Chapter 243 - 2.120 Arc 2 Finale: Calm Before the Storm

Levi and Sasha returned from the settlement a week after Kailen was born and everyone was happy and relaxed, aside from Sora. He was happy and not nervous, nor stressed, but relaxed wasn’t the right word.

Prepared.

Sora was happy and prepared and he had a long conversation with Brie about what to do when Hades arrived. They agreed Brie should stay with the children until he was ready for her and that he would talk to Hades alone. He wasn’t worried Hades would be able to shatter his soul that easily, nor was anyone in his party. He didn’t want to put anyone else at risk, so he would be the one to meet him when he arrived.

Iris finally started crawling which was a good distraction, as was the new little cute vamp-uthra baby boy. Scarlet was simmering down with her transformations and everyone was routinely clearing dungeons, free of any responsibility of the obligations to the now empty castle that stood tall in Sorbella.

Bishop and Lionel continued teaching at the school and everyone who was in either of their classes loved them. Sorbella was calm, peaceful and the party knew that it wasn’t going to stay that way for much longer. It had already gone way past their expectations and then one night while sleeping, Sora had the strangest dream.

’Why am I so conscious for this? Is someone coming?’

Sora watched himself growing up as a kid again at the Orphanage. All the great times he had with the twins he viewed as his closest sisters.

"Cindy, Cathy, you two coming?" A young Sora asked in excitement.

"Yup bro! Of course we are, it’s your birthday party after all!"

’I remember this day... It was the day I met my foster parents.’ Sora frowned. ’I wish I would have just stayed at the Orphange... maybe nothing would have happened to them.

"And that is why you were chosen, my dear boy," Chronos chuckled.

"Chronos! It’s been too long! No nightmare this time?"

"I’m afraid that’s why I’m here. Your nightmare is just about to begin." Chronos frowned.

"So he’s here?"

"He will be tomorrow. He’s coming alone and expects you to do the same."

"I already planned on it... why do I even bother telling you?" Sora stopped himself and started laughing.

"Because you are a good man and more importantly a good god Sora. You have a great party, a great family. All the things I asked you I never would have guessed this is the way you would have turned out. I’m very proud of you," Chronos said while hugging Sora, which caught him by surprise.

"Thanks Chronos. If it wasn’t for you, I’d still be a fricken` mummy on Earth." Sora said, tears falling from his eyes.

"I hope those are tears of joy, because you need to be the face of this world. It was wise of you to relinquish the throne to Dorian and Camilla as well. We all know who he’s coming for. Make sure Emery and Emma are safe. They will want to help. They will be very impactful, just please, make sure they’re ok."

"Is there something I should know?" Sora asked while wiping his tears away and smiling.

"There are many futures Sora, too many if you ask me," Chronos laughed. "But, your children will be fine. Athena and your Mother will always be there for you. Did you like the Eris and Pride surprises?"

"I did. I picked up on the Pride one once Eris flipped, but still, to see them happy with children, I don’t want them to fight."

"Let Pride fight. He wants to and he is one of the strongest gods to ever exist. Not taking anything away from you, your wife or even Xander. Xander is fascinating." Chronos smiled.

"Well, it was good—" Oh... he’s gone again.

*****

Sora woke up alone in the middle of the night. Brie was peacefully sleeping with a smile on her face.

’Woah, I guess I really didn’t have a terrible nightmare. That’s strange. He’s really outside isn’t he?’

Sora had everything he needed in his void so he teleported outside his mansion.

Everything about Hades disgusted him. Sora imagined what Xander would see but the 6`0 tall god had to look up to Sora, his face was hideous, like someone literally carved out skin just to look mutilated. His hair was black flames and his eyes had a more eerie golden glow and had somehow developed pentagrams for pupils.

’So many dark arts can cause that much damage?’

"Well, it’s about fucking time." Sora said as politely as he could.

"Says the little god cooped up in his little safety bubble," Hades mocked him.

Sora wasn’t going to let him get to him. He knew that’s what he wanted. A rise, anything to show that Sora was capable of flipping and becoming the destroyer of Exteria.

"I prefer being with friends and family. Who do you spend your time with these days? Oh, that’s right, willing souls for your little abominations we got rid of in Paradise."

Sora could feel Hades using all of his magic on him. It made him laugh. If he still had his system, he could only imagine the pings he’d be getting right now.

