A herd of deer wander around a small clearing in the forest, nibbling on twigs and patches of grass hidden under layers of snow.

Kratos is silent as he observes Atreus.

The boy has changed from the time of his very first deer hunt. There wasn't a hint of nervousness on his face; only the collected calmness of focus and determination.

So much like Faye...

A young wolf zoomed between them, charging at the herd, yipping and barking excitedly. The deer scatter and Atreus lowered his bow with a huff.

"Fenrir, no! Stop!" he shouted, jumping to his feet. Kratos stood from his crouched position as well since staying hidden no longer mattered.

The young juvenile wolf paid no heed to his master's orders and went about sniffing the area.

"Call your wolf back before it wanders off," Kratos advised, a plan formulating in his head to track down the fleeing deer.

Atreus nodded and cupped his hands around his mouth, "Fenrir, come on, boy. Let's go!"

Fenrir glanced at him, his eyes sharp and bright in contrast to his pitch black fur, and continued sniffing.

Kratos began walking away.

"Come!" he barked without looking back.

Fenrir snapped to attention and bounded after him like an obedient battle hound. From behind, he heard his son let out a noise of indignation. The young wolf stopped beside him and barely managed to bump the top of his head against Kratos' fingers, and if one weren't paying attention, they would have missed him extending his fingers, just barely, to greet the wolf back.

"You should have more control over you wolf by now, Boy," he chided when Atreus caught up with them.

Atreus pouted and kicked the snow. "I'm trying to but he only seems to listen to you."

"That is no excuse," he replied apathetically.

"It's not an excuse," his son snipped rather defensively. "Wolves are pack animals. They only follow the strongest, the leader, and that's not me at all..."

The insecure tone in Atreus' voice had Kratos peering closely at his son. He didn't say anything at first. He let them travel in silence as they followed the deer tracks through the woods, Fenrir in the lead.

Finally, he inhaled deeply, hardening his face.

"Your mother and I came upon a wolf hunt once," he said before he could change his mind. He ignored the way Atreus' head whipped toward him, surprise probably written all over his face. "She pointed to one and told me that was the leader. It was neither the strongest or fastest, nor the biggest, but it held itself with a quiet confidence that commanded respect. When they chased after their prey, the wolf took charge and chose all the decisions that would lead to the pack's success. That is what makes a true leader."

Atreus chuckled nervously. "That sounds intimidating. I don't think I could ever command respect over, well, anyone. In that way."

"It is easier than you perceive." Kratos' mind briefly drifted to the past, to an old and distant life. "I commanded armies similar to the way a wolf leads its pack. There was no time for self-doubt when there were wars to win."

"Not all of them were wars, though," Atreus said quietly. Kratos stared at him in confusion until he finally spoke up again. "I remember you told me, you killed a lot of people... many who weren't deserving."

There was an awkward silence that passed.

"I have, conquered many places, all in the name of Sparta." He frowned deeply, a sliver of disgust curling in his stomach. "No. That is an old lie. I did not fight for Sparta. I fought for glory. All the wars I led, all the people I've killed, it was all for glory."

Kratos was tingling with unbridled shame. To finally admit to one of his major faults, something that was looked down upon in Sparta and in their whole way of life, left him feeling uncomfortably vulnerable, even if it was all in his mind. He was trained to be a soldier that served his people selflessly, and in the end, he had failed to become that soldier. Worst, he held too much pride to admit it.

Until now, that is.

He still felt disappointed with himself but coming to terms with his immoral leadership did lift a weight off his shoulders he hadn't known he had been carrying.

"Sounds like a waste of time, to me," Atreus commented nonchalantly.

Kratos was caught off guard at his son's response. Then, an amused smile flickered across his face.

"It was."

The conversation was dropped as they returned their focus on locating the herd. When they found them, Atreus got back into position, readying his bow while Kratos gestured with his hand for Fenrir to sit and stay put. All was going smoothly when the group of deer suddenly took off as if spooked by something. Multiple set of hooves stampeded through the snow, their departure revealing a strong looking buck that remained in place, standing unfazed in the swarm of fleeing deer.

The herd was gone, leaving only the buck.

A growl erupted from deep within Fenrir's chest. A raised hand from Kratos quickly silenced the wolf.

A steady exhale and Atreus took the shot. The arrow flew through the air and soundly struck the buck through its heart. The animal did not cry but simply collapsed like a wooden toy.

Atreus let out a relieved exhale and smiled proudly.

They left their hiding spot and approached the downed animal. They stopped before it and Kratos pulled out a large, shredded knife.

"Clean the kill," he ordered and handed it to Atreus.

He took it and went to work immediately. When it got time to slice open the underbelly, Fenrir growled and leapt at him.

