Kratos
Another step and the snow crunched beneath his feet, leaving the wide indent of his boot there and another left behind when he made another step forward again.
The wind picked up blowing his beard up, but he remained standing as if frozen by the chill of the world. He gazed around to see the blank white world. It was the same color as his skin, save for the blood red streaks that traced his body. Pale as he and the world was, it was growing whiter by the day. More and more snow would fall piling higher and covering this land. The tall trees had long since died, turned to blacken bare bark as if they were burned of all their spring colors and leaves, leaving only those husks behind. They lined the world around him, breaking up the singularity of the white blankness. If only added dark pillars for him to navigate through. Winter was here. Another breeze kicked up, stronger this time.
Kratos grumbled to himself. The dead deer that hung over his shoulders remained limply there. Of what he had it was the greatest defense against the cold. The hide would shield him, and the meat sustain him. But he had to get back first.
He continued on his way through the trees, to return home.
The winter cold burned with an intensity all its own. Kratos weathered it silently, stepping deep into the snow only to pull his feet out again to put them back in. Each step brought him closer to home and each tree he passed was another put behind him.
Rounding another dead tree, he saw something now. He came to a stop now and the only sound he heard of the snow crunching beneath is boots stopped. The woods were still and silent. Save for the blowing of the wind. His eyes rolled down and he saw it beneath his feet.
Just as the snow was white like his skin, there was a trail of red on it. Starting as drops before breaking out into a complete stream like a river, winding and being over the snow and through the trees.
Kratos stopped to take notice of it. Something had passed through here, something wounded. Shifting his shoulder, he rose the deer carcass higher on its perch. His eyes looked from the blood to scan around to see if this wounded thing was still nearby. Or perhaps if what was hunting it was.
He continued on his way forward for when he passed through more trees, he found more signs of a struggle. But there was more than just blood this time.
Trees splintered and overturned, more snow swept aside from sweeping motions and attacks. But most importantly more blood. It got thicker, so much so that the snow was colored more red than white.
Turning his head Kratos could see that whatever battle this was had many participants, and it was as wide as it was chaotic. Grouping together before spreading out and coming back in again. But as he trudged forward to see more of the devastated environment, it was being overtaken by the winter just as quickly, continuing to cloud it beneath the snow. But the more Kratos followed this path the more he realized that whatever this was heading the same way he was.
To home.
He peered ahead through the white mist to look ahead "Atreus." he whispered and no longer did he walk, but through the snow but run.
The woods passed by in a white blurry haze "Atreus!" Kratos shouted but all he heard was his voice ringing hollow out into the world, shaking the trees free of snow, yet his voice only dimmed until it faded into the mountains and silence returned again. His heavy stomping picked up as he now discarded the deer carcass to break into a full sprint. He would not be weighed down by anything now. He had to know his son was safe. As he ran the jostling of metal was heard and seen. From the Leviathan Axe on his back and the two large blades crossed along with it.
Through the bleakness of winter and towering dead trees, he saw ahead, the outline of a small hut against hidden within it all. His home. But not as he left it.
Looking before his house, he saw pools of blood all over the ground seeping into the snow and broken bent over trees as if creating an arena. But there was no one here. Save for one decapitated head lying on the ground.
"Head!" he snapped coming to an abrupt stop over him.
"Oh! Ai-" Mimir groaned from the ground before the rope that bound his head was lifted up and he was brought face to face before Kratos. Staring him eye to eye like he had his own body again and wasn't just dangling there "Oh Brother!" he exclaimed in relief.
"What has happened?" Kratos growled "Where is Atreus?"
"They took him brother! They came and took him!"
"They?! The Gods!" his voice grew, and he looked to the sky looking for a crack of thunder to alert him of the coming of Thor or a watchful Raven to tell Odin watched his growing anger and torment.
"No, Brother." Mimir corrected him brining his voice down. Kratos eyes settled back onto him "It was something else."
"Something else?" he questioned, just as fiercely "From another realm then?"
"If it was, it was none I know of." Mimir admitted in his natural sing-song voice. Answer to every question, my ass.
"From where then?" Kratos grizzled voice interrogated him.
"Let's see," Mimir mused aloud "Some had barbed teeth and blades from their arms. Others were demons."
"Muspelheim." Kratos surmised as soon as Mimir had.
"Perhaps." Mimir admitted cautiously as if he wasn't sure himself "But the others were plain mortals."
