"I doubt a dark hallway is the worst place you've ever been."
"True. But this is how I imagine the lives of everyone else to be."
"You fear losing your Sight, not the dark," Gabriel clarified. "You think we wander around in the darkness trying to stick to some path you put at our feet and hoping not to hit a brick wall?"
"It definitely looks that way from where I sit. You have no idea what you're doing."
"It's not about knowing what we're doing. It's about experiencing. It's what we call living. You fucking deities will never get it. Past-Death is the only one of you brave enough to try it while the rest of you look down on the human experience," Gabriel said, irritated. "I can tell you one thing, Fate. You'd never get bored as a human."
"Perhaps. It's a little too limiting for my taste. Though I sometimes do things like this to see what I almost-feel. I'm not sure I could spend a lifetime like this." Fate was quiet for a moment. "I could create a theme park for deities. Being Human, the Ride."
"Make sure it randomly jackknives into brick walls in the name of establishing new chains-of-events."
"That can be arranged."
The outline of a doorway appeared ahead. Gabriel slowed. "I need to do something I should have my first day," he said. "I need some space. You want to go to the dungeon?"
"Yes."
"After I step through the door, tell the passage where to take you."
"Are you excited?"
"About?"
"Everything you need to become the most powerful Death ever is behind the door you've been avoiding since you took your throne."
Gabriel's heart quickened. Past-Death had once told him he'd become like her, when he walked into the closet in the corner of her bedchamber. He'd avoided doing it for that reason. No part of him was ready to give up what remained of his humanity to turn into the manipulative sociopath that preceded him.
It seemed … petty now to avoid doing his duty, because he resented her. However lacking she was in the emotional area, however cruel she was capable of being, she'd been an effective and devoted Death, her first priority always the souls she safeguarded, even if she fucked up everyone else around her.
In contrast, emotions had clouded his judgment, and he'd left his home vulnerable and the souls exposed to those who wanted them for nefarious purposes.
"Now you are afraid," Fate whispered.
"I won't fail this time," Gabriel said firmly. "Safe travels to the dungeon."
Without another word, he opened the door and left, closing it behind him.