"Father, who is she? What is she saying?" Kratos heard his son inquired.
He didn't know how to answer so he dodge the question like normal. Instead he pulled himself onto his feet. Calliope shivered as the draft hit her skin. The cabin door was still wide open. Unsure of this lunacy Kratos grip the handle of his axe.
"Boy, go close the door."
With furrowed brows Atreus compiled, but never once took his eyes off the scene that was unfolding. There was something very important about this kid. Atreus recognize that it had something to do with his father's past and homeland. What that entailed the young God didn't know.
Calliope glanced at her feet unsure how to proceed in this situation. She always imagined their reunion to be one of happiness. Not once did she suspect that her father would be suspicious of her return. However, in retrospect it made plenty of sense. She too would be unsure if the roles were reversed.
"Well, brother this is awkward. Would you care to enlighten us on what's going on" Mimir echoed Atreus concerns.
"..This is…" he hesitated looking at the tiny girl. "I do not know what this thing is."
Atreus studied the girl for a minute. Goosebumps still prickled at her skin. Her complexion more sun kissed in comparison to his. She rolled on the balls of her feet nervously. Eyes hovering just below Krato's. It was apparent that his father didn't trust the kid, and the little girl knew this. The group stood there in perpetual silence. All parties unsure on how to proceed.
Sudden, an idea hit the young spartan. A sure way to prove to her father she spoke the truth. A secret that the two kept. All three pair of eyes focused on Calliope. Her song bloomed from her chest. All the emotion bundled up during her time in Elysium rang out.
Kratos stilled looking at the Calliope. The melody danced in the cabin. It begged the warrior to believed. It wanted his certitude.
"Calliope….Εσύ είσαι"
The girl gave him a small nod. Her father stepped closer. Just like she remembered Kratos towered above her. He fell to Calliope's level and pulled her into a tight hug. The girl embraced him back as tight. The tears began to roll against her cheeks.
"Λυπάμαι πολύ" Kratos whispered so low it was barely heard.
"Μου λείπει τόσο πολύ ο πατέρας" Calliope hiccupped out.
Atreus shifted uncomfortably at the sight. Only in rare moments did his father show physical affection. He could only recall a full moments when by accident he saw his parents hugging in private. Even though the action was very innocent it felt very intimate when it came to Kratos.
"Brother, I'm not one to call someone a liar, but it seems like dragon shite if you want us to believe you don't know who she is" Mimir said
"Head" He growled out
Calliope directed herself to the source of the sound. Still not sure where the third voice was coming from. Atreus saw her eyes get the size of a dinner plate when she saw Mimir's head. She verbally gasped at the sight
"Well, it's nice to meet you too little miss" Mimir laughed a bit "Now, who are you?"
"...She is…"Kratos looked to his son Atreus with mixed emotions. There was a lot of his past that he did not know. He didn't plan on revealing this, but what choice did he have? Last time he hid information Atreus became sick. Kratos didn't want to be the source of his pain again.
"Boy.." He took in a deep breath "This...is your sister. Her name is Calliope"
"My what?"Atreus stood there in utter shocked. So many thoughts start to race thought his mind. Did father cheat on mother? How could he...but was that even possible? She looked to be from Krato's homeland. Never did father leave for periods long enough for such a visitor.
"I do not stray from Faye" He said with such hard conviction "Calliope died long ago. I do not know how she is here"
"So...she's reanimated like Mimir…?"
"I...do not know" Kratos admitted
"Ah, Well welcome to the club lass." Mimir smiled "The life we live in is a weird one brothers"
His daughter gave the head a look. She was entranced by such the weird sight before her. Yet, to his surprised not scared.
"Πατέρα, τι μιλάς;"Calliope asked
"Ρωτάνε ποιοι είσαι. Calliope... Ήσουν για πολύ καιρό." Kratos shifted his gaze in her direction. A deep uneasiness falling upon him. He never expected to have such a conversation.
She nodded at this comment.
"Αυτός είναι ο αδελφός σου. Atreus"
"Atreus?!" Calliope exclaimed "Όπως ο πολεμιστής; Έχω όνομα αδελφού Atreus!"
