Prometheus stood outside of the Labyrinth, his left eye swollen and purple, he shouldn't have tried to stop Kratos. "Still waiting for him?" Clark said. "No," Prometheus said, "How are the Jacksons?"
"Good, the been through a lot, I mean nearly eaten by the Erymanthian Boar, luckily for them Kratos saved them," Prometheus nodded, "Where Sally, I need to talk to her,"
"She's having tea with my wife," Clark looked at the Labyrinth, feeling an invisible pull tug at him, "Why would he go in there,"
"To Remember."
Line Break.
Kratos has no idea he has been walking. Minutes? Hours? Days? He couldn't tell. The Labyrinth has its very own realm of space and time. The corridor kept changing direction and Kratos kept walking.
Kratos enters the labyrinth to remember, its ancient power may be able to help him recall what he has lost. The Spartan mind was blank, only focusing on the path ahead.
Finally, an exit appeared, a light, not just a light, but the smell of the forest and seawater. Trees appear, pushing the branches Kratos found himself on a beach. He knew this beach.
After destroying Olympus and a very long journey he ended up on this beach.
Midgard.
The cloudy sky, dark gray seawater, and dark forest behind him. Midgard.
How did he get here? Did the labyrinth bring him? No. This was too familiar, Kratos knew what this was, a memory. He must have gone into his subconscious.
A cloaked figure was sitting on a log in front of a fire. "Hello, there friend! Why don't you come to join me," Kratos sat down next to the figure, "Nice day, isn't it? I mean it's a little gloomy, but I think each day has its beauty!" The man said.
Kratos didn't answer. The man continues, "Not much of a talker, are you? Oh well. Hey! Are you hungry!" He began searching his pockets for food, "I have the most wonderful goat cheese, or how about some mutton, and I also-"
"What do you want, Odin?" Kratos finally spoke.
The cloaked figure smiled and pulled back his hood. His right eye was icy blue, and his left eye was a Bifrost crystal. His aura was not what Kratos expected, instead of a king or warrior, Odin had the presence of a scholar.
"Why, I'm here to make a peace offering, Ghost of Sparta," Odin said.
Kratos' normal scowl became more bitter hearing his cursed title.
Odin stood up and walked with hands behind his back, "Now I am happy that you accepted my invitation Kratos, I was quite worried that you wouldn't show up," A few days ago a raven arrived at Kratos' home with a message from the All-Father himself.
He remembered Mimir warning, "Listen to me brother and listen well, Odin has many talents, but one his greatest is that silver tongue of his, do not accept any bargain or deal, or else untold suffering will fall upon you."
"I guess my old friend Mimir told you not to trust me," Odin said, " Oh Mimir, you and your habits of exaggerating, how is Mimir doing?"
"He doesn't stop talking," Kratos said.
Odin laughs, "Yes! That's Mimir for you! Ha Ha Ha!"
"What is your offering Odin?" Kratos said.
Odin faced Kratos, "Fimbulwinter is over, every day the signs of Ragnarök grow stronger in all the nine realms," Kratos continued to observe Odin, but his presence continued to mislead the old spartan. He remembered another warning from Mimir.
"Don't let your guard down or else he strikes like a serpent,"
"What is your point, Odin?"
Odin clicks his tongue, "Ragnarök will begin, the nine realms shall burn, and we all die at the end." Kratos stood up and looked Odin in his two different eyes. "What is your point?"
Odin smirks a venomous smirk, "I will be killed by Fenrir who will be slain by my son, Vidar. Thor and Jörmungandr will end their feud by killing each other." Odin paused for a moment.
"And finally, Heimdall and Loki will kill each other."
The name Loki struck Kratos. That name was his beloved Faye wanted to name their son, Atreus.
"But that name means something else to you, doesn't it? I believe that yes, Loki's birth is Atreus," Odin said amused.
"It's sad that after everything you've been through and everything you've earned to lose it all over again."
Kratos has dealt with being like Odin before, it is their hubris that leads to their downfall.
"What do you want?" Kratos demanded.
Odin sat down on the log across him, Kratos remained standing.
"Well, we have similar goals, don't we? You want your son to live, and I want to live, you see Kratos. I know Ragnarök will happen, it's inevitable, I want you to slightly change the outcome."
Kratos continues to listen.
"You are the only one who can alter the outcome of this end game, you have the power to change fate itself. Killing Magni and Modi, killing Baldr, and starting Fimbulwinter, why I might even say that you're the most powerful being in all the nine realms," Odin explained.
Kratos didn't care for the All-Father words.
"Kratos with your help we can change the outcome! Everyone wins!" Odin said with optimism. Kratos stared the same stoic stare he always had.
"What about the Giants?" Kratos said.
Odin expression didn't change, he let out a chuckle, "It was their fault for standing in the way of progression,"
"And having Thor slaughter them was the solution?"
Odin waved it off, "The Giant we're on the wrong side of history, they always have been, instead of supporting the right cause they chose greed, choosing the way of supremacy!"
Kratos personally knew a giant whose first instinct was to help others; hunters looking for food, strangers who needed shelter, or even a fisherman with a leaky boat. Laufey the Just was the one who healed Kratos's trauma, the woman he loved and bored his son Atreus.
Every insult Odin spat out about the giant Kratos took it as a personal insult to Faye.
Kratos' rage overtook him, unleashing Spartan Rage, Odin was awestruck. He has heard of an anger that surpassed anger and here it stood before him.
"The Rage of Gods!" He said as if witnessing a beautiful painting.
"Odin, you won't stop Ragnarök, you will die and Asgard will burn," Kratos exclaimed as he tried to calm down.
Odin scoffed, "Well, your son will die as well and so will everyone else. It's shameful, from what I heard of Kratos was now more... Mature, but that's what I get for listening to rumors." Odin got up and dusted himself out.
"Asgard is not Olympus Spartan, it will last for eternity, I will eventually find a way," As Odin was about to leave, "Oh, and one more time Spartan, thank you for sending my beloved Freya back to me, I missed her dearly." Odin cackle.
Then in an instant, the All-Father was gone leaving Kratos with a bitter taste.
Line Break.
The voice in Kratos' head began to speak to him. Instead of mocking or insulting him, the voice began to question him.
