Outside, the afternoon bell sounded across the village. Merchants began covering their stalls, farmers brought their animals inside the walls, and infantrymen changed shifts near the gates.

As the sunlight lowered across the horizon, Knights gathered their equipment and prepared for the evening patrol.

Aeris looked back at his mother.

"Have you actually seen one before?"

"A Garvok?"

"Yeah."

"Once."

He immediately forgot about the book.

"Really?"

"I was young. One came close to our village."

"What did it look like?"

"Ugly."

"Mama."

"Very ugly."

"Did it attack you?"

"It never reached us."

"Why?"

"A Knight found it first."

"One Knight?"

"One."

"And he killed it?"

"Quickly."

Aeris's eyes widened.

"Then I'll become a Knight."

Eira blinked. "That was fast."

"Knights fight Garvoks, right?"

"Among many other things."

"I'll become the strongest Knight in Rakkor."

"You'll need to start by surviving your chores tomorrow."

"Then after that, I'll become a Warden."

"That might be slightly more difficult."

"Why?"

"There are only two Wardens, Aeris. Their blessing belongs to their families."

Aeris frowned. "So I can't become one?"

"Not unless you've secretly belonged to one of the Warden families this entire time."

"What if they adopt me?"

"I don't think the blessing works that way."

"That's unfair."

"Not everyone needs the blessing of a Warden to accomplish something great."

Aeris leaned back and crossed his arms.

After a moment, his gaze wandered toward the small wooden statue of Soleia beside the window. Warm afternoon sunlight passed through the glass and fell across the carving, turning it gold.

"Fine."

Eira glanced at him. "Fine?"

"Then I don't want to become a Warden."

"That was surprisingly easy."

"I'll become something better."

Eira slowly turned toward him.

"And what exactly would that be?"

"A god."

Silence.

Eira stared at him.

Aeris stared back with complete seriousness.

Then she laughed.

"Mama!"

"I'm sorry."

"I'm serious!"

"I know. That's what makes it funny."

"What's funny about becoming a god?"

"Most children your age want to become Knights."

"Knights can die."

"Aeris."

"Gods are stronger."

"That is usually the idea."

"Then I'll become one."

"And how are you planning on doing that?"

"Soleia could make me one."

"I'm not sure that's how becoming a god works."

"How do you know?"

Eira paused.

"I suppose I don't."

Aeris smiled triumphantly. "Exactly."

"I feel like I walked into that one."

"I'll ask Soleia myself someday."

"You'll ask Soleia?"

"Mhm."

"And where exactly are you planning on finding the Goddess of Creation?"

Aeris turned toward the window.

Far beyond the village stood Mount Rakkor. The enormous mountain towered above forests, settlements, and distant hills, while its highest reaches disappeared behind a vast layer of pale golden clouds.

Mount Rakkor was the holiest place known to mankind.

The temples taught that beyond its highest reaches lay the heavens, where the gods watched over the world. For generations, the people of Rakkor had obeyed the Golden Law of Soleia:

No mortal shall climb beyond the sacred boundary of Mount Rakkor.

Aeris pointed toward the summit.

"Up there."

"Absolutely not."

"You didn't even let me explain."

"You pointed at Mount Rakkor. There was nothing good coming after that."

"But that's where the gods are."

"Which is exactly why you aren't climbing it."

"What if Soleia wants to meet me?"

"Then I'm certain the Goddess of Creation can find our front door."

"What if she's busy?"

"She created mankind, Aeris. I think she can manage a visit."

Aeris tried not to laugh.

"But maybe the gods can't see me properly from all the way up there."

"They're gods."

"It's still really far."

"Aeris."

"I'm just saying."

"You are not climbing Mount Rakkor."

"Not now."

"Not ever."

Aeris looked toward the mountain again. "We'll see."

"I heard that."

The final evening bell rang throughout the village. Infantrymen closed the gates, Knights began their patrols, merchants returned home, and families lit candles before settling in for the night.

Small prayers were offered throughout Rakkor-to Soleia for protection, to Elyssia for the health of loved ones, to Arcavius for wisdom, and to the other gods who watched over mankind.

Aeris remained beside the window.

Beyond the rooftops, Mount Rakkor disappeared into the clouds.

To Aeris, somewhere above that mountain existed everything he admired.

The gods.

Their power.

Their stories.

Their world.

He pressed one hand against the window.

"One day they'll notice me."

From behind him, Eira replied, "Hopefully after you've learned to stop cheating at children's games."

Aeris spun around. "Mara told you?!"

"Mara tells me everything."

"Traitor."