Good Instincts 1.5 - ING. VERSIÓN

In the middle of a forest, on the edge of the mountain where Kratos and his family live. Viggo found a strange Eucalyptus tree. Actually, his appearance was normal, he was in a forest with a slight layer of snow. Semi-shelled bark, with pieces of strands half-coming out, as if it were shedding skin. It had a height of ten meters and its branches only began at the height of eight meters. However, from the base of the tree, Viggo looked up and gave him the impression that he was reaching the sky. However, the special and particular, was in the air that emanated. The trunk was warm, as if it were the ashes of a freshly extinguished bonfire.

Viggo stretched out his hand with the intention of touching the trunk, but Kratos, his teacher, held his wrist. Viggo looked to his right, saw that look that was too severe without the intention of wanting to be. Kratos denied, Viggo nodded and retracted his hand. The latter did not know what the situation was with this tree, but it must have something important. Otherwise, Kratos would have let him experiment on his own.

Kratos let go of Viggo and placed his finger on his own lips instructing him to remain silent. Then, with the same hand, he carries his finger under his brushes, instructing him to look. Then he points forward to the tree that Viggo wanted to touch and point out a dark silhouette, as if it was smeared in ashes. Viggo looked in that direction and noticed a humanoid figure. The strange thing was that the mouth and ribs emitted an igneous glow.

Kratos from the side, squatted down and pointed out with his hand to do the same. Then he moved forward resting his hands on the ground and took cover behind a bush covered by a thin layer of snow. Viggo imitate him and when he gets to Kratos' side, Kratos raising his right hand and pointing out with emphasis that he will look at the creature. Viggo understood the gesture and he threw his head a little above the bush and looked at the creature. It was spinning like it was disoriented, making small roars like a beast looking for enemies. However, his only company was the pines, eucalyptus and other trees that filled the field of vision. The great stature of the trees obscured the forest, thus giving the impression of being on a cloudy day.

Viggo looked at Kratos next to him, who looked at the creature without looking away. It was as if the only thing in his mind was the creature.

-Concentrate- Kratos whispered and slapped his head

Viggo grabbed his head and replied - yes, I know -

-It doesn't look like it- Kratos replied in a biting tone -if that thing could catch you, it would rip out your guts and devour you while you're alive-

Viggo swallow saliva. Then he looked at his left hand and saw the sword. Then he brought his right hand to his chest and passed his thumb down the bow rope that hung from his right shoulder. He evaluated his knowledge of the creature and since he did not know anything, he took his sword to his right hand and then left it on the snow, ready to take it in case it failed. Then he put his right hand on his shoulder and picked up the bow. He took the body of the bow with his left hand and directed his right hand to the clam on his back. He draws an arrow and position it above the left hand that held the body of the bow. He looked out above the bush and positioned the back of the arrow on the rope. However, when he put his right hand on the rope while holding the back of the arrow, Kratos raised his left hand and put it on his right hand. Viggo looked at Kratos and he denied. Viggo nodded, clogged down again, and saw Kratos hang his axe from the ring tied on the back of the right shoulder pad. Kratos took a deep breath and the head of the axe glowed with intricate runic symbols. Then the head of the axe was covered with frost, Kratos stood up and threw the axe into the air. It flew spinning for more than twenty meters leaving a trail of celestial light in the air, until it reached the creature and stuck in the head. The impact was so strong that the creature fell on its back on the ground.

-Prepare yourself- Kratos said.

-Huh?- replied Viggo in confusion and a few seconds later he heard some beastly roars.

Kratos ran ahead in search of his axe and at the same time some humanoid bodies equal to the creature covered in chalk were seen rising from the ground. They threw beastly screams and their faces and entrails ignited as if they had fire inside. Viggo from his position got scared and tried to take the arrow and place it on the rope. However, his nervousness was so much that it was impossible for him and he preferred to throw the bow. He crooked down and took his sword, then ran to the tail of his master, who had already reached the corpse of the first creature.

Kratos went on to take the handle of the axe and pull it out of the creature's head. At the same time, the other humanoid creatures rushed in his direction, mostly bare-handed.

For his part, Kratos looked around, keeping the same stern look as always. There were five creatures ahead, two on his left and one on his right. The closest was the one on the left, so he ran in that direction. He took his axe with both hands and cut off each creature's head and two horizontal cuts. Then he looked to his right, where his next closest enemy was. However, before he could run in that direction, Viggo appeared with his sword and cut off the creature's arm.

Kratos let out a snort with a fun expression and ran ahead to face the other five creatures.

For his part, Viggo had cut off the creature's arm, it staggered backwards, but quickly regained its balance. Then Viggo took a closer look at the creature's face and realized it was a human being. He had some long strands of hair on his head, with a skeletal face and skin similar to the bark of trees. However, his body was unmistakably human, his ribs prostrating from his side, while his face was cadaveric.

