Chapter 143: 2.20 Athena’s Realm (2)
Skylar approached them quickly. Brie and Sora stood nervously as the giant, beautiful Phoenix landed right in front of them.
Skylar stared at them intensely, causing Soa and Brie to question if coming was a good idea.
Athena appeared with Xander and Skylar perched on her companion’s head. Athena smiled as Xander sprinted to give his parents a hug.
"Mama! Dada! I’ve missed you. I have so many cool things to show you! Nana Fena is so much fun! So is Skylar, she’s so smart. Her magic is sooooo cool!" Xander exclaimed while his parents hugged him together.
"He has grown tremendously over the past few months. I have a good guess as to why you have come to visit. Skylar, please take Xander out back while I talk with his parents."
Skylar nodded and she grabbed Xander with her talons gently, and flew away with Xander extending his arms and yelling, "Look, I’m flying!" while mimicking an airplane.
"Good job kiddo! We’ll see you in a little bit!" Brie shouted joyfully.
"Seems like those two get along really well. Why was she so defensive when we arrived?" Sora asked politely, while running his hand through his messy blonde hair.
"She’s been on the defensive since the traitors were executed. She peers into the minds of those approaching. Granted, not many are fortunate enough to come to my realm, so I’ve told her to relax a little." Athena said with a kind smile. "So, about this prayer. What did you two conclude was the best course of action?"
Brie and Sora looked at each other, smiled and nodded. They agreed beforehand Brie would do the talking.
"Well your Majesty, Sora and I originally agreed you should be the one to visit this Chief who prayed. After talking about it, we agreed this is directly caused by our actions, so maybe Sora should answer this prayer." Brie said confidently.
"But this race isn’t familiar with either of you, don’t you think they might be offended if I’m not present?" Athena asked quaintly.
"There are thousands of gods and goddesses in Limbo and Paradise, not including the Fallen or the Underworld. Do they really expect you to answer every prayer?" Brie responded calmly. "I’m not saying you’re incapable of anything, I’m saying they shouldn’t expect you every time. That would defeat the purposes of your rule."
Athena paused for a moment, pleased by the answer. She didn’t think Sora and Brie would adjust so quickly.
"It appears time away from Exteria, your party and your responsibilities as King and Queen has helped clear your convoluted minds. These are not responses I expected. I will allow Sora to respond to this prayer on my behalf. I only wonder why you handled the explanation rather than Sora," Athena said with an eyebrow raised.
"Your majesty, we both felt it would look selfish and arrogant if I simply told you I should respond. We’re trying to learn to communicate better on higher priority items rather than rushing to conclusions like we found ourselves doing too often on Exteria. Granted, most of those situations required action before thought, but up here, we’re able to observe, learn and develop together." Sora said with a gentle smile.
"What do you plan on telling the Chief?" Athena asked out of curiosity.
"To stop fighting amongst themselves and set aside minor differences for the sake of their planet. That is the only way they stand a chance at defeating Azazel, Helen and the titans." Sora said calmly. "Also, we’ve had no luck finding their hidden realm and I noticed Eris was not with Ahnka, Helen and Azazel when Helen transferred Ankha the power from their 10th planet."
"I would also advise them to prepare their families for the afterlife. It is better to be transparent and honest than provide any false hope. If they found a way to portal to another universe, things will only become more complicated for all of us." Athena said empathetically. "As for Eris, I’m not sure. It’s not like her to be away from her titans."
*****
Athena opened a portal to her backyard where Skylar and Xander were sitting and staring off into Nova’s galaxy. Xander was pointing out each member of their party and telling the beautiful bird how much he missed the rest of his family.
"How’s he doing?" Sora asked as they walked into her beautiful backyard. Every planet and Universe seemed closer and more clear.
"Most days he’s brilliant and in a great mood. Like any child, he has his days where he wants to be a kid and not worry so much about having magic, powers and responsibilities as a god. On those days, I usually leave him with Skylar and she allows him to be a kid and play." Athena said while observing the young boy.
"All of this is strange. Two days have passed on Exteria and so much has happened. Two years have passed here and we’re already becoming different people. Xander turns 4 next week. What should we do for him? We can’t exactly throw him a birthday party like a normal child," Brie said with a hint of sadness resounding in her voice.
"Let him do whatever he’d like to do. He misses you both and talks about you all the time. There’s no one he looks up more to than you, so please continue to do a great job raising him," Athena said with a smile, hoping it would cheer them up.
Sora stood in silence holding back his tears. ’Then why did I torture Tesarion and steal his power? Why couldn’t I hear Xander calling for me?’ he thought, trying his best to focus on the beauty before his eyes.
"Eye of Chronos, Athena and I," Sora whispered. Athena took a step back, surprised.
"I didn’t think you could control my realm. That’s certainly an impressive show of power. What’s so important you can’t mention in front of your–" Athena stopped talking and slowly hugged Sora, who couldn’t hold back his tears anymore. "It’s about that day, isn’t it?"
Sora cried into her shoulder. "Yes. How can he think I’m this wonderful father when I couldn’t hear him when he called out for me?"
Athena rubbed his back gently while hugging him, using her calming spells to ease Sora’s anxious and tense body. "No one is perfect, Sora." Athena said softly as he continued to cry.
"Well Brie’s pretty close and I haven’t ever seen you do anything atrocious. All you do is forgive and do what’s right for every god, person, realm, universe, you name it. You’re always the same, kind, calm goddess that we all need to lead us."
"I’ve made my share of mistakes. My father warned me about my uncle. I should have shattered his soul when I had the chance, yet here we are."
Sora finally started to relax and thanked Athena, and wiped the tears from his face.
"I just wish we didn’t have to change his life so drastically. I could see it in his eyes before we left for Paradise, he didn’t want to go. He wanted to grow up on Exteria like a normal kid." Sora said with a reluctant chuckle. "All of us know he’s anything but ordinary."
"If you ever need to talk, just let me know. I’ll create a portal for you and Brie so you can see Xander whenever you’d like, and he can see you when he’d like. Would that help?" Athena asked enthusiastically.
"Yes, I think that’d be nice." Sora said as he took some deep breaths. "I’m surprised Xander hasn’t popped out of my spell yet."
"Sora... what are you doing freezing our Majesty’s realm like that?" Brie asked angrily. "I finally figured it out!"
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