"The Moon Shines On Death..."

Life

"You can't give life?"

"I can only take it. I do not have the power to give life." Sidapa said, holding a large bamboo shoot that contained the wine made from sweet nectar.

He carefully filled two halved coconut husks with the aromatic drink. Handing one to Bulan, he continued with his explanation.

"Kaptan and Maguayan, your grandparents, both posses that power. However, once the life from any creature is lost... it is only I who can bring it back, provided it would do more good than harm.

"I can also prolong the life of a person, but past experiences proved that it would only delay the inevitable, and would lengthen the suffering of an ailing individual." Sidapa paused to sip from his coconut husk, and Bulan did the same.

"Does that mean my grandparents are more powerful compared to the mighty Sidapa?" Bulan teased.

"Let's just say we all have our own set of skills. Your grandparents were powerless to stop your parents from dying. I could have brought them back, but they never asked. Basing on that assumption, it would seem my powers are greater than theirs, yet here I am... utterly powerless to pit my worth against your radiance."

Bulan felt his cheeks warm up. He evaded the dark eyes of Sidapa that seemed to bore a hole right through him. He noticed Haliya soaking in the lake as mermaids took turns washing her hair, braiding it, and adorning it with flowers. Not far from where Haliya reclined, a wood nymph held a similar bamboo shoot of the wine Sidapa made, and frequently refreshed Haliya's husk of the aromatic drink.

"If I were to ask you to bring my parents back to life... would you?" Bulan asked softly. Sensing the sadness in the boy's voice, the god of death weighed his words first before answering.

"There is a cycle to life that we all must follow. Your grandparents know this, and that is the reason why they never dared to alter the course of history.

"Without the passing of your parents, their powers would not have been transfered to you and your siblings. Their work was done, and when the need for their prescence was no longer needed, they were given their much deserved rest.

"I was created the same time your grandparents were. I was darkness to balance their light. A means of death to every living creature, an end to signal a new begining. What would bringing back the dead attain... my brilliant moon?"

"It would alleviate the longing to see them once more." Bulan whispered. He stirred the water with his feet from where both he and Sidapa were perched on a jagged rock.

"The needs of the few, outway the needs of the many. You and your siblings may benefit from your parent's return, but the effect on creation would also be altered. The rhythm the world has settled into after their passing would once again be thrown into chaos. Also, I don't think your grandparents would agree to this. They are afterall the parents of the dead gods you wish to revive." Sidapa explained.

"A lengthy discourse when all you could've said was a simple no." The boy obviously disappointed replied.

"Have I angered my brilliant moon?" Sidapa asked, holding one of the rare flowers to give to Bulan. The boy took it, then shook his head.

"No. I understand. Like the cycle of the moons rising after the sun has set, life and death both cannot be trifled with. Thank you for explaining things to me." Bulan said smiling sadly.

"Think about what you're asking me, then come back tomorrow night when you have weighed things and decided. I will be here, waiting for your return."

"It's alright. I won't change my mind. However... would it be possible to see them? Even for a short time, if and when I miss them?" The boy asked timidly.

"That I can grant you. You only need to say when." Sidapa smiled back.

"Bulan! It's Adlaw! He's about to climb the skies. You know how I hate getting scorched by his rays. We have lost track of time... it's morning! We should go home little brother. Thank you Sidapa for a wonderful evening. I hope to see you again, soon." Haliya exclaimed.

"As I, you. Come visit often. Consider my lake yours." Sidapa said standing up from where he and Bulan were perched. He extended his hand to help the boy stand up. Haliya started to ascend slowly, waving to the mermaids, and wood nymphs.

"You have big hands." Bulan observed. "You know what they say about gods who have big hands?" He asked the towering figure of the death god.

"No. What?" Sidapa asked with a hint of a smile.

"They say, gods with big hands also have big... feet." Bulan started to float upwards, his light shining brightly in an increasing level the farther he left the ground.

From where they floated in the sky they could hear a booming laughter.

Sidapa was laughing, and everyone was surprised.

"You made him laugh! How did you do that?" Haliya was impressed with her little brother. She was smiling, curiously waiting for an answer.

"It was easy. I simply gave him... my friendship." And together with their other five siblings, Haliya and Bulan retired for the day, both looking forward to tomorrow night when they plan to visit Sidapa again.

Bulan gave the god of death one last wave, before disappearing from the clear blue sky.

A/N:

        Please note that what the moon god and the god of death are discussing here as "LIFE" is actually the SOUL. Depicted as a luminous energy of pure light, the soul is something Sidapa is unable to create.

        Since Sidapa is borne of darkness, his powers are limited to that of the shadows, the darkness, and the underworld. His creations do not have souls that can be ferried to the afterlife to either be rewarded in Macca (Heaven), or punished in Sulad (Hell).

        In our story, Sidapa's powers have not developed to grant his creations an eternal soul, hence when one of his creations die, they completely cease to exist.

        Though Kaptan can create life with his breath and light, and Maguayan through her tears and touch, it is only Sidapa who has free reign on who to allow to live, and for how long. His decision can not be questioned nor altered by any other gods... making his choices absolute.

        Sidapa's powers only increased due to his association with Bulan who served as his source of joy and light... in his ever darkened existence.

                                     M&M