"Mortals?" Kratos repeated.
"None like I've ever seen, but none like the others. Women they were, though not like any I've seen."
"Valkyries?" Kratos said growing more unsure as Mimir rambled on.
"Not these ones, brother. Like I said they were different." he stressed the point "Dressed the same they were and fought with the same power. They seemed to glow purple with every attack."
"Head!" Kratos snapped at him, shaking him in his grip as he dangled.
"Sorry," Mimir apologized "Alot to process." But as it was for him, so was it too for Kratos. A feeling of dread was building in him. And when Mimir could provide no answers, he had no choice but to offer his own.
"Was it..." Kratos asked before he paused his eyes setting on Mimir, as his voice turned cold and lowered "Greece?" he asked.
"I think not." his fears were partially abated by that, but not completely. There was still the matter of who was here, and where was Atreus.
"Where then?" he bobbed him.
Mimir's eyes gleamed as his head steadied "Take a look." he said starring in Kratos direction, not at him but past him. Taking the que Kratos lowered his arm and turned around, and that's when he saw this. Looking beyond the horizon, he did not see the regular forest and mountains that surrounded his home. Instead standing there was a bright green field, as if spring had come again. Next to it nestled a metallic structure, a city to be sure but unlike any he had ever seen, in Greece or any of the nine realms.
"What is that?" Kratos asked.
"Something that coming- or in fact already here." Mimir told "And right on our doorstep. I bet, whatever took the boy, that's where they went."
Kratos' jaw tightened "Is this Odin's doing?"
"Oh, I don't doubt he'd love to have the answer for this." Mimir told "But this is something different entirely."
"Different. From a different realm?"
"Aye," Mimir said and would have nodded if he could "and looks like no runes are required to get there." Mimir said. Kratos eyes dropped to the ground seeing the struggle that ensued and the distinct tracks left behind. He then looked up to the conflicting odd sights before him. Ones that seemed to open up, like a portal using runes, but without its aid. Though he did not know which ones could possibly bring them here.
"Is that where they took Atreus?" he asked.
"I'm certain of it." Mimir answered, finally giving one.
"Then I know what I must do." Kratos said fastening Mimir to his waist. But as Mimir left his hand something else dangled from there. A chain slid down his wrist to allow the blade it was attached to fall into his hands. Kratos gripped it fiercely. And as he did his other arm moved, not to remain empty it grabbed the Leviathan axe.
Mortal Kombat Fight Your Rival! Elder God Arena
This temple was not unlike those he had seen before. Not the same in structure, but in design and purpose he found it hauntingly familiar. The gods it was made for were unknown to him. But being a god himself and outside of his realm and into theirs he had to tread lightly. He hid it well, but it was daunting just to lay eyes on again. Let alone to travel within it.
Mimir dangled from his hip as he walked, the blades of Chaos strapped to his back as was the Leviathan axe. He had use for all of these tools throughout his journey so far. And while he found all of them useful some did have their drawbacks.
"Ahh." Mimir let out in awe of what he saw as Kratos walked. Kratos suppressed a groan at the sound of it "There's a sight brother." he commented as a wall of bright stars went by his line of sight. The room darkened before brightening again. Then suddenly it came to a stop. "Eh?" Mimir let out "What's that?"
Kratos said nothing. He had come to a stop because the hallway he had walked through stopped and they had entered a room. It was shaped like an octagon with several stars lining its walls as well as doors. There were blank spots as well. Ones that looked like a terrible blue void that he knew he wished to avoid, though he could not say why. The only thing that was irregular was the one of a kind logo along the wall; that of a long serpent-like dragon.
"Head." Kratos beckoned to Mimir dangling at his hip, and his voice carried out into the room and echoed down it. It was not his intent, but it was so devoid of silence that a breath could have garnered the same result. After calling for Mimir, Kratos picked him up by the rope that held his head and brought him forward so as to have a better look of what was ahead "What do you make of this?"
"Oh aye," Mimir let out as he took it all in "well isn't that something."
"Hm?" Kratos grumbled behind him.
"Seems to be a room brother." he said stating the obvious "Given this temple, I'd say it was meant as a worship to the gods or better yet to meet them." Kratos grip on Mimir's ropes tightened when he said that.
"Which way." he stressed in a low voice. He did not need to mention that the way he wanted was out.
