I paused outside the gigantic metal doors that looked like they led to a vault. Something… was giving me a really bad feeling. I don't have anything close to premonition, but…

"Gundan?" Kakashi asked, coming up to my side to put a hand on my shoulder. "Is something wrong?"

"No… yes… I don't know." I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. In the entire time since I'd been reincarnated, I had never felt such nervousness. Isn't [Gamer's Mind] supposed to stop things like this? I'm not sure. "Something tells me we're going to have something on our hands that we won't be able to handle like we usually do. But on the other hand…" I looked up at him and bit my lip. "We don't know what's in the Box, and it falling into the wrong hands could mean the end of life as we know it. I'm… worried. Even when I took down ROOT I didn't feel this trepidation, this… bone-deep instinctual call to just not open that door."

"You're afraid." Kaiza quietly said.

I gulped. Was that what this was? Fear? That means [Gamer's Mind] should really be stopping this. What was up with the game system?

"But that's okay." Kakashi spoke, glaring at the man with his single visible eye. "Bravery is not an absence of fear, but the notion of not letting your fear control your actions. Whatever we may face beyond those doors, you will not be alone."

It was then that a quiet pop was heard. Instantly, the three of us were on guard, but we shouldn't have bothered.

"Ah, the effects of your technique re most unyouthful, Gundan-kun…"

"Stop whining, Gai."

"I am never going to do that again on my own free will!"

"If things over here go smoothly, we'll make the journey back on foot."

My eyes widened as I took in the assortment of people now present before us. "Orochimaru-sensei! You came, too?"

Orochimaru said nothing at first, looking me from head to toe. That was odd… why would… Wait. Was he looking to see if I was okay?

"After being informed of the magnitude of the situation, we felt it best to all be here." He answered, eyes tight. "Of course, in order to do that…"

"We came along, too, brat!" Jiraiya grinned. "So, whatever is in this big bad box of yours, we'll be able to handle it!"

"And I came along to help you handle them." Tsunade scoffed, gesturing towards the men in the group. "We will be more than strong enough to meet whatever is in there head-on."

Why was my vision blurry? This is odd. I wiped at my eyes and truly smiled at them. "Thank you. All of you. With you here… we cannot fail."

So, what if there was going to be something in there I wasn't sure I could face? So, what if my [Gamer's Mind] wasn't working as it should? I know what I have under my belt… it's a lot more than anyone in this room can boast.

"Well said, my rival's protégé!" Gai made himself known, giving me a thumbs up and a grin, what was normally called a 'nice guy' pose, possibly in his honor.

"What's this about Gundan being someone's protégé?" Orochimaru frigidly asked, turning to Gai was a raised eyebrow in an otherwise impressively expressionless visage. "I was under the impression I am still his Jonin sensei."

"You Konoha ninja are so hair-trigger when it comes to emotions, it's not even funny." Kaiza snorted.

"Perhaps," Hizashi bit out through grit teeth with a look at Kaiza, "what our new associate here is trying to say, is that now is not the time for such a discussion. The chamber beyond holds this Box, and we must be wary."

I turned to my shadow clone. "Get to Tisha and get her into our special place. Train her as much as you can over there. I feel like we're going to need her by our side."

The clone nodded and vanished soundlessly. Hm. So he purposely ensured that I would hear the popping noise that normally accompanied apparition so that I would be aware it was him, something to keep in mind for later.

"Your 'special place'?" Orochimaru asked, tilting his head curiously.

"Later. For now, we move in." I waved him off and turned to face the door fully.

Alright… deep breaths.

I opened the door with a small push.

Waiting with bated breath, we all took a collectible sigh of relief when nothing immediately happened.

"This… this is…"

Or maybe that wasn't relief I heard in their tone, but awe. I certainly couldn't begrudge Kaiza his half-sentence, because in front of us was the Chamber of the Flame.

The gigantic chamber was in darkness, but when I opened the door, fires began to light themselves on torches, chandeliers, and sconces all around. It threw the room in an extremely bright orange glow. I walked in without effort, feeling as if, for all intents and purposes, I had entered another world.

"It's almost a perfect recreation." I muttered, casting my eyes around. The Chamber of the Flame… those three women up there," I gestured to the statues of three woman holding various instruments and not, as before, the gear to lift up the pedestal the box was on, "are the three muses. And someone seems to have done a pretty accurate depiction of the Olympians." I nodded towards the individual paintings on the walls. "Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Ares, Athena, Aphrodite, Hera, Helios… and many more."

"Your dreams… they are those people." Kakashi murmured, his single eye studying the giant portraits with a careful countenance. "This is a point in your favor."

