Nikolas The

Damon’s village had a house torn down as a warning for the others. Although much healthier since the revival of the river, the people of the village had no chance of defending themselves against the well armed forces of Evander.

“He has gone too far.” Calista said as she and Nikolas arrived at the edge of the village. “Hey!”

Inside the village stand four guards, each ready to collect tax for use of the river as ordered by their lord. Anyone in defiance is to be made an example of, though no one has paid or retaliated since the guards arrived.

“How dare you threaten these people!” Calista approaches the guards who keep their hands near the hilt of their swords.

“You are no god, lord Evander has no reason to listen to you. As they pay taxes for protection from the lord, they must pay for access to the river.”

“The river they revived! You should be paying them for their hard work!”

“Quiet!”

“You dare speak to me that way?!”

The guard closest to Calista raises his hand to slap Calista. She prepares herself, though she may not be able to pierce armor, the strength of an Olympian is more than enough to rival the strongest of mortals and more.

Nikolas grabs the arm of the guard. “Enough. Leave or else.”

“And who are you?!”

The guards pull their swords, Nikolas catching his own blade tossed over by Damon. Nikolas’s stance is well trained, little openings visible for the four guards surrounding him. Whereas Nikolas is calm, the guards are tense even with the heavy armor they wear.

Their exchange of blades is short. Nikolas disarms all four within the minute, choosing not to harm them but leave them unable to continue unless they wish to lose a limb to a swift cut.

Ever arrogant, a guard lunges forward. Nikolas steps to the side, striking the guard with the flat side of his blade. The blow is enough to send him to the ground struggling for air, but the guard managed to grab Nikolas’s face covering in the process.

“Nikolas the god slayer!” The other guards yell as they flee, leaving behind their fallen comrade.

“Nikolas the god slayer?” Calista said.

Nikolas returns his blade to Damon.

Most villagers are present, all hoping that the guards would be driven away. Their faces of hope are now overcome by fear and disgust. Their glares pierce through Nikolas as if he were a greater scum than Evander.

“I’m sorry.” Damon whispers.

Nikolas runs away from the village. Calista calls for him but he never slows or looks her way.

“Darn it!” Calista yells before giving chase.

“How dare he.”

Damon watches the villagers left behind regain composure, most irate by the secret revealed, some even direct their anger to Calista who they believe has betrayed them.

“Wait! Hold still for a moment!” Calista holds her knees as she huffs for air. She chases Nikolas almost the complete length of the river until he stopped by the ocean. “Why did you run? You’re Nikolas the god slayer! Just showing yourself is enough to make that foolish lord listen. Oh this is excellent, I’d bet we could give him a good fright for the trouble he has caused. He’ll have to pay for repairs as well.”

“No. I can’t.”

“I’m sorry? Why not? I know of your abilities very well, you’re more than capable.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not? Are you not in form? That is something I can help with. Come, these matters are of great haste. I’ll reward you with far greater treasures than my boat after this, you have my word.”

“I said I can’t!”

“I… I apologize.” Calista approaches Nikolas who keeps his back to her, “But, it’s difficult to understand. May I ask, why do you believe this?”

“Did you see how the villagers looked at me?”

Calista covers her mouth. Her adrenaline caused her to focus only on the guards and Nikolas, but she caught a glimpse of the entire scene for just a moment. Fear and anger filled their eyes, the reason for Nikolas’s hiding his face made clear by such reactions.

For Olympians, Nikolas the god slayer is a legendary warrior. One who fought against the gods with a group of warriors at his side, but it is said that he slew every god. Olympians fear and respect him, but Calista never imagined mortals would hate him.

After the fallout of the war, mortals chose to blame Nikolas for it all. They had no one else to blame, and Nikolas has been hated by most mortals ever since.

“What I have done. The hardships I created for them all. It is something I cannot take back or fix, how could I ever dare to use my strength for something ever again. I do not wish to bring any more misfortune. I can’t… Calista, the lives I’ve ruined.” Nikolas struggles to speak as he sobs. “Those that have died because of me, it is all unforgivable. I’m sorry.”

Calista embraces Nikolas. “Forgive me, I was inconsiderate.” Nikolas returns her embrace. “I want you to know, I do not hate you. I understand why they may wish to find someone to blame, why it is you. But I also understand why it had to be done. As much as the gods meant, they lost their way. You saved us, Nikolas. Thank you. For saving me. So please, do not hate yourself for what you have done, you gave us all another chance. The aftermath was inevitable.” Calista picks Nikolas’s head up, his eyes red and cheeks flushed. “But look at what we have done, the good we can bring. That river will bring prosperity to many. I do not care how many years, I do not care if they all hate us, I’ll make sure to help as many as I can with this life you have given me.”

“I’m sorry, I wish I could do more for you.”

“You have no reason to apologize, I will take care of everything from here. I will not ask you to use your strength now, I can only imagine how much it hurts. But, I promise, one day you will once again use your strength for great things. But please, return with me tonight.”

“I will. Thank you.”

“Did you know?” Calista asks Damon.

During their time helping their villages, Damon offered Calista and Nikolas an empty home next to his.

“I had an idea.”

“Then I can trust his safety with you?”

“Of course. Those who were there know of his kindness. If I must give what I have left of this life I will.”

“Thank you, Damon, I will see to it that you are rewarded for this favor.”

Damon laughs as he heads home. “What more can an old man ask for after what you have done.”

Calista does not sleep; her options are limited and the cost for each high. Still, she is willing to pay so long as the villagers and Nikolas are safe.

Nikolas sleeps just across the room, his sleeping face bringing a smile to Calista. “I know what I must do, but I’m unsure of how you will react. I know what my heart wishes for, but I hope you will remain safe instead. If you are wise then you will remain here. But you and I are fools, it makes my heart skip a beat.”

The cathedrals of Dion are made in the visage of the old gods. Each new chosen spends time in their own cathedral before ascending to their throne, a way to embrace their new position and for the mortals to meet them.

Calista arrives at the cathedrals once dedicated to Aphrodite. At the end, sitting on a small throne is Helen. She is surrounded by her most loyal followers and smiles as Calista arrives.

Helen laughs. “Look at how pitiful you are. It was only a matter of time before you realized where you stood.”

Calista returns Helen’s smile. “Good to see you as well.”