Forsaken Marriage

“Whatever you may think of him, the man I have fallen in love with is Nikolas. Our meeting was by chance, our partnership by my command, but in that time, I was fortunate enough to meet someone I can say I love with all my heart.”

Calista looks to Nikolas, the crowd before silent as they share a smile.

“Despite coming from different worlds, and our relationship forbidden by laws, an Olympian and a mortal are willing to fight for their relationship. Nikolas has survived the underworld for me, and now I will go against all of Mount Olympus if I must for him. But I am weak. I’m sure there will be many who object to this, so I’d like to ask for your support. I want you all to support Nikolas. I understand why you may hate him, and why you may fear what will become of this world should we marry, but Nikolas will keep his promise on his word and so will I. We will protect this world should any misfortune befall it because of our marriage, and, then on, I hope our marriage will be the bridge that connects our worlds as they should be. Mortals and Olympians can coexist, they can love each other, we are proof of it.”

“That is not enough.” A single woman steps forward. “Even if you have fallen in love with Nikolas, we cannot trust him. We do not hate him just because he killed the gods, Nikolas abandoned us. He fled from the results of his actions when he should have stayed by our sides.”

“She’s right.” A man steps forward. “Just as Olympians did, how can we trust either of you to become the bridge between us? How can we trust that your marriage will not bring an end to this world.”

“I…”

“Calista.” Nikolas steps forward. “All of what you say is true. I did run. I could not bear the sight of the dead anymore, I could not deal with the cries for help, I believed all I could was wrong. Such cowardice should not come from the one you all once called your hero.” Nikolas looks up, making eye contact with those willing to look at him. “I cannot make my mistakes right; I can only work to change what we have. I believe alongside Calista it is possible; she is what gives me strength and hope, she is the reason I was able to help at long last. I will not ask for your support anymore; I will only ask that you watch and make your decision then. For now, I will allow no one to continue forward, the lives lost will bring nothing more than pain to those around you. Allow us to take charge one last time. This is my proposal to you all, with your permission, I wish to end this world.”

“Nikolas?” Calista said.

“Are you insane?”

“Traitor!”

Damon raises his hand. “If you all will allow an older man to voice his opinion. I was fortunate enough to fight alongside Nikolas and the team of heroes during the war. I too harbored great anger towards him for disappearing. But I’d like to support him. The laws of Olympus state that marriage between mortal and Olympian is forbidden, else the world as we know it will end. Well, does that not sound like an opportunity? To me, it is what we need. It is impossible to continue as we are, our constant fights will lead to mutual extinction, it is time to build a new world.”

“But how can we trust them? They’ve made such empty promises many times before. You can’t ask for our trust with such a plan when you are unsure of what will come, not when you refuse to give us even a little of what we want.”

“If I may.” Calista steps forward, now close to the woman speaking. The sadness in her eyes is heartbreaking. “I will do all I can to help you. Please, tell me what you want.”

“We just want to be heard.”

“Alexios!” A guard rushes over to Alexios. “The large group will reach Dion soon.”

“What? Nikolas and Calista went to stop them.” Atalanta said.

“They’re with them.” Nikos said.

Tension by the Mount Olympus stairs is still high, gathering more mortals will only allow the situation to boil over into an uncontrollable battle.

“Sir, we should force these protestors to scatter and deal with the group before they enter the city.”

“They’re threatening to kill us!”

“Stay back lousy mortals!”

“We won’t let you hurt us any longer!”

“Drop your weapons.” Alexios said.

“What?”

“Sir, the mortals will kill us!”

“You are free to run, but any attempt to retaliate with force will be punished by my hand. Drop your weapons.”

Atalanta begins, tossing her bow to the side and followed by Theodoros and Nikos who toss their weapons aside. Some Olympian soldiers follow, but many still fear the incoming group.

“We can’t sir.”

“That is fine, resign yourself to the top of Olympus, I will meet with them alone if I must.”

“Sir! They will attack you!”

“And what will retaliation bring?! Another five years of war? Must we settle everything with violence? Will you not believe in your brethren? If Calista has joined them, then I will choose to believe she has found a path without violence.” Alexios turns to the protestors. “I only ask that you give us time for the others to arrive, we can discuss more after everyone is here. Please, I will not allow any Olympian to harm you, so I ask that you give the same respect.”

“We won’t fall for such lies!” A single voice rings out, but the sentiment is alone. Protestors become quiet, more than anything they wish to avoid violence once more.

The larger group from the east arrives, led by Calista and Nikolas at the helm. Calista approaches Alexios who stands in between both sides,

“I’ve done what I can here, thanks to your friends as well. But I’m not sure what more to do.” Alexios said.

“You’ve done well, you prove yourself more and more every day.” Calista turns to the large group gathered, Olympians remaining worried of what may come. “Both sides share faults, I’m sure there is plenty more we could do for each other, I know communication could well improve. But for too long we have been incapable of doing so. I will create the bridge to bring us closer, to create a world in which Olympian and mortal can speak of their differences without the fear of war, in which we can bring prosperity to both. I will do it by forcing our worlds to unite. I hereby announce my marriage to Nikolas, the kind.”