The Return of the Goddess of War

Kalliope sighed.

" What's the matter? " asked Polykratos.

" I still have unfinished business… "

Kalliope and Polykratos found themselves within Dilmun, the Mesopotamian equivalent of Elysium.

Polykratos beheld at his beloved child.

Kalliope looked distraught.

He too knew that she had to go back.

" Come. "

" What? "

Polykratos extended his hand.

Kalliope accepted.

" Where are we going? "

Polykratos smiled.

" To your equivalent of Dilmun. "

With Ereshkigal's leave, the two of them headed for Hades.

Charon dropped them off at the harbor-like-netherworld.

They entered the palace, and there they sat:

Hades and Persephone.

Kalliope and Polykratos approached.

" What brings you hither? " asked Henry Cavill as Hades.

" I- "

Hades cut her off.

" I was talking to him. " said Hades, pointing at Polykratos; " what is a barbarian(a none Greek) doing here- "

Persephone slapped him on the chest.

" Don't be rude now, honey. " she turned towards Polykratos; " we are honored to have you here. "

Polykratos bowed.

Amy Adams as Persephone narrowed her eyes at Hades, and all he had to say was:

" Hmm… "

Millie Brady as Kalliope finally said:

" Anyway! I was hoping to leave. "

Hades narrowed his eyes.

" Meaning? "

Kalliope gathered all her strength.

" I wish to leave the underworld, returning to the surface. "

All was deadly quiet, everyone anticipating what Hades would say next.

" Go right ahead. "

" That easily? "

" Sure. "

Kalliope narrowed her eyes.

" What's the catch? "

" Don't look back. "

Kalliope and Polykratos did not exactly understand, although Persephone did.

Regardless:

Permission was given.

But as Kalliope would soon find out:

There was another catch…

They stood before the stairway leading up towards the surface.

Kalliope was nervous.

Would this work?

The clanging of hooves could be heard.

" Ada! Look out! "

Kalliope pushed Polykratos to safety, as Alrik, The Barbarian King, charged straight through them.

Alrik was as hideous as ever, as he beheld Kalliope.

(He was also the one who had killed this world's Kratos.)

" Goddess of War. "

" I see that my reputation has made it all the way to the underworld, O'Barbarian King. "

Alrik smiled.

He then dismounted, slinging his gigantic, spiked, sledgehammer over his shoulder.

Kalliope was weaponless. Well, kind-of.

She still had her fists.

And together with her Polykratos; Kalliope was finally able to get revenge for the death of her Pater; banshing Alrik to the deep depths of Tartarus.

She stood before the stairs, and it was at this moment that Kalliope couldn't/shouldn't look back.

She also realized the weight of this condition, as she could not look back at her Ada for one last time.

Polykratos pushed her forward.

" Go. And don't look back. "

Kalliope wiped away her tears, as she returned to the surface, back to life.

Sharur could sense Kalliope's presence.

He floated from Emebaragesi's back.

" Sharur? "

Athena and Emebaragesi shielded themselves from all the sand, as Sharur jetted towards Greece.

Kalliope was now the one who had to shield herself.

And when all the wind and dust had settled, she beheld loyal-as-fuck Sharur before her.

Kalliope smiled.

She then held out her hand.

Sharur took a step back, and then flew into her hand.

Kalliope kissed the loyal weapon.

" My lady, I am unworthy. "

" Oh, shut up. " said Kalliope with a smile, as she sheathed Sharur.

She then heard someone yell:

" Mater! "

" Boy? "

Kalliope turned around, whereupon her son, Krateros, who was flying on Krios Khrysomallos, rammed right into her.

" Awie… " said Kalliope, now on the ground.

" Mater! "

Krateros quickly dismounted, helping his Mater back up.

Kalliope was finally able to get a good look at her son.

Krateros was taller, stronger, and even more handsomer, despite only being sixteen-years-old.

