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On the outskirts of Milldread proper, a path led into the woods. It wasn’t a particularly well-worn path, but it was walked frequently enough to hold back the encroaching brambles on one side, and the tall grasses on the other. No one had given any indication that anything helpful would be down this way – no one had even brought up the woods to the new Godpoke – but something inside them urged them to follow the trail.
As they trekked deeper into the forest, the warm light from the setting sun dimmed, shrouding them in cool shadow. The path in front of them grew darker and darker, but just as the Godpoke was about to call it quits and head back to town, they found what they didn’t know they were looking for.
A blinding white light emanated from the hollow of an ancient tree, casting the forest around it in an eerie pale glow.
The entrance to a god’s domain.
The Godpoke shivered, though not from the cold. They readied a precautionary “BOO!!!” on Megapon and bravely stepped into the light.
The realm they found through the tree hollow was just as dark as the forest outside, but much warmer. The only light came from the eerie green glow of bioluminescent fungi, illuminating just enough for Godpoke to see how vast a space they were in. A bead of sweat tickled their neck as it ran down to their back. Then another ran up.
Were they inclined towards vocalizing, they would have screamed. Instead, Godpoke frantically swatted at the creepy crawly that had crept up and crawled right into their personal space. So distracted by their uninvited guest were they, that they didn’t notice the skittering sound growing louder until it halted all together.
A gargantuan figure peered down at the Godpoke through a veil of shadow. It stilled, body coiled like a serpent about to strike. For a moment, they wondered if they could avoid notice if they just stayed still, but then the god lurched forward. Godpoke screwed their eyes shut, bracing for impact.
Oh well. They’d had a good run. This was what they got for sticking their nose where it didn’t belong. What did they expect, meddling in the business of gods?
…
Wait. They were still alive?
They cautiously opened their eyes.
“King?” the god inquired.
Before they could shake their head no, some sort of appendage brushed against their face, twitching in surprise when it ran along Godpoke’s mask.
“No, not King.” The god’s glowing eyes narrowed. “Then why do you smell like- Oh! King’s Megapon!”
Godpoke slowly nodded.
The god’s expression, as well as the room, lightened instantly. Fireflies flitted about, glowworms crawled across the walls, and strings of glimmering beads hung from the ceiling, catching the light from every direction. There was a smattering of stalactites or stalagmites – whichever one came up from the ground – all covered in those dimly glowing mushrooms that now looked much more mushroom colored in the light.
They could see the god in full now, and there sure was a lot of her to behold. She had antennae that rose from between her eyes and swooped to either side, terminating in neat curls. Her eyes, which were easily the size of Godpoke’s head, were a deep ruddy brown with luminous yellow pupils. In place of hands, the god had intimidating scythes like a praying mantis. And below the waist were meters upon meters of centipede with dozens of scuttling legs to match.
Now, Godpoke wasn’t particularly scared of bugs, but they felt an exception could be made for this uniquely big and frightening bug.
“Well, if you have Megapon, King must trust you. And if King trusts you, so do I!” the god proclaimed. Godpoke had neither the desire nor the means to correct the god, and certainly not to inform her of King’s betrayal. They were just going to count themself lucky that their association with the disgraced mailwoman wasn’t going to be an impediment.
“So, little Godpoke, what’s brought you all the way out heah?” the god asked, flashing a smile that was clearly meant to be friendly, but displayed the vicious looking insectoid apparatus that was her mouth a little too prominently to do anything but disquiet.
The Godpoke shrugged, tensing when they felt something run down their back, though luckily it was just sweat this time.
“Do you… know who I am?”
They hesitantly shook their head.
“Oh…” The god looked disappointed for a second, then her face lit up. She reared back and outstretched her arms. “I am Nephilomena, god of bugs, and part-time sewist! The role bugs play here in Milldread is of the utmost importance. Crops can’t thrive and adapt if there aren’t any insects to pollinate them! Bugs eat decaying matter and turn it into the fertile soil we stand upon! Bugs get eaten by birds and rodents and even each other, providing the food chain with their energy! That’s why me an’ Cobigail work so well togetha!”
Nephilomena’s cheery expression fell into one of disdain.
“At least, that’s what I thought… I got a letta from King not too long ago, said Cobigail’s been havin’ ‘er followers spray pesticides. Pesticides! Can you believe it?!” The end of her tail (body?) flared up in anger, displaying a set of formidable looking pincers, then Nephilomena shrank into herself. Her antennae drooped, and she began coiling her centipede body around itself.
“Is that what she thinks of me, Godpoke? That Imma pest?” She looked at them with her big, shiny eyes. From behind her claws, which she held close to her chest like a child clutching a stuffed animal, Nephilomena almost looked small.
Godpoke emphatically shook their head. Even though they had no way to actually know that, King’s letters seemed to be intentionally causing problems, so anything contained within was more likely than not a fabrication. And it didn’t seem like Cobigail had had any direct contact with her followers in quite some time, so giving them any orders at all was out of the question.
The god looked unconvinced, but mustered up an unsteady smile.
“You’re prolly right,” she sighed, “It’s prolly just a misunderstandin’, but… I’m still worried. If Cobby- I mean Cobigail is actually upset with me, I don’t know if I could face ‘er. Say, Godpoke, wouldja do me a favor?”
Why the hell not? Add it to the list.
They nodded.
“Could you figure out why folks are usin’ pesticides? And try to get ‘em to stop? I would do it myself but uh, I don’t exactly have the most devoted followers." Under her breath, she added, "I think I was elected more for my tailoring than my entomology.”
They gave her a thumbs up and a toothy grin that matched the one emblazoned on their bandana.
“Thanks a million, Godpoke! Good luck out there!”