33 – Decision

After dressing up, Poseidon headed toward the place where the Gods have their meetings. Arriving there, Poseidon noticed he was the last to arrive.

As usual, Poseidon went to the highest position, due to his status and power. Athena was sitting next to him.

Poseidon noticed that most of the Gods looked confused as if they didn't know why they were called. He realized that Athena hadn't told them what the situation was, so Poseidon began to speak, ''Based on your reactions, Athena hasn't said the purpose of this meeting, so allow me to explain.''

'' Some time ago, I received a message ... from Pandora.''

When the name was mentioned, all the Gods present were surprised, with Hephaestus and Aphrodite having the biggest reaction, '' Is she okay!? What happened!?''

Poseidon signaled for him to stay calm, '' Don't worry, Pandora is fine and strong. The problem is Kratos.''

When they saw that Pandora was not in danger, everyone calmed down. But Hestia asked right away, '' What's the matter with him?''

Poseidon sighed, '' According to the information Pandora gave me, Kratos found another wife and had a child with her.''

The Gods were surprised, but Poseidon continued speaking, '' The problem is that his wife became ill with a mysterious disease. Even the powers of Kratos or Pandora couldn't solve it.''

'' In desperation, Pandora used the communicator, which works fine, to call for help.'' Poseidon then looked around, '' Who wants to go to another realm? I need a healing specialist.''

Before they started talking, Hephaestus quickly added, '' But if you say it's a rare disease and she isn't in the best shape, how are we going to get there in time to save her?''

Poseidon showed them the map he had copied from Pandora, '' It seems that the two of them found the Gods of other realms, who gave them a map that shortens the trip. A journey that would take 100 years is completed in 10 months. I believe that with the powers of Kratos and Pandora slowing the disease, a mortal can handle 10 months easily.''

Poseidon added quickly, '' I know we don't know much about the other Realms or what's between Realms, but Pandora has given me valuable information about everything relevant.''

Poseidon then told them about the creatures that roam around the Between Realms, and about the other Gods. After a while, the discussion about who would go to another realm finally began.

The first to speak up was Dionysus, '' If possible, I would like only one of my wives to go. I know both are Goddesses who have the best healing out of all of us, but I don't know if I can afford to risk both of them.''

Poseidon thought for a while and then thought it was reasonable, '' That's fair enough. But we still have to decide which of the two will go, and the other members of the exploration team. Remembering that we can't leave Realm unprotected, so it will have to be a limited team.''

Poseidon thought, 'I really should have sent a group of mortals to visit the other Realms... we have practically no information about it, only what Pandora gave us.'

While Poseidon was regretting his shortcomings, the discussion about who would go continued.

'' ... I think I should go.'' Hephaestus gave his opinion, and surprisingly, Aprodithe agreed while Iris said nothing.

'It must be because of Pandora...' Poseidon would move mountains if anything happened to his children, so he could understand Hephaetus's choice.

Seeing that he already had Hephaestus in the group, Poseidon said, '' I should go too. We don't know what we will find there, and you may need my power.''

Athena agreed but knew that Poseidon's decision to go automatically meant that she was staying.

Artemis and Apollo looked at each other. Apollo kissed his wife, '' I'm going too!''

Poseidon nodded, '' Then it's me, Hephaestus, and Apollo. Now we need to decide who will go with us between Demeter and Hestia.''

The two Goddesses mentioned by Poseidon were arguing with each other, and with Dionysus. After a few minutes, the couple came to a decision. Demeter said, '' Although I'm more powerful than Hestia, she has the best healing powers... so Hestia goes.''

'' So the team that goes to the other Realm will be me, Hephaestus, Apollo, and Hestia. Does anyone else want to add anything?''

Iris, who was quiet until now, quickly said, '' I want to go too.''

This took everyone by surprise, including Aphrodite, '' But why?''

Iris sighed, '' After the war, my work was practically non-existent... I want to be useful, and I think my powers would help the journey immensely.''

Poseidon thought for a moment and looked at Athena. The Goddess noticed her husband's gaze and nodded. '' Okay, Iris is also included in the team.''

'' Athena, Dionysus, Demeter, Aphrodite, and Artemis will stay here to protect the Realm, while the rest will leave in a few days.''

''Prepare yourselves well. Hephaestus, I will go to your house to talk with you later. Dismissed.'' After the meeting ended, all the Gods went to their respective homes. Only Athena and Poseidon stayed at the meeting place.

Poseidon looked at his wife, '' You think what I'm doing is crazy.''

Athena shook her head, '' I trust you... I just think that Realm will be unprotected for too long.''

Poseidon thought so too, but he reminded Athena, '' We have other gods here with us, the only difference is that they're younger than us by a few centuries.''

''They wouldn't be ready for a war.'' Athena was unsure about the situation.

''Then let's prepare them in the days we have. And you know that Gods are accustomed to battle since the beginning.'' Poseidon said and saw that Athena was thinking about it.

After a while, the Goddess replied, ''You're right... now, let's go home. Our children should already be there.''

The children of the Greek Gods usually traveled to the Mortal world, at the request of their parents, to learn the Mortal way of life and learn what their life is like, to better rule them.

The couple arrived at their house and noticed that the children were already inside. Poseidon asked Athena, ''What are we going to tell the children?''

Athena entered the house and answered, "The truth.''

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After telling what happened in the other Realm, and explaining why Poseidon will be gone for a few years, the children's reactions were different. While Neptune was reflecting on the situation, Minerva wanted to go along, but Athena wouldn't let her.

''If you go, who will take care of Greece in your father's absence?'' Athena said this to Minerva.

It was enough to stop her from mentioning the subject of leaving, '' Don't worry, father! I'll protect everyone.''

Poseidon kissed her forehead, '' I believe in you!''

Neptune finally stopped thinking about the situation, and went to hug his father, '' The situation is more complicated than you guys are letting out, right?''

Poseidon just smiled and kissed Neptune's forehead as well, '' Don't worry about such things. You are still too young and weak to know certain things. By the way, few beings can hurt your father, you can rest assured.''

After spending some time talking with the children and Athena, Poseidon decided it was time to talk with Hephaestus. He wanted to make some weapons.

Before leaving the house, he said to Neptune and Minerva, ''Get ready! When I return, we will spend days non-stop just training!''

The children nodded as Poseidon left in the direction of Hephaestus' forge.