Chapter 262: 3.19 TLOC (9)

*Author's note: His visions of reality are often augmented, which is why this reverts back to a different timeline before Zander descends to Earth.

'The Val'Kreen are truly a cancer that should be eliminated from this world. Ugh! Why can't we just use the gods to destroy them.'

Frustrated that they were successful again, Zander shifted his eyes to Earth. The civil war between the five major races: humans, demons, vampires, faeries and elves continued, causing him to shake his head in disgust.

'This has always been my favorite planet because they used to thrive as a diverse group of amazing people,' he thought sadly.

'They don't even know within a year or two they're going to be overtaken and they can't stop killing each other. What is their problem?' He thought, unable to comprehend why beings behaved they way they did. It was difficult because he had no social interaction with anyone living, other than the gods.

Zander knew the rules: gods weren't to interfere with Planetary matters, but he also took an interest in them, even when he was young. Paradise was a peaceful realm under the authority of Athena, which everyone followed with ease. However, the universe was a different plane of existence, with planets, living beings, love, hate and conflict.

'I really wish I could just break the rules and destroy the cyborgs myself. I am more than capable and we could form a giant army. It would be effortless. But mother knows best and I will never betray her. She is always right and I love and trust her dearly.'

He stood up to stretch, the 6'4" handsome and muscular young god knew his birthday was tomorrow.

'18 years already. I really hope my mother doesn't throw a party.'

Because Hephaestus promised to allow her to maintain her virginity, Athena ended up marrying him. Zeus blessed the two with a child through parthenogenesis: the strongest god to ever exist, born with a companion phoenix he could fully or partially shapeshift with. Zeus passed the torch to his daughter and Athena took over as absolute ruler of the gods.

"There you are Zander, you must come now." Hephaestus stayed sternly.

"Yes father, understood."

They walked slowly through Paradise, waving and exchanging pleasantries with souls along the way. It was very rare for figures of high authority to socialize with resting souls, so it was only natural they gravitated toward the legandry gods.

'What do they want with me today?' He sighed, his dad often had him walk with him to socialize but more importantly identify any soul whose morality was deteriorating.

"Father, there's another yellow soul over there, shall I send him to Limbo?"

"Thank you son, but I will handle it, your Mother wants to see you. She's in our realm. Portal there if you'd like, I just wanted to see you. I'm glad your abilities are serving you well. I think you were 2 when you first explained how they worked."

Zander smiled, thinking back to the times when his parents spent so much time with him. He missed those days but understood how important his parents were not only for Paradise, but the universes as well.

"Ha, yeah. I used to just see colors and didn't have a clue! It's very useful to know the emotions of a person just by looking in their heads and even more beneficial to see how good or evil they are based on the color swirling in their bodies."

"Yes, you are quite extraordinary in other ways as well. Anyway, thank you son."

'Gone again. Dad used to be so hands-on until this stupid war started on Earth. I know he's very busy and essential to Paradise but I miss him.'

Zander used his left hand to form a thin, white magical aura, reaching into the fresh air, not too high, but around 9 feet off the ground. He began lazily drawing a wide circle with his left index finger, the angelic aura gently outlining the matter around him. As he reached the bottom, he squatted to ensure he didn't have to jump.

When it finally connected at the top, he thought, 'Open Athena's Realm,' and the circle shattered like glass, leaving traces of shimmering dust on the fresh grass.

He stepped through with a smile and snapped his fingers to close the portal.

The circle quickly rebuilt itself, closing with a light pop, vanishing like it never disrupted the natural flow of Paradise.

******

Zander loved his mother very much. He always looked forward to their daily training because she always made time for him, no matter how busy she was with her duties. She taught him how to master his abilities, understand his emotions better and he would do anything to see her smile.

"Hello Zander, walk with your Mother?"

"Of course! How are you today? You look lovely."