"That's a tricky one." Mimir admitted in his sing-song voice. Kratos grumble turned into a growl, one that could be heard this time. He needed answers, not chatter. Mimir's eyes scanned the room before setting across "They've all got to lead somewhere," he mused "but if I had to say anything I'd say straight on." Kratos eyes passed Mimir to see on the opposite side of the room flanked by a blue square void and a star on the wall was a door. It was one of many that filled the room and was flanked in the same manner, but the only one that was opposite him directly "If the temples built like what we've seen on the way in, that should lead us out." he said.
That line of thinking made sense to Kratos, even if he had come to the conclusion already "Very well." he agreed almost silently and then put a foot forward officially entering the room.
And the moment he had, he realized something had happened within the room. A strong ancient power that set itself upon him. He did not falter from it but stopped to assess it.
"Brother!" Mimir let out "You-"
"I know." Kratos said, once again already knowing what Mimir was going to say. They both sensed it. They both knew it was upon them. They would have to face it.
Turning his head, Kratos saw the square blue void as large as the wall itself was still there. But within it he saw clearly now two white eyes and a mouth. Despite the eyes having no pupils, he knew they were on him. Looking around he saw more and more faced of blue lining the walls and each one was focused on him.
It was them.
The Elder Gods.
"He is here." One voice spoke from one of the faces.
"He has come." Another said. Their voices were loud but not deafening. They encompassed the entire room but were not overbearing. Kratos stood frozen in place, not in awe of their power but his own resilience to it.
"I mean only to pass." Kratos said next, halting whatever was to come "That is my only purpose."
"He must be tested." One great voice said. The others soon agreed.
"Tested?" Mimir repeated "Tested for what?" he asked.
"Nothing good." Kratos answered. He did not need to comment on Mimir's lack of knowledge. They both knew what was coming next.
A bright blue light suddenly flashed in the center of the room. Like a strike of lightning from a storm that was raging. Kratos did not flinch or react from the display but remained in place. The sound was all too familiar to him and ominous of what was to come. But be it Zeus or Thor, he would persevere. He had to. He would say his peace and leave it at that. If it came to anything else...
When the light faded, the room had changed again. Not in size or scope, but it had more occupants. A man was standing there. But to be here he had to be more than a man.
He had to be a god.
Wearing a white and blue robe and a wide brim straw hat, he looked around with blank white eyes. They showed age and wisdom, but while there was knowledge in them, he had as many questions as Mimir.
"Elder Gods!" he exclaimed and the took a step towards one of the faces breaking away from being the center of the room "Why have you bright me here? Fujin and I were on our way to-"
"We are aware of your endeavor." the face as large as the wall told with a voice as loud as a thunderclap "That journey is not over, but your presence is needed here."
The god came to a stop and listened further.
"What do you ask of me?" he asked in reverence, submitting himself to them.
"To test him." Another voice answered. It was at this moment that the god turned around and set his eyes on Kratos for the first time. His face was worn and aged, but it held wisdom as much as it held strength. His eyes were blank like the Elder Gods, but Kratos could tell their intent no different.
"Who are you?" he questioned assertively "What brings you to this hallowed place?" he retraced his steps now coming closer to Kratos.
"I seek Atreus. He is my son. Lost to me in.." Kratos droned his explanation but then paused "whatever has been going on."
The gods gaze softened on him when he said that, reflecting and analyzing all he had been told "You are not the only one to be afflicted." he told, his voice turning calm and sympathetic, but remaining powerful at the same time "I am Raiden God of Thunder." he introduced himself "But you did not answer me. Who are you?"
Before Kratos could find the proper answer, it was given for him.
"He is Kratos." the Elder Gods stated in unison. The chanting of their voices came together as one which echoed throughout the room " He is the Ghost of Sparta. The God of War."
And at that notice Raiden changed again dramatically and not for the better.
"God killer." Raiden said as his eyes went ablaze with light "We have met before!" he declared "By Kronika's meddling no doubt!" Kratos tensed up when he sensed and saw a change come over Raiden. He could not tell when this time he spoke of was, but it seemed Raiden knew of him regardless. He also knew that whatever Kronika's meddling was, Kratos had fought titans and time before "You tread this holy ground!" he raised his hands and swerved them around each other as lightning struck between them.
"Let me pass." Kratos said undeterred "I cannot falter."
"The Elder Gods have brought me here for a reason!" Raiden fumed "And I know what I must do!" he declared as he set his eyes dangerously on Kratos.
