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Niki watched the flames dance around Essempi from her high vantage point. The fire was destroying everything; people were running without a destination. They were like ants from Niki’s view. In many ways, it was beautiful.
A cleansing fire, one to end it all. Niki wanted it to burn, the city she had been trapped in for ten fucking years. For a moment, Niki thought her eyes caught sight of a puff of white hair, but it was a trick of the flames, just a sword’s reflection.
Niki felt so exhilarated, yet terrified. She didn’t know what would happen now.
Of course, she couldn’t be left alone during this triumph. She could feel the god of love behind her, his presence overwhelming. Niki took a breath and turned around, refusing to give him anything he’d like. She showed a blank face.
“Well, Niki of Essempi- did you know that’s what they’ve been calling you? Anyway, it’s all over. A war to end all wars. A love to end all loves. We really made history just like you wanted,” the god laughed almost maniacally, enjoying the chaos. Niki felt a little smile tug at her lips.
Gods, she could never help herself; even if she was pissed at the god, he was still her best friend.
“You know, Jack, when I said I wanted to be remembered in legends, this was not what I meant,” Niki said with a quirked eyebrow, placing her hands on the window ledge and leaning back.
“Yes, I know, but this was the fun way to stir the world up. You wanted to get revenge on that dear wife of yours, did you not?” Jack asked, smiling.
“Revenge on her for leaving me at home too often. This-“ Niki gestured to the fires burning behind her, warming her skin despite the distance they had from the castle tower “-was not what I meant. This was extreme. I wanted to disappear and make a week's trip with you to make her learn her lesson. Now I’ve missed ten years with her,” Niki said with a slightly shrill tone. She knew Jack was trying to rile her up to anger her. If Niki was angry, she would have the energy to fight back if any soldier thought they should cut her down, but it was still annoying. She didn’t think she would ever really forgive Jack for setting everything in motion, even if it wasn’t solely his fault.
“Oh Niki, my blessed friend, don’t worry. Your parentage will ensure immortality after death for you and your love; I wouldn’t be able to live without you after all,” Jack said, placing a hand on his heart at the over-exaggerated sentimentality.
Her parentage, it always went back to her parentage. Being the daughter of Exdee was not all that it was cracked up to be, and every day Niki wished she could have just been a normal human. But, unfortunately, her fate was decided the day she was born a demi-god; demi-gods never led everyday lives. It was even rumored that Niki was also the daughter of the goddess Nemesis, the god of divine retribution. Niki wasn't sure if it was true, but it would make sense with her vengeful streak. Niki had heard of baby godlings being turned human when the gods don't want any new deities to deal with.
“So, what’re the current rumors about me?” Niki asked, letting the conversation shift so as not to have another fight; Niki didn’t really have it in her at the moment.
“Oh, what they’ve been saying from the start. You are either a tragic heroine who, without your consent, was absconded by the awfully evil Prince Paris to Essempi, kidnapped and forced to stay by the god of love; otherwise, you are the traitorous whore who saw the dashing Paris, and with the help of the god of love, you abandoned your home, your duties as a queen, and most importantly, your wedding vows.”
“And what does Puffy think?” Niki asked, fearing the answer. She never asked what Puffy thought before since it never mattered, but now they would reunite. Niki had to be prepared.
“You can never tell with her,” Jack said, rolling his eyes, “but I doubt she’ll kill you on the spot.”
Niki closed her eyes and tried to focus her mind. Her thoughts were like a whirlwind. She longed to go home, but she was stubborn, and going home would mean admitting to her part in starting this war. Niki technically did create the war just to pettily get back at her wife; it wasn’t intentional, but still. Jack manipulated a stupid and reckless fool to kidnap Niki, not even warning Niki beforehand. Then Niki was forced to be locked up away from home for years. She barely had any freedom unless Jack had time away from the battle to take her elsewhere. They visited countries nearby and took trips, but Niki couldn’t go home. Even when she begged Jack, he would look at her with sadness and guilt, telling her the head gods wanted the war to continue and would not let Niki go until they were ready.
Niki had been furious at first, raving at Jack and going so far as to wound him despite her mortal status. Still, eventually, her anger burned away as she realized he hadn’t meant for it to go so far, either. Exdee had put him on the path to Paris with that stupid golden apple competition. It was already too late when he was chosen after promising the most beautiful girl in the world, and Jack had no choice but to let Niki get taken. He had no power when compared to someone like Exdee or Prime.
Niki opened her eyes, expecting to see Jack looking at her worriedly, only to find he was gone. Niki stood back up fully, looking around, not understanding why he was gone, until a timid knock rang on her door.
Niki stared at it, a little bewildered.
“Come in?” She called out, unsure what was happening. The door opened to reveal a tall boy with black and white hair split down the middle. He was young and scrappy looking but clearly a skilled fighter if he was still alive at this point in the war. His posture was leaking insecurity, and he refused to meet Niki in the eyes.
“H-hello, my Lady,” he stuttered, “I was ordered by Philza Craft to retrieve you and return you to General Puffy,” The boy- because he really must not be much older than 18, said, playing with his hands.
Niki took a second to compose herself, to hold herself like the queen she was. It was time.
“Of course you are. And did my wife happen to give you any further instructions to restrain me?” Nikki asked, causing the boy’s head to whip up as he looked at her with shock.
“No! I’m just to escort you. I would never dream of harming you, my Lady.” Well, the boy was polite, and at least Puffy wasn’t treating her like a prisoner.
“And what is your name, soldier?” He looked surprised but answered quietly.
“Ranboo, second in command to Philza Craft.” He really must be skilled. Second in command was insane for his age.
“Well then, let’s not keep my wife waiting,” Niki said with a sigh, walking out the door past Ranboo, who quickly caught up, matching her stride.
Niki side-eyed him as they walked, taking in everything. He was dirty, and scorch marks were all over his clothes. His skin had visible scars, and Niki knew he must have more than she could see.
This was the cost of war, one she never meant for anyone to pay.
“I'm sorry,” Niki blurted out without thinking, shocking herself.
“W-what?” The boy asked, confused.
I’m sorry for ruining ten years of your life, I’m sorry for taking you from your home so young, I’m sorry for letting you get hurt, I’m sorry for you, someone who could have been my brother, to be here in a war, risking his life. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.
Niki didn’t say any of that, though, as they left the castle and the flames surrounded her. No, she kept silent, and Ranboo dropped it, knowing that it was not his place to question someone of Niki’s status.
Niki was about to ask where they were going when out of the flames, a person walked through. The fire licked their body, but they remained unscorched, even their unruly hair not catching on the fire. Their sword dripped with crimson blood, and a head was in their hand, a head Niki knew.
Paris.
Niki was glad to see him dead. He never touched her, of course, Jack would never allow such a thing, but Niki never liked that he thought she belonged to him even when she never gave in. Practically every conversation they ever had was an argument. The only people Niki liked in the palace were Sam and his son, but Sam was dead, and Niki didn’t know what had happened to little Theseus.
The person stopped where they were, staring at Niki with unreadable eyes.
Niki could feel the tears give way in her eyes, unbeholden to her. Finally, after all this time, she was really here, in front of her. With a single breath, Niki spoke the name of the woman she had longed to see for a decade.
“Puffy.”