"Will you be willing to accept me as a part of your Familia?"
Najin did not need to put much thought into his decision. He had wandered aimlessly, encountered the aura of the divine a few times, and even walked alongside one with twin-tails who was rushing to her stall.
Yet none of them paid him any attention, nor did they have anything that they could offer him in turn.
They did not notice who he was, and the state he was in.
To those gods, he was just another human among many. Not one of their children as a part of their Familia, or even as a child who could possibly join them.
Only Janus had opened his arms to his presence. At a mere glance, at that.
And as such, Najin was thankful.
…As well as nervous. From what he knew of the Roman God of beginnings, ends, and transitions from Earth, combined with what he surmised given the stories of the gods in Orario, it didn't feel likely that Janus would welcome him.
Less, even, that the god would have a Familia.
"…Hmmm,"
It didn't help that the divine visage of the young man before him had gone silent. From the god's expression, Janus seemed to be considering his plea.
"Unfortunately, child, I do not have a Familia of my own. And I have not thought to create one. This humble shop of mine serves the purpose of my continued existence."
Items that had been cast away, ready to be picked up by a new owner. Weapons, forgotten after their original wielders had met untimely ends. Jewels, whose gleams were consistent no matter when, where, and who adorned them.
This was Janus' shop.
Hearing this, Najin's heart dropped. He had long perceived the limits of his humanity. He needed a job.
More importantly, a god to bestow a Falna upon him.
Without these two things, he could not even begin to approach the impossible challenge set in his path.
Accepting the rejection, Najin then hoped to for a job at least, since Janus was hiring a helper for his shop.
"…However," Janus interrupted his thoughts, "It seems like it is indeed time to start one. I have walked the mortal realm alone for long enough."
A small, imperceptible smile graced the god's lips.
"I am willing to accept you as a part of my Familia. So, do tell me this… What's your name?"
Relief washed upon Najin like the tide, and his vision waned, shrouded by tears he could barely hold back. He wasn't sure why he felt so emotional.
But he had a guess:
Three years in an apocalypse would always take its toll.
Still, he spoke, snuffing out his pain in the same way he always did.
"I am Animos Najin. Please call me Najin, my god."
—Clack.
Placing down an old piece of pottery, Janus beckoned to him.
"Ah, Najin. What an interestingly ominous name, this is, no? Animos Najin…" Janus spoke, seemingly to test the sound of it all, "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Janus, god of doors. Now come, let us chat while I grant you the blessing of the Falna."
And thus, Najin followed. He took off his shoes and placed them behind the counter after belatedly noticing that the god walked barefoot.
"…"
Najin stayed silent and obedient, still reeling in relief. In this store, he felt safe.
—Thud. Thud. Thud.
His footsteps followed the silence of Janus' own as he was led up a staircase and into the living area. The floorboards creaked during his ascent and as he followed Janus to the window, where a small table and two chairs had been placed by its side.
"Sit, child." said Janus as he took out a rectangular tin box, about a foot in length.
Upon opening the box, Janus then took out a long needle that seemed to have been forged out of glass. It was transparent, refracting the sunlight pouring through the window.
Suddenly, the living room was filled with the colours of the rainbow. The visible spectrum on full display.
—Click.
Najin winced, but the pain was not his own.
Janus had pricked the skin on his finger with the glass stiletto, dyeing the room with a deep crimson haze.
"Take off your shirt, child, so that it may not stain with my ichor."
Najin nodded and shed the rags he used as a makeshift robe, as well as the comfort of his shirt. The cold breeze on his back became a stark contrast from the warmth that seeped through the window.
—Drip.
Then, Najin suddenly felt a shift occurring in his very own soul.
A soul that was not meant to be in this world.
"A drop of blood for a thousand more… Does that make me the source of destruction?"
Janus' voice was vaguely a whisper. Still, Najin heard it, confused as to why he was speaking of such.
"Hm? Sorry, did you say something, lord Janus?" Najin glanced back in question.
But Janus just shook his head. "It's nothing, child..."
The god's eyes settled on the divine script forming on Najin's back. Line after line appeared, written like the commandments on arched double doors, announcing what it would mean to walk through.
"…I was just thinking about the peculiarity of it all. Your story might last an eternity… or end in an instant. How curious. Might you be the reckless type?"
Suddenly, Najin felt a chill run up his spine. Connecting those sentences together, one about blood and a thousand more, as well as the instant end… It was an ill omen.
Was Janus trying to jinx him? Moreover, the god's manner of speech was really filled with prophetic tones. Like listening to a con artist divining someone's future.
In a way, Najin understood why Janus spoke like that. It was clearly because he was a god who dealt with beginnings and whatnot. But to hear those words in real life? And actually know that everything the god said was on point?
It felt like he was an open book:
A little unnerving.
"Uh… I think I lean more towards caution." replied Najin.
"Interesting," Janus' eyes gleamed, "Alright, I have granted you the blessing of the gods. Though there is nothing much to see, would you like to have a look?"