Chapter 44: Party in Crete [Season 3: Atlantis]

The calm doesn’t always announce peace.
Sometimes, it’s merely the curtain before a greater spectacle.
The fire on the battlefield may have gone out, but its embers still burn beneath the feet of those who survived.

After every war comes silence — and with it, the illusion that everything is back in place.
Bodies heal, cities are rebuilt, and smiles return to faces.
But in the corridors of power, silence turns into strategy… and a truce becomes a new form of warfare.

In the air still lingers the echo of what was lost: brothers once thought dead, decisions buried beneath false reports, and truths hidden out of fear that, once revealed, they would destroy more than just kingdoms.

And yet, life goes on.
Or at least, it tries to.

Now, under the golden glow of a mansion proudly standing above the sea, the students gather once more.
Not to fight, but to toast.
A celebration that, on the surface, seems like nothing more than that — a welcome, a dinner, a truce.

But every act has many faces, and the brightest smiles are often the ones hiding the sharpest fangs.
Because even at a party… wars can be sealed.
——————————————————————————————————————————

—Your brother? —Zeus raised an eyebrow, surprised—. Are you talking about Zero?
—Yes, that’s right —Shun replied without hesitation.

Zeus lowered his gaze for a moment, as if searching through memories.
—That can’t be true… The last thing we heard about Zero was that he died during a special forces mission. His body… the report was clear.
—That’s the report we all received —Shun said, arms crossed—. But it seems it was a well-orchestrated deception. He faked his death.

—What? —Aphrodite frowned, visibly unsettled—. Wait a second, I’m getting lost here… Edén has a brother?
—Yes —Shun nodded—. He does.
—And why have I never known about this?
—Because we erased every trace of his existence ourselves.
—Huh? Why would you do something like that?

—Zero was an exemplary student, graduated with honors. From the beginning, he showed enormous potential, just like his brother… only he already knew how to control that power. When he was recruited directly by the king, he became too valuable —and too vulnerable— a target. To protect him, and those close to him, his past was erased. Completely.

Aphrodite narrowed her eyes.
—I see…
—However —Shun continued—, ten years ago, there was a classified mission. We were told he died. But it seems he actually used a transformation technique to make a corpse look like him. He planned it all.

—And why would he do that?
—Who knows. Maybe he ran away. Or had a separate mission. The only certain thing is that the revolutionaries are looking for him… both him and Edén.

—And you’re this calm about it? —Aphrodite’s voice rose half a tone—. You could go into Santay yourself and bring him back!
—Edén must have his reasons for going on his own. Something changed inside him after what happened in Nork. I’m not going to interfere. I trust he’ll return… if he chooses to.

—Besides —Zeus added with a serious tone—, if we dare enter the kingdom of Santay without permission, we’ll trigger a conflict. Not only with them, but with the entire coalition. And honestly… one war on my back is enough.

Aphrodite sighed, resigned.
—Then… there’s no other choice?
—No —Shun said, staring into nothing—. We can only trust Edén.

The days passed under the weight of things left unsaid.

In the main hall of GODS, the students remained silent as Aphrodite walked before the podium.
—As you all know —she announced firmly—, Isaac and Edén will not be present for the time being. But that won’t stop the Tournament of God, nor our classes. Until the second round begins, every activity —academic or otherwise— will count toward the selection of the next phase’s representatives. Is that clear?
—Yes! —everyone replied in unison.

—On another note —Aphrodite continued—, tomorrow night we’ll hold a dinner at the Whale Mansion. It won’t only serve as the official welcome for our new temporary student, Sara Blixt, but also for witnessing the draw for the second round. That’s all for today. You may leave.

One by one, they began to leave the classroom amid faint murmurs.
—How are you holding up? —Shu asked as he caught up with Sara in the hallway.
—What do you mean?
—Being here.
Sara hesitated for a moment before answering.
—Well… it’s better than being in Nork right now.
—Yeah… —Shu muttered, looking away—. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to erase what I lived through there.
—Me neither.

