Me: Alright, people; Let's keep this story going! Word of warning this is going to be mainly time skipping. Bear with me here everyone. I want to start the main series as fast as I can so I will have to fast forward. So, this chapter's not going to be for everyone, but I'm still happy to get this out.

Dear mother and father,

It's been some time now since you've last heard from me and since then I have been made the leader of my own team: STRQ. Heh, I could already hear the annoyance in fathers voice, but that's how it works in the other academies. My teammates are a bit of an odd bunch, but nothing I can't handle. The first one is Taiyang Xiao Long. He's a Vytalian who's pretty strong, not as strong as Father of course. His views are pretty sound and he's honestly easily trustworthy. The only problem is...

"Hey guys, check this out!"

I sigh as Taiyang brought me out of my writing a letter to my parents.

"What now?" Qrow groaned out as he and Raven watched with bored expressions.

Tai had just burst through the door and showed off his new armor. When a monster is killed, its body is used to make armor and weapons and other equipment for the Hunter to wield. In Tai's case, we decided to give him armor made from the Nergigante I killed. It was much more useful to him since I already have armor for now and Raven and Qrow would get different armor in the future that was tailored to their abilities since they relied more on speed and agility then brute strength. It looked viscous, like any armor made from the hides of monsters. Those spikes will come in handy incase an enemy gets grabby or bitey. But the color... (1)

"Did you paint it?" Raven asked with a raised brow.

"Yep!" Tai posed with his fists on his hips. Instead of the black color it was originally, Tai had it changed to golden brown with dark yellow spikes and burnt orange markings. "Feeling pretty golden right now. Jealous?"

"That was awful." Qrow groaned out again.

"Anything left for weapons?" I asked. "Because you need something long range."

"Way ahead of you." Tai unsheathed his gauntlets and two-gun barrels popped out of the eyeholes. "I got light blowguns built inside my gauntlets. Can go from semi-auto to full and I can easily switch to close range shotgun rounds. These babies can shred boarbatusks to pieces. Give me some different dust, and, well, not gonna lie, when I used gravity dust bullets on a velociprey a couple years back, I threw up. Ever seen meat smashed flat like a pancake?"

Raven held up a hand to stop Tai from going any further. "Tai, I will literally pay you not to continue."

I hummed. Father would probably call it foolish to let someone else have my kill, but Tai did need it more. Hunters can either create their own weapons or forge them from the monsters they slay. While I'm never giving up Talon or Guardian, I will have better armor sooner or later. Monster armor is a must have for almost every Hunter.

Taiyang has an almost childish personality. He likes to make puns and jokes a lot; Early warning to you, father. Despite this, when push comes to shove, he goes serious in less than a second and is very smart when it comes to fighting monsters. He knows weaknesses, strengths, diets and everything else you need to know about them. Just don't let him try to fix anything. He calls himself 'The Fixer'. Idiotic, I know. Just the other day he tried to fix a leaky faucet and a rickety chair and- don't ask me how- but the faucet exploded like a geyser and the chair somehow burst into flames. We've been trying to stop him, but he's really independent. I respect that, but one day he's gotta learn he can't do everything.

Then there's the twins...

"Hey, silver, whatcha doin?"

I ignore the flirting in the voice and simply respond, "Writing a letter to my parents. They need to know what I've been doing. If I don't send a letter every few weeks, father gets worried."

Raven smirked, but I saw a bit of jealousy in her eyes. "Protective parents, huh?"

I nod. "Father mainly. Both are protective, but fathers the worst. Still, he has every reason."

"Why's that?" Tai asked as Qrow helped him take his armor off.

I hesitate for a few seconds. "Before he met my mother, father lost his family, including his first daughter. He's been worried ever since I was born that something would happen to me. And in this world, there is a possibility. I love him, but sometimes he can be overbearing."

"He's got his reasons." Tai said, removing the last piece of his armor.

I was careful with how I explained my family. I can detect the hints of jealously in the rest of my teammates voices. Raven's and Qrow's parents were died from a plague when they were kids and Tai never had anyone he ever loved or loved him in return. His mother was a prostitute that abandoned him at an orphanage, so he had no idea who his father was.

