Janus looked around with grim excitement. Not only did she expect the pointy-eared dog to say something, but Janus was more concerned over why this dog, Maximus, thought it best to dispute whatever God was saying and simply abandon Him.

Did Maximus have no shame? Did he not know what he was getting himself into? Janus shook her head in aggravation. Surely, if Maximus was any better, then he and Janus could be friends. Janus wasn't used to being around other dogs, but Maximus… ooh, she'd get him back for this!

Janus snarled at God, even as God whispered in her ear, "What is your problem? Do you think Maximus is so different that you would treat him poorly?"

Janus growled lowly. "Maximus isn't one of us. You said not to trust anyone, and he—"

God stared at her in shock. "Did I? What kind of God do you see me as?"

That stopped Janus. She lowered her head, contemplating her actions. "What happened to Maximus?"

God sighed. "I'll tell you when you're ready. For now, we have a meeting to continue. I hope you will listen. And stop being so prejudice."

Janus' mouth gaped open. Why was God saying she was prejudice! Bah! What else was she supposed to do? Maximus was so different.

God looked at Janus with serious eyes. "One day, you will thank me for guiding you to Maximus, Janus. One day, you will see that you two become friends."

Janus folded her arms, not appreciating this.

God returned His attention to the crowd of the First World's citizens. He told them, plainly, "I want to discuss with you your fates. You all have a purpose here. Those who are willing to listen, I am with you. Those," He faced Janus, who looked away. He sighed, continuing, "those of you who are unprepared need to speak with me directly. We will discuss your issues and heal them. Just because you are different doesn't mean you aren't equals."

Janus perked up at God's words. What did He mean?

God shook his head, declaring, "Everyone, this meeting is finished! I have more work ahead for you and we will discuss a new home for all! And a few other matters." He looked at Janus, telling her, "Janus, I would like a word with you. It's about Maximus. I'm sure you will want to listen."

Janus grumbled, "I'm sure I would." She still couldn't get over why there were some creatures, like Maximus, who would declare themselves rebellious against God. It made no sense! Why was Maximus so different?

Janus sighed. Maybe she was a little prejudice towards Maximus, but that didn't mean she would betray God, would she?

.

Janus strolled outside the Pavilion. It didn't take long, after the meeting was over, for God to show up next to her. Janus freaked out the moment God spoke to her:

"Why do you run?" God asked, curious.

Janus huffed. "Lord, are you prejudice?"

God glared at her, before he spoke, "I am not prejudice. What makes you think I am?"

Janus looked at him, wondering if her pride had done anything wrong for them. "It's just… I was so happy here, to find my one true love. Then I meet Maximus, and my whole world crashes down. I thought, surely, Maximus would be like me, that he would—"

God shook his head. He knew what she meant. He told her, softly, "You cannot expect everyone to be the same. Everyone is different. Everyone is unique. You may not see it now, but you will."

Janus lowered her head in shame. Maybe she was thinking too much over this.

"When you are ready, come and see me. We will discuss what happened to Maximus and how you can assist him," God told her with all truth in his eyes.

"And what of my pride? You hold Maximus with great honor! Do I not get any for myself?" Janus asked God, not liking where this was headed.

God looked away, but not before telling her, "Meet me when you are ready to talk about Maximus. Meet me tonight, if you must. I must go and prepare the Citizens of the First World their new homes. Everyone will have a house to call their own." He smirked, saying next, "Or apartments. Whichever they prefer."

God looked at Janus, saying to her, "Meet me when you are ready." He vanished, leaving Janus confused.

Just where had God gone off to now?

~o~

God approached Aslan with fury in his eyes. The last thing God wanted to see was His peoples and creatures fighting against themselves.

Already, evil had its foothold on the First World, and it hadn't even been a full day yet. God knew that something had gone wrong.

Janus was too prejudice towards Maximus. Maximus was now his own worst enemy. The only thing missing was casting Death out into the world.

"What are you waiting for?" Aslan asked God, concerned. Aslan sighed, telling God, "You know Maximus started bringing Death to this world."

"I know," God said, appalled.

Aslan shook his head. "What is your next move?"

