Ginnungagap

by EvanKnight

Summary:

Ginnungagap the great Void. Chaos the Void the came before. Norse and Greek have their own interpretations of the Void. But with the approach of Ragnarök the Yggdrasil prepares itself for the destruction of one of its branches, Asgard. Balance must be maintained so preparing for Asgards destruction a new Realm must take its place. Unfortunately, fate did not consider a realm of war.

Chapter 1: Discoveries of the Voids Muse

(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)

Chapter 2: Orphan Children of the Void

(Start Zariman 10-0 The Void)

The first thing Calliope noticed as she began to come to was, she was laying on the floor. It was uncomfortable but not as much as the cold she felt going pass her. As the world began to come too Calliope rubbed her eyes in confusion as she once more found herself in a strange place one that she did not recognize.

 

Calliope looked around and found herself in what appeared to be a room of steel. But that was not right and soon enough she found herself surrounded by children wielding makeshift weapons of spears and bows. "W-what where am I?" Calliope asked but the children all looked at her confused.

 

They responded in a tongue that Calliope did not know nor understand. But she could pick up a few things from it and from their tone they had a language barrier between them. But the scene behind the children shocked Calliope. Walking to the window Calliope saw a world of emptiness beyond as she realized that wherever she had landed, it may very well be Hell.

 

(Scene Break Lua Modern Age)

 

Calliope and Heron were in the Lotus Chamber on Lua both of them were outside their Warframe's. In the Lotus's hand was the same key that brought Kratos, Freya, and Mimir to this world. As they sat about there were six other Tenno in the room with them. Calliope had just gotten through explaining what had happened to Lotus with Heron backing her up. Needless to say, the Lotus was concerned.

 

"Is there a way to severe this connection?" Lotus asked to the group.

 

"From how things look, no if this Asgard is to fall then our world will take its place." Heron said from what he knew. Heron was like the other Tenno with his ebony hair spiked combed down and his green eyes glowing with the azure blue of his Void Power. The Scarring around his right eye showed the damage the Void had done to him thanks to the Orokin's experiments on the Tenno. Calliope was lucky her scarring was not as extensive and could be hidden under her cloths and hoods.

 

"This is concerning." Lotus said not wanting to think of the chaos that would befall should these Gods come through.

 

"Look if it’s all the same to you, I say we stay out of it." A girl with ivory hair pulled into a tail said. "I mean it’s not our problem." She said as she sat next to her Warframe a Nyx Prime.

"It is our problem, Alexia." Heron said as he then gestured to Calliope. "I mean we might actually get a chance to reunite Calliope with her father." Heron said but this in turn caused Alexia to scowl a bit.

 

"Lucky." Alexia bemoaned as any Tenno would have killed for this chance.

 

"Come on be nice." Heron said but then the larger boy cut in.

 

"Hey this is all well and good but why call the whole team?" The boy asked as he showed to have his own outfit. He had darker skin with his head spiked about.

 

"Because we need to be there for Calliope, Peach boy." A second girl said as she smacked her friend while returning to where a Trinity Prime was standing. She had black lipstick and black eye liner as she seemed to be more towards darker outfits despite her Warframe being a known healer.

"Its Momotaro you jerk!" The boy, Momotaro, snapped glaring at his fellow Tenno. "Just because I'm named after peaches doesn't change that, Augustina!" Momotaro said glaring at the young Tenno before making his way over to his Volt Prime.

"Taro, Augy calm down." Heron said as he got the two Tenno to calm themselves. "Lotus we're going to help Calliope and you know with Drifter and Wanderer currently in 1999 we can't call them for aid." Heron said reminding that those two are too busy at the moment. "So can you support us?" Heron asked but then the Lotus sighed to this.

 

"Of course." Lotus said as she offered the Tenno the key they would need.

 

Seeing the key Heron took it but then held it towards Calliope as she looked at the object. "You should take the lead." Heron said do his fellow Tenno and blood sister.

 

"No, you're a better leader then I you should lead." Calliope said recalling the days on the Zariman that cemented that fact.

 

"Yeah, but you got us out of tight places before." Heron said with a smile towards Calliope.

 

"True." Calliope chuckled to her blood brother.

 

(Flashback Zariman in the Void)

 

The children were all scared as the maddened adults were all roaring at the door that they finished barricading. Their squad of survivors had been stuck here as the adults would break through soon. "Well, this sucks!" Taro bemoaned as he held the objects against the door as the adults tried to break through.

 

"I'm open to suggestions!" Alexia cried as she was terrified.

 

Calliope saw the scene and knew that the six here were in danger. Calliope had been trying to understand the language for some time and was getting better at it. Then it hit her on what they needed to do to win this more so when she saw broken panels of steel. "Hey!" Calliope called out and got the idea. "I think I have plan." Calliope said in their broken tongue.

 

"Great the girl who can't speak has a plan." Taro said with a rude tone but then Heron cut in.

 

"Hey, it’s more then what you came up with!" Heron said and thus looked to Calliope.

 

"Plan what?" Heron asked trying to speak her tongue.

 

"It’s a tactic, Felix formation." Calliope said as she began describing it. "Surround with shields attack through gaps with spears." Calliope said grabbing items to give an example. "Steel around use as shields." Calliope said gesturing to the items.

 

"That sounds reckless." Alexia said but Heron begged to differ.

 

"But it’s all we got." Heron said and thus he got down to it. "Everyone get the panels from the room and get something to strap them up we only get one shot at this!" Heron called out and thus everyone got moving.

 

"Oh boy we're all gonna die." Taro said and in turn he got to work as well.

 

By the end of it using a Spartan tactic the group managed to fight off and kill the adults and escape the room without losing a single life. Calliope earned her place amongst them that day which would serve her well.

 

(End Flashback Present time Lua)

 

Calliope smiled and took the key to push it to Heron's hand. Heron smiled and the two nodded to each other ready to depart. "We're going to need equipment ready for your use and access to your Arsenals." Lotus said reminding the Tenno on that they needed.

 

"I can grab some stuff from Loid." Taro said stepping in. "I got us covered." Heron added with a smile on his face.

 

"Alright we got 24 hours to get what we need let’s move!" Heron said and in turn they were once more on the move to gather the equipment they would need.

 

(Scene Break the next day)

 

Thanks to Kahl and some of their allies the Tenno managed to secure the location from any unwanted visitors. The team had spent the entirety of the previous day gathering what they would need and deciding what needed to stay behind. Access to the Hemleth needed to be contained for the Tenno to use safely so they had devices methods to do so. Another thing they were bringing was equipment to set up for their use. Using much of the tools in the Sanctuary the Tenno had gathered what they would need in several crates of supplies. They would have to make a second trip of course a third tops but it sufficed. Heron was the only one not carrying such crates as they approached the gateway.

 

On their side of the gateway, they had a large symbol that seemed to remind them of a tree. "So, we're visiting your dad, Cal must be exciting." Taro said but then Calliope kept quiet. This time she was using her Mag Prime for the coming journey.

 

"I don't want to talk about it." Calliope said reminding Taro that she and her father's situation was complicated.

 

Augustina then kicked Momotaro for that one. "Idiot." Augustina scolded as she kept walking with the crates through the cave.

 

"Look let's just go." Calliope said and thus Heron sighed before he held up the key to the door. The Key responded and in turn the doorway opened for them. When it did, they found themselves on the branches of the World Tree. This left the Tenno awestruck at what they found here.

 

"Wow." Taro said wide eyed from within his Volt Prime.

 

"Cool." Alexia said amazed at the calming beauty of it all.

 

"Let's move." Heron said getting the team back on track so they may continue with their mission here. This was not their normal mercenary work this was more like a favor to one of their own.

 

(Scene Break the Dwarven House)

 

Kratos and Freya had their plan formed they could not afford to wait for the aid Calliope and her cohorts would provide. They needed to find Atreus and the only ones who can point them in the right direction are the fates of these lands, the Norns. "Kratos are you ok?" Freya asked seeing that Kratos had not been himself since the discovery.

 

"I am fine." Kratos said straight to the point.

 

"Brother while I can applaud the need to focus your mind the discovery, we made is not one easily ignored especially for you." Mimir said knowing that Kratos was still shellshocked to find his living daughter. Kratos felt guilt for his actions, he never realized what the death of Hades would have done to the Underworld. He forgot that Elysium was a part of the Underworld and for killing Hades it collapsed forcing Calliope to do whatever it was she did to save herself.

 

"Brother while I can applaud the need to focus your mind the discovery, we made is not one easily ignored especially for you." Mimir said knowing that Kratos was still shellshocked to find his living daughter. Kratos felt guilt for his actions, he never realized what the death of Hades would have done to the Underworld. He forgot that Elysium was a part of the Underworld and for killing Hades it collapsed forcing Calliope to do whatever it was she did to save herself.

 

Everyone there had hear this didn't know what to make of it. What they do know is that Kratos and Freya had come across a group of warriors known as the Tenno. From what was shared it sounds like the Tenno can help the group. But it seems that after meeting them something must have happen which Kratos or Freya was not saying.

 

Before anything else happens, the new realm door suddenly opened, much to their surprised. Freya prepared herself for any unwelcomed guests as she had her bow ready. That was until Kratos put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from causing an incident as right away he saw a black arm with gold decorative pieces on it. When the doors fully opened it revealed Excalibur Umbra with the Tenno Heron Operating it. When Heron look towards the house and saw the group, he soon asked, "Is this a bad time?"

 

"Well sort of but I guess welcome, but ahh, who are you?" Sindri questioned the stranger. Kratos didn't react or take up arms show he knows him at least as Heron answer him, "I suppose you can say your new allies."

 

Walking in while also step aside to show the others who follow in was Calliope in her Mag Prime, then Momotaro in his Volt Prime, Alexia with her Nyx Prime, and Augustina in Trinity Prime. They each walked in one by one showing what they looked like which while also bringing equipment in as well as Heron said, "We brought some of our equipment from our… realm I suppose. Hope that won’t be a problem."

 

"It is not," Kratos said as he look to each Tenno, but his eyes soon went to Mag Prime, feeling the same aura he had felt from Calliope the first time he had seen her again from the new realm. He soon turn towards the black Warframe and said, "I thank you for joining with us."

 

"We came for the sake of our friend." Heron said knowing Calliope needed this closure. We Tenno may fight alone at time, but we don't leave each other behind," Heron said as Kratos nodded, as given the way he stand and held a hand over his sword, he saw he is prepared to fight at any given time with Taro came up and said, "Hey not to butt in or anything but where should we set up our stuff in this… place?"

 

Seeing how the place is, it was Pretty small compared to what they are used too. In response Kratos pointed out towards Sindri and said, "Talk with Sindri, he will show you where you might settle down at."

 

"Going to be hard to set thing up properly given the size." Augy began as she got a scan of the hour earlier. "This house is small based on the given scale," Augy said as Sindri said, "Hey now I'll have you know that my brother and I built this place with our own two hands with what materials we had."

 

"We're not trying to poke fun at your work short stuff, we're just saying it's a bit small." Alexia said being respectful. "This is smaller then what we're normally used to," Alexia said as Heron said to his team, "We may have to add an additional structure to the building, but for now we just need to find a spot to place our equipment at for the time being."

 

They all nodded as they walk into the house exploring a bit as Sindri said, "Hey- hold on you forgot to wipe your feet. I just sweep the floors!"

 

With the Tenno being led by Sindri into the house to figure out a place to put their thing. Meanwhile Kratos walked up to Heron and said in a soft tone that no one else can hear him but Heron as he said, "I am… grateful for your aid in this."

 

"No need for thanks, we came for Calliope sake." Heron said assuring Kratos that he didn't need to thank them. "We each of us owes her for one reason or another," Heron said as Kratos nodded to him as Heron went on saying, "Anyways I believe introductions are in order."

 

After a little while as both group were soon introducing themselves to the other starting with the Tenno group as Heron started saying, "I'm Heron, Squad leader of this group, with my 2nd in command."

 

Calliope spoken up next as she said, "I am Calliope, Cal for short. Second in command of the team, hope we can get along with each other well."

 

"Yo," Taro started saying as he wanted to go next as he said, "Names Momotaro, call me Taro for short, I'm the team recon specialist, and the occasion hit and run as speed is my thang and killing is my game."

 

"Huh, I think I have an idea of what sort of names that is." Mimir said recalling the tale associated with that name. "I believe it translated as Peach boy," Mimir said as he remember what Momotaro means as the blue skin dwarf Brok laugh at that as Taro look to the talking head and said, "Way to ruin my introduction talking head."

 

"Sorry about that lad, I can't help myself at times." Mimir said apologizing for offending Taro "Did you know there is an interesting story with that name of yours." Mimir started off until Kratos said to her in a stern tone, "Not now."