Thankfully I didn't need to say anymore as the others went in their own conversation.

Raven and Qrow Branwen are an enigma to be honest. I don't think they ever had a family or stayed in one place for too long until Beacon. At first, I didn't trust them. I don't know why, but when I first saw them, it was like they were watching people... studying them. But that was probably just paranoia. I've never left Patch, so I haven't met that many foreigners. Still, at the end of the day, I trust these three with my life. When you meet them when you come to the Vytal Festival, I'm sure...

XXXXXX KRATOS POV XXXXXX

"... You'll like them, or at least tolerate them. Until then, goodbye for now. Love, Summer."

I continue to stir the stew as Faye finished reading Summer's letter. I mentally sigh. She was right, I am annoyed at the name. STRQ? What was Ozpin thinking? Hunter teams are important, but do they really need to be named by the letters of the first name? I feel the warlock planned this, just as always, so he can give me a headache.

I hear Faye laugh. "Oh, that daughter of ours. Already the leader. She's learned much from you, general."

I grunt. "I have taught her well. She'll use those skills in that idiotic festival."

"Still don't like it, do you?" She questioned me.

"Do you?" The Vytal Festival is supposed to be a celebration of the Great War. It is celebrated with dance, parades, music and food from cultures all over the world. There is also a combat tournament to show the citizens how the Hunters are trained and how well they've progressed. The problem is, despite all the grimm and monsters, most of the people think it's all fun and games, unlike the Olympics.

In the beginning the Olympics were held as a religious festival for my bastard father. Later on, it turned political, wars even stopped to have the games. I myself participated in a few during my youth as did many of my other people until Spartans were banned because of all the wars they fought in my name.

But even then, the Hellenics always took it seriously because any match could mean peace or war, but most of the people of Remnant think the festival is just a game.

Faye scoffs. "Nope. Remember when Summer lost interest?"

I do. I remember Summer in her youth cheer like any child would until she grew. "Why are those people booing?" She questioned her mother and I after seeing one team lose to another. "Those Hunters fought their hardest after training and fighting grimm and monsters for months. This is the appreciation those idiots give them for all their hard work? These people have no respect for Hunters because they never have to fight grimm or monsters because of us."

I couldn't agree more. I stopped stirring when I noticed the food was ready. As Faye and I ate, I continue, "Why does Ozpin and the other Headmasters agree to continue these asinine games?"

"They don't have a choice. The councils of the Kingdoms want to show the citizens who is protecting them. But it is becoming quite taxing. Eventually, Hunters will lose moral and maybe the Festival will be done, but that won't be for a long time. All that's happening right now is which Kingdom has the better fighters. There's even been betting on matches. Who wins and who loses."

I growl. If someone even thinks about using my daughter to make money... "Should we stop Summer and her team?" Faye's response was sending me that same look she always gives me when I suggest a bad idea. What was I thinking? I shake my head. "Summer is an adult. She can make her own decisions."

"That's my husband," She placed her hand on mine. "Even if she makes mistakes, she'll learn from them. She learned a lot from you, Kratos."

I sigh. "Sometimes I feel she learned too much. And killing that nergigante didn't help."

"I still can't believe it," Faye murmured. "I know she was strong, but to kill an Elder Dragon? She's inherited more Olympian blood then we thought."

"...Yes."

She gives me that same look again. "Something you want to tell me?"

I drop my spoon in the stew and massage the bridge of my nose for a few moments before speaking, "A part of me hoped Summer wouldn't have inherited my curse. I had hoped I would have taken it to my grave, keep it a secret forever. I was a fool to think that."

"I know how hard it is to keep a secret, love, believe me."

I do. Every time anyone asks about her family besides Summer and I, it's as if something completely dies. Her eyes stir with so much pain and loss it breaks my heart. After Summer was born, sometimes Faye would be lost in memory. I still find her in the middle of some nights staring out the window with tears running down her cheeks, never even looking at anything in particular. Just staring.

