17 Godly Negotiations

Kratos inhales sharply through his nose, his eyes setting cold on Hephaestus, "No..." his voice rumbles through the dim room.

"Hold it, brother. I think we may be able to get something out of this... She may know how you can create a familia," Mimir whispers to Kratos.

The unknown voice reaches the Goddess's ears, and she raises her brows, "...Create a familia? What are you talking about?" Hephaestus says.

"Head, this is your problem now..." Kratos says, raising the severed head before Hephaestus.

"...Oh, hello there ma'am. How do you do?" Mimir says in his best gentleman voice.

Silence falls like an anvil, and Hephaestus stares at Mimir with parted lips, "Uh... Um, you-" her brain short-circuits, but the goddess is able to collect herself after a moment. She stands straight with a slight blush due to the embarrassment of her previous pleading position, "...How are you alive?"

Mimir chuckles, "It's a long story, but never mind that... I believe our fine man Kratos here would be willing to work something out. You just have to do something for us first," he says.

Hephaestus furrows her brows, "And what would that be?" she responds.

Mimir's glowing eyes dart to the surrounding spectators before returning to the smith god, "...Maybe we could speak in private?" he says.

"Oh, yes. That would probably be best," Hephaestus says, turning and gesturing with her hand, "follow me, please."

Kratos turns Mimir until the head is facing him, "Do not be surprised if I do not hold up our end of the deal," he says, lowering Mimir to his usual spot.

Mimir chuckles, "You're welcome, brother," he responds.

The trio follows Hephaestus through the long hall, and Atreus furrows his brows, "...We passed the elevator," he says.

Hephaestus glances at Atreus, "I know. Gods and Goddesses use different elevators. Every one of us has a floor to ourselves, and my living quarters are on the twelfth floor," she responds.

"That's so cool! Where do your familia members live?" Atreus asks.

"Every member has their own workshop, and that shop is in each of their own homes. Though some of them choose to live together," Hephaestus says, "Here we are," she gestures to an elevator stationed in the wall, much larger than the elevator from before.

The group steps into the elevator, and Hephaestus pushes a metal button with "12" engraved into it. Unlike the previous elevator, the ride is smooth with little to no shaking. Moments pass and the elevator stops with the metal doors retreating into the walls.

The trio follows behind Hephaestus into a lavish hallway with a door at the end. Red carpet lines the hardwood floor, and flames flicker from torches attached to the walls. They reach the door quickly, a pep in Hephaestus's step as she opens the double doors and gestures to the office revealed, "Please, sit."

Kratos nods as he enters the room, and his vision roams along extravagant weapons displayed on the walls. Atreus and Kratos settle into the leather cushions of two chairs. Hephaestus steps up behind a wooden desk that sits before the duo, sitting in a large chair with scarlet cushions.

Sunlight leaks from the edges of black curtains behind Hephaestus, and she leans forward, her elbows on the desk, "So... How is this going to work?" she asks with excitement.

"What do you mean?" Kratos responds with furrowed brows.

Hephaestus sighs, putting a hand to her forehead, "Sorry, I got a little excited..." she says, taking a deep breath and straightening her back, "...I am a businesswoman, and even though there is no money involved, I will treat this as a business venture. I want to make sure both parties are happy with what they are getting."

Kratos nods, standing suddenly and reaching behind his back. Mimir plops on the table with a grunt, "Bloody hell, brother. You could be gentler..." he says, "...Hello again, ma'am."

Hephaestus furrows her brows, bringing her hand up and pointing at Mimir, "...Could I?..." she asks.

Mimir chuckles, "Wanna see the wound? Go ahead, ma'am. I sure do love being scoured at by curious eyes," he says with sarcasm leaking from his voice.

Hephaestus grabs Mimir by the rope wrapped around his short horns, inspecting his neck hole with furrowed brows. A moment passes, and the atmosphere becomes awkward as the goddess continues to scour the head like a finely made weapon. Suddenly, Mimir coughs, and Hephaestus jolts, "Oh!... I'm so sorry. I just get... focused sometimes," she says, setting Mimir down on the desk again, "Is it magic? I only know one person that has resurrection magic, but it hasn't succeeded in almost 800 years."

"A woman revived me. She lives in a land far from here," Mimir says, "But never mind that. I guess I'll introduce myself... I am known as Mimir, the smartest man alive. Ambassador and advisor to the two men you see behind me."

Hephaestus nods, "Nice to meet you, Mimir..." she says, "... If you don't mind me asking, what are your ideas on how this should be dealt with?"

Mimir hums, "Well, you want to know about the man's blades right? I don't know if being privy to that information would help you any, but if Kratos approves, I think we'd be able to let you inspect them. How does that sound?" he says.

Hephaestus nods, her lips curling. She glances at Kratos, and the Greek God nods, "That would be great!... Now, what about my end of the deal? You said something about creating a familia, but... You three should know that only a god can do that."

"Ah... About that. Would you mind if Kratos and I talk in private for a moment? I would like to know exactly what the man wants," Mimir responds.