 

"Fair enough," Mimir said as he shut up for a bit as the next Tenno speaking was Alexia as she said, "I'm Alexia, the teams I handle Psych Ops interrogation and capture mainly." Alexia paused as she then looked to Heron. "And that numbskull twin sister." Alexia said as Heron chuckled a bit to that.

 

"I'm Augustina, Augy for short. I'm the team's Medic uh another word for healer if and when needed, I'm also skill with close quarter combat and mid-range as needed," Augustine said as the entire team had introduce themselves to the group as they may be a bit confuse on what they said but understood enough, with Try paying close attention to each Tenno before Kratos started to introduce himself as he said, "I am Kratos of Sparta, former general of the Spartan army of Greece, and once known as the god of war."

 

Everyone was silent for a moment before Momotaro broke the silent as he said, "Now that was a badass introduction few thing to say while sounding very serious."

 

The team groin a bit at Taro antics, as Alexia smack him upside the head to quite him as he went "OW, what was that for?"

 

"Sorry about them." Heron apologized as he figured as much. "They're free thinkers and personally I prefer them that way." Heron said as they brought their equipment in.

 

"Brother perhaps we should take some time to make them feel welcomed." Mimir offered as Kratos wanted to find his son as soon as possible. Freya knew what Mimir was suggesting as this would give them time to get adjusted to their new surroundings.

 

"More than that we can help with the search for the missing one." Heron said as he looked to the group. "We can use the time to gather information so we can hopefully narrow down where he might have gone off to." Heron said as it was a good place to start in searching for the boy.

 

"Whatever help you can provide we will accept it." Freya said and thus a decision was reached between the gathered parties.

 

"I'll get supper started." Sindri said as it would be an adjustment for all of them.

 

"And I'll take a look at their, toys." Brok said as he never seen craftsmanship like the one of the Tenno's weapons. With a grunt from Kratos the group parted to make themselves at home. Calliope and Kratos remained for a moment glancing at each other with a thick tension between them. Then with a sigh Calliope made her way outside to see what help she can offer to Taro or at least focus the storm that had become her emotions.

 

(Later outside of the house)

 

The sound of welding was heard as Taro was working on some machinery outside of the house. He was currently jamming to some music he got through Heron and Calliope from their other selves in 1999. First and foremost, he was working on the Arsenals slots. The Expansion was also being down as Sindri was working on the foundation of the expansion. He had a few ideas, but the Tenno seem adamant to get the equipment set up first.

 

Nearby Alexia was doing scans of the area making sure it was secured of any possible spies. Sindri and Brok of course assured them that the All Father would not be able to reach this place, but Alexia was not taking chances. Securing their base of operations and fortifying it was war tactic 101.

 

At the same time inside the house Heron was inside in discussion with Kratos and Freya to learn what he can about the missing person. Meanwhile Augy was writing up medical reports on those in this group. She needed to make sure that everyone was in top condition in the event of some unforeseen incident. This left Calliope by her lonesome as she sat upon the roots of the Yggdrasil calmly meditating centering her mind and soul for any upcoming missions. Sitting focusing Calliope kept her eyes closed centering herself in the Void. This place gave her a unique link to it allowing her a certain calmness that had at times eluded her.

 

Calliope was no strange to rage no Tenno were strangers to it. It was rage against the Orokin that saw the Tenno slaughter their old Golden Lords. It was through her  rage, that Calliope had found the monster that slept inside herself. It was rage that saw her kill everything in her path to hunt down and kill Ballas. It was rage that in the end had nearly consumed Calliope so long ago. As Calliope focused, she recalled memories from which her Void Rage had displayed itself in a most brutal of ways.

 

(Flashback Corpus Ship Deadlock Protocol)

 

One of the Corpus Treasurers was seeing crawling away as he was beaten bloody and lost. Caliope utilizing Valkyr Prime made her way over to the defeated Treasurer with only one goal in mine, to take what he was holding. "Parvos Grandum protect me." The Treasurer said a devoted follower of Granum.

 

Calliope growled as she grabbed the Treasurer by his head and dragged him over to the console that would open the path to the Granum Void. She then grabbed the treasurer off the ground and proceeded to slam his head into it staining it with his blood. With each impact the Treasurers head was caved in as Calliope kept the assault going despite the ship exploding around her.

 

She then lifted the man from the console and by some miracle he was still alive but in agony. "No more, please no more." He begged but Calliope had enough of him, of Alad V, and of Nef Anyo. Seeing his utility belt Calliope reached out and summoned the Xoris before she proceeded to activate it. She then brought the burning plasma blade into the Corpus Treasurers midsection as he screamed in agony from the burning sharpness of the weapon. Calliope kept going until his lower half fell off and with it his utility belt. She then dropped the Treasurer on the ground and proceeded to walk over to his upper half.

 

Even despite this he was still alive like some greater force would not let him die just yet. Calliope then proceeded to stomp down on his head and continued to do so snarling as she did so. Eventually the man's head caved in and all that was left was a red smear on the ground. Calliope then took the Granum Coin from his corpse and activated the machine so she could make her escape. She only had one goal in mind, to end the Deadlock Protocol and stop Granum Parvos's plan whatever it may be.

 

(End flashback)

 

After that battle Calliope had to take time off the Lotus felt she needed to recenter herself. Calliope could not blame her and thus she took her leave of absence to contemplate herself. In days of old many Spartans had dealt with such foes in a similar manor. Spartans were warriors in all levels of society she and her mother Lysandra were seemingly the exception to the rule. Calliope more so do to the actions of her father when she was but a babe.

 

The realm between realms was silent for the most part and Calliope was grateful for that. It gave her time to her thoughts and a small part of her time to avoid her father. Tyr seemed to spend most if not all of his time in his quarters and it made Calliope curious at times over what he did in there. From what she gathered Tyr was the God of War of these lands and was a victim of Odin's cruelty and paranoia. At times it had even made Calliope draw similarities between Odin and Zeus in terms of their paranoia.

 

Speaking of whom Tyr was caught approaching the area where Calliope had been meditating. "Pardon me young one I hope I'm not intruding." Tyr said as he approached Calliope. Taking a deep breath Calliope jumped down to meet with Tyr and Calliope had to admit he was certainly tall. Yet at the same time Calliope felt that something was off about him, and it brought concern for the Tenno. But for now, she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"Not at all." Calliope said to the Norse God of War. "How can I help you?" Calliope asked remaining inside her Warframe.

 

"I just had some questions about this new Realm and the Cultures of it." Tyr said as he shown how he always preferred to share knowledge as the stories depicted him to do.

 

"Then by all means ask away." Calliope said and thus Tyr nodded to this.

 

"From what I understand you Tenno are a Caste of Warriors yes?" Tyr asked as he looked to Calliope. "Are there other factions within your realm?" Tyr asked and in turn Calliope nodded to this.

 

"Yes, the major factions are the Tenno, the Grineer, the Corpus, and recently Narmer." Calliope said and in turn they began a long string of questions about the Origin System.

 

Through the conversation Calliope explained what she knew of the factions while making sure to omit any information of the Murmur, the Void, and the Infested when able. Since the new real lacked its own version of Tyr's temple the Realm Door was currently the only way through. Through her tales Calliope noted how Tyr paid close attention, yet his questions always seemed to return back to the Tenno likely suspecting the Tenno to be the systems local gods. The Tenno had been viewed as Gods, but Calliope found the fascination on the Tenno to be a tad bit concerning.

 

During this Calliope asked her own questions about the 9 Realms the politics and what not of the realms. Needless to say, Calliope was not all that surprised by the state of affairs. Gods are cruel Calliope was no stranger to this fact; she was after all a victim of Ares manipulations over her father. From the sounds of things Vanaheim and Svartalfheim were the biggest victims of the Asgardians rule of the realms. This made for valuable tactical information that the Tenno can use.

 

Eventually their conversation began to wind down as Tyr had been an adapt listener to the knowledge of her new Realm. "So those objects those contraptions they are what you call, Technology?" Tyr asked gesturing to the equipment Taro was working on.

 

"Yes... it was an adjustment for me as well." Calliope admitted as she recalled seeing all of the Technology around her for the first time. To think mortals would construct such devices and vessels to travel the stars. The Gods of Olympus would surely do everything they could to restrict mortals from ever reaching such an apex.

 

"Fascinating." Tyr said impressed with what Calliope revealed to him. "I apologize once more learning and sharing knowledge had always been my passions even after." Tyr trailed off as Calliope knew enough that Tyr had spent years being imprisoned and tortured by Odin during his captivity.

 

"Honestly, it's a breath of fresh air." Calliope admitted as it was a humbling change from what she was used to. However, she also knew never to fully trust the words of a God present company included. It was a survival tactic she learned the day of her death and again under the thumb of the Orokin. But Kratos and Freya seem to trust Tyr so that means Calliope knew to at least give the God of War the benefit of the doubt. Still, it was a tough thing to do considering it was a God of War that originally saw to her death by her father’s hands.

 

"I must admit something however." Tyr began as this got Calliope's attention. "I'm surprised that you are not involved with the discussion involving young Atreus's whereabouts." Tyr said which left Calliope confused for a moment. But the name had also drew her attention as she knew that name belonged to a famous Spartan. Her father had spoken highly of Atreus of Sparta a Spartan who could smile even at the worst of time.

 

"Atreus..." Calliope said as Tyr noted her tone. "Sorry but that name... it belonged to a great Spartan whom my father had held a great deal of respect to." Calliope said recalling those days how her father spoke of Atreus of Sparta. Atreus was much like herself and her mother outliers of Spartan culture. His stories had often times made Calliope desire to walk the warrior's path, but her weak health had prevented it at the time. "Anyway, why does it surprise you that I am not part of the discussion?" Calliope asked curious while she walked the tree branches.

 

"From what I understand Odin has need of Atreus and if Odin needs him then it cannot be for anything of a noble nature." Calliope said which then got Tyr to look towards Calliope.

 

"I would assume you'd want a voice in the plan to locate your brother." Tyr said which made Calliope go wide eyed in shock.

 

"What?" Calliope asked as she suddenly turned towards Tyr through her Warframe.

 

"Well, I suppose the proper term would be half-brother but..." Tyr began before he noted the tone and stance Calliope had. She then stepped out of her Warframe causing Mag Prime to stand like a statue as Calliope's eyes showed shock at his words. "Oh... oh dear I apologized I had assumed that you were already aware." Tyr said looking ashamed of revealing this to Calliope instead of letting Kratos be the one to do so.

 

Calliope's mind was thrown for a loop as she thought about what she heard. 'A second child a son.' Calliope mentally began as she tried to make sense of it. 'And clearly a health one in comparison to me.' Calliope mentally added as she tried to rationalize it.

 

'He left you trapped in Elysium and went off to find another family, muse.' A familiar voice spoke as Calliope blocked it out knowing the Indifference loved to play mind games.

 

'No, it's unreasonable for me to expect him to not find love again.' Calliope tried to rationalize but the sense of betrayal still stung deep into the last daughter of Sparta. 'But a proper Spartan ensures his legacy lives on through strong children.' Calliope mind betrayed as the part of her that was still a Spartan knew this well.

 

Calliope was no stranger to the hushed whispers spoken when many did not think they heard her. A child of a great Spartan General one whom had been the youngest of his rank was unfit to be a warrior. A child whom by Spartan customs should have been cast out as soon as she had been born, and her sickness was clear for all to see. But her father managed to make a deal with the Spartan King to spare her life by retrieving Ambriosa to assure a new generation of strong Spartans as long as Calliope was the first to receive it.

 

But facts and fiction were in conflict due to Calliope's emotions. Her father had a son, a new child, a healthy one, and seeing that he was tried to liberate him from Odin had priority. It hurt it felt as though Calliope was being abandoned all over again. She recalled that day the day her father came to Elysium only to push her away not long after. It hurt and Calliope hated that hurt.

 

So, with a newfound fury Calliope glared at the house and began to march her way over to the door while Tyr tried to stop her. Of course, Calliope's rage tuned out the God of War as she focused on a different God of War.

 

(Meanwhile inside of the house)

 

Heron had been in talks with Kratos, Freya, Mimir, Sindri, and Brok over what had happened with Atreus. "So, Atreus accepted Odin's offer to go to Asgard the offer he made while you were fighting Thor." Heron said as he tried to think over what he heard. Prior to running off Atreus had been hiding something from Kratos when he was missing for two days. The two might be connected but that was up in the air.

 

"Ok let's ask the big question, why did Odin make this offer to Atreus?" Heron said as he had his suspicion.

 

"I assume for one reason or another." Mimir said as he spoke from experience as the man’s advisor. "I suspect he needs the lad for something." Mimir said as Kratos had similar suspicions.

