The Ivory Maiden

by timetravellingrose22

It was a union prophesised to bring honour and glory into the small island of the most beautiful goddess, Miku of Mount Vokaris. The ancient tales of this island claimed its name originated from when the reclusive sculptor, Len, carved his greatest creation, Rin, out of the finest ivory and fell under her beauty. [Pygmalion/Galatea AU; Cross-posted on AO3 with better format]

The insistent chirps of little sparrows brought life to a humble community of the small seaside town. Labourers commenced the day's trade in the local market, alongside the merchants, to earn meekly income. For this was an impoverished commune far from the glorified and dignified folks in the heart of the metropolis.

Young children lived off the meagre amount of sustenance from the herculean efforts of their parents in the fields and ports. Others resorted to means to offer themselves for pleasures of the flesh, or violently take the property of others. Only if it meant to survive.

With how occupied the denizens were to simply survive the daily turbulences in society, there was simply no time to invest in the arts.

Even though art was said to be sustenance of the soul. Its value was no less significant than the rocks crushed under their calloused feet. Unless it delivered a prospect for a liveable income.

Yet only those with such skill and dedication were able to craft fine opus worthy of commission and patronage by the wealthy outside the desolated commune. Said ability was honed through years of sheer determination and consistency that not every being had the privilege of.

Only a scarce minority were exposed to the creation of sculptures, ornaments, pots, paintings that depicted this cruel yet beautiful world. They possessed creativity that went beyond intellectual means and pierced through the psyche of the observer.

The number further diminished on those who chose to profit off their artful labour. It was a harsh environment that the majority were not privileged to commit as its sole source of livelihood.

One young man defied the odds in his favour.

Through the skill he practised since he was but a mere toddler, it surpassed that of his late master. His art was sufficient to be paid by the ambitious donors who claimed to save the arts with their monetary investments.

His creations were marvelled for its well-defined features that mirrored the human beings it was modelled after. Even if they were still in their pose, the statues looked—felt alive. As if they were trapped in that very brief second in time, and about to move and speak to be human.

All that magic and majestic artistry was born in the far corners of the desolated and poor seaside town. In a humble home where most of its space was dedicated for a studio.

Blocks of marble, granite, ivory and other stones were stored and awaited the touch of the artist for its upcoming transformation. Several debris were left scattered on the floor. The pieces of stone forcibly separated from the process of a new creation, and dust that could have clouded the room if not for the open windows.

An unfinished leg, a rigged form of a torso that ought to be sharpened, and a polished hand which waited its attached body akin to a puzzle. Variety of chisels and knives, some of which required its blades be sharpened, were gathered in a neat line within an arm's reach. They all saw better days in the past with wear on its edges, rough surface from constant use, and frequent friction to carve the stone to strict perfection.

The only life in the space was the presence of the lone human. With hands of a skilled sculptor to bring these pieces of art to the real world from his vast mind of sophisticated ideas and intricate imagery.

He remained in his position as the chisel on his right was on the precise angle to carve the base from the force of the hammer on his right hand. For every swift motion of the chisel to carve the ivory, it was closer to achieve the desired shape and be transformed into the image he so desired to bring to life.

The artist did not mind the dust that gathered on the surface of his work on every force into the chisel afterwards. It was years of expertise and apathy on his physical appearance granted by his solitude.

His sharp and focused eyes were the colour of the wide and vast sea that reflected the calm blue skies. Under the layer of dust and dirt hid the shade of golden in his locks that would have reached his shoulders if it was not gathered by an old strip of cloth. The faint lines under his eyes already placed itself on his face far too early for his age; a result of his strenuous life of hard labour and not a moment of rest for his spirit.

Yet there was nothing more Len had than his ability to transform a stone into a mirror of the human psyche through sculptures and art.

The young man chose a life of solitude. He ought to isolate himself rather than be witness to the cruelties of society in front of his eyes.

In his younger days, the townsfolk frowned upon his eccentricities despite his status as a respected artist with donors of bountiful finances. His long locks were in contrast to the fashion of men his stature and age. The lack of a wedded partner in his house that was necessity to beget respect from others. The differences of his views of the world and of human behaviour, in comparison with the ordinary person. For he was the only one who could read the written language on rolls of papyrus by the radicals of the central metropolis.

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Perhaps his current reputation was among the inheritance he received from his old master.

The former artist accepted Len, who was a toddler that roamed around the area and only lived through food taken behind stalls and on crops; where no eye would have seen him. No evidence of a family he could have belonged, and nowhere to go to.

And so the old artist kept Len under his care, and the toddler learnt what and how it was to live not for himself but for another purpose.

He began to work for the artist as an assistant; carried the marble stones, sharpened chisels, cleaned the studio, tended the small fields behind, and received the rolls addressed to his new master. In exchange for his services, Len received shelter that kept him safe from the harsh elements of the outdoors, a place to properly groom himself and any injuries of his to be healed, and food from the same soil he harvested. He was now allowed to forget the agitation and cunningness to steal for his mere survival.

Yet the artist seemed to have a generous soul within him to offer more than Len could have ever repaid for.

He taught the child to read and write, developed his relationship with the flora that would provide him food from nature itself, conversed him on the philosophies of life and the role of humans in this universe.

It was as if Len finally received the familial figure he lacked, as far as he could recall.

As the years went by, Len was fascinated by the primary work of the old artist.

He gravitated to observe the careful process as to how a block of stone evolved into a figure of a human being. So still yet brought so much life with simply a gaze on it. How it only took calloused hands and the lone genius of his master for it to be possible.

After he noticed the young child took an interest in his work, the old artist allowed Len to learn more about art and its ability to heal and nourish the soul.

He encouraged his ward to use the stylus and create his image of the world around him. Eventually he introduced his new apprentice to carve his first statue.

His master was also a devotee of the gods and goddesses, who controlled their lives and said to live in Mount Vokaris. And so Len was told the glorious stories of the gods and goddesses, and their sheer power that could both destroy and nourish the world they lived in.

Not only it was a frequent request by his wealthy clients, but was the old master's favoured subject and theme in his works.

Whether that was to show the glory of the almighty King of the Gods, or the brutal strength of the God of War, the clever wit of the Goddess of Wisdom, and the everlasting beauty of the Goddess of Love.

In careful hushes, the old master bravely shared to Len what was to know about the Underworld. A discussion most mortals preferred to deflect; in fear it would bring the attention of these deities who struck fear into every mortal.

There was the benevolent yet merciless God of the Underworld who ruled over all of the chtonic territories. His dreadful Queen Goddess; who remained at her king's side at autumn and winter until her mother, the Goddess of Harvest and Harvest, fetched her as Goddess of Spring.

They command the God of Death, and the Herald of the Gods from Mount Vokaris who also engaged as a conductor of the dead, to fetch the souls of those who passed in their world and bring them before the ferryman. He was to row these souls on his boat in the River Styx in exchange for a single silver coin.

After they passed through the gates guarded by the three-headed hound for any who dared to escape the underworld, the souls were then brought before the three judges of the underworld.

On behalf of their ultimate God, they sentenced appropriate penance of the souls based on their deeds in their previous life.

For those who committed despicable and diabolic conducts, they were sent to the darkest pits. Where the most vile monsters and cursed gods roamed free for all evil to be contained.

The most blessed by the gods and those with purity in their intentions were brought forward to the blessed fields. There, the bright days never ceased and abundant water, flowers, and music for the souls to cherish their afterlife without suffering and pain.

Majority of the mortal souls who merely lived an ordinary life and did nothing sinful nor nothing glorious were delivered to the grey meadows. From then on, they roamed its vast empty terrains for eternity in emptied minds. Before entry, they would have drank the water from the river Lethe to forget their memories of mortality.

Len wished that his old master would be sent to the blessed fields if that were the case.

The old man softly laughed and appreciated his young ward's opinion of him with a palm that caressed the child's head.

Yet even then Len still had his doubts on the existence of the gods, with the presence of the cruelties in their society with illness, natural disasters, slaughter and hunger. But he, too, did not want his soul to be sent to the darkest pits.

And so held back these doubts. He continued to praise the gods and goddesses of the heavens and of those underneath him.

That faith for the supreme deities was passed on to Len, alongside the soul of an artist and the labours of a farmer.

The young child grew to be a young man capable of great feats in his skills on the arts. So far that reached to the same capacity as his old master.

The ageing artist was more than proud of how much his young ward had come and grew through the countless cycles of the seasons.

And he thought it was an appropriate time as he felt his end began to approach. The old artist did everything he could to give Len a life that he could sustain for himself, and live a life of purpose without his master's presence.

He was alone in his life as a hermit artist. But young Len gave him a purpose.

The artist would not have traded all those years they spent together as a family.

With a desperate prayer to the almighty gods and goddesses, he wished they would be merciful to his young apprentice and protect him from any evil that should attempt to take him.

For how cruel was it he would enable Len to return to a life of solitude when the time came the fates cut the thread of his life.

The old artist had his last breath of life and held his ward's adult and calloused hand in his final moment.

Len gently closed the eyes of his old master with his fingertips. He stood still for a moment to send his last farewell. He then let go of the hand that nurtured and saved him all those previous seasons.

Even when word was sent to his now former donors and to the local people, no one visited the old artist; whose body was now prepared for any visitors.

None went to pay their respects nor were bereaved of his passage to the underworld.

It was only Len left; not a single soul alive to lean into.

The God of Death or the Herald of the Gods were about to fetch his old master's soul. And so Len performed the first duty he ought to do as payment to the kindness he was given.

He gathered all the wood that held the body of his former master. Len carried him to the best of his abilities and circumstances as the lone mourner to a vacant field. The vast heavens was above them.

It was what his master would have wanted: to be close and feel the magnificent presence of the gods and goddesses before his descent to the underworld.

The stiffness of the old man's body was a contrast to the gentle expression left on his sullen face.

Len slowly opened the mouth of what was once his old master and slipped a silver coin.

After he closed it, Len uttered a prayer for the soul of his only loved-one a safe passage in the river Styx and be granted a fair judgement in the underworld.

The look of peace on the old man's face was among the few affirmations for Len to have hoped his master did not endure any more cruelty on his final moment.

After he fought his hesitation, to cling for one last moment, Len brought the torch he held towards the wooden bed in which his old master laid.

The fire spread in the wooden bed as fast as the river currents.

His old master, who saw Len for who he was beyond an abandoned child, entered a realm no mortal ever entered or left with their life. Len was barred from it until his own time with the God of Death came in the distant future.

The sun was about to set as the pyre blazed and brought light in the darkened heavens in the dimmed terrains that enveloped Len in his solitude.

It was only him and the boundless stars to witness the embers from the continuous flames on this cold night.

Once the last ember extinguished, so were the flames. What left was the burnt ashes of the body and the wooden pyre in where it once stood.

Len put down the vase he held and picked the remains by his hand gradually. For every burnt ash he picked up and placed in the opening of the vase, he sought comfort in the memories he had of his old master.

Len carried both the vase and his heavy heart to a nearby hole in the earth he dug up earlier. After the lid was placed on the opening, the vase was carefully settled inside the hole.

Then with his hands, Len buried the vase and finished with a lump of soil to indicate a mark of a grave. He allowed himself to remain on his knees with a frown and a dejected sigh.

He stood up and prayed to the gods and goddesses for a final time before Len left to live in this new reality.

And so began Len's permanent isolation once again.

He was already blessed to gather the closest semblance to live with family. The differences of his past from this new circumstance were that he had an occupation and a means to survive.

Len still sought a reason to live which he continually searched in his art.

