Reincarnated as a Half-God with SSS Abilities

Xander and Diana spent the rest of their day talking about all the crazy things Xander had to go through just to get back. Diana was surprised there were makeshift enemies that were so realistic. She explained how she read over 30 books and trained every day. She also mentioned that Athena visited and said that she was going to return with another trial for her.

"What? Already? That's a bummer. I thought we'd get to at least spend some time together relaxing." Xander frowned.

"Well, she knows you are back and she hasn't come yet, so maybe she will give us some time to just hang out? I was alone for a really long time. Thank you for leaving Hope, I really can't stress that enough. How were you able to deal with it mentally? I'm sure it wasn't easy on you either!"

"I did visit my parents once when they were taking a nap and asked them for some advice on how to get back. I was thinking of it wrong, I didn't remember it correctly. I thought of it was a square when really if you look, the universes are in four corners. They also told me they missed us and Emery and Emma were doing well, so that helped. I also forced myself not to use time magic but just thinking about you alone was enough honestly."

They were sitting on their porch on the swinging loveseat furniture Athena left them when they arrived, holding hands with Diana gently resting her head on Xander's shoulder, watching the moon slowly rise in Paradise.

"Can't beat that view…" Diana said softly.

Xander turned and looked into her golden eyes. "I prefer this view, I missed you so much."

He hugged her and she smiled. She finally let out her emotions and was crying on his shoulder.

"It was so hard just to be here alone for so long."

Xander gently rubbed her back, near her shoulders while whispering, "I know, I missed you too. Just let it out. Being a god comes with a lot of responsibility and it's not easy when you're alone. Heck, this place was driving me so crazy and I missed everyone from home so much I sped up time just to rewind it and speed it up again so my parents got to experience the 3 years I skipped."

After a minute or two she finally stopped crying and used her sweater to wipe away her tears. She kissed Xander and smiled. "I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you, and Hope literally was so kind and I'm sure it wasn't easy for you without her."

Xander smiled. "No, it wasn't, but I've been here before, you haven't. I'm honestly surprised Athena put us through that test, but to be fair, she let you basically skip the trial because you already know the result."

"I did," Athena said kindly as she appeared.

"Hey Nana Fena!" Xander said while standing up to give her a hug, which she graciously accepted.

"Well, how are you two both feeling now? Closer? Further apart?"

'It's not fair. I already know the answer to how she's feeling but she doesn't know how I feel so I'll talk first.'

"Honestly, closer. I'm glad she let out her emotions and was able to confide in me what was so difficult about it. I'm glad Hope was so great with her. I missed her a lot but I knew it was the right decision," Xander said while smiling, walking back and extending his hand for Diana to help her up.

She smiled, grabbed his hand and allowed him to help up. She whispered, "Thank you, that was very sweet of you to say," and kissed his cheek before going to give Athena a hug.

"Oh! I didn't expect a hug from you but I guess we are technically family now aren't we?" She smiled.

"I never thought of it that way but we are, aren't we?" Diana smiled. "Anyway, I thought about your question a lot during the time Xander was gone. I knew it was a test of patience, but I also knew it must have a deeper meaning and after reading a lot of the ancient texts about gods and goddesses, being able to do things alone while separated from your loved ones is a requirement sometimes and other times it requires someone you're very close with, so I think it will bring us much closer together in the long run."

Athena folded her hands together with a bright smile.

"Excellent. I knew you two would find the deeper meaning in this. Yes, the goal was to bring you closer together while making sure you remained independent and patient. It is not easy to sit and wonder about what could potentially be happening to someone you love when they are in a dangerous situation without being able to help. But you are only able to help on Exteria because you are blessed via Sora's party to help him fulfill one of his two destinies, preferably the save the world part. There will be plenty of times when you see something on a planet in one of our Universes where you will desperately want to go help the people, but simply cannot."

"Oh, I never thought of that!" Xander exclaimed and Diana nodded in agreement.

"So like when Ignis' planet was under attack by the titans and Azazel, I'm sure plenty of gods and goddesses wanted to help and save that race?" Xander asked.

"Of course we do, it's only natural to want to save good people in this world but if I set rules and allow people to break them, what is the purpose of having me as a leader? I trusted that Ignis would be safe, as would his brother, and the flame would still burn brightly on that planet. Now look at Leila, it took over 2500 years but a new dragon exists. Gods and goddesses that serve under me must have patience and trust me, which you have both proven to me in a formal trial, so thank you."

Xander wrapped his arm around Diana's shoulder and pulled her in tightly, smiling.

"So your majesty, what is this next trial where I have to learn to be a goddess?" Diana asked nervously.