Page 27 of Deliverance
His mother cried as she chuckled. “My son… my son has made a god fall in love?”
“Well, I do not want to brag,” Mateo joked.
His mother laughed, then kissed him on both cheeks and his forehead, hugging him again.
Eloy stood back, allowing the family reunion to take place and only approached once Mateo called him over. As with all humans who were in his presence, he was used to the awestruck expressions. The humbleness and fear. He did his best to put both women at ease. In the end, it was Mateo’s casual attitude around him that took away their reservations and nervousness. After a few hours, they felt more comfortable asking the god questions.
“You love my brother?” Isabella asked.
“I do and always will,” Eloy said.
“How did you meet him?” she asked.
“Oooh, that is a story I want to tell you, but first, let us go home,” Mateo injected.
Eloy chuckled. “I think it would be best for Mateo to tell you. I can answer any questions you may have afterward.”
“All right,” Isabella begrudgingly agreed.
“Where are we going to live?” Mateo’s mom asked.
“With us,” Mateo said. “In Eloy’s temple. If you want your own home, we can have one built. Everything is different now, mama. There are no more badlands. Soon, the gods’ blessings will replenish all of these lands.”
“The badlands are already growing vegetables as we speak,” Eloy said.
“That… that is amazing,” Mateo’s mom said as she looked at both her son and the god in awe.
“You think that is amazing. Mother, wait until you fly in the clouds,” Mateo said with a wide grin.
“Fly?” his mother and sister inquired together.
Mateo nodded. “Yes, on an airplane! Oh, it is so exciting. That is how we got here so fast, then a limo was waiting for us. Only the gods have airplanes, but now more and more are being built for all to be able to use. I cannot wait until you see the world as it is now. It is a paradise, mom. Isabelle, you will love it.”
“Oh my… yes, you must tell me everything,” Mateo’s mother said, then she began to gather her things. Isabella did the same. Mateo went to his old room to gather some items that meant something to him and after a few more hours, they were all packed up and ready to go start their new life in better pastures.
Eloy and Odessa stood over the two corpses of Simeon and Kijani. They had given the gods their blessings together and prayed for Hersi’s mercy for both and for each other.
“This one feels that we should burn them and plant Kijani’s ashes in the ground and send Simeon’s off into the wind,” Odessa said.
“I think that is perfect,” Eloy said, then he used his power to burn the bodies until all that remained were the ashes. Odessa helped him gather the ashes inside two golden bowls.
Odessa looked at the ashes of Kijani in the bowl she held. “If only he could have let you go.”
Eloy nodded. “Unfortunately, Odessa, he was the weakest among us. He saw it as strength, but it was the opposite. I will miss our friends, but we will see them again.”
“In a human’s lifetime. This one felt the moment when you… confessed,” she said.
“Are you angry?”
She shook her head. “This one knew it was inevitable and she had resolved her fate. As long as Mateo breathed, you would love him. This one… This one wants to know what that feels like.”
“With Titus?” Eloy asked.
She nodded. “This one would test the waters.”
Eloy walked over to her and kissed her forehead. “I hope you know what it feels like to love and be loved, Odessa. Know that I forgive you.”
Odessa lowered her head for the first time, feeling humbled by the actions of another. “This one is grateful for your mercy.”