I stuck my tongue out at him, then sobered. "That gold box… that's the one. Please, people, fan out. We don't know what can emerge, and I'd rather be best prepared for anything."

Without a word, our entire group spread out to form a rough circle around the box, far enough away from it to be able to prepare, but close enough to react. Taking a chance, I examined it as I walked up to its gleaming surface, appearing as if it were only polished yesterday, for all intents and purposes.

[Pandora's Box – Legendary

?]

Oh shit.

"I feel… a sense of foreboding that I did not before entering this room." Hizashi spoke from where he was already in a Jyuuken stance. "That box is playing with my emotions."

I looked at the box with a narrowed gaze. Could whatever be in it be strong enough to affect even my system?

I braced my hands on its edge. "Steady. Be prepared. If the worst comes to pass… don't hesitate to kill me to take out whatever comes through."

Without waiting for an answer, I pushed.

And then I was pushed.

I braced myself and weathered the strong gale of wind that spiraled around the box, its cover blew off the moment even a crack of a gap was available. I guess it is because of my skill, but I wasn't knocked back. The others, despite being at such a distance, were not so easily grounded and were blown back against the walls.

A slender hand grasped the edge of the box, and with a small sound of pleasure, a woman pulled herself up.

"Well, well, well… what have we here?"

"Aphrodite." I spoke, mind racing to think. Did Kratos kill her? I don't think so. I remember him fucking her, though, and then I remember scouring the internet for an answer. Her being left alive was meant to be a metaphor, that love never dies or some shit like that. "A pleasure to see you."

She did not reply, taking the time to stand while I stepped back, and all around us, the Konoha ninja did the same.

She was garbed in the same torn garment that left her breasts to hang free, but that was not all she had on her person. The Golden Fleece was reduced in size and adorned her left arm, somehow merged with the sun God's shield. When she stepped out of the box, I saw the boots of Hermes on her legs. On her waist was a strange collection of items, including but not limited to Poseidon's Conch Shell, the Claws of Hades – each on either side of her shapely waist, and even the heads of Helios and Medusa, albeit with their orifices closed. ON her back, the Blade of Olympus was thrumming with godly energy, completely intact and exactly how it was before Kratos stabbed himself with it. Her right forearm seemed embedded with glowing yellow orbs. When my eyes reached her face, it was to note that her hair seemed alight, as if a spotlight shined only on it, and her eyes were of pure emerald.

I scanned her immediately.

[Athena – Level ?

(Last Olympian)

Race - ?

HP - ?/?

CP - ?/?

Constitution - ?

Strength - ?

Agility - ?

Intelligence - ?

Luck - ?

Wisdom - ?

?]

"It is good to know that no mortal is resistant to Aphrodite's thrall." She said, and instead of that flowing voice I had expected, I got the voice of-

"Athena." I gasped, and suddenly it was as if a haze was lifted from my vision.

Wait. WHY DID I OPEN THE BOX? I WAS SUPPOSED TO DESTROY IT!

"You. It's you. You're powerful enough to overwhelm all of my skills." I realized. "It was you who made me stop on my way to Kiri to help Nami. It was you who compelled that Uzumaki to hand over the key-scroll to me. It was you who sent me into a panic outside the door, and it was you who didn't even make us stop and think that we had decided to destroy the box, not open it. It was… all you."

"Hm. It seems I am not yet used to Aphrodite's power. I seem to have lost control." The woman muttered eyes narrowed. "Very well. You will die."

My eyes widened as I immediately slipped into the speed-force. Even then, I was not fast enough to dodge completely and got nicked under my eye as I threw myself back to avoid the Blade of Olympus being brought to behead me from an overhead swing.

Shit.

SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!

SHE WAS ON A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL!

And if I could beat Orochimaru, the strongest of the Sannin, without much effort, and she could slaughter me…

We were all doomed.

Immediately, the backs of Kakashi and Kaiza filled my vision. "Gundan, what's-"

"Not now!" I quickly slammed my hand on the ground. Around us, the walls began to tremble.

"Such a strange set of powers for a mortal." Athena murmured, looking intently at me. "And an even stranger demeanor. Why do you worry about these insects?"

"Remember, Athena, that you and your family once thrived on the very attention these insects showered on you." I said in way of answer, gritting my teeth. I didn't really appreciate how far down we were when Kaiza and I took the tunnel. "Or that is, at least, until Kratos destroyed them all."

Her calm demeanor was replaced by one clearly governed by rage. "That imbecile… undoing what he wrought upon the world took eons of careful gathering… to lock away the realm of the dead, to tame the seas again, to calm the heavens, and then banish the primordial chaos… it was because of him that I had to open myself to… outside influences."

