Original prompt by: /u/Pangolindrome

His hand felt warm in hers, larger and longer fingers, but with a deep set familiarity. It was a hand she had seen growing up. This hand was always kind to her, supporting, protecting, literally Divine. She could feel every scar, every blemish. A thousand lifetimes were written into skin, travels and trials that told story after story.

The hand clutched hers, and she could feel it starting to soften slowly, growing thinner, becoming lighter.

"Once upon a time, there was a young boy. He came to the world in a crash of thunder and light, bursting from thin air." Her voice was soft and husky.

"No one bursts from thin air," he replied with a chuckle. "Surely the boy had parents."

"He did, but not like most people. His Mother and Father were not of this world. They were Deities if you can believe it."

Another chuckle. "I do not know if I could. He must have been deeply delusional."

She shared the mirth. "That's what most people thought. Yet after sometime they started to believe him. He did amazing things. He could lift mountains, drink rivers dry. He was swifter than any horse or bird. He was louder than any storm."

"What an annoying boy. He must have wanted attention."

She giggled. "He did. Yet he did good things with the attention. He gathered people, taught them honor and courage. He taught them to fight the elements. He taught them to treat each other well. He found the lost. He taught people to believe."

His hand grew even lighter in hers. Yet the long thing fingers gripped hers with inner strength.

"When the people finally believed that he was the son of Deities, they realized he was one himself. They asked him why he was here."

"He probably said something cheeky and vain."

"Actually he did not. He said that this world was one of many that had fallen outside of the Grace. That the Deities were having trouble watching over many worlds and that it would be long before they would fine this world, too long. He came to the world to help them prepare for the coming trials. He lent his strength and knowledge to protect the world and her people."

"Why did he do that?" His voice was growing fainter.

"Because he cared about them. He learned that his parents had drawn him from the people of this world. He saw them as kin. So he sacrificed much to come to help them."

"So arrogant. Of course he was a Godling. Only those that think themselves Divine could ever be so deluded to think they could change anything."

Tears began to build in her eyes. "He was an arrogant Godling. He was not perfect. Yet he changed everything. He made a people that believed in the good. He made a nation that could stand up to the rushing Dark. It stood, it survived, all because of him."

A weak smile was her reward. "You give him too much credit."

"Because he takes so little. We are only here because of him. We have a chance of the future because of what he did for so long."

"He sounds...adequate."

"He was in many ways." The tears grew heavier. "Where he was beyond adequate, where he was exceptional, was taking care of an orphaned girl. She was not of his blood, yet he watched over her far better than any blood father could for his daughter."

His other hand, almost translucent now, rose and wiped away her tears. "Ah, that is the finest accolade I could ever receive. I can pass on easy, knowing that I have done that well." His smile grew and it was strong. "However, you need remember your own words. The people of this world are my kin. You are of my blood. I can ask for no finer daughter than you."

His hand grew lighter and her hand clutched at the faintest shadow. "Father, I do not think I can carry on your will. I am so afraid."

He laughed, a warm and happy sound. For a moment it was not crippled by age, tarnished by pain. For a moment it was loud and free, a sound she had heard many many times. "My dear, you are far better prepared that I was when I arrived. I have taught you much. You are far brighter and stronger than I was. Remember, you will never be alone."

"Will I...see you again?"

"I am sure. Once you reach the end of your time, once you have chosen your successor, you will pass to Beyond. I will find you. I will want to hear everything. So you must live long, live well. Sing many songs, tell many tales. I will wait for you...eagerly."

"I love you Father."

"I love you Daughter."

A burst of brilliant light blinded her. She could not see but she could feel. She felt nothing in her hand. She wept.

The light flowed into her, filled every part of her heart and soul. She felt his presence, she felt her people, she felt the world. When she opened her eyes she saw more than she ever did before. Her skin tingled. Her being shivered.

She gazed up at the night sky and her tears came again, but they tasted sweet instead of bitter. She saw stars that she never saw before. Stars coiled into a shape of a flower, the first flower a small girl gave to her adopted father.

"Thank you Father. I will protect what you have built. I will live for you. Until we meet again."