“You really should leave an offering at the shrine; you keep missing it.” His father glared at him from across the table. “It’s bad luck to not at least make an appearance.”

With his hands Fortus tore a slight stale tuft of bread and handed it to his son. “I always leave a small offering to Gerb before I leave the village. He likes bread and flint, so here’s some bread.”

“I need to go now?” Reese saw a problem with this. He still hadn’t finished his homework. This would be bad. Fense was libel to make him write a full chapter this time.

“You have school in 30 minutes or so. You have time. Come on, I’ll come with you.” With a literal push and shove, his father moved him out the door into the cool almost cold Autumn air.

“Our town is small, so we only have the shrine. Larger villages and cities will have small temples. You should always make a visit anytime something major happens in your life. Like going to school for the first time, or surviving a dragon attack." His father almost glared at him, but with a smile, like he wasn't complete angry.

"There’s no official priest in our town, but someone tries to tend to the shrine every day. I think today is Brot, the baker. Supposedly he actually was a priest, a lifetime ago. I’m sure he’d be willing to answer any questions you have.”

The shrine was located behind the mayor’s manor, technically on his property, so it wasn’t much of a walk. The mayor saw it as a bit of an honor to take care of the land the shrine was on, but strangely, rarely boasted about it, despite being a cold-blooded politician.

At the shrine was a very round and older man whose attitude, and stance made him seem young. Reese had seen him in the Market place before, and he always seemed quite jolly, like a cross between Santa Clause and Hardy. His shop sold breads and some baked goods and his sweet rolls were particularly good. Merchants usually never left their shops, at least when open. It seemed strange for him to abandon it in the middle of the day, though Reese vaguely remembered him having a wife, maybe she was running it?

It’s also possible this was something prearranged by Fortus. That would explain why he was in such a rush and insistent on it being done now.

“Reese, Fortus! Welcome! I understand this is your first visit to the shrine. I hope I can answer any question you have?” His smile was sweet and sticky like taffy and stuck to you the same. It was hard not to just like man on the spot.

“So, I guess my first question is, who are the gods?”

His father looked down at this heretical son in borderline shock.

Sensing that was probably not the right question, he tried to roll it back. “Uh, never mind.”

“We really never went over the gods with you. No wonder my luck has been so bad. Ehem.” His father coughed at the end, as if to hide the last part.

Brot just laughed. “It’s fine. As the saying goes, the gods leave us alone, so we tolerate them. Reese, your father’s bad luck is likely due to his obvious tells when he plays card games.” The two seemed to share some history, and the fact that makeshift priest would even be so openly lambasting his own gods gave Reese pause. To openly mock your own gods and not be smitten for it, or at least denounced, it seemed more likely they just didn’t exist at all. He was an atheist on Earth, maybe he didn’t need to give that up here.

Still, the matter of his reincarnation was a complicated point that poked many holes in that philosophy, not to mention that voice. Maybe it was just the soul that existed, or something like the soul? Details to consider later.

Brot brought Reese back to reality as he roughly explained the hierarchy:

“The pantheon is simple enough. Four gods sit at the top, one for each of the first races that’s human, Elf and Anthro and an extra for the Anthros since they’re so rowdy.

Grenda is the human god, she’s stern and powerful, which helps her keep the other in line.

Fress is the Elven god, steadfast and strong.

Hanco and Dini are the gods of the Anthros. It’s said that Dini is the only one that can control Hanco, her brother. There a reason why people give her offerings of rope.

Bellow them are the various general gods, like Gerb who your father prays to and is a god of many other soldiers and knights.

There’s also middle gods for the minor races like the High Goblins, Dwarves and the Demons. Also messenger gods who relay offerings to the gods for us. If you ever see an offering disappear, know you were very blessed or sometimes cursed for the gods to notice you.”

Pausing to breathe and consider what he just said, Brot had a bittersweet smile. “In my whole life I’ve only seen them take an offering once. For Grenda, a pile of 10 gold coins. Oh right, if you ever want to give an offering to her, she only takes gold.” He laughed once more.