Thankfully, she seemed to be prey to the common villain fault of monologuing. "But he's far beyond your reach. Nothing you do will ever bring you even close to where he is. He destroyed the door to Yggdrasil." Actually, I have no idea if he did. All I knew about the latest God of War game was that he somehow leaped into another dimension and had a family. His kid was an archer or something... and Norse mythology was the new setting? Not sure...

Athena's gaze brightened. "You know how he left. You, a mortal, somehow know things you shouldn't – things no one should have told you."

The rumbling around us increased in intensity. "You brought the Shinju to the world… you needed it to gather all the 'Hope' that Kratos dispersed into the world. It condensed it within itself and became Chakra as we know it today." I murmured, trying to find a connection. "What did you do to the Uzumaki Clan? Why control me to awaken you?"

"The mortals who called that hovel above us their home?" Athena laughed. "Oh, they were so fun to play with. Summoning the World Tree consumed a lot of magic that I had gathered from the deities as they died, you see. I fell into a long embrace while it did its work. Fortunately, gathering the magic of powerful beings, those who were once well above me in level, raised me to even greater heights. Now, I am far more than I ever was. My magic acted of its own, and enthralled the people of this land."

"You were controlling the Uzumaki?" Tsunade asked in disbelief.

I quickly shouldered through my comrades and grasped Tsunade's blood and pulled, yanking her out of the way as a green electric arc pierced the stone wall behind her.

Athena's gaze snapped back to mine with an interested gleam. "Yes, a very strange set of powers for a mortal."

"You taught them sealing – the magic of words." I continued, throwing caution to the wind. If I could just keep her busy until we were out, we may have a chance. "The world believes the Uzumaki 'discovered' it, but really, it was you who were feeding them the knowledge required, even in your slumber. You were the one who possessed them to build this chamber, this monument, and the library outside…"

"You are wise… for a mortal." Athena remarked. "Yes, indeed. I was the one who… nudged them, shall we say? Yes… I nudged them in the right direction…"

"What I don't get is why." I frowned. "Throughout Kratos' siege on Olympus, you were the one who kept reminding him about the value of humanity, who kept urging him to think for them. You were meant to be their guiding light, their final salvation once the chaos took over the world. So why not leave them be? What is it you desire?"

"I desire to rule!" Athena barked. "No, not desire… I deserve to rule. I was to be their savior, the one they would look to when they needed guidance. I would have forged them into a civilization far greater than they could have ever been on their own!"

"Wait… the evils." Of course! "You absorbed the essences of the Gods, but they were affected by the evils from Pandora's Box! Athena, you're infected!"

"Nonsense!" she sheathed the Blade of Olympus on her back and unhooked the Claws of Hades from her waist. "This is who I was always meant to be!"

"You're blinding yourself." I realized. "Pride of yourself, greed and gluttony for power, anger and envy against Kratos, your slothful slumber and manipulation while you gathered your energy, and… um…" I shrugged. "I'm not actually sure about lust, but given the way that you're dressed…"

"You lie!" she screeched and drew back her hand to launch a bolt of lightning at me.

Fortunately, that's when the chamber shot out of the ground. With a gesture, I quickly caused it to explode outwards, and then we were all in the air.

I immediately righted myself in the air and dodged Aphrodite's lightning bolt, forming several shadow clones. Four of them dashed forward immediately, elements spinning around their form as if they were as agitated as I was. A few shot outwards, dodging debris as they made their way to our comrades and attached themselves to them, transformed into a less cumbersome form, and used air-bending to guide them safely to the ground and then dispersed.

Around me, four shadow clones stilled in the air. Almost as one, we all drew our Zanpakuto from their sheaths.

Okay, Athena was far, far beyond me. Even when I was in the speed-force, she was too fast. It stands to reason that all her other parameters would be the same.

But, I smirked, I had a weapon that can end her in two hits.

"Sting all enemies to death, Suzumebachi!"

Unfortunately, when I was using a particular Zanpakuto spirit, any clones I had made couldn't use the same one. Also, while I was in Shikai or Bankai, I couldn't make any clones at all. Since this state revolved around something to do with the soul, I thought it best not to interfere.

"Slash, Zangetsu!"

"Scatter, Senbonzakura!"

"Reduce all creation to ash, Ryuujinjakka!"

"Reap the souls of the unworthy, Shinigami!"

No idea where that last one came from, but hey, at least I knew how to release my Zanpakuto, right?

The haze of spiritual energy around me and my clones cleared, showing us holding our initial-release weapons. The clone with Shinigami had Death's default combat weapons – twin scythes. I wonder what its abilities are…

"You… are no simple mortal." Athena acknowledged, swatting away a funnel of fire without any visible discomfort. "But you are centuries too early to challenge me, the last God."

