Ever walked up to Lygon Street, munching on his croissant when he saw the banner hanging across the top: Welcome to Mid-Summer Nights. The street already had orange traffic barriers blocking off entry through one side, though people were still allowed to walk through.

  Several bistro, restaurant and patisserie owners were already getting set up, as well as other people he hadn’t seen before. A few of them waved to him as he passed by, smiles on their faces. The street was about half a mile long and in the middle, he could also see a stage being set up.

  When he got to the ice cream store, Chaos and Taylor were already there. “Morning,” Ever greeted.

  ∞The touch of your star’s firelight upon your planet too, Death’s Apprentice.∞

  Ever glanced at Chaos, who had his head out of sight, while he was pulling out the ice cream tubs.

  Taylor didn’t say anything. She was bustling around, muttering to herself as she went through the motions of setting up the store while also stopping every now and again to check her phone, which was dinging every few minutes.

  Ever started putting the chairs stacked on top of the tables down. “Do we know where our stall is going to be?”

  “Yes,” Taylor half-shouted, “yes, it’s going to be virtually next to the stage - again. Why didn’t Unc get us a better spot? I told him last year already that I had a headache for days afterwards…”

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  “I told her that we can take turns at the stall so that not one person would have to be by the stage for the entire day,” Chaos said.

  “That’s a good idea - nice of you to suggest that,” Ever said, narrowing his eyes slightly at the old man.

  “Were you suggesting that I’m not a nice person?” Chaos said, feigning hurt.

  “No, I -”

  “Could you two stop it,” Taylor snapped, “it’s going to be a long week and I just want to get it done and over with. The store had better be finished setting up by the time I’m back.” She stormed out of the store, slamming the door shut behind her.

  “Are you planning something?” Ever said, confronting Chaos.

  “You are suggesting I’m not not a nice person.”

  “I’m suggesting that creating chaos is why you exist.”

  In a heartbeat, everything changed. Ever had entered Chaos’ realms before, but this one was different. Every molecule in his body felt like it was in a vice, with the crank being turned over and over relentlessly. Ever screamed as his very essence wept in agony.

  ∞I don’t create chaos you puny soul, I am Chaos and unlike you pathetic beings, I don’t need a reason to exist. I am the reason you exist. If the folly of humanity wasn’t so entertaining, I would have crushed it all a long time ago. One last thing: you are not a human, don’t pretend that you are.∞

  Ever fell to his haunches on the floor of the ice cream store, drenched in cold sweat. He watched Chaos’ legs but didn’t dare look up.