EARTH - 220211-09

Midgard

Kratos and Mimir were out hunting for food for the night. Freya was at home tending to the girls. Mimir was hooked to Kratos' hip facing the opposite direction. Mimir said, "Something on your mind, brother? You're unusually quiet."

Kratos said, "I am always quiet. But yes, I have been thinking about their story."

Mimir asked, "Something not adding up?"

Kratos said, "No. Just something that worries me. They said those invaders were not of their world. They could open portals to this world. If that king is enraged by his followers being killed, he will likely send the full might of his army. I am not enthusiastic about facing an enemy I know nothing about."

Mimir said, "Well, Luz and Anne seemed to be able to hold their own."

Kratos said, "That may be. But even they seem unsure of their limits. I just hope that I am enough to protect them."

Mimir said, "Well, I've got your back every step of the way."

Kratos grunted. He spotted a deer, and brandished his axe.

That night, Freya was serving the deer caught after they cooked it into a stew.

Though it was slightly bitter and extra chewy, any food was welcome. Amity enjoyed it immensely.

Amity said, "Thank you for this, Freya...Kratos...this is nice."

Freya smiled and said, "First thing tomorrow we'll begin looking into getting you home. We're gonna get you back. I promise."

The ground started rumbling. An unholy screech was heard outside.

Anne said, "That's the noise we heard from the witches. They're already here..."

Kratos put down his bowl and walked to a section of the floor. He grabbed some wood panels and pulled them up revealing a small hole in the floor, big enough for the girls. He beckoned them and said, "In here. Hide and do not come out unless we tell you."

Luz, Anne, Sasha, Amity, and Marcy jumped into the floor to hide. Kratos closed the wood panel over them. There was a pounding on the door. Kratos and Freya approached while Mimir watched from the table.

Kratos slowly opened the door. Two beings stood in the snow. They were a head taller than Kratos. One was a translucent green Hive knight entity. His eyes glowed, and so did his almost see through skin. His head was larger and spikier than Hive knights. His upper body was thicker and beefier than normal knights.

The other was a witch similar to Voshyr. Her helm was adorned with two massive horns. Instead of three eyes she had four glowing slits along her face that functioned as eyes along with golden brown skin and cloth over her body.

The glowing knight spoke. "May we come in?"

Kratos said, "Who are you?"

The glowing knight said, "It's very cold out here. I feel I'll be more in a mood to answer if you let me in where it's warm."

Kratos turned to Freya who nodded while keeping a hand on her sword. Kratos placed his axe on the table as the two slowly marched inside, ducking under the low hanging doorframe. Crota placed his sword on the side of the door.

The knight took one long inhale and said, "That smell...alluring."

His gaze was drawn to the pot of food. He noticed its rather sizable inventory. He then said, "Quite a lot of food for just two people, don't you agree?"

Kratos said, "Food is hard to come by. To waste any of it by not cooking it before it rots would be foolish."

The witch said, "We thank you for inviting us into your home. I...am Omnigul. And this is my will, Crota."

Crota bowed his head. Kratos turned his head at Crota's title. "Your...'will'?"

Omnigul said, "I suppose in your dialect it would be...promised or chosen or lover."

Crota sat down near the table while his wife joined him. Freya prepared bowls for them to eat. She noticed the fire under the pot going dim. Omnigul said, "I'll get that." and threw her hand out firing a small blast of energy that ignited the flame. Freya immediately reached for her weapon while Omnigul held her hands up.

Omnigul said, "Are you always this distrusting of guests? It's our disposition isn't it?"

Kratos could tell they were probing. Seeing how much they already knew from the girls. He eyed Freya to stay her hand, lest they reveal they know how dangerous Crota and Omnigul are.

Kratos asked, "Why are you here?"

Crota said, "Simply put, my will and I are travelers. We search, we hunt, we catalogue, we capture, all of the usual. We came here seeking another new adventure. I didn't realize the elements we'd have to brave."

Freya sat down as she passed out the bowls and said, "You don't have a home?"

Crota said, "Not like this. I find rooting myself in one location is...boring. It's like hiding. Hiding from the greater world outside. You can visit, but it always pulls you back like a leash."

