One of these days, she’s going to have to figure out where all this food was coming from. But not tonight. She was way too hungry to even think. The food just appeared. 6 P.M. on the dot. As per usual, she smelled it before she saw it. What she was starting to notice was the fact that the reason there seemed to be an endless amount of food was because there was. Every single bit of food that was eaten just reappeared out of thin air. The mugs, when grabbed, will instantly fill with whatever drink they want - which would explain why Aigor always seemed to have an infinite amount of ale at his disposal.

It was just them two. Completely silent. Dyra was just starting to enjoy it. Until the noise came echoing down the hall. It sounded like cheering… She slowly looked up, squinting her eyes. Abruptly, Reiha, Talion, and Nalia came into the room. Reiha still had her bow slumped on her arm. She was smiling. Barely, though - but it was still apparent. It was then that Dyra thought: had she even seen Reiha smile yet?

Apparently, it was some kind of archery competition she had won; by a landslide no less. If she had to be honest, Dyra blanked out midway through their conversation. Or, to be more clear, Talion and Nalia’s conversation. Reiha seemed to get bored just as quickly as Dyra, now only replying with yeah’s and mhm’s.

Suddenly, Talion’s voice was cut short. Dyra looked up and followed his gaze.

The gods loved randomly popping in on unexpecting people. She didn’t know why. She didn’t even see Chaos walk in. Or teleport. Or appear. Was that the right word? Whatever that weird thing he did when the team first met. It didn’t feel like teleportation, or what she was always told it felt like. She’s never even walked through a portal before. But she knew whatever He did was different. Somehow. From what she heard, teleporting felt like a pulling sensation. Like a rope being tied around someone’s waist, and someone tugging at it. This however felt different. And somehow, she couldn’t quite describe how.

Dyra didn’t know whether to stand before a god, or to stay seated. Seemed like everyone else was thinking the same thing too.

Chaos raised up His hand. As if reading their minds, He told them “No need to stand. I’ll be quick.” He took an empty seat, sitting down Himself. “I have a new job for you all. From the cobbler in town. Nalia, I believe you already met him. It’s a simple delivery job. Drive a shipment to Frent. I’ll meet you there.”

"Sounds simple enough," Nalia said.

Aigor spoke up. “When do we leave?”

“Tomorrow morning. His store opens at dawn.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Chaos said to her earlier stuck to her like glue. She couldn’t shake it from her head.

“You will not be able to understand my true goals. Not now, at least. Or any time soon. But one day, I will tell you. All of you.”

A part of her thought she was looking too far into it. Who knows what a god would want out of all of them. And yet, there had to be some sort of rhyme or reason. Why choose any of them? Why here? Why now? Why even bother with a bunch of mortals? Couldn’t He do whatever He wished? What is He even planning to do? Maybe there is no understanding it. Or maybe, just maybe, she should just get some sleep. Dyra was on the verge of passing out. She was barely able to climb the endless amount of stairs to her room.

After what seemed to take a thousand years, she stopped at her door. Exerting as much energy as Dyra could muster, she swung open the door. She practically fell on her bed. She closed her eyes. Just for a moment. Just for a moment, the darkness swallowed her whole.

That was when she remembered: Dyra was going to meet Death tomorrow. A tingle of excitement washed through her. She’s always been told that everyone would meet Death twice. Once before they are born, and the second time when they die. And rarely do they ever encounter Her, or any god or goddess for that matter. Here Dyra was now, though, about to meet Her for the third time. And she couldn’t believe it.