Chapter 45: The Final Choice

DANICA

Daisy had joined the gathering at my place, as everyone was scrambling to rally as many people as possible.

“Is it safe?” Daisy questioned, settling down next to me.

I was idle, with no one to reach out to. This world was still too alien for me to have any connections. Yet, from what I gathered, many were responding positively to our call.

I hoped that was a promising sign. What other options did they have?

“Not safe at all,” I admitted, burying my face in my hands. The anticipation seemed to be the most agonizing part. Waiting for the unknown, waiting for my own demise.

“Does that mean you might not return?” Daisy inquired, not pausing for my response.

“We could all be waiting for your death right now.” She stated the grim reality.

“That’s… not how I planned my day off,” she added. “How can everyone be okay with this?” she wondered.

I glanced around at everyone busily engaged in various tasks. “I don’t think they’re okay with it. They’re just used to these situations, where someone’s life hangs in the balance. Compared to that, our human lives seem like a dream. Our biggest worry is how to earn more from our nine-to-five jobs.

“Besides, this is what needs to be done, and I’m the only one who can do it. If I fail… then everything collapses, doomsday begins, and everyone dies… Anyway, better me than everyone else. I don’t want anyone’s pity. It’s better if everyone just carries on with their tasks and doesn’t dwell on my potential death.” I managed to force a smile at her.

“Please come back,” Daisy pleaded, squeezing my hand. “I just met you and you don’t deserve to die like this. I don’t know what’s out there, but please be safe,” she implored.

“I’ll try,” I promised, my gaze drifting to Hugo. He was engrossed in his phone, reaching out to every contact he had.

“I want to survive,” I confessed. I had never really valued my life before. But now, I had love to fight for.

Everything seemed straightforward on paper, but the actual execution felt impossible.

Astra approached me and took a seat next to me, letting out a heavy sigh. “I don’t usually involve humans in mythical matters but…” She assessed Daisy from head to toe, a modern girl who cared about her appearance and behavior just to fit in.

“Right now, I’ll follow your orders as much as everyone else here,” she declared, and it hit me. “You are our Celestial ruler, Danica. The fate of the world rests in your hands.”

“Well… thanks for not putting pressure on Danica,” Daisy sarcastically remarked, but Astra completely ignored her. I guess Astra didn’t consider Daisy significant just because she was human.

“Oh…” was all I could muster in response to Astra. I still didn’t feel like I had any control over anything. I was still seeking advice from everyone else, not the other way around. I didn’t even want to have a say in this matter. I was the least qualified person for it.

“Well, if that’s the case… Can I ask you one question?” I asked, and she simply nodded.

“How come you seem so human all of a sudden?” I asked, eliciting a faint smile from her. It seemed more like a pity smile, but why?

“I am not human, my dear,” she clarified. “I am merely dust in the wind. All my magic is confined to the celestial world.” She gazed at her hands. “If the Celestial falls, all my magic fades with it,” she explained, and I exchanged glances with Daisy.

Astra was dying, slowly, before the rest of the world.

“How much time do you have left?” I asked.

“Until my body fully transforms into a mundane form and then only my bones will remain in this world. Even my soul will have no escape. I will vanish completely,” she revealed.

“How human are you now?” Daisy asked.

Astra hesitated before answering. “I don’t have much time left,” she admitted.

“If I repair the sky… could you survive?” I asked.

“Don’t fret over me, love. My time is dwindling, but you’re the one we need to focus on. We have to get this right the first time. No need to rush, though. I’ve lived a long life. If it’s my time, I’ll face it with dignity.”

I noticed Celeste eavesdropping from the sidelines. Astra chimed in. “While everyone is scrambling to prepare, there’s something you need to consider. To ascend, you must die. Ideally, you should be killed with a cold weapon.”

My mouth turned to cotton and my palms began to sweat. “You mean… like a knife or a sword?” I asked, and she nodded in confirmation.

“If it comes down to that, you get to choose who does it,” she added.

“Choose who… kills me?” I asked, though it was clear.

Astra rose and walked towards the crowd, where Hugo was now watching me. He must have sensed the tension in our conversation. He glanced at Astra, but I doubt he saw anything in her icy demeanor.

I was certain that everything between us was real. It was just that Hugo had led me on, making me believe it was okay, that it was wonderful while it lasted. But letting go was the hardest part, especially after getting a taste of what it was like to be with him.

The joy that was being crushed by the impending apocalypse. We found each other when we were both lonely, desperate for companionship. It was beautiful, but so, so wrong.

I turned to Celeste. “Would you do it?” I asked.

Celeste squinted at me.

“Kill me?” I clarified, and she burst into laughter.

“I don’t think you want me to do that. I’m an old woman, my heart couldn’t take it. Besides, the person who kills you should either be your worst enemy or the one you love most,” she said, casting a pointed glance at Hugo before smirking at me.

I looked back at Hugo, who was still watching me. I didn’t bother to hide my gaze. He was the one who looked away. I doubted he would agree to do it, regardless of his feelings for me. What kind of scar would that leave on his soul if I didn’t survive?

“I’ll think about it,” I said, standing up.

“I need some air,” I told Celeste and Daisy, who looked like they wanted to say something but thought better of it.

I approached Davina. “Can I go out for a bit?” I asked her.

“What for?” she replied, engrossed in her paperwork, barely acknowledging me.

“To see my father,” I answered, and her demeanor shifted. She looked up at me, dropping everything she was doing. She began to nod, as if this was a normal request.

“Alright.” She cleared her throat. “You have time.”

She nodded again. From a distance, it might have seemed comical, but I wondered how I would react if someone told me they were off to meet Death.

“I think it would be best if someone went with you,” she suggested. “I would go, but…”

She gestured to her pile of papers. I got the feeling she was too intimidated to be near Death.

“I’ll accompany her,” Klaus offered from behind me.

Suddenly, Hugo rushed up to him and punched him in the face. I understood why Hugo was angry—there was still a mark on his jaw—but he didn’t need to escalate things.

Klaus stumbled, gasps echoing around us, but no one intervened. He touched his jaw, as if trying to realign it, and glared at Hugo.

“I thought you were the mature one,” he said.

“Well, you thought wrong,” Hugo retorted.

“I hope you remember these punches when they find out about you and Danica,” Klaus shot back, and all eyes were on us again.

“There’s nothing to find out,” Hugo spat at him.

“I hope not,” Klaus said, nodding at me. “We don’t have time for this. We should leave now.”

Klaus walked out, and all I could do was follow him. I didn’t want to be alone with Klaus. I could feel his judgment.

I never thought there was anything wrong between Hugo and me, but Klaus made me feel like there was. He was supposed to be my guardian angel, but he despised me.

It was terrible that he had to go against his beliefs to fulfill his duty.

“She’s not going with you alone!” Hugo declared.

I watched as Klaus’s face twisted in disgust.

“See, unlike you, I actually understand what it means to be a guardian angel. I’m aware of my responsibilities and I’m committed to fulfilling them. That’s something you just couldn’t manage to do.”