Ginnungagap
ESKK: This story will be the first of its kind, a God of War x Warframe crossover story. So, let's get this story started. Please be gentle this is the first God of War fanfic that I have written.
"Talking."
'Thinking.'
"God form/Man in the Wall."
(Scene Break)
-Music Insert/Lyrics-
Disclaimer: I do not own God of War, nor do I own Warframe. They belong to their respective owners. Please support the official release.
(Start Elysium Fall of Greece)
Calliope of Sparta was in a panic, her afterlife had been disturbed in more ways than one. Running through the fields of Elysium the daughter of Sparta was in a panic as screams of terror echoed around her. Running was all she can do as more tears appeared around the once shining paradise. Something had happened something had gone horribly wrong as souls fled the dying land. The flowers wilted and died, the skies turned red with death, and even the souls were finding reason to escape.
As Calliope ran, she found every soul she could find and urged them to flee. Elysium was falling and Calliope was trying to save as many of these souls as she could. "Go! Go!" Calliope cried out as she urged the souls into the tears. The ground rumbled as Calliope stumbled a bit from it.
It was over even if the souls could escape there was nowhere for them to go. So, all Calliope can do was try and gather them to a safe area at the entrance to Elysium. But as Calliope ran, she took one last glance at the area around her trying to see if she left anyone behind. Her eyes soon landed on another who seemed to be curled up against an alcove of stone. The figured seemed trapped as she was knocking her hand against the stone, rap, tap, tap.
Heading over Calliope went to help her and made sure the area was stable to grab her. "Hurry take my hand the Fields of Elysium are collapsing." Calliope said reaching her hand out to the unknown figure. "Come take my hand and we'll make our escape together." Calliope said and then the figure stopped her tapping. Something was wrong Calliope could just feel it and it originated from this now ominous figure she was speaking to.
Just then her eyes widened in horror as the figure turned to face her with a wide green and eyes empty save for the stars. "Thanks muse, I think I will." The figure said as the reason Calliope looked horrified was because of one fact... this figure had her face.
(Scene Break Several centuries later)
The God of War, the Ghost of Sparta, Cruel Striker, son of Zeus, destroyer of pantheons, and many other titles. Kratos of Sparta, the last Spartan some would say, was pasting in his room within Sindri and Brok's home. Ever since Odin and Thor had invaded his home this was one of the few safe places left from their ire. Despite this Kratos was uneasy but after what had happened no one could blame him.
Barely a day ago his son had run off when an argument had reached an apex. Atreus had wanted to travel to Asgard to try and get behind enemy lines. More than that prior to this plan Kratos had found his son trying to sneak back in and had found him to be lying to him constantly. Whatever it was that Atreus was trying to hide from him Kratos wanted the truth from his son. It backfired as some would say and Kratos found himself alone without Atreus. Mimir had been helpful with his insight, but Kratos feared he had failed his son in some way.
With the prophesy of Ragnarök over their heads and the truth behind it Kratos feared his son was charging recklessly into a prophesy to fulfill it. One can argue that forcing the fulfillment of a prophesy was as foolish if not more so than actively trying to prevent it. But with no leads and no way of reaching Asgard Kratos was at a loss on what to do.
There was one path, but it was risky, and this was from personal experience with his homelands equivalent to it. However, before Kratos could ponder it any further a familiar voice got his attention. "Master Kratos? Master Kratos." The Voice of Ratatoskr was heard as the Squirrel was outside his window.
"Ratatoskr." Kratos greeted to the one who tended to the world tree.
"Ah, Master Kratos." Ratatoskr said as the voice showed it was urgent. "Sorry for interrupting your thoughts, but I have an urgent deed needed to be attend to." He said as the way he spoke drew his attention.
"Then speak." Kratos said but Ratatoskr gulped.
"Perhaps it is wiser if you all come outside." Ratatoskr said which got Kratos attention. The Squirrel then left as Mimir found this to be odd.
"Well, he certainly seems to be anxious." Mimir said and thus they felt it warranted investigation. Gathering his equipment Kratos left the room making sure to secure Mimir to his belt before departing. Whatever it was he found Kratos felt drawn to investigate it.
