Chapter 357 - 356: Lives That Were Lost
'Do you believe in god?'
Perhaps that was a question that Van had been asked only once in his life. It was back when the Circle tried to visit his home back in the Relic Graveyard; and now that Van was thinking about it, they were probably recruiting people to test and turn into enhanced humans.
In truth, Van did not believe in any of those things, one might even say he abhors it-- for what kind of god leaves a child like him with a monster? But knowing what he knows now; that his father was just influenced to do the things he did; and that it was the doing of his own mother, one might even say that it truly and literally was the doing of a god.
How can he deny their existence, when two are right in front of him right now? And even he himself was on his way to becoming one.
"What… are you trying to say, Athena?"
And now, faced with Athena's question, Van could not help but ponder, "But weren't you the one that said that my universe, this universe didn't have a god? That's why Seraph Azrael chose it in the first place."
"A calculated guess," Athena breathed out as she stabbed the ground with her spear even deeper, completely pinning down the fat Dionysus, "And it might turn out to be wrong after all. There is also a chance that one of the other Seraph survived, but seeing as I saw all of them die besides Azrael, then it is unlikely-- and I am sure your mother would have known if one of her kind is alive."
"So… you're saying there's another party involved out there?".
"...Mayb--"
"Get on with it! Punish him!"
"We're getting bored!"
Athena's voice was then quickly overwhelmed by the cheers and clamors of the people watching from the mezzanine. Just earlier, the room was filled with drama and action; they were excited to see blood shed, especially from one of the Aesir living in the Palace.
They didn't hate the major Aesir, of course; but you don't see one bleeding every day. For them, this was top entertainment.
"...They're right," Athena then shook her head in distraught. She was so engrossed with the thought that there might be someone out there watching all of their actions, and she had no idea of their existence. If there really is, then Athena was sure that they would be revealing themselves soon-- especially since it was about time for the World Eaters to come to this universe.
But for now, that wasn't their problem. Dionysus has betrayed their King, and punishment should be met.
"King Evans," Athena then removed the spear, slightly grazing Dionysus's stomach while doing so, "What is your verdict, what sort of punishment shall be laid down upon this traitor?"
"..." Van would lie if he said that he wasn't as curious as Athena. If there really was another god here… then would Evangeline know who or what it is? However, after pondering it for a bit, Van shook his head. Athena was right, this wasn't the right time to suddenly be talking about something like this.
Once again, the Aesir that were watching on the mezzanine could not help but feel their excitement growing as Van's long and deep sigh reached their ears. Finally, they were about to see some action.
However, to their disappointment, the two individuals once again began talking to each other.
"Rather than a punishment, shouldn't we just kill him?" Van muttered, "The two of you are the only one left of your kind, I think it might take a toll on you if Dionysus is out there, being tormented for almost an eternity."
"2000 years is a short time," Athena quickly replied, "Also, are you forgetting that I am the woman who was willing to sacrifice all of my kind for a single purpose? Whatever is left of the Olympians, lives on in you, King Evans. I hope you never forget that. But if you wish to kill him now, then that would also be sufficient-- everything, in the end, is up to you, King Evans."
"Hm…" Van looked Athena straight in the eyes, trying to see if there was any hesitation in her eyes; but not even once did she show signs of faltering. He then turned his head towards Dionysus, whose eyes were endlessly looking at him and Athena, clearly frenzied from what was happening.
"It… truly is sad to see you this way, Dionysus," Van then muttered as he approached Dionysus, "First you were trapped inside a Fragmented world for a thousand years, and when you finally manage to regain a semblance of freedom… you were sent here to live for another eternity. I suppose it's easy for someone to lose himself in that moment."
"So… so you understand, King Evans!?" Dionysus struggled to get up from the floor, but as soon as he was able to, he quickly kneeled in front of Van, "My… my very core is to have fun and to share joy to the world, that is my essence as a god. With the Aesir, I could do just that!"
