335 Reinstatemen (1/2)
When the black queen fell, the look on Zero's face cleared up. On the contrary, Poseidon's expression looked like it was going through a very rough storm. His hand shook as he clutched that piece tightly, holding it to his chest. There was an inaudible cracking sound as the poor black queen was pulverised to dust. Zero did his best to ignore the pained expression and made his next move that ended the game.
\”Check.\”
Poseidon didn't bother playing the second and third set, forfeiting both games to Zero. The young doctor won easily and Poseidon excused himself without sparing a second glance to Zero. The teen didn't blame him for the rude behaviour either. If anything, he was happy that Poseidon had finally opened his eyes to reality and accepted the fact that Athena was no more. A period of grieving was required before the wounds of the heart can start to properly heal.
Thankful that things went smoothly for him, Zero was slightly glad that he didn't have to resort to more underhand means of securing the victory this time. He felt as if something pure in him was still preserved by not having to resort to emotional blackmailing and manipulations even if he didn't know what that feeling was.
Back in his room, Poseidon finally let the tears fall even if they got washed away by the sea the moment they left his eyes. When Athena's death reached him, Poseidon never cried for her. When Medusa became cursed, he didn't even visit her because of his guilt towards the queen who had to suffer such a fate due to his incapability to choose between them. Self-loathing and guilt prevented Poseidon from seeing either of the women he loved. The self-inflicted punishment and isolation were only ways for Poseidon to numb the pain he refused to feel until Zero reopened the wounds and forced him to face reality in the harshest ways possible.
Everyone on Hyacinth knew about the results of the match even if nobody really tried to verify the authenticity of the revealed results. As inhabitants of Hyacinth, they understood when Poseidon was grieving and joined him in mourning. The sea lost its vigour and everything was very solemn. Nobody commented about the surging underwater currents that came and went like the fluctuating emotions their master was feeling at the moment. Zero also chose to bid his time wisely, giving his strategy teacher the privacy he required while he communicated with the other Great Gods, informing them about his intentions to reinstate Poseidon back as a Great God while gaining permission from Freya to visit Valhalla again.
Nobody questioned Zero when he brought up the suggestions. In fact, Hades and Zeus couldn't be more grateful that Zero wanted to reinstate Poseidon's position. Sedna was touched and the relief in her tone only expressed how heavy the responsibilities must have been for her over the past few centuries without Poseidon's help.
Zero was dressed in his formal attire, ready to escort Poseidon to Heaven. While Zero was allowed free access to Heaven whenever he wanted because of the special title he possessed, Poseidon could not do the same. First, they were going to Nirvana where Buddha would meet them.
The temporary waypoint that Zero created had been converted into a solid portal array that can be activated using enough mana. This way, Poseidon could return to Hyacinth easily and travel to the House of Great Gods when required after his reinstatement. Poseidon didn't comment when he saw the portal that Zero created in the temple's front yard. He lost the battle after all and had absolutely no rights to speak out. His fate was in Zero's hands.
Zero adjusted the coordinates of the portal and dropped a text to Buddha who replied that he was already waiting for their arrival. Once Zero was certain that all the necessary preparations were in place, he bade goodbye to Carlsen and a few of Poseidon's loyal servants, apologising once more for being unable to bring them along.
The arrival at Nirvana was nostalgic for Zero who felt like he spent way too long in the dreary underwater world and in space jumping through wormholes. The comfortable qi that filled the air made Zero relax a little. Zero took a look at Poseidon who seemed to be a little uncomfortable out of the water but he wasn't struggling to breathe so Zero took it as a good sign. He had already prepared spells to help Poseidon adapt to breathing air if he required but the young doctor's concerns were unfounded.
Buddha greeted his guests politely and escorted them to Lotus Pier where Zero took over the mission of rowing the boat to Heaven. As the journey would take approximately a day, the young doctor decided to yammer away about some of the more trivial things about heaven to entertain the blind titan who hadn't been there for a while.
Poseidon had a faint smile on his lips. It was obvious as day what Zero was trying to do and while he didn't find the stories particularly interesting or amusing, he appreciated the effort that Zero was putting in to make him forget about his grief. Initially, he hated Zero for cornering him but after visiting Nirvana, he understood that this had to be done. In fact, Poseidon might come to regret everything entirely if Zero didn't force him out of his shell. He might not know how to face Medusa or his brothers but with the sunny brunet by his side, he felt slightly better knowing that his student wouldn't let him face his nightmares alone.
Poseidon napped lightly while Zero watched over his teacher, and currently, patient. Poseidon was looking better and his mana flow was starting to feel more stable ever since they got closer to Heaven. Michael was waiting by the pier to help with the registration so that Zero and Poseidon could quickly head over to the House of Great Gods without delay. The plan was that after Poseidon got reinstated, Sedna would hand over a part of her responsibilities back to Poseidon while Freya granted both teacher and student access to visit Valhalla.
Zero was slightly nervous about having to meet Medusa and her sisters again especially with the terms that they parted with the last time. He didn't really have time to apologise for what happened but it was actually an honest accident. He hoped that with Poseidon, he could help to make Medusa feel more generous to allow Zero to find a way to break their curse. Unlike Freya, Zero wasn't too worried about the possibility of the gorgon sisters petrifying Poseidon. The God of Oceans was blind after all and refused treatment for his sight for personal reasons that Zero respected. Still, if Medusa still cared for Poseidon, Zero hoped that after the curse is lifted the ex-monarch can convince him to seek treatment before Zero left for Half Moon Village to meet up with Truen.
The boat docked at the pier and Michael was standing there in all his glory with an icy stare as usual. Zero felt a little unnerved looking at the stern archangel but still managed a casual greeting.
\”You're early,\” the archangel commented with a frown and Zero gulped.
\”It was a smooth journey?\” Zero squeaked and laughed nervously when Michael gave him another levelled stare.
\”Poseidon, since you've previously been exiled from Heaven, you will need to sign this contract for your special permit for a reentrance. All the other relevant documents have been processed but we still need the signature magic to seal the contract. Should you step out of line, know that there will be consequences according to the rules of Heaven. You must not leave your escort, Zero, for more than five minutes and must always be within a fifty-metre radius of your escort. If everything is clear, kindly use your mana to seal the contract.\”
Michael's curt tone made Zero feel nervous. He didn't know if the already sensitive and highly-strung Poseidon would make things difficult for the rude archangel. Thankfully, Poseidon was already accustomed to the archangel's snobbish behaviour and brushed it away easily. He signed the magic contract and was immediately welcomed with a bow.
\”Enjoy your stay with us, sir,\” Michael bowed and excused himself to attend to other matters.
Zero watched the stuck-up archangel leave with a slight pout. It wouldn't hurt to exchange a few pleasantries to catch up on old times, would it? Michael was still as unfriendly as ever even if Zero knew that he was a good person underneath that icy attitude.
Zero decided to take a detour to the market district seeing that he still had a good amount of time before having to meet the Great Gods at the House of Great Gods. He walked around with Poseidon who shrank down in size so as not to attract too much attention. It didn't matter much because everyone noticed the weird outfit the God of Oceans was dressed in. The golden trident he wielded was also a dead giveaway to his identity. Yet, instead of hostility, many residents welcomed the exiled god back warmly and gave Zero huge discounts for the snacks he purchased.