Atreus did not expect this reaction. Calliope let go of their father in order to get a closer look at her new found brother. There was a clear glint in her eyes combined with genuine curiosity. It occured to Atreus that she was actually happy about the news? She did something unexpected to Atreus. Calliope brought him into a huge hug. He froze at this contact at first. However, he managed to ease himself into a small hug back to his sister. Sister….
He didn't know how he felt about the situation. Tonight, he learned he had a sister. Even more crazy was his father had a family before him and mother. Did his mother know? He had so many questions to ask him. However, right now didn't feel like the right time. There was more information about Krato's past that was coming forward.
Calliope gave him a small smiled and patted his back rather hard. It surprised him how much strength it contained in comparison to her tiny frame. Atreus patted back then let go. Meanwhile, Kratos fetched a extra fur they've prepared. This child acted similar to his daughter, but he would keep his guard up. For now his goal was to warm her up. He didn't fail to notice how the weather affected her. He draped it over his daughter then nodded towards the table.
"Τροφή. Food. We shall eat" Kratos announced.
He watched as they both found their chairs. Calliope set by Mimir's head fascinated still by the sight. Kratos noticed Atreus picked the one closest to his own. But he did not comment on that fact.
He set them up both with a bowl of stew Atreus had made. This scene was so bizarre. They ate in relative silence. All parties letting the information of today sink in.
After the meal Kratos turned his attention to their bed arrangement. The cabin only had two places to sleep. His and Atreus's bed. It didn't seem appropriate for his son to share a bed with a stranger. Even less so to kick him out of it.
"Θα κοιμηθείτε εδώ μαζί μου." Krato explained to Calliope.
Nodding Calliope replied "Ναι, πατέρα"
Atreus looked to his father wondering what he just said. He was starting to pick up on one word she kept repeating. He guessed it meant something similar to the word father or dad.
"She will sleep in my bed tonight boy. It is time to sleep. Tomorrow we will discuss matters further". Krato explained. Atreus did not argued. He could feel his eyes getting heavy after such a heavy meal and an eventful night.
"Yes, sir" he mumbled while crawling into his bed.
Kratos lead his daughter to his massive spot for sleeping. It had been designed for himself who was big, by his tall late wife Faye. It would suffice for tonight. Later he would figued a better place for the child lay.
That night Kratos did not sleep. He found himself either looking at his son Atreus whom slept in his bed, or his daughter. Calliope laid against his massive frame like in the past. Unafraid of the man that came home from campaigns of murder and destruction. Instead Calliope was so quick to take residents in his bed. She was so happy learning of their current arrangement for the night.
He couldn't help but take notice how she would shiver. The air nipping at her fragile skin. Kratos drew the covers over her body . Her breathes were so shallow. An odd sense of deja vu raddled within him. Memories started to flow in his mind.
This should have been a happy homecoming. Kratos had just won the favor of Ares. The God choose to give him the power to destroy his enemy. He was entrusted with blades of great power beyond that any mortal could dream. Yet, the entire travel back Kratos only thought of spending time with the women he loved. It had been too long since he heard his wife's voice or his daughter's giggle. He could practically already hear Calliope's playing in his ears. However, the fates were never that kind.
When he arrived home, he was notified of the horrible news that his daughter's sickness appeared to worsen. When he came to her room Kratos saw Calliope laid in bed coughing up a storm. The smell of sweat and bile contaminated the room. Kratos stroked her burning forehead in hopes of comforting his only child. This time the fever was a lot worse. Lysandra said that for the last two weeks Calliope had been bed ridden. She suddenly collapsed when training with the rest of the children. Healers suspected this time might be the last for her. There wasn't a likely chance of pulling through. Angry Kratos almost took off the healer's head over such nonsense. His daughter was stronger than that.
"I'm sorry father…"Calliope whispered
God, her skin was so white. He frowned at that sight. By the gods, she must survive. Everything he did was for her.
"You have nothing to be sorry about child."