Setting Mimir back to his hip Kratos replaced him with the Leviathan axe.
He knew it would come down to this.
A Battle of the Gods.
And whatever consequences come with them.
Street Fighter Fight Your Rival! Sun Chase Moon
The ancient tower was like a needle piercing the sky. And on each side of it, was two drastically different reflections. One showed the sun burning brightly with the warmth of day for all to see. Yet on the other side was the exact opposite. Instead of the sun the moon was visible, completely level with the sun with only the pillar to separate them. Instead of illuminating the sky, it only brightened itself for around and beneath it was the cold dead of night that it was associated with. Yet beneath both, whether sun or moon was ruins. Remnants of a far-gone city lost to time. But seeing its destruction reminded Kratos of another.
Turning his head from it, Kratos keeping to his path walked the line between it.
"Not too much farther brother." Mimir assured him.
"We shall see, Head." Kratos responded gruffly. This road had been long and seemingly growing ever longer as he made his way through it. Whether because he was lost or because this calamity was getting worse, he couldn't say. And Mimir was just as lost for answers "How would you even know?"
"Another false God." a pious voice broke out above him, as if calling down from the sky. Kratos came to a sudden stiff stop. His eyes scanned before him, but he saw nothing. Turning up his head to the sky, he saw a man hovering above him in the air. His body was as split as the land he found himself in. One half of him was red like the sun, and the other blue like the night sky. His hair was long and golden, flowing off of him like rays of sunshine. His body bare and he wore only the smallest of tarps over his waist. His arms were crossed as he looked down on him piously, as if he was standing on an altar all his own and waiting for reverence and fealty to follow. But Kratos returned with a deadly menacing stare.
"It seems the Elder Gods, false as they are had spoken true." Gill said as he lowered himself to the ground so that he was now level with Kratos on it "There is another proclaimed deity who walks these realms." he finished, now that the two were standing before each other.
"Wade lightly brother." Mimir advised cautiously from his hip. He may not have seen enough of Gill, but he heard enough to know may happen.
"And who are you?" Kratos asked. Now the man opened his arms wide to match his proclamation.
"I am the bringer of salvation. I am Gill."
"This one speaks like a god." Kratos said low and to himself "But he is not one."
"Let's not be too rash." Mimir warned.
"And you think you hold knowledge because you carter the head around like a trophy." Gill spoke brining his arms back down "But it pales to what I know of."
"Well, that's just uncalled for." Mimir commented from his hip.
"Tell me, do you know of the prophecy? The one that calls of my utopia?"
"Well, I-uh" Mimir started and then stopped before clearing his throat to speak some more. Gill starred at him intently, but Kratos knew he was just stalling. Whatever these lands were or who dwelled in them, neither of them knew for sure, save for the information they've learned from the battles they've had along the way "I've got some gaps." Mimir admitted a bit embarrassed. Kratos, however, had no time to argue.
"Step aside." Kratos said bluntly and stepped forward "I must pass."
But it seemed Gill had no intention of doing so and remained like a wall blocking Kratos off and he stopped before him, though there was less space between the two now "To let you pass would be to allow you to undo the work I have and must do."
Right at that moment the words of Kratos' father came back to haunt him.
'I will have much to do after I kill you.' Zeus had declared. Gill continued from there, his words echoing his father even more.
"You must accept the divine punishment for what you have done. Then I can continue on my path!" Gill brought both his arms up "Face me." Gill declared "It is time to end this."
With only a sigh Kratos relented.
"Yes." Kratos agreed recalling his father's own words aloud and reached for the blades of chaos to unsheathe them both "It is time."
Sub-boss Necalli Hour of Battle!
He had defeated the thunder god, but that did not mean his trials were over. As soon as that fight ended, Kratos continued on thankful that Raiden's brother Fujin was not brought in. But the Elder Gods had other plans and two other fraternal gods were brought in to challenge him, before he could leave this temple.
His arms were stretched out before him and in each of his grips were not his weapons which clung to his body as Mimir had, but instead were two warriors though they were more than that. Two fellow gods who overcame their differences to form a begrudging truce to kombat a shared calamity. And in that calamity, they saw Kratos as another threat to deal with. This fight, however, had not gone their way.
Struggling in his vice grip Taven and Daegon wiggled as they hung in the air by their neck. Impassion showed across Kratos' face. He tried to do as he told Atreus when they were in Alfheim. 'They do not stop us, so they do not concern us'. Many, however, tried to stop him.