Hephaestus nods, "Of course! I'm not in a rush, so take your time," she says.

"Thanks, madam... Kratos?" Mimir calls, meaning to turn around, but halted by his lack of a neck.

Kratos hums, stepping up to the desk and retrieving the head. He turns and looks at Atreus, "Stay here, boy. We will only be a moment," he says.

"Yes, father," Atreus says, watching as his father disappears through the wooden double doors.

Kratos stands near the door and holds Mimir up before him, "What is it, head?" he asks.

"Well, brother. I think we'll have to let the woman know that you're a god if we want to get the information," Mimir responds.

Kratos nods, "It seems that way."

"Exactly, brother. But... I believe this will be much easier to keep under wraps. It's only one person, and if we are able to create this familia, then we become part of the city. I'm sure you know what means?" Mimir asks.

Kratos grunts, "All of Orario will know about us..." he responds with disgust "...It is not desirable, but if it means the boy can grow stronger, then I will manage."

Mimir chuckles, "I'm always baffled by how anti-social you are. That is correct though, Brother. Every dour wanker will also know that you are a god. I don't believe that will be much of an issue once the familia is created, but we do have to be careful... I fear that we have not seen the last of the Loki Familia," he says.

Kratos grunts, his eyes roaming to the master-crafted weapons lining the shiny walls. His eyes return to Mimir's glowing sockets after a moment, "Let them come... Revenge is sweet nectar, but it will poison them in the end."

"I don't find myself disagreeing with you, brother, that's for sure. I do feel a bit of excitement to see the future unfold though. This is yours and your boy's story, and it's only just beginning," Mimir responds.

Kratos hums, turning to open the door, "Do not speak as if you are not a part of this, head," he says.

"I guess I am, huh?" Mimir chuckles.

The wooden door creaks open, and Kratos steps through the threshold with swift strides. His eyes dart to Hephaestus and Atreus standing before a massive sword displayed on the wall, "...This one took me a few days to make. Do you like it?" The Goddess asks as she glances down at Atreus.

"Of course! It's so cool!" Atreus responds with a sparkle in his eyes as he stares at the sword. It appears to be a longsword, the blade, hilt, and handle all pitch black, "...Does it have a name?"

Hephaestus shakes her head, "I haven't thought of one yet. Do you have any ideas?" she asks.

Atreus puts a hand to his chin, thinking hard about the question. He stares at the sword, and is reminded of something, magic that once barred the boy and his father from their path, "...Black Breath..." he says.

The goddess's brow raises, "Black Breath? That... Is a good name. I might just have you name all of my works now," Hephaestus says with a giggle as she stares at the sword.

Suddenly, Kratos clears his throat and the duo jolt. Hephaestus spins with her brow still raised, "Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't even notice you two were back," she says, walking to her desk and sitting in the chair once again.

"Sorry, father. These weapons are just amazing..." Atreus says, sitting in the chair beside his father.

"It is alright," Kratos responds.

Mimir leans against a book on the desk as he looks at Hephaestus, "So... I think we have everything sorted, ma'am," he says.

The Smith God nods, "And?" she asks.

Mimir takes a deep breath, "We would like to know how a familia is created. You see... The man behind me is a God... A God of Strength to be exact," Mimir says.

Hephaestus freezes, her eyes switching between the three beings before her, looking for a smile or laugh, for them to tell her it's a joke. That time never comes though, "Wait... You're serious?" she asks.

"...As a dead man, madam. I hope you will keep this a secret until the familia has been established, but it is very true," Mimir responds with short words.

Hephaestus sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose, "How do I know you're telling me the truth?" she asks with tired words.

Mimir furrows his brows, "This is your chance to pay us back for inspecting the weapons... What reason would we have to lie?" he responds.

The Goddess nods slowly, "I guess you're right. But..." her crimson eyes shift to Kratos' brown, "...I never saw you in heaven. I'm sure I would have heard of you if that was the case."

Mimir chuckles, "Kratos is not a people person. It took an incredible amount of convincing just to get him to the city. I still feel the dents in my head from being dropped every time I brought it up," he responds, his chuckle turning to a cackle.

Hephaestus giggles along with Mimir, "Well, I'm glad you were able to convince him..." She looks at Kratos again, "...There is one requirement to create a familia. You have to recruit an adventurer willing to join you."

"I'll be joining his familia!" Atreus says suddenly.

The Goddess glances at Atreus, "Ah, then you have everything you need, but..." Suddenly, her jaw locks and her brow raises, "...Gods can't have children..." her words trail to a whisper.

"What was that?" Mimir asks.

Hephaestus pauses, her eyes darting back and forth between father and son, "...Gods can't have children. It's a known fact by everyone that knows... Well, anything," she says.

Mimir raises his own brows at the Smith God's words, "Uh... Atreus is... Adopted. We found the boy in a forest, beaten bloody by his previous parents," he says quickly.

Atreus purses his lips in confusion, "Wait, wh-,"

"Atreus," Kratos calls, glancing at his son, "Quiet."