The Truth

“Calista! I was so worried!”

“I’m sorry, Atalanta, I shouldn’t have worried you like this.”

Nikolas wakes, finding himself resting on Calista’s lap. Above him, Atalanta embraces Calista as she sobs tears of joy. The journey was difficult but seeing her friend safe brings all her emotions to surface.

“How could you? We were so worried!” Atalanta said as she dried her tears.

“I’m sorry, it was a rash decision. Hm? No need to get up, dear, you’ve only been asleep for a few hours.”

“I’m sorry.”

Calista smiles. “Oh please, you have no reason to apologize. It is I that must do so, to you and my dear friends.”

Atalanta stands. “I’m going to grab Nikos and Theodoros, you two just wait here.”

“You should wait; we can go together.”

“No. I can feel my strength returning. It seems reaching this land returns our strength. I’ll be back before you know it!”

“Very well, be safe Atalanta.”

“Of course!”

“That girl, whatever will I do with her. Nikolas, thank you for training them.”

“I did nothing but lead them, it was their own talent that made them strong. May I ask, why is it so quiet here?”

“Hm, the souls are quiet whenever I am near. Perhaps my beauty is just far too stunning.”

“It left me at a loss. It’s only right they act the same.”

Calista caresses Nikolas’s hair. “Flattery will get you nowhere mister.”

“Then how about a daring rescue.”

“Hehe, I’m not sure. My love, I know I wished for you to come, but I still believe it was not the right choice.”

“Nothing could keep me away. Tell me, is fear of the law what pushed you to make the decision?”

“It was. As much I love you, others should not suffer for it. It will not be just the gods that reject us, but Olympians and mortals as well. It could bring about another war even as they will think we are attempting to steal their greatest weapon, even if it is one they hate.” Calista’s tears drop onto Nikolas. “Even if I meant losing you forever, I thought at last you could live a happy life. I knew you could make the world better.”

“Not without you. You have the strength and will I can only dream of. You are the reason I found the motivation to embrace their hatred, and to help as I should have long ago. I apologize for going against your sacrifice, but I cannot continue without you. Please, come back with me. I believe we can succeed, that our relationship will bring prosperity, not harm.”

Calista shakes her head. “As much as it pains me, as much as I wish to leave in your arms, I cannot do so. I’m sorry, Nikolas, but I do not have the strength to bring about the change we need.”

“But together we will. I believe in you. You may not have taken a seat yet, but I believe few are more deserving than you. I will embrace my strength; will you embrace your fate alongside me?”

“I cannot.”

“Calista, my words are not just to please you. Just as your friends do, I believe you will take a seat. A matter of time at most, but we believe in you.”

“I will not take a seat. It is impossible.”

“No such thing, I will help you, as will they. Strength, wisdom, whatever it may be, whatever you may need, we will help.”

“No Nikolas, please. Accept my decision and leave. Please forgive me, but this is where we must part.”

“Part?” Nikolas sits up, helping Calista wipe away tears so she can look into his eyes. “I refuse.”

“You cannot. It is my decision.”

“Your friends wish for your return as well. If you will not do it for yourself, then please do it for us. I will serve many lives to make our relationship one that does not bring harm, you have my word.”

“I’m sorry.” Calista stands and walks away.

“Why Calista?” Nikolas stands. “Ask what you need of me, it shall be done. But I must leave with you, my soul will not bear to be without you.”

Calista turns to Nikolas, her tears quiet but plentiful. “I was not chosen.”

“What?”

“I was not chosen, Nikolas. I feigned as if I was, but I never heard the voices of the gods. I’ve never had the right to claim a seat. Even if I wished to. I’m sorry. I lied to you and everyone else because I could not accept my own failure. As much as I wish to return with you, to be with you, how could I when I know I will remain powerless to change the world. I chose to remain here, not just in hopes of giving you joy, but because it breaks my heart to know you will never be mine.”

Nikolas grabs Calista’s hand. Unsure of what to say after the reveal, he can only look into her heartbroken eyes. Now more than ever, he wishes to keep her close. “Then we shall break that rule as well.”

“It is hopeless.”

“Do you know how the old gods came to be?”

“They came from belief. It gave them power similar to yours. It is why we must be chosen; it is belief from the previous gods that someone is worthy of their seat.”

“Yes, but the first gods had no predecessors. Only the belief from those in need of them.”

“What are you saying?”

“I choose. I believe in you. So please, return with me. If a single person is able to change my life and bring hope to many people, then I’m sure a single person believing in you is enough to grant you the right as well. I wish for nothing more than to be at your side, I ask that you believe in me as much I do in you.”

“That is my wish as well. Nikolas, promise you will never stop believing in me.”

“Not even for a moment.”

Calista embraces Nikolas. “Then I will believe in you as well. Nikolas, I wish to return with you all. I wish to be at your side.”

“And I will always be at yours.” Nikolas scops Calista into his arms. “Shall we return?”

“Yes, my love. Thank you.”

Nikolas smiles as he walks to the surface. “Just look at me with those beautiful eyes, that’s more than I could ever ask for.”