Jacqui's POV
When I entered my fathers throne room, I felt relieved that I was no longer in Skye's company. The fear I felt when he was near me knew no bounds.
"I never thought you would break the rules again." Nero was standing by his throne gently caressing the armrest. I quickly fell to my knees and bowed my head. I stayed silent.
"You do not feel like you have done anything wrong?"
I thought about what I had done. I had deliberately disobeyed the God of All Matters' orders. And not just one. I entered Comwen on my own; I saved a village from destruction; I used my powers in front of a plethora of unworthy mortals; I had attacked my hero in a fit of anger; I allowed our secret weapon to become known because of my rash actions. And all of this caused a simple mortal to live and train in the Nexus which, to put it mildly, was unheard of. Did I feel like I did anything wrong?
"I know I have made many grievous mistakes." Though not any that actually concern you, Father.
"You forget that I can hear your thoughts, it seems." I stayed low at his feet and tried not to grimace. I actually had forgotten. He graciously continued, "What do you believe are your most important mistakes?" My eyes widened. I had not been expecting him to ask anything like that! My father slowly took a seat on his throne. I was granted permission to see his face. I straightened my back but stayed on my knees. I took a deep breath and answered him.
"My biggest mistake was showing our hand to the enemy by singling out Skye Firebird and allowing them to witness his power."
"So you believe that fighting with your pupil in public was your biggest mistake."
"Yes, my lord."
"Or do you feel your biggest mistake was fighting with your pupil at all?"
Again, I was sure that my surprise showed on my face.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean?" It was true too. I had no idea what he meant by that. My father shrugged and waved it off.
"Jacqueline, your biggest mistake was going to Comwen in the first place." I expected him to say that. I opened my mouth, but Nero silenced me with a look. "Why did you go there?"
"I went there to train—"
"Why did you go?" He thundered and the whole room shook. I braced myself on the floor and answered with my head bowed.
"My souls don't feel safe within my domain anymore. They are deciding on their own to train for battle as they don't want to be the next ones taken and used to destroy their homes, families, and friends. They do not feel at peace although I have ordered it to be so and have given them a beautiful afterlife."
"The Underworld is in turmoil?"
My hands tightened into fists and my knuckles turned white. "Yes." I ground out.
"And so you abandoned it to attack your only hope?"
"No!" I shouted in his face. "Skye is our only hope to defeat our unknown enemy. Once that enemy is defeated, not only Comwen, but the Underworld will be at peace. I targeted Skye because he is weak! Learning with us, fighting with us, will only make him stronger. He will save our worlds. He must." I whispered the last bit and felt a stray tear run down my face. I did not wipe it away.
"I have heard enough. Jacqueline, you will go to your domain and do what you can from there. You will not step foot on Nexus or Comwen until I tell you too. If you do, I shall rip your godhood from you. Is that clear?"
That is to be my punishment then. Do nothing for your people, watch them suffer, and then watch your world be destroyed.
"Very."