 

"Does Atreus have any unique skills that Odin would want or need?" Heron asked as he was trying to piece this puzzle together. "A skill or even a gift that Odin and those around him lack." Heron added as Mimi considered it carefully as did Kratos. Most of Atreus skills came from practice and learning from others. There was one that came to mind one that Mimir and Kratos both knew well.

 

"He is gifted when it comes to learning and understanding languages." Mimir said as Kratos agreed to that.

 

"Yes... there was time he learned to speak the Jotens tongue and even when he never spoke it before he managed to speak it to call forth the World Serpents aid." Kratos said as Mimir and Freya both recalled that incident and what it had led up to.

 

"So... if we considered this... it might imply that Odin would need this gift for something." Heron said as they can all agreed to this.

 

"I fail to see why we need to ask these questions." Freya admitted and thus Heron got down to it.

 

"Motive, with this we can start to put together what Odin is after and if it’s something that is not in Asgard we can corner them off with it." Heron said attempting to think five moves ahead. After facing Ballas Heron figured he need to always keep one hand to Odin and the other armed to counterattack.

 

"There is logic in that." Mimir said seeing where Heron was coming from.

 

"Good, then if there are any artifacts Odin is focused or fixated one then maybe we can." Heron began but just then the door slammed open catching everyone by surprise. Calliope had entered and from there she zeroed in on Kratos as she began to make her way over to him.

 

"Calliope please calm yourself." Tyr begged but Calliope was clearly angry.

 

Calliope stepped out of her Warframe before slamming her hands down on the table showing the anger in her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me!?" Calliope yelled angry with her father. Her tone was noted and if this had been Atreus Kratos would have stamped down on it, but this was Calliope the daughter he was tricked into murdering and later forced to abandon. For Kratos, he could not bring himself to scold her, but Freya could.

 

"Now calm down, what is it that Kratos didn't tell you?" Freya said as she and Mimir both came to Kratos aid.

 

"That the missing person was my half-brother?!" Calliope snapped as she glared at Freya with a look that told her to stay out of it. "One who was clearly in better health then I had been." Calliope added as she heard what her half-brother was capable of as a warrior and a young God.

 

"Lass if you calm yourself and let us explain." Mimir said mentally kicking himself for not mentioning this.

 

"Shut up head!" Calliope snapped as Mimir saw that Calliope was certainly the daughter of Kratos. "Now again why wasn't I told about him when we met?!" Calliope demanded as she wanted answers, and she wanted them now.

 

"I have no excuse." Kratos spoke as Calliope gritted her teeth her rage showing even now.

 

"Why is it that I am not surprised!?" Calliope snapped as she stepped back and walked back calling her Warframe once more on instinct alone. "In fact, I should have expected as much you would not have gone so far to find some orphan or random no named boy no it had to be a blood relative!?" Calliope ranted as Heron and Augy kept Freya from interfering but also showed they will step in if things go south. From the way they moved it was clear that Calliope needed to do this to get things off her chest without causing damages to those around her. "But of course, having a strong son is expected of the famed Spartan general." Calliope said making it clear where she was coming from. "Now he has a proper son to carry on his legacy." Calliope went off and thus Kratos drew the line.

 

"He will NOT be like me." Kratos snapped and thus all was silent for a moment.

 

"Yeah, just as you said no harm would ever come to me or mother or that you would never abandon me." Calliope countered glaring at her father who had no retort to that. "Why didn't you ever listen to mother when she told you there was a better way especially AFTER your deal with Ares?" She added holding back her rage and thus Kratos could only respond with silence. "Did you even build us a grave or did you just go straight to slaughter?" Calliope accusingly asked her father and thus Heron stepped in.

 

"That's enough Calli." Heron said with a hand on her shoulder as he looked to his fellow Tenno. Calliope glared at Heron but then growled a bit before freeing her shoulder from his grip.

 

"I'll be in Midgard to clear my head." Calliope said but Freya tried to stop her.

 

"Wait." Freya began but Heron stopped her.

 

"No let her cool off... she needs this." Heron said knowing how Calliope was. They can continue the meeting with cooler head. Tyr went to his room while everyone tried to ease the tension. Kratos meanwhile wanted to give chase, but Heron was right Calliope needed to work out towards a cooler head.

 

(Scene Break with Calliope Midgard)

 

Calliope stepped out of the doorway and into the realm of Midgard covered in the snow of Fimbulwinter noting the entire landscape was covered in several inches of snow. Despite this Calliope was not deterred by this she had seen just as much snow back on Venus and other Corpus controlled locations. Ignoring it she looked around and saw she stood before another house that stayed strong here. If the Dwarves had set this door up, then in all likely hood this place was her father and his sons home.

 

Calliope looked around for a moment before she began to circle around the house to find a training ground. Looking at it Calliope often pictured what it would have been like if she had not been so sickly if she had been stronger to learn to fight. Calliope scoffed for a moment before she returned to the front of the house not wanting to damage any training equipment in the area. It was a good thing she did because once Calliope came out, she was met with creatures rising from the snow causing Calliope to growl to this.

 

Reavers from what she knew of them after studying the local foes of these lands. Calliope smiled as she needed the excuse to release her frustrations and drew her Dharka Prime and held it at the ready. "Come on." Calliope said as she saw the excuse she needed to cool off. So, with a roar the Reavers charged at her and Calliope went on the attack. She sliced through the first few that attacked before drawing her Lex Prime and fired it off into the head of another Reaver. She then drew her Boar Prime before firing it off at a few as they got close to her position.

 

She wished she brought Valkyr Prime that way they can rage together but that would not be the case today. Calliope tore through her enemies using her magnetic power to keep killing her foes crushing their bones and whatnot. Calliope was angry she knew anger well and she needed to let off this rage before she did something extreme.

 

Unknown to her while she keep on fighting, a red energy slowly came forth from her Warframe which seem to increasing her power, she was able to cut the Hel-Walkers down with ease with her Dharka Prime and she wasn't slowing down.

 

Some tried to run away but Calliope used her Mag pull ability to draw them close to her before she rips them apart with ease, then taking her Lex Prime and fire all the bullets she had at them as their bodies drop and vanish in blue mist, before they even touch the ground.

 

She was about to take down a lot of them as it seem she took care of all of the Hel-walkers… until some appeared out of nowhere with the sound of feathers came forth was not hel-walkers but, Eingerjars?

 

While Calliope didn't know what they are, all she knew they were the enemy as they charge at her quickly, not giving her a moment to rest, but it seem she didn't' need it when she got back into the action. Her anger keep raising more red aura appears with her going ballistic on them, stabbing some through their guts and cut off their heads, none of them was staggering, as it seem they welcome the challenge Calliope was bringing to them, she keep on fighting them while they keep on coming, even more were summoned as flock of ravens keep bring more and more as soon enough, they came in huge waves at Calliope that she was overwhelmed.

 

The Eingerjars had gang up on her, jumping onto her Warframe, grabbing her arms, legs, anything and kept dog piling her, it seem they had her pin down, Calliope give out a raging cry as suddenly all the Eingerjars was suddenly thrown off of her. When things cleared up Calliope is seen outside her warframe showing off her true self, but with the red aura surrounding her instead of her warframe now.

 

She aim her amp then fired void beams at them, killing a lot of them before she void jump into some in a tackling way, with some went flying, and one was impaled by a tree branch that was on the low end of a tree, but the Eingerjars were not stopping at all.

 

They keep coming as Calliope could not control her rage anymore, these Eingerjars would not stop, and so she was resorted to one move that she knew it would be a huge drain, but it would do the trick, as she floated in the air with her arm held close to her chest, building up a large about of void energy and release a large beam while she spins around hitting all the Eingerjars that surrounded her while also destroying many tree around her, turning the entire area into ground zero.

 

Calliope soon ran out of energy as she drop down gasping a bit as that last move took a lot of out her, but to the site around her, she killed every single one with no more coming, she took this moment to take a breather before another flock of raven appeared, but instead of more Eingerjars, it was an old man with an eyepatch over his right eye.

 

Acting fast Calliope got ready to attack by summoning Mag back to her only for the old man to raise his hands in surrender. "Easy there I come in peace." The old man said as Calliope glared at the man before her. Looking at the man Calliope recalled her father’s journal that showed to the Tenno Odin and saw that the images matched more or less. "What you did there, that was impressive." the man said as Calliope circled him with a cold glare through her Warframe.

"Odin, I presume?" Calliope asked keeping her guard up and her wits about her. She knew what Odin was and knew enough to not trust a single word from his mouth.

 

"Oh, it seems you've heard of me." Odin said almost sounding smug when he said it but in that playful old man sort of way.

 

"Nothing flattering I assure you." Calliope said as she glared at the old man before her keeping a hand close to her Lex Prime. "And you have someone that doesn't belong with you." Calliope said glaring at the man ready to crush him here and now if his death would not mean Atreus would die as well.

 

"In my defense he came to me I never took him." Odin said as he looked to Calliope who glared at him. He was wary of her, and Calliope knew a snake when she saw one. "It surprised me when I saw him at my doorstep." Odin said as Calliope glared at the man before her. "But... you don't trust me." Odin said as Calliope glared on to the All-Father.

 

"Your reputation says why." Calliope said but had more to say. "Plus, I'm not overly fond of Gods." Calliope said as she had been screwed over be the Olympians one to many times for her to be a worshiper.

 

"Oh, you just haven't met any good ones yet." Odin said but then Caliope got down to it.

 

"Tell me what you want before I force Atreus's location out of you." Calliope said as she wanted to get down to it.

 

"Easy I don't want trouble." Odin said but Calliope had a good idea where the second bout of foes came from.

 

"Did you send those soldiers after me?" Calliope asked glaring at the All-Father ready to shoot him or worse.

 

"Yes, I wanted to see what you can do, and it was impressive your father must be proud." Odin said but Calliope new false flattery anywhere. Calliope was not impressed by how this man spoke. Despite displaying the persona of a helpless grandfatherly old man Calliope saw right through this bastard.

 

"So did you get all that you needed?" Calliope asked as she reached for her weapons showing she was ready for a second round of battle.

 

"I have a rough idea." Odin said as he looked to Calliope. "And I can say someone like you... could be destined for more then you thought possible." Odin said just as the Ravens began to fly in. Calliope drew her Lex Prime and proceeded to open fire on the flock that circled Odin. Calliope heard no cry of pain as she let loose her bullets on the All-Father. When the flurry vanished, she growled seeing Odin escape her. She needed to let the others know of this meeting as soon as possible.

 

(Lack Back at Sindri's house)

 

"You met Odin!?" Freya yelled after Calliope informed everyone what had happened.

 

"Lass Odin was here and you tried to shoot him?!" Mimir added as Calliope in her Operator Form was at the table where they were holding a meeting.

 

"What was he doing in Midgard?" Heron asked needing answers as to why Odin came to Calliope.

 

"He has an idea of us I don't know how or why but something is amiss." Calliope said with a mental note to speak in the terminologies she had used before appearing in the Zariman 10-0 all those centuries ago. "We should keep any further discussions of our plans at the bare minimum outside this group." Calliope said giving everyone a look showing she thinks someone may be a spy but didn't outwardly say it.

 

"Speaking of plans, do we have one?" Alexia asked as she joined the group with Momotaro and Augustia.

 

"I intend to seek out the Norns." Kratos said but Freya had objections to this.

 

"But if Atreus is in Asgard there's no getting him back without an army." Freya said but Sindri had more to add.

 

"Or a way into Asgard." Sindri said as Heron had a few ideas they could try out.

 

"I know that look you have an idea?" Alexia asked noting her brothers look.

 

"A few... none I want to say just yet not without the facts." Heron said then got down to it. "These Norns might be able to give some insight for our cause." Heron said seeing a plan in the works for them. "If nothing else we can get a better idea of what we're up against." Heron said feeling that a second opinion might be of aid to them.

 

"Yes, nothing like a catastrophic war to improve the situation." Tyr began but Heron begged to differ.

 

"War should be saved as a last resort and we're trying to avoid it, but situations change and if it comes down to it, we fight a war." Heron said to Tyr in a calm tone remembering that the God of War was a victim as Odin's torture. "If we divide what we have, we can cover more ground." Heron said and in turn they agreed.

 

"Calliope, you join Kratos and Freya to find the Norns, meanwhile we'll try to draw the Asgardians away from you by hitting their positions in Svartalfheim and Vanaheim." Heron said signaling the two realms there.

 

"Wait what?!" Calliope asked sounding like she didn't want to take part of this.

 

Ignoring Calliope's objection Heron continued to speak. "Alexia and I will head to the Dwarves hopefully give them some breathing room from Odin's grip while Taro and Augy head to Vanaheim to provide them a better chance to take on the Asgardian occupation." Heron said as the other three Tenno nodded. "Once we've all met our objections we'll regroup back here and discuss any new notes that came up." Heron said and in turn the plan was made.

