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Here is page 3. I'm trying to rediscover page layout. But having fun. Also I rediscovered using my ruler. So yay!

Chapter 5: Centaur Chase

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Chapter 5: Centaur Chase

Emi was out of breath. He could hear the chaos from the rampaging centaur. He had taken refuge inside a large store. It was one of those stores where you could buy a whole bunch of stuff in bulk. He and several others ran inside the store. People were already dialing 9-1-1. Emi took a deep breath as he pulled out his phone. He searched the contacts.

He was so glad Symphia had given him her cell number. She told him to text her any questions he had. She was at work, but he had no clue how to deal with a centaur. He typed the text as quickly as he could and pressed entered. He felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. The centaur was getting closer. He made a mad dash to the back of the store.

Emi found himself in an aisle of kitchen ware. He crouched down in the aisle and grabbed a frying pan. He jolted up and bumped his head on one of the shelfs when his phone rang.

“Oow…” Emi rubbed his head. He pressed the green button on his phone. “Hello?”

“Where are you?” Symphia demanded.

“A whole food store,” he answered.

“Where’s the centaur?”

“Outside somewhere. I could hear him rampaging from the front of the store.”

“What did he want from you?”

“He said something about giving him my powers. A guy tried to stop him and then he stomped on him. I ran first chance I got.”

“Centaurs aren’t normally violent.” Symphia muttered on the end.

“Well not everyone is a stereotype,” Emi replied, “Because this one is violent. You should have seen the way he stomped that guy. It was terrifying.”

“I know. We have patients entering the hospital right now. But I’m on my way to you. So just hang tight until I get there.”

“Will do.” Emi saluted. A click later and his phone was back in his pocket. Several other people had joined him. They each had similar ideas to him as they grabbed kitchen ware as potential weapons. Some cuddled their families that were with them. Emi began practicing breathing techniques as he tried to stay calm. It was becoming difficult as he felt like his throat was closing off. He really needed some fresh air.

But with a centaur rampaging outside, he wasn’t about to go out there.

There was a loud bang and people screamed as they jumped, hugging their loved ones tightly to them. There were a few more bangs before there was the shattering of glass. Emi felt his hair stand on end as he heard the struggled breathing. Whatever it was was growing tired. Emi knew that it could only be the centaur though. He gripped the pan tighter as he listened to the steps.

Clack-Clack. Clack-Clack.

He was amazed that stepping on broken glass didn’t hurt the centaur’s hooves. Though maybe the centaur was hyped up on adrenaline and couldn’t feel pain.

The steps grew closer. Emi felt like the centaur was only a row or two away. People cried and backed away as the creature walked up and down the rows.

Emi’s blue eyes widened in terror as he saw a glimpse of the centaur walking up to the end of the row. Emi shrunk down and attempted to crawl under the row itself. Maybe then the centaur wouldn’t notice him.

The centaur’s pupils shrunk as he took notice of raven hair. He had grabbed hold of several raven heads looking for the new deity but it was the only feature he could use to find the deity. He yanked at the tuff of black hair.

A loud yelp escaped as several others cried.

“There you are,” came the low growl.

Emi’s blue eyes struggled to look back at the centaur. He attempted to grip the pan tighter but he wound up grabbing air. When the centaur grabbed him, he had dropped the pan.

Curses! I’m going to die… and defenseless too boot!

Emi closed his eyes as he took a deep breath. He really was having trouble breathing. But if he didn’t scream now, how would a knight in shining armor come to save him. He curled up his body as he built up everything inside of himself.

The scream shocked the centaur, but he only held the deity farther from him. If the deity was any good with his powers, he would have used them earlier. Everyone screamed with him, some couldn’t find the strength to move while others made a mad dash out of there.

Several bottles popped opened a few rows down. People hollered as they ran from the flooding row. The small river of soda and juice came under the rows towards Emi and the centaur.

“So that is your power?”

“You want my power and you don’t even know what it is?” Emi screeched, his voice hoarse from screaming.

The centaur nodded.

“Isn’t that just stupid? I mean, why would you want a power if you don’t know what it is? For you all know, my power could be the stupidest power ever!” Emi waved his hand. “Why do you even want my power anyway?”

“So I can be stronger,” the centaur answered simply.

“But for what purpose?” Emi crossed his arms. “Why do you need my power to be stronger?”

The centaur thought for a moment. “How else will I get stronger?”

“By working out,” Emi answered matter-of-factly. “But for what purpose do you need to be stronger? You seem plenty strong to me. My powers would only be a hindrance to you. They are for me.”

“Purpose?”

“Yeah. Why do you need to be stronger?” Emi stated. “Were you challenged to a fight by another centaur and you’re worried you might not be able to take him?”

“No. I am the strongest centaur there is,” he stated sternly. It was as if he was insulted by the very notion.

“Then why do you need my powers?” Emi asked again. “I’d at least like to know why I’m being yanked in the air by my hair. By the way, it really hurts.” He gestured to his hair that was wrapped around the centaur’s hand.

“Oh,” the centaur simply said. He lower Emi to the ground cautiously. “Do not run away again.”