"Maybe," Van shrugged his shoulder as he grabbed Athena's spear from her hand, causing her to slightly raise an eyebrow, "But then again, you weren't the only one who experienced the same. I know someone who had spent a much longer time than you here, she might have lost her mind in the end… but she remained loyal to the people she loved; and she's not even a god."
"I… I was alone!"
"So was she," Van quickly replied, "You… are just weak, Dionysus. Even when you were trapped in the Fragmented world with Athena, you were close to being insane when we found you-- blaming everyone else for your demise."
"..." Athena, who was quietly listening in on Van's words, could not help but take in a short but deep breath. However, Van's next words completely caught her off guard.
"I'll let you go," Van said as he leaped over Dionysus, before heading towards the door of the tavern, "You have no use to us dead, I already absorbed your God Soul; and in truth, you're too weak to be of any threat to us. You can run to your new masters to tell them about us, but King Odin already knows of our existence. I suppose what I am trying to say here is…
...you're completely useless, Dionysus."
"W… what?"
"Let's go, Athena. We still have a lot of time to enjoy our break," Van casually waved his hand as he left the tavern.
"..." Athena only glanced at Dionysus for a couple of seconds, before shaking her head and following Van out.
"W… wait! I will tell King Odin where you are!"
"He already knows where we are," Athena breathed without looking back, "...Goodbye, Dionysus. I apologize that you will live the rest of your life… as you are now."
"You… the both of you are going to regret this! I will make sure of it!"
"Looking forward to it… that is if we're all not dead before that happens." And with a wave of her hand, Dionysus watched as Athena's figure disappeared from the tavern.
***
"Dionysus is right, King Evans."
"Hm?"
"We're most likely going to regret the decision you've made."
Once again, the two were casually walking throughout the city, taking in the sights like they did not just threaten one of the members of the Palace just a couple of minutes ago.
"Why didn't you stop me, then?"
"Because you're my King," Athena sighed, "My questioning of your actions should only go so far that it does not question my own loyalty."
"You seem to be fine doing things behind my back," Van slightly chuckled as pointed his thumb back in the direction of the tavern, "You are the opposite of Dionysus, Athena. Him betraying me doesn't really amount to anything. However, if you were to ever betray me; then I probably wouldn't even be alive anymore."
"You do not have to worry. I can't betray you, King Evans."
"We'll never know."
"You misunderstand," Athena shook her head as she placed her hand on Van's shoulder, "I can't betray you-- that duty is beyond my core as a god. I live for the preservation of my kind; and right now, that is you and your daughter."
"...So that's why you opted to turn Dionysus into an animal instead of just killing him as a punishment," Van then let out a small smirk.
"I…" Athena could not help but blink a couple of times upon hearing Van's words. And after a few seconds of pause, a look of confusion slowly rose from her face, "I… suppose you could say that."
"And my daughter is included in… your list?"
"Of course. With your blood mixed with Artemis, one might even say that she is more of an Olympian than you, King Evans," Athena nodded, "It truly is such a shame that Ymir was eaten by his power-- we could have had 2 Olympian children roaming around."
"...The forest giants do not count as Olympians?"
"The first generation, perhaps. But they are all dead, killed in battle."
"...Vanya never told me that," Van slightly lowered his head. Although he feels nothing for Vanya's children even though they could be considered his grandchildren, he could not help but feel sorrow from imagining Vanya's pain as her children died.
"It is just regretful that you could no longer have any more children with Olympian blood as strong as Vanya, King Evans."
"...How so?"
"Because Artemis is already dead."
"I… see," Van lowered his head even further as a silence emerged between the two. But after a few seconds, Van lightly slapped his cheeks and shook his head,
"But you're still here, right?" He then said jokingly so as to lighten the mood, "We could make children if we want to."
"...Why have I never thought of that?" Athena then quickly stopped in her tracks as she once again grabbed Van's arm, "Is…
...that an order?"