Page 11 of Deliverance
Odessa coughed to clear her throat, which had gone dry as she imagined a fate worse than death when that time came. “This one… is convinced that we four have strayed.” She put her wine glass down. “What would you have this one do?”
“So easily you give in, Odessa,” Kijani accused.
“This one would rather not have Hersi’s wrath put upon her. Not for the sake of cock and tongue.”
“Or breast?” Kijani quipped.
“Not for any wanton pleasure, this one will not suffer,” Odessa said, placing her hand on her chest for emphasis.
Eloy and Simeon shared a quick look, pleased that they had reached at least one of the two who still resisted in some way or another.
“We need to destroy the world we have created… at least the structure that allows the Elite to control all. We need to abolish slavery in all its forms. We need to give our blessings freely whether these humans worship us or not. That includes giving blessings to those in the badlands,” Eloy said.
“Fruit grows as long as we provide water and god Hersi shines the sun. Animals and vegetables provide sustenance as long as humans are not wasteful or seek to kill for sport until all things are extinct. Water, wind, fire, land… it is all here because we give it. There is no need for humans to charge for something that we gods have provided for free. We must remove the rubio currency,” Simeon stated.
“Humans will balk, they will lose faith,” Kijani said, shaking his head.
“I disagree. Not when we show unification and control. Who would dare challenge us? Not when what we create will benefit the majority, and those who balk will learn to adjust,” Simeon stated. “Are you sure it is the humans who will balk and not you?”
“I have only ever wanted one thing in this world,” Kijani said, then his gaze shifted over to Eloy. “You want to bring a peace to this world? Fine. It seems as though I am out-voted asthat onefears Hersi’s retribution.” He pointed a thumb towards Odessa.
“And you do not?” Odessa asked.
“I fear a short reign. I fear loneliness on this plane,” Kijani said, then turned back to Eloy. “Do what you will, I will stand by you. But as I stated before, I want something in return.”
Eloy sighed. “That is something I cannot and will not give you, Kijani. I cannot take you as my lover.”
“Is it because you have already found yourself a lover?” Kijani asked.
Eloy laughed and shook his head. “We have been great friends, Kijani, and on occasion, I have taken pleasure being inside of you and having you be inside me. But we two gods do not make good lovers. To be in constant company of each other would be exhausting, why even in heaven, we have our individual temples.”
“Then share my bed more than you do now,” Kijani said as his way of compromising for he knew he held no advantage as Odessa had conceded.
Eloy climbed out of his lounge chair and made his way over to Kijani, kneeling beside him. Kijani was already sitting upright and he leaned closer to Eloy, his eyes boring into the other god’s, hopeful he’d give in to his request.
“Let us shake the ground tonight, then. When you leave here to go to your temple, I will join you,” Eloy said. He would patronize Kijani for the time being. If the god didn’t think anyone else was in Eloy’s life, persuading him, then he could keep Kijani from convincing Odessa to renege on her decision to join him and Simeon in making the changes that needed to be done.
“Let these be the last Games if the gladiators choose to not fight any longer,” Simeon said, bringing the conversation back around to their points.
Eloy kissed Kijani quickly on the lips, then return to his lounge, sitting down. “As much as I enjoy the Games, I agree. Perhaps, that can be a way for humans to work out their natural savage aggression.”
“What would be the incentive for them? Their reward?” Simeon asked.
“Pride of victory, that is all they really need,” Kijani said. “They are small beings with insignificant goals. I am more concerned with how we will keep order once these new commandments go into effect. Primitive, they will always be, and that is why we must expect mutiny. Those who have ruled as Elite or wealthy will not like having it stripped away.”
“You used to look upon the humans with more… compassion when we were in heaven, Kijani. Living in that human body has jaded you, my friend,” Simeon stated.
“Perhaps, but I see their flaws and know they have a choice and always choose their base instinct. I am no longer impressed by them,” Kijani replied.
Eloy nodded. “They are flawed.”
“And yet, we have chosen a base instinct as well. You judge them too harshly, Kijani,” Simeon said.
“Flawed… perfection… neither matters. What Kijani speaks is what is important. We give them utopia, they will rebel as that one says. It is their nature… the selfish and greedy ones,” Odessa pointed out. “We must still rule with iron fists, this one agrees.”
“I do not disagree, and Simeon and I believe we have the solution,” Eloy said.
“Let the humans handle themselves as they always have, before our interference,” Simeon stated. “Let us choose those among them who have proven to be honorable… fair. Let them come up with just laws, police themselves. Let there be one set of laws, one government to serve the people as a whole.”
