Sayyid

"What's with the cheetah and the fancy jewelry?"
Imamu glanced up, spotted the cheetah his youngest Ahadi had mentioned and gave a soft smile to the princess. "That would be 'iilah alhazu."
The young cubs eyes widen in surprise. "The god of luck?!"
"The very same."
"Well, what's he doing here?" She tilted her head as she stared at the cheetah drinking from Kamwe Kuisha. "I've never seen a deity before."
The king chuckled. "No doubt he's working his magic. Granting wishes and luck." His smile grew, an idea striking in his head. "You know, he didn't used to be this way."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, he didn't use to look like that. He's always been a cheetah but he was born without spots."
Ahadi made a soft gasp. "Is that possible?"
"It's very rare, but yes. His story is one of humility and civility."

Years ago, a she-cheetah had just given birth to three healthy cubs- one of which was nearly spotless. Instead of the signature dark spots, he was flecked with light brown stipples. The genetic mutation was rare occurring perhaps once every five hundred years or so. As the cubs grew older, it was apparent this "spotless" cub was also gifted with speed. He was quicker than average cheetahs. It seemed his name was quite fitting. Whether it was for his "unblemished" coat or his swift paws- or even perhaps both, Ziyadah grew arrogant. He often looked down on others and didn't waste time trying to make nice with others. Who needed friends when you had fans, right? He knew he wasn't liked but a lot. Maybe even most. But that didn't bother him any. He liked himself and that was all that mattered.
The number of those that found his behavior insufferable started to grow with each day. His mother, desperate for him to change his attitude, offered a plea to the gods hoping they might intervene or offer her some advice. The two deities 'iilah alkhalq and 'iilhat aldamar heard the prayer. While they normally wouldn't get themselves involved, they had seen potential in the young cheetah. Perhaps with a change of heart, he could be the one they are looking for. They had decided to approach him together but first made up items that would help him along the way. When the time came, the two deities came to Ziyadah while he was alone.
The adolescent cheetah looked up at the lions, an eyebrow lifted. "What's this now? Two gods have come to me? What fortune I must have."
Suha hung back keeping her mouth shut and her narrow eyes on the target. Akbar was the one to step forward and address him. "I am surprised you know of us. It is usually only the lions who are aware of us as deities."
"What can I say," Ziyadah stated with a casual shrug of his shoulder. "I've been around. Being as fast as I am, I've traveled to many places. The few prides I've passed through have spoken of their gods."
"I see."
"Have the gods come to marvel at my superiority? Surely you have not seen a cheetah like me even in your long life, for I am one of a kind."
"Marvel? Perhaps. Superiority? No." Suha spoke softly, her tone underlying with intrigue.
The cheetah looked askance. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"We," Akbar spoke quickly giving Suha a knowing glance, "are here to bring you humility."
Ziyadah scoffed. "I have no shame in having pride in myself. I was born unblemished. Unique. One-of-a-kind. I was gifted with supreme speed. I'm practically a celebrity here. I am superior."
"You are vain and insolent. For that, you shall be cursed."
His haughty expression cracked for a moment but his tail swished uncertainly. "Excuse me?"
Suha spoke up again, Akbar now silent and watching. "To learn humility and respect, you shall bear a curse.You will be compelled to help others and in doing so, you shall be marked. For each creature helped, a spot shall be added to your pelt. Use your gift of speed to aid others. Grant them luck, fortune, and wishes."
The lithe feline shook his head, unbelieving. "I refuse to work with those below me. I won't be marked. This is ridiculous!"
The goddess of destruction stepped forward ignoring the slight cower from the cheetah as she recited:
"From this time forth, you bear a curse-
one with which you shall immerse.
You are tasked to help and aid
those of which a call was made.
Once the service has been brought,
upon your pelt will appear a spot.
This curse will not break or crack
until your coat is covered black."
A slight tremor shook the ground then, nothing. Suha nodded her head. "The curse has been set."
"Just like that? I can't-" Ziyadah stopped, unsure of all that's happened. Surely this was just a really strange dream. Cursed? How absurd.
The god of creation stepped forward once again but this time offering three rings and what appeared to be a medallion. "These are gifts. While the curse is unfortunate, it is unfortunately necessary. You are not selfless or giving enough to be the one we need. But perhaps with time and practice, you can be the cheetah you were truly destined to be. To use your agility for something and someone other than yourself." He stepped forward and fastened the rings to Ziyadah's tail. A slight tingling sensation had his fur slightly on edge. "These are to guide you on your journey. You will adjust to the feeling. It is just a sensory effect. Think of it like a small harmless mini-shock to help with direction. Now." Moving to face him directly, Akbar placed the medallion type object on his chest. The moment it was fastened, a silken ribbon burst out the sides and flanked his shoulders. They almost appeared wing-like. After they stretched out, they folded back in on themselves. "This will inform you of when you are being summoned. The wings will enhance your speed, the wing like silk only appearing when you are running."
"These gifts can not be removed so do not bother or waste your time trying to do so," Suha quipped. "They work in tandem with your curse and will not be effective in anything else you do."
"Remember, this is to help you learn civility and humility. The sooner you learn these things- truthfully learn them, the sooner your curse shall be lifted."
"For every creature helped, you will gain a spot. The curse can end when your pelt is completely black. This will be a long route, of that I am certain." Suha smirked.
The medallion hummed softly and the tingle in his tail was stronger than before. As if sensing the call, Akbar spoke up once more. "Your time starts now. Go and fulfill your new duty, Ziyadah. May you learn to humble yourself and to care for your fellow beasts."
With that, both 'iilah alkhalq and 'iilhat aldamar vanished leaving Ziyadah with his thoughts and a new task.