Whatever loss she went through, I will never ask her. (2)

She sighs, changing the subject. "And what if we have grandchildren?"

"I've decided that I would tell them when they're older, but younger than Summer. I don't want to keep it a secret for long."

She smiles. "That's my man. Well, the future looks good for us. I can't wait to see Summer fight. She'll show everyone why they need Hunters."

Yes. I know she will.

XXXXX 3RD PERSON POV XXXXX

One year had passed since Summer had left for Beacon and the Vytal Festival had arrived in Vale. People from all over the world were here to celebrate the end of war and the beginning of peace. Food of all types was being served, flags from all five Kingdoms were flying and the arena- Amity Colosseum- was ready for the Hunters to fight. The latter was what Kratos was currently staring at with contempt.

"Don't think about it, husband." Faye warned Kratos.

"It's an eyesore."

"I know."

"It floats. Billions of lien used for the magi-tech to create it all so civilians can gawk at it like children." Kratos could only look on in disgust at the sight of the colossal stadium floating in the sky. Built with technology from all the kingdoms, Amity Colosseum was cone shaped with a massive Dust crystal at the bottom, tapering it to point. "A symbol of unity, harmony and peace gone to waste."

Faye scoffed. "Alright, Mr. Grumpy, let's just forget about the horrible monstrosity in front of us and go find our daughter."

Both Kratos and Faye arrived just a few minutes ago on board a sea ship from Patch with many other people from the island. Faye was dressed in a white long sleeve sweater and black pants while she forced Kratos to wear something new. The spartan had grumbled the entire time as he wore a black leather jacket over a white shirt and dark blue jeans with black shoes.

"I look ridiculous." Kratos sighed.

Faye giggled. "You look like you're on vacation, which you are. We're not here to fight or anything like that, just to watch our daughter. Speaking of which, where is she?"

Kratos looked around, trying to find Summer amongst the sea of people all over. "She said she'd meet us here." Then he went still. His ears twitched. "Get ready." He warned his wife in a lone tone.

"I know," Faye softly responded, just as ready.

Seconds later a cloud of white rose petals flew over the civilians and struck Kratos in the chest, sliding him back a few feet.

When the petals dissipated, in Kratos' arms, was his daughter, smirking up at him. "I actually managed to move you."

Kratos glanced down to see almost three feet. "Good. Better. I suppose the warlocks teachings are good for something." Before her Spartan Rage came, Summer was only barely managed to move him a few inches.

Summer smile couldn't have gotten any bigger as she hugged her father then her mother. "I missed you both so much."

Faye wrapped her arms around her daughter as Kratos kept a hand on Summer's shoulder. "Obviously." She laughed before letting go. "Now, where's the rest of your team. Where are they?"

"Right here, ma'am."

All three turned and saw the rest of Summer's team walking up to them.

Summer smiled. "Father, mother, these are my teammates of Team STRQ: Taiyang Xiao Long, Raven and Qrow Branwen. Team STRQ, these are my parents, Kratos and Faye Rose."

Both of the Branwen's bowed their heads and shook hands- both wincing at Kratos' strength. "Greetings." Raven said.

"Hello there, Mr. and Mrs. Rose." Tai greeted with a wide grin, not noticing the annoyed scowl on Kratos' face. "I must say, it is finally great to meet the parents of our glorious leader. She looks just like you, ma'am. Very beautiful." Faye giggled while Kratos' started growling. Behind them, Summer sighed and rolled her eyes while Qrow and Raven simply watched the comedy show. "And sir, good to see a fellow strongarm warrior such as yourself. I can see I pale in comparison to a fine man like you- OW!" Tai suddenly yelped when Kratos smacked him in the side of the head, sending the jokester to the ground.

"Apologies, daughter." Kratos said as Faye, Qrow and Raven laughed at Tai, who still laid on the ground with a dazed look.

Summer simply waved her father off. "No, it's alright. I told him not to crack jokes in front of you."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Well, can't say I didn't deserve that. Still hope I don't get brain damage. Get it?"