What are you?
A warrior.
What is your purpose?
Fight and conquer.
And after?
Peace.
How does one acquire peace?
Through war.
Are you ready to accept your role spartan?
Yes.
What are you?
A God.
God of what?
The God of War.
Line Break.
The Nemean Lion was big, about the size of an African elephant. Its fur was the color of gold, and its claws and fangs were silvery white. Its yellow eye stared at the strange man standing in front of him. The Nemean Lion had made Yellowstone National Park its own personal territory. While patrolling it felt a strange presence appeared, going to the location, The Nemean Lion found a man exiting a cave. This man was different, everything was food to the lion, but this man was food, this man was an enemy.
The man's eyes glowed red, The Nemean Lion foot-long claws popped out and the giant lion began growling. The man did not back down and instead ready him for a fight. The Lion let out a monstrous roar, it sounded like pure thunder. The man remained still, with no fear. The Nemean Lion pounced and slammed his front paws where the man was, the ground erupted and cracked, The Lion lifted its paw and found nothing.
BAM! The Nemean Lion's body flew back and landed on its feet. Pain, it rarely felt pain, there were only a handful of beings that caused the Nemean Lion. Roaring in defiance, The Lion charged toward the man, with its claws out it continued to swipe, slicing every tree and rock in its path. The strong man continued to dodge until finally he was cornered, The Lion leaped forward, jaws open, instead of tasting blood and meat it tasted dirt. BAM! Pain spread through its left hind leg. Roaring it spun and struck the man with its paw sending him flying.
The Lion blitzed, becoming a golden blur, finding the man, finally pouncing and biting down. Finally having its prey between his jaws, and bit down. What? The beast felt the man resist, then pain, pain beyond pain, the man slipped his hand between the Lion fang and gum, hooked his hand on the fang's root, and pulled the fang completely out. The Nemean Lion roared out in agonizing pain. The man took the fang and split Lion's tongue in two. More roaring, the lion swiped the man into a cliffside.
The man groaned, 'Great, I find my way out that damn labyrinth, and then I run into this fucking thing.' The man, better known as Kratos, picked himself up and looked at the fang, about two feet long. The legend says that the only thing that could cut the Nemean Lion hide was its claws, Kratos wonders if the same applies for its fangs. The Spartan eyes became solid red, and he zig-zagged his way toward his opponent. He slashed the left foreleg and hindleg. Blood gushed out, success. Cuts are not deep enough, too shallow, fangs are meant for piercing. Kratos spun around and stabbed the fang into the left hind leg tendon, the Lion roared and jumped forward to face Kratos, blood dripped from its jaw, it began to swell. Kratos made the next move, jumping high and landing on the lion's face, he began stabbing. The Nemean Lion began wilding thrash as its vision became red and blurry. Kratos leaped off; The Lion's golden fur now had a good red now. 'Good', Kratos thought. The Nemean Lion was blinded by its own blood, its hind tendon was heavily damaged reducing its movement, and since the beast rarely ever felt pain, it was now disoriented.
'Time to finish this.' Kratos analyzed his opponent for his finishing move. Its vertebrates, jugular veins, and throat were protected by its mane. The abdomen was his best shot. Rushing in, Kratos held the fang tightly and slid under the Nemean Lion and stabbed below the ribcage and succeeded in piercing the muscles. The Lion feeling overwhelming pain and attempted to escape, Kratos planned on this and moved, combining the Lion momentum with his own, Kratos was successful in ripping open the lion's gut.
The intestine spilled out and before collapsing The Nemean Lion roared one more time in defiance. Kratos walked over to the Lion's fading body and ran his hand across its fur, it was surprisingly soft. It took two minutes for the body to fade leaving only its pelt, teeth, and claws. The most interesting part was that the pelt had shrunk to a size that fitted Kratos perfectly. Donning his spoils, Kratos made his way back to New York.
Line Break.
Strangely Clark and Molly weren't at the Forge, so He went to the Jackson's apartment. After knocking, Sally opened the door, "You're Back!" She wrapped her arms around him, and her party jabbed him in the jaw. Wait, party hat?
"You made it!" Percy shouted, he was also wearing a party hat, looking around Kratos saw balloons, presents, and a banner that said, "HAPPY FIFTH BIRTHDAY!". He also saw Clark, Molly, and Prometheus eating birthday cake, and all three were wearing party hats. They all looked at him surprised, Kratos glared at the three who went back to eating their cake.
Percy ran up with a big, goofy smile, missing a front tooth, and wrapped himself around Kratos leg, "You made it to my birthday party!".
'Great, I had to return on the boy's birthday,' Kratos saw the glowing happiness in Percy's eyes. "Yeah, Happy Birthday boy," Sally stopped hugging, but Percy held on to his leg. "What did you get me? What did you get me? What did you get me?" The birthday boy repeated over and over again. Kratos was handed a piece of cake, that was solid blue, and a party hat. Kratos ignored Percy and turned to Clark and threw the Nemean Lion pelt. The Cyclops mechanical eye began spinning wildly, he stared at in disbelief, "No way. No Fuc-" He then remembered that the now five year old Percy Jackson was in earshot. "Uh, I mean flipping way,"
"You're were gonna say fuck," Percy said. "Percy!" Sally and Molly gasped. Molly picked him up, "Percy, sweet baby boys like you don't say bad words!" Percy nodded, "Ok, can I have more cake?" Molly proceeds to give another more cake.
They pushed the couch and table aside and rolled the pelt out, everyone, except Kratos who was now eating a piece of cake, began touching the golden lion skin. "It's so soft!" Sally couldn't believe that she was touching the skin of the Nemean Lion. Percy puts on the pelt, "Mommy look! I'm a lion, ROAR!" Sally let out a cry, "Oh my goodness, it's a scary lion!"
Percy began running chasing his mom around, "ROAR, ROAR!" Then Percy crashed into a wall. Percy was unharmed, but the wall was missing a patch of drywall. Clark fixed the wall while Percy began chasing everyone. Percy went to Kratos and roared, Kratos lifted the head of the pelt to help Percy see. "You would be a good lion," Percy responded with a ROAR!
