#god of war x oc

[darkdevasofdestruction]

Chapter 9 ~ Witch's House

"I found it, father!" Atreus whisper-yelled, kneeling as he took out his bow. The two adults hurried to his location. Kratos placed his hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

"Shoot when you're ready." he grumbled carefully. "Remember - Draw to your chest. A wild boar's hide is thick." the boy did as instructed and aimed flawlessly, only for the arrow to ricochet from its skin. "That was very good, Atreus!" the woman praised him. "But... I hit it, didn't I?" the boy was so confused, poor dear. "I did what you said and it looked like it bounced off. Could... The boar be magical?" "What do you think?" Kratos crouched in front if his son, testing his shrewdness. "It looked weirder than any boar I've ever seen..." the boy pointed out. "Let's go get it, then!" Kat jumped to her feet and tapped his shoulder. "Tag~!" she played along, running towards the boar. "Come on, child, let's catch our meal!" "H-Hey, wait for me!" the boy's eyes widened as he hurried after her. Kratos remained behind, shaking his head at the two and making sure nothing tries to chase after them. He couldn't believe their childishness, though he shouldn't have, one was an actual child, while the other always did everything in her power to combat his own grumpiness.

Though the fog was making the God feel uneasy, he continued sprinting after the two, calling out to his son - Atreus was able to shoot the boar, only for a lady, a witch, to yell at them for almost killing her friend. By the time Kratos arrived at the two, Katrina's hands were deep inside the boar's insides, bidding the woman's instructions. It came to the God, however, to carry the victim all the way through the gorgeous forest with the carmine-red leaves, to the witch's house that was surprisingly underneath a... A giant turtle tree?

Neither of the two Olympians should be surprised any longer, nothing ever made humanly sense after all. The witch used some kind of potions and powders on the boar, before telling the boy to go outside of the house and search for some plants. After a strong warning about the lack of welcoming manners that the Norse Gods have for outsiders, the witch asked for more ingredients, and it came to the Olympian to help the boy out. Katrina couldn't help but feel absolutely appalled that, despite her magic, she couldn't heal the boar - She was capable of healing any wound, so why not a magical boar's, then? Was it a curse? Or its magical properties? She couldn't tell, but she needed to find out fast, before something bad happens to them and she becomes powerless before their woes. Still, Katrina could only wonder how could this witch discern their identities with such ease... It was almost unnerving.

After the nameless witch drew a mark on the back of their neck, to keep their Godly aura hidden from the other enemies of the same status, she opened the door to an underground passage, through which they were to traverse, battling draugr and nightmares of all kinds, yet none stood a chance when facing them. She also offered them a magically enhanced Compass, to aid their journey. The magic of this world is so different from that from home. Though Kat was exceedingly intrigued and wished to learn more, she also felt unease, being so vulnerable and ignorant in a cruel, harsh wasteland where anything could kill you, and you'd have no clue on how to retaliate.

When finally they found a small boat in the underground cave, Kratos was the rower, Atreus sat opposite of him, excited for his first adventure, while the Goddess could only gaze around, taking in the beauty of the place - It might be a simple cave, but it was nothing that she's seen before. "I just can't believe I'm here, doing all this. There was a time when I thought I'd never leave our woods." Atreus spoke, a little nostalgic. "Or even my own bed, sometimes." "You were not to blame for your sickness." Kratos reassured him quickly. "Oh, I know... I guess I'm just sayin'... This is great!" Atreus exclaimed with glee. "Little One, you've been sick?" Katrina asked, vividly remembering Calliope's sickness, so long ago. "Y-Yeah... But I'm much better now! I haven't coughed even once since we've left home - Right, Father?" Kratos grunted in approval. "You're such a strong young man, Atreus! I feel very safe, knowing I have you protecting me!" Kat giggles sweetly, stealing a glance to her partner, whose expression was set and concentrated as always. "Oh, look, Kat, the mountain! We're so close!" Atreus turned around, staring awestruck at the mountain. "Ahh, the familiar smell of salt water, how comforting!" Kat hummed, her head leaned back, a relaxed smile on her face. "Salt water?" Atreus questioned her, confused. "We flow into the sea." Katros explained. "How do you know?" Atreus blinked, even more confused. "The sea has a rather strong smell of salt. My homeland is surrounded by two seas - The Aegean and the Ionian Seas. Smelling the salty, humid air is so comforting." Kratos avoided Katrina's gaze, not wanting to be reminded by his once home. Atreus, however, scrunched his nose in disgust. "If that smell's the sea... The sea stinks." his childish, innocent comment made the Goddess start laughing. "You are so adorable, Little One!" Kratos continued to row, out of the cave, and into the open sea. "Look at that - It's Thor!" Atreus pointed towards a colossal statue in the middle of the sea, depicting a man with a hammer grasped in his right hand. "Who is Thor?" Katrina asked, unfamiliar with the Norse Pantheon. "Thor... God of Thunder." Kratos' mention of the Gods made the red head shudder softly. "That's right! I never thought you listened when mum spoke of Gods." Atreus chuckled softly. "I seldom did." Kratos noted. "Did she speak of one who could feel no pain?" what a peculiar question, Katrina thought with a soft frown, wondering if this man he was referring to might be the reason for the destroyed land she walked past previously. "Oh - That sounds like Baldr. An Aesir God. Son of Odin and Frigg." it all sounded so foreign to Katrina, that she felt a shudder of fright go down her spine. "And Odin is king." Atreus approved. So Odin was a sort of counterpart for Zeus, then? What a scary thought. "If this Odin is the King of the Gods, then I dearly hope we will never have to encounter him." Kratos grunted in agreement.

Somewhere in the middle of the Sea, a gigantic scale-clad specimen seemed to be occupying a large section of the water bed; A thing, that may as well actually be a being, dead or alive, something that not even Atreus, born and raised in the North, had no clue of. Kratos rowed towards a smaller statue, just close enough for the boy to read the yellow-painted runes. 'Sacrifice your arms to the center of the water; Awaken again the cradle of the world.' "Is... This supposed to be a riddle? As we are now, our only arms I can think of are the boat oars." Kat tilted her head in confusion. "I think we're supposed to throw our weapons into the water." Atreus spoke his supposition. "Guess that won't be a problem for you." he jokes with his father and his fantastic ability of recalling his weapon. "Are... You gonna do it?" "I can do it, if you're not feeling comfortable with parting with your weapon." the Goddess placed her hand on his arm, speaking to him in a gentle voice. Kratos grunted as he rose to his feet, freezing the axe before throwing it far, far away, into the middle of the sea. "Impressive throw." she praised him, as he extended his arm, recalling the axe... Yet it didn't seem to return. "The axe did not return." Kratos pointed out. "No, but the sea in tremoring underneath us." Kat braced herself. "I did not wish for another Atlantis trip!" the once static scale-like being came to life, revealing itself to be the World Serpent, a snake so long that it's supposed to go around the world. The water shook with its movements, propelling their boat farther away, violently. "Hang on!" Kratos exclaimed, holding the two firmly in his strong arms, until the waves stilled once more. "What IS that?" the God asked his knowledgeable child. "It's the World Serpent...!" Atreus was completely fascinated as they faced the red serpent eyes. The snake rose its head, spitting out the Leviathan axe, impaling it into their boat, as if to return it to its rightful owner; Yet now, the weapon had been upgraded, imbued with Eitr, the poison of the World Serpent itself. "Stay calm, boy!" the God cried out to his Son, standing protectively in front of the two, as the Serpent looked down at them. "I am! This is great!" the young boy was captivated by this discovery. It seemed to try to communicate, but it was definitely not a language that even the Goddess of Nature could comprehend. "It speaks?!" Kratos asked his son. "Yeah! Mum said he's friendly!" what a sweet child. "So what is he saying?" Katrina asked. "I don't know!" the boy answered, almost indignant, as he managed to step in front of his father, at the peak of the boat, getting a better view of the serpent settling down.

With this change in sea level, a ship-wreak was revealed, along with the bottom part of Thor's statue, a golden temple, and even a dock. To think that all this was hidden underneath the sea. "This is just like Atlantis all over again." Kratos turned his gaze to the Goddess, grunting in amusement. Atreus even noticed a faint half-smile on his face, something he's never witnessed before. Her long hair was glued flat on her head and body, getting in the way, while the sheer material of her grass green dress took the silhouette of her forms, as though she was a masterpiece statue. As ethereally beautiful as always. "You look like a wet cat." Atreus wasn't sure if his father's joke was funnier, the fact that he actually was capable of such a feat, or that Kat's glare was the farthest thing from intimidating. Who really was this woman, and how did she know his dad? Will he ever find out the truth?

"You know of the Serpent?" the boy was suddenly brought out of his many questions. "He's one of the Giants, and he's so big that he's wrapped around the world and bites his own tail." the boy exclaimed, happy to show his father his vast knowledge of Jormungandr. "An exaggeration." Kratos easily refuted such childish fantasy. "I dunno, it looked pretty big to me." as Kratos helped Katrina step on the dock, he took out the Compass to see what it was worth; Sure enough, the coils of the Serpent were visible. They rushed up the stairs of the Golden Temple, only to get called out by a familiar vulgar-voice; It was Brok, the blue dwarf, welcoming the trio and urging them to take some more upgrades to their armor and weapons.

"If it isn't the rose bush, the bearded-beefer and his sac-seed! Have I got something for you three!" he invited them inside. "Brok?! But how did you--" Atreus wasn't able to finish his question, for he was already cut off. "None of yer fuckin' business. Now get in here, I got somethin' for ya! And don't go makin' pig eyes at my spot... I saw it first!" Brok pushed the large door farther open, welcoming them inside. "What a peculiar specimen..." Katrina murmured under her breath, uncomfortable with his brash tone and the myriad of curse words used - Definitely something she wasn't used to. "What do you think he wants?" Atreus asked, walking ahead, not witnessing the comforting look that Kratos offered Katrina, nor the tender touch of his fingers brushing her cheek, placing a gentle kiss on top of her head. "Thank you." that beautiful soft blush coating her cheeks was enough of a thanks for him. "To test out patience." Kratos finally answered his son, urging the woman to step ahead. "When word gets out about my shop, folks'll finally come outta hiding." Brok replied, a little too cryptic for their understanding. "They'll be clawin' all over each other just to catch a whiff at my wares - You watch!" he boasted cockily as he walked behind his workshop table. "Hey, flower garden, catch!" caught off guard, Katrina squeaked adorably in surprise as she struggled to catch a beautifully glowing light blue gem stone. "Ladies love jewels, don't they, ey?" he chuckled gruffly. "The pile o' rock there -" he nodded towards the rocks behind them that started glowing light blue, just like the gem, and levitated in the air to create a wonderfully carved stone door that seemed to magically connect realms. "With that Key of Yggdrasil, you can open a magic door to the branches of the World Tree - A shortcut 'tween realms. If y'ever see 'em out in the world, use it to get back to me quick." he instructed. "But it's only one way - Straight back here and nowhere else - And whatever you do, never, never, EVER, never, ever, ever, ever, ever throw yourself over the edge of the path... Lest you want death." Katrina shuddered softly, imagining a void-like purgatory. "Yeah, I don't see us wanting that." Atreus sarcastically joked.

Before they continued their journey, Kratos and Atreus upgraded their stuff; This time, Katrina agreed to wear a golden talisman that had the carved skull of a ram engraved in stone, and its horns were made out of some red jewel, while its eyes were green - It almost looked like her, how creepy. Brok mentioned it has the chance to stun enemies you attack, and it strengthens the power of the surrounding runes, how interesting, to think such a little necklace could have such power. Though she was skeptical, she agreed to having her spear embellished and carved with these peculiar Norse runes, under the belief they might enchant it. Now, she just needs to test it out.

Before they left, Kratos looked down at the Goddess and let out a low grunt. At first, he didn't utter a single word, yet his hand rose to touch the amulet around her neck, his calloused fingers trailing over the roughly sculpted charp. "It does not suit you." he muttered. "Yes... I agree. However, the dwarf said it might be of common use... So, I suppose, there is no harm in trying it out." Katrina smiled up at him. Kratos grunted in understanding. His eyes lingered on her body, before stealing a short glance at his child. "Are you not cold?" he found himself asking. "Perhaps a little, during the harsher breeze, but there is nothing that I cannot handle, per se. Though I cannot lie, I do miss the warmth of home." she chuckled softly at him. "I will find you something proper to keep you warm." he said, gently placing his large palm over the exposed skin on her arm. "Your flesh is freezing." he said, feeling the gold bracelet as cold as her skin. "Thank you, Kratos. Ever the thoughtful. There is no rush though, I am doing fine enough as it is." he couldn't look at her tender smile, knowing the urge to embrace her and kiss her was overwhelming his heart, and he didn't want Atreus to see and misunderstand his actions.

Once their business with the blue dwarf finished, the trio went back outside, forwards toward a large golden horn covered by moss. Amusingly enough, Kratos didn't want to blow into it, under some rather amusing pretexts. Poor Atreus was right, usually, they would push every button and pull on every lever they found, until something happened, and they had to beat up a bunch of creatures. Kratos truly was getting old, if he refused something like that. Instead, he opted for pulling on a lever to reach the bottom level of the temple, where they were met with a bunch of undead monsters, full of nasty water and algae - They were going to get quickly killed and returned to the afterlife, where they belonged.

Throughout the arduous journey, Kat couldn't help but look around like a child in a wonderland, admiring and gazing awestruck not only at the gorgeous landscapes that were so different from anything they had back home, but also, the myriad of mechanisms that would offer such fantastic rewards, such as a large copper bell that had to be powerfully hit to echo a strong jingle, or even treasure chests that could be opened not by even Godly sheer force, but through finding certain runes that would light up as soon as you touched them. Different civilizations, different pantheons, and certainly, different cultures, in all ways possible. It truly was fascinating.

Throughout the looktower, they stumbled upon another shrine - A Jotun shrine, they called it, and it had depicted on it, painted with gleaming gold, the World Serpent Jormungandr, ready to bite down on the one God known as Thor, the Thunder God. Katrina shuddered softly, the mere idea of having to meet malevolent Gods again not something she fancied. Still, she focused on admiring the artstyle of the shrine, and its power to predict future events, as they said.

Across the realm, they were met with trap-like flowers that emanated poison miasma that could easily prove fatal. Thankfully, Faye had taught Kratos how to counter them, using the freezing abilities of the Leviathan's Axe. Through more adventuring around the realm, they reached the foggy foothills, where yet another dwarf, garbed in golden armor, greeted them. He was soft-spoken and polite, albeit a little frightened and timid, poor man. He couldn't blame him for being afraid of confronting someone like Kratos though.

