Say It

Helen’s servants surround Calista. Berating Calista will not be enough for them, they wish to see Calista squirm in fear and pain.

“I’m only here to ask for a favor, I will pay whatever price necessary.”

Helen laughs. “You’re far more arrogant than I imagined. You believe I will do a favor for you?”

“There are things even you want.”

“Unfortunately. Go on, what is the favor?”

Calista explains Evander’s actions. “We only need him to swear he will leave the river and the villages in peace.”

“Quite the favor you are asking for, you wish for me to threaten someone so soon after becoming a god.” Helen walks over to Calista. She now wears a much more intricate dress; the magic of a god surrounds her like a protective veil. “I do not mind of course; I am a god. But you are standing far too tall for asking a favor of me.”

Calista never stops smiling, even as she kneels before Helen and places her head on the ground. “Please, I will do whatever you ask of me. I only wish that the villagers be allowed to live peacefully.”

Helen continues to laugh. “That is better but it is not enough. Beg.”

“I beg of you. Whatever you want or need, I will deliver. I beg you to consider.”

The laughter of Helen and her servants fills the cathedral. “At last! This is much more befitting of you. But it is not enough. Kiss my feet.”

Calista does so, never hesitating for even a moment.

“That’s good! That’s what you are, Calista!” Helen kicks Calista, her newfound strength sending Calista across the cathedral.

Helen and her servants approach Calista sprawled on the floor. The kick to her head made her unconscious for a moment but she fights to remain awake even as more kicks to her body are delivered by Helen and her servants.

“Stand.” Helen orders after growing bored.

Calista does so, struggling to remain balanced. Her arm is broken, the rest of her body beaten by the barrage of kicks delivered the past five minutes.

“Say you will never become a god.”

“What?” Calista bites her lip.

“Say it. I will do this favor for you, but only after you admit what you are. Only after you resign any chance of ever becoming a god. You are a foolish harpy! To even consider being a god is an insult to us who are deserving. Say it! Enough of your disrespect, enough of your silly delusions. See what is a god and understand that you can never be. Say it!”

“I…I will never.”

“That is enough, Calista, that is enough.” Nikolas pulls Calista into his chest.

“But I have no other way.” Calista cries.

“You.” Nikolas glares at Helen, causing her to fall on her butt. “She has done enough; you will keep your end of the deal.”

“I… how…” Helen gasps for air as Nikolas reaches for a blade at his waist. As his hand rests on the hilt, she screeches. “Yes! I will do so now!”

Helen’s servants rush out with her, all powerless to stand against Nikolas and his terrifying strength.

Nikolas sighs, never a fan of inducing such fear though grateful for it. It allows him to save Calista, and it makes it easy to carry her as she melts into his arms.

After returning to their home, Nikolas gives Calista first aid.

“You’re awfully quiet.” Calista said to no response, “My wounds will heal, it was a worthwhile trade… speak! If you are angry then say so!”

“I am angry! If you mutter those words you lose all opportunity to become a god! It is forfeiting any right to a seat. Would you go so far as to toss what you live for?!”

“Is that not why you fell in love with me?!”

“It is! But… I do not want you to do it if I can help it.”

“You have a petty side to you, how adorable.” Calista smiles. “Nikolas, thank you for coming to save me.”

“You always knew I would come. To think the woman I love trusts me so much, I must be a great man.”

“Oh please. I had no doubt you would, but I do apologize for doing so as I did. There was always a slight chance you wouldn’t come.”

Nikolas kneels in front of Calista as he wipes her face clean with a cloth. “I always would, always will.”

“Those are strong words, yet I believe them from you.”

“I’m glad you do. I’m sure there will be repercussions for my actions.”

“Helen will direct her anger to me. I’m afraid it is something I must face alone, though I was prepared for the possibility.” Before Nikolas can respond Calista places a finger against his lip. “Even if these feelings are mutual, you must understand why it is not possible. I only wish to bring you happiness from here on.”

“Just your presence is enough.” Nikolas whispers.

Later that night, Calista watches as a hoard of chariots make their way for the house.

“That didn’t take long, but Helen has kept her end of the deal.” Calista walks over to Nikolas who is long asleep. “Forgive me Nikolas, but at least this way I can give you one last gift as a show of my gratitude.” Calista kneels down, allowing her hair to cover her last action.

The guards from Mount Olympus take Calista who does not resist, Nikolas is left unpunished.