Hold your ground and do not let go.
Freya widened her stance and the muscles in her arms stiffened as she heaved her elbows up. The vortex of the sea screamed and writhed like a tornado planted between the two goddesses. Fish and kelp scurried against the push and pull, caught in the vortex's channel.
The languid force of water spun viciously, releasing Mira from its jaws. With fingers curled, the cords in her forearm flickered with tension. She pushed off her foot. The spinning body of water shifted in Freya’s direction.
Freya screamed out and took an unsteady step, and another, closing in the distance. The water bowed to her command and moved forward, back to Mira.
With the control of the jet stream tightly clutched in one hand, Freya tipped forward and threw her other arm out.
Mira jerked to dodge her hit, forgetting about the pillar against her back.
Freya locked her grasp around the stem of the carnation sprouted from Mira’s sternum.
And lastly, to create your opportunity for the final blow, reach out and pluck the flower from her chest.
Freya tore out the blossom.
The muscles in Mira’s arms rippled. Her chin fell in dumb shock.
Freya cried out and shot her hands outward. The swirling chasm opened its mouth and consumed Mira in a denouement.
A satisfying hum resonated in Finnian’s chest as he watched Mira toss around in the belly of the current.
Freya’s form relaxed as she spun in a languid motion, her muscles giving way to the flow of the sea dancing with her command.
It spit out Mira like a seed. She rolled across the moonstone and smashed into the bottom step of the platform.
And, like the tendril of a monster, the ravine withdrew back up through the ceiling and rejoined the sky.
The Council teleported back to their original formation, organized in a daunting line. They nodded their heads in agreement, understanding the brevity of this fall.
The Sea itself knew the winner of the duel. A cerulean current of water materialized over Mira’s head, circling like a halo, before rushing across the arena to its new heir.
Freya looked up at the small, divine whirlpool above her head with a grand smile before it dissipated, fusing with her being. A new High Goddess had been chosen.
With the duel concluded, the Council dispersed once more.
When she falls, you will go to the highest point of the room and declare your new title.
Freya dropped her arms and moved in a valiant stride across the hall, stepping over Mira to ascend the platform.
Finnian stared at the folded body of his mother—unconscious.
Whispers sounded like a struck match across the vast room, quickly becoming a communal murmur.
The guards stationed along the walls gaped in shock.
Freya faced the mass of deities, shoulders tall, staring out and soaking in her victory with pride.
She extended her arms wide towards the audience. “On this day, Lady Mira’s reign as the High Goddess of the Sea is no more.” Her voice rang loudly throughout the hall, like assertive footfalls stomping across the earth. “Today, you shall know me as Freya, the High Goddess of the Sea.”
An uncomfortable weight settled in the room, stiff and uncertain how to respond. Applaud? Cheer? Mira had reigned over the Kaimana Sea for more than three millennia. And she’d lost. Just like that.
And if you are there, Lord Finnian, may I thank you for the mentorship? I could never defeat Mira without your training, your knowledge of her frailties.
Back then, Finnian had worked for months with the goddess, sparring with her, guiding her towards his mother’s defeat. Their plan had finally come to fruition.
Freya’s eyes fell upon him.