(Outside)
Kratos arrived outside to the realm between realms to find Tyr, Freya, and the Dwarves were already here. Nearby was the Realm Door that the Dwarves had constructed to allow travel between realms and near it was Ratatoskr station. It was the second door that had drawn their attention as Kratos lifted Mimir to show it to him.
"Not long after young Master Atreus ran off this door had appeared." Ratatoskr explained as he moved across the branches where he appeared to be holding something made of gold. "Upon investigating I found that the Yggdrasil was reaching out to a new realm through a new branch and knowing the Prophesy of Ragnarök and the fate to befall Asgard..." The Spirit said and in turn it did not take the smartest man alive to figure it out.
"The Yggdrasil is preparing for Asgards fall." Tyr revealed his tone deep with sorrow.
"It would seem that way yes." Mimir said confirming this story. "That symbol reminds me of a flower I had once seen in the lands far east." Mimir said noting the symbol on the door, likely the symbol for this new realm.
"I understand the current situation is not favorable... but it might be worth investigating." Ratatoskr said which Freya saw the reason behind it.
"It might provide possible allies in the fight against Odin." Freya offered as Kratos looked to the door. Putting his hand on it he felt as if something was drawing him towards it.
"Can we access this new Realm?" Kratos asked as he looked to the Squirrel.
"Yes, with this." Ratatoskr said presenting the gold object to the former God of War. Kratos took it and noted the design of it. "I did a little study, and this key seems to respond well to this door." He added and with a nod he approached only to find Freya there.
"I'll come with you." Freya said to the God of War. "You might need backup." Freya said and in turn Kratos nodded in appreciation to the aid. Thus, approaching the door Kratos held the key to it and with it the symbol on it began to glow before it unlocked. With a nod Kratos entered the door and once more found themselves on the branches of the world tree.
But unlike other times this branch seemed to be incomplete like it was still developing. Exercising caution, the two Gods made their way through the door. It did not take long for them to get to the exit and when they did, they made their way through the glowing gateway.
On the other side of the gateway the trio found themselves on the other side of the gateway in a cave. "Well so far so good." Mimir said as he saw from his spot-on Kratos' belt the door was still intact. "Best make our way forward." Mimir said wanting to see what was here.
The duo (trio counting Mimir) began to make their way forward making a mental map of the cave. But Mimir noticed something about Kratos... he seemed nervous like something was haunting him. "Brother if I may... you seem to be on edge." Mimir said suddenly with concern for Kratos.
"Yes, I've noticed too... and I do not think it's just Atreus whereabouts that has you worried." Freya said noticing something off with Kratos.
"Something about this place... reminds me of Persephone's temple." Kratos said recalling that incident well.
"Persephone Wife of Hades if I recall." Mimir said which Kratos grunted in confirmation.
"If it is anything like such then." Kratos began when they got closer to the exit. But when they did, he stopped when a tune he had not heard for many centuries echoed across the wind.
"Do you hear that?" Freya asked as she got a bit worried.
"Aye, Freya a flute." Mimir said but for Kratos it was more than that.
"Impossible." Kratos said shellshocked at what he heard.
"Brother?" Mimir asked as he felt concern for Kratos.
"Calliope's song." Kratos said as the memory of this tune returned to him.
"Calliope... your daughter." Freya said recalling that tale well.
Kratos grunted and confirmation and in turn began to make his way forward. "Be wary." Kratos said fearing they may have entered a trap. Not needing to be told twice Freya was ready for whatever may surprise them.
Exiting the cave, the group found themselves in what seemed to be a graveyard with a lone tree at the end of it. By the tree in a clearing was a figure kneeled down before it and in front of it a child with a flute in hand. Kratos swore he was seeing things and needed to approach for confirmation. As he grew closer to the scene with Freya in tow Mimir felt there was more to the figure and child then meets the eye.
But as Kratos grew closer the movement of stone caused the child to stop her tune. Glancing behind her Kratos barely got a look at her face before she vanished from sight. Following this up the figure began to rise to his feet and then turned to face them as his form surprised Kratos.