 

Calliope growled looking ready to argue but seeing Heron was not having it she knew there was no point. "Dammit fine." Calliope growled as she then stormed out of the room. "I need to switch my gear." Calliope said and in turn left Kratos confused.

 

"While she does that, I'll gather what we'll need." Freya said and in turn left the area too also gather the tools needed to find the Norns. Once they were all gone Kratos made his way over to Sindri and Brok's station by the door.

 

At the same time Heron was met with Alexia who noted what Heron had done. “You paired her up with those two on purposed to get Calliope to talk to her father, didn’t you?” Alexia asked her brother who smiled at his sister.

 

“Oh, big time.” Heron said as the two went to get ready to depart with Taro and Augy.

 

"Brok Sindri." Kratos began as he looked to the pair. "I have... a request of you." Kratos said as even if his daughter was distant, he didn't want to leave things between them in hatred.

 

"Of course, what can we do?" Sindri asked ready to help his friend.

 

"I wish for a dagger for my daughter." Kratos said knowing Calliope might not have much need for it... it was sentimental to Kratos. Mostly so she had something of their homelands, so she never forgets her roots.

 

Sindri seemed to get the memo without it being said and understood. "Of course, and if it’s for her, I can add a bit of elegance to it." Sindri said as Kratos nodded in understanding.

 

"That would be... appreciated." Kratos said as he then took out the journal, he kept with him. "A Crocus Flower... she used to love them." Kratos said displaying the image to Sindri who saw the flower in question on the journal. "She is also fond of music and arts... at least I hope that she still is." Kratos said knowing a long time had passed, it would be foolish to assume Calliope had not changed in that time.

 

"I'll do what I can." Sindri said as he had the images memorized and got to work.

 

(Meanwhile outside over with Calliope)

 

Momotaro had made progress with the machine as Calliope proceeded to activate it. From the looks of things, the machine operated under the same system as the Arsenal so accessing it was no issue for the girl. Caliope then stepped out of her Warframe and began to work with the machine to set herself up. Making her selection Calliope opted to use Ivara Prime for her Warframe with the Baza Prime assault rifle, and the AkSomati Prime for her sidearms. She finished it off with a Helios Prime and a Reaper Prime to bring it all together.

Calliope recalled the culture shock she experienced; she came from a time of swords and bows the concept of a Gun was foreign to her. But it was still a weapon and for a Spartan a weapon was like their religion. So, with that in mind Calliope had learned to adapt. She then began the system diagnostic and saw that everything was in operating parameters. After taking a physical walk to make sure all was green Calliope was ready for the journey.

 

Ivara Prime and her Artemis Bow would help Calliope due to each Arrows having different powers she could use. More so versatility and adaptation would benefit her in these new lands. Just then the doors opened again and from it Calliope saw Kratos and Freya exiting it. "Calliope." Kratos asked in his greeting for a moment not recognizing Ivara Prime.

 

"Yeah, its me." Calliope said her response curt and short.

 

"Come." Kratos said and thus the trio began to depart with Mimir still tied to Kratos' belt. With their destination set the group entered through the door and began the journey to Midgard to locate the Norns, the fates of these lands.

 

(TBC)

Chapter 3: Calliope Ghost of the Void

(Start Midgard The Norn Search)

 

The trio (Quartet counting Mimir) entered Midgard and were once more in front of Kratos's house. It didn't take Calliope long to figure out this was in fact her father and his bastard's home. A hope that hasn't a single stitch of her in it a dead sickly girl has no place in the life of a Spartan and his strong healthy son. Calliope kept it to herself as they entered the frozen lands of Midgard.

"We should take your sled and head to the lake." Freya said as they made their way to the house closer to the kennels. "Though I'm not sure if it can fit all of us." Freya added but Calliope already had an idea for that.

 

"I'll make do." Calliope said with a curt tone while inwardly grateful for her Archwing and her K-Drive to get her where she needs to go.

 

"Midgard how I missed the freezing gusts of wind and the constant raider attacks." Mimir said as his tone showed he was joking on this matter.

 

"That's because they think Kratos is responsible for Fimbulwinter and that killing him will end it." Freya said as this surprised Mimir.

 

"Where would they get an idea like that?" Mimir asked shocked that the Raiders would go so far to end Fimbulwinter.

 

"From me of course." Freya said admitting to that deed.

 

"Of course." Mimir said almost forgetting that Freya had been their enemy after the incident with Baldur.

 

"Your first mistake was probably sending random bandits against a Spartan Warrior; your second mistake was likely not tricking better help." Calliope said as she walked passed them to the kennels where she suspected the sled was located.

 

Freya looked ready to respond but Kratos stopped her and upon seeing the look in his eyes she knew what Kratos felt. Freya had to remind herself that Calliope despite her rude tones was hurting deeply and Kratos was bearing the brunt of it for her sake. One can only imagine the feeling of dying by your own fathers hand only to be reunited with him and then left behind by him. Freya still wanted the story for that, but she kept it to herself out of respect for Kratos.

 

"Come." Kratos ordered and from there the two wolves stepped out of their houses so Kratos can hook them up. Calliope was reminded of her Kubrows, Hemlith charger, and her Predesites, and Kavat back in her Orbiter. Calliope loved her pets and while she had some issues, she would never abandon them even during a mission. Sentimental feelings aside they stuck by her, and their loyalty earned them to no one gets left behind badge.

 

As Kratos hooked the Wolves to the sled Calliope circled around the scene until they started growling. Calliope reached for her weapon until she noted that they were not growling at her but at Freya. Kratos also saw this and was quick to correct the wolves. "Quiet! She is a friend now." Kratos said assuring the wolves Freya could be trusted.

 

"Better they get this from you." Freya said throwing to Kratos the threads of the Norns. "Once the wolves have the scent of the Norns, we'll just need to follow their lead." Freya said as Calliope saw this.

 

"So similar to a capture mission but rural and low tech." Calliope said as this was the old fashion way of hunting.

 

Kratos grunted in confirmation as he had the wolves sniff the thread so they can begin the search. "I will open the gate." Kratos said and thus the group got ready to head out with Kratos opening the gate. But before he did so Wolves began to wine as Freya noticed something wrong.

 

"Stop whining." Kratos ordered but Freya saw the problem.

 

"Their fur is matted, when was the last time you brushed them?" Freya asked in an almost scolding manner.

 

"They are wolves." Kratos said but then Calliope cut in with her own two cents.

 

"Father if their fur remains matted, they'll get sick. Trust me you treat your wolves right and they will treat you right like mauling an enemy while your pinned down." Calliope said recalling how her oldest Kubrow had saved her when she had been pinned down by a Grineer brawler.

 

"Experience?" Freya asked noting how Calliope spoke.

 

"I have a ship of pets trust me I know this." Calliope said as she always preferred the more natural companions in comparison to drones and whatnot. "Here." Calliope said giving her father and Freya earpieces to use.

 

"What are these?" Kratos asked never once seeing such a device.

 

"Communication links put them in your ear press and hold the small plate on it and speak when your done take your finger off it." Calliope said as she demonstrated how it was used. Freya was the first to figure it out and began to speak.

 

"Hello?" Freya asked finding the device very strange.

 

"It works." Calliope said as both Freya and Kratos heard Calliope directly into their ear instead of her Warframe. "We can use these to stay in contact with each other while we begin the search." Calliope said and in turn she activated her gear wheel before selecting her K-Drive. The two Gods were once more surprised by the metal floating device as Calliope hopped onto it with her Warframe. "You two lead I'll follow." Calliope said making a mental reminder to keep to their speed.

 

Nodding Freya boarded the sled while Kratos got on the back and took the reins for the Wolves. Calliope let them go first and soon zoomed off after them as she rode behind them. Calliope followed keeping close distant with them but far enough so she would not be brought into a conversation with her father. She didn't want to talk to him she didn't want to discuss her issues with him and for several reasons. None of which Calliope will say aloud or even think of to herself. They had a mission after all and if these Norns can help them complete it so be it.

 

Of course, her thoughts were interrupted by her father in her ears. "Calliope." Kratos began which nearly got her off course, but she kept close.

 

"I read you... father." Calliope said seeing her father was a quick study.

 

"Do you know how to hunt?" Kratos asked as Calliope rode close to the sled.

 

"I normally go for non-lethal hunts conservation for endangered species, but I can hunt to kill as well." Calliope calmly said suspecting there was a reason for this. "I suspect we will likely have to camp for the night." Calliope said which Kratos grunted a confirmation to his daughter. "Understood." Calliope said in a curt tone and ended the call. She clenched her fist a bit while she rode her K-Drive why was it that every time she tries to put the past behind her it creeps its head out. Oh, how she wished she could just leave it all behind, but the memories remain with her regardless.

 

How much blood is on her hands innocent and guilty alike. Calliope toppled an empire with the other Tenno and for a moment she thought they would become the new Gods of the Origin System the new Golden Lords. But the Tenno rejected it and chose to sleep eternally more. The memories the pain it had all be so painful oh so painful. Sleep became their escape and thus slept they did peaceful sleep to never awaken again. But the Origin System needed the Tenno and thus the Lotus made the difficult choice to awaken them all. Yes, Calliope was willing to fight but she had her rage so much rage even now it burns under her skin. She needed to focus, and she intended to keep her focus on the task at hand.

 

(Meanwhile over on the Sled)

 

Kratos continued to drive the sled as Freya rose and Mimir was hanging on Kratos belt. "So, brother, shall we discuss the elephant in the room?" Mimir offered as he knew that things had been tensed after Calliope was found and even more so when she learned of Atreus.

 

"Preferably while she's not listening in." Freya added knowing where this conversation was going and feels it's one that is needed to be had.

 

"There is nothing to speak of on the matter." Kratos said as he sounded solemn in his words. "Her anger against me is justified I would not take that away from her." Kratos said seemingly accepting that his daughter despised him.

 

"You may feel that way brother, but you and I know she isn't just angry, she's hurting." Mimir said knowing that Calliope was more like her father then she cared to admit. "She may not be willing to admit it, but the hurt is deeply rooted." Mimir added giving Kratos his pearls of wisdom.

 

"If your fear stems from the day Ares tricked you." Freya began but then noticed Kratos' was not responding to that. It didn't take her long to figure out that this went deeper than that. "The day she died is not what you’re thinking about... is it." Freya said realizing what this was as did Mimir.

 

"Yes." Kratos responded with a grunt as they made their way to the Lake of Nine.

 

"You need not speak of it brother." Mimir said recognizing the pain Kratos was feeling. "I'm just concerned that you may lose your chance to reconnect with her before your prophesized demise." Mimir said worried for his friend while also hoping to change the subject for his sake.

 

"You never mentioned you had a death prophesy over you." Freya said as while she agreed it was probably best to change the subject for a bit, she was also surprised to learn that Kratos Had a doom prophesy over his head.

 

"When Atreus and I reached Jotunheim we found a hidden mural." Kratos began as he told the tale to Freya. "The Giants, Faye herself, had foreseen our entire journey long ago. Who we would meet, who we would fight. All of it, as it happened." Kratos said as Freya noted one piece missing here.

 

"But you aren't dead." Freya said even if she did not know of the times Kratos had bested death in his homeland.

 

"That is from a time yet to come." Kratos admitted which put the pieces together.

 

"I see. You never struck me as someone who fears death." Freya said but as Kratos went quiet it was clear her assumption was incorrect. "That's not the problem, is it." Freya said after the realization hit her.

 

"No. Death can have me when it earns me." Kratos said showing that he accepts that his time will come.

 

"Then maybe it’s not the future that bothers you." Freya said as it all made sense to her now. "Faye sent you on your journey and made sure you'd see that image at the end of it. And your still not sure why." Freya said as she saw what was going on here.

 

"I wish to speak of this no further." Kratos said but Mimir begged to differ.

 

"Brother, I respect your desire to avoid this but if this prophesized end is to come, would it not benefit you in some way to try and repair the damages between you and young lass?" Mimir asked offering words of encouragement to Kratos.

 

"Calliope... her anger against me is justified." Kratos admitted showing that he accepted her rage against him for it was earned. "I would not take that away from her." Kratos said feeling unworthy to call himself Calliope's father. "For her centuries had passed and while her form remains that of a child... I recognized the passing of ages in her eyes." Kratos admitted knowing that Calliope had held on to that rage for so long. "If her anger against me is what she needs I would not take that from her." Kratos said but then Freya stepped in on this line of thought.