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Even though he was under no obligation to follow every footstep left behind by his master, Len still chose to seclude himself from the local people.

They were the people who did not notice him when he was a stray. No one to rely upon but himself to survive. He was already frowned upon for his peculiarities despite his skills and the work he did to support himself.

It was only natural for Len to choose his own company.

On the rare occasions he was obliged to leave his home, he disguised himself as discreetly as he could to visit the temples and offer sacrifices to appease the gods and goddesses.

Yet for today, Len was insistent to finish this piece with such haste and eagerness. After his mind often envisioned the image without his conscious thought. He was gripped by it for multiple long nights.

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… But while he
was single, with consummate skill, he carved
a statue out of snow-white ivory,
and gave to it exquisite beauty, which
no woman of the world has ever equalled:

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He swiftly slammed the chisel with the hammer, as pebbles of stone burst out of the ivory from Len's quick motions. Sheer determination reflected on the focused glint in his eyes.

Every detail was scrutinised in the roughness of the ivory's edges, and the precise movement necessary. It brought him closer to the image that plagued his mind on countless dreams.

The rough outline of long locks were further refined with another chisel. For each carve brought him closer to the image entrapped in his mind. The vision was in dire need to escape to become part of reality. Len had to depict hair being swept by the air as some strands floated than others.

Len delicately carved what were to be fingers with gentle hits of the hammer and exact placements on the chisel.

He had done multiple statues in the past since he first held a chisel and hammer. So he knew the technique as he knew how to breathe.

Yet this piece brought desperation in him to strive for perfection.

The markings he made from his stylus disappeared in every carve of the chisel that swam through the smooth ivory. It was the best quality of ivory Len had in his possession.

It was befitted for a statue not for a donor or another wealthy client, but for himself.

Len gave in to the selfish urge to produce something solely for his own eyes and for his own enjoyment. A guilty pleasure that he would indulge once in this single lifetime he had.

It was an undesirable practice he developed: for him to forget his tools be dropped and rest his body in periods of work. On any other day, he would corrected himself to put down the chisel and hammer. But he tend to go outside to the small fields behind and harvested his crops for his own food supply, or tended to the few animals that brought him meat, dairy and sacrifices offered in his visits at the temples.

Yet Len was desperate to bring forth this vision today.

He did not know whether it was his mind or his heart that sought after this image on his mind to transcend to reality.

And so the passage of time was missed by Len's awareness for how he was invested in his work.

He crouched with feet on the ground to begin his work on the legs. Len intricately carved the vein and curve of the muscles until the little toes.

Only the impact of the hammer to the chisel, and its friction to the ivory alongside Len's soft breathes were the only sounds in the vicinity.

Yet the palpitations on his heart resounded in his mind. It was from the impetuosity he held back to avoid any risk of ruin to the statue. He was internally conflicted from his own inflated desire to simply be close towards the finished state of his soon to be masterpiece.

Len lowered his hands and took deep breaths to calm his beating heart. He placed the chisel and hammer on the pile of his other tools and took the long metal bar of a rasp.

He slowly approached the figure and began to refine every surface of the ivory statue from its rough edges.

Once he finished a portion, Len used a brush with soft bristles to remove the dust that accumulated from the refining.

The process repeated until the whole statue appeared human enough to deceive a faraway eye from a distance.

Len began to gather the pigments he required. He held the brush that had the bright colour of the galatella to brush over the figure's hair that flowed smoothly and gently blew by a unfelt breeze.

Another was a pigment with the colour of the sweetest roses for the plump lips. Lastly was a pigment with the colour of the deep seas, closer to the shade of Len's own eyes, to colour the iris of the statue.

Len took one, then two steps back from the statue and admired its final state.

He softly gasped with widened eyes in amazement.

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… It appeared in truth
a perfect virgin with the grace of life,
but in the expression of such modesty
all motion was restrained—and so his art
concealed his art.

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The ivory figure was a woman with facial features that radiated purity.

Long locks that seemingly flew away from a gentle breeze. Her voluptuous body displayed seductive curves that would bewitch every eye that gazed upon it. Her arms were outstretched towards the front, as if awaited an embrace from a long-lost lover about to reunite with her.

For countless nights, the vision of a woman who Len knew did not exist haunted his dreams and plagued his mind in his every waking moment.

He prayed that it was not a demon that fed from his hidden desire for pleasures of the flesh. Though the vision seemed not to be malicious but benign.

Len convinced himself to shrug off the memory and continue on with his mundane life. Yet the woman of his dreams never ceased to grab his attention.

And so Len finally committed to bring her to life through what he knew best: sculpture.

It was a lady that was a mirror image of his own.

As Len began to paint the statue, he noticed their shared semblance. He paid no further attention to it and stayed faithful to the vision in his mind. This would surely raise not only the eyebrows of the townsfolk from scepticism but their suspicion of his sanity.

Let the people be mad then. They were fools to think Len ever minded their malice disguised as concerns.

Len gazed at the statue's pure face for a significant period. He already knew this statue stood out from the rest of his other creations.

So much so that it deserved its own title; a name.

"Rhh… Rng…" Len rolled off his tongue in an attempt to vocalise a syllable. Each new sound was an attempt closer to the name that suited best for his beautiful creation.

The sculptor slowly raised his arm and caressed the outstretched ivory hand until he rested his own palm above and grasped it.

His thumb brushed the inner palm of the maiden. Deep within him, Len ought to follow his instinct and assumed the sound about to escape from his lips was a match from the image in his mind.

"... Rin."

Len repeated it once more. Until he had a small smile and uttered the new name.

Rin. It flowed through his lips like the streams of the river and the charmful ringing of bells.

Befitted for his marble muse.

The sunlight from the window shone on the side of the statue. Her eyes sparkled with hope and adoration for the lover who she was about to embrace. Her smooth skin glowed under the light and further mesmerised Len at the front.

Every second that his eyes focused on the beauty before him, his breath deepened and his heart skipped. An impulse began to creep within him and surge at any moment.

It was fortunate he was the only soul around with the statue. He felt any other human was not worthy to lay their eyes on his creation—his maiden.

The flow of time seemed to cease as Len carefully raised his hand. His palm shook as he felt nerves about what was about to happen if he further closed the gap between him and the statue; to go closer.

He rested his palm on the cheek of the ivory statue. A thumb brushed on the smooth and flawless ivory as a gesture of affection.

The cold surface of the ivory began to warm under his palm. Len gently caressed the skin and heavily sighed to let the weight that held him back slip through his shoulders.

His heartbeat resounded immensely and was about to burst from its cages in his bones.

The visions his eyes gave him continued to deceive him. It drifted abruptly until he saw and felt soft flesh underneath his touch.

His maiden called for him softly in his mind.

Len descended further and began to embrace this madness he ventured to.

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she was so beautiful, he fell in love
with his creation.

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And so he sealed his fate with a kiss on the ivory maiden's lips.

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He lifts up both his hands to feel the work,
and wonders if it can be ivory,
because it seems to him more truly flesh. —
his mind refusing to conceive of it
as ivory, he kisses it and feels
his kisses are returned.

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Another arm wrapped her around the waist. Len closed any distance between him and his beloved.

He gently released her from the kiss to gaze upon her captivating beauty. His eyes barely open after a brief moment of reality. As slow as honey, he gently captured her lips once again.

Len savoured his Rin's lips and tightened his grip on her waist. The hand on her cheek moved to rest on her back. The artist released her lips once more and left trails of kisses on her neck.

The enamoured sculptor grew more desperate; deep breaths on every peck on the slender skin.

Len moved his palm from her back to her stomach, upwards to cradle Rin's naked breast underneath his palm. In his mind, the flesh was delicate and soft. He pressed his fingers into it.

His throat vibrated with a deep groan of satisfaction at the sensation. Len returned to Rin's lips as he caressed her warm breast beneath his palm.

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… And speaking love,
caresses it with loving hands that seem
to make an impress, on the parts they touch,
so real that he fears he then may bruise
her by his eager pressing. Softest tones
are used each time he speaks to her.

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"Rin, my beloved… My precious… I need you…" Len's rough voice uttered his heartfelt confession. His lips caressed Rin's hardened mouth from the ivory.

Then he was reminded of his fierce grip. He could have bruised his beloved long ago.

Len quickly released his hold of Rin on her waist, and gently caressed the skin in apology. "My apologies, beloved. I might have bruised you… I let my desire for you conquer me of my wit."

Rin had not replied.

But Len thought his apology was forgiven by his maiden. So he showed a relaxed smile in gratitude.

"I shall return, beloved. I will see you soon." A caress of his palm on her cheek. Len uttered the promise with a kiss to his illusion of Rin's soft lips.

He reluctantly let go. But Len knew he had to begin important errands for the sake of his new lover in their new life together.

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He brings to her such presents as are surely prized
by sweet girls;

… he drapes her in rich clothing and in gems:
rings on her fingers, a rich necklace round
her neck, pearl pendants on her graceful ears;
and golden ornaments adorn her breast.
All these are beautiful—and she appears
most lovable, if carefully attired,—
or perfect as a statue, unadorned.

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Only in the most necessary circumstances, Len ventured to the townsmarket and fulfilled any personal errands his clients nor his own fields could not provide him for.

Any other reason to endure the scorching heat, or the harsh winter from the absence of the Goddesses of Harvest and of Spring, was deemed unworthy for Len to sacrifice the comfort of his home abode.

For it was only the most crucial priorities which called for him to leave his sacred space.

In his arms was a large bundle of the smoothest silk, jewellery sparkled under the sun, fresh and lovely flowers in its full bloom, and gifts any woman would have treasured and cherished.

He closed the wooden door with his back. Len went straight to his studio the sun already embraced with its light.

In the middle was Len's beloved Rin, who stood still and waited for his return. Her slender arms outstretched only for her long-gone lover.

Len put down his newly acquired gifts on a wooden table and quickly embraced his beloved.

He pulled himself away briefly to gaze upon her beauty under the sun, and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips.

"I am home, beloved. I have brought you gifts that would most delight you." Len whispered, as he held her in the waist, with pure affection painted on his face.

He returned to the table and brought a rich silk of snow white. Also in his hands were old jewellery that twinkled as the stars in the heavens.

Len carefully dressed Rin into the silk and the jewellery on her finger, around her neck, and hooked in the ears.

He felt something lacked that was crucial. Until he took a silk ribbon of white and gently tied it around the crown of her skull.

The artist took a few steps back to admire his beautiful masterpiece.

Rin was a sight of marvel with the gifts of her lover. To witness how loved she was by him; it moved Len's heart to be the cause for such a sweet smile Rin gave him with her open arms.

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It was such a strong phenomenon Len began to initiate further visits into the market to purchase the most elaborate and valuable gifts. Only for his beloved maiden.

He was a man of less luxuries than his art and his cattle. Yet love gravitated him to new territories; with all the gifts he bestowed to his beloved.

Rin wore different sets of gifts as the sun rose and fell. She was adorned in his affections as the ivory woman stood by to watch her creator work on art at the request of the wealthy donors.

For when Len had to tend his crops and cattle outdoors, Rin was left under the heavenly sunlight to bask on her own. She only waited for his return.

Len basked in those precious moments of being near his beloved.

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He lays her on a bed luxurious, spread
with coverlets of Tyrian purple dye,
and naming her the consort of his couch,
lays her reclining head on the most soft
and downy pillows, trusting she could feel.

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Len brushed off the sweat on his temple with the back of his hand alongside a fatigued sigh. Yet a smile was quickly brought back to him at his newest creation in front of him.

