A/N: I finally return with another update. This story is slowly progressing towards an unkown climax, one I'm not sure I'll even know when I eventually manage to reach it. This chapter is shorter than I intended, but I still hope I manage to appeal to you, my wonderful readers!
Also, concerning the comment regarding the idea for Calliope and Atreus actually meeting, from Omegaknight14's review, I cannot see that happening, as Kratos would have to die by Atreus' hand in order to pass that power on, as suggested through the ending events of God of War 2's battle against the Fates.
Unless Kratos actually has a change in character, I highly doubt he'd allow his only remaining family to kill him, considering his determination and drive.
If I perhaps find a way to buy a PS4 and get all the God of War games again, I highly doubt that I'd venture into a story on Calliope and Atreus. I am, however, working on a number of possible stories I am considering posting once I eventually finish, or possibly (though hopefully not) discontinue this story.
As far as I can see, this will most likely be the ONLY God of War fanfic I am going to write. In all honesty, that saddens me, as I feel like this archive could really use a lot more stories than it currently has.
Anyway, enough of my drunken ramblings, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 8: The Tale of the Ghost
Olympus, Hall of Zeus, a few days later…
Zeus was silent as he observed the world through his own private pool of Mystic Waters, specifically displaying the events that occurred in Sparta in Kratos' last visit.
"Zeus."
The King of the Gods looked up to see the new God of War standing a few feet away from him.
"Kratos." Zeus nodded. "What brings you to my chamber?"
The warrior frowned at the other god before speaking.
"I wish to see my mother, Zeus."
Zeus' eyes widened before he glanced away, concern filling his mind. After a moment of silence, he spoke. "Are you certain, Kratos? You will not like what you see." He told him.
Zeus had sensed the power of the Demigod when he first fought against the Barbarian horde, but he could not understand how the man had become so strong. It appeared to him that at least Athena and Dionysus somehow knew how, but refused to speak of it with their fellow Olympians.
Kratos glared at the older god. "What happened to her?" he demanded.
"…She fell ill some time ago." Zeus replied softly. "Her body was weakened by the disease and she perished shortly before your battle with Ares."
The God of War sighed and nodded. "I see…" he muttered in disappointment.
He turned to leave before pausing to glance back at his father. "Would you care to hear a tale, Lord Zeus?" he offered.
Zeus, noting that it might relate to his earlier thoughts, nodded. "If you'd be willing to share, Kratos."
Kratos nodded and turned to face the other god again.
"There was a warrior, born of a deity and a mortal, who was raised in a military-focused city." He began. "When he was young, the warrior's younger brother was taken by their gods, and imprisoned within a realm of torment."
"The warrior's mind was wiped of the event and he grew to become a respected commander in his kingdom's military." Kratos continued as Zeus' mind absorbed the information. "He fought in the name of his king and the deities he prayed to."
"His reputation and army grew until he commanded over ten thousand warriors." Kratos paused. "His army was then ordered to eliminate a barbarian horde posing a threat to his kingdom. The resulting battle massacred his army, and the young warrior was at the barbarian king's mercy."
"This warrior called out to his god of war, who destroyed the barbarians and chained the warrior as his servant." The Spartan continued, his eyes focused on his father. "The warrior served the god of war for some time, before the god of war forced him to blindly murder his own family, claiming he wished to make the warrior into his own representative among the mortals."
"The warrior, feeling betrayed and wrought with guilt, sought the aide of other gods in hopes of freeing himself of his guilt." Kratos paused briefly. "This led him to spend years hunting down various monsters and godly artefacts for his pantheon."
"Eventually, one of the goddesses promised him forgiveness for his sins, if he successfully murdered his former master, the god of war." Zeus' eyes betrayed nothing as they merely observed the younger god.
Kratos frowned. "After working through many trials and challenges, the warrior successfully acquired a godly artefact that allowed him to become strong enough to slay the god of war, after which he succeeded and replaced the god of war in his pantheon." The Spartan paused again. "After some time spent as the new god of war, this warrior regained memories of his childhood, remembering his missing brother."
"The god of war sought his brother in a gruelling quest, eventually resulting in the death of his brother once again, alongside the destruction of his god of death." Kratos stopped for any word from the Father of Olympus, but he remained silent still.
"The warrior soon discovered that his mother had been ill, and when she visited her, she attempted to reveal his father's identity, only to transform into a beast." He continued. "Unfortunately, she was killed and uttered his father's name with her dying breath."
"Enraged at his family's murder as a result of the gods he served, the warrior began attacking various cities claimed by the gods, using his birth city's armies as his own." Kratos' tone hardened. "The gods demanded he cease his attacks, but the warrior refused."