 

"Kratos... I know I might be the last person to tell you this... but you can't let her go on with this rage." Freya said recalling her own son. "Otherwise... she might share Baldur's fate or yours." Freya said as this caused Kratos to pause as they knew what happened. Calliope could become another Ghost of Sparta seeking revenge against everything and everyone who wronged her. Or she could become Baldur a feral God who had to be put down like a mad dog. Both aspects terrified Kratos because the second one... he feared if Baldur's fate became Calliope's fate, then rage would consume Kratos once again. Kratos had much to consider, and he feared he had little time to do so.

 

Just then Calliope's instruments detected something and thus she zoomed ahead. "Freya, Father stop!" Calliope called out and thus Kratos acted and pulled on the reigns of the slay. "We have company!" Calliope said while getting off of her K-Drive.

 

From the ice and snow the group saw more Reavers had arrived likely seeking to kill Kratos to end Ragnarök. Kratos looked ready to fight but Calliope through Ivara Prime stopped him by raising her hand. Thank goodness for the Warframe's translation function and Calliope taking time to learn other languages.

 

"I'm going to give you all the chance to walk away." Calliope said making it clear she was giving them a chance. These were not the Grineer or the Corpus and thus Calliope acted as a mediator for this. "If you do that, we can all go about our lives with no issue... but if you choose to fight... then I assure you that your all going to die." Calliope said making it clear that this was their chance, walk away and live or stay and die.

 

The Reavers saw the gold on her warframes armor and instead of backing off the leader roared and attacked. Calliope saw this and thus she drew a pair of twin daggers, the Fang Prime, and cut up the side of the attacker but before he could scream, she stabbed his head without wasting a second. The other Reavers moved in but instead Calliope drew her Baza Prime and opened fire on them. The Reavers were shocked by the projectile weapon killing them off with ease, so they scattered hoping to flank the Tenno.

 

Calliope saw this and proceeded to draw her AkSomati Prime and spread the two guns to either side and fired them off. The bullets hit the Reavers as they were yelling in pain and panic from this. Calliope glared at her foes not giving either Freya or Kratos the chance to step in as she slaughtered them all. Calliope was ruthless and for Kratos this was not something he wanted to see in his daughter. Eventually only one Reaver was left and in his terror, he wanted to flee and even tried. The Key word was that he tried but Calliope was already on him like a monster from a blood soaked past.

 

"No stop stay away!" The last reaver cried out as Calliope began to approach him. Just as he was about to run Calliope drew her side arms again and proceeded to shoot the man's left leg riddling it with bullet wounds. He cried out in pain never feeling such pain before as he fell to the ground.

 

"I gave you a chance to walk away." Calliope said making it clear that she doesn't give second chances to leave a fight.

 

"Please mercy I swear I won't cause you any discourse just don't kill me please!" He begged only for Calliope to grab the man by the neck choking him as she lifted him up

 

"I don't think so." She said ready to kill him with Fang Prime only for Kratos to step in.

 

"Calliope stop!" Kratos called out and grabbed the arm holding the man's neck forcing her to release him.

 

"What are you doing?!" Calliope demanded as she glared at her father.

 

"He is beaten and has surrendered let him be." Kratos said stopping Calliope from trying to kill the man who was already beaten.

 

"So that he can walk away and gather more of his ilk?!" Calliope demanded glaring at her father on this. "I'm stopping him from becoming a threat later on!" She went on but Kratos begged to differ. "Sparing him is not the Spartan way!" She went on but Kratos then looked sadly to his daughter.

 

"Yes, but you were about murder a defenseless and defeated opponent.” Kratos said as he hoped the kindness in his daughter was still there. “Such actions is not your way." Kratos said but Calliope clenched her fist like she wanted to punch her father.

 

"Sorry father... but where I've been mercy has caused me nothing but pain." She said before she stormed off leaving the man to whatever fate he had. As Kratos watched on sadly Calliope refused to look at her father. Both Spartans realized that the other had changed making them feel as though they weren't talking to the same people anymore.

 

"Freya... can you heal this man?" Kratos asked as he looked to Freya.

 

"Yes." Freya said as it was clear that Kratos would spare this man if for no other reason than to set an example for Calliope. But that rage she has that was from centuries of trauma starting back with that fateful battle in Greece.

 

(Meanwhile back over in Asgard)

 

Odin was in his basement as he was studying the mask pieces that Atreus had brought to him. The mask that would allow anyone who wears it to see into the tear the tear that came to be when Odin had killed Ymir. The Boundless knowledge that was just waiting for him the answers to stop Ragnarök and secure his kingdom.

 

Odin had a book in hand researching what he had found thus far and comparing it to what he now knew of the mask. The Crack that only the mask can reveal the truth of it. He was so close but with Ragnarök right around the corner he could not risk any mistakes. Already his gambles thus far had revealed to him a new foe or perhaps a new tool. These Tenno were formidable he had already seen some of them in action and seen how Kratos spoke of his revived daughter. However, he knew the story of the Greek Pantheon and how Kratos had slaughtered them all during his rampage across Greece. And it all happened because Ares saw fit to trick Kratos into murdering his first wife and only daughter at the time.

 

Odin would prefer to avoid that bit of nasty business because if Kratos returns to that form... even Thor might not be enough to handle that. But these Tenno... they have a power he can compare to that from the Rift maybe even Ymir himself. If Odin could just turn them convince them to help him then maybe, he could...

 

"Rap... tap... tap."

 

Odin stopped when he heard that. "What?" Odin asked as he was confused by the sound.

 

"Rap... Tap... Tap." The sound echoed as Odin tried to look around for the source of it.

 

"Whose there?" Odin asked looking around for a moment. "Show yourself." Odin said only to be surprised when the sound went on not as a literal rap on wood. Looking he saw someone was on his chair leaning to the side and rapping his knuckle on the wood. "Whoever you are I suggest you leave before." Odin began but then the figure turned revealing not an intruder but Odin himself.

 

"No, I go where I please little Oddy." The Odin look alike said using a name that only one person had called him. The last person to refer to him with that name was his mother, Bestla, daughter of Ymir. the figure stood up and walked towards Odin as he reached for his weapon. But instead, the figure walked past the rift and soon the form changed from that of Odin to his brother Vili. "And trust me Odin we have a LOT to talk about starting with you offing my little pet project Ymir." The entity said as it looked to Odin with empty eyes filled with only Indifference as it gave off an energy just like the Rift and just like that of the Tenno. Needless to say, Odin may have found an ally... or a new enemy.

 

(Scene Break back in Midgard)

 

Night had fallen as the trio of travelers had set up camp for the night. They managed to find a cave and from there got a fire started. Calliope had stepped out of Ivara Prime to let the Warframe rest. It stood still and tall waiting for Calliope to use Transference on it. She was doing a system check on her Warframe using a device that displayed holographic images of it.

 

Freya was keeping the fire burning while Kratos saw his daughter had isolated herself. Unsure on how to approach this he did it the only way he could blunt and to the point. "Calliope." Kratos began as he looked to his daughter, but she refused to look at him while she did a maintenance check.

 

"Ammo restoration will take time; I need to use my guns sparingly going forward." Calliope said as she seemed to ignore her father. "Mods are operating at peak efficiency ready for the next battle." She went on but Kratos grunted to this.

 

"Child." Kratos spoke raising his voice and put a hand on her shoulder. But when he did Calliope looked like she was about to fight but then he noticed something in her ears. Calliope took it out and thus revealed she was listening to something.

 

"Father what is it?" Calliope asked as Kratos had to ask his daughter about these devices she utilizes.

 

"We must talk." Kratos said as Calliope then turned away to keep working.

 

"No, I get it." Calliope said her tone neutral and almost cold. "Atreus, my younger brother and the healthy child the one who is to carry on your legacy even if Sparta is no more." Calliope said as she kept working on her Warframe and equipment. "It’s Spartan culture the strongest son will inherit his father’s legacy while the daughters will be married off as soon as possible." Calliope said her voice showing a certain bitterness in them. "More so if the daughter was as sickly as I used to be." She said sounding like she was accepting her place in her father’s life.

 

"Atreus did not start his life in perfect health." Kratos suddenly said getting Calliope's attention. "He was sick much as you were, but his sickness was not like yours." Kratos admitted as he looked to his daughter. "His sickness was because of me." Kratos said as Calliope raised a brow and turned to face her father.

 

"How?" Calliope asked as she did not believe it.

 

"Mimir described it as a conflict of the mind expressing itself as an ailment of the body." Kratos said as he sounded guilty of it. "I had hidden his divine nature and had been absent... I did not wish for him to be raised as a Spartan would." Kratos said knowing the difficult life a Spartan lead. "But... I sense that is not all that angers you." Kratos said as he had a good idea on what it was.

 

"I don't want to talk about it." Calliope said as she then finished her tasks.

 

"I understand... but that man you brutalized..." Kratos began as he then sighed to this. "Times have changed and its rage such as the one you display that causes nothing but destruction." Kratos said as for that brief time he saw his past in Calliope the Ghost of Sparta. "And we must be better." Kratos said but Calliope then laughed bitterly to this.

 

"I wish I could say that your right and I wish I can say that your wrong." Calliope said recalling the destruction of the Orokin. Unlike the other Tenno she can remember it all in vivid detail. She didn't care why she slaughtered them only that they got what they deserved in the end. "But... this rage doesn't go away and I'm just so angry." Calliope said as she held her emotions back.

 

"Your anger is yours and your anger against me... is justified." Kratos said as he looked guilty knowing why she was angry at him. "I will not ask for your forgiveness, but I will ask that you do not allow that rage to consume you as it had once consumed me." Kratos said not wanting his daughter to become a second Ghost of Sparta.

 

"Father... I appreciate it... but those words are too late to be used for me." Calliope said as her tone showed she did something to rival the Ghost of Sparta already and at the same time... she did not wish to speak of it. Kratos saw this and the pain that came from it... whatever his daughter did, whatever rampage she took part in... it had left its scars.

 

(TBC)

Chapter 4: The Cold and Warm Journey's

(Start Sindri’s house  the Yggdrasil)

 

Not long after Calliope had departed with Kratos and Freya the next team got ready to depart. Sindri had managed to provide each of them with Seeds of the World Tree to allow for the Tenno to travel between the realms. Each of them were, dressed in cloaks as they got ready to depart. "We each know our mission head to the designated realms and aid in pushing back the Aesir." Heron said as he had Excalibur Umbra ready.

 

"Yeah, I got the memo find Freyr's poor excuse of a Vanir army, join up with them, and help them kick Aesir ass." Taro said as he had Volt equipped should they bump into Thor by some chance.

 

"Provide them with assistance and tactical advantages." Augustina said as she rolled her shoulders a bit ready to move. "Meanwhile you and Alexia head to Dwarf world and see how you can get to Asgard from there." She added though the later part was a bit hushed on that one.

 

"Exactly." Alexia said before she then looked to her brother.

 

"Time to go, Taro, Augy you two go first." Heron said and thus Taro smirked only to find his Yggdrasil seed was missing. He then looked and saw Augy holding two with a smirk as she used her own to open the way to Vanaheim. Once the door was ready the two Tenno vanished into it and once gone Alexia looked to her brother.

 

"I don't trust Tyr." Alexia messaged to her brother through the mental link. "Something about his mind seems... off." Alexia added as she felt that Tyr was not who he said he was. "And after Calliope lashed out after a talk with him..." Alexia trailed off and thus Heron nodded to this.

 

"Hopefully, we can trust the Dwarves to keep an ear out." Heron said as he wanted to use listening devices, but it might give them away if they are discovered. "Stick to using Nyx when around him, something in his mind might give us a clue to his true intentions." Heron said following the old saying, offer one hand in piece but arm the other. "Come on." Heron said this time verbally instead of mentally and in turn using the Yggdrasil Seed the twins departed for another realm. During this Tyr watched from the window silently observing them as they left.

 

(Later the Svartalfheim Realm Door)

 

Heron and Alexia walked out of the door wearing their cloaks and found themselves in the wetlands. Looking around they saw that they were a few miles off from the capital city. “Looks like we’re a bit away from our mark.” Alexia said noting they may need to use the boat by the shore, the one Kratos normally used.

 

“If we use the boat, it might not be here should Kratos find himself coming this way.” Heron said as he looked to the small rowboat. “But if we use our gear, we might cause a scene.” Heron added as he rather keep their arrival quiet if able.

 

“We can use our operator forms to impersonate dwarves.” Alexia offered but that sounded a bit on the risky side for them.

 

“Maybe but where we are going it might not help much.” Heron said as he had more to say. “Plus, according to Sindri Durlin is our point of contact here.” Heron said as he had an idea that might get them into Asgard if they play it right. “If my hunch is right, he might know a way for us to get into Asgard without being detected.” Heron said as he had an idea on how they can enter Asgard without rousing the alert of the Aesir.

 

“You’re the boss here.” Alexia said and thus they looked to the Rowboat.

