As Eternals, we’re supposed to have everything under control.

That’s why Fate is in charge.

She makes sure everything is accounted for and we can all do our jobs effectively and efficiently.

But that was until Fate’s little Holder started to make her own decisions.

And that’s why I’m sitting at the council table and not enjoying my afternoon.

“Fate this is serious.” Moon cut in, her dark blueberry hair falling in waves like tides over her shoulders. “Your Holder is just a child—a naive one—in fact. She’ll listen to whoever she trusts without question.”

Fate nodded, her magenta essence glowing around her. She always sat so calm, like she had everything under control when she clearly didn’t.

It frustrated me deeply.

“Fate, what do you have to say about this?” I jumped in, ignoring the sparks I was creating. “The fact that the Holder you claimed was the right one, is growing her ability and strength in secret from her council and you claim you had no idea?” 

“Tessa is a young girl, I doubt she’d train in secret by herself.” Earth said calmly.

“What if she isn’t?” Water asked. “Who would be close enough to her to train her in secret that she trusts? If that—”

“We’re ignoring the problem.” Sun interrupted. “Tessa is using her abilities to hide things against us. She’s going rogue.”

I pointed a finger at him. “We agreed not to use the ‘r’ word here.” 

“Apologies.” Sun bowed his head before continuing. “But this is not to be taken lightly.”

I tried not to laugh at the unintended pun. “Taken lightly.” And he’s the Sun eternal.

It’s funny.

You’re laughing.

“What if the other Holders are hiding things too?” Time asked.

“Like we aren’t already hiding things from one another. Right, Time?” I shot back, glaring at her as she scoffed.

“What do I have to hide, Fire? You are the one with the incompetent Holder.” She pushed.

I gasped. “He is anything but incompetent. Unlike your reckless mess of a Holder who doesn’t even know the others exist!” 

“That is not their fault! Fate said it wasn’t time for them to know yet.” Time accused our leader.

“Ladies, ladies. Can we please get back to the actual problem here?” Sun asked, hands raised.

“Oh of course, Sun.” I said sarcastically. “Tell us again what the great tragedy is.”

“Fate’s Holder is going against the rules and could easily be used if she starts going against her council too.” Sun said, suddenly quieter.

Everyone quieted for once at that.

Just a disclaimer, we aren’t usually like this. But with such threats coming to our attention—we’ve all been on edge.

Time is actually a dear…friend of mine.

“Are you all finished with your accusations?” Fate asked, meditating still.

That about fired me up (pun intended) again, but Time rested a hand on my arm, holding me back from vaporizing our leader.

“What is our next move?” Earth asked, eyeing me like she didn’t trust I wouldn’t send a flame in her direction.

“I shall pay closer attention to my own Holder, you all must do the same. Water, Time—I know your Holders are not official yet but see if this is affecting them too.” Fate explained. “Thornblade is dead, the other regions are being informed immediately. Evermere will not take over if a new government is put in place soon enough.”

“But you’re Fate!” I exclaimed, slamming my hand on the obsidian table. “Can’t you just change the government system and give everyone one less thing to worry about?”

“Metaling with something so extravagant can cause tears in dimensions. Do we really need two of everything suddenly walking around?” Fate explained calmly. I crossed my arms and slumped back into my seat of embers.

“We all agree, pay attention to our Holders, report anything necessary, and make sure they’re following our rules.” Fate concluded.

“Could you go over the rules again?” Sun asked. “Just the main ones, that way they’re fresh in everyone’s minds?”

“For someone who’s been around so long, you can’t even remember the rules we created two-hundred years ago?” Air raised an eyebrow, quiet until now.

She easily came and went through these meetings, I was jealous.

“It was a long time ago!” Sun insisted.

Fate sighed, leaning over the table and silencing all of us. “The main rules are these: They must not overuse their gifts. They cannot form romantic bonds with other Holders. Their whereabouts must remain known to us at all times. And—” Fate’s tone dipped flat, “—they must not die before their thread is cut.”

I rolled my eyes. “So basically: no fun, no kissing, no running off, no dying. Got it.”

I honestly forgot about half of those by the time they came out of her mouth, but I got the idea.

“Council dismissed.” Fate clapped her hands, then she was gone. Back to her cave of solitude where she held the strings of the universe and the looking glass.

I wish I had one of those. But I only got a mirror of Fire to watch my Holder—Fate could watch anyone.

“Fire?” I heard Sun say behind me.

“What?”

Sun skidded to a stop next to me, his blond hair glowing even in the dark light. “Do you think there’s something…going on?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, squinting at him. “Me and you?”

Sun’s face turned ember red. “No! Gods no!” He shook his hands. “I mean between the Holders.”

“Do you see something going on?” I asked him, suddenly more serious yet completely oblivious—remembering how long it took me to realize my own feelings for my partner.

“I’m not sure, Maximus seems to be very attached to Ronan and his wellbeing.” Sun said wearily, like someone might be listening. “We should keep an eye on them…but maybe not let the others know.”

“You really think the boys would do something?” I said with a slight attempt at a smirk. “The boys know the rules, they wouldn’t do anything.”

“Since when did your Holder ever listen to the rules?” Sun muttered, but I knew it was a rhetorical question. Ronan only listened when he wanted to or it was interesting to him—which it rarely was.

But Ronan knew better than falling for the Sun Holder of all people…right?