i. be prepared to burn. there is no way this will not spell tragedy, and you know this singsong melody of warning bells: your father's gentle words, the restless-reckless humming beneath your skin. if you want to love a god, learn to ignore it.
 
ii. throw yourself off cliffs to teach yourself how to fly. throw yourself off cliffs to teach yourself how to fall.
 
iii. hollow out your body, divest yourself of these useless mortal organs. fill yourself with longing instead.
 
iv. know that there are only a handful of gods but a world of mortals. you will not be the first glint of metal to catch the light of the sun, and no matter what you weave into your heart at night, you will not be the last.
 
v. never forget that you will burn.