The wooden bed, with the richest sheets of purple, bestowed for royalty, was finally set to be used by its rightful owner.

He went to the studio where his beloved stood still once again to wait for him.

Len gently lifted Rin. Her feet on a little podium left the ground. He easily carried her to her new bed.

Len manoeuvred the body of his Rin; that her head would rest on the pillow as soft as the clouds above and brought her closer to comforting dreams.

As her stiff body was safely laid to rest and enveloped by the silk sheets, Len went around to lay himself on the unoccupied side next to Rin.

He laid on his side to give all his attention to his ivory lover. She faced the heavens, arms outstretched as if to soar towards it. Len had a soft smile with half-lid eyes to appreciate the view of his beloved.

With an arm outstretched to hold her face, Len caressed Rin's smooth cheek in affection.

"You are my muse. My consort who owns my heart. I am but a servant of your affections, and wish for you to say my name; however long it may take." Len whispered, in fear that even the gods may hear.

There should be nothing he was afraid of. It was only him and his beloved in this world. No other eye laid judgement against them. The solitude empowered Len to finally share this moment only with his Rin.

Len only desired a world where it was only him and his beloved Rin forevermore.

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The festal day of Venus, known throughout
all Cyprus, now had come, and throngs were there
to celebrate.

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With the new frequency of his trips to the heart of the commune, Len was reminded of the upcoming festival for the patron goddess. Rightfully he began for when he must offer a sacrifice to remain in the good graces of the alluring goddess who protected their island.

The healthy young goat amongst his cattle was not the most exquisite, in comparison with its fellow cattle owned by anyone else in the commune.

Yet this was the best offering Len could sacrifice. For the goddess, with all her heavenly beauty that could hypnotise anyone, was ruthless to those who attempted to deceive her.

After the moon changed faces in the nightly sky, brought before them was the day of festivities for the patron goddess.

In the pantheon, she was the most gorgeous and ethereal of all gods and all that lived in this world. This goddess was concerned with matters of romance and procreation amongst the mortals. A champion of victory in battle, and the prosper of pleasure and passion. To which humanity deemed was amongst a necessity to live.

For love was a force that destroyed worlds, yet created life. And so she was the Goddess of All The People.

Said to be born from the severed member of the primordial God of the Sky whom the ancient God of Time ousted. This ancient power evolved into a new life and rose from the sea foam to reign as the heavenly goddess.

It was on the seaside of this large island that the Heavenly Protector Goddess ascended.

Those who dared to challenge the goddess in her beauty, her matches, and her way to victory were scorned to a harsh and cruel fate greater than death.

No one was permitted to restrict the goddess who held both primordial and modern power; capable to destroy humanity once they dared to.

The beautiful goddess was referred to in multiple epithets and honorary titles. But for this humble seaside island, she was referred to as Miku.

All gathered at the temple of Marvellous Miku to pay their respects for her and celebrate in her glorious name. Blood of doves, her sacred bird, were spread by the dwellers for purification of the goddess's temple and altar.

Afterwards, images and relics of the beautiful goddess were carried in a procession before they were cleansed. Now they depicted the all-mighty glory of Miku. The folk already celebrated with food, dances, and laughter in the name of the beautiful goddess who protected their island for centuries.

Worshippers entered the sacred grounds of Miku to offer firewood blazed on their hands to strengthen the majestic force of the goddess's temple. Alongside were the most lovely roses, narcissus, and windflowers in their full bloom that favoured the beauty of the gorgeous deity, and incense that burned for communication with the holy protector. Those who brought a male goat surrendered it to the temple dwellers, who performed the ritual in front of the altar and before the worshipper.

Len's sacrifice was finally offered to the great goddess. He was given temporary solitude to convey his wishes and be considered by the protector deity.

With one hand that held an incense that burnt and smoked, Len used his other hand to lower the hood that hid half of his face.

In the dark wide space was a pathway lit by smaller torches on both sides towards the end of a wall. A large monument of a woman, naked as daylight, stood with all grace and desire underneath sea foam and a turtle nearby. Paintings with her godly beauty that reigned over Mount Vokaris were displayed for all the people to witness and worship. Two large flames on opposite sides blazed to provide the light focused on the centre relic.

There, in a dark cloak, Len stood before the magnificent altar of Miku, Goddess of All The People, Heavenly Protector Goddess born from sea foam of the primordial gods, and champion to victories.

Len uttered the ceremonial chants to introduce himself and the sacrifice he offered solely for the goddess.

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… There, intent,
Pygmalion stood before an altar, when
his offering had been made; and although he
feared the result, he prayed: "If it is true,
O Gods, that you can give all things, I pray
to have as my wife—" but, he did not dare
to add "my ivory statue-maid," and said,
"One like my ivory—."

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In a hushed whisper, Len uttered his confessions in front of the altar of the great patron goddess.

"I was taught of the sheer power the gods and goddesses possess to rule over humanity from above the heavens. You bend our fates with a snap of a finger if we dared defy you. Yet despite the terror we were imposed to, my old master revered to your graces and miracles.

"If we were obedient to sacrifice what was ours and faithful enough without ill intent against you, we could be rewarded. I ask the Heavenly Protector Goddess and most desirable Miku, who oversees this island, for a single miracle. I wish to have a wife…"

He briefly paused; eyebrows scrunched in hesitated doubt.

"... With the likeness of my ivory maiden. I would be indebted to you forevermore."

Len placed his incense on a vase that held others from those who came before him. A few steps behind, he bowed before the all-mighty goddess and did not wait for anything else.

He turned back, cloak flowed behind him, and walked in the lit pathway to leave the temple.

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Golden Venus heard,
for she was present at her festival,
and she knew clearly what the prayer had meant.
She gave a sign that her Divinity
favored his plea: three times the flame leaped high
and brightly in the air.

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Hidden within the darkness was a figure who witnessed the particular worshipper and his unique request.

Long locks with the colour of the seashore under broad daylight, and curled as the waves that pushed the sea foam towards the sand, gathered at the floor in smooth tangles. Skin that would have glowed, had the powers of its owner not been concealed to blend in with the darkness. Eyes that reflected the colour of the very seafoam she rose from focused on her glowing altar.

"An artist who loves his own art as a consort…" Miku had a sly smile underneath the darkness that concealed her godly face.

Head slightly lowered and arms crossed together; her hands held her elbows. It was the exact position she maintained when the Goddess of Love spectated the young artist who chose the ways of a hermit. Him who chose only himself and his art as company.

Out of all the wishes she heard in front of her temple, this particular request by the desolated sculptor piqued Miku's interest the most.

"You dare to hold yourself back from me… I see everything in you, and the true desire you hid behind me." Her lips dropped downwards at the human who lied at her altar.

"You seek the human affection of your ivory maiden." Miku muttered with a voice smooth as silk. Then returned was her devious smile.

Then her sly smile dropped. Eyes slightly widened in shock to witness the man shortly turned around and walked away after a swift bow to her altar.

Miku was astonished even when the sound of distant footsteps faded and a slam of a door was heard from afar.

"Fool, you had not waited enough for my answer." The goddess briefly frowned. Right hand left from its role as a pillar for her elbow, Miku raised it beside her head.

With a smirk, Miku snapped her fingers. Its sound travelled within the vacant vicinity.

The torches in the walkway and the two large ones on both sides of her altar had their fire scorched into taller heights. The temple was further enlightened for a brief moment. The temple dwellers present were shocked at the sight. In such haste they went on their knees to praise the goddess's affirmation of her divinity.

Miku retained her smirk at the sight of her devotees.

It was time for her to pay a visit to a certain marble muse.

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In the humble home of the sculptor, not a single mortal soul was around. The lone man of the house was in the heart of the commune to pay his respects for the patron goddess.

The studio was well-lit from the rays of the sun that entered through the windows. Multiple unfinished works of marble were scattered throughout. Chisels and other tools were gathered on a table. Pebbles of rocks and marble were gathered in a pile beside a broom leaned against a wall.

Stood in the middle was Rin, the beloved ivory maiden adorned in her creator's gifts of affections.

Yet the statue was bare; to highlight its smooth ivory surface and its seductive body that would enchant any eye it captured.

The sculptor was already under its spell.

But for a powerful goddess like Miku, she was invulnerable for such spells of temptation. After all, she is beauty personified.

The goddess assumed the appearance of a young mortal woman. Teal hair tied into twin tails that almost touched the ground with its sheer length. Underneath the teal fringe were bright teal-white eyes that sparkled with mirth, as she approached the studio where the ivory maiden waited for her lover.

Her mortal appearance was an inspiration from one of the statues the artist was in the process to complete on the corner of the studio. Assumed to be work paid by a wealthy client to honour the great goddess on their own personal altar.

Miku stood right before Rin. Her outstretched arms were regarded as a sign of welcome by the goddess.

With a keen and sharp eye, Miku began a graceful step and observed the ivory maiden in all her glory from every angle.

The jewels that decorated her were already an indicator of the sculptor's devotion to her as consort. Miku regarded it with amusement, and an interesting indicator for what she was about to do.

She took another step and faced behind the statue. And then another step as Miku scrutinised Rin's curves.

Truly, the sculptor may have been blessed by one of the gods with his fine carving of this beloved statue of his. Could he be a son of a god to possess such skill?

To convince even a goddess of a statue that was assumed human was commendable.

Miku returned at the front of Rin.

There the goddess directly gazed upon the maiden on her eyes of blue pigment. She had a face of purity and sensuality altogether. An inspiration drawn from the goddess's beauty.

Rin was indeed beautiful. But not as fair and attractive, rightfully so, as Miku.

Indeed the goddess understood how the sculptor fell in love with his own statue between ivory and flesh.

Head tilted to the side, Miku contemplated something she was aware of before.

There was a benefit when this sculptor's wish for a miracle was fulfilled.

After all, this was already deemed so by the spinsters of life, who reigned over the fate of every entity in this world. Even the gods and goddesses themselves were under their mercy.

The union between Rin and Len would reap wonders for Miku and this island she oversaw. It was a victory for everyone involved, and so the goddess followed where the fates directed her.

With a deep breath, Miku summoned her strength to begin the initiation. Her mortal form glowed with godly powers, as Miku's hair began to float in the air. She raised her palms to contain an orb of light, a powerful force that blew out wind, as she began.

"With my blood from the primordial gods that flow within me, and my powers from the golden water which strengthen the gods of Mount Vokaris, I summon the gift of life to this ivory maiden with my protection." Miku invoked the power that surged from within her.

She closed the distance between her and Rin. Miku dropped a gentle peck on Rin's forehead and stepped back.

The goddess took a step back and gave the ivory maiden distance. Miku gracefully gestured her hand in a circular motion on Rin's still face. Then she carefully set her palm on the statue's chest and rested on it.

No such thing occurred, until a glowing light broke through the slits of Miku's palm. The goddess smirked triumphantly once again.

The ivory surface began to gain the colour of flesh. Her stiff stance gradually softened with an ache in the muscle. Stone-hard hair suspended in air from the ivory turned to soft, smooth blonde locks. Once glass-like eyes that reflected the deep seas transformed into moist human eyes that finally witnessed what was before her.

Head subtly tilted to the side, Miku watched with a small smirk. The statue lowered her arms and left the small podium where it once stood as a statue. Now she stepped to the ground as a mortal to breathe for a beating heart.

The new and naked mortal merely stared with an empty gaze at the goddess.

For she had no thoughts that ran in her new mind.

With a frown upon the realisation, Miku once again snapped her fingers from the hand rested on the other elbow.

