The galaxies pulled me in, reds, oranges, blues, and whites all whirling and colliding together. My sense of self faded as I followed them down, down, down. I fell for a while, the feeling of air rushing past my face and whipping in my hair. Then that faded as well, and I began to fade. Something pulled, then pushed, and I felt the darkness pull at me, urging me into it.

The galaxies flared, drawing me towards them again. They were so bright, so wonderful, that I had to follow them. A red reached out and touched me, caressing my cheek. White flowed up my body, massaging my sore muscles. Yellow smiled at me, and I smiled back as blue wrapped around me, clothing me in well worn blue jeans. It left my feet and chest bare, and I shivered in the cold wind rushing past. It got colder, and I had the sensation of going up, and the galaxies began to retreat, growing smaller.

"Wait!" I cried, reaching out for them. The only beauty I'd seen in years shrank, growing smaller and smaller. Panic welled and I chased after them, tears falling from my eyes.

"WAIT!!" I was desperate, pleading with them not to leave, to let me gaze upon them for just a little while longer. They pulled back further, shrinking into pinpricks, and the wind began to slow. The force pulling me upwards lessened, and the darkness surrounding me broke, gathering into one mass in front of me. It enveloped the galaxies, drowning them, but they shone brighter. A pale oval formed around the galaxies and the darkness gathered again, becoming a black silhouette. It burst open, revealing a rainbow dress draped loosely over ivory skin. It was flawless; living marble that flowed like water as she moved. The darkness gathered around her head, spilling down her back in an abyssal waterfall. Stars ignited in her hair, diamond beads taking hold in her locks, and her galaxy eyes locked onto me. I stared, unable to look away, enthralled by her beauty.

I couldn't speak as she came up to me and caressed my cheek with her hand. It was so warm and comforting, a sunrise on a spring morning, not the angry heat of the fire. I closed my eyes and leaned into her touch, losing myself in her softness. She held it there for a moment, then removed her hand, and I opened my eyes to a cozy living room. A fire crackled in the fireplace, warm and welcoming, and a plush, comfortable carpet stretched out from it. A loveseat sat before the fireplace, and the woman reached up, caressing my bare chest. Her soft, slim fingers traced my skin as they slid down, taking hold of my own. She pulled gently, guiding me as jazz played softly in the background. A trumpet and piano accompanied and a woman singing in a language I couldn't understand as the woman pushed me down onto the loveseat, and I obeyed, falling back into the plush fabric. The woman stood in front of me, her rainbow dress shimmering in the firelight, casting prismatic sparkles around the room. Her voice was smooth as honey when she spoke, rich and warm.

"Welcome, child." she said, sinking onto my lap. She sat with her arms around my neck, leaning into me. Without thinking, I put my arm around her shoulder and pulled her a little closer.

"Who... who are you?" I asked, my voice rough and hoarse, not at all like hers. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment and she smiled a kind, loving smile.

"I am Sylfia." she whispered, resting her head on my shoulder. Emboldened by her actions, I dropped my arm lower, holding her midriff. Her skin was so soft, molding to my hand as I squeezed her closer. She gasped softly, her breath tickling my ear.

"Sylfia." I repeated, tasting her name on my lips. It was heavenly. "You are beautiful." A sunrise blush rose in her cheeks as I stared into her swirling, burning eyes. Her face was splashed by the shifting colors of her dress and she glanced away shyly, a slight smile on her full lips. Sylfia was quiet for a moment and I basked in the feeling of her body against mine. My hand slid lower, holding onto her hip. Fiery eyes burned brighter as she stared at me. She leaned down and brushed her lips against my neck, and I shivered, clutching her tighter.

"I have a request, young man." Sylfia said against my neck.

"Anything." I breathed, shifting to get a better look at her. Rainbows sparkled around her eyes as she looked up at me, and I leaned down towards her just a bit. Plump, pink lips parted slightly, drawing me into them.

"One of my children..." she swallowed and moved closer. "is in danger." Slyfia pressed her lips to my cheek, kissing me softly. "I watched you save that child." Another kiss. "A noble, heroic act. I come to you now, asking you to act as such once again." Sylfia's abyssal black hair tickled my neck as she leaned into me. "Will you help me? Please?" Her galaxy eyes pleaded up at me and I pulled her tighter into me. She gasped, her body touching mine so lightly. I gave her a shy smile, glancing away as my own blush appeared.