"Thank you dear, I'm doing very well. Are you ready for your eighteenth birthday? It's not every day a god becomes a wonderful young man. You are quite amazing and I love you very much." Athena smiled as she spoke, her beauty and grace was unrivaled.

"Please don't throw me a party. I want to spend time with you and dad. We don't get to have a nice family dinner or anything anymore. He's always building weapons and armor to assist the people of Earth because he has your blessing to help them,' Zander complained.

"Then we will have a nice family dinner. There is something important I would like to speak with you about. I've already discussed it with your father and he agrees." his mother said as they continued slowly walking through her realm, past their gorgeous home.

Zander walked and listened to his mother's request, his heart skipping a beat at times. He dreamed of the beautiful weapon and armor set his father was forging for him and felt bad for thinking negatively of him earlier. The news astonished him and he would be the first god to ever do something so bold.

They arrived back at their house and his father appeared carrying a large, beautiful black case embroidered in gold. Zander knew the amount of fiery passion his dad put into every piece he worked on so something for his only child would be unbelievable. He wasn't sure if his mind or heart were racing faster, but he kept visualizing what could possibly be in that case? He was too excited to wait and finally had to ask.

"Woah! That case is beautiful, can I see what is in it? You know I love your work." Zander pleaded.

"Athena, my love, what do you think? Shall we let our son open his birthday gift a night early?"

"Yes my dear, thank you for putting so much effort into it. Zander, this is the highest ranked set known in the universe. It's yours either way, but know that your father spent six months on this project in order to leave you best prepared if you agree to my request."

'I can't believe I forgot she asked me to do that. Let me see what's in this case and then I'll decide.'

"Thank you both so much. I love you. You're the best parents any being could ask for and I'm not just saying that because you have a special present for me."

"I love you son, now, open it!" Hephaestus said excitedly as he approached his wife and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

Zander set it gently on the center table and slowly ran his fingers across the case. He could sense the power pulsating, matching the rhythm of his heart. He unhinged the left golden lock, then the right, quickly prying it open. He gasped as he looked down at the most amazing set of equipment he ever laid eyes on.

"Dad… this is just unbelievable. Thank you so much!"

Zander sprinted over to his parents and hugged them both.

"Mom, I will gladly go to Earth and do my best to unite them. Don't you have to give me that formal blessing when I'm 18 though?"

"Let's worry about that tomorrow. Well, are you going to try it on?" Athena encouraged him.

"When you pair the entire set, you will receive additional buffs. Not that you need any." His father said, chuckling.

Zander admired the black chest plate with royal purple seamlessly intertwined throughout the ornate piece. His father masterfully crafted full arm and full leg pieces, rather than individual set pieces, each with a jet black color and a single matching purple stripe. His boots were also black, with purple wings that reminded him of Apollo. Lastly his pair of royal purple gauntlets with black knuckles.

As the god put them on piece by piece, he noticed something strange. The more matching pieces Zander wore, the more the armor felt like an extension of his body. When he put on the final gauntlet, he realized how light everything was. He looked down at a devastating claymore with a royal purple base wrap, black top wrap and golden wire wrap. When he picked it up, an intense burst of power overwhelmed him.

"Uh, dad, is this armor…alive? It feels like it's literally my body, not armor. I almost just passed out when I picked up that sword."

"Alive?" He chuckled. "No son, that armor is made with a small portion of each of our souls. It's an extension of you because it is you. Well, and your Mother and me of course."

'How could he possibly do that? I don't remember him ever asking me for a part of my soul?'

Zander was speechless. Athena kissed her husband's cheek and whispered her thanks.

"Well, don't you want to try it out?"

"Well yes, but shouldn't we talk about where you want me to go to live on Earth first? That's what all of this is for, right? To receive your blessing to aid the races of Earth to cease civil war or eliminate the population and destroy the Val'Kreen myself when they come to invade the lifeless planet?"

"Ok, then get some sleep. Goodnight sweetheart."

"Goodnight son. Dream well."

Zander quickly raced to his room and laid on his luxurious mattress.