32 – Trouble in Another Realm (1)

GREECE

It has been 100 years since John became Poseidon and Zeus was killed.

Many things have changed in that time, but Greece was much better than before. The way Athena and Poseidon ruled over mortals and gods was unprecedented.

Civilization advanced greatly, with their numbers reaching 500,000 people, leaving plenty of room for progression. Some important people, such as the only Elder who spoke to Poseidon when he recreated Greece, had already died.

Heroes and villains appeared throughout the Realm, all overseen by the Gods. Although they didn't interfere much in mortal affairs, whenever there was a big problem, they would act.

Most monsters were naturally created. The Gods didn't want bloodshed for no reason, so the ones they created were weak.

The Underworld, under the command of Alecto, had also returned to normal. And yes, Poseidon made a special Kraken just for her. The animal, which had become very strong, was docile.

Now the situation with the Gods had also changed. Iris and Aprodithe both gave birth to 1 baby each. Hephaestus was the father.

Demeter, Hestia, and Artemis also became pregnant. The birth of a God was very complicated, since fertility was an issue among the Gods.

But all the couples succeeded, including Athena and Poseidon. The couple had two children, a boy, Neptune, and a girl, Minerva.

Poseidon was the one who named both children, by promising Athena she would name the other 2 that came after.

The son, surprisingly, inherited his mother's powers and is an excellent strategist. While the girl inherited Poseidon's powers over the seas and thunderstorms.

Most Gods only managed to get pregnant 10 years ago, so all their children were only 10 years old or less.

Today, Athena was telling Neptune and Minerva a story. ''Long ago, there was a Spartan general. He won all the battles he fought, but one day, an enemy appeared whom he could not defeat alone. Desperate, and wanting to win, he made a deal with the God of War at that time, Ares, and finally defeated his enemies.''

''But the Spartan was deceived. The evil God tricked the Spartan to kill his family. In a great rage, the Spartan swore revenge against Ares. And he succeeded, thanks to the help of the Pandora Box, which gave him the power to kill a God. After that, he became the new God of War.''

''But the Spartan didn't know that when he opened Pandora's Box, he released Evil that affected all Gods, who betrayed the new God of War, stole his powers, and killed him. Thanks to the help from other beings, the Spartan escaped death and swore revenge again, only this time against all the Gods.''

'' In a twist of fate, some Gods also rebelled against the King of the Gods at that time, Zeus, and decided to help Spartan against the manipulator of everything. The Spartan, with the help of the good Gods, defeated Zeus after a fierce battle!''

'' At the end of it all, the Spartan got his revenge and a new path, which he walks to this day.''

Athena quickly added, '' The current Gods are not like the ones I spoke of in history. We learn from our mistakes and improve. I hope you are even better than us.''

Neptune patter his chest,'' Don't worry, mother. I'll be even smarter than you.''

Minerva added quickly, not wanting to be left out, '' Me too! I'll be stronger than you and Dad!''

Athena ruffled the hair of both of them, '' Okay, I trust you! Now that I'm done telling the story, let's go see how your father is doing?''

The children put big smiles on their faces, "Let's go!''

The trio then left in the direction of where Poseidon was standing. Athena then remembered the strange behavior Poseidon had been exhibiting recently, 'He's been training non-stop for the last decade, ever since the children were born... he must be worried about something.'

Athena stopped thinking about this when she saw the place where Poseidon was. It was a place designed just for Poseidon. It had several lakes around it and was closed to the outside world.

Athena approached and knocked on the door, '' Honey, the children want to see you.''

It didn't take long for the door to open and Poseidon to come out. A few things had changed in Poseidon's appearance. He took off his beard and cut his hair. Still, the air around Poseidon carried much more dignity than before.

Athena looked at him and smiled, 'He's more charming than before.'

Just then, Poseidon who had majestic airs around him made a silly face and advanced on Neptune and Minerva, '' My babies.''

'...'