He didn't pick this fight, but he would end it.
Swinging his arms, he brought them together to crash the two brothers head together. A surge of blood splattered out followed by the pained cry from each. With that done, Kratos opened his hands released them from his grip and allowing them to fall to the ground before him, and in perfect view of Mimir.
"Well," he began "That takes care of those two then. Not much worse that Magni or Modi." he said as Kratos took a step forward over them, as the two writhed beneath them holding their heads "But not much better either." Mimir added once they passed over them.
"Where to now, head?" Kratos asked as he began to walk away leaving the two Gods behind.
Fresh off their battle against another pair of brothers Yun and Yang, Taven and Daegon knew there were other strong fighters who would stand against them. They got their answer in Kratos who left them behind writhing on the ground.
Holding his throat Taven coughed "he-" he choked "he was not the one to defeat our bastard half-brother Rain-" he hacked and could say no more.
"hhhow-w-w." Daegon grunted as he held his head and Taven held his throat "How could he defeat us..." he said rolling his head over and peering through his fingers running across his face as Kratos continued to walk away, leaving the two behind "he'd have to be..."
Kratos gave no more thought to them. They were defeated and behind him and his road was ahead, and from all accounts there was no indication of it being shorter. But it was filled with more obstacles, even from within this temple. For all of a sudden, a pit opened up right before Kratos. He came to a sudden stop to take notice.
"Watch yer step, that looks like a steep fall." Mimir commented. Full of knowledge as usual.
"Hm." Kratos huffed in agreement. Reaching a leg out even farther he moved his path slightly to go around it. But the moment he touched a foot to the ground a hand reached out to grab at the ground beside it. Kratos stopped now and looked to the pit, which now seemed to be more of a puddle.
"De-our-our." a voice filled with dread echoed up from the pit.
Looking into it, Kratos saw two bright red eyes gleaming as if they were under the water. But they soon began to rise as well, coming up from the pit to reveal a snarling face and wild hellish flare.
Pivoting his body to face the creature coming from the pit Kratos stood opposite him, as Necalli now seemed to stand in opposition to him.
His body swayed unnaturally as he hunched over but leaned his neck out and opened his mouth wide if to take a bite out of the air.
"I caaammmeee for-" he cut himself off to gag and hack "themm." he said as if chewing though there was nothing to eat, yet his eyes were set not on Kratos but what was behind him. The two sons of Argus that Kratos had just defeated. At the sound of Necalli's voice Mimir's golden eyes opened "They are goodddss." he grumbled.
"Uh oh." Mimir said in dread, as if some terrible revelation came over him. Kratos did not take his eyes off Necalli but would not let Mimir's knowledge go unheard. Especially since it seemed he finally had some.
"Head." Kratos said sensing he was being held out of some answers.
"I know this one." Mimir answered. It seems he finally had some answer for what was happening "And I know he serves the gods. The hour of battle is his time. No doubt he feels this is it." he explained as Kratos and Necalli's gaze hardened on each other. Necalli snuffled as if taking in a deep sniff of the air.
"You serve-" Necalli began to say and then was cut off as if killed mid-sentence. But it was not death that came for him, but a realization and the most life he ever had was revealed in his eyes "Noooo," he droned as his voice seemed to que onto a fact "you are the God of War." Kratos gripped tightened into a fist, so hard that he thought his fingers would dig into his palm and begin to bleed.
"Not anymore." Kratos refuted "Stand aside."
Necalli's mouth opened to hiss and then roar at him "You are a God!" he shouted "You- shall be eaten- devoured by my own strength!"
"I was like you once..." Kratos began coldly and felt he could not say more "You do not want this fight."
"You shall be devoured whole!"
Kratos took in a deep breath and released it. Necalli writhed in ecstasy before him. It seemed his path was blocked again, and there was only one way around it.
"Very well." Kratos said resigning himself to this fight.
Kratos Ending
He found himself climbing yet again. The walkway took him to another temple and that lead up into the sky. He had come far, seen many places and fought many new warriors. Some of the places he ventured into were blended, and some were still intact and solitary, but he had the feeling that whatever this was, it was coming to an end.