"Fenrir, what are you doing? Stop!" Atreus managed to shove the wolf away and jabbed a finger in his direction. "No," he snapped bluntly and went back to finishing his task, ignoring the whining wolf.

The second he cut it all the way open, an ungodly stench filled the air, making them slap their hands over their mouths and noses. Atreus jumped back when a pile of rotting intestines slid out onto the snow.

"What the hel?" Atreus exclaimed from beneath his hand. "What is wrong with him?"

They both stilled, watching the intestines shift as something moved inside. In the blink of an eye, a small black creature shot from within the corpse, heading straight for his son! Kratos barely had time to react when Fenrir appeared out of nowhere and snatched the creature in his jaws. The wolf shook his head vigorously until an audible crunch sounded and he spat it out, licking his lips like he's tasted something nasty.

Atreus quickly went to look at the thing, Kratos coming up behind him to peer over his shoulder.

"It's a rat," he revealed, his face scrunched up in a mixture of disgust and confusion. He bent closer and gasped and backed away immediately, pushing Kratos back, too. "It's a plague rat!"

"All rats are a plague," Kratos said with a grimace.

"No, you don't understand. This is a 'plague rat'. One bite and you're done for. Mom says they carry all the disease of mankind and if you're bitten, you'll get all of it." Atreus shuffled around the rat cautiously and used his foot to bury it with snow. "I've never seen one before but that's definitely it. Did you see? It had crows feet."

Kratos cocked his head slightly. "Is it edible?"

Atreus paused, dumbfounded. "I don't know... I don't think so." He finished covering the rat and went to Fenrir and crouched before the wolf and began petting him. "I'm sorry, boy. You were only just trying to help."

Fenrir licked his face, causing Atreus to draw back and wipe at the saliva.

Kratos looking away from the two and up towards the sky. "We should keep moving."

They went on their way, leaving behind the rotting buck and buried rat.

With Fenrir leading them by his nose, Atreus said, "I still don't get it. What would a plague rat be doing here? I thought they only lived in Hel."

"It could have been a trap." It was just a suggestion, a speculation really, but it made sense to him.

"But who would do that? That's just... wrong."

"Perhaps it was Hermes."

"Who?"

"Nobody worth knowing."

The deer he shot was slung around his father's broad shoulders.

Atreus felt a twinge of guilt. He still hated that he had to kill an innocent animal but, like his father says, it is simply survival.

At least this one wasn't hiding any surprises inside.

They were heading in the direction of home when Fenrir halted and sniffed the air. He had a gut feeling something bad was going to happen and wouldn't you know it, his wolf shot off like an arrow, ignoring his and even his father's calling.

"Fenrir, come back!" Atreus yelled, chasing after the damn wolf. For being a young adolescent, Fenrir was fast and it took every ounce of his stamina to stay on his tail. He was huffing and puffing by the time he caught up with the wolf, or really Fenrir stopped running, allowing Atreus to close in on him.

The sound of battle snapped his focus to what he and the wolf stumbled upon.

Before him, a nasty group of draugr were closing in on a lone woman, and to make matters worse there was a troll!

He heard crunching in the snow behind him and a quick glance back revealed it to be Kratos.

"We have to save her!" Atreus exclaimed and dashed bravely to the aid of the fair maiden, in despite of his father's vocal protest. With his bow in his hands and Fenrir at his side, he aimed and shot one of the draugr through the head. His heart beat wildly as he rolled to the side, dodging a lunge attack. Settling quickly into a crouch, he raised his bow, arrow pulled back only to hiss in pain as the draugr knocked his bow aside.

He would have been dead meat if Fenrir hadn't snatched the draugr's forearm in his mouth, temporarily distracting the undead warrior. Atreus wasted no time putting two arrows through his eye and chest.

Whilst he and Fenrir were picking off the last of the draugr, a blur of white passed them by. Atreus turned and saw his father had entered the battle and was heading straight for the troll.

The troll, smaller than the previous ones they've encountered before, faced the incoming opponent and promptly roared in greeting, the moss draping from his back and shoulder quivering from the intensity. Faster than he thought a troll possible, the creature swiftly careened the flat end of his mossy stone totem at Kratos. His father darted to the side, barely avoiding contact, and hurled the axe which lodged into the troll's chest.

The axe must feel like a toothpick in comparison since it caused the troll little to no damage but Kratos didn't seem to mind or care. Strangely enough, his father did not call the axe back and instead jumped on the totem and traveled up the troll's arm. Before the troll could shake him off, Kratos dove for the axe and using his momentum, swung up in an arc and planted his feet on the bottom of the troll's chin.

