Inari’s Gift

The mage sighed and shook his head, annoyed at yet another of the newer generation of mages saying he had to be making things up.  No one ever believed him, and he wasn’t petty enough to put them at risk merely to prove a point.  It was incredibly tiring, however.

Even many of the older mages of his own generation didn’t even consider verifying his words, merely calling him delusional after asking what he did.  It wasn’t like they were even unaware that nonhuman threats were lurking in the astral realm!

Yet, somehow, the idea of someone devoting their time and magic almost entirely to defending as much of reality as possible from some of the worse threats out there was somehow impossible, according to those fools.  If he didn’t do it, someone else would have to at some point, so wasn’t it better to deal with it before it got worse?

He sighed again before refocusing on his creations, taking in the immense edifices scattered throughout the endless realms.  Each one held back countless foes, armed, armored, and manned by more of his creations.

By now, they didn’t even need his input anymore.  They moved with the enemy, strategized on their own, repaired and restocked themselves, and even created more war constructs on their own.  It had been years since he had needed to actively assist them.  They even replicated themselves to expand their defensive line on their own.

Perhaps it was time now.  He’d always disliked his current life, finding no joy in existing.  His world was incredibly limited compared to what he’d seen out in the astral.  Perhaps he could try to arrange things so that he could live in a realm he might enjoy—after shedding his mortal shell, of course.

He leaned back in his chair and pondered this idea for several hours, mulling over the possibilities, risks, and downsides it brought with it.

Eventually, he nodded before focusing inward, projecting his spirit outward to each of his countless astral bodies.  With a quick order, they began flooding toward a single location, and a vast collection of identical forms began to grow.

With a pained grimace, he gave the order for them to disassemble themselves until nothing remained, leaving but a single body behind.  Countless generators finally ceased their production without their endless defensive networks.  Armor slowly flaked away to nothing, mechanical assistance devices puffed into so much dust, and spatial warps twisted themselves back to normal.

In seconds, years of effort erased itself, leaving him incredibly vulnerable compared to normal, reminding him of well over a decade prior, long before he’d focused on survivability.

But it wasn’t like he needed it anymore.  His defenses were solid, and he was neutral with the vast majority of existence.  His fortresses stood between him and his sworn foes, and he had hidden himself behind the fabric of reality itself.

After several minutes to reflect on what he had just done, he sent his final remaining astral body to visit one of the few great beings he actually respected.  A polite message sent ahead resulted in an avatar being split off and directed to greet him.

In his senses, an immense river valley stretched out before him, a voice calmly and quietly reaching him, “What do you visit me for this time, little one?  Do you wish to meet with my servants once more?”

In return, he projected the memory of what he had felt recently, and the destruction of his other selves.

“I am done, tired of the mockery and disbelief.  My task is self-sustained, able to continue without my efforts.  I have no purpose anymore, nor have I for years.  I know I have not served you, Inari, but I must ask a boon of you regardless.  You know my views on your kitsune,” he began, unable to avoid the emotion leaking into his projected thoughts.

He sighed before continuing, “I desire your approval for me to take their form in my next life.  We both know I have the power and skill to do so, but you are one of the few I respect, and I do not want to do something that may be seen as mocking you.”

A feeling of amusement and acceptance flowed out from the river valley he faced before it shifted into an old man who then replied, “I do indeed know of what you can do, but have you considered that you may lose that ability when your current form is lost?”

Without hesitation, the mage remarked with a chuckle, “Even if that were the case, my creations know of my desires, and are capable of all that I am.  I wouldn’t even mind losing all of my power if I were able to enjoy my life and have a body I liked rather than despised.”

Inari smiled at the mage before questioning, “Are you truly certain of that?  I know of your work, and I am not against your request, but would you really be okay with losing everything to gain the form you desire?”

Suddenly wary due to the restatement as a question, the mage paused for a moment before responding, “I am worried at the implication behind your words, but I honestly believe that I am.”

With another smile, Inari began, “There are many realms out there, even beyond those you are aware of.  In many, I hold power.  In many others, I do not.  If you are willing, I can direct your spirit to one I have lost power within, and, if you aid me, let you use the body of one of my followers there.”

After a tiny pause, the being continued, “I am aware of your values.  My follower couldn’t take what had occurred to their realm, and she freely offered her body to me if I would shelter her mind and spirit.  You would not be harming anyone, or taking anything against their will.”

Another longer pause followed before they spoke again, “Be aware, however, that in the realm I speak of, demons such as kitsune, even the harmless ones, are hunted and killed on sight.  The church of a hostile god has taken power over most of the population.  I do not have many surviving followers there.”

The mage simply grinned before inquiring, “Would I still be capable of magic, even if I lost all that I have?”

Inari nodded and the mage immediately answered, “I would love to take your offer.”

“Then I shall wait for you, little one.  When your soul is freed from its anchor, I shall bring it to its new body,” the great being responded.

Projecting his gratitude for the opportunity, the mage withdrew his astral body and began his final actions.

A few hours are enough to say his goodbyes to the few he respects or considers friends, and he prepared for his death, sending a few letters to people who need to know how to handle the situation.

Pretty certain he had handled everything, the mage lay down on his bed and focused inward once again, deeper than before, and began his work.  First, he pulled his consciousness out of his body entirely, then bound himself to his astral form more tightly than ever before.  Next, he began the familiar work of manipulating souls, slowly cutting his soul from his own body, a far more difficult task than most.

Many hours later, his body breathes its last, and he feels the connection to it vanish, leaving him with naught but a single astral body.  After a few moments of hesitation, he dissolved this final body, leaving his soul to drift without any anchor to hold it.

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