“I’ll wait to hear your reason,” Emi shrugged as he sat down, crossing his legs. “After that, I make no promises.”

The centaur nodded as he thought for a brief moment. “I need your powers because Ethel told me I needed to bring her something valuable. What could be more valuable than the power of a deity?”

“Ah,” Emi nodded. “Did you ask Ethel to marry you? Is that why she wants something valuable?”

The centaur turned red and glared at Emi. “Are you a mind reader deity?”

“No. But I know enough stereotypes to tell that my life just became a manga.” Emi shrugged. “Though I doubt Ethel wants my powers. I think she was referring to something else when she said she wanted something valuable.”

“What else could Ethel want?” the centaur threw his hands in the air.

Emi smiled at the centaur. He opened his mouth, but a voice cut him off.

“Emi!” Symphia cried as she rushed to hug him. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, the centaur and I are talking.” Emi stated. “He wants my powers to give to a lady named Ethel that he proposed to. Love isn’t my area, but it’s yours. Would you mind giving him a hand?”

Symphia light up like a Christmas tree. “It is my specialty!” She jumped up and grabbed the centaur’s hands. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you achieve a happy love life.” She turned over the centaur’s hands and stare intently into his palms. Her eyes glowed magenta as she traced lines on his hands. Strings formed around her. The strings disappeared shortly after and her eyes turned back to their warm brown. “I know something that she’ll find valuable.”

“Is it jewelry?” Emi smiled. “Girls really like jewelry.”

“Exactly!” Symphia nodded. “I know just the kind. Harris, would you mind coming with me?”

“How do you know my name?” The centaur took a step back from her.

“Because I’m a love deity. Names are an easy thing to find,” she winked. “Now come on.”

Page 2

Here is the sketch of page 2. I'm still debating of giving Symphia the unibrow.

Emi sitting

An old piece of Emi sitting on a chair. I forgot to post it. I found some more art that'll be posted shortly.

Chapter 4: First Day of Training

Emi the Deity

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Chapter 4: First Day of Training

Today was the first day of Deity 101. Emi was nervous. Carmike had already left back home to manage his booming business. He wished he had begged his uncle to stay with him. So now Emi was seating in the patio chair bouncing his knee up and down alone.

“Emi relax,” the boss spoke soothingly as she came out with a tray of cups and a pitcher of fresh lemonade. She poured him a glass before pouring hers. “Symphia said she would be here in a within the next five minutes. That Grey fellow may or may not come.” She sat down across from him with a nice smile. “No need to be so anxious.”

Emi nodded.

They had decided to have Deity 101 at the café on Sunday. The only day the café was closed. The boss had a lovely back patio. With a nice garden that customers loved to walk around. The boss took great pride in growing a majority of the plants herself. It was a large garden area. With tall trees around the edges, creating a fence.

“How’s the lemonade?” the boss asked with a hum.

Emi glanced up at her and then back at his untouched cup. He quickly took a sip. His puckered up at the tartness of it. “It’s good,” he replied.

“It’s too sour though,” she pouted. “You know you shouldn’t tell me everything I make is good just to spare my feelings. Ladies like a man who is honest, no matter what.”

“Yes boss,” Emi bowed his head.

“Sorry I’m late!” Symphia called.

The boss and Emi looked up to see the Indian woman on top of the roof. She jumped and with a wave of her hands, strings of many colors appeared everywhere. Her feet landed on several clusters of the strands daintily. Her weight caused the strings to lower her safely to the ground. Once her feet were touching the ground, she snapped her fingers and the strings disappeared.

“My, that was certainly a neat trick!” the boss clapped her hands.

“That was a landing move. It’s actually really difficult to learn and requires a ton of practice.” Symphia smiled as she dusted off her nurse pants. “Pardon my appearance. Work kept me a bit later than I thought.”

“It’s okay.” Emi stated. “Will I be able to that thing with the strings when I get the hang of this deity thing?”

“No. But you will be able to do something similar.” Symphia assured. “I’m a deity of love, so my powers and abilities are very different from yours. I used strings of fate to land. You, since you are a water deity, will probably use water in order to land safely. But first we should start with basics.”

“Can I ask how you became a deity?” Emi ran his finger along the edge of his cup.

“Me? Well it was years ago,” Symphia waved her hand. “But it was a lot different from you. In the town where I was born, I liked to help all of my friends with their love life. If they were pining or aching, they would come to me for advice. I was very good at it. I was even good at playing match maker. A rumor started that if I made a match it would last through reincarnation. People from all over came to visit me to see if my talent was true. Then one day, a god visited me. He saw that I indeed had a mystical talent to see bonding ties between people. So he made me a deity of love, so that I could always help people find love. We discussed it for weeks before I became one and I was well taught during that time. I am very glad to be a deity. But you’re a different deity.” Symphia paused as she placed her hand on top of Emi’s.

“You were made without consent by a god you never saw,” Symphia stated firmly. “It’s not a proper way to make a deity. And it is very odd for a god to do so. The other gods will be displeased by this. Especially since most deities who are made through such means turn bad and become demons. But you’re a sweet soul. I want to make sure you know the rules and can grow.”