Atreus has witnessed the amazing feats of strength his father was capable of and it came as no surprise to see the troll's head snap back, his feet lifting from the ground and come crashing back down on his back. Meanwhile, Kratos grabbed the stone totem midair and prepared to obliterate the troll's head to smithereens.

"No!"

The woman came out of nowhere and body slammed into Kratos, knocking them both off course. The totem landed with a resounding thud, followed by two bodies rolling awkwardly to a stop in the snow.

Atreus stood in shock: one because the woman they had been trying to save just attacked his father and two, she had knocked his father away- in midair!

Kratos was on his feet in an instant and so was she. They both pointed their weapons at each other; an axe and a warhammer. Suddenly, this whole saving the maiden quest turned into something completely unexpected...

"What in all the nine realms do you think you are doing!" the woman demanded fiercely.

"We're here to rescue you," he answered since he didn't think Kratos would. In fact, his father looked just about ready to fight.

The woman eyes darted to him. "By murdering my friend?"

Confusion swept over Atreus. "Your... friend?" At that moment, the troll clambered to his feet, rubbing at his sore jaw. Though the woman claimed to be friends with the creature, Atreus couldn't help but take a step back. Fenrir yipped happily, completely unaware of the situation.

The woman sighed and stood up from her battle stance. "Look, there's clearly been a misunderstanding."

"Clearly," Kratos said gruffly.

She gave him a sharp look but shook her head. "Thank you, for coming to my aid but I wasn't in any danger from my friend here. It was the draugr who sneaked up on us, as to be expected."

Atreus shouldered his bow, no longer seeing them as a threat. "Why are you out here then if you knew you were going to be attacked?"

"It's my job, kid," she replied with an easy smile.

"Who are you," Kratos cut in, reattaching his axe and crossing his arms.

The woman raised a brow. "I could ask the same of you two." She placed a hand over her chest. "I am Thrud and this is Grendel of the Mist. We're part of the search and rescue division. Actually, we're out here looking for people like you."

Atreus could practically see his father tense as he unwrapped his arms, his hands tightening into fists. The last time somebody came looking for them ended up being a disaster, more or less.

"What do you want?" his father said in a low, threatening tone. If Thrud noticed his hostility, she didn't let it show. Most people would have been scared by now but she simply ignored it.

"I don't know if you've noticed but there's been a recent wave of draugr popping up. This area and whoever lives here is considered dangerous and at most risk. Do you live around here?"

"That is none of your concern."

"We live in the WildWoods."

Atreus flinched and mouthed sorry when his father sent him a look of annoyance.

"The WildWoods huh," Thrud muttered, rubbing her chin. "That is a well hidden area. No wonder the draugr haven't swarmed you guys by now. Yet, you two are still at risk. I was ordered to find any remaining straggles and take them back to the caravan. From there we'll head to base camp. It will be safe there."

"We can take care of ourselves," replied his father.

"I can tell," she said while looking around at the bodies of the undead strewn about. She then glanced at the sky. "I understand you won't be traveling with us to back to camp, but at least spend the night with the caravan. It's late as it is and you wouldn't want to be caught out there in the dark."

"We'll be fine," Kratos grunted and moved to leave.

"I'm not talking about you."

Kratos stopped and his eyes met Atreus'.

"It will be just for one night. There'll be plenty of food and water to go around and a tent for you and your boy. There's also children his age he can play with."

"Really?" Atreus gaped excitedly. He's never met other kids and he's always wondered what it would be like to have friends. Don't get him wrong, his mother was great company, his father... not so much but he would have preferred the company of a sibling. Sometimes, he would get lonely playing by himself and at times he would wish for somebody at his side to go exploring with and a wooden toy wasn't a fulfilling substitute.

He looked at his father intensely and with pleading eyes said, "Can we go? Please?"

"No."

His chest fell. "But it will only be for one night!" he sputtered.

Kratos narrowed his eyes at him. "I said no."

Atreus snatched his wrist, "Please Father. I never ask for anything. Please, please just do this one thing for me and- and I promise I won't ask for anything ever again. Just... please?"

He waited with bated breath for his father's reply, and just when he thought his silence was a clear 'no', Kratos grunted a stiff, "Fine."

Atreus could practically leap with joy but he settled with a grin.

Thrud nodded her head. "Alright then, since you're coming I would suggest getting your kill before your dog over there eats it."

They both whipped their heads to see Fenrir tugging at the forgotten deer's thigh. Kratos growled and marched over to fetch the animal. When he was out of earshot, Thrud crouched beside Atreus and gently nudged his shoulder.

"Hey, what's your name, kid?"

