“Settle down. Settle down.” The strange figure said, motioning their hands as if they were trying to ease a hyper animal. “You must have so many questions, but I can only answer them one at a time.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to overwhelm you.” I have to try and keep myself calm in this situation, I don’t even know who this person is yet. Judging by their appearance they’re not your typical ‘person’ either. “Do you mind telling me your name?”

“Okay, well my name is Kitt. It's nice to meet you… wherever this is.” I said, while looking around at the decayed shrine from my still lying position. “As comfortable as this is having my head on your lap… do you mind if I sit back up?”

“Starting off simple I see! Of course, my name is Aoi!” She put up a hand in a fist while exclaiming her name.

“AH! Yes I’m so sorry!” She said as she pulled her hands away from my shoulders. I sat back up and got an actual look at her. She was more petite in nature. Her hair stretched down to her waist in the back, while the front had neatly trimmed bangs with hair that draped across each shoulder held by two ribbons that matched the color of her eyes. The rest of her garb appeared to be a kimono colored in similar blues, whites, and grays.

“So, could you please tell me exactly what's going on?” trying my best to be polite and patient.

“Ah, yes! So to put things simply, I’m a fox deity and you’re now in my domain because you’re almost dead.” As she made this statement, her demeanor shifted to a more serious tone.

“Okay, so why am I in your domain exactly? I haven't ever heard of you before, let alone worshiped you.” I haven’t exactly been the religious type, but I’ve always thought that there might have been something in the after life. I just wasn’t expecting this.

“To be honest, I’m not exactly sure why you’re here either. I’ve never had a human come into my domain after dying. Maybe it's because you have a closer connection with me.”

“Like I’ve said before. I’ve never seen or heard of you before. So how can that be possible?”

“Ahhh~ but you have met me before.” She jested as a smile crossed her face. She waved her hand in front of herself, changing her appearance instantly. Her ears and tail disappeared, and her white locks of hair shifted to black. She was the one on the bridge that fell.

“Wait, so you’re the one that fell on the bridge? Were you okay after the fall?” I could hardly believe my eyes that this person was a deity. So that means since I was with them and did everything I could to protect them I became connected to their domain after I died. I mean I guess it makes sense. I don’t exactly know how the afterlife works.

“Yeah I turned out okay thanks to you. There aren’t many things that I can do when I’m in the mortal domain. I can only really change my appearance and help guide lost souls.” So that’s why I’ve only seen animals here. Most humans at least know of a god or have believed in one.