So, Percy tired himself out and took a nap in a nest of wrapping paper using the pelt as a blanket. Percy had the best birthday party ever! Uncle Clark made him a bicycle with training wheels and said that it was indestructible, three weeks later Percy would total the bike beyond repair. Aunt Molly got him so many toys, she infused them with magic so they wouldn't need batteries, Percy would also destroy all the toys beyond repair. Uncle Prometheus performed a magic show and at the end, he transformed twenty-five cents into twenty-five dollars!
The last birthdays would usually be a small cake or a few cupcakes, one present, and then Gabe would yell at his mom for wasting money. So yeah, by comparison Percy's fifth birthday is currently the best birthday he ever had.
Line Break.
Kratos learned two things when returned, one he knew what day Percy Jackson's birthday was, and two, he no longer had an apartment. It slipped his mind that the labyrinth had its own realm of space and time. Kratos felt like he spent only two or three days on the outside, it has been two months. The Landlord figure Kratos skipped town and gave the apartment to some other guy. So now Kratos is homeless again.
The party was over, The Magical Trio had left, and Percy was playing (Breaking) with his new toys. Clark took The Nemean Lion Pelt, he had to fight Percy for it, how can a five year old put up such a fight? Percy throws a G.I. Joe out his window. Soon Percy's favorite show, Naruto, came on, now his absolute attention was on the T.V. Kratos balled up a paper into a ball and threw it at Percy's head, no response.
Sally made coffee and offered Kratos a cup who accepted, "Cream? Sugar?" Kratos declines, he believes that coffee should be taken black.
"So...How are you?" Sally asked, Kratos drank some coffee, "Good." and just like that the conversion died. "Believe it!" Percy said, pumping his fist. Besides Percy quoting Naruto, there was silence. "So, what are your plans now?"
"I need a new place to stay," Kratos said. He could stay at The Hidden Forge, but he wanted a place of his own where he could sit back and relax. "You can stay here," Sally said, Kratos slightly raised his right eyebrow, "Why?" Sally fiddled with her finger, "Because you're the only one who can protect Percy. You saved us so many times already, and I think you are a very good influence on him, he admires you so much."
Percy began hitting the T.V. "Stupid Sasuke!"
"Boy, stop hitting the Television," Kratos said. "O.K.," Percy said. He then ran into his room and came out with his new toy sword. "I got a new sword!" He struck Kratos in the knee and the sword let a Squeak! Sally giggled, Kratos let out a slightly amused groan, "Where will I sleep?"
"You can sleep in my room!" Percy said, "Mommy can you buy us bunk beds?" Sally cooed, "Sorry Sweetie, but not until next year,"
"Dammit!" Percy said. "Percy, Language!" His Mom said softly. She turned to Kratos, "The couch is a futon and it's pretty comfy," Kratos groaned. "Plus, I cook for you, three hot meals a day and snacks!" Sally offered. Kratos did like that idea; he was tired of eating out and he was pretty sure that the Waffle House chef spits in his hashbrowns.
"Alright, I will stay," Kratos said. Yay!" Sally and Percy both exclaim.
Soon it was bedtime, the futon was pulled out and set for Kratos. The lights were out, and Kratos laid down, He wasn't going to sleep, he was going to meditate and enter his mind. He began focusing on his breathing, keeping a steady rhythm, his mind a void, and his body weightless.
Kratos opened his eyes and found himself standing in a shabby hut. Groaning, he got up and dusted himself off. He was wearing a maroon haori and trousers along with a pair of cheap woven sandals. Kratos realized that he had no control over the body and put on a straw hat and picked up his Kusarigama. It was a hot summer day, and he left his shack. He walked until he came upon some rice fields. A Lot of farmers out today, being in the water, must help. He then bumped into one of the farmers "My apologies dear sir!" he said bowing. Kratos bowed as well, "I'm sorry as well."
He then dodges the knife that was thrown at him, the farmer pulls out a short blade and attempts to slice Kratos' throat. Kratos grabbed the farmer's hand, twisted it, and rammed the blade into the farmer's neck. Kratos grabbed the body and shields himself from a wave of kunai. The rest of the farmers and workers pull out their weapons. Ninja specializes in the art of stealth, assassination, and espionage. A man with a twisted headband pulls out a Kanata, "You will pay before betraying our lord!" Kratos responded by throwing the weight of his kusarigama into the man's forehead and taking off his skull cap. Kratos grabbed a few kunai and threw them into the faces, necks, and eyes of several oncoming attackers. Kratos grabbed a ninja's windpipe and ripped it out. Another Kratos judo flipped headfirst into the ground. Kratos slices open a few stomachs. They were non-stop and eventually one slammed his staff into Kratos' jaw.
Waking up Kratos and felt another strike hit his jaw. Percy snored again and kicked, "No, my cake," His first night at the Jacksons and Percy kicked him in the jaw. Not only that but Sally was resting her head on his chest. Groaning Kratos decided to go back to his meditation, then he felt Percy kick him again.
Line Break.
Sally was so ashamed of her behavior, sleeping next to Kratos. All she was trying to do was make sure he was comfortable. He was so still, and Sally just wanted to listen to his heartbeat to make sure he was alright. She didn't expect to fall asleep!
Kratos was finishing his breakfast Sally made him, Pancakes, bacon, eggs, toast, and a big cup of black coffee. "So, what do you have today, Kratos?" Kratos dipped his toast in the egg yolks, due to his landlord giving away his apartment, his furniture and clothes were thrown away, so Kratos had to go clothes shopping. "I need new clothes,".
"Oh, I know this great outdoor mall, why don't we go together?" Sally offered. Kratos thought about it, he would prefer to go alone, then again there was no harm if Sally went with him.
They got to the mall and Kratos was wrong.
"You would look wonderful in this," Sally pulled a Hawaiian shirt off a rack. "I can't tell if you're a summer or an autumn, oh why not get both," She handed Kratos two dress shirts. "These match your eye!" Sally dragged Kratos to eight different stores and now Kratos arms were filled with bags. Looking around, Kratos saw other men holding dozens of bags. One poor bastard looked like he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
The only thing Kratos was interested in getting was some new jeans, and a Johnny Cash t-shirt. Yes, Kratos was a fan of the Man in Black himself. He got it but he also got several new clothes for different occasions, and yes Kratos was the one who paid for it all. Thankfully due to fifteen years as a government mercenary known as 'The Ghost,' he had a hefty bank account, and he got a nice check from Uncle Sam every month.