"I don't know how, or why you're here, Athena…" I spoke, feeling determination settle in my bones and falling into a Chi-Blocking stance instinctively, "but I won't let you take over the world!"

And then, as one, we shot forward.

Without her even looking at us… I just knew…

Athena was smirking.

"This brat is something else." Kaiza murmured, looking up at the display in the sky with grudging respect.

"It's a bitter pill to swallow, but Gundan-kun will always surprise you." Orochimaru commented eyes narrowed as he took in the battle. "Jiraiya, get ready. In spite of that sword's marvelous abilities… Gundan is being pushed back."

And indeed, Kakashi noticed, while all the clones wielding those strange weapons were attacking in conjunction with the clones using Gundan's unique bending abilities… The woman who called herself god was not even phased. She dodged and weaved, and used her claw-like purple weapons to great effect.

"Yosh! Gundan-kun is most youthful to be able to keep up with the likes of her!" Gai yelled… right next to his ear. "Unfortunately, it seems we have to step in." He brought his hands forward in a cross…

But was interrupted when a shadow clone was kicked in such a way so as to crash into the earth right in front of them. The force was tremendous and caused the ground to erupt, sending them flying into the air.

Almost immediately when Kakashi felt the earth start to rise, however, it was swiftly brought down.

"Don't interfere." The clone hissed, flipping himself upright and pulling back his hands. "If I could defeat Orochimaru-sensei while not using one of my many tricks, then you lot are way below our league. Stay. Out." It commanded before it shot its hands forward. A square segment of the earth it was on began to rise and shoot into the sky, where it suddenly broke off from the ground itself. The clone grabbed its makeshift weapon and slammed it into the woman's side… but even as the earth crumbled, she did not budge.

"Gundan-kun is many things… but he is not one to boast." Hizashi quietly spoke. The best we can do now is try to contain the damage…"

"The Four Violet Flames Formation." Tsunade suddenly spoke, then turned towards them with a gleam in her eye. "Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Kakashi, we're going to cast that barrier."

"That weak technique? Please." Kaiza waved her off. "I know a far stronger one… and I don't need any of you to use it." He unsheathed his sword and, with a single powerful movement, buried it into the ground right up till the hilt. "I anticipated using this technique soon enough, so I came prepared."

He went through an astounding number of hand-signs in a few short, precious seconds, the rate of which even Kakashi had trouble keeping up with.

"Sealing Technique: Decagonal Barrier of the Wanderer!"

I was getting frustrated.

I was standing back, letting my clones battle it out with their all in it, but it was to no avail. My fire-bending and earth-bending clones expired multiple times in spite of my high evasion chance, and I had to constantly create new ones. Thank god for my high regen rate…

Magic was ineffective against her, even the Killing Curse had no effect. The elements were a mere nuisance to her, not even a distraction. As I observed her, whirling the Claws of Hades about her like a maelstrom (haha) of death, I narrowed down the options I had remaining.

Bankai and telepathy.

That's literally it.

Nothing else works, dammit! Hierro against her was like creating a normal shadow clone – it didn't matter how strong its defenses are, a single hit dispels it. Cero bounced off the Golden Fleece, even the highest grade one. I needed the Speed Force to keep up with her because of those damned boots of hers. [Titan] did me no good, as did [Chakra Enrichment]. At least I was able to send her attacks towards me that I couldn't dodge into the Mirror Dimension, and that, of all things, helped me level it up like crazy – it sat at a satisfying level eighty-three now, with some useful perks…

If I even lived after this fucking battle!

I cursed as a grand gesture of my hand cracked the ar in front of me, and a beam of pure solar energy from Helios' Head vanished through it.

I did have another strategy… but after that, I'd be completely vulnerable for fifteen seconds. It wouldn't be too much of a bother if she were underpowered like every single other foe I had faced so far, but…

Something tells me Athena was meant to be the Final Boss. Like, of the entire system. Did I just wreck the story? Possibly. Do I care? Fuck no.

I hissed as I conjured a slab of metal and apparated to another spot in the sky to avoid the arc of electric energy that she fired from the Eye of Atlantis.

Okay, you know what? I'm through waiting.

Fifteen seconds of vulnerability… here we go.

I mentally activated the [Ninja Art: Shadow Clone Technique], and funneled all of my energy into it, saving only a point of each not to fall into chakra exhaustion. The sky was suddenly obscured by a massive cloud of smoke. And when it cleared…

Fifty-three thousand, seven hundred and ninety-nine clones stared at Athena with a hateful expression.

To her credit, the goddess wasn't even phased, although she did drop her stance when the clones around her leaped back for a second wind, to allow their regeneration to replenish their energies. Distantly, I think I heard a shout of "That's it, I'm so done with this brat!", but I'm not sure why someone would say that.