A fine silk of snow white flew to the woman, and wrapped itself around her new body perfectly. It complimented the beads and adornments her creator wore to her.

Miku tapped Rin's forehead with the tip of her finger that glowed. She bestowed her another gift. For the maiden to speak and think freely more than the automatons and the puppets of the gods and goddesses.

As her donor was the Goddess of Beauty and Passion herself, Rin was already capable to love, to yearn and to desire for herself.

It would come soon when it had been fostered over time.

And so the maiden closed her eyes. Its head lowered akin to a bow.

Rin looked from above her lashes, with a demurred head lowered after the gift was finally settled within her.

"I am your goddess. I gave you the life you shall now have. Above all, you will serve me and I shall bless you as you deserve. Am I understood?" Miku's authority slipped through her voice, rich as the finest wines.

Rin still stared until she slowly raised her head on par with the goddess.

Then she attempted to speak her first words.

Until a rough sensation overcame her throat and stabbed a sharp pain from within. Rin's own hand rubbed her throat in an attempt to relieve the pain. She coughed and already endured pain by the expression on her worried face.

"Oh dear… I should have expected this." Miku once again snapped her fingers for a figment of a chalice that carried water to relieve a mortal throat.

The goddess held its neck and personally approached Rin to help her drink.

Rin seemed to be aware of what to do, as her lips latched into the edge and drank the liquid. Once the chalice was empty, Miku put it down and disappeared into stardust from her hand.

"There, you may speak." The goddess stated. Yet the authoritative tone could have made it a command.

"... Thank you, beautiful goddess." Those were the first words of Rin. Her soft voice was indeed that of an innocent and young maiden. "What shall I do to repay you for the gift of life you have bestowed to me?"

Miku neither smiled nor frowned. She spoke with all the authority she imposed as a goddess to the mere mortal. Said woman who had her first breath because of the goddess herself.

"Your creator… Remain at the side of the man who shaped the body your new soul is carried in. For every carve of his chisel into the ivory you were once built in, he built you in his image of love. The ornaments you are adorned in today are from his adoration. It is only mercy that I let his love grow as his goddess."

At the mention, Rin looked below and raised her hands to notice the jewellery she already wore. Golden necklaces, rings, bracelets, and amulets sparkled under the light of the setting sun.

Miku continued once more. "I have bestowed you the human soul which allows you to live, my dear. Be it shall still be done in my favour, you are to decide your own fate from now on. To do what it is you chose to do in the face of hardship is what will make you human."

Yet timid Rin was at a loss of words for what the goddess admitted to her. "My mistress… I do not know how to live a life that you claim I shall live… Where do I begin? I do not know what my creator will do once he witness me not as his statue but a human!"

The worried look on the maiden's face struck a brief moment of concern on the goddess.

Until Miku assured Rin of her fate. "The spinsters of life already wove the thread for your life. You shall have faith for what may come before you, fair maiden. As for your creator, it is he himself who asked for myself to bestow you this gift of life. He, of all the mortals and life in this world, will rejoice for your new form."

A look of realisation crossed through young Rin's face. "... Do I have to love him now? Even though I do not know what I think of him?"

Miku did not hold back on her look of concern for her new devotee. "No, it may not be today you return his affection. Do not force yourself as I do not command you to accept his courtship. This is your new life, and it is but only you who shall control it amongst the mortals. Am I understood?"

"Yes, mistress." Rin had both palms on her chest to feel her beating heart. She bowed her head at the goddess's question.

Miku now gave her last instructions for the young woman. "Now, your creator will come soon. You shall return to your former state in ivory. But do not fret on your brief slumber. You shall be awakened once more by your creator with his love for you."

Rin quickly nodded in obedience. She smiled and bowed in reverence for the goddess who she owed her life to. "Thank you, goddess. I am forever indebted to you."

Once she lifted her torso, Rin felt herself weaken as her body stiffened in its return to ivory. She slowly raised her arms; about to return to her former position.

Miku quickly rushed forward to envelope Rin in a hug. A smile on her face was evident when she felt her new follower returned the gesture.

When Rin let go, she finally returned to her brief state as ivory for the last time. Until her sculptor returned at last. The white silk flew back to where it came from, until it returned once the kiss of love was granted.

Miku's smile remained as she took a step back to observe Rin in her brief slumber as an ivory statue. The goddess had completed the miracle, and so her time in the mortal realm was due.

With a sweet smile to her new victory, Miku turned around and walked away from the studio. Every step she took, her mortal body slowly disintegrated from dust into her godly form. A bright light swallowed the whole room until it dimmed.

There was no other trace of the patron goddess at Len's home.

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When he returned,
he went directly to his image-maid,
bent over her, and kissed her many times,...
she seemed to gather some warmth from his lips.
Again he kissed her; and he felt her breast;
the ivory seemed to soften at the touch,
and its firm texture yielded to his hand,

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The sun already left the heavens and wrapped the world in darkness. But right after, the moon dominated the heavens and delivered gentle light to the mortal realm. Alongside were the stars that decorated the dark blanket of the cosmos.

It was already dark when Len returned home. After he witnessed the celebration for the patron goddess out of his respect for her.

He sighed as he closed the door behind him. Len lit a wax candle as his source of light in the dark entryway of his home.

Len was exhausted in a physical and emotional sense. He was foolish to have uttered such a wish before the goddess. It was a futile attempt; reckless of him to do so. He knew he made a fool of himself in front of divinity.

Onwards he returned to a mundane life of mortality. Yet the moment he left this world akin to his old master to roam aimlessly through the empty meadows was distant. Len resigned himself once more on his fate.

Yet now with his beloved Rin, Len's life seemed to earn some purpose.

And so he held the candle and went to his studio. The open windows allowed passage of the moonlight that faintly brightened the area.

Though the figure in the centre basked under the moonlight from the side window; the jewels adorned on her body sparkled.

Len blew out the candle out of its flame and put it aside, as he made haste strides to his beloved.

There stood still was his precious Rin, with arms wide open, as she always patiently waited for his return.

"Beloved, I have come home. I missed you dearly." Len whispered softly before he kissed Rin in the lips.

He simply could not resist his desire for her. So Len repeated his many kisses on Rin's delectable, warm lips.

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Warm?

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Len doubted it. He kissed Rin once more to disapprove what should be a fleeting thought in his delusional mind. Yet the more kisses he did, it felt warmer with every peck.

Len's eyes widened. His heart began to beat faster.

Perhaps the gods were about to claim his sanity for some evil he had done without his knowledge. Or was he poisoned for his act of treason against the state to devote himself to his art and not take a spouse.

If this was how Len ended his mortal life, then it was a cruel joke the gods tricked him into as they laughed from their thrones.

He rested his palms on her waist. Underneath he felt warmth on Rin's body. Len's eyebrows scrunched in scepticism.

The sculptor assured himself it was impossible for ivory to be heated on a cold night. If it did, it would have cracked under the heat by that very point.

Then Len thought to venture upwards to further disclaim his own thoughts.

His left hand travelled upwards from her waist and her stomach. Then he grasped her breast and squeezed it.

It was soft! Len felt his face warmed. His heart only pounded faster with another squeeze at the soft flesh.

He held back a groan and moved both palms to gently hold the stiff face of his beloved Rin.

For the last time, Len closed his eyes and held his kiss to her.

Unbeknownst to him, the stone arms fully transitioned into soft flesh and slowly lowered in silence. The white silk once more returned perfectly around Rin's body.

The maiden was no longer ivory. She closed her eyes to bask in the kiss of love by her creator.

Out of instinct Len opened his mouth and moved his tongue forward. Rin felt herself followed suit without a second thought. and opened her mouth to let his tongue enter.

Len groaned on her mouth, and clutched his lover's face tighter to push himself further in the kiss.

His mind, overridden by desire, only focused on the warm sensation. He had not realised his kisses to devour were returned not but a statue but a human.

Yet Len could not escape the moment and still held on.

Rin felt strange in her new body with all the foreign sensations she had no name to refer to. But with all the discomfort, she felt this was right and would be a frequent occurrence in the future.

With these thought of safety and comfort, Rin raised her arms and gently wrapped it around Len's neck.

Rin and Len entrapped themselves in their own world with the kiss underneath the moonlight. It halted time and it took their breaths. But those sacrifices were worth everything for Len if this is what it felt like to be in the blessed fields.

Until Rin brought them both back to reality when she moved her palms to Len's shoulders and broke off the kiss.

A thin string of saliva was the only thing that connected their lips from afar; evidence of their once union.

Len was astonished to witness his still lover had warm colour on her skin. Her blonde locks soft under the moonlight, and her eyes were closed. All while his palm remained to dearly hold her face full of colour.

Underneath lashes, the woman opened her eyes that shined like the deep seas and sparkled underneath the moonlight.

For the first time, before her was the man who created her body and asked a goddess for a soul of her own.

"... Len." Rin overcame her timidness to mutter the name who was the reason for her life.

Len's shock was still evident on his face that was almost still as a statue.

Until he gasped when he witnessed Rin blinked.

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The veins pulsate beneath the careful test
of his directed finger. Then, indeed,
the astonished hero poured out lavish thanks
to Venus; pressing with his raptured lips
his statue's lips.

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Len rested a palm on her chest, where a beating heart rested underneath. It was so strong he feared it might burst out at any moment.

But he felt hard bones that caged the beating muscle, and soft flesh for protection. Calloused hands carefully moved to the side of her neck where living veins pulsed underneath.

"Y-You're alive! My beloved! You know my name! Rin!" Len smiled and once again kissed Rin in the lips. His left hand rested on the side of her face and the other on her back to close their distance.

Her eyes closed, Rin smiled into the multiple kisses that Len bestowed to her.

"Thank you goddess…! Bless you beautiful Miku…! My Rin is alive from your miracle!" Len rejoiced at the name of the goddess who granted his single desire to hold Rin, who breathed and was warm in his arms. In joy, he kissed her soft lips repeatedly.

"I might be under a cruel illusion by the gods. I thought my wish before the goddess was futile…" Len whispered as he lovingly held the head of his precious Rin with his palms. His eyes gazed upon her soft lips glistened from his kiss.

Then his sights set on the charming blue eyes of Rin that were simply alive.

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… Now real, true to life—
the maiden felt the kisses given to her,
and blushing, lifted up her timid eyes,
so that she saw the light and sky above,
as well as her rapt lover while he leaned
gazing beside her

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These strange sensations Rin felt with every peck Len gave her on the lips, his tight embrace of his arms around her, and the warmth that radiated from him and into her.

In that one kiss, Len did not let go and trapped Rin in his embrace.

Rin felt her face warm. So this must be for her face to blush. She hummed her satisfaction. Her body was still to never let go of him.

It all overwhelmed her, alongside heightened senses for how she felt her heartbeat resonated. As if her heart was about to escape from her new body.

Yet Rin still drowned herself on these new feelings Len gave her. If this is what it felt to be human, then Rin sought to feel it for eternity.

When Len slowly broke the kiss, Rin's head subtly lowered. Then she opened her bright eyes that reflected from the moonlight under her lashes.

The dark heavens greeted her for the first time from out the window. Millions of stars twinkled and occupied the dark abyss that should have terrified Rin but only mesmerised her.

At the front of the vision was the person who was the reason for why Rin saw the heavens, smell the scent of the trees carried by the breeze, hear the faint howls of the wind, and feel loved by him with the taste of his lips on hers.

The man with long blond locks that glowed in the moonlight. Eyes that mirrored the deep seas on the horizon where it met with the boundless heavens where the gods and goddesses resided.