"Hey, uhhh, excuse me... How did you come by that axe?" the dwarf stuttered lightly. "That is my concern alone." Kratos rasped, not even sparing a glance to the stranger. "And uh.... While I won't dispute that... I know that blade." the dwarf was desperately trying to keep brave. "It was one of ours, but uh, we didn't make it for you." Kat couldn't help but admire the dedication and passion that blacksmiths had, recognising each of their work with a single glance. Hephaestus was much alike, she remembered the Smith God, long before he was corrupted. "Step aside." Kratos ordered, making the dwarf flinch, yet he bravely stood his ground. "I can't. See - The woman we made this for... I was, well... I am... Quite fond of her." Kat put her hand on Kratos' biceps, squeezing it delicately, as a way to show him that he needn't be on guard. "And I would, uh... Be quite... Displeased, if it turns out that... You did something to her." "You need not worry, little sir. We mean you no harm." the Goddess gently caressed the dwarf's face, immediately calming him down. "It was my mother's." Atreus stepped forward, speaking in a sad voice. "She left it to father before she died." "Faye's dead...?" the dwarf's breath hitched in his throat, and his whole body felt lax with grief. "I'm... Very, very sorry to hear that..." the dwarf sighed, looking away from the trio. "She was a fierce warrior... And a good woman." he sighed, before turning with newfound vigor towards the travelers. "Alright. I will make improvements to the axe." "But... No one asked you to." Atreus rose a questioning eyebrow. "W-Well, it's true, but... But knowing your mother, she would have insisted I repair that act of vandalism perpetrated against her axe by my brother." Kat giggled softly at the childishness of this brotherly feud. "I knew it! You are Brok's brother!" Atreus exclaimed, hopping towards the dwarf's blacksmith tent. "The other half of the brand's here." "The blue one is your brother?" Kratos quired, his eyebrows furrowed. "Yes... Though my talents are vastly superior. No boast - Swear to Freya." Freya... Was that another God of this world? Still keeping the dwarf under a stern gaze, Kratos took out his axe and handed it to the smith. "Do not undo his work. Improve upon it only." "Yeeeeaaaahhh.... But can you put it down over there?" the dwarf asked, visibly uncomfortable and trembling. Kratos rasped a drastic negative answer. "The handle is filthy..." the dwarf sighed shakily, his eyes darting around with great anxiety. "Okay, then... I'll just... I will just..." "By the Gods..." Katrina sighed, placing her hand over her lover's. "Kratos, please. If you will not accommodate him with his clear repulsion to uncleanliness, then at least allow ME to do it. I am getting uncomfortable myself simply by looking at his poor self." It was clear that Kratos had many things to complain about, simply from that look in his dark, stern eyes, peering into the Goddess' own forest-green ones; Instead, he simply gruffed, allowing the woman to slide her hand onto the wooden handle and aid the poor dwarf. "My, this is much heavier than I expected. People of the North must truly be strong, to be able to carry about such weapons." she chuckled softly, smiling at the dwarf as she placed the axe on the workbench. As soon as he finished with the upgrading, Kratos quickly snatched the axe back into his possession. "Anything else I can help you with?" the dwarf asked. "A coat, perhaps? Or a pair of breeches? I have to say, I've never seen anyone wearing such garments before. This silk feels like water... Amazing. You aren't from around, are you?" Sindri gently felt the material of her flowy dress that hugged her body like a godly sculpture. "My home is much, much in the South. I have been travelling for so many moons, that I lost count." Katrina smiled cheerfully, remembering her home. "I see. Well, I think I have just the right thing for you!" at once, Sindri brought a cloak of leaf-green, embroidered in golden thread, and a pair of skin-tight breeches, the same colour of the bark of brown-white trees. Her outfit hadn't lost her lovely nature-like allure. "Thank you for your kindness, Sindri. I feel much warmer now, thanks to you. You have my gratitude." the Goddess smiled warmly at him, making the dwarf blush slightly and look away. "Don't mention it, don't mention it! It's the least I could do! Now off you go!" with a lazy wag of her fingers, Katrina waved the dwarf goodbye, following Katros and Atreus towards the mountain.

During a particularly tall climb up the mountain wall, Atreus jumped on his father's back, being comfortably carried. the Goddess, on the other hand, simply ran up the wall, making Kratos gruff in annoyance, remembering that fool named Hermes, who pestered him similarly, years ago. He will never get over that annoyance. "Do you think for this last leg up the mountain that maybe I can carry her?" the boy asked, while Katrina was idly dangling her feet from the edge of the mountain. "I told you, no." came his father's resolute answer. "Why?" Atreus sighed in disappointment. "She meant more to me than you anyway." "What?!" Kratos rasped immediately. "Atreus!" Katrina gasped in surprise at the child's disrespectful comment. "You do not say such words to your father!" "I-I just meant -- I spent more time with her. You were off hunting a lot." the boy tried to explain himself. "He was out so he could provide your family with the comfort of food and the necessary items of the house. Were it not for your father, it would have been your mother away. It is a father's duty to provide for the family, and a mother's to care for it. Do not be so harsh on your father. He did everything he could for you." Kratos shot the woman a quick glance, half-grateful for the explanation that he would never be able to provide, but also, rather uncomfortable. "How would you know that? You've just arrived. You couldn't know what happened, could you?" true enough, Atreus' words made Katrina keep quiet, unable to muster a relevant reply that would not give away their identity. "It would serve you to stop talking." his father intervened thankfully as he went ahead to decimate a few undeads.

An uncomfortable silence filled the air as the three kept apart from each other by at least three steps. It was Kratos who led the way, as he crouched down to raise up a fallen boulder that was blocking the door. Just as he was able to pull it away, the large gates were sprung open by a hideous monster attacking them. It immediately tried to lunge towards the child, but Kratos quickly grabbed onto its forearm, halting its movement. It seemed to be communicating in low grunts, but they were unable to understand its tongue. "Let him GO!" Atreus tried to dash forwards and aid his dad, but Katrina quickly grabbed him by the  arrow quiver, pulling him backwards, just in time to evade a powerful swiping fist, which she took instead. It was one thing for a God to get thrown to the ground, and another for a child like him.

"Atreus, stand back!" Katrina called out to the boy, but just as she got up, the monster grabbed her at lightning speed, his grasp around her slender body squeezing so tight that it was difficult breathing. At the very same time, not only did the God of War shove his whole arm into the monster's gnawing mouth to protect her from harm, but Katrina, also, extended her hand towards its face, summoning her spear so that she could impale its skull. Finally, the monster was dead, on the ground. "Father!" Atreus called out quickly, pointing towards the approaching enemies. The Goddess quickly ripped away the monster's fingers from around her body and clinged onto Kratos' damaged arm. "Forgive me for getting you harmed, my love." she murmured softly, making sure the child wouldn't hear her words as she quickly healed his bleeding injuries. "It is fine." he grunted, holding his axe. "Ready yourself, boy." "Let me help out with these pests. You have injured yourself on my behalf far too much." Katrina sighed, summoning a bunch of vines from underground that latched tightly onto the undead, ripping them apart with ease. "An Ogre? Here?" Atreus was out of breath with shock at the intensity of this encounter. "Who built this place?" thankfully at least, once they passed through the large base, they reached the Mountain's Base. They were getting closer to the desired destination. "Whoa... I can see why mum wanted us to bring her here." "Indeed." Kratos gruffed, agreeing to the landscape's beauty. "Is there anything like this back at your home, Kat?" the boy asked. "No, not really. I have never seen anything quite like this. In fact, I do not recall ever seeing snow before either." the red head shivered softly at the cold breeze.

Atreus quickly went on ahead towards the bridge engulfed in a pitch black smoke, coming up from the face-like mountain wall. He seemed to try and get close to the smoke, but he was unable to. "Kat, you have magical powers, right? Think you can do something about it?" Katrina stepped forward, slowly reaching out her hand towards the blockage, only to quickly snatch her hand back with an electrifying hiss. "This curse is something that I cannot undo. Its malevolence is foreign to even me. We must find another way." she tried to look around in hopes that she could create a ladder of sorts, but she doubted, given the harsh blizzard around them, that she would be able to safely get them both across. "Then, maybe the witch? Wish she was here. I bet she could get us past this." Atreus sighed sadly. Out of nowhere, the witch's voice startled them with her presence. Was she summoned here, somehow? Creepy. "My magic is useless against the Black Breath, and there's no way around it. Odin saw to that long ago." Atreus quickly skipped to the witch, grinning widely in happiness. "What are you doing here?!" "Making sure you can finish your journey." she bent at his level, her hand squeezing his shoulder motherly. "Why wait to warn us?" Kratos asked defensively. "I was busy saving my friend, if you remember..." Kratos grunted, looking away. "The Black Breath is a corruption of magic even I can't dispel. Only the pure Light of Alfheim is strong enough to break through it, but that road is long. What does this goal mean to you?" "It's everything." Atreus replied. The witch seemed to be touched by the boy's resolve. "Follow me." Kratos grabbed her arm, seizing her with his eyes. "Why help us?" "Maybe I see more of myself in you than I'm willing to admit. Maybe..." she gulped slightly, hesitating in her truthful answer. "Maybe by helping you, I'll make up for a lifetime of mistakes." she shrugged softly, smiling at the child. "Or maybe I just like you." "Even though we shot your friend?" the witch smiled dryly. "Even though you shot my friend, yes." "Where must we go?" Kratos asked, as the trio started following her. "To a realm beyond your own." the witch replied, running off ahead. "We're going to another realm?! Are you coming with us?" Atreus asked, excited. "Only for a little while." she repeated Kratos' reply.

They came by a large contraption, which Sindri had previously talked about. Seems that he was able to finish repairing it, what a fantastic smith. The witch explained their destination was Tyr's Temple, the one previously under water, and from there, they will be able to travel to Alfheim. When the God asked about the World Serpent's whereabouts, she explained that there is no one with such knowledge, though when Thor attacked it, their battle was felt across all the realms. The fight ended in a stalemate, and though Thor returned empty-handed to Thor, they are destined to kill each other, come Ragnarok. Kat wasn't quite sure what Ragnarok was, but the witch seemed to be rather terrified of that notion.

She guided them back towards the large gates, where there was no way across. Instead, the witch was smug, and she took out her bow, firing an arrow towards a large gem glowing blue. "Ljosta!" she exclaimed, and a solid bridge of pure light spawned across. Elven architecture, she said. Her bowstring was soaked in the Light of Alfheim, and it has the ability of reawakening the magic of the Elves.

The witch was rather impressed by Atreus' knowledge of Vanir magic, from the realm of Vanaheim. He mentioned his mother telling him that the Vanir Gods are always at war with the Aesir Gods of Asgard. He said they are 'Good' Gods, compared to Odin and Thor, but are there truly any good Gods out there? "There are no good Gods, boy. I thought I taught you that." Katrina pondered over a little Kratos' reply. Gods are all selfish, yes, she often warned him of that notion - But she never did think that Gods like Hestia or Hebe were evil. She could even say that Aphrodite, Anteros, Psyche and Eros were very kind... Not that she could ever see Kratos getting over his hatred of the Gods.

Once they went past another great set of doors, they reached Tyr's Temple. The witch mentioned that, with the help of the Giants, Tyr was able to travel across all nine realms and keep the peace between them. Something must have happened to this Tyr, considering the amount of dead things overflooding the premises and destroying everything in their path. With the aid of Kratos' fantastic Godly strength, they were able to turn the whole entire bridge into position. It was a fantastic sight, seeing Kratos' incredible power in action once more. Hopefully, he wasn't hurting.

The Witch mentioned this temple being the very last construction where all nine realms worked together. With some kind of immersive magic, the witch used the last bit of Alfheim Light to create the bridge, before swapping around her bowstring with Atreus', instructing him on how to infuse his own weapon with such power. She also said she doesn't think she'd be able to follow, considering a numerous amount of measures had been taken to keep her trapped in Midgard. Was Midgard the human realm they were walking on, then? The more Kat learns, the more she realises her lack of knowledge is even greater than she anticipated. She said the Gods don't care much for her - But surely, the Gods wouldn't make sure she's unable to travel, if she were unimportant. How peculiar.

They entered together in this Realm Travel Room that was pitch black - She says they need the light of the Bifrost to reawaken, for the temple had been underwater for over a hundred and fifty winters passed. They reached a large tree, known as the World Tree, which makes this traveling between realms possible. It was glowing a magical blue. The Witch offered Kratos a small gadget which could capture the Light of Bifrost and allow this kind of traveling. "Amazing...!" Katrina was breathless at the beauty of this place, once Kratos stuck the gadget into its rightful place, and the lean surface of the water starter glowing a lovely fluorescent blue, waving and emanating cinder drops around like fireflies. From underneath the small water basin, a miniature layout of the temple emerged, whilst at the same time, blue fire came out from the ground in nine different places across the room, signifying the different realms. The witch explained these realms all exist in the same physical space as reflections of each other. These doors, the towers outside, and the nine realms are all intertwined and co-exist on the branches of the World Tree, separated only by the Bifrost light of Alfheim. Katrina could barely pay attention to the explanation, as her eyes were bewitched by the work of lights surrounding them in the darkness, illuminating the place with blue sparkles of all kinds. This place they were in, could focus and control that said light.

Atreus voiced what the Goddess was thinking - This World Tree was merely an artistic representation of the much more impressive and grand Yggdrasill. The Tree of Life is bound to the fate of the world, just as they all were bound to it. The tree nourishes the soils; The dew from its leaves feeds the valleys and rivers. The Tree's very existence supports all of creation along its boughs - Its life energy interwoven into the tapestry of life - Birth, growth, death and rebirth. Every strand - Transcending time, transcending space. Everything comes back to the Tree. The Goddess was in awe, her heart having stopped altogether, as a gentle flurry of blue snow swished around them, and the small sprouts of flowers growing at the roots of the tree bloomed together in perfect sync.

The witch explained how, by turning this wheel around the water basin, the great wheel that Kratos previously moved would also be spurred, as the bridge aligns to the different realm towers on the lake outside. As Odin had prevented access to vanaheim, and Jotunheim was currently unavailable, for the Realm Tower was missing, they were urged to move towards the Alfheim tower. She drew a symbol rune on Kratos' palm, so they can lock into this realm and begin the sequence at once. Everything around them changed, and a single part of the room got illuminated in brilliant blue, as the roots grew longer towards the crystal glowing there. Each realm has a corresponding crystal that focuses and amplifies the power of the Bifrost, she said, opening the bridge to that realm. As she continued speaking, a powerful blue lights engulfed them - Yet it was not a blinding one, but a soothing blue that seemed to caress their souls.  Before they left, Atreus was curious about the missing Jotunheim Tower, to which he was told that the Tower went missing by the time the Giants disappeared from Midgard, and no one knows its whereabouts. As the blue lights subsided, the boy thought nothing happened. The witch hummed in amusement, urging them to follow her

Kratos pointed out the Bifrost became dark - It was out of power, thus, they could not return without being replenished by the Light of Alfheim. But Katrina wasn't concerned by such trivialities; She was captivated by the flowers that turned red, just like her hair, the same colour as the Maple Tree Leaves. Kratos had to grab her by the wrist and pull her towards the exit, revealing what looked like a city overgrown with trees. The witch's smile quickly vanished once she realised the Light was barely visible - The Column of Light in the horizon, housed in the heart of a ringed temple, was supposed to be far more powerful.

But the witch was beginning to dissipate in a glowing green light. The trio grabbed onto her, but it was in vain, for the curse was too strong to be resisted. "To restore the Bifrost's magic, you must step into The Light - But be very careful not to get caught up in the --" before she could finish her warning, however, she was pulled inside a portal, no doubt, back to Midgard. "How convenient, being unable to finish the full warning." Kat chuckled, shaking her head. The boy's panic was almost hilarious to her. The whole placed seemed to be fused up with some kind of plant-based organism... Though it also looked a little like corals. How peculiar, she's never seen anything like it."Are you ready for yet another misadventure?" "No."

