Transverse

Orange mist hung wet the morning. Insects chittered the dry brush. Even as Koda drew his final breaths, the thick air did not move. On his back, staring up at the sky, he wondered whether it was the sunrise warming his body or the blood pooling beneath him. The lion had torn some of his leg muscles, but what killed him was the bite to his abdomen. When it found that soft flesh and shook it's massive head, he knew he would not return to the village as a man, but die here a boy. He wondered if his father would feel shame or his mother grief. What would the elders say? Would Ayana be married to someone else? Would he have survived had the Spirit not possessed him? These thoughts distressed him.

Do not concern yourself with these things, the Spirit spoke in his mind. I have answered your prayer.

"This was not my prayer." Koda spoke aloud to the grass. "You took control of my body and let the beast kill me. You are a devil!"

I am no devil. You prayed for help in this trial. I gave you the power to do what you alone could not. Without me, your death would go unremembered.

"I did not have to die."

I needed you to die. I still do.

"Why?" The Spirit hesitated. "Speak!"

Koda felt the Spirit reach through it's own memories, but like trying to hold a giant writhing fish, he could not grasp them. The Spirit's control of his mind was too great to overcome.

I cannot give you an answer that will satisfy you.

Koda began to weep.

We are both victims of Time, child. It binds all living things. So too does Love. Think of your love for your family, for Ayana, for your people. These are what you must focus on now.

Koda remembered his love given, and the love he received. He remembered watching the sun set with Ayana. He remembered his mother holding him when he was ill. He remembered his father's pride when he got a kill on his first hunt. He did not want to lose them. He wanted to love and be loved again.

Something stirred within him. Koda groaned and slowly pushed himself up off his back.

What are you doing?

"The village is far but if I get there in time, the healers may save me."

Stay DOWN.

The Spirit took control of his body and forced it back to the ground. It was the strangest feeling to be pushed aside in your own mind. Koda mustered all the will left within him and stood back up.

I will not allow this, Koda. I have tried to give you a good death. Do not force my hand.

"I killed the beast and became a man. A man must fight to his final breath." It was as though his father were speaking through him. "I will return home to the ones I love, or die trying." He pictured Ayana, her deep brown eyes, her warm smile.

The Spirit was quiet. Koda shuffled one torn leg forward, then the other.

You are correct. A man must fight, until there is nothing left of him, for what he loves.

He felt the Spirit ease it's grasp on him. Every fiber of his body pulled him towards home.

I am sorry, Koda. I, too, must fight for what I love.

This time, the Spirit took complete control of him. Powerless, Koda could only watch as he fell to the ground and repeatedly bashed his face into a large rock until he had no eyes to see.

I could have done this at any time, but I chose to offer you kindness, the Spirit said. I did this for Love, Koda. Be at peace.

Dying, Koda felt the Spirit leave him. Even without eyes, he could see it had form. In his final moment, the Spirit's face looked back upon him with admiration and pity before ascending past the clouds into the morning sky.