Kael woke up to a splitting headache. His first clue that things were off? The whispering.


    His second clue? The whispering was inside his head.


    “Oh good, you’re awake. Took you long enough,” the voice muttered, dripping with sarcasm.


    Kael groaned, rubbing his temples. “Ugh…Mom?”


    “Oh, I assure you, I am not your mother,” the voice said. “Though, given your general level of intelligence, I understand the confusion.”


    Kael opened his eyes. He was in a dense forest, sunlight filtering through the leaves. The air smelled like damp earth and regret. None of this was familiar.


    “Where…am I?”


    “Vaelstrum. Two days after your unfortunate demise. Congratulations! You’re no longer a corpse.”


    Kael blinked. “Come again?”


    “You heard me.” The voice was practically grinning. “You should be grateful. Most people don’t get a second shot at life. Then again, most people don’t have the honor of sharing their mind with me.”


    “Wait. What?” Kael sat up so fast he nearly knocked himself out on a low-hanging branch. “Who are you?”


    “Who am I?” The voice chuckled darkly, clearly relishing the moment. “I am—”


    “That won’t be necessary, Zaroth.”


    Kael turned toward the new voice.


    A shimmering violet mist swirled in front of him, and out of it stepped a woman who could make statues weep. She had flowing indigo robes, silver hair cascading down her back, and golden eyes that gleamed like someone who knew all your secrets and planned to blackmail you with them.


    She smiled, the kind of smile that made you rethink your life choices.


    “Oh, fantastic,” Zaroth grumbled. “Couldn’t resist making an entrance, could you?”


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    “Of course not,” the woman purred. “A goddess must command attention, after all.”


    Kael’s brain short-circuited. “Wait. Goddess?”


    “Ezirah, Goddess of Chaos.” She flipped her hair dramatically, like a shampoo commercial. “And you, Kael, are my new champion.”


    Kael squinted. “Yeah, see, I think there’s been a mistake. I am definitely not champion material.”


    Ezirah sighed, as if she had dealt with so many reluctant chosen ones. “You’re special, Kael. You’ve been chosen to shape this world in my image. A more…chaotic image.”


    Kael blinked. “Okay, yeah, see? That’s already a red flag. No one says that in a good way.”


    Ezirah smirked. “Oh, but you will.”


    Ezirah flicked her fingers, as Kael felt an invisible force yank him to his feet.


    “Hey! How are you doing that?!”


    Ezirah ignored him. “You’re going to help me create a world of glorious chaos.”


    “Look, you’re a very beautiful woman, but I’m gonna have to pass.”


    Ezirah arched an eyebrow. “You think I’m beautiful?”


    Kael cursed himself. “That’s not the point!”


    “Oh, but it is.” She stepped closer, her golden eyes glowing. “Chaos is in your blood, Kael. You were born for this.”


    Kael’s heart was doing weird things, and it wasn’t helping that Zaroth, the voice in his head, was way too amused.


    “Oh wow,” Zaroth snickered. “You’re already falling for her, huh?”


    “Shut up!” Kael hissed under his breath.


    “I can hear your thoughts, buddy. And wow—she barely touched you and your brain just short-circuited.”


    Ezirah just smiled, and for a moment—a brief moment—Kael thought he saw something…soft in her expression. Like she was actually fond of him. Which was surprising, considering she had just announced her plans to throw the world into chaos.


    “Together,” she whispered, “we could create a world unlike any other. You just need to let go.”


    Kael’s stomach twisted.


    “Oh no,” Zaroth groaned. “Tell me you’re not actually buying into this. Must I remind you that this woman is certifiably insane? Like, ‘burn-the-world-for-fun’ insane?”


    Kael clenched his jaw. “I’m not falling for her. Or her completely unhinged plans.”


    “Mmm-hmm. Sure. And I suppose the way your heart just did a little backflip was totally unrelated?”


    “I hate you, Zaroth.”


    “Mutual, buddy. I am a Demon Lord, after all.”


    Kael narrowed his eyes. “Wait. Demon Lord? Yeah, that definitely explains some things.”


    “And yet, here you are, having a heart-to-heart with me instead of running for the hills.”


    Kael sighed, rubbing his temples. “At this point, I think I’m out of surprises. Just throw it all at me.”


    With a final exhale, he turned back to Ezirah. She was watching him intently, golden eyes gleaming like she already knew his answer.


    He groaned. “Alright. Let’s pretend I agree to this whole chaos thing. What’s next?”


    Ezirah’s smile curled into something wicked. “Oh, darling, I thought you’d never ask.”