< Previous Chapter Next Chapter >

#god of war #god of war x reader #god of war imagine #kratos #kratos x reader #kratos imagine #god of war oc #god of war x oc #kratos x oc #goddess #olympus #greek tragedy

[sleepyconfusedpotato]

Ship Information

Got tagged by @alypink @kaitaiga @welldonekhushi @revnah1406! Thank you guys! 💗

height difference / mutual pining / first kiss / wedding / in-jokes / lgbtq+ / family disapproves / would die for each other / would kill for each other / fake relationship / arranged wedding / cuddlers / PDA friendly / and they were roommates / holding hands / secret relationship / opposing worldviews / getting a pet / have kids (3 OF THEM WOOHOO) / want kids / grow old together / relationship failures / rests head on shoulder / share a bed / relationship doubts / they have a song / first date / sharing a blanket / mutual interests / study buddies / bathing together / crash into hello / accidental nudity / laundry / same hobbies / cooking for each other / big fancy gala / sibling rivalry / forehead touches/ hair stroking (both hehehe) / sitting on each other’s laps / sexual tension / can’t be together / battle couple / Friends to Lovers / Enemies to Lovers / Lovers to Enemies / keeping secrets / love after loss / exes / declaration of love / flirting / love triangle / destructive romance / envy / “I Don’t Want to Ruin Our Friendship” / shared values / slow burn / does not end well / happily ever after / love letters

---

height difference / mutual pining / first kiss / wedding / in-jokes / lgbtq+ / family disapproves / would die for each other / would kill for each other / fake relationship / arranged wedding / cuddlers / PDA friendly / and they were roommates / holding hands / secret relationship / opposing worldviews / getting a pet / have kids / want kids / grow old together / relationship failures / rests head on shoulder / share a bed / relationship doubts / they have a song / first date / sharing a blanket / mutual interests / study buddies / bathing together / crash into hello / accidental nudity / laundry / same hobbies / cooking for each other / big fancy gala / sibling rivalry / forehead touches (MOST IMPORTANT!!!) / hair stroking / sitting on each other’s laps / sexual tension / can’t be together / battle couple / Friends to Lovers / Enemies to Lovers / Lovers to Enemies / keeping secrets / love after loss / exes / declaration of love / flirting / love triangle / destructive romance / envy / “I Don’t Want to Ruin Our Friendship” / shared values / slow burn / does not end well / happily ever after / love letters

---

height difference / mutual pining / first kiss / wedding / in-jokes (They have everyone and each other as inside jokes 💀) / lgbtq+ / family disapproves (Oh, their family fucking do 💀) / would die for each other / would kill for each other / fake relationship / arranged wedding / cuddlers / PDA friendly / and they were roommates / holding hands / secret relationship / opposing worldviews / getting a pet / have kids / want kids / grow old together / relationship failures / rests head on shoulder / share a bed / relationship doubts / they have a song / first date / sharing a blanket / mutual interests / study buddies / bathing together / crash into hello / accidental nudity / laundry / same hobbies / cooking for each other / big fancy gala / sibling rivalry / forehead touches/ hair stroking (hair braiding? HELLO) / sitting on each other’s laps / sexual tension / can’t be together / battle couple / Friends to Lovers / Enemies to Lovers / Lovers to Enemies / keeping secrets / love after loss / exes / declaration of love / flirting / love triangle / destructive romance / envy / “I Don’t Want to Ruin Our Friendship” / shared values / slow burn / does not end well / happily ever after / love letters

Heimdall and Silja went like Friends to Enemies to Lovers so I colored them all 😂

---

That's all! Tagging @pricescigar @applbottmjeens and YOU 🫵

#aight we got GhostJade and LadyGaz #what's a good ship name for Heimdall and Silja? HeiLja looks and sounds cool ngl #oc #original character #god of war oc #call of duty oc #simon ghost riley #kyle gaz garrick #heimdall god of war #ghost x oc #gaz x oc #heimdall oc #ghost x jade #gaz x ladybug #heimdall x silja #Ship Information #Spotify

[r0ttingj3lly]

Queztal and Atreus being the best of siblings and Kratos being the best dad.

#god of war x reader #god of war ragnarok #god of war #kukulkan #kratos #quetzalcoatl #aztecinspired #aztec mythology #mayan civilization #atreus #insert oc #siblings #tiktok

[pyromaniac-skeleton]

Possessive Heimdall is Canon, I won’t take criticism on that- 🧍🏻‍♀️

#v’s art #oc #oc x canon #Heimdall x oc #oc x heimdall #Valki #GOW oc #god of war oc #god of war #meme #meme redraw #otp meme #draw your otp #Heimdall #Heimdall gow #GOW heimdall #GOW heimdall x reader #heimdall gow x reader #Heimdall x reader #reader x heimdall #Heimdall odinson #gow #god of war ragnarok #gowr #digital art #procreate #ship meme

[anyabathory-blog]

Between Realms — chapter 1.

Ukraininan ver.(ao3) Word count: 9.8k.

Synopsis: The story takes place before GOW:Ragnarök and covers the events from the point of view of the Aesir. At the whim of Fate, Liv is heading to the City of the Gods. A/N: special thanks to @engardeitsme for reading all over and over again and helping me with the text ♡. I hope you will enjoy it.

Thoughts are marked in italics. Could be swearing, ass kicking and Heimdall. You're warned, yey.✨

The meeting

It had been naive of her to think that the screams in the middle of the rocks could have come from a child. Nobody went to places like that, and they were even less likely to be found. But Liv wouldn't have been able to forgive herself if she hadn't checked. Which, of course, she regretted almost immediately. She hadn't even taken a dozen steps, elbowing her way through the narrow, zigzagging passage, when she fell and landed on her back. Deep enough that she couldn't go back the way she came, but not high enough to break her spine.

The white-green patch in front of her eyes began to form outlines – white light and brown shadow and then gained depth.

The girl was lying in the middle of the cave, listening to the itching in her muscles. Under her back, moss grew like a furry carpet. It smacked with a sigh when Liv sat up, lifting her head up. There was a sudden noise in her temples, a buzzing that blinded her for a moment, but then she blinked it away and was able to look around.

A white beam of light, illuminating the damp ceiling was coming through the hole above, which must have been the passage through which she had fallen earlier. Apart from the moss that hung like a green sheet from the ceiling, the spots of sunlight and the dancing shadows, she was surrounded by silence.

The girl casually began to shake off the dirt and moss pieces when the light played between the uneven walls again. But this time it was accompanied by a damp, champing sound, more like a cuttlefish than a fussy bird that might have flown past the hole from above.

Liv narrowed her eyes, trying to make out something in the patch of light, but all she could see were rays of sunlight darting from one cave tooth to the next, failing to reveal the source of the hideous 'chomp'.

Instantly, her senses stung and she recoiled, startled by the sudden adrenaline rush and the way the gust of air ruffled her hair. She looked down at the spot where she had just been standing and noticed movement in the shadows, which then scurried away with a familiar sniffle.

Liv's calves immediately tensed and she barely squatted. Even though she couldn't see the creature, she could definitely sense the presence of it. The Instinct never let her down. Chomp, chomp, chomp.

Closer.

Closer. The ground next to her foot crumpled slightly, and something invisible started chomping in front of her face. Liv pretended not to notice, staring at the blurred halo of light on the floor as she slowly moved a little lower, reaching for her scabbard on the floor. The sound followed her accordingly.

It was close, revealed only by the breeze on her face and the sound echoing in the air. Chomp, chomp, chomp.

As her fingers caught the ribbed hilt of the sabre, a wave of goosebumps ran down her spine – the familiar tension in her body. Liv felt like a taut arrow, waiting for the moment to strike.

"What are you waiting for, Liv?" Logain's voice was quiet, hissing between the walls, seeming both near and far away, "Go on, pull out your weapon. Do what you know how to do, what you've always done. Kill again. Kill me.”

The girl twitched. Her face twitched too. But she didn't speak. Logain had been feeding the worms in the ground for a long time.

Chomp, chomp, chomp. Something wet slid down her boot, and his voice grew louder.

"Why hesitate? Have you forgotten Mercia? Have you forgotten Vesex?" The air around her face stirred again as something that felt like a wet rope began to squeeze her ankle. Chomp, chomp.

“So much dirt and meat in the armour that the sky was black with crows and the stench squeezed out the tears, remember? Do you remember how I begged you to stay out?”

She smiled slightly out of the corner of her mouth, but the tension in her body did not ease. Logain's voice grew louder, filling her head, and squeezing the skull. She could almost imagine him moving his wrist to the side, making an imaginary six, and pressing his thin lips together in an overly dramatic way, lecturing her. He loved to lecture, although he was younger. Lagain had made mistakes in his life that it was a sin not to embellish with eloquent details, telling them over a mug of mead that had barely fermented in the flask. Fermented, but still tasted better than anything.

Liv closed her eyes for a moment, letting the memories flood back into her mind as the creature kept speaking in a familiar voice.

The flames flicker, the smell of pine and ash blows away all anxiety. Here is Logain baring his teeth, white as 32 pearls, shamelessly exaggerating his achievements, here is Eilbe smiling shyly as he taps her on the shoulder. Chomp, chomp, chomp.

"Doesn't matter, now it doesn't matter..."

The girl sighed, no longer listening. It seemed to start listing names. Names, titles, their roles in her life, how they had left, how she had made sure they left before they perished.

The list went on. Chomp, chomp.

"Now."

Liv slashed from the elbow and with a whistle her sabre flew out like a bottle cork into the blurred space in front of the girl's face.

A shuddering screech ripped through the cave, finally ending the pretentious 'Logain' monologue. The blade sliced softly through the air and snapped as Liv twisted the handle, plunging it deeper. The point seemed to disappear into nowhere, but was still piercing an invisible belly.

The shapeless fetters began to wrap around the girl's waist, squeezing her in a vain attempt to throw her off, but she ignored the creature's scream and hovered steadfastly above it. As the sabre sliced into space, disappearing almost to the level of the crossguard, another sound joined the shriek, which vibrated in a dozen different tones (the creature was still trying to mimic a voice). It was the sound of soft muscles tearing. This was followed by a characteristic stench with a metallic flavour – of blood.

But the blurry blob of air in front of her was not going to give up without a fight. The creature, still screaming, pulled her forward, and she swore when she felt her boot slip on the moss. Liv pressed harder, hoping to pin the shapeless creature to the ground. She miscalculated.

For a moment, the world blurred back into a white and green stain, accompanied by a cacophony of different voices, but eventually, she found herself on her back. The moss crunched softly under her spine.

"Blood! Blood!" The creature, as torning between Logain's voice and an almost childlike falsetto, pinned the girl down harder. "So much blood! It's no use! Do you hear..." Liv struggled, blindly trying to kick the invisible creature so that it would finally shut its mouth, but she missed - it only roared louder, not relenting. Plasma began to drip into her face in thick threads of green mucus, mixing with moss and dirt.

The girl, clutching the handle with stiff fingers, kicked again, this time at the point where the mucus was coming from. She seemed to hit it - the weight above her barely shifted.

The air instantly shook with an inhuman screech, and then there was silence. Silence.

Liv froze and blinked uneasily, looking at what was pinning her down. She could see it now. Her sabre was hilted into a glassy eye that was still trying to convulsively close its heavy eyelids, and orange insides were stretching out in ribbons down to her torso. Slowly unclenching her fingers, Liv shook her shoulder and then again, carefully pushing the motionless nightmare away from her.

"Beastliness, shit, and filth" swearing softly in a couple more languages, Liv shrugged one last time and sat up, looking disgustedly at the creature and then at her clothes, which were stained with green mucus now.

Slowly standing up, she kicked at the rounded belly with its unmoving tentacles. It stirred but did not move or cry out. It was dead. It was quiet.

Nightmares were usual beasts in her travels, but what never stopped to amaze her was the number of varieties. Some could blind her, others spat ice, some spat flames, and some only got closer and exploded for no known reason. But the fact that this creature could turn invisible was a first for her. "They must adapt differently to each realm," Liv mentally summarised, kicking the eye-shaped monstrosity as her sabre unyieldingly twitched between the entrails and chitinized plates of the creature.

As she struggled with the blade, her face was gently touched by the soft breezes swaying through the cave's walls. Separating the weapon away from the body with a kick, Liv turned around and stood to listen.

After taking a few steps, she heard the wind whistle stronger, seeping through the cracks of the cave, as something crunched dryly under her boot. Looking down she noticed bones. The skull, the back of which was cracked open like an eggshell, was small, childlike.

***

Eventually the wind carried her out of the cave and onto the flat, sun-drenched surface. Hrimthur's Wall, the famous Asgardian wall wrapped in a collar of mist, rose up for who knew how many metres and fell down for just as many. Liv's fingers itched at the thought of how much further she had to climb. Not without disgust, she wiped the green mucus from the blade with the edge of her shirt and sighed.

The girl spent the next hour alone with her thoughts, which accompanied her all the way up the wall, along with the scraping of stones under her fingernails, the whistling of the wind, and the clinking of the sheath against her belt. She kept her eyes level with the basalt surface, not wanting to look down, sometimes throwing her head up and grabbing onto ledges, sometimes diving into crevices between grotesquely huge nails that had been embedded in the rock, sometimes pressing her body against the Wall as startled birds flew out of their nests. Once she almost slipped on a rotten apple that someone must have dropped from above(who does that?). When she reached the top, she was covered in dust and sweat.

The Wall clawed into the ground, holding a crescent-shaped lake of buildings and roads that lay beneath the clouds. Asgard had isolated itself not only from uninvited guests, but also from the permanent frost that had frozen Midgard in a deadly grip for so many years. The City of the Gods was lulled into an eternal summer, safe from worry behind high walls. But the Wall of Hrimthur was never left unguarded.

Something had pushed the girl between her shoulder blades. In a moment, the ground slipped away from under her feet, and the green valley opened its mouth wider, looking less picturesque and even lower than she had imagined. Liv gasped for air as her stomach twisted into a knot and squinted, already vividly imagining her fall. However, other than the pounding of her heart and the soft shuffling of the ground beneath her, she heard no wind whistling or bones crunching. Her feet still felt the unsteady ground, and the fabric of her shirt cut into her skin as someone behind her, holding her by the shirt's collar, sighed with pretentious exhaustion.

Liv didn't hurry to look back, seeing the toes of her boots peeking over the edge of the Wall, but she did catch a glimpse of another pair of feet. 

"Well, let's skip the greetings part and save each other’s time, shall we?" The voice was male and young, but despite its hostility, it sounded somewhat ingratiating. Meanwhile, his grip on her collar tightened defiantly, bordering on strangulation. "So, who are you, what do you want, and, most importantly, how did you get here?" Even without seeing the face of the interlocutor, though rather the extortionist, she could feel the mocking smile in his voice. "Although, never mind. How about you only answer the very last question before I let go of you."

Liv made a careful movement to the side, trying to straighten up, but a voice behind her hissed softly.

"I don't recommend it." And then the weightlessness hit her again for a moment. The collar of her shirt was pulled down just below her chin "And I won't repeat myself."

Her breathing quickened, and an animalistic fear prevented her from thinking coldly and composedly, so she chose sincerity. Sincerity is a minority virtue, but it is surprisingly appropriate in most cases when you are promised to fly down.

"I want to help."

There was a pause, though it was not an empty one, full of tension and Liv's futile attempts to catch her breath. This pause was also surprisingly short, as it was interrupted by the quiet laughter of the man behind her.