Finally, after hours of shopping, they stopped for lunch. Kratos looked at the pile of shopping bags, "Um, thank you for helping me shop," Sally gave a glowing look, "Oh your welcome, I had fun today," Sally looked at the menu and decided on the shrimp salad.
While eating Kratos felt something pass by him. "My balloon!" a little voice cried out. A five-year girl and her older brother ran after the lost balloon. Kratos grabbed the balloon string and handed it to the children. "Here," The children didn't take back the balloon, they looked into Kratos cold, amber eyes. The girl began to cry, and her brother began shaking, thankfully their mother showed up, "Thank you!" She grabbed the balloon and hurried off with her children.
Kratos could feel the looks he was getting. The other customers were whispering.
"Look at the size of that guy!"
"Bet he killed a hundred men,"
"He looks like a slasher,"
"Am I really that intimidating?" Kratos didn't care, it was just annoying. Sally saw annoyance on Kratos' face. She dragged him to a sunglass's kiosk. "How about these," Sally said, wearing a pair of aviators. Kratos went "Mmm." Kratos then found a pair of tea shades he liked, putting them on everything became darker, good Kratos thought everything was too bright and colorful anyway, it pissed him off. Kratos bought the tea shades and the aviators for Sally.
Finally, after a few more hours of shopping, they return to the apartment. Opening the door, they found Percy hitting Prometheus with a toy sword. "Oh, thank the West Flame your back!" Prometheus looked exhausted, He agreed to babysit Percy for the day and took him to the New York Science Museum. The Titan kept having to tell Percy, "Don't touch that!" "Don't grab that!" "Don't lick that!"
Prometheus was one of the wisest titans along with his brother, Epimetheus the Titan of Afterthought. He was the personal advisor of Kronos and Zeus. He and Athena have had many strong conversations on many topics. Yet it took only a hyperactive five-year-old to wear him down. For context, Prometheus has no experience with children.
"Kratos, Clark and discussing some new projects and we would like your opinion on them," Prometheus said before leaving. Kratos agreed to meet up with them tomorrow. Percy began going through all the shopping bags, he found a pair of giant shoes and tried to wear them. "Kratos, I'm making pork chops for dinner," Sally called from the kitchen. Kratos sat down on the couch and began watching a John Wayne movie.
Line Break.
When Kratos killed the Erymanthian Boar, he was rewarded with the skull, tusks, and hide. Clark was given the spoils to make new equipment. He used the skull and the tusks to make Kratos a new gun.
"I give you The Tusk Combat Shotgun Model One, Aka the Feral Shotgun," Clark gestured to a table that held the Feral Shotgun, a fierce-looking combat shotgun with a drum magazine, it black and bronze and the end of the barrel resembling the point of a tusk.
"It can switch between semi and fully automatic, the ammo is infused with Greek fire to give it more explosive power," Clark then pulled out three shotgun shells, a red one, a black one, and a green one.
"The red one is spread shot for range, black is a slug shot close range and more damage, and green," Kratos looks the green shell, the slug resembles the end of a meat hammer, "Green is a special armor-piercing round,"
Kratos held the Feral Shotgun, it was perfect. "Excellent work," Clark smiled, "I have also upgraded The Stallion and The Steer. The Stallion has been infused with Wind of the North giving better precision. The Steer has been empowered with thunder, giving it more explosive force."
Kratos was happy to have his guns back. "Thank you,"
"I also enhanced your sword by adding an Erymanthian Boar tusk and the fangs and claws of the Nemean lion, except for that one fang you had, speaking of which," Clark tossed a sheath knife at Kratos. He pulled out the blade, a twelve-inch porcelain blade. Kratos hangs the knife on his belt.
"What are your plans for my armor?" Kratos wanted to know. Clark pulls a set of blueprints. "Both the Boar Hide and Lion Pelt I plan to cut into strands and weave them together for the armor pieces." Kratos read the blueprint; the armor set was called the Armor of Labors.
"The Armor of Labors." Kratos read aloud, Clark nodded, "Kratos you already completed two labors, if you finished the other ten you will gain some of the rarest spoils in the world.
Kratos looked at the blueprints. Four pieces of armor; chest piece, gauntlets, and war belt, and combat boots.
Labors Chest Piece: Nemean Lion Pelt, Erymanthian Boar Hide, Cretan Bull Horn, and Skull.
Labor Gauntlets: Stymphalian Bird Feathers, Three Fangs from Cerberus, Blood from Geryon Cattles.
Labor War Belt: Blood and Hide from the Lernaean Hydra, Amazon Queen War belt, Three Golden Apple from Hesperides.
Labor Combat Boots: Heart from Alpha Diomedes Mare, Hide from Ceryneian Deer, One Pound of Dung from Augean Stable.
"Dung from the Augean Stable?"
"Yeah, best get it from the center of the stable, that best manure around," Clark said. Kratos looks at blueprints again and decides to trust the cyclops.
"Alright, where do we begin?" Kratos was ready for a new set of armor. Clark crossed his gigantic arms, "Actually we have a problem, My Forge has reached it, I need to expand in order to continue production." Clark Hidden Forge would overhandle so much, eventually either the Labyrinth will reject the Forge, or the Labyrinth magic will begin to weaken, and the forge will be revealed.
"What are your plans," Kratos didn't need any more complications in his life, this forge was the only place he could get quality supplies. "I need to find other entrances of the Labyrinth, so we can find more locations to work, it will prevent stress on the Labyrinth itself."
Kratos thought about it, he went through the thousands of years of memories, then he remembered the dwarves that helped him and his son on their journeys through the nine realms. "I might have a solution,"
Line Break.
Every Saturday night at the Jackson residence was movie night, and for the last few movie nights, Kratos had to watch Disney and Pixar movies which he had grown to hate. But today Kratos got to choose the movie he wanted to see, True Grit, starring John Wayne.
Turns out Sally herself was a huge John Wayne fan, she used to watch them with her Uncle Rich. Near the end Kratos could hear Prometheus and Clark at the door, he answered before either could knock and stepped outside, "What?"
