Американские боги

           Togethertheytookpeopleforallthey’dgot.

           "Somewhereinthere—maybefiftyyearsago,maybeahundred—theyputaplanintomotion,aplantocreateareserveofpowertheycouldbothtapinto.Somethingthatwouldmakethemstrongerthantheyhadeverbeen.Afterall,whatcouldbemorepowerfulthanabattlefieldcoveredwithdeadgods?Thegametheyplayedwascalled‘Let’sYouandHimFight.’

           "Doyousee?

           "Thebattleyou’reheretofightisn’tsomethingthatanyofyoucanwinorlose.Thewinningandthelosingareunimportanttohim,tothem.Whatmattersisthatenoughofyoudie.Eachofyouthatfallsinbattlegiveshimpower.Everyoneofyouthatdies,feedshim.Doyouunderstand?"

           Theroaring,whoompfingsoundofsomethingcatchingonfireechoedacrossthearena.Shadowlookedtotheplacethenoisecamefrom.Anenormousman,hisskinthedeepbrownofmahogany,hischestnaked,wearingatophat,cigarstickingrakishlyfromhismouth,spokeinavoiceasdeepasthegrave.BaronSamedisaid,"Okay.ButOdin.Hedied.Atthepeacetalks.Motherfuckerskilledhim.Hedied.Iknowdeath.Nobodygoin’tofoolmeaboutdeath."

           Shadowsaid,"Obviously.Hehadtodieforreal.Hesacrificedhisphysicalbodytomakethiswarhappen.Afterthebattlehewouldhavebeenmorepowerfulthanhehadeverbeen."

           Somebodycalled,"Whoareyou?"

           "Iam—Iwas—Iamhisson.