"A Spartan." Kratos said surprised to see another Spartan here after so long. The Foe glared at Kratos and Freya for a moment and as he stood there, he seemed almost shocked at the presence of Kratos. Kratos sensing a fight was upon them began to reach for his Leviathan Axe. In turn the warrior summoned a spear and threw it at Kratos.
Kratos blocked the attack but found himself pushed back against it. Freya moved out of the way and fired her arrow at the foe. The figure drew what appeared to be a bow staff and fired a large blade from it. Freya managed to avoid it as Kratos then charged in with the axe. The Warrior summoned a shield and deflected the attack from Kratos before pointing the staff at Kratos. Kratos in response managed to deflect it before it could fire and used the momentum to disarm his foe. His foe went flying but he spun in the air and landed safely before summoning his staff again. Kratos noted a glow from it as the figure glared at the God of War.
"We did not come here seeking a fight." Kratos said trying to get the figure to stand down.
"If that is true then you made a poor mistake using that form." The figure said his voice sounding synthesized before he charged in with the spear. Kratos and the figure began their battle with Kratos noting that they moved like a Spartan with spear in one hand and shield in the other. The two continued their fight as Kratos glared at the figure while Freya tried to find an opening between them.
They soon clashed weapons again before they parted ways and Kratos drew the Blades of Chaos. He threw the blades at the attacker only for the attacker to weave between the chains but his eyes gazing at the blades. Once that was done, he grabbed the chains and then tried to pull Kratos in.
"Where did you get these swords!?" The figure demanded now sounding enraged.
"Why do you wish to know?" Kratos asked glaring at the attacker before the chains ignited forcing the attacker to let go. He began to charge in as he already had his answer to him.
"Because they only belonged to one man." He said and went for the attack, but Kratos blocked it with his shield and pushed the foe back. His foe then threw his spear forcing Kratos to dodge it. "And he died a long time ago!" He yelled assuming Kratos may have stolen those blades.
Kratos began to suspect something and in turn he dodged his attackers next barrage of attacks using the shield and axe this time. Kratos waited for an opening as he signaled for Freya to stand down for a moment as she notched up another Arrow. Kratos put some distance between them before he dropped his axe and furled up his shield.
"I am Kratos General of the Spartan Army and I order you to stand down!" Kratos said this time speaking in Greece just as the warrior was about to attack. His attack stopped inches away from Kratos as the warrior heard this wide eyed.
"Kratos." The Warrior spoke in Greece. "No... that's you can't be..." The Warrior said his voice now shifting to a female voice a child's voice. "The name of your wife and child, the Spartan you carried on his shield who were they!" The warrior roared wanting answers from Kratos.
"My first wife was Lysandra who was the mother of my daughter, Calliope." Kratos said as the warrior the Spartan seemed shellshocked. "And the fallen Spartan was named Atreus." Kratos said and in turn the shield and spear vanished from his foe.
"No this isn't real the Indifference must be playing tricks again." She said now trying to rationalize what she was hearing. "You can't be him you can't be him!" She yelled grabbing her head trying to make sense of it.
"Who are you?" Kratos asked in the tongue of his homeland.
The figure turned to face Kratos one last time and just as he was about to prepare himself for another round the figure stood still. But then stepping out of his chest was a young girl in clothing foreign to him but her face, her hair, and even her eyes they were all familiar to him. Kratos eyes widened in shock as he found himself without a voice.
"Brother? Brother what's wrong?" Mimir asked with concern for Kratos.
"It... cannot be..." Kratos said shocked at who stood before him. "Calliope." Kratos said and thus even Freya was shocked at what he heard.
But before anything could be said Mimir saw danger behind them. "Brother behind you!" Mimir said and soon acting fast Kratos avoided being cleaved by a curved sword that belonged to another warrior this one black with gold armor and a long black scarf. The warrior glared at Kratos but before he can attack Calliope stepped in.
"Wait Heron stop!" Calliope cried out standing between Heron and Kratos.
"Cal." Heron said in a young voice of a boy. "Are you ok I heard the fighting!" Heron said as he looked to Calliope.
"I'm fine... I think." Calliope said as she gave Kratos a concerned look.
"How is this possible?" Kratos asked as he looked to Calliope.