"Help?" the stranger burst into another laugh. "You're barely able to help yourself, vagrant. So who do you want to help again?”

"Odin, the gods, mortals," the girl pursed her lips, barely inhaling the air, "myself.”

"Oh, I believe in the latter willingly, in the former barely, and in the first two, I don't believe at all. But okay. That's more honest than usual." The air licked Liv's cheek before she hit the ground with her back. Almost instantly, she scrambled to her feet and straightened up. Straightened up as best she could after the climb and the undeniably warm greeting.

  The stranger's shimmering eyes narrowed as she looked down at him. Something told her he didn't like being shorter than her. So the two purple lights stared with a mute question, stared with a certain insolence, as Liv caught her breath, wheezing sounds escaping her throat.

"I don't recall your name on the guest list, vagrant." The man, or rather more a blond lad, looked at her with his shoulders squared.

He was in a good mood for an ordinary guard, too good even, and better dressed than any guard Liv had ever seen. His entire appearance betrayed a nobleman proud of his ancestry, from the golden cuff on his ear to the tips of his boots. This curved her lips into a faint half-smile. 

But the stranger did not comment – he was probably waiting for an answer, the question of who she was hanging in the air. Taking a breath, Liv finally decided to answer:

"Of course, of course," she said, sucking in another breath, but her voice sounded a little strangled, "My name is Liv Rolandsdatter, nice to meet you." her mouth corner twitched ironically to the last part, but soon her face regained its calm expression.

  The stranger nodded, letting out a small laugh, and it was hard to tell what he found more amusing – her name or the fact that she pretended not to know who he was. The horn on his gold-embroidered belt jiggled slightly as the god put his hands at his sides and spoke:

"My name is Heimdall," he paused, and before continuing, he pursed his lips in an unnatural smile "I am the Herald of Ragnarök and the Guardian of the Aesir. Now, Liv, please give me at least one reason not to throw you off the Wall."

"The gods are very friendly people, I see," she thought ironically. Surprisingly, right after that, Heimdall cackled with a familiar laugh.

"I think," as she began, something predatory glinting in those strange eyes, "that you already know the answer to that, lord Heimdall.”

Politeness is another virtue peculiar to the minority, but surprisingly appropriate when you are facing a god from whom you expect anything but  pleasantness.

He tilted his head to the side and smiled, no longer hiding his golden teeth, as it turned out. It was a shitty smile, the kind that usually makes people lose their heads. Literally.

"Clever girl. What good would you be to the Allfather, the King of the Aesir? I think the Allfather has enough warriors already," his tone grew more and more unpleasant with each word, and for a moment Liv thought a bruise under his white cheekbone would have suited him well, "I doubt a frail lassie like you, vagrant Liv, would be more useful than any einherjar."

   Her fingers ran lightly over the hilt of the sabre, scratching the top with her fingernail almost tenderly. The metal cooled her hand and mind soothingly. Heimdall reminded her exactly of the type of person with whom every verbal battle ends with a face in a bowl: a stew of your own blood and teeth.

"Perceptive." Liv licked her lips as her blood pulsed in her temples. "I'm from Skadi*," she said, unexpectedly, mockery evident in her voice, "I think that's enough for Odin himself to accept even a 'frail lassie' like me."

Unfortunately, of all the virtues, Liv lacked politeness the most. As well as patience.

"Skadi..." Heimdall tilted his head to the side as if he had heard the name for the first time, "Jotun, the traitor to two nations at once: her own and mine... No, no." He paused and made a careless gesture with his hand. The purple gaze measured her for a moment before the god continued, "No. You are here only for yourself.”

 Crossing her arms over her chest, Liv tucked her chin up, looking down at the young god.

"What a fascinating story, really. A little more guesswork about me, pompous speeches and introductions or–"

It swirled. Before she could say anything else, she fell to her knees. Her stomach twisted and she was paralyzed with throbbing pain from a hit, but she quickly recovered. A familiar impulse hit her brain, dulling the pain and fatigue, leaving only one thing behind – the desire to hurt back. Liv threw her head up, waiting for him to approach.

"Once again" He snorted through his teeth as he sat down on his toes as well. God's tone smoothly turned into an irritatingly flattering one. "Why should I allow someone like you to come into my home and meet with the Allfather?" Liv's upper lip quivered irritably as she felt a touch on her head. "Then, for example, to string your red haired head on a stick? Perhaps then this endless stream of uninvited guests will end, since the enormous Wall in front of their noses is not enough, huh?"

  He had the nerve to pat her on the head in a fatherly, no, rather mistressly way, as if Liv were some kind of naughty puppy. It was annoying, drowning out the last echo of reason. Liv didn't feel pain anymore and there was an evil glint in her eyes.

  Suddenly, Heimdall giggled gutturally, looking her in the eye with his purple lights. That was the last straw. With a short snarl, Liv lunged forward, intent on slamming her forehead into the smug face, but the attempt failed and her knees skidded on the stone as she lost her balance again. He was already standing away.

"Did you really want to hit me?" Heimdall said cheerfully, with an expression as if he had just heard a very funny joke.

"Yes, a bruise would make your pale face more attractive," Liv snapped, finally raising to her feet.

The way the young god's face contorted made her smile wickedly. But her pleasure did not last long, for he came toward her, quickly. Very quickly, even the sound of his footsteps seemed to come with a delay as his face was close again. But Liv still managed to free her sword from its silver-embroidered scabbard.

"Whoa, the lassie can fight," he said with a hoot as he saw the blade pointing at his impudent face, "Careful, don't cut yourself..."

  Sparks sliced through the air between them, the enchanted metal of her sabre glowing white in an instant. Heimdall suppressed his surprise and easily dodged the lunge, but the subtle surprise that slipped into his eyes made Liv want to thank Skadi for the sword for the first time.

  She tried to grab his collar, but before she could, the god stepped back again and unhooked the scabbard from his belt. The air seemed to become liquid as he moved, sounds disappearing for that brief moment as the step backwards became two feet, then four, then ten.

"How is he doing that?" Liv's eyebrow shot up for a moment as he voiced the same thought that had just flashed through her brain. Heimdall giggled again and made a gesture with his hand, causing the air to ripple again like an agitated sea, distorting space. “Showing off.”

A moment and he was closer again. Closer than she expected, closer than she could see. However, it was enough for her to feel it, her Instinct, prickling her fingertips, ordered her to move away. A deep breath, a half-turn, a step, a parry, and an exhale – this dance was as clear as the last time, as years ago, as centuries before. The young god didn't even bother to pull out his sword, apparently expecting to punch her between the eyes with the golden tip of the scabbard, but it met her sabre with a loud clang. The lilac eyes looked at her now with anger as she drew back, kicking up dust, but she stood her ground.

  The sound of metal hitting metal still echoed in the air as the two stared each other in the face, a pair of purple eyes and yellow-like sulphur ones. The longer Liv held back the pressure, the heavier the sword became in her hands, its silver blade sparkling with runes (perhaps that was the only reason it hadn't shattered like glass) was still trembling in her hands. Heimdall smiled and nudged her again, breaking the contact between the weapons.

"Very well, maybe you deserve to have me draw my sword..." Stretching his shoulder, the young god threw the scabbard aside. The black metal glistened in the sun with a bloodthirsty growl. Even the engraving on the ricasso had some gilding.

"Vain asshole." Liv's upper lip twitched irritably again, and the scar on it stabbed treacherously. With every word he said, she was getting angrier and angrier, losing control, which was not good. She was on her own in this situation, in the thick of it, and if Heimdall hadn't attacked first, she would have been out of here by now, but damn life had other plans for her. It always does.

"Oh, come up with something more interesting," Heimdall sighed theatrically, making an inviting gesture for her to strike. At least to try.

"Shut up."

  She spat out those words, until the sword sparkled more strongly, resembling a torch rather than a blade. The "invitation" was accepted with all the passion she could muster – in two leaps she closed the distance between them and brought the blow down from above, drawing a figure eight in the air. The sabre whistled, stretching the empty space, while a kick flew into her back. Liv staggered forward on inertia, barely keeping her balance. Glancing over the edge of Hrimtur's wall for a moment, she swallowed, looking down into the gaping maw of the valley that descended through the fog. "High. Damn high."

But the Instinct stung her again, returning her mind to a state of battle and the adrenaline surged through her muscles. Liv managed to fight back with a half-turn, sinking her blade into the black metal, but felt her feet wobbling unsteadily at the edge of the wall.

  These pirouettes, trying to catch the god who was slipping through her fingers like sand, were beginning to tire her out, and he could see it. Moreover, it amused him.

Heimdall was stronger, much stronger, and he could push her back again without breaking a sweat, so, cursing foully, she darted to the side, trying to get behind him and away from the edge as far as possible. The young god, of course, expected her move and counterattacked, pushing Liv aside. The blade slipped and her arm burned treacherously, aching from elbow to shoulder, as she stepped back again without making a single cut. With a jerk, the sabre drew a crescent in the air, aiming for Heimdall's wrist.

“Mmmm. No” he swung to the side, avoiding the blow again. Boredom crept into his gaze. "You've had enough of my attention for today.”

With a sigh, the god straightened up and stepped closer, without any haste or hesitation when the blade was pointed directly at his chest. Diving behind Liv's back, he yanked her by the shirt's collar, dragging the girl again like a naughty puppy. She squirmed, grabbed his leg, twisted, arched, and pushed her body forward to knock him to the ground. If Liv was happy about anything right now, it was that no one else saw how idiotic it looked. Before she could make out his expression, something quickly slipped past her eyes, and the world around her instantly turned white. It was the scabbard that finally cracked her on the forehead. “Oh, shit”.

“Bye-bye...“ Before she fainted, Liv saw the god lean down and flash his golden teeth. His voice echoed through her brain, mingling with the croaking of a raven, turning into one hideous ringing in her ears.

  Then the abyss covered her, sucking in all sensations and sounds. The fatigue became unbearable.

***

When she woke up, Liv lay there for a while with her eyes closed and her muscles spreading over the surface. The place where she had been hit burned too much for a dead person, and the space around her was too soft and dry for a prisoner. So. She was alive and not in a prison. That was good.

  For a moment, she was tempted to try to sleep, because the fatigue was still with her, if not for the creaking of the floorboards and the scuffling of what seemed to be a chair on the floor.

  Lazily, the girl opened her eyes, tilting her head to the side. There was a pillow under her. It seemed to be taffeta. It was too refined for someone who had been slapped between the eyes, too good for a stranger. Liv squinted as the sleepy veil fell from her eyes, and then she could see where she was. And more importantly, with whom?

  The stone walls were decorated with tapestries and weaponry, and the furniture was made by good craftsmen – a striking difference from the last time someone had managed to make her faint. Only back then it had not been so easy. And back then she had been lying in a room with no windows.

  She couldn't help but roll her eyes as she noticed a familiar face in the shadow. Her bruised forehead throbbed even more when her gaze crossed with a purple one.

  But besides Heimdall, there was another man here. He was sitting next to the bed, his elbows relaxed on the handles of the faldstool. He was an old man, carrying neither a sword nor armour, only a stick, a green hood framing his wrinkled neck, hiding a celestial-blue caftan with a golden thread underneath. He looked more friendly than Heimdall, but his blue eyes, or rather one single eye, looked at Liv with a cold, sharp insight that made it chilly. His gaze was not clouded by the weight of his years or by marasmus. His right eye socket was covered with a leather eyepatch. As the girl recovered, she sat up, and looked at the man, who was obviously Odin. He coughed and spoke:

  "Good morning," his voice was quiet and hoarse, with notes of dry humour. They only intensified when the girl glanced up at the inlaid window, checking how long her "sleep" had lasted. It was late afternoon... "So. Young lady, how do you know Skadi and why were you so eager to see me that you got into a fight with my guard?"

  Liv cleared her throat and shook her head slightly, still reeling from the pain, and met a familiar pair of eyes. Heimdall, leaning back against the stone wall, stared at her silently, waiting for an explanation. The purple lights flickered even more strongly in the shadows. She grimaced slightly and turned her head to Odin. "My name is Liv Rolandsdatter, Allfather. And Skadi she is..." She winced as her voice echoed through the walls of her skull, but massaging between her eyebrows, she continued, "She is my mother."

  There was a pause during which Liv could see Heimdall's face go blank, for he never seemed to be at a loss for words, but now he was without comment. The old man, meanwhile, ran his finger over the carvings of the chair and answered with much more enthusiasm in his voice:

"So, she managed to keep you."

"She did?"

"Yes, yes, don't fidget, I'll do better" his fingers once again scratched the carving before resting on her forehead. This small touch enveloped her in a warmth that spread throughout her body, and in another moment, she would have probably fallen into his arms. The pain was gone.

"Thank you, I really feel better."

"You're welcome," he nodded slightly and removed his hand from her face. "To tell you the truth, I was waiting for you to show up."

"And that's why I was hit in the stomach in the first place?

"Heimdall," Odin said coldly, not even giving his son a glance, it was a short order.

  The lad sighed, snorting like a cat in the dust, and stepped back from the wall. After that, he spoke dryly, without an ounce of conscience or remorse, of course:

"I'm sorry."

  Yeah, that was all he could think to say after he'd hit Liv (not even just once). It was just funny, so she laughed. Shortly and cheekily. The young god twitched his eyebrows and pursed his lips, but said nothing, although she could see that there was plenty of what he wanted to let out. Perhaps even too much of it, but the presence of the Allfather made him hold back a bit, it seems.

Odin just shook his head.

"You are forgiven, prince," she sighed and turned her head to Odin, saying the last word through her teeth. Meanwhile, Heimdall's face was a mixture of confusion and irritation.

"Sjá hvat**..." The old man's lips curled in a half-smile and then he stood up, slapping his knees lightly "Well, then. Now that we have settled all the issues, it is time, Liv Skadisdatter, for you to meet the rest of your family."

  Now Liv shared Heimdall's embarrassment, and their eyes were the size of Sceat coins.

"What?"

***

  Liv looked into the abyss.

  As she plunged into the white mist, the wooden platform under her feet shook, momentarily throwing her off balance. Stepping back from the edge, she glanced over the city that lay below them: along the grey roads that snaked between buildings, flowing down the moat, passing carved gates and coming together in a semicircle before the square where black specks of people bustled about their business; she was looking at the ribbons of canals and mill ponds, that wove around the city as veins, the fluffy clouds that rose above the sharp roofs, and the valkyries that flapped their huge wings like golden birds as they flew past the ropeway. The longer they descended, the more Asgard resembled a green lake in the palm of a rocky giant whose wrist replaced the sharp slope on one side of the half-walled city. Liv huffed at the ironic association, remembering the Aesir people's intense dislike of giants, and turned her gaze to a pair of boots with intricate patterns on the tanned leather. Heimdall had kept his eyes on her since they left Himinbjörg***, and the girl had been trying to pretend that he, the young god, did not exist. So, swaying slightly to the right again because of the unpleasant feeling of weightlessness in her legs, she turned her gaze to the Allfather.

  From the side, he looked like a vulture searching for a field mouse, contemplating Asgard with his blue eye. His hooked nose, like a beak, twitched slightly with a smile as he noticed Liv watching. Something about that little emotion was uncomfortably familiar, but she didn't know what it was. Yet.

After a moment, Odin met her eyes, with the same slightly smiling expression. Now the "vulture" was looking at Liv. However, she did not shrink back, looking down, but straightened up, put her hands on her waist, and slightly clasped her sides. "It's all too simple. There are too few details."