The cyclops and titan were grinning ear to ear like idiots, "We've figured it out, we fucking did it!" Prometheus and Clark then high five and Kratos stood there unimpressed, "Well?"
They explain the project, building gateways in Labyrinth and a special compass infused with Prometheus' foresight, they will be able to travel through the Labyrinth in an instant.
"We even tested it out, there is a gate in the hidden forge, and another in New Jersey, and it works!" Clark explained and high-fived Prometheus again.
"Good, now we can see where the Jersey Shore was filmed," Kratos said.
"This is why no one likes you," Prometheus grumbled.
"Look, the fact is that it works, now we just have to test from a further distance, and we are going to need your help," Clark said. The cyclops pulled out a map and handed it to Kratos, the map was the United States with several red dots on it, "The dots are the Labyrinth entrances?"
"Yes, and I have a place in mind," he pointed to a spot in Arizona, the Sonoran Desert.
Line Break.
Clark's truck was waiting outside the apartment, Molly hopped out holding a suitcase when she saw Sally, she hugged her, "We are going to have the best time together!" Sally agreed to let Molly stay with her and Percy while The Exiled Trio went Labyrinth hunting
"I want to go! I want to go!" Percy said, jumping up and down.
"You call me when you get there, right?" Sally asked Kratos. The God of War nodded, "Yes."
"All right everybody, time to go, goodbye my Little Springflower," Clark blew a kiss to beloved wife, Molly blew a kiss back, "I'll miss you my Hunky Mechanic!"
Kratos got in the back, and everyone said goodbye. Sally and Molly waved and watched the truck drive away.
"Alright guys let's do this!" Clark said pumped up.
"I can't wait for this thing to work!" Prometheus said smiling.
"We should keep our expectations low; this could fail horribly." Kratos in his regular monotone. Both Prometheus and Clark gave Kratos the 'WTF' look.
Line Break.
"Oh my gosh! What should we do first, makeovers? Paint each other's nails? Bake some cookies?" Molly said excited and ready for some girl time with Sally. But Sally didn't seem interested, she looked out the window, she let out a sigh. "Hello? Earth to Sally," Molly waved her hand in Sally's face. "Oh, I'm sorry, um, yeah, lets,"
"Alright, Sally what is bothering you?"
Sally let out a groan, "Kratos," Molly raised an eyebrow, "Did you, do it? Did you tell him how you feel?"
"No," Sally sighs again, "Oh my goodness Sally, why not?" Sally had a slight blush, "I-I just haven't the right time to tell him,".
"Right time? Sally anytime is a good time, you're running out of time, Kratos is a hunk and if you don't tell him, he might find another woman!" Molly exclaimed. Sally's blush grew brighter. Molly clapped her hands together, "Alright new plan, I'm going to help you confess your feelings to Kratos! Operation: Love Letter!"
Sally groaned, "Oh my goodness," She put her face in her hands, Molly patted her back, "Don't worry, soon enough you and Kratos will be making passionate, hot, sweaty love!"
"Molly!" Sally gasped, her face bright red.
Line Break.
A few hours into their journey, Clark and Prometheus we're discussing a show they watched. Kratos was meditating in the back, deep in his subconscious.
"Look I'm saying that John's relationship with son is a sign he changed and seeks to be a better person," Clark said.
"I knew that but you're overlooking the fact that John is keeping secrets and now his son is acting like him in the past!" Prometheus argued.
The show was about an ex-spy raising his son. It was currently number one on streaming. They continued to argue about the character development when Clark's phone began ringing, it was Molly.
"Hand me it, I am not comfortable with you on the phone and driving," Prometheus said, taking the phone from Clark.
"Hey Molly, its Prometheus, whoa, whoa calm down, what, Percy? Hang on." Prometheus said. "They can't find Percy,"
"What?"
"Yeah, they thought he was taking a nap,"
"Great, we better turn around," Clark knew having a child of the Big Three on the loose was like leaving an atomic bomb unattended.
"Pull over," Kratos said suddenly. Clark pulled over and Kratos got out. The truck was pulling a trailer behind filled with extra supplies. Kratos opened the trailer and saw a pair of sea-green eyes looking at him.
"Hi!" Percy said.
Prometheus got back on the phone, "Found him."
Line break.
"Perseus Jackson! You are so much trouble!" Sally yelled over the phone, "When you get back home, I am going to tan your little behind you hear me! And no blue cookies! Do you hear me!?"
"Sally, you're still talking to me," Kratos said.
"Oh, did he hear me?" Kratos looked at the terrified boy. "Yes."
"Kratos I'm so sorry," Sally said, "Look I know, you guys are on an important job, but why not keep Percy with you instead of driving back?"
Kratos thought about it, "That would be for the best, I call you later,"
"Thank you, good night."
Kratos turns to Percy, "Get in the truck, now." Percy nodded and got in.
"Percy, I am very disappointed in you," Clark said. He had a lot of dangerous stuff in his trailer. "You could have gotten yourself hurt!"
"I'm sorry," Percy's head was down. Percy looked at Kratos who went back to his meditation.
Line Break
After a long drive, they finally made it to the Sonoran, just an hour away from Phoenix, they drove the desert following Prometheus' direction, Clark rolled down his window, "Oh wow it is dry out here!"
"I thought cyclops like the heat," Prometheus said, "Yeah, but not dry inhospitable desert heat,"
After driving for another hour, they finally found an old mining camp, Percy was told to stay in the truck while they explored the place. The mines themselves were old but barely touched as if the miner barely worked here. After going deep, they all felt an invisible pull.
"Yeah, this is it," Clark set his eye to analyze mode, "Go unpack the trailer, I'm going to get this place ready,"
When Kratos and Prometheus returned Percy rolled down his window, "I wanna help,"
"No! Stay in the truck!" Kratos said. Percy whined and rolled the window back up, he was so bored, he thought he was going on an adventure, but he told him to stay in the truck. He watched as they entered and left the mine. He was so bored, so very bored. He played with the radio, he played with the seat adjusters, he rolled the window up and down until it got stuck.
