Thad jogs in followed by Greyson. “They are ready for us in the courtyard. Everyone still has the mark on their wrists.”
“Good,” I say, popping the last of my bacon in my mouth. “Is the table with the map we drew up with the different zones on it set up out there?”
“Everything’s ready.” Thad nods. “Are you?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I sigh. “Let’s get this shit show over with so we can finally rest.”
“We’re in the final stretch. One more battle and it’s over no matter what happens.” Jayden wraps his arm around my waist.
“No matter what,” I agree.
It does matter, though, because if we don’t win, it’s the end of everything. Not just in this realm but in all the realms. They each have their own battles to face but ours determines everything. No fucking pressure.
The courtyard is packed with students. The low murmur of voices cut off as soon as they see us walking to the platform where we’ll hold the meeting.
I take a deep breath, balling my hands into fists to keep them from shaking. “Thank you for coming. We have word from the oracle that the queen will attack the academy. We no longer have the option not to fight. They are going to attack our home.”
The whispers start back up again at a dull roar. I raise a hand to quiet everyone, my hand blessedly still even though my heart pounds in my chest.
“Do we know when she’ll attack?” Sara shouts from the front row.
“No, but it’s imminent. We have a couple days until the final battle begins at the most.”
“You’ll be here to help, right? I thought you had to get the hammer,” Sara asks, too smart for her own good… or mine.
“I will be leaving today with a small team to retrieve the hammer. We will not be here when the queen’s forces attack.”
“You guys are the strongest of us, though,” Jackson says.
“That’s why not all of us are going on this mission. We have to leave reinforcements behind if we’re expected to win and mitigate casualties.” My tone is formal and robotic.
Stop reminding me that I have to leave him behind. It’s the best option for us all but I hate it. Jayden squeezes my hip, pulling me closer to him.
“I will be staying behind,” Jayden says. “Along with Thad, Dax, and Adrian. We will be in charge of battle strategy and making sure that everyone is settled into their teams.”
The murmurs quiet at that news, probably because two of our strongest will be staying behind to help them. We haven’t split our group like this before and even though Adrian says it’s necessary, I hate it.
“I’m leaving you in good hands with the best possible chance of survival so we can win this thing.” I clench my fist on the podium.
“Why can’t you stay?” someone yells. “Searching for a hammer seems stupid when we’ll be fighting for our lives.”
“Hephaestus’ hammer is what will turn the tide for us. If we expect to win, it must be retrieved and returned to the fire god. Of course, I would rather be here at the start of the battle with all of you. That’s not what fate demands, though. Fate demands I retrieve it or we lose, and I refuse to lose. The entire world is on the line this time. If we fail, the world burns.”
The volume of the whispers grows until everyone is talking over each other. The noise pounds in my head like a sledgehammer and I run a hand down my face.
“Listen,” Raven shouts. “We have to do this. Believe me, I know it sucks, but think about all the people you have at home no longer existing because we were scared. Do you think you know better than our oracle who literally saw all the paths to the future?”
“You think I don’t want to be here with my friends to protect everyone? I have to leave people behind while I go retrieve a hammer. It sounds absolutely ridiculous when you all will be fighting a horde of monsters and other demigods, but this is what has to happen. I have to make a sacrifice again for everyone.” I slam my fist on the podium.
Jayden rubs a soothing hand down my back.
“I will make that sacrifice. I am leaving the most important person in this world to me so that you all have a chance so stop complaining and get your shit together.” Tears burn the backs of my eyes that I refuse to let fall.
“Everyone form a line in front of Sara and Jackson to get your assignments,” Jayden calls over the crowd. “There will be a zone with your assignment. Head to your zone and practice with your zone leader. They will give you instructions.”
Everyone disperses, still whispering to each other but doing as Jayden says.
“C’mon, you should probably see the healer before you leave,” Jayden says. “You need your medical pack.”
