Ashura: Affliction
How odd, is this a lifelong curse? Am I doomed to spend the rest of my time having my truths sound like lies? I don’t know how to process it. I managed to stand up to Abaddon, even if only momentarily, and yet I still have this curse. Even though I survived, I can’t talk to people normally without sounding like a liar. “Zephyr,” I ask, “How bad is it?”
Zephyr gives me a calm and calculated answer. “When you ask a question or anything where you are not making a statement, you sound genuine. It is only when you state something where you sound as if you are lying.”
I don’t know if that answer makes anything better. If I try talking to people during our first encounters, this impediment will get in the way of everything. I don’t know if anybody would even want to talk to or associate with me, thinking I can’t tell the truth. I made those wishes because I thought I would be free from the Holy Eastern Empire. Free of feigning religious dogma and free of those physical weights. And yet, I’m not free. Abaddon’s taken away my trustworthiness. I can’t make a good impression anymore unless I make some excruciating effort to explain what is happening to me. Now that I’m out of the running for a wish, I can’t get my trustworthiness back.
“Ashura,” Zephyr continues, “We believe you.”
I step back for a moment. “You do? But how?”
“You are a person worth believing in. It might be difficult to learn about your impediment and learn to get over that, but you are someone who clearly deserves kindness, love, and respect.” The frog turns to face me. “You have only now broken free of tyranny. We will not get in the way of that. I, myself, will not let that get in the way of what you tell me. I will choose to trust in the face of this curse.” I notice Zephyr is signing so that Lysander can understand. Lysander, on the other hand, is not looking this way. They are fully focused on their book. It doesn’t matter, this duel is too important for both of them.
“Thank you,” I reply. “You have no idea how much this means to me.” I sit down on the grass, noticing Lysander perk up and sign something to Zephyr.
“We can talk later,” Zephyr states, “Lysander is ready to duel.”
I nod. The two of them take a stance and grab their supplies. In Zephyr’s hands are parchment and a brush dripping with ink. Lysander, on the other hand, is holding a massive paper ribbon in one hand and a needle and a vial in their other hand. I am fascinated to see how this goes down. With Zephyr, will they use their clairvoyance ability again? This is not a duel I want to miss.