9 Parables of Almalexia, Vol. 7

The Nine Parables of Almalexia

The Seventh Parable

A defeated Akaviri general fled east from calamity, pursued by the longer strides of Ayem (who lengthens her strides as she pleases). The goddess chased her quarry to the great sloshing straits that mark the northeast of Resdayn, whereupon the general turned and spoke.

"I am told you are called Mercy!" he cried, struggling to be heard above the crashing waves. The general was chest-deep in the sea now, but still Ayem loomed above him. "Is there yet mercy in you for this defeated foe?"

Ayem replied, "Mercy I am, and vengeance too. In me there is no contradiction, for I will it so. Come, let us do battle as victor and vanquished."

And so they did battle there in the sea for three days and three nights. The general fought hard on the first day and the first night, then began to tire. Ayem only grew stronger. At last, at sunset on the third day, the general faltered.

Ayem ceased her rain of blows and spoke. "You asked for my mercy, and I have given it. Though I have drowned your people and banished them to realms below, I grant you a warrior's death. In dignity and mercy do I destroy you."

Yet the general was defiant, even to the last. "Do what you must with your bitter mercy. Know this, snake-queen," -- and he growled that last insult with particular malice -- "I will die today, but you must kill me again tomorrow. And the day after that, you must kill me again. Know that I am oathbound to this West, and that the world itself will turn towards my victory in time."

Ayem was unfazed. "I have stopped the world's turning before." She pulled a rib from her side, and pierced its length through the general's battered body into the seafloor. "Live or die as you please. Thus do I bind you to your oath." The goddess removed another of her ribs, and again pierced it through the general. Ayem worked for another three days and nights, only stopping when she had no more ribs to spare.

Ayem took off her war-mask and returned then to her usual form. "Such is my love for Resdayn," she said, "equal in measure to my love for my own heart. Both now are ensconced in my bones."

The ending of the words is ALMSIVI.