"I'm no hero." I said, relaxing into the soft couch and closing my eyes. I took a deep, unladen breath and was hit with Sylfia's scent. She smelled like sunshine and honeysuckle, and tears welled up at the memory it brought. It was before Paulie, before that damned lighter, before everything.

Picking honeysuckle with my brother and sister, laughing when one of us messed up and got pollen in the nectar. The blue sky above us, peppered by fluffy, white clouds, and a breeze that cooled us from the southern summer sun. The smile on my sister's face and my brother's arm around my shoulder.

I blinked, coming back to the present. Sylfia was looking at me, her wondrous eyes gazing into mine with concern. I shook my head and sniffed.

"Um, sorry about that. I don't know what came over me." I said, giving her a false smile. I was still rattled by the memory. I hadn't thought of my family since I abandoned them four years ago. "You just... you smell like... You smell like home." I laughed, the tears threatening to start again. I fought them down.

Sylfia hugged me tightly, not the seductive touches she'd been giving me earlier, but a genuine hug. My lips curled down into a snarl and I fought to keep a lid on my emotions. I took another breath, and my will shattered. Sylfia's scent sent me to my grandparent's homestead, watching the clouds with my first girlfriend. Tears flowed freely, and I wrapped Sylfia in a tight embrace, holding onto her for dear life. She stroked the back of my head as I sobbed, whispering sweet nothings to me. I poured my grief, my guilt, my sorrow, everything I had into the tears, letting it all wash out of me.

I must have fallen asleep, because I opened my eyes to a sea of stars almost as pretty as Sylfia. It was full of stars I didn't recognize, but I couldn't look away. It was indescribable, like I was seeing the universe from a bird's eye view. Something soft touched my head and I looked to see Sylfia stroking my hair. She smiled sweetly at me, and all my worries melted away. I grinned back, stupid and goofy.

"Damn." I said, sitting up. We were on the floor in front of the fireplace, and Sylfia knelt where my head had been. I cocked my head questioningly. "Was I using your lap as a pillow?" She giggled adorably, hiding her mouth behind a hand.

"Would it be a problem if you were?" she asked, patting her lap.

"Nnnnoooo." I said slowly, narrowing my eyes. Why was she being so nice?

"Why are you being so nice? Who are you?" The woman continued to smile.

"I am Sylfia." she said brightly. A little too brightly.

"No." I said, shaking my head and standing up. "No. I've seen this before." I looked around, looking for the typical discrepancies that denoted a trip gone wrong. Holes appearing in the floor, details shifting as I get closer, the shadow man who appears in the corner and watches me, the usual. None of it was present. I looked back at Sylfia, who wasn't smiling anymore. I started to back away from her, holding my hands out. "Hey, now, you ain't gotta eat me. You wouldn't want to, anyway. My soul's all kinds of fucked up." Sylfia snorted, then slapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide.

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"You thought I was going to eat you?" she asked, barely contained laughter in her voice. I looked at her sheepishly, still on alert.

"Isn't that why you were all lovey-dovey? So I would drop my guard and you could feast on my soul?" She laughed wholeheartedly at that. It was a beautiful laugh, like the tinkling of bells combined with the sea's waves. I shivered as the sound entered my ears. I had to do whatever it took to make her laugh again. My smile fell. I knew that feeling, that need. It was the same need that led me to that house.

And then the urge disappeared. The almost physical need I felt to please her vanished.

"Can't have you obsessing over me, sadly." Sylfia said with a sigh and a coy smile. "I am quite literally out of your league."

"Then why were you all up on me earlier?" I asked, slowly dropping my guard. I still didn't move closer, but I wasn't ready to bolt anymore. Sylfia's smile fell.

"One of my children is in danger. I am a goddess, you see, and one of my dearer followers is currently being blamed for a murder she did not commit. She will have the opportunity to escape, and assuming she takes it, I want to help her as much as I can. She's had a rough life, and she prays everyday that... um, hello? Young man? Are you alright?" I stood there, dumbfounded at her words.

