Snow crunched beneath their boots as they left the battlefield behind. The air was still, the cold biting, but neither Kratos nor Deimos spoke. The fight with Baldur had ended, yet something lingered—an unease neither father nor son could shake.
Deimos walked a step behind Kratos, his breath slow, controlled. His muscles still burned from Mad Enhancement, his heartbeat drumming louder than ever. He clenched and unclenched his fists, still feeling the raw power coursing through him. It was intoxicating. Overwhelming.
But Kratos' words echoed in his mind:
"Then we break you."
He had meant Baldur. But part of Deimos knew—it applied to him, too.
Ahead, their home came into view. Smoke curled from the chimney, the scent of burning wood faint against the crisp air. But the warmth of home felt distant.
Atreus stood at the doorstep, bow slung across his back, eyes flickering between them. His expression was unreadable—curious, uncertain. He had never seen his father or Deimos so battered before.
"You're back," Atreus said. "And… you won?"
Deimos exhaled, glancing at Kratos.
"We survived," Kratos answered.
That was all that mattered.
Inside, the small cabin felt tighter than usual. Atreus moved around, gathering supplies, occasionally stealing glances at Deimos. He had seen his older brother fight before, but never like that.
"You were…" Atreus hesitated, then smirked. "Pretty awesome out there."
Deimos leaned against the wall, arms crossed. His body still hummed with power, but the aftershock of Mad Enhancement was hitting him. His limbs ached, and his mind was oddly restless.
Kratos' voice cut through the silence.
"We leave soon."
Atreus blinked. "Already? But—"
"No delays," Kratos said firmly.
Deimos wasn't surprised, but the weight of those words settled in.
This wasn't just Kratos' journey anymore. It was theirs.
Kratos knelt before the wrapped bundle at the center of the room—their mother's ashes. For a long moment, he simply stared.
Deimos and Atreus remained silent.
Then, with deliberate movements, Kratos lifted the bundle and slung it over his back.
"Gather your things," he said.
No one argued.
Outside, as they prepared to leave, Atreus hesitated. He looked between his father and Deimos.
"Are we going to talk about the Stranger?" he asked.
Kratos gave him a look, but it was Deimos who answered.
"I have a feeling he'll be back soon."
Atreus frowned. "What? But you—"
Deimos tightened his fists. He knew Baldur was not yet dead. The immortality his mother granted him, the invulnerability that made him fearsome, the numb feeling he treated like a curse—Deimos knew all about it.
And he was ready to face it again with his newfound strength.
Kratos said nothing. But he, too, had his doubts.
"Stay ready," Kratos said finally.
And with that, they left their home behind.
The snow-covered trees stretched endlessly before them as they followed Atreus' lead. The boy moved swiftly, tracking their target with precision, but every so often, his eyes flicked back to Deimos.
"You never told me you could punch people through mountains," Atreus muttered.
Deimos smirked. "You never asked."
Atreus huffed. "I mean, I knew you were strong, but…" He shook his head. "What was that? Magic?"
Deimos hesitated.
The System's notifications still rang in his mind. Hercules Template Integration: 50%. Divine Body. Herculean Grip. Summoning of Labors.
His power had changed.
But… was that a good thing?
"Just wait for your turn. Maybe you'll get some strength too," Deimos admitted.
Atreus gave him a curious look but said nothing.
Ahead, Kratos raised a hand, signaling them to stop.
"Eyes up," he muttered.
The deer stood in the clearing ahead, its antlers glistening with frost. Atreus nocked an arrow, inhaling deeply.
But just as he steadied his aim—
A rustling. A shift in the air.
"Atreus," Kratos said, his voice steady. "It is time to learn how to hunt. Deimos has already learned."
Atreus hesitated. "Now? Why?"
Kratos didn't look at him. "I need to know if you can survive the journey."
Atreus frowned. "Then we leave for the mountain?"
Kratos gave a slight nod. "That depends on you. Hunt."
Atreus tracked the deer while Deimos watched, arms crossed, assessing. Kratos observed quietly, correcting Atreus when necessary.
Atreus hesitated before taking a shot—and missed.
Kratos' voice was sharp. "What are you doing? Now its guard is up! Only fire—" He took a deep breath. "Only fire when I tell you to fire."
Atreus looked down. "I'm sorry…"
"Do not be sorry. Be better."
Deimos nodded in silent agreement.
The hunt led them deeper into the woods. Soon, they stumbled upon something far more dangerous.
A massive troll emerged, wielding a broken stone column, its eyes burning with rage.
"Atreus!" Kratos called.
Atreus' eyes widened. "We're going to fight that?!?"
"We have no choice," Kratos responded.
Deimos cracked his knuckles. "Finally, something worth hitting."
As Kratos engaged the beast, Deimos lunged forward, fists strengthened by his template. A single punch sent shockwaves through the air, staggering the troll.
But then he stopped himself.
This was a test for Atreus.
"Atreus, now!" Kratos commanded.
Atreus loosed an arrow—it struck the troll's eye.
The battle raged on. The troll struck Kratos, sending him skidding back. Deimos could've ended it with a single blow—but he didn't. He gripped the creature's arm with Herculean Grip, holding back to ensure Atreus was tested properly.
Kratos took the opportunity. With one final swing of the Leviathan Axe, he buried the blade deep into the troll's skull.
The beast crumbled.
Atreus ran up to the corpse, breathing heavily. "We… we did it!"
But Deimos noticed something.
Atreus clenched his knife too tightly. He was still stabbing the troll's corpse, breathing heavily, his rage unfocused.
"Think I'm afraid of you?! You're nothing to me!" Atreus snarled.
"BOY!" Kratos barked, grabbing his arm.
Atreus looked up, his breathing heavy, face flushed with anger.
"Look at me!" Kratos said, voice sharp.
Atreus' breathing slowed. The rage faded.
Kratos narrowed his eyes. "You are not ready yet."
Atreus' face twisted. "What? Are you serious? I found the deer. I proved myself. How am I not ready?"
"We are going home."
Atreus clenched his fists. "I am ready!"
"Do not speak again."
Deimos exhaled. "Father… why are you doing this? We both know Atreus is ready. You know we can't stay home forever."
Kratos was silent. He contemplated for a long time.
Then, he grunted. "Fine. But you will both listen to me. No straying from our true goal."
Atreus and Deimos exchanged glances, then both answered.
"Yes, Father!"
And so, their journey truly began.