The Tale of Vítí

All hail Vítí, Goddess of Ice, for today is Her holy day! Spring is just around the corner (really!), so let's celebrate!





Long ago, Kara, Goddess of Soil, met Hérazha, Goddess of the Wind, for the first time and had a sudden vision. Kara prophesized that the children of Hérazha, Who at that time was childless and unmarried, would grow to be stronger and more powerful than Their father. Hérazha was shocked at this pronouncement, but soon learned to live with it. She bore Nokí, Goddess of Food, Who did indeed grow stronger than Her father, Voro, God of Hearth Fire.

Hérazha is quite beautiful, so Sozho, High God of Air, being Who He is, eventually could not control His urges. Sozho forced Himself upon Her, satisfying His lust. Only afterwards did He remember Kara’s prophecy. Out of concern for His rule of the universe and place as King of the Gods, Sozho promptly swallowed Hérazha whole.

Inside Sozho, Hérazha bore Her child, Vítí. She nursed the child goddess and taught Her well. Vítí grew strong and wise. Soon, Sozho heard strange metallic clanking sounds emanating from within His body. The noise began to drive Him insane.

The other gods soon were able to hear the sound, as well. Nazhoro, God of Coldness and son of Sozho by Nuvíní, High Goddess of Earth, realized what the sound probably was. Nazhoro convinced Sozho He could stop the racket, then took up His massive axe and split open Sozho’s head.

Out popped Vítí, fully grown and dressed with helmet, armor, leopard-skin robe, and a sword and shield which She had been banging together. Her skin was as white as snow, from all the time spent in Her father and away from the sun.

Vítí thanked Nazhoro profusely, then reached back inside Sozho’s body and pulled out Her mother. Hérazha smiled at Her daughter, then wafted away. Sozho put His head back together, then snatched up His own sword and His indestructible shield, ready for battle with His newborn child.

Vítí, however, sheathed Her sword and knelt before Her father, professing Her allegiance to Sozho for as long as She lives. Sozho, slightly stunned, also sheathed His sword. He placed His hand on Vítí’s shoulder and accepted Her allegiance. Despite how powerful Vítí has become, She has always honored Her vow, and so Sozho is and always shall be the Ruler of the Universe.

Along with Her vow to uphold Her father’s position as King of the Gods, Vítí also made a commitment to help all demigods and mortals who fought for good against evil. She soon became friends with the demigoddess Níka, Who helped mortals in their struggles against evil, as well. Níka, Who prefers the form of an owl when not in battle, is said to bring victory to all She aids.

One day, while sharpening Their swords between battles, Vítí and Níka chatted about the motherly instincts of other goddesses, such as Ríhíví, Goddess of Poisonous Water. Vítí wished that She, too, could be a mother, but decried all the gods for being unsuitable and unworthy mates. Níka suggested that Vítí could, at least, show off Her femininity around the gods and see how They reacted.

To this, Vítí agreed. First, though, They returned to battle and defeated evil legions of demons, freeing a good and honest people.

When Vítí returned to Sozho’s castle, where most of the gods gathered, She was resplendent in a blue-and-black gown of the finest thread, which She had woven, and stylish jewelry She had wrought Herself, all of which was marvelously offset by Her snow-white skin. Níka sat perched on Her shoulder, a pure white owl. All the gods and goddesses stopped Their conversations and stared, awestruck by Vítí’s beauty.

Vítí calmly walked around the great hall, greeting Ríhíví; Kérasa, High Goddess of Water; and Huro, God of Thunder. Huro gave Vítí appreciative comments on Her appearance, but nevertheless still treated Her as a comrade-in-arms rather than just a sexual object like Rana, Goddess of Clouds.

On the other hand, Píríuso, God of the Sun, and His friend Zhoro, God of Heat, did not eye Vítí respectfully. They leered lasciviously and made rude comments to Her. Vítí ignored Them as best She could, but They trailed Her around the hall, snickering like randy boys. Níka softly hooted encouragement into Vítí’s ear.

Vítí longed for a god Who would treat Her somewhere between the camaraderie of Huro and the vulgarity of Píríuso and Zhoro. Since Ríhíví was a mother, Vítí asked Ríhíví to meet Her out on the balcony to discuss these concerns. But when Vítí arrived at the balcony, She discovered that Píríuso and Zhoro had beaten Her there.

