Cosmo put down two whisky glasses and poured out some 30-year-old Scotch that probably cost more than I made in several months at my old job.

  “Cheers!” Cosmo clinked his glass against mine, and we both took a sip. It was quite possibly the tastiest whisky I’d ever had. For how much they charged, it better be.

  “So, why Tokyo?” I asked. “Hawaiian beach I can understand, but this?”

  The bar was insanely upscale. A live band played smooth jazz in the corner, and from the dark tones to the hidden LED strip lights to how everyone either wore suits or elegant dresses, this was the sort of place that charged a hundred dollar cover just to get in, with drinks at a price tag to match. It struck me now not a single person made a ruckus, and everyone was nodding politely and chatting in hushed tones, like they didn’t want to annoy their neighbors.

  Cosmo leaned against the bar counter and stared wistfully at the view outside, swishing his glass. “Why indeed? Don’t you like it?”

  “Well, it’s certainly nice,” I admitted. “Never been to Japan. Was always one of those bucket list places if I ever made enough money to travel.”

  “So, never?”

  I cringed. “Do you have to kill a young man’s dreams like that?”

  “Greg, that life wasn’t you and you know it,” Cosmo said, turning around to open his arms wide at me. “This is the real you! Getting to use that big brain of yours to save your party each and every day? Don’t tell me this isn’t the stuff of your dreams.”

  “I mean, it kinda is,” I admitted. “Just wish the stakes weren’t so damn high. Defeat the Archon, save the world! Sounds great in a game. In reality? That’s stressful as hell. And don’t even get me started on the whole ‘what comes after’ thing. That’s gonna be a bombshell for a whole host of reasons.”

  “So you believe me, then?” Cosmo asked.

  “About not going back? Let’s just say I trust you more than the other gods right now. That’s a pretty low bar.”

  I could’ve imagined it, but I thought Cosmo’s smile widened just the tiniest bit.

  “Greg, that is the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me!”

  “That’s… pretty pathetic.”

  “So! You talk to Aerion about meeting up?” Cosmo asked, not missing a beat.

  “Er, no, actually. Not yet.”

  “Don’t tell me you forgot!?”

  “I didn’t,” I lied. “This is a sensitive topic, you know? If I bring it up in the wrong way, I’ll just do more damage. Why do you want to make up with her, anyway?”

  Cosmo’s face fell. “Everyone has regrets, Greg. Times they wished they could hit the big ole reset button and do things over. I’ve lost count of mine.”

  “What’s stopping you from descending from the heavens and granting them eternal life? Or like, gold?”

  Cosmo shook his head. “C’mon, Greg! You know me. Not my style! I’m a laissez-faire, hands-off kinda god. Better for the economy.”

  I snorted. “You mean better for your mental health. Anyway, it’s fine. I appreciate you not prying into my life, so I’ll give you the same respect. Just don’t be surprised if she says no. And whatever you do, do not force her here. You’ll burn any chance of ever making things right with her again.”

  Cosmo put his drink down and gave me a sloppy salute. “Aye aye, sir!”

  I got the distinct impression that he’d just ignored everything I said. I sighed and took another sip, looking out at the hustle and bustle far below.

  “Penny for your thoughts?” Cosmo asked.

  “It’s nothing. Just… All those people, going about their daily lives. Living in their tiny little microcosms, oblivious to the fact that there are other worlds out there. Worlds with godlike beings, fantasy creatures, and magic.”

  “Excuse me!? Godlike? How rude!”

  “Really shows just how little humanity knows,” I continued, ignoring him. “I somehow doubt life would ever be the same for Richard if he really were allowed to go back. He says he wouldn’t miss the powers, but it’s so much more than that.”

  “Guy’s got a family waiting for him. Makes everything a whole lot harder.”

  “Sure, and I get that. Just that I don’t think it’ll be as easy of a decision for him when the time comes. That is, if he isn’t walking to his own death.”

  I downed my glass, and Cosmo’s expression didn’t budge one bit as he poured me another. So much for getting another hint.

  “I gotta say, Greg, you really are making friends left and right. Earth Greg would die of shock!”

  “Not intentionally. Dunno what it is about Axius—I’m socializing more now than I ever have. Just wish I wasn’t always the one solving peoples’ problems.”