" Mater, I am so sorry! "

" I too am sorry, my lady. " said Krios in mid-air; " I was going too fast for control… "

" It is alright. " said Kalliope, straightening her spine; " all's well that ends well. "

That was when Kyparissos, The Ceryneian Hind, appeared from out the brushes, carrying all of Kalliope's gear.

Kalliope donned: Antaeus' Armor, which grants the wearer Heracles-like-strength: as long as there is a solid connection to Gaia.

She too donned: Meleager's Mantle, which makes one invulnerable to fire.

She equipped: Bellerophon's Bow, which can transform into Pegasus, while filling the bag, which once housed Medusa's head, with Actaeon's Arrows - when fired the arrows transform into wolves.

Swinging the Palladium shield on her back:

Pallas Kalliope had truly earned her nickname:

Kyrene.

" Mater. " said Krateros, who wielded: Muddur, Frey's sword, and Perseus' Piercer, the sword which beheaded Medusa, and helped slay Ketus;

" Where are we going? "

Procne, as a swallow, and Philomela, as a nightingale, each landed on one of Kalliope's shoulders.

" We are going to find your grandpater. " said Kalliope, holding out her arm, so that Atreus - Aetous Dios, could land on it.

Come, O'King of the Lakedaimonians

Kalliope's mood was at an all-time-high.

She was back.

She had her son and friends by her side.

The sun emitted a kindly warmth.

The wind blew past her in a gentle way.

The very ground felt soft under her feet.

All that was missing was her pater.

Kalliope approached the cliff overlooking Sparta.

" Mater… " said Krateros, ahead of her.

Kalliope was confused by his worried look.

That was when she saw it: the remnants of a battle; and there was her pater, held up by shield and spear, Laelaps before him.

Kalliope knelt before her pater.

She grabbed hold of Artemis' Arrow.

She then brought it down, Kratos falling into her embrace.

Kalliope wept, as Krateros cradled Laelaps.

The body was laid down, the pyre was lit.

Kalliope and Krateros looked on in silence.

When the last ember died away, Krateros said:

" Take your time. " and departed.

Kalliope stood there alone.

She then knelt down, gathering some of her pater's ashes.

Kalliope beheld the bag like Kratos beheld his bag, which contained Laufey's remains.

She then stood up.

" What now? " asked Hades Helmet, now hanging from Kalliope's hip.

Kalliope sheathed Artemis' Arrow, and then hung the bag on the other side of her hip.

Kalliope knew exactly what she had to do.

She was going to do justice to her pater, by scattering his remains from atop the temple which survived the flood.

The Golden Garden

Kalliope trotted along, as everyone looked on, worried.

She hasn't said much since the cremation.

" Mater, how are you holding up? "

" I'm fine. "

That was when Krateros, Kyparissos, and Krios Khrysomallos all shared worried looks.

" So, you are no longer grieving? "

" Do not mistake my silence for lack of grief. "

Kalliope may have jumped the gun a bit too quickly, evident by Krateros' solemn expression.

Kalliope breathed in, and then out.

She had lost much, true, but she had also gained much: like her son.

" Krateros, how are you fearing? "

" Me? "

" He was my pater, but he was also your grandpater. "

Krateros contemplated it for a moment.

" I don't mean to sound rude: but I hardly knew the guy. I understand that he was my relation, and that his passing is tragic… Maybe the blow is soft on me, and hard on you? "

Kalliope saw the sense in his words.

She only blamed herself for not ensuring that Krateros and Kratos had spent more time together.

She hated herself even more for having spent so little time with her son.

Kalliope sighed, promising herself to make up for lost time.

" Is that the Garden of the Hesperides? " said Hades Helmet.

It was indeed the golden garden.

" Wow… " said Krateros with child-like-awe.

" The garden can have that effect on newcomers. " said Kalliope with a smile.

" Wait. You have been here before? "

Kalliope let the nostalgia flow over her.

" Once. With your grandpater. "

" Is that the dragon: Ladon? " said Hades Helmet.