"Eventually, the king of their gods intervened and struck down the god of war, after draining him of his godly power." He spoke. "The warrior would not be deterred, however, as he escaped the clutches of death and sought the means to travel into the past, with which he eventually brought a full-scale and bloody war to the home of the gods."
"His war led to the destruction of the gods, and the world was thrown into chaos and disarray." Kratos continued. "At the end of it all, the warrior contemplated everything that had occurred, and sought the means to reverse what he had done."
Zeus was silent for a moment before he spoke. "I take it that this is your tale?" he questioned.
Kratos frowned at the older god. "How did you-" "One does not go to such lengths, nor such avid description of events, unless one has experienced them, Kratos." Zeus replied. "I found it odd how your power changed so drastically before the battle you waged against the barbarian horde."
The old god sighed and turned away. "I understand what you are trying to tell me, Kratos, and I understand now what you spoke of during your fight with Ares." He said, looking over his shoulder at the warrior. "However, your intentions in revealing this information to me is what I do not know."
"I wish to prevent those events from repeating, Lord Zeus." Kratos replied. "I have seen how the world befalls into chaos, and I do not wish to see the mortals suffer for the mistakes of their gods."
"What makes you so certain that things will change?" Zeus inquired. "From what I understand, the sins from within Pandora's Box was the cause for the gods' actions in your true time."
Kratos frowned. "When I opened the Box the first time, I was only filled with hope that I would be absolved of my sins, and freed of my nightmares." He replied. "This enforced that only the power of Hope would be taken from within the Box and given to me."
"Ares, I believe, sought as much power as he could possibly gain from the Box." He continued. "Therefore, I believe he absorbed all of that power, and my final blow once again absorbed all of his power into my Blade." He explained. "Therefore, I surmise that the only way this time will bring forth a second Great War would be if my Blade is destroyed."
Zeus considered the Spartan's words before nodding. "What you suggest holds merit, Kratos." He commented. "I entrust you will ensure that this does not occur?"
"Yes, Lord Zeus." Kratos replied.
The older god smiled and placed his hand on the younger's shoulder. "Then I am confident we will not see your timeline come to pass, Kratos." He said. "If you require anything in my ability to grant, all you need is to ask."
A few days later, Kratos' Chamber…
Kratos was silent as he watched his wife, for the first time since her ascension, finally used her Blessing upon the mortals.
She was conversing with a mortal warrior through his own Mystic Waters, and discussing the mortal's prayer just as her husband had instructed her.
"You seek to attack a barbaric village that has been raiding your home?" she questioned, to which the mortal had replied some form of confirmation.
As it was, private Mystic Water pools were charmed so only the gods or goddesses accessing them could hear and converse with the mortal praying to them, whilst the Mystic Waters within the Pantheon Chamber was charmed so all present in the chamber would hear and observe what was occurring on the mortal plain.
Lysandra noticed her husband, and decided to finish up. "You will receive my blessing." She told the mortal. "Go forth and claim triumph in your battle, in the name of the Goddess of Triumph."
With the waters fading back to their normal coloration, the goddess turned to her god. "Kratos." She said, smiling softly. "I do believe it will take some time to properly become accustomed to this."
Kratos smiled and nodded, moving closer to his wife. "You will understand that for us immortals, time is of little meaning." He told her, before looking at her with concern. "How have you adjusted to your new power?"
"It has taken some effort, but Lady Athena and Lady Aphrodite have both been aiding myself and Calliope with it." She replied. "I never considered the possibility that mortals could ever ascend as we have." She grinned, twirling around before moving into her husband's arms. "It almost feels…as if I can see…more…" she whispered. "…As if I can see more than I ever could as a mortal."
"…As if you find yourself in euphoria, yet unaccustomed to your new companions?" he asked knowingly. "I assure you that it shall pass once your duties become more." He told her. "Once the mortals begin revering you as they do the born gods and goddesses, you shall see just how exhausting it becomes."
"And what of Calliope?" Lysandra questioned, concerned.
Kratos considered the thought of the Goddess of Light.
"She will perhaps be given short reprieve before her duties and title officially come into knowledge among the mortals." He guessed. "I doubt Athena would throw a child haphazardly into a situation she would not know how to survive in, and as a goddess, Calliope will have to make a lasting impression upon the mortals, if she is to be revered."
"That does little to comfort me, my Love." The goddess replied softly.
Kratos sighed and pulled her close. "I know, Beloved, but we must have faith in her. Calliope is the symbol of our bond, and she is of our blood. She will survive and thrive as a goddess, I am certain of it."