  “It’s what you do, Greg. You’re capable and reliable. Rare traits in any world. Congratulations, by the way, on taking out that dragon. Quite the far cry from your first experience, eh?”

  I shrugged. “Helps to be a lot stronger. That did feel good, though. Nothing like stomping all over the enemies that nearly killed us before to show exactly how far we’ve come.”

  “You’ve both come so far,” Cosmo said, wiping a nonexistent tear from his eye. “So, what problems are you vanishing away for your friends this time?”

  “Well, Rogar’s salty that his new Boon sucks,” I said, swirling the amber liquid. “But something about his ability doesn’t sit right with me. He can apparently drain the energy from things. Which actually sounds like a useful combat power, but of course, Rogar won’t be interested in that. He’s focused on his forge, and I just can’t see how sucking heat from a fire will help him.”

  “A valid concern,” Cosmo said, tapping his chin. “Still, quite surprising of Dominion to bestow a Boon that leeches energy. More his style to hit things. Or burn them.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “That’s… a good point, actually. It really doesn’t seem like Dominion’s game to be leeching power from others. I’d expect that from Cunning, or something.”

  Cosmo laughed. I waited for him to elaborate and when he didn’t, I continued on.

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  “If you think about it, you can’t suck energy out of a system without it going somewhere. If Rogar’s pulling heat from his forge, he’s got to have some way of putting it back, right?”

  “Beats me,” Cosmo said. “But firing energy beams definitely sounds more like the Dominion I know. Still, maybe there's something you're missing? May not be a bad idea to brush up on your forging 101.”

  “Huh,” I said, thinking it over. “Might be onto something there. Thanks, Cosmo. As usual, you can be surprisingly helpful, even when you do your damndest not to be.”

  “Er, thanks? I guess?” Cosmo said, scratching his cheek.

  “Which brings me to my other problem. Rocky.”

  As if I’d suddenly said the taboo word, the other patrons of the bar all silenced their conversations, turning their heads in my direction.

  “What?” I asked, looking at Cosmo.

  “He said the magic word, everyone! He’s buying a round for the house!”

  Polite claps and head nods filled the bar. If this were an American bar, the place would’ve been filled with roars and cheers, and maybe even a couple of guys clapping my back.

  “The hell does that even mean?” I asked Cosmo as I lifted my drink to the crowd. “Not like I’ve got any yen on me.”

  “Ah, that’s alright. I’ll spot you this time,” Cosmo said, snapping his fingers. A mountain of cash suddenly appeared on the bar counter nearby, all arranged like a pyramid.

  “Earth Greg would’ve died of shock,” I deadpanned. “Would rather you give me gold. Not that I need it. For the first time in my life, I’m loaded. Only took going to another world to make that happen.”

  “Right? Life’s so much better on Axius, isn’t it?”

  “That’s a nuanced and complex topic. And quite frankly, it’s hard not to miss modern life when you keep reminding me of everything I left behind.”

  “As I said, Greg, I’m only taking you to places you like. Say the word, and I’ll stick us in a medieval dungeon, with fully simulated smells and grime!”

  “I’ll stick with the Tokyo skyscraper, thank you very much,” I said, downing the last of my second drink. Cosmo was there to fill it up barely a second after I set the glass down. Godly bartending skills, this guy.

  “Don’t think I didn’t notice what you just did,” I said, already starting to feel the whisky’s effects.

  “Do what?” Cosmo asked innocently.

  “Change the topic! We were talking about Rocky! You said it was just a rock. Now that rock’s got a ticking timer, and I’m guessing when that reaches zero, Rocky will very quickly no longer be a rock.”

  Cosmo blinked. “I fail to see the issue here.”

  “The issue is that you lied to me!”

  “How rude! Now see, that’s where you’re wrong, Greg. Rocky was a rock when you asked me last time. Just a plain ole’ rock hanging out there, minding its own business. But you had to go and Initialize it. Now, all bets are off!”

  “So you’re telling me that all of your other Rockies are also ‘rocks’ just waiting to be Initialized? If that’s the case, doesn’t that mean I’ll have a goddamn army of… Whatever the hell pops out?”

