A talk to Moradin

Renee arrived home with a few leaves stuck in her hair and a little sweaty. She took a refreshing shower while she regained consciousness. It had taken about twenty to thirty minutes since she got home for her to learn about Tracy and her friends' streaming and that some people had now seen her in action fighting. Renee worried about the possible repercussions of this in the city, but found it exciting to have a video of her coming out on top for a change. Moradin felt particularly proud of Renee, but hoped that the false leads would still keep possible ice giants' eyes away from the small town and, above all, hoped that they wouldn't try to retaliate against the redhead.

Renee ate a large amount at dinner; her mother was finding her daughter's new habits strange over time, even sharing her concerns with her husband, but at that point they both agreed that if she continued to be happy, well-dressed, and out of trouble, everything would be fine.

Lying in bed, Renee reflected on the night's events, closing her eyes for a moment, allowing some information to settle into her thoughts, normalizing her new reality.

"Hey, Moradin," she said internally to her new friend, "how did your enmity with the ice giants begin?"

Moradin, responding to the internal conversation, replied:

"It's not a very pleasant story."

"Even so, it's strange that a whole group of creatures would decide to challenge a god. It's natural that I'm curious about the reason."

There was no response for some time.

"They don't want to challenge me. They believe the land is rightfully theirs. The reason is that they believe they are more skilled and intelligent than humans and other giants, but since they were beaten by the other giants when they tried to take their lands, they decided to try to take the human kingdoms. Unfortunately for them, human power far surpassed the physical capabilities of the ice giants, so they joined forces with the mad god Poketunaru, who became their patron. The dwarf peoples learned of this and, out of respect for the humans, asked me to confront Poketunaru in defense of Earth, the home of humans."

"Okay, wait, that was too fast," said Renee. "From what I understand, although there isn't a clear context, there are other kingdoms and lands. Earth is the home of humans, but there is a home for dwarves, a home for ice giants, and a home for other creatures."

"Exactly! Sorry, I forgot that you don't know this here on Earth. But there are distinct realms, accessible, although with some difficulty, to mortals, and through which gods can travel more easily. There are also patrons of the peoples, who can influence more or less depending on their character."

"Interesting, and Earth has a patron? I mean... of humans?"

"There have been many, but humans are very distinct from each other, they give gods from other realms varied names, they create their own traditions and stories. Pelor, for example, who was much more present in the past, was called Olodumare, El-Shadai, Baldur, Helios..."

"So the mythologies and beliefs we have are... all the same mythology?"

"No, not at all. Even within human mythologies themselves there are divergences. Look, when two dwarves say my name, they are both referring to the same person, but when two Greeks referred to Zeus they didn't necessarily think of the same being with the same characteristics. Today Christianity is extremely popular and is an excellent example of this. When two people talk about the boy who became known as Jesus, they are very rarely talking about the same person; one person imagines a loving pacifist, the other imagines a merciless avenger."

Renee reflected on these words for some time.

"Did I offend you by talking about human religions?" Moradin said.

"No... I mean... a little," said the redhead. "I grew up being taken to church. Don't take it the wrong way, I know you didn't mean to offend, but know that the congregation in the city would hate you," she said, her humor already a little better.

"The city congregation?" Moradin said. "They have no moral authority to speak about this. The disciples of a man who was stripped and beaten, led tied to a piece of wood and ridiculed throughout the city of Jerusalem, left naked and exposed until **** took him in agony, left a message: 'Boys, don't be cowards with others. Take care of those in need.' And then they see you, ****, humiliated and lost in the same way he was, they assumed the worst of you, laughed and made fun of it."

"Moradin... I know better than anyone how terrible it was, but you seem... angry."

"And I am. My followers would NEVER do that to anyone. If they saw you in any humiliating situation, they would have immediately mobilized to protect and help you. Look, I am by no means an absolute symbol of selflessness and kindness, but even those who follow my example would do better than your city congregation." "Wow, wow. Moradin, calm down. I appreciate your concern for me, and I'm glad my shame makes you angry, but there's no need for so much."

Moradin took a while to respond.

"Forgive me, I did indeed overreact. But I ask that you understand... it's very strange for me to witness this. In many kingdoms, stepping on those below is a cause for shame; here, it's a rule, even among those who cling to one of those who denounce this habit."

Renee felt the burning in Moradin's heart. The shame he felt about the situation had never inflamed him so much. She perfectly understood the nature and revolt of her friend; it had hurt him deeply, and there were many worse situations on Earth that could make him hate the planet.

"If Earth is so bad... Why do I sense in you such a great need to keep it safe? Don't say it's just for the Brutal Pick, I can feel that it's not."

Moradin didn't answer immediately.

"I... I don't know if I could answer that question. It's strange, indeed. Humanity fascinates and disgusts me in similar ways. Still... there's something strange and frighteningly attractive about humanity. A chaos and disorder that find beautiful purposes. It's something impossible to ignore. But I think we're exaggerating too much for this late hour after a busy day."

"Yeah... I think you're right. Anyway, I'm very grateful that you're here, Moradin," Renee said, with breathtaking sincerity and serenity.

"...Me too, Renee... Me too."

Renee rested peacefully, Moradin remained awake, after all he was a god. The question echoed in his mind as the night passed, "If Earth is so bad... Why do I sense in you such a great need to keep it safe?" His answer had been sincere, but he searched his own heart trying to understand how complete it had been.