Everywhen wasn’t supposed to exist.

At least, not according to any story Laufey had ever heard.

Yet here she was, wandering a realm stitched together from forgotten roads, distant pantheons, and places that seemed to shift whenever she looked away. Every answer led to more questions. Every path seemed to circle back on itself.

The chamber before her sat hidden beneath layers of ancient magic. Strange symbols covered the stone walls, glowing faintly beneath the dust of ages.

“All right,” she murmured, kneeling beside an enormous door. “You’ve been hiding something interesting.”

A final rune shimmered beneath her fingertips.

The lock clicked.

Then another.

And another.

With a low groan, the heavy door slowly swung inward.

Laufey rose to her feet and peered into the room beyond.

Someone was there.

Not a traveler she’d met before. Not one of the wandering figures who crossed the roads of Everywhen.

A god.

For a moment she simply stared before a small smile crossed her face.

“Well. That explains the security.”

Stepping forward, she offered her hand.

“Laufey. Though most people call me Faye.”

Curiosity shone in her bright blue eyes.

“You look like someone who’s been waiting for answers as long as I have. What do you say we go looking for them together?”