He turned and found her way closer to him than he expected. From this distance he could see her face better, especially the tattoos around her eyes. They were printed in the shape of butterfly wings and every time she blinked he imagined they would flap. The tattoos enhanced her beauty and though she may have not needed rescuing she was a fair maiden indeed.

"A-Atreus," he stammered and suddenly remembered his father. "And he's Kratos."

Thrud eyed his father. "Is he really your pappa?"

"Yes."

"And... where is your mother?"

Atreus' nervousness disappeared and he lowered his head. "She's dead. She died before the start of this winter." Tears welled up in his eyes. He thought he was done crying. Apparently, he was wrong. It didn't help that he was going to cry in front of a total stranger. His cheeks flamed at the thought.

"I... I am so sorry."

Atreus looked up because she sounded as sad as he felt. He was surprised to meet glossy eyes.

"I didn't know," she whispered.

They both blinked at the sound of his father's return. Thrud wiped at her face and stood, appearing as if nothing had happened.

"Follow us, then," she said with a firm nod. She and the troll began walking away, leaving him and his father with no choice but to follow.

"We're getting close to the caravan. You might want to keep your dog close to avoid a panic. He looks like a wolf."

"He is a wolf," Atreus answered and the look on her face made him add, "Oh, don't worry. He's friendly!"

Thrud looked to Kratos in disbelief.

Inwardly, Kratos grumbled. He knew problems like this would arise and that was one of the many reasons he wanted to avoid human population. It was an annoyance to be around people and he much preferred the serenity of solitude. He had to remind himself that they would only be staying for one night and by tomorrow, things will go back to normal.

"Fenrir," he yelled and the wolf came zooming back to him. When he was beside him he told the wolf to heel and Fenrir obeyed flawlessly.

Thrud looked at the wolf funnily. "Fenrir?" she asked quizzically.

Atreus smiled, "He's not the real Fenrir. He would be a lot bigger if he was."

She nodded in understanding. "Ah, I see you're not a fan of the Allfather I take it?"

"Are you kidding? He tried to- uh, I mean he's not my favorite god," Atreus finished awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.

"That's okay. He's not mine, either."

Grendel the troll said something to Thrud and departed.

"Where's he going?" Atreus said, watching the troll go.

"He's going back to base camp where his tribe is."

"Will he be alright traveling alone at night?"

"He'll be fine," she said reassuringly. "Trolls have a natural affinity to the cold and they can see better in the dark, better than even an owl." She curled her fingers into the shape of a circle over her eyes and hooted at the boy, making him giggle.

When his giggling died down he asked, "How did you become friends with a troll? I thought they hated men."

If Kratos' ears pricked with curiosity, that was his own business.

Thrud rubbed the back of her shoulder, "Oh, well that is a very long story and yes, trolls don't like men, some more than others."

"Don't they eat people?" Atreus said slowly.

She shrugged. "Like I said. Some more than others. That's why Grendel made me this." She slipped out an amulet from under her shirt and showed it to him. Kratos eyed the jewelry. It was carved in the shape of a circle but the two ends in the bottom didn't connect and instead overlapped the other and curled at the end.

Atreus frowned at her. "But this is a trollkors. They're supposed to ward of trolls."

"Only the ones who intend to do me harm." She hid the necklace back underneath her shirt. "Of course, it doesn't really ward off trolls but it does weaken them. It makes fighting them a whole lot easier."

"I wish we had one," Atreus mumbled.

Thrud cocked her head. "You and your father fight a lot of trolls?"

His son opened his mouth to respond but Kratos thought it was a good time to cut in.

"That is enough. Leave the boy alone."

Thrud quirked a brow. "Settle down, big guy. We're here."

The caravan came into view. It was less of a caravan and more of a stray collection of tents with weathered looking people and their livestock. Many shied away from the trio, many more eyed Kratos with a mixture of curiosity and fear. He ignored their stares. He was used to this by now and it seemed where ever he went people will always be fearful of his presence. And they didn't even know the evil he has done.

"The evening meal should be done soon. It's public so I suggest getting there early so you can get your piece hot." She strolled down a few tents and disappeared into one and after a moment came back out with two rolled up tents which she handed to them. "Here you go. One for each if you'd prefer. I've got to make sure everything's ready for departure tomorrow so I'll see you two at dinner. In the meantime, make yourselves comfortable and if you need anything just ask." Thrud held out her hand and took the deer Kratos had been carrying. She appeared to leave but she stopped and came back. "Oh, one more thing. The caravan has a curfew. No one leaves their tent after dark. If you have to relieve yourself, bring a buddy."

"Why?" Atreus said with a frown.

"People have gone missing and it only happens at night. Our resident völva thinks it is the doing of a Hulder."

"Are they dangerous?" Kratos finally spoke up, catching both their attentions.

