Eldritch

Well, I guess I got this cult leader sufficiently traumatized.
Not sure if this counts as helping the gods with their cult problem, but I decided not to bother agonizing about this.

"So, I guess this was all you should know about me. Sorry that I don't live up to expectations, but I need to say that you can't really blame me for this." (I)

Being in this position, I need to say that people have quite unrealistic ideas about gods.
Beings who are impeccable, have a plan for absolutely everything, and always carry themselves with grace and confidence.
Heck, where would I've gotten any of this?
While I absolutely refrain from seeing anyone as a being beneath me, the fact that I became their god cannot mean that I'd have to meet all of their desires, which they press into the image of what they want me to be.
I am I.
I don't exist for them.
If they can't see this and even become hostile because of this, then this is nothing but overbearing self-conceit.
This has nothing to do with me.
I only have to make sure that nothing I did to this world prevents their chance of doing well with their life.
And there it ends.
For this reason, I don't feel like I owe this priestess in my name much more than the truth, and prepare myself to leave.

"Pl-please wait!" (A)

Really?
What else does she want from me?

"I, I really need to know! Is, is what we're believing in true? Is there any reason to our existence?" (A)

You're asking me!?!

How would I know?!

"Huh, there you're asking me something. Seriously, I'm not the right address to expect any kind of founded answer to this." (I)

Oh damn.
She looks dejected.
Oh no, please don't cry!
Please, don't cry!

"If you're asking me about the technicalities, I can tell you that's technically true. Deceased souls are getting reborn. There isn't much of a system behind this, but at least no one is meddling with it." (I)

"But what reason is there for all this?! Why don't you just let us end then?!" (A)

I seriously start to believe she deliberately decided to ignore me when I said this was an accident.
Also, I'm not a killer, so I won't be as shallow as to end all these lives because they're inconvenient to me.

"As I said, I don't know about any greater reason. That's not on me. However, if you're asking me, I'd say your life is what you're making it to be. If you want it to matter, then it does. Because it matters to you. It might not be much, but personally, even if there is no reason for my existence, I prefer to exist. It's something at least. So I'm not going to take this away from you." (I)

Hah, that was all the high philosophy I could muster.
It might not be super deep, but at least I do believe in what I said.
Even if it's only the common sense of a non-suicidal person.

"Thank, thank you for sharing. So it is true? We're living our lives again?" (A)

"That's the gist of it, yeah. No idea how that system came to be, but souls get put back into some kind of circle. Eryna could as well be somewhere around again." (I)

It might be somewhat of a soothing thought to know that your loved ones aren't quite gone, even if they don't remember.

"Could you tell me, what about Mela then? Why were you with her?" (A)

"Believe it or not, meeting her was another coincidence. But counter-question: If you knew Eryna, can you maybe tell me what happened to a Kallum?" (I)

"Kallum? Oh, I think I know who you mean. He died during the calamity. Ran into the castle when it went down to save a number of servants. He got mortally wounded during the attempt, while saving several people, and died with the words 'maybe this will make a difference'. It's one of the favorite stories people like to tell and one of the foundations of our belief to do the best with each life we're given. One could say he was obsessed with it." (A)

Okay...
Consider me truly flabbergasted.
That Kallum was going out of his way to save others and even sacrificed himself for those weaker than him?
How does that go together?

One probably shouldn't underestimate the motivation of dreading the consequences.

Right.
The memories I've got of this interaction kinda prompt one to believe that he likely wasn't able to just keep going as before afterwards.

"But what about him? If there's any reason you're asking me about someone long dead?" (A)

I guess at this point it doesn't matter to withhold anything else.

"Kallum is Mela. Well, his rebirth. I... cursed him, in some way. It still persists apparently." (I)

But if he changed afterwards, shouldn't I overthink his verdict a bit?

Yet there's a fine difference between truly changing and a panic reaction to escape the inevitable.

"You, you cursed someone over lifetimes?" (A)

That stuttering gets a little bit annoying.

"Yes, he did something that offended me on quite the personal level. Yet I start to feel like it might've been too much." (I)

But Mela did change!
Even her soul color is different!

Which was her verdict.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
To live those lives while bearing all their consequences.

But I don't find it right to keep on punishing someone during their next life as well.

Now that I look into it, third actually.
She died once again during the calamity, as it seems.

Alright.
This can't go on!
I feel wrong punishing the same soul on repeat!