Calliope shook her head. She heard what everybody had been telling mother. Such a sickly child should be casted out. Not strong enough to mother future generations of spartan warriors. It was a mistake she wasn't thrown off the cliff to die as a babe. Her purpose would never be fulfilled. It brought great shame onto her family. Kratos was such a respected soldier, yet his daughter could didn't share a shred of his potential. She had hope father stayed away until she got better or died. Calliope didn't want to burden him or humiliate Kratos. Every time she thought about it her chest hurt.
"Everything will be alright my little muse" Kratos ensured "You will get better."
"..Father...will you stay here tonight" she asked feeling selfish.
Tonight, there was a feast planned to honor his victory. His entire army would expect him to be there. To Hades with that. He would stay here for eternally. His daughter was more important than hearing the rambling words of fellow drunken soldiers.
"I will. You promised to play a victory song when I return. I shall be here waiting for it"
Calliope gave him a weak smile. She had been practicing since the platoon left for her father. It made her really happy he remembered her promise.
"..I'll get better! I have to play the song mother taught me". "Good. Now, move over child. I haven't see a bed in ages" Her eyes were so bright despite her illness. In eager movements Calliope moved close to the wall. She could feel the bed sink under her father's massive weight. She knew it was selfish asking of this, but just in case this was the last night she wanted to be by her father. Kratos made himself comfortable by his child side. Tonight, Lysandra would understood why he didn't stay in their chambers. However, anyone would call him foolish for lingering near such a sick child. Kratos let out a huff at that thought before scooting into her bed. To many men let fear of death.
"Something the matter father?" Calliope said feeling a tinge of guilt. Maybe he didn't want to waste his time here.
"It is nothing little muse. Just thinking of fellow warriors" "..Father is it true you won Ares's favor?"
"Yes, I did. I have these chains to prove it" He said subconsciously moving his arms away from her His daughter was one too easy to frighten. He did not want to hinder her healing by filling Calliope's thoughts of his own new disfigurement. However, his daughter surprised him by grabbing his hand. Kratos amused allow her to lift and move it around to get a better look.
"I knew it! What was it like to meet a god? Do you think they are watching right now? Do you think Athena could watch?" Her mouth was running so fast she triggered another coughing fit. Calliope hit her chest in the hopes of dislodging the weight there. It took a few minutes for her to calm back down.
Kratos sighed then move her hair to the side. He leaned down and kiss her hot forehead. "Sleep now daughter. Tomorrow I will answer all your questions".
"Ah...Yes father" Calliope compiled but the disappointment in her voice was clear. She wanted to hear everything about his travels.
Kratos could feel a migraine pounding against his skull. So many memories were coming back to him. A lot he long buried in the deepest areas of his heart. He sealed them away the moment he decided to seek revenge against the gods. They were...too distracting during those times. Kratos stiffened as his daughter moved closer to him for warmth. Reaching out he touched her brown locks that were so similar to her mother's. This was unreal...Any moment it felt like he would wake up, or even worse this was another illusion made by the Nordic Gods. His heart ached at that thought. He hoped so bad it wasn't true. No gods in this realm would of known that song. He doubt any gods knew it in Greece….Yet, the doubt still remained.
So many times, in his madness he saw glimpses of his family. They would beckon him to the underworld, so once again they could be together. Kratos tried..but the gods denied him that luxury. Again, and again he tried. Each time he wasn't allowed so he could serve the Olympians.
He did want they wanted. The only thing he wished in return was to rid of him the nightmares. Their screams wreaked havoc on his brain. Calliope's husk of a body would beg him to stop. Wondering why Kratos was doing this. She would call him a monster. Again and again in those dreams he slain his family. Often he refused to slumber those ten years. It only fueled his insanity. After leaving Greece he chosen to forget his past and live as a mortal. To live with Faye and their son. Now his past assaulted his senses at full blast.
Kratos snapped out of his darkening thoughts by the sound of Atreus mumbling something in his sleep. The child did not know he talked during the night. Often mentioning Faye among other things. Kratos knew the boy deeply missed his mother. Those shoes were impossible for him to fill. He didn't have that tender touch and care Faye did. Connecting to Atreus was so easy for her. He did not know how he manage to get a second chance at a family. After everything he did… But, he was trying. That's all he could do. Atreus mumbled in his bed then tossed to the opposite direction. The boy pulled the blanket to cover his face from the cold air.
