Chapter 43
Content warning: strong language, bigotry, homophobia
“The more I read, the more I think that Loki was never evil, just misunderstood.” Emily said as she closed the book she had just finished reading.
“Why are you reading about Loki?” Sal asked.
“I was wondering if humans could learn the ability to shapeshift, so I started researching shapeshifters. Loki might have been a God, but he was still considered a shapeshifter. He could change his sex and even change into any animal. Technically, because of this ability, he would be considered transexual. But as I was reading more about him, the more interesting he got, so of course I had to finish reading it.”
“And all you got from that was that he was misunderstood?”
“No, I learned that not only is he called the God of mischief, sly-one, shape-changer, but he is also called the God of the broken. It is said that he sees himself in us as we see ourselves in him. No one is born broken, especially a God. So someone else had to do the breaking.”
“Okay, but what did you learn about the ability to shapeshift?”
“Oh, not a goddamn thing.”
“Okay then.”
“But then my brain decided it wanted to open another tab, so it got me thinking. If a Demi-God and a Demi-God had a baby, would they still be considered a Demi-God? I mean if a black man and a white woman have a child, the child would then be half black and half white. If that child grew up and married someone who was also half black and half white, and they had a child, their child would still be considered half black and half white. Could that not also be applied to Demi-Gods?”
"You are making my brain hurt," Sal commented.
“Why are you two talking about Demi-Gods?” Manny asked as he was walking by.
“I am just curious about something. Humans are humans, Gods are Gods, and Demons are technically the byproducts of Gods and humans. So, technically, they are Demi-Gods that have not ascended or will never ascend. And if demons keep mating with demons, they will forever be Demi-Gods.”
“How did you go from studying about shapeshifters to demons being Demi-Gods?”
“I was trying to study about shapeshifters, which led to an entry about Loki. From there, somehow, it led me to think about demons being Demi-Gods. At this point, I don’t even know, it is just how my brain works. I have now confused myself."
*Knock knock*
“Gods get bored at times and want to die and reincarnate, correct?”
*Knock knock*
“Wow, I see how you managed to confuse yourself now. I can barely keep up with the change in subject. But, yes. They live forever and get tired of living the same life. Why do you ask?” Sal said.
*Knock knock*
“Are you going to get that?”
“Sure, why not?” Sal said before yelling “Coming.”
The door was swung open to show a woman who looked to be the definition of a ‘Karen’ holding a couple of pamphlets.
“Hi, what can I do for you?”
“My name is Tiffany, and well, I was driving by and saw you had a pentagram on your front door and I thought I would stop by.”
“Why?”
“I was wondering if I might pray for you in the name of Jesus Christ our lord.”
“Only if I can dance naked for you in the woods tonight while we worship our Moon Goddess?”
“Do *not* do that.”
“Tonight is a full moon, you know, and we will have your name on our lips as we worship the Goddess of earth and starry heaven. If you ever have a need for anything, it is better when the moon is full. There shall we assemble and adore the spirit of her who is the Queen of all witches. She is just inside if you would like to gaze upon her glorious face.”
“What? That is blasphemy!”
“You see a pentagram on our porch and expect to let you pray for us in the name of a God we refuse to worship. It is only polite that we pray for you in the name of a God or Goddess that we worship.”
“You need to be saved, your soul will burn in hell for eternity.”
“Bitch, I am a demon, I control who burns in hell.” Sal let his eyes glow red and his fangs grow a little longer, “When you die, I will be sure to be the one to greet you at the gates.”
“It is okay for people to have a difference in religion, it is not okay for you to force your belief on others.” A voice said.
“Who said that?"
“Down here.”
“A cat?”
Saggun shifted from his cat form to his demon form as she watched with wide eyes.
“You picked the wrong house to fuck with.” Saggun said, “Not only are we demons, but my husband and I are in charge of the torture sessions.”
“Not only are you demons, you are homosexual demons. That is double the blasphemy. Triple, if you really let a witch inside.” She started walking back to her car, “I will be back to cleanse your souls.”
“Do I have to wait till she dies peacefully? Or can I just kill her now?” Saggun asked Sal.
“You know we cannot kill humans for such a petty reason.”
“Damn it.”
“But I give you full permission to torture her as you see fit while she sleeps, until the day she dies.”