A smile that left no doubt of his romantic devotion for only one woman since the day he carved her from stone.

His ivory maiden, Rin.

"The goddess heard your prayer. And so she appeared and blessed me with life from your request of a miracle." Rin softly spoke to assure Len they were both within the spectrum of reality and under no illusion.

She slowly raised her palms and settled on Len's broad shoulders with a slight stretch of her lips into a smile.

Len simply gasped at the first few words of his beloved. Her voice was smooth and musical to his ears. He could have heard one of the muses from his Rin alone.

The man moved his palm to hold his precious maiden on her soft cheek. Rin was a gorgeous sight before him.

Her face was decorated with a warm red blush. Rin felt her heart pounded out of nerves; with an unspoken yearning for him.

"... Call for me." Len whispered; afraid their moment could be stolen away. He would protect it with all his life. With all the strength he had, he could conquer the world for only Rin. "Say my name again, beloved."

"... Len." Rin found herself fond to call his name. Her sweet smile, from Len's eyes, was evidence of it.

Len released a lovestruck sigh. "You make me the most joyful man alive. I am blessed to have you by my side." His whispers had a husk edge to it that Rin gravitated to.

"But it is I who should give thanks to you. For you wished me to be alive as a mortal. You are the one who created me this way, and you are the one who loved me." Rin replied with a soft whisper, both palms lovingly rested on the hand Len had on her cheek.

"Then we shall be thankful together." Len wrapped his arms around Rin and closed any distance they had in between.

Her warm body was a puzzle piece that fitted in Len's embrace as Rin's head rested on his chest.

Len's chin rested on the crown of Rin's head with soft blonde locks. Almost as if they were a blessed pair by the gods for how they finally felt at home in each other's arms.

If this was a sweet summer night's dream, Len wished to never wake up from it. If he were to have Rin fit in his arms and deny his soul passage into the blessed fields, then Len would sell his spirit to damnation.

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---

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The moon changed its multiple faces through the seasons. Yet Len still felt he was within a dream for every touch he did to Rin. What he once thought was an illusion of his mind, it was now reality whenever he felt warm, soft flesh on her.

Len lived most of his life in solitude. His time with the old master was one of his most cherished memories. Yet to look back and rationalise, it only consisted of a brief portion of his life.

And this were now different circumstances when he had a beautiful maiden beside him as his devoted consort.

Len drew back the care and nourishment he received from his old master. He attempted to replicate it with his dear Rin who had yet to explore her capabilities as a mortal.

With one of the books that he recalled was read by his master to his younger self, Len took it from its hidden place in the shelf and used the same ways of the old artist to teach Rin the mortal language and how to use it to her advantage.

Every letter was highlighted by Len. The tip of his finger glided through the paper.

Rin made attempts to speak each vowel and consonant. Though with other letters she struggled, she was successful on most of it. The maiden received delightful praise from her creator on her progress.

They moved on with words as Rin repeated the words Len had just spoken. She allowed her tongue to become accustomed to the intricacies of the letters and the combined sounds it made. Rin looked from the paper with a concentrated gaze, to Len with a look of child-like curiosity for validation on her progress.

When Len affirmed her efforts, Rin had a smile in delight that lit the heavens.

As Len was separated from society, he deemed it unnecessary to limit Rin of her capabilities as what the women in the metropolis already endured. So he began to involve Rin in his work that would have earned him scandalous gasps and sharp eyes of judgement if they were to witness.

But how fortunate Len was to only have the gods as his witness.

Len brought Rin to where his crops grew. Nearby were his cattle for dairy and meat. He taught her how to tend to the animals and how to care for them, as well as to harvest the crops and protect the life of the flora. They provided continuous sustenance from the blessings of the mother-daughter Goddesses of Harvest and Spring.

On another day where Len tended to the crops, Rin was with the cattle to feed them and collected the milk. He stood up and wiped the drops of sweat that were on his brow with the back of a hand. Len turned his head to where his maiden was.

His worries were relieved when he saw his Rin beside a cow that ate the feed she laid out. The basket clutched on her chest in modesty, Rin patted the coat of the cow with gentle motions of her palm.

The animal seemed to accept the gesture and did not display an urge to escape her touch. Rin had her curious blue eyes wide in curiosity. Then they shone in joy at the satisfaction she felt on her new bond with the animal.

Len felt pride at the interaction and had a sweet smile to convey it. He simply watched the woman feel at ease in his humble way of life.

The two mortals gradually established a routine to wash their clothes, clean their home, and prepare food in the fire to be dined together before the sun set below the horizon. It was a change that comforted Len after a life of solitude he thought he was doomed to live.

Len once again worked on marble sculptures that must be done on request of the wealthy donors. Most of his time was spent in the studio as how any other day would have been.

The difference of those olden days to the new days was the presence of his maiden, no longer ivory but mortal with a mind of her own. She tended to the crops and the cattle outdoors and immensely helped Len with the errands that required attention before the sun set.

And there was someone who reminded him to let his body rest in periods of his work. Len would be pulled away from a marble stone yet to be carved by Rin who needed him for company or comfort.

It was a conflict for Len who obeyed through agreements for his work. Yet he learnt to disregard everything for his beloved. It was also time for him to choose for himself. Gone was the previous life that did not allowed him to consider himself.

Rin was fascinated at her new duties and the skills she began to learn through Len's guidance.

On the days they ventured further into the pasture, or the stone-covered mountains, Rin explored to her amusement. Her boundless curiosity to the world was further driven with more discoveries she made.

It was imperative that Len introduced Rin to the skill that made it possible for her now mortal body to once be made from the purest of ivory.

A thin paper and stylus was given to Rin as Len taught her the fundamentals of artistry that almost defied real life perspective.

It was in the aspect of visual expression that Rin required more time to invest, in comparison with the written expression.

Len was ever the more patient to guide Rin. He allowed her to explore different mediums with various techniques to find what brought the most comfort to her.

On the brightest days, Rin opened the door and stepped into the natural landscape that never failed to strike her inspiration.

She felt the grass or the stone ground under her timber sandals in every step. The maiden's gaze moved from one sight to another on the irresistible wonder of the mountains, the fields beyond, and the horizon between the sea and heavens.

Nearby her home where the cattle also sought refuge was a large rock where she could rest. So Rin went forth and allowed her hand to guide the stylus. She draw lines and shapes that captured the magnificent sight of the ocean with the almighty sun above.

All her attempts at art, Rin showed it to Len with more enthusiasm. After her reserved nature gradually wore off in each day they spent together. The man beamed with pride for the efforts of his fair maiden.

Len knew their solitude from the rest of society was best, with special regards for Rin.

The women at the town were not given the same advantages as men. It was an unjust society for women, old and young, as he witnessed as a child who lived in the streets.

He did not have the heart, which carried fear, to learn it could have become worse for them.

So Len knew his secluded home was both his and Rin's safe haven from the cruelties of humanity.

On a specific day, Len was hard at work to carve another statue at the behest of someone with authority and the riches to pay the artist his labour.

Nearby was his Rin occupied with the paper and stylus to replicate the sights she witnessed onto her canvas.

Len noticed the continuous progression of Rin's skills with every piece she made. He was delighted and only encouraged her to follow her heart that called for art.

Unbeknownst to the artist himself, his muse drew not of the natural landscape or the sculptures that were models of previous work. It was Len himself, her creator, who was the focus of Rin's latest art on a ceramic slab.

In timid strides, Rin approached Len. She offered her the ceramic slab he once gave her earlier.

Len put down his chisel and hammer to pause from his work. He walked around the large marble and received what his beloved held for him.

The rough lines contributed to an unpolished art yet brought character in its unique style. The focus was a man on his knees with a chisel and hammer on both hands to a human trapped in marble. Certain areas were shaded to emphasise light and shadow in the piece, as how the artist saw before them with the sunlight through the window.

The man in his long locks was depicted with sharp and handsome features that Len had not recognised briefly. Until he realised it was an image of himself.

Sweet Rin's eyebrows scrunched in worry and her lips subtly trembled. Her fingers were in constant tangles as an attempt to relieve the untamable emotions within her.

"My love, this is exquisite. Your art reflects your beauty." Len praised with all sincerity and affection.

"Thank you, Len…" Rin's cheeks warmed at the compliment. She felt this surge of joy whenever she received her creator's attention. It only motivated her further for more praises in everything she did.

What never ceased were the gifts he constantly bestowed to her.

The jewellery and clothes Len purchased for Rin when she was a lifeless statue were not enough, for him at the least.

So he made trips to the markets and offered her more valuable and luxurious endowments. Yet Rin felt no need to acquire these riches for herself.

And when Len went on his ventures and she was by herself, Rin was discomforted. And so she confessed these conflicted emotions.

"I do not want any of these riches or these gifts. I only want your embrace and to be near me." Rin clutched the fibre in Len's robe. Her gaze lowered to the ground; as to conceal her fear.

She was left unguarded when strong arms entrapped her in an embrace. Her head cradled on his chest.

"Then I shall not leave without you, beloved." Len secured his arms around Rin to affirm his decision.

He smiled. His maiden finally felt at ease to express herself. A right he ought to give her.

Rin's words were mumbled on his skin. So Len loosened his arms to let Rin see his face.

"I love you as how you love me." Rin softly admitted.

Len let out a sound of joy and returned to their secure embrace. His hand held Rin's soft locks as he smiled on her shoulder.

"Very much." He affirmed.

Within Len's arms, Rin smiled and snuggled in his chest with a reply. "Very much."

And there were the affectionate touches. It seemed that Len took any opportunity to hold Rin in his arms.

At any given moment, there was a caress on her cheek, a hand on her waist, or a kiss on her forehead and lips. Rin was delighted at the physical contact and found herself to desire more in every set of the sun.

For when the moon rose and they laid in the soft sheets of their bed, Len held Rin. As if to protect her even in a slumbered state.

In every moment Rin's awareness rested into the realm of sleep. Her body was warm under the blankets and in the arms of her beloved.

Len whispered words of love and devotion to her as they hid together in the darkness. The faint moonlight allowed them to see another in an ethereal sight. Their bodies locked in perfect tangles and more than soothed Rin.

With every kiss, Rin could not help the immense desire that attempted to escape from her. The books she read had spoken of the ecstasy from becoming one with a partner in that dance of bodily pleasure. It was that sense of pleasure that was felt by every living mortal.

Yet why had Len not showed her that practice?

One blissful night, the full moon high in the heavens and the stars sprinkled across the heavens. Len caressed Rin's cheek with his thumb as his hand rested on the side of her head.

A relaxed smile on his loving gaze towards his maiden, with a face of a nymph at ease, in slumber.

Or so he thought when she whispered. "Why is it you have not bedded me yet? Am I not to your satisfaction?"

The man was taken aback at her question. His thumb paused from the caresses. Len's state awakened with awareness.

And so he admitted, "No, beloved. I do not want to hurt you, that is all. I want you to tell me you desire it. I do not want to follow suit other men who violate their women. You are mine but I am yours."

At that second Rin slowly opened her eyes to see her lover.

His pure intentions showed through the smile that continued to let Rin's heart beat profoundly. She moved closer to Len's torso and rested her head on his chest in comfort.

Rin was perplexed as to how she was to convey these foreign emotions.

Days and nights came and Rin still carried the burden that caused an ache in her heart. And Len's affections did not help to quell it.

So was another day that Rin was left with her thoughts that caused a storm in her head.

She was left so preoccupied, as she tended to the cattle, to not notice the presence that was about to approach.

