Jacqui's POV
"Did you see the way he shouldered her as he left?" I whispered to Jasper. We guffawed together.
"No, shhh, she's coming!" Jasper shushed me and I turned to face Josephine. Her face was red with anger and shock.
"Did you see the way he shouldered me as he left?!" She huffed. I attempted to keep a concerned face as I replied, "Oh Josephine, that was simply...horrible haha." I failed miserably and laughed with Jasper joining in.
"The last time you were like this is when I took your elven boat!" He wiped tears of mirth from his eye.
"You took her boat?!" I exclaimed. That boat was a treasure. A gift from the nymphs to their creator, the body was made of Silverwood combined with the dust of gems causing it to shine like a star. Josephine loved that thing so much that when the nymphs put it in her temple, she took it and placed it in her room in Nexus. I knew that she had lost it, (she wouldn't shut up about it for decades) but I had no idea that Jasper had anything to do with it. Now that I think about it though, it makes sense.
Jasper nodded an affirmative as Josephine shot him a deadly look.
"You are lucky, brother, that our father forbade us from killing one another."
"Oh?" Jasper's eyebrows shot up. "But sister! Without me your life would be devastatingly boring."
"And positively perfect!" She snapped. She turned to me. "Dearest Jacqueline." She sweetly faked, "if you ever put that man within my sight, I shall tear him apart."
"Oh-"
"Slowly!" She threw her nose in the air and began walking away.
"I find him unique. After all, Josie, he did refuse your gifts." Nyle took her arm and brought her back to us. If I wasn't the Goddess of Life and Death, Nyle would scare me. He was tall with lanky arms and long legs. His white blonde hair flowed to his waist and his mouth was set in a permanently thin line. But what would frighten me the most would be his eyes. Darker than black they showed nothing of the soul. No emotion, no experience. It was quite unnatural. I tended to avoid him when I could. Josephine allowed him to lead her back to us without much fuss.
"That was very unexpected, too." Josephine replied. "Not even Amber refused the gifts I offered. She simply chose the right one." She grew silent as did Jasper.
"Did you see his heart?" I asked. "Did you see what he truly wants?" She nodded.
"And what is it?" Father asked from behind me.
"He wants to save this world." Josephine glanced at me and began to shake a little.
"And what else?" Father asked, also noticing her odd behavior.
"Nothing else, Father." Josephine controlled her body and voice, but I wasn't fooled. There was something else in Skye's heart. Something Josie didn't want us to know about. Nero shrugged it off.
"If we gave him power," Nyle stared at me, "then he'd have the chance to kill us."
"We don't know if a Demigod can kill a god." Jasper eagerly pointed out.
"We know that they become godlike. And if we were allowed, then we would be able to kill each other." I explained.
"So you are saying that they could?" Jasper looked at me incredulously. I nodded.
"How do you feel about your idea now?"
I shrugged, "Most mortals wish they could destroy me." Mostly when I come for their souls.
"But this one could. If given our power and acting upon his wishes." Nyle's piercing eyes stared at me. It made me feel quite uncomfortable. If I were to truly be destroyed, what would happen? An unusual feeling creeped up my spine. What is this?
"He is the one who can change the fate of our world. For better or for worse. We must put our trust in mortals once more." I stood by how I felt. "He has hope for this world and he truly wishes to save it. He knows that killing us will not save his world." I hoped anyway.
"I agree with Little Jacqui. But if we are wrong, and he does come to kill us there's no way I'm going down without a fight. After watching his behavior with Jacqui, I believe he'll do the right thing."Jasper rubbed my head at this last part.
"Perhaps." Father thoughtfully rubbed his chin and then turned away. "If that man comes back, then we shall discuss his responsibilities. The fate of Comwen is in his hands now."
"Truly, Father? You have deemed him worthy to accept the role of Demigod?" Josephine flabbergasted.
"His true desire is to save Comwen. And I believe we can expect great things from this, Skye Firebird."
I couldn't resist the grin from appearing on my face. Finally, there was hope for Comwen. It was slight and there were many obstacles to overcome, but there was hope. There was something we gods could do to help. My thoughts were cleared in an instant as Jasper spoke once more.
"Yeah, but is he coming back? He sure was hellbent on getting out of here."
I glared at Josephine. "It's all your fault if he doesn't come back."
"Excuse me?!" Josephine parried, "Every mortal that wishes for power must come to terms with his inner demons in order for my blessing to flow through. Just because what he saw wasn't pleasing to him he threw a tantrum and left. That wasn't my fault."
"You choose what they see though! To see what truly lies within his heart you choose his darkest nightmares and brightest hopes!" I countered.
"And he wanted neither power to save the ones he lost nor the power to keep peace within the land." Josephine stated. "What kind of mortal refuses either?"
"You said his true desire is to save Comwen." Nyle interjected, "Perhaps, those aren't the ways he wishes to save it."
"Don't be ridiculous, those are the only ways you can save it." Jasper defended.
"Maybe not." Nikolai's voice rang throughout the ruins.
"Guess we'll find out together." A handsome form stepped out from behind him. Skye glared at us all as if he would rather paint the stones with our blood than join forces.
I can respect that. I mean, we did give up on this world about 45 years ago and left the mortal races to face imminent destruction. In fact, its quite an amazing feat that they have not yet all perished. I smiled a small smile. Skye noticed and his frown deepened.
Nero addressed the mortal first. "Have you come to listen?"
"Nik explained that you guys believe that I can unite the mortal races of Comwen and save the world from your unknown enemy after you each give me a part of your power."He responded easily.
"Do you understand the responsibility associated with such a power?" Josephine glared icily at him.
"You have immense power as a Goddess, and what have you done during this Timeless War? Casually playing with your toys and turning your back on the problems that the world now faces. Don't speak to me about responsibility, Goddess." He ground out.
Josephine's face went red.
"As Nikolai has filled you in, you know that you are the one we have chosen to become the demigod. The savior of your world." I cut in before Josephine could take Skye's life.
He met my eyes with his own. Determination ruled above all other emotion within him. The same unfamiliar feeling raced down my spine.
"The details are fuzzy. Explain before I give my answer."
"You would dare to order gods?" Nero locked gazes with the young Captain.
"You abandoned this world. You no longer have any say on Comwens behalf. As I am merely mortal I also have no say in Comwens behalf. We are the same. You shall explain what you will do before I give my answer."
"You will be tried and tested of all gods and all goddesses. Once we establish your worthiness, we will each give you a part of our divine power. You will then have the power to save this world you love." Nikolai explained.
"Will I be able to make my own decisions after the fact?"
"Yes." Jasper answered.
"And who will teach me how to use my powers?"
We turned silent. Josephine had chosen Amber before and so it was logical that she teach her how to use her powers. But with me, being Life and Death, I have no time to teach. Besides, I don't know everything about the others' power. Also, Josephine has made it clear that she will only kill the man if given the chance so she is out too. That leaves Nyle, Nikolai, and Jasper. Nero is above such things.
It will be Nikolai. His Blessed child is being chosen, it is only fitting that the most wise of us teaches anyway!
"Jacqueline and Nikolai will teach you."
"What?!" A chorus of voices from throughout the ruins rang. Mine was lost as I beheld the gleam of motivation darken my now pupil's eyes.
"What are we waiting for?" Skye smirked.
I now knew the name of the feeling I kept experiencing.
Fear.