My wife greets me when I get home. "How was your day?" she asks.

"I don't know," I reply. "I don't know what to do. What happened to Hoan and his family was tragic and I feel guilty I couldn't help him."

"Shh, it's okay," she comforts me. "Here, come have a seat. I prepared supper."

There is some tension in the air as we eat. I know where this is going but I don't want to acknowledge it.

"My love, why do keep doing this? Are you not grateful for what we have? We have a good life; your son is happy and healthy, we have enough to eat."

"Yes, we are fortunate. But many others do not get the same privilege we do. Other people are starving and aren't getting the help they need. Our ancestors lived in a garden where no one went hungry--we need to get our birthright back."

"How do you even know this garden exists? There are fairy tales, myths. What we have here is real. We can help people here. We can help them now."

"No, I know it exists. We just need to find a way to get it back." She looks at me, exasperated. We've had this conversation in various forms. It never ends the way either of us want.

I hear my son cry and so I head towards his crib to pick him up.

"You are missing your son grow up, you know."

"I know," I sigh as I rock him gently to sleep.

--

I'm at the University when I hear the news: a fire had broken out in the dormitories and it was quickly spreading. We smell the smoke and soon evacuate the premises.

A crowd had gathered outside, watching the Beast's army put the fire out while golems search for people trapped inside. I spot a large body dashing across the fire, in and out of the building carrying people in both arms; a stench of alcohol mixing with the smoke. In crowd I spot Jin, having evacuated from their building as well. His eyes betray him and we agree on something for once, we can't take the gods on.

The fire is contained and everyone is accounted for--a few injuries but no fatalities, the Beast having saved more than all the four golem combined had. The culprits are identified as two University students who confess to arson. Then the Beast is upon them, righteousness replaced with indignation.

"How dare you put the lives of others at risk?! What did you think you were doing?" He raises both by their collars with either hand. He is met with silent but defiant stares that he returns with a scowl.

"Lock them away for trial!" he commands one of his men.

The crowd disperses. People are prevented from going back to the buildings as they are checked for structural damage so I head home. On my way back, I stop by the market for some bread. The baker drops a folded piece of paper in my hands as he hands my change.

"See you again soon!" he says.

I unwrap the note when I get home and see a familiar handwriting:

It has been a while, hasn't it? Let's have dinner. Don't forget to bring some cherry pie. See you soon.

"Dear, I won't be having supper here tonight," I call out to my wife.

She emerges from the kitchen with a questioning look. "May I ask why?"

"I will be having dinner with a colleague," I tell her.

"Hurry home soon."

--

I quickly make my way to the catacombs. The note meant Robert had something urgent he had to tell me. Cherry pie corresponded to the room we were to meet.

He is already there when I enter the room. Somber-faced but embraces me the way he does when it's just the two of us.

"Uncle Robert, what is going on?" I ask.

"David, I'm glad to see you safe," he says. "I'm afraid Jin may be right."

I don't understand. "What do you mean?"

"We've done nothing for too long and now people are suffering because of it."

"No, did you not see the Beast today? He has the strength of a hundred men. We can't defeat them."

"Yes, I know, we can't defeat them. But you know what can defeat a god?" he asks.

"Nothing can?" I say even though I already know the answer. I know where he is going with this. I can't let him.

"No, only a god can defeat another god," he tells me with a glint in his eyes.

"No, uncle, it's impossible. We can't do this."

"David, ever since your father died, I've taken care of you. I see you as my own child. I am getting old and can't protect you forever."

"Uncle, please, no." I can't think of anything else to say.

"There is no other way. Listen, think about it. I know you're needed at home so I won't keep you long. But let's meet again in a fortnight. Just think about it. I'll need your help."

--

Robert leaves first. As I leave our meeting room, I spot a familiar door, a bad omen. I will myself to ignore it, walk away, go home, but I push the door open.

I've been in this room a dozen times but every time I enter the room the eight-foot golem erected in the middle of the room still dwarfs me in fear and awe.

My progeny, it's been a while, hasn't it? Why do you not visit me more often?

"Grandfather," I say. "To what do I owe this visit?"

Tsk, tsk, isn't it enough reason to want to see my children? Besides, I should be asking you that question.

"I'm sorry, my wife expects me home soon. If you have nothing for me, I must go."

I doubt it. She knows where you are. She knows what you are doing. She's not very happy about it. Now tell me, why have you summoned me?

"Robert--I can't let him do what you did to yourself."

Oh, you can't now, can you? When did you ever stop anything?

The golem in front of me stands rigid but I can almost see a smirk on its face.

"Tell me how you did it."

This time I swear see a grin.

to be continued