My eyes slowly open, being rudely woken from my afternoon nap. They blinked as I slowly became aware of the person standing in front of me. Their arms were crossed and foot tapping in a quick pace. Their dark hair cascaded down their back, a stark contrast to the white robes that covered them. I recognised them. They were known as Nidis, one of the four gods.
“Well?” Nidis asked, brow raised.
“What?” was my groggy reply, finally sitting up to rub my eyes.
“We need a villain,” they reiterated, annoyance ebbing in their voice, “We’ve ran out and it’s your turn.”
I yawned as I started to get up, grabbing my robe to wrap around me, “Is that so? Well, thanks for coming by, but no thanks.”
Nidis’s jaw dropped as I began to walk away, pushing open the curtains covering my windows. Warm light flooded the room, vaporising the chill that settled in my bones.
“I- What do you mean ‘no’?” the deity asked, glaring in disbelief.
“Exactly what it means, no,” I expressed, grabbing a watering can to tend to the many plants that filled the room, “I have no interest in being a villain.”
“B-But we need one,” Nidis argued, “We need you to be one.”
“Why?” I asked, raising a brow at the god, “Why would I give up all this-“ I waved my arm around to the surrounding room, gesturing to all of the little nicknacks and other decor I had collected over the years, “-just so that your little ‘hero’ can have his ego filled story?”
“Wha- that’s not the reason for it and you know it, Vatru,” Nidis quickly argued.
“Is it?” I asked in return, finally turning to look at the god, “The world is in peril due to some powerful being. The hero goes on a long, treacherous journey to find the villain. Then, after a deadly battle, the hero comes out victorious and their story told throughout the centuries. The hero will be hailed as one of the greatest and have the admiration of many,” my gaze returned to Nidis, a brow raised, “What part of that isn’t ego filled?”
Before the god could answer, I turned back to my plants and continued watering them, listening as the deity stuttered, “W-We need heroes. We need them to give stories to teach people-“
“And you can’t just make them up?” I interrupted, “Like so many others? It’s not like anyone would fact check a god.”
Nidis let out a frustrated groan, “Why are you being like this? You decided to become a lich, a being of evil and power. Why aren’t you using it to be evil?”
“Okay,” I once again looked back at the deity, “Look around you. Look at everything I have accomplished. Did I become a lich to be powerful when I was evil? Yes. Am I still that way? No.” I raised my hand as Nidis opened their mouth to speak before I continued, “Before you speak, just listen. For the first time in all my life, I am happy. I am at peace. I’ve been able to live up here and just love my life. I’m not willing to give that up just because you need a story.”
“Then what?” the god asked, exasperated at their failing attempts, “You’re just going to leave us hanging? When we need you?”
“Why don’t you just make another monster?” I asked as I started to leave the room, wanting to escape the situation, “You guys are good at that. Just give the hero more monsters while you make a different villain.”
Before Nidis could respond, I let the bedroom door shut behind me, letting out a sigh. I pressed my ear against the wooden surface to listen for the familiar warble. Once the sound came, I finally felt at ease, knowing the god had left.
My hand ran over my head as I leaned against the door. Despite my previous nap, I felt more exhausted than ever. The gods always knew how to make one regret waking.
My eyes looked up, glancing over the many paintings and sculptures I had created over time. The many centuries of quiet peace came trickling back as each project resurfaced a memory. Dread began to settle as a realisation came. If they were really out of villains, then they weren’t going to give up. They were going to return, possibly less peacefully.
A heavy sigh left my lips before I pushed myself away from the door. I would have to start preparing for their arrival.
