War Inside My Head

Chapter IV

A Fool's Hope

They did not keep on their ride for Dion but rather took a lengthy break in which both reflected on what took place outside of the burning house. Kratos thought to himself there was no way The old man who was Vastla could forget what happened that night and forget the face of Kratos so he must have been planning his death since he helped him from the plains. Kratos knew it was not safe to keep on travelling with Vastla and there was only two ways he could go about fixing this problem and one of them invoked the death of Vastla. Kratos walked around for a while thinking over that night, Kratos was a changed man, He did not crave the blood of men anyway He only wanted to find peace within himself. Walking over the hill and seeing the river connect with the rocky land he made his way down to the where water meet land. Bending down to splash water on his face he for the first time in a while see his Ghost white reflection in the water. The ashes of his wife and child. A day has not passed without him going back to that night when he took both their lives. It forces it's self into his dreams keeping him awake at night and sending him to Madness. With each blink and each gaze into the water and each deep draw of air he could seen flashbacks. Closing his eyes to rid himself of the images only made it worse. His dreams now plagued him whilst he was awake. Closing his eyes harder trying to force them out only made it worse Somehow tears made it's way out of his eyes and slowly made their way down his face to his chin where they dropped into the water. Each tear drop making a tidal wave Kratos opened his eyes and once again caught a gaze of his Ghost like face, the images came back again but this time they had been different. Vastla's child was among his wife and child laying dead. Kratos screamed out in pain and anger before getting up and storming his way to his horse wanting to ride away from his pain. Whilst walking as fast as he could to his horse he could see Vastla standing beside it, this had been a moment both men knew they would not enjoy very much.

Kratos broke his anger stride and started walking slowly towards Vastla who had been packing his things on the horse, a sign he would keep on travelling with Kratos.

"I ride with you till Dion" the words slowly came from Vastla, his comfort around Kratos had bee dashed since that night beside the burning house

"How can I trust you old man..what stops you from trying to kill... me in my sleep?" the words forced themself out from Kratos

"I can't kill a God, But hear me well, that is all that is stoping me, if it was up to me...you..." Vastla stopped his words, he did not want to finish his words, he knew Kratos could have easily have killed him right here and now.

"About that night...I was under..." Kratos pulled back on his words as well not wanting to explain his actions.

Both men whilst started to get along somewhat have now gone back to the way they had been. Cold and distant to each other, Kratos wanted to say he was sorry about killing his child but the words could just not come out. Vastla seemed to be waiting for them to come out but gave up on all hope when Kratos turned to his horse getting ride for the ride to Dion. They still had a far Journey ahead of them. Kratos still had one more question for Vastla but kept it to himself as he jumped on his horse, turning to his side he went to help up Vastla but Vastla shrugged off the help from Kratos and made his slow jump over the horse and behind Kratos. Kicking into the horse both men started their ride again for Dion, whilst at first this was a journey for Kratos to try and find a peace it all changed to one of wanting to get rid of Vastla from his sight, Kratos could not handle having the old man around him anymore and Kratos thought to himself how the old man must feeling riding with the man who brutally killed his Child but Vastla was in the mercy of Kratos, he could not walk to Dion not in his old age so Vastla sucked in his pride and anger for Kratos and keep quiet whilst Kratos began to spur the horse into a full galop.

The long break they took in respect was needed and welcomed regardless of what terms they had stopped. Passing man sites and plains the Sun started to die down as Kratos made his way into a long field before him, more open space what was Kratos needed as he made his way down with the horse slowly down the hill before once again taking his horse into full galop. The Cold air hitting his face, the sun coming down, the sun's rays forcing themself through the trees on the outskirts of the field making stripes along the field made at least Kratos Free for a short period of time, Any amount of time for Freedom was enough for him even if it was for only the short period of time when they crossed the field. Coming out from the field they made their way to a passage of dirt road along the river, Slowing his horse down into a trot and the Shadow of the horse hitting the water on the left to them they came into view of Smoke raping the air ahead of them. The smoke had been as black as death It was clear the fire had only started, Kratos kicked his horse into gallop again and before long they came into view of another house just outside of a small town burning. Kratos stopped into a trot making their way past the still burning house not stopping. Screams could be heard from the inside, Kratos closed his eyes and wanted to block out the screams from his ears but it was no use. Vastla turned back in horror before jumping off the horse falling down but quickly getting back up and running as fast as his old legs could into the house. Kratos screamed out to Vastla that it was too late but it was shouted at no one as Vastla was already inside of the house.

Kratos got off his horse and slowly walked in front of the house looking from the outside. The screams had stopped and Kratos began calling for Vastla but there was no answer, Kratos could see a large red figure from the inside moving around A cold scream came roaring out along with the twisted and upper half body of Vastla was cast outside right into Kratos. Kratos quickly pushed the dead Vastla off him and looked in horror. Kratos took out his blades of Athena and was ready for whatever was inside. A Tall Red flamed figure came out, flames pouring out of him, Horns sticking out from his head. Black Dark eyes of death burned deep into Kratos. Kratos was clearly not expecting this but was ready for battle but what Kratos was not ready for was the words the Devil Figure spoke

"...Brother..."