"Do you ever stop talking?!"

Qrow laughed under his breath, trying hard not to break down and embarrass himself in public. "50 lien says your dad kills Tai before he leaves."

"Stop it." Summer warned her teammate.

The group was currently walking around the festival, enjoying the sights and eating the exotic food. Summer wasn't surprised her father went for the lighter options like rice since he couldn't stand Anima food. Too many spices he always said. Kratos especially stayed away from deep fried food. He won't admit it, but even being a god won't stop stomach aches. (3)

"Hey, I just wanted some payback." Qrow shrugged.

"I thought you were happy?" Tai questioned, a kabob in each hand. "I didn't hear you complain when you wanted to show off your legs."

"What?" Kratos said, looking to his daughter for an answer.

Summer sighed, "Tai tricked Qrow into wearing a skirt and told him it was a kilt."

Faye practically burst into laughter while Kratos rubbed his forehead in annoyance and mentally dreading the future since he'll be seeing the these children for a long time now.

"So, how have your studies been?" Faye asked her daughter, after calming down from her laughing.

Summer shrugged, pausing from eating her noodles. "Good. High grades, hardly lost a match and learned some magic. Raven's the one best at magic in the team. Tai's the worst."

"I'm not that bad," Said man defended himself.

"That earth elemental that almost squished you contradicts that." Qrow mocked playfully.

"Any spells you know, daughter?" Kratos asked.

"Just some attack and defense spells, nothing really that big," Summer answered.

Kratos and Faye weren't surprised. Summer wasn't one for magic back in Signal. The main advancements were combat based magic, even then, nothing flashier than a fireball or lightning bolt. (4)

"And your hunts?" Kratos asked again.

"King taijitu's, lancers and sphinx's," Qrow smirked, answering for Summer. "Plus just the usual jaggi's and zamite's. Even got a beotodus bothering a fishing village down south."

To prove this, Raven waved a large tooth in the air.

"Impressive," Faye said with a nod.

"Would be more impressive if these damn kids would better their magic!"

Team STRQ froze at those words and who said them-Tai himself pausing mid bite.

While Faye chuckled at the reaction, Kratos sighed when he knew who's voice that was. "Hello, Old one."

"As if you're one to talk, goat beard."

Kratos quietly growled as he turned to the person. In front of him was yet another race of Remnant. This woman was only 4'10 and was very old, but she carried herself with pride. She had long pointed ears, grey hair tied in a double ponytail, her skin was a mix between tan and bronze and her eyes were a deep purple color.

She was garbed in amethyst colored rathian B armor, in her right hand a rathian switch axe, looking almost comical as the massive weapon towered over her.

Faye instantly stood up and rushed over to the old woman and hug her. "Oh, Violeta, it's been too long."

The old woman laughed as she hugged back. "Agreed, sister. Glad to see you doing okay, despite goat beards personality."

As Kratos grumbled, team STRQ could only stare.

"Your mom knows miss Tavraga?!" Raven hissed quietly.

"I didn't know!" Summer defended herself.

"You weren't supposed too yet!" Violeta Tavraga exclaimed, making the Hunters in training flinch. "Just because you're the daughter of my friend doesn't mean I was going to coddle you!"

Violeta Tavraga was a special person in three ways:

1: She is a wyvernian. The wyvernian people are a race with draconic features and ancestry that can live to be 1,000 years old. They're a peaceful people, wanting nothing to do with war and instead stay neutral, simply living their best with nature and the beasts that inhabit it. Because of this, they are much more accepted than most other races, especially because of their skills in magic thanks to their long lives and all being close with magic.

Violeta herself was of mixed blood. Wyvernian from her mother's side while her father was Y'dala and mantle blood.

Violeta refuses to call herself half-Atlesian. She resents the country for taking the title of capital of the Atlas continent after the war.

