The Answers

Athena gave him a smile, and stood straight and tall. She looked the way she felt; victorious. Kratos did not like, nor ever liked, that look. A look that said, 'it is over and you lost.' It was a look that made Kratos want to tear Athena apart, limb by limb. Through deep breath, and a soft growl through his teeth he contained his fury. "Oh! It has ended Kratos," Athena said with pretentious sympathy, "And you lost."

Kratos gripped his fist, and looked away from Athena for a brief moment. He could not stand looking at the physical form of a lie. "It isn't over till one of us is dead." Kratos said. Athena nodded in agreement, rubbing her chin lightly. She floated around Kratos in a circle slowly, almost like she had rehearsed that very moment.

"Very true," Athena said. Then she reached for a small dagger underneath a torture table. "And I will end this, but first you do deserve an explanation. Why me? Why all of this? I'll tell you." Athena said, and then looked at Hephaestus and Poseidon. "Gentlemen, would you please?" Athena said. They abandoned Calliope and grabbed Kratos by the wrist; one god on either side. Kratos did not say anything, but he was more than thankful when they drew their attention away from Calliope.

"So, I suppose we should start from the beginning," Athena said as she drew in an unnecessary breath. "After you had so foolishly stabbed yourself, and I watched all of my power slip into the world, I started to wonder what I needed to do next. You throwing all the power away was just an obstacle, Kratos. I never truly needed that hope; but it would have made my goal so much easier to reach. I began to think of another way to become the god. Not a god, the god, just me."

Kratos remained silent. He knew that the evils from Pandora's Box infected all the gods; it infecting Athena didn't surprise him. The goal to rule all was not news. As soon as he had told her the box was empty, he saw something in her that was different. Some sort of darkness, an evil. Athena continued.

"In order to do that though, I needed every power from each of the gods. When one god dies, their powers and control are spread equally among the gods if there is no one to accept them. I needed every other god and goddess dead to achieve my goal. And I knew where you would go after you died, with your family. If only I could have had you as an ally, you would have been able to kill all those gods for me. The thought of you getting you way made me sick. You would have your happy ending with them, and I would be left to have to work harder to become God. Then it came to me; your family. Perhaps I could use them. Yes! With them I could lure you to me. Your family is the only weakness of the mighty Kratos."

When Athena said her last sentence, Calliope looked up, "Father?" Calliope interrupted. Her dark brown eyes looked at him, softly. Kratos looked back, and saw the concern and worry in them. "Hush child." He replied gently, and she did so obediently.

"No more interruptions!" Athena shouted. She sighed; upset she let her temper get to her. She shook it off though, and continued speaking. "As I pulled the sword out of you I had begun to plan for domination. When I saw you fall back and bleed it dawned on me that I couldn't let you roam without a weapon, and that I would have many dead humans, monsters, and gods after you. So I cast a special charm I learned when I was younger to grant an object to bond with the dead. That weapon; the blade of Olympus, is part of you Kratos. And it won't leave until you join the hell on the other side of this afterlife.

I left you then, and began to recruit anyone and anything that would join me. I promised them a perfect afterlife if they did as I commanded. For the gods, however, it was harder to make them listen. Hera was no problem; she was more ignorant than I could have ever hoped for. Some chose to not be a part of my plan, such as Hermes and Aphrodite. I was content with that, and anyone who denied me promised to stay out of my way. Of course I planned to take care of them later. Hades decided to help me, but he did not wish to do my bidding. Instead we formed a partnership. I knew of course it wouldn't last long, I take it that you have killed him?"

Kratos spoke, "How did you do this all so quickly?" He asked, not answering Athena's question.

"Time works in mysterious ways, Kratos. A few moments traveling to the afterlife for you were like years for me." Athena answered. "Never mind my question; I know you have taken care of Hades. Now, back to my explanation; the gods who helped me I knew you would kill for me. You would let nothing stand in the way of you and your family. So I just stayed here, and let you go and kill. Sadly though, Poisoned had begun to catch on to my plan and he confronted me about it. By that time though it was too late, I had already become too powerful to fight. He backed down, and I have kept him here with me since."

Kratos looked to his left at Hephaestus; his face was covered in tears. "Why him though?" Kratos asked. Athena glanced over at Hephaestus, and frowned bitterly.

"He was looking for you, but when he found you he saw Pandora. He rushed back here and begged me to keep the girl safe. I know you had a bond with her, and I told him that I couldn't. He knew too much by then, so I kept him here as well." Athena said, and shook her head. After she did her face became happy and perky once more. "Now that you know, I have decided to make you a deal." Athena said.

Kratos raised an eyebrow, "You already offered me a choice between my life and my family's." Kratos said.

Athena waved her hands back, like she was pushing the memory into the past. "Oh I just needed to ensure you would come and not pull any tricks." Athena said. "Now, I offer you another choice. I still need gods killed, and you are a master of immortal assassinations. You may serve me or you and your family will die."

Kratos thought about her offer. He knew if he served her, she would only grow more powerful. Once she was God, she would kill him and his family. If he did not, he and his family would die. Whatever choice he would decide on, he had lost. The game would be over, and Athena would be the winner. The only way he would be able to have a chance would be to pick something else. He would have to give Athena an offer she would not be able to refuse. Kratos knew what he had to say.

"Athena, I have decided to offer you a dual. If you win I will do your bidding, and die when my services are no longer needed. My family will be yours to do as you wish." Kratos offered Athena.

Athena smiled wickedly, "And if you were to defeat me in combat, what would you gain?" Athena asked.

"I would get your life, and all of the powers you have taken." Kratos said. Athena pondered for a moment on the offer. It was obvious Kratos would never serve her, but he would be of good use to her if he did as she commanded. So much time saved; so much work she would not have to do.

"I accept, Ghost of Sparta," Athena said with a nod. "It is a deal. We shall fight." Athena looked at both of the gods, "Let him free." She commanded, and they let Kratos go. Kratos shook his wrist; it felt good to be free from their grasp. "Spend your last moments with your daughter as I dress for battle." Athena said, and the gods left.

Kratos freed Calliope from the shackles that bounded her, and pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry my child, I am so sorry." He muttered over and over. Calliope held on to him, her skinny arms wrapped around him. "It's alright, Father. Just don't leave for so long again." Calliope said. Kratos smiled for the first time in years. After everything, that is what his child told him. She only thought he spoke of how he left her in Elysium. "I promise to win, my child. And I won't leave or hurt every again." He said to her.

No more words were exchanged between them; instead they enjoyed each other's company and the peaceful silence while it was with them. After what felt like only several moments Athena came out in a full body of armor and a dagger in her hand.

"It is time for your final battle, Kratos."