Yet, as I shouldn't completely go back on my word, I should adjust the soul's punishment a little instead.
A slightly improved stamina, maybe.
Just enough to keep up better and with not as strong growth restrictions, while still being stuck as women, prone to a smaller stature.

Well, this seems reasonable.

"Okay, I'm going to lift the whole thing a little. By the way, this doesn't mean I wish anything bad to happen to Mela. She already got it as hard as it is. Don't need you to add to this, thinking you'd do me a favor." (I)

Can't hurt to clarify this.
You never know with fanatic lunatics.
Or lunatic fanatics?
Well, whatever.

I hope it was clear enough.

"I think we cleared everything up about us. While I, at the very least, would ask you not to burn this world to the ground, I guess it might be asking too much to disband your cult. I guess serving the poor and destitute is something positive, so I won't tell you off on this. But try to keep things moderate. I really don't need fanatic followers. Tell Mela I went back home." (I)

With this, I do what I already wanted to do the whole time and blink out.
Of course, I retract all of the room tentacles first.
This Alyssa might've preferred it as is, but I don't want to leave traces behind.

Next, I concentrate on Mela.
I basically got her soul ID now and can track her wherever.
No direct interaction needed.

In addition, Mela's curse, if you can call it that, isn't really an internal issue with her soul.
It's more about how the modalities of the world interact with her.
So I can just change it remotely.
As her body sets are already defined, this won't help her as much in this life, but at least I can disable the limiters, so she might be able to build a bit of stamina through a lot of training.
In hindsight, this part seems quite devious to me, so I'm glad to remedy this issue.
Even back then, I wanted to get her on the side of the weak.
I didn't want to make her unhappy because she's plagued with medical issues or being unable to make a living, and starve to death.
I hope this will help her out.
She might be a thief, but that's a bit on me as well.

Well, while I'm at it, I may send some kind of immaterial message to Soraja.
If anyone can make her a working member of society, it's probably her.
Also, I can use that chance to inform her about this cult.
If she helps them out a bit, fewer of them should be inclined to want to destroy their world.

With this, I think I got everything settled.
I guess I deserve a break now.
So, after far too long, I can again possess my body back on Earth.

"Crk"

Urgh, it got quite stiff.
One would think that giving up control over all muscles would have the opposite effect.
I kinda appreciate that one of the perks of my current body is that I can just change this on a whim.
If I don't want to feel strained, I can just stop being strained.

But now I guess I should leave my room.
No idea how long that was.

"Mum!" (K)

"Whosh"

Right.
I left Kuri for too long.

"Hey, my little one. Are you alright?" (I)

"I missed you!" (K)

Maybe I should get her acquainted with my demon generals.
I mean, they are a bit alike.
Could be good for her to meet more people.
Yet, Kuri was one of the easier ones.
Now I have to face the other members of my family.

"Iori. Where were you so long?! When I got into your room, you wouldn't wake up, no matter what! You left the plane, didn't you?!" (S)

"Don't be so harsh to her. She probably had to take a nap." (Chr)

Right.
Dad still thinks I'm a bit sleep deprived.
It's not like a chronic condition usually just vanishes overnight.

"I still want to hear it from her what she was up to! So, do you remember our arrangement?" (S)

So, the usual?
Basically, she won't get angry about me going on my trips as long as I tell her every detail about it.
However, Dad is here.
But I guess Mum bets on the fact that his normalcy field is going to filter out anything weird in our discussion.
I already noticed that for some reason, he got quite the selective hearing going.

"Well, after I helped the gods in my dreamworld out yesterday, today, I proceeded with a more urgent request of taking care of a cult that formed around Oroi. You know, my alter ego that I went by when we left back then. I found them, dealt with a lot of personal stuff there, and hopefully they won't start an uprising now anytime soon." (I)

I'm not quite sure if I want to tell Mum about Kallum.
It's the kind of cursed business that is my own.
Also, that I met Alyssa, who is Eryna's daughter, who died, is a bit depressive and would lead too far.

But now I'd be interested in what Dad heard.

"So you played games with your online friends. I'm glad that you found some. Just... don't overdo it, please." (Chr)

How did he come to this conclusion?!

I'm not even sure if I could establish an online connection to Aureas.
Something that would very likely create countless risks in terms of dimensional destabilization.