His eyes were level with the steep steps as he walked them, only for them to pass beneath him as he travelled upwards. The higher he got the quieter it became, until it seemed even the wind was silenced. The great banner that hung from this temple was that of the Dragon he had seen so many times already, flowing in the breeze as the wind blew it. A few more steps upwards made Kratos realize that not only was he coming to the top, but that it wasn't the wind he was hearing at all, but the drawing of a bow string and the release of an arrow.
The shot of a bow was heard before the quick drawing and windup of another.
"Now you try." a young man's voice advised. It was not one that Kratos recognized but a voice that answered it did.
"That's a pretty neat trick." an even younger boy's voice let out and then goaded the other. It was so familiar that Kratos stopped short of his next step "Watch this!" he declared excitedly. But this wasn't any boy. That voice belonged to the very boy Kratos had scoured the realms to find and save.
"Atreus." he said aloud as if he didn't believe it. Stopped in place and looked up to see the steep stairs still climbed. But the peak was in reach.
"Lightning arrows!" the first voice he heard let out, his voice travelling over the edge and down the stairs "Now that is something." he said impressed.
"Try this out." Atreus' voice then said and hearing it again all but confirmed to Kratos who it was.
"Atreus!" Kratos shouted and bounded up the stairs making up for his lost time in stalling. Sprinting Kratos could see himself coming to the top of the tower. Tensing up he then leapt upwards flying over the remaining stairs that stood in his way, clearing them entirely before he came crashing back down. Landing heavily and cracking the stone beneath him, he had made it to the very top of the tower.
Kratos quickly rose to his feet and looking around, he saw that he had made quite an entrance to earn the several wide shocked eyes were turned towards him. Two young men stood side by side. One with a bow drawn, another with long whips extending from his crossed arms, a yellow bandanna with a black scorpion was on over his forehead. Beside him was a larger man, with blond hair dressed in blue. Nestled between all of them, finding balance on a floating ball was a young girl, with purple clothes and golden bracelets. She seemed to be in the middle of clapping right as Kratos appeared. All of them looked to Kratos with strange, peculiar looks.
But most noticeably, amongst them all was a young boy pulling on his boy string and look at him in his own wide-eyed astonishment. It was his son, Atreus. But he was not the only one with a bow.
"An intruder!" Kung Jin said as he pulled an arrow on his bow, pivoting on his feet to aim it at the grim Kratos who had just slammed his way onto their doorstep and was armed to the teeth with weapons.
"He even has a trophy from his bloodlust." Takeda warned, pointing as he saw the dangling bearded and horned head on Kratos hip.
"Weelll," Mimir then called out as he dangled, not able to see them properly from where he hung, but no doubt knowing they were speaking of him "that's not entirely true." Mimir spoke, being the first to do so out of the ones who just arrived and very much so cut an awkward strange silence into the group.
"Did it just talk?" Abel asked scratching his head both confused and concerned.
"Well, that's a first." Kung Jin replied.
"Father!" Atreus cried as he ran from the others and towards the spartan.
"Father?" everyone else repeated as Atreus closed the distance quickly and dove at him
"Father!" he said again as he wrapped himself around Kratos hugging him. The large god faltered in place but put his hands on his sons' shoulders practically blocking them out as he did.
"Atreus." Kratos said stiffly, almost at a loss for words, as if he couldn't believe he had found him after all of this. He went to his knees as Atreus came to him. From behind them, everyone else watched the reunion strangely.
"Father it's you. It really is!" Atreus said excitedly as he backed away to look at him "I can't believe you made it." he said as his eyes went down from his father to his hip "And Mimir!" he cheered "You came too!" he said as he hopped over to come face to face and bent down to get to eye level with the severed head.
"Not without some help." Mimir said as his eyes rolled up to Kratos but set themselves back down on the boy and he let out a relieved sigh "Ah it's good to see you, little brother." he said as Kratos rose back to his feet.
Kratos watched his actions with the head, but the sound of many feet moving closer turned him away from it and he saw everyone who was here with his son made their way towards him.
"Father?" Abel asked as they call came to a stop "This is your father?" he asked looking to Atreus.
"I told you! I knew this would happen!" Menat squealed and practically sang rolling her ball in her hands as everyone else set their eyes on the pale newcomer. Nodding up to him, Atreus smiled brightly as he set his eyes back on his father proudly. Kratos still hid himself well behind his beard and unflinching face "It's just what I'd expect from Loki's father." That last comment of hers, said so casually as she rolled her ball in her hands got the attention of several others. Startled, Mimirs mouth dropped open, Kratos' eyes peered deeper onto the group hiding his uneasiness.
