Chapter 145: 2.22 Athena’s Realm (4)
Eris started at the gate from the Underworld to Limbo and took a deep breath.
’When I walk through this gate, I have to immediately ensure everyone who sees me forgets they saw me,’ she thought while blinking her new eyes.
’I’m glad they at least gave me some time to practice on souls in the Geminian Universe. I think I have the hang of it. Hopefully they’re strong enough...’
She stormed angrily through the portal and was greeted by Hermes, who she was surprised to see. She went to use her eyes but Hermes teleported behind her.
"Stop, I’m on your side!" He whispered softly.
Eris was confused. Why wouldn’t Hades tell her someone was waiting for her? "Give me one damn reason..."
"Be quiet and don’t make a scene!" Hermes said as he walked around her, pretending to inspect her.
"Don’t worry everyone, she’s supposed to be here. She’s been sent to assist me. Let me do my inspections. Leave this area at once!" Hermes ordered the small group of gods and souls that gathered.
"Hades stashed me after Lox summoned me to gather all of the Fallen together in Paradise. I felt something was strange, so I said a quick prayer to our Master. He yanked me out and told me to get in good graces with everyone in Limbo. I’m guessing you’re the reason?" Hermes whispered. "He told me to watch out for someone from the Underworld who’d likely be pissed off and have strange eyes."
Eris couldn’t help it, she looked him in the eyes and her yellow pentagrams spun so fast Hermes fell under her control.
"Are you working for Hades or Athena," Eris asked bluntly, but quietly.
"Hades." Hermes said robotically.
Eris allowed him to regain his conscious back and sighed. "Why doesn’t anyone ever keep me informed?"
"What did you just do to me?" Hermes scoffed.
"Made sure you were telling the truth. Do you want me to make you forget who you are? I could do that if you piss me off," Eris said with a sly grin.
"Whatever. I heard you’re here to recruit and have the power to make anyone who says no forget they ever had the conversation. Is that what those eyes are for?"
"You just be a good god and watch the portal and inform me if anyone who shouldn’t be here shows up, ok?" Eris laughed as she walked away.
’What a bitch!’ Hermes thought as he walked back over to guard the portals. ’Hades, what are you up to?’
*****
Sora felt himself leave Paradise and enter a strange space.
’They dream just like we do, only this chief’s dreaming of some other chief’s wife. I guess that’s his happy dream?’ Sora thought as he watched the humanoid Rhino kissing a beautiful woman of the same race.
The dream quickly shifted to the chief finding out his wife was cheating on him. They were fighting and arguing.
’This is just weird.’ Sora thought, shaking his head.
Sora realized he needed to get into the Rhino’s consciousness, and right before his dream finished, he saw an opening and swam toward it. As he found his way into the chief’s consciousness, he created a white space he remembered meeting Athena in.
’Well, it’s not as nice as Athena’s, but it’ll do the trick. I wonder when he’ll sho–’ Sora’s thoughts were interrupted with angry screams.
"You’re not Athena! Who are you?!" the chief shouted.
"Hello kind soul. I am Sora, one of the gods of Paradise. I was sent by Athena to answer your thoughtful prayer."
"Oh, I’m sorry Sora! I’m Hyga, proud Chief of the Ceros tribe! How is our majesty doing? Is she well?"
"She’s doing very well, I will tell her that you asked. I am here to inform you how to vanquish the evil that approaches. To win this war, you must band together and put aside your differences as people. You cannot win a war against titans, a goddess and a demon Lord if you cannot stop fighting amongst yourselves."
"They have a goddess with them?! How did they even get here! Demons don’t exist in our Universe. What is going on! I demand to see Athena at once!"
"Calm yourself Master Hyga. I am not here to upset you. The goddess working with the demon Lord is part of the fallen and Hades’ plot to take over Paradise. They are going planet to planet, realm to realm, destroying planets and absorbing their lifeforces. I believe you do this to those you kill from your other tribe." Sora said calmly and smoothly."
Hyga frowned and before he could speak, Sora continued.
"You should also prepare your loved ones and family for the After-life. Athena heard your prayer and wanted me to re-iterate that last part. She knows despite fighting amongst one another, most of you have good souls and honor Paradise regularly." Sora said as politely and clearly as he could.
"She really said that? You are a kind god. I’m sorry I get so upset sometimes."
"Yes, she said that and we all get upset sometimes, thank you for your kind words," Sora said, patting Hyga on the shoulder.
"Why are they bothering us? We never troubled anyone else in our Universe. Sure, we fight and steal each other’s lifeforces sometimes but that’s because... well that’s just who we are." Hyga said, unable to come up with a justifiable explanation about stealing each other’s powers.
"Yet despite all of that, Athena forgives you and willingly allows your kind to pass on to Paradise. They are here for the same reason you fight. They are here for power. They desire our powers desperately." Sora frowned. "In order to obtain our powers, they must destroy the planet I am from and the planet my wife and I are allowed to protect." Sora said with a kind smile, holding Hyga’s shoulder, allowing him to see the war with the Ancient Titans.
"I’m sorry our troubles have caused your race more complications," Sora added.
"So many... yet your planet survives? You must be a strong god indeed. Why are you in Paradise if your planet is at risk, though?"
"We’ll have that chat if you are unable to survive this war. Just because they absorb your lifeforce and power doesn’t mean your soul cannot move on to Paradise. It can also go to Limbo and the Underworld, so try to work together with your peers and slay as many of the enemies as you can. Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to defeat them. Your race is strong in spirit and in battle." Sora said while slowly walking toward the edge of the white space he created.
"But Master Sora, what if we cannot get along and fight them?" Hyga shouted.
"Then pray for forgiveness and I’ll see you soon," Sora smiled and was gone.
’He’s a strange god. Does he really think we can just patch our differences and fight together?’
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