"You are beyond most mortals I have met." Athena commended me, flicking the Claws of Hades and sheathing them at her sides. There was no sheath, but they stayed there… magic, I guess? The chains around her forearms vanished into golden light. "Even the Ghost of Sparta would see his end at your hands."

"Thanks, but no thanks." I smirked. Okay, but can you blame me if I feel smug about getting praise from the final boss when I've clearly triggered the fight way too early? I didn't give anything away when I saw a few clones silently disappearing into black portals under cover of their comrades. Okay, so stall her until they get back. I can do that. "If Kratos weren't granted a certain honor," of being the main character "most of the things he did would have been impossible, demigod child of Zeus or not." Especially on easy modes; like seriously? "Personally, I always preferred the other one."

She smiled an indulgent smile, although it looked wrong when someone's eyes were glowing like a freaking glowworm. "He too, had the same blood Kratos did."

"Not what I was implying." I snorted. Seriously, though. If Deimos were the main character of the games, he'd never have died a death as shitty as he did. "But I digress. You seem to have all of Kratos' weapons and artifacts…" which, if I get as loot, would make me super beyond what I am now. But then again, can you call me super anymore when I'm struggling so badly? It's like I'm fighting Alduin as a level one Argonian unarmed and naked, "I was wondering, weren't they all destroyed at some point or the other?" In fact, I was pretty sure he beat Zeus to death with his bare fists.

"I am on a higher plane of existence than you can even imagine, mortal." Her smile vanished and she narrowed her eyes. "I played this game so long because it amused me. But whether there is one of you or thousands, it will make no difference." She pointed towards the earth far, far beneath us. "Allow me to hasten your end."

There was a loud crack, and Athena suddenly vanished from where she was and appeared a few meters away, a visage of annoyance pointed towards Shaak Ti, at whose side was…

"Sandaime-sama!" I gasped and immediately apparated to him. "It is not safe here-"

"Gundan-kun, we will talk of what, exactly, a person is meant to do at what time later." He spoke, leveling a look at me that made me remember the times when I was sure to get an earful from a friend of mine. Fuck. I totally forgot about the situation with Konoha! "For now, I will help in battling this… Athena."

"Speak the name of your reaper clearly, mortal." Athena spat. Hey, that was so racist. It's not his fault that her name comes from a completely different language tree! "You are far beneath even the child at your side – you don't deserve my attention."

Hiruzen's eye twitched. Wait, he was in the air! Was Shaak TI holding him up with chakra strings? How long did my clone keep her in the Mirror Dimension, and what else does she know? "You will be no reaper today, woman."

"You delay the inevitable." Athena sneered, and whipped out the nemesis whip from… somewhere. Huh, I guess the way Kratos shifts weapons in the games in plausible after- HOLY SHIT!

"Please retreat, Hokage-sama!" I advised, slipping into the Speed-Force to appear in front of him as quick as possible and wrenching open a door to the Mirror Dimension with a gesture. Then, I pushed forward, swallowing the unfamiliar stream of green lightning emerging from the crossed weapons.

Athena frowned, then her eyes widened when the portal grew close. Since I was still in the Speed-Force, I was able to see a blur as she dodged the incoming portal and stilled a few steps away from its edge, which closed with the sound of several glass shards tinkling.

"Such control over interdimensional portals…" she smirked, "do you even know what you toy with? The inhabitants of that realm are far greater than even I."

It was then that I was hit by a sudden rush of memories. A lot of memories.

[A skill has leveled up and evolved due to reaching the maximum possible level!

Magic Specialty: Mirror Dimension Access (Active) Lv MAX

Through select knowledge, you can open a doorway into the Mirror Dimension – an alternate layer of reality that naturally coexists with the base. Once the doorway has been created, it is impossible to exit without utilizing an interdimensional relocation skill. As a master of the art, your magic is unparalleled while within. Time flows strangely within – foreign objects and beings do not age, and a dilation effect is active.

+100% effectiveness to magic skills while in the Mirror Dimension

Time Dilation: 1:100 0]

[A skill has leveled up and evolved due to reaching the maximum possible level!

Magic Specialty: Oblivion Summoning (Active) Lv MAX

As a summoner of the denizens of the realm of Oblivion, you are capable of summoning them and theirs to aid you in various situations at no expense of your own. Through mastery of this art, you have no limits to the number of things you can bring forth, and share any beneficial effects applicable to you with your summons.

Creatures Roster: Wolf, Flaming Wolf, Flame Thrall, Frost Thrall, Storm Thrall, Dead Thrall, Daedric Lord, Daedric Spell-weaver, Daedric Chef, Daedric Masseur.

