The next evening began as usual—calm and predictable. Anubis was making cocktails for a small group after work, Sarah was flitting between tables, and jazz was playing softly from old speakers.

  At precisely eight o'clock, the door swung open, and Thor entered the bar with the triumphant air of a man who had just solved a major problem. He was followed by a trio of clearly perplexed men.

  Anubis looked up from the glass he was polishing, his lips twitching into a smile.

  - Good evening, Thunderer. I see you've brought reinforcements.

  "Just Andy!" Thor exclaimed happily, heading straight for the counter. "I've come back to pay my debt!"

  Behind him, a young woman with chestnut hair and intelligent eyes cast an appraising glance around the bar. Next to her, a short brunette with an ironic expression was already pulling out her phone, clearly about to take a photo of the interior. And an older man with graying hair looked as if he regretted his decision to come here.

  "Thor," the woman began, "are you sure this is a good idea? We still have so much work to do..."

  "Jane, I promised!" Thor turned to her with such genuine enthusiasm that she sighed. "Besides, that bartender is amazing! He gave me some wise advice yesterday."

  "So, yesterday you disappeared for three hours to have a drink at the bar?" the brunette asked dryly. "Classic."

  - Darcy, it wasn't like that...

  Anubis watched this scene with undisguised amusement. Thor, the mighty god of thunder, was making excuses to mortal women. How times have changed.

  "Welcome to Eternity," he said, getting their attention. "I'm Andy, the owner and bartender. Please come in and make yourself comfortable."

  Jane approached the counter first, holding out her hand.

  — Jane Foster, astrophysicist. Sorry for the intrusion, we didn't plan...

  "I insisted," Thor interrupted, pulling a crumpled twenty-dollar bill from his pocket. "Here! My debt is paid!"

  "Oh God," Darcy groaned. "He really should have been at the bar. Thor, do you have a drinking problem?"

  “It was philosophical drunkenness,” Thor objected with dignity.

  Anubis took the bill, hiding his smile.

  "Debt accepted. But since you're all here, can I get you something? The first round is on the house."

  "Seriously?" Darcy was already climbing onto a stool. "I like this bar. Something sweet and strong, please."

  "I just need some water," Jane still looked awkward. "We really should get back to the math..."

  "Jane," the older man said softly, finally speaking. "One evening wouldn't hurt. Erik Selvig," he introduced himself to Anubis. "A colleague of Dr. Foster's."

  Anubis nodded, already reaching for the bottles. His hands moved with practiced grace, mixing the ingredients for Darcy's cocktail, pouring water for Jane.

  - Doctor Selvig, what is it for you?

  "Whiskey. Double," Eric sank wearily into a chair. "After the last few days, I need it."

  "Tough week?" Anubis began pouring.

  "You have no idea," Eric pinched the bridge of his nose. "The Rainbow Bridge, the Asgardian mythology that turned out to be reality, the government agents who confiscated our equipment..."

  "Eric!" Jane hissed at him.

  But Anubis only grinned, placing a glass in front of him.

  — Sounds fascinating. Asgardian mythology, huh?

  Thor tensed, but Anubis raised his hand reassuringly.

  "Relax, Thunderer. I told you, all secrets are safe in this bar."

  An awkward silence fell. Darcy was the first to break it:

  — Wait. Wait-wait-wait. — She pointed at Thor. — You call him the Thunderer. He came here yesterday and... what, introduced himself by his real name?

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  “I was in a very emotional state,” Thor muttered.

  "He was drunk and unhappy," Anubis clarified. "That description fits half my clients, though."

  "And you... believed him?" Jane asked incredulously. "That he's a god?"

  Anubis looked at her with his golden eyes, and for a second his gaze became ancient, inexpressibly old.

  "Doctor Foster, you're an astrophysicist. You study stars, galaxies, the very fabric of the universe. Tell me—after everything you've seen in the last few days, does the existence of gods really seem so improbable to you?"

