Alex opened his eyes, and an unfamiliar sense of tranquility immediately coursed through his body. The feeling could have been a lingering vestige of peace, but he was so surprised by the emotion that he wondered if he was still dreaming. He hadn’t felt this way since before he woke up and saw two moons lighting up the night sky. It was as if a translucent bubble of promise had wrapped itself protectively around his limbs, offering him hope and warmth, suggesting that potentially everything would be okay.

  The pragmatist in him knew that it was nothing but a lie that would pop just as easily as a real bubble would. But that incessant voice, which liked to overthink everything, was silenced—at least for the moment—as the optimist took over, embracing the fleeting illusion of security with the death grip of a child alone in the dark with their security blanket.

  He sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, trying to remember what the actual dream had been about. He usually never had trouble remembering his dreams, but the thoughts and images kept slipping between his fingers like grains of sand, scattering in the winds.

  

  

   he asked dubiously.

   She said after a long pause.

   He said, as he stood and stretched.

  

  Alex sucked at his teeth in indignation and turned his attention to the cell around him. Matt was sitting against the back wall of the cell with his legs crossed and his chin tucked to his chest. Alex began to turn away and then snapped his head back around in a double take so fast that if someone saw it in a movie, they would have rolled their eyes from the overacting.

  For the first time, Matt looked completely clean – minus the dirty cloth he wore around his waist. Matt’s skin was bronzed with a natural tan slightly darker than his own and his facial features were wider than Alex previously thought. His muscled physique and deep set, piercing blue eyes made him look like he could be a Bulgarian action star back home. His body was that of a gifted athlete. Even now, despite being fast asleep, the veins in his arms were slightly visible above the sweeping curves of his muscles.

  Alex looked down at his own body in disgust. Despite being in relatively good shape, his friends constantly told him that he had the body of an action star – If that action star had been trapped on a deserted island for half a year. He was all lean, compact muscle that was stretched thin by a frame that was too big for him.

  Alex padded over to the corner and activated the panel on the wall.

   He asked Vi as he stepped under the waterfall. The water was uncomfortably hot on his face, and the rest of his body was caked in so much blood that it took several seconds before the water cracked through the hard shell and make contact with his skin.

   Vi replied.

   Alex said wistfully.

  Alex did his best to scrub himself clean, basking in the hot water as it slowly loosened the knots in his back and shoulders. He let his mind wander as he scrubbed himself and was once again surprised at how good he felt. When he was finally clean, he shut off his brain and just stood there, basking in the heat of the water.

   Alex asked, procrastinating getting out of the shower.

   She said in an exasperated tone that told him he should know this by now.

  

  

   Alex asked dryly.

  Vi gave a little humph and Alex smiled.

  

   Vi asked.

  

  

   Alex asked, a smug smile spreading across his face as the silence stretched.

  Vi finally admitted.

   He said as though she had just given him an idea.

   He asked with innocent curiosity.

   She said defiantly.

   Alex asked sweetly.

  

  Alex laughed out loud and immediately choked on the water jetting down on top of him.

   He said once he was sure he wasn’t going to drown.

  Alex closed his eyes and the screen to his codex appeared out of the darkness in his mind’s eye. It took a lot more concentration to view the codex like this, but he was getting better at it. He opened the screen labeled ‘Gods and Goddesses’ and saw two tabs on the left side of the screen.

  One was labeled ‘Earth’, and the other labeled ‘Unkown’.

   He said and opened the second one.

  His brow furrowed in disappointment as he saw only a single word had been recorded.

  Hope.

   He accused Vi.

  Vi didn’t respond, but two words appeared below Hope in a flowery, looping script that was distinctively female before fading away after a few seconds.

  Suck It.

  Alex snorted a laugh, and a stream of hot water shot up his nose, burning his sinuses.

  

  Alex focused his mind and words appeared in his own messy handwriting before slowly disappearing again.

   she said with dignified indignation.

   Alex accused distractedly as he contemplated the monosyllabic Codex entry in puzzlement.

  Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

  

   Vi said.

   Alex asked skeptically.

  

   Alex said with realization.

  He couldn't have explained it before, but goosebumps prickled his arms as he recalled the revitalized feeling he'd experienced upon waking up this morning. Though he was still trapped, the memories of torture festering in his mind like a raw wound, he also felt like he found a purpose, a reason to fight.

  Until recently, he’d always considered his memory was a pure gift. Now that he was learning how to use the codex independently from Vi, his focus felt sharper than ever, but he knew that it wasn’t a true measure of his intelligence, not really, because using the codex himself still demanded an intense amount of concentration while only operating at a fraction of Vi's efficiency. It was like briefly connecting his brain to a supercomputer before his mind quickly short-circuited, leaving him mentally and physically exhausted.

  Because of his memory and the nature of the Codex, the things Raymond did to him played on a near constant loop in his mind, as vivid as if he were witnessing them firsthand. The fact that his Codex meticulous recorded every gruesome detail made it all the more potent. Raymond had taken him to that chamber only three times over the course the last several days, but the torture persisted even after he returned to his cell.