Kratos observed him move around in his sleep. He wasn't surprised by this. The boy often struggled the worse at night. In fact, Atreus suffered similarly to his daughter Calliope. He could recall when he was just a babe. One sleepless night in particular came to mind.
Faye walked around the cabin with a hacking baby. It's little arms thrown in the air in frustrated. Kratos observed the pair from his usual spot at the dining table. She paced around while rocking their child. Big bags had form underneath her eyes. Faye desperately cradle the boy. There wasn't much for them to do until the fever broke. Already his wife used any medicine they could on the baby. Faye was careful not to over do it with the dosage. Now, she was by the hearth trying not to fall asleep were she stood. Every so often Kratos noticed her eyes close for a couple of minutes. The rest of her body relaxed and lean forward a bit.
"Faye, get some sleep" Kratos ordered "You've been at it for too long"
The mother looked to her husband conflicted. There wasn't any doubt he could take care of their child. She just didn't want to leave her baby while he was suffering so much.
"Wife. Sleep."
Faye let out a giant sigh. Her husband was right. Their child hadn't been sleeping easy for the last couple of nights. She ran herself thin. Faye walked over to her broad husband. The crying child not liking this arrangement. Kratos gather his son close. Faye was put to ease seeing him nestle Atreus in the crook of his arm. His eyes showed how much he treasured the fussy toddler. Her husband wasn't one to express his feelings with words, but she knew where to look to find how he really felt. It brought great joy to her heart.
"Goodnight little wolf. And Goodnight to you my bear of a husband" She teased at Kratos. Faye made sure to kiss both her boys on the forehead before heading to bed. It didn't take long for her to crash. Kratos could hear her soft snores.
Kratos hugged the boy close to his chest. His strong arms cradled Atreus as if he was made of glass. The warrior had the strength to remove flesh from bone. Yet, he was in charge of nurturing one so defenseless.
Tiny sobs came from the exhausted child. All the baby wanted to do was sleep. However, each time the child closed its eyes a coughing fit violently woke him up. Kratos rocked the upset child. Out of habit with his late daughter Calliope he stroked Atreus's forehead. Little Atreus capture the finger of his father. His big wet eyes looking at him was so...unbelievable. For a man who was known throughout Greece for bringing damnation. He couldn't believe Faye allowed him to take a part in creating this life.
"You will be better child" He reassured.
Kratos laid in bed cursing himself for fathering sickly children. He hated that both Atreus and Calliope suffered such hardships. Many nights their bodies burned like hot coal. Aches kept them awake rendering them helpless. He could do nothing but hold them.
Tomorrow Kratos would take his children to the dwarfs. His daugher needed clothing that suited this weather but protect her from any hidden dangers. A weapon of some kind too. And it wouldn't hurt to add extra layers to Atreus's clothing. He couldn't risk the two of them getting sick. Not with the Gods of this realm watching them. Those ravens circled nearby. He feared...he wasn't enough to protect them.
Notes:
Wanna gus about Kratos and talk about head canons? Hit me up on
Ps: I've been playing this song on repeat. Hardcore reminds me of Kratos. Help watch?v=pCSRo_jRt10
Got any other songs that remind you of any of these characters? If so please gimm love to suffer.
Translations:
Calliope….Εσύ είσαι
(Calliope, it's you)
Λυπάμαι πολύ
(I'm so sorry)
"Μου λείπει τόσο πολύ ο πατέρας
(I've missed you father so much)
"Πατέρα, τι μιλάς
(Father, what are you talking about?)
"Ρωτάνε ποιοι είσαι. Calliope... Ήσουν για πολύ καιρό.
(They ask who you are. Calliope ... You've been gone for a long time.)
Αυτός είναι ο αδελφός σου. Atreus
(This is your brother. Atreus)
Όπως ο πολεμιστής; Έχω όνομα αδελφού Atreus
(Like the warrior? I have brother named Atreus! )
Τροφή.
(Food)
Θα κοιμηθείτε εδώ μαζί μου
(You will sleep with me tonight)
Ναι, πατέρα
(Yes, Father)