“I am a being of the heavenly realm. The current danger is only a threat to the mortal realm. I cannot thread the realm of mortals on my own. Due to this, i require a carrier or as I normally say a vessel. This vessel is compatible with my spirit and will allow me to perform my duties”, The lion reasoned. 

“Is there a specific reason that you can’t thread the earth?”

‘My body is of the highest purity. If I were to thread the mortal realms, i would easily destroy them. This is not my goal. That is why I seek your help”, Rafka exclaimed.

"That’s a sad cross to bear.”

“I am aware. If you become my vessel and enter a contract with me, I will be able to carry out my duties through you. You keep your physique but you shall also inherit my power and knowledge”, Rafka stated.

“You want me to leave my life behind and become a real-life ‘avatar'?”

“This is your destiny, if you refuse, billions will die and worlds will be destroyed.”

“I refuse’”, Amaya stated plainly.

“You what?”

“I, Refuse. I didn’t choose to be your vessel and frankly, this is a problem for you, not me.”

"Not your problem? Did you miss the part where I said millions will die if you say no!’

“Billions. Keep the script consistent. Look, it sucks to suck. Choose someone else”, She reasoned already tired of the conversation.

“It’s not that easy. It is destiny that binds us together. I can’t just reroll.”

“Goodbye”, Amaya walked off. Rafka floated beside her.

“Arrogance and selfishness. Check”, Rafka stated. 

"Arrogant maybe but selfish? That’s really funny coming from someone who chose their so-called saviour without asking her opinion.”

“I called for the spirit of Voer. The spirit of Voer chose this path. And as the spirit of Voer dwells in you, this is the path you must take.  We have met time and time again. It doesn’t matter the name you decide to take on. Each time we meet, you always say no to my proposal and end up regretting it. This could be the first time you break this cycle”, Rafka floated faster trying to match her increased pace.

“I’m trying to get away from you. It would help if you stopped following me.”

“Did you listen to a word I-” The lion sighed.”-I will merge with you regardless to help you qualm the blood of the fiend. If you ever change your mind, Call on me. My powers will be available to you then. Just make sure you’re not too late.”

“Just get me out of here”, Amaya said. Rafka descended from his cloud and leapt into her.

Amaya jolted awake, looking at her surroundings. She was back in her room. “Hey, I got some food from Chapotler. Come have some”, Alexandra smiled leaning against her door frame. “I’m coming”, Amaya sat up watching Alexandra leave for the kitchen. “So it was the whiskey after all” She whispered to herself as she got up from the bed and headed to the living room. She did feel different. She felt more powerful than usual. She took a seat on the living room couch, turning on the TV. Alexandra came in soon after with two plates in hand. Their drinks had been on the table prior. Amaya looked out the window seeing nothing but lights. The son had set long ago. She’d never thought she’d be out for so long. Alexandra grabbed the remote, looking for something they both could watch. Amaya took a sip of her drink. 

“So i have some plans for us next week on Tuesday. I won’t be needed in the bakery, so your fun city life must begin in full throttle. I wanted us to go clubbing but i think paint and sip would be a better pace”, Alexandra cheered.

“A paint and sip?”

“Yes, where you make art and eat snacks. It‘s a very nice and aesthetic experience.”

“Any other thing to do?”, Amaya took a spoon of her food. 

“There’s also a dinner cruise we can go on, it’s on the same day.”

“I’ll take that over the paint and sip.”

“It wasn’t a bad idea”, Alexandra whined as she played with her dark brown hair subconsciously.

“We’d end up having to pay a hundred dollars to paint a stickman and munch on a bowl of chips. Chips I have to share mind you”, she said, taking another spoon of her food. Alexandra rolled her green eyes playfully.

“A dinner cruise on the other hand is fancy so I can’t do that at home”, Amaya stated. “I’ll make the arrangements then”, Alexandra said, finally taking a bite of her food. Soon enough the topic shifted to the new reality TV show that Alexandra was watching.

Amaya was only half listening, the lion’s words lingered in her mind. She wasn’t sure why she still remembered what he said. He was just a figment of her imagination. It was an odd imagination, she wasn’t much of a dreamer. All her dreams had died when her mother's hand connected with her skull when she was 8 for not studying. Now she was pondering on Rafka’s words. But there was no evil at least none that was large enough to require the help of the gods. 

Amaya went back into her bedroom after finishing up with Alexandra. She wanted to take a shower. She took off her shirt and immediately noticed a small symbol on her stomach. “A lion claw?”, she asked herself confused. It was red and looked more like a wound. The claw marks had a circle around them. They looked intentional but she didn’t feel any pain emanating from them. She brushed it off. “I probably slept on something, " she whispered, tearing her eyes off it. Rafka was not real, he couldn’t be! She grabbed her towel and made her way to the bathroom. She needed to get her mind in the right state. There was probably a logical explanation for everything.

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