Rin sighed and about to take her leave. Yet she finally noticed the figure from the corner of her eye. The maiden quickly turned her head to observe the presence.

The woman wore satin far richer from Rin's own. It only amplified the lustrous locks of the seashore from the oceans beyond and tied into twin tails. Glowing smooth skin under the sun contrasted the bright eyes of the very seafoam she rose from. In her face was a captivating smile that would have enchanted any other mortal weak to resist her.

Rin immediately remembered the goddess who gave her the gift of life she had. She bowed deeply in a haste. "Mistress. It is my honour you blessed me with your presence."

She raised her torso to address the beautiful goddess. "Forgive me for my inattention to prepare for your visit. I shall fix it immediately for you!"

"There is no need for that." Miku's smile eased off into a relaxed one to soothe the young maiden's worries. "I need you here and for us to be left alone. Now, bring me to where I may sit and rest."

"Of course, beautiful goddess!" Rin made haste to clear the path towards the large rock where she frequented to make her own art apart from Len's studio.

The patron goddess simply took her time to approach the destination her maiden directed.

Miku rejected any offers for refreshments or any offering from Rin. Her young devotee would not be punished for she had not broken the rules of hospitality. Once the goddess was settled in, Miku began the purpose of her visit.

"My dear ivory maiden, I have heard your woes and I ought to resolve your despair. You are of my own when I gave you your life. I know what it is that disturbs you."

Rin blushed. "Pardon me, mistress?"

"Why is it you hold yourself back from the desire you feel for your creator? It is as bright as the sun as he is smitten with your beauty. Beauty that was inspired by myself." Miku smirked towards Rin in confidence.

Rin finally understood her goddess's intentions. With a blush, she admitted her shortcomings. "I lack the strength or the capabilities to express myself on this matter, mistress. I am uncertain as to how he would take my request."

Miku frowned. "I do not know where this uncertainty of yours is rooted from. My son clearly shot his arrow of romance to your creator and has not been interfered with."

Rin blinked and clutched her hands tight in fear of the goddess's wrath.

"My dear, I bless your union with your sculptor. Use your words and your touch and he will understand it as fast as the king of the sky's lightning bolt. Do not hesitate to express your desire. If you do so, it is disobedience to me. Would you dare disobey me?" Miku's voice deepened with authority in later words. Her sharp gaze never left Rin's innocent wide eyes.

"No, mistress! I would be afraid to do so!" Rin stuttered and her voice squeaked in fear.

Miku let out a laugh, her voice rang like bells. With a gesture of her hand, she only meant her previous threat as jest.

"I would not inflict such harm to you, my sweet! You are of my own, after all. You should know that love and lust come hand in hand in the life of a mortal such as yourself. Do not be ashamed of it!"

Rin nodded meekly. To be affirmed by the goddess of these emotions she attempted to contain was a relief she could finally breathe in.

"Now, I have resolved this dilemma of yours. I shall return soon." Miku stood up and left the refuge on the large rock. She turned around when she felt Rin followed suit.

"Thank you, goddess! I am indebted to you and your benevolence!" Rin exclaimed, hands clasped on her chest in submission.

"And of my beauty as well!" The goddess added with a laugh. She walked away until her mortal form faded under the sunlight to not harm mortal Rin of her transformation.

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The visit of the goddess left Rin convicted of her request tonight.

Once more Len's strong arms wrapped around Rin to protect and cherish her. The maiden raised her head that leant against his chest and tilted upwards to see his eyes.

Len smiled to see his lover's curious gaze. He followed his urge and slowly brought his face to her. When Rin closed her eyes and titled her side, she gave Len her sign to initiate the kiss.

Their lips were interlocked in a bout of passion. Rin's heart beated akin to a thousand drums as Len tightened his embrace on her body. Len leaned back for a brief moment to tilt his head until he returned to trap Rin's lips for another kiss.

There was nothing to suggest Len would stop his rampage on Rin's lips. So she was the one to break off the seal in their kiss.

Rin gathered the courage to speak the truth in her heart.

"Please… Make love to me." Rin pleaded with a whisper that only Len heard; not even the gods could have heard. Those words were only meant for him—her Len.

"Beloved…" Len moved his palm from her back into Rin's cheek. His maiden nodded with a gentle smile for her one plea.

"I love you, Len. My heart beats for you." Rin whispered.

"I love you, Rin. I yearn for you." Len had a hoarse edge in his whisper. "Are you certain? If those words merely slipped, we can forget this occurred."

"Please… I want you. I need you, Len." Rin's hands clutched the back of Len's torso in her desperate bid.

With a nod, Len raised his torso and pinned Rin underneath him. Palms nearby both her sides. On his knees, he used his arms to hold Rin's face with his palms.

Underneath him, Rin felt powerless but protected with Len's entrapment of her. Her heart screamed for joy and her legs folded to brush off any nerves she felt.

"I need you to tell me to stop if this brings you discomfort at any time. Do not think of my pleasure, for your comfort is of utmost importance to me." Len gazed straight into Rin's beautiful eyes. His deep whisper almost hypnotised Rin until she realised she must answer him.

"Yes. I shall tell you everything." Rin smiled. For how blessed she was to be under the care of a man who valued her more than the body she had.

Finally, Len gently kissed Rin on the lips.

Rin already knew this kiss was different from the others they shared. There was a rush within Len that Rin felt as their kiss evolved with their tongues.

Then Len broke off the kiss and left pecks from the corner of her mouth, her jaw until her neck.

Rin let out sounds she had not realised she could make. With Len's reaction to leave more heated kisses, she assumed her sounds were appealing to him. Yet her embarrassment surged so she felt the need to lower it and continued on.

With each moan Rin let out, it was only a thin thread that held Len and his senses to ravage his beloved.

This was their first lovemaking. He had to be gentle and not hurt her.

Len continued on to explore every inch of skin in Rin's neck, her shoulder and into the collar. When he noticed Rin's moans were muffled, he had to settle that.

Len raised his head and witnessed his Rin's face warm. Her mouth covered by the back of her hand.

It was for the first time Rin noticed a darkened look on Len's face with a devious smirk. Her heart pounded, and the organ between her legs throbbed. A sensation she never felt before that she clasped her thighs together.

"Do not conceal your moans, beloved. I need to hear them." Len held Rin's wrist and slowly pinned it on the bed above her head.

He decided on the other hand and asked her, "Are you in pain, my heart?"

"... No." Rin whispered. She should have been fearful with the lack of control on her hands. Yet Len's weight on it only grounded her.

Rin could not help another moan come out of her when Len tightened his grip on her wrists.

Len smirked and returned to his kisses on Rin's collarbone. Until he ventured to the soft parts of her chest and approached his prize concealed by the robe.

Len released Rin's wrists and made haste to remove the garment on her body. The maiden remained still and allowed her creator to disrobe her.

He threw the silk cloth aside. Len smirked at the sight only his eyes deserved to lay upon.

Rin had the body of a goddess. Her smooth skin, flawless as the marble he carved into, glowed under the moonlight. Her blonde locks laid out as perfect to highlight her beauty. Her voluptuous breasts to her seductive curves, as well as folded legs; it only ignited a beast within Len.

"I sculpted your body. So I should know every inch of it. Yet I cannot resist exploring it now that you are of flesh and blood…" His rough voice and his deep breaths were the clues Rin noticed of Len's losing control.

He disrobed himself to reveal toned muscles from years of labour and an erect member between his legs that Rin was fascinated at.

Rin returned her sights to Len's face as he went back to hold her wrists and continue his trail of kisses on her body.

Len smirked once he was able to lick the centre of her right bosom. His hands moved to clasp both breasts. Len groaned as he felt the softness within his hands. He then sucked a nipple and groped the other.

Rin let out longer moans at Len's attention on her chest. She felt herself weaken as Len's warm saliva was left on her breast from the wet trail of his tongue. His hand massaged the other bosom in rough motions that only excited Rin with more enthusiastic groans.

Rin only felt her entrance throbbed harder with Len's undivided attention on her body. She tightened her thighs together before Rin closed her eyes from the ecstasy.

Eventually Len was content with his treatment of her breasts and moved on in his trail of kisses, to her waist, her stomach, and those voluptuous hips he often held in the daylight. Then he arrived at the part he sought the most.

"Open your legs for me, Rin." Len noticed Rin's flushed face with eyes shut as she moaned. He saw thighs subtly squeezed together, and he knew the cause of it with a smirk.

He gently coaxed Rin, a palm on her thigh, to slowly open her legs. She obeyed and Len was presented with a throbbing entrance that glistened from wetness already. He had pleasured his maiden that she was already prepared.

But Len still took his time to prepare his Rin. So he returned to her face and dropped a soft peck on her lips.

"Tell me to stop, and I shall stop. Do not hesitate." Len reminded Rin of her choice once again. With a nod, Rin smiled and spread her legs further until her limit.

Len had a sinister smile before he returned to her groin and breached her entrance with his tongue.

Rin moaned at the new sensation. She felt every miniscule movement of his tongue inside her. Her hips moved and pushed against Len's head who sucked and savoured the taste of his beautiful maiden.

Rin felt her whole body warm with a shot of pleasure surge every second. Only in her moans was she able to express her ecstasy. Her consciousness drifted into a new realm this pleasure was only capable of enabling her to.

As Len inserted a finger alongside his tongue, Rin let out a moan that stole her breathe away from the added penetration. Her whimpers resounded as Len added more fingers to relax her tight entrance. His thumb stimulated her clit that brought Rin further into deeper bliss with more moans.

After what he felt was blissful eternity with the taste of Rin's entrance in his tongue, Len convinced himself he would return eventually. Long fingers pulled out and glistened with her essence. Len left a kiss on her loins that lingered.

He proceeded to mark every bit of skin in both thighs and to her legs, until he arrived at her feet. Len lapped pecks on the skin until he sucked on one of the toes with a groan.

Rin only extended her right root that was given caring attention until he moved on to the other.

Len carefully put down Rin's foot on the bed. He rested both palms beside Rin's head to kiss her lips once more. The maiden had a taste of herself from his tongue that explored every corner of her body.

"I need you now, beloved. I cannot resist you." Len breathed his confession and stood on his knees to hold his member.

Rin only focused her sight onto the peculiar muscle that twitched on Len's hand. Its tip already glistened from its release under the moonlight.

Len positioned himself, directed the tip of his member onto her entrance and carefully breached into it.

Rin moaned at the contact and was restless. Len lifted her hands to wrap her arms around his neck. He did the same on her legs around his lower back.

"This will hurt for a moment, my beloved. Once you feel the pain subsides, tell me when I can move." Len caressed Rin's face with his thumb as he whispered it to her. When Rin nodded to his request, Len kissed her in the lips once more.

His member further went inside her tight and moist entrance. Rin groaned in a mixture of pleasure and pain.

Len recognised her tone and was careful in his push inside her with each inch. Rin had deep breaths to collect herself as Len soothed her, with words of comfort and gestures of affection.

Len groaned at the tightness of Rin's entrance. He felt his own member twitch and held back his urge to thrust until his Rin was comfortable.

She felt her entrance throbbed with his member inside her. Rin felt the pain subside as the minutes passed. Until she pushed with her hips and only felt hot pleasure surge throughout her body.

"Move, my love, please." Rin pleaded softly with her hoarse throat from the moans she did.

Len kissed Rin in the lips once again until he slowly pulled out partial inches and began to thrust. He gradually built a steady rhythm that Rin was able to synchronise into when she met his thrusts.

Their combined moans resonated as the sound of their lovemaking. It only fuelled their drive to seek after pleasure from each other's bodies.

