Beckett

"The mortals are claiming to have spotted monsters in the waters." My father states, his voice calm, but his facial expressions are anything but; his brows are furrowed in concern, and his eye is twitching. A tell-tell sign of his that he's worried.

"The HUMANS," I state, exaggerating the word human to remind my father that Mortal is an old term that should no longer be used in this day and age, "always claim to have seen a monster. Why should we be concerned now?" I ask, adjusting myself into an engaging position, taking an interest in what my father has to say.

"The sightings aren't just from one part of the world. They're all over. The Scottish Highlands, Scandinavia, Denmark, The coast of California, China, Egypt, Uganda, Mexico, and that's just to name a few of the places."

"Have we investigated these sightings? Is there any truth to these rumors?" I ask, shifting slightly in my seat, wondering if the Etir has made its way into the world's waters.

"There's a reason the kingdom warriors have all gathered here today. Some have just gotten back from their recon assignment, and others are awaiting orders. When the creatures of the sea voiced that you were coming...." My father pauses, and I wonder if he's thinking of how our people called to Katrina and named her Queen, "...When our people," My father corrects himself, "told me you were coming, I decided to hold off on talking with the warriors until I spoke with you."

"Why?" I ask, curious yet cautious of what my father wants.

"It's time you've taken up your duties, heir apparent. Ares has had Miles commanding his troops since the moment he could walk. I've only let you deal with legislative stuff, but now it's time to see if you have what it takes to lead your warriors. I want you to gather intel from the warriors, and I want you to report your findings back to me. I'll send out the warriors to other monster sightings."

Ah, so that's his angle. If this all comes down to bite him in the ass when the council finds out what's going on, he wants a scapegoat. He wants to blame the heir of the Water Kingdom, so the other Kings and council members won't see how inept he is for the job.

"I'll hear what the warriors say about the sightings, but I don't have time to write a report. I'll have Cedric with me when I listen to the recounts of what happened; he'll fill out a report for you."

"As my heir, it is your responsibility." Posiedon roars, standing from his desk, making it clear to me that the worry and concern he held earlier wasn't for his kingdom but for himself.

"AS YOUR HEIR!" I yell, my anger spewing over like rapidly boiling water in a pot, the temperature in my father's office plummeting as a chill seeps through, my powers wanting to surge forward and rid my father of this world as I slam my hands against the table, standing to my full height and towering over my father, my chair clanging to the ground. "I should've been informed of what was happening immediately. AS YOUR HEIR, it is not my DUTY to write my reports. IT IS MY DUTY TO PROTECT MY KINGDOM. ESPECIALLY SINCE THEIR KING IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT SAVING HIS ASS THAN HE IS ABOUT PROTECTING THEM!"

My father's face is red with fury, yet I can still see a trickle of fear in his eyes as he takes in the power of my aura. I can tell he wants to yell right back and get in my face, but he's realized something. I'm not the same little boy he kept under his thumb that he could easily boss around. My powers have exceeded even his; if I wanted to, I could strip him of his title, so my father could make the smartest decision of his life. He backs down, takes his seat, and pretends to shuffle through whatever "paperwork" is littering his desk. It's his silent way of dismissing me. As I leave his office, we both know one thing, I'm not leaving because he dismissed me; I'm leaving because I want to.

As I storm out of my father's office and back into the throne room, the entire room quiets down, my aura is ripping through the room, and everyone can feel my rage. I inhale deeply, trying to calm myself, knowing I'll be useless to my people in my current state.

"Well, are you the new King?" Cederic's voice carries through the room as he chuckles dryly, helping me ease my rage.

"Not quite yet, my friend." I bellow back as I walk across the throne room toward him. Thanking the stars, he's made his presence known to me. I haven't a second to waste.

"So, Beckett, What has you all up in a tizzy?" Cederic asks calmly.

He's been there for me since the night I killed my best friend and some of the people in the neighboring village. While my kingdom had eventually forgiven me, they were still wary of me, scared of the power I held. Kirk, he's never been afraid. His answer, whenever I've asked him, is the same. "Today's a good day to die" At first, I thought he was suicidal, so when I asked him to elaborate one day on his favorite expression, he told me that people die every day; there are so many different ways both imaginable and unimaginable that a person can die, it would be asinine to go about every day without thinking it would be your last. He told me he lives life to the fullest each and every day because any day could be his last, and any day is a good day to die because Death is unpreventable. The people who fear Death are also the people who are afraid to live.

"I need your help Ced. I need to gather all the men who were sent out to investigate the monster sightings."

"How bad is it?" Cederic asks, his stance morphing from playful and carefree to that of a soldier- serious and ready for battle.

"I'm not sure yet," I reply quietly.

"Alright, well, whatever you need, Beckett. I'll gather the soldiers; where should I tell them to meet you?"

"My private quarters. If this situation is as dire as it seems, I want it kept contained." I reply.

I walk away, knowing that Cedric will do as I asked. As I make my way to the quarters I send out a group text.

**Katrina's Sex Slaves**

*Beckett: Family Meeting tonight.*

I don't wait to see if the message has gone out or if there's a response. I know that once it's delivered, the others will agree to the meeting.