 

“We’ll use the rowboat.” Heron decided and thus Alexia smirked, and they got moving to free the boat.

 

(Later The Dwarven City Niðavellir)

 

The two Tenno arrived at the city as Heron had a hood over his Warframe’s head head while Alexia opted for a straw hat. It made them look a tad bit suspicious, but they kept their heads down for the most part. They kept their hands close to their weapons, but all the while avoided causing any scenes here. The Tenno were calm as they were careful with Heron rowing the boat towards their destination.

 

“According to the reports these people are mistrustful and fearful of outsiders.” Alexia said as she saw the state of the city. “Seems the people are already hiding inside.” Alexia added as Heron nodded to this scene.

 

“Good it might help us stay under the radar.” Heron said as they began their search for Durlin. “Any signs of Durlin?” Heron asked his sister who was using Nyx’s mental powers to probe the nearby minds for Durlin’s location.

 

“The probes suggest he’s at the safety office.” Alexia said as she looked to wards her brother for that. “Lucky for us we have an accurate map of the place.” Alexia said and with a nod the Tenno rowed on to the safety office to meet with Durlin. Hopefully, this Dwarf will be willing to talk to the Tenno and help them out with reaching Asgard.

 

“Good.” Heron said but then the two Tenno stopped as something got their attention. Looking towards each other it was clear that there were enemies in the area. The Tenno prepared themselves wanting to keep any ranged weapons and abilities to themselves.

 

The wind blew gently as the two Tenno got ready for the fight. Glancing around Alexia flexed her hands as Heron reached for his Skiajiti Nikana. Soon enough they were ready and when Heron pushed his sword out of its sheath with his thumb the fight began.

 

Emerging from their hiding spots were monsters local to this realm. They went after Heron and Alexia, but Heron was fast as he sliced through one of the monsters with his blade. He then did the same with the next few, one by one these creature fell to his blade as he ran past them. Once he was on the other side, he slowly began to sheath his Nikana. Once the hilt met the sheath the monsters, he sliced through fell apart cleaved in two.

 

At the same time Alexia jumped back and threw forth her Hikou Prime Shuriken before she landed nearby. She was not done as she then proceeded to draw her Dakra Prime. Slicing through the foes she moved quickly and elegantly all without losing her straw hat or cloak. Once that was done, she glared at her foes but was far from done with these enemies.

 

The fight was over as soon as it began as the Tenno moved with a grace and efficiency that there was a beauty to it. Many travelers would compare the style to once found in lands far to the East. Clearly someone did not want them here or more the that the Aesir might be aware of the Tenno’s presence. This meant they will have to exercise caution as they proceeded with their own mission.

 

(Later at the Safety Office)

 

The Trip to the Safety Office was a relatively short one no small part thanks to being alerted of the map prior. However, the most noticeable that they found the place was the fact that the Safety Office seemed like anything but a safety office on account of the hanging sign and other hazards.

 

Entering the office, the Tenno looked around a bit trying to find their contact. “We’re looking for a dwarf named Durlin.” Heron called as they looked around the darkened room. “We were told that he might be of some help to us.” Heron said as the office seemed empty until they saw someone reading a book with his feet plopped on the table.

 

“I just keep getting bothered these days.” The Dwarf said as the Tenno approached him. “Do you have an appointment?” He asked as the Tenno soon stood before his desk.

 

“No but we’re told he might be of aid to us, particularly in getting into places that are difficult to reach.” Heron said and thus Durlin closed his book and saw the Tenno as Heron moved the hood enough to show Umbra as Alexia did the same with her straw hat and Nyx.

“Well, aren’t you a pair of oddballs.” He said looking at the pair. “I can understand why the hoods and hats.” He said a bit rude, but the Tenno ignored him for now.

 

“We’re looking for a young man, red hair, use to travel with a pale skinned man with a red tattoo.” Alexia said as she looked to Durlin. “You were the last one to see him.” She said as Durlin grumbled a bit.

 

“I saw him he still need to pay a fine.” He said making it clear he wasn’t talking. But then Durlin felt a poke in his head and in turn Alexia looked to him.

 

“Just as we suspected the boy is in Asgard.” Alexia said turning to Heron surprising Durlin.

 

“We’ll be happy to pay the fine on his behalf.” Heron said gesturing with a shush gesture and then pointed to his head. “It would be foolish to not pay what you owe.” Heron said before Alexia spoke.

 

“Durlin do not panic and act natural.” Alexia projected into a shocked Durlin’s mind. “Don’t speak aloud think and we’ll hear.” Alexia said as Durling realized Alexia was some kind of mind speaker. “You saw Atreus the son of Faye with Odin, correct?” Alexia asked as she looked to Durlin.

 

“Yeah, the fine is a substantial one.” Durlin said but then tested what Alexia said. “Yeah, little fuck was following him around the last time he was here.” Durlin responded mentally as Alexia nodded.

 

“How much is the fine?” Heron asked taking a pouch of the local currency to pay for the fine. “We need to reach Asgard do you know of a method to get there?” Heron asked through Alexia.

 

“Not sure you can pay it, it’s a bit overdue.” Durlin said but his mind spoke otherwise. “No why are you so focused on that shit?” Durlin asked through his thoughts.

 

“Let us worry about that.” Alexia said as she meant it both verbally and mentally.

 

“What about the tributes and trade sent to Asgard from this realm?” Heron asked mentally as he put the currency on the table to pay the fine. “Is it possible to sneak into Asgard through that?” Heron asked as Durlin thought about it.

 

“You’d have to be a fucking fool to even try it.” Durlin thought and thus Heron saw a way into Asgard.

 

“This should cover our friends fine.” Heron said as he looked to Durlin. “We hope he had not caused you any trouble we’re looking forward to seeing him again soon.” Heron said as the message was clear. ‘Thank you for finding us a way in.’

 

Durlin thought they were crazy but none the less made sure he wasn’t being watched. “Well now that your fine is sorted here is the invoice proof of payment and whatnot.” Durlin said as he and his pet, Dinner, wrote up the scroll.

 

‘Your both crazy but if actually plan to do this keep us out of it.’ Durlin mentally said as he got down to it. ‘Here is when the next trade will arrive your timing is on the nose.’ He added and thus gave the duo the parchment. With a nod the two Tenno bid their farewells to Durlin.

 

(Later outside of the office)

 

Heron and Alexia arrived outside with Alexia pulling out the parchment in question. “So that’s the plan.” Alexia said as she looked to her brother. “You’re going to sneak into Asgard through their trade goods.” Alexia said as she made sure no one was listening in.

 

“Yeah, these people are primitive so going through there will not be hard.” Heron said as he looked to his sister.

 

“Look at this.” Alexia said as she saw a note on the parchment. “Watch out for Heimdall.” Alexia said as she recalled that name. “I think Mimir may have mentioned him, apparently he has a power similar to Nyx, but it only takes not projects.” Alexia said having taken the time to read up on the Aesir.

 

“It will probably be smarter for me to go this alone then.” Heron said as he knew that with Umbra all Heimdall will see is the day Umbra killed his son over and over again. While he hated having to use Umbra’s trauma like that it was their best way to enter Asgard.

 

“Need me to cause a distraction?” Alexia asked as she looked to Heron.

 

“No none at all.” Heron responded and thus the two headed out to where the trade goods would be exchanged.

 

(Scene Break Calliope Norn Search)

 

Nightmares were something Calliope had long since grown accustomed too. She actually preferred them over her pleasant dreams because of the reality she wakes up to every morning. The more painful her nightmare the better. Her pleasant dreams were always memories of her more peaceful life before that fateful day. Some of her nightmares was of her death... other nightmares was of the slaughter of the Orokin Empire. As long as the dreams hurt, she can better deal with the reality beyond it.

 

This night her nightmares would not come... or so she thought. She was young again innocent and naive to the world. She rode on the shoulders of her father as he hoisted her up the two of them laughing together. It was summer and from the looks of her dream and her father had just returned from war. She was happy back then smiling never knowing the hell that was war. Oh, how she so wished to return to those days when she was just a girl with her only concern being when her father would return from war, the lessons her mother taught her to prepare Calliope for when she would be wedded and overseeing the household and playing her flute for her father whenever he returns.

They would go to the hilltop where they could watch the sunset together all while Calliope was playing her flute. She missed those days she missed Greece and her only connection to it was her flute, her Warframe Styanax, and... her mother's pendant. Her mother... Lysandra her father’s first wife the one he had murdered alongside her. With those thoughts the dreams changed and soon Calliope saw it... Sparta was burning and rampaging upon it was Zeus. Calliope saw her father was gone but the fire surrounded her when she saw a shadow approach her.

 

She knew this shadow for she knew the blades it wielded, the Blades of Chaos. Calliope was wide eyed and soon with a roar Calliope screamed knowing the blades would pierce her flesh ending her again. However instead Calliope awoken and from there she shot up and grasped at her chest. Looking about she saw that her father was not here likely having taken watch for the evening. Calliope seeing this sighed and proceeded to remove the top of her Transference Suit. There it was haunting her even to this day, the scar of the blades. The Man in the Wall had a cruel sense of humor as while the scarring was that of Void Energy Calliope knew it was made as a reminder of the Blades of Chaos.

 

"Ah lass good to see you up." Mimir was heard causing Calliope to jump and cover her chest and scars. It seems Mimir was placed on a rock as the head was close to the fire. "If you're worried that I saw anything I assure you I have enough respect to look away." Mimir said as Calliope grunted and fixed her Transference Suit. "I must ask for such a thin outfit it seems unreliable in this climate." Mimir said noting the outfit and its odd materials. He had seen many fine silks in his time but nothing like this.

 

"It’s designed to regulate my body temperature however in cold climates such as this its advices I remain in my Warframe or find shelter as soon as possible." Calliope said almost robotically having been told about the suit enough times to remember its functions by heart.

 

"I see." Mimir said and while he is the smartest head alive science was regrettably amongst the gabs in his knowledge.

 

Just then Calliope stood up and for a moment was still before she tipped over and hit the ground. However, the minute her hands touched the ground she proceeded to begin push up likely to try and get her mind ready for the day as well as her body. "Where is father?" Calliope suddenly asked as she performed her morning workout.

 

"He went off to prepare the Slay and Freya went to gather any medicinal herbs in the area." Mimir said reporting on where they were. "Worried for your father I see." Mimir said but was ignored as Calliope focused on her work out. "Little sister I know your struggles with your father run deep... but he does regret what had happened all those centuries ago." Mimir said as Calliope saw Mimir was trying to help. "But you have to understand that." He began but Calliope cut him off.

 

"That he didn't have a choice had he remained in Elysium Persephone would have destroyed the world with Atlas." Calliope said knowing the story. She knew what happened, but her anger went far beyond one incident. "Hades was the last God who ruled over the underworld killing him affected the entirety of the underworld Tartarus and Elysium included." Calliope said as she then finished her work out. "Yet he didn't care, all he cared about was killing those who wronged him." Calliope went on as she rolled over and sat up. "I can forgive the revenge against Ares but the rest of them..." Calliope began recalling how the Gods death had destroyed Greece. "And now when I can finally fight like a Spartan it’s still not good enough... I'm still not good enough." Calliope said as it was clear even to Mimir Calliope wasn't an orphan child she was an abandoned child and the guilt Kratos felt was because of this.

 

Just then Calliope grunted to banish the thoughts of her grief before looked out to the snow. Outside she saw day light and with it he saw his father had arrived with Freya in tow and by the looks of it they were awake for a bit. "The slay is ready." Kratos said blunt and to the point so without further delay Calliope summoned her Warframe and was ready to move out. Kratos walked over to Mimir and picked up the head before he strapped him to his belt.

 

"Let's go." Calliope said ready to depart once more to continue the search for the Norn’s. The sooner they find the Norn’s the sooner Calliope can focus on the main focus, the Aesir.

 

(Scene Break Asgard the Lodge)

 

(Scene Break Asgard the Lodge)

 

Thrud Thorsdóttir was a young Goddess with dreams and ambitions of her own. Nothing overly grand but ever since she was a child, she always adored the Valkyries wanting to become one of them. Serve the All Father and keep order within the nine realms. However, her childhood wasn’t always good, her brothers were monsters in their own right but that was because of how they were raised and for a time Thrud had also endured that pain.

 

However, it took losing her brothers for her mother and father to sober up. It was a strange adjustment her mother, Sif had managed but her father, Thor he still struggled with sobriety. At the moment Thrud was in the training yard practicing with her twin sword while her new friend Loki was helping the all father with whatever research he was doing. Her mother Sif was off handling the parchment work for Asgard while her father… well it was hard to figure out where he was sometimes. However, she kept her eyes open in the event her father starts to dip back into the mead.