"What did you mean by saying Skadi 'managed to keep' me?" she said on an exhale. No, that wasn't what she wanted to ask, but her curiosity overcame her. Liv had never been close to her famous mother, but also she did not believe she would ever have the opportunity to ask again.

  The old man chuckled. Laughter, that's what she didn't like. It was the same as Heimdall's, only this one sounded sincere. Odin, meanwhile, leaned on a carved stick, looking at Liv with a piercing gaze.

"Oh, you know how it is, a scandal, a couple dozen broken plates and faces..." the god hummed, still smiling and seeing that Liv did not share his humour, "You were not supposed to happen. Njord and, frankly, me too, insisted that Skadi get rid of you."

  The girl tilted her head slightly to the side and nodded silently, hinting for him to continue. The Allfather sighed, and the stick, or something in it, hissed quietly.

"She obviously didn't," he slapped his stomach lightly, "She walked around with her belly protruding as if to mock everyone. Until she disappeared, so that none of my ravens or her husband could find her, and when she came back, she pretended nothing had happened."

"Of course she did. She just got rid of a burden and then 'suddenly' remembered her responsibilities as a goddess."

"So that's how it is... My mother is not only a traitor to the nations but also unfaithful in her marriage and full of arrogance that even touches the gods." Liv slightly curled her lips in an ironic smile. She heard nothing new in this. Almost. "However, you haven't answered my question, lord, and you still haven't explained why you're letting me into your home so easily."

  Liv could see out of the corner of her eye that Heimdall was shifting impatiently from foot to foot, apparently wanting to add something of his own, but he remained silent. She couldn't help but glare at him, although she quickly turned her head back to Odin, who was still smiling.

"Women are so inquisitive..."

"Yes, I am a woman, but please don't take me for an idiot," the girl crossed her arms over her chest, "The raven on the standard. It was you, wasn't it? Otherwise, I wouldn't have been allowed to cross the threshold, let alone be ‘gallantly’ stabbed between the eyes with a scabbard. You were watching…”

  Suddenly, the platform stopped, and Liv swayed slightly on the inertia and whispered a curse under her breath. But in the meantime, the weightlessness in her legs had passed, flowing down her feet into the solid ground, so she breathed out a sigh of relief. Odin stepped forward without delay, leaving Liv to contemplate Heimdall's frown for a moment. The girl was not too impressed by this sight and instead looked around.

On the sides were green fields fenced with thin levadas, where distant figures could be seen, some still digging in the ground, and others with sticks chasing chickens, geese, turkeys, and horned stock – all this action crowded in front of the carved gate that led into the city. Light shone in the cracks of the houses, their sharp roofs peeking out beyond the wall, and the long shadows of the Hrimthur's wall were cut by the slowly setting orange sun. Liv could hardly deny that the evening in Asgard, even if she hadn't yet stepped outside the walls, was somewhat mesmerising, and the lights outside the gates were at least alluring. But she still had questions. A whole lot of questions.

  Meanwhile, Heimdall tore his glittering eyes away from her and followed the Allfather, who was already waiting for them at the closed gate. Liv shrugged with her shoulder and in a couple of steps passed the distance separating her from Odin and his son. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a golden-green blur, steadily growing larger, jumping through the levadas and pushing people around. Soon enough, the "spot" took shape and a name.

"Gulltoppr!" At first, Liv did not realise that it was Heimdall's sonorous voice, but her attention quickly shifted to the snow-white grappling gradungr, which had passed the wooden fence in two quick leaps and, kicking up a cloud of dust, began to caress its owner's arm like a normal cat. A cat the size of a barn and with a head framed by a pair of curved horns. The girl had heard of gradungs before, but this was the first time she had seen this creature in person.

A dwarf shopkeeper she knew had once told her about these creatures, that they lived mainly in Vanaheim and, according to his description, had four horns, not two, and three heads – a lion's, a goat's, and a dragon's. But she could not remember which one he thought was "the thinkin’ ass one". Liv had been sceptical of such a colourful description even then, but now she saw with her own eyes that the words were a clear exaggeration from the mouth of a drunk. Also, the dwarf had been telling her about the time he was in a gang with six other dwarves and a lady with white skin like bone and lips the colour of hawthorn, but Liv hadn't been listening any further. By that point, she had seemed to be drunk too.

  But she still found the proportions of the so-called Gulltoppr most amusing, and even more so their relation to Heimdall. For someone who showed so much audacity, the god was undersized, and compared to his riding "kitten" he seemed tiny and clumsy.

As soon as the thought crossed Liv's mind, she felt a purple gaze slide over the young god's shoulder and bore into her forehead. The white gradungr also turned its triangular head and shook its horns like a goat that was about  to charge. For a moment, the girl really thought it was going to do so, so her calves tensed slightly. But she was wrong.

  The animal quickly went back to nuzzling at the god's side, puffing loudly with its big velvet nose, while Heimdall pulled the gold-embroidered reins from the saddle's bow.

"No, you will walk, Heimdall." Odin, standing at the gate, tapped his stick lightly. Something metallic hissed in it again. "It must be a blade."

  The young god whispered softly, Liv did not know what, and lightly patted Gulltoppr on the side, pushing him away. The "cat" responded with a dissatisfied grunt and flicked its pink tongue against Heimdall's cheek (the god jerked at this), but pulled away.

  Liv let out a small laugh through her nostrils and shook her head, deliberately looking past Heimdall and his mount as if fascinated by a clay jug that stood alone on a wooden levada. Out of the corner of her eye, though, she was still looking at the gradungr and his yellow and white fur, which he was licking diligently, cat-like.

Odin spoke first:

"Yes, I have been watching you, and yes, I have been waiting for you, Skadisdatter. But I do not take you for an idiot or a fool. At most, I think you're lost and that I can show you the Way."

Liv crossed her arms over her chest.

"The way?" Liv arched an eyebrow and shook her head slightly, "My name is Liv Rolandsdatter. Not Skadisdatter, please."

The Allfather smiled slightly out of the corner of his eye, which was wrapped by wrinkles like a spider's web.

"Yes. But a mortal named Roland is insignificant and uninteresting, unlike your mother."

"So is it all a matter of blood? Or is it simply the Asgardian benevolence?"

"Partly both."

"Then please don't pretend that you're doing me a favour, that you need me for some reason and therefore have the right to ask questions, lord."

"Hmm. Right. The only difference is that we both need each other, Skadisdatter," the gate slowly opened in front of them, its metal hinges groaning, "and I am still doing you a favour by letting you into my kingdom."

Asgard was flooded with evening light, which reddened and glistened on the sharp roofs, the purple shadows gave the city a certain charm. All cities looked charming at this time, despite the number of vermin and rats that might inhabit them, but Asgard was obviously different. And it wasn't even that it was a city of gods, heroes, and generally those whose bright faces and shining armour the skalds were so fond of singing about – Asgard was clean. As Liv walked down the street, she didn't see a single puddle or piece of trash, which is so common in large settlements, especially those surrounded by walls. Even the Anglo-Saxons, who were so fond of accusing the Danes of being untidy, could have envied the absence of mud and sewage stains. Although, perhaps, they would have been most upset by the fact that the theory of the "All-Powerful One God" turned out to be false.

But like all cities at this time, Asgard was falling asleep, and the closer the evening shadows approached the cobblestone streets, the more lethargic its inhabitants became. People in brightly coloured clothes embroidered with golden thread (apparently the Aesir were very fond of this material), slowly walked the streets, tired from the early rising, the lunch and dinner fuss and ready for evening rest, but all of them were certainly interested in one person. The person who obviously does not belong here is Liv. Some tried to tactfully hide their interest, glancing as if in passing, some suddenly looked around like a goat that had mistakenly bumped into a fortress wall with its horns, some leaned over the balcony, excessively straightening the laundry that was hanging down, some even seemed to have choked on the contents of a mug. The more gawking Asgardians Liv counted, the more she was convinced of her guess - guests were at least rare, at most a curiosity. Especially in such high-profile company as the Allfather and Heimdall.

  However, Liv was cold to the extra attention, and in fact, she was somewhat annoyed by it, which would make it harder for her to escape if the opportunity came up.

  "She would have loved and hated this city, like so many other things," she thought. Liv hummed, lightly twirling her braid with a black strand woven into it as they walked down the street under the watchful eye of the locals: Odin tapping his heels and wooden stick on the cobblestones, the girl following him, stealing glances and reading the golden lettering on the bracketed signs, Heimdall was the last to go, but she could hear him steadily following her step by step.

  The last time someone had kept up with Liv's pace like that, this someone had tried to steal the pouch that was attached to her scabbard belt, so almost instinctively she smoothed the strap with the edge of her hand, but she never found the small goatskin pouch. Liv whispered a curse, figuring that she'd lost it before they'd even reached the city and that it must have been left lying on the Wall somewhere.

  "Damn it to Hell. There's no going back now." she thought, and when she heard a soft laugh under a breath, looked around. Ignoring Heimdall was harder than she had expected.

“So you can really read minds?" She let out, again, asking questions that hardly made sense, but to think that even her thoughts were not completely hers now was at least uncomfortable, at most disgustingly disturbing.

"So you really are Skadi's daughter?" Heimdall answered quietly, but that didn't lessen the irony in his voice. It seemed that Odin, who had been cutting through the street with a surprisingly brisk pace, accompanied by the tapping of his stick and the hissing of the blade hidden in it, had distanced himself from them enough for the young god to regain his talkativeness and insolence.

  However, she was interested.

"Yes, hers." She twisted a smile that made the scar on her upper lip prickle again, "Do you think the Allfather would lie?

"I think you would lie if you had to."

“How apt," Liv agreed with feigned ease, "but you, the 'god of foresight', seem to be able to sense lies, so your question is meaningless.”

Heimdall huffed, still only a step behind her.

"Then it seems you're wasting your time asking me, too, when you know I can 'sense a lie'.”

“I know this only from the stories of mortals, and they are known to exaggerate the virtues of others and their own.”

“What else have mortals told you about us? I'm very curious to hear.”

“They also told me that you are wise and terse, Heimdall.”

His pace seems to have slowed slightly.

"How quickly we moved on to exchanging compliments," the god sighed theatrically, "I'm impressed, truly. And then you wonder why you get hit in the forehead.”

“What I'm not surprised about is that every conversation with you ends in this way, annoyingly often, if not always.”

“Something tells me you're speaking from a rich experience.”

  Liv flinched when she heard the voice a little closer than she had expected and thought of pushing Heimdall away while turning, but her hand only touched the air when the god had already moved away. For a few moments, she stood in the middle of the square, silently measuring the Aesir with her eyes, trying to understand how he did it.

  Involuntarily, Liv smoothed the coloured shawl around her waist again, that was hiding a part of her belt and often her leather purse, but her palm gently passed over her thigh, never coming across the mound of coins. It was such an involuntary movement that she didn't realise at first what it looked like from the side when she was staring the god straight in the eye. Her face barely seemed to flush as Heimdall gave her perhaps the most arrogant smile he could muster. She was wrong.

  A moment later, his lips curled even more as he moved his shoulder slightly, bringing his right hand behind his back. Liv clutched the hilt of her sabre, waiting, but the god seemed to hold out his palm to her without noticing. And something in it, too.

"I don't need to read minds to know who you are, Skadisdatter" he flashed his teeth and gave his wrist a slight flick, drawing the girl's attention to the leather pouch in his hand.

"I think this is yours. Take it before I change my mind because your fidgeting is getting on my nerves."

 Liv nodded slowly in gratitude and took the pouch in her hand, her fingers lightly touching the rough palm. She pressed her lips together, shook her head and said something like "thank you" as she exhaled, but the god was no longer listening. He walked on, joining Odin, who was leaning on a stick, waiting for them in front of a house with a sloping roof. It differed from the other buildings only in its more elaborate carvings and its location on a steep slope, the only part of the city not surrounded by a high wall and still bathed in the setting sun, its red disc now barely peeking over the wall.

Her fingers seemed to feel the distinctive obverse and her fingernail pecked at the sharp edge of the coin, so she fastened the pouch to her belt under her shawl and followed. As soon as she stepped closer, her foot slammed into a puddle with a cold smack. "No mud, eh?" Or perhaps she didn't want to notice it at first, as often happens. "Even a puddle that glistens with gold, reflecting the sky, is still a puddle."

  Liv slid her muddy boot on the cobblestones and levelled herself with the Allfather and Heimdall. Odin almost solemnly, somewhat theatrically, it seems to run in the family to be somewhat theatrical, spreaded his arms:

"Welcome to the Great Lodge, Skadisdatter."

***

The room smelled of dust. Many tomes and scrolls, yellowed and worn, were crammed together in batteries on the shelves, some were leaning against the carved columns, green with old copper on their rods, among the candles with long strands of wax extending from them. Some tomes, which must have been worth a fortune, were scattered haphazardly or sometimes stacked in pyramids according to size and covered with cobweb patterns - the names of only a few of them were known to Liv, and even fewer were written in languages she was familiar with. The cabinet was not lacking in other curiosities, however, such as a wind chime from faraway Asia, a large Persian amphora made of green earthenware and covered with small runes whose meaning could only be guessed at, or a silk standard with a unicorn and a naked woman sitting on it, which Liv assumed had been woven somewhere in Northumbria. There was no shortage of weapons, as there had been in Himinbjörg, but they were given much less space and therefore less attention, although the An Creite shield with its white and red colours caught Liv's eye immediately. She wanted to pick it up, to trace her finger around the splinters at the centre, which could have been struck by a buzdugan, but despite herself, she did not. She quickly turned her gaze to Odin, who had already sat down in a high chair with carved arms. He caught her eye and tilted his head to the side:

“Do you like it?”

Liv moved her shoulder, feigning indifference, but they both knew it was a lie. Heimdall, who leaned back against the wall again, seemingly finding some comfort in the shadows, just huffed. "So just stand there and pretend you're part of the interior."

"An impressive collection." the girl nodded, but her eyes darted around again, taking in the new relics that had been collected from all nine realms, "To put it modestly."

The Allfather answered with a short laugh, leaning against the surface of the oak table, which was also covered with books.

Eventually, she came over and crouched down beside the white and red shield. Liv could feel Heimdall's cold, weighing gaze, which slightly curled his lips, and Odin's somewhat sharp one, which remained unchanged in his facial expression, while she kept talking.

"Every time you see one of these, you involuntarily start thinking about the former owners." Her finger touched the cracks in the shield, immediately getting smeared with a thick layer of dust. "No, it's not a buzdugan. Perhaps it was struck from above and was of superhuman strength. But the one who held it stood up, while the shield was simply crumpled from the core. If it wasn't a buzdigan, then it must have been a hammer?" The girl thought as she measured the old shield in her hands. "You involuntarily start thinking, did they give up their belongings willingly, or were they asked for them very politely? Does it even happen that the gods ask?"

Mortals talked a lot about the gods, whether Greenlanders, Danes, or Swedes – everyone had their own interpretation and vision of the powers, achievements, and, of course, the Aesir's lineage, but never, in any of legends and interpretations, was the Allfather inherent in restraint. The blood of the Aesir was hot, and the blood of the Odinsons was hotter than heated iron.

“Let us be prudent, Skadisdatter.”

“So let us be prudent, Allfather. Unless prudence is not talking about art or half-heartedly making hints," Liv straightened up, the light from the candles flickered as if from a breeze that had slipped through the door behind her (which she believed to be tightly closed). "What do you want from me?"

