Chapter 24: Farewell to Faye

The wind was still in the woods. A strange silence lingered, as if the entire forest was holding its breath.

Leonidas sat quietly by the fire outside their home, sharpening his sword with slow, methodical movements. The sound of steel against stone was soft, rhythmic, echoing faintly in the stillness.

Inside the house, Faye rested on her bed, her breathing shallow, her body weakened beyond repair.

Kratos stood near her side, arms crossed, his gaze heavy and dark. His face, carved from stone, showed no outward weakness, but Leonidas — sharp-eyed, always watching — could see it.

Atreus sat by his mother's side, holding her hand gently, not fully understanding why she was so weak, but knowing enough to be afraid.

Leonidas stood and walked inside, his golden eyes scanning over the quiet room.

Faye smiled weakly at his approach. "Leonidas..." she whispered, her voice soft, strained.

Leonidas knelt beside her bed, reaching out to take her other hand, careful not to grip too tightly.

"I can help you," he said softly, his eyes serious but calm. "You know I can."

She smiled again, sadness flickering in her eyes. "You are strong, my son. But this is not a wound that can be healed."

Leonidas shook his head, leaning in closer. "You don't know how far I've come, Mother. I—" he hesitated, glancing at Kratos, then back to her. "I have magic beyond Midgard's comprehension. I could stabilize your body, extend your life."

Kratos' eyes narrowed but he said nothing, watching them quietly.

But Faye, with a gentle squeeze of Leonidas' hand, shook her head.

"I know what you can do, my boy," she said softly, her eyes kind, filled with a knowing that cut deeper than any blade. "But the path ahead... you and your brother must walk it. My time is over."

Leonidas' jaw tightened, his grip on her hand trembling slightly, though he forced himself to remain composed.

"I don't want to lose you," he admitted in a low voice. "Atreus needs you. Father..." he glanced at Kratos again. "We all need you."

Faye reached up weakly and cupped Leonidas' cheek, her smile gentle. "You won't lose me. I will always be with you."

She looked past him to Kratos, who stepped closer, his massive hand covering hers on Leonidas' cheek.

Leonidas closed his eyes briefly, breathing in deeply to calm the storm within him.

"Promise me something," Faye whispered, her eyes moving between Kratos and Leonidas.

Kratos leaned in, his eyes meeting hers.

Leonidas squeezed her hand. "Anything."

"Protect Atreus," she said, her voice faint. "Teach him to be strong... but kind. He is still a boy."

Kratos nodded firmly. "I will."

Leonidas looked down at Atreus, who clutched Faye's hand tightly, tears falling freely now. "We will," Leonidas echoed.

Faye leaned back slowly, her strength fading, but her smile remained.

"You will both do great things," she whispered. "I have seen it."

Kratos bowed his head. Atreus sobbed softly.

Leonidas swallowed hard, fighting back the burning in his eyes.

As the fire in the hearth crackled quietly, Faye's eyes fluttered closed, her hand going limp in theirs.

Silence fell over them.

Atreus let out a quiet, broken whisper. "Mother...?"

Leonidas wrapped his arms around his little brother, holding him close.

Kratos stood over them, silent as stone, but his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

The fire flickered, casting long shadows across the walls.

And outside, in the trees, the wind began to howl.

Leonidas worked beside Kratos, gathering wood, making sure the pyre was sturdy and large enough.

Atreus sat nearby, watching them work, his bow resting on his lap.

Kratos' gaze was firm, but when he glanced at Leonidas, there was a quiet understanding between them — a shared grief neither could put into words.

As they finished, Kratos stood back, his eyes fixed on the marked tree Faye had chosen — a tree marked with her handprint, glowing faintly with the last remnants of her magic.

Leonidas approached quietly, standing beside him.

Kratos' voice was low, rough like grinding stone. "She chose this tree."

Leonidas nodded, his voice soft. "I know."

Kratos gripped the Leviathan Axe, raising it high.

With a single, mighty swing, he brought the axe down.

THUNK.

The tree groaned under the blow.

Another strike.

THUNK.

Snow drifted around them, silent witnesses to their grief.

Leonidas stood still, watching, sensing the moment, understanding that this was not his to interfere with.

Kratos struck again, and with a final, deafening crack, the tree fell.

CRAAAAASH.

The earth trembled under its weight.

Leonidas exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the cold air.

They carried the tree together.

Leonidas kept his gaze sharp, his clairvoyance subtly scanning the forest, aware now of distant watchers — Odin's ravens perched far off.But for now, he focused on the task at hand.

When they reached the clearing, Kratos set the tree onto the pyre.

Atreus placed Faye's body gently atop it, tears streaking his face.

Kratos stood over them both, silent, a towering figure of strength and sorrow.

Leonidas stepped forward, raising a hand — and for a moment, golden magic danced along his fingers, lighting the pyre in a brilliant but gentle flame.

The fire roared to life, but Leonidas' eyes were on his mother — and the path she had laid for them.

System Notice:

Template Integration: 90% — Stable.Clairvoyance: Functional.Passive Scanning: Odin's Ravens detected.Future Path Set: Journey to the highest peak in the realms.