**Helen!**
The key figure in the Trojan War that cannot be ignored.
Although the core of this war was a struggle for dominance over the Aegean Sea, Helen, as the spark that ignited the conflict, naturally held special significance.
Helen stepped out from the shadows.
Clearly, she had deliberately disguised herself in a palace maid's clothing to escape, but upon closer inspection, one could see the luxurious purple gown underneath.
She no longer tried to hide. She consciously removed the thick veil covering her face.
In such a critical moment, no one wanted to open a "mystery box."
As a symbol of misfortune in the eyes of the Trojans, a true "femme fatale," Helen had rarely shown her true face in recent years.
Unveiling herself was a silent signal: "I'm willing to do whatever it takes."
"Oh!" Atreus let out a soft exclamation.
As the most beautiful woman in all of Greece, Helen had a face with a strong classical charm, resembling an egg—soft and gentle.
Unlike the sharp, angular faces popular in modern time, Helen's features were harmonious, fitting well with traditional aesthetics—smooth and elegant contours.
This kind of classical beauty might not stun at first glance, but it certainly grows more captivating the longer one looks, eventually becoming utterly mesmerizing.
But thinking about Helen's fate was rather pitiful. Historically, after Troy fell, her beauty saved her life once again, according to Homer's *The Iliad*. Her original husband, King Menelaus of Sparta, chose to forgive her.
When events like this are recorded in history, they're polished a million times over.
It's obvious: the Trojan War started because of Helen, and all these Greek kings fought for Menelaus for ten long years. Since many of those kings and heroes were once Helen's suitors, Menelaus couldn't possibly execute her, no matter how much he hated her.
As for Helen's life after returning—was she constantly abused? Did she weep every day? History offers no further account.
*Sigh!*
Don't ask—just blame the Wayne family DNA at work again.
Atreus *Casanova* Wayne declared—this time, it was Batman's fault!
Atreus smirked slightly, but he didn't give Helen the answer she wanted, because he noticed something out of the corner of his eye: "Lady Helen, whether you can leave or not isn't up to me. Isn't that right, Goddess Athena?"
At Atreus's words, both women were startled. Following his gaze, they saw an owl perched on a tree near the portal.
"You noticed? Keen mortal!" the owl spoke in a human voice, and a faint divine aura spread from it, accompanied by an invisible pressure that swept over the area.
Hearts stopped, minds went blank.
The absolute might of the goddess made everyone feel lost and easily submissive.
Helen instinctively knelt. Penthesilea hesitated but then bowed, gritting her teeth. Only Atreus stood tall, his spine straight like a spear.
This, without a doubt, surprised Athena.
She didn't seem angry, but instead said coldly, "No one can take what belongs to the Greeks!"
Atreus smiled slightly. Though he was nervous, he decided to bluff Athena: "Yes, you're right. No one. But… are you sure of where my power comes from?"
The owl's "big Karislan eyes" widened. It seemed to want to peer directly into Atreus's soul.
For a full ten seconds, the man and the owl stared each other down in silence.
Atreus wore a confident expression, betting that Athena couldn't see through his system.
"You…" For the first time in her divine life, Athena lost her confidence. In her divine sight, Atreus's soul and power were shrouded in a mysterious fog.
Atreus grinned: "Hint—my power comes from Queen Hippolyta! Now, guess where that power originates."
He was speaking truthfully yet vaguely.
With Athena's strength, hiding the truth was meaningless.
Don't forget, it was Zeus himself who placed the *God-Killer* power into Diana Prince's soul, a safeguard he personally set against the war god Ares.
Though Athena couldn't fully analyze Atreus's power, that didn't stop her from understanding its composition.
Without a doubt, it bore Zeus's mark.
The Olympian gods had never been united, especially not Athena and her father, Zeus. Sometimes, Zeus, the notorious lecher, even directed his intentions towards his own daughter, Athena.
The Greek gods cooperated when it suited their interests and fought fiercely over power when it didn't.
Their alliances were fickle.
No matter what Athena did privately, she wouldn't openly defy Zeus.
Even though she suspected Atreus was bluffing, she didn't dare strike directly.
At that moment, countless possibilities crossed Athena's mind before she finally spoke: "You may take Helen, but that's all."
Atreus heard the subtext in her words. Not only was he unafraid, but he even showed no respect: "Hey! Athena, are you serious?"
His tone was shockingly arrogant.
In that instant, both Helen and Penthesilea trembled in fear for Atreus.
That was a god from Mount Olympus!
How could you speak to Athena like that?
Or… is your background so terrifying that even the gods are afraid?
Atreus's brazenness seemed to stun Athena.
Unfortunately, the authority of a god cannot be challenged. Even though she sensed something was wrong, Athena remained silent.
Atreus chuckled coldly. If Athena was truly that powerful, she wouldn't disappear so completely in later "DC history."
Since he had entered Wonder Woman's world, it meant this *universe* had to form a complete loop. If the *world* were to make sense, Athena would either fall or suffer greatly. Otherwise, Ares wouldn't have ended up defeating Zeus.
Atreus lifted his head proudly: "Very well! Since that's your decision, so be it. Let's hope you won't come begging me for help one day."
At this, the other three pairs of eyes widened to their limits.
That was sacrilegious speech!
How dare Kratos speak this way!?
But Athena didn't say a word, and with a flap of her wings, the owl flew off.
Apart from the distant sounds of battle, only the owl's clear "hoo hoo" echoed in the night.
"Let's go!" Atreus supported Penthesilea, and Helen, barely breathing, hurried over.
The portal began to glow again, just as the three were about to leave, several Greek chariots rushed toward them.
From Helen's shocked and fearful expression, Atreus knew who had arrived.
He grabbed Helen by the waist and waved toward the distant figure in golden armor: "Farewell!"
(End of this chapter)