Afa smashed the screen where she was watching Kristel’s duel with Bodger. Screaming in anger she threw it and everything else that wasn’t nailed down around her onto the floor.

“Why? Why is this happening?” She yelled in frustration, “Why aren’t these idiots following my orders?”

“Because it’s not that important if they do.” A voice interrupted.

Whipping around, Afa was surprised to see Hallow standing there and smiling at her. He stood on the opposite wall of the door and wore a nice-looking salmon suit, his pure white eyes gleaming at her.

“What are you doing here?” Afa asked folding her arms in annoyance.

“Just coming by to see how my fellow partner in crime was doing.” Hallow said kindly.

“There is no crime being committed.”

“Of course, just a saying. How are you? I see that Bryson isn’t doing what you wanted.” Hallow said with a hearty chuckle.

“That’s an understatement. Those stupid girls seem to enjoy his company! It’s ridiculous. This isn’t what we agreed upon.” Afa said pointing a finger at Hallow.

“I recall all our deal was to supply you with six heroes from an earth and a villain, in this case Bryson from somewhere with powers.” Hallow replied, “I did do that.”

“Bryson is supposed to be a terrible person.”

“Well, to be fair, I asked you who to get. You said that it didn’t matter who because you'd corrupt them.”

“Are you blaming me now?” Afa asked not looking impressed.

"Not at all. I’m just saying what Bryson does now really doesn’t matter.”

“Explain.” She said narrowing her eyes.

“As you wished. Everything that will occur that is important will occur when both he and the other heroes are fifteen and at the academy. Everything else before that is simply setting it up.” Hallow said assuring her.

“Yes. But those girls like him.”

“And that’s important because?” Hallow asked not quite getting her point.

“They need to hate him.”

“Oh they will.” Hallow said with a devious smile on his face.

“What do you mean?”

“Trust me when I say this. Bryson will fall. Bryson will break and when that happens everyone close to him will be hurt because of him.” Hallow said, his eyes glowing slightly, “They will regret ever knowing him and he’ll lose them. I intend on making that happen.”

“Are you certain?” Afa asked not sounding completely convinced.

“Trust me. I will see to it personally.” Hallow vowed.

“Very well. I suppose betrayal will work. Though it still messes with my plans a bit.” Afa agreed begrudgingly.

“Speaking of which. You have found your heroes now haven’t you?”

“Ah yes.” Afa said immediately perking up, “I have them selected. Can I start summoning them?”

“Yes of course. You want them all here at once?”

“No, just two for now. Here.” She said as a two pieces of paper appeared in her hands and she handed them to Hallow.

Hallow took the two sheets and read through them both quickly, “Anthony Michaels and Kono Rei. I thought you wanted pre-teens. They’re both adults in their late thirties.”

“You can put them in the bodies of pre-teens can’t you?”

“Yes.”

“That’s why I picked them.” Afa said, “Two adults who have already experienced the prime of their lives and never amounted to much who have a love for fantasy. Introduce this world to them and they’ll eat it all up!” She said with a laugh.

“Right.” Hallow said with a nod, “Interesting it seems like their worlds have a version of Strarth as a fictional piece. Both seem to be very fond of it, a coincidence?”

“Of course not. It wouldn’t be fair if they didn’t understand how the world around them will work. Give them a few cheats to make it fair.”

Hallow wanted to make a snide comment on the inherent oxymoron that cheating would be considered fair. Instead, he simply asked, “You want me to make new bodies for them? Have an idea of what they should look like?”

Stolen novel; please report.

“Oh no. Too suspicious that way. You’ll need to replace them with others. But don’t worry, I already know who their targets are.” Afa said showing Hallow two pictures with names and locations scribbled on them.

“So you want me to go to two different earths, take these two heroes to be, and put them in place of people already living in Strarth?” Hallow asked.

“Indeed.” Afa said with a proud nod.

Hallow’s lips curled up in a nasty smile as his white eyes gave off a dangerous shimmer, “Oh. I can do that.” Before vanishing.

***

Afa sat at an empty bar and used the beer tap to refill her glass. She gave a tired sigh as she took a long drink from it. Some of the beer dripped down onto her intricately ordained breastplate, she made a small grimace of annoyance.

She wondered why she arrived here with all her gear. Aside from the armour she had on her, she also had her helmet, shield, two different-sized swords, spear, knives, and battleaxe grenade launcher, all thrown to the floor without much care.

She could’ve easily changed to something much more comfortable, let her hair loose from its tight bun, it wouldn’t take long but she was tired and feeling lazy and sad so she had no energy to change.

“Haaa…” She gave out a sad sigh as she put the glass back down, now half empty. She rested her head on her other hand and didn’t bother to wipe the foam from her lips.

She wanted to curse herself; she was supposed to be the Afa Goddess of Heroes, Conqueror of The Eldritch, Queen of Battle, The Amazonian Beauty, Defender of Strarth and all its realms. Yet she didn’t feel like any of those titles suited her. Just a lovesick girl who knows that her name is being besmirched by her replacement right now.