He reached his hand into the bowl, pulling juicy piles of meat and vegetables and slamming them into his face. This display of manners was appalling to both Kratos and Freya.

Mimir said, "So...just passing through are ya?"

Crota chuckled and said, "I didn't realize that head could talk. I thought we were dealing with more barbaric people than we realized. But, yes. Hopefully by tomorrow when things are warmer we can resume our travels."

Omnigul said, "We also have some business to attend to here as well."

Crota turned his head to Omnigul, eyes slightly wider than normal. Omnigul had clearly said something out of turn. Freya responded, "Business?"

Crota said, "Yes. You see...we are a much bigger family than you would think. My sisters. My cousins. My elders...my children..."

Kratos began grasping a ring on his finger under the table as he said, "Children..."

"...and grandchildren...", Omnigul said, her voice taking on a much more dour tone.

Crota said, "You would know a thing or two about that, wouldn't you... Ghost of Sparta...?"

Kratos' muscles tensed. They knew exactly who he was. They knew...everything.

Under the floorboards, the girls eyes widened as they realized how much these two knew, fearing what else they might know.

Crota locked eyes with Kratos, shoving more food into his mouth. Both Kratos and Freya stayed still.

Omnigul said, "Yes...we know of your past and the death that clings to your skin."

Crota said, "It's truly tragic, isn't it, my love? We know all too well the pain of losing family. That...is why we are here. To settle a debt."

Omnigul said, "We know you have them here, Ghost of Sparta..."

Kratos grunted, "Do...not call me that..."

Omnigul said, "But that is what you are, is it not? Two entire pantheons felled by your hand. A true god slayer..."

Crota said, "My love we are not here to dredge up the past. As we said, we know they are here. Don't try to act like you don't know."

Kratos' gaze narrowed. He said, "You...will not lay a hand on them."

Luz tried to peak through the floorboards hearing all this.

Crota chuckled and said, "Shall we try it my way first?"

Omnigul said, "Patience love. Someone must maintain the concepts of subtlety."

Omnigul reached into her sleeve and pulled out a knife. It was wrapped in a striking brown leather with small ropes. Sh stabbed it into the table. Kratos actually shuddered.

"Where...did you get that?"

Freya and Mimir exchanged looks of horror.

Omnigul chuckled and said, "You know exactly where we got it Kratos. A life for a life. Your choice. We will return tomorrow. I hope you can procure the children by then."

Kratos charged after them. He brandished his axe and readied to swing it at Omnigul while yelling, "Return him to me or I..."

He was cut off by a backhand from Crota sending him rocketing into the wall and out into the forest.

Mimir shouted, "Brother!"

Freya ran after him.

Mimir said, "You cowardly fucks. Using a child as a bargaining chip!"

Omnigul said, "The bargaining chip doesn't quite work if you instigate a fight."

Crota said, "He tried to harm you. I returned this insult in kind."

Mimir shouted, "Oy! I'm talking to you, you bastards."

Crota said, "And I'm ignoring you. Be thankful I don't split you in two for irritating me."

Omnigul placed a hand on Crota's chest and said, "Calm yourself my love. He knows what's at stake now."

Omnigul and Crota marched out.

Crota shouted out, "His life or theirs. Your choice!"

A dark orb of energy enveloped them and soon vanished, leaving only emptiness where they previously stood.

Mimir screamed after them, "You had better bring him back right now or so help me god!"

Freya helped Kratos up as he groaned in pain. He said, "Are they...alright?"

Freya said, "They stayed inside like they were told."

Kratos got up slowly making his way to the cabin, held up by Freya.

Mimir said, "Brother!"

Kratos slowly lifted the boards where the girls hid.

Kratos said, "You are...unharmed?"

They nodded. Slowly they emerged.

Kratos sighed and fell backwards, sitting back.

Luz said, "Who does he have."

Kratos pointed out the table and said, "That knife...belonged to Atreus. They have him. They have my son."

Luz's eyes widened. She said, "And if you don't give us up, he's gone..."

Luz and Anne shared looks. Both thinking the same thing. Amity already knew.

Amity said, "Luz...you can't."