2: Just because she's a wyvernian doesn't mean she prefers peace. She's one of the few wyvernian Hunters in the world and the most powerful mage alive. From the time she was born, magic was an integral part of her life; more so than most other wyvernians. Before she talked or even walked, Violeta could summon a basic elemental and grow a tree from a seed. When she became a Hunter she used her long life to her advantage. Now 932 years old, Violeta mastered every lore and spell and even created new ones. During the Great War, while she didn't choose a side, she kept thousands of neutral people and refugees safe from the conflict. Once, when the Vacuo military attempted to destroy a small town for housing injured Atlesian soldiers, Violeta used her magic to conjure a massive lava elemental to attack the Vacuons. And to get her message of neutrality through every other kingdom, Violeta summoned a titanic sized tidal wave to push- push- the Vacuon fleet all the way past Anima.

No one ever threatened Violeta or any innocent home again lest they have a death sentence

And 3: She was the teacher of magic. When Ozpin first started up the academies, she was the one who created the classes to teach Hunters to use magic. Though not everyone had an affinity for magic, every Hunter had to learn even the basic ones to survive in the future. And while Violeta was the one who chose the teaches need for each academy, she stayed permanently in Beacon; but she does take the time every few years to visit the other academies to make sure the people she chose do their job as rare as it is.

You do not want to get on her bad side. Ever.

"While I enjoy catching up, Ozpin sent me to find you two."

Kratos grumbled. "Damned warlock." He muttered.

Violeta simply rolled her eyes. "I know. I know. But what can you do with that man..."

"Good, the witch is gone." Tai muttered under his breath, trying not to be heard.

Tried and failed.

Violeta tapped her switchaxe on the ground and a large green glowing skeletal hand appeared from the ground and grabbed Tai by the scruff of his shirt.

"Shut up, boy! Before I hurt you!" Violeta threatened.

"What do you think you're doing now!?" Tai cried out before the hand disappeared and dropped him on his ass.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After bidding their daughter and her teammates goodbye, Kratos and Faye were teleported by Violeta to Beacon. When the light cleared they saw they were in Ozpin's office.

"Faye. Kratos. Welcome." Ozpin greeted them from his desk. "Good to see you two again after so long."

Ozpin wasn't alone in his office. Surrounding him was Glynda Goodwitch, Slate Argonsson and the Headmasters of the other academies across Remnant.

First was the newly appointed Headmaster of Atlas Academy: James Ironwood. This man was in his forties with greying black hair, a strong disposition and with half his body being made from machines. After years of fighting Grimm, monsters, undead, terrorists and more, over half of Ironwoods body was replaced with cybernetics to keep him alive.

Second was the Headmaster of Drakantos' academy of Cherrywood: Gon Tora. He is a tiger lynian with yellow fur and the usual black stripes. He was wearing a simple suit with glasses. His left eye had three claw marks from an incident involving bullies when he was a child.

The third Headmaster from Mistral: Leonardo Lionheart. Truth be told, Kratos thought the name was ridiculous for a coward. The spartan hardly tolerated the skittish lion faunus. Even now the man was fidgety, shifting from foot to foot in nervousness whenever he was near Kratos. Ever since Leonardo had found out about the spartans origins he's tried to limit as much conversation and contact as possible.

The fourth and last was the Headmaster of Shade academy from Vacuo: Theodore Cyranos. In all honesty, Kratos can compare the flamboyant man to Apollo or Dionysus, minus the drinking problem from the latter. Theodore was a man who cared much for his students, going to far as to make a file on each student and study each one extensively. As such, most Shade academy Hunters are adapters that can fight individually, if need be, instead of a team.

Faye smiled. "Good to see everyone here. Especially you, Gon. When you didn't respond to any of my letters, I was worried."

"Apologies, Faye," The tiger lynian almost stuttered out, tugging on the collar of his suit. "Trying to run a Hunter academy and work on the Drakantos council has been taking much of my time."

"I told you to take a vacation," Theodore said. The headmaster of Shade was dressed in his storm sky colored clothing and cape with his weapon choice of red gloves enchanted with dust and magic. "You look like you are about to keel over."

"I am glad you all managed to make it though," Ozpin said. "There's not much to discuss today besides the schedule for the festival. Though for you two..."

