“This is war, Vivian. You cannot save everyone,” Ragna notes. Her tone is firm but sad.
It’s an impossible decision – a decision I would rather do anything than make.
Stalling for more time, I look back over the map, even though I’m not really seeing it.
No matter what choice I make, I’ll be sentencing people to die. There must be another way.
If Sin fights Leon, I can use my power to help kill him, and then we’d have the advantage. But what if I accidentally go nuclear again? I could accidentally kill us all.
“Your soul is in better shape. You might have better control,”Sin notes, listening to my thoughts.
A small tendril of my anxiety dissipates.
Sin is right here with me. I’m not making this choice alone, and right now, that is everything.
Pursing my lips, I consider his words, only to give the slightest shake of my head.“Might is a strong word. If I lose control, you wouldn’t be able to help me without becoming a target for Leon.”
“If we wait, you can practice using your power,”he answers, not adding any inflection that may sway me one direction over another.
Ragna clears her throat. “Vivian, if we’re fighting, then every minute counts. We need an answer.”
My throat tightens. The smart thing to do is wait.
Casualties can’t be avoided during war.
Sacrifices must be made.
But no matter how often I repeat those threads of wisdom, I can’t shake the chilling memories that come with them.
I think back to every time I was sacrificed in the name of the greater good.
Morgana killed Cassandra.
Need bribed the Fates to tamper with my Keeper bond.
Leon used the leash to try to bind us.
Every time… they thought they were doing the right thing.
I swallow, and it feels like a rock is stuck in my throat. Sin’s arms tighten around me, hearing my decision before I’ve spoken it aloud.
“We fight,” I answer, wishing I sounded strong.
Varian looks resigned, but nods, regardless. He turns back to the map, pointing to a spot just a little further down from where the armies are mobilizing.
It’s a large clearing in front of the coastline.
“Need has the higher ground. There are forests and lakes around most of their armies. This is the only spot close by that will have room for us, and give us clear access to her armies, while blocking off access to the town,” he notes.
I nod. “Alright, then that’s our spot.”
Ragna turns to Varian. “We’ll have our armies rally at the apparition points. Every soldier capable of apparating will have to take as many as possible. No one moves to the Mortal Realm until we’re ready. If we arrive separately, they’ll just pick us off, one by one.”
Varian gives her a mock salute before his gaze shifts back to mine. I must not be doing a good job of concealing my guilt because his hard expression melts a bit. “Every one of the freed prisoners owes you their life. It is an honor to fight for you.”
“Thank you,” I whisper back, still not quite believing that this is real life.
He nods, turning on his heel to stride out of the room.