She blinked as she felt a presence approach the bar. She suddenly sat up straight and looked around; the place really was a mess with how she left it. Clicking her tongue in annoyance she snapped her fingers and cleaned the bar up.

She then snapped her fingers again, and her suit of armour transformed into a glimmering black dress, the foam on her mouth vanished, and instead her already gorgeous face was touched up with a bit of makeup and she let her blonde flowing hair loose and turned to the door.

With a jingle, the door to the bar opened and Valer entered the empty bar. He stood there expressionless as he looked around the place.

“Valer! Over here!” Afa called out to him, her mood had completely changed. She had a wide smile on her face and felt what would constitute a heart in her flutter.

“Afa.” Valer said nodding to her as he sat down next to her, “How have you been?” He asked as he stared straight ahead.

“Good. Good. Uh, how are you?” Afa asked looking at Valer in concern, “I remember hearing about your mission. It’s not easy is it?”

“No. It has been very difficult.” Valer said with a pause as if to think for a moment, “But I think it’s helping.”

“Helping?” Afa said surprised.

“Helping me remember.” Valer said.

“Really?” Afa said, hoping that she didn’t sound too hopeful.

“I would remember my past better if you would tell me.” Valer offered.

“You know I can’t do that.” Afa said sounding pained to even say it, “But you will remember. You always manage to do what you set out to do.” She said giving Valer a comforting squeeze of his hand.

Valer simply nodded and the two stood in silence for a brief moment, “So how are you fairing?” He asked turning the question back on her.

“Oh. I have to answer don’t I?” She said with a laugh as she quickly drained the rest of her beer, “If I’m going to talk, then I’m going to need some stronger stuff. You want some?” She asked as she reached over the counter and grabbed an extra-large bottle of tequila.

“I don't drink.”

“You never did, did you?” She said as she poured a beer glass full of tequila smiling at him.

“I mean I don’t need to consume to live anymore and alcohol doesn’t affect me.”

“Right.” She said as she took a swig from her glass, “To answer your question, I’m really upset.” She admitted. Valer did nothing but look at her in silence waiting for her to continue.

“This war’s now moving at a snail’s pace and my replacement seems to have lost the plot.” Afa said with a bitter smile.

"There's nothing you can do about that.”

“Yeah, but it should be. I’m an all-powerful divine entity that can change reality. Yet here I am, having to wait for other people to do my job for me.” Afa complained, “I need to figure out how she managed to achieve that title.”

“You don’t know who the current Afa is?” Valer asked.

“No. She isn’t a big name. Not sure how she managed to take the title. She’s crafty; I’ll give her that. But she’s not too bad. What the real problem is Hallow. He’s going to use her to destroy the world.”

“Which is why you asked me to visit the boy Bryson and bring Crux over.”

“Yeah.” Afa said shaking her head, “It’s all I’m allowed to do right now. Those poor people are going to go through hell because of my mistake.” She said burying her face in her hands.

“You were called into action and the Six were still awake then and never told you that they would slumber two years after you left.”

“Oh trust me I know.” Afa said her eyes flashing in anger, “When I get back I am going to beat all their asses when they wake up!”

“Crux will do fine.” Valer said trying to calm her down.

“Will he how?” She snorted, “Let’s be honest Valer. He doesn’t like mortals. He doesn’t even really understand what his job is.”

“Zarall and the others will help.”

“Zarall. He’s a good man, or god, or whatever accurately describes him.” She said nodding her head, “But his ability is limited. He can only really watch and give a bit of advice and Hallow will be targeting that flower thing.”

“The Anthousai?”

“It’s what I would do. She’s close to Bryson from what I heard, a teacher.” She said shrugging as she took another drink.

“What about the boy himself?” Valer asked.

“Bryson?”

“Do you think he can handle it?”

“Not alone.” Afa said into her glass.

“Is he?”

“Doesn’t sound like it from what I heard.” She said begrudgingly.

“Do you believe in him?”

“Sort of.” She admitted as she took another big swig.

“Then believe that he can handle Hallow. Hallow will make a mistake.” Valer assured her.

“I know that Bryson has that special thing in him. But is it really enough to take on something like Hallow?” Afa said not sounding completely convinced.

“Don’t forget that he is limited as well.” Valer said before smiling at her, “The only thing you can do right now is the same thing you preach to everyone else.”

“Oh don’t you say it.”

“Hope.” Valer said as the two heard a horn sound.

“That’s me then.” Afa said, “You need to go back to your job as well huh?”

“Yes.” He nodded.

“Hey before you go, I heard someone was helping you. Who is it? Not the former gods there, right?” She asked curiously.

“No. An archangel. She is nice.” Valer said with a wistful nod.

Afa choked on her drink, “She?” She said wide-eyed, looking accusingly at him.

“I won’t keep you waiting.” Valer said before vanishing.

“You sick son of—damn it.” She sputtered after recovering. She clicked her fingers and whipped away the mess and changed back into her armour. I need to finish this war quickly and find that archangel. She thought as she disappeared from the bar as well.