The Sage and the Goddess
"Cinderella?"
"That's the name of the heroine."
"What a strange name."
Sunya had chosen to tell her one of the famous tales that would one day spread across the future. Rather than simply imparting dry knowledge, he had judged that a well-structured story of fiction — with a clear beginning, middle, and end — would hold a child's interest far more effectively.
But why Cinderella, of all stories?
This world had not yet developed a culture of storytelling. Most narrative structures were exceedingly simple. The Mesopotamian region would one day produce the famous Epic of Gilgamesh, but Gilgamesh himself had not even been born yet — so ancient was this age.
Had he begun with something too radical, it might have failed to land, and every other story thereafter would have seemed dull by comparison. In that regard, Cinderella was just right — unassuming enough, yet still engaging. The heroine's circle of relationships was narrow, so there were few characters to remember, and the dynamics between them were simple enough that comprehension posed no difficulty.
"In a city whose name has been forgotten, there lived a girl called Cinderella. She was raised under a stepmother who..."
Of course, he had adapted the tale just enough so that even Inanna, in this era, could understand it.
"Ohhh..."
By the time Sunya's story drew to a close, Inanna was lost in wonder.
"Was that a real story? Did it actually happen?"
"Well, there may be similar cases somewhere in the world, but as far as I know, it is a tale someone invented."
"Did you make it up?"
"I heard it somewhere myself."
The story seemed to have moved Inanna deeply.
"Becoming the king's wife, seizing power and authority, and then taking her revenge... The way she stopped at nothing to achieve her goal — that was truly impressive."
"I suppose one could see it that way."
"Do you know any other stories?"
"I know quite a few, yes."
"Tell me another one."
"Then allow me to tell you the story of the Little Mermaid."
"What's a mermaid?"
"People whose upper bodies resemble those of ordinary folk, but whose lower halves are like the fins of a fish."
"Ah, so like old man Enki's lot."
From Inanna's perspective, the Little Mermaid was vastly different from Cinderella. Where Cinderella had married the king for revenge and power, the Little Mermaid had sacrificed everything for the prince — even her own life. That selflessness, that willingness to give for another with no practical gain for herself, was something Inanna simply could not grasp.
"Why did the Little Mermaid throw everything away for the prince?"
"Because of love... I would imagine?"
"Love?"
"Yes. Love."
"What's love?"
For all that she was called the goddess of love and war, Inanna did not yet understand love. She had only the faintest inkling of it.
"Well... it's difficult to put into a single definition. I suppose the meaning of love differs for every person."
"What about you?"
"Me? For me, love is the heart that can sacrifice for another even when there is nothing to be gained from it."
"...I don't really get it."
"You don't have to. In time, you may come to understand. There's no need to rush toward a definition or force a meaning upon it."
"...You talk strangely about everything, don't you?"
"Do I? Haha..."
As they talked, they realized the sun was setting and night was drawing near. That was how thoroughly Inanna had been absorbed in Sunya's stories.
"The day is growing dark. It would be best if you prepared to return as well, Lady Inanna."
"Why should I?"
"Won't the others worry? I fear Lord Enlil or Lady Nanna might take offense at the thought of some lowly human scoundrel making advances on their precious kin."
"So you're scared of them, but not of me?"
"Not at all."
"Then keep telling the story. Those old fools can't stop me anyway."
"More than that, I make it a point never to remain late into the night with a woman who is not family. If you come again tomorrow, I shall tell you whatever story you wish."
"No. Tell me right now. That's an order."
"If one drinks too much water at once, one chokes. Even the most delicious food loses its appeal once the stomach is full. Stories, too, grow tiresome if one hears too many all at once."
"Are you lecturing me right now?"
"Haha..."
Sunya offered a vacant little smile. From the moment they first met, that particular expression of his had grated on Inanna's nerves.
"I could turn you into a deer and let the wolves hunt you down. You know that?"
"My, if that happened, I would no longer be able to tell Lady Inanna any more entertaining stories."
"Do you have any idea how insolent you're being right now?"
"Please understand. I, too, have a selfish desire to delight a goddess with my tales."
"You just never let anyone get the last word, do you?"