"Wow. 'iilah alkhalq and 'iilhat aldamar really appeared to a cheetah?"
"They did."
"Wow. Have you ever seen them?"
Imamu recalled faintly when they had appeared in the valley shortly after a strange mystical portal had opened near the lake. "That...is a story for another time. Back to 'iilah alhazu and his origin story."
"Of course, father. So. He got cursed by the destruction goddess and the creation god gifted him with items that would help him on his journey to better himself." Ahadi beamed at her father.
"Yes. I'm glad you were paying attention."
"Did he take to it right away? Have a change of heart?"
"Not at first. In fact..."

"NNNOOOOOO!" A wild scream rang out, rippling the water at his feet violently. His reflection weaved out of focus though he was avoiding it for he had gained his first spot. A rather small dot on his forehead but noticeably darker and more prominent than his tick marks. "My perfect face- ruined!" He glared up at the sky. "Are you happy now?! You've ruined everything! My pelt, scarred. My pride, scarred. My reputation, scarred. Everything is scarred! This is heinous! Abuse!" His throat starting to burn from screaming, hot tears pricked his eyes. Ziyadah cried angrily. Why should he be punished for his coat? For his speed? It wasn't his fault. He didn't choose to be this way. It had been a few days since he had been visited by the deities. As much as he tried to ignore the pulsing of the medallion and rings, it was hopeless. Despite being told not to bother, he had tried to remove the items. Of course, nothing had come of it. In fact, it seemed the items seemed to only cling tighter to him.
His first...several customers, if you could call them that, had been excruciating. Much the same as the first. A lot of blubbering and wailing, claims of unfair treatment and abuse, complaints and swears. His face was the first thing marked. After what he assumed were all the spots he could achieve on his face, his tail had started to fill out. Around that time, he had tried to exploit the gifts. Also against the sayings of the deities. He tried to trick them into thinking he was helping someone or was off to aid someone. There were even a few attempts to make his own wishes which of course weren't granted. All his efforts were fruitless. It seemed his ability to grant luck and wishes did nothing for himself. Though if he had taken the time to think about it, that made perfect sense. If he could use his powers for himself, there would be no lesson in it.
When manipulating the powers and the gifts hadn't worked in his favor, he tried his next best option: running. Avoid the task all together. The medallion hummed and the rings stung but he did his best to push those out of his mind and just ran. Except the further he ran, the more intense the items got. It got bad to the point he couldn't feel his body or tail, but numb and feeling needle-pricked. With a sigh of defeat, he turned back and followed the prompting of the rings on his tail. They led him to a small cub beside a creek in a wooded forest. Staying back out of sight but being close enough to observe and hear, he watched the child make their wish.
"I'm not sure if this'll work but... I've got to try." The cub took a deep breath and tossed a pebble into the creek. "Mother is sick. I mean... she's always sick, but dad says this time...might be her last. I know not to ask for something as selfish as making her better. That just isn't how things are done... but... if I could just have another week with her. Or at least until my birthday in a few days... I'd appreciate it." The cub sat a moment longer before taking another deep breath and wandering back into the woods.
Ziyadah stared after the young feline with a mix of shock and awe. Here was this cub asking for something so little, something not unobtainable. The wording stuck out to him. "I know not to ask for something as selfish as making her better." What wisdom in a child. Was it really all that selfish? To wish someone you love to be rid of any ailment? To wish them not death? These feelings were conflicting within him. Stepping forward he fished out the pebble the child had tossed in. It was warm with hope and made his paw tingle. With a thought, he released the pebble and watched it transform to a floating black speck which settled on his paw, forming a new spot. It wasn't exactly what he had wished for, but he hoped it would be better to spend more time with her- even if that time was still limited.
With a final look at the creek and then again at the forest where the cub had retreated, he turned and followed the guidance of the rings once again to his next target.
Weeks passed and Ziyadah had started to accept his fate. Gaining a spot wasn't the end of the world anymore. He was starting to see tons of different people facing a variety of things. There were several times when he was surprised by what was being asked for given the circumstances of the wisher. Of course, there were a few that had made selfish requests to which he decidedly did not grant. Why that was, it wasn't for certain. Perhaps he was coming around after all. Or deep down he knew nothing would come of it. Those that had asked for selfless things seemed to pull on him more than those with selfish thoughts. He was nearly covered in spots with only a patch or two of blank fur.
He hid away less and less, openly approaching those asking for help. He was starting to appear more and more like an average cheetah- minus the enchanted jewelry, of course. Sometimes those seeking his assistance would approach him directly. It was nice seeing others want to come to him. It wasn't like before when they wanted to marvel at his spotless coat or witness his swiftness. No, this was genuine. There were even some times when he was approached simply to be thanked. It was...humbling. It had been months since that day he was visited. Slowly but surely, he was opening up to others. Not closing himself off was somewhat freeing. Despite his status as a deity in training, he supposed, he had even made a few friends that he had met along the way.
Word spread of his deeds and he was often spotted at lakes, ponds, and rivers. He liked seeing the smiles when he approached. Not because of him being better but because he could potentially make them better. Or make something better for them. He was appreciated. Sometimes he would spend days at a time with a herd or pride before moving on to the next group that needed his services. He had grown so much that the deities that had set him on this path received word of his growth and made a plan to visit with him.