Luz said, "His son was taken. Because of us."

Marcy asked, "How did they even know about him?"

Sasha said, "They must've been watching us while we talked openly about him."

Freya said, "But that doesn't explain how they knew of your past."

Luz said, "They are kind of mind readers. Omnigul's...I guess 'granddaughter' knew the name of my mom even though I never said it out loud."

Marcy said, "Kratos...what did she mean by two pantheons falling to your hand...and the death that clings to your skin?"

Kratos sighed and said, "Now is not the time."

Marcy said, "I...yeah. You're right."

Anne said, "We'll give ourselves up."

Freya simply said, "What?"

Anne said, "They just wanted us for our power. They...they wouldn't hurt us and risk losing that."

Sasha said, "Boonchuy, are you crazy? Whether you killed them or not, they want revenge for their kids! There's no way of knowing if they'll give that up."

Anne said, "But if we don't who knows how many more people they'll kill to get to us? You saw what one of them did just to find me. I won't let anyone else be hurt again."

Luz said, "Maybe we can't stop them from hurting us, but we can stop them from hurting you."

Amity began to tear up. "Luz...please. I can't lose you..."

Luz said, "And I can't lose you. And they'll keep coming for you until they get to me."

Amity's tears streaked down her face as she choked on her words. She said, "There has to be something..."

Luz said, "Amity...please...they know who we are. They know how to find everyone else. I...I have to protect you, and you have to protect my mom."

She started to tear up too.

Luz's voice cracked as she said, "Just...tell her..."

She paused. She had no idea how to finish that sentence. Before she could think of anything, Amity grabbed her, pulling her into a hug. They embraced, holding each other as the tears flowed freely.

Kratos' chest tightened as a fiery rage burned within. One that could not be released.

The Next Morning

Kratos and Freya were just outside the house with Luz and Anne, joined by Marcy and Mimir on Kratos' hip.

Kratos asked, "Where is Amity?"

Luz said, "She...couldn't stay to watch. I get why."

Anne said, "Yeah...same with Sasha."

Mimir said, "We'll find a way to get her home. And the rest of you."

Anne said, "Thank you. I know we didn't know each other long, but we appreciate you taking us in."

Freya said, "Of course."

Marcy was about to say something, before a horrible screech pierced their ears and a black orb appeared in front of them. It grew and grew until it touched the floor, vanishing as Crota and Omnigul took its place. They were bigger than before, now standing almost as tall as Kratos' house.

Omnigul said, "My my my. What power they emanate."

Omnigul slowly approached holding her hand out to touch Anne. Anne swatted it away.

Anne said, "Don't touch me."

Omnigul observed her hand. She giggled. Then struck Anne in the stomach with a closed fist, sending her off the ground for a second before she crashed back down into the snow. Crota swiftly did the same to Luz.

Marcy yelled, "Luz! Anne!"

She tried to charge but they were stopped by an arm from Kratos.

Luz almost coughed up blood.

Crota said, "When you slaughtered our kin, you wounded us. We returned the wound in kind."

Luz grunted, "They...did it...them...selves..."

Omnigul said, "Oh...we know about the killing blow. But they did not get battered and mutilated by their own hand. Be thankful you are still needed. Otherwise, that would be considered sweet relief."

With one wave of her hands, Luz and Anne were lifted off the ground, held in the air by an invisible force.

Kratos said, "My son. NOW."

Crota smiled and said, "A deal is a deal."

With a wave of his hands, another black orb appeared, growing until it touched the ground and disappearing. Dropping out was a young boy, dressed in fur and yellow fabrics. He had a somewhat pale peach skin color with dark brown/reddish hair styled into a mohawk. He had a bow on his back, but no arrows in his waist holster.

Kratos and Freya rushed to the boy. Kratos identified him. "Atreus? Atreus!"

Atreus coughed as he came to his senses. The two Hive beings watched.

Atreus said, "Father? Freya?..."

Kratos said, "Are you unharmed?"

Atreus said, "Yeah...what happened? The last thing I remember was just journeying through the mountains and then, everything went white."

Kratos turned to the two. Crota said, "You made the right choice. For your son."