Sulking, Inanna stormed out of the house, huffing with indignation. She did not forget to leave one final, terrifying threat behind.
"If tomorrow's story isn't interesting, I'll turn you into a deer!!"
"Safe travels."
Watching Inanna soar into the sky and vanish, Sunya found himself chuckling despite himself.
"What a spirited one she is."
Being around her had a strange way of lifting one's spirits. He had known many lively, energetic people in his time, but Inanna was something different.
"...I can't even remember the last time I had such frivolous thoughts."
Muttering uselessly to himself, Sunya went back inside.
The next day, as promised, Inanna came looking for Sunya. She had arrived reasonably early, or so she thought — but just as before, visitors had already gathered at his home.
"Sage, my leg hurts."
"You've simply twisted it for a moment. Rest for a few days and it should recover."
"My back's been aching terribly lately..."
"Try straightening your back once more."
"Huh? Huh? It doesn't hurt anymore?"
"I've applied a temporary measure. But the ailment may return, so please be careful in your movements."
"Thank you. Thank you!!"
Mount Ebih was a rugged mountain, its slopes steep and unforgiving. Even with all the free time in the world, it was hardly a place one climbed and descended at leisure — and yet, strangely, a considerable number of people always made the journey to the summit to see Sunya.
It's odd, really.
Their reasons for seeking him out were all different. Some came to resolve their troubles, some simply for conversation, and others still to express their fondness for him.
Only after they had all departed did Inanna quietly approach Sunya.
"You've come."
"I got here ages ago. I just waited so I wouldn't draw attention with all those people around. It's a hassle."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"Whatever. Just finish the story from yesterday."
"This time, allow me to tell you the tale of Sleeping Beauty."
Sunya did not disappoint her. Time that had once crawled by now raced past. With a little left over, he even told her the story of Beauty and the Beast.
"...And so, they lived happily ever after."
"Why did they live happily?"
"Perhaps the person who created this story believed that true love was the very condition of happiness. Or perhaps they simply wished it to be so."
"Love again?"
"Yes, love again. Haha..."
Inanna fell into thought. But no matter how hard she pondered, she could not grasp what love was.
"As I said before, there is no need to rush toward a meaning. You have all the time in the world, Lady Inanna. Indeed, those who hurry tend to lose their way."
"Come to think of it, you said love was 'the heart that can sacrifice for another even when there is nothing to be gained from it,' right?"
"I did."
"What does that even mean — a heart that can sacrifice for another?"
"Nothing extraordinary. The joy one feels when a lover delights in a gift. The emotion a parent feels watching their children grow. The swell of feeling when one realizes the other shares the same heart... That sort of thing. Of course, the particulars differ depending on the kind of love."
"There are different kinds of love?"
"Of course. Love between lovers, love between parent and child, love for a friend, love for one's people — the broad strokes may seem similar, but the finer details are quite different."
"...I understand even less now."
"That's perfectly fine. Simply knowing such things exist is enough. What I've told you is merely my own perspective. You must find your own answer, Lady Inanna."
Sunya glanced out the window.
"Night has fallen. I shall tell you the next story tomorrow."
"You talk as if I'm definitely coming back tomorrow."
Sunya did not answer. He merely smiled. Inanna felt a sudden urge to wipe that leisurely expression off his face.
"Will you not come, then?"
Sunya asked it playfully, as if to say, I'd like to see you try staying away.
"I might not."
"That would be a bit of a shame, I think."
"What?"
"Telling stories to Lady Inanna is a rather enjoyable thing. Watching a goddess listen so intently to my tales puts my heart strangely at ease."
"...There you go again with your cryptic nonsense."
"Eh... I was simply being honest."
"Hmph. How am I supposed to trust anything from a guy who always goes around with those creepy half-closed eyes?"
"That's prejudice."
"Bleh!!"
Inanna stuck out her tongue and flew off as though fleeing. Far from angered, Sunya found himself chuckling for some reason. He watched her retreating figure for a moment, and once she had vanished from sight, he went back inside.
Shhhk. Shhhk. Shhhk...
In the silent house, only the desolate sound of a blade being sharpened echoed through the emptiness.
