48 - We Are Going To HEL!

Since this time Poseidon did not have the help of Kratos to launch him, the speed was slower. At the rate Poseidon was flying, he would quickly reach Freya's house. Mind you, less than 30 minutes have passed since he left.

The way Poseidon was 'flying' was simple. First, he jumped as high as he could, then he used his wings made of the most precious metals in Greece to go far away as possible. When he eventually landed, he would do it again, until he arrived where he wanted.

In the meantime, while he and Baldur were flying towards Freya's house, Poseidon was trying to talk to Baldur, but so far no answer had been received.

Poseidon knew that although Baldur had not dealt the final blow, he had indirectly participated in Hephaestus's death. Of course, Baldur had been beaten badly by Hestia, Pandora, Isis, and Iris, but since he didn't feel anything, the beating was ineffective. Poseidon even suspected that he had been captured on purpose, but this was something he couldn't confirm at the moment.

''Why?'' Poseidon again asked Baldur a question. Considering that Baldur had a few screws loose, Poseidon didn't expect any concrete answer.

Proving Poseidon correct, Baldur remained silent.

''Well, in the end, it doesn't matter why. You'll pay for what you've done just the same... By the way, do you know where we're going?''

The answer was silence.

''We're going to visit your mother's house.''

This finally got Baldur to react, "...What did you say?''

Although Poseidon knew that Baldur could be considered a victim of Odin and Freya, he couldn't deny that the Aesir had a part in the tragedy. So, seeing Baldur's anguish and agitation when he mentioned Freya, did not move Poseidon one bit.

''You see, before you and your father killed my friend, I was having a conversation with your mother. We came to some sort of agreement that I would help her and you get back together. I was thinking of going the safe way, but because of what happened, I changed my mind. Confrontation is the best thing to do.''

Poseidon knew that this could result in Baldur's death, or even Freya's, but he didn't care. The chances of this encounter between mother and son going wrong were great.

'Before, Baldur had some of my compassion, now he has my anger!'

Baldur started to move and try to get rid of Poseidon and the rope, but he was unsuccessful. "Let me go!''

'Hmm, this rope is strong!' Poseidon was impressed by this rope's durability.

While Baldur was squirming, Poseidon arrived at Freya's house. As soon as they felt Poseidon approaching, Freya, who also felt Baldur's presence, Kratos, Atreus, and Mimir, who was now normal again, left the house.

Poseidon landed and unceremoniously threw Baldur to the ground. This made Freya frown, but that was the end of it.

Kratos realized that Poseidon's mood was not good, '' ... Who was it?'

If you said Kratos wasn't worried, that would be a lie. Although he wasn't that intimate with the other Gods, if something had happened to Pandora...

''Laufey is fine, but... Hephaestus is gone. Odin killed him.''

When Freya and Mimir heard this, they were shocked, '' But what was he doing in Midgard!?'' They both knew that Odin barely left his room in Asgard, always seeking more and more knowledge. Him coming to Midgard for something other than tormenting Mimir was a surprise.

'' It doesn't matter. What matters is that he was there and killed my friend.'' Poseidon then looked at Mimir, '' It's good to see that you have recovered your body, but I need help.''

Mimir, who had regained his normal body, owed Poseidon a lot. When he heard this, Mimir beat his chest and said confidently, "You can ask for anything you want. I will help you with all my intellect.''

Remember that Poseidon had already kinda made a deal with Mimir to kill Odin.

''Tell me everything about Helheim and Vallhala that you know. And how to rescue a soul from those places.''

It didn't take even a second for Mimir to put the pieces of the puzzle together, '' You want to invade Hel and save the soul of your friend... Since Vallhala is in trouble, that might work...''

Mimir began to think. He knew everything that was happening in the realms as Odin visited him daily to mock him and told him a lot of things, to torment him even further.

' Although he is from another realm, if he died here, his soul must follow the rules of the realm... or so I think. If I am right, when we arrive in Hel, we will need to talk to Hraesvelg and make some kind of deal with her. It looks like I'm going on a rather dangerous journey.'

Mimir was counting on the fact that he was the only one who could speak the language of Hraesvelg, who was a giant, so he would have to go.

''What is the condition of his body?'' Mimir asked.

