The Grand Hiatus

The novel hovered lazily in the air in front of the two men, the smoky portal inviting a realm of new possibilities. Conrad and Nicholas, stunned and mouths agape, could only stare at the spectacle in front of them. The librarian, having predicted their reactions to this turn of events, simply sat on the edge of her desk and waited patiently for one of the men to speak. A mischievous smile graced her features.

It was Nicholas who broke the silence. Composing himself, he turned to the librarian with a frown. "What is this parlor trick, madame? You'll have to excuse me if I have a hard time accepting this as an act of sorcery."

Nicholas' voice was low, shaking, attempting to work through his panic and confusion. In spite of what he had just stated, some instinct in the back of Nicholas' brain was forcing him to accept this was indeed a supernatural occurrence. Nevertheless, he was the experienced adult here. He needed to remain composed for both his and Conrad's sake, seeing as he had no idea what the librarian's intentions were.

She laughed. "Yeah, that's a reasonable response to witnessing this for the first time. No matter. You can take all the time you need to sort through your thoughts and feelings once I've concluded my business here. Truth is, though, you're not the one I'm here for, Nicholas Auberstein."

Nicholas gritted his teeth. Her knowing his full name was irrelevant. She likely spotted it on his library card that he passed her. The implication of her last sentence was far more alarming. When Nicholas spoke again, his tone was careful, deliberate.

"If not I, then what is your business with the young master, madame?"

"Nana. Please refer to me as Nana."

To the further shock of Nicholas, Nana floated up into the air, sighing and stretching languidly.

"I'm here to offer your young charge the opportunity of a lifetime. The chance to experience a life that matters. A life of liberation. One away from the watchful eye and influence of his father that he seems to resent so deeply."

Nicholas scowled. "You were eavesdropping on us."

Nana shrugged. "Irrelevant. It's not like I needed to do that to know his issues and values. Or yours. I know everything that has occurred in your lives, and everyone else's. I am omnipotent and omnipresent. If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, it makes a sound, and only I know it."

Nicholas could feel himself sweating. "...Your meaning being...?"

Nana floated lazily towards Nicholas, taking his chin in her hand and meeting his gaze directly.

"You are not an imbecile, Nicholas Auberstein. You understand that I am stating I am the goddess of this world. You simply do not want to say it out loud, because that would be tantamount to admitting your own powerlessness in this situation. But it is the truth. You feel it in your gut, in spite of the absurdity of meeting a goddess in person."

Nana let go of Nicholas, and turned her gaze to the side.

"But the man of the hour has been oddly quiet this entire time."

Nicholas followed Nana's gaze. Conrad was watching Nana, transfixed, looking as if he had been carved from stone. Nicholas wasn't sure whether he was about to pass out or run away.

And then, Conrad chose to do neither.

He advanced towards Nana, slowly, until he was no more than a few feet away from her. His head dipped into a deep bow.

"Nana. Please. You spoke of a life liberated from my current circumstances. Please explain what you meant. Please explain the details."

Nicholas blanched. "Young master?!"

Conrad shook his head, steadfast. "Nicholas, I need you to let me hear her out. This just feels...too important. I get that we have no idea what she's actually offering me yet. But what are the odds I'm going to be in a situation like this again?"

Nicholas was silent for a moment. He simply stared at Conrad, trying to gauge his thoughts.

"You're accepting this whole event quite readily, young master."

"I suppose I am, old friend." Conrad glanced back at Nana. "What is actually inside of that portal, Nana?"

"Failures. Successes. Despair. Joy. And a great deal more excitement than the life you have ahead of you here, for better or for worse."

Conrad's eyes widened.

"Nothing in life is free, dear boy," Nana continued. "If you want an invigorating life where you get opportunities that nobody in your world gets, you will need to pay the toll for it. And the toll will be paid in danger. Have you ever fantasized about the idea of living in a world of swords and sorcery, monsters and quests? I know you are familiar with such works of fiction."

Conrad grinned sheepishly. "Indeed. I've dabbled in some high fantasy works. Graphic novels and the sort. The type of media my father would wrench out of my hands if he found. I read them over the internet instead when he wasn't looking."

If the conversation had been taking place under relaxing circumstances, Nicholas would have laughed.

Nana smiled. "Quite. Now, let me make myself plain. I am interested in learning more of the human experience. With all my power at my fingertips, the only thing I CANNOT do is understand the experience of being weak. And you seem like a terrific means to this end, Conrad Walters."

Nicholas rubbed his chin. "I was just wondering about that, actually. That's what's in it for you. You want to observe Master Walters struggle and cope in a world fraught with threats to him. Is this an educational pursuit, Nana? Or merely entertainment?"

Nana winked. "You speak as if this can't fulfill both purposes for me." She turned her attention to Conrad again. "I've chosen to offer you this opportunity because you're the perfect candidate. Enthusiastic, but ignorant. You know little of life, with a mere count of 18 years to your name."

Nana straightened up, turning slightly more serious. "A blank slate like yourself, that wants to experience all that life can bring, is just what I want. But, Conrad...know that I will not return you to this world until I am satisfied with what I have witnessed. Furthermore, I will offer you zero protection in what comes, should you accept. After all, how can I observe your growth and adaptation if I coddle you? Mortals don't have gods fighting their battles and solving their problems on their behalf."

Nicholas' unease was matched by Conrad's pensiveness. The seconds ticked by. Nicholas glanced at Nana. "May we have a short period to deliberate over this in private, Nana?"

Nana shook her head solemnly. "No. If Conrad lacks the fortitude to make a committed decision under pressure, then he wasn't the right one to offer this opportunity to in the first place."

At that, Conrad's eyes snapped up. Squaring his shoulders, he gave Nana his answer. "I accept your offer, Nana."

Nicholas' heart pounded in his chest. Before even beginning to protest, he knew that Conrad's words had just set everything in stone.

Nana grinned jovially. "Wonderful! I knew you were the right one, dear boy. Now...oh, dear...I seem to have forgotten to mention the extra condition of your adventure."

Conrad looked quizzical. "Extra condition?"

Nana gestured to Nicholas. "Say your farewells first. We both know how deeply you care about your attendant."

Nodding, Conrad approached Nicholas. He placed his hand on his closest confidant's shoulder. "Nicholas, I...oh!"

Conrad wheeled around quickly and addressed Nana. "Nana, can you-"

"Yes. I will make sure your father knows what occurred here." She smiled slightly, appreciating Conrad's display of care. "Leaving Nicholas to explain the day's events to your father would be an act of cruelty."

Nodding appreciatively, Conrad looked back at Nicholas. Nicholas moved forward suddenly and pulled Conrad into a deep and sincere hug.

"I understand this situation has escalated completely beyond any control of mine, young master. Just...please promise me you will continue to conduct yourself well. On all fronts. Respect, courage, kindness, everything. Grant me that."

"I swear it, Nicholas Auberstein. I love you, old friend. Thank you."

"And I love you, dear boy. You're welcome."

After a moment, the two men finally ended their embrace. Smiling, Conrad steeled himself, and addressed his new divine associate. "I'm ready, Nana."

"Lovely. Nicholas, keep him held upright."

Before either men could question her, Nana gestured suddenly at Conrad. His body immediately went limp, his eyes blank. Nicholas watched, horrified and bewildered, as Conrad's soul was removed from his body and sent through the portal.

Nana spared one last wink. "I swear to you, Nicholas, I did not just kill your charge. Bring his body home and keep it safe."

And with that, Nana floated through the portal as well. The portal shrunk to nothing and the novel closed with a thud, before vanishing too.