A Goddess Who Walks Among Humans

  The group has now moved to the main part of Doctor Turnip's house, Chimes and Rivhild stare in awe at the loaf of bread the doctor's wife had made. The former clergyman sits across the table from them. "So you really know nothing about the other gods?" He asks Rivhild.

"I know they exist, or at least they did." Rivhild replies, not taking her eyes off the bread.

"Did?" The old man echoes.

Reioi sits down next to Rivhild. "Is there a reason you think they might not be around anymore?"

Rivhild shrugs. "I don't know, I just don't seem to feel them."

"Feel them?" Reioi questions. "What does that mean?"

"It..." Rivhild starts. "It seems like I'm alone. I don't know anything really. I know the Destroyed realm like the back of my hand, but that’s about it.”

“Is there any divine wisdom you can bestow upon us?” The senior man asks.

“Don’t be a jerk.” Rivhild simply answers.

“Wise words indeed.” The old man agrees with a nod.

The doctor and his wife come into the dining room both carrying spare chairs. The doctor sets one down next to Reioi and his grandfather, “Auntie, I know you like standing but please sit.” The old lady nods and does what her nephew requested.

The wife sets down the chair she was carrying next to Chimes. She studies the way he and Rivhild are staring at the bread. “Supper is still going to be a bit, if you’re hungry, you can have some bread, I’ll get a knife so you can cut it.” She then walks off to the kitchen as Tuipa claims the chair next to Chimes. She comes back with a knife, butter and several plates. She slices the bread, butters a slice for Rivhild and Chimes then slides their plates over to them. When they don’t start eating immediately, she speaks warmly to them, they way she would speak to her own children. “Go ahead, eat it, it is for you.”

Chimes watches Rivhild pick up her bread and bite into it. The moment the buttered bread touches her mouth, her face lights up. “This is delicious!” She exclaims.

The wife chuckles. “Thank you. All of you help yourselves, I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything.”

“Thank you, Misses Turnip!” Rivhild calls out as the woman leaves.

Chimes picks up his piece of bread and shoves the whole thing in his mouth. Everyone who is watching drops their jaws. The newly born angel doesn’t chew, he only holds the bread in his mouth as he takes in the taste, before swallowing it whole. He gasps when the bread finally goes down. “That was good.”

Tuipa touches his shoulder. “You’re supposed to chew. Here,” she butters another slice of bread for him, “only put about a quarter of the bread in your mouth, then crush that up into smaller pieces with your teeth. Only then do you swallow it.” She explains.

“Watch me!” Rivhild then takes another bite of her bread, chews it almost dramatically and swallows with a big gulp.

Chimes mimics the little girl. He takes a bite, chews and swallows with much greater ease. “It’s even better now!”

The thumping of footsteps running in the clinic breaks the peaceful moment, before bursting through the door that separates the clinic and the rest of the house, then finally coming to the dining room. “Dad! Dad!” A young boy runs up to the doctor. “The bandits are back; they are demanding money again. They are going door to door like tax collectors, several people were beat up when they refused to give them money. Mister Carrot from the west side of town, I heard he was dead!”

The doctor’s face furrows. “Junior, go to your room, hide under your bed, don’t come out until someone you know comes for you.” He orders. Reioi, Tuipa, Rivhild and Chimes all stand up. “It’s best if you hide as well.” Wonatho senior murmurs, already figuring that his protest is useless as Reioi picks up her axe from where it was leaning against the table.

“Don’t worry Doctor Turnip, we’ll take care of the bandits!” Rivhild reassures him as she and her companions leave.

The four make their way towards the west side of the village, soon they hear running from behind them. The doctor runs up to them holding a bag. "If you can distract the bandits, I'm going to try to get to Mister Carrot's house. These guys are though, please be careful, even if you are divine."

Tuipa smiles. "Don't worry about us. We got this." The group then continues on their way while the doctor hangs back, hiding behind the corners of houses as they move along.

The bandit leader grabs a man by the shirt. He turns his dastardly grin to the man's wife inside the house who was holding an infant. "Now listen here, you go get us our money, or your kid grows up without a dad." He sneers. He then turns his head to see four figures silhouetted by the rising moons.

The four stop, one steps forward and announces herself with her kyoketsu-shoge swinging. "I am Tuipa Mint."

The next steps forward, her axe reflecting the light coming from the three moons. "I am Reioi Bluebell!"

The little girl steps forward, her hands in position to create a Sin Scorching Sunlight blast. "I am Rivhild, the black winged goddess."

Lastly, the man steps forward, "And I am Chimes, angel of the goddess; Rivhild."

"You idiots think you can stand up to us!? I'm sick of this insubordination, Jaequ, shoot the kid!" The bandit leader orders.

Before anyone can properly react, an arrow flies through the air, hitting Rivhild right between the eyes. The arrow bounces off her forehead and lands harmlessly on the ground. Reioi shakes off her shocked expression fairly quickly. "Honestly, we should have expected that."

The bandit leader takes a step back. “How is that possible?!”

“Like I said,” Rivhild takes another step forward, “I am a goddess, and I am not pleased by your behaviour.” The bandit leader shoves through his men, Rivhild gives chase, causing the bandits to scatter.

Reioi charges forward, a skinny bandit meets her head on, blocking her attack with his jagged sword. For a moment they are at a standstill, then, the bandit’s arms begin to shake, little by little, Reioi gains advantage. Without warning, Reioi pulls back, the bandit stumbles, allowing the woman to cut him down.

Tuipa swings her weapon with graceful ease, the movements like a dance as she takes out anyone who dares step to close. The archer, Jaequ, stealthily shoots an arrow at Tuipa’s head while her back was turned. At the last moment, the ginger haired women turns around, she can’t block as her eyes grow wide. Right before the arrow makes contact with her, Chimes catches the arrow, saving her life. The angel narrows his eyes at the archer; he pulls back his arm and throws the arrow like a mini spear. The arrow lodges itself into it’s former owner’s heart. Chimes turns back to Tuipa. “Are you alright?”

The woman nods. “Y-yeah. Thank you.”

“I’m just doing what I was made for. I will keep you safe, always.” He reassures her as he brushes the hairs that had fallen out of place behind Tuipa’s ear. The woman blushes like a teenager getting her first crush when the angel turns his back, his wings spreading out to shield her from any more potential archers.

Reioi splits a man’s skull before looking around, she pants as she straightens, knowing there are no more enemy combatants. She raises an eyebrow. “Hey, Tuipa, Chimes, have you seen Rivhild?” Both shake their heads.

The three wander around the village until they find the bloodied body of the bandit leader. Tuipa kneels. “She beat him to death.” She observes.

“She probably didn’t want to waste any of her magic on this guy, he was pretty pathetic.” Reioi comments.

Tuipa points at the ground. “Her tracks go this way.” She leads the others down the street until they come to a house with an open door and blood on the front step.

All three peek their heads in to see Doctor Turnip and Rivhild kneeling on either side of a wounded man. “Hey everyone!” The young goddess calls out. “Mister Carrot is going to be alright!”