"I was going to ask the same." Calliope said and thus it was clear there was a story to share. Calliope still remembered the day she made the deal so long ago but even then; this should not be possible.
"Is it truly you?" Kratos asked fearing that this may be another trick of the Gods another curse of some kind.
"It is." Calliope replied with a simple, tone watching him tense up but not make another move. Biting her lip looking away as she did not want to get her hopes up. It has been so long since Elysium since everything fell apart since she made that horrible deal. But at the same time the hopeful part of her desiring to see Sparta and her mother again took the risk. "I would greet you every time when you returned." Calliope said recalling those bygone days.
"You would jump off your horse and hold me tightly, until mother came." Calliope said her tone held a fondness for those days. "The rest of the day, you would stay by my side." Calliope said before getting to the big part. "We would sit in a field, and you would carve me a flute. and oh, how I would play to you— " Calliope began to say until Kratos cut in.
"Until the sun set over the hill." he finished, making her look towards him once more. Kratos himself was shocked that he still had those memories locked away deep inside his heart. He looked at her with a tortured expression, his previously steady hand, trembling around the wooden handle of his axe.
For a moment Calliope felt like tears would spill from her eyes but she held them back. Spartans did not cry especially not now. Heron saw the scene for what it was and knew they needed time to sit down. "I think we all have a story to tell." Heron said and in turn they may all need to sit down. Despite ruining the moment his tone on the subject was clear.
"While I would argue the tact." Mimir began as the head got Heron's attention. "I would agree." Mimir said knowing everyone needed a seat.
(Later that evening)
When Calliope had come to this place, she wanted to be alone for a bit. It was the anniversary after all, the day she came to this world when she became a Tenno. As a Tenno she had to endure untold pain from every which way she faced it. Torturous experiments by the Orokin, brutal training for the Warframes, and being made an assassin for any Orokin higher up who wanted a rival out of the picture. Time and time again she and her fellow were forced to endure these horrors.
At the end of the Old War Calliope and Heron faced aided with the downfall of the Orokin Empire. She recalled that day vividly when it began. The day of the ceremony when the Orokin would, 'retire,' the Tenno from duty. At that key moment, the Lotus broke their chains and issued the great order. For many it felt as though she could breathe again. It had also been followed by the Lotus' voice reverberating through their minds.
Tenno, listen. Long have I guided you, but now I must betray my masters. You have been under control of the Orokin for too long. They created you, and me, but their grasp on the entire System must end. Now, while they have just survived the Sentients onslaught, is the right time to strike. From now on, we are no longer under the command of the Orokin. You, and I are free. I will continue to guide you, but we have a major task at hand: our former Masters' chokehold on the Origin System must end. Follow me, and your fellow Tenno in defeating them.
On that day Calliope showed the Orokin the rage of a Spartan. Once she had been a sickly girl who by Spartan law would have been put down if not for her father. She had been forced to the role of a warrior and Calliope reveled in it. The Tenno took revenge paid back the suffering the Orokin inflicted on them with blood. Gallons upon gallons of blood that turned walls of gold red with blood.
Boarding ships, infiltrating facilities, or even just as simple as slitting the throat of those they were forced to guard the Tenno slaughtered them all. With Warframes in every level of Orokin society there was nowhere the Orokin could run or hide from them. But then came the guilty part of the Tenno's actions, the Yuuvans. The Continuity Ritual needed the Yuuvan's young humans children even abducted from their colonies to be flesh suits to perpetuate the Orokin's immortal lifespan. The Yuuvans were not spared the wrath of the Tenno either.
The Tenno all lived with that guilt for centuries to come. Calliope remembered the final surge. Dax soldiers against herself, Heron, and Momotaro at an abandoned Orokin Tower. The Dax fell before their might one after the other. It got to the point that the Dax soldiers were forced to retreat. At first it seemed that they escaped but the truth was different. An ambush of Tenno waited for them and as far as Calliope knew none of them made it out.
The last thing she remembered was the tower collapsing around her Mag before sleep finally claimed her. At the end of it all nothing of the Orokin were left. Just dead bodies, emptied ships, ruined structures, and Lua banished into the Void. So it was that the Tenno could finally rest never to pick up a sword again.