Reese walked up the small set of stairs to the marble shrine. It was very Onate, with arrows carved into it, and onyx and gold trim. The deep red hard wood at the center propped up the slate altar. It was an interesting touch. It probably all meant something, but he wasn’t sure what. Another curious symbol seemed to be carved into the top of the small altar itself. A quill and parchment scroll.

He stood there for a moment unsure what to do with the bread that was growing ever staler by the minute. “What do I do?”

“Just say a prayer. Usually for Gerb we say ‘Gerb, we pray for your strength in battle, may our arms be strong and steady.’ And I understand you need strong and stead arms for all those pages you write after school.” Again, the jolly man laughed with his animated wordings.

Reese could only sigh, he was right, and part of him hated that it would be even more true at the end of today.

“Gerb, I pray for your strength in battle at school, may my arms be strong and steady and so to my fingers.” Smiling at his added flare, he hoped he wouldn’t be cursed by blemishing the prayer. With one last movement he put the bread on the altar, and nothing happened. He kind of hope Greb was real, he’d be able to use the strength in his fingers.

He looked around, laughing to himself. Of course, there was nothing. Given how everyone treated the gods and talked about them it was more likely they just weren’t there.

“Ok, I did the offering dad. Can I go to… school… now?” As he turned around, neither were there anymore.

He wondered if they panicked at his modifications and ran fearing of being smite. “Um, I’m sorry if I said the wrong thing. I don’t think they’re going to smite me.” He walked down from the altar but couldn’t see them anywhere. “Dad? Brot?” Even the street seemed empty. There was no noise. The wind seemed to have faded to nothing.

Something felt very wrong.

Turning around the manor had disappeared, everything disappeared, just a grass field remained, and the alter, and… him.

“Took you long enough. I’m Devenon, you can consider me a messenger god.”

It was hard for him to process. Was this really happening? He needed more time to think, in his confused mind the best way to do that was with a question “Do… do you report to Greb?”

“No.” His tone held a pang of annoyance, like he didn’t like him. The felling was mutual.

“Oh. So Grenda then?” The more Reese spoke, the more he felt his confidence build. In the back of his mind a whisper of thoughts and feelings came back to him. Not from his old life, from, something else.

The entity seemed almost insulted by the question. “No. If you must know I report right to the High ONE.”

“Oh, the high one…” For some reason, the idea the idea seemed familiar to him, and he couldn’t explain why but the entire thought left a bad taste in his mouth. His only response was a dismissive question “Why one?”

The non-sequitur threw the god off, “What?”

“Why ‘one’? Like are they alone?” His tone was dismissive. Even he was surprised at just how little he actually cared at the moment. Thoughts, feelings, other things kept creeping into him. All of this was just so familiar and the longer he stayed here the more he could feel himself resenting Devenon and those above him. A whisper in the back of his soul screamed at him in alien symbols and thoughts.

On the other hand, Devenon couldn’t tell if this human serious? “No. There are many of them.”

“So they’re like the first then. Wouldn’t zero make more sense? Like in index notion, 0 means the first index.” He was instantly finding some way to butcher the high one's name. He needed to show his disdain in what ever way he could. That screaming whisper in his soul demanded it.

“What are you rambling about.”

“I honestly have no idea, because I seem to be having a psychotic break.” Reese continued to look around. Things that were missing from him, things he didn’t even know were missing felt like they were just with in his grasp. Why was this place so familiar? Not the field, but what was beyond it, that white but not white void.

'Void.' That meant something.

If gods could feel agitation Devenon would be a textbook example of it. Walking to the alter he picked up the bread and began chewing on it, perhaps to calm his own nerves or some sense of requirement. “Kind of stale…”

“That what I said!”

“Look. We’re not supposed to interfere in the high one's plans, whatever they are. I was tasked by him to come and talk to you the first time you left an offering that’s all.”

“So are you supposed to give me a mission or something, a reason for my existence. Tell me why I was reincarnated?”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“No. I don’t know any of that either. I was just told to tell you we’re watching you, but we will not interfere. No one will help you. You need to keep building.” Pausing on that last point Devenon wanted it to sink in, to have an impact. It may have had the opposite effect.