While looking outside the window something caught Percy's eye, a lizard, but just any lizard, a spiky lizard! "Wow!" Percy ADHA took over him and hopped out of the truck and chased the lizard.
He ran blindly after it, running past every rock, cactus, and shrubs. "Hey! Hey! Hey!" Percy yelled, the lizard wanted to get away from the boy and saw its only escape was near a boulder, the lizard turned and slipped between a crevasse.
"Where are you going?" Percy tried to squeeze through the crevasse too, but he was too big. So, he gave up, "Ok then bye,".
Percy looked for the truck but all he saw was desert. "Hmmm, where am I?" he shrugged his shoulders and pointed randomly, "There!" and walk off in that direction, a jackalope hopped out in front of him.
"Bunny rabbit!" Percy chases the jack slope for a few miles before losing it. "Where you go?" Percy looked under a rock and bushes but no rabbit, so Percy walked away.
The sun-intense heat beaten down on Percy he never felt so hot before. "Thirsty," Percy moaned, his tongue dry as sand. Buzzards began circling over the boy.
Percy found a big rock and sat behind in the shade. He was drained, so he laid down and closed his eyes. The buzzards flew lower.
Then something scared off the buzzards, Percy opened his eyes, his demigod instinct felt something dangerous. Percy looked from behind and saw the monster, A Chimera, a mixed match monster with three heads, a lion head, a goat head on the back of the neck, and a snake on the end of the tail.
The lion head smelled the ground, the goat head scanned the horizon, and the snake head's pit organs began to look for heat signals.
Percy's instinct helped him keep calm, he slowly went behind the rock and kept still. The rock was lifted up, Percy turned around, the Chimera standing on its hind legs holding the rocks, all of its six glowing red eyes stared at Percy.
"Uh, I think my mommy is calling for me," Percy blasts off. The Chimera crushes the rock and roars at the signal of the hunt.
Percy ran, a shadow loomed over him, he leaped before the Chimera could crush him. Percy rolled over before the monster scaly hand grabbed him. Percy duck behind a cactus which the hybrid monster swiped away effortlessly. The Chimera grabbed Percy and brought him close to its lion head. "No!no!no!no!" Percy screamed. He had to act quickly, Percy saw the whiskers on the lion head and quickly grabbed them and yanked them out. The Chimera roared in pain and dropped Percy.
The chimera got back all fours with Percy under it. The snakehead moves under, hissing its strike at Percy who once more dodge. Percy wrapped himself below the snake head. One moment Percy was under the Chimera now he was above as the snake headed tail tried to throw him off.
"Aaaaahhh!" Percy screamed, hanging on for dear life. He held on so tight he was choking out the snakehead. The goat's head breathes fire to kill Percy. Percy let go before the fire got, the fire instead burned the snake-headed tail sending burning pain through the body.
The snakehead head in anger spat a demon into the eyes of the goat head, which the rest of the body felt. The goat and snake began arguing with each other until the lion roared and pointed to their escaping prey.
Percy ran until he got a giant cliff and began climbing, the Chimera caught up and began climbing after him.
Percy couldn't reach the ledge. He looked down and saw the oncoming monster and chucking rocks down, one which struck the lion's left eye, which was felt by the other two heads.
The Chimera caught Percy, the lion jaws open ready to beat him, Percy shielded him and screamed. But instead of feeling the monster's teeth rip apart, he felt like he was falling. Opening his eyes Percy saw he was in the air. Kratos had him tucked under his arm. Kratos landed perfectly and set Percy down.
"Stay there!" He ordered. The Chimera roared and jumped off the cliffside and charged.
Kratos pulled out the Feral Shotgun and loaded it with an armor shot. Kratos had been waiting to test out his new gun, his bloodlust needed to be satisfied. He waited until the Chimera was only thirty feet and fired.
BANG!
The right foreleg was only hanging on by a few strands of flesh. The Chimera stood on its hind legs and all three heads roared in pain.
'Wonderful.' Kratos is pleased with his new gun. He ran behind the chirema and swapped from armor-piercing to spread shot, he aimed directly at the snakehead and blew it clean off. Next, Kratos leaped up and slammed the butt of the Feral directly into the goat hard enough to pop out the eyes.
Kratos swung to the front and aimed Feral directly under the lion's jaw and fired. The top of the head blew off like a volcano of blood, brain, and metal pellets.
It only took Kratos eight point seven seconds to kill the Chimera. Kratos had best the previous time by ten minutes. Percy was in awe at what he saw, even with his demigod mind, Percy still processing what he saw. Percy could only say one thing.
"Awesome!"
Kratos glared at the boy. "Uh oh," Percy realized that he broke the 'Don't leave the truck' rule.
"Boy," Kratos growled. He hovered over the boy. Percy began shaking, Kratos was a thousand times scarier than the Chimera.
Kratos leaned down to look at Percy, a few scratches and bruises, otherwise, he had no serious injuries. "Boy, how are you feeling?"
"I'm ok." Percy was relieved that he was not Kratos' next target. "You're cool! Can you teach me to fight?"
"In time, now come along," Kratos gathers up the Chimera spoils of war, it's horns, claws and hides. Percy climbed on Kratos, and they headed back to the mines.
Line Break.
After three days they finally set up the Gate, Number Three. They decided to rest before testing it.
Kratos looked at Percy sleeping in the back of the truck. He slipped away, Kratos pulled out his phone and called Sally. "H-hello?" she must have been asleep.
"I didn't mean to wake," Kratos apologized. "No, no it's fine, I've been wanting to talk to you," They talked the day before, Sally nearly fainted when she was told about Percy's encounter with a Chimera.
"We are almost finished, tomorrow we will test the Gate and if it works, we will return back to New York." Kratos said.
"Oh good! I'll cook you a nice steak dinner when you get back," Sally said excitedly.
"Hmmm," Kratos thought, "Kratos, what do the stars look like,". In New York city you're lucky to even see one star. But in the Arizona desert. Kratos looked up, "Like billions of gemstones,"
Sally sighed, "I would like to see them, will you take me?". Kratos and his first wife, Lysandra would look at the stars, she knew every constellation by heart.
"Yes." Kratos said. He knew Sally was smiling, "I can't wait!"
"Goodnight Sally."