Atreus interrupted her before she could answer. "They can take on the shape of any of your loved ones and lure you out into the woods and kill you- er, or that's what mom told me." He shrunk away from their stares, giving them a sheepish smile.

Thrud shook her head, smiling. "They can suck the life out of a man in seconds, if that's what you mean," she said to Kratos and then looked down at Atreus with a reproachful gaze. "So don't stray from the caravan. The völva's magic can only protect you if you are within her circle."

"Why haven't you killed this thing yet?" Kratos almost seethed. The woman claimed it would be safer to stay at the caravan but here they were, getting attacked by some creature. And it was too late to travel back to the cabin.

She looked at him as if he were talking mad. "It's almost impossible to hunt a Hulder down. Their backs are made out of wood. They can just wrap themselves around a tree and stay hidden, and there are many trees."

Kratos' frown deepened. To him, all he was hearing are excuses. If there was a threat to his son's safety, he would chop down every tree until one of them bled blood. It was a good thing they were only staying for the night. By the crack of dawn, he and his son will finally be rid of all of these people and their problems.

Thrud shifted the deer strung around her shoulders and blew away a strand of hair that fell on her face. "You and your son will be safe. Vala has strengthened her protection runes to keep the Hulder's reach from the caravan. But follow the curfew anyways and do not leave the area. There are still draugr out there."

With that, she departed with their deer, leaving them to pitch up their tents. After they've finished, Kratos intended to nap until dinner when a gang of kids ran by waving around wooden sticks.

He glanced at his son and saw the look of longing on his face. He could go but Kratos sensed a hesitance that hindered him back. Kratos did not understand what was so intimidating but he reminded himself Atreus wasn't like him. When he was a boy, he had no friends other than Deimos. Actually, now that he thinks about it, he hadn't cared for any companionship in the slightest.

Everyone was either an ally or an enemy. If they were neither, then they did not matter.

His views hasn't changed much.

The only exception was... them. His family. The two people that should have viewed him as their enemy...

He burned the creeping image of their faces from his mind and nudged Atreus' shoulder.

"Go." The way he said it sounded more like an order than a suggestion.

His son looked up at him warily. "What if they don't like me?"

"Does it matter?"

Atreus' face took on one of thoughtfulness. He shrugged. "I guess not." The boy moved to jog after the group of kids but Kratos caught his shoulder.

"Stay in the camp." This time it was an order.

"I will," his son replied with a nod and an excited smile. "I'll be back!"

Kratos watched him go for a bit before crouching to enter his tent. Fenrir tried to follow after him but he stopped the wolf.

"Go with him. Keep him safe," he said and he wasn't surprised to see comprehension pass through the black wolf's eyes. He knew from the start that Fenrir was something else; something special.

The wolf took off after Atreus, garnering some frightened looks from their neighbors. Kratos didn't care. If they had a problem with their wolf, they can take it up with him.

Somehow, he knew they wouldn't.

He crawled into the tent and laid flat on the hard ground to get some rest, knowing he won't be disturbed.

This is a dream.

Vala knows her body is asleep inside her tent; knows no harm will come to her.

It didn't make the dark and dreary trees surrounding her any less scary.

She whirled around, trying to find a path or an opening through the darkness but the scenery blurs across her vision making her dizzy.

Vala...

The world halted to a stand still.

Vala breathed in deeply, trying to slow her racing heart.

Vala...

Every fiber of her being tensed, like a deer suddenly realizing that something wasn't right. Her eyes lock onto the darkness between the trees. Nothing moves and the only sound she could hear was her own ragged breathing.

A twig snapped, ricocheting through the emptiness. A short gasp tore from her lips and she dropped to her knees in the snow and with shaking fingers, hurriedly began drawing protection runes.

The snapping of multiple twigs grew closer and the closer it got the more louder it became, turning from tiny twigs to thick branches that made her flinch with each snap.

Vala could barely concentrate through the overwhelming panic building up in her mind. She had to run. She had to wake up.

She bit into the palm of her hand, drawing blood and hovered it above the runes, chanting, hoping this would protect her astral body. She shook uncontrollably as an icy cold gripped her body. The tree trunks before her twisted and curled with a deep groan as something slowly emerged from within.

Vala chanted louder but the words jumble together as a spindly deformed creature crawled out into under the faint moonlight. It was spider-like in appearance, but the many appendages were branches and the torso and head morphed into the form of a naked woman, her face covered beneath stringy jet black hair.

The thing raised its head and a stark white eyeball pierced into Vala's soul. The creature cracked open its mouth, its face rotten and grotesque.

"Vala," it hissed and lunged for her.

