Interview

  "Our souls are eternal. We fall like meteors into our new lives, touching thousands when we enter their atmosphere." It wasn't Taylor's most famous quote, but it was his personal favorite. People said it all the time at funerals, to remind themselves they needn't feel too sad for the departed. Taylor could speak as an authority on the topic, having died many times and lived many lives.

  The funny thing was, he never remembered the in-between times. He was dead, and then he wasn't. He had a sense that something happened between the two events, but he could never say what it was. So, he was surprised to find himself standing in a void facing a pantheon of gods he didn't recognize. But, their natures were as easy to read as colors. Life, Death, Order, Strife, Magic, Craft, and Nature were all represented. They carried minor deities by the dozen under their mantles, peeking out at Taylor from between the folds. Commerce, Wrath, Lust, Trials, Balance, Games, and a host of godlings of niche pursuits.

  "This is interesting. Or, it will be if I remember it. Are you all separate deities, or are you aspects of singular diety?"

  "I could ask the same of you," Magic said, her hair encircled by moons in different phases. "Are you only yourself, or are you part of something greater?"

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  A priest for many decades, he replied automatically. "Souls are sparks from the divine fire. We are all the same in that respect, but also separate."

  "And some of us are quite large, while others are very, very small." Death was not unkind, but Taylor took her words as a sign of impatience. She had souls in her care, too many millions of them to count, burdening her posture.

  "You took your sweet time getting here," complained Order.

  "Don't be too hard on the little one. Life is for living, and he lived it thoroughly. If we wanted death-seekers, there were plenty of others to choose from." Life smelled round and ripe, begging to be eaten.

  Strife licked his lips.

  Nature plucked questions from Taylor's mind before he could fully think them. "We won't tell you why we chose you, or what we hope you'll do here. That would defeat the purpose. Just be yourself, and everything should turn out fine. We wanted to have a look at our transient soul before sending him down. You can remember us if you like, or even come here again to visit. But we hardly ever answer questions or give advice."

  It was an annoying way to have a conversation, and a little unsatisfying, but it was very efficient.

  "Isn't it, though?" said Nature.

  Life and Death held hands. "Here we go!"