The Guardian gods

Chapter 27: growth

"This confusion persisted, and you, Ikenga, weren't making my situation any easier. The more time I spent with you, the more I felt that something was wrong with me. We were born at the same time, so naturally, you should have shared my anxiousness to bridge the gap with our siblings. However, you seemed content with making incremental progress."

Mahu extended her hand in front of me, and the familiar energy materialized within it. "This right here," she gestured, "exacerbated my confusion and predicament. There's nothing inherently wrong with the energy," she emphasized as the energy dissipated back into her.

"When I first acquired this energy and realized how it was generated, I felt immense joy, as if I had taken a step towards closing the gap. But then, the realization that I had to wait for a long time to obtain more of this energy started to eat at me."

"It felt like I was being played or toyed with. I possessed the power to achieve my goal, yet I had to wait, driving me to the brink of madness. It was as if I had a piece of meat right in front of me, but I was told to wait for fire before I could savor it."

"It reached a point where I desired Maul to mate again, hoping to expedite their growth and maturity. However, no matter what I tried, I couldn't make them grow faster and become sensible as they were meant to be. Ikenga, you won't fully understand what I'm saying, but I realized that I crave power, and the knowledge that there are others more powerful than me unsettles my mind."

"I had a taste of that remarkable energy, and I know it can make me powerful. But the waiting makes me feel as though I'm being deprived of what is rightfully mine," she confessed, her gaze fixed upon me.

I listened attentively to Mahu's words, comprehending her struggles, yet unable to truly empathize with her feelings. It made me reflect on my own transformation since my rebirth as a god.

Having been a human before, I understood the impatience that arises when things progress too slowly. However, after my rebirth as a god, I realized that I had become more patient and less driven by a sense of urgency. Perhaps it was the knowledge of my immortality or the influence of my divinity that shaped my perspective.

Throughout my existence as a god, I never felt the need to rush or be in a hurry to achieve certain things. Somewhere in the depths of my mind, there must have been a subconscious understanding that I had an eternity to accomplish whatever I desired. The notion of time no longer held the same weight it did when I was mortal.

Mahu's predicament, on the other hand, surprised me. I had always known her to be ambitious, or rather, she was born with an inherent drive for success. It must have been agonizing for someone like her to have the means to fulfill her ambitions yet be held back by seemingly insignificant reasons.

" I was so consumed by my thoughts and wish for rapid growth, that I didn't even remember giving you permission to teleport to my realm. I am lucky this time that you were the one that got in Ikenga" She said after a while.

As Mahu mentioned her lack of awareness when I teleported to her realm, it reminded me of the depth of her preoccupation. I couldn't help but feel relieved that it was me who appeared before her, preventing any unintended consequences.

Taking a seat nearby, I contemplated Mahu's plight. "Mahu, I don't have any miraculous solution to offer you. You've already self aware to identify your impatience as the root of your troubles, and it's up to you to find a way to overcome it."

I gestured to emphasize my point. "Impatience, especially for beings like us, who are immortal, can lead to madness. Time for us is not something to be rushed or counted, that's insanity. We must learn to embrace the patience that our eternal existence affords us."

Pausing for a moment, I continued, "You are punishing yourself, Mahu. Sitting alone in front of your mirror, watching mortal creatures slowly grow, is a dangerous path towards insanity. We are gods, and we have the luxury of time. If waiting becomes unbearable for you, then perhaps it's better to sleep. As gods, we can slumber for as long as we desire, as long as we have something or someone to awaken us at the right time."

Standing up, I approached Mahu, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "Go to sleep, Mahu. Instruct Maul on what needs to be done, and then allow yourself to rest. Give it a hundred years, or even fifty. When you awaken, you'll find a multitude of mortal creatures awaiting your guidance and reaping."

As I prepared to leave, Mahu grabbed hold of my hand, pleading, "Stay with me for a while, Ikenga."

Her request tempted me but I knew I couldn't grant it. "Ikem is soon of the right age, and I have responsibilities to attend to. Moreover, you need time alone to gather your thoughts and find your center once more," I explained gently, before gently removing my hand from her grasp and walking away.

That was how our conversation concluded. The next time we spoke, Mahu informed me that she would be unavailable for a while, expressing her hope that my face would be the first thing she saw upon waking up. She also didn't forget to bless Ikem before her slumber, she will be asleep by the time Ikem begins his adventure.

Ikem stood before me, a three-year-old, as I explained to him that he had reached the age of maturity. I informed him that in two years' time, he would be leaving the realm to establish his own life and home.

"Will I be coming back?" he asked with a quiver in his voice.

"You have the option to return, but it will depend on the effort you exert outside the realm." I replied.

Ikem seemed to have something else to say, but I interrupted him, cutting off any further discussion. I wanted to ensure that he fully comprehended his abilities before we began his training.

"There's no time for chit-chat," I said firmly. "Before we commence your training, let's review and ensure that you understand your inherent abilities."

(Ikem pov)

As I stood there, finally reaching the age I had been waiting for, a mixture of fear and regret washed over me upon hearing my father's words about leaving the realm in the upcoming years.

I hadn't realized that coming of age meant leaving my father behind, but he wasted no time and immediately began explaining my innate abilities as a demigod.

"As the son of the god of nature and curses," he started, "you possess certain gifts related to nature. You can communicate with animals, manipulate wood, and you have inherited your mother's healing ability."

His words made me feel like something was missing. "You didn't mention anything about abilities related to curses," I spoke up, reminding him.

He paused for a moment before replying, "I didn't forget. However, I haven't witnessed any signs of your connection to my curse divinity. I haven't seen you exhibit any abilities associated with curses."

"Now that we've covered that," he continued, "I want you to understand that the next two years will be dedicated to enhancing your combat skills. The world outside is growing more dangerous, and although being a demigod gives you an advantage, encountering creatures at the level of Red or above Red could make you their next meal if you're not prepared."

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