She was a fool that day they all were. The Tenno failed to consider that by removing the Orokin from power they left a power vacuum in their place. The Slaves who built their structures the Grineer with nothing to build started building machines of war. Crude as they were these machines proved to be effective. The Corpus once a Guild of merchants rose to become a cult worshiping profits. Those who worked for them were placed so far in debt that they were just glorified slaves at that point.
She dreamt peacefully her dreams was of Sparta of playing her beloved flute for her father and mother. Playing on and on until the sun set. Calliope cherished those moments. It was always summer in those dreams when Persephone was with her mother Demeter instead of the Underworld with Hades. The scene never changed in those dreams there was war, but it was always a Spartan victory. Every day every was the same and Calliope was content to keep it that way.
But then one day something changed her dreams changed she could hear the Lotus voice as she, Heron, and Momotaro woke up or semi woke up. She had flashes like a lucid dream where they had to re-awaken to a universe in chaos. First, they had to hunt down the Grineer Commander, Vor to free themselves of a parasite he planted onto their Frames. They had to travel across the system reactivating the Solar Rails regaining their lost powers and bringing balance to a chaotic system.
They soon found themselves against an enemy thought defeated, the Sentient. The Tenno were forced to finish what they started with the Old War by sealing away the Sentient leader, Hunhow. But Hunhow was crafty and through the Shadow Stalker, a Tenno Hunter Hunhow found the Tenno Reservoir. It was there that the Tenno began to awaken from the Second Dream. Heron was the first to awaken since he was Stalkers target and Calliope was forced to stay out of it.
Once by one Heron awoken each of them starting with her and Alexia. Then she and Alexia went on to awaken the others who then awoken more until every Tenno awoke from the Second Dream. With greater power the Tenno continued their mission until they reached the final Solar Rails that a truth was discovered. They had found the home of the Grineer Queens, and Heron and Calliope foolishly went in to put an end to the Grineer once and for all.
Teshin was compromised and it was because of that hunt that they found the Queens. Not once did either of them consider that it may have been a trap. Two Tenno for the price of one, the Grineer Queens last of the Orokin attempted to take the Tenno's bodies for themselves. If not for Teshin the Queens would have succeeded, then. With their full memories of the Zariman regained Heron and Calliope returned to the Grineer Fortress and together with Teshin put an end to the Elder Queen.
But this was only the beginning of their trials. First came Rell a Tenno who had not entered the second dream with the others. A friend of Calliope's who she and Heron had to put down to give him a mercy kill. For centuries Rell had been using his power to protect all the Tenno from the Indifference the Man in the Wall. A mission that upon Rell's death passed down to Heron. When that happened Heron and Calliope became haunted by this indifference between missions, he would appear to taunt them. But that paled in comparison to the upcoming New War.
The Sentient were not finished, and Heron found this out the hard way when he met the last of the Orokin, Ballas who abducted the Lotus. Heron and all the other Tenno frantically searched the entire System for her, but it was a rogue Warframe and visions that haunted Heron that gave them the clues. But by the time Heron gained control of Excalibur Umbra the Lotus had been reverted to her old life as Natah and taken before their very eyes.
For the next year they prepared for the worse. They discovered Cephelon Cy hidden away in their Dojos and with his aid constructed a Railjack. From there they began to take their space combat to the next level. They discovered the moon of Mars; Deimos had become an Infested Garden world when they found word of the Heart of Deimos the source of all Void Power in the system was being threatened. There they had met the Entrati Family who helped them repair the Heart. With new equipment and weapons the Tenno prepared further.
All their work all their preparations lead to a united front between the Tenno, Grineer, and Corpus Ballas and his Sentient fleet. The battle was a glorious one filled with heroes and martyrs. But it was a failed battle because for all of their preparations… Ballas won. Heron and Calliope were thrown into the Void after Ballas taunted them with the Lotus who was willing to sacrifice herself for them. From there it all went black for the pair.
When light returned Heron and Calliope found themselves faced with the Lotus in her Eidolon form of Nataha. Confused and lost the Tenno were powerless from stopping the Lotus from hunting down Ballas even when she was not ready to fight. They returned to the Zariman for answers a hollowed ground that Calliope considered to be a temple of Gods.