"It's in perfect condition. Except for the puncture that killed him.''

'' Hmmm... If so, maybe we have a chance.'' Mimir knew it was dangerous even for gods, but from what little he knew of Poseidon and Kratos, they wouldn't stop.

It was at that moment that Kratos intruded into the conversation. He looked at Poseidon, '' Did you say Helheim?''

Poseidon nodded.

'' ... That's the same place we have to go to get the ingredient to stabilize Atreus. Freya and Mimir have already told us what it's like there and what we'll need to fight off the enemies in that place.'' Kratos touched his forearms, the places where the marks of the Blade Of Chaos stay.

''So it looks like we're going together!'' Poseidon knew that Kratos would have to face his demons to save Atreus. What he was really worried about was what the visions would show him.

In Heilheim, which is considered a bad place, you suffer visions/dreams about your worst fears, and Poseidon did not know what to expect.

In the middle of all this, Freya was trying to talk to her son, but without success. Atreus was watching their interaction with interest, '' Dad, will they be able to make peace with each other?''

Kratos looked at the scene, '' ... Boy, I really don't know. What she did might be considered bad, but deep down it was for his own good. But it brought consequences, and this situation is one of them. Freya will have to struggle to have a relationship with her son.

'' Almost like our family.''

'' ... ''

Freya released Baldur from the rope. She tried to talk to him, "My son... how are you?''

Baldur got up from the floor and looked at his mother with hate, '' As you know, I feel nothing!''

Freya instantly looked guilty, '' Everything was thinking of your well be-''

'' Don't give me that!'' Baldur exploded, '' Do you know what it's like to feel nothing!? Life has no meaning! And to make matters worse, I can't even die!''

Freya was about to answer, but when she looked at Poseidus, who nodded at her, she braced herself, '' ... I know it's a little late now, but if ... I help you break the curse, could you forgive me? I don't even want you to feel forced to talk to me, I just want your forgiveness.''

Baldur looked at his mother with a look of confusion, '' ... You said there was no cure.''

Freya looked at the ground, '' I lied.''

Baldur threw a punch in Freya's direction, who accepted the blow without reaction. She went to the ground, but Baldur would not stop.

Poseidon had to intervene since Freya wouldn't go kill Baldur and Baldur wouldn't stop.

Baldur looked at Poseidon, who was holding him, "Let me go.''

"Listen to what she has to say. Don't you want to be able to feel it again?''

This made some of Baldur's craziness disappear for a moment. He seemed to have recovered some of his sanity. Poseidon noticed this and let him go.

Baldur approached Freya. Although he still had a great hatred for his mother, if it would make him feel again, he was willing to do anything.

'' Here.'' Baldur offered his hand to Freya, who accepted.

"Thank you... Now, how about you go into the house and we'll talk there? I promise you that from now on, I will tell you the whole truth. I want your forgiveness more than anything.''

In Freya's view, Baldur's forgiveness might be the last thing in her life worth fighting for.

Baldur, though calmer, was still a madman. Still, he entered the house and left the rest outside.

' I expected more of their fight... I should have kille- no. That wouldn't change anything.'

Poseidon then looked at Freya, '' It's up to you now.''

Freya nodded. The way she looked at Poseidon was changed, '' I thank you from the bottom of my heart.''

''We had an agreement. I assume you have already told us what is needed to save Atreus and Laufey.''

Freya nodded, '' You will have to go to Helheim and get a heart from a certain being. Then, you will bring it to me and I will help Atreus. Laufey is a case I will have to see for myself.''

Poseidon hesitated, but asked, '' Would you do me one more favor?''

''Say it.''

'' Do you mind taking care of my friend's body? To make it faster and easier to move around.''

Poseidon wanted to bring everyone here, but because Baldur was present, he didn't think that was a good idea. But if he could bring Hephaestus's body here, it would make things easier for him. He wanted to bring Laufey too but she was too weak to travel the way he and Kratos were doing.

They would come back here after getting the ingredients needed to save Atreus and see Hephaestus again. Then, bring Freya to cure Laufey.''

Freya accepted immediately, "No problem.''

Mimir, seeing that everything had calmed down, said, '' Then let's leave. The longer we delay, the worse the situation gets for your dead friend.''