Mimir said, "Not for them..."

Atreus turned to Crota and Omnigul, holding Anne and Luz. He realized what had just happened.

Crota scoffed and said, "If it were up to me I'd have their innards draped across my body like jewelry. But they are needed for something more. Something that requires they be alive and...mostly unharmed."

As the two turned to march away, something unexpected happened. Out of the top of the tree line, Amity and Sasha emerged, jumping out. Amity had formed a spiky goop fist around her hand while giving a blade of goop to Sasha. The two jumped in, raising their weapons to strike at Omnigul.

In a blink of an eye, Crota made his move. Amity stopped in mid air and Sasha passed by her, successfully piercing Omnigul's neck.

Luz's eyes were fixated on Crota and Amity. Amity was stuck in midair, shaking. She looked down and saw Crota's blade in her stomach. She coughed up blood while Crota smiled a sadistic smile, hoisting her further in the air.

Omnigul's screech filled the air as she flung Sasha off her back and the sword disintegrated, leaving a wound that oozed black blood.

Luz and Anne were released from her hold, and they immediately charged at Crota. Anne struck Crota in the face while Luz swung her arm down on the sword, breaking it. She ran and jumped at Amity, grabbing her as she floated to the ground. Tears were in her eyes as she screamed, "Amity! What were you thinking?!"

Amity coughed and whispered, "Saving...you...dummy."

Luz began to panic and stammer as she examined the stomach wound. "Ok ok ok. We...just need to...cauterize the wound first I think."

Crota swatted Anne aside before swinging his shattered sword towards Luz and Amity. He was blocked by Kratos, wielding a collapsible shield on his left arm that he used to deflect the strike. With one push he was knocked away.

Crota said, "Fine. We'll do this the fun way!"

He charged at Kratos, shrinking his body to Kratos' height as he ran.

Omnigul's hands glowed as she shouted out, "Where is that little girl?!"

An arrow whizzed past her head and another one cut her cheek. She turned to see Atreus and Freya standing side by side, bows in hand.

Freya said, "You're dealing with us now!"

Atreus fired another arrow, which struck her chest, and he shouted "Skjálfa"! The arrow exploded into a green wave of sound energy, disorienting Omnigul.

Atreus yelled, "What is going on? Who are these guys?!"

Freya said, "Enemies. Fight them now, and we'll explain later!"

Freya drew a sword, rushing to strike Omnigul but was knocked away by a stray energy blast from Omnigul.

Luz, trying to help Amity, yelled out, "Stringbean!"

Stringbean floated from the house rushing to Luz and transforming into her staff form. Luz grabbed the staff and drew a circle over amity's wound, causing a beam of fire to begin burning at the wound. Amity cried out in pain, grabbing Luz's hand for some sort of relief. Soon the wound was sealed, but there was still internal damage. At the least, Luz had stopped the bleeding. She carried Amity to the house, placing her in the secret compartment to keep her safe.

Luz said, "Just stay here. I'll be back."

Crota was relentless in his assault on Kratos, but Kratos kept a cool head, evading and deflecting each blow. But Crota was fast. Though Kratos kept up with him defensively, he couldn't find an opening to strike. That is until a stray flying kick from Anne staggered Crota off balance. Then he was blasted with a dark beam of energy by a flying Luz.

He rushed again, striking the ground with his sword, sending a shockwave that Kratos narrowly avoided. Kratos balled up his right hand into a fist, activating a metal ring around it. From the ring, a spear grew in Kratos' hand and he hurled it, disconnecting it from the ring, landing in Crota's shoulder. Then a new spear grew from the ring in Kratos' hand. The spear in Crota's shoulder shrunk to the size of a dagger. Kratos repeated this act, each throw coming faster and faster. Then he called upon one more spear, and slammed it into the ground, letting out a blast of air from the ground. This caused each spear/dagger in Crota's body to detonate into little bursts of air, staggering him.

Kratos shouted, "Now!" signaling Anne and Luz to attack.

Anne yelled, "I'll go for the legs!"

Luz formed a portal directly above Crota, while Anne swept his legs. Then a fist of goop slammed him into the snow, shaking the ground.