It was there they met the ones responsible for the Lotus return. The Drfiter a version of Heron who did not escape the Zariman and the Wanderer a Demi-Goddess who became a wandering Spirit of the Void. With their help Heron and Calliope chased down the Lotus to Cetus and with it to Praghasa where Ballas plan came to fore. It was a hard battle the fight to end all fights. They found allies in the most unlikely of places and eventually they found their goal Ballas himself.
In a final act of cruelty Ballas took the final Archon Crystal and turned the Lotus on them. At the end, the Tenno were at their weakest they felt the full weight of being powerless as the Lotus begged for the Tenno to be left unharmed. It eventually came to an end when Heron surprised Ballas from behand and slapped on a Viel over the Orokin monsters face. The Lotus ended his life and returned to her full power. All was well or so it would seem. Ballas' actions had caused a huge tear into the Void that allowed the Indifference to escape his prison.
The Tenno had a new war to fight now a war against a God. Entering the Zariman the Tenno found ghosts and spirits waiting for them as well as memories of trauma. There they learned the secrets of the Drifter and the Wanderer. The pair had been trapped inside of a Paradox a loop called Duviri. Duviri was ruled by a cruel child king named Dominus Thrax. Duviri however also gave the pair an ally in the form of Teshin who like the pair was trapped. The Drifter had to endure endless executions for wanting to escape from Duviri.
Wanderer on the other hand had an equally cruel fate befall her. Forced into an arena the Wanderer was forced to fight for her life against spirits or ghosts. She had her head ripped off, had been fed to a Hydra, stabbed through the head, her legs ripped off, and many more deaths. All while the overseer of these events, Minerva, saw to each one. It was not until a pair of blades found themselves in the Wanderers path that she was able to escape with the Drifter.
Together they carried out the story of Duviri entering the Undercroft and aiding its citizens. But then Thrax crossed a line by abducting Teshin. The pair charged through tearing their way through every foe only the Wanderer had been more violent with her actions not caring who got caught in the crossfire. If not for the Drifter the Wanderer feared she may had ended up crossing a line.
But Thrax and Minerva crossed another line for them when they killed Teshin. Consumed by rage the pair used their Void Power to take over the Orowyrms and with them entered the throne room of the pair. It was there Drifter found the truth of Duviri as did Minerva. This place was a realm of a storybook made real by the void and their emotions. Minerva and her actions were the result of a memory forgotten by the Wanderer. The two rulers revealed themselves as a petulant child and an arrogant sow.
Despite that controlling her rage the pair of Paradoxes ended the loop saving Teshin from his death. Together they fled Duviri and aided in retaking the system from Narmer. They were soon called back to Deimos where the Kalymos Sequence was beginning and after taking great strides to secure the Sanctuary Drifter and Wanderer travelled to 1999 to chase down Albrecht Entrati. The last the Tenno heard from them the pair had started another loop trying to save a group of proto frames called the Hex.
With them focused on this mission the Tenno focused on their own missions. But they knew it was only a matter of time before the Indifference would make his next move. Eventually Calliope would come to this place to play her flute and remember those lost and to remind herself of her roots. It eventually lead to this moment where Calliope faced her father and a new ally of his as well as a talking head.
A campfire was erected as Kratos, Freya, and Callippe stood around it. The empty thing was kneeling near Calliope as she sat on a rock. Nearby was Mimir who sat on a flat surface to view the scene. Just then Heron arrived as he had gone to investigate something from the cave.
While Heron had gone to investigate the door Kratos, Freya, and Mimir told her of the current situation in the realms beyond the mysterious door. From what Calliope understood a prophesy had been triggered earlier then it was supposed to happen. Due to this the Realms are gearing up towards a war to end all wars called Ragnarök.
At first it was thought that all the Realms would be destroyed but apparently the one who foretold Ragnarök had omitted certain parts of the Prophesy. Apparently only the realm called Asgard would fall and Odin with it. With the fall of those two things the other 8 Realms would flourish freed of Odin's tyranny. Being Liberators Calliope knew the Tenno would likely try to provide aid for these realms in tyranny.
