“Guys, as I mentioned before, the Norse gods are interested in forming an alliance with us, but on the condition that we find Odin in Vinland,” Athena said.

  Everyone nodded.

  “Excuse me, master,” Ana interrupted. “We’d like to know what happened to the war in Denmark, and what became of Thor and Loki.”

  “Well, you’ll be pleased to hear the war has ended. The side Loki supported defeated King Harald, and he fled from Aros. Bloodshed has ceased, and Loki has created a bastion of faith so that Odin may recover his strength,” Athena said.

  Ana felt confused. She had gone to stop the war—yet the war had ended on its own. It seemed the one who started the civil conflict had been Harald himself, a king supported by Lel. Ana felt as if she had fought on the wrong side. But then she remembered what Surtr had done, and discomfort returned.

  “Will Athena’s men be like that giant?” she wondered.

  Ana remembered Athena’s deeply misanthropic view of humanity. She believed humans were weak, violent by nature, and therefore required tyrannical divine rule to keep them in line.

  “But why do humans matter so much to you?” Ana had once asked Athena years ago.

  “I’m not sure, Anand,” Athena used to say.

  “Ever since the gods began seeing them as energy minerals, I’ve been interested in them. They seemed weak and warlike, and I wanted to bring order to their world. I started thinking that using them that way was cruel, but it also saddened me to see them slaughter each other. So I tried communicating with them to create better systems of government.

  “But in the end, my own people fell under a barbaric king who caused thousands of deaths in Mesopotamia, Persia, and India—and those idiots still worship him as a great ruler.”

  Ana knew she spoke of Alexander the Great—the conqueror many kings wanted to imitate.

  “So I lost my faith in them. But I still want what’s best for them. They’re not that different from us. If we’re superior, we should protect them—from us and from themselves.”

  Maybe this whole group is nothing but Athena’s extension of wanting to rule humans like livestock. Although… compared to Lel, what’s the difference? Well… at least Athena doesn’t want us dead… yet, Ana thought as she snapped out of her memories.

  “I’m worried about the regions we left behind—Hispania and Ireland. Well, Ana never wanted to be there anyway, but I always tried to protect Ibiza with devotion,” Tania said, pulling Ana back to attention.

  “It’s very likely that Lel has already assigned replacements. They must already know the whole situation,” Athena replied.

  Tania sat down with a dark expression. She feared having abandoned her people.

  She knew of the wars between Christians and Muslims, and even Viking raids. Although Tania didn’t intervene in the wars, she cared about the people of Ibiza. She had lived there for years, keeping her distance, but the island was an easy target for Viking hordes—or if the Christians ever reconquered Turtuxa, they might devastate the nearby islands.

  No… better not think about it. I shouldn’t grow attached to humans, she told herself.

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  But she couldn’t stop feeling guilty. She had allowed wars by following orders, yet deep inside it affected her.

  “Well, returning to the topic,” Horus interrupted, “do you want to send these kids to Vinland to find Odin?”

  “No,” Athena replied.

  “These kids want to rescue a friend first—but he is currently a prisoner in Lel, so they need to train before attempting it.”

  “Then you want me to go to Vinland?” Horus asked.

  “No. I already assigned that mission to Bellona as soon as I returned—that’s why she isn’t here,” Athena said.

  “Horus, you and I will accompany these kids to confront Lel,” she continued.

  “Wait a moment—you want to enter Lel? That’s madness!” Horus shouted, standing up abruptly.

  “Oh, I forgot you’re very weak. Better wait for Bellona to return,” Athena mocked.

  “I’M stronger than she is!” Horus retorted, pointing at himself.

  “Then what are you afraid of?” Athena asked.

  Horus sat down again.

  “I think rescuing someone inside Lel is far too much of a sacrifice—unless we’re talking about a very powerful annunaki,” Horus said angrily.

  “No, he’s just a malak,” Athena replied.

  “You’re kidding. Right?” the Egyptian god snapped.

  “Those were the conditions these kids imposed for joining us—and I keep my promises,” Athena said coldly.

  Horus glared at Rodrigo, then looked back at Athena.

  “I hope that boy is as special as you think,” he said.

  “Great Athena, I believe facing Lel is too big a risk,” Myrddin said.

  “We won’t face him,” Athena replied. “I’m sure Lel doesn’t want a war with us either. They’ll try to pull us toward them using the captured malak.”

  “Then you think Lel will set a trap that simple?” Myrddin asked.

  “Of course,” Athena answered, sitting with a defiant posture.

  “My spies told me Ares has been attending meetings with Anat.”

  “That filthy traitorous rat!” Horus shouted.

  “We know Ares is a coward. He’s probably kissing Anat’s feet right now, begging to be taken back into Lel,” Athena added.

  “And what does that have to do with the malak?” Erinle asked.

  “It’s simple,” Nabu interjected.

  “Anat will use Ares to lure these kids in—and have him kill them. If he succeeds, he and his war gods will be admitted back into Lel.”

  “Exactly, Nabu,” Athena replied.

  The gods murmured among themselves. Rodrigo and the others listened closely.

  “This is a great opportunity to defeat Ares and show Lel we are a force to be feared,” Nabu said.

  “All we have to do is wait until the location leaks—where Ares will attempt to kill these kids—and then we’ll crush him,” Athena said with a smile.

  Everyone nodded.

  Then Athena turned to Rodrigo’s group with a serious look.

  “In the meantime, Ana, I want you to start working with Myrddin. He is a nefil who worked with the legendary King Arthur of Wales. I need you to learn everything he can teach you.

  After observing your battle against Belenus on Earth, I saw your poor resistance to holy power—I need you to withstand it.”

  “Forgive me, master, but I’m a Saturn. I’m destined to—” Ana began nervously, but Athena interrupted.

  “And isn’t your companion Tania a Moon who adapted to become a Sun? Nothing is impossible for us, Ana,” Athena said.

  Ana nodded nervously.

  “It will be an honor to teach such a powerful goddess,” Myrddin said.

  “Mithras and Sol, I want you two to help Epona increase her power, understood?” Athena said.

  “Y–Yes, your highness,” Sol replied nervously.

  Wow… such handsome boys, but they look so insecure, Epona thought as she nodded.

  “Tania, I sense something inside you that keeps you from reaching your full potential,” Athena said. “I assume you’re much stronger than what I saw. In fact, I’d wager that with your true power, you could have defeated those Celtic gods without much trouble.”

  Tania looked away.

  “Don’t worry, Tania,” Athena continued. “You see, Nabu is an expert psychologist. I want you to go to therapy with him. You won’t need combat training for now.”

  Tania took a deep breath.

  “Don’t worry, Lady Athena. Once I treat her, she will overcome her past quickly,” Nabu said confidently.

  “Alright, I’ll try,” Tania replied.

  “And finally, Ramiro, I’m leaving you in Asclepius’ hands,” Athena said, looking at Rodrigo.

  Rodrigo nodded, though he was pretty sure she was purposely changing his name now.

  “Asclepius is an expert in tannin gods. I’m certain he’ll learn to channel your power so you can use it naturally without losing consciousness. Without a totema, you’ll have to rely solely on your serpent abilities.”

  “Rest assured, Your Majesty Athena, I will take care of him,” Asclepius said.

  “Good. Then, with nothing more to add, let us conclude this meeting and get to work,” Athena said.