"Why are we here, warlock." Kratos bluntly said, getting straight to the point.

While Ironwood bristled at his disrespect and Leonardo gulped in fear, Ozpin simply took it in stride as he always did.

"You know what it is, Kratos. It's about the next maid-"

"How many times do Faye and I have to tell you?! No!" Kratos interrupted the man with a loud voice.

Many flinched while Faye simply stood there and sighed. "Ozpin, you're my oldest friend and I love you like a brother, but Kratos and I don't want anything to do with the maidens. I've told you again and again those powers should have been destroyed decades ago. If Salem ever gets her hands on them or if the secret gets out those poor girls will be hunted to be slaves."

"We wouldn't have to if you two fight her now." Ironwood spoke up. "If we drop Kratos as deep in Drakantos as possible then he can fight his way to Salem."

"I might be a god, but even I have my limits." Kratos growled.

Salem was the witch who created these Grimm and getting to her is no easy feat. This wasn't like storming Olympus. The continent of Drakantos was divided into two main territories by the sapphire mountain range. To the south was the fertile lands inhabited by the lynians. To the north was the barren wasteland of death overrun by probably tens of millions of grimm. Kratos had no doubt he could kill Salem if given the chance, but he'd had to get past all the Grimm guarding her.

He couldn't travel by foot because the only way is through the Sapphire mountains which are themselves infested with deadly magical creatures of all types such as draugr, ghouls, hags and more; Ironically, it's what's also been keeping a majority of the Grimm from crossing over into the Drakantos kingdom. By sea was out of the question since sea monsters and water-based Grimm lurk in the depths waiting for a boat to pass over head. While air would be the fastest approach the aircraft would be taken down by flying Grimm in seconds. It was suicide, even for the god of war.

Before he met Faye, Kratos would have accepted instantly if it meant his death, but not anymore. Summer might be almost an adult, but she still needed her father.

"I told you it was a bad idea bringing up," Slate muttered loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"We're getting desperate!" Leonardo exclaimed. "Grimm and monster attacks have been on the rise and something else is going on." He continued when he received confused looks. "Seers and mystics are going crazy! Visions are out of control!"

"They do not concern us!" Kratos interrupted, making Leonardo flinch in fear.

Faye shakes her head. "Listen. All Kratos and I are here for us to see our daughter. I'll say again; we want nothing to do with the maidens. Now if you'll excuse us, our daughters match is coming up and we don't want to miss it. Violeta?"

Nodding, the mage waved her hand and the parents were teleported to the arena.

Gon sighed. "That could have gone better. Really, James? Dropping Kratos in the middle of Drakantos?"

Ironwood glared at the lynian. "As Leonardo said we are getting desperate. There's no telling what the witch will do sooner or later."

"This isn't about that, James. It's about Kratos." Ozpin spoke up, getting the Atlesians attention. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you want to try and get rid of him."

"Don't be absurd, Ozpin. He's the only god left on Remnant that can kill Salem."

"He has a family." Violeta argued.

"Which he'll lose if Salem finds him."

"She wouldn't dare." Glynda said, arms crossed. "Attacking Faye and Summer would be a death sentence. She knows what Kratos is and what he did to the last people who took his family away from him."

"Ah, yes. How can we forget about the Olympians." Leonardo bluntly said. "That man became a god and killed the deities of war, death, the sun and the sea with such brutality."

"Leonardo, you can't blame him." Theodore placed a hand on the faunus' shoulder in an attempt to calm him. "Wouldn't you do the same if you were in his shoes? Hasn't that man suffered enough?"

"Enough, all of you." Ozpin sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "While I would have wanted an input from them, they're right. They don't want any part of this, so we won't push them anymore. Just let them enjoy the day with their daughter."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Even after being teleported to the arena and finding seats, Kratos was still fuming.

"I know, husband. I know." Faye soothed Kratos as best she could. "But Leonardo is right. They're getting desperate."

"No excuse to bring in Summer and suffer the same fate." Kratos retorted, barely holding himself back from shouting at his wife. "They didn't say it, but they want Summer as a maiden. With my blood in her veins, she'll be strong, but a target. If they ever tell Summer about their plans..."

