For as long as Jack could remember, the road had been home. Jack would always hear its call, even while she slept in the most comfortable inn, or danced with the most beautiful fool; she'd always feel the need to say goodbye and press on. Occasionally it was lonely, and occasionally it was full of strangers she considered family. But the road was always a constant hum beneath her feet, always urging her to round the next corner, climb the next hill, or cross the next river.
Jack spent her time on the road collecting things; treasures, stories, friends, enemies, and curiosities. She'd take pride in her ability to talk her way in and out of situations, or her ability to always find an extra coin or two, or her ability to turn a simple scrap into a fortune. She felt she owed it to the road. It always took her to new prospects.
Eventually, though, Jack realized she'd walked every path, seen around every corner, crested every hill, and crossed every river. She'd seen the world and all it had to offer, but it wasn't enough. The road still pulled her. Her avarice still drove her forward step by step.
And then, she heard of a deity known as Pi.
Knowledge of Pi was one final boon the road could offer her, and she chased it down, starving for something more. One last thing to collect before she was finally satisfied.
She found Pi at the edge of the world, her bones now old and her hair gray. She sat down in front of the god, adorned with all the world had to offer, and smiled.
"I'd like to make a deal."
Jack spent her time on the road collecting things; treasures, stories, friends, enemies, and curiosities. She'd take pride in her ability to talk her way in and out of situations, or her ability to always find an extra coin or two, or her ability to turn a simple scrap into a fortune. She felt she owed it to the road. It always took her to new prospects.
Eventually, though, Jack realized she'd walked every path, seen around every corner, crested every hill, and crossed every river. She'd seen the world and all it had to offer, but it wasn't enough. The road still pulled her. Her avarice still drove her forward step by step.
And then, she heard of a deity known as Pi.
Knowledge of Pi was one final boon the road could offer her, and she chased it down, starving for something more. One last thing to collect before she was finally satisfied.
She found Pi at the edge of the world, her bones now old and her hair gray. She sat down in front of the god, adorned with all the world had to offer, and smiled.
"I'd like to make a deal."
Pi looked down at her, he had made the statue as a physical host to reside on their plane of existence long ago, before humankind was an idea, it would seem a miracle she had found her way there, and at her age. He rarely took interest in mere travelers, there were so many of them, he found greater interest in heroes and adventures like Magnus, but this woman was more than a traveler and more than a merchant. She had a hunger, he understood that hunger. His strange arms extended to the smiling elderly woman, having possessed his ancient monument, "I hear your invitation and I gladly await your offer." He rested his hand-like apenges on her shoulder and she felt a warmth.
Jack smiled more, her wrinkled face crinkling at the eye as she laughed, nearly overwhelmed with joy. The god's response being everything she hoped for. Finally, she would have everything.
The appendages confirmed her ambition, and she tilted her head as she looked at them. Her gaze shifted back to the statue's face, no longer simple stone. She held out one hand, weathered palm facing up, and boldly stated her offer.
"My ambition gave me the world. I offer it to you, in exchange for a place at the universe's table. Make me a god, and I promise my drive will change the universe for you. Let me paint the world with stories."
The appendages confirmed her ambition, and she tilted her head as she looked at them. Her gaze shifted back to the statue's face, no longer simple stone. She held out one hand, weathered palm facing up, and boldly stated her offer.
"My ambition gave me the world. I offer it to you, in exchange for a place at the universe's table. Make me a god, and I promise my drive will change the universe for you. Let me paint the world with stories."