"Goodnight Kratos." Stargazing with Sally, why did that sound better than a steak dinner?
Line Break.
Molly was following her Husband instructions, she could no longer stand being away from her beloved. She loved her girl time with Sally, now she needed her 'Love-Love Time' with her Hunky mechanic.
"Ok, all right The Main Gate is powered, and the controls are set just like you said," Molly said into her headset.
"Good, now if we got everything right, I should be appearing the next, hopefully, in a few minutes," Clark said, he knew he was good, but messing with Labyrinth could be dire.
"Oh, good because I miss you so much!"
"I miss you too love,"
"No honey you don't understand, oh the things we are going to do, the things I'm going to you! The things you are going to do to me!"
"Molly, I have only been gone for a week!"
"A week too long! First, I'm going to take honey, and cover ourselves then we are going to lick each other's-"
"Molly, I have you on speaker! Kratos and Prometheus can hear you!"
"I don't care! I am white hot right now and I want you to pound me like your favorite anvil!"
"Percy can hear you!" silence on the other end, "Why didn't you say so! Percy! Ignore everything you heard! Then she hung up. Clark pinches the bridge of his nose. Why did I have to fall in love with a fertility nymph?
"I'm so sorry you all heard that, but I will not be ashamed, I love my wife and her freaky nature," Clark's mechanical eye was spinning, counterclockwise.
"Dude," Prometheus raised her hand, "High five." Clark then proceeded to high five his titan friend. "Enough, are we ready to test the Gate," Kratos had his hand over Percy's ears, he knew the nymph would say something strange.
Clark held a bronze compass. If the Gates worked the compass will lead him to his Forge. He set it up, and headed in. Prometheus, Percy and Kratos waited, they waited for thirty minutes. Soon they heard something coming out, Kratos felt the urge to smirk, when he saw Clark come back.
It was a success. "Gentlemen, we did it."
"What took you so long?" Prometheus asked, Clark's face was covered with kisses, he had to pry his wife off him with a crowbar.
Line Break.
"You can open your eyes now," Kratos said. He was here to keep his promise.
Sally opened her eyes and was put into a state of hypnosis. So many stars, each glowing a different color. Sally felt like she was like the entire universe was right before her.
"Oh Kratos, it's beautiful!" Sally actually felt tears leave her eyes. She turned to the man who brought her here. "Thank you." Kratos nodded, Sally wrapped her arms around him, Kratos pulled one arm around her. Sally looked up at him, her eyes glowing. They laid on a blanket and Kratos pointing out the constellations, "There Leo, and there Ursa Major,"
"And that one," Sally point to a bright star, "Sally, that's just a random star,"
"Oh," Sally felt like she could look at the stars forever, Sally inches closer to Kratos, "Thank you Kratos, for everything." Kratos went "Hmm," Sally rested her on his chest, his heartbeat was soothing. She decided to be bold and crawl on top of Kratos, she tucked some of her hair behind her ear.
"Kratos, what are we?" Sally asked leaning in closer, Kratos kept looking at the stars, "We are," Kratos tried to think of the right word, "Companions,"
"What if i-" Sally began sheepishly, "What if i want to be more than 'Companions,"
Kratos gently pushed Sally off of him and sat up, "No,". Sally looked hurt, "Why?"
"I'm not a good person, in the end all I do is hurt others," Kratos' memories haunted him with actions. Sally tried to lean against him, but Kratos moved away.
"Kratos,"
"Stop." Kratos wanted to avoid hurting her anymore, "I think it be best if I moved out,"
"No Kratos," Sally begged, she always had so many to leave her.
"I will still check up on you and the boy," Kratos got up, Sally followed and wrapped her arms around him from behind, "Please don't leave me!" Kratos pulled her arms off him and turned around. "Sally, if the Gods find out about me,"
"You can stop them! Prometheus told me!" Sally exclaimed. Kratos felt his heart stop.
"What?"
"Prometheus, he told me who you are. Kratos, you're the God of War."
She knew, she knew what he was. Darkness covers his face, "Go back, now!"
"Kratos please!"
"GO BACK NOW!" Kratos roared. Sally jumped, she began shaking feeling Kratos anger, she held herself and headed back to Labyrinth Gate Number Three. Sally looked back at the God of War, "Will you be coming back?"
Kratos responded with "Leave." Sally let out a pitiful groan and headed to the Gate. She pulled out a bronze compass and set the coordinates. Sally stepped through the Gate and walked for a few minutes. Her head hangs low in defeat.
'I'm such an idiot, why would Kratos ever be interested in a woman like me,' Sally thought to herself.
Line Break.
Kratos sat on top of a mountain, two day he stayed out there. The sun was rising now, it was beautiful. Sally told him how she felt, and she told him that she knew what he was.
'She knows,' Kratos didn't want her to know what he was, Kratos didn't like knowing what he was, even after thousands of years he still didn't like being a god.
"Sulking won't help you," Kratos looked over his shoulder, Prometheus standing there holding a thermostat, "Coffee?"
"Yes," Kratos looked back at the sunrise. Prometheus poured him a cup. The titan sat down next to him, "So how long are you going to stay here?"
"As long as I want to," Kratos answered.
"Is this because Sally knows that you're The God of War?" Kratos felt a growl escape his throat.
"Why did you tell her?"
Prometheus nodded, "Whatever this plan you have, she is now a part of it now. You had a penalty of time to avoid her, but for some reason you chose her."
"Hmm," Kratos said, Prometheus saw how tired Kratos looked. The titan himself was fearful of Kratos, but he respected him more.
"Kratos, I'm going tell you something and I want you to listen," Prometheus started, "Now this may be hard to hear but you have a right to be happy,"
Kratos remained silent. "I know it's to believe, I know that you hate yourself so much that I'm surprised that you haven't killed yourself. Sally loves you, Percy worship you, and here something else, I'm your friend,"
Kratos gave Prometheus a strange look, "I'm your friend whether you like it or not, and Clark and Molly are your friends as well and we all care about you," Kratos was still silent.
"Now you can stay up here by yourself, or you can come back and accept that we want to help you. And if it makes a difference, I only told Sally the bare minimum."
Prometheus then left Kratos, leaving the God of War to think.
Line Break.
