The Winter's End

"At least it's winter, and they get to be together," I thought, a bittersweet smile playing on my lips. My breath came in shallow gasps, each exhalation a visible puff in the frigid air. Snowflakes gently blanketed me, their cold touch numbing the pain. My vision dimmed, my lungs ceased to draw breath, and my heartbeat faltered. The night closed in around me, and I slipped into the darkness.

---

The ground trembled as an unnatural force pulled all the shadows of the night toward a single point in the city, despite the defiant neon lights. A swirling black abyss formed, and from its depths, a patch of flowers miraculously bloomed around a lifeless body. Just as the darkness was about to envelop the corpse, a cacophony of thunder and lightning shattered the night, forcing the shadows to retreat. Silence fell once more, save for the newly sprouted flowers marking the spot.

---

"What?" I murmured, confusion clouding my mind. I wasn't cold anymore. My eyes fluttered open, and the first thing I saw was the back of a woman in a yukata, a wide bow adorning her waist. I blinked, trying to make sense of my surroundings. 'What the hell is going on here?' I thought, panic rising.

Before I could gather my thoughts, a massive man in a long gray overcoat, a muscle shirt stretching over his frame, approached. His red hair and green eyes locked onto me. My eyes widened in shock. 'I should run,' I thought, but my body wouldn't respond. The giant stopped before me, extending a meaty hand. It took me a moment to realize he was offering a handshake.

Not wanting to be rude, I quickly placed my hand in his. He shook it gently, a surprising contrast to his imposing appearance. "How's it going? My name is Legath, a minor god. Specifically, the God of Protein. Hate to break it to you, but you're dead."

I gaped at him, already suspecting the truth, yet the confirmation brought a fresh wave of questions. Legath didn't give me a chance to voice them.

"It might sound bad, but it's actually great news. You didn't go to the afterlife or enter the Lifestream for a typical reincarnation. Because of your faith, you've arrived at the Festival of the Gods. Here, deities from all worlds gather. Heroes like you get to choose a patron god who seeks a champion. I'm your guide, so follow me. I'll introduce you at the Grand Hall."

I nodded, determination settling in. 'If gods from everywhere are here, I know exactly who I'll choose.' 

'Please let him be here,' I silently hoped, following Legath down a bustling street lined with food stalls. One sign read "Ambrosia and Nectar," bringing a smile to my face. I quickened my pace, forcing the giant god to match my speed.

The street was filled with people of all backgrounds: some pale, some dark, some with pointed ears, others with round or animal ears. It truly was a place where gods from all realms met.

Most faces wore smiles as they darted between stalls, purchasing food. A little girl ran past me, her candy apple bumping my hip and falling to the ground. She looked up, teary-eyed. I felt a pang of guilt.

"Sorry," I began, but she interrupted, "It's fine. The food here is free. I'll just get another. But in exchange for bumping into a goddess, you have to walk me there."

Legath laughed heartily, drawing attention from other gods. I could only lower my head and agree. "Sure, I don't mind."

Luckily, the stall was just a few steps away. The vendor was kind, offering treats to both me and Legath, which we politely declined. The little girl smiled and scampered off, leaving us to continue our journey.

After about thirty minutes, Legath stopped abruptly. I walked right into his back, eliciting a chuckle. "We're here," he said, gesturing to a colossal building. It was circular, topped with a bronze dome, and fronted by columns as thick as redwoods.

My eyes widened in awe. "This place is enormous," I whispered.

Legath's expression softened. "It is," he agreed. "Let's head in. Truth be told, we got here a little faster than expected." With that, he pushed open the grand doors, and I stepped into a new destiny.