“What did you have in mind for me?” I turn back to Jayden.
“There was always an influential person who spoke the eulogy for the warriors at the ceremony and lit the pyres,” Jayden says so casually I almost think he’s joking.
“What? I don’t know them. How can I speak about them?” I rear back.
“You’re the most influential person in the academy. You rallied them all together to fight for their lives. It will raise morale for everyone.”
“Okay, I’ll prepare a speech or whatever,” I huff.
Everyone leaves to complete their tasks for the funeral rites this evening and all I can do is wander around the academy. What am I supposed to say about people I don’t know at their funeral? I wasn’t even here for the battle that took their lives.
“You look deep in thought,” Nereus hums next to me.
“What the fuck? How did you get here? Why aren’t you helping with the war in Olympus?” I ask and the ground shakes.
“I don’t take part in trivial civil squabbles among the gods.” Nereus waves a dismissive hand.
“Then why all the subterfuge? You took part enough to terrorize me and now you’re here and I’m afraid of what you’ll do next.” I turn to the old man of the sea.
“There’s a point in time where you realize everything is not your fight and some things are better left alone,” Nereus says. “You haven’t learned that yet, but you will.”
“You’re talking about the war between the shifters?” I ask.
“Yes, that’s one conflict I see you being a part of but it’s not your fight. After this is over, you deserve to rest. We have put a great deal on your shoulders, little godling. More than should have ever been put on one person.”
“You really just came here to tell me I don’t have to take on more responsibility? That’s not like you at all.” I narrow my eyes at him. “What’s the real reason you’re here?”
“Just checking on my favorite demigoddess.” Nereus grins. “Do you know what you’re going to say at the funeral?”
“Not a clue. I’ll probably just keep it short, reminding everyone that they died warriors, and their memories will live on at the academy for years to come or something.” I shrug.
“They died warriors fighting for all of humanity that should be celebrated and mourned in equal measure.” Nereus nods.
“I’m going to steal that line.”
“You can have it. Glad I was able to help instead of terrorizing you more… but Beth?” He shifts from foot to foot. “A choice will have to be made. Are you strong enough to make it?”
“I knew you came to terrorize me. I thought the choice was already made when Jayden stayed behind to help mitigate casualties,” I huff.
Why couldn’t it be easy? I don’t want to make that choice again. I’m not even sure I’m capable of making that choice again.
“You and Jayden together are a powerful force, even more so now that you’re both blessed by the gods. A choice like the one you made together for the greater good of the academy was admirable but it’s not the choice you must make. If the world is wiped out of existence, will you still be together? That means there is no choice. I know you’ll do what’s right.”
“Why do you guys continue to ask more of me? This is such bullshit. It’s almost over but will the world even be worth living in if he isn’t here with me?” I throw up my hands.
“That’s a decision for you to make. It will shape everything in your life to come. Especially whether you have one to live anymore.”
“I get it. Okay? I know that everything is riding on me. It always does.” I run a hand through my hair.
“It won’t always be your responsibility unless you make it yours,” Nereus says and disappears.
“Fucking cryptic asshole,” I grumble. “Why can’t they just stop forcing me into terrible situations? Impossible choices that will fucking break me in the end.”
“There is no choice.” Jayden wraps his arms around me from behind. “If it’s me or the world, you choose the world. You have to.”
“It’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one with your death on their hands.” I turn in the circle of his arms.
“I’m sorry this falls to you, baby. It’s not fair but I doubt anyone else could have succeeded the way we have, repeatedly beating the queen and her minions. It would have ended in disaster.”
