Loving A Mortal (18+)

"Ambrose, the Gods have decided to bestow you with the highest power that Ercians could ever wish for." the high priest paused and positioned his divine staff on Ambrose's head. Then he continued preaching, "May this power bless you with prosperity and the Ercians around you." The high priest kneeled on one leg and bowed his head upon his knees. The crowd mimicked the high priest and gave their respect to Ambrose who had just received the highest power that the Gods rarely bless the Ercians with, the power of immortality. Ambrose felt his body heating up, energy was rushing through every inch of his body. The power that he is receiving is giving him the pressure of being pressed and crushed by a heavy object, but the feeling is making his body feel at ease and feeding him with stinging satisfaction. Blinding strays of light were emitted from Ambrose's body and it caused the crowd to squint their eyes. The blinding light was followed by a powerful wind, where numbers of spectators drifted from their stances. Ambrose sensed that the movements of the people who were spectating became slow, it seemed like the time just stopped or maybe he was just imagining things. "Ambrose," a voice echoed in Ambrose's head. "Who are you?" Ambrose asked in confusion. "Ask no more, Ambrose. I'm Devas, the God of provocation," answered Devas, followed by a mischievous grin. A shiver ran up to Ambrose's spine after hearing Devas' name. Devas is well known for his selfish desires. He sent a lot of Ercians to Earth to suffer from mental pain and emotional damage. Devas is known as the worst God existing, for that, the Ercians are driven with hatred and disgust toward Devas. Ambrose calmed himself and brushed off his fear with ease. I'm an immortal now, there is nothing to fear anymore, he reminded himself. Devas could hear the words that Ambrose had said in his mind. This made Devas laugh in mockery. "Oh, Ambrose. I know what your heart desires." Devas prompted. "It's not the immortality that you have prayed to the Gods almost every night, but did they listen to your pleadings?" Devas' shriek of laughter filled Ambrose's head, which made Ambrose scream in annoyance. "Enough!" Ambrose roared in irate. "I don't know what you want from me, but please just leave me alone." Ambrose complained, closing both of his earholes with his palms, hoping that he would not hear a word from Devas again. "If it is what you wanted, Ambrose, then don't pray for a marvelous power anymore, because your prayers will not be granted twice," Devas replied with wry amusement in his voice. Devas' words made Ambrose feel a spark of reliance. He felt a sensation where his emotion gleamed with hope. Maybe Devas could be his way to pull off the power that he yearns for in his entire existence. "The power of revival," Devas whispered. Ambrose's thirst for power made him utter, "Such power would require something great." Ambrose looked at the crowd, people were still frozen in time. These people are here to celebrate his receiving of the power of immortality, but this is not what he prayed for, this is not the power that would bring his Mereda, his love, to life. "It's not something that you can't do, Ambrose." Devas grinned, tempting Ambrose to do what he please. For his love, to bring Mereda back to life, Ambrose's mustered the courage to ask Devas, "What shall I do?" "Come to my place and you shall know," Devas said as his voice slowly faded in Ambrose's head. The crowd started to move again and continued to honor the power bestowed by the Gods to Ambrose. The crowd didn't realize that the God of provocation, Devas, is offering a deal of the power that Ambrose have been praying for. --------------------------------------------- "What?!" Erika gasped in disbelief. "Tell me you are not going there, Ambrose. Mereda is dead and if she was alive, she wouldn't want you to go to Devas. The Gods have already granted you the power of immortality and wanting for a different one would be contempt of the power bestowed upon you." Erika followed Ambrose while exclaiming her preach in disbelief. Ambrose continued walking, ignoring Erika's sermon. He regretted telling Erika what happened earlier in the ceremony. He didn’t expect Erika to be hysterical about it. In fact he thought that Erika would be pleased with his decision. Erika is Mereda's younger sister and she's been helping Ambrose to move on so that he could enjoy his life again, because she knew that Mereda wouldn't like to see Ambrose suffering from her death. "Ambrose! Are you listening?" Erika yelled. She's been trying to stop Ambrose from going to Devas. Ambrose halted his steps and he looked at Erika. "Erika," Ambrose sighed, then he opened his mouth to continue his words. "I need to do this," he said firmly. Erika also halted, her head bowed facing the ground. Her tears dripped on the ground, she couldn't bear her sympathy towards her sister's lover, who was suffering in great pain and had himself secluded in darkness after her sister had passed away. "Please, Ambrose. Don't do this, we know what will happen if you accept his offer." Erika pleaded with her knees on the ground. Ambrose quickly pulled Erika's arms, "Erika, don't." Ambrose hugged Erika and gently patted her back, hoping to calm Erika down. "I need to do this, please understand," Ambrose breathed. Ambrose decided to take Devas' words, whatever the aftermath it would bring to him. He's ready to sacrifice anything just to revive Mereda. The prayers of longing for the power of revival are the longing for Mereda's return. He only wanted to be with Mereda so badly that he would do anything. "Mereda," Erika uttered, "Before Mereda left us, she told me to help you... to help you find happiness... to live your life as if she didn't die, but you don't want to forget her. I guess this is where it ends, Ambrose." Erika wiped her tears with the back of her palm. "I really wanted to see you happy again, Ambrose. It's just so hard. Impossible to be exact." Erika grabbed Ambrose's left shoulder. "I pray to the Gods that you find happiness, you deserve to feel alive." Erika pulled herself from the arms of Ambrose. Ambrose smiled genuinely at Erika's words of defeat. "Thank you, Erika." Ambrose grabbed Erika's hand and softly planted a kiss on its back. This means goodbye for Ercians. Erika couldn't contain the sadness that she felt after Ambrose's action. She knew that he would never return. She failed to protect the man who her sister loved the most.