Luz yelled, "That one was for Amity!"

Crota burst out of the pile of snow and goop that formed, immediately grabbing Luz by the neck and slamming her into the ground. His grasping hand glowed before an energy blast erupted, point blank, blasting Luz into the ground again, incapacitating her. He then called on his sword and struck Anne out of the air faster than she could see him coming. He then charged Kratos once again.

Omnigul flew through the air strafing back and forth to avoid arrows from rapidly changing angles. Freya and Atreus kept shifting their angles, keeping Omnigul from flying out of their range. She let out various energy blasts, which they evaded.

One nearly struck true until Atreus summoned a magical circular shield which fell apart after the blast struck it and dissipated. Omnigul waved her hands above her head then shot them out, throwing out a barrage of fireballs peppered the earth. This forced Atreus into a retreat allowing Omnigul to fly lose to Freya.

Freya drew her sword and stopped Omnigul's claw with the blade end of the sword. Omnigul hissed as an arc of electricity coursed from her palm to Freya's sword, passing into her body. She howled in pain as the lightning danced along her body, frying her as she flew back.

Atreus yelled out, "Freya!"

His attention was suddenly drawn by Kratos flying past him. He turned towards Kratos, then back to see Crota leap over him to continue his relentless assault on Kratos.

Omnigul began firing blasts at Atreus who jumped and ducked out of the way, seeking cover in the tree line, where Sasha was hiding as well.

Sasha whispered, "You must be Loki..."

Atreus corrected, "Atreus..."

Sasha rolled her eyes and said, "Atreus. Sorry you had to wake up to this."

Atreus sighed and said, "I am gonna need a long explanation when this is all over."

The trees ignited from Omnigul's fire. She plunged her hands into the snow, and the fire from above melted the snow, creating puddles that stretched from her to the two. She sent waves of electricity through the water that shocked both Atreus and Sasha almost instantly.

Kratos spotted this and yelled out, "ATREUS!"

This distraction was all Crota needed. He kneed Kratos in the stomach, grabbed him out of the air and threw him into the trees flinging Mimir off his hip.

Omnigul floated over to the stunned Sasha. Sasha said, "Not many have been able to land a wound on me. I'd love to examine you a little more..."

Sasha was slowly lifted up from the ground.

Atreus shot up and aimed an arrow at Omnigul. He said, "Let her go!"

Omnigul said, "My, what a resilient child. Though you might want to turn that attention to your father."

Atreus glanced over and saw Crota brutalizing his father. Each blow knocked more blood out of his mouth as he grew weaker.

Atreus yelled, "Father!"

Atreus ran out to help him.

Kratos sputtered out, "Get...away, boy!"

Freya grabbed Atreus by the shirt, and began dragging him into a retreat. He thrashed and shook, yelling, "Let me go! They're gonna...!"

Mimir shouted from her hip, "We'll be next if we don't get away, little brother!"

Atreus shouted, "Father!"

Freya said, "We can't stay here. If we stay we're dead. I can't save him but I can save you!"

Kratos shouted, "Atreus...! Live!"

Atreus' face dropped into a look of understanding. Tears welled in his eyes, but he tried to shut it off as he stopped pulling. Marcy, with Amity on her back, was ahead of them shouting, "Come on! This way!"

Crota grabbed Kratos by the head, one hand above and one hand below. He whispered, "You should never have tried to defy me. Your boy will be next."

With one swift movement he shot his hands back, breaking Kratos' neck. His eyes filled with blood as he dropped to the snow. With the last bit of energy his body had left he simply uttered one word:

"Faye..."

Atreus gritted his teeth, falling to his knees out of Freya's grip. He began pounding at the snow, tears beginning to stain the snow beneath him.

Freya allowed him to mourn, Marcy not too far behind. Mimir said nothing, but the pain was all too palpable. "Atreus...I..."

Atreus said, "Don't...let's just go..."

Mimir stayed silent as Atreus brushed past them.

Crota and Omnigul watched as they left. Crota said, "Let them go. We have what we need."

He picked up Anne and Luz while Omnigul approached with Sasha. They opened a rift, disappearing into the usual black orb with Sasha, Anne and Luz.

