Chapter 10

• Tezy
• _____
• “The talk was fine, thanks for asking,” Delta Garro replied to my question.
• There was something beyond that talk, I knew. But I wasn’t one to pry. It was his personal thing. I’d dare not ask anything, unless he’d want to share.
• He straightened up and added, “Come, if you’re ready. It’s almost noon. You need something to eat, don’t you? What do you prefer, by the way?”
• I took in an easy breath. “Well, back in Hebbiza, I rarely eat in this form. But I do love fruits.”
• “What about your other stupendous form?” he asked curiously, tilting his head on one side.
• “I don’t eat, but I only drink. What I essentially do is absorb good energies from everything. That’s basically what my worshippers give me⸺their gratitude, praise, worship, respect, loyalty, and love. I owe some of my powers to them, you know?” I shrugged and got up from the bed. When my bare feet touched the floor, my sandals appeared and wrapped their straps around my ankles.
• Delta Garro nodded in understanding. His eyes slid from my face down to my body. I was clad in my usual goddess dress. I thought something crossed in his eyes, but it was so sudden, so maybe I was just mistaken. It was no good reading him, if I’d think about it. I did not want to confuse myself because of him.
• “I thought you eat rodents, humans, animals, anything meaty. I can hunt anytime for you,” he jested, without humor.
• My face contorted at the thought of eating flesh with blood and bones. “That’s gross! Any of those you mentioned will surely make me puke!”
• He chuckled. “So, are you saying I’m gross, because I eat meat?”
• I made a face. “I’m not judging you. It’s your nature, but I’d say it’s rather… barbaric, don’t you think?”
• He laughed at my choice of words. “As you say, it’s nature. There’s nothing wrong with it. We just eat what nourishes our body, if not also our soul.”
• I pouted and nodded. He had a point.
• “We do need nourishment to live and cultivate ourselves, whether physically or spiritually,” I agreed.
• He looked at me with such intensity, as I stood there with the light behind me. My see-through dress must be distracting him. Out of nowhere, I recalled his nakedness under the shower last night. Oh, Mighty Deity. How to unsee that huge thing I saw in the middle of his body? I felt like I am going to hyperventilate at this moment.
• I took a deep breath, evading his eyes. For a second, I thought he knew what was going on with my mind. Curse the mind-reading powers I got. Perhaps he read it? No, no, no. Maybe not. I blocked him as he blocked me, right?
• Act cool, like nothing happened, I instructed myself. Besides, there was nothing good that would come out of it. This predicament I was in with him was merely temporary. Soon, I would be back in Hebbiza. I just needed my powers to come back. Soon! And then, I would take back what’s truly mine in my realm. I’d save my brothers and my worshippers, let them live in peace, without Kigga. I must set everything right. That was it.
• I moved past Delta Garro. I already knew where the kitchen is. Then, I heard an unfamiliar, lively noise downstairs. I stopped at the foot of the stairway, turning my head to look at my companion.
• “That’s electronic dance music,” he informed me, as though reading my mind.
• “Where does it come from? I don’t see anyone around, dancing or singing with their instruments,” I said as a matter of factly.
• He gestured towards the living room. His mother was nowhere to be seen either. And there it was. The flat black box I saw last night now had people inside, dancing and singing to the beat of the music. My mouth gaped open, as I watched with unblinking eyes. I was even oblivious to Delta Garro’s amused reaction while observing me.
• “I gather your realm doesn’t have parties like this.”
• “Parties?” I echoed, slightly dragging my eyes from the box to his face.
• “Festivals, feasts,” he supplied.
• “Oh! Well, yes! We do have feasts.” My mind went to the time when my brothers and Kigga used to gather in each of our palaces. “We, my siblings and I, had a lot of good times together, eating, drinking, and dancing. Our worshippers used to sing for us, too. My siblings were usually in their human form, whereas I always faced our subjects in my snake form, so none of them knew how I looked like. It was to avoid being recognized whenever I wanted to visit the White Snake Tribe incognito. I observed them up close sometimes. I helped them in any ways I could or I knew.”
• It felt like a long, long time ago, though. Now, I was too far away from them, even though they were only a portal away from where I was.
• “When’s your birthday?” he asked.
• I blinked at him. “My birthday?”
• “You know, when your mother gave birth to you.”
• “Silly, I know! I understand what you mean.” I laughed softly, and he looked at me, as if he was mesmerized. I cleared my throat and looked away, staring at the lively box again. “Well, I don’t remember exactly. It’s been a long, long time, like thousands of years ago… more like forever. I can still recall there were two moons at the time. Red-orange leaves became gold when they fell to the ground. The sky was brighter than any other nights. My huge body was curled up under that certain birth tree in Benzai. I named it Sanijiko.”
• He looked at me in confusion. “A birth tree?”
• “The gods and goddesses of Hebbiza are in the same family. We all came from Sanijiko, but it is I who is more attached to it, since it stands in Benzai until now. It’s where my territory is. It’s in the east of the realm. The four of us siblings never saw our Mighty Deity, who created us, but we know she’s observing us. Always.”
• “Hmm. That’s the same with our God here on Earth. He’s got different names, according to religion. We never saw Him, but He’s always there.”
• I nodded in understanding. “But… you don’t seem to believe in your God?” I slowly spoke, giving him a measuring look.
• “Let’s just say I’m not that religious. Whether there’s a real God or not, it doesn’t matter to me. I only try to live honorably and truthfully, with loyalty to my Ultima Vasile and the whole pack and love for my mother, who also loves me dearly.”
• “You don’t love anyone else?” I asked him testily, eyes squinting.
• He looked at me for a long moment, before saying, “I think you’ll like to eat apples. Do you wish to pick them from the tree itself or do you prefer to eat that’s already on the table?”
• He evaded my question, that much was clear.
• He turned on his heels to lead me to the kitchen. I had no choice but to follow him.
• There were different kinds of food already prepared on the glass table. He pulled me a black chair, and I sat on it. I gave him a grateful smile. He sat on the right side and reached for a red fruit that was almost as large as my fist.
• “This is an apple.”
• “I see. There’s nothing like it in my realm, but…” I paused, smelling its delicious scent. “From its sweet scent, I think I’ll love it.” I took the one he was holding, brushing our fingers accidentally… Or did I do it deliberately? Anyhow, I watched his face as I ate the juicy fruit.
• Delta Garro’s eyes focused on my mouth while I munched the food. He slowly wiped the dribble of apple juice on my chin. I had no clue, but it made me breathless. My heart kicked in my chest for some reason, and I could hear his heart beat faster, too.
• I swallowed hard the food in my mouth. “What are these other foods, anyway?” I asked him, breaking our eye contact.
• He slowly pulled his eyes from me towards the subject I mentioned. “This are all processed meat⸺bacon, salami…” He started to name all of them. But, of course, my mind was not into it. I just watched how his eyes and lips moved. I was entranced by him, if I must admit.
• No, no, no. This can’t be, a small voice in my head opposed.
• If this is attraction, I shouldn’t feel it. I’m a goddess, for Benzai’s sake! We’re both different. Plus, we live in two different realms. We can never be together, can we? And let’s not forget about what he said. He wants me to serve him! No goddess in Hebbiza serves anyone! They’re the ones who are served.