Chapter 9: The Troll's Challenge

The forest stretched endlessly, the thick fog drifting between frost-covered trees as Leonidas and Kratos moved through the frozen wilds. Snow fell gently, the quiet only broken by their boots crunching over ice and packed dirt.

Leonidas glanced at his father, who was silent as always, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.

"Are we looking for anything in particular?" Leonidas asked, adjusting the grip on his sword as he walked beside Kratos.

Kratos grunted.

"You will know when it finds us."

Leonidas sighed but said nothing more, focusing instead on every little sound, every shift of the wind. There was tension in the air, and Kratos felt it too—though he gave no sign.

The ground trembled slightly beneath their feet, subtle at first. Then it came again, heavier, closer. Leonidas paused, his golden eyes narrowing.

Kratos stopped as well, staring ahead into the fog.

A massive roar tore through the forest as something huge lumbered toward them. Branches cracked, snow fell from the trees, and then a mountain of muscle and stone burst into the clearing—a Troll, dragging a jagged stone pillar behind it, its breath steaming in the cold air.

Leonidas instinctively stepped forward, hand tightening on his sword.

Kratos shot him a look.

"Do not use magic," he said firmly, voice low but commanding. "You will fight this creature with steel alone."

Leonidas blinked, glancing at the Troll, then back at Kratos.

"You want me to fight that? Alone?"

Kratos nodded.

"If you are to wield that sword in battle, you will do so without relying on what lies within you. Strength and skill first. Magic later."

Leonidas took a deep breath, nodding.

"Understood."

Kratos stepped back, arms crossed, watching.

The Troll let out a guttural roar, swinging its stone pillar and charging straight for Leonidas.

Leonidas' heart pounded in his chest, but he stood firm, eyes sharp. At the last second, he rolled aside, narrowly dodging the pillar as it smashed into the ground, sending shards of ice and dirt flying.

As the beast recoiled, Leonidas surged forward, sword flashing out and slashing across its thick leg. Sparks flew as steel scraped stone-like hide, but he gritted his teeth and followed through, dodging another heavy swing.

Kratos observed in silence, his sharp gaze analyzing every move his son made—every step, every strike.

Leonidas ducked under another swing, moving faster now, adjusting to the Troll's sluggish movements. He darted in and slashed along its side, this time drawing blood—thick, dark, and steaming in the cold air.

The Troll roared in pain and fury, swinging wildly now, trying to crush the boy under its pillar. Leonidas leaped back, narrowly avoiding the blow that shook the earth.

Kratos' eyes narrowed.

"Don't back away. Push. Control the flow," he said calmly.

Leonidas heard him, nodding slightly as he breathed hard, circling the creature.

When the Troll turned to swing again, Leonidas stepped into the blow instead of away from it, sliding low and driving his blade into the creature's side, twisting the hilt to tear more flesh before yanking it free.

The Troll howled, raising the pillar high for a crushing strike. Leonidas looked up—too slow to dodge this time.

But instead of moving away, he took Kratos' lesson to heart—rushing forward under the beast's arms and driving his blade deep into its thigh, forcing it to stumble as its weight turned against it.

As the Troll fell to one knee, Leonidas was already moving, climbing its leg like a ladder, sword poised.

With a sharp cry, he drove his blade straight into the side of the Troll's neck, twisting hard as he used his body weight to force the sword deeper.

The creature swayed, groaned, and finally collapsed heavily onto its side, dead.

Leonidas stood atop the corpse, panting, his sword soaked in steaming blood.

Kratos approached quietly, standing beside the fallen Troll and looking down at it, then at his son.

"You adapted," Kratos said, voice even.

Leonidas sheathed his sword, chest heaving.

"It wasn't easy," he admitted. "But I didn't use magic."

Kratos grunted in approval, nodding.

"Good. You fought with your own hands. You learned. But you hesitated."

Leonidas raised an eyebrow.

"When?"

"When it was about to strike. You thought about dodging. You should have committed sooner. Either defend or attack. Never hesitate."

Leonidas nodded, wiping sweat from his brow.

"I understand."

Kratos glanced back at the Troll's body, then at Leonidas, his sharp eyes studying his son more carefully now.

"You are growing stronger... faster than I expected."

Leonidas met his gaze evenly.

"I'll get stronger. Strong enough to protect you. To protect Atreus and Mother."

Kratos was silent for a moment, then gave a small nod.

"Good. Remember that strength is not just power. It is controlled. Discipline."

Leonidas smirked slightly.

"I have you to remind me of that."

Kratos allowed himself a small grunt that might have been a chuckle, though his expression was as stern as ever.

They turned to walk back toward the woods, the silence between them no longer heavy—but comfortable.

Behind them, the Troll lay still, a testament to the boy's rising strength.

[Template Integration: 35%]

Physical Strength: Increased (Able to directly wound a Troll) Swordsmanship: Mid-to-High Tier (Able to take down large enemies solo) Magic: Suppressed in combat (by Kratos' command) Goetia Connection: Stable, still untouched but stronger presence

Bond Update: Kratos (+5)

"Acknowledges growing strength. Warns against arrogance."