Shu pressed his lips together.
—I owe you an apology.
—An apology? For what?
—During the battle of Nork… I was a burden. I couldn’t help you. If it hadn’t been for you, I—
—Stop saying nonsense —Sara cut him off firmly—. I didn’t do anything either. If that guy hadn’t been there, we both would’ve died. There’s no point blaming ourselves now. What matters is that we learn from it… and make sure it never happens again.

Shu nodded, though he didn’t seem convinced.
—Yeah… at the end of the day, someone always ends up saving me. I’m not going to let that happen again.

The twilight dyed the clouds gold as carriages, pulled by majestic white horses, began to arrive one by one before the grand marble mansion rising over the coastal cliffs.
—Welcome to the Whale Mansion —announced Paci, Poseidon’s servant, bowing politely to each carriage as it stopped.

—What an unpleasant place… —muttered Zef as soon as he stepped down from the carriage.
—Again with that face? —Lowa remarked, crossing her arms—. You’ve looked even grumpier than usual since we got here.
—Yeah —added Sebastian, raising an eyebrow—. What’s wrong with you? You’re even more sour than normal.
—Nothing —Zef replied coldly—. I just hate this place.

—Welcome… —Paci continued, but when his gaze fell upon Zef, his face lit up—. Oh, it’s been such a long time, young master.

Lowa and Sebastian exchanged a glance.
—Young master? —they said in unison.
—Shut your mouth, scum —growled Zef, shooting Paci a deadly glare.

—If you didn’t want to face your family, why’d you come? —asked Yohei, approaching from the side—. Stop acting like a child.

Zef didn’t answer with words. He instantly summoned a trident of water and pointed it straight at Yohei’s throat.
—Do you want to die?
—I’d lower that if I were you —warned Yohei in an icy calm tone.

At that moment, a pair of strong arms wrapped around both of them.
—Come on, come on… calm down, both of you —said a deep voice.

The imposing figure of Poseidon appeared between them. A light scratch, caused by Zef’s trident, crossed his cheek.
—Not bad —he said with a crooked smile—. You’ve gotten strong, my son.
—Take those filthy words out of your mouth —snapped Zef, lowering the trident—. Scum.
—Oh, come on, Poseidon! —Aphrodite’s voice cut through the scene—. Stop provoking my students.
—Yeah, yeah, whatever you say —he replied, raising his hands in mock surrender—. Such temper…
—Let’s go. Everyone, inside. Find your seats.

—————

The mansion looked like an ancient temple carved by the gods of the sea. Columns of fossilized coral, giant pearl lamps, and sapphire mosaics decorated the main hall. Students of every rank took their seats while several divine figures watched from the stage: Hermes, Ares, Hestia, Dionysus.

Suddenly, the lights went out. A single spotlight lit the center of the stage.
—Again with the theatrics... —Zef thought, frowning.

The lights rose, revealing Poseidon standing with a goblet in his hand.
—Welcome to my humble abode —he proclaimed in a resonant voice—. Tonight we do not only celebrate the arrival of a new student, but also the beginning of an important chapter. Some of you will be assigned a key mission. It will be a pleasure to work with you.

A chill ran down Zef’s spine.
—That smile... —he thought—. What the hell are you plotting, damn you?

—And now —Poseidon continued—, with great pleasure, I present our new student: Sara Blixt!

Applause broke out. Sara, a little nervous but smiling, climbed the stage.
—Thank you all... —she said in a steady voice—. I know I come from a conflict zone, but I hope to grow and give my best here. Thank you for your warmth. I will do my best to live up to it.

—Welcome to GODS, Sara Blixt —Aphrodite declared, pinning the academy’s crest to her uniform.

The applause returned, warmer this time.

Minutes later, in a secluded corner of the hall, Aphrodite had Poseidon pinned against a mother-of-pearl column, one hand gripping his throat.
—What the hell was that whole little show? —she hissed through clenched teeth.

—Hey, hey —he answered in a hoarse voice—. It’s not very gentlemanly to quarrel like this at a celebration.

—Don’t lecture me on gentlemanliness. You’re the opposite of that.

Aphrodite tightened her grip.
—Tell me now. What are you up to?

—Come on, Aphrodite... —Poseidon tried to smile—. Don’t show your love so intensely. You’ll make me blush.

