“What’s wrong? You don’t like your stepmom?” asked Zero after he noticed the look of displeasure on Hel’s face.

“No, I don’t dislike her or really like her either. It’s just I pity her at best.” answered Hel

“You pity her? What do you mean?” asked Zero

“My mother was killed 1,000 years ago and my father has never gotten over it. In his anger, 700 years ago he tried to ruin a wedding proposed by Odin by shapeshifting into the groom. As a result of his actions, he was married to Sigyn the goddess of loyalty, faithfulness, and compassion. Due to Aesir and Vanir law, all marriages are unbreakable so she consented to follow my father. As shown by her divinity she’s a kind and faithful wife and that’s the sad part since my father truly only loves my mother so my siblings and I pity her.” explained Hel

“I imagine that’s hard for you. While you love your mother and understand how your father feels you can’t help feeling sorry for her. Does she love him?” said Zero

“From what we’ve seen she didn’t at the beginning but now I believe she does. She once went against Odin himself when he punished my father by chaining him up so that a serpent could drip venom into his eyes. ” said Hel

“So she’ll probably follow him here. I don’t see the problem then.” said Zero

“Did you forget that my father wants you to help resurrect my mother?” asked Hel

“I still don’t see the problem. Even if he can’t love her like he does your mother he should still treat her well.” said Zero

“You don’t know my father; he isn’t like you who surrounds himself with women. I truly believe if he could he would trade me and my siblings to resurrect my mother.” said Hel

Zero looked shocked as he heard Hel’s words and said, “He’s your father and I don’t believe that he would do that.”

Hel smiled and said, “He does love us and would die for us it's just he loves our mother more than us. It's a pretty normal thing in the world of immortals. We gods tend to be more obsessive about the things we want more so than humans and would trade anything to have them. All in all my father is 1 of the good deities since he doesn’t have affairs while bound by marriage.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“You mentioned this before and it sounded weird so I guess I should ask. I’m guessing that being bound by marriage mean something different to deities right?” asked Zero

“Yes, marriage for gods binds the souls of 2 people together and allows you access to each other’s divinity and authority. You have a soul link with the others and that allows your powers to influence each other on a small level such as your bond with Yoko influencing your mana while Valna’s influences your vitality. However, with marriage, you’d be able to use your partner’s abilities as if they were your own ” answered Hel

“So gods can only marry 1 individual?” asked Zero

“No so long as your soul is strong enough you can marry as many people as you wish. In my father’s case, his limit was 2 and now he can no longer marry any other goddess.” said Hel

“Thank you for explaining this to me I’m really learning a lot from you.” said Zero as he pondered something

“Well you’re new to godhood and as your senior, I have to guide you well. Besides, there’s so much for you to learn still so don’t thank me yet. I’ll wait for you to digest this before I teach you more. I’ve left Yoko alone enough so I’ll go check on her you should go too.” said Hel as she walked away

“Well would you look at that she just unloads her family drama on me and then walks away.” said Zero as he talked to himself before teleporting away.

Zero arrived at the hotel lobby and found Julius in the lobby. He walked over and said, “Hey Julius it’s been a while. How have you been?”

Julius turned to face Zero and said, “I’ve been good just a bit tired. I just arrived I hate flying on airplanes. How are you? I heard that during the worldwide crisis you were missing because you were becoming a demigod.”

‘Hmm looks like Hikaru and Yoko decided to not share the fact that I was the cause of that disaster. So Julius, Hammer, and Alucard don’t know. Soma seems to have an idea about it but Mina and Nova seem clueless.’

“Yes sorry I couldn’t help you guys out. So you’ve been gone for a while. What have you been up to?” asked Zero

“Well under Miss Hikaru's orders I’ve been tracking vampires worldwide. I mark their general location and take a picture of them. Some of them will be invited to join the city and the trouble makers will be dealt with later.” answered Julius

“Sounds like tedious work. So now that you’re back how long will you be staying?” asked Zero

“I’ll be here for 3 weeks before I set out again. Why do you ask?” asked Julius

“Well I needed to talk to you, Hikaru, and Hammer about something. You just got back so I’ll let you rest for a day. I’ll let Hammer and Hikaru know so I’ll leave you to go rest now.” said Zero

Julius nodded before walking towards the elevator as he yawned. Zero went to Hikaru’s room and knocked on the door. Alucard opened the door and asked what Zero wanted in a slightly aggressive manner.

Zero smiled and didn’t waste any time arguing with Alucard and used his mental skill to put Alucard to sleep. Alucard collapsed on the ground and Zero walked over his body and entered the room. Hikaru seemed to have fallen asleep at her desk working on some documents. Hikaru had been pushing herself to handle the new city’s logistics and the matters of her gang. Even her vampiric stamina could barely keep up.

Zero felt a bit guilty for working her so hard so he patted her head and said, “I’m sorry big sis but don’t worry I have a plan to lessen your burden.”

‘Hmm, I feel like I’m forgetting something.’

Zero had forgotten about Alucard still collapsed on the floor stuck in the doorway causing the door to stay open. A few employees passed by and looked at the funny situation but decided that it was best to pretend to have seen nothing.