Fantasy The Sacrificial Harvest

Ignis was quiet as he laid in his room it was bright out in his world but he didnt wish to wake up from his slumber, the truth of the matter was he was a bit sluggish in resent years. Being a god wasent all that was cracked up to be, sure you had all these powers you could use but if no one prayed for you and gave you offerings you grow too weak to even use said powers. So here he laid too lethargic to do a thing he couldent even take care of his plants most days. Its a wonder how they all were still living Speaking of living he felt the weight by his stir there came a mew as it walked closer to bap at his face. He groaned softly and tried to hide "Marshmallow please let daddy sleep more...." He spoke softly to his cat. Marshmallow mewed again as he curled up close.

The cat was his fateful companion, the stories of him bringing back a earth cat were passed around for generations. Marshmallow was this super fluffy cream and light brown cat with a few scratches on his nose. Ignis had found him as that on the streets of a village when he walked the earth one time and fell in love. He granted the cat immortality and brought him back to his world, he of course raised hell with the pantheon bringing back a earth animal but he didnt care what was one measly cat going to do to them?

Snuggling more into marshmallow he sighed at the warmth of the cat before he felt a tug...he almost didnt catch it it had been so long, years in fact. Opening his eyes he blinked a few more times and then he groaned as he hid, the humans were calling for him...Specifically him...why? Another tug and he growled softly as he sat up, like most of the pantheon they were right pissed with the humans right now. Years ago they worshiped them as they should...they gave them what they wanted all they wanted was offerings in return. It was a deal that held fast for generations. They then turn their backs on them for what....science as they called it and shiny new buildings? So why now....another tug and he huffed and got out of bed and went to mirror.

Gods above he looked horrible he fixed his appearance as best as he could before looking to the cat in his bed "Marshie, daddy will be right back okay? You are the man of the house." He spoke to the cat before he opened a portal, staring at it for a moment he was surprised he could even do this still. He then stepped through, 'this had better be good' he thought as he did so. where he ended up was at one of his temples. He stared at all the people in there the temple was no longer in pristine shape, overgrown and he could tell they cleaned it up just now in a hurry. Offerings were laid out for him and a person sat amongst the offerings in ceremonial garb. A human sacrifice? He gave a glare at the in awe people who stared. Crossing his arms he stared back it was quiet for a moment before he huffed "Well? What is the meaning for my summons?" he asked

Ignis stood there and stared at Ingvar as he whined and complained about their problems about the harvest and the animals getting easily sick and dying. When the mortal to be sacrificed was pushed at him and he slowly looked down at her. But when she spoke he blinked in utter confusion at the question. "Um...no there are a few of us who are tall, few of us who are medium, and a couple that are short..." he explained and tilted his head expecting the plead of her life but this was almost refreshing, but then the mortal Ingvar started pleading for more harvests and better animal health and blah blah....blah.

Ignis finally had enough of the begging and the pleading "And whose fault is that?" He asked the question to the mortal with a glare. The mortal sputtered and began to make excuses that they thought that science would help the crops prosper more and heal more ailments of animals. He then snapped and the flames lit in the temple began to blaze as if emulating his anger. "Enough!" His voice boomed as it echoed off the already crumbling walls threatening to crumble on top of them. "I dont care about your stupid science bull shit! You all abandon us! And for what? Tall shiny buildings, and iron horses the clog the air with fumes?!" He breathed hard as he snarled at the elder "You should be HONORED that i decided to come to your summons after what you all did!" The gods were all loosing their ability to stay awake going into deep slumbers because their source of power was taken away from them. The only ones that dont seem to be effected were the god and goddess of life and death.

It was then that he slouched slightly in exhaustion the flames dying down as well almost being snuffed out. Coming here, loosing his temper... it only made him feel more tired. He was silent as he stared down the terrified humans too scared to run. He knew that this would be his last foray into the human world for a long....long time. He didnt want to go to sleep...he did too much of that and what would happen to Marhsmallow if he were to fall into a deep slumber. Looking down at the human sacrifice frowning, then something pinged inside his head. Slowly he straighten himself back up and huffed at the humans.

