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“A world’s end always feels the same, doesn’t it?”
“From your point of view, Viatrix, I suppose it does.”
“So, that means there are… other kinds of endings too?”

Surrounded by the familiar sight of a collapsing world, we sat in the last stretch of land likely to endure the longest, hosting, of all things, a graceful tea party. The screams that should have echoed from the people (or fools, depending on perspective) had been shut out entirely. If you cropped the scene just right, you might actually think this was a refined noble’s afternoon tea.

On the garden table sat two servings of sweets and tea. Across from me, Finis, sat Viatrix, a lost wanderer of dying worlds. Her current form looked to be in her early twenties. Her appearance was that of a noble lady of this world’s aristocracy. Fumitsuki and Lullus were here too, though acting as attendants. Neither of them was professional, of course, but thanks to experience, they carried the role naturally enough.

We, and Viatrix as well, had much experience as humans. It wouldn’t surprise me if one of her many lifetimes included being a noblewoman. With the breadth of her experience, I imagine she could pull off nearly anything a human could. This time, when she encountered us, she didn’t panic as she had in a previous life. Instead, she greeted us casually and even offered to chat since we’d met again.

I had been curious about her, too, so here we were, watching the world crumble to darkness while enjoying tea together. This particular world was ending because humans had drawn too much of its power, one of the more common causes. That made the calm conversation with Viatrix seem far more worthwhile.

“You probably only know the kind of ending where the people are still alive at the end, don’t you, Viatrix?”
“Now that you mention it, that’s true. So worlds can end with all life gone, then?”
“It’s rare for me to be summoned to such worlds, but when one ends in old age rather than destruction, it’s… quieter. More peaceful.”
“So worlds have lifespans, too?”
“Of course. Everything that has form eventually dies. Even gods.”
“That’s… a little too grand for me to picture.”

Understandable. For someone still bound by humanity, the death of a god must be beyond comprehension. Personally, I’d be happy if the gods vanished, as that would mean no work for me, so no more troubles. Not that I’ve ever witnessed the end of a god myself.

“So, what other ways can a world end?”
“Lately, a lot of them have been devoured by the World Eater.”
“A World Eater… you mean that cloud-like, shadowy thing that appears from the sky?”
“Probably. She does have a physical, or rather, a provisional, form, but the truth is, she herself is a world incarnate.”

Although the world she consumed was on the brink of destruction, having consumed that many, she now held an immense amount of energy. Though, since she couldn’t seem to control that energy well, it sometimes leaked or diminished. I suspected her creator, the God of Chaos, intervened from time to time.

If I had to estimate, she would be equivalent to about ten worlds’ worth of existence now. Still, before a true god, that was nothing. Before me, she’s not even a threat. Though for Fumitsuki or Lullus, she’d be a real problem.

“With something like that out there, wouldn’t the gods want to destroy it?”
“She only consumes worlds that are already at their end. The gods themselves are divided about her.”
“Between those who want to finish broken worlds quickly and move on, and those who want to delay the inevitable?”
“Exactly.”

Viatrix truly was quick on the uptake. She must have seen much to think like this. She paused for a moment, as if hesitating, before asking.

“My full name is Finis Deacontiral. My general purpose is that of the god of endings, but I’m also in charge of contracts.”
“Your general purpose? Are there really that many gods?”

The look she gave me was textbook exasperation. I couldn’t help but admire it. Probably because I’d only see this kind of look in some comedy skit.

“As far as I know, I’m the only god of endings. But apparently, being a god who can descend into the mortal plane makes me… rather important.”
“I see. So tell me, can gods read minds?”
“Some gods can, but I can’t. Not really my department.”
“Good. Then you didn’t hear all the rude things I just thought about you.”
“Now that you’ve said that, I think you’ve made things worse.”
“Well, as long as you don’t know what I said, you can’t punish me for it, can you?”

Whatever she was plotting, she deflected the moment I tried to read into it, laughing playfully. Then she turned her gaze toward the breaking horizon, voice soft and tinged with melancholy.

“So even gods can’t stop the end of a world.”
“Not me, at least. My power runs opposite to creation. I’ve never heard of anyone succeeding.”

If someone could stop the world’s end, I suppose that would make my role meaningless.

“Though honestly, I’d welcome that day.”
“Then you could finally die of old age yourself,” she mused softly.
“Doesn’t seem likely this time either.”

And then, time was up. The ground beneath us began to crack. Fumitsuki, Lullus, and I could float safely, but Viatrix could not.

As she fell with the world into the darkness, she smiled and waved. “Until we meet again.”

◇◇◇

“Viatrix, right? She seemed… different this time,” Fumitsuki said later, back in our sleeping quarters.
“You thought so too?”
“Yeah. Just a feeling.”

Lullus was nearby, but she only tilted her head at the mention.

I’d met Viatrix many times, enough to consider her a rare sort of companion. In other words, a good way to kill time. She was interesting company when I had nothing better to do. Living close to humanity, she was full of stories, and I found that entertaining.

She sometimes asked me questions, like today, but usually she was the one talking. Maybe she still felt a little hesitant, knowing I was a god. Either way, I was curious. Next time we met, I would ask her what she was thinking as the world fell apart.