Kratos, Atreus, and Deimos climbed back up to their original path, where Deimos retrieved his pillar weapon.
"Maybe I'll have it trimmed down into an axe-sword like the original—Heracles' weapon. I'll just have to wait until we meet Brok," Deimos thought, as they continued their journey, passing by writing on the wall that Atreus read—it referenced the Jotunn's settlement.
"It's a great ability to have," Deimos mused, thinking about the godly powers manifesting in his brother. As they came upon a steep path requiring them to climb a mountain, Deimos strapped the pillar onto his back and began climbing, following Kratos and Atreus.
At the top, they encountered agile draugrs. These were faster than the usual ones, but not exactly a challenge for Deimos. He unstrapped his weapon, gripping it with both hands and swinging it like a baseball bat. He was smiling the entire time, while Atreus was struggling.
"Space your shots. Speed will cost you accuracy," Kratos advised, guiding Atreus to improve.
"I get it, I'm set. Anything else?" Atreus asked, aiming at a draugr.
"Ha! Still needing to be coached by Father," Deimos mocked.
"Shut up, bastard!" Atreus snapped.
"How can I be a bastard when we're twins, dumbass?" Deimos taunted again.
"ENOUGH!" Kratos thundered. "Cease your fighting. We are on a mission. Be serious—especially you, Deimos. You are older; you should know better."
"Only a few seconds—" Deimos began to protest, but Kratos simply looked at him.
"Yes, Father. I will stop mocking Atreus," Deimos said, subdued.
"Hehe, how does it feel to get scolded for once?" Atreus jabbed.
"I SAID ENOUGH! THAT APPLIES TO BOTH OF YOU!"
"But I—I just— Sorry..." Atreus muttered.
"Coward," Deimos whispered mockingly.
"Bastard," Atreus hissed back.
They continued walking in silence until they reached a giant stone blocking the path.
"I think we can get through here," Atreus pointed to a gap beneath the stone.
"Why would you do that? Can't you just lift it and pass through?"
"No, you know I can't," Atreus replied.
"That's right. Because you're still a baby. Just wait until you grow up."
"SHUT UP, YOU!" Atreus shouted, trying to think of a comeback.
Deimos moved to lift the stone, but Kratos beat him to it.
"Instead of talking—move," Kratos said.
The trio moved on, more serious now, until they reached a bridge leading to the mountain.
"The mountain. We're near!" Atreus said with excitement and ran onto the wooden bridge. It looked old, its wood rotting, but Atreus didn't notice.
"Atreus, be careful," Kratos warned.
"Atreus, listen to Father. That bridge looks like it's about to break," Deimos added.
"No, it's fine—look!" Atreus said, jumping up and down on the bridge as if to prove his point. But after the fourth jump, a loud creak echoed through the woods. The bridge snapped.
Atreus fell into the gap below. Kratos immediately rushed to save him.
"Ahhhh! Father! Deimos! Help me!" Atreus cried.
Kratos: Hang on!
Atreus: Hurry! I'm slipping!
Deimos: Don't struggle. Just hold on—it'll break faster if you move.
Kratos: Stay calm.
Kratos reached the bridge just as it collapsed. He fell too. The entire bridge gave way, sending both Kratos and Atreus into the ravine.
Atreus: Aaah!
Deimos sighed. Without hesitation, he jumped after them. A few seconds later, he landed beside them, feet first, causing the ground to tremble under his weight and the force of the massive pillar on his shoulder.
"Whoa, you're heavy!" Atreus joked. But Deimos wasn't in the mood.
"Can't you be careful? That was a long fall. What do you think would've happened if something was waiting here to ambush us? I may tease you, but don't let me be the reason for your recklessness," he said, a note of care in his voice.
"Your brother is right. SLOW DOWN. Your haste will cost us," Kratos added.
"Sorry..." Atreus murmured, clearly recognizing the concern.
"Father, look around. More draugrs—but they're not moving," Deimos noted.
"Wait, you're right. Are they dead—or more dead?" Atreus joked, approaching one.
As he got closer, the draugr suddenly stirred.
"NOT DEAD! NOT DEAD!" Atreus shouted in panic.
"BOY! Remember: accuracy over speed!" Kratos reminded.
Deimos unstrapped his weapon again, annoyed by the effort. He looked forward to finally meeting Brok to improve its design.
"Yes, Father!" Atreus said, losing his first arrow.
Deimos hurled the pillar forward, holding the strap as it slammed into an oncoming draugr. He was pulled toward it, then lifted the pillar and swung with force. Using it as a pivot, he kicked another enemy within range.
Suddenly, a thought flashed in his mind—Sanji from One Piece, a show he remembered from his past. Grinning like an idiot, Deimos began shifting his fighting style, relying more on kicks than swings.
He executed a slam similar to a troll's attack, using the weapon's momentum to launch himself forward. In a smooth motion, he performed an axe kick so fast it didn't crush the draugr—it split it in two.
He kept going, mixing in more of Sanji's fighting techniques, using the pillar both as a weapon and a springboard. After nearly 20 minutes of combat, the draugrs were defeated. Kratos and Atreus had finished theirs as well.
"That was the last one. Was I better?" Atreus asked, eager for his father's approval.
"Take even more time. It does not matter if you fire only once—show me control," Kratos said, withholding praise.
"Don't listen to him, Atreus. You did well… for a baby," Deimos said, back to his teasing.
"I'll be better than you one day. Don't forget that," Atreus replied.
"I'm sorry, little brother, but that will never happen—not while I'm alive," Deimos said, strapping his weapon again as they prepared to continue toward the mountain.