Page 318 of The Gods Order

“I am restoring what was taken from you. Choice of who you want to become.”

None of us speak or move for a heavy moment.

Who we want to become…

That’s a brutal question.

“What does guiding the realm look like?” Amick asks.

Thankfully, one of us can get our mind right.

“The realm does not need rulers. It has already suffered beneath those. It requires those willing to protect its balance. The Valories believed balance could be created through control. The Beginning Gods believed power entitled them to ownership. The realm belongs to those who live within it.

“If you accept, you will become guardians of what has been entrusted to you. You will watch, listen, learn. When the realm flourishes, you will allow it to flourish. When suffering grows because of nature, you will offer aid. When suffering grows because of injustice, you will possess the authority to correct it.”

My brows furrow.

“So…we interfere.”

“You respond.”

Before I can ask the difference, the Binding continues.

“The realm will continue to produce greed, fear, injustice, love, kindness as it always has. I will never ask you to change what another being chooses for themselves. What I will ask is, when systems are built that deny choice, hoard power, diminish lives, and intentionally break balance, you act.”

My thoughts immediately find the Attendants, the Veilatara, the Vedarya, every injustice we’ve wanted to undo.

“But we don’t rule and we don’t decide how people should live,” Kyzen says. Or asks. It’s hard to tell.

“No. You—”

“Guide,” Amick says.

“What happens if we don’t like or don’t agree with what you think is right for the realm?”

“Riven,” all of us say.

He shrugs.

“What? It’s a fair question. We’ve had to worry our whole lives about getting smited. Are we seriously about to agree to this and then live every day terrified of making the wrong choice?”

“You will make a wrong choice. All living things do.”

Strangely, the warmth around us grows even more comforting like it’s pleased he asked.

“The important thing is learning from those wrong choices. Accepting them. Those before you hid their mistakes, covered them, tried to erase consequences. You must learn. Not hide.”

“So technically, we’re allowed to disagree with you?” Riven asks. None of us scold him this time.

“My guidance is not law. I will tell you what the realm needs. I will show you consequences unseen. I will reveal where balance falters. But my voice shall never replace your own.”

A lump rises in my throat.

“Would we hear your voice like we do now?” Amick asks.

“Yes.”

The light brightens, and I tilt my head back.