  “I really wish I could tell you, Greg,” Cosmo said with a shrug. “Believe me, I’m as excited to see what’s going to happen as you are!”

  “So you really don’t have a clue.”

  “Zilch. Zip! Nadda!”

  I sat back on my bar stool. “Y’know, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone where I’m so utterly unable to tell if they’re joking or just clueless. You’re either an incredible actor, or an incredible character. My money’s on both.”

  Cosmo clutched his heart, giving me the most heartfelt look he ever had. “Greg! I am so touched! You’re such a good kid. It’s a shame we don’t talk more.”

  “And whose fault is that?” I asked. “Seems like I gotta clear a Trial or a dungeon to get any screen time with you.”

  “Hey, don’t blame me! That one’s squarely on your shoulders.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, eyes narrowed.

  “I told you I’m always here for you, didn’t I? Way back when you first popped into that Trial.”

  “Uh, sure? And?”

  “And nothing! I’m here for you, whenever you want.”

  “So you’re saying I can just call up to the sky and say, “hey Cosmo, I wanna chat, and you’ll send me to one of these virtual bars?”

  “Sure will!”

  “And I’ve always had this ability?”

  “Sure have,” Cosmo said. “I’ve been wondering why you never wanted to talk. I thought… I thought you didn’t like me…”

  “Huh. That’s pretty incredible.” I chose to ignore Cosmo’s theatrical sniffling. I never even dreamed I’d have full-time access to Cosmo, and while he’d clarified he’d never whisk me away in the middle of a fight, this was still an incredible resource. What other benefits was I missing out on?

  “Why can’t you just visit like the other gods do?” I asked. “And before you say anything about being on Dominion’s territory, Passion seemed to have no issues appearing there.”

  “Well, yeah, she’s Passion, and I’m Cosmo!”

  “Order, you mean.”

  “Always hated that name. So stuffy, don’t you think?” Cosmo said, faking a shiver.

  It had always bugged me that Cosmo’s character seemingly had nothing to do with the concept of Order. Passion was the very embodiment of her trait, as was Dominion. Cosmo was anything but orderly.

  “Doesn’t suit you at all,” I said, hoping he’d take the bait.

  “Right? That’s what I always say! Anyway, Dominion and I uh, well, we don’t have a great working relationship.”

  “Good to know. You know what would’ve been better? Knowing that when I was debating whether to out myself as your Champion.”

  “Greg, buddy,” Cosmo said, resting a hand on my shoulder. “I knew you’d make a smart choice.”

  “So, you did want me to keep the fact that I’m your Champion under wraps.” I said, happy to have finally coaxed something out of him.

  “Never said that!” Cosmo replied, smiling. “That’s just like, your interpretation, man.”

  “Uh, huh. And the sky is blue.”

  “Not on every planet, no.”

  I blinked. This guy…

  “Are there any gods you’re friends with?”

  “Friend is such a strong word, but I assure you I get along just fine with most of them!”

  “Passion?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “I’ll say. She bolted the second I mentioned you.”

  Cosmo chuckled. “When you live as long as we do, you’re bound to get into all sorts of relationship drama. Not a single god out there who hasn’t had their share of flings… Or sworn mutual and total destruction on another once or twice.’

  “Yourself included?” I asked.

  “Oh, sure. I… haven’t been that person in a while, though,” he said, strangely serious. “A long while.”

  “Is that why you’re so keen on making up with Aerion? This whole ‘Cosmo not Order’ thing? You said you’ve turned over a new leaf, right?”

  “Oh, that?” Cosmo said, shaking his head. “Nah, this is a story from long ago. Tens of thousands of years. I was a different man back then. Spunkier. Less wise.”

  I immediately realized my mistake. Applying human-scale timelines to godlike entities was bound to land me in hot water. It seems this leaf was turned over before the Egyptians were even around.

  “Well, Greg, as much as I’d love these chats, our time’s just about up.”

  “I’ve noticed these little sessions don’t last that long. Does it cost you Essence to maintain this space? Guessing there’s a limit to how often we can chat here.”

  “Greg, first rule of economics. Nothing comes for free.”

  “I’m pretty sure that’s not a—”

  I was too late. The god and the bar were gone, and I was standing at the entrance to Dominion’s Trial.

  It was pouring rain. Again.