The Bride of the Fire Fox God

Chapter Three: The God and The Mortal

A God. You cannot be serious. "You can't be a god," I blurted. Reven shot me a look with those golden eyes, a look that said no one had ever questioned that fact before.

"What makes you think I am not a god?"

"Because!" I exclaimed waving my arms again "Gods don't just walk around with mere mortals offering their help. In fact, in my world, some people question whether they even exist at all!"

"How very lax of your gods. We regularly travel Nevrithil, not only are we able to oversee our responsibilities better, but it is much more interesting here. You never know what you might find." A knowing smile graced his face. "Now let us hurry Nyla, the night is far from over and we still have a ways to go," With that, Reven continued down the path, the hovering flame twisting and flickering in tandem with his movements. It didn't take long before I was hurrying after him, after all, there couldn't be better protection then a God right?

A God. A real God is walking right in front of me. I was still having trouble processing that little casual fact. "How do I know you're a god?" I questioned as we kept moving. Reven's ears flicked, but he remained silent. Probably annoyed that I keep questioning his existence. "I mean, I'm a stranger here, you could tell me anything you want and I wouldn't know whether it was true or not. For all I know, there could be a whole community of fox people in this world and you're just one of them playing a trick." Surely he couldn't argue with that logic, though due to the fact his mouth began to open, I knew he was going to try.

"So you are asking me to prove myself, to show I am the only one of my kind?" Reven answered in a measured tone. I imagined he had never been presented with this request before.

"I suppose I am, can't you show me something that would set you apart, I don't know, something godly?" Wait hang on, did he say he was the only one? "Wait, did you say you're the only one?"

Reven sighed betraying his patience. Probably because I kept bouncing around and going on tangents.

"Yes, I am the only one of my kind. The only fox being that controls fire. There are other gods of Nevrithil, but we are all different from each other. I will never see another creature that appears as I do, create fire as I do." His voice held a tinge of sadness and Reven's tails dipped slightly as he told me. Guilt spread throughout my body at the image. Way to go, make the only person willing to help you relive some clearly painful facts and feelings.

"Hey Reven? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up something that pains you. I'll stop talking for the rest of the journey if you want?" My unsure sounding apology tumbled from my lips. A hint of a smile appeared on Reven's mouth. "This journey would be very boring if you remained silent Nyla, I am finding being questioned about my existence most refreshing,"

"Really? I thought I was being annoying,"

"Not at all, I have come to realise during our short acquaintance how much of a guarantee I am seen as. It is nice for the first time in an eternity to be asked about myself." Poor guy, guess everyone wants him to help them, but no one wants to return the favour. How am I any different?

"Well then, guess I'll just have to talk your ears off all the way to your village" I grinned and was pleased to see a returning one "But seriously Reven, I'm sorry you feel so alone. If you ever want to, I don't know, talk about anything or get sick of the other gods, you can always come see me, alright? After all you're the one taking me to Orim so you can find me easily," Carefully I placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. Comforting a god, that's a new one.

Reven's gaze turned from my hand to my face. As his golden eyes looked at me, they seemed to soften. "Thank you Nyla, I am most grateful for the offer." His voice held a warmth that told me he was genuinely touched.