Rin now understood why mortals constantly sought the pleasures of the flesh, as how the goddess told her was a necessity. As she held onto Len's shoulders and her legs wrapped around him, Rin closed her eyes and shamelessly moaned out loud from the pleasure.

Len's thrusts were ruthless like a beast that ravaged its meal. But when Rin was covered by his warm body, she felt so protected and cared after. She was comforted alongside an aggressive lust that consumed both of them.

Rin's moans were music for Len and only motivated him to thrust harder and faster to elicit those heavenly sounds she produced. To see her tear-stricken, flushed face consumed by pleasure because of him awakened a savage beast within Len to take more.

"My Rin... All mine... Mmh..." Len growled with every rough thrust inside her.

"Ahhh... All yours, Len. I'm all yours~" Rin moaned in agreement when she felt Len stimulate her breast once more.

They locked their lips once more. Rin's moans were muffled as Len was on a single mind to devour her. When he unclasped from their kiss, his lips remained close to hers. He breathed into the air she let out from her moans with every thrust he did.

"My love… My Rin… I'm close…" Len breathed and growled as his thrusts became erratic and forceful, which brought Rin into heightened levels of pleasure. Her moans shifted into a higher pitch and her fingers clutched tightly on Len's shoulder.

"I feel it, Len… I-I–" Rin was cut off as she screamed out of her last bouts of ecstasy. Her hips made a sudden jerk with Len inside. Her own essence discharged and stained the sheets.

Len groaned at the erotic sight. He thrusted faster as he pounded into Rin before he reached his peak. His warm release filled Rin's entrance as Len's member pulsed on each wave of release.

Until he pulled his member and cum oozed out of her entrance. Len groaned as he collected his breath with Rin underneath him.

He quickly moved his attention to Rin. Eyes closed as she heaved for her breath. Her entrance twitched from the rough penetration. Excess warm liquid from Len's release oozed out of her entrance that overfilled her.

Her senses were just about to be restored from the intense pleasure as Rin breathed. She had not noticed Len kissed her in the forehead before his temporarily leave.

When he returned immediately, a damp cloth wiped her clean with careful strokes. Len put it on the side and tucked the blanket, as well as embraced her in his arms, to warm Rin.

"Did I hurt you, my love?" Len whispered on the crown of her hair. He dreaded the potential he did. He knew his guilt would devour him alive at the thought he harmed his beloved Rin.

"No, you did not hurt me." Rin returned his embrace. She hummed in appreciation. "I am pleased with our lovemaking."

"I am glad to hear that. I feared I did not restrain myself and harmed you." Len caressed the back of Rin's head.

"Please do not hold back for me afterwards. You will never harm me." Rin's reply was muffled but was perfectly understood by Len.

Len blushed at the implication. But his Rin may still be under the influence of the lingering ecstasy from their recent love making. So he merely stirred that away and kissed her crown once more and tightened his arms around her.

"I love you, my Rin. You are the light of my life." He muttered.

"I love you as well. My dear Len." She replied.

And Len slumbered with a content smile. His life was truly blessed.

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After that night, their physical affections felt more sensual. They overcame their inner hesitation from their first few seasons together.

Now they were unashamed to express their love for one another in different corners of their home. Rin was put into different positions to receive Len's thrusts. They made love any time in the day and conquered each other for pleasure.

They began to explore one another in various methods. In bed, Rin rested on Len's body as his hand guided hers to touch her body and pleasure herself.

When Len's finger pushed Rin's inside her entrance, she moaned sweetly.

Len taught Rin to thrust with her inexperienced fingers alongside his confident fingers.

As she moaned, Rin extended her neck to allow Len to leave kisses on the crane of her neck to her collarbone. His other hand grasped her breast and groped it with enthusiasm. Behind her, his member was hard and grinded for pleasure from the friction.

Rin was overwhelmed with ecstasy once again as she reached her limit and released her essence on their joint hands.

On most nights, Len dominated over Rin. He willed her into any position he told her to and she would obey without fail. On her knees, Rin clutched the pillow with her torso lowered to the bed.

Len roughly thrusted into Rin. His scrotum constantly brushed on her ample buttocks. She moaned on each push he did into her. The maiden's eyes half-lid as she drowned on the pleasure.

"Hands on the bed, my love." Len halted his thrusts. His member left Rin's entrance. After she whined at the emptiness within her, Rin obeyed and released the pillow to support herself in her hands.

Until she felt Len's weight on her back as he held both of Rin's breasts with his palms and continued his rough thrusts onto her.

Rin moaned in delight at the added sensations. She was beyond addicted and allowed herself to drown on the pleasure.

On other nights, Rin took control over Len. She was often guided by him in their first attempts. As she gained more confidence, Rin eventually thrived on the dominance and this arrangement became frequent.

She settled between his thighs as Len leaned his back against the wall. She stroked his member into hardness and caused deep groans by her lover. Len tilted his head upwards at the pleasure Rin gave him.

She held him in place whilst Rin lowered herself onto his erect member for them to bind together.

Rin bit her lips until a moan slipped through her mouth at the gradual penetration of his protruding member.

Len held her hips while Rin rested her palms on his shoulders for support. She raised her hips until only the tip of his member was inside her, until she lowered it back for everything to be inside her.

Rin repeated the motions and felt Len meet her in his own thrusts. They moaned together with the sound of their lovemaking.

Rin turned her head to the side and closed her eyes at the erotic sensation. Long and high moans came out of her throat as she repeated the movement that drove Len on the brink of insanity. The rough grip of his hands on her hips would have left marks on her flawless skin for a long time.

Len took Rin's chin on his hand to pull her face for a kiss in the lips. Rin's moans turned into hums of pleasure. She rolled her hips in such seductive motions when his member was so deep within her until she lifted them and maintained their rhythm.

They went on longer until they both released within each other.

They collected their breaths and clung to another in their sweat-glistened bodies. Len sought comfort from the warm embrace of his beloved Rin.

On quiet nights after their lovemaking, Rin would demand Len never pull out and fill her.

They slumbered as Len's member remained warm inside Rin's tight entrance to trap his release that filled her.

It was such an erotic sight for Len to glance at the place where their bodies were intimately connected. With a soft groan, he released into her for another time. Even in her sleep, Rin let out the sweetest moans. Her body already responded to Len's pleasure.

Their insatiable desire for one another was a force to be reckoned with. Len thought perhaps their bursts of passion was a blessing of the patron goddess. For she was the goddess that governed over love and lust amongst the mortals.

As his Rin was blessed by her, Len simply accepted he could be under his lover's godly influence.

Never once in his life did Len imagine himself to live through this moment: a warm lover in his arms after they made love. When the sun rose, his Rin remained by his side. As they drifted into the realm of dreams, Rin joined him by his side.

He was truly blessed to have Rin in this single life he had.

Len was no longer alone. A life of solitude was far behind him now.

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the goddess graced the marriage she had willed,
and when nine times a crescent moon had changed,
increasing to the full, the statue-bride
gave birth to her dear daughter Paphos. From
which famed event the island takes its name.

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"Your creator finally came to his senses to wed you. Any more seasons, the queen goddess could strike him with her wrath from spite." Miku brushed the smooth blonde locks of the bride-to-be before her.

"Len would never disrespect the queen goddess!" Rin fretted, hands on her face in worried protest, though she faced the other way from the goddess.

Miku laughed at the reaction of her mortal maiden. She continued to brush through every strand of blonde hair.

Rin wore a silver robe with details of gold from the underworld and purple akin to mortal royalty. Special jewellery adorned her with a golden veil to be suited very soon.

Miku was a goddess who did not need to do these mortal customs. But she felt a tug within her to make an exception for the woman once from ivory.

And Miku was still aware of the prophecy she merely obeyed that was bestowed to this mortal couple.

"Turn around. We shall put on the veil now." Miku held the fragile yellow cloth that would partially conceal the bride's face until the groom lifted it.

The long robes followed through Rin's motion when she turned around to present herself before the goddess. Miku smiled as she noticed the wonderful changes on Rin.

The mortal was more confident, more joyful and definitely thrived under the passionate attention of her soon to be husband. The innocence within her was stripped away in place of a sensual and mature beauty. She befitted a woman for marriage.

Miku attached the yellow veil on Rin's head. It was amongst the mortal customs to gain the blessing of the Goddess of Hearth. For they asked her blessing on the new home of the bride after the ceremony.

"You are presentable now." Miku affirmed. Rin was indeed a sight to behold (though not as beautiful as Miku herself) that any other mortal would be captivated.

They were misfortunate once they learnt her hand in marriage was held by the man who created her from ivory.

"You are most generous and graceful, mistress. I am indebted for your assistance." Rin bowed, her veil gently fell like stars if they were to fall from the sky.

"Offer your sacrifice to my temple and your debt shall be paid." Miku smirked, a hand on her hip. But when Rin rose from the bow and smiled, Miku had her palms outstretched towards her.

Rin clasped her hands on the mortal form of the goddess.

"I shall see you soon, fair maiden." Miku greeted the bride-to-be. She commanded Rin to close her eyes, and so the bride obeyed.

A few moments of silence, until Rin heard a knock from the door and she opened her eyes. The goddess was nowhere to be seen and already made her leave.

Rin herself left the room to meet her groom on the other side.

Len wore his most formal robe for this special occasion. When he turned around at the sound of an open door, he was taken aback at the beauty of his bride.

He approached his bride. Len held her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist. "We shall pay our respect to the patron goddess."

Rin nodded with a sweet smile; hidden behind was a secret between her and the goddess who tended to her mere moments ago.

Hand in hand, the couple left to cross through the commune and to the grand temple of the beautiful goddess.

Rin and Len walked together in the torch-lit pathway towards the altar of the Goddess of All The People. Their sacrifice was about to be offered for the deity at their front.

The couple chanted the ceremonial chants to introduce themselves and their intended union before the goddess. A head priest became the officiant that would bestow the blessings of the gods and goddesses to their union.

As the embers of the fire that burnt the sacrifice flew to thin air, the groom and bride each offered their praises to the deities of the heavens.

Rin clasped her hands together and muttered her praises. To the goddesses who would bless her union with Len, the forces that enabled them to be together, and to the beautiful goddess Miku who gave her the life she now blissfully lived on.

"She is a marvellous sight; nothing I have ever seen before. She must be so blessed by the patron goddess of that beauty." A temple dweller muttered.

"She is my wife, and I am indeed blessed with her hand." Len smiled as they waited for Rin to finalise her praises.

Within the dimmed corners of the temple, the very goddess in her ethereal form stood to witness the union she had willed herself. To obey the fates was only but her duty.

A snap of fingers was not audible for mere mortals. Yet the flames in the torches leaped high in three successions. Every eye should have witnessed it.

The couple, along with the head priest and temple dwellers, bowed down in reverence to the almighty power of their goddess.

Rin and Len paid their respects finally. They made their leave on the pathway of torches towards the doors.

On their way home, several gazes from the people were on them. Some even thought to step back and gave way to the distracted couple. Their eyes followed especially the glowing bride of the hermit artist.

She acted foreign and wore robes with pigments only possessed by royalty. Had the eccentric sculptor married into royalty? Or he bought himself a bride to only appease his taste for flesh?

It was an intriguing aspect for them that the groom and bride shared such likeness they were a mirror of each other. For the shallowest of minds quickly snarked on soft whispers and sharp glares of disgust.

But for Len with a relaxed smile, he was grounded with his hand clasped tight on Rin's and the blessing of the patron goddess herself on their union.

