The Poppy War

Her destiny had not been written in the stars, or in the registers of the Pantheon. She had made her choices fully and autonomously.

What did any god ever want?

You humans always think you’re destined for things, for tragedy or for greatness. Destiny is a myth. Destiny is the only myth. The gods choose nothing. You chose. You chose to take the exam. You chose to come to Sinegard. You chose to pledge Lore, you chose to study the paths of the gods, and you chose to follow your commander’s demands over your master’s warnings. At every critical juncture you were given an option; you were given a way out. Yet you picked precisely the roads that led you here. You are at this temple, kneeling before me, only because you wanted to be. And you know that should you give the command, I will call something terrible. I will wreak a disaster to destroy the island of Mugen completely, as thoroughly as Speer was destroyed. By your choice, many will die.”

Hating was so easy. It filled a hole inside her.

Altan had won. Altan had achieved in death what he couldn’t do in life

Was that Altan’s voice echoing in her head, or her own thoughts?

Because for some of them, it was the only time they could get away from their horrible god.

to live under the strain of a furious god constantly screaming for destruction in the back of his mind, while an indifferent narcotic deity whispered promises in his blood.

Her god was her own. She would die before she betrayed it.

Kill yourself, Trengsin.