“The next generation of Godslayers?” Kaara said, “But isn’t there usually only seven or eight of them?”

“You’re correct. It goes to show that becoming a Godslayer is no easy feat, nor is it pleasant. It’s a path paved upon the bodies of countless allies running alongside a raging river of blood.”

“And what about the ones who don’t become a Godslayer?” Argo said.

“They either die somewhere along the way, or become legends outside of the title. The candidates that live on act as backups in a way. Not everyone who can kill a god becomes a Godslayer. A Greatwyrm must also choose you as its champion.”

“Why would we need backups for something like a Godslayer?”

“Because gods do not like being kept in check by anything. Especially mortals. If a Godslayer dies, then another takes its place. The presence of powerful Ux is what protects this world from being eliminated by divine beings.”

“So you’re saying Savekio wants Argo to become a Godslayer?” Rixam asked.

Shiira shrugged, “Not likely, but the Siren Ceremony is a prerequisite for more than a Godslayer. By the nature of the ritual, your Ux is connected, and that connection does not go away. Even long after the ceremony is over, you may still benefit from it if the other participants die.”

“What do you mean?”

“When people die, their Ux is inherited by those they were connected to in life. Friends, family, allies, and lovers usually get it by default if you have a soul mark. Someone can also claim it by killing you in a duel. However, with the Siren Ceremony, your Ux can also go to anyone else you took this ritual with. It’s one of the few ways non-nobility can gain Ux without killing someone in a duel.”

“And with the presence of Deka and the heirs of the Xirxus clan there are more participants this year than usual, isn’t that right?” Argo said.

“Yes, Savekio likely knew this year would be perfect to slip his disciple into the mix.” Shiira pulled the scrolls from under her shawl, “Aside from that, I can rarely figure out what that xio is planning, but these scrolls are probably your next test as his disciple. The good news is you appear to be ahead of schedule.”

“So what now? You said we had a lot to do before the ceremony.”

“I’ll make a correction to that. I’ve got a lot to do before the ceremony comes.” She glanced over to Kaara as she slipped the scrolls back beneath her shawl, “Speaking of which, I think it’s time I get started with my part of things. You kids should enjoy the rest of these days as if they were your last. None of your lives are guaranteed, no matter how much I would like to help you survive. Don’t leave anything unsaid before the ceremony comes. Take it from this old hag.” She stopped, “Oh, and have as much fun as you can with these final days. Make the most of the time you have left because you don’t know how much longer you have with them.”

She left the tent in complete silence. It was a full minute before Arik broke the silence with a loud groan, “Jeeze, how can you say ‘go out and have fun’ after telling us we might die in three days?”

Kaara giggled, “Yeah, it’s hard isn’t it? I guess I get what she means, but it doesn’t make me feel better,” She looked at Argo and the others, “I’m sorry for everything that happened yesterday.”

Rixam waved his hand to dismiss her, “You’re not the one who needs to apologize. We knew what we were gettin’ into.”

“Well Shiira told us to not leave anything unsaid, so…” Kaara took a deep breath, “Did you guys know I have a curse?”

Arik stiffened up next to her, “Kaara, are you sure-”

“I think they deserve to know!”

“A curse?” Argo asked.

Kaara nodded, “I don’t know all the details of it, but I’ve got a curse that attracts Malaki to me. So this year’s gonna be a lot more dangerous than every other year since I’ll be participating. So if you wanna back out of the ceremony you should-”

“Not happening.” Argo said bluntly, “At least, not for me. I don’t speak for everyone else.”

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Rixam wrapped his arm around Argo’s shoulders, “I don’t think I’ll be opting out either.”

“Me neither,” Gornax said.

Kaara felt a pit in her stomach, “Are you sure? It’s not like anyone can intervene in the ceremony. Malaki are dangerous and-”

“Then why don’t you opt out instead?” A voice said from nearby. It was Lillith the Nephilim.

“Oh, you’re awake, Feathers. Need us to fill you in?” Rixam said.

She shook her head, “I was pretending to sleep,” The nephilim glared at Kaara, “If you’re concerned about us, then why don’t you opt out of it instead?”