If he deemed so, he possessed power far more grand than any hero. But he was taught to be most humble and merely deflected the attention they attracted to focus on his bride.

Their special day still had not concluded when they arrived home. Behind them was the glorious sun in the vast heavens where they confessed their vows of loyalty and devotion for one another.

When Len lifted the golden veil, the sunlight from their side shone on Rin's heavenly smile.

Len's hand grasped the back of her head and another wrapped around her waist. Rin held on to his shoulder and the other on the back of his head.

With a soft kiss on the lips, they sealed their destinies forevermore.

Hands together, Rin and Len had hearty laughs to rejoice their love now blessed by the gods.

Afterwards, they prepared a simple feast for celebration at Rin's insistence.

For she sought to prepare ahead in anticipation for an esteemed guest.

A knock on the door caught both of the attention of the newlyweds. Len ought to entertain whoever was on the other side. Rin observed from afar.

Len opened the door to be greeted by the sight of a woman in old fibre clothes.

Her face was partially stained with dirt and wounds. Dimmed teal long locks akin to a buried emerald tied in a single tail at the back of her head. Her seafoam eyes were strained as a dirtied hand laid rest on her stomach to convey her state of famish.

Rin called on Len to feed the woman after concern surged within her to tend to the young woman.

With realisation to the rules of hospitality, Len welcomed the young woman to join them on their simple feast.

"I thank you for your generosity, good host. To whom do I address my gratitude?" The woman had a soft yet rough edge in her voice; influenced by her fatigued body in need of sustenance.

"You may call me Len. This is my new wife, Rin. Our marital ceremony just concluded and we are to celebrate it. You are most welcome to join us." Len guided the woman to a spare seat on the table as Rin began to pour a cup of wine for her.

"Please, help yourself. We have plenty of dishes on this table." Rin softly encouraged the woman and gave her a full meal from the various dishes.

"May the gods bless you and your beautiful wife, Len." The woman smiled as she began to eat.

"I shall draw a bath for you and tend to your wounds." Rin shared with the woman with a gentle smile.

Len observed the interaction. He was sceptical at the woman's presence yet remained calm. He held back his pride for his wife's care to their guest.

"Ah, there is no need for that. You must first celebrate your marriage after all, my fair maiden." Her last words vibrated as the woman's eyes glowed with power.

"I would know, definitely. For I blessed your wedding." With a smirk, a faint image of the ethereal gaze from the goddess appeared before Rin and Len.

The woman was enveloped with a bright glow. Len covered Rin in protection.

Vibrant, loose hair floated in the air until it was tied into twin tails. Eventually her appearance assumed into the same mortal form Rin witnessed that first night she became mortal.

A flash of familiarity finally struck on Rin's mind.

"I am impressed with your hospitality. Nothing less from the couple that would bring tremendous glory for my name soon on this humble island." Miku stood, almighty and divine, before the two mortals.

Len went on his knees to bow before the patron goddess in a haste before there was potential he angered her.

Rin had a joyful smile before she, too, kneeled beside her husband in reverence.

"Beautiful goddess, we are honoured to be in your presence. I am still at your mercy from the miracle you bestowed to me on giving life to my maiden from ivory. You are most graceful and powerful to protect our island." Len spoke in respect for the goddess.

"Rise, mortal. Your loyalty to me is enough service. As well as your skill to carve statues that serve justice on my looks, if I must say." Miku smirked to be reminded of her own beauty.

"Protector goddess, we are blessed to be under your guidance." Hands in her chest, Rin spoke in respect.

"Rise, my fair maiden. You and your husband are fated to bring me honour in the coming seasons. Do not disappoint me and you shall remain under my protection." Miku lowered a palm that glowed for Rin and Len.

When the goddess disappeared with their heads bowed, Rin and Len held each other.

While the maiden rejoiced in her mind; for her efforts to anticipate were rewarded, the artist shook at the memory of the goddess at his home.

Once again he was reminded that the gods and goddesses did live amongst them. His old master was always right.

The night sky appeared and the newlywed couple consummated their marriage. They worshipped each other's bodies with every sensual touch and voice of pleasure. Every gesture was more special, now that they were married and recipients of the gods' blessing.

For how much they delighted in each other's pleasure, it should be no surprise that Rin was with child. After she drank water mixed with honey and endured a night with cramps from a bloated stomach, it was definite.

Len was ecstatic with another blessing from the gods. He lifted Rin in joy and spun them around to celebrate.

Rin held tight on him with laughter from her chest to see her husband so delighted.

As their child grew larger on Rin's stomach, they anticipated the day they could hold their child soon with great enthusiasm.

When the sun set to let the moon rise, Rin often saw Len on his knees; hands together in prayer.

He sought after the blessings of the Goddess of Childbirth, as well as other goddesses that protected women and children. He praised for the safe delivery of his child, and protection for his wife from the treacherous hands of the God of Death.

Len would not know what to do if his child or his wife had to venture to where he could not be.

He shall do whatever the gods willed to him if the two precious people in his life were protected.

The seasons went and left. The Goddess of Spring ventured into the Underworld to be with her husband who oversaw the souls that entered his realm underneath. In grief with her daughter's absence, the Goddess of Harvest wept and held back her power to flourish the crops. So the mortal realm was covered in a blanket of snow and bitter winter.

Len did his utmost to warm Rin and their unborn child. On some days, she was forbidden to tend to the cattle in his fear her vulnerable body would be seized by the harsh winter.

Rin protested at such nonsense. And so they had their few bouts of disagreements.

Though their love persisted and they sought forgiveness from their harsh words earlier. Rin and Len kissed to ease each other of those mistakes now resolved and left in the past.

When the Queen of the Underworld now returned to the surface as the Goddess of Spring, the flowers bloomed as the heavy clouds moved to let the warm sunshine heat the earth. The Goddess of Harvest celebrated with the return of fertility within the mortal realm.

It was a warm day when Rin groaned in pain as their child was about to enter the world.

Rin's screams of agony and Len's reverent, desperate prayers to the gods were the only sounds that the gods could have heard in their isolation.

Rin's right hand clutched on the sheets for dear life as a wave of pain enveloped her in every push. Her other hand was tightly held by Len whose lips caressed it with his prayers.

The sunlight crossed through the window after the dark clouds moved away. A cry of a new born babe rang through the four corners of the humble home.

After he was wiped clean, Len and Rin rejoiced at the healthy state their new son was in.

In her arms, Rin cradled her son and she could not resist the wide smile she had on the bundle of joy she held. For a person to just arrive, she already knew this baby was sacred and special as her own life.

With a palm of his hand, Len held his son as he supported Rin with his body.

A human of his and Rin's blood and flesh. His heart bursted in joy to hold the blessings he reaped from the gods: his child and his wife—his family.

"What shall we name him, beloved?" Len whispered on the crown of Rin's head. A hand that caressed their newborn wrapped in the softest of clothes.

It was another peculiar thing for him to do. As the man, he was to give their newborn a name. But it was Rin who nurtured their child in her body. She who endured long-suffering pain all those days and nights to strengthen their child. It was simply her right to hold that privilege, not him.

"... Lui." Rin uttered. Their son, Lui, now rested himself from his own cries after being given the breast of his mother to drink.

"Lui. A befitting name for him, my Rin." Len kissed the crown of Rin's head. He simply gazed in adoration at their son who fed from his mother.

His little eyes opened to those of the deep seas he shared with Len.

They were now a family. Never in his childhood Len thought he would live long enough to be at this state of euphoria and contentment. He held in his arms the reasons for why he lived until it was time for death to fetch him.

He hoped that time was not soon. For he had greed for himself on two desires: be witness to his son grow into an adult, and be with his wife until her last breath.

The seasons once more came and went. Rin and Len were still content to be by themselves and now with Lui for them to raise.

Their son took on the likeness of his father in his build and appearance. But sweet Lui had the gentleness and caring hand as his mother.

Now Rin was able to pass on what Len taught her in the years she first became human to her own son. Lui was more enthusiastic and a little bundle of energy that Rin and Len almost struggled to deal with.

Their son took more into the outside world than the safe haven of the indoors at their home. Lui grew desperate to venture beyond what his own parents explored in their day. Now he did practices that his parents never done, such was to hunt and to use his body and strength to defend himself.

Rin and Len supported their son's passions and only wished he was safe to do. They never ceased their prayers for the gods' protection on Lui.

Len felt his and Rin's son was destined to far greater glories.

If the words of the protector goddess years ago on their wedding day were to be considered. The spinsters of life could be the most cruel entity in their world.

Since Lui arrived, he never missed a single festival that celebrated the patron goddess. His parents were consistent and determined for Lui to be introduced into the glory and good will of the Heavenly Protector Goddess.

As how Len was told by his old master, now he sang the stories of the gods and goddesses to his son. Lui listened with rapt attention and innocent curiosity that seemed to be included in every child's intuition.

It was Rin who told him of the origins of their family; her previous state as an ivory statue until she was blessed by the beautiful goddess Miku. Hand-in-hand, mother and son walked through the seashore and told him of the visits the goddess made on those previous seasons.

Rin was a model of strength for Lui. As he grew up, he realised the sheer force that his mother exerted on matters of the mind that complimented his father's wisdom.

With more knowledge Lui obtained, he was pulled by an inner force to go further where not even his own parents had gone to. It was for him to discover himself.

Even though Len was repulsed to remain longer at the heart of the commune, his son took a liking to the various people; especially the children he played with. He endured his personal agony for Lui if it meant his happiness as how he would do for Rin.

With the goddess's words in his mind, Len had to accept his son was to explore a world he could not venture into.

The seasons went through its cycles a dozen more. The artist and his wife were now older in age as their son became a young man.

Lui chose to take on the path of being a soldier and serve their island. Rin's heart cried in worry for her only child to be so close in the brink of danger.

But Lui assured his dear mother. He had the protection of their beautiful goddess and that he would be cautious.

In the protective arms of his mother, he was comforted and convicted of this new direction in his life.

Rin lamented the passage of time that slipped through her fingertips. It was only but a few seasons ago for her that Lui was her and Len's little bundle of joy. Now he was all tall and mature to embark on his life beyond his parents' reach.

With a final embrace and kiss on his forehead for luck, Len and Rin bid farewell to their starlight Lui, whose smile brightened even in the darkest days.

For how isolated the couple were from society, or perhaps their time to be fetched by the God of Death came, that they were not able to hear the stories of their own son.

But no matter the case, it was already recorded in writing and hymns to be passed on for generations.

Lui, the son of Len and Rin, from humble beginnings rose through his valour and achieved glory in each battle. After his history was dwelled into and discovered, his enemies gathered that Lui had the protection of the very Patron Goddess Miku on him.

He was a child from a fulfilled prophecy.

It began when his mother was turned human flesh from the smoothest of ivory carved by his skilled father, assumed to be blessed by the gods. The spinsters of life had sewn Lui's calling long before. When he was born from the union of the statue-bride to her creator, Lui was fated for greatness.

Many long battles, a rebellion, and a great war later, Lui reigned victorious. He commanded for the island to establish its new society from its old origins.

The temple of Miku was rebuilt as far more ambitious and glorious. It was his payment for the goddess's consistent protection and a show of his persistent loyalty to her.

The small island flourished soon in Lui's rule. As to why his name was put into stone as the island's own. Even long after his death and the succession of his next heir, his name lived on within the island's legacy.

The island stood still and prospered in the olden times. Now it endured to this day for future generations to come.

All because of one sculptor's boundless passion for his own masterpiece: his ivory maiden.