"Shattering my soul isn’t that easy Hades," Sora continued to laugh. "If that’s all you came here for, that was a pretty pointless meaning."

Hades cackled in his usual menacing tone. "Just testing out how durable you really are. You didn’t even wear armor. Are those pajamas? Cute."

"They’re comfy. Anyways, why are you here at 3 in the morning?"

"Last chance. Switch to the winning side. I’ll even make Xander a king and your wife will want and need for nothing, nor will your children."

"What about my party?"

"I’ll let half live. Your choice. The rest can even go with my annoying niece."

"And the rest of the people on Exteria?"

"Fair judgement. We’d be taking all of their power, of course but they would be able to receive the normal passage to the afterlife."

"What is out there that has you so spooked that you need all these planets?" Sora asked with an eyebrow raised. This wasn’t exactly how he pictured his first meeting with the King of Darkness going.

"Only if you join me." Hades smirked.

"Give me until tomorrow and I won’t tell a soul you’re here. Although, Brie and my family will know. Soul sharing. Can’t really help that."

"You have a deal." Hades said, extending his arm for a handshake.

"No tricks Hades, I’m not that stupid."

"Can’t blame me for trying, can you?"

’Initiate sealing magic: temporary seal with Hades: No war for 2 days under the condition only my family knows he’s on the planet.’

Hades finally muttered, "I agree," and was gone.

’Fucking dumbass.’ Sora laughed.

******

"Well, how did it go?" Lord X asked, curiously. He had no idea what to expect from that ordeal.

"Two days and we’ll have an answer. He didn’t seem opposed to the idea and he was even willing to not inform anyone we’re here. That means we can start moving the latest batch out in strategic locations. I’d target the demons. They seem to be the weakest. It’s just the two little brats."

"As you wish," the masked god smirked.

"Posideon, you can drop the act, now." Hades laughed.

"FINALLY," Poseidon’s trident formed in his hand and his disguise was immediately lifted. "To the seas then?"

"Make them wish they were never born," Hades fell over with laughter.

******

Everyone in Sora’s mansion was now awake, even the children. They all were sitting in the main living room, like they had so many times over the past 6 years. None of them were worried and were impressed Sora was able to trick Zeus’ brother so easily.

"Well done babe," Brie welcomed him back with a hug and kiss.

"Seriously dad, you’re a badass. I can already sense the souls lurking. They’re headed toward Obsidian Hollow. I don’t think we should make a move until your seal is about to wear off." Xander smiled while wrapping his arm around Diana.

"Open a portal please Xander. You know who we have to see."

"Why hello Sora. Great job down there," Athena winked, which made everyone laugh.

"I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wink!" Brie laughed.

"It’s not every day someone outsmarts my uncle. Those of you who wish to come for protection should come now."

"Stupid rules," Leila muttered.

"You can stay Leila," Sora said confidently. "Only if you send Scarlet with Athena, though."

Ignis perked up. He was ready to torch the fuckers who ruined his entire planet.

"Thank you Sora. I’m ready to burn these mother fuckers to the ground!" Ignis’ fire was clearly reacting to his excitement.

"Levi, Sash, sorry, you have to go with Killian. You’ll be safe and it’ll be peaceful." Sora said while giving him a hug.

"You’ll have our realm so you’ll have that little spot you’ve always wanted to have," Brie said with a few tears falling.

"Yeah... you’re right. Just save this planet please. I do want to come home!"

"Well, thank you for everything Sora. You saved my people, you saved everyone, really," Sera said with a big hug.

"Mindy, let’s go." Ox said politely.

"Alright... fine." She rolled her eyes.

"Love you all, I will miss you all, and thanks for showing me the world," Jubelle said with a smile as he walked through the portal.

"You know you will be back... right?" Jax laughed while shaking his head.

"Yeah, but who knows when? Years up here, not days."

Lucious, Sera, Iris, Eris, the triplets, Leila, Scarlet, Ox, Mindy and Jubelle all hugged everyone. They went to walk through the portal before turning to wave one last time.

"I can’t do it." Eris said sternly. "Sis, take care of my kids. I can’t just leave Pride behind again. We’ve been apart for too long."

"I’ll come with," Pride said with a smile.

"I can always teleport down if they need me. All of us can. That’s the beauty of Sora’s magic."

Thank you for reading through volume 2! Plenty more to come! Raise your hand if you had Poseidon being the masked god. Comment below!