“And it’s even bigger than he said. It’s not just Greek.” It wasn’t a question.

He nodded again.

I rubbed my face, trying to disbelieve. “So we’re supposed to find lost souls and… what?”

I’d never seen him so miserable. “Bring about the end of the world,” he said. He frowned deeply and I realized he was trying not to cry. “The way I understand it, the end is coming whether we do this or not. But we need to be there. To witness or… help… or something. There are reasons he didn’t make clear to me. He just told me we had to find the souls.”

“What if we refuse?”

“I can’t. You can. I’m sorry I didn’t give you that option from the beginning, but I can’t. I have to find Megan. I’d always imagined her in Heaven, in some kind of little kid paradise, and the fact that she’s not there is killing me. If it takes witnessing the final battles brings her back, I’ll do it.”

I tried to be understanding but logical. “But Daniel, we’re talking about the world here. The end of the world. Billions of people.”

“It’s going to happen anyway. And I have to look for her. Don’t you understand?”

My mouth was dry. “So it’s an inevitability? Destiny?”

“Yeah, that’s what He said.”

“So the world ends. Then what?”

“I don’t know. We’re already dead. It gets more populated up here? I don’t know. But every religion has an end of the world myth, doesn’t it?”

I nodded reluctantly.

“We’re just the ones who get to be around when it happens,” he said.

“Lucky us.” I sighed and rubbed my face again, trying to rub away the tears and frustration from the past hour. “So, where to next?”

He ventured a look at me. “You’re still coming with me?”

I nodded. “Daniel, I’ve always got your back. You just need to tell me what we’re up against. Besides, I don’t think we have much choice in the matter. Where to next?”

He pulled out a book in his backpack and flipped through it. “Well, what end of the world myths are there? Didn’t the Norwegians have a big one?”

I blinked. “Ragnarok? You’re not messing around.”

“Would you prefer a more sedate end of the world myth? Everyone lying down and going to sleep, maybe?” he asked. “I can’t think of any that predict that.”

“Fair enough,” I said, and got up.

“Hey Kate,” he said, grabbing my arm. “I’m sorry.”

I looked down, embarrassed. “I know you are, Daniel. Just give me a little time, okay?”

He nodded.

One of the roads exiting the roundabout was made of choppy water, and a Viking skiff bobbed at the edge. We stepped aboard and let the current take us away.