Weapons Roster: Spiked Gloves, Dagger, Sword, Axe, Mace, Greatsword, Waraxe, Warhammer, Bow.

Armor Roster: Vestments of the Mage, Leathers of the Rogue, Plate of the Warrior.]

Sweet! Plus, a clone was busy outside the barrier plotting with Kaiza and Orochimaru. It took an unbelievable ten years to max out my Oblivion summoning, though – that's… woah. I guess the quick leveling up in Skyrim was just, like, game-logic. I mean, it was obvious but… ten years?! Damn.

A new plan began forming in my head as I frowned at Athena. "In all my time within, I have never encountered another being."

"The denizens are above your mortal comprehension. You are, after all, a mere human. What you can perceive simply does not include the wavelengths of reality they exist on." She fell into a stance. "I grow tired of conversing with you. Your caliber is high enough to warrant asking you: any last words?"

Shit, shit, shit! The moment she moves, it's all over! I can't hope to match her physical attributes, and our magic is only at a stalemate due to the sheer versatility of my skills. Even though it was giving me a bad feeling, I had no choice…

"Yes." I spoke calmly, then channeled Reiryoku to my eyes. "Legilimens!"

My telepathy-fueled spell was effective immediately. The daylight and scenery from the sky abruptly vanished and I was surrounded by darkness. Green wisps of light hovered around me, looking, for all intents and purposes, like lazy fireflies.

"You dare…" And suddenly, Athena was in front of me. Not in her Aphrodite body, but her actual ghost-self from God of War 3. "You are brave, for a mortal."

"I have no choice… I cannot allow you to disturb the status quo… my world is too young, yet." I whispered. "Please, Athena, try to fight the hold these things have on you. You're so out of character, it's not even funny!"

For a moment – a single, short-lived, yet somehow pregnant instant, her face morphed into confusion; it was the sort you couldn't fake. But then, the very next second it was gone. Was this what it was like for Zeus and the others? My heart went out to them; I had [Gamer's Mind] to protect myself, but what did they have?

"You speak blasphemy." She growled, then smirked. "Perhaps… yes."

A sharp pang of pain suddenly burst through my head, but just as abruptly vanished.

"Tell me, mortal, have you heard of the phrase, 'a taste of one's own medicine'?"

PING!

[System Alert!

System breached by a higher bein^(* !* )! *_!) *!#*]

My head hurt!

I heard her speak something else, but my head was too busy being on fire for me to understand. I tried to grab at my head, to smother the agony somehow-

But then, suddenly, I wasn't in her head anymore.

"Yvon?"

My eyes flashed open and I looked up, a groggy feeling keeping my body from responding properly. I recognized this. This… this was my memory.

I wasn't in her head anymore… she was in mine.

"Jake?" I felt myself asking, voice rough with the amount of alcohol I had consumed. "What's… where are we?"

"In the car, man. You have a very high alcohol tolerance, but you're super drunk right now, ain't ya?" he asked, and his handsome face was alight with a boyish grin. God, ho old was he here? He was… twenty-one, I think. And I was seventeen. "Listen, um… the guys wanted…"

I scoffed. "I… I know what they-ay?" I hiccupped, "What they… what they want. What men always… want."

"So… you're okay with it?" he asked, tentative. God, please say no, please say no…

"Will you come, too?" I felt myself asking, hopeful. THIS ISN'T TIME FOR YOUR STUPID CRUSH, DON'T TRUST-

"Sure."

And then the familiar nightmare played. He didn't even have the decency to take me indoors – I was outside behind his villa, in the dark. They came, one by one, and at that point in my life I was too used to rough ministrations to bother and at that moment, too drunk to care. When they were done, I waited… and waited… but he never came.

"Such despair… such rage." Athena's voice spoke, in awe, almost. "You loathed yourself for so long… but wait… there is so much more…."

The scene flashed, and we were in the library of our college, yelling at each other.

"I didn't know you were such a nice person, Yvon." Jake whispered. "Please, I… you're like a little brother to me…"

"Yeah, that's cuz I do your assignments and shit." I felt myself scoff. John, a good friend of mine, had a hand on both of our chests, keeping us apart. My fingers itched to pull out the switchblade hidden in my sleeve. "I don't think I know any sort of older brother who sells out his little one to his friends, do you? Friends who, I might add, keep pestering me even after you supposedly made it clear it was only for one night. I see them every day, Jake. They ask me to help them with their shit too."

"Just say no!" He almost shouted, exasperated, throwing his hands in the air. "It's not like they're holding a gun to your head!"

"That's unfair, bruh. You know he can't say no to anyone." John said in my defense. He then turned his eyes on me. "And why is this the first time I'm hearing of this, Yvon?"

