Poderia ser este o conto O coração de Nefarious por Chris Fox (do Contos do vazio antologia)
Aran accepted the mirror and held it up to his face. His stubble threatened to become a beard, but at least it aged him up a little. He was two years shy of his quarter century, which marked full adulthood on Virkon. Most societies considered humans to be an adult at sixteen or eighteen. Of course, most societies weren’t founded around stealing magic from dead gods to extend their life.
His skin tingled as Aran stepped through the pillars, and a low subsonic hum quickened for a moment. Whatever magic it employed passed almost instantly, and he stepped through with no trouble.
Mais tarde, há menção de um "pergaminho gotejante" que está implícito de ter sido mergulhado no sangue de um deus para santificá-lo.