God paused. He looked around in wonder, knowing what He must do, "I need to bring Death to the First World. I already went over this with Hades, but I know it's time."

"Should we tell Janus?" Aslan asked, curious about God's new pet.

God shook his head. "No, not yet. When she is ready to come to me, I will tell her. For now, Death begins its reign over this world, with Life watching over this world's many lives." He stretched forth His hands, drawing out Death to the surface of the First World.

An earthquake shook the First World. It was followed by another tremor, and then another, until the whole of the First World spewed to life with destruction and chaos. Eventually, that destruction ceased, but out of it came a creature called Hexxus.

"Finally!" Hexxus cackled, "Let my work begin."

~o~

Janus tipped over onto the grassy ground, feeling the tremors circle around her. She didn't know what was happening, only that something bad had sprung forth, right before her very eyes! Could this have been the end? Just what was going on.

Janus whimpered. She did not want to die! She wanted to live! She needed… to speak to… God. Her Lord. Yes, of course! Maybe God could stop the tremors.

Yes! He was someone who she could count on in these difficult times!

But where was God?

She found Him, speaking with Aslan.

The moment Janus locked eyes on Him, God disappeared down an aisle of cherry trees. Janus followed God, surprised at how quick her feet moved and how much closer she had come to a wide glen, complete with its own flowing, crystal-clear waterfall. The waterfall landed in a large pond, with frogs and toads ribbiting.

It was here that Janus realized God wasn't running away from her. It was her who was running towards Him.

"Why are you so prejudice? Don't you want to accept everyone? I know I told you not everyone is friendly, but you had no excuse for your behavior towards Maximus," God said, intrigued. "Tell me: why are you prejudice towards him?"

Janus folded her arms, hotly, "He's not one of us! He… he betrayed you. I knew I couldn't trust him. I just don't see where this leads me."

God shook his head. He faced her, placing a hand against her spotted right shoulder. "It's time for you to discover who Maximus truly is. For that, I need your help."

Janus snarled. She did not like where this was going.

God looked at her in amusement. "One day, you will thank me for this. For now, I think you really ought to see him. Maximus is changed, yes, and I have brought Death to this First World."

Janus shook her head in shock. Her thoughts of pride towards Maximus had all but disappeared. Or so it would seem. "You did what? No! Why would you do that?! I thought you were loyal." Oh boy! There goes Janus' pride. She didn't understand why, every time something happened to God, she was prideful and full of prejudice.

Hmm… maybe there was a pattern.

She sighed, her head sagging as she made sense of her world. "I am sorry. I just… I just don't like people and creatures betraying you! It's wrong!"

God sighed. "Believe me, Janus. There's nothing you can do."

"But you can?" Janus asked, chipper.

"No!" God stated, admitting to her, "I can influence others to come to me, yes, but it is the person and creature who must come back to me by themselves. I cannot do it for them." He sighed, "You must understand."

"I didn't realize it was so bad," Janus stated, cautious.

God laughed, "You're new. You want to save everyone. Well, that lesson is currently being worked on. You just didn't know it."

Janus shrugged. "It's not that. I just—" She paused. Apparently, she had issues with people and creatures backing away from God. But did she really want to save them? That was something she couldn't quite ponder.

God smirked at her. "No need to fear. I have a task for you."

"Oh, what is it now?" Janus asked God, cautious.

God shook his head. He smiled at her, even as he instructed her:

"Maximus is being held at the same cave where you first met him," God said, getting her attention! He sighed, saying to her, "He needs you, Janus. He needs you now."

"And what if I don't go? What then?" Janus asked, backing up a little bit.

"You have until sundown to find Maximus. If you find him in the night, he will attack you," God stated, plainly.

"No. What? Wait… sundown. That's not too far away," Janus spoke, troubled now.

God laughed, admitting to her, "Yes. Time is fast approaching. Time will slow down, but I want you to get through this matter as quickly as possible. Do hurry. If anyone catches you, it will not bode well for you. Do not tell anyone of this matter, but do ask around, should you get lost."

Janus nodded, smiling at Him. "I won't forget, but Lord, I—" It was too late. God had vanished and Janus was all alone.

Again.