I averted my eyes and was glad to. John had one of those 'looks'… one that felt he was looking into your soul. "Whatever. I need a smoke, and I'm getting out of here." I felt myself say, backing off and out of the private cubicle. "Just… stay away from me and tell your friends to back off."

"Resignation, desire, sadness, anger… you say I am consumed by the evils, yet once upon a time, you were, too." Athena's voice spoke again, sounding amused. "But… you have so much more…"

The scene flashed and we were outside the canteen. I was smoking, and… this was a familiar scene to me. My girl best-friend, Leah, was sitting with me and grinning like a cat that caught the canary.

"See?" she happily said, showing me her ring. "We're engaged!"

For me, that's when I really felt the world slip from under my feet. At that point, college had been hell for me. The curriculum was too easy for me, and I was breezing by with almost perfect scores in everything. There wasn't anything to keep me occupied from… anything. I'd already gotten caught thrice drunk and creating a nuisance of myself within its walls, and Jake still was a friend/enemy that I had a crush on.

But… Leah had known. She knew what he did, I told her myself. She knew how I felt, she knew how I…

"That's great." I felt myself tell her, beaming a wide smile. I was really proud that my voice didn't crack, and my eye didn't brim over. "I'm… so happy for you."

The scene flashed, and I was super drunk, and on a call.

"You're getting married, huh?" I felt myself ask, face wet. "Well, it's good to know that being a third wheel is good for something."

"I… I don't know what to say." Jake said in way of reply, voice lacking any inflection.

"Are… are you happy?" I asked then, and my heart clenched so bad I thought I was having a heart attack.

"…Yes."

With a scream, I threw my phone against the wall of my bathroom. No one would hear, my mother was too busy being passed out drunk to care. The bottle in my hand, empty, followed, and it broke into several pieces that covered the floor of the small face. I fell to my knees, hard, and felt the glass bite into my skin with a small bit of happiness. The pain was the only constant… ever.

How was any of it fair? I always helped people, always listened to their problems, always smiled and always said yes to all the men who came asking for… favors. Yet, that day, I had no one to call and cry to. I didn't have anyone who would be bothered with my problems, with my-

How does he get to be happy when I'm not?

"ENOUGH!"

I wasn't that pathetic boy anymore. I couldn't be. I didn't want to be him! I had been studiously avoiding thinking of my past for this very reason – I had a problem letting things go. What right did this bitch have to dredge up my worst memories?!

"GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE! PROTEGO!"

"You are too weak to-"

"PROTEGO!"

"Cease this-"

"FUCK YOU, YOU GREEK BITCH! PROTEGO!"

With a flash of color, we were back in the real world.

PING!

[System Alert!

Due to the actions of a higher being, [Gamer's Mind] has been strengthened to protect the user.]

"You have NO RIGHT!" I yelled at her, startling Hiruzen and Shaak TI behind me, but I didn't care. I surged forward in a rage-induced battle-daze. "Ban kai – Jakuho Raikoben!"

I wasn't thinking about him, I wasn't thinking about him, I wasn't thinking about him-

WHY WAS [Gamer's Mind] NOT REMOVING MY RAGE WHAT

"DIE!" I screamed, shoving all of my Reiryoku into the rocket launcher in my hand, and sent it flying towards her at speeds even she could barely comprehend.

The resulting explosion whitened out the sky.

I didn't bother to wait for the flames to die down. I crossed my arms in front of me, and two summoning orbs appeared in them with a thought. "You wanna see pain? I'll give you pain!" I snarled, and my hands flashed downwards, empowered with the Speed-Force subconsciously.

A gigantic purple spherical portal appeared in front of me, and Atronachs began pouring out of them. Flame ones shot out fireballs into the visible Reiryoku as they emerged, and Storm ones fired lightning bolts. Above us, the clouds began to darken as storm clouds began to gather.

"I HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT HIM, YOU BITCH! I WAS HAPPY HERE!" I screamed, holding the portal open. I felt something trail down my cheek, but that wasn't important. "I WILL SEE YOU SUFFER FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TODAY!"

A chuckle rang out. Another. It soon cascaded into full-blown laughter.

From the cloud of Reiryoku, a minotaur emerged, charging straight at one of the Atronachs via falling. It crushed it with one hand but was immediately immolate by another of my summons.

Another emerged. And then another. Suddenly, the cloud dissipated to show a wounded Athena holding the Claws of Hades, and the fabric of space and time in front of her ripped.

"You dare! You attempt to invade my mind and have to audacity to get angry when I do the same?" she chuckled, then leveled an expression of rage at me through the golden blood that poured down her face. "I will enjoy seeing you and your army crushed to death!"

