she added "And an increased healing miracle."
"Is that what you used just then?"
Synurix nodded.
"Thank you mistress. I thought, with your siding of alignment, that you wouldn't like using heal miracles."
"Oh don't be silly!" she laughed "I adore heal miracles like I do all miracles. Having any kind of miracle in your possession or knowledge makes me feel powerful."
"In that case, would it be alright if I tried learning it?"
"Of course, Bairun! I'm not sure I'll have time to help teach it to you, though."
"Don't worry, I can study miracles on my own just like I will study fighting techniques. I want to live the best life I can." Bairun stated proudly "And I will start tonight on learning impressive miracles."
Synurix smiled, proud of Bairun's confidence "Do as you please, Bairun, we have all the time in the cosmos."