Chapter 17: A Gift Fit for a Wolf

The sun was high, bright and gentle through the trees. The house was unusually quiet — but the small clearing had been carefully set, small wooden figures, hand-carved animals, and modest gifts gathered on the worn table outside.

Today was Atreus' seventh birthday, and while they lived far from any town or friends, family was all that mattered.

Faye was busy preparing a small feast. The smell of cooking stew and roasted meats wafted in the air. Kratos stood near the porch, arms crossed, watching but saying little, though his eyes were softer than usual.

Leonidas sat on a tree stump, polishing something carefully hidden within a cloth. His golden eyes gleamed slightly, and the sword at his back rested quietly — but today was not about him.

From behind the house, Atreus came running, cheeks red with excitement.

"Mother said we can start soon!" Atreus beamed.

Leonidas smiled, standing up. "Then maybe it's time I gave you my gift."

Atreus blinked, tilting his head. "Really? What is it?!"

Leonidas unwrapped the cloth carefully, revealing a bow unlike any other.

The bow was sleek and black with veins of glowing blue runes pulsing along the limbs, as if lightning danced under the surface. It's string shimmered with faint magical light, thrumming softly like a storm ready to break.

Atreus' jaw dropped, his small hands reaching out in awe.

"I made this for you," Leonidas said softly, kneeling to meetAtreus's eye to eye. "It's more than a bow. It's a promise — to protect you. And so you can protect others."

Atreus carefully took it, holding it as though it might vanish.

"It's so light…" he whispered, running his fingers over the runes.

Leonidas chuckled. "Don't let its weight fool you. It's tougher than it looks."

Kratos raised an eyebrow but said nothing, watching the exchange carefully.

Atreus looked up, wide-eyed. "Does it do anything special?"

Leonidas grinned, standing again. "Try it and see."

He gestured to a line of wooden targets set up in the distance — carved wolves, deer, and small monsters.

Atreus quickly notched an arrow, pulling the string back.

"Focus on what you want it to do," Leonidas said quietly.

The moment Atreus released the string, one solid arrow shot forward — and then two more spectral arrows of pure crackling blue magic formed instantly, flying alongside the first.

All three slammed into different targets simultaneously, lightning exploding on impact, sending splinters flying and leaving the wooden figures scorched and smoking.

Atreus stared in wide-eyed shock.

"Again!" he shouted, excited now.

He fired another arrow, and again, three arrows flew as one, lightning crackling from each, dancing across the bodies of the targets.

Faye stepped out of the house, pausing as she saw the glowing bow at work, her eyes widening slightly but smiling when she saw Atreus' face.

Kratos finally spoke, his deep voice calm but serious.

"You enchanted it with lightning."

Leonidas turned toward his father, giving a small nod.

"Not just lightning. Every arrow he fires splits into three — like the storm itself. The magic arrows won't need a quiver. They'll form from his will and focus. And… every arrow will strike with a charge strong enough to stun or harm."

Kratos stared at Leonidas carefully.

"And it can block?"

Leonidas walked over, motioning toward Atreus.

"Atreus, hold it steady."

As Atreus held the bow up, Leonidas drew his sword and — carefully — brought the blade down onto the bow's body.

Instead of breaking, the bow rang out like hardened steel, holding firm.

Atreus didn't even flinch, feeling the bow's strength.

Kratos gave a short grunt of approval.

"Good."

Atreus looked up at Leonidas, awed.

"This is amazing! Thank you, Leon!"

Leonidas smiled and ruffled his hair.

"You're my little brother, 'Treus. Gotta keep you safe, right? But remember… it's strong because you're meant to be strong too. You'll need to grow into it."

Faye approached, her expression soft.

"You made this on your own?" she asked.

Leonidas nodded. "Forged it in secret. The runes are a mix — something old, something new. Tied to the storm, to protect, but also to strike first."

Kratos walked over, resting a hand on Atreus' shoulder.

"He will train with it."

Leonidas nodded firmly. "Of course. I'll teach him how to use it right."

Atreus was still admiring the bow when he looked up at Leonidas, grinning widely.

"I'm gonna be as strong as you one day."

Leonidas' smile turned warm, though a quiet fire burned in his eyes.

"Stronger. You'll be stronger."

Kratos gave a rare faint smirk at that but quickly returned to his usual stern calm.

"Come. Time to eat. You'll need strength if you are to wield such a gift."

As they moved toward the table, Atreus clutched the bow like a treasure, eyes shining with excitement and determination.

Leonidas watched him, quietly satisfied — but also aware of what it meant to arm his brother with such power. A warning and a promise wrapped in a gift.

And as the storm rumbled softly pulsed in sync with Atreus' heartbeat, Leonidas knew:

"No matter what comes, we'll face it together."