Chapter Text
Few understand the importance of Gods in our world. Those who do attempt to call to them, begging for a sense of understanding of the world they live in, pleading for a sign that their lives mean something.
These devotees leave offerings such as fruit, wine, or even lit candles to show their appreciation, and while the gods do not eat, they feast upon the offerings like it is their last meal.
The most notable Gods, Life and Death, are gifted things such as Milk and Honey (or, in Death’s case, burned bread and bronze coins), symbolizing their power and their respective realms.
Life was more worshipped than Death, being considered “pure” and “gentle.” He would never harm another, so why risk the prayers to someone quite literally representing death? The only God worth caring for was someone who could help…Right?
Lord Bodhi was that God, a deity of light and goodness, beautiful and divine. His feet paved a path of life with every step, flowers blooming and filling the realms with a heavenly glow. As he walked through his home, he brushed his fingertips against a peach tree. This touch caused the fruit to flourish, becoming ripe and juicy. Bodhi picked one, taking out a golden pocket knife to cut it into slices for the animals who roamed his realm. He then made his way to the pedestal, where he was given gifts for his help. When Gods get given offerings, they peer into the life of the person offering to see what they request, to see if it is in good faith or not. Usually, mortals came to Life seeking blessings related to fertility, health, or protection from harm.
Today was not one of those days, as the only thing being offered was a dried-up purple flower. As Bodhi looked at the flower, he gently picked it up with a concerned gaze, A rush of cold air hit him, causing him to turn around.
When he turned, he was met with the dark eyes of The God of Death himself, Hephess. He gave him a soft scoff, wondering what the mighty Death would need from him.
“Good Afternoon, Hephess. Did you find your way all right?”
Death smiled slyly, not responding to Bodhi and his question. The grass and moss where he stood wilted, turning gray and lifeless, not uncommon for the God of Death when he entered a realm of Life.
"Hmmmm."
Bodhi looked down at the withering flowers, not feeling surprised due to the familiarity of this act.
"I take it this is your way of requesting aid from me?"
Bodhi sighed while rubbing his forehead with his thumb and index finger. He glanced over at Hephess, even looking at him made Life feel a little frustrated.
"Perhaps..."
Hephess’ eyes swirled with a dark purple, a portal to all of the afterlife. His fingers tapped against his crossed arms as he spoke with a smooth, serene voice.
"I request... a resurrection of a soul.."
A pause.
"A resurrection?..."
Bodhi sighed once more, clearly not happy hearing this.
"Did this foolish mortal think I'll simply bring them from the dead like it would be some common favor?"
This request of the God of Death made Bodhi somewhat peeved. He didn't like to mess with life and death unless it was a truly worthy cause. And he knew Hephess knew that.
"..No.."
Hephess’ voice faltered a bit. Even if Death was a moving force of "evil,” He still had an understanding that Life would not tamper with mortals unless necessary.
"I normally would not ask this of you...But I caused something, and I need your help to...Fix it.."
Bodhi looked confused for a moment before he spoke, "And how exactly has the great lord of death caused an unforgivable act?"
He was a little more willing to listen. Now curious and somewhat surprised to hear that the lord of death caused something that he wants to be fixed by a deity like himself. He leaned his arm against his waist and tapped his foot impatiently.
Hephess turned his head away,
"I made the mistake of touching a mortal...She was so kind...Understanding...I told her of the concerns I had with her being close to me...but alas, she did not listen"
He was ashamed of his foolishness. Letting someone close as a God was already not the best idea, but Death himself?
"She touched me and...I need to save her..” A shaking breath escaped his lips
“I beg you…Bring her back…make her forget me..."
"Why exactly do you want me to make her forget you?"
Bodhi asked, raising a brow. He could've just made her forget everything related to him without his help. He was intrigued by his request, though he didn't feel comfortable letting a mortal keep their life so easily. He was a God of life; he had to stay focused on protecting the balance of life and death, and reviving anyone would break that.
"I don’t want to cause her more pain...She had a life ahead of her, and she threw it all away to hold my hand.."
Hephess was not normally the emotional kind, but speaking of this seemed to cause him great pain. The flowers beneath him started to burn harshly as he spoke, his voice breaking slightly as he looked up to Bodhi.
"You mean...she gave her life so that she could hold your hand?"
Bodhi asked. He found it almost hard to believe that someone could simply trade their life over something like that. Was she so desperate to hold his cold hands that she simply traded that chance of living a long and fulfilled life?
Death nodded sadly, looking down at his burnt fingertips.
"I-i begged her not to...I tried to scare her off, explain that only gods can touch me safely, but..."
"Bodhi, she loved me..."
His eyes filled with dark tears as he tried to explain.
"....I will never touch another soul again...just please.."
Bodhi stayed silent, processing the information he had just given. He had never seen the god of death this sincere and sorrowful. It's not every day that the god of death begs for something like this. He placed a hand on his chin, thinking carefully and deeply about the favor. This wasn't something that he was willing to do normally, but he knew that the god in front of him was truly apologetic. Hephess waited for a response. He hated being this vulnerable, but he couldn’t help it. He hurt someone and knew he had to fix it.
"....Fine. I'll help you out with this favor as per your request, on one condition."
Bodhi finally said after a long pause. He had an idea or two in mind on how to do this the easiest, without too much pain on the other end. All he needed was a death agreement.
"Anything.."
Death’s desperate voice rang through; he clasped his hands into prayer as he looked to the other god.
"....For a month, you have to come live with me in the realm of life."
He raised one finger. He didn't exactly have a good reason to have death stay in the realm of life, but this was the best condition he could think of at the moment.
"....Deal..."
Hephess whispered, bowing his head in respect.
"I do not understand why...but I will do as you ask"
He raised a second finger, muttering a simple, “No questioning.” This was mainly a second condition to make him not ask why Death was invited. He'll explain his reasoning behind it later. It was a bit funny to have him simply comply with no questions asked, but he knew that the god of death was desperate.
"Shall we go see my realm now?"
Bodhi gave the god of death a polite smile before walking closer to him. "Come, the sooner you arrive, the better."