A choked scream bubbled up her throat as she clawed at the fur blankets. She jumped when someone entered her tent. In her sleep groggy state, she half-expected to see the creature, coming to kill her in real life, but it was only Thrud, the hammer wielding shield-maiden.

Her body relaxed at the sight of the warrior but the peace did not last long. A sudden powerful headache pressed on all sides of her skull. Vala screwed her eyes shut while she touched her forehead.

"I can come back." She heard Thrud say.

Vala raised a hand to stop her. "No. Please, water," she gritted out, blindly pointing in the general direction of where she last left her skin flask. She couldn't see Thrud but she heard the woman make her way through her tent and soon she felt something solid press into her outstretched hand. Vala grabbed it and opened it, greedily gulping down its contents. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and simply laid there, waiting for the pressure in her head to clear.

"I'm sorry to have woken you," Thrud spoke softly, something which Vala was grateful for since any noise at the moment sounded extremely loud to her ears.

Her mind cleared and she blinked open her eyes. "You did not wake me," she grumbled, pushing herself up into a sitting position. The light in the cracks of her tent flap told her it was still day but the chill in the air told her night was coming soon. It would be better to get up now than go back to sleep.

"Another nightmare," Thrud stated.

Vala rubbed at her temple and froze. The smell of copper infiltrated her nose and she held her hands away to get a better look at them.

Blood... but no teeth marks.

Thrud gently grabbed one hand and examined it.

The shield-maiden's face twisted into a grimace. "She's messing with you." Thrud stood up and walked to the middle of the tent and crossed her arms. "She's messing with all of us."

Vala stared at her bloody palms. "How can you be certain it is her- Hel?" she asked, the image of that horrific creature popping into her mind.

Thrud placed her hands on her hips. "Grendel and I were attacked by draugrs when we were out searching for survivors and I don't think it was random. It was planned. Somebody is targeting us. She is targeting us." She shook her head, her eyebrows drawn together with worry. "And Hulders don't normally go after big groups like ours and they shouldn't be able to wheedle their way through your magic."

"You are right," Vala said, getting out of bed to wash her hands in a bowl. "A stronger strain of Seidr is cutting pockets through the barriers I put up. I have to tear down the entire wall and build it back up when she does that." Vala couldn't quite hide the bitterness from her tone. It was exhausting to have to go through the process of building and maintaining the barrier and she was growing frustrated with how easily Hel kept penetrating through her protection walls. She has prayed to the Vanir goddess, Freya, for her strength and wisdom but so far has not received any sort of blessing.

Either the goddess Freya wasn't listening, or they mortals were truly all alone come Ragnarök.

"Vala," Thrud called, catching her attention. "I want to thank you. I know the völva do not usually interfere with the matters of others and I know this is tiresome work. It's not your duty to help us but you volunteered anyways. All I can say is that we are grateful. I am grateful."

"Don't be." Vala went around the tent, collecting the items for the ritual and setting them down on a mat on the floor. "Hel wants more bodies on her side. Bringing the caravan to safety will be beneficial to the völva's survival."

Thrud snorted and she could practically hear the grin in the woman's voice when she said, "I know you care."

"If that is all, I need to eat and prepare," she replied curtly.

Vala didn't bother to check if Thrud had left or not.

Tonight was going to be another long night but at least they were leaving tomorrow. Soon, she will be back with her sisters and finally get a good rest.

"Vala."

She looked back. The shield-maiden stood by the flap, letting in light and the winter air.

There was something different about the woman. In all the years she has known her, Vala has never seen such sadness in her eyes.

"You can stop searching. She's gone," was all Thrud said before leaving Vala alone to her task.

Kratos awoke to a tongue sliding across his face.

He groaned and pushed Fenrir away. At the tent's entrance, Atreus held open the flap, a goofy smile on his face.

"Come on, Father! They're serving dinner without us."

Thrud was right about getting their early. By the time he was next in line to get his portion, the potato stew tasted lukewarm. Fenrir laid beside him, chewing on raw meat he had cut from the deer, and that appeared tastier than the stew. All to soon, the meat was all gone except the bone which the wolf gnawed on happily.

It seemed the entire caravan was there and the people were livelier than they were when he first entered the camp. A select few individuals had a beat going on as they played on their drums and an odd version of the lyre. The combination of food and music enchanted the people away from the dreary gloom of reality and up on their feet they went to dance by the fire.

The joy in the air hovered around Kratos but he did not embrace it. These people can grasp happiness while they can but he knew better. This feeling is only fleeting and it will be gone just like everything else.

That was reality. That was life.

Kratos' eyes narrowed with suspicion as the woman, Thrud, walked up to them. He made sure they were sat deliberately away from other people so her coming all this way to sit with them was intentional and most importantly, bothersome.