It was indeed the multi-headed creature.

" Mater… "

" Stay calm. He hasn't attacked us. " said Kalliope, as she reached for her weapons: just in case.

Ladon gazed upon them with his many blood-red-eyes.

He then started to hiss.

" Mater… "

" Stay calm, boy. "

Ladon approached.

" Mater! "

Antaeus' Armor glowed brightly, as Kalliope drew forth Sharur and Artemis' Arrow.

" Ladon! What do you think you're doing!! "

The massive beast looked abashed, like a dog being reprimanded by its owner.

" Are those the Hesperides? " said Hades Helmet, as a large body of women came out from the clearing.

It was indeed the Hesperides, who all welcomed Kalliope and the rest with open arms.

Don't Kill Yourself

Kalliope and gang were making their way through a forest.

Krateros was out hunting - he really wanted to impress Kalliope, who was in the midst of making camp.

Kalliope then examined Hippolyta's Belt of Strength, which The Hesperides gave her as a gift; so that she may be effective in sea and air.

A dog appeared from out the bushes.

" Hello. What's your name? "

The dog just looked at her, and Kalliope was getting the strangest feeling… that something was wrong.

The dog ran into the forest.

Kalliope felt a strange urge to follow it.

And after clearing a few bushes herself, she yelled:

" Woah! Woah, woah. "

Kalliope had just stumbled upon a woman, who was about to hang herself.

The woman looked at her.

" Hi! Am Kalliope. "

The woman looked at her, confused.

" Let me try that again… my name is Kalliope. What's yours? "

All was uncomfortably quiet, till the woman finally said:

" Erigone. "

" Nice to meet you. "

Kalliope's mind was racing to come up with something else to say.

" What nice weather we're having. "

Even the dog shook his head.

" I know what you're trying to do. " said Erigone; " and it won't work. "

Kalliope felt so powerless.

She was so used to just smashing her problems.

But in this moment: her magical weapons and armor would avail her not.

Kalliope's greatest weapon, in this moment, were her words.

" Please, " said Kalliope, pleadingly; " at least: tell me what happened? "

Erigone's dog: Maera, also looked at her pleadingly.

" My pater. "

Kalliope froze.

" Yeah? "

Erigone sniffed.

" He is gone. "

Erigone teared up once more.

" And I wish to join him. "

Kalliope was speechless.

It was as if she looked upon an alternative version of herself.

" He wouldn't want that. "

" How do you know?! "

" I don't. " Kalliope made her way towards Erigone; " all I know is: a parent would never want such a fate for their child. "

(And she was speaking from the heart.)

Erigone removed her head from the noose.

Kalliope reached out.

Erigone accepted.

They collapsed onto the ground, where Kalliope held a crying Erigone close to her chest.

Maera joined them, wagging his tail.

" Mater! " said Krateros, putting down what he had captured; " where have you been- "

Erigone made herself known, along with Maera.

" Oh. "

" Boy: I raised you better than that. "

(Krateros wasn't being rude or anything. It's just that: Erigone's beauty left him completely at a loss for words.)

Krateros quickly regained control, and remembered his manners.

" Oh: you have already made supper. " Erigone put her cloak back on; " I have hidden away a jar: of Lord Dionysus' wine. I will be right back. "

Krateros looked on, as Erigone excused herself.

He simply had one question for Kalliope:

" Is Erigone going to be my new mater? "

Kalliope almost choked on her soup.

" We will see, honey. We will see. "

Kalliope couldn't deny Erigone's charm.

She later slapped Krateros' hand, when he tried to reach for a cup of wine.

Have you ever killed something that big before?

Kalliope dipped her feet in the water.

It was refreshing, and just what she needed.

Krateros was splashing about with Kyparissos and Krios Khrysomallos.

Kalliope lifted her head towards the sky, enjoying the sun's warmth.

She then heard someone sobbing.