"Fine...i made up my mind....you will get ONE harvest....and a year of healthy animals along with newborns for your village only. BUT...i have conditions. You must bring me the usual offerings no human sacrifices, and lastly..." he pointed to Astrid "I will be taking and keeping her." How long was remain to be seen for it would be for a while...he had a plan. He took care of a cat how hard would it be to take care of a mortal as well?

Ignis was quiet as he watched the mortal's look like they heard the best news in a while the mortal elder looked to about to thank him until Astrid spoke up about a sister that she wanted no harm come to her. The elder nodded and that was all he needed when she turned to him and asked him as well he shrugged "I cant control that, you are going to have to take his word for it." he informed her as he nodded at the elder "You heard her I will be checking in at every monthly offering..." He nodded before he huffed "Now that thats over with...you come with me." He pointed to Astrid as he walked up to the platform that the portal sat waiting. When they walked up to the portal he grabbed Astrid's hand "You might want to close your eyes." he advised before they walked through.

Soon they were in his living room he slowly sighed and slumped finally showing off how tired he really was. He was quiet for a moment before he looked to astrid. "make yourself at home i guess...ill get your room ready so you have a place to rest and relax." He nodded before he walked off to do just that. it was then that Marshmallow strolled in like he owned the place. Stopping however when he saw Astrid sitting down he stared at her.

Marshmallow didnt move nore run when she came up to him only watched her. She was new to his domain and he was merely getting used to her. He was used to all the gods and goddesses coming in an out but a human was different. Slowly he sniffed her hand and mewed before standing and bunting into her hand and then rubbing against her leg. Winding a bit then coming to bunt into her hand once more, his fur soft and fluffy to the touch. H elet her pet him as long as she liked enjoying the attention she gave. Soon he perked and mewed once more as eh heard Ignis' familiar foot steps.

It was when Ignis came in and blinked at the the two of them "Ah it seems that you've met marshmallow." He nodded towards his cat. "Hes a good boy, arnt your marshie?" he asked his cat who meowed back as if answering him. Going over to bunt and rub against him too he gave a chuckle and reached down to pick him up before he looked to Astrid "Come i made your room up." he spoke to her and then lead the way off to the room while he petted marshmallow. He then stopped at the doorway and nodded "Its empty but it has the normal stuff for a room...bed, dresser, bookshelf, and a desk." He looked to her "i gave the bed new bedding too since it was pretty dusty ."

Ignis was quiet as he looked into the room still petting marshmallow who happily sat in his arms purring. Nodding he looked to her "Of course i couldent very well have you sleeping on the couch now could i?" he nodded gently and went back to petting before she asked the question that was most important. He set his cat down so he can wander into the room to check it out "Well anything you want really...live your life as you wish to live it here. But well there is one thing however..." He looked to her as he leaned on the door frame. "The only thing that you have to do is give me your energy when i need it. Usually when a human sacrifice happens the human is killed by the god or goddess and all their life force is taken by them. But since your kind decided to stop all worship and i dont know when i will be offered offerings and prayer i decided to take you alive as a live in generator of sorts." He was blunt and right to the point. "I wont take enough to kill you dont worry about that..."

Ignis then nodded before he stood straight "Which speaking of ill take that energy now..." Slowly he walked to the middle of the room and sat down cross legged. "If you please sit across from me and we can get started." He nodded to her and waited patiently for her to follow direction.

Astrid was pleasantly surprised to hear that she could live her life as she wished; she could continue her training and hobbies. The part about giving her energy to the god, however, didn't sound as nice. Astrid narrowed her eyes sceptically as she listened to Ignis' explanation. "Oh, that's good to know. I have no worries now," she grumbled after the god declared that he wouldn't take too much of her energy.

Astrid watched him sit down in the middle of the room. Clearly uncomfortable, she hesitated to follow the god's example. But did she really have a choice in this? Sighing, the young woman walked over slowly before lowering herself to the floor. She looked at the god for direction. "What's next? And is it going to hurt?"