Bes (dwarf_of_kemet) wrote in deities_dot_com, @ 2013-06-20 12:12:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | ~bes, ~nergal |
Savagery Required (tag: Nergal)
As he paused for a moment, breathing heavily, Bes forced his arms to relax. The sistrum and knives were feeling unusually heavy, and he needed to catch his breath. As he stood there, his naked grotesque form grateful for the cooling shade, Bes came to one unarguable conclusion.
He was out of his element.
The funny thing about so many mortals, particularly those of Western religions, was that they believed demons were the minions of some devil-being, and that they only came out to terrorize at night. Bes knew that was far from the truth. He'd fought demons for ages long gone, and knew their abilities perhaps better than anyone else. He had never lost a battle, but today, under the hot African sun, he was suddenly faced with that possibility.
A demon? No problem. Two or three? Easy pickin's. But an entire village? That was not something one found very often these days. But here in Côte d'Ivoire, where tribes were still common, it wasn't unheard of. The Ivory Coast in Africa, like many of its neighboring countries, still held these sort of small villages with their own ways of life and religion. Once Bes spoke with the elders of the village, he immediately understood the problem.
They were a Diomande tribe. Bes had certainly heard of them, it was his business to know about such things. They believed a person's du, or soul, lived on and needed a new host to reside in. If one was not readily available, the du became a bush spirit, something that needed to be appeased each time the border between the village and the wilds were crossed. Often rituals were performed, masked dancers inviting the du to reside in their own bodies. Sometimes, something else took advantage of that. It was not the first time Bes had needed to aid in such matters, but never had it been on this scale.
Apparently, word must have gotten out, and the demons found this particular village to be very inviting to their spirit friends. Now, at least two-thirds of the population found themselves possessed and things were getting ugly. Bes knew not all the people could be saved, some would have to lose their lives in order to release and destroy the demons, but he wanted to keep as many alive and restored as he could. Trouble was, as soon as he went to work on one, others interfered, and he was gaining little ground.
As he caught his breath, Bes knew he needed help. Someone who understood death, spirits, and what it took to kill when necessary. Anubis would certainly understand, but Bes didn't want the young god involved. He got depressed enough, and being forced to possibly kill both humans and spirits might prove too much for him. Bast and Sekhmet could hold their own in battle, but demons? Maybe, but again, they were too close to his heart to risk. An Underworlder, preferably, someone who understood spirits at the very least, demons would be better. Someone unafraid of killing if needed, but not so out of control that they wouldn't know when to stop. While the person he was thinking of would get the first two, he wasn't so sure about the last. Desperate, Bes realized he had little choice. And the risks would be slight- the Beast would come out alright, Bes was sure.
Oh, he really didn't like this idea. But what choice did he have?
Nergal of Sumer, I am in need of your help. Will you lend your sword and strength to Bes of Egypt?
The sword bit was enticement Bes hoped Nergal would not refuse.