Are you a god?

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I sighed as the monster stepped into the crossroads. Why did it always have to be Balrogs?

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. None of the characters, places, or anything else is meant to be represented by anything in reality. Duh! Fiction, get it? I the author reserve the rights, so please don't go posting this anyplace else without my permission. A very special thanks goes out to Cathy who spent the time to make this story readable. Another round of thanks goes out to all the others out there in BCTS land who have encouraged and inspired me to write and keep writing. Any remaining mistakes are all mine.

Dedicated to Harold Ramis. He made me laugh, cry, think and wonder.
Thanks also goes out to Shin Eris and for her story Sky Goddess. My muse took that thought and ran with it, of course in a different direction. Gee thanks, as if my muse needed help being distracted!

Are You a God?
By
Grover
3/1/2014

I sighed as the monster stepped into the crossroads. Why did it always have to be Balrogs?

Because it was how my mind translated the indescribable into something that was sorta kinda understandable my inner narrator explained. Just like the crossroads where we were standing, it was my poor noggin’s best attempt at taking something humans weren't meant to know and make sense of it.

What the hell. This was only a dream after all. Even if it wasn't, when I woke that would be what the waking me would think and believe. That is if I woke. There was some truth to that old wives tale about dying in your dreams would cause you to die for real.

“Okay,” I yelled up at tall, dark and scary. “That's far enough. Just turn around get out of here and there won't be any trouble.”

“Are you a god?” He asked, staring at me.

I could tell he wasn't very impressed. Well hell, neither was I. Obese, old, farts have very little business at telling critters like Mr. Balrog what to go do with themselves, but that was the hand fate had dealt me.

“Despite advice I've heard to always answer that question with, yes.” I smiled, remembering that movie from my youth. “The answer is no. I'm not a god.”

His smile wasn't anywhere as pleasant as mine as he lashed out with that fiery whip. Sure it was only a metaphor, but I got my fat ass out the way as fast as I could anyways. It damn sure caused the asphalt of the road to bubble and hiss as it burned a deep gouge.

“Hey!” I objected, hugging and puffing as I stood up. “ I'm trying to be nice here!”

“Fuck nice.” The Balrog grinned evilly as he whirled his burning whip to strike again.

“Crap.” I cursed, trying to judge just when to dodge.

I almost made it. Tripping on the edge of the fresh ditch the flicking whip had dug, I went sprawling. It took old ugly only a second to bring the damn thing back around. A flick of his wrist had me wrapped in its coils as the flames took me.

Screaming, I fought to get free, but to no avail. Being burned alive really sucked as a way to die. The flames consumed all there was to burn, then laughing, another twist of his hand flung the remains into the battle scarred crossroads.

That laugh choked off as I stood.

Sighing, I reached up into the gathering thunderous clouds unsheathing a blade of lightnings. Rain, instead of splashing upon me, clothed my naked feminine curves in a suit of gleaming mail as impenetrable as diamonds as I stepped toward my foe.

Startled, he retreated, but it was too late for that. I'd given him his chance. Screw do-overs. He would have no mercy from me.

His lash whipped forward, but my blade was faster. The severed weapon writhed on the ground like a wounded snake. Another strike of lightnings took care of that, just in case that whip was more than what it seemed.

Throwing the useless weapon away he lept with his claws and talons extended. In a letter perfect lunge I skewered him, the smoking point of my blade protruding from his back between his wings.

“You said you weren't a god.” He gasped, as he fell to his knees.

“I'm not.” Viciously, I withdrew my weapon. “Try the more dangerous of the species.”

As he fell I took in a deep breath, fully enjoying the play of my breasts and of simply being my true self. Extending my own wings, I let the winds carry me skyward. This respite from my curse wouldn't last long, but I fully intended on making the most of it.

Perhaps I would never know what I'd done to warrant such a crude punishment. Was it an unthinking jest, an unwise bet or had I wronged someone else? The one certainty in the cosmos was there always someone more powerful, even among gods.

However, that wouldn't prevent me from carrying out my duties, protecting my world. Even when those I guarded turned against the flesh in which I'd been imprisoned in a cruel and heartless fashion. When I woke once more I would be male, a loner, someone who didn't fit in anywhere.