  Jane opened her mouth, then closed it. Eric swirled his glass thoughtfully in his hands. And Darcy loudly sipped her cocktail.

  "I like this guy," she declared. "He's like a philosophical fortune cookie, but in hot bartender form."

  - Darcy! - Jane blushed.

  - What? I'm just stating the facts.

  Anubis laughed, genuinely, which didn't happen often.

  - Thanks for the compliment... Darcy, right?

  “At your disposal,” she bowed theatrically, almost falling off her chair.

  Thor caught her by the elbow.

  — Maybe you should drink more slowly?

  "Maybe you should stop being such a bore," Darcy retorted.

  Watching their bickering, Anubis felt something long forgotten. Lightness. Joy. These mortals—and one former god—created an atmosphere he hadn't felt in centuries.

  "Andy," Jane caught his attention. "Thor said you gave him advice yesterday. Can I ask what it was?"

  Anubis turned his gaze to Thor, who suddenly became very interested in his mug.

  "I simply told him that losing your power doesn't mean losing yourself," he replied. "And that sometimes we need to fall to figure out who we want to be when we get back up."

  Eric raised his glass.

  - That's... surprisingly deep for a bartender.

  "I have a lot of time to think," Anubis poured himself some water. "When you work at night, philosophy comes naturally."

  "So, you believe Thor is a real god?" Darcy persisted.

  Anubis turned to face her, and grains of golden sand swirled imperceptibly around his hand before disappearing.

  "I believe there is much more to this universe than we can comprehend," he replied. "Gods, aliens, magic, science... they're all just different names for the same thing—powers that transcend ordinary understanding."

  “Wow,” Darcy took another sip. “That was beautiful. Are you married?”

  "Darcy!" This time both Jane and Eric were indignant in unison.

  Anubis just grinned.

  — Not married. And not married. And... has been occupied for several millennia.

  It was said jokingly, but Thor suddenly tensed up, looking closely at Anubis.

  "Several millennia," he repeated slowly. "An interesting choice of words."

  “A figure of speech,” Anubis shrugged, but his golden eyes met Thor’s, and a spark of understanding passed between them.

  Thor opened his mouth to speak, but at that moment the bar door swung open and a group of noisy students entered. Anubis excused himself and went to serve them, leaving the group behind the counter.

  “He’s strange,” Jane commented, watching him.

  "Strangely hot," Darcy added.

  "Strangely wise," Eric said thoughtfully. "He speaks as if he's seen... a lot."

  "He saw," Thor said quietly, not taking his eyes off Anubis. "Much more than it seems."

  "What do you mean?" Jane turned to him.

  Thor hesitated. In Asgard, he was a prince, a warrior, the son of the Allfather. He had interacted with gods, heroes, beings of unimaginable power. And he recognized them.

  “I’m not sure,” he finally answered. “But there’s something about it… familiar. Ancient.”

  "Maybe he's just an old soul?" Darcy suggested. "I had a grandmother like that. She was sixty, but she talked like she'd lived a thousand years."

  “Maybe,” Thor agreed hesitantly.

  But he couldn't shake the feeling that Andy the bartender was hiding something more than just worldly wisdom.

  Anubis returned to them a few minutes later, holding a menu.

  — Would you like something to eat? We have great nachos, and Sarah makes some pretty good burgers.

  "Nachos!" Darcy cheered. "With a ton of cheese!"

  "Me too," Thor added. "And a burger. And fries. And..."

  "Someone's got an appetite," Jane remarked with a smile.

  "A mortal body requires mortal food," Thor replied philosophically. "And I must admit, your food is delicious."

  "Thor ate the whole fridge yesterday," Darcy complained. "My fridge. I'm out of Pop-Tarts!"

  - I apologized!

  Watching their friendly argument, Anubis felt a slight warmth in his chest. Once, millennia ago, he had friends. There were those with whom he could laugh, share the burdens of eternity.

  Then civilizations fell, the gods disappeared, and he was left alone.

  "Andy?" Jane interrupted his thoughts. "Are you okay?"

