Chapter 2: [2] Divine Vacation Needed
Calypso, Goddess of Reincarnation, slumped across her cosmic throne. Her silver hair spilled over one armrest while her legs dangled over the other. The divine seat—designed to inspire awe in passing souls—now served as her personal lounge chair. She flicked her finger at the soul-viewing screen floating before her, scrolling through thousands of mortal lives like a bored teenager checking social media.
"Boring. Predictable. Seen it." She tapped past life after life.
The Liminal Space—that sacred bridge between life and death—had transformed under her 300-year tenure. Gone were the austere white halls and solemn marble pillars of Adonis's era. Calypso had renovated extensively. Now, holographic cherry blossoms perpetually drifted through the air. Crystal chandeliers hung from impossible heights. Plush velvet couches dotted the space for souls awaiting processing. A massive roulette wheel dominated one wall, segmented into different life paths. The once-sacred Hall of Judgment now resembled a luxury casino crossed with a Japanese arcade.
"Akemi!" Calypso called out, voice echoing through the divine space.
A small fox spirit with nine tails materialized, wearing tiny spectacles and carrying a clipboard. "Yes, Lady Calypso?"
"I'm bored."
"That's not a divine emergency, my lady."
"It is when I say it is." She flipped upside down on her throne, hair cascading toward the floor. "Remember when this job was fun?"
The fox spirit sighed. "You ask this approximately once per decade, my lady."
"Do I?" Calypso pouted. "Well, it was fun once."
***