Before Athena could react, Poseidon had already taken Neptune and Minerva in his arms, '' Did you miss me?''

The children smiled in their father's arms, '' Yes!''

Minerva wanted to get stronger, so she asked to train with her father, '' Can I train with you?''

Poseidon smiled, '' Of course.''

Neptune didn't want to be left out of the fun, '' Can I come too?''

Poseidon's smile only grew, '' Of course! Go into the training room while I talk to your mother for a while.''

The children entered the room and left Athena and Poseidon alone.

Poseidon waited for the children to enter to kiss Athena, '' I missed you.''

Athena rolled her eyes, '' And whose fault is that! You've been in this room for a month now!''

Poseidon looked guilty, '' I'm sorry... I just have a feeling something bad might happen.''

Athena didn't want to make him feel any more guilty than he already was. Then she sighed, '' Don't worry about it. It's just lonely sometimes, you know.''

Poseidon kissed her again, '' Do you want to come and train with us?''

Athena smilled mischieluss, '' Of course! Whoever wins will massage the other!''

'' Deal!''

Athena and Poseidon entered the training room together and noticed that Neptune and Minerva were already fighting. Before calling them both out, Athena analyzed their form, '' Although Minerva has more raw power, Neptune can balance it with strategy and precise attacks.''

Poseidon also gave his opinion, '' But in the end, Minerva still has the advantage.''

Proving Poseidon correct, Miverna defeated Neptune in the next blow.

Poseidon looked at Athena with a smug face.

Athena ignored it and drew the attention of everyone in the room, '' Who wants to fight against Poseidon?''

Neptune and Minerva turned their necks with impressive speed, '' Me, Me !!''

Poseidon looked at Athena with surprise, '' That's a low blow!''

This time it was Athena who had a smug face, '' I know! I really want that massage!''

Poseidon sighed.

-----------

After losing to the trio, Poseidon continued training while they went home. The feeling that something bad was about to happen still haunted him.

'I wonder what it could be...?'

After spending a few more hours training, Poseidon decided to return home, 'Forget it! I will spend some time with my family and see if this feeling disappears.'

Arriving home, Poseidon noted that Neptune and Minerva weren't there. Then he found Athena on their bed and asked, '' Where are the children?''

Athena looked at her husband, '' They can't be here for what we are about to do!''

'' Oh... where do you want the massage, my love?'' Poseidon asked while taking his clothes off.

''Right here...''

-----------

In the middle of the 'massage', Poseidon heard something in the other room and stopped what he was doing.

Athena noticed that Poseidon stopped, '' What is wrong?''

Poseidon shook his head, '' Nothing. I just thought I heard something in the other room.'' He went right back in.

A few moments later, Poseidon heard something again and stopped for good this time, '' My love, I really heard something!''

Athena also heard the sound, '' Go and check it. But please do it fast!''

Poseidon nodded and went out of the room. He searched his house for the noise but found nothing. Just as he was about to give up, he heard it again.

Poseidon noted that it was coming from his old room, ' But it shouldn't have anything that makes noise there!'

After opening the door, Poseidon noted the source of the noise right away, ' The communicator I gave Pandora!'

Realizing the situation was more serious than he thought, Poseidon called Athena, '' My love, we have a problem!''

Athena appeared in front of Poseidon, '' What is it?''

Poseidon showed her the source of the noise, '' It's the communicator I gave Pandora. She was supposed to use it when she's in trouble!''

'' Then use it!''

Poseidon nodded and used the communicator, '' Hello...''

-----------

After the call with Pandora ended, Poseidon gave a small smile to Athena, '' Call a meeting.''

Athena, who heard all the conversation, nodded, put on some clothes, and went away.

When Athena left, Poseidon sighed, ' It seems that the GOW18 storyline is starting, but I think it's too soon for that...'

With doubts regarding the situation, Poseidon put on some clothes and left the house, ' Forget it, I will deal with one thing at a time. Maybe we can really save Laufey and change things!'