Odin did not pause, he answered suddenly, and his words surprised her no less, embarrassing her for a moment:

"You are much alike Skadi. A striking resemblance indeed," the wrinkles at the corners of his mouth deepened into a half-smile, "She too came to me for help at first. Even when she was unable to set conditions or ask questions, she was still defiant, and then when she received an offer from my son Baldur*, she refused. I wonder where the similarities end.” The Allfather tilted his head expectantly to one side.

"Probably on the lack of interest in morganatic marriages* and the need for help."

The old god laughed briefly and shook his head.

"No, I'm not proposing any marriage to you. I'm just saying that out of respect for your mother, I don't want to turn our relationship into a boring exchange of favours."

"For some reason, our conversations always turn to my mother. But I'm listening."

"I'm asking you to be my factotum."

It took Liv a few seconds to recall the word, which was spoken in exactly the same tone as when an accountant lends you money.

"In human terms, 'run errands for you' ".

Heimdall snorted indignantly, but Odin stopped him with a wave of his hand. This was enough to silence the young man.

"I would have been more economical with snarky responses, but I am happy to answer your questions and remarks, Skadisdatter.”

"That's the thing, you're not answering them, you're dodging them." Liv crossed her arms over her chest, but then her fingers reached for a small braid where a strand of hair was weaved. She started rubbing it gently, twisting it around her finger, "Besides, how did you know I was coming?

"The children of the gods always come. Sooner or later."

“I wonder why? Does your generosity with golden apples and magic rings* have something to do with it?”

"Partly." Odin intertwined his fingers, each one sparkling with a golden ring. He wasn't smiling, but his blue eye still twinkled with amusement. "Whether out of a realisation that they do not belong among mortals or after they have flirted with their power, because their wounds heal faster and their hands can bend swords at unusual angles, they end up at best, dying in their sleep with a knife in their throat, cut by yesterday's allies or being pierced by arrows like a hedgehog with needles, dying a nasty and slow death. Unless, of course, their own blood kills them before they reach adulthood," the corner of Liv's mouth twitched slightly as the image of dirty, sticky with sweat sheets came to mind. Her nostrils tickled with the ephemeral echoes of verbena and incense. She hadn't known back then that her sickness was neither a jinx nor a god’s trail – Liv was simply unlucky enough to be another mistake between a mortal and a goddess. But the memory quickly faded and lost its colour as Odin continued, lightly twirling the ring on his index finger. If the girl hadn't been trying so hard to hide her slight trembling, she might have noticed a certain smugness in the Allfather's tone. "Sometimes demigods are characterised by sacrifice, heroism, and occasionally death in their beds without the burdensome knowledge of their origins. However, no matter what the whim of Fate, they end up here. Alive or dead.”

“Very well. Then, in the end, what kind of demi-god am I?”

“One of those who realise that strength alone is not enough before their naïvety and impulsiveness become their undoing. Skadi offered herself to balance the relationship between gods and giants, but she did so on her own terms.”

Liv pressed her lips together, knowing full well that she was hardly in a position to make any conditions. She ran her finger over the pouch, but Odin silently put something on the table. And without a word, he pushed it forward. The perfect edge, the distinctive features of the hook-nosed profile, and the smooth surface of the Asgardian coin was surprisingly similar to the one she had recently fingered in her leather bag. Heimdall tilted his head slightly to side, curling his lips in that same cocky smile – "Of course, he's managed to replace it. After all, he takes me for an idiot."

"The magic of giants is always fascinating, although it probably makes even less sense than the magic of dwarves. I assume, like the sword, it was a gift from Skadi, right?"

"Yes." Liv lied. But quickly. Too quickly.

Odin smiled slightly, pretending to believe it, and Heimdall's face twitched slightly as if he had just been bitten between the eyebrows. The Allfather spun the ring around his finger once more and pushed the coin aside with a sigh, it quickly disappeared among the papers and books on his table.

"I am only concerned that someone else might be able to slip into my kingdom like a thief through a crack in the door, Skadisdatter.”

"No thief is ever expected, no thief is ever welcomed with open arms into one's home, and even less often is a thief ever hired."

Odin leaned back into the chair easily and intertwined his fingers across his chest, a smile still playing on the old god's lips.

"And almost always, thieves lie. You claimed to want to help me when you first came, and now you're lying to my face. What do you really want, Skadisdatter? Do you want me to trust a liar?"

Liv blinked uneasily and answered with a little bit of a shudder. She tried to be more sincere this time.

"I'm sick of watching Midgard snow for years in a row, covered in frost, as people are dying and I'm sick of my inaction and powerlessness. I want to help stop it, if possible."

"However, this is not a self-interest, but an altruistic one. That's why I don't believe in it." The Allfather glanced slightly at the young god, who hadn't revealed his presence with anything but angry snorts before.

A purple gaze flickered from under the lad's furrowed brow, and he stood frozen for a few moments, looking at Liv, who in turn stood still as well. Then he rolled his eyes and nodded.

“She believes in it. Wants to believe.”

*End of the chapter* whew

#my art #gow heimdall #god of war #heimdall #heimdall god of war #heimdall gow #drawing #украрт #укртумбочка #illustrators on tumblr #heimdall x oc #god of war heimdall #gow fanart #odin gow #gow ragnarok #gow odin #fanfic #writing #oc × canon #Heimdall × Original character

[the-tomato-patch]

@teacakes1799 did this fantastic sketch commission of my babies tomatoes, Rhiasen and Scourge! Absolutely inlove with this ❤️

#swtor #star wars the old republic #jedi knight #swtor jedi knight #oc: rhiasen shedim #lord scourge #scourge #swtor scourge #teacakesart #go commission them #commission #not my art #lord scourge x jedi knight #jedi knight x lord scourge #sith pureblood #good tomatoes #god tier

[mel-kusanagi]

here, have another little hnoss with big brother atreus ❤

#hnoss would always want to know her brother's journeys whenever he returns home #and sometimes ask about angrboda and fenrir too #also she would ask to play with her with speki and svanna which he would never refuse #i just love them they're so cute dnjchjdchj #hnoss #atreus #kratos x freya #warflower #god of war #sketch #gow oc #my art

[teal-magic91]

Hey Gang!

I'm back with a lone Heimdall, he's just chilling and reading. He's got a bandage on his head from where Solana threw a rock at him. 🙄

I'm slowly working on my fic. I gotta take my time to get info right.

#god of war ragnarok #gow heimdall #heimdall x oc #drawing #god of war heimdall #heimdall god of war #heimdall gow #heimdall x reader #heimdall

[rexscanonwife]

I sketched this a couple months ago and decided to finish it up bcs I miss my husband so much! 🥺💙

#artfarts #self insert #self ship #self shipping community #self insert community #self insert x canon #oc x canon #star wars #star wars the clone wars #tcw #captain rex #captain rex tcw #💙 oh captain my captain 💙 #its lowkey a redraw of smth i drew a while back but i like this!! #and maaan is it a trip to draw these two again 🥺🥺🥺💖💖💖 #brea has become closer to an oc than an s/i at this point tbh #i love them tho!! i still get self shippy feelings from them hehe #pls god let me enter another sw eraaaa

[darkdevasofdestruction]

Chapter 8 ~ Frozen Heart

"Well, my dear lady, I would say, all our efforts have finally brought this utopia to life. Who'd have thought that our home could learn rebirth like the phoenix and quite literally become even greater, from nothing but a foundation of ashes and chaos - Quite literally speaking." Hermes had his arm around his wife's shoulders, as they both sat at the edge of the tallest peak in Olympus, watching down over the country they provide providence over, and its lovely people. "I am really proud of the way our home has become." the graceful fairy-like lady wearing a grass-green dress of a thin, almost sheer material, embroidered with shiny gold, was swinging her legs idly down the cliff. "It truly has become a home in all sense, for both deities and mankind." she agreed, flashing him a dazzling smile that left his heart melting. "That is good to hear! You have lived enough resenting and dreading this place and its people. About time it becomes a welcoming haven for everyone." the man hummed playfully, allowing himself to fall on his back, on the soft grass. "Does that mean you won't leave anymore?" "O, Hermes, if only that I could stay here and feel my heart whole and honeyed." she looked back past her shoulder, at the pouting man. The many years spent together made him fall in love even deeper with the beautiful being in front of him. Still, he sighed. "If only that you could, my darling shining star. If only that you could." he smiled, reaching his hand and pulling her towards him. Katrina hummed in amusement, towering over his laying self, propping herself up on her elbows, her scarlet hair like the most vibrant azaleas and softer than the rose petals swaying and caressing his relaxed visage. "Will your heart ever be able to forgive me, my friend?" her slender hand gingerly cupped his face. "I could never bring myself to resent you, no matter what you did, my sweet lady. I love you far too much to ever truly hate you." looking into his kind eyes, Katrina leaned down and stole a sweet, gentle kiss. "You will always have a special part in my heart, Hermes. Wherever I go, you will forever be with me, as the kindest and most loving husband that any woman would be luckiest to have in her life. I should have been the Goddess Queen instead of Hera - It seems like the two of us are amongst the very select few who actually have a happy and darling marriage, don't you think?" she bemused, feeling the man kiss her back. "You will always be my Queen, Kitty-Kat." the man whispered. "Before you leave - Will you honour me with a keepsake? Like you gave that Spartan of yours?" "O, Hermes~. Ever the romantic." straightening her back, she placed her hands under his own and brought them together, and with a gentle, green light, from between his hands, a beautiful crimson flower with velvety petals bloomed before his very eyes, and was glowing golden with the Sun's rays. "It can only wilt if mine own life ends. So, I'd wager, it will be protecting you for quite a long time." "Will I be seeing you again, my love?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with hope and unshed tears. "I do not know where and what life has in store for me... But I will be feeling your presence, as long as you still have this flower. I will never leave you alone. You are mine, and I am yours - That is what we have vowed on our wedding day, have we not?" Hermes took her hand and kissed her long, thin fingers, before reaching into his pocket and coming up with a luxurious golden arm bracelet in the shame of a snake, with sparkling emeralds as eyes, the same hue of her own. "It used to belong to some human Queen, I heard. I just thought it would suit you better. I don't have any special power that will allow me to create something for you to remember me by, but my Caduceus staff has two snakes... You and I... It is only fair that I give you half of the pair." "Then you better make another one for you to wear by the time I return. Couldn't have a single snake without its pair, yes?" Katrina put the swirling arm bracelet on the opposite arm, as the other was still adorned by the bracelet left legacy from Kratos' mother upon her death. "Safe travels, my darling sunshine. May the guiding winds allow you a swift and facile journey towards that Spartan of yours. And don't worry about our home, we will take good care of it." he dared not raise from the ground he lay - He wanted to stare at her for as long as he could, and hold onto his heart before it would shatter indefinitely - And then, he wanted to stare at the gentle Sun and remember her bright, warm presence and her kind, nurturing love. "Be well, Hermes - You, and all of our friends. May you find happiness and have wisdom and tenderness by your side at all times. I hope good fortune will never leave you and our home. Farewell, my darling." he dared not say any farewell nor a goodbye - He simply couldn't bare the thought that he will never see the woman he loves so much... Alas, she was never destined to be his own soulmate, the same as she was his. It has always been that Spartan, and he was well aware of that. He did it with his own hand... Teased himself with many good years by her side... But he couldn't find himself to regret any of his decisions. The time spent with her had turned into the sweetest years he's ever lived. It had been all worth.

And for the many following moons turned, Hermes looked up at the clouds passing by lazily, and he relaxed by the edge of the tallest cliff. Instead of picking up intricate shapes into the formless puffs of white floating by, he found his mind drifting away, to his darling wife. Where would she be going, he wondered? Would she not feel any cold, going through lands further away? Did she pack any of her dresses with her? Perhaps a cloak, to shield her from the rain? She always hated getting soaked, after all. Or, perhaps, some boots so her golden sandals - HIS winged, golden sandals, in fact - Wouldn't get muddy. Well, haven't been his own in enough time, anyway. At least they had adjustable sizes.  But if it were hot, and she had to walk through sand and endless deserts, would she have a hat to protect herself against the Sun? In fact - Would she even need any of this, save for the bothersome inconveniences? They were Gods after all, not humans, weathered away by the harsh climate and the nature's caprices. The Goddess of Nature couldn't be broken by the very creation that she creates.

Most of all, he wondered - Would she be fine, all alone, in this vast world? Katrina hated being alone. She was always most miserable when she found the whole world against her. It had been only little Anteros, with his butterfly wings, who loved her first and became her most intimate friend - And then Aphrodite and Eros followed soon after, with Hebe and Psyche. Hestia too, and even Hecate. Artemis and Apollo weren't too bad either, he pondered.  Ah, if only he had been smart enough to stay by her side from the time they were children - To truly stay by her side, and turn away any ill talk that belonged in the dung pit. He had missed far too many important years which he'll never get back. But hopefully, she will find Kratos soon, and she won't feel alone anymore. Their bond should facilitate their meeting, or so she claimed. He dearly hoped it was going to happen the way she wishes.

How many years passed since Katrina and Kratos parted, it was unclear - Time for the immortal beings of the world passed at an indefinite quantum. What for a God counts as the blink of an eye, for humans, ten generations come to pass, from old to new. As one stuck in a cacophony of logic and power between his mortal past and his Godly present, he chose to live without any label for himself - He was just a man, and nothing more - One who has known grief, and mourn and loss, and wrath and vengeance plenty, but some euphoria and bliss on the intimate side... Yet even in the harshest parts of the world where the wind was frozen and Kratos learnt what snow truly was, he had found himself a husband once more, to a wonderful woman, as beautiful and ordinary, without any kind of magic, just like Lysandra, and she has gifted him with a bundle of love and joy in the form of a baby boy that he named Atreus. Faye wanted to name him Loki - But how could he accept, when no matter how much he tries, he cannot sever to roots to his home - To Greece, and least of all, to his beloved Sparta? Atreus, the man once second in command of his army, his most loyal and trusted brother in arms... The one who died to save his country and his people, the brave Atreus.

He wonders how his home is, and all the Gods and humans he left behind - After so many years, has his country returned to its former glory? Knowing the ambition and perseverance of the Goddess of Creation, it was no doubt, she was going to make everything surrounding her flouring as beautiful as she was. A, Katrina, his forever love, the one to whom his heart and soul are bound to. He wondered, if they ever cross paths again, if she would feel betrayed that he had created another family, without her. He doubted she would be saddened or disappointed - After all, she herself told him to find his happiness, no matter in what form it is - And for goodness' sake, how many tens and tens, or perhaps centuries of end have there been since he's last gazed into those emerald eyes of hers, the way he did when he was standing above her, in the violet silks of Aphrodite? He missed her so, and now, with the tragedy befalling him once more, he missed her even more.

Why were fates so cruel to him, as to rip away another woman beloved from his life? Has he not been living enough torment? Had he not redeemed himself plenty already? Why must Faye be the one whose life ends, whilst a monster like himself is still forced to walk the earth endlessly? Atreus is eleven years old already... Such a frail age for a child to watch his mother perish before his eyes. Atreus is different from the way he was as a child... He is shy and timid, even more so than Calliope was. In fact, Calliope had always been so attached to him, and whenever he was allowed to get home after a military conquest, she would cling onto him and insist on sleeping with him, afraid that, should she awaken, he will have disappeared already. His sweet Calliope... She was such an easy child to understand... Or, perhaps, the times have changed... Generations grow apart, and Atreus was brought up more by his mother, a North-woman through and through, though gentle and kind, and she gave him a proper education in all things concerning his intellectual skills.

