Chapter Text
[artwork by yours truly]
“He’s quite talented, that one. The way he utilizes that vision of his, his passion for mastering weaponry. It’s genius, really. Although, his stance with a bow is...well, quite frankly, it’s terrible. At this point I’m on the verge of begging you to give him some tips in that regard.”
“While I agree, his...passion and mastery is well above the skill of the average human, I am loath to teach him anything. He is a quick study. I allowed him access to the armory only days ago and he is already capable of replicating several of the weapons with his vision. Not only that, but he already has a basic understanding of their application despite having not used many of them before. Talent like that is rare among even the adepti. Perhaps that was an error on my part, as I am still unsure of his motives. While there is no doubt I could easily handle anything should he get out of control, the damage he could do before then would be bothersome.”
“Fair enough. Though, if you want my opinion, I think it would be safe to teach him.”
“With his level of bloodlust and hunger for battle, I need to be certain. He is unpredictable, an unstable variable. He rushes forth and carves a path in the way a river might, but his course is not nearly as predictable. The path he has walked is clear, but his destination is not.”
“Call it a “gut instinct” if you will, but he would sooner die than to so much as inadvertently hurt you. This much is clear to me. Trust me on this one will you, old friend? He is more an asset to you than a possible hindrance.”
“...”
“Still not convinced? Hmm... allow me to explain my view on this matter, I’ll even do so in a way you will appreciate. This human is like newly unearthed noctilucous jade. He has yet to be fully defined, his nature and form uncertain. He crosses the line of light and shadow. But in the moments you have shared with him, surely you too have seen his brilliance. He holds potential. The jade itself holds its own pattern and beauty, but a proper artisan is needed to bring out that potential. Humans and gods alike, we are not born into this world with a certain nature. It is those around us that shape us into who we are. This one, he was made from pressures forced upon him. He needs someone to guide him. And if I am not mistaken, which I rarely am, you need him too.”
“...”
“What? Was that analogy not to your liking? I thought it was rather nice.”
“Quite frankly, I am still confused as to why you are trying to convince me in the first place. Why such interest in this matter? And what do you mean by saying that ‘I need him’?”
“Sigh, you’re intelligent yet simultaneously as dense as the earth under your dominion. But unfortunately this is a matter I cannot simply spell out for you, that wouldn’t do you any good. You’re a god who has taken the protection of people upon yourself, yet not only do you not understand the human heart, you don’t even understand your own.”
“Am I required to understand the intricacies of the people I protect in order to protect them?”
“Perhaps, or perhaps not. I, for one, believe it is important to understand both oneself and others. You asked me why I was so interested in this matter between the two of you. Tell me, Morax, have you noticed that you’ve changed since you met Tartaglia?”
Morax turned to look at her, a slightly puzzled expression settling on his face, “I’ve changed? How so?”
“You’ve never taken an interest in a human before. Outside of protecting them, you’ve hardly interacted with any of them. But him, Tartaglia. Not only have you allowed him to remain with us here, but you’ve been standing up on this cliff watching him train for over an hour. Perhaps longer.”
“I am simply curious about him, nothing more.”
“Simply curious? I would believe you if not for the fondness in your voice when you mention his name, or the look you get when you talk about his skill in the martial arts. Perhaps that stone heart of yours isn’t as tough as I originally thought. Even I can be wrong sometimes, it seems.”
“Guizhong, I get the feeling that you are teasing me.”
The goddess laughed, “I am teasing you, you blockhead. You make it too easy.”
Guizhong had known Morax long enough to recognize the closest expression the Lord of Geo had to a pout. She chuckled and looked back down at the young man blurred by a fine mist in the field below. Tartaglia, a rather mysterious human, had shown up outside the Guili Assembly not long ago and loudly demanded an audience with Morax himself. To everyone else’s surprise, he was actually allowed one. And to Guizhong’s surprise, the young man and her dear friend had actually struck up a friendship of sorts. Not that Morax would admit that.
The young man in question seemed to have sensed eyes watching him and turned to look up the cliff, halting his assault on the makeshift targets he had made. He waved up at the two of them and flashed a brilliant smile. Guizhong smiled and waved back. Morax, having been caught watching, had already turned to leave.
“One day,” she said as she watched him go with an amused look, “you’ll figure it out. It is only a matter of time.”
Although, I hope for your sake that time comes sooner than later. I fear that a human like him is likely to have a rather short lifespan.