 

A fresh shipment of trade was coming in from Svartalfheim likely more equipment for the Einherjar. Asgard needs to be protected and those soldiers were their defense even if they were not the brightest of troops. However, she was bored training was done for the day and her new friend Loki was studying the mask for the All Father. Maybe grandfather might have something for her to do. So, rising from her bed last child of Thor stretched a bit before she began to descend the stairs.

Heading to his study Thrud hoped that maybe the All Father might have something for her to do. If not... well, she could spend time with her father make sure he doesn't start drinking again. Her mother had benefited at being sober, but her father still struggled with it. However, creaking open the door Thrud heard her grandfather talking to... someone?

 

"You made those things, the Tenno?" Odin was heard much to Thrud's surprise. Who, was Odin talking to? "I see, a deal struck twice over and the Tenno you made the deal with went back on it." Odin said as if responding to someone. "No, I'm not trying to trick you honest." Odin said as that caught Thrud's attention.

 

"Trick?" Thrud whispered when she heard this.

 

"Look I know what I did to Ymir did not tickle your fancy, but I had to do it." Odin said as Thrud was finding herself as an unwitting voyeur to what sounded like madness. "Wait you don't care for that?" Odin asked as if to surprised. "So why approach me and stop calling me Little Oddy." Odin said as he hated that nickname when his brothers had used it and tolerated it when his own mother had used it. "Wait a way to turn them?" Odin asked shocked by this despite not talking to anyone. "I see there are a few young gods and goddesses that might strike their fancy." Odin mused as that got Thrud worried as well. "Well, I think we can work..." Odin began but then stopped for some reason. "Where did he go?" Odin asked aloud as if the person he was speaking to had vanished.

 

After hearing this Thrud quietly closed the door with great concern on her mind. Leaving the room Thrud was worried, had her grandfather started to lose his mind or was he going senile. Was Odin going to assimilate another group of Gods into the Aesir or was something else going on? Whatever it was, Thrud was sure her grandfather had a good reason for it... but who was he talking to, she didn't hear anyone else down there.

 

(Later that day with Odin)

 

Odin had just gotten finished speaking with this entity of Indifference. This Man in the Wall who had taken different forms the entire conversation. Taken his brothers forms, the form of Tyr, Odin's mother, and even Odin's form himself. The last one annoyed Odin especially when it kept calling him little Oddy. However, it came from the Rift... no, maybe it came from beyond it assuming it can be trusted when it claimed to have created Ymir.

 

"The Tenno strike at their hearts." Odin said as this drew his attention because the Tenno had a certain... unity amongst them. The tales this entity spoke of the Tenno how they had slaughtered an entire empire within a day an empire that spanned to the stars. Perhaps these Tenno might be his ticket to preventing Ragnarök. Luckily, he knew of two Gods who might be able to assist him.

 

"Huginn Muninn." Odin began from his tattoos two crows appeared before him. "I have something I need you two to do for me." Odin began as he looked to the crows who gave Odin a look of concern. "Find me Bragi and Ullr if I know those two then Bragi is currently in Idunn's orchard and Bragi is probably in Midgard, Niflheim, or Helheim." Odin said as the two crows nodded and flew off to find the Gods in question, but Odin stopped Huginn. "Check with Sif she normally gets letters from Ullr." Odin said and thus Huginn nodded and flew off to find Sif first while Muninn went to find Bragi.

 

Bragi shouldn't be too much of an issue, his youngest was best as his propaganda piece. Its Ullr that has been the problem child amongst the Aesir especially since Sif had gone sober. Ullr had run off and had been going around the ice-covered realms and from what his ravens reported his grandson was focused on having fun and generally being a party animal. Sif had issues with the later bit, but Odin was good with his silver tongue. He could convince Sif that Ullr needed a wife to help curve his more explosive antics like the several times he went pushing Sinmara's buttons just so she can cause an avalanche that he can ski down on.

 

Getting the Tenno to cooperate would be better use if he can give them something to connect them to the Aesir. And with the Tenno siding with the Aesir Asgard will have true warrior gods defending it, if the indifference can be trusted that is.

 

(TBC)

Chapter 5: A Bloodstained Muse of Sparta

(Start Niðavellir Trade Port Svartalfheim)

 

The Dwarves were in the process of loading up their goods into crates and what not for the Aesir to take. If anything, it was more extortion if you were to ask anyone, but they would never admit it aloud. The Dwarves were finishing loading up another crate one of the larger ones in fact as they sealed it for transport. It was going to be a brief journey but once it had reached its destination it was not their problem anymore.

 

Hiding in one of the crates unknown, to the dwarves was Heron and his Excalibur Umbra. Using his Codex Scanner, he saw the Dwarves roaming the area as they got ready for transport. This was certainly going to be a long one for Heron simply because he won't have access to his allies.

 

"Alexia how does it look outside?" Heron asked contacting his sister via their communications link while keeping his voice down.

 

"They don't suspect anything." Alexia said from her own position.

 

(Meanwhile over with Alexia nearby)

 

Alexia kneeled on the roof of a tower far from the port as she had her Codex Scanner active watching the scene from afar. "Brother you still haven't told me your plan to get out of Asgard once you get in." Alexia said as she looked through the Codex wondering how her brother planned to get out.

 

"Whatever Odin is using Atreus for might require him to actively leave Asgard." Heron said as he told his sister his plan. "My plan is to hitch a ride and intervene on the mission from Odin." Heron said making it clear on his plan. "At the same time, it will allow me to discover how Odin is able to bypass Tyr's Temple for Realm travel." Heron said as while he knew bypasses exist, he needed to learn Odin's bypass.

 

"Sounds risky especially with you on their home turf." Alexia said as she knew they were powerful, but these weren't Orokin these were legit Gods.

 

"I know and don't worry I'll be careful." Heron said as he was prepared. Just then Alexia saw activity and figured what was happening.

 

"Heads up, it looks like the Aesir are here for their tribute." Alexia said alerting her brother of what was coming.

 

"Confirmed, going radio silent now." Heron said before getting to the next bit. "Return to Base once transport is confirmed." Heron said and thus Alexia nodded to this. Once that was done Alexia saw the scene and saw a flurry of black feathers and ravens flying around the tributes. Using her Codex Scanner Alexia scanned the flurry to see if she can get something from it to figure out Odin's method.

 

Eventually the crates and items all vanished when the flurry vanished. This meant that Heron was now in Asgard and was on his own. "Be careful, Heron." Alexia repeated and thus she got moving to return to Sindri's house. Hopefully, the Lotus sent back up or at the very least Kratos had returned to the house.

 

(Scene Break Norn Hunt Midgard)

 

Back in Midgard the Norn Hunt was proceeding as one would expect. The Norns liked their privacy it seems because the last two leads they had followed were both dead ends. The Norns lead them around because they knew that they were looking for them. This annoyed Calliope as she was tempted to slaughter the Norns the moment she finds them and got what the needed. But Kratos had placed a hand on her shoulder a silent look of warning to calm her rage.

 

The irony did not escape Calliope or Kratos that their views on mercy and violence had flipped between them in their time apart. Different life experiences for the father and daughter duo it seems. Their first attempt had led to being attacked by a monster so the three of them made short work of it with Freya's arrows, Kratos's fury, and Calliope's support fire. The second try lead to them finding a sword hilt and being attacked by more Reavers so for Calliope she felt that the Norns were toying with them serving to anger her further.

 

After those two failed attempts they rode in in silence. Well Calliope rode in silence from what she gathered Kratos, Freya, and Mimir took time to share stories about Greece and the time Freya met a Giant wall builder. Calliope had only been half listening at the time. She used to enjoy stories but after her time in the Origin System... she may have lost her taste for stories.

 

They were now on the third one and after taking out a group of Wolf Hunters the group arrived at a wall where Freya sensed the Norns magic from. As her father was raiding a chest Calliope approached the wall. "Is this it?" Calliope asked as she looked to Freya through Ivara Prime.

 

"Yes, I sense them stronger this time." Freya said as Calliope sighed to this.

 

"Third times the charm I suppose." Calliope said as her father rejoined them. Freya for her part used her magic to open the door and just as Calliope had seen several times before the wall vanished and with it the path was opened. Entering it the quartet found themselves in a cavern of sorts safe from the winds of Fimbulwinter. What really sold it was the fact a couple bats flew out and from it Freya looked inside.

 

"We found it." Freya said as she saw that after a day's search, they found what they were looking for.

 

"Ah, isn't it always the third place you look?" Mimir asked as Calliope looked around.

 

"Like I said third times the charm." Calliope said as they entered the cavern.

 

As they moved deeper inside the Norns Cave something was already amiss even after Kratos raided another chest. Calliope had seen her father do this, many times before... greedy dragon he is. Regardless she could hear the whispers as it scratched the back of her head even through her Warframe.

 

"Is everyone hearing the creepy whisper?" Mimir asked as Calliope nodded.

 

"I wouldn't call it creepy unless it starts going, rap, tap; tap." Calliope said recalling the Indifference. That sound always means it was nearby up to something. "But I do agree it's like an itch inside the mind." Calliope said with a small grunt as Mimir saw the girl was certainly her father's daughter even if she denies it.

 

"It means we've stepped into their domain." Freya said as she recalled when she went through this. "Be ready for anything." She added with a warning to the group.

 

"Illusions?" Kratos asked as he looked to Freya.

 

"Projections possibly but assume nothing." Freya responded as this got the Tenno's attention. "There's no telling what manner of creature they made unwitting guards." Freya said and with that Calliope drew her Baza Prime once more ready to open fire on anything that moves.

 

"Delightful." Mimir said as Calliope was ready and now moved with a trained step careful to keep her foot movement silent but deadly.

 

"Just another day for me then." Calliope said used to things like this. "Father take point I'll cover our rear." Calliope said her tone showing a soldier instead of a child. It reminded Kratos that his daughter had been through war herself.

 

"Very well." Kratos said seeing it smart to play it safe. Moving through the caves Kratos had already thought of this strategy, but his daughter had beaten him to issuing the orders.

 

"Well, she's certainly a chip off the old block... at least the positive aspects." Mimir said as she certainly sounded like her father when giving orders. Calliope ignored it and avoided making hand gestures to give silent orders. Two reasons for this was that first it was a more modern form of commands and second of all she suspected Freya, or father, or both of them would not know what they meant.

 

They went through the cave for a while until eventually they arrived at a bridge that lead to a platform of sorts. Once there Calliope felt something was amiss here and soon it came to fruition for them. From the shadow ahead a large figure in heavy armor stepped out carrying with him a massive sword on his shoulder.

 

"Kratos!" A voice called out as the figure stepped out. This was the voice of Verðandi the middle child of the Norns. "Ghost of Sparta. Bane of Olympus. Destroyer of Fate. Cruel Striker. Bringer of War. Weapon of the Gods, turned against his creators." Verðandi said listing off all of the titles Kratos was known by. Most of which Calliope already knew. As Kratos charged in against this larger foe Calliope and Freya circled around him with Calliope firing her gun at him aiming for the gaps in his armor. During this Verðandi kept on talking which served to anger Calliope further.

 

"He chases a redemption he knows he can never deserve." Verðandi said as Calliope focused on this enemy by switching to her Fang Prime and charging in to fight in close range. "He cannot change!" She said as Calliope let that one be because a part of her agreed with the Norn.

 

Moving in combat Freya provided support as Kratos locked his axe with the enemies great sword. During this Calliope jumped onto his back and proceeded to stab into his neck several times as his blood flew out of the wound. Calliope growled as she kept stabbing while the larger enemy tried to force her off. She then grabbed his arm with the great sword and wrapped her arms and legs around it before breaking it using pure momentum. The weapon fell and Kratos caught it before he used it to cleave into this foe killing him instantly. Calliope glared at her foe but left him be, he was already dead.

 

"Are we in our own minds yet?" Mimir asked as he was still with them. "He certainly seemed real enough." Mimir said as Freya heard this.

 

"I hate to tell you, the parts in your mind will be real too." Freya said giving the group a fair warning.

 

When Calliope heard this, she looked to Freya in shock. "Shit." Calliope cursed realizing what this meant for her.

 

"Something the matter lass?" Mimir asked and thus Calliope grew quiet.

 

"The things in my mind are better left there." Calliope said as she knew the nightmares, she faced would break any normal person.

 

(Scene Break in Sindri's House)

 

Alexia arrived back at Sindri's home and found Sindri there as well as a large bit of extensions made. By the looks of it Sindri had been finishing up on it. "Oh, welcome back Alexia." Sindri said welcoming Alexia. "Where's Heron?" Sindri asked noticing her brother was missing. "That is going to be a bit of explaining." Alexia said looking at the extension. "We found a way into Asgard, and he went on ahead, so he might be a while before he gets back." Alexia said as Sindri was shocked by this.

