Last Stand at Lakedaimon

After the death of his beloved daughter…

Kratos went into solitude.

He was not entirely alone, as Laelaps - the dog who caught any prey he is sent after, and Aetos Dios - nicknamed: Atreus kept him company, along with Hades Helmet - let me quickly explain:

This Kratos stole Hades' Soul in God of War III; he has bound Hades' Soul to the Helmet of Darkness, which now hangs from Kratos' hip.

(This being Clancy-Brown-Hades, and not Henry-Cavill-Hades.)

" I will get you for this humiliation… " said Hades Helmet.

" Hmm. "

Kratos noticed a bird in the sky.

He pulled Artemis' Arrow - the javelin which never misses and always returns right back to its wielder - from its sheath.

He aimed, and then threw.

The javelin made contact, it then returned right back to Kratos.

He returned Artemis' Arrow back to its sheath on his back.

He then looked down at Laelaps.

" Hm. "

And off Laelaps went.

A few seconds later: he returned with the prey.

Kratos had cooked the bird, feeding some of the meat to Atreus and Laelaps.

Hades Helmet was glaring at him from the opposite log: glowing purple eyes visible from within the helm.

Kratos was making his way home… he was heading to Sparta.

The scene before him was breathtaking.

Kratos was standing atop a cliff overlooking his homeland.

The fields were flourishing.

The scenery was serene.

The sun was amplifying it all.

This was home.

Kratos was home.

" Hmm. "

" Meh. "

" Hm. "

Atreus landed on his gauntlet, flapping his wings nervously.

Kratos then noticed the worried look on Laelaps.

" Something's wrong… "

" Hmm. "

Kratos approached the city.

The doors were closed and the windows: barred.

" Quite the heros' welcome. "

" Hmm. "

Laelaps growled.

" Hmm? "

From behind a house stepped out a warrior woman.

" Who the hell are you? "

" Hmm. "

" Hmm? Is 'hmm' a name? "

The woman then noticed Kratos' Spartan attire.

" By Hades… "

" Yes? "

The woman showed Kratos to the palace, where he encountered the Spartan King: Menelaus.

(And the warrior woman turned out to be: Kyniska.)

Magnus Bruun as Menelaus looked upon Kratos, so too did Kelly Rohrbach as Helen by his side.

" It seems like we have found ourselves a lost son of Sparta. " said Helen.

Menelaus looked for confirmation.

" Hm. " nodded Kratos.

" In that case… I beg your help… "

" Hmm? "

Menelaus went on to explain that Sparta had been harassed by the Ten Thousand.

Kratos knew that there was more to the story. Lycurgus explained: that Menelaus had stolen the Cup of Jamshid, and the Persian King wanted it back.

Menelaus held his head in shame.

" Hmm. "

" I wish that I could return it… problem is- "

" He broke it. "

Kratos shook his head.

" My sentiments exactly. "

The Spartan General: Archidamia stepped forward.

" We have defended Sparta well… but we are down to 300 warriors. We won't last long… "

" Hmm… "

" Sire! A message! "

Menelaus motioned for Archidamia to read it out loud.

The message was the same which Philip the Second sent the Spartans.

" How should we respond? "

All eyes turned towards Kratos.

" Hm. "

Which was the response.

The remaining Spartans mobilized; the Ten Thousands were coming.

" Go tell the Spartans, thou who passest by, that here, obedient to her laws, they lie. "

The Spartans were standing before the palace gates, The massive army approaching.

" My lord, Kratos, we are ready. " said Elpidios - the name of the loyal Spartan from God Of War II, who was unfortunately killed by Kratos, but in this story is very much alive.

" Hm. "

The Ten Thousand neared.

Hyacinthus readied his disc, whilst the rest readied their spears and shields.

The Ten Thousand ran towards them.

" Molon Labe! " roared Kratos, as he bashed in the head of a Ten Thousand warrior.

All hell broke loose, but the Spartans were not forgotten, as Menelaus could be seen charging into battle.

The Spartans cheered on as the King flew into the heat of battle, they then followed suit.

Menelaus fell.

Kratos quickly rushed to his side.

To Kratos' sheer amazement it was Helen underneath the helmet! Helen had pulled a Patroclus, for Menelaus was too cowardly.

Helen looked up at him, panting.

Kratos handed her helmet back.

" Hm. "

" Hm. "

The battle continued.

Kratos was wounded by a Karkadann.

Hades Helmet encouraged Kratos to retreat, his wounds dire, but there remained one warrior, and Kratos wasn't about to let him get away.

Using the last of his strength, he threw Artemis' Arrow.

Kratos fell to his knees, using his shield to hold himself up.

The javelin flew past the warrior.

The Ten Thousand warrior grinned in triumph, thinking he had evaded death, but Artemis' Arrow was the javelin which never missed.

The Javelin turned course in mid-air.

Flying through the Ten Thousand warrior's chest, and right back into Kratos' hand.

Kratos was now held up by spear and shield, for a Spartan never lets his back hit the ground. Even in death: a Spartan Warrior stands tall.

Kratos was not alone in the underworld.

Laelaps had willingly joined him.

Kratos trodden the Elysium Fields.

That was when he saw her: Lysandra.

His eyes teared up.

Kratos knelt before Lysandra.

He took her hand, holding out her ring.

Kratos looked up at her.

May I?

Lysandra smiled.

Go for it.

Kratos returned the ring to its rightful place.

He then kissed her hand.

They hugged.

He wished to see Kalliope.

Lysandra explained that Kalliope was no longer in the underworld.