Marionette

By: Metamorphose

Chapter 3: A Divine Dispute

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"You unquestionably have no scruples whatsoever concerning other beings!"

Life scoffs at Destiny and turns her attention to her fingernails. Her long dark hair falls in waves around her slender shoulders as she once more appraises the long talons. "I haven't a clue as to what you are talking about."

"Well, someone here certainly does!" Destiny's hands fly to her hips in righteous anger. The little cherub bends at the waist and glares at Life, her sapphire orbs flaring with the force of a raging storm. "Morality did not exactly land on his feet, and you know it!"

Morality, the being in question, floats quietly in the space that is both nothing and everything, his hands gingerly rubbing his offended backside. Righteous and true, he speaks not a foul word to his antagonist, though he very well has the right. Golden hair falls gently into more starkly golden eyes and hides much of the irritation sparking out of them.

"He will get over it," Life snaps.

"Dear Life," Morality finally speaks, his tenor soft as morning light, "I do not believe I need to indulge your ego by informing you of what I landed on." His eyes flash, sparks of shining light streaming forth from them. "Or, do I?"

"It's not my fault that you cannot anticipate a revolt and change from your corporeal form quickly enough."

"You know that our natural forms remain affected by what happens to us in our bodily forms, with the exception of death!" Destiny shouts, shaking a finger at Life. "Morality must heal in human terms, for those are the rules! Broken drinking bowls hurt!"

"Yes." Morality agrees, still looking at Life. "Especially those that should not have been there in the first place."

"Fate sent me to do a job. You were in my way. Stop complaining."

"And you left no corners unturned, I see."

The three argumentative beings stop their babble as Fate sweeps into view. The wise, crystalline eyes survey the small group, assessing each being individually. She looks compassionately upon Destiny, knowing that the task at hand is heavy on her as she watches her charges suffer and remains unable to step in until allowed.

Fate turns to Life, raising an eyebrow. "Not being as imaginative with your tactics this time, are you?"

"No need," Life retorts haughtily, flipping her hair back. "My methods worked well enough, did they not?"

Fate smiles secretively. "We will see."

Life gapes in shock. "It must work! I…"

A raised snow-white hand silences her. "That's enough for now. You must wait like the others. Morality?"

"Eighteen," he says evenly. "Eighteen shards speared my backside when I was flung out the city gates. Everything was lost after that." His gaze slides to Life. Reflected in his golden orbs are the depraved occurrences of that critical night.

He suddenly forgoes eye contact and turns back to Fate. "I would like a chance to rebuild once I heal."

"You will have it."

"My deepest gratitude." Morality abandons his floating position and stands suddenly, bowing to Fate. "Now, if you will excuse me. I would like to go and see if Immortality can do anything about my injury."

A faint smile quirks Fate's moonlit mouth. "Do as you wish."

"I bid you farewell." Bowing once more, Morality turns and begins to walk away.

Life whistles at his retreating form. "Just like filling broken objects with gold. Beautiful either way."

"I do not think that Morality appreciates the comparison," Destiny spits.

"Both of you stop." Fate motions for the two to draw near, once again cupping her hands together. The silvery sparks of light give birth to a wavering image.

Destiny and Life look intently, waiting for the image to clear. The young woman and wild young man appear once again. Life smirks haughtily at her influences; Destiny stares in horror.

"Thus far are Life's accomplishments," Fate murmurs.

Clenching her fists angrily at her sides, Destiny looks at the image of the young woman wrapped in a too large kimono with her head in her hands. She turns to Life angrily. "You fiend! Can't you see how wrong this is?"

"They were to end up together," Life purrs. "Hasn't that been done?"

"Perhaps," says Fate thoughtfully. "But you, Life, once again have forgotten free will."

Laughing humorlessly, Life turns and saunters away to assume her position of sitting upon the unknown. "I have not forgotten it; true, she may refuse. But if she does, he is alone. You, Fate, fail." The dark, deceiving and seductive eyes look up ominously. "What then shall you do?"

Fate smiles at the challenge. "It has been many years in human terms, and you still have learned so little."

"Have I not learned?" Life dares. "Perhaps you forget the selfish nature of humans, Fate. That alone gives the possibility that they shall end up together." She stretches out her hand to inspect her nails. "However, even if they do, wouldn't you say that union would be quite strained?" She laughs.

"Why you—"

"Silence, Destiny." Fate places a hand on the little being's halo of curls. "Life, you are dismissed."

The two beings watch in silence as Life saunters away and slowly disappears. The way in which she walks closely resembles a cat slinking away after successfully doing away with its prey. Slow, deliberate, and flaunting, as if time has no matter. Arrogant.

Destiny feigns a gag.

"Peculiar choice of action," Fate muses and slants a raised glance at the small deity.

"I can't help it!" Destiny cries. "Her conceit fills infinity and suffocates me!" She sits back on nothing, legs and arms crossed petulantly as she glares in her antagonist's direction.

"However, you know that she is right." Fate joins Destiny in floating. "Their lives together will be strained. Life did well weaving her trap. No matter what they choose, both will be hurt. Hurt separate or hurt together, it matters not."

Groaning, Destiny covers her face with her hands.

Fate smiles. "I wonder how much they will be able to withstand before Life's hand breaks them."

"She will not!" Destiny flares, her head snapping up. She abandons her suspended position and falls to her knees at Fate's feet. The golden curls of her hair fall forward and cover her angelic face as she bows her head. "Fate, you consented when Morality requested a chance at rebuilding his stronghold, and I know that Life is allowed this time of destruction for a purpose. I also ask you for an allotted time when I can rebuild what Life attempts to destroy."

Listening as the little deity finishes her plead, Fate rests a hand on the halo of curls. "Why do you want this?"

Her sapphire eyes burn dangerously as she finally raises her head. "I have been with you longer than Life and have worked by your side. Whatever it is you have for them, I know it is not what Life has brought about."

"You are right."

The low, smooth sound of Fate's laughter echoes when she both hears and feels Destiny's sigh of relief. "Were you not certain of what you said?"

"Mostly," Destiny admits, standing. "But I am not you and cannot see into your mind. I can only speak from experience. You do not normally give second chances."

"Spoken well." Fate's gaze drifts to where Life departed. Her eyes narrow. "You will have your chance soon, Destiny, but I am not yet ready to tell you everything. Life must be allowed her time.

"Until then?"

Fate turns her attention back to Destiny, seeing the desolate look in her eyes. She smiles sympathetically. "Brace yourself. Things must get worse first."

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A/N: A deity chapter. These will come sparsely as the story unfolds, but right now it's important to keep them involved. Hope you all enjoyed. Things extremely busy right now, but I hope to post again soon. Please review if you've read. It's hard to know where to take a story if I don't know what readers are thinking. Metamorphose