Courage by Angela B. Macala-Guajardo Page B

godless, with no one to answer your prayers, until you either ruined yourselves or something else did, like your sun dying out.” Baku frowned and shook his head. “There are many worlds out there like that, sadly.”
    “Couldn’t you or another god take over or adopt them, or something?”
    “It’s happened, but it’s so incredibly rare, Eve.” Not knowing what else to say, Baku resumed eating his sandwich. Another stretch of silence followed.
    “What happened to Olod?”
    Baku thought a moment. “Gods, there are so many tales. The only common detail is that Olod is gone now. Gods come and go. We can reincarnate into mortals, but never a god again, but that’s a whole another story. We can choose to die as well, having had enough of existence, but that’s rarer than reincarnation. Sometimes gods feel like it’s time for them to go. You mortals do the same, actually, those who die of old age. They just know it’s their turn to die. It’s bittersweet. Death is a subject I could explain up to the day you die, Eve, but please spare us both that right now.”
    “That’s fine. What are the tales surrounding Olod’s death or disappearance?”
    “Death. Most say his Aigis killed him. It wouldn’t surprise me.” The gods found Aigis very useful so long as their numbers stay low, but being an Aigis was tough. Many gods wouldn’t hesitate to kill any Aigis that crossed their path. But that was a tidbit of information he wasn’t eager to pass on to Eve. Baku’s own son wanted Roxie dead anyway. “Other gods said he decided to reincarnate, and others believe that bestowing every god with the knowledge to create an Aigis was his parting gift before choosing to die and let the rest of the divine realm deal with his decision. I think too much time has passed to know the full truth, to be honest.”
    Eve nodded. “What does Aerigo think of having no free will when it comes to you? Does Roxie even know yet?”
    “Roxie doesn’t know, but it’s inevitable that she will, if she survives this madness. Aerigo more or less doesn’t care. I’ve never commanded him to do anything. I vowed to never command him. I’ve come close now and then, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Eighteen years ago, I asked him to take Roxie under his wing and train her. He didn’t want to, didn’t see the point in it. She’s so young.”
    “She’s not a soldier or a killer,” Eve said. “Why did Aerigo agree?”
    Baku pulled his plate closer and pushed around his potato chips. “Aerigo is a warrior,” he said softly. “A broken one. He knows it. He lives for other people these days; never himself. Now his purpose is Roxie, which is far from easy for him.”
    “Why?”
    Baku picked up a chip and tapped it against his plate. “I thought I was helping him, but apparently I was wrong. Aerigo was married once. It’s a tale quite like your own, but at least you have a family. Aerigo has none. When I created Roxie, I made her the spitting image of his wife. Your family’s genetic makeup matches Sandra’s well.”
    “Is that his wife?”
    Baku nodded and ate the potato chip.
    “I don’t know what I’d do if I met someone who looked just like Liam from thirty seven years ago.” Eve picked up her sandwich and examined where she’d bit into it. “Maybe smile and cry. I’d be in love all over again, but it would feel strange knowing this person isn’t the person I lost. At my age, I can’t say that I’d want to marry again, though.”
    “That’s understandable. Aerigo’s reaction was more painful. He’s been suffering from some PTSD and, considering the dangers, fears a repeat of history.”
    “Were you expecting them to fall head-over-heels for each other, or something?”
    “No, actually. I was hoping Roxie would be able to mend Aerigo’s broken heart. He needs to let go of what happened. They don’t need to fall in love, just be good friends that deeply trust one another. Have you ever wondered why their eyes