“Rules? What are the rules of deities?” Emi sat up straight, curious.

“There are many rules. I don’t even remember them all. But the most important is to do your job or assign task. However, you weren’t given one, so you’ll be fine. But you need to learn how to use your powers first. Almost everyone’s powers are connected to their emotions. So the best thing to do is just to practice.”

“So I’m going into this blind?” Emi pouted.

“Not completely. You can freeze liquids. So we know what element to focus on.” Symphia stated proudly. “So let’s focus on trying to do something with that puddle of water over there.”

Emi got up and walked to the small puddle of water sitting in one of the chairs. “What should I do?”

“Well try to see if you can freeze it,” Symphia shrugged as she stood beside him.

Emi took a deep breath.

“Just try to feel the same emotions you feel when the water freezes. That normally does the trick.”

Emi placed his hands on his hips. He could remember what he had felt when the water froze. He was just working. So maybe stress? He certainly felt anxious now. He leaned over some, propping his hand on the bench. He tapped his fingers and he tried to figure out how to freeze the water. The gears were turning, and he stared intently at the water.

Subconsciously, he began humming.

The water began to come up in little sprouts. All in a line, bobbing up and down like one of those audio graph.

Emi jumped back. “Did I?”

“Well that wasn’t what I was expecting,” Symphia hummed as she clapped. “But it seems humming can cause water to move.”

“That explains the kitchen bubbles.” Emi nodded as he placed his hands in his pockets.

“Maybe if you sing a song, something really cool will happen!” The boss stated as she cleaned her camera lens.

“What are you going to do with that camera?” Emi exclaimed.

The training had amazingly gone smoothly. Emi hadn’t been able to freeze any water. But he did find out that if he sang songs that he could move the water. The streams could only go up and down, but Symphia assured him that with practice and time, he’d be able to make the water move into other shapes.

Emi felt more comfortable with this though. If he could gain control over these new abilities, he could hopefully live a normal life. After all, Symphia was a deity and she worked at the hospital.

He examined the tomatoes before picking three. Today was Sunday and he hadn’t gone grocery shopping yet. Carmike wasn’t sure when he would feel like eating, so the only thing Carmike bought were cans of soup and ravioli. Emi, however, wasn’t in the mood for canned food today. In fact, the only thing he wanted was a sandwich and those little carrot sticks. He placed his choice of tomatoes in his basket. He got bread, sliced ham, cheese, tomatoes, and orange juice.

Emi carried the brown paper back out of the store. He had only walked a block when everyone around him started whispering about a movie. They were all in awe and some were taking pictures. Emi turned to see what they were so infatuated with. What he saw on the other side of the street was a centaur.

The centaur had the upper half a man and the lower half of a horse. Emi tried to find the seams to the costume but couldn’t. It was a very well made one. The man had dark black stringy hair that came midway back. He had a scruffy beard and sharp, daring brown eyes. His body was built like that of a body builder. The horse part of the centaur was a chocolate brown with a dark brown tail. He turned his head and locked eyes with Emi.

Emi turned away quickly. It was rude that stare. The crosswalk sign changed to a person and Emi quickly walked across. He needed to stay focused. He was going to go home, make a sandwich, do the laundry, and then get a long good night’s sleep before going to work tomorrow.

Emi yelped as he was suddenly hoisted into the air. He clung tight to the paper bag, squishing the bread.

“So, it is you,” a deep male voice spoke. It was a powerful yet soft voice.

Emi cracked open one eye and looked at the person who had picked him up. It was the centaur. The centaur pulled Emi closer to get a better look at him. Hot breath blowing Emi’s hair out of his face.

“Such a weak fragile deity,” the centaur stared with indifference, but Emi could feel a hint of displeasure.

Emi looked around nervously and people were just looking on in awe. Some were whispering about it being a film set. Emi wish someone would realize that this wasn’t a movie stunt.

Emi looked at the ground. He was good two feet off of the ground. He could survive that drop if someone rushed the centaur. “Can you put me down please?” His voice came out as a rough squeak.

The centaur placed Emi on the ground and then tightly grabbed him at the top of Emi’s head and forcibly craned it back. Emi screamed in pain and suddenly the people around began to realize this wasn’t for a movie. “Give me your powers and I’ll let you live.”

“Hey what are you doing to that girl?” A man demanded as he walked up to them.

Emi didn’t have the ability to correct the man. He was just glad someone was giving him a hand.

The centaur glared at the man. He released Emi and turned to the man. His front feet high in the air. A good foot about the man’s head. The man froze and stared at the centaur. The centaur lowered his feet on the man’s head.

People screamed as the man laid knocked on the ground, blood coming from his head. The on-lookers ran in all directions. Emi stumbled to his feet and quickly ran into the chaos. He wasn’t about to let a centaur who probably just killed a man catch him again. The groceries he had bought laid scattered on the ground.

The centaur turned and growled as he couldn’t find the deity again. He stomped his feet as he rushed after someone with long black hair.
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