"A goddess?" I whispered. She nodded, and a horrified look crossed my face. "I am so sorry, ma'am." I said, bowing. "I should not have felt you up like that. That was extremely impolite of me, and I apologize."

"That's sweet of you, but you needn't apologize. I was not making it easy on you." Sylfia replied, rising as well. She came up to me, wrapping me in a tender hug. She was larger than last time, both in height and in other places, and my cheeks flushed with heat. "I don't mind your hands, sweetie. I'd already planned to offer myself in exchange for your help."

"What?"

"Isn't that what you humans like to do? Sleep together? Make love?" I shook my head, unable to comprehend what was going on.

"You want to sleep with me... so that I will help you?" I asked, incredulous. Sylfia nodded vehemently and and stroked my arm.

"Yes. Isn't that how it works on Earth? Your memories tell me that physical intimacy is a wonderful way to get what one wants." I shuddered, but not from pleasure like earlier.

"You... you looked into my mind?"

"Of course. I hold no judgement for your actions. You did what you did to get what you wanted, just as I am doing."

"You've seen my past, and still want me to help?" Sylfia nodded, sinking to her knees in front of me. "Whoa, whoa, whoa." I stopped her, pulling her back up. "There's no need for that. Why? Why do you want my help? I'm a worthless junkie."

"We all have our worth." She shrank down so that she was about half a head shorter than me and wrapped her arms around my neck. "Do you want to change?" she whispered, bringing her lips closer.

"Of course I want to change." I replied quietly. "Do you think I want to be an addict? I've wasted everything I ever had on drugs and whores. I'm sorry, but I am not the person to help you." I tried to push her away, but Sylfia shook her head.

"You are the one to help. You are stronger than you think.

"I'm an addict!" I cried, anger rising up. I broke free of her grip and pointed my finger at myself. "I sold my mother's engagement ring for blow and double the fun!"

"You gave the last bit of your money to a child so he could eat." she countered.

"I abandoned my family even after they tried to help!" Tears fell from my eyes as the anger gave way to regret and shame.

"You stood watch outside that woman's tent all night when she told you she didn't feel safe."

"I killed three people!"

"You saved that child from the fire."

"And I sacrificed her parents to do it. My friends." Sylfia shook her head, placing a comforting hand on my cheek. Her palm was so warm, flooding me with love, and my heart twisted in disgust. I didn't deserve her love.

"No, you didn't. The father, Paulie, as you called him, was already dead. He passed from an overdose two minutes before you woke. The mother, Lisa, passed from smoke inhalation moments before you did."

"Before I did?"

"Yes. Your human body is dead, I am afraid."

"I'm dead?" She nodded, a soft, comforting smile on her face.

"Yes. You have the option to not be dead, though. Right now, your soul is in a sort of limbo. You were on your way towards your afterlife; Heaven, I think you called it, but I brought you here. I need your help, Alexander." I flinched. No one had called me by my birth name in years.

"I can't help you."

"Yes, you can. Look." Sylfia waved her hand, and some stars fell from the sky, forming a portal, and an image began to take shape. It showed an elderly man screaming out at somebody. He reared back and slapped the camera and it swung to the right, falling to the ground. Small, pale hands bound by rope came into view, and the portal blinked out of existence. Sylfia groaned, breathing heavily. "That's... all I can do right now." she sighed, collapsing into the loveseat. "Bringing you here was difficult, and I still need to send you to Sehal, as well as your Gifts. They don't require too much energy, but it is still a considerable amount."

"Who was that?" I asked, moving to help her stand.

"The person I want you to help." she panted. "She is being framed for her father's murder, which she did not commit." The goddess took my offered hand and stood, leaning on me for support. "Right about now, a wyvern is attacking the city, and she is taking the opportunity to run. Decision time, boy. Will you help me and save an innocent little girl?"

I hesitated. I wanted to help, but something held me back. I'd fucked up the last four years so hard. Would I be able to help? Or would I just lead her to her death? Would she be better off without me? Would I be better off without me?

"Quit thinking like that, child." Selfia scolded. "You are worthy, and I selected you specifically to help this girl. Are you going to let her die when you have the ability to save her?" Tears leaked from my eyes. I am not worthy. I can't help her.