Zhoro blocked the doorway while Píríuso advanced on Vítí, grabbing at Her dress. Vítí told Them to leave, but They laughed. Níka transformed back to Her womanly form and moved toward Zhoro, leaving Píríuso for Vítí. Zhoro easily overpowered the demigoddess, however, pinning Her arms at Her sides. Píríuso laughed and took another swipe at Vítí’s dress. Vítí stepped out of the way, bumping against the balcony railing.

Although She did not have Her sword or shield and She had no further room to retreat, Vítí was far from defenseless. As soon as Píríuso got a hand on Her dress, trying to tear it off, Vítí grabbed His arm, pivoted Her body, and threw the sun god off the balcony.

In the instant it took Vítí to turn back around, Zhoro had disappeared, melting away into the aether. Thus victorious, Vítí straightened Her dress and took a deep breath of the crispy cold air. Níka shook Her shoulders with a huff and changed back to a snow owl.

Ríhíví stepped through the doorway and told Vítí that Their conversation would have to wait. Sozho announced that He would make a proclamation. The goddesses returned to the great hall in time to hear Sozho declare that no god would be allowed to participate in the current war in the kingdom of Tolo. The war had begun when the goddess Rana meddled in mortal affairs, giving a betrothed woman to an already married man. When the two enchanted lovebirds had sailed to the kingdom of Tolo, a swarm of ships from the kingdoms of their families chased after, thus starting the war.

All of the assembled gods and goddesses applauded Sozho’s pronouncement, for this was a silly war. As Vítí scanned the room, however, She noticed Rékaré, God of Rock and not-so-secret lover of Rana, slip out the door. Vítí lost time changing back into Her familiar battle armor, so when She and Níka arrived at Tolo, Rékaré was already leading the Toloan army in a rout of the aggrieved invaders, the Rakaísans.

Vítí and Níka charged to the front of the Rakaísan army, shouting Their battlecries. Rékaré spotted Vítí and hurled His spear at Her. Vítí calmly side-stepped His throw and, not even bothering to use Her sword, hurled a stone at the aggressive god. The rock hit Rékaré plum between the eyes, knocking Him unconscious.

The Rakaísans saw the god fall and promptly turned their rout into a defeat of the Toloans. Rana, Her eyes full of tears, descended upon the battlefield and began to yell and scream at Vítí for what She had done to Rékaré and Her beloved Toloans. Vítí coldly reminded Rana that Rana’s husband is Korutuzho, God of Agriculture, and not Rékaré. She then slapped Rana across Her face, silencing the crying goddess.

When Vítí and Níka returned to Sozho’s castle, the King of the Gods thanked His daughter for upholding His declaration, heralding Vítí as the greatest of the gods -- other than Himself, of course. He then decided to throw a celebration in Her honor.

During the festivities, Vítí was approached by an old woman She didn’t recognize. The woman lauded Vítí on Her quick victory over Rékaré and also praised Vítí’s beauty. As the old woman talked, Vítí realized that the hag was, in fact, Hívo, God of Clean Water, in disguise. Vítí did not let Her knowledge of His deception show, however, and allowed Hívo to lead Her to a quiet corner of the castle, away from Níka and the rest of the gathered gods and demigods.

When the disguised Hívo suggested Vítí lay down for a short rest, Vítí readily agreed. In fact, She asked the old woman to lie beside Her, for warmth. Hívo jumped at the chance. They lay down together and as soon as Vítí closed Her eyes, Hívo changed back to His usual manly form.

Quickly, They were making love, Vítí calling out Hívo’s name. As soon as They finished, Hívo scurried away. Níka found Vítí lying on the floor and asked if anything was wrong. Vítí just smiled and said everything was good. Níka understood.

Nine months later, Vítí gave birth to Zhíanoso, High God of Fire, the most powerful of all the gods. She gave Him all Her fire, Her warmth, Her heat, leaving Her only coldness and ice. She is proud of Her son, even if He has the mischievousness and trickery of His father, for Zhíanoso is strong and wise. Vítí relishes Her newfound mastery of snow and ice, using them to defeat Her enemies, casting freezes and avalanches upon all who threaten the good and peaceful peoples of the world.

Even without fire, Vítí remains the wisest of the gods, with the skill and strength of legions. The Unwearying One fights coolly and calmly, dispatching Her evil opponents with ease. Ask the Exalted One for counsel and She will never lead you astray. Let She of the Snow-White Skin guide your hands as you weave your clothes. Let She of the Gleaming Eyes guide your hands as you fashion your weapons and armor. Pray to Vítí and rely on Her wondrous wisdom, for She is the path to truth and honor.