“Ok… Seems kind of creepy, and useless.”

Any other human would be on the ground, literally trying to worship at his feet. But this one, he just didn’t understand him. Devenon could only shake his head. “You are very strange.”

“And you seem like an asshole.” He couldn’t explain it, but something inside him just did not like Devenon, and outright hated the so called High One, who he was now calling 'zero'. All of this was just so damn familiar, like something detached but inside understood. That whisper.

“I think we’re done here.”

Reese held up his hand in a futile gesture "No, wait, I think I-"

Reality came flooding back as the whole world seemed to shake and fade back into view.

“Reese, are you ok?” His father shook him lightly and snapped him out of his trance like state.

He had to look around, everything was back. That feeling inside, that hatred; was that even the right word? Regardless it was gone too. The screaming whisper inside him was quiet again. He needed to think, to process all of this.

“I just… I think I just talked to a god.” His eyes went wide as the realization truly hit him. He talked to something that called itself a god. An entity that was far more powerful than him. Then he called him an asshole.

Why?

“You talked to Gerb?” Fortus’ eyes had a glint in them, a sparkle of childhood wonderment. That was quickly overtaken by rational adult thinking.

“No. Someone named Devenon.”

“Devenon?” Brot spoke up with a hum in his voice. Tapping his finger to his chin he tried to remember, but it did sound like a name he read somewhere once. “It actually sounds familiar. But I can’t be sure.”

In the distance, the start of the day bell rang.

“Oh crud I’m late. Fense is going to give me double the pages!” With a sprint Reese bounded for the reopened schoolhouse. It’s a shame, but if it was still in the keep, he might have had a chance.

Brot and Fortus just watched Reese ran down the road, kicking up dirt. Their minds flickering with memories of their own youth. “Heh. Kids right, Brot?”

“Indeed, what an active imagination your son has. Maybe he’ll be a great author one day! Good money in books. Heh heh.” Brot’s smile and laugh returned, having dropped the non-sense of a child talking to a god. “Well, I should clean off the altar, I doubt Gerb… wants… it?”

Brot and Fortus looked back at the altar, the bread was missing.

“Probably a bird snatched it.” Fortus said matter of factly.

“Heh, yes, a bird. Of course. Of course! Ha ha heh…” Brot didn’t seem convinced.

At the end of the school day, Reese left with Fense as the school doors were locked and closed behind them.

He was traumatized. The madman had actually done it. A full chapter. He was about halfway through an entire transcription of “A history of the Six Kingdoms under Astrix”, and it hadn’t even been half a year. At the current rate, he’d copy each book in that accursed set of bookshelves they called a library.

Currently he was halfway thought the Mixx Rebellion, and the so called “Opportunistic War” with the Unified Dark Elven States. It was quite fascinating, he had to admit. A slave revolt in the east and attack from the west by the Unified Dark Elven States lead to the fracturing of the Aggenon kingdom and the creation of the Mixx kingdom.

He just didn’t like copying it verbatim. There was still a good 40 pages to write tomorrow, and that would probably carry over the day after. Assume Fense didn’t add more.

Emilie was outside the school, waiting for Reese as usual. “Wow, Fense really made you write all afternoons!” Her voice hid a subtle giggle. That was both annoying and cute.

“Yeah… I’ve got to do it tomorrow and the day after too. Bah.” He took a moment to consider what happened this morning, trying to make sense of it now that he had a minute to himself.

“Hey, are you ok?” Emilie poked at him.

Well mostly to himself.

“Yeah, just thinking about something… Emilie do you know anything about the gods?”

Her eyes lit up as if full of thoughts and ideas, “Oh! I know a lot. My parents made me go to the shrine several times. Each time we gave offerings to a different god. Like Chank when the shop was doing bad, we left him our leather scraps, and Eshtar after I… After my magic mistakes. I left him copper coins and an apology for what I did. There are other gods too. I know the main ones. What did you want to know?” Speaking a mile, a minute it was clear she was absolutely elated to be able to explain something to her friend who always seemed to be a step ahead, knowledge-wise anyway.