"It won't come to that." Faye said calmly, but with a cold tone he heard more then once meant certain death. "If they do tell Summer, she won't choose. Not after hearing everything."

Before the conversation could continue, but he announcer began.

"WELCOME everyone to the Vytal festival!" Almost everyone in the arena- Human, Faunus, Lynian, Y'dala and Wyvernian- cheered as loud as they could. It was almost too much for Kratos as his right eye twitched, stopping himself from covering his ears with his hands. "We've had amazing matches so far haven't we? Well, be further amazed for our next match between team STRQ of Beacon and team MVCK of Shade! Let's fight!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The match wasn't long, but neither was it short. Though both teams fought with each other with amazing teamwork, it was STRQ that stole the show. Summer was leading her team magnificently. STRQ paired together and switched partners when needed, bringing confusion to MVCK that prevented them from adapting fast enough.

STRQ won their first matches easily and moved on to the next rounds. They dominated in the 2v2 matches, making Kratos pride grow even more as he saw his daughter and team, despite not being whole, fight through the tournament with ease. He was even more impressed with the 1v1 matches.

Tai and Qrow knocked their opponents out of the arena while Raven depleted the aura of the one she faced. The last match of the festival ended with Summer against a veteran third year student from Haven. A large 1,500 pound, 9-foot-tall bison Lynian named Taunka Longhorn; garbed in banbaro armor and wielding a warhammer made from the same beast: Mammoth Hoof. (5)

Despite the size and weight of both the weapon and its wielder, the bison lynian was pretty fast thanks to his semblance which lightens his body, practically making him an unstoppable juggernaut when charging combined with magical enchantments to lighten his gear and anti-grav dust in his armor which can be activated with a simple thought.

But that didn't deter Summer in the slightest. She used her speed, agility and semblance to her advantage, staying out of the hammers way and firing her arrows. The beginning of her plan was to try and tire Taunka out, but he wasn't breaking a sweat.

"Trying to tire me out, huh?" Taunka said with a friendly laugh, figuring out Summers plan from the beginning. "While useful for someone else, I've been training for years to keep my stamina up. I'm a bull after all."

Summer sniffed. "Fine." Summer sheathed Talon and unsheathed Guardian. "Hand to hand it is!"

Releasing a roar that stunned most of the audience and Taunka, Summer- covered in her spartan rage aura and her eyes glowing silver- charged straight towards her opponent. Recovering fast, Taunka unleashed his own guttural roar that shook the arena, lifted Mammoth Hoof and brought it down full force. What should have ended the match then and there instead took a very different turn. Compared to the sound of a club striking a gong that that made many people clench their teeth, Summer stopped the warhammer with Guardian- the ground under her cracking and breaking from the impact- showing just how strong both her Olympian blood and godly made shield are.

Summer then swiped the hammer to the side and smashed her shield into Taunka's gut, knocking the air out of his lungs. Then she smashed Guardian again into Taunka's head, knocking his helmet right off. Now that her opponent was stunned, Summer took advantage of the moment and surprised almost everyone by lifting the massive bison Lynian up in her arms and over her head. Taunka was even more surprised as he flailed his limbs around.

"Hope you like flying!" Summer shouted before letting out one final roar and throwing Taunka with all her might. The Lynian bellowed in shock as he flew out of the arena and at the wall.

The shock from the crowd of what just happened faded after a few seconds before they burst into cheers.

At his side, Kratos heard Faye release a breath she had been holding in. "You were worried?"

"No. Well... maybe," Faye said. "I shouldn't have been, but even after all this time, she's still my little girl."

Kratos decided not to question it. Even though he would never admit it, he did worry about Summer during the match.

'She's also my little girl.' Was Kratos thought as his daughter ran to her opponent.

"Are you alright?" Summer asked worryingly as she grabbed the Lynian by his huge hand and lifted him back on his hooves. "I hope I didn't go to far."