Kaara swallowed, scratching her head, “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

Kaara looked to Arik, “Because I made my doll. The Malaki are already here. Plus, I can’t protect my friends if I opt out. And after what Shiira said, I would want to be connected to them somehow if the worst happened.”

“Rixam, you and the others should opt out.” Argo said.

Rixam clasped his hand atop Argo’s head, “Not happening, kid.”

“But-”

“You heard Shiira. This is one of the only ways Noxa like us can gain Ux. If I chicken out here, I’ll never be able to save my sister.”

“But if you die-”

“Then you’re gonna find my sister for me,” He grinned, “Maybe it’s selfish of me, to put that on you, but I don’t plan on dying, so…” His hand left Argo’s head, “At the end of the day, I’d rather risk my life trying to get stronger than be a weak coward who can’t do anything to help the ones I care for.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Gornax said, “That’s the devil’s tongue for you. Always so convincing.”

Kaara looked at Argo. She could see the worry in his eyes. Knowing that his friends would not blame him even if he ends up being the reason they died. She knew that feeling all too well. Unable to stop them, but unable to stop herself from worrying about them.

“I wouldn’t have my life without you Argo,” Lilith said, “So I don’t mind risking it if it means being by your side when those monsters come after us.”

“Argo huh?” Arik said, hooking an arm around Kaara’s neck, “Sounds like you all care about him the same way I care about Kaara here.”

Kaara’s face was red as Arik laughed and poked her cheek, “And I can tell you Tadios and Rorik feel the same way.”

“I don’t like that!” Kaara blurted out.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean- I appreciate it, but what am I supposed to do if you die because you wanted to follow me? Everyone around me is in danger at all times, and I can’t stop it. So even if you’re saying that you don’t plan to die, I won’t be able to stop myself from taking the blame if you do.”

“I don’t like it either,” Argo said, “I don’t want people risking their lives for me. Lilith, I helped you because I wanted you to be safe. You don’t owe me anything, so I don’t want you to risk your life for my sake.”

Kaara nodded, “Yeah! I would almost prefer you guys ended up hating me for my curse and keeping your distance. At least that way you guys would be safe.”

There was a long silence. Kaara felt Arik’s arm slacken, “Is that how you really feel?”

Kaara nodded, “Yeah.”

“After what happened in the war games, I feel the same way,” Argo said, “You guys can tell me you’ll be okay, but you can’t guarantee that.”

“You’re sayin’ we didn’t come out alright in the end?” Rixam said.

“You’re missing your wing! Of course i’m saying that.”

Rixam laughed, “So what? I’m alive. I’m healthy.”

“But you’re not, and you could have died! The Malaki are going to be far worse than the nobles could ever be.”

“So what do you want us to do, leave you alone to fend for yourself? Do you think I or anyone here would be able to live with ourselves if we let you fight them alone?”

“I get that, but-”

“But what? There’s nothing else to ‘get’ Argo! You’re only part of the reason I’m doing all this, so don’t take all the credit if I end up dying. Most of the credit goes to me if I fuckin’ die and don’t forget it!”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Arik said, “Listen Kaara, does it worry me that you’ve got this curse? Yes. Am I scared of what it means? Absolutely. But the thought of leaving you alone to handle it yourself makes me even more afraid than anything else. You’re saying you couldn’t live with yourself if we died because of your curse, but what about us? You think we’d be able to live with ourselves if you died alone because we cut you off?”

“Kaara, Argo, I think both of you need to hear this,” Gornax said, “We can’t always choose how we get to die, but we can choose how we live. If we’re saying we want to follow you into danger, that’s our choice, not yours. So if you can’t opt out, then neither can we. Because at the end of the day, I’m not gonna sit by and let any of you do this alone.”

“If I couldn’t risk my life with you, I would feel like I’m stealing something,” Lilith said, “I don’t plan on wasting the life you helped to give back to me. I plan on repaying you. I don’t care if you don’t want me to repay you. I can’t take what you’ve given to me without giving something back.”

Kaara knew what Argo was feeling. What had they done to deserve friends like them? What was so special about them that despite their faults, their curses, and their shortcomings their friends laid their lives on the line for them?

“I understand,” Argo said, “Thank you, everyone.”

Kaara choked up, wiping a tear, “Yeah, thanks everyone. Let’s have fun, okay?”