Kalliope got up, and then walked towards the sound.

She turned the corner, and there sat a woman, weeping.

" Hello. " said Kalliope, gently.

The woman quickly dried her eyes.

She then faced Kalliope.

" Hi. "

She then turned towards the sea.

Kalliope sat down next to her.

" It is beautiful, is it not? "

" It is. " said the woman, sincerely; " I hope to see it again. "

" I'm Kalliope. "

" Hesione. "

The sea wind swept over them.

" Why were you crying? "

" None of your damn business. "

A few seconds went by.

" I'm sorry… I just have a lot of boiling-up inside. "

Hesione collected herself.

" I was crying… because: I am to be sacrificed. "

Kalliope turned to look at her.

" Sacrificed? "

" My father offended the Immortals… and I am to pay for his crimes. "

" How so? "

Hesione sighed.

" By becoming Achelous' meal. "

The whole ocean shook, as Achelous arose.

The sea beast was enormous and monstrous.

Its scales glittered in the sunlight, and its fangs were the size of tree trunks.

Hesione stood up, having accepted her fate.

That was when Sharur flew into Achelous' jaw, closing its mouth shut.

" Yeah, no. " said Kalliope, as Sharur flew back to her.

Hesione just looked at her.

" Mater! " said Krateros, as he came running, Muddur and Perseus' Piercer in each hand.

He then beheld Achelous.

" Woah… " Krateros then nervously turned towards his Mater; " Have you ever killed something that big before? "

Kalliope looked at him, and then smiled.

" Of course you have. "

Achelous roared.

Kalliope and Krateros jumped into action.

Krateros, on top of Krios Khrysomallos, flew towards Achelous, slashing at his face.

Kalliope, surfing on Sharur, flew around Achelous, shooting arrows at him.

Antaeus' Armor was pretty much useless in this battle.

Achelous moved his massive frame about, trying to swat Kalliope and Krateros.

He was able to land a blow on Krateros, which infuriated Kalliope.

Achelous roared at her, and that was when Kalliope fired off two of Actaeon's Arrows, which transformed into wolves, which ran amok within Achelous' insides.

The creature hollowed in pain, but Kalliope was in no quarter-giving-mood.

So she finished off Achelous by crushing his skull using Sharur.

Kalliope fell into the water.

She emerged, as Achelous' corpse was swallowed up by the sea.

Hesione hugged Kalliope, and she hugged her back.

Kalliope then hired: Kallipateira, who made sure that Hesione was never put in such a situation again.

(She also trained Krateros for a bit, before he and Kalliope left.)

And as a reward for ridding the sea of the pest that was: Achelous, Thalassa bestowed Kalliope with a blessing called:

Thalassa's Touch.

Mater…

Krateros, on Krios Khrysomallos, raced across the sky, along with Procne, Philomela, and Atreus.

" Stay where I can see you! " yelled Kalliope, who was on Kyparissos.

All was peacefully quiet in the forest she rode within.

Hades Helmet then said, with the voice of Clancy Brown:

" He is growing up to be a fine young man. "

Kalliope smiled.

(Hades had soften up a bit after Kratos' death)

" Maybe he is growing up a bit too fast… "

Hades chuckled.

" The dread of any parent: the day when the child leaves, and the day you are no longer able to watch over them. "

Kalliope was quiet.

" You have nothing to fear. You have raised him well. "

" We have raised him well. "

" I played but a small part, I am although: honored. "

" Mater! "

Kalliope put Kyparissos into a gallop, rushing to Krateros' aid.

" What is it?! " said Kalliope, having arrived on the scene; there were signs of a struggle.

" This beast, this monster, took Atreus. "

Kalliope grew worried.

Atreus had been a close friend of Kratos, and had kept an eye out for her more than once.

She rushed to his aid.

Kalliope thought it wise to leave Kyparissos behind, as she made her way through the cave.

She arrived at an opening, where she beheld the monster.

