I looked at Baron Samedi for a moment, before saying, "Quite a big horde of undead you've got here. How do you hide them from the people?"

"Oh, I just cast invisibility over them all when funerals are held here," Baron Samedi responded, still smiling. "And I use them to dispose of…graverobbers. But enough about me. Let's chat about you. Like how about you answer my question: why have you intruded upon my land?"

I shifted. "You aren't gonna like the answer."

"Answer or I'll sic the zombies on you again," Baron Samedi said, still smiling. However, a menacing note was on his words now.

"Fine," I said. "I'm here to take the artifact that a witch doctor made that has the ability to kill gods."

The voodoo lord of death looked at me for a moment and then burst out laughing. "Ah! I might have guessed! And here I thought you came here to enjoy the company of me and my pals."

"That's not it, sorry," I said. "You're pals have a bit of a biting problem. Now, where is the artifact?"

"Are you making demands of me?" Baron Samedi said. He changed his voice to a sarcastic interpretation of my own voice. "Ooh, I'm the wizard Anton Blackstar! I'm so big and bad that I can make demands of the gods! Ooh, I have no friends and all I eat is grilled cheese sandwiches!"

I was a bit surprised Baron Samedi knew about my love of those sandwiches, but I didn't want to know how he found out. "Listen, I'm not here by choice. I've been enlisted to fight for the Norse gods against an invading army of monsters. Leading the army is three gods: Camazotz, Chernobog, and Hecate. I need that artifact so we can kill the invading gods."

The voodoo lord of death paused, scratching his chin. "How interesting. I didn't know the Norse gods took an interest in earth nowadays. I thought they just stayed up in Asgard, killing each other over, over, and over again in preparation for Ragnarok. You make a nice case, Anton, but I'm still not giving you the artifact. That device is too dangerous to be in mortal hands."

"Hey!" I yelled, pointing at myself. "I'm not a mortal! In case you haven't noticed, wizards are immortal and can live forever!"

"Blah, blah, blah!" Baron Samedi said, waving his free hand. "Wizards can still be killed, which makes you mortal in my book. Plus, you were all human once."

I sighed, scratching my head. This was going to be more difficult then I thought. From behind me, the wiederganger gave a snarl.

"Okay…" I said. "Well, if I don't get the artifact, then the Norse gods will kill me for failing."

"Oh dear!" Baron Samedi said, cupping his hands to his face in mock horror. "How will the world EVER survive without Anton Blackstar? Who will be around to defend us from the evil force of pixies?"

"Or I could tell them you prevented me from taking it," I continued. "They'll probably still kill me, but then they'll come after you too."

"The Norse gods?" Baron Samedi said, smiling "Please, I'm not scared of those muscle bound morons. I could probably blow their minds by telling them what two plus two is."

I rubbed my head in exasperation. "Please, I'm begging you, just give me the artifact! I really, really need it. I promise…I promise I'll bring it back at a later date."

"Will you?" The voodoo god of death mused. "Most wizards break their promises and keep items lent to them. Wizards are not trustworthy by nature."

"I am not like most wizards," I said. "I mean, just look at my clothes. Most wizards would be wearing a robe three times as big as them, covered in either dragons or stars."

"True…" Baron Samedi muttered. "But am I not convinced Anton! You are not getting the artifact, no matter how much you whine."

"Baron…" I said, approaching him. "Listen to me. Barriers are weakening across the worlds. Monsters are getting loose and gods can now cross over into different pantheon's realms. If the army attacking Asgards succeeds if whatever they are planning, I don't think they will stop. They will spread across the different realms like a plague, growing stronger and stronger! No matter how safe you think you are, you can't hide forever."

Baron Samedi narrowed his eyes. I continued, "And I believe Hecate knows who is behind all of this. If I threaten her with death, she may tell me. And I can stop this then."

"Ugh, fine!" Baron Samedi groaned. "I've grown tired of your babbling and whining. I'll give you the artifact if you shut up."

"Really?" I said. Baron Samedi nodded.

He pointed his cane at a nearby gravestone and there was a loud crack. The ground ripped apart, opening up like a giant mouth. There was another loud creak from inside the hole, and a coffin floated up out of it. The coffin flew over the ground and set itself down in front of me.

Baron Samedi pointed his hand at the coffin. "There you go."

"What do you mean?" I asked. "You haven't given me the artifact."

"Oh, please, Mr. Blackstar!" Baron Samedi said, rolling his eyes. "I'm not going to hand it to you! I'm not servant at your beck and call. You want it, you reach in there and take it."

I looked at the coffin. This was going to be gross, but I had done worse.

I pulled open the lid of the coffin. Inside, were the skeletal remains of a corpse. It was dressed in traditional African clothing. A knife was held in between the corpse's hands. I reached down, closing my eyes, and grabbing the knife. With a tug, I pried it loose and brought it up to my face.

The knife was small and rusted. It was covered in some sort of ancient writing I could not read. I'd have to study its magic more closely when I got home.

I looked back at Baron Samedi. "Thank you. I'll return this after I'm done in Asgard."

"You best," The voodoo death god said. His mouth suddenly twisted into a grimace and his mouth grew much deeper. "Or I'll find you."

I stepped back. Baron Samedi glared at me for a moment, before grinning and laughing loudly.

"You like that?" He said, twirling his cane again. "It's a very funny joke. But seriously, return that or I'll tie you down and have my zombies eat your internal organs."

Baron Samedi tipped his hat to me and then struck the ground with his cane. There was a loud boom and he disappeared into the earth.

I looked at the wiederganger standing behind me. It gave a snarl at me, and then ran off into the cemetery. Lightning flashed again overhead.

I spoke into the white crystal again. "Danforth, Maine."

I was sucked forward, and my heart skipped a beat. My head felt like it was being twisted around. I was pulled, prodded, and yanked in opposite directions. Finally, the sensation stopped and I looked around.

I was standing right in front of my store. It was about midday and several people walked by, ignoring me.

I staggered onto my front steps, pulling the door open. I had a few things to get ready for my "trip" to Asgard. I could do that while having lunch.

And when it got dark, I'd have to explain to Jiayi that he'd be coming with me as well.