#679 Tokyo Tower of Babel

Greetings, ‘tis I, Apollo, god of art and sun.

I am frighted.

What doth frighten me, thou ask? ‘Tis the mortals who art building yet another tower.

The mortals built a tower to invade the path of the gods dwelling in the skies aforetime, and I was extremely terrified.

Alas, the snow tower I hath witnessed today is taller than that!

I estimate it to be almost five times taller when viewed from the celestial realm!

With such a fervent height, art humans truly attempting to invade the heavens this time?!

I thought that of late, both earth and sky hadst been peaceful, passing gentle hours!

We deities of the heavens, earth, and flotes pledged peace, yet lo and behold, my stepmother Hera nearly caused the outbreak of a mythical war!

However, through various negotiations and behind-the-scenes work, the war among the gods was prevented, and we continue to live in great peace.

Even I, the god of arts, can concentrate on my divine duty quite well.

The other day, I performed my trademark gag, “Ahhhhhhhh, polo!” and Hermes didst tell me, “That was terrible.”

Meanwhile, my sister Artemis didst tell me, “Die,” as usual.

...But I digress.

Even though we art living in peace, the terror of the tower hath once again come upon us!

This time, the tower is so tall that I can feel the mortals’ desire to attack!

Whatever shall I do?!

Shall I follow the divine manual and destroy the tower to disrupt the language of mortals?

Albeit I am slightly hesitant, the gods also have the right to defend themselves, and sometimes, preemptive attacks art necessary...

...

Mayhap I shall observe the situation on earth a while longer.

I shall lean out from the clouds and...

Make sure not to slip and fall to the ground as I didst before...

Slip

Hm?

* * *

↓

(Falling)

↓

* * *

“Anti-aerial somersaultttt.”

“Blarghhhh!”

As I was falling from the celestial realm, slipping on a cloud’s edge, some entity sprang up from the ground to intercept my fall.

A fellow kicked me from below!

Who in the heavens was that?!

“You dumb or something? You could’ve blown away the snow sculptures if you had crashed onto the ground with such velocity. I won’t let anyone or anything damage Junior’s precious sculptures.”

What a ninny, this fellow...!

She somersaulted a deity, all for such a reason...!

However, thanks to the lady’s impactful kick, it slowed down my fall, allowing me to land gently...

This individual who kicked me is... a dragon, it seems.

Despite being in their human form, a dragon has the strength to kick a deity around, after all...

Now then.

“What be this place, overflowing with white sundry?”

“This is the Snow Festival’s venue. Do you not know what snow is, despite being a god and all?”

Hush.

Of course a god knows what snow is.

I see. 

These sculptures have been shaped and crafted from compact snow. I do find it quite artistic.

And lo, mortals have gathered around me, recognizing me as a god.

Even in these parts, a god is always in the limelight...!

I can hear the mortals whispering...

“Another god...?”

“Could it be some kind of monster like Hera that appeared some time ago...?!”

Oh?

Am I being regarded with suspicion?

* * *

I see now.

I hath heard the specifics, and it seems that yonder tall tower is but a mere part of the Snow Festival and not a means to invade the heavens.

My heart is set at ease.

“Since you’re already here, I suggest you look at the snow sculptures. You’re the god of art, aren’t you? You’re welcome to bless Junior’s sculptures and give them high praise!”

This dragon is quite the overbearing one.

Truly, the idea of creating sculptures from snow is quite novel and intriguing.

Very well. I, Apollo, the sun god and patron of the arts, shall inspect these articles.

It would be a shame to fall from the sky and not do anything, would it not?

Firstly...

“What be these myriad statues of Thousand-Armed Kannon?”

“Ah, you noticed right away, huh! You do have a keen eye! These are Junior’s masterpieces!” enthusiastically says the dragon in her human form.

But how is it that the people of this world know so much about the beings of another realm and can depict them in such detail...?!

Could the one who made this statue be a great sorcerer capable of communicating with other realms?

Art they perhaps a Lifeless King?

When the frolicsome dragon introduced me to the artist, to my great astonishment, it was but a child.

“A baby?!”

A child, scarce of years and perchance lacking full command over language, with earnest gaze doth mold and sculpt the snow, shaping a Buddha’s visage anew.

“Though he has sculpted so many, he persists in creation...?!”

In a world apart from here existeth beings that surpass even the gods—Buddhas. To approach these beings, there be ascetic practices that involve crafting their semblance.

Perchance this child, rather than engaging in mere artistic creation, seek a higher purpose through his toil...?!

“...Tired.”

“Are you tired already, Junior? Okay, let’s call it a day here and have some warm milk!”

The dragon takes the child and flies off somewhere.

...I, a god, hath been left behind.

No matter. Since I am here, I shall explore and see whatever catches my divine eyes.

 Oh! Is this not a sculpture of Velesares?

The resemblance is striking. The craftsmanship is exquisite.

And what of this sculpture? Hephaestus, mayhaps?

Nay, it looks nothing like the gent.

As I idly walk about, a couple of people gathered ‘round...

“...God of the arts, Apollo!!!”

Who is this bold soul who doth call me?

“For a genius artist such as myself, to meet the most worshipful god of the arts in such a place is a great fortune! I Please, I would like to take this opportunity to present my greatest masterpiece to you!”

“And who art thou?”

“I am Pisocho! I pride myself not only on my genius but also on my artistic skills, Your Mightiness!”

Thus, thou art a genius artist?

“I would like to present my latest creation today! After a long period of art block, I am proud to have produced this masterpiece! Born from my most ingenious idea...a sculpture of Neo-Zeus!!!”

Whaaaaaaaaaat?!

This snow-formed statue possesses features of my father, Zeus!

“I have taken inspiration from the many Zeus statues I have created in my long career and have incorporated a sudden, electrifying idea! I have multiplied his arms by a thousand!”

“And like I said earlier, this is just a rip-off...”

“That alone is not artistic enough, so I added extra heads and legs. Multiple ones.”

Thus, Father has become the frenzied and fluttering figure he is now...?!

“And to add a more ferocious image, I have fashioned his torso into that of a lion! It has become an unprecedented and innovative statue of Zeus!!!”

Innovation doth not excuse everything, child.

“Venturing upon a task that hath never been done afore” cometh with its own reason wherefore none hath attempted it yet!

What to do?

As I pondered, glimmering eyes awaited my evaluation from the self-proclaimed genius artist...

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......................................!!!”

....................................Mm-hm.

“It looks...marvelous...I suppose?”

“Yesssssssssssssssss!!! I have received the seal of approval from the god of art himselffffff!!!” exclaims the peculiar creator as he jumps for joy.

...Mm-hm.

Perchance, this is fine.

My father Zeus hath transformed himself into a bull, a swan, and even golden rain to woo desired maidens in the past. Such a transformation as this is but a trifle for him.