ONE DAY, A LOT OF PEOPLE DIED DUE TO UNKNOWN ILLNESSES. 

It was because Klaus suddenly visited her. And it made the situation worse. People started thinking that if a raven came to their house, the god of death would be knocking next. And there is nothing left to do but to open the door.

People avoided seeing the raven. They would run when they saw it flying around and secure their house by closing its windows and doors.

Aia could not blame them. She also can no longer tell anyone that Klaus is in her temple. In exchange for the crops he could not kill, Klaus would harvest the souls of the humans on that island instead. Klaus was a very sore loser whenever the goddess of life was concerned. It is also impossible to win an argument with Klaus while he is in a foul mood. But if he lingers around, he might cause more damage.

“How many are you taking?” she asked Klaus when he arrived.

“Just enough to make your people remember to pray for you again.”

“You do not need to do this. I do not need prayers that humans give out of fear.”

“Ah, yes. You do not want to end up like me,” Klaus said, dismissing her disapproval. He believes he was doing her a favor.

It was then that the raven returned with more sad news. By that time he can now speak like a human by repeating and recalling the words he often hear.

“Aia…”

“Hello, again. How was everyone?”

“Not good. Not good,” he speaks with urgency for he knew her concerns so well.

The raven landed next to her and let her stare at its eyes. Thirty people died on that day. And most people are now preparing for funerals. But with everything happening, Aia did not hear any prayers about her truth. No one is asking her how to stop death from coming. They accepted death more than the truth.

If only someone visits Aia, she would tell that person what to do. They only need to leave the island temporarily until Klaus has left.

“Who is this lovely fellow?” Klaus asked while looking at the bird hopping beside her.

His eyes glowed while trying to reach down to the bird that was back to its original size.

The raven sensed danger. It flew above them before Klaus held its feathers.

Aia sensed what Klaus desired at that moment. He wanted a pet for himself. And when he stares back at Aia, she confirms the truth.

“Does he not know that he must bow before a god?”

“I will not give him to you even if he does bow to you.”

“I was not going to ask for him,” he scoffed. “Why would I need a bird? Is it to make people know I’m coming?”

Aia smiled. She steps forward to Klaus and walks around him.

“To know that death is coming would make people shiver in fear. Stopping whatever they are doing is what only a higher god could do. Preparing for an offering in exchange for a life retained is what desperate people do. And to make the people not forget this god, they would prolong the existence of his temples. It is to remind all that a god could take away everything. Now, do tell, was that not great for your honor?”

Klaus only thought for a second. Then, he nods and demands an answer.

“Where will I find a bird like this?”

“It is up to you to find your rightful messenger, Klaus. Mine happened to fall from a tree,” Aia said.

She knew it would lead to Klaus leaving the island. He will search for birds that no longer exist in their area.

When Klaus was gone, Aia realized she had not named the raven because she did not expect him to be her pet.

“From now on, I will call you Raven.”

The bird moves its head sideways. It was telling her how uncreative she is for a goddess.

“I am Aia. And I only spoke the truth,” she answered while smiling at him.

And with this, the raven was pleased. Ever since then, Raven and Aia have been together. But when Aia left her temple, she also left everything behind that would remind her of it.