Most in this system would find these words to be insane. However, seeing as Calliope had grown in a world with the existence of the Greek Gods, she trusted her fathers words on the Aesir.
"It's just like they said, there was a door there." Heron said entering the scene. The two Gods had just gotten through informing the pair of what had transpired.
With a now from Calliope Heron sat on a boulder to hear them out. "How are you still alive?" Calliope asked getting right down to it. The last time she saw her father was... in Elysium.
"I would ask you the same." Kratos asked as the tension between them was thick and Freya knew exactly why that was the case.
Growling a bit Caliope got down to explaining how she was alive if you call this Hell being alive. "After you left me in Elysium... I was alone." Caliope said as she recalled that event. "I quickly learned that when a soul was awoken from Elysium it cannot fully rejoin the others again." Calliope said as Freya heard her out. "Elysium is like a lucid dream... but when I was awoken the dream ended." Calliope said but then moved on. "But then something happened Elysium began to collapse, and I would have died if not for..." Calliope began but held it back.
"If the tale is painful, I shall not force it out of you." Kratos said noting the pain Calliope was in.
"Thank you." Calliope said as she did not want to think about it the nightmares still haunt her. "But what of you?" Calliope asked as she wanted answers from her father.
"I had killed Ares and had taken his office as the God of War." Kratos said not wanting to go deeper because he knew why Elysium had collapsed.
"I see... I suppose we both ascended." Calliope said looking at her hand as energy formed around it for a moment. "I won't bore you with details... but I made a deal to save my soul and not... I'm something more." Calliope said as she looked to the group. "The name given to us to those like me was Tenno." Calliope said as she looked to the two Gods.
"Tenno..." Freya said testing the name in her tongue.
"From my travels the closest translation for that term is Emperor." Mimir said as Heron then sighed.
"Ok can someone explain to me the talking head?" Heron said interrupting the scene.
"Heron." Calliope sighed as she knew he was holding that one in. "I apologize on his behalf... he's never seen a talking head before and quite frankly neither have I." Calliope said apologizing for her friend's lacking in his tact.
"Worry not lass I found it intriguing that I'm meeting you, your father has spoken of you many times." Mimir said recalling how Kratos talked about his past and his regret for Calliope's fate.
"So... why did you two come here?" Heron asked as he raised a brow to this.
"That in of itself is a tale, lad." Mimir said as Heron felt this was going to be a long story. "We're in a bit of a bind a Prophesy is in progress war is upon us the war to end all wars." Mimir said worried for this new realm. "And we need allies." Mimir finished and in turn that got Calliope and Heron to look towards the head.
"We came here hoping to find allies." Freya said as she tried to keep this diplomatic as possible.
"There is more." Kratos said as he considered another possibility. "One of our own... has gone missing." Kratos said which got the Tenno's attention. But the Tenno had also noted the way he spoke this, Kratos was hiding something.
"So just to recap, your... realms are on the verge of a great war, a tyrant named Odin is in control, and you came here seeking allies?" Calliope asked as she looked to her father.
"Exactly las." Mimir said confirming everything they had been told. While they had been waiting for Heron Calliope was told more or less a summary of recent events in the Realms.
"Well, I say you found more than enough in this excursion it probably be wise to head back to the door." Heron said knowing that they had to end this discussion sooner rather than later.
"Wait if I may ask." Mimir said as he had something that had been bothering him. "You spoke of a deal being made yes." Mimir began as Heron sighed to this.
"Me and Calliope made a similar deal to the same entity." Heron said as his tone showed a bitterness to it.
"I see and your voice despite the forms you take it sounds younger then you look." Mimir went on as he recalled out Calliope had stepped out of the Warframe. Freya was still shocked that someone would turn these poor souls into these perversions of life.
"You want to know if I'm like Calliope." Heron said as Mimir would nod if he could.
"Yes, if it is not too much trouble." Mimir said and thus Heron sighed with a bit of frustration.
"Normally I'd say no… but this guy is Calliope's father, so I'll trust him." Heron said and then he stepped out of Excalibur Umbra surprising the group.
"I thought Calliope was a one off but your also a child." Freya said but then Heron bitterly laughed.