“Well, you ever hear of a god called Devenon?”

She puzzled for a few minutes, before a small frown crossed her face. “No. It doesn’t sound familiar. What are they a god of?”

“I’m not sure. I thought I was visited by them today.” As they walked, he filled her in on what he was being to think of as his psychotic break.

“I never heard of gods actually visiting people. You really must be special!” There wasn’t a single bit of hesitation or moment of doubt. She believed him, fully. It made him happy, but also worried him a bit.

“You just believe me; I mean my story is incredible.”

“Well, yeah. You wouldn’t lie to me?”

“Not intentionally no, but I could still be wrong. Maybe I daydreamed about it all, or I’m telling you a story. Maybe it wasn’t actually a god but an elaborate prank? You should always consider the simpler explanations before the more complex ones. Gods don’t visit people, so it’s unlikely they visited me.”

“Oh. I guess that makes sense?” She tilted her head back and forth as if processing it all.

“We really need to find a book on logic and philosophy. I'm sure they can explain it all better than me.”

A faint whiff and aroma of baked good passed their collective noses. Bread… Brot. Reese wondered if he was back at the bakery yet or still tending the shrine.

“Emilie, want to come on a shopping trip?”

A modest sized building stood in front of them, in front of surprising large glass windows and brick construction, not to unlike the shops next to it. The second story was, presumably, the house or apartment Brot and his wife lived in.

You could tell it was a bakery before you even stepped foot inside. The scent of delicate breads and flours filled the air all with the subtle over tones of yeast and sugars. Inside the bakery Brot was standing watch over his counter as a middle-aged woman in the background moved fresh loafs out of a large clay like oven. The motion of the fresh baked goods further adding to the overwhelmingly pleasant aroma that for a moment brought back memories of Reese’s old life and childhood.

“Reese! Well, if this isn’t a pleasant surprise. Your parents send you for a loaf of bread?” That same sticky smile spread to him, and another would be patron.

“Honestly, no. I was hoping you had a moment to talk about earlier today?”

“Ah. Yes. Interesting stories you tell young man. I meant what I said to your father, should be a writer!”

“I know it’s hard to believe, I’m not sure I believe it either, but I was hoping… do you have any more information about the gods? Or know where I can look.”

Brot’s smile shifted from one of pure sugar to something more bitter. “Well…” For a moment he actually sighed and dropped the smile entirely, only for a moment though. “Many years ago, I was actually a priest. I tended a temple to the east in Mixx. But it was a long time ago, another life. I try to keep my pledge to the gods by taking care of the shrine here, but if I’m honest with you… I’m not the best one to ask your questions too.”

“I see…” Reese was disappointed of course, but understood, but before he could walk out of the store, Brot asked him to wait.

Coming back from the back he brought with him a rectangular object wrapped in cloth. It appeared to be a book. One of great personal value, and possibly great coin value.

“Now, I almost never take this book out, and I’ve never lent it before. But I feel like I can trust you with it, and maybe you can use it.” In the background of the shop that woman shoot her head up and mumbled something about giving the shop away.

Pealing back the covering for a moment the texture of the cover was the first to become evident, exquisite quality paper. Drawn on it where arrowhead symbols, logs, black lacquer and gold showed themselves, and again at the bottom was that same quill and paper symbol from the altar. The title, written in gold was simply “The Gods”.

“Normally this book isn’t given to the uninitiated, but honestly, that’s just a recommendation.” Brot rewrapped the book and gave it to Reese. It was larger than most books, and heavier too.

“Giving away an expensive book, this is why you can’t do business.” The woman in back chastised Brot’s kindness.

“Oh don’t mind her kids, she just angry that no one comes to visit her, unlike myself.”

Thinking about Reese began fishing in his side pouch, he had a few coppers just in case he needed something from the market on his way home, like now.

“Hey, can I get one of those sweet swirls before I go?”

Brot smiled to the woman before turning to him “Of course! 2 Coppers please.”

As he left, the couple continued to argue, “Oh yes, you’re a smug one. Trading a book worth 10 Gold for 2 mossies …” Hearing that number made his blood run old. 10 Gold was more than even a skilled labor would make in a year. He’d have to be very, very careful with the book.

