Overestimation

Steel clashes together, sparks flying as a blade meets a cuirass. Kratos and Atreus dance around the damp cave of the fifteenth floor and their choreography would cause ballet dancers to rethink their life choices. A week has passed since the trio met with Hephaestus, and other than visiting the Hostess of Fertility to sleep and decipher the language of this world, training has engulfed their time and effort.

"Take advantage of the range. That is your greatest asset with a spear," Kratos says, raising his arm as Atreus' spear meets the chains on his forearm, another ding of metal clashing. The Greek God dons his black cuirass, and despite the fact he had only purchased the armor the week before, the metal has already taken on its first cuts and dings.

Atreus pivots on his foot, lifting the other as the dance continues. The boy changes his position, backing away from his father a few feet and thrusting the spear to the middle of the man's chest. The blade is swiped by Kratos' ax, and the Greek God hums, "Good. Aim for the spaces in my armor, that is where your blade shall find the easiest entrance," Kratos says, flipping the ax in his hand as he steps around his son.

Atreus steps to the side, his feet crossing until he is near his father's shoulder. He thrusts towards the gap in Kratos's armor, but once again, Atreus' blade is swept away with little effort from his adversary. Atreus scowls as he repositions himself, a rage rising in his chest as he becomes frustrated with his lack of progress. He releases a battle cry, bolting towards his father and twisting his body, throwing the spear around erratically.

Kratos notices something strange as he watches his son attack him, a fire burns bright in the boy's eyes, and each of Atreus' blows seem to be much stronger than before. Though after a few moments of this, Atreus falls to his knees, panting as he holds himself by his spear.

Kratos stares down at his son, still holding the ax tight in his hand, "Adequate. You are learning to use your rage... It will take time, but the ability to channel that rage will be one of your greatest weapons... As it has been for me," he says.

Atreus continues to pant, leaning up while still kneeling. His hand rubs the sweat from his forehead, "I feel... I feel like I'm not making any progress. I've only been able to hit you a few times," Atreus says through labored breaths.

Kratos nods, "And I have allowed you to strike me those times. It will be a hundred years before you pose a challenge to me... Nevertheless, you have been making progress. You may not be able to see it, but your footwork is becoming swifter, and your strikes more precise," he says.

Atreus glances up at his father, gathering his breath slowly, "Thank you, father," he says, standing and lifting the spear from the ground.

"The boy is becoming more like you by the day, brother... Let's hope he doesn't take on your anti-social nature though," Mimir chuckles.

"Really, Mimir? Am I really becoming more like father?" Atreus asks with raised brows.

Mimir chuckles again, nearly cackling, "Hahaha... Oh, more than you know, Little Lad... It's quite terrifying actually," Mimir's thick Scottish accent echos through the damp cave.

Suddenly, the cave quakes, and some bedrock falls to the ground. The shaking only lasts for a moment, but it still leaves the trio confused, "It seems the dungeon doesn't particularly like being used for training... What in the bloody hell was that?" Mimir asks with confusion covering up his attempt to make a joke.

"I do not know... Stay close to me, boy," Kratos says, putting a palm to his son's chest as he squats to a battle stance.

Atreus stands behind his father with furrowed brows, his eyes darting to every corner of the grey cave, "...Do you think it has anything to do with what Hephaestus told us?" he asks.

Kratos grunts, looking up to the ceiling, "I do not know... Steel yourself, something is approaching," he responds.

Atreus nods, his fingers twist around the spear, and suddenly, the cave quakes again. This time, the shaking is much stronger, and as Kratos continues to stare at the ceiling, the man witnesses a crack forming in the bedrock. A second passes, and the ceiling implodes on itself, splinters and rubble of bedrock plummeting towards the trio.

"Atreus!" Kratos yells, bringing the boy to his chest and grabbing Mimir from his waist. The Ghost of Sparta kneels, leaning over with Atreus and Mimir under him as the rubble slams into his back. Kratos grunts as his back and head are barraged with stones, and soon, the trio is buried under the bedrock.

A moment passes, and Kratos merely stands, the massive pieces of bedrock slipping from his body as he sets Atreus down and replaces Mimir to his usual spot, "Are you alright?" Kratos asks as his eyes linger on Atreus.

Atreus nods, "Yeah, I'm okay," he responds.

Kratos nods back, and his eyes roam to a mountain of rubble settled beside them. It seems the man was merely inches away from not being able to merely stand up. Suddenly, at the top of the rubble, The Greek God sees something, fingers gripping the stones. The black fingers move, and a monster is revealed, a minotaur. Though there is something strange about this particular Minotaur, its skin and fur are pitch black, and it seems to be much larger than normal.

The Minotaur lets loose a guttural roar, huffing a blow of steam as its eyes set hard on Atreus. In response, Kratos raises the Leviathan ax over his head, a layer of crackling ice forming on the blade as the muscles in his arms ripple. He grits his teeth, and the ax is launched at an incredible speed towards the Minotaur.

The monster's glowing red eyes switch to the ax barreling towards it, and it huffs, merely leaning its head to the side. The ax slams into the wall of the cave, lodging into the bedrock as the ice quickly melts from the blade. Atreus raises his brows as he witnesses this, "This one is different father! I don't know, but it seems stronger, much stronger!" he yells.

"I know. Now get back. We are at a disadvantage as long as it is above us," Kratos responds with calm words, his eyes glued to the monster before him as he steps back from the pile of rubble. Atreus takes his father's advice, stepping back along with Kratos.

The minotaur huffs again, its eyes still lingering on Atreus as it suddenly leaps. The monster clears the pile of rubble, landing hard on the flat bedrock as it straightens up, still scowling at the boy before it.

"Is it after me, father? Why would it target me?" Atreus asks with hurried words, his hands shaking as the spear drops to the ground. The boy stares into those deep red eyes, and fear rises in his body, something that has rarely happened, even before the most intimidating monsters. The minotaur seems to have some level of intelligence, looking the boy up and down as to size up his prey, "Since when are monsters aware?" Atreus asks, his lips trembling slightly.

Kratos glances at his son, gritting his teeth as his eyes return to the black monster, "Collect yourself, boy. You will stand up in the face of adversity or we will cease your training," he says, raising his hand above him.

Atreus jolts, his brows furrowing as his mind automatically wants to beg the man to rethink his choice. Though a memory suddenly flashes through the boy's mind, his father's face before him as his own words echo in his mind, "...I want to be strong..."

Suddenly, the Leviathan ax vibrates, dislodging from the bedrock as it rockets towards Kratos' hand. The ax spins so fast the blade is nigh invisible, and as it speeds back to its owner, that blade slices through the Minotaur's shoulder, nearly severing its arm. The monster holds its shoulder as its arm goes limp, roaring and huffing, frustrated by the sudden pain.

Atreus' cold fingers grip the spear again, and he stands straight with a determined expression, "Father, I want to fight it... By myself," he says.

Kratos glances at his son again, "No... Do not overestimate yourself. It may have powers that we do not yet know of," he says, "Assist me."

Kratos stares at the Minotaur, and suddenly, the muscles ripple in its legs, and the monster bolts towards the duo, its hooves ripping the bedrock from the ground. The Greek God grits his teeth, readying himself to receive the monster's approach. Suddenly, Kratos raises his brows as he witnesses his son run towards the Minotaur, screaming as the boy holds the spear in a thrusting position, "ATREUS!" Kratos screams, reaching towards his son with an open hand.