Maki got back to the inn at dusk, having ran three laps around the small town. Since leaving the guard he’d been letting his routine slip, and he could feel it. He had to get back into the habit of exercising.

  He ran up the stairs to his room, pausing when he saw Maeve’s door was open.

  Maeve saw him and sat up. “Maki, come in. We need to tell you something.”

  Hoping it would be quick so he could shower, he walked in to find Cali and Luke in the room. Maki automatically shut the door, leaning against the wall next to it.

  “So,” Maeve started, adjusting her shirt. “Luke and I-”

  “Are dating?” Cali asked excitedly.

  Everyone looked at Luke. His ears went flat.

  “No,” he said carefully. “That’s- That’s not-”

  “The Goddess asked us to tell everyone the ground is bad and there’s going to be a huge earthquake in two months that will result in several new volcanoes,” Maeve said quickly, a bit too loudly.

  Cali jumped to her feet. “I knew it!” She stopped. Her tail twitched, ears going back. “And… she only told you?”

  “It’s not like that,” Maeve told her. “I met her before. She specifically said your theory was correct.”

  Maki started to ask a question, but stopped himself. Maeve would explain if she wanted to.

  “This is big,” Maeve said, catching his eye. “There will be lots of destruction, and lots of people will die. We need to warn people. To make sure we’re taken seriously, Luke and I can now do… this.” She twitched her fingers in the air, and her magic coloration went from red to glowing gold.

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  Something about it made Maki nervous. When she’d made her eyes gold to tell the mayor it wasn't wise to threaten her, Maki had been surprised. But seeing her go fully from normal red to the color of the gods… It didn't feel safe.

  Maeve focused on Luke, who sighed and turned himself gold, too. On him, somehow it looked more natural. Normal. Like it was nothing new or exciting.

  “So… We have to tell people,” Cali said, sitting back down. “We should go back to Deep and tell them! If there’s going to be volcanoes, their whole town will get covered in lava! We can't let them die, we should-”

  “No,” Luke said. “We have time to prepare. It’ll go better if you and Maeve go to the queen in Default and explain the situation. I'll go to the churches and tell them about it. Official people will send out official warnings, and it’ll be fine.”

  “But what if it isn't enough time?” Cali asked.

  He shrugged. “Then Bonnie will have fun doing some divine intervention things. Directly saving a hundred people will get her more praise than indirectly saving everyone.”

  There was a gold flash, and a paper appeared next to him.

  Luke rolled his eyes. “What, it’s true.”

  Cali leaned over to read it. “‘Careful’?”

  “I think I don't want to be a part of this,” Maki decided. “Maeve, I’m with you. Always. But I’m mortal, with a very common magic type. You all have fun with divine magic and saving the world; I’m just here to make sure none of you three die and the wagon doesn't get stolen, ok?”

  They all agreed. He gave them a military salute, and walked out the door.

  Into an endless grey void. He stopped, hand going automatically to his knife.

  “You’re a mortal with a very common magic type.”

  Maki turned. A fairy with overwhelming gold magic grinned at him.

  “But what if you weren’t?”

  “No thanks,” Maki said, his hand dropping.

  The Goddess chuckled. “Fair enough. I’m putting a gold pen into your inventory. If you ever need help keeping those three alive, as is your duty, use that pen to write whatever you need. I’ll get the note, and provide you with only as much help as your mortal mind desires.”

  Maki nodded, resolved to never use it. She snapped her fingers, and he was back in his room at the inn.