PoV: Sonic

  Night came quickly after I created as much medicine as I could. I placed it all in a large basket on my back to take with me. Mephiles only needed to be satisfied for me to go, I had already handled that. This new body might be sensitive, but it healed quickly, so I hardly felt any pain anymore from sex. I left the boys some of their favorite mushroom tea to keep them busy while I was gone. I was dressed in my visiting yukata and staw hat, I made sure I had all the medicine before climbing the tree. I touched the orb and I found myself in the shrine again.

"Ah, she read my scroll," I found the note I left Sally tucked away on a shelf I hadn't seen before, "I'll finally get to see here again."

  I fixed my hat before opening the doors to the shrine. There I found a group of men waiting for me.

"Great Demon Healer!" They bowed, "We are here to escort you to the village."

"Thank you for coming, but I'm no great demon, just Sonic is fine," I walked up to them.

"Of course," They stood.

"Sonic, may I..." I felt the basket lifted. I turned back and the man was struggling to lift it, "Carry... your basket..."

"I'm alright. It's not heavy for me at all," I knew I had become stronger, but I had no idea how much stronger I had become.

"May I ask what is inside?" Another man asked as we walked into the forest towards the village.

"I brought medicine for the most common illnesses this season. I will give these to Sally so she may give medicine to those who need it. If anyone is sick please bring them to me, I'll do all I can to help them," I smiled as I saw the village. Candles had been lit everywhere. The whole village had gathered around a fire. There was a large table of food.

"Sonic..." Sally stood at the end of the table, she was in a gorgeous white kimono whose trim was traced with cherry blossoms, "Welcome home."

  I hugged her and set the basket down, "It's wonderful to see you all again."

"Everyone, let's eat!" Sally clapped and she had me sit with her in the center of the table.

It was a grand feast they had made from the harvest I had given them. All kinds of meals with all the fruits, grains, and vegetables I had made them.

"Sonic," a little girl came up to me, "Your gift has lead to us having lots more chicks for next year. We were able to slaughter a chicken for you."

"Thank you, but we should share this with everyone, can you pass everyone a small piece?" I took only a small bite, this was a feast for the village, not for me."

"Yes, of course!" She beams as she passed around small cuts of chicken for everyone who wanted some. I made sure the girl got a larger piece for handing it out.

"It's been so long since we've had chicken," I could see the villagers all weeping with joy, it had been so long since anyone other than the high priest had the joy of eating meat.

"Sonic shared the only chicken we had... we need more offerings for him."

"We need more gold for him."

  Wait, are they worshiping me? No, no, no, I don't need all that. I just need them safe.

"Everyone," I stood before all of them, "I'm grateful for all you have already given me, but I cannot accept more. The shrine is enough, it gives me a path to see you all. The only offering I will take are scrolls of the sick. I will read the scrolls you give me, and in return, I shall arrive with medicine. If you need food I will grow enough for you and the livestock. That is all I need," I bowed, "I'm grateful you've all accepted me back."

"Sonic," Sally held my hand, "You're our guardian and healer. You are who we will worship and who our grandchildren will worship. We shall do the same for eternity. You are the Great Demon Healer. You are our god," the entire village got down on one knee before me.

  They see me as a god? But I'm a demon, how could they just switch loyalty? I have to keep Mephiles and Fleetaway from finding out. Sally placed a basket in my arms, it held herbs, seeds, and two gourds.

"These are for you, only you," Sally whispered into my ear.

"I-"

"What's this I hear about a new god?" I knew that voice, he was the reason we were in this mess. The High Priest.

"It is none of your concern," Sally stepped in front of me, "You have nothing of value to offer, now go."

"Move aside girl!" The guards grabbed Sally, I quickly pushed them away.

"You will not touch her or anyone else," I stood before all the villagers.

"Who are you? Show your face!" The priest snapped and a guard pulled off the straw hat.

"You can't recognize me?" I looked towards Mephiles and Fleetaway's shrine, "I'm the reason the plagues stopped and the reason the villagers can eat to a full stomach tonight and every night after."

"You... you're that nurse..." he backed away from me, "You've become a disgusting demon. Putrid monster! Leave my village at once!"

"It's not your village anymore," a little boy shouted, "Go away forever!"

"How dare you speak to me that way!" He snapped, "Arrest him!"

"Sir... he's a demon... he'll kill us all," the guards were no longer on his side.

"Fine! I'll arrest him myself," he grabbed me, "I'll let the sun burn you alive."

"The villager may come to me for any help they seek," I pulled my hand away, "May any food you try to eat rot in your hands high priest you can live off the scraps of hogs until you learn how to be a kind leader or leave."

"Your ill wish is meant to scare me? Ha! I will continue to eat like a king!" He grabbed an apple and in turned to black mush within mere seconds, "What did you do? You demon! What have you done to me!"

  I left after giving Sally the medicine. I took the basket with me as the priest continued screaming in the background.

Did I really use a curse on him? It's his own fault, he killed so many innocent women, that man shouldn't be allowed to rule over anyone.

"Sonic, they gave you offerings this time too?" Fleetaway was waiting for me outside the garden.

"Yeah. How did you know I go through the tree?" I hadn't told them about my shrine yet.

"We always know where you are and what you're doing. It's part of our bonding. But there is a problem. Mephiles and I haven't gotten many offerings tonight, and you had an entire feist. He's going to be furious with you if this continues. We are allowing it for now. The villagers are excited to have you as their healer again, but if you ever try acting like their god again, you'll be reminded of your place."

"Yes... of course Fleetaway..." I left my room and lay in bed after setting down the basket.

  I need to tell everyone not to worship me... I'm putting them in danger...

~~~

11/23/2021