"Food tasting good?" Thrud asked with a friendly smile.

Kratos did not reply but his son nodded, his mouth full. He swallowed and they began talking of the Hulders, trolls, and many other magical beings. He tuned out for most of it although he did keep one ear open. Thrud was friendly and welcoming, yet he still did not trust her, especially around his son.

Their conversation was interrupted when a young girl around his son's age approached them. Her eyes flickered nervously at Kratos before settling on Atreus.

"Would you like to dance?" she asked with a shy little smile.

"Uh.." Atreus opened and closed his mouth and looked to Kratos. Kratos did not look back.

Thrud elbowed the boy. "Don't keep the girl waiting. Go on, dance with her. Your pappa and I need to talk anyways."

Kratos snapped his eyes at her.

Atreus still looked to him for approval and he gave it silently with a gesture of his head. His son got up and let the girl take his hand and lead him to where the others were dancing. He eyed the two all the way, making sure if there was any danger present he would know exactly where his son was. It was getting dark, after all, and he didn't want any Hulder or draugr surprising them.

"Relax," Thrud said. "She isn't going to eat him. I'm sure your son will be fine if you leave him alone for a while."

"What do you want?" Blunt and direct- the fastest way to get answers in his experience.

She munched the food in her mouth, looking around slowly. "Faye is dead."

Shock registered throughout his body and it took him a second to fully realize what she had just said. When he did, his body tensed automatically, waiting to see whether danger was present or not.

Thrud had been avoiding his gaze until now. "Did you kill her?" she asked, looking him dead in the eye. Any trace of friendliness she had shown to his son was gone.

"You would not be asking if you thought I did," Kratos replied, returning his sight on Atreus. He didn't care how she knew about his wife's passing or how she knew Faye in the first place. He already deduced Thrud had recognized the Leviathan Axe, just like Sindri and Brok had.

The woman hummed. "Huh, you're more perceptive than you look."

"I answered your question," he grunted, hoping she got the obvious hint that he wanted to be left alone.

Thrud chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh Laufey, you married this guy?"

Kratos didn't bother to say anything to that so they lapsed into a steady silence as they watched Atreus dance with the girl- or tried to. The boy stumbled around awkwardly but the girl just giggled.

"That's really her son, huh," Thrud said softly, watching Atreus with a sad look in her eye. She wiped at her cheek. "Of course he is. He's got her eyes. I wish I could have been there. I've been wondering all these years where'd she'd gone and now I know." She set down her bowl and inhaled then exhaled deeply. "Who killed her. I need to know. She was my shield-sister. I must avenge her death- unless you have done so already."

Kratos' face hardened but he kept his temper in check before answering. "No one. She was sick."

"That's impossible. Giants don't get 'sick'." The surprise Kratos was feeling must have shown on his face since Thrud added, "Faye is a giant. You know that, right? As she must have known who you are."

Now this time alarm bells were ringing in his head. It was one thing some stranger knew his wife (Faye kept a lot of things about herself a secret, it seems), but it was another thing for a stranger to know him.

"Enough with the hostility!" Thrud exclaimed. "I'm not going to attack you and to be honest, you are pretty recognizable." When Kratos didn't settle down, she sighed. "Look, I only know about the 'Ghost of Sparta' because of my uncle. He was a little bit obsessed with you actually, well, with wanting to help you-"

Kratos loomed over her, his face darkening. "Do not call me that."

Thrud cocked her head. "I can see why Faye fell for you. You have such the charming personality."

He grumbled and sat back down. He thought this was the end of their pointless conversation but out of the corner of his eye he can see her staring at him.

"What?"

"Was she happy?"

A memory of Faye, cradling their baby child in her arms, humming a melody, was the first thing that popped into his head.

It was one of the rarest times he's witnessed such purity and at that moment, he knew exactly how she felt. He felt the same when he caught his baby girl and held her in his arms. To gaze upon her deformed face and become wrapped in a cocoon of warmth and bliss. To look into her wide, innocent eyes and have all the turmoil in your mind silenced. There was only peace.

Kratos gazed at his son and softly said, "She was."

Melancholy filled Thrud's voice. "Faye was like the older older sister I never had. We were thick as thieves, the two of us. We went on wild adventures, took on dangerous quests with only our wit and strength to keep us alive. But, no matter how good things were for us, she always acted like it wasn't going to last. I think I was the only closest friend she had. Every one else, she never got too close. She always kept her distance."

"One day I woke up and she was gone," she continued. "It hurt. She didn't say anything or leave a note. I was mad at her for a long time but really, all I wanted to know was why. I won't ever know, now, but I'm glad she was happy in the end. I'm glad she found a home. She deserves a family after what her own 'family' did to her."

