As soon as Poseidon said that, all the children turned to him at the same moment, stopping the training they had been practicing just moments before. The scene froze for a few seconds, as they exchanged glances with each other, as if making sure of what they had heard… then suddenly, without any warning, they all rushed toward Poseidon at incredible speed, like a small whirlwind of noise and excitement.
Poseidon's eyes widened as he saw the scene, and he shouted loudly:
"Stop! No pushing! There's room for everyone!"
But his words were lost amidst the sound of little feet and the children's excited cries.
Within seconds, the area outside Odin's house was filled with children, leaving no space to stand. Voices rose, laughter intertwined with questions, and the place turned into a noisy, bustling scene.
Odin sighed deeply as he watched. He had originally intended to sit quietly outside his house, observing the children's training and seeing their progress himself… but he was surprised to see all his siblings had come with their chairs and were sitting in front of his house in the same way, watching the children with him. He didn't care much at first and thought to himself: It's fine… they're my siblings.
But for Poseidon to bring all these children here?
That was unbearable… and he would never approve.
Odin suddenly stood from his chair, determined to drive all the children away and restore order. However, just as he approached them and heard them excitedly say:
"Are we going to see your previous home, Lord Odin?"
His heart softened a little.
He sighed again, then suddenly raised his hand and said in a majestic voice:
"Watch, children… this was our previous home."
As soon as he finished speaking, a massive whirlwind appeared above him and the children at incredible speed, as if the sky itself had split open to display what his raven was seeing at that moment.
The children were awestruck by the sight, their screams rising, competing to describe what they saw.
But one of Athena's children suddenly spoke clearly:
"But, Lord Odin… isn't the view from the raven a little far? Let it come closer to the island… we want to see it up close."
Odin nodded calmly and said:
"Very well, my little one… I will do that."
He then instructed his raven to approach the island, but quietly, so no one would notice.
The raven got closer and circled the island, examining it from above… and here Odin and his siblings were surprised by something unexpected.
There were no ships.
No moored vessels.
No boats approaching.
No activity at the port.
A heavy silence settled.
Hades spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of apprehension:
"Go closer, Odin… show us what's inside."
Odin commanded his raven to enter the heart of the island.
As soon as the raven reached its depths, Odin and his siblings' eyes widened at what they saw.
The island… was empty.
The young children spoke with obvious concern:
"What's happening, Father Hades? Where are the people who live on the island?"
Another addressed Athena:
"Yes, Mother Athena, where are the people and the merchants? Didn't you tell us it was once a great trading island?"
A third child tugged at Poseidon's robe:
"Father! Father Poseidon! Where are the children and sweets you said were here? Where are they? Come on!"
Suddenly… chaos erupted.
The children surrounded their parents, asking questions, insisting, and demanding answers.
The brunt of it fell on Poseidon.
His children were literally on top of him, pulling his hair and clinging to his body from all directions in a strange manner. Every time he tried to remove one child from his shoulder, another appeared in its place.
And whenever he pushed one away from his arm, another climbed up his leg.
It was like a real curse…
A curse that would never leave him.
Odin shouted sharply in a firm, cutting voice:
"Stop what you're doing, children! No more foolish behavior… is that clear?"
As soon as he said this, the children suddenly stopped moving and talking. Those who had been on Poseidon's shoulders sadly climbed down, glancing at their father with eyes full of sorrow and confusion.
Seeing this, Poseidon quickly stepped back and stood behind Athena, panting from exhaustion, especially after what the children had done. He took a deep breath before continuing in a broken, anxious voice:
"How dare you, children… have you forgotten how I used to punish you? Very well… from now on, you will see a completely different Poseidon than what you see now."
Hades smiled mockingly as he looked at his siblings, then turned to Odin and said:
"How did our island become like this, brother? I thought that after we left the island, and even after our father destroyed it, the merchants would occupy the island and take control. It was a wonderful island in every way, far from the noise of war and conflict."
Odin paused, lost in thought, then calmly replied:
"I think the reason, brother, has to do with what our father did before… do you remember who he angered before we fled here?"
As soon as Odin said that, Athena spoke with curiosity and anticipation:
"Do you mean it has to do with the dragons?"
Poseidon and Hades looked at Odin with great attention, as did the children, who had stopped all movement, their eyes fixed on his words.
Odin sighed slowly as he replied:
"No, no, sister… I don't think it's directly related to the dragons, but after our father angered the two dragons and destroyed the island previously, I think the merchants were afraid to approach or try to control the place, even if mountains of gold and silver covered it. These merchants are like hyenas—they avoid places that could threaten their lives… who can guarantee that a dragon wouldn't come, see the island where our father lived, get angry, and destroy it with uncontrollable wrath?"
As soon as Odin said this, Hades and the rest of the siblings nodded in agreement, while all of them remained silent, lost in deep thought.
Suddenly, one of the children shouted sharply, breaking the silence and focus:
"What's that strange light over there?!"