"Bring it on, whore!" I snarled, focusing more intently. Another portal opened on the earth beneath me, and Frost Atronachs poured out, raining blows on Athena's own spawn that managed to reach the ground alive. "Your death ain't gonna be quick, oh no, I'm going to make it last."

A bolt of lightning shot down from the heavens and struck Athena head-on. Shaak TI attacked using the element of surprise, hm? The blue magnum continued to cascade on her for a long few seconds, then cut off with a faint exploding sound.

Athena… was weakening. Blood flowed freely all across her body, and she panted as she tried to soothe her back with her hand. I was sure that if I could see her HP, she'd be down to a quarter by now.

I grinned and continued to allow Atronachs to pour out of my portal. When I got tired of standing and effectively holding the door to death open, I abandoned it and shot forward, creating and dispelling a shadow clone. This got the message to my other clones who were in wait, and the veritable sea of black-clad boys surged forward, feeling the anger I felt and the determination that flooded every inch of my being.

Athena was going to be eradicated. Painfully.

"Ban kai – Tensa Zangetsu!"

"Ban kai – Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!

"Ban kai – Zanka no Tachi!"

"Ban kai – Shini no Kotoba!"

A cloud of Reiryoku smoke enveloped the four of them before it dissipated to show them holding fully released weapons. I didn't pay much attention to them, I simply charged up the launcher with more Reiryoku and aimed at Athena. Around us, the elemental clones were gathering all they could - air, fire, earth, water, lava, combustion... everything, and aimed at Athena with the Speed-Force coursing through us.

"Die!" We all screamed as one and launched our strongest attacks.

PING!

[Defeated the Final Boss!

Rewards: +99999999EXP, +1000000 Stat Points, +100000PP Last Olympian Armor Set, Last Olympian Weapons.

The Roads Between Unlocked!]

I don't… I don't want this anymore…

PING!

[Quest Complete!

Main Quest: Blue Core of Hope

A Pandora's Box exists under the ruins of Uzushiogakure no Sato. Find it and discover its secrets.

Completed Objectives

Find Pandora's Box.

Open or Destroy Pandora's Box.

Defeat Athena

Completed Bonus Objectives

Win the Final Fight before ascending five times.

Win the Final Fight before ascending four times.

Win the Final Fight before ascending thrice.

Win the Final Fight before ascending twice.

Rewards

75000EXP, Fruits of My Labor Perk, Equipment Switch (4 Slots), Skill Book: Copy Magic, Skill Book: Megaflare, Summoning Contract: Chocobo, x1 Chaos Revenge]

[You have leveled up multiple times!]

I don't care…

"Legion?"

I turned to look at Shaak Ti fully, not even panting. My energies and health had been fully regenerated by the time they had gathered their wits enough to approach me. Around us, the purple-hued barrier fell and Kaiza solemnly pulled his sword out from somewhere behind them.

"Tisha-san. Hokage-sama." I greeted. I willed [Gamer's Mind] to be active in full force. I wouldn't be able to talk otherwise. "As you can see, the threat has been neutralized," I spoke, gesturing towards the pile of ash that was once Athena. Dramatically enough, a sudden breeze blew it away. "so I… I request a few days of leave."

Hiruzen looked at me with a strange mix of horror and pity. Jiraiya wasn't that far from it. Tsunade actually looked… sympathetic, while Orochimaru looked only contemplative.

"Gundan-kun…" Kakashi began but said nothing else. Odd. Perhaps he didn't know what to say? At his side, Hizashi looked similarly tongue-tied.

"Athena… dredged up some memories of an alternate future of mine I'd rather forget." I lied, feeling [Serpent-tongue] do its work. "I just… need some time." I whispered and turned away to apparate.

"Acknowledged." I heard Hiruzen say. "You are granted an indefinite leave of absence, to be revoked only at your wish." He then paused before speaking. "I could arrange a session with a Yamanaka-"

"Not needed." I waved him off. "I just need some alcohol, and a good smoke or two hundred." That's how I'd been dealing before, and it was a tried and trued method.

"Brat." Kaiza spoke, making me turn my head just so, to look at him from the corner of my eye. "You have three days. After that, I'm coming for you." He smirked. "After what I've seen… we have to spar."

It was odd… to see someone treat me so normally after all this. But… it was a welcome strangeness. "Of course. Accompany Shaak Ti to the Leaf, if you still wish to join the clan. I'll take care of some finer details when I get back."

I initiated the spell without waiting for another second and felt the familiar sensation of space pressing down around me. When I took that leap, I didn't know if I was fleeing from, or to, but… I needed something familiar.

Somehow, a flash of blue eyes and whiskers brought a sense of calmness to my heart.