—You bastard! —Aphrodite roared, and her leg shot out in a furious kick toward Poseidon’s face.

But he stopped it with a single hand, steady, as if the whole thing had been choreographed beforehand.
—I won’t let you ruin my pretty face —he said in a low, dangerous voice—. And if necessary... I will kill you.

Aphrodite stepped back immediately. Not out of physical fear, but because of the dense, murderous aura he had exuded for an instant. That darkness hiding beneath elegance. That shadow gods show only after they’ve crossed too many lines.

—If you’re so eager to know —Poseidon continued, smoothing his tunic calmly—, I’ll tell you. But not now. Everything in its time, don’t you think, Aphrodite?

—————

Inside the hall, Dionysus was dancing on top of a table with a cup in his hand, completely drunk.
Music, applause, laughter — everything was a spectacle.

CLONK, CLONK.
Bells began to ring, softly at first, then louder.
—What’s that? —Aphrodite asked, turning her head.
—Seems it’s time for the draw —Poseidon replied with a feigned smile—. We’d better head inside.
—Yeah...
—After you —he added with a mocking bow.

Aphrodite walked ahead without answering. Poseidon remained by the doorway, unmoving.
—Mind telling me what you’re doing out here, Zef?

The voice cut through the shadows like a blade.
From the rooftop, hidden among the marine statues, Zef descended slowly and effortlessly, landing with feline grace before his father.
—I thought I’d concealed my energy —he said dryly.
—You did —admitted Poseidon—. But you don’t know how to hide your hatred. If you ever face someone truly strong, they’ll sense you before you even blink.
—Then —Zef replied, stepping forward— there’s no point in hiding anymore.
—So tell me —Poseidon asked, his tone almost mocking—, what are you doing out here?
—I’m the one asking the questions, not you.

Poseidon smiled. That same smile Zef had learned to both fear and despise.
—As you wish, sir —he muttered with false courtesy.
—What’s your plan, bringing us all here? —Zef snapped—. I doubt this is just some welcome party for Sara. I doubt you even care. So tell me what you’re really after.

Poseidon stared at him in silence. Then he stepped closer and, in a movement so fast it was almost invisible, pressed the edge of his sea-forged sword against his son’s neck.
A drop of blood fell onto the marble.
—You’re lucky —he said softly—. I still have a little fondness for you, you pathetic weakling.

Zef froze. For an instant, his blank gaze said it all.
But then Poseidon felt something cold against his back —a blade. Silent. Lethal.
—Well, well... —he whispered, without turning around—. What a surprise. I didn’t expect that.
—You’re quite promising, Yohei —he added with a mocking tone—. Tell me, would you like to be my son instead?
—Aren’t you ashamed to say that in front of your real son? —growled Yohei, pressing the blade closer to his back.
—Him? Don’t joke. The only thing he inherited from me is my blood… and that’s a waste. He’s had the privilege of carrying my lineage, and he’s thrown it all away.

Zef said nothing. His face was completely blank —as if those words no longer hurt… or hurt far too much.
—Oh really? —Yohei shot back—. At his age, I bet you couldn’t even touch him. If it weren’t for that scum Zeus, you and your brothers would still be rotting in his stomach.

Poseidon smiled —a mix of rage and irony.
—You’re definitely his son. Insolent... just like him.

—You two! —Lowa’s voice echoed from the doorway—. Stop acting like idiots and get inside! The draw’s about to start!
—Yeah, yeah... we’re coming —Yohei replied calmly.

Zef turned away without looking back.
—See you soon, Zef —Poseidon murmured, like a dark promise.

Inside the grand hall, the lights dimmed slowly, and a magical projection spread across the crystal dome.
Hermes appeared, elegantly dressed, wearing his usual charismatic smile.
—Hello, everyone! —he greeted—. Welcome to the draw for the second round of the Tournament of God! This time, five qualifying institutes will compete: GODS, Migats, Zutarts, Nekiams, and Wetinns. Joining them will be last year’s runner-up... the Nede Institute.

A murmur spread among the students.
—Now then, with that said... —Hermes raised a finger—. Let’s begin the draw.