The Tales of the Argonauts: The Osorezu and the Hana (Chapter 7-1)

Chapter 7: Kai and the Breath of the Gods

The Past

Hiro was an average farm boy. He knew no privilege, and he knew no luxury— and yet, he was happy. He was content to live among the cows and the chickens and the pigs. The sun brought him joy and warmed his heart as he plowed the fields. He enjoyed to see his success at the end of the autumn with his apples and his pumpkins.

There was not a thread of evil in him. From the hairs on his head to the tips of his toes, he was good. All recognized that he was good. Even the animals never acted up around him. If there was a storm, the horses wouldn't rear and threaten to hurt him. The cows and bulls would never charge him. The chickens would never chase him. All knew that he was good.

He tended toward the baby animals as well. Even though he was a human, and animals protected their babies from them, such creatures didn't mind him. They freely allowed their chicks and their piglets and their foals and their calves be handled by this human. It was even more impressive that the wild animals would allow him to handle their babies. He was an impressive person, especially to the gods.

One god, in particular, loved him just as all creatures on earth did. This god was Lano, the god of bravery. He enjoyed watching the tranquil essence of this man as he enjoyed his days.

However, Hiro's peace was destroyed. In these moments, the gods made a fate changing decision.

In the night, a band of ruffians ransacked his barn, slew two chickens, stole a live hen and rooster, took enough horses for their party of four and began to storm off, ripping the farm up in their wake.

Hiro awoke in the midst of their raid, to the clatter of his pots and pans falling. He took a kitten candle and slowly shuffled out into the kitchen. He thought that the noise was perhaps a stray animal that had discovered food in his home. However, he rounded the corner to the kitchen and was met by a knife in his belly. He collapsed, mouth gaping. Blood fell from him like a spring.

The men muttered a few things to each other before they turned and began to leave.

Then the kitchen was consumed in a bright white light, and the voice of Lano was heard, "May my soul pour into this man and make him a Hero."

As this was said, the kind Hiro stood. Despite his wound, he stood. Despite the menacing adversary, he stood. He stood with his eyes glowing bright as well as every oraface elsewhere. The light poured from him in a manner that could only be described as godly.

He then approached the ruffians and gently touched each of the forehead with his middle finger. With each touch, the men collapsed in lifeless heaps. The light of the god had passed into each and it had overwhelmed their sinning souls. With the last man, the light left Hiro and he was healed.

When the morning came, he recounted his night to the village elder— not in the hopes of documenting his experience, but to receive a little extra money to account for the damage. Of course, he expected to work for this money. He'd rather ask for the money from the city than exploit his animals solely to gain back a hen, rooster, two chickens, and four horses. However, when he told the story, the elder was taken aback.

"You were dying, then you awoke and the intruders were dead, but their bodies were glowing?"

"Yes sir," replied Hiro, "and they turned to ash by the morning."

The elder gestured for Hiro to stay put before he conferred with the medicine man. After many moments, both men returned to Hiro's presence.

"Last night, I have hypothesized," said the medicine man, "you were enlightened by Lano."

"That is to say that we would like you as our spiritual guide, as Lano would want. In return, we'll supply you with every animal and every worker and every deciple that you would want..."

It was from this day forth that any person whom was touched in such a way by a god or goddess was made a Guide. This Guide would become the leader of the people through their divine protector.