He was a bright boy, even for his age. And though he could never understand the use of such skills in a land like this, where they had to hunt to survive - Such a solitary place, surrounded by no other people, and no markets or bazaars to buy whatever thing, or have social constructs such as theaters for the actors or debates for the philosophers or politicians, or watch painters at their work, or architects creating pillars and temples, agoras, or intricate statues - Or perhaps simply listen to songs and orchestras... In a land where the only way to survive is to kill game and harvest the land and trees, what was the use of any other skill, if there was no one to share the information with?

Kratos knelt by the tree marked with a golden hand print, and he embraced it solemnly, for just a short moment - He had placed his own hand over it, feeling Faye's presence for the last time, before allowing himself to raise, and with the axe with which he was once attacked, he brought the white tree down. As the tree fell to the ground, he put back the axe in its hold and extended his arm to raise the tree - Yet he stopped, as he watched the end of the wrapping bandaging his forearm slipping and swaying gently with the breeze. He felt his heart stopping - Was it a sign? Was this destiny's way of reminding him of his wretched past, and that he is not forgiven? That he is fated to forever live in torment?

No. Kratos killed the Fates who dared toy with him and his beloved. With a frown, he grabbed the wrapping and tied it back in place. "I found some." he heard Atreus' soft, boyish voice call out to him. "Get in the boat, boy." he gruffed at the child, not even looking back at him. He bent down and carried the on his shoulder to the boat, where they prepared to return towards his new home, a small yet cozy wooden cabin. But any place was home for him, if he had his family. "Father?" he heard the boy call out. "Did something change? The forest feels... Different now." he was a sensitive young man. "Everything is different, boy." he answered. "Try not to dwell on it." "Yes, sir." the young one nodded immediately.

Once they reached the shore, the child perched the boat whilst he carried the tree log. The forest was beautiful, he thought. Katrina would love the look of it, save for the cold that might feel harsh for her. She may be a Goddess, but she was not used to this. A frail woman brought with nothing but luxury - Who knows how she'd get used to such things. Kratos started chopping the log, allowing the child to say his last farewells to his mother... To Faye... As she lay there, wrapped ceremonially, to the traditions of Norsemen, wrapped with vines and rope, and decorated with coloured leaves and flowers of. Around her, candles that the child lit, as he wept. "She's ready" Atreus sniffed, quickly wiping the tears that kept streaming down his face, once he heard the doors open widely, announcing the arrival of his father. Kratos dared step in front of the neatly wrapped corpse of his late wife, and he gazed down at where her face would be - His heart ached desperately. "Find your way home." he muttered. "You're free." as he picked her up in his arms for the last time, towards the pyre made out of chopped tree logs that bore the mark of the golden hand print. With the use of a stone and the blade of the axe that once belonged to Faye, he created sparks that lit aflame the pyre, and the corpse of his wife with it.

In a moment of suddenness, as Kratos' mind was fixated on the flight of the blazed butterflies that the fire immolating her copse created, meaningful memories that changed his heart and mind flashed before his very eyes, for just a split second, before the child rushed towards the body and snatched something - It was the burning dagger that was laid where her hands would have been. He apologised as he dropped the searing hot metal. Silly boy, the father thought, kneeling by his side and holding his hand, using some snow to alleviate the pain generated by the burn. "Squeezed." he told him, before using one of his own wrappings to tie his hand. "This knife..." he picked it up. "Was hers." he offered it to the child who was barely able to look up into his eyes. "And now it is yours." the boy used his undamaged hand to pick it by the handle.

Faye had taught him how to hunt, but Kratos had to test the child and his abilities. The journey to the top, where they were to scatter Faye's ashes, was a dangerous one, filled with threats and perilous climbs and drops, ice and frozenness everywhere they went. He was proud of the boy's ability to shield, though he was young and reckless, and lacked any bit of discipline, proven by the way he aimless fired his arrow when he was just a few feet away from the majestic deer with antlers like blue crystals, scaring it away, causing it to keep its guard up. He couldn't believe himself for allowing his composure to slip, even for a little second - His tone was raised - He didn't mean to yell like that at the child. He tends to forget that he's not a Spartan, nor should he change his caring methods to the tormenting ways that he had grown with... But fear of losing the only person left alive that he loves more than anything in this world was overwhelming him and any sense of reason.

Still, until they get close enough to the deer, he'd keep the bow confiscated. He couldn't risk the reckless boy's life. Somewhere along their hunt, they found some kind of mural, or a small Jotnar shrine, painted in natural colours of blue and gold and silver. The child was educated and he knew stories and old happenings from tales heard from his Mother. Two Celestial wolves running around and eating the Sun and Moon, the catalyst of Ragnarok. He didn't wish to hear any more about Gods, nor Deicide. He's had enough of that.

Once they found the deer again, he returned the bow to the child and spoke to him in a gentle, fatherly voice, instructing him of what to do - And, most of all, to not allow himself to think of the animal as a living being, but as a target. He was sensitive, and full of empathy, and more, he loved animals so much - Just like Calliope and her little fox... Atreus released the arrow and hit the mark perfectly - He jumped in happiness and smiled at his father. "I did it!" he chirped before sprinting towards his target... Only to find the majestic creature still alive, and in agony. The two knelt by the great animal's side, and Kratos instructed his son to take his knife out. "Finish what you've started." he had to get used to it. To close his heart to it. He may have gone hunting with his mother for so long, but when he'll be left all alone in the world, to fend for himself, how will he survive, if his mercy for animals goes beyond his salvation and he starves to death? Moreover, he must learn that a quick, mercy death is better than allowing an innocent soul to suffer long and agonising minutes, or hours, as the end result was the same. Death awaited them all.

"I... I can't..." the child was trembling softly, yet his hands were even worse, though their grip on the handle was so tightly clenched that they became white. Wordlessly, Kratos gingerly put his own hands over his son's and guided the knife towards the jugular, impaling the deer for a swift and sure death. He wasn't happy to teach his son about taking a life, nor did he want to know how a sensitive soul suffers, feeling the dying convulsions of torment before the end of living. Atreus took his hands off the knife and just stared, traumatised, at the sin he had committed, all for his own selfish desire to... Eat. "I-...." Atreus looked up at his father, with the terrified and sorrowful eyes of a weeping heart - He's seen such tormented eyes plenty of times - So often, that he couldn't bare to see them gleaming with tears anymore. But the boy couldn't find any comfort, nor the courage, in trying to speak to his father. It was his mother that he was close to, and it was his mother that made an effort to understand him. Not him. Not Sir.

Kratos turned his head towards his son, seeing him hesitant, and upset, looking down at the deer and the bloody spot surrounding the knife. He dared raise his hand, extending it towards his shoulder... Only to retract it. Atreus didn't wish for his comfort, nor did he feel comfortable in the company of his father - Kratos was well aware of that. Because of his tough upbringing and laconic socials, he appeared unapproachable and unloving. If only the boy could understand that he would die for him. If only he could understand that he loves him more than anything in this world - That he's the most precious being in the world - HE is his whole world. Instead, he returned the knife to him.

The moment had ended when a gigantic arm appeared out of nowhere, attempting to steal not only the deer, but to harm them also - Kratos was able to pull his son away and bring the colossal troll into the open, ready to decimate the monster. He was able to disarm it and climb on the back of his neck, bringing it down by the horn and completely snapping it, rendering the attacker dead. The deed was done, and the troll was dead. From the side of the field, Kratos heard a childish yet raw war cry and watched Atreus use the knife to mutilate the carcass of the beast from the internal rage. "THAT'S WHAT YOU GET!" he shrieked, cutting aimlessly into its skin. Kratos frowned - This won't do. He was letting his emotions get the better of him - If this was a battlefield, and only the forest knew what dangers they were to face whilst reaching the mountains, he couldn't trust that Atreus wouldn't lose himself in his rage and childish frustrations, and make such a monumental mistake based on baseless recklessness that even his father would be unable to save him from. "Boy." Kratos called out to him, but the child only shrieked even louder. "THINK I'M AFRAID OF YOU?!" he was losing himself in his blind wrath so much that he almost fell to the ground, coughing and panting weakly. "YOU'RE NOTHING TO ME!" he returned to his savage slashing. "Boy, look at me!" Kratos called out again, crouching next to Atreus grasping him by the shoulders to get his attention. "Look at me, boy! Boy! Boy, look at me!" the father kept repeating, times and times, to calm the child down and cease the meaningless anger. Finally, the boy's body relaxed, and it fell lax in his father's arms, as Atreus panted heavily. "We DID it." he looked completely unfocused and out of it.  "You are not ready." the hunt was a complete disaster. Even after the end result, the child didn't understand why he wasn't ready. It wasn't his hunting skills that were lacking, but his lack of discipline and understanding of his own self. He had much to learn.

The way back home was a silent and uncomfortable one. Once they reached the cabin, Faye's body had completely turned to ashes, and it was up to him to collect them and store them into a pouch. He cradled it in his hands dearly - The last remainder of his dear wife. But he couldn't allow himself to mourn externally for too long. He had a child to care for. The child was pitifully sitting on his bed, mumbling and protesting about his father's judgement, uncaring of the implications brought by his own lack of self-control; Though when he tested the child again, he fell to the ground, tripped and blinded by his own rage, and he coughed again. 

The moment was painfully interrupted by a roaring sound echoing deeply above the cabin, followed by a knock on their door - It meant trouble, the father realised, urging Atreus to hide underneath the floor.  After countless years, Kratos did not expect, in no man's land, to be forced to fight again, because of a being similar in power to a God. His world was never going to know peace and calm. A deity-like man who taunted him into becoming violent to the point of murder. He had to fight until they destroyed everything in their path and created craters wherever they hit, and he broke the stranger's neck. He was not ready for this journey... He, nor Atreus... He felt so lost... So alone... He didn't know how to go through this without Faye... Without Katrina... One dead, the other far, far away... With no guidance from the only hopeful light he had in life... How will he know how to proceed? Against his better judgement, he had to take Atreus with him on the journey to the mountain.

"I have never eaten berries so sweet before. I suppose even cold wastelands like this one have their advantages." the woman hummed, walking idly north - Always north - the snow scrunching underneath her golden sandals. "Still, raspberries are my favourite forest berries. Can't change my mind." whenever alone for too long a time, she found herself speaking out loud to herself. What else was she to do, to avoid growing mad with seclusion? She admired with a warm heart the fantastic landscapes, and how different the trees are, compared to those back home, and the vast lakes and the forests, and there is snow and freezing ice everywhere. Wooden buildings everywhere, and no big cities or large societies that she's encountered, only scattered, modest cabins here and there.

And then, the woman's body stopped abruptly, a shiver going down her spine. She smirked. "Ah, I see, no wonder. You were hidden away by a protective barrier that broke." Wonderful. She was no longer lost. With a hand raised, she unleashed a liana and brought herself up to another level of the mountain, until she reached a nice enough view. From up here, she could see trees glowing golden with some kind of ancient magic - It was kind and loving, she could feel its warmth. A pure kind of magic that was meant to protect. The area wasn't as big as she expected - Had Kratos found someone dear to him, and they wished to protect him? That would be lovely. 

Looking to the other side, however, she saw a small cabin that seemed to have been recently damaged - And next to it, to a limited perimeter, the nature was completely destroyed, as though a natural calamity had taken place in a single, concentrated spot, and only that. She smirked wider - She found the trail she had been looking for, for years now. She picked up the pace and ran down the mountain side, jumping from cliff to cliff to like a mountain goat, until she noticed two people walking, one very tall and well built, and very much bald - That was her target - The other, far smaller, possibly smaller than herself - It looked like a child. Was this his child, she wondered? Before she could rush to confront them, the boy ran ahead to pass a wooden bridge, only for the planks to fall. The man ran to rescue the boy, only for them to fall into a pit - Thankfully, it was a small drop. She can help.

Kratos could hear soft, eerie giggles resounding through the place, like a siren ready to bewitch him. As he stood up from the fall, and help his son out, he looked up at the large gap created by the ruined bridge, and he could not believe his eyes - Like a mirage, a perfectly safe bridge was in its place, and descended from the cliff and landing next to them, was a green stairway made out of grass, musk, vines and tree bark. He could feel the air from his lungs dissipate, as though he had been punched in the diaphragm - Could it be...? Could it? But... Where was she...? "Where did this come from? Do you think it's safe?" he heard his son ask. Kratos reticently stepped next to the stairs and dared to touch it - It felt soft, velvety, and slightly humid. If this was a mirage, Atreus wouldn't be seeing it... So... How...? "It is safe." though the boy already bolted up, Kratos daren't. He was too afraid to face whatever awaited him once he reached the last step. Was she there, or was she not? And - Which side hurt less? Being teased with an illusion, or finding her after so long, and seeing her pained expression once she realises that he has a new child, with another woman? "Father, there's a lady here!" his heart was beating so fast, he sprinted up the stairs, and upstairs, he saw the silhouette of a woman wearing nothing but her usual, grass-green dress, thin and revealing - She had the longest curtain of luscious scarlet hair that he's ever seen, filled with flowers of all kinds and colours, and she was sitting on the edge of the cliff, dangling her feet aimlessly - The same as long ago, when she appeared out of thin air, at the Temple of Atropos, the oldest of the Sisters which cursed both of their lives. 

Once she's heard his heavy foot step on the ground, she lazily leaned back her head, and greeted him with a wide smile. Neither of them knew how to put into words the excitement and love they felt glancing into each other's eyes. It felt unreal, though their souls knew it was reality. Kratos could see her dazzling smile widen, and he heard her melodic voice that soothed all of his woes. "Do you fancy yourself a philosopher? Plato? Socrates?" the man rose his eyebrow, bewildered by the nonsensical question. "I am inquiring as to why you are wearing a raccoon around your neck." his hand instinctively rose to his beard, stroking it with a frown. "You make as little sense as always." he grunted, kneeling by her side and offering her his hand and helping her stand. Her eyes were wide, and sparkling with happiness. "You have grown old, Kratos." she hummed, playfully. "You have a lot of wrinkles... You grew a beard... Well, you've grown more muscles too. And... Your voice has gone so deep and... Sage! I almost don't recognise you! My, what centuries away from home did to you!" she laughed at him, easy-going, only to see the man lean towards her ear and mumble that the child doesn't know anything about his Godhood. "Forgive me!" she whispered back. "Are you done judging my appearance?" the girl gasped in shock, like an actor in a drama. "My, Aphrodite would have my head if I dared such sacrilege! I daren't! In fact - Although very different, I think it will grow on me. You do seem far... What is the right word here... Ah, yes - Healed." Kratos looked down - He has healed, and he has been broken, times and times again, in a repeated cycle that will never end.  "Father, do you know her?" the girl twirled towards him.  "What a handsome young man we have here - What is your name, little one?" the boy was, indeed, shorter than her. "Atreus." it was his father's voice that answered. "Atreus..." Katrina muttered that name with nostalgia and melancholic. "It is a name for a strong man, young one. It is a name with heroic legacy - The name of a man who served as the commander of the Army from your father's homeland. This man protected his homeland and his people from any force that dared threaten them. He was intelligent and witty, and very strong and trustworthy. I am sure you are going to live up to the legacy." as the woman patted his head, little Atreus looked down and blushed. "Katrina." Kratos called out to her, his hand placed over her shoulder, but with the child there, he dared not speak anything of his past life or offer any kind of explanation - But he needn't. His eyes spoke plenty. "Fret not, my dear, I understand. I understand. It has been so long - I could never blame you. I am happy for you." his brows went up in surprise - Was she truly not unhappy? "Kratos - I mean it. I had Hermes. I had friends. I told you to do anything that would make you happy - And you did. You found yourself, and your peace. What else is there to wish for?" He grunted, looking at her. "Thank you." "It is almost peculiar hearing you being openly grateful. I truly love this new iteration of yourself." she teased him. "Where is she?" Kratos's gaze turned below, and with hesitant hands, he reached to his waist and took the pouch, showing it to her. Back home, they would entomb their deceased - Here, they were burning them - But she understood. She needn't explaining, she always understood. "So... This was the atrocious pang of agony I felt, as though someone impaled my heart. I am sorry, Kratos. I truly am sorry." Kratos didn't know how to reply, as he felt her tiny, slender arms around his body, holding him into an unexpectedly tight grip. His heart felt her own beating - At the same rhythm, of the same beat, at the same time. Their hearts became one, and their souls became cojoined. Putting back the pouch at his waist, he dared to embrace the darling Goddess of his dreams. "Never fear again, Kratos. I am here - And I will protect you. I will not leave you again."