Sally was not in a good mood; in fact she was in such a rotten mood that she just laid on the floor. Percy pointed at her in the ribs, "Mommy?" Sally slowly turned her head to look at him. "Hi Sweetie," Percy looked worried, "What wrong Mommy?" Sally rolled over, "Mommy heart hurts"
"Do you need medicine?"
"No, Mommy just needs to lay down," Percy shrugged his shoulder, "Ok," he then hopped on the couch and turned on the T.V.
Molly came over to check on them. "Percy roll your mom over," Percy grabbed his mom's arm and pulled her over. "Sally, you can't just lay on the floor all day."
"The floor is my only friend!" Sally rolled back over. Molly rolled her eyes, "Sally, I'm your friend!" Sally groaned, "You're going to abandon me too!"
"Well, that's only going to happen because I'm naturally going to outlive you, come on now what about Percy?"
"Percy is going to grow up and leave me! He is going to be handsome and have any women he wants! He is going to put me in a nursing home!" Sally cried. She saw her beautiful boy with a woman on each arm.
"I'm sorry mom, but I don't love anymore goodbye."
"Percy NO!" Sally sobbed with a dramatic spotlight over her.
Molly could sense Sally sadness and knew this was going to last. "Sally i going to watch Percy for a while, now let get you into bed,"
"I don't have the energy, just leave me on the floor,"
"Mister floor is not your friend,"
"Yes, he is! Molly groaned and cast a wind spell that gently flew Sally into her bedroom and into her bed. Molly tucked her in. "Come on Percy, your stay with me and your uncle Clark tonight,"
"Yay!"
Sally wrapped herself in a blanket cocoon and listened as they left the apartment. The next she knew her eyes fluttered open, "W-what, did i fall asleep?" The clock said nine o'clock pm. Her stomach rumbled and she got up. Not feeling like cooking Sally grabbed the chocolate ice cream, a spoon and began chowing down.
"Might as well get fat," Sally continued to scrape down ice cream.
Then the door opens, and Kratos enters, they stare at each other for a moment. Kratos looked like he was staying, but Sally's hair was in a messy bun, she was wearing old sweatpants and shirt and there was chocolate ice cream smear on her face.
Sally felt like now she could die of embarrassment.
"Hello Sally," Kratos said. Sally swallowed the mouth full of ice cream, which gave her a brain freeze and after winching in pain, she ran to the bathroom. Kratos sat on the couch and waited, then after a while Sally ran out the bathroom only wearing a towel and into her bedroom. She came out wearing a t-shirt and shorts.
"How are your Kratos?" Sally asked as she sat down.
"Sally, what do you know about me?" Kratos wanted to get this over with.
"You're a God of War, and you used to work with the Olympians, right?"
"No. I am The God of War." Kratos began to tell her, "I was once a Spartan general and I made a deal with Ares," Kratos told Sally how he went from mortal to the new God of War.
"You, You killed Ares?" Sally said in shock. Kratos continued, "I was once one of the Olympians, then they betrayed me," Then he told her everything. That he killed not just the Gods, but titans, monsters, other heroes, even the Fates themselves!
Sally had trouble processing it all, but she believed him. "Kratos, why?" Kratos looked at her with tired eyes, he left out an important detail, "Sally, I once was a married man, and we had a daughter." Painful screams filled Kratos' mind. "Ares tricked me into killing them,"
Sally could see the pain in his eyes. "Kratos," he didn't look at her.
"I ever do it to cause pain, I don't want to hurt you, I don't want to hurt your son."
Sally was conflicted, Kratos was a monster, he nearly destroyed the world for his own selfish vengeance and for what?
Yet, she was mad, or scared, she felt bad for him. The Kratos she knew was someone other than the monster he told he was. The sadness, regret, the pain, and the sheer self-hatred. Sally gently placed her hand on his cheek. "Kratos? What do you want?"
Kratos sighed, "I want my curse to end, I just want peace now."
Sally crawl onto his lap and look him the eyes, "Kratos, I want to help you,"
"Why?" Sally rests her head on his chest, "because i want you to be happy,"
"I'm a monster.' Sally shook her head, "No you're not, Kratos, you have choice, you can choose to be a monster, but I know you are better than that, I want to help you be the God you want to be.
Kratos was feeling an emotion he has not felt in a long time, relief. She accepted him. Kratos wanted to be the God that she believed him to be. Then Sally did something that really caught off guard, she kissed him. Her lips were soft and warm, so sweet.
Sally stood up and held his hand, "Come with me," Kratos got up, he was tired of being alone. Sally guides Kratos back to her bedroom.
Sally showed Kratos how much she cared. And Kratos showed Sally what a real God was capable of. Six times in a row.
Poseidon was in his underwater palace when suddenly a horrible pain filled his chest. "OW!" his pride was severely damaged. His score was only three.
Line Break.
Percy was his room coloring. "Percy, come here please," Percy ran into the living room, Kratos was sitting on the couch and his mom was sitting in his lap. Sally had a glowing expression and Kratos facial muscle seemed more relaxed.
"Yes Mom?" Percy asked. Sally smiled brightly, "Percy, we have exciting news!" Sally nudged Kratos, "Boy, your mother and i are seeing each other,"
Percy didn't know that expression, "Huh?" Kratos groaned. "Percy, Kratos is going to be your new dad! Percy's mind went blank, "Huh?" "I'm your new father boy," "Huh?". They decide to give Percy a moment, "YOU'RE MY NEW DAD!"
"Yes," Percy smiled, showing his missing tooth, "Can I-Can I call you dad?"
"You may address me as your father you may," Kratos said. "Ok Dad!" Percy hugged them. Finally, he had a dad. Poseidon felt his pride throb with pain.
"Percy there more," Sally said hugging her, "You're going to be a big brother," Percy eyes nearly pop out of his skull, "I'm going to be a big brother,"
"Yes sweetie," Percy never felt so happy, Kratos was his new dad, and he was getting a baby brother or sister. He hugged them tight. "I'm going to be the best son ever! And the best big brother!"
Percy felt his parents' arms wrap around him.
This was a new beginning for their family, ahead of them would be many trials and challenges. Percy's first challenge would happen on his seven birthday, something that would change him forever.
END