"Yes, you can!" Sylfia shouted. The room vibrated with her voice, strong and warm and supporting. "You can help her!"

"No, I can't!" I roared, getting in her face.

"Yes, you can! I believe in you!" She closed her eyes and the stars fell again. The portal showed someone running, looking over their shoulder at the guards chasing them. "You can save her." The camera tripped, revealing a ratty and torn maid's outfit. Blood seeped from somewhere, and the girl stood and kept running. The image faded as Sylfia panted again.

"Help her. Please. She has suffered enough." Sylfia whispered, sagging out of my arms and back down into the loveseat. I froze, unsure of what to do. I wanted to help, I really did, but I didn't think I could. Sylfia believed in me, but I didn't. I took a deep breath, and thought.

I don't know if I can help this girl. She might be better off without me, or I might fuck it up beyond belief. Buuuuut, I do want to help. Something inside is calling out, screaming to help her. Sylfia had said that she had suffered enough. How much is enough to make a goddess sympathetic? If I don't step in, will anybody? And, in the end, I want to live again. I might have been ready to give up, but faced with the prospect of a decent life in another world or oblivion, the answer is pretty clear.

"Fine. I'll help." I said, moving over to Sylfia. She scooted to the side and I fell next to her, sighing heavily. She curled up in my lap, leaning her head on my shoulder again. I slid one of my hands under her waist and rested the other one on her leg. The rainbow dress shimmed and flowed back, revealing the leg my hand was on. Her skin was smooth as silk, and I couldn't help but run my hand up and down her bare skin. Sylfia gasped, her galaxy eyes sparking.

"Thank you." she whispered. "You get two Gifts. Decide quickly, please. We're running out of time." I thought for a moment, my mind moving faster than it had in months as my hand rubbed her leg absently.

"I want a home." I said out of the blue, remembering those cold, miserable nights on the street, unable or unwilling to find shelter. "I want to be able to sleep in a safe bed with a roof over my head wherever I am. I will not be homeless again." Sylfia grinned a concerning, planning grin.

"A portable, safe, comfortable home. I understand." she said, winking at me.

"I also want to create." I looked down at my hands, one curling into a fist and the other clutching the goddess' light body closer to me. "I've destroyed so much in my life, I want to bring a little light to the world."

"What do you want to create?" she whispered against my neck. "Paintings? Music? Weapons? Pottery?" The goddess punctuated each word with a kiss to my neck, her soft lips exquisite on my skin. Sparks exploded where she kissed me, her lips leaving the skin tingling.

"Pottery?" I asked, thinking about that time in grade school I made a clay mug. It had turned out terribly, but the process was fun. I loved the feeling of the clay on my hands, and its earthy stench tickled my nose in just the right way. "Yeah, that sounds nice. A traveling Potter."

"Excellent. I will make it so that you will have the ability to start crafting immediately, without the need to study under an Instructor. One last thing. Your name."

"I can't use my current one?" Sylfia shook her head no, her long, abyssal hair sparkling in the firelight.

"No. Alexander Gumpter belongs to Earth, and Earth alone. You will need to change your name."

"My name..." I trailed off, lost in thought.

"Hurry, child. Time is slow here, but not stopped." I thought harder. I wasn't the most creative person at the best of times, and the pressure she was putting on me didn't help.

"Ummm... ummm... I'm going to be a potter, right? So maybe something like Paul? Paul the Potter? No, that doesn't sound good. Percy? No, that's stupid." I was quiet for a moment, then snapped my fingers. "Peter!" I stated, turning to Sylfia. "I will be Peter Potter."

"Peter Potter." She smiled at me, her galaxy eyes sparkling. The reds and yellows swirled around each other, smashing and bursting in explosions of joy. "It is lovely to meet you, Mr. Potter. Now, you must be on your way. Time is of the essence." Sylfia clapped her hands and they shone with a golden light, and she pressed her forefinger into the center of my forehead.

"Thank you, Peter. I hope you will enjoy your new life." the goddess whispered, then leaned in and kissed me. Her soft, honeysuckle lips met my own for the briefest of moments, and my world went white.