Kratos' body sat in the snow, slowly disintegrating, leaving behind a hole in the snow

Marcy watched solemnly. She screamed out, "EVIL WITCH! WE ARE GONNA FIND YOU! I'M NOT SCARED!"

Amity muttered, "Luz. I'll find you again. I promise."

They joined the trio as they made their way into the forest.

Marcy quietly said, "Where are we going?"

Freya said, "Sindri's house."

Amity muttered, "I thought..."

Freya cut her off, "We are not safe here and the old house is less than a viable living solution. It's not ideal to invite you into someone's home but it's all we have."

Atreus was silent as he marched ahead of them, unsure of which direction to even walk.

The sky began to seemingly shake. A green metallic ship, shaped like a strange bird slowly descended from the sky. The group readied themselves.

The ship slowly landed.

The back door slowly opened, revealing an interior full of seats. A strange man and woman. The woman was tall, with red skin and a cube shaped head of curled hair, with triangular glasses and a skintight red and blue suit. The man wore striking green armor with a helmet that had a yellow visor.

Marcy had a rock ready to throw while holding Amity on her back. Freya held her sword while Atreus readied his bow. Am

The man held his hands up and said, "Hold your fire. We're not here to fight."

Freya said, "Who are you?"

The man said, "My name is John-117. Master Chief Petty Officer of the UNSC Infinity..."

Freya slowly lowered her sword as she said, "Slow down...Infinity? Petty Officer?"

The woman said, "I'll do the talking, Chief."

John nodded as the woman stepped forward.

The woman said, "My name is Garnet. We're here to help."

Marcy said, "Help with what exactly?"

Garnet replied, "With Crota and Omnigul."

Marcy said, "You know about them."

Atreus said, "You know about the guys who killed my father?"

John said, "We know about all of them. And if you come with us, we can help you stop them and..."

Atreus yelled, "No...you knew...and you only showed up now?!"

Mimir said, "Calm yourself lad. Give them a chance to explain..."

Garnet said, "I know you're angry Atreus. We came as fast as we could when we found them here. We've been tracking them for a little while, but they're unpredictable."

Atreus caught something Garnet had said. He said, "My name...how did you know my name?"

Garnet said, "We know a lot. And there's a lot you don't know about the world outside this one. Come with us. We'll tell you everything."

Marcy said, "You mean...everything about the Hive?"

John said, "No. We mean EVERYTHING. What's happening with the Hive is way bigger than you think. It's time you got some answers."

Marcy asked, "What do you think, Freya?"

Freya paused as she sheathed her sword. Atreus lowered his bow and stowed his arrow. Freya said, "Alright...we'll join you. But this girl will also need medical attention. We don't have a lot of options."

Garnet nodded and said, "We have one of the best doctors on board. He'll get you fixed up."

John pressed a finger to his ear and said, "Tell Chopper to prepare a stretcher. We got an injured patient coming in."

They boarded the ship together, and each took their seats. The leather felt cold on their legs and back, especially Freya's. Marcy laid Amity down across set of seats and sat next to her. Freya placed Mimir on her lap.

John talked to a man in front, decked in a vest and helmet that seemed to control the ship. They felt the ship lurch upwards. This surprised both Freya, Mimir, and Atreus.

Freya said, "Have you been on something like this Marcy?"

Marcy said, "I've...read about it in a lot of books," Marcy kept it to books to keep it digestible for Freya's level of tech understanding. She continued, "but it's something else to be in one for real."

Atreus kept a hold of his knife, a gift from Kratos, and examined it. He said to himself, "Father...I swear it won't be for nothing."

Mimir noted this but kept quiet. He said, "I can't quite imagine the world being much bigger than what I've seen."

John told the pilot, "It's a drop in the ocean I'll tell you that much. Take us to the Infinity."

The ship rocketed into the sky and vanished into the stars.

LOCATION UNKNOWN

The air smelled of brimstone and fire. The skies and ground were a striking tinted red. Kratos awoke, coughing as he felt his body awaken after what seemed like a long sleep. He looked around at his strange unfamiliar surroundings and simply said,

"What is this place?"