35 – Departure

The result was as expected. Sumnis and Neptune came up with good strategies to stop the Gods' attacks, but it was no use. They made Dionysus fight seriously for a moment, but that was it.

The children had no chance against the adults. It was a week of non-stop training, but the results were good.

Looking at the powerless children splattered on the ground around the area, Athena commented to the others, '' They are a little less powerful than Hercules, with only 10 years of age... that's impressive!''

The Gods agreed with Athena, '' They adapted to our powers very quickly. It was impressive. In a few centuries, they could surpass us.''

No one knew why the younger Gods were becoming strong so quickly, but the older Gods were happy that this was happening since they were all related.

Sumnis and Neptune managed to gain a lot of experience in leadership and strategy. Minerva and Luve were the people who gained the most fighting power, while the rest gained experience and learned to use their powers better.

''I've enjoyed this week with the children... too bad it has to end.'' Apollo was sad since he was leaving the Realm, and he would not be able to see his family for some years.

Poseidon patted his shoulder, '' Don't worry. They're in good hands... and we owe it to Kratos.''

Apollo nodded.

Athena, seeing that the training was over, said to the children who were pretending to be unconscious, "Training is over! Get ready for the banquet later!''

The children quickly got up from the ground and disappeared from the scene.

The Gods smiled at the situation, while Poseidon said, '' Let's pack up and get ready to leave tonight... Hephaestus, did you manage to do what I asked?''

Hephaestus, the most tired person in the place, nodded, '' Yes, but I still have no idea why you asked me to build that.''

''Time will tell.'' Poseidon then went home with Athena to take a bath, while the other gods went to their respective homes.

Neptune and Minerva had already showered and left to walk around Olympus, leaving Athena and Poseidon alone. Entering the bathroom, Poseidon used his powers over the water to clean himself and Athena. ''We could have showered anywhere, you know that, right?''

Athena laughed a bit, '' I know, I know. But we wouldn't have the privacy we're having now, would we?''

Poseidon shook his head and kissed Athena, '' You know me so well.''

Athena giggled, and the couple continued kissing. After a few minutes, Athena broke the kiss and looked at Poseidon with a sad face.

'' Whats wrong?'' Poseidon asked.

'' Our children are growing up so fast... you will probably miss a lot of moments thanks to this trip...''

Poseidon sighed, '' Apollo has his carriage, and we have a few Pegasus... Maybe we can be faster than normal when moving in the Between the Realms. And this is just us paying our debt to Kratos.''

At the mention of Kratos, Athena's face showed guilty, '' Can you save his wife?''

''I'll try.''

The couple then continued showering. After some time, they got out of the bathroom and put on some clothes. Then, both went to the dinner area on Olympus.

Arriving there, the couple noticed that they are the last ones to arrive, '' Sorry for coming late... we had a lot to talk about.''

The Gods nodded, and the banquet officially started. The kids ate to their heart content while the adults who were going away were trying their best to make memories with everyone.

Sumnis, one of the strategists of the bunch, wanted to learn from Athena, so he came to Poseidon, to talk about it.

'' So you want my wife to teach you?'' Poseidon looked down at the God in front of him.

Facing Poseidon's gaze made Sumnis legs tremble, but he really wanted to learn from Athena, seeing as Neptune was better than him, '' Yes! Please, after seeing Neptune's fight, I now know that I'm lacking in a lot of areas in regards to combat and strategy...''

Poseidon looked at Athena, who was talking with other but paying attention to her husband. When Athena noticed Poseidon's gaze, she excused herself from the conversation and came near the duo, '' What's wrong, dear?''

'' The little one here wants to learn from you, the best strategist we have on Olympus... what do you say?''

Athena didn't mind and if a God could get strong thanks to her training, she would gladly help, '' Of course! He can come over when I'm teaching Neptune and Minerva... thought the girl always runs away after a few minutes.''

Sumnis, who was granted permission to learn from the best, thanked Poseidon and Athena, '' Thank you very much!''

''Don't mention it... now, go talk with Neptune. You'll now be classmates.'' Athena said that, and the younger God bolted away.

After watching Sumnis go away, Poseidon proposed to Athena, '' How about this? You gather all kids and ask what which of them want to do, lessons of strategy with you or combat with the others.''

