Blessings and Curses [BL]

Meeting [Part 一]

There is a god within us all, lurking in the depths of our hearts. Some believe that this god is a second, dormant spirit that exists within the body. Normally, these gods would never see the light of day as their sole purpose is to maintain the human's life source. Nevertheless, one cruel god begged to differ.

When a god has used up all of its energy, the human dies. If a human willingly gives up his or her life to their god, that god takes over their body as if it were their own. Gods are immortal until they feel the desire to become human.

Once upon a cold winter night, there was a young man whose god had taken over his body. His mind was too weak to live; he gave up control of his body.

The man clutched his blood-covered stomach and limped toward an abandoned house. He slumped against the burnt wall, dropping his sword. He had prostrated himself on the ground in exhaustion as he coughed out blood. He wanted to die, but he didn’t have the courage to slit his stomach. He didn’t care about honour and such trifles.

“Don't worry, Takahiro. I will rule for you,” the god whispered from within him. With those comforting words, the man let go.

Calmness filled Takahiro’s empty vessel, but it was only a prelude to an orchestral storm. The god awakened. Takahiro's usual brown eyes turned amber. The god curled his lips into a cruel smile. From the moment the god took over, Takahiro was no more.

Aggressively, the god grabbed hold of Takahiro's sword. He ran his index finger over the blade. He didn't bleed; gods don't bleed.

On that bitter snowy night, the god painted the snow crimson. His laugh echoed through the streets, and to the ears of one man—the general of the shogun’s army. The god stood on a roof and his silhouette was outlined by the moon. His eyes darted toward the general.

“Well, well, well… It looks like I missed one.” He lazily attacked the general with his sword, but the general defended himself. The god did not predict this. “Finally, a challenge,” the god chuckled, looking at the general’s alert eyes.

All that could be heard on that silent night was the clashing of two swords. Swiftly, the god tried to slash the general’s neck, but the general already had his sword aimed at the god’s stomach. The god fell on the ground and looked up at the general’s dark, heartless eyes. He took a deep breath and spoke.

“You’re quite skillful with the blade. Join my army.”

The god laughed at this, saying, “You don’t want me, I’m sure. I’ll kill everyone.” The god kicked the sword away, jumped on the general and choked him. The general coughed.

“Why?” the general asked through gritted teeth, “Why do you kill?”

“To feel alive.” The god closed his eyes in satisfaction and grinned. “Believe it or not, I’m not who I am.”

“Then, who are you? What is your name?” The general punched the god in the stomach, forcing him to let go of the general’s neck.

The god groaned in pain, “Call me whatever you like; I bear no name,” the god stared at the ground sadly. “Names can either curse or bless—I don't need either.” The god smiled in relief.

“Nobody deserves a curse, but everyone can use a blessing or two,” the general smirked. “Ares—that is your name. I grant you my blessing to join the army.”

Ares frowned and his eyes widened. “No—why’d you do that?” Ares shouted, squeezing the general’s wrist. “You cursed me, you bastard!” Ares’ glare intensified.

The general laughed; he knew he’d bound Ares to him. “Hyousuke— that’s my name. Let’s go to my camp.” He stood up and dragged Ares using a noose. Ares gagged all the way through. Hyousuke, from his observation, somehow knew Ares wasn’t going to bleed, much less die.

~To be continued