He knew all was lost the way things were. It was a gamble, but the pained expression Kao made when she saw she could not help… I will bet on the goddess who cares.

Looking straight at Kao, Orn hardened his resolve. “I understand. I believe you are the only goddess worth serving. I offer myself to you without reservation.” Then he turned his head back to the floor and awaiting her response.

The silence felt like a weight on Orn’s shoulders, but Kao did not respond. Time passesd at a crawl, leaving Orn unable to sit still any longer. Orn slowly raised his head and saw Kao was almost shaking. Catching sight of her face Orn was shocked, Are those tears?

As if hearing his thoughts, Kao straightened and whipped her palms at her eyes. All sign of what may have been tears disappeared instantly. “Some were thankful, but most … most were just scared. No one has ever wanted ...” She seemed to be struggling for words.

Orn returned his eyes to the floor and waited while the goddess collected herself.

Clearing her throat she continued with more confidence, “If you are mine, I will give you a path. My power is different from my sisters. I do not give anything, But I also do not control or take. You will not get skills like everyone else, only the potential to earn them.”

She paused to let the words hang in the air before continuing, “You are the first to place your faith with me and shall be rewarded. You will be given the path you want.” Looking at Orn levelly, she smiled. “What do you want to become?”

Not waiting for Orn to respond she began to ramble options. “It could be anything. A great lord to lead armies, a powerful mage bringing destruction to your enemies?... or something else?” She smiled almost jumping with excitement, “You can pick anything you want.”

Orn struggled to narrow down a single path. Moments before he was faced with no options now he was overwhelmed by the paths before him.

He needed something that would let him protect himself and his family. The empire would come, and he needed to be able to fight. He knew his father was a knight who protected the territory, but was that enough?

He looked at Kao. The goddess was almost bouncing with excitement, rocking back and forth on her feet. But for her eyes and pale complexion, she could be confused with any girl his age. A girl about to anger her older and more powerful sisters by accepting him. In that moment a his choice became clear. I will protect them all.

Orn bowed his head. “I want a path that will let me protect those I care about. I want to protect my parents, Olivia and the other staff, and ...,”

Orn was thankful he was looking away from the goddess, it felt so awkward to say it. “And I want to protect you.”

“Me?” She sounded taken aback. And Orn could see she had stopped rocking on her heels.

“Yes,” On nodded closing his eyes in embarrassment. I just told a literal GODDESS I want to protect her. “if there is a path that will let me do that, please give me that one.”

“I cannot guarantee you that strength,” She said slowly, “but I can give you a path that may lead to it. The strength itself you will need to earn. It should go without saying it will be a dangerous path.”

Was that concern in her voice? Orn thought. Feeling more and more certain that he chose correctly he nodded. “I will take that path.”

The silence dragged on again. Did I say the wrong thing? Is it really taking a long time or is this in my head?

Finally breaking the silence Kao began, “So be it. Repeat after me…. I swear to serve my lady loyally,”

He dutifully repeated the words, that seemed to echo in the small space.

“To serve with honor,”

As Orn repeated the words they again seemed to echo. He pushed the thought aside, I am just imagining it. “To protect my Lady.”

“To be her shield and the bane of her enemies. ”Kao’s words were soft, but somehow cut through the words of his oath still echoing in the chamber.

“To be her shield and the bane of her enemies.” The words now seemed to have physical force. He almost felt them hitting him as they echoed unnaturally.

“I am Sir Orn. Knight of the Goddess of Will.”

He dutifully repeated her words and lifted his face to look at the beaming young goddess.

She lifted her hand and pulled a finger back to flick him. “Now my paladin, close your eyes and prepare to receive my blessing. “

Orn closed his eyes and waited to be flicked again. He smiled to himself at the way she decided to bless him but it somehow seemed right.

What is she doing? She moved so fast last time I could barely… Orn’s mind instantly went blank. Instead of a flick, he felt breath on his face!

As his eyes shot open, he heard a faint giggle, but she was gone. Standing stock still, his hand reached up to press against his tingling cheek. He could still feel where her lips had been.

Frozen and standing alone in the silence, Orn debated if she really was the Goddess of Chaos.