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A deity’s body doesn’t wither as a mortal’s does.

Malice’s complexion remains flushed with life, waiting for a ray of starlight to enwrap him, to take him wherever immortals go from this point.

Based on the firmament and his resting location amid the books, a few hours remain for the light to shift in his direction.

After that, he will fade.

They could relocate Malice into a full beam and expedite the farewell, but he deserves to lull in peace, and Wonder longs for this interval. Alone, she watches over him, feasting on his sleeping face. He can rest without nightmares now.

She vows to stay by his side until he leaves.

But her ears perk at the audible tension brewing from the aisle housing religious texts, where her companions have convened in a flurry of discord.

When she’d told them about her and Malice’s time in The Archives, she had imparted the details of this new legend, the one she discovered prior to that gold moonstone arrow hitting its mark.

Prior to Malice…

She evicts the vision from her mind, yearning to rip it out with her fingernails.

Evidently, her crewmates and Guide have resurrected the subject, too restless to delay.

Wonder resigns herself to let them hash it out, however Envy’s growls rise another decibel and clash with Sorrow’s snort of derision, at which point everyone shushes the pair.

An ensuing scuffle implies that Andrew and Merry are attempting to corral the group outside, away from Wonder’s line of hearing.

At this rate, they shall misinterpret Wonder and Malice’s findings. Without her there to make sure, the crew might recall the facts wrong, misrepresenting the legend.

In exchange for that text, Wonder has sacrificed love. If they hadn’t followed that trail, Malice would be alive.

But then, they wouldn’t have found the answer. His life will not be in vain, starting with getting the particulars straight. Besides, he hates inaccuracies. Just like her.

This will only take a moment. Wonder checks the sky, then caresses the demon’s hair and kisses his lips. “I’ll be right back,” she vows. “Don’t go anywhere.”

She locates her friends by the mythology stacks. Envy and Sorrow have planted themselves at opposite ends of the aisle, wedging everyone else between them. Based on the would-be couple’s folded arms, they haven’t taken the news well.

Anger had once made a pertinent point. Perhaps when more deities learn to love, fate and free will may establish a balance.

He’s right. Universal love is the answer. In all its guises and forms, it’s the ultimate inspiration.

Love and Andrew’s match had been the spark for revolution, which has since expanded through Anger and Merry. And now, it simmers within the bond between a villainous outcast god and a wandering floral goddess.

How to proceed from there depends upon Envy and Sorrow. According to this new legend, two deities must choose love over lust, embracing selflessness over selfishness. If they succeed, the lovers will become a force of influence, along with those closest to them.

As members of the elite crew—the first to include love itself—the original five deities are a foundation. Initially, they’re the souls most capable of feeling love.

Envy and Sorrow are the only two remaining players. If they progress to something unconditional, their relationship will seal that link. It’s the final step to empowering their crew. That will create an awakening, thus inspiring many others.

Their world shall ask, What if…

What if all deities can indeed feel love? What if they aren’t so different from humans after all? What if they’re similar at heart? What if that means they’re equal?

How will that inform fate and free will? How will that change the balance?

If enough immortals consider this, they might believe. And if they believe, the dynamics will alter, as will the roles of all beings.

But whether inspiration shall magically happen, or whether the crew will be tasked to solidify the movement somehow, remains to be seen. In the meantime, their crusade might result in battle and bloodshed. They must prepare themselves for both outcomes.

Harmony endeavors to buffer the argument.

Unfortunately, multiple voices clash, each person snapping out vital points.

Andrew accuses Envy and Sorrow of being “self-absorbed motherfuckers,” whereas they accuse him of being a former mortal.

Love bristles at the pair for belittling her lover’s origins, thus forcing Andrew to tame her outburst.

Merry whistles for them to stop, while Anger snarls for everyone to “shut the fuck up.” Both tactics work in tandem, cutting off the commotion.

Because free will is as messy as fate, Envy has a predictable response. “It’s not happening,” he grits out. “Me and her? Not happening outside of fucking.”

“For once, I agree with this prick,” Sorrow protests.

“For shit’s sake, Merry,” Envy groans to the pouting, disappointed goddess. “Stop looking at me like that.”

“But it’s tragic,” she laments. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

“Then allow me to remind you of one crucial fact about my immortal DNA. And heed these words, because I’ll only say this once. I’ve got nothing against fluff, but the only person I’m interested in loving is myself.”

“Anyway, we can’t control how we feel,” Sorrow underscores. “And no one has the right to make us feel anything.”

Wonder leans against a bookcase and clears her throat, prompting all seven heads to swerve her way. “Did you hear what you just said?” she counters. “How ironic.”

They stare at Wonder. Their concerned features give way to relief, gladdened by her serene expression. And while it’s a comfort to ease them of this burden, there’s only one face she would give anything to behold. A fiendish smirk agreeing with her.