Athena looked at Poseidon, '' That's a nice idea, my love. The more they're prepared, the better for all of us... thought, I don't think a lot of them want to learn from me.''

Poseidon hugged his wife, '' Nonsense. Even though you're a strategist, you're also one of the most powerful Gods in the realm, only losing to me or Kratos.''

Athena had a lot of powers after the Fall of Old Olympus. But she focused more on the brain side of things, so her combat powers weren't mentioned that much.

'' ... You know that I don't like fighting that much. Only if necessary.''

Poseidon kissed Athena, '' Let us hope you don't need to fight ever again then.''

Athena then went away, to talk with Artemis about the kids and to think about the future training together.

All the Gods, old or young, were talking with each other in harmony. No fight or resentment among them.

Poseidon looked at the scene with a smile, ' Who would've thought that the Gods of GOW game would become so... tame. Of course, there could be some evil Gods in the other Realms, but here all of them are now peaceful.'

After a long banquet and noticing how much time passed, Poseidon decided it was time to end it, '' It's time to leave.''

When Poseidon said that, everyone stopped talking. Almost like instinct, all family members gathered close to the ones who were leaving.

'' We are going on this journey, to help one of our own. This journey could take days, months, or years, but we will see through it.''

'' We will leave the Realm at your hands.'' Poseidon said this part especially to the children, ''Some of you might be young, but at the end of the day, you're also a God. You have to be strong to protect those who can't protect themselves. It's your responsibility to protect this Realm, and I trust that you will do what's necessary to maintain all inhabitants protected.''

'' I know it's a huge responsibility but it will be your duty in the future, to protect the realm. I - We all trust you.'' Poseidon raised his wine at the younger Gods, a gest that the other Gods did too.

The Younger Gods felt pressure, knowing that the Realm, even though it still had others Gods, now was protected by them.

After the mini-speech was over, they started to say goodbye to each other. Poseidon came closer to the kids and Athena, '' Promise you'll take care of your mom?''

Neptune and Minerva said at the same time, '' Promise!''

Poseidon hugged them both, and then went to talk with Athena, '' If my calculations were correct and if Apollo's carriage and the Pegasus work, we will arrive at the other Realms way earlier... in less than 5 months.''

Athena nodded, '' We will be waiting. Please come back soon.''

Poseidon kissed her and passed a new communicator, '' Hephaestus made this a few days ago... we will use it to communicate with you... If anything happens, please contact us.''

Athena accepted the communicator, '' Don't worry. Stay safe.''

After a lot of hugs and tearful goodbyes, Poseidon looked at his team. Apollo had his carriage with him, with 4 Pegasus at the front. Iris looked normal, but Poseidon could see in her gaze that she was excited to go out of the realm.

' It should be expected from the Messenger of the Gods... she likes to be in movement.'

Hestia was prepared for war, with armor from head to toe. Poseidon suspected it was Dionysus doing, but he can't say anything to a person who was trying to protect his family.

Last but not least, Hephaestus was ready to go. While he was leaving Aprodithe behind, he would also go with Iris, so he wasn't that unlucky. He was still tired from building the things Poseidon asked for and the training.

After making sure everyone said their goodbyes and had all their things with them, Poseidon asked one more time, '' Are you ready?''

The response was a nod from the rest of the expedition team.

'' Good! Then let us enter Apollo carriage.'' Poseidon entered the carriage after Apollo, the person who was going to guide them.

'' Do you think we can reach the other Realm in less than 5 months?'' While Poseidon knew about the velocity of the Pegasus, he didn't know the condition of the Between the Realms, only what Pandora told him. So he wasn't sure.

Apollo shook his head, '' This is uncharted territory for all of us. We only heard of those places from old oracles or myths... but yes, I think we can arrive there in less than 5 months.''

Poseidon nodded. By the time he stopped talking, all the members of the expedition were already inside. Apollo said, '' Take a last look at our Realm!''

After that, Apollo waited a few moments before making the Pegasus start to run. The Gods passed the barrier easily and entered the Between the Realms, going to the Norse Realm, ' Kratos, help is on the way! Hang in there.'