"Uh who?" Takeda asked her.
"I thought his name was Atreus." Abel said to her. She seemed content to smile and twirl her ball beneath them. But for all the questions of Atreus' name, Kratos had ones of his own to ask.
"And... who are you?" he asked almost suspiciously. His question rippled through the four brining out different reactions. Confusion at the obvious, anger, uncertainty or in Menat's case a laugh. It was the angry one that was quick to respond.
"We are the ones who saved your son." Kung Jin told matter of factly. But the tone of his voice made it seem like he did all the work and Kratos making it all the way here had been for nothing "Free of charge." he added smugly.
Kratos could see very much that his son had been in their care, and he seemed very much to be enjoying himself. But he didn't take kindly to Kung Jin's attitude. His gaze hardened on the Shaolin Monk.
"It's true father." Atreus said stepping up for them "I was taken away by those monsters."
"From the Netherrealm." Takeda told.
"And then those women." Atreus added.
"The Dolls." Abel answered and Menat nodded with him.
"And we've faced even more than that on our way here." Mimir told but no one seemed to warm up to the fact that the head was talking.
"They were fighting over who would take me. Then they all showed up" Atreus looked and motion to the four whose company they were in "and brought me here for safety." he said waving a hand to them allowing Kratos to view them again, this time in a different light.
"And what is this place?" Kratos asked taking his eyes off them to look around.
"This is the Shaolin Temple." Kung Jin told, speaking up again.
"Is that so?" he asked and then went silent.
"So," Takeda said crossing his arms "your father came all this way to get you back." he said aloud to Atreus but was looking Kratos up and down " Well, at least you did what my father couldn't." He admitted somewhat bitterly. That bitterness in his voice brought out a reply from Kratos. One sharp and to the point.
"You do not know his reasons." Kratos corrected Takeda gruffly.
"What?!" Takeda snapped at him, but Kratos hardly flinched or even recognized his outburst. Kung Jin seemed ready to act for him before Abel stopped him.
"At least you two are back together now, that's all that counts. Or err-" he coughed "you three." he corrected himself awkwardly but couldn't bring himself to look down at Mimir. Kratos nodded to Abel, finding at least some agreement with him.
"So, what happened father?" Atreus asked "On your road here, I mean. I bet it was filled with all kinds of monsters to fight." he continued on as Kratos turned his head down to him "I know you're not one for stories, but I'd love to hear it." he told.
Kratos looked down at his son setting his eyes on him again. The story he had was long and full of hard-fought battles. To tell it would be an easy way to pass the time on the way back.
"We can tell you on the way home." Kratos said in his deep bellowing voice before turning his back to everyone to head back to the stairs " Come boy." he said with his back fully to them and expecting very much for Atreus to follow.
"But father!" Atreus exclaimed stopping him "Don't you want to thank them?" he asked.
Kratos stopped suddenly when he said that. Turning his head slightly to look over his shoulder to all behind him. There was his son the lowest of them all. Behind him, huddled together were Abel, Menat, Kung Jin and Takeda. Great warriors from three paths of life and service, come together in this catastrophe to do good. And most importantly to him, save his son and kept him that way until he arrived. It meant there was one less fight along the way for Kratos to have his son returned. Seeing them there and his son's admiration for them; Kung Jin's bow, Abel's strength, Menats' foretelling and Takeda's skill, it was remarkable. But for them Kratos only had one answer.
"No." he said flatly, turned his head and walked off behind his descent down the stairs.
Atreus let out a sigh, turned around and thank his new friends. They welcomed it begrudgingly given the cold reception they had just received but looked on deterred as Kratos left their shared field of vision. Atreus gave his new friends a goodbye and waved to them as they waved back. He went to catch up with his father, and they descended the stairs together.
"Keep up the good work lads!" Mimir's voice called out before he went out of their sight, but his voice carried, and it caused Abel to shudder.
"Come on," Kung Jin said to him as the four of them huddled up "It's not that big a deal."
Atreus caught up to Kratos at the bottom of the tower. Together again they continued on their journey, to return home. Though Atreus had no perception of it, Kratos found the journey back to be very much shorter than the one here. There were no fights to be had, that was certainly be a factor. But all the strange lands and places he saw began to disappear, as did the people who filled and fought within them.
"To go back where they belong." Mimir said.
"Good riddance." Kratos replied.
