I woke up to Death's already awake face staring at mine. If we didn't live in the same house as each other, that would be creepy as all hell. She smiled, wishing me good morning, and then got out of bed.

I walked downstairs, trying to think about what to say to the others.

Oh crap, the visit to the Gatekeeper. Since its Saturday we're free for at least a couple of days, and Conquest is under the assumption that we won't get harassed until school starts again on Monday. Well, here goes the question I know they'll yell at me for.

Me thinking: Hey guys? I know War woke up early but could you ask him to tap into my mind as well?

Famine thinking: War, get in here.

War thinking: Yeah okay, what's the problem?

Me thinking (Okay, here goes): I request that one of you take me to visit the Gatekeeper.

Cue yelling noises inside my head that almost made my head explode. Good lord, these guys are vicious when they're impatient.

Me thinking: Okay guys, settle down, settle down. I'll repay you guys, we'll go to Six Flags or some shit.

Death thinking: Oh yay. I always wanted to go to Six Flags…

War thinking: Hahahah, I'm going to win so many prizes.

Conquest thinking: At least we'll get out of the house.

Famine thinking: Food… goddamn it, I can't think like that.

Me thinking: Okay, so it's officially settled. Who's going to take me to see the Gatekeeper?

Death gives me a hug and a smile that could melt an object frozen at subzero temperatures. At that moment, the choice became rather obvious.

War: Death.

Conquest: Death.

Famine: Death.

Death: Me.

Me: So, I'm guessing by your results that you guys feel this is a thing now and that you guys are treating this as if we're going on a date.

Conquest: You are 99% correct.

War: Go do what you want, Pipsqueak.

Famine: At least tell us what happened between you and the boss man while you guys were gone.

Death goes to get her things ready while I get dressed in something other than my pajamas.

Now the penultimate question running through your heads is why Death decided to go for that kiss last night and why I decided to think of that idea of everyone getting in the room together? Why would something that seemed so contrived and forced happen? Isn't that a little convenient? Ah but see, it isn't contrived and forced at all.

First of all, this was sometime a coming. As Death had illustrated, she lived a life where persecution against her family was normal and the other Horsemen before this group didn't get along. Since no one cared about her up to that point, and the only ones who could were brutally killed, naturally she wouldn't be able to live a normal life or feel normal towards others. I'm guessing she's drawn towards me because I'm one of the few things in her life that provides a sense of normalcy and stability. Hell, my normal life before this was the singular thing that these guys probably deep down desired: something normal, something less than what short end of the stick they got.

Oh, and the whole shove in one room thing is a permanent thing. We're going to force ourselves to sleep in one room regardless of how comfortable everyone else is because we're going to get to know each other better. Once we do, we'll have the mental strength to face the Gravedusters.

Death came down the stairs wearing a casual t-shirt and skinny jeans. That complements her fairly well, I must say. She hands me, of all things, an apple.

Me: Look Thannat, you'll have to explain this one, but how if an apple going to get us to see the Gatekeeper? I figured we'd have to use a teleporter or portal, but what good would an apple do?

Death: The Gatekeeper likes snacks. He doesn't require material consumption to survive, but when we bring him things, he can transport us through portals.

Me: Can't he just come here himself and get food?

Death: No, we have to go to him. Even the Businessman had him.

She puts her hand on my shoulders and looks at me with concern.

Death: Look Andrew, you're going to have to be very polite when speaking to him. The Gatekeeper does not tolerate rudeness from anyone and will not hesitate to cause you misfortune even if you're an Agnum. Even though you may have many questions, take care to phrase them properly.

She reaches the apple towards the sky, and I grab onto it as well. We stand there for a couple seconds in awkward silence.

Death: Uh Andrew, you have to summon him.

Me: How do I summon him? Don't you guys do the contacting between him?

Death: We can't contact him when we're on this mission. Only the Agnum is allowed to contact. Say something, it's starting to look awkward that we're just standing here pointing.

Death blushes with embarrassment, and I look over at the other three Horsemen having a laugh about our predicament. We look like amateur fashion models trying to do a pose that will get us kicked out of the fashion business. Time to say something quick, it is getting awkward.

Me: Okay… how do I word this?

Me: GATEKEEPER, HEED MY CALL. I REQUIRE TRANSPORT TO YOUR REALM BY PORTAL AT ONCE AND AM IN NEED OF YOUR ASSISTANCE IN FINDING ANSWERS. ANSWER MY SUMMONS AND GRANT ME SAFE AND SECURE PASSAGE TO YOUR LANDS. DO I HAVE YOUR GENUINE PROMISE THAT MY RETURN IS GUARANTEED?

A 30 second pause. I'm starting to think I'm looking like a buffoon to the others.

Me: So Thannat, do you think it wo –

Gatekeeper: YOUR SUMMONS HAS BEEN GRANTED AGNUM. CLOSE YOUR EYES AND STEP FORWARD. THE PORTAL IS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF YOU.

Me: Thank you my liege, ready for this Death?

Death: I was ready as soon as I accepted the role.

Death thinking: Except now, I have something to live for.

We hold the apple in front of us and step forward through the portal. Death already knew how this song and dance went, but I was shocked at the sheer size of the temple we stood in.

I'm talking size here, and I mean you will feel small. Like, Mount Everest would feel small if it got shoved in this temple, holy shit it's that big. It's 10 times the height of Mount Everest, which puts it about 290290 feet. There are golden Corinthian arches everywhere, making him out to be a fan of the Greeks. There's also Roman armor everywhere, and I get the feeling we're being watched by them. We're fucking ants, so I'm assuming whoever lives here must either be really huge or is really quick at getting around.

Gatekeeper: AGNUM, YOU WHO ENTER MY CHAMBERS, WHAT ANSWERS DO YOU SEEK? HAVE MY 4 HORSEMEN BEEN UNSATISFACTORY TO YOU?

I couldn't see where he was, and neither could Death. He must be very powerful if he can simultaneously spot us in this place, lead us in a portal exactly where he wanted to, and still find the time to confidently put all odds in his favor. I'm getting the feeling fucking with him was going to be a very bad idea.

Me: No sir, under no circumstances have they been a disappointment. They have been very satisfactory towards me. I have a few questions I wanted answered.