'' What do you mean?''

''In Helheim, time passes differently from the realm. The longer people stay there, the more they lose some of their personalities. I don't know how it works with Gods from another realm, but if we follow the same logic here, he has at most 3 days to be rescued or whatever we rescue there... it won't be your friend.''

When Freya entered the house, Poseidon prepared to leave, '' Then let's go!''

Poseidon wanted to leave someone here to take care of Freya, in case Baldur attacked, but he couldn't leave Atreus, who was a child, nor Mimir, who was not known for his fighting.

It was then that Poseidon remembered Hildisvini, Freya's adopted brother, 'Although he is imprisoned in the form of a boar, he should be enough to help her against Baldur... I hope.'

Atreus already climbed onto Kratos' back and Mimir looked at Poseidon, '' ...''

Sighing internally, Poseidon grabbed Mimir and the group went to grab Hephaestus's corpse.

'' By the way, how do we enter Helheim?''

Mimir, who was uncomfortable, assured, '' Leave it to me!''

It didn't take long for the group to arrive at Kratos's house. No one was outside not even Hephaestus's corpse. ' They must've put it inside the house.'

Kratos entered the house, followed by Atreus, Poseidon, then Mimir. The atmosphere inside the house wasn't the best.

Mimir wanted to say his greeting, but he realized now it was not the time.

'' We are back.''

Hephaestus's body was nearby, covered by a blanket, with Pandora and Iris near it.

Pandora reacted, '' Did you find a way to save him?''

Poseidon nodded, '' We have a way, but we have to hurry. We came here to take his body to another place, to make it easier for us.''

'' Can I go?'' Pandora was agitaded. Even though she beat Baldur quite a bit with the help of the others, it still wasn't enough. She wanted to vent her frustration.

Poseidon looked at her with pity. He put a hand on her shoulder, '' We need you to stay here and protect everyone. Only us 4 will go.''

Pandora wanted to say something, but she saw that Poseidon was already set on this. In the end, she sighed, '' Please, save my father.''

Poseidon nodded. Just then, he noticed Kratos taking out a blanket from the floor. Laufey looked shocked by what he was doing, '' Dear...''

Kratos stayed quiet throughout opening the door that leads to a hidden compartment on the floor.

After opening the door, he took out a box. Poseidon knew that inside it was the Blade of Chaos, but Mimir was clueless, '' What is he doing?''

'' Taking something from his past, that he swore would stay buried. It's a weapon from our realm, that he used to do ... things. It's probably the way to save Atreus.''

Mimir already know who Kratos was, so he knew his stories. '' Oh ... it's necessary. The chill of Helheim makes it impossible to light a fire there. And to kill the being there, fire was the only way. He is doing as it is necessary.''

Atreus noted the mood of his father, '' Father, what's wrong?''

Kratos opened the box, and there was an item inside, covered with a cloth, the same ones he wore in his time as a general in Greece. He took it out and revealed his old weapon, '' This is something I thought would never use again.''

After slowly putting the Chains around his arms and lifting, a fire started to burn in the Blade, '' But it's the only weapon that will work in Hellheim.''

Laufey was quite emotional seeing this, as she knew the heavy feeling Kratos had for this weapon.

After all that, Kratos looked at Laufey, '' We are going to go to Helheim. There's a thing there that will help Atreus and we will use this opportunity to save Hephaestus... After that, we will heal you.''

While he still wasn't on speaking terms with Laufey, Kratos still cared for her. So he assured her.

Laufey just nodded, '' ... Be safe. I'll be waiting.''

Pandora also came to Kratos's side, '' I have no idea how you're feeling about having to use this weapon again, but I hope you do whatever it takes to save Atreus and Hephaesuts.''

Kratos nodded at her. Hestia said a few things to Kratos too, Iris looked at him with respect and returned to her husband's side.

Poseidon came close and patted Kratos's shoulder, '' Let's go.''

In the meantime, Mimir took the opportunity to introduce himself to the others. Only Laufey and Isis recognized him as the smartest man alive.

After all that, Poseidon, Atreus, Kratos, and Mimir exited the house, '' Mimir, now it's your turn. Take us to Hellheim.''