“How?”
Savitar let out a long sigh before he answered. “Your mother will lead them and show them how to prey on human souls to circumvent Apollo’s curse.”
Simi’s eyes widened. Akra-Apollymi definitely liked her vengeance.
But akri seemed horrified. “I don’t understand. Why would she do such a thing?”
“Because the universe is complicated, and there’s a delicate balance in all things that must be maintained … and mostly because she’s angry, and it’s a way to get back at Apollo for what he did to you.”
Oh … now Simi understood.
Akri was aghast. “Yes, but if you know these people will die, can’t you stop her from teaching them?”
“I could. But it could unravel the very essence of the universe … and make her even angrier.” Holding her closer to his chest, Savitar picked up a random stone from the ground and held it in his hand. “Tell me what happens if I throw this with all my power.”
Simi scratched her cheek. Well, if it hit someone, it would hurt.
Her akri gasped. “It hits a soldier in his shoulder, wounding him and making his arm lame. It would force him to become a beggar.”
Savitar nodded before akri continued, “Eight score people will die because the soldier can no longer protect them in battles that wouldn’t even be fought for years to come. But out of those people who died …”
“It goes on and on and on,” Savitar said, interrupting him. “Do I throw the rock, or do I drop it? And a thousand lives are changed by one innocuous decision.” He let the rock fall to the ground.
Bored by their discussion, Simi laid her head down and closed her eyes while she listened to them talk.
“You and I, Acheron, are cursed to understand how the tiniest decision made by every being can go onward to affect the rest of the universe. I know what should happen … what needs to happen. And if I stop something as simple as a rock throw, it could cause catastrophic consequences. However, unlike you, I don’t see the future until after I make a decision and act. The moment I do something, I then see everything unfold from that point on. You are lucky. You will always see the future before you act.”
“But I didn’t see my sister’s death.”
“No. The Greek Fates, when they cursed you, blinded you to the fate of those closest to you. Anyone you care about will always be your blind spot.”
Simi bit her lip as she realized she would be her akri’s blind spot, too.
“That’s not right.”
“Well, kid, brace yourself. This one’s even worse. You also will never be able to see your own future or the future of anyone who seriously impacts your future.”
Ouch. That had to be terrible for her akri. She couldn’t imagine such a thing.
“Can you see it?” Acheron asked.
“It’s why I’m here.”
“Then tell me what you see.”
Savitar shook his head. “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. If you knew what was ahead of you, you’d avoid doing the very things you must do in order to have it unfold properly. One small innocuous decision and your destiny will be altered forever.”
That scared her.
“But you can see your future.”
“Only after I’ve set it into motion and can’t change it.”
Poor Savitar. Simi couldn’t imagine which one had it worse. Both seemed awful to her. She was glad she didn’t know the future at all.
Savitar clapped akri on the back. “I know how confusing it is for you to have all this power and knowledge and not know how to channel it. Or tap it.”
“It is hard.”
