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-come upon a corpse with a gaping hole in the center of his or her chest... Well, perhaps you'll know the answer to that question.

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-regardless. [Hearing her question, he could see the curiosity flickering in her eyes as she stepped closer.] I take what I need, be it blood or the very muscle which pumps life through the body. It isn't all that sustains me, but it is quite the pick me up. Should you be wandering the city and -

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-say. He shook his head with a soft laugh.] Some do. Some are weaker than others. Dissolve into insanity when their worshippers no longer pray to them, call to them, making offerings to them. Others learn a way around it. Others decide that they will not fall prey to faith. That we will remain -

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Both can be blessings. And curses. [He drew in a deep breath, noticing the way she touched the ring that adorned her finger. His head tilted slightly. A god did not mince words, nor did he hide his curiosity.] What's that? [He gestured to her hand, and then listened to what else she had to -

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-their former selves, while others refuse. We seek out what we need to survive whether it's offered up freely or not.

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-entirely understand that line of questioning. Especially since he'd been open about who he was from the start.] I can answer that. Some gods receive prayers, offerings, sheer belief daily. While others...[He lifted a shoulder slightly.] must fend for themselves. Some shrivel up into husks of -

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-receiving an answer to her question.] The gods don't always answer questions. In fact, sometimes, they prefer to bring new ones to the surface. [His brow lifted slightly as she spoke about gods not just showing up to reveal themselves, to answer her questions, but there he was. And he could -

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[There was something besides amusement in her eyes as she looked at him. He could tell that there was interest and intrigue there. After all, the gods were an enigma most of the time. He chuckled when she said he'd given her a new mystery to obsess over. He nodded when she asked about never -

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-saying? The mountain does not come to Muhammad. Muhammad must go to the mountain.

-Hecate, Circe, Aradia, Cerridwen, Odin, or Thoth. There are endless possibilities. Isis. Gaia. Or even the one Christian God. You could spend countless years pondering such a question. The thing about gods is that the majority of us remain hidden. [A smirk claimed his lips.] What's that -

Trust me, Ms. Wintersby. Had the gods denied or damned your return to this plane, you would know it. [A hint of a smile ghosted across his lips.] We aren't exactly a subtle lot. Blessings or wrath. There's rarely a middle ground where gods are concerned. [He chuckled softly.] Perhaps it was -

-blessing of the gods'? It seems that you already had it. Yes, I'm sure magic and immortal blood played a role in your resurrection, but the gods created and gifted those things to the world.

The pleasure is mine, Ms. Wintersby. Zilo works better in these...modern times. Though back when the Aztec Empire ruled, my name was spoke, sang, shouted to the sky, and whispered in prayer. [He listened to her tell her story, and he nodded with a small smile.] And you were wondering about the -

Allow me to properly introduce myself. My full name is Huitzilopochtli, but you may call me Zilo. Or Z. I am the Aztec god of human sacrifice if that tells you a bit more of what I'm into.

Thank you for this. May the gods bless you.

Blood, though I am not limited to just that. [His head tilted slightly as he watched her.]

Zilo @abloodydevotion.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

[Taking her hand, he gave it a gentle shake.] A lovely name.

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Zilo @abloodydevotion.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

And you as well. What is your name, dear one?

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Zilo @abloodydevotion.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

[He smiled.] I haven't received those greetings for many, many years. Z or Zilo is find. Much easier to pronounce.