However, until then I was a goddess of the skies, and woe to those who challenged me. Putting aside the ache in my heart, I flew, reveling in one of the few freedoms allowed me. Soon I would be trapped in that hateful flesh again.

I was in my element. I flew. I was me. I was free.

<><><>

“Whoa!” The early morning commuter exclaimed, surprised. The shooting star blazed across the sky until it was lost amid the light of the Morning Star and the crescent moon.

“That's beautiful.” He whispered, holding onto his steaming Styrofoam cup of coffee as he stared at the bright moon and the second planet and the sparkling trail that fading with every breath.

“Just beautiful.”

The End
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Comments

“Just beautiful.”

cool. Will there be more of this story?

DogSig.png

Well

I hadn't planned on it. This was to be just a one shot. If I continue I'll have to come up with just why she's cursed to her dual existence. One of the ways I think this works is because she has no choice but to keep going on. If there was a known cause then that would change everything! She's just a little determined when she puts her mind to it and if there was a cause then there's a cure. Not that I have anything against happy endings. :)

Thanks for your comments Dorothy. You and my other two fans makes my day. :)
Hugs
Grover

Great line

Jemima Tychonaut's picture

A great line from a great movie. I guess that will teach the balrog to be sexist! Next time ask 'are you a god/dess?'. :-)

Thanks for a entertaining short story Grover!



"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Harold Ramis

It was the report of his death that got me to thinking about Ghostbusters and that marvelous line!
And you're welcome for the story and thanks for your comment!
Hugs
Grover

An interesting little short story

And an interesting answer to the question: Are you a god? I agree with the other commenter, this would be a good basis for expanding it into a longer story. A goddess trapped in the body of a man and who is only able to return to her true form in sleep for a few hours at a time. that's a story that deserves to be expanded on.

Hugs,
Tamara Jeanne

Curses!

You just had to bring it up didn't you! Now you have my muse thinking about it! I just finished a novel that started off just as a short story! Please not another one. I have so many unfinished tales that are getting restless and I can only write just so fast!

However that is one of the things that makes a writer. You think about things you're exposed to and ideas suggests themselves.

Thanks for your comment!
Hugs
Grover

The gods are small birds, but

Ameria's picture

The gods are small birds, but I am the falcon.
From A hymn to Inana

Another message from Hissy the Snake.

Fun story

I think this one was good on its own, a simple fight with a bit of a twist. And, of course, the play on the Ghostbusters line. Nice, enjoyable read.

titania.jpg

Titania

Lord, what fools these mortals be!

Thanks!

I know everyone has their favorite films, but in this one, Harold Ramis combined so many of my interests into one media. It was entertaining and I still enjoy watching it. However, me being me, could find some instances where the question,"Are you a god?" would be answered differently.
Thanks for your kind words and comment!
Hugs
Grover

This is great

Beautiful detail, so much said yet so few words were used. I love it!

Hugs

God

shiinaai's picture

Yay! Grover wrote a story based on my story. I feel so warm and touched, I feel like blowing my snot on someone else's sleeve. Why couldn't this happen earlier? Great story btw.

That was a good take on the

That was a good take on the sky goddess-style theme.

Thanks for the very enjoyable read and I do so love a little magic in the morning.

Xx
Amy

A little magic in the morning

I most certainly would not disagree with that! I'm told that I hit on many of Innana's symbols so I guess I did do an okay job.

Thanks for the comment!
hugs
Grover

As an old, obese fart

in the 'Real World' I can relate to this story! Even though I've never seen 'Ghostbusters' I enjoyed this very much. And as a Tolkien enthusiast I appreciate the appearance of one of his creations. Although you could expand this, there's no need to do so. It works very well as a short story of this length. Yes, this is a definite success.

kandijayne

Old farts

You would think I was in front of a mirror or something. :) Since the meaning of the saying is 'Who are you to tell me what to do? Or Can you hurt me?' it does fit. You are right about it being Tolkien's fault. His imagery was so rich, that when I think of something dark and evil coming in from the black depths, it's a Balrog.

Thanks so much for your comment and kind words! :)

Hugs
Grover

A short comment for a short story

I think I’m just going to echo Dorothy and say “cool”. Actually I should say “way cool”.