Chapter 18 - New Life in God of War

Hyperion felt a cold wind hit his body and a bit of snow on his shoulders.
 "Midgard, still the same as always. Wait... this is Freya's breath... she's in the same place where we met her!"

Upon realizing Freya's location, Hyperion didn't hesitate and ran there. Soon, he saw the old turtle house.

He thought for a moment and decided to use phase shift to enter without making the turtle rise.

Entering the house, he saw a woman staring at the fire in the fireplace with a lost expression, her eyes stained black from her tears, which had smudged the shadows around them.

She was also very thin. Normally, a god doesn't feel hunger—they eat for pleasure—so going without food wouldn't make her look like this.

But what can truly affect a god is their mentality. Just as Atreus became sick because his divine nature conflicted with his mind, which believed he was mortal. Or how Thor saw himself as a useless drunkard... which he was... making him fat and gloomy.

So, Freya being so thin meant her mentality had weakened, and she was thinking extremely poorly of herself.

When Hyperion saw her like that, he felt an immense sadness in his chest.

"Little Rune!" Hyperion called softly, using her nickname. Freya loved magic, so Hyperion affectionately called her "Little Rune."

Freya, lost in her thoughts as she stared at the embers in the fireplace, was startled. She turned abruptly and saw Hyperion.

Tears began to fall from her eyes, and deep sadness covered her face.

"Why are you here?" she asked, her voice filled with sorrow.

"Little Rune, why didn't you come to find me? Every day, for eight months, I've been waiting for you to appear and for everything to go back to how it was before, or even better." Hyperion spoke with sadness, stepping closer to Freya.

Even more tears streamed down Freya's face. She tried to back away from Hyperion, but she couldn't as two strong arms pulled her into an embrace.

"Let me go, Hyperion, please, leave!!" Freya tried to resist Hyperion.

Hyperion had to admit that seeing Freya resist him hurt deeply.

"NO, FREYA!! I'm not leaving without understanding why you never came to find me!" Hyperion shouted, then spoke firmly to Freya.

Freya, seeing that he truly wouldn't leave, bit her lip and decided to reveal her feelings.

"Hyperion, when you called me a selfish woman, you woke me up from my illusions... I realized that I wasn't worthy of you, of all the care you gave me. When I agreed to be your wife that day, I was making excuses again, using Baldur as an excuse for everything I did. I didn't take your feelings seriously... so I decided it would be better for you to never see me again. I just want you to be happy!" Freya spoke bitterly.

It was then that Hyperion understood everything. Freya had become extremely thin because of her sadness and loneliness, her mind convinced that she didn't deserve happiness.

"Freya, you foolish girl, don't you see that you're trying to sacrifice your happiness for mine? That doesn't sound like a selfish woman to me. And don't you see that, for me to be truly happy, I have to be with you?" Hyperion asked affectionately, pulling Freya even closer into his embrace.

Freya cried even more and buried herself in Hyperion's chest.

"So, does this mean you accept me?" Freya asked in a muffled voice, full of hope.

Despite everything she had said and thought, she still dreamed of traveling again and being pampered by the person she loved. These eight months alone had made her realize how much she loved Hyperion.

Hyperion didn't answer, but he stroked her head, and soon a green light began to emanate from his hand.

Freya noticed the light and knew what it meant, but she didn't resist. On the contrary, she felt relaxed—light, in a way she hadn't in a long time.

Soon, the hateful memories of her intimacy with Odin began to fade—memories of kisses, memories of affection. She still knew those things had happened, but not the memories themselves...

To better explain, it was like reading in a book, "then there was a passionate night"—you knew it happened, but there were no images of it.

In reality, this was Hyperion keeping the memory that something had occurred to prevent gaps in Freya's mind. But in truth, nothing had happened—those moments were erased from time.

Freya also lost the memories of giving birth to Baldur, though she still knew it had happened.

Now, Freya was pure and untouched, and from now on, she would belong only to Hyperion.

"How do you feel?" Hyperion asked.

"It doesn't feel that different... actually, it's strange to imagine that I was ever not a virgin and that I had been with a man. And worse, of all people, it had to be Odin... well, that was before you manipulated time to undo those things. But I feel great and light, hahaha!" Freya said and laughed happily.

"Well, let's find your sisters and consummate our union, but first..." Hyperion said, a mischievous smile appearing on his face.

Freya blushed and felt happy hearing those words, but she stopped thinking when she saw Hyperion bringing his face close to hers.

Soon, a tender and warm kiss began, turning passionate. After some time, Freya was about to be undressed when Hyperion controlled himself.

"Uuhhh, can't we just continue? We can see the girls later..." Freya pouted.

"Hahaha, don’t be so impatient. You'll have plenty later. Now come with me to find the girls—I have something to show you." Hyperion said, smiling happily and mysteriously at Freya.

Freya just rolled her eyes playfully and followed him out of the turtle house.

"Turtle, shrink!" Freya said loudly, using the command Hyperion had given.

The turtle shrank, and she placed it in the pouch at her waist.

Hyperion saw this and thought of something, a mischievous smile appearing on his lips.

"I bet you cried a lot when you placed the house here and shouted, ‘Expand, turtle,’ remembering my silly password!" Hyperion teased with a smirk.

"Shut up!" Freya turned slightly red and pushed his shoulder.

"You didn’t deny it!" Hyperion continued teasing.

"Shut up!" Freya lunged forward and bit Hyperion’s shoulder.

"Hahaha!" Hyperion enjoyed it immensely. In fact, he had encouraged the girls to bite him when they got mad—it was something he found incredibly cute.

After some more playful teasing, the two decided to leave.

"Ahhh!" Freya yelped as Hyperion suddenly lifted her in a princess carry.

"Let’s go!" Hyperion said with a grin as a portal appeared, showing Kratos and Faye on the other side.

He soon arrived in front of the girls and gently placed Freya down.

"Mission accomplished!" Hyperion joked.

But the girls had already ignored him, embracing each other tightly.

Over time, their bond had become that of sisters, so seeing Freya back and happy filled them with joy.

Hyperion smiled warmly as he watched the three of them hugging and chatting cheerfully.

He was deeply grateful for this life and for the chance that being had given him.