Once they let go, the man nodded, grateful at the sentiment, and motioned for the two to walk ahead. He explained the painful purpose of their journey, and Kat couldn't help but feel so much pity for not only Kratos, but the poor child too. So young, yet already feeling the loss of his mother. There was so much that the two lovers wished to say to one another - But how could they? Katrina couldn't outright jump in his arms and kiss him all over his face, and tell him sweet words of tender love, for Atreus would hate her and think she was trying to replace his mother...And if Kratos even dared to soften his eyes when looking at the beautiful woman, and express how much he missed her, and how lonely and lost he's been without her, the young boy would resent his father forever, and alienate himself from him - After all, there was no one who could replace Faye. It was frustrating, and it was painful, being so close, yet so far, like the Sun and the Moon, fated never to meet in this life, or any other. Surrounded by people, yet ever lonesome.

The three walked along the crevasses of the mountains, with Kratos occasionally destroying and looting stashes and chests for important resources, and they reached another bridge similar to that which had broke under their weight - Only, this time, there was already someone there, with a large mount animal. This person was, uh... Not human, Kat realised. He was small and... With blue skin. Interesting specimen. Like his language. Vulgar and distasteful. Before the woman could go to the animal and communicate with it, see why it refused to cross the bridge, Atreus had already realised the problem, and urged his father to throw his axe towards the trees, as the animal was scared of whatever was there.

The two-legged mount rose to its feet, led by the young boy with the gentle heart. Brok, the blue skinned dwarf fell back in step to address the man about his weapon, claiming it was made by himself and his brother, and that he shouldn't allow anyone but them do upgrade work on it... Only to get slapped by the animal's tail. At first, Kratos didn't believe him - But once Brok offered proof of the rune on its grip, the brand that he and his brother used, the Spartan agreed to have the axe enhanced, as well as Atreus' bow, and their armor. She almost wished she could have something upgraded by this peculiar dwarf, however, she mostly used magic anyway, and there was little she could do to perfect an already flawless dress.

The monsters that once frightened the mount returned for revenge, however, and Kratos use the freezing axe to destroy them all, with brute strength and ease... But surprisingly, no more magic. Could he have lost all his magical powers gifted to him by the Gods and Titans, after having impaled himself with the Olympian Blade? "You left me to fight alone." Kat heard the man speak accusatory, as they walked through a mechanical gate, which he kept open by hitting the axe into a mechanism. "O, yes - Forgive me, Kratos. I was lost in my fascination with your new weapon and its ice powers." she smiled sheepishly, only to see him shake his head. "Not you. Him." he said pointingly. "People are one thing. Everything else, you fight, until I say stop, or we are dead. Understand? Pull your weight or we go home." quite the tough love, Kat realised, unwillingly remembering how gentle he used to be with Calliope. Well, she couldn't blame him. Calliope wasn't forced to join him in a perilous journey at a young age, though she was lucky enough to be alive... For as long as she did. Sweet Calliope, how she missed her, as though she was her own child.

They found themselves inside some kind of claustrophobic cavern filled with numerous and intricate spiky wall traps which served as nothing but temporary frights - The end of the cave was easily found, and they were rewarded with a spectacular mountainous view. Atreus was so giddy, he jumped on a tree stump to get a better landscape look. "Wow... Never been this close to the mountain before. Looks so big." he gasped, speechless. The young boy turned slightly towards his father, his tone turning melancholic. "I wish mum was here to see it." he turned back towards the snowy peaks.  Kratos looked down at the boy, his arm raising slowly, only to clench his jaw, hesitant, and look away. Kat smiled and snatched his hand in her own, slowly guiding it to sit on his child's shoulder. She gave him the courage and guidance he so desperately needed in kindling his bond with his own child. He needn't be so awkward and afraid all the time, poor man.

Atreus then turned and hopped off the trunk, walking ahead of the two, finding the way to advance forward. They reached a machinery that was solved with the aid of a riddle. 'As we are, we two, we three, as I alone can never be.' Kat has heard plenty of sinuous riddles, but this one was rather esoteric. Still, once Kratos turned a valve, a large plate wheel started turning, and they lined up the scribbles until they lit up and formed a word. Atreus translated it as - Family - The answer to the riddle. The child used the knife to draw the runes into the sand, and the plate rolled to the side, allowing them safe passage to the other side. Those runes seemed nothing like words though, yet they still intrigued the Olympian. Perhaps she will be able to learn their writings at some point.

On the other side, they found a marsh, surrounded by large rib-like obstacles, and in the middle, a large troll appeared. "May I have the honour of showing off?" Kat giggled. She allowed Kratos not a second to speak, as with the speed of Hermes and a spear materialising in her arm, she mockingly grinned at the beast. "Hi, there! Beautiful day to die, isn't it?" with a flick of her hand, she controlled the spear to impale itself through one of its eyes, going to the other side, and with another flick, she recalled the weapon through the back of its head, out the other eye. With a roar, the great troll stumbled, and fell right at her feet. "It is safe to come out." she waved cheerfully. The boy was the one to run to her side first, excited and stupefied at how easily she was able to defeat the troll, whilst his father and him took so long before.  "That was awesome! How did you do that?" he almost seemed to be jumping up and down from excitement. "Well, little one, what did I do indeed." she mused at him. "I suppose you could say I am... A witch." "Really? A witch? I've never seen one of those!" with a chuckle, Kat bent her waist to reach his level, and showed him the way she created a bright, glowing blue flower. "That was AWESOME!" "Here. It is the same shade as your beautiful eyes." she carefully placed the flower between his ear. "If you wish to keep it, it may have the property of keeping you safe. Your father can guarantee that." she chuckled, straightening up. "I'm so glad you appeared, Kat. Oh, sorry - Can I call you Kat?" he smiled with a guilty blush. "Of course you may. All my friends do. I believe you have that privilege by default." she patted his head, as he went on ahead. "Thanks for looking out for him. He's still young and... Very reckless." Kratos gruffed, stepping by her side, making sure the child was out of earshot. "My, my, sounds a lot like someone that I used to know. I wonder who." she grinned teasingly, earning a frown as a response. "I am here for you, Kratos. That means Atreus as well. I will care for him the same I did with Calliope." "Calliope was different. She listened to me. Atreus is stubborn. He was close to his mother, not with me." he seemed so... Sad. "Don't worry, my love. I am sure he will come around. Both of you need some help in learning how to properly communicate and bond with one another." with a quick look in the boy's direction, she got on her tippy toes and stole a kiss from the man before walking ahead. From behind her, she heard a soft chuckle of amusement. "I'm glad you're here."

< Previous Chapter Next Chapter >

#god of war x oc #god of war imagine #god of war x reader #kratos x katrina #kratos x oc #kratos imagine #kratos x reader #kratos #hermes #atreus

[sleepyconfusedpotato]

👁️ They know some stuff about you 👁️

Heimdall would bully you and shove you up the locker while Silja teases you about your most embarrassing moments of your life.

---

Night sketch of Heimdall and Silja. Bro I don't know what or why am I doing this but yeah just have it 😂

#why am i doing this #god of war #god of war ragnarok #god of war oc #god of war ragnarok oc #original character #heimdall god of war #god of war heimdall #god of war fanart #gow ragnarok #heimdall x oc #heimdall x silja #silja freyrsdottir #heimdall odinson #sleepyconfusedpotato art

[bruciemilf]

“You remind me of somebody. Know any Ghost?”

“Like, personally?”

#JOEY LOVE OF MY LIFE <333 #he’s so cool and weird and dangerous #I just love the thought of the 141 beefing with a bunch of young soldiers #like 18 and 19 year olds out here putting the fear of GOD in these war machines #exaggerating obviously. but I do genuinely need price to be like #teenagers scare the living shit out of me #cod #cod mw2 #original character #cod x oc #digital art #art #my art #tw blood #I appreciate reblogs!! #joey is actually apart of a team and i really wanna doodle the others soon :D #hes besties with simon in my mind ^^

[ecoamerica]

Watch the 2024 American Climate Leadership Awards for High School Students now: https://youtu.be/5C-bb9PoRLc

The recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by student climate leaders! Join Aishah-Nyeta Brown & Jerome Foster II and be inspired by student climate leaders as we recognize the High School Student finalists. Watch now to find out which student received the $25,000 grand prize and top recognition!

#ACLA24 #ACLA24HighSchoolStudents #youtube #youtube video #climate leaders #climate solutions #climate action #climate and environment #climate #climate change #climate and health #climate blog #climate justice #climate news #weather and climate #environmental news #environment #environmental awareness #environment and health #environmental #environmental issues #environmental education #environmental justice #environmental protection #environmental health #high school students #high school #youth #youth of america #school

[pyromaniac-skeleton]

Happy Valentine’s Day! Have a cookie. 🍪

#v’s art #oc #Valki #oc x canon #Heimdall #heimdall gow #GOW heimdall #Heimdall x reader #Heimdall x oc #oc x heimdall #GOW heimdall x reader #heimdall gow x reader #Kratos #GOW Kratos #Kratos GOW #GOW #GOW oc #GOWR #god of war oc #god of war #god of war ragnarok #digital artwork #procreate

[anyabathory-blog]

Yes, I'm alive. Let's pray to God for me to colour it someday, cuz I tend to drop WIPs

*innocently looks to side*

One morning with Liv. Let traumatized idiots to be happy once in a while.

#illustrators on tumblr #drawing #my art #украрт #укртумбочка #god of war #gow heimdall #heimdall #heimdall god of war #heimdall gow #god of war heimdall #heimdal god of war #heimdall x oc #anyabathory-blog

[readinglistfics]

waiting in vain for thrawn to come back - dancing with a memory

i cannot stop thinking about chiss!reader who has been waiting for thrawn to come back. and he hasn't.

thrawn x chiss!reader

you have known vurawn your whole life. back when you two were just kids back in rentor, when he became the mid-ager thrawn and left for taharim academy, promising you time and time again that he would be back. that was the first time you waited for him. and when he came back, he wasn't just your friend anymore--he became yours. he took you away from rentor, brought you to naporar, and gave you his family name: mitth, as you professed your love for each other and you accepted his hand in marriage.

thrawn never broke a promise. sure, there were times when he had to be away longer than he meant to, but it was never too long.

on lonely nights, you scoot closer to his side of the bed, cold, his scent faint, and remember a young vurawn, surprisingly bright-eyed and serious for his age, "of course, i will come back!" as he cradled your cheeks in his hands before leaning in to kiss your forehead.

when he told you about the exile, you were sad--but not for the reason he thought. you didn't even think about staying behind: your home was wherever he was. you followed him across the ascendancy, you built your life together. and when he calmly told you that, "the family needs you, y/n," you scoffed and said, "but you are my family. not them. not the mitth."

you should have been more insistent.

he held your face in his hands once more, planting a gentle kiss on your forehead, like he always does, "i will only be away for a while."

you shook your head, "that could mean weeks, months, ye--"

"one year," thrawn told you resolutely, "no more than one year. not a day more." he leaned closer to you, pressing his lips to yours so gently and lovingly. "of course, i will come back," he said.

but it has been twenty-five years, and all that came was a human.

not him.

were you cursed? to wait for someone who has died? who decided you were not worth coming back to?

like clockwork, you receive a message on your questis, notifying you that your friend ar'alani has returned to naporar.

you're both much older than you were the first time you stood there, with a hopeful look on your face.

ar'alani has aged gracefully, and she carried herself with the pride and strength of a warrior. but when she saw you waiting for her, eyes silently pleading for any news, she deflated and shook her head at you weakly.

you closed your eyes, trying not to cry.

but you have been waiting for thrawn your entire life, you couldn't imagine doing anything else.

but what if he's not the person you love anymore? what will you do then?

-

thrawn turns his gaze to the viewport. he's older now, carrying many years of service to the empire. a lot of people are hoping and praying for his return.

the small, nagging voice in his head calls out to him. there was one person who had been waiting far longer than anybody else.

and she's out there waiting. he can imagine her watching the sky.

and she's waiting.

he knows she's waiting.

he knows she waits for him.

and he will return to her one day. he closes his eyes, remembering the last words he said to her, "of course, i will come back."

-

guys, he's not going back to the ascendancy...is he?

#thrawn #thrawn imagine #thrawn x reader #mitth’raw’nuruodo my beloved #mitth'raw'nuruodo #got possessed after seeing lars mikkelsen #honest to god my hands were working on their own #chiss ascendancy #my oc dont worry i will write your story one day #ar'alani #chiss #star wars #star wars rebels #ahsoka #ahsoka spoilers #thrawn ascendancy #grand admiral thrawn

[mel-kusanagi]

i should also show you kind of a concept design of my somewhat god of war oc: meet little hnoss!

in norse mythology, hnoss is one of freya's daughters whose father is named odr - a name which one of its meanings is "the angry one" (sound familiar? ehe). so here, she is the daughter of kratos and freya.

hnoss is roughly near atreus' age in gow 2018. she's a bit shy and soft-spoken, rather to be more close to her family - especially to her parents whom she loved very dearly. despite her quietness, she inherits both of her parents' rage (it's debated whether it is mostly from her father or her mother) if you happened to make her angry. either way you're fucked if you did lmao (don't make her cry either! again, have you seen her parents?)

she's also born with a birthmark on her head that's similar to her father's tattoo as she shows it with pride. she even has his eyes.

that's all i can show you about her vhjvvbkjsbvvhj. here's also some lil doodles of her too! i just love her already

#warflower baby!!! #would try to draw more of her if i could #a precious little bean must protect #hnoss #kratos x freya #warflower #god of war #gow oc #oc #my art

[ecoamerica]

Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared

The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!

#ACLA24 #ACLA24Leaders #youtube #youtube video #climate leaders #climate solutions #climate action #climate and environment #climate #climate change #climate and health #climate blog #climate justice #climate news #weather and climate #environmental news #environment #environmental awareness #environment and health #environmental #environmental issues #environmental justice #environment protection #environmental health #Youtube