GODS, TYRANTS AND MONSTERS

DECISION

The cold water touched Nijahoeba's toes as he looked up at the bright sky.

The approaching footsteps made him to sigh deeply.

" Are you ready? To become a God?" Shepstone asked.

" I have a request."

" Request?"

" I want to keep my mortal form. For now at least. I can not release him now." Nijahoeba explained. " For Arina."

" Arina will not come with us Nijahoeba, it is too dangerous."

" Still, I want to be man...for longer."

" I cannot baptize you then my brother." Shepstone said.

" It doesn't matter."

Silence followed afterwards. Nijahoeba looked down at his feet and closed his eyes.

Fear was stronger than him, it stood between him and changing.

He knew that he was not ready and that saddened him.

" We will leave tomorrow morning." Shepstone spoke suddenly.

" Are you coming with me?"

" Yes Nijahoeba. I have to. Some of the men will join us as well." He said.

Nijahoeba nodded before before opening his eyes. The thought of being apart from Arina worried him.

" We shall leave tommorow then," he said and then turned to face Shepstone.

" The sooner the better." As he walked past him.

" I will let the rest of the men know then." Concluded Shepstone.

**
Her hand rested on her belly as she sat on the rocky chair, humming a sweet tune.

Her eyes stared at the fields of maize and wheat.

Everything seemed to come to a standstill as she moved the loose strands of blonde hair from her face.

That was when she saw the familiar figure walking towards her.

The wind blew his dark hair into the air as he walked towards her.

A smile appeared on her face once she realized that he was still a man.

" Arina," he said once he reached her. " How are you?"

" You're still a man, how?" she asked him.

" I chose to be one."

" Why?" she asked.

" I want to be with you before I leave, as a man and not a beast."

" A god." She corrected him. " You are not a beast."

A sad laughter escaped Nijahoeba's lips as he sat down next to Arina's chair.

" You always see greatness in me my love."

" You are a good man Nijahoeba. A great father." She said.

" Father?!" he asked in shock as he looked up at Arina.

" You are going to be a father." She said with a sad smile. " I am going to have a child."

" Arina...all of this changes everything! I can not leave you on your own!" argued Nijahoeba.

" What are you saying?"

" I cannot leave Ghima tomorrow. I can not abandon you. Do you not see?" he explained.

" No, I will be fine here Nijahoeba. Go, the world needs you more."

" I cannot." He argued.

" You have to!" she said firmly, " You have to end Sulli or you and I will not have this child. She has cursed me Nijahoeba." She cried. " Please,"

Nijahoeba went silent immediately.

" Nijahoeba,"

" I cannot leave..."

" You have to!" cried Arina. " Please! I need you to,"

" What if I lose you too?" he asked as he looked at her.

" You will lose me either ways. The child and I will both die if Sulli lives." She spoke flatly.