Chapter 6: The Ogre's Challenge

Five years had passed since the day Leonidas first walked into the forest with a sword in hand.

Now, ten years old, standing tall and broad-shouldered for his age, his body was forged from years of training and countless hunts, moving with an ease that belied his youth. Every muscle was toned, every motion practiced and controlled. His golden eyes, sharp and intelligent, hid a depth that even Kratos had begun to notice.

At his side, Atreus — a lively five-year-old, playful and curious, often running around the cabin, wooden bow in hand as he mimicked the movements Leonidas showed him.

"Leon! Come play with me!" Atreus called one morning, running up to his older brother.

Leonidas looked down from sharpening his sword and smirked, ruffling Atreus' hair.

"Maybe later, little wolf. I've got a hunt to do."

Atreus pouted but smiled, following his brother as far as Kratos would allow before their father gave him the look, sending him back to Faye's side.

"Be careful," Faye said softly as Leonidas passed her by the porch.

He nodded. "Always, Mother."

Kratos, leaning against the cabin wall, watched Leonidas leave with narrowed eyes, saying nothing.

The forest was familiar — every tree, every trail mapped in Leonidas' mind. His senses were sharp, heightened by years of experience and his ever-growing connection to the Solomon template.

[Template Integration: 20%]

Enhanced Physical Strength (Kratos' bloodline active) Intermediate Magic (Basic offensive and defensive spells, minor summoning link established) Aura of Command (Ars Goetia entities aware, latent fear in lesser monsters)

Still, despite all his growth, he hadn't yet tested himself against something truly dangerous. Draugr were now mere training dummies to him — their sluggish swings and mindless charges barely a threat.

He had gotten too used to winning.

Today, as he ventured deeper than before, the winds felt colder, sharper. A strange tension in the air, as though the forest itself was watching.

His hand stayed close to his sword hilt.

That's when he heard it — thunderous footsteps shaking the earth beneath his feet.

A roar shattered the calm of the woods, loud enough to make birds scatter from the trees.

Leonidas turned sharply, eyes narrowing.

"That's no wolf. No Draugr either."

Branches snapped, and from between the trees, it emerged — an Ogre, towering and massive, covered in thick gray skin and wielding a makeshift club the size of a tree trunk.

Its yellow eyes locked onto Leonidas, snarling.

His heart pounded — but not in fear.

"So this is what a real fight feels like..."

The Ogre charged without warning, its massive club crashing toward Leonidas with a force that would crush stone.

Leonidas rolled aside, barely avoiding the impact that sent dirt and snow flying.

He spun around, slashing at the Ogre's leg — but his sword only left a shallow cut, the beast roaring in pain and anger.

"Its hide is thicker than anything I've fought..."

The Ogre turned, swinging the club sideways.

This time, Leonidas leaped over it, landing on a branch before launching himself back toward the beast.

Magic surged through him, golden glyphs glowing faintly across his arms.

"Let's see if this works..."

As he landed, a golden barrier flashed in front of him, absorbing the impact of the Ogre's backhand. Still, the force sent him skidding across the ground, his boots digging trenches in the dirt.

"So strong... but I've felt worse."

Leonidas gritted his teeth, eyes sharp, thinking fast.

"Father always says: Control your breathing. Control your mind."

He focused, lifting his left hand, and three small glyphs formed in the air, each a crackling golden symbol.

"Go."

With that command, three blasts of golden energy shot forward, striking the Ogre in the chest. The beast staggered but roared, more annoyed than hurt.

Leonidas smirked. "Good. Let's keep going."

The fight raged on.

Leonidas danced between the Ogre's strikes, his movements fluid, precise — every dodge calculated, every strike aimed for joints and weak points.

He slid under a massive swing, driving his sword deep into the Ogre's thigh, making it stumble.

Then, pouring magic into his blade, he slashed upward — a golden arc of light following the strike, burning into the creature's flesh.

The Ogre bellowed in agony, swinging wildly.

One of its swings clipped Leonidas' side, sending him crashing into a tree.

Pain exploded in his ribs, but he forced himself up, spitting out blood.

"Not yet... I won't fall here."

He stood, sword raised, glyphs sparking around him like fireflies.

"For Atreus. For Mother. For Father."

With a roar of his own, Leonidas charged, dodging the club and leaping onto the Ogre's arm, running up its massive frame.

The beast tried to shake him off, but Leonidas was faster — driving his sword deep into the Ogre's shoulder, flooding the blade with magic until a burst of golden light exploded from the wound.

The Ogre screamed, falling to its knees.

Leonidasleapedt down, sword held high, and with a final shout, plunged his blade into the beast's heart, flooding it with magic until its body convulsed and fell still.

Silence returned to the forest.

Leonidas stood over the beast, panting, blood on his face, but victorious.

[Template Integration: 22%]

Physical Reinforcement: Advanced (Far above human level) Magic: Solidified (Barriers, energy projection, magic-imbued strikes) Ars Goetia Authority: Minor summons now possible (low-ranked entities only)

A small smile touched his lips.

"Now we're getting somewhere."

As he dragged himself home, bruised but alive, he saw Atreus waiting for him outside the house, eyes wide.

"You're bleeding! What happened?!"

Leonidas smiled softly, kneeling to ruffle Atreus' hair despite the pain.

"Just met something big, little wolf. But I won."

Kratos stood behind Atreus, arms crossed, watching silently.

Leonidas met his father's eyes — a quiet, proud acknowledgment passing between them.

Faye came running, pulling Leonidas inside to tend to his wounds.

Atreus followed closely, still wide-eyed.

"You'll teach me to fight like that one day, right, Leon?"

Leonidas chuckled.

"Yeah. One day, when you're ready."

As his mother cleaned the gash on his side, Leonidas leaned back and closed his eyes, feeling the magic simmering under his skin, stronger than before.

"This is only the beginning."