Kratos sat up in interest, his curiosity piqued. He knew next to nothing about Faye's blood family. "What do you mean?"

Thrud peered at him cautiously, maybe because he acted completely uninterested in their conversation until now. "The giants exiled her. Look, I don't know much about Jötnar culture, my uncle was the expert on those kind of things, but I know that exiling another giant was their ultimate form of punishment. It's kind of like disowning a family member and that's what they were, one big family, if you believe the legends."

"Why would they exile her. She was their guardian, was she not?"

It was Thrud's turn to stare at him quizzically. She was probably wondering how did he know that and that was something he did not want to get in to. Thankfully, she didn't ask and he didn't say.

"Yeah, 'Last Guardian of the Jötnar', not 'Last Guardian of the Nine Realms', which she was by the way and anyone who says otherwise can shove it. She told me she would argue with the giants about using their powers to help others but surprise, surprise, they didn't want to." Thrud chuckled dryly. "And they judged Odin for hoarding his knowledge. Anyways, Faye wanted to help everyone, not just the giants. Maybe that's why I liked her so much. She reminded me of my uncle."

"They exiled her for choosing to aid others?" Kratos said.

"That and she mentioned something about a forced marriage." Thrud shook her head and clucked her tongue. "Faye did everything for them and in the end, they abandoned her. If there was ever a way to get back to Jötunheim, they didn't tell her."

That last statement puzzled Kratos. If the giants never told Faye how to get back into Jötunheim, then why did she send them on a journey to the mountain if she didn't know how to get there herself. Could she have known and simply lied to Thrud to protect the giants? But then, why would she protect ones who exiled her, unless that too, was a lie.

He wondered, briefly, what other things could Faye have been lying about.

Thrud curled her fingers into fists. "I guess you don't leave the family without a few scars," she muttered darkly. She abruptly stood and brushed her hair back. "Thank you, Kratos, for telling me she was alright. I feel better knowing she wasn't alone."

She left in a hurry after that, making Kratos frown at the strange behavior.

He glanced down at Fenrir. The wolf looked up at him and tilted his head with a whine, his round eyes filled with confusion. Kratos reached down and scratched the top of his head, thinking of Faye and her mysterious past.

"Father?"

Kratos opened his eyes. Atreus had entered his tent holding a candle wick and sat by his feet.

"What is it, son?"

Atreus did not answer. He pouted and twiddled his thumbs but uttered not a word.

"Speak," Kratos ordered, sleep already tugging at the back of his mind. He was rather comfortable sleeping on the hard ground, and with Fenrir curled around his head, it was a perfect combination for a good night's rest.

"The girl who asked me to dance... she kissed my cheek and she said I had to kiss her cheek back. I didn't want to but I also didn't want to make her feel bad. I didn't know what to do, but then I remember how mom would sometimes get really sad. I asked her about it one time but she only smiled and acted all happy like. I think she was pretending to make me feel better. So that's what I did. I pretended to like the girl and I kissed her cheek to make her feel better... Do you think I did the right thing?"

Kratos had sat up, listening intently to his son's story. "Your mother was sad?"

Atreus shrugged. "Yeah. I think it's because she missed her family. She would tell me about them sometimes but I never knew they were giants. I understand why she was so sad now..."

"You did what you thought was right," Kratos said, answering Atreus' previous question. "In life, there will be far more difficult choices you will have to make. Do not worry over the simple ones."

Atreus nodded his head enthusiastically. "I understand. I won't. Goodnight, Father."

Once his son left the tent, Kratos laid back down, this time unable to fall asleep.

She was sad. She missed her family. How had he never noticed it before? Why didn't she talk to him about it? Why didn't she ever tell him about her family? What they did to her?

What else did she kept secret from him?

"They knew everything that was going to happen."

His son's voice echoed in his mind when they discovered the drawings of their journey carved in a mural on the wall inside the cave.

Did Faye knew everything? Their journey, Baldur, finding Jotunheim... her death.

If she did, then why didn't she tell him? Why let this happen?

Fate is a lie. If she would've told him, he could have done something, anything.

Why let this happen?

The answers he so desired could only be answered by the person who created all these questions.

But Faye was gone and so were her secrets.

Kratos' frustration to know the truth was driving him mad.

He silenced his troubled mind and reaffirmed himself with what Atreus had said. If she had a plan for them, he could only put his trust in her.

Yet, with every new information revealed about his wife, he wondered if trust was something they had shared all along.

As he drifted off to sleep, the last thing he thought of was the drawing hidden underneath the tapestry.

"Besides..." his son said, "She hasn't been wrong yet."