  That is, until he woke up this morning. He had started to hate this gift that allowed him to perfectly recall everything that happened to him in that chamber, but for some reason, the crushing weight Inexplicably shifted. It remained, heavy still, but instead of a single, crushing burden, it was like he'd been given a rucksack, allowing him to distribute the weight more comfortably.

   He scoffed with a sudden realization.

   Vi suggested.

   He said.

   Vi asked.

   Alex

  Despite his newfound motivation, he reluctantly stepped out of the shower and tapped the panel to shut the water off.

  “You really should eat more of that food Raymond brings you. You’re almost nothing but skin and bones now.” A voice called from behind him.

  Alex was in the middle of a vigorous air-drying session, and for the first time, he was fully aware that he had been completely naked in front of Matt since they first met. He was currently bent over, squeegeeing water from his legs, inadvertently presenting Matt with a perfect view of a full moon. He froze, mid-swipe, mortified, the remaining shards of his dignity shattered with each jiggle of his backside he had created from the motion of swiping the water from his legs. Though Alex froze in horror, Newton's First Law, uncaring and immutable, prevailed. The hope of maintaining any self-respect abandoning ship by the time his cheeks finally stilled.

  Alex stood up and his body blurred like a mirage in the desert. When the effect faded, he was wearing the black pants and shirt from his ashaka outfit.

  Sadly, he did not have any underclothes to wear, and he spoiled the moment by adjusting the crotch of his pants uncomfortably.

  “That’s a neat trick.” Matt said with an appreciative whistle.

  “It's a racial ability I have.” Alex said, walking over to his sleeping area. “Not sure from which one though.”

   Vi said before he even finished speaking.

  Alex’s smile froze as he reached his usual spot to sit down.

  Dried blood was smeared everywhere in streaks and the clothes he was using as bedding reeked as if he was hiding a dead animal somewhere in there.

  “I know, right?” Matt commiserated. “Same thing happened to me after I finished showering. That’s why I was sleeping over here.”

  Matt was sitting against the wall in the middle of the cell while his bedding was on the far side.

  Alex picked up the plate containing what was left of the dried meat and went to sit beside Matt.

  “You’re looking a lot better now.” He said carefully.

  “I feel a lot better. How long have I been out?”

  Alex took a bite of the salted meat, immediately regretting that he didn’t grab the jug of water too.

  Matt shrugged, and without saying anything, got up and brought the jug of water over to Alex.

  “Everything is starting to blend together lately. Maybe twelve, thirteen hours?”

  “Thanks.” Alex said and took the jug from him gratefully and took a large gulp of the stale water.

  The jerky he was given turned out to be caerbunni meat, and while the flavor was pleasant, the texture was a bit tough. The real problem, however, was the salt; it was overwhelming.

  “So, uh...” Alex said awkwardly. “I have kind of a weird question.”

  “I wasn’t staring at you when you got out of the shower, if that’s what you were wondering.” Matt said and Alex’s face reddened.

  “No, it’s not that.” Alex said, taking another bite of jerky before continuing. “It’s just… back where I come from, they're, like, not real, you know I mean, they are but they’re not real real, more like allegories, you know? Or maybe I just thought they were? I mean, I didn’t even believe in magic, not until I woke up and, bam, two moons! Seriously, what’s that about? There is some serious magic juju coming off one of them. Did someone make that with their powers or something, or was it just born like that?”

  Alex paused, cocking his head to the side. “Wow, that makes me sound ignorant, doesn’t it? Not that there’s anything wrong with having two moons. Just seems a little excessive, if I’m being honest.”

  He trailed off at seeing Matt’s nonplussed expression.

  “I think you may have lost me somewhere as you explored all those bushes.” He said wryly.

  Huh?

   Vi provided.

   He retorted, and she went silent with a huff.

  Alex cleared his throat and tried again.

  “What I was trying to say, is that I always kind of operated under the assumption that they weren’t real.”

  “Okay. That what wasn’t real?” He prompted, a small smile on his lips.

  “Well gods, didn’t I just say that?” Alex said. “At least, not on my world. Are they actually a thing here? That woman who cut my hair mentioned one, but I didn't really register it at the time.”

  For the briefest moment he could have sword Matt’s smile twitch when he said the word gods.

  “You were an atheist before, I take it?” Matt said with a laugh.

  “More agnostic, really.” He corrected. “Wait, you have atheists here? So, are they not...?”

  “Oh, yes, they're real. The gods, definitely – and the atheists, as well, I suppose.”

  He chuckled at the dubious look Alex gave him and shook his head sadly.

  “You wouldn't believe the lengths some people go to in order to deny what's right in front of them, just because they don't like the implications. I’ve seen entire communities that refuse to believe magic is real.”

  “Actually, I can see that.” Alex said. “Tricks and illusions?”