"Alright, Iori. Dinner is still ready. Get yourself some. You can eat here with us. Kuri too. She refused to eat without you." (S)

So now I know that I was gone for quite a while.
Also, Kuri won't eat?
That means quite something.

"Thanks, Mum." (I)

It's nice to be able to spend my time with family.
This way, the rest of the remaining Sunday comes leisurely to an end.
When it gets time for others to sleep, I start asking myself if I really shouldn't look into mind relaxing meditation.
Mum had a point there that it would probably help my general stability not to always be on edge.
Though, for now, I might just try to lie idly here after this rather long day and let my thoughts rest for a bit.
It's good to calm down once in a while without thinking about anything.

"Oh,

Iori

. Hear my prayer." (A)

The heck!?
I got voices in my head!

- Alyssa -

My mind is in shambles.
Just as you would expect from meeting a being such as the great Oroi.
Or no, it's Iori.
Iori, the great creator.
The one responsible for all our existence.
To think that she would deny being worthy of our worship.
As if!
No, if anything, I was never more certain in my faith!
My goddess talked directly to me and allowed me to hear all of the truths of creation.
To state all the questions a mortal being such as I would have.
Who else can claim such a thing?
What is there not to worship?
What other proof of her would I need but the very demonstration she allowed me to witness?
I saw her bend my reality with a snap of her finger.
This goes beyond measure.
If anything, she's even more supreme than I thought until now.
Also, she's far less shallow than I thought her to be.
As much as she tried to cover it, all her intentions were of benevolent nature.
She wishes for us to enjoy a positive existence.
An existence that she won't dictate for us, but that will be completely our own to craft.
Rather than controlling our fates, she offers all the assistance we require to make it good.

No, I won't stop revering her.
Yet I suppose our ways have to be adjusted.
She showed me clearly that she doesn't favor destruction.
So, rather than ending this unsatisfying world, I should direct our efforts towards a greater purpose.
To better everything.
It might be a monumental task, but with the blessing of our patron, nothing seems impossible.
After all, she said she accepts us as her followers.
A wonderful thing indeed.

So all I need is to put my mind to it.
I'll just have to pray more fervently to access the strength my faith allows me to derive from the great Oroi.
No, it's Iori.
Her true name.
The one she offered for me to know.
My whole being still trembles in joy from this single moment.

I lay my hands together and let all my mind revolve around the unimaginable being that was just guest in my quarter.

"Oh, Iori. Hear my prayer." (A)

Already speaking this mythical name makes me shudder and feel as if my spirit is reaching greater heights.

"Grant me the strength to follow my ideals. Allow me to pursue my goals. Let me persist through all adversity." (A)

It works!
My soul is ecstatic!
I feel truly invigorated!

"Oh, Iori! I will-" (A)

"Oh no you don't!" (I)

"Eeeeeeeehhhhhk!" (A)

"Stop it this instant! Oh my god, what is this?!" (I)

What happened?
The whole room shifts?
Darkness emerges!
And a purple mass grows right in front of me!

"Oh, Iori! Allow me to admit my faults and let me overcome them!" (A)

The purple mass suddenly shifts and takes on a new form.
A humanoid form.

"Shit, no! Stop praying! Damnit, I can hear that in my head! Stop it!" (I)

Iori!
The great calamity once again blessed me with her presence!

"You! Iori!" (A)

"Goddamnit! It's my name! Oh no. Names have power. So it's like this? Damnit, and I gave it to you! Shit, shit, shit!!!" (I)

"My, my goddess!" (A)

"Listen! Don't do this! Don't use my name! Don't spread it! Oroi is fine, but not my name!" (I)

Her eyes of darkest nothing pierce deep into my soul.
An overwhelming presence that allows for no objection, dropping me to my knees and bowing my head.

"Yes! As the Great Creator commands!" (A)

"Good! Please, keep it at this. I don't want your cult chorus or whatever you got shouting it together! This. This is something that would really tick me off." (I)

She truly seems severely displeased.
I have to do better!
I need to show her my proper reverence!

"Great, now you're groveling on the ground again. Please, get back up. I have no need for this. That was merely an emergency contact. I'm basically already gone again." (I)

With this, undefinable energies swirl around my patron.
The dark deity gets encompassed in absolute blackness.

"And don't forget, no prayers!" (I)

And then she's gone again.
Just like this.

I can't even find it in me to stand up again, so overwhelmed am I.
She just came to me a second time.
But something else is far more important.
A truth undeniable: My goddess listens!