" Cacus. "

Who held Atreus in his hulking hand.

Kalliope needed a plan.

So she decided to take a page out of Perseus' book: donning the Helmet of Invisibility.

Kalliope made her way towards the adjoining wall.

Cacus could hear her, but not see her, so he thought nothing of it; thinking that it was nothing more than a fly.

Kalliope was inches away from Atreus.

" Hey! "

" Boy? "

Cacus turned to face Krateros.

" You will pay dearly for your crime! " exclaimed Krateros, pointing Perseus' Pierce at Cacus.

The hulking beast looked amused, it was truly an ant before an elephant.

Krateros charged.

Cacus stood up, that was when Kalliope jumped onto his hand.

Cacus could still not see her, but he could very much feel her.

But what he felt the most: was the cut Krateros gave him.

Cacus roared in pain, and in that moment of distraction: Kalliope was able to free Atreus.

Kalliope became visible, returning Hades Helmet to her hip.

She saw Krateros charge yet again.

" Boy! "

Kalliope rushed towards him, holding up the massive and heavy fist, which Cacus had brought down.

" Mater! I'm so sorry!! "

" Don't be sorry… be helpful. "

" What? "

" Together. "

Their strengths combined: Kalliope and Krateros managed to tip Cacus over.

Kalliope enjoyed a moment of respite.

She turned to check on Krateros, that was when Cacus bit into her shoulder.

Kalliope gritted her teeth, the burning pain numbing her entire body.

Krateros saw the blood and the pained expression of his Mater.

It was too much to bear, and something within him SNAPPED.

" Boy? "

Kalliope looked on, worried, as Krateros seemed to transform before her very eyes.

Cacus didn't look worried, he did however look scared, as Krateros had transformed into a more monstrous, hulking, scary creature.

Krateros sent Cacus flying with a fist to the face, freeing Kalliope.

He then jumped on top of Cacus, raining down blows, till his very knuckles were crimson.

" Hey. " said Kalliope, gently.

Krateros turned to look at her, Cacus having clearly died.

" It me: Mater. "

" Mater… "

Krateros approached Kalliope.

Steam started coming off his massive frame, as he was transforming back.

Kalliope caught a now normal Krateros.

" Mater… "

" Shhh. "

Kalliope gently rocked him back-and-forth.

" It's alright. You're okay. "

Kalliope beheld the mangled remain of Cacus.

And as she did so: she remembered:

Krateros had Jötunn DNA.

Afterwards:

To replaced her missing shoulder, Kalliope gained:

Pelops' Prosthetic.

Goodbye, Pater

At long last.

They found themselves at Tyana within Phrygia.

Kalliope beheld the massive mountain.

Krateros mounted Krios Khrysomallos.

He then noticed that there was no room for Kalliope.

" Mater, what are you going to do? "

Kalliope smiled at him.

She then slammed Bellerophon's Bow on the ground, whereupon the bow transformed into Pegasus.

Kalliope and Krateros raced to the top.

Kalliope had Pegasus fly a bit slower, as to make it a draw.

Kalliope dismounted, and beheld the temple which had survived the flood, guarded by Philemon and Baucis in the forms of trees.

She approached the temple, and as she did so: she loosen the string on her bag: containing Kratos' ashes.

Kalliope then scattered the ashes from behind the temple.

" Goodbye, Pater. " said Kalliope, as the wind carried Kratos across Greece.

Kalliope just stood there, a few tears running down her face.

" Mater… "

Kalliope collected herself.

" Come one. We have a long journey ahead of us. "

Kalliope then noticed The Grave Digger sitting close by.

She and he shared a look.

They then smiled at one another.

" Where to? " said Krateros, excitedly.

" Nowhere in particular. But we have to see to your training. "

Krateros sighed.

" Yes, ma'am. "

" Excuse me? "

" Yes, mom. "

" Better. "

The Grave Digger chuckled.

" He no longer remains. But she very much does. "