Chapter 5: Titles and Ascensions
Three days later, Olympus, Chamber of Records…
Kratos sat at a desk silently, pouring over various scrolls and maps he had dug out amongst all the vast number of parchments that was stacked around him. As he read over the records of the Trojan War, he was subtly made aware of a presence that was not usually in the Chamber.
He was aware the Goddess of Wisdom had her own chamber, filled to the near brim with copies of parchments that bore various knowledgeable articles, but he remembered that she confided in him that the Chamber of Records was her own special place on Mount Olympus other than her own Chamber.
Having been living as a god for a grand total of ten years and a few months now, he was well accustomed to the ways of the gods…however corrupt they may be.
The Spartan sighed at the memory of his vengeful quest against Olympus…the very future he changed.
Defiance, was not something foreign to the warrior. He had defied many in his life…Sparta, his superiors, Athena, Ares, Zeus, Gaia. He even defied his own fate…and every act of defiance had built up to the destruction of the chains that held the mortal world safe.
But with that knowledge, the Ghost of Sparta, Kratos shook his head, he would not be known by that name ever again, the God of War, had used the power he had received after killing off Atropos, Clotho and Lahkesis to change the fate of not only himself, but the entire world and the gods as well.
He smirked as he remembered Ares' fear before his death. Well, most of the gods, anyway.
"Kratos?" the Spartan was brought back from his musings to see his wife standing in front of him. She glanced over the parchments and noticed what they were. "I see you have been reading up on you position."
"I am simply reading." He told her. "I may be the God of War, but I have no duties until mortals begin fighting battles." He rolled up a few of the scrolls. "Where is Calliope?"
Lysandra smiled. "Lady Athena has told me she would take it upon herself to educate Calliope on the ways and doings of the gods." She replied as she sat down next to her husband and ran her hand over his chest slowly. "This will give us more time to ourselves…"
Kratos smirked and leaned closer, softly sliding the back of his hand against her cheek, "Lysandra…you are mine, and I am forever yours." He told her as his expression softened.
"I will always be by your side, my God of War." Lysandra replied as they leant in…
Chamber of the Pantheon…
Zeus, Hera, Hades and Poseidon were all seated in the chamber, staring each other down in silence.
"So…we are here to discuss Kratos, yes?" Poseidon asked firmly. Zeus nodded and motioned to the pool in the centre of the table, which lit up to reveal an image of Calliope and Lysandra. "As well as the two newest arrivals upon Olympus." He stated.
"As you are aware, only Gods and servants are allowed within our great palace, yet," he paused to look at his brothers. "Kratos' family has yet to become one or the other!" Hades huffed a plume of smoke from his mouth. "And you want to decide what titles these two will obtain should they ascend."
Zeus nodded. "What titles can be granted to two with innocence and undying loyalty? They are pure and yet show great strength." Hera turned to her husband. "I believe we could make the youngling the Goddess of Light, since it will befit her cheerful and innocent personality."
Poseidon nodded. "And the woman can become the Goddess of Triumph, or perhaps Power." He added. "Befitting for the wife to the God of War." Hades merely nodded in what they assumed was agreement. "But then we will have to begin the preparations for their own ceremonies." Hera spoke. "They will both have to be given magic, armour and weapons can be forged by Hephaestus, and we'll need to grant them their own throne chambers for their titles."
The King of the Gods smiled and raised his arms. "Then we shall prepare for this immediately." He turned to a servant by the doors. "Send word to Hephaestus, we request weapons and armour for the wife and child of Kratos." He ordered, and the servant bowed before leaving to complete her task.
Hera stood up from her place. "I shall go gift Lysandra and Calliope their magic." She said as she too left the chamber.
Hades huffed from his position as the stone beneath him lit up with blackish-crimson energy. "I was once again not really needed." He commented as he teleported back to the Underworld.
Zeus turned to his remaining brother. "Do you think we are doing the right thing, Poseidon?" The God of Seas and Storms nodded. "I would think so, Brother. However, only time and the Fates will be able to tell if we truly are."
Later…
Kratos sighed as he lay on the large bed in his chamber, Lysandra lying in his side. The god observed his beloved's sleeping features, a sight he valued greatly.
He had given infinite more value to everything about his family, due to the loss he had realized and felt all those years ago. 'No,' he thought to himself. 'I am a god who bested the other gods, the titans and the Sisters of Fate. Nothing will stand in my way of protecting them ever again. I will protect my family.'
Giving one last loving glance at his beloved's sleeping face, he closed his eyes and allowed Morpheus to carry him into his rest…
Two days later, Chamber of the Pantheon…
Kratos found himself seated between Athena and Artemis, with every single Greek God also seated in the large circular chamber that was used for any and all meetings regarding the majority Gods or the mortals who worshipped them.
He glanced to the centre of the room, where his wife and daughter stood nervously, though Lysandra did not show it.
The King of the Gods slowly arose from his throne as the lesser Gods quieted down to listen.
"As you all are aware, we've been harbouring mortals here in the halls of Olympus." Zeus began, glancing around. "These mortals, despite their relation to the God of War, have no purpose among us." Muttering broke out among the Gods as Kratos glared at his father murderously.
Before the God of War could act, the elder God held up his hands. "Which is why, on this day, we welcome forth the two new additions to the Pantheon." Zeus motioned to the woman. "Lysandra, the Goddess of Triumph," his hand moved to the little girl. "and Calliope the Goddess of Joy."
Kratos' eyes widened in shock as his family were bestowed with the Power of the Gods.
Hephaestus, who had, for once, joined the meeting, and Hera both stepped forward to gift the new Goddesses. The Smith God gave the woman a spear forged of blackened metal, and the girl a set of two short swords with runes etched into the intricate gold hilts.
The Goddess of Nature smiled calmly at the two before forming two white spheres in her hands and placing them to the women's chests. "With my Gift, I bestow upon thee, Lysandra, the power to command armies to victory and wield flames of pride." She told the woman, turning to the girl. "and to you, young Calliope, I bestow the power to bring forth joy to the mortals who serve us, with your harp you can make anyone smile, even the most coldest of beings."
Kratos smiled as he watched the ceremony, the last bit of resentment towards Zeus slowly fading away as his mind finally completely realized that this was not the same Pantheon that had ruined his life.
Earth, east of Sparta, near the coastal city of Prasiae…
The whole city lay ruined, masses of Greek soldiers and civilians lying dead in the streets and buildings crumbling and burning. A large man dressed in blackened Spartan armour with intricate wolves designed into the shoulder guards and chestplate, smirked viciously as he observed the destruction with pride.
"Hahahahahaha!" he laughed.
"Commander!"
The man turned to face one of his soldiers, a messenger, who had called out to him. "What is it?"
The messenger bowed. "Sir, the troops have all cleared the city. No one is alive anymore, sir." He said swiftly. "We are awaiting your command."
"Prepare everyone to set out." The man cracked his neck as he heaved his large halberd onto his shoulder. "We've got a God waiting for us, after all."