Splitting the sweet with his friend, he was quite impressed with just how fluffy it was despite having quite a bit of weight to it. It reminded him of Cinnabon from earth, but with more of a peppermint after taste. It helped take his mind off the literal fortune he had under his arm.

“Ok, so let’s see what it says.” Back in his room the two opened the book looking for an index or table of contents. What was there was simple, a section about “Pantheon Construction and Materials”, “Dress”, “Handling Left Over Offerings”, and then, “The Gods”. The last section seemed to be what he wanted; it was also the largest.

Flipping page after page, a quick order became evident the more important gods were first, followed by the least. Messenger gods were the lowest on the totem pole he thought, so he started in back. Sure enough, after about 10 pages, he found the entry for Devenon, or what little there was:

“Devenon, Messenger god.”

That was it. A single line, with 3 words. Nothing else. No listing of offerings, or history, just his name.

“Is that it?” He couldn’t believe it and continued to flip through the pages.

“Sorry Reese. The messenger gods aren’t important I don’t think there’s much written about them.”

He gently closed the book with a sigh. For something so expensive, it was worthless to him. Oh well.

“But, I’ve never seen a book like this before. Want to read about the other gods?” She poked at the book encouraging him to reopen it. He sighed, why not, it wasn’t like he had anything else to do. Maybe it would give him some clues or insights. He doubted it though.

In the end all he had were more questions, and a very expensive book that he needed to get back to Brot as soon as possible.

Dinner came and food went, his mind barely able to process the sensations as he kept thinking about earlier. It was a cool but clear Ogracito night, the moon was shining brightly through the kitchen window. Rather than heading to his room, he wandered out into the back field just behind the house and laid in the tall grass, taking a few moments to consider the sky and heavens.

It felt like ages since he had just stared at the stars. An entire lifetime he mused to himself with a light chuckle. The skies here were different from earths. There were stars, and only one moon, that he could see anyway. But the stars were all in the wrong place. The galaxy band, which he could see so clearly here, seemed to point in the wrong direction, and there were two bright nebula that could just barely be seen with the eyes. The moon was the wrong color too. More brownish red, and less gray. The redish color likely meant iron rust. He wondered, could this moon have an atmosphere?

He wished he had his telescope. If there was one thing he did lament from his old life, it was all the unfinished projects he had. He had just finished fixing a junked Dobsonian telescope before he just gave up. He had plans to add servos and auto tracking to it too all the parts just sitting on a shelf. Eh, like most of his plans it probably wouldn’t have gone anywhere.

So many new stars here, he had to wonder if any had names?

“You ok Reese? Don’t usually see just staring at the sky like this.” Fortus surprised him. It seemed rare for his father to track him down like this.

“Yeah. Just thinking about things.”

The sound of grass crunching next to him was as unexpected as seeing father lay down with him.

“You know, when I was a boy, I used to love just watching the stars move. They tell a story you know, as the seasons come and go. That group of stars there, not far from the moon. You see them?” Fortus pointed to a cluster of stars, it almost resembled Orion, almost.

“That’s call Orth. A great hunter to humans, and a soldier to the elves. In the summer he rests, feeding off our excess crops. But come the colder months when crops are scares, he hunts.”

It was a neat story. There was similar mythos for Earth’s constellations, but Reese never really knew them.

“There’s an old story, that Orth’s belt used to be made with 3 stars. But there was a great battle between with the two giant bares of Ulssa. He slayed the bares and took their pelts to make his cloak and hung their skulls from his belt. Adding the two stars.”

Something about that story was odd. Orth looked like Orion, the Ursa minor and major constellations likely didn’t exist here. He couldn’t help but think, maybe there was a connection between them? More notes for his notebook, he'd add them later. His father had far more to tell him.

“That group of stars is Galfrain, the great beast rider, and under him his dragon mount Salita…”

Fortus would continue his stories for the next hour or so, tracing a story that crossed the heavens. Reese was disappointed it had to end, but all good stories must.