He was only sure of it when they had reached the snowy land, filled with trees and a small house settled within it. Knowing it was there all Kratos needed to see to know that this journey was finally over.
But he had one more stop to make.
Atreus hopped ahead of him as Kratos lumbered forward as Mimir jostled from his hip. They left the walkway behind and entered into the metallic halls echoing with the sound of iron works and giddy laughs.
"Keep her steady now." a thick voice grumbled.
"I'm steadying, you couldn't make it any steadier." a shaky voice replied, though it sounded like it wasn't steady enough as a clang rang out, the second voice shrieked and the first grumbled curses in another language.
Coming up to the table, the godly duo saw Brok and Sindri hard at work on something, though that something lay on the floor, and they tried to grab, lift and patch it. The fires of the furnace raged behind them and shined brighter across the room as they bent down to grab at something.
Their initial coming didn't go noticed until Sindri raised himself and wiped his forehead. Looking over to see the overbearing Kratos loom over him almost made him shriek again, and though, he shuddered it was soon replaced with a lighthearted greeting.
"Oh, you're back." he said setting a hand on the table "You look like you had a long journey."
"You'll want to hear all about it." Atreus said excitedly.
"I can certainly smell it." Sindri said almost retching and held his nose.
"That's probably from all the fighting." Atreus commented.
"Fighting?" Sindri repeated "Fighting and all the blo-" he gagged and coughed forcefully into his hand.
"We-" he was cut short as Kratos tossed the runestone on the table and it rolled across to stop before them. Sindri flinched and backed away as Brok rose up to standing beside him, but his body was bladed to the table. He looked down at it unamused before turning his head up.
"What's that all about?" he pointed and turned his body to face them before bracing himself on the table with both arms "Crapped out?"
"It has stopped working." Kratos stated.
"Well," Brok took in a short but deep breath" world ending cluster a shit'll do that." Brok admitted. Whatever events transpire it seemed they were not the only ones who witnessed it.
"But they should be fine now." Sindri told kindly reentering the conversation.
"So, if you don't mind, we'd like to get on with our business." Brok told as he waved his hand, successfully knocking the stones and rolling them back across the table to Kratos. After he said that he and Sindri bent down and hunkered beneath the table.
"What kind of business?" Atreus asked curiously.
"A new kind." Brok answered.
"A potentially disgusting kind." Sindri answered after, though there was strain in his voice.
When they rose again, something was in their hands; arms in Broks and legs in Sindri's. A body connected to each was between them. It seemed to be encased in armor, the color of red.
Heaving the dwarves flung the body up and onto the table where it landed with a heavy but lifeless clang. Kratos and Atreus starred at it while Brok and Sindri wiped their hands.
Getting a better look at it, it seemed to be armor of some kind. From head to toe and in red.
"What is it?" Atreus asked putting his hands up to get higher onto the table and therefore a better view. Kratos, however, needed no change of perspective, for he had fought one of this kind before, though his color was yellow.
"I have seen one like this before." he stated.
"Aw-oh!" Sindri gagged and pulled away.
"Humph." Brok huffed as he tapped Sektor's body with a hammer "Seems someone forgot to clean this one out." he said before casually tossing the hammer. "That's one." Brok said before he looked to Sindri "Let's go get that Monitor Cyborg." he waved a hand off to the back of their furnace. Sindri nodded and walked off. Brok did the same before he turned back to point at the red clad figure "Now stay right there, Sektor." he said before laughing dryly and walking off. With them gone, Kratos and Atreus looked at the body they left behind. Looking at the face guard they saw it didn't bore any semblance to a human, despite its frame. On top of that, looking further it seemed no person was alive in it.
"Hm?" Atreus let out before looking up to his father "But what is it?"
"Who is the more appropriate question." Mimir said
"Spoils." Kratos answered. When Atreus looked back, he saw Brok and Sindri shuffling as they had before, this time with silver arms and legs in their hands and a silver armored body being moved. This one looked just as metallic and devoid of humanity as Sektor. And a good thing too as Brok and Sindri after swinging their arms and the body with it flung it onto the table and on top of Sektor. When it did, they saw that it was cyborg just like him, but bore the Shadaloo mark on its arm.
"Now that takes care of that." Brok said wiping his hands.
"If you guys want to wait around, we'll have a new set of armor ready for you." Sindri offered politely.
Kratos answered them as deftly as he had the others.
"No."