"I may not look it… but I've been alive for about 500 years and in that time, I've already seen several wars." Heron said omitting the part where the Tenno were gearing up for a possible war against the Indifference.
"It was part of the deal we made." Calliope said her voice equally bitter showing that the Tenno were basically adults that were trapped in the bodies of children. Of course, they were still somewhat childish at times, but these visitors did not need to hear any of that.
Upon hearing this Kratos made a mental note to ask about it later should the time allow. Calliope and Heron were hiding something, but Kratos saw the pain it caused them and felt it would not do anyone any good if he tried forcing it.
Mimir was of the same mindset as Kratos before speaking. "I see, very well I won't pry any further." Mimir said seeing that pushing it may cause the Tenno to likely lash out against them.
"Wait." Calliope began getting Heron's attention. "Hypothetically speaking how bad would things get should Odin win and reach out here?" Calliope asked wanting some answers.
"Not good I can tell you as much." Mimir said knowing how Odin was. "He's paranoid at the worst of times and if there is something he does not know he will tear apart the realms to learn more of it especially to grow his own power." Mimir revealed as Heron growled a bit. "He will lie, steal, and manipulate to get his way." Mimir finished which served to anger Heron.
"So, Balas." Heron growled recalling what he and the Drifter had to endure to take down Balas. "I doubt this Odin can do much here." Heron said but Calliope begged to differ.
"Heron don't underestimate a manipulator. Trust me it never ends well." Calliope said knowing from Ballas and Zeus just how powerful a silver tongue was. Heron got quiet recalling how he fell for Ballas Silver Tongue once before.
Kratos suspected there was a tale there as did Freya, but it was best not to pry.
"Can we count on you to assist us?" Freya asked as Heron sighed to this.
"Can't make promises we have a lot to deal with here." Heron said but Calliope sighed to Heron.
"Heron don't be like that." Calliope said as she then looked to her father not sure what to say to him. "If we can secure the gate here... then we can assist." Calliope said as she knew her father needed their aid.
"Just like that?" Freya asked as she found this surprising.
"It's going to take some time, but we can get your side some help." Calliope said reminding them that there are some hurdles they need to jump through. However, the way she spoke suggested the hurdles won't be big ones.
"Calliope I..." Kratos began but Calliope cut him off.
"No... it was... a long time ago." Calliope said as she wasn't just talking about how she died.
"Calliope, you said you made a deal... what sort of deal did you make?" Kratos asked as this caused Calliope to pause for a moment. She recalled it like the back of her hand.
"To save my soul... I sold my soul, ironic." Calliope said with a bitter tone as Heron knew what she was talking about.
(Flashback Elysium Fall of Greece)
Calliope looked in horror at the entity that bore her face. "Times' running out muse." The being said with a huge grin on her face. "I can save them all of them BUT YOU HAVE TO WANT IT!" The entity said with her voice morphing to a demonic one at the end. "I know let's shake on it." The entity said offering her hand to Calliope.
Calliope saw the destruction was getting worse and if she didn't do anything all those souls would be lost forever. The ground shook more violently then prior as it even began to break apart. The once peaceful scene of the fields of Elysium was becoming even more of a hellscape the longer this chaos continued. Calliope knew the folly of accepting deals from a God, but she also knew that there may be little choice.
Back and forth Calliope saw that she had no other choice but to take the deal so flexing her hand Calliope took the entities hand into hers sealing the dark deal. When she did this Callippe could never truly comprehend what she saw nor what she did this day. For a moment she saw everything and nothing she saw herself and not herself. She saw her death hundreds of versions of it as her body and soul were destroyed in every death. Death by the Blades of Chaos, death by the destruction of Elysium, death by Persephone's actions, death by Ares, death by Zues, and even... death by her own hands.
It kept going until it eventually ended with Calliope facing... herself as an adult. It was this moment where Calliope realized that her entire world had been forever changed. For Calliope, the Dream of Elysium had ended... but the nightmare of the Void had begun.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well, here it is the first chapter I hope you all enjoy it and will join us next time for chapter 2. Be sure that you leave behind a review for this story and until chapter 2 is published I will again say, ja-ne.