 

"Wait he found a way?!" Sindri asked wondering how Heron pulled off what they failed to do.

 

"It wasn't that hard; all he did was sneak in via their tributes." Alexia said surprising Sindri. "But now he's gone radio silent if he gets into trouble..." Alexia said as Sindri understood. "Anyway, what's with the extension?" Alexia asked as Sindri smiled.

 

"Well since you all seem to be staying for the long term, I decided to make you all feel comfortable." Sindri said as he gestured to what looked to be a boarding house.

 

"Sindri thank you but... it’s not needed." Alexia said as Sindri waved it off.

 

"Nonsense you came all this way to help us, it’s the least I can do." Sindri said and thus Alexia sighed.

 

"Now I feel compelled to repay this debt." Alexia said as she then walked to the front door. "Let me clean the place up for you." Alexia said stepping out of Nyx once she had moved it to the storage area.

 

"There's no need you’re a guest." Sindri said but Alexia turned her head.

 

"I insist." Alexia said making it clear that she may be a guest, but she wasn't going to be a burden. Without further delay Alexia got to work as she could use a bit of a break before heading back out to Vanaheim to help Taro and Augy. During this Alexia glanced towards Tyr's room her earlier suspicions of him still affecting her.

 

(Meanwhile With Heron in Asgard)

As the mortals living in Asgard helped move the supplies and tributes from Svartalfheim Heron had taken the chance to sneak out and walk across the wall. Opting to stick to the shadows Heron saw the large stone walls that protected the main area of Asgard. Glancing towards the mortals who lived here it was a cruel way to hold power over them mortals let them live in the shadow of Asgard’s glorious light.

 

Looking to the wall Heron began to clear his mind of any thoughts and distractions and once he did so, he began to climb. Heron could use his Archwing, but he opted out of it simply because he'd rather enter as quietly as he possibly can. Plus, with his mind empties it helped him to stay hidden from this Heimdall whoever he was.

 

(Back to the Norn Hunt)

 

Kratos, Calliope, and Freya continued their trek through the caves until they arrived upon an open area with trees and snow. They were back outside or so it would seem. It's hard to tell with illusion magic playing a role here. Calliope like her father had her guard up ready for any surprises from the Norns. It was quiet too quiet and for Calliope that was just the calm before the storm.

 

Just then rifts appeared and from it something came out that surprised her. Moa's, Offspreys, and a few Hounds came out and saw Calliope in her Warframe. "Crap Corpus machines!" Calliope announced to the group.

 

"Not friendly I take it." Mimir said as Calliope didn't even wait and proceeded to open fire on them. This meant they were in fact enemies and thus they had to be dealt with as such.

 

"Don't hold back their machines nothing more but they have shielding so be careful!" Calliope said as they got to work. Just then the Norn from before began to speak once more.

 

"Calliope of Sparta." Verðandi began as Calliope, Kratos, and Freya began to fight the machines. When it was clear arrows would not work on them Freya switched to her sword and magic to even the playing field somewhat. "Lost Soul of Elysium. Orphan of the Zeriman. Slave of the Orokin. Slayer of the Sentient. Betrayer of the Golden Lords. Ghost of the Void. Warrior of the Lotus. Tenno of the Origin System. Inheritor of Rage." Verðandi spoke listing off the titles Callippe had been known for. Kratos had heard all of that and needless to say they did not paint a good picture for him.

 

"She is tainted by death and rage used and betrayed by those of her blood. Enslaved by the Orokin until the Lotus broke those chains. She had willingly and gleefully exacted her revenge against the Golden Lords alongside her fellow Tenno and slaughtered the Orokin down to the last child." Verðandi said revealing the truth to Kratos making Calliope's eyes widen in shock. "She is her father’s daughter in every way, and she knows she cannot change." Verðandi revealed as Calliope then roared in fury as she drew her Fang Prime and began to make her way through her foes one after the other. She grabbed a Hound by its neck and with her Parazon executed it before she fired her twin guns at the fliers. The Moas then fired their laser guns at her, but Kratos used the Blades of Chaos to take them out before they could get any more shots in.

 

Once their foes were dealt with Calliope knew questions would be asked. "Come on we need to keep going." Calliope bluntly said focusing on the mission first.

 

"Wait a second lass after what the Norns just said I have some questions." Mimir said as he looked to Calliope.

 

"The Mission comes first we'll discuss it later." Calliope said not wanting to talk about it.

 

"Calliope." Kratos began as he got the girls attention even if she did not look him in the face. "What are these Orokin... who were these Golden Lords." Kratos asked holding back his rage at the thought of his daughter being a slave.

 

"Their gone dead and never coming back." Calliope said wanting to drop it.

 

"How do you know this?" Freya asked as Calliope was having enough of her allies asking questions she didn't want to answer.

 

"BECAUSE WE MADE SURE OF IT!" Calliope snapped as she turned to face the others. "Me and the other Tenno slaughtered the Orokin and while the others have nothing but fragmented memories of it... I can remember it all in vivid detail." Calliope admitted as Kratos heard this. "The Orokin were monsters they used us experimented on us and oppressed every human being in the Origin System." Calliope recounted as Kratos heard this.

 

"They were... the local Gods." Kratos said fearing the worst. For both himself and his daughter.

 

However, Calliope laughed at that before she continued to speak. "No, they were mortals they just had such advance technology that they were basically Gods." Calliope revealed as this was horrifying, mortals having powers equal to the Gods. "And don't give me that drama of getting no satisfaction out of what happened because the truth is Father... I enjoyed it... I enjoyed every second of exacting justice long overdue upon the Orokin." Calliope said as she then began to laugh almost in hysterics. "And that's worse than regretting it I helped slaughter an entire civilization and I enjoyed every second of it." Calliope admitted as soon she fell to her knees transferring out of her Warframe. On her hands and knees Calliope was crying emotions she had kept locked away were being released after centuries of containment.

 

"I kept killing I kept doing it and I smiled I was happy at killing so many people guilty or innocent." Calliope said as she hated how she enjoyed it. Her father felt guilty for doing what he did but Calliope she was ashamed that she didn't feel any guilt for what she did. It’s also why she had to keep remembering so her fellow Tenno wouldn't be forced to break from those memories.

 

Kratos saw the pain his daughter is going through, and the first time in a long time… he didn't know what to do other than to kneel down to his daughter and put a hand on her shoulder and said, "You shouldn't have gone through such pains, as your right from before… I should have listened to your mother, I should have stopped a long time ago as well, but I didn't, and I paid the price for it, and the pain of it remains but do not let this pain hold you, it should not define you, so if you wish to talk… I will listen."

 

Freya and Mimir listen closely, as did Kratos while Calliope soon explain all her trouble started on the Zariman Ten Zero that was stuck in the void as it seem around the time Haron made his deal is when she arrived, trap in a room filled with other children while their mothers and father roam the halls outside going mad by the void, as she stay there for several days trying to learn the words the tenno spoken with the help of Haron who teach her basic words that she quickly put together somehow, then help them escape, fight back against the mad people and slowly discover their true power of the void while she and Haron lead the charge.

 

During that time the Zariman somehow escape the void, at least partly as half was still stuck but the Orokin found them, rescue the children… before conducting experiments on them, learning about their change, learning about their powers, with a woman named Margulis, an Orokin scholar who helped the tenno, sort of adopted as her own children even mention how Margulis kindness and heart reminded her of her mother Lysandra, with Kratos nodded along thinking this Margulis was a good person to take in the Tenno.

 

Calliope then explain how Margulis try to help the tenno, try to heal them, even if they accidentally hurt her, blinded her and made her become ill, she keep loving them regardless… suddenly tragically struck, as Margulis lover, Ballas, the Orokin that despises the tenno because Margulis chose the tenno over him, and had her executed before taking her research that was meant the heal them turn them into weapon before the Orokin started torturing them while forcing them to use their powers, causing the void scars.

 

Freya was horrified by this with Mimir stay silent, could say anything without lashing out, as he maybe a head but he would curse out the Orokin if he could, while Kratos keep silent and strong for his daughter sake… but inside, a familiar feeling stir within, the rage that was once fueled of killing the gods of Olympus now filling up from the story of the Orokin, they seem so despicable, that may as bad as the gods… maybe worse, but he suppress his anger and remember that the Orokin was no more already… but if the tenno didn't kill them all, he would have

 

Suddenly the Orokin own creation came, the sentients, living machines that rebel against their creators and try to destroy them before they Orokin could try and destroy them instead, and it seem they were about to win… until the tenno came forth with their warframes that turned the tide of war, push back the sentients able to weaken and destroy them with ease, with one sentient that was once known as Natah, who was able to sneak into the Orokin empire disguise as one of them before taking a similar image to Margulis to try and kill the tenno, but it seem fate had other plans as she took a liking to them, and became the new mother of the Tenno and broke their chains, freed them from Orokin's control while becoming the Lotus.

 

In a way Kratos finds it ironic that the creation of the Orokin turns against them, like how the gods turn against the Titans, and would have succeed if the Tenno didn't come to stop them, but even more so when in a way the Sentient did succeed

 

After that, the tenno had unleash their fury upon the Orokin, destroying their entire empire in mere moments. With the warframes godlike abilities and the tenno powers the Orokin had no way to defend against them. The tenno had not only went after them, but also the Dax soldiers that were just doing their duty, maybe even force against their will. They had stood their ground against the tenno but still lost. Then the Yuvan, children of the Orokin or normal human that were chosen to be the Orokin new vessel, their new bodies to take over. Some of the Orokin had planned on making the Tenno into their Yuvan’s as well so they could be young forever and have completely control over the void.

 

This shocks the trio of this as Fraya knew if Odin were to hear of this then there's no doubt, he would do everything to learn the secret behind this, even Mimir wish to forget he ever heard it, but curse his great mind as he will remember this, while Kratos was shocked to hear this as well, but a certain dread slowly came over him as he question what happen to the Yuvan.

 

Calliope stay silent for a moment before she soon revile what happen as the tenno killed them, they killed the Orokin's children so they would not swear revenge against the Tenno, and killed innocent children just to spare them from the pain that already been inflected upon them, so the children would live a life of scars and pain, it was more or less became a mercy kill for them, as much they didn't want too they had too so that way the Orokin empire can never rise again even if a few did survive they will not be able to regain what they once had, but even so the tenno keep killing, they killed and they killed, and they killed, not just against the Orokin empire but the Sentients as well, fighting and destroying all of them until the war was finally done, they could finally rest in peace, with the Lotus gave the Tenno mercy of putting them to sleep, and try to make the tenno forget everything that happen, in the war, the pain the Orokin inflected upon the tenno, and the Zariman, make them sleep within a dream.

 

Given how this sound, Calliope sort of compare it to Elysium, but more nicer, more conformable, peaceful… until the remnant of the old Orokin empire rise up, with the Grineer, and Corpus causing chaos within the Origin system with the Lotus having no other choice but to waken tenno from their sleep and save the Origin system once again while Calliope memories had started to return, not right away but gradually, and one day it sort of all flow back into her.

 

It happened when the Twin Grineer Queens tried to make her and Heron into their newest meat suits. When the worm queen had wormed her way through Calliope's mind, she had unknowingly unlocked those memories awakening the beast from its cage. The level of blood she spilled after she broke free and returned to save Teshin... the Dax was reminded of the monster that Calliope can become when push came to shove. The more Calliope told the more it became clear that Calliope's trauma the vengeful beast inside her was not so easily quelled.

 

Kratos knew of that rage he knew it well and while it had taken him centuries to tame that beast... Calliope had spent that time letting it sleep. After a while Calliope finished the story but she refused to go further. The New War was a new animal all together.

 

"The Orokin are gone now, Ballas was the last one Heron made sure of it." Calliope said as she recalled that battle Heron wiped out the Orokin. Ballas was literally about to destroy the Origin System and Calliope to her shame had been willing to put down the Lotus. Heron had compassion while all she had was fury. It was a bitter yet humbling truth to swallow.

 

"By the sounds of it, they had it coming, lass." Mimir said glad that the Orokin were gone and so were most of their secrets.

 

"But for Mortals to reach that level of depravity." Freya voiced as she too was horrified, and this was from a woman who was married to Odin.

 

"Just shows that mortals can be just as depraved as a God maybe even more so." Calliope said as she hated to think on it. Taking a moment, she calmed herself down and from there summoned her Warframe back and stretched a bit. "Let's keep going... we need to find these Norns, and I need to resist the urge to gut them." Calliope said as she had a bone to pick with the Norns.

 

"Control that rage lass we don't need to make enemies of the Norns." Mimir warned as Kratos agreed with a grunt, but Calliope ignored it with a grunt of her own. Tension was still thick between them but at least they were making some progress in that regard. Hopefully, the others were having a better time with their own missions.

 

(TBC)