Confrontation

Athan stared Mina directly in the eye, and despite her fear, Mina refused to back down and stared him in the eye right back. She refused to back down, refused to cower in any way to Athan now that she knew the truth.

“Wha? C-come on, don’t joke about that Athan.” Iro said. “This is seriously bothering Mina right now; you can’t just say things like that to her when it’s making her this upset.”

“It isn’t a joke Iro.” Athan said. “Mina is exactly right. The summoning circle did not call on Uraina to choose for us a chosen one. Rather, it took some of her power, and summoned someone who could one day kill her and become her successor.”

“What?” Iro exclaimed in disbelief.

“The more pressing question however…” Athan continued, eyes narrowing at Mina. “Is how Mina learned of this.”

Mina refused to back down. She glared right back at Athan and even took a step forward towards him to show how unafraid she was.

“Uraina herself told me. I went and prayed to her, and she brought me into her realm and explained EVERYTHING to me.” Mina answered. “Including the part you still haven’t mentioned. The fact that once I replace her, I’ll be completely under your control like a puppet for you to play with!”

Athan was visibly taken aback by Mina’s words. While he’d known that she knew the basics, he clearly hadn’t expected her to have learned that little tidbit, or the exact how she learned all it by. Still, Athan was not about o show any weakness in this situation, and also took a step forward towards Mina. Before he could say anything though, Natalia caught everyone off guard by running up into the middle of everyone.

“Woah woah woah, hold your horses. Let’s just calm down for a moment here before things get out of hand.” Natalia exclaimed loudly, drawing everyone’s attention as she herself turned to Mina. “Now, Mina. Yes, the circle may not have been EXACTLY what we said it was, but it’s the spirit of the thing. Sure, Uraina might not have consciously summoned you here, but her power found someone suitable to hold it, and it chose you. So, in a way you really are her chosen one. Plus, from the way you’re talking, I get the feeling Uraina failed to mention one pretty important thing to you. Uraina’s dying sweetheart, replacing her isn’t a cruelty, it’s a mercy.”

“Uraina did tell me she was dying.” Mina said in response. “But she also told me she’s dying very slowly, and she has no desire to actually die until she absolutely has to.”

“Ah, I see. Bu-”

“Hold on. You knew?”

Natalia turned to Iro to see her looking at her with hurt and disbelief. To that, Natalia could only offer a sad smile.

“Yeah Iro, I knew. All of us knew.” Natalia admitted. Iro’s eyes widened in shock, and she slowly turned to her mother.

“All of us adults knew right from the beginning Iro.” Agapi said, answering the silent question. “We didn’t tell you kids because we didn’t want you to mistreat whoever was summoned, or let the truth slip, but all of us knew right from the moment Athan decided to go get the summoning circle.”

“So, even the thing about the circle being ancient magic was a lie, just like Mina said?” Iro asked.

“Yeah, it is.” Natalia admitted.

“*Sigh* alright, I think we’ve done enough talking for now.” Athan then said, drawing everyone’s attention to him. “This isn’t how I wanted things to go, but it is how it is. Mina, come with me.”

“No, no way! I’m not going anywhere with you!” Mina shouted, and Athan glared.

“That wasn’t a request, Mina.” Athan growled.

“Now hold on!” Natalia interjected once again. “I said let’s not let things get out of hand. Besides, it’s not like everything Mina’s assuming is right. Sure, she was summoned to replace Uraina, but it’s not like we’re going control her afterwards.”

“Actually, that’s exactly what we were planning on doing. Exactly what we need to do in order to save Chamiloran and keep it safe for years to come.” Elias said, entering the discussion.

“Hold on, what?” Natalia now questioned.

“Indeed. Either as a result of her weakness, or her carelessness and blindness, Uraina has allowed this evil group to come in and take control of our great kingdom.” Athan said. “The only way to make sure that doesn’t happen again, is to place Uraina’s power in the hands of good people who are fully aware of what’s happening in the kingdom. Whether Mina is willing or not.”

“That’s not-” Mina started, only to be cut off by Lefteris.

“Additionally, before you suggest summoning someone more suitable and willing, that is not possible either.” He said. “We didn’t bring this up before as to not dampen anyone’s spirits, but yesterday morning Elias and I entered the room we placed the summoning circle in and found it gone. Clearly, someone decided to dispose of it and prevent us from summoning anyone else.”

“Hold on, back up.” Natalia said. “You’re saying we are actually going to puppeteer Mina after she becomes a god like she said? I don’t remember anyone saying that during the planning.”

“I had assumed it was implied when I was discussing the details of the summoning and the plan.” Athan remarked, and behind him almost everyone nodded.

“No! It absolutely was not implied!” Natalia insisted, now slowly moving more towards Iro and Mina.

“It does not matter what you think, this is how it is. This is how it needs to be to save our kingdom.” Athan said. “Now, Natalia, Iro, stand aside. While this isn’t the way I wanted things to go, we need to take Mina and take measures to ensure her loyalty.”

“NO!” Mina shouted. “I’m not going anywhere with you, you kidnapper! I’m leaving here, helping Uraina regain some of her power, and then I’m going to go HOME.”

“Unfortunately, you don’t have a choice in the matter Mina.” Athan said.

“On the contrary, the one who does not have a choice here is you.” A new voice said.

*Boom*

There was an explosion of dust as something suddenly landed in the space between Mina and Athan’s sides. Then, as the dust faded away, it revealed Jordan standing there, holding a sword leveled in Athan’s direction.

“Mina is going home, whether you want it or not.” He declared.