The creature roared opening its big mouth as if it wanted to devour it and Viggo took his sword with both hands and made a cut from right to left, cutting off his chest. However, just like when he cut off his arm, the creature only staggered, but remained unscathed. Viggo swallowed saliva, squeezed the handle of his sword more firmly and under the blade, as if hoping to be able to give an upward cut.

The creature walked in a clumsy and slow gesture, which relaxed Viggo. Then he waits for it to come closer. The creature moved forward and raised his left hand, threw a slap at Viggo and he dodged it by moving to the left. The hand passed by and seeing the outstretched arm, Viggo raised his sword and discharged it by cutting off his arm. The creature roared and Viggo noticed the igneous light on the creature's body fading. Then Viggo allowed himself to further examine the creature and notice that it was wearing a kind of skirt tied to its waist, brown and threadbare.

The creature advanced once again, but this time, without its arms to attack or defend itself, it was easy prey. Viggo reached out his sword and made a horizontal cut to cut off his head. The creature fell on its back as it lost its head and Viggo looked around to see if there were any more enemies. However, he only saw his master looking at him, with his arms crossed and that stern look. Viggo stared at him, Kratos nodded, and Viggo nodded in a slow gesture. < Does that mean I did it right?" he wondered>

-What are these creatures?- asked Viggo.

-Draugr, undead walkers who refused to leave this world- replied Kratos, on his way to Viggo and looked him in the eye -that tree you wanted to touch is a form of barrier that protects the forest. It doesn't matter what happens, or what you feel, or the curiosity it gives you. Never, ever, touch or cut those trees-

Viggo shook his head in a vigorous gesture and said - never, I don't want anything to happen to Atreus-

-As long as you understand it- Kratos replied -we have to fix your lack of skill with the bow-

Viggo looked back and remembered that he had left the bow lying and the quiver. He bowed his head somewhat embarrassed and went to look for them without saying anything. Then he returned to Kratos and looked at him with an innocent smile. Kratos looked away and let out a sigh.

-All your weapons are important- said Kratos looking at Viggo once again -you must take care of each of them, understand?-

-Yes, sir- Viggo said in a loud voice.

Kratos refused and turned his back on him, began to walk and examine the corpses – the draugrs were human beings, but thanks to death and rot, their brains atrophied and fight like beasts. However, never underestimate them. In large numbers they can become a nightmare-

Viggo followed him to the tail, watching as the corpses were missing body parts –do they always walk around these places?- he asked

-They shouldn't, but from time to time they appear. I don't know what happens lately when I find groups of five to ten draugrs outside the barrier. I're not supposed to worry, but things fail. Only constant review, discipline and vigilance can protect us-

-I get it- said Viggo, moving forward without paying attention. Kratos stopped and Viggo kept moving forward until he hit his back. Then he fell on his butt and looked forward to seeing what he collide with.

For his part, Kratos turned around and looked him in the eye – do you really understand it? – he asked.

Viggo looked down and nodded –yes – he said – nothing is forever, even if he was born perfect. Only hard work and discipline can make us better-

-I hope those are your real words, kid-

-They are real, master. They are part of the things I have lived and what I regret. If I had been disciplined like my friend, he wouldn't have left me behind, I wouldn't feel so bad, and I would never have been removed from my family-

-Failure is part of learning- Kratos said and turned around to continue walking. Viggo stood up and followed him to the tail, advancing through the forest and moving further and further away from the hut on the mountain.

After half an hour of walking, Kratos looked at the surroundings of the forest. Everything seemed to be calm, so he nodded and turned around to see Viggo. He was going two meters behind him. Kratos squatted down and took a branch as thick as his rough fingers. At the same time, Viggo understood that this was a signal for him to approach, something the bald man was going to say. So he walked until he was a meter away from Kratos and squatted down.

-Do you know how to track?- asked Kratos.

-No, sir. I've never track animals- replied Viggo

-I understand, okay. The basis of hunting is to ask yourself what are you missing at the moment?-

Viggo looked at himself and saw that he was wearing the same t-shirt he had been wearing since he arrived. He looked at Kratos and said with a face full of doubts –clothes?

Kratos took a deep breath at that weak and indecisive attitude –that's right, child, you're missing clothes – he said – but what kind of clothes? A coat, a blanket, a pair of trousers, boots?-

-Why?-

-Because depending on what you need will be the amount you have to hunt. For example: if you have a large group of soldiers, you have to understand how much meat is needed to feed them. In turn, that same skin will serve to make them clothes. If it is not necessary, you can sell it and buy other things. It all starts from the question "What do you need right now?" Depending on the answer you will determine the quantity, quality and type of animal you want to hunt-

-Many questions- replied Viggo.

-Yes, child, many questions, but all important-

Viggo bit his lower lip thinking about what he needed and Kratos stared at him and let out a sigh at his stupid apprentice. He tried to teach him to pursue his own goals, but he only saw it as the simple hunt. Hunting in itself becomes an exercise in life, in which, you always wonder what you need and depending on the answer, it is the prey you have to look for.