  He blinked, returning to the present.

  — Yes, sorry. I was lost in thought. I'll pass the order on to the kitchen now.

  He walked away, but Sarah intercepted him at the kitchen door.

  "Hey, boss," she whispered. "That tall guy from yesterday. He's here again. With his friends."

  - I noticed.

  "He said something about a hammer and banishment," Sarah said, narrowing her eyes. "And you called him a thunderer. What's going on?"

  Anubis looked at her—Sarah, who had worked in his bar for three years, who was a good person who deserved the truth. But what truth could he give her?

  "We all have stories, Sarah," he said softly. "His is just a little... different."

  — Is he dangerous?

  "No," Anubis answered confidently. "He's lost. But not dangerous."

  Sarah studied his face, then nodded.

  — Okay. I trust you. But if he starts smashing furniture...

  “I’ll exhibit it personally,” Anubis promised with a smile.

  The rest of the evening passed surprisingly calmly and cheerfully. Thor told stories about Asgard—stories that sounded like fairy tales to those around him, but Anubis heard the truth in every word. Jane enthusiastically explained her theories about space bridges, waving a napkin covered with diagrams. Eric quietly sipped his whiskey, occasionally interjecting sarcastic comments. And Darcy... Darcy commented on everything that was happening with deadly irony.

  "...and then Thor smashed my entire research facility," Jane said. "He just went and destroyed months of work!"

  "I thought it was an enemy weapon!" Thor defended himself.

  - It was scientific equipment!

  - Which looked suspicious!

  Anubis listened, wiping his glasses, and couldn't help but smile. It was... pleasant. Reminiscent of the old days, when the gods would gather in taverns, share stories, and laugh at the vicissitudes of fate.

  "Andy," Thor called after him. "Tell us about yourself. Where are you from?"

  The question hung in the air. All eyes turned to Anubis.

  “From far away,” he answered evasively. “Very far away.”

  "That's not an answer," Darcy noted.

  "But that's all I can say," Anubis met Thor's gaze. "Everyone has secrets, Thunderer. Even bartenders."

  Thor nodded slowly, accepting this.

  - Fair.

  The clock struck nearly midnight when the group finally began to leave. Jane was yawning, Eric looked tired, and even Darcy's energy had waned.

  "Thank you for the evening, Andy," Jane shook his hand. "It was... unusual, but nice."

  "Come back again," Anubis replied. "Eternity is always open to good people."

  "And for the former gods?" Thor asked hopefully.

  - Especially for them.

  They had almost reached the door when Anubis called out to Thor:

  — Thunderer. A parting word.

  Thor returned to the counter and the others went outside.

  — Yes?

  Anubis leaned closer, lowering his voice:

  "What you seek—dignity, the right to lift the hammer—you won't find it in power or glory. You'll find it in what you're willing to give for others."

  Thor frowned.

  - Where are you from...

  "Sacrifice defines the hero," Anubis continued, his golden eyes glowing in the dim light. "Remember that, when the time comes."

  “You know something,” Thor whispered. “Who are you really?”

  Anubis smiled, mysteriously, in the old way.

  "I'm just a bartender, Thor Odinson. But even bartenders sometimes see more than they seem."

  With these words, he walked away, leaving Thor standing there, lost in thought. When he finally left, Anubis sighed and leaned his elbows on the counter.

  “Boss,” Sarah approached with a broom. “This guy and his friends... will they come back?”

  "Perhaps," Anubis looked at the door. "Although I suspect next time they won't come for drinks."

  — Then why?

  Anubis recalled Thor's aura, the power that still slumbered within him despite his exile. He recalled ancient prophecies, the wars of the gods, the destinies that could not be avoided.

  "For help," he answered quietly. "Sooner or later they will come for help."

  And somewhere deep inside, in the part of his soul that still remembered the sandstorms of Egypt and the judgment halls of the dead, Anubis knew that his quiet days were coming to an end.

  The gods were gathering on Earth again. And that meant only one thing.

  The war will start soon.