Chapter 18: Training of Wolves and Kings

The morning air was sharp and crisp, cold enough to make one's breath fog in the quiet forest.

Kratos stood tall and unmoving in the clearing, his arms crossed as Atreus stood a few paces away, holding his new bow tightly.

"Again," Kratos ordered, his voice low but firm.

Atreus hesitated, then drew back the shimmering string. An arrow formed from pure magic, lightning crackling faintly around it. He aimed at a wooden target set against a tree — and fired.

Three arrows shot out, one real, two magical. They struck true, hitting center mass, lightning sparking wildly across the wood, causing it to crack and smoke.

Kratos narrowed his eyes. "Too slow."

Atreus looked up, confused. "But I hit it—"

Kratos stepped forward, towering over him.

"Hitting is not enough. You must be faster. Faster than your enemy. Faster than their rage."

Atreus swallowed but nodded. He straightened his stance, tightening his grip.

"Again."

From the distance, watching atop a tree branch, Leonidas smiled quietly. His younger brother was growing — and Kratos was making sure of that.

But Leonidas had his path to walk.

He dropped down silently from the branch, sword resting on his back, and turned toward the deeper forest. The wilderness beyond their home was where true strength was forged — and where his battle continued.

As Atreus resumed his relentless training under Kratos' watch, Leonidas ventured into the unknown.

Hours passed as Leonidas tracked signs of movement — heavy footprints and scorched ground. His sword gleamed faintly under the sunlight filtering through the canopy.

Eventually, he found them — a pack of corrupted beasts, far larger than wolves, with glowing green eyes and rot covering their bodies.

They turned toward him as one, snarling, sensing the strength in him — but Leonidas only smiled coldly, the golden glow of his eyes deepening.

"Let's see if you're enough to push me further."

As they charged, Leonidas was already moving — his body a blur, sword cutting a wide arc. The closest beast lunged, but Leonidas sidestepped effortlessly, blade slicing through its neck, severing flesh and rot in a clean blow.

Another leapt from the side — Leonidas spun, the edge of his sword catching it mid-air, sending the creature crashing into a tree.

Yet as they swarmed, he felt the need to go further.

"Magic."

His free hand glowed as he whispered words of power. The inscribed runes on his wrist flickered, and a wave of golden chains burst from the ground, binding two of the beasts in mid-leap, slamming them to the earth.

With swift precision, he drove his sword through one of their skulls, pulling it free just in time to parry another bite, shoving the beast away.

The fight was brutal but short-lived — and as the last corrupted beast fell, Leonidas' chest heaved with controlled breath.

Looking at his hands, feeling the thrum of magic and sword working in harmony, he smirked slightly.

"Closer."

By the time he returned, the sun was starting to set, painting the sky with hues of crimson and gold.

Kratos was still in the clearing, now standing behind Atreus as the boy fired arrow after arrow, sweat pouring down his face.

Kratos' sharp gaze turned as Leonidas approached, the father immediately reading the traces of blood and magic on his eldest.

"You're late," Kratos said, though there was no real anger in his tone.

Leonidas wiped a hand across his face, breathing steady. "Had to find something... challenging."

Kratos grunted, watching him carefully.

"How did he do?" Leonidas asked, nodding toward Atreus.

Kratos crossed his arms. "He's learning. Fast. But still soft."

Atreus turned, panting. "I'm not soft!"

Leonidas smirked. "You'll get there."

Atreus glared at him but couldn't hide his grin.

Kratos looked back at Leonidas, his gaze sharp.

"And you?"

Leonidas rolled his shoulders. "Still not enough."

Kratos studied him a long moment.

"Then show me."

Leonidas raised a brow. "Now?"

Kratos nodded. "Now."

Atreus sat down quickly, wide-eyed. "You're fighting Dad?"

Leonidas chuckled, drawing his sword. "We've done worse."

Kratos stepped forward, his Leviathan Axe gleaming in the dimming light, resting it on his shoulder.

"Without magic," Kratos said firmly.

Leonidas grinned. "You just don't want to lose to a spell."

Kratos didn't respond — but the sharp glint in his eye was answer enough.

Leonidas shifted his stance, sword steady.

For a moment, the forest was silent, only the wind in the trees.

Then Kratos moved — a blur of power, axe swinging low and fast.

Leonidas parried, but the sheer force pushed him back, boots skidding across the dirt. He grinned wider.

"Still strong as ever."

Kratos came again, this time an overhead strike — Leonidas dodged to the side, countering with a swift cut aimed at Kratos' flank, but the older warrior twisted, blocking with the axe's haft.

The clash sent a shockwave through the clearing, dust and leaves swirling around them.

Leonidas spun away, coming in low, but Kratos caught him, shoving him back with brute strength.

"You're holding back," Kratos growled.

Leonidas' smile faded slightly, his stance tightening.

"No. Just learning how far I've come."

Kratos charged again, and this time, Leonidas met him full-on, sword and axe colliding in a flash of sparks.

For a moment, they locked eyes, father and son — warriors bound by blood and strength.

Then Leonidas pushed back, sliding away and lowering his blade.

"Enough," he said, breathing only a little heavier than before.

Kratos studied him.

"You're improving. But there is more to strength than raw power."

Leonidas nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "I know."

Kratos looked over at Atreus, then back at Leonidas.

"Come. Eat. Rest. Tomorrow, you both train."

Leonidas sheathed his sword, smirking. "Looking forward to it."

As they walked back toward the house, Atreus ran up beside Leonidas, eyes shining.

"That was awesome! You almost had him!"

Leonidas laughed, ruffling Atreus' hair. "Almost."

But deep inside, he felt it — his power growing, his control tightening, and the fires of Solomon's wisdom and strength burning stronger every day.

Template Integration Update:

[Template Integration: 85%]

— Advanced solo combat: Complete

— Successful full melee spar against Kratos (no magic): Complete

— Further harmony of sword and magic observed