  “And hallucinogenic drugs, apparently.”

  “That’ll do it.” Alex said sadly and Matt shrugged as if to say, what can you do?

  “But yeah, the gods are real.” Matt said, getting them back on topic. “Why do you ask? Because of what that woman said?”

  Alex shook his head and popped the rest of the jerky in his mouth before grabbing another piece.

  “No, not really.” He said after swallowing. “I had this kind of... dream? Maybe? At least I think it was a dream, but I can’t remember. All I know is when I woke up this morning, I felt like there was something I needed to do. Like I was given a task or something.”

  He glanced at Matt self-consciously but there was no judgement in his eyes.

  He was scratching his beard thoughtfully, considering how to respond.

   Alex said to Vi.

  

   Alex said.

  “You okay?” Matt asked suddenly.

  “Huh, what?”

  “You kind of just go away sometimes.” Matt said. “Is it cause of... you know?” and nodded his head towards the door.

  Alex burst into laughter. Not because of the reason Matt was worried, but the actual reason.

  “Actually, I have probably been doing that since before I got here. To be completely honest: I kind of have a voice in my head that tells me stuff.”

  Alex cracked up again at the look on Matt’s face and slowly brought himself under control.

  

   Vi replied.

  “It’s not like that.” Alex finally amended. “It's actually part of one of my racial gifts.”

  “It’s your guidepost.” Matt said with realization.

  “My what now?”

  “Oh, sorry.” Matt said, knuckling his forehead. “Outworlders tend to have at least one ability that acts as a sort of guide. It varies depending on the person, but usually it manifests in a way that compliments their personality or functions in a specific way that makes them comfortable.”

  “So basically, you're saying that I am a massive nerd because my guidepost is essentially a computer system?”

  “I don’t know what that is.” Matt said apologetically, then amended. “A computer system, that is – I know what a nerd is.”

  “Wait you have the term nerd here?” Alex asked, dumbfounded and Matt nodded.

  He didn’t know why but it kind of offended him. He wondered how loosely his translation power worked on slang.

   Vi said.

   He threatened.

  “Tell me about this dream you had, this task you were given.”

  “I, uh, don’t know.”

  “What about the god?”

  “Umm...”

  “Do you remember what they looked like?”

  “They were kind of sexy!” He blurted out a little too loudly, excited to be able to answer a question. Well, sort of answer, at least.

  Matt smirked a little and asked, “Does this sexy god have a name?”

  “Goddess. God-ess” Alex corrected belatedly. “Maybe? There wouldn’t be a goddess called Hope by any chance, would there?”

  Matt gave a small derisive laugh and nodded.

  “So, she is real?” Alex asked eagerly. “What is she the goddess of?”

  “Hope.” Matt said simply. Obviously.

   Vi asked.

  “Well, that’s kind of... boring, isn’t it?” He said out loud. “Are all the gods here just named after what they... do? Are?”

  Matt chortled and clapped Alex on the shoulder.

  “Trust me, if it’s one thing the gods are good at, it’s disappointment.”

  “Not a fan, I take it?”

  “We have our differences.” Matt said dryly.

  “So, this Hope.” Alex said, sensing that was a topic he should steer clear of. “She, what? Thought I needed help and just gave me... well, hope?”

  “She has been known to do that.” He said flatly.

  Alex couldn’t tell if it was deadpan humor or something else.

  “What does it mean, though?”

  Matt sighed and rubbed his face.

  “You never know kid. The gods interact with mortals all the time. Sometimes they have a grand design, sometimes it means nothing more than them just doing their job.”

  Alex’s face fell and Matt nudged him lightly with his elbow.

  “Tell you what.” He said conspiratorially. “We get out of here and we can go ask them ourselves. There are temples in almost every city.”

  “That’s... eww.” Alex said, remembering the Catholic church he’d been forced to attend every Sunday with one of his foster families. The church kept a bowl of holy water by the entrance, and he’d never been able to resist pretending the water burned him when he made the sign of the cross.

  “My sentiments exactly.” Matt agreed, mirroring his expression.

  As a child, Alex had enjoyed listening to people talk about their faith and how it enriched their lives, but there was something about the churches and religion as a whole that rankled him on a fundamental level he never fully understood.

  He'd been able to get away with his flippant disregard for God and the clergy back then, but now? Here, where the gods were real? If he had the chance to take a shot at a literal god standing before him, he wouldn't be able to stop himself. How much insolence would a god tolerate before smiting him? Likely, none at all. But, if nothing else, it would be a memorable exit.

  “Speaking of escaping,” Alex said, breaking free from his daydream of a deity torching him with holy fire because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. “Any bright ideas about how to get out of here?”

  “Actually, I do.” Matt said. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about it, but it might get a little rough.”

  The corners of Alex’ mouth quirked up, and he gave Matt a lopsided, devilish smile. He popped his neck to the right, and then the left.

  "Don't you threaten me with a good time."