The Goddess of Chaos, REDACTED, is most commonly known by just her title. This is because members of her church only refer to her, affectionately, as Elly around others. It is unknown why, but her name is a very closely guarded secret. When people outside of the church manage to learn it, holy quests by all gods are given to destroy them.

—Sir Elias the Second, Head of the Church of Illinois

It was starting out to be a peaceful day. The sun was shining, and the gardens were thriving. The ants had just made a new hill, the grasshoppers found food, and the new enchantments on the scarecrows were doing their jobs.

That was never a good sign. Florida, God of the Weather, was never in a mood this good unless one of the other gods were upset, and usually a big one.

I got out of my nightwear and into my official robes. They were a piece of lime green silk that trailed behind me as I walked. The image of a praying mantis was stitched into the back, and along the arms, making it seem alive as I walked.

An hour later, I was called for a meeting with one of the cardinals, Cardinal Beer Belly, as was his unofficial title (I have heard rumors it was put on his status, though.). Soon, I was standing in front of two large, oaken doors. A mural was carved into it, so lifelike it felt like it would reach out and touch me.

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It was of a praying mantis, the same majestic creature that was on my back, eating a prey much larger than itself. It was sitting on top of a mountain of mice, with the largest of them in its grasp.

The mice around it were all killed brutally. Some had their heads lopped off; while others’ eyes had bite marks in them, blood oozing and spraying out.

A grim seem like usual, as battles involving insects normally are. People don’t realize it, but battles with insects can be the bloodiest of all.

I knocked on the door thrice, as was tradition, and got called inside.

I walked in to a large man sitting at a desk. He looked decent, middle-aged, a scraggly beard, and a bit of a belly on him. Behind him were rows of beers, ordered by their price, which probably helped him with that last trait. Cardinal Jared, head of this section of the Lyre Empire.

“Hunter Circle, I have a new job for you,” and right to business, as usual. “There is a new heretic that popped up near the Red Massacre. Supposedly he has a Mocked by The Gods trait, so I expect this one will be easy for you.”

Ah yes, my Illinois’s Dog job will come in handy for this one.

“Supposedly they’re trying to birth a new god, crazy bastard.”

Oh? Perhaps someone from another church will come along too.

“Don’t expect any backup though, Elly is apparently putting some pressure on the others for this one, so they are refraining from interfering.”

Well, at least this will be interesting.