"So he did learn his lesson?"
"Yes, he did."
The princess looked back out at the cheetah, her head tilting from side to side. "This happened a long time ago, right?"
"I suppose it has been a few years. Why?"
"I thought he was supposed to be covered in spots. Like, completely. But he's not. He's just... spotted."
Imamu smiled and gave her a nod. "You're right. There's more to the story."

Ziyadah smiled brightly at Akbar and Suha as they approached. "Well, well. If it isn't 'iilah alkhalq and 'iilhat aldamar. What can I do for you two?"
Akbar returned the smile with one of his own. "It would seem you have made a name for yourself and not for being the spotless cheetah or the fastest cheetah."
"Yes. It appears the people are calling you the god of luck." Suha kept her expression neutral.
"I guess I have helped quite a few." He glanced at his coat now covered in spots, his tail tip bearing black bands. "There are still so many to help though. I shouldn't delay long."
"We will not keep you. We are here to revoke the curse as you have learned your lesson." Akbar looked to Suha and gave her a nod. Her eye-roll did not go unnoticed but he kept silent as she mumbled under her breath. There was a slight tremor in the ground for a few seconds and then all was still.
"The curse has been removed. You will no longer gain spots for serving others."
"Now then." The god of creation stepped forward. "Since the curse has been lifted, I shall now remove-"
"If I may," Ziyadah interrupted. "I wish to keep the gifts you have bestowed upon me."
"Oh?'
"I would like to continue helping others and granting them what they need. And, I am hoping they will be a reminder to me. Keep me humble. Of course, only if you would be willing to grant me with this wish."
Akbar beamed. "Then it shall be. Congratulations, Ziyadah. You have come to your true potential: a deity of the beasts, for the beasts. Continue to use your gifts for the selfless."
The cheetah nodded with a smile. "Of course. Thank you for this wonderful gift, 'iilah alkhalq. I promise to put it to good use."

"And that's the story." Imamu smiled down at Ahadi who was watching the cheetah intently.
"That seems like quite the story. Are all deity stories so fantastic?"
The king chuckled. "I suppose in their own ways, yes."
Ziyadah looked up and glanced at the king and princess. Flashing a brilliant smile and sporting a wink, he gave a small stretch and started to run off. The wings of the medallion burst out and waved in the wind as he ran off.
"Wait! Where's he going? Why is he running away?"
"He's not running away, Ahadi." Imamu looked up and watched the cheetah run toward the east. "He's running toward those in need."
The young princess watched as the cheetah took off away from kamwe kuisha. She thought back over the story her father had just told her. She still wasn't sure if she believed it. How had he lost the spots he gained while bearing the curse? If he was a bearer of luck, what would he be doing here? She had so many questions. She turned to her father but he simply smiled and kissed the top of her head before wandering off. Perhaps she could learn more about this. But from who?