Taunka simply bellowed in laughter. "On the contrary, fellow Hunter! It's been so long since I've met a worthy opponent; and just my luck I found one stronger then me!" Summer lets out a yelp as the bison Lynian lifted her on his shoulders and paraded her around the arena, much to her embarrassment. "THE WINNER!"

The crowd cheered even louder as Kratos watched with pride. The rest of STRQ ran out to the arena as they were crowned champions of the Festival.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It was a few days later after the festival that Kratos and Faye were leaving.

They were currently waiting at Port Thalassa for their ship to take them back to Patch while Summer and the rest of STRQ were seeing them off.

"I'm sorry we couldn't stay longer, Summer," Faye apologized to her daughter as they hugged.

"It's alright," Summer said. "I'm just glad you came. I'm coming back to Patch after graduation." She noticed her father giving her a look. Summer simply chuckled. "Sure I'll get contracts and travel, but the small island will always be my home."

Kratos breathed out through his nose and held out his arms. Summer instantly hugged her father without hesitation. She also felt him stiffen, not surprising her. Her father was not the physical, touchy feely guy like other fathers mostly because of his spartan training and his pain, but that didn't matter to Summer. She decided years ago when she was still young that if her father can't feel for himself, then she would do it for him.

"Take care of yourself, daughter," Kratos said after Summer and him separated. "Keep these three in line, especially the clown."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Tai said with a smile only to flinch when Kratos glares at him.

Summer chuckles. "I will father. Get home safe."

After the send off, Faye and Kratos boarded the ship for home. As it sailed off, they saw Summer and her team still at the docks, waving their hands.

Faye sighed. "Graduation can't come soon enough."

"You always tell me to be patient, wife." Kratos said, an arm around his wife's waist. "Summer will come back home. She said so herself."

And yet, despite everything, Kratos still feels something changing.

And not for the better.

Me: Well, say what you want about me, but I am trying my best here. I really need time to think about what I write, and I tend to lose some memory plus I also finally got a PS5 about six months ago and have been playing nonstop. Thankfully, I found the app where I can work on my stories at work or when I don't have a computer available. I highly recommend getting the app on your phone if you don't have time for a computer.

I also saw the trailer for RAGNAROK and it was amazing. I especially like what they did with Thor, he's got his own original feel to it instead of the usual wings on helmet, cape and handsome hero schtick. For those who are making a fuss about how he looks, Santa Monica is doing their way based on mythology and their own ideas, not Marvel. No one should make a big deal about how Thor's fat, a red head and not Australian. Not all Thor's have to look like Chris Hemsworth. He is an amazing actor; I'll give him that. No one can play Thor like him.

I also heard that this was going to be the last game for Kratos and Atreus for the Norse saga. That means Ragnarok's probably going to be longer then 2018 because we still have to fight Odin and I'm hoping they bring in Hel and Fenris. Don't really think it matters, because the ideas I got cooking up in my head are going to go beyond and diverge far from Ragnarok. Still though, if this is the last of the Norse saga, then what about Odin? What's his status? How many other gods are going to be in it?

I'm also hearing things about how Angrboda shouldn't be dark-skinned when the game takes place in Scandinavia. News flash, it's a fictional video game. It has its own views and ideas. Get over it.

Also a cookie for anyone who can figure the answer to this question: There is a character- a small one- from one of my new favorite shows that's another part of this story. What show have I added to this story? The only hints I can give you is that it's a manga adapted into a Netflix show. The manga started in 2016 and the show started in 2019.

1 - Nergigante Alpha Armor.

2 - Faye must have had a good reason keeping her Jotnar identity a secret. I want to believe she chose to love Kratos of her own free will without a prophecy forcing her relationship just so Atreus could be born.

3 - I actually wonder how an archaic period greek would handle modern, foreign food like deep fried twinkies or spicy pad thai.

4 - In one future chapter I'll explain magic and the different kinds.

5 - I got the name from the video game World of Warcraft. Taunka is the name for a sub-species of Tauren introduced in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion. The name itself originates from the word tatanka, the Lakota Sioux name for the American bison.