Chapter 25: The Stranger

The storm had passed, but the sky remained gray. Snow drifted silently over the forest clearing surrounding their small cabin.

Inside, the fire crackled, casting long shadows against the wooden walls.

Kratos sat near the hearth, quietly sharpening the Leviathan Axe, his eyes focused but distant.Leonidas sat nearby, methodically working a whetstone over his sword, silent as always.

Atreus sat on a stool near his father, glancing toward the table where Faye's hand-carved bowls and tools still sat untouched. The loss of their mother lingered, heavy and unspoken.

Kratos' hand slowed on the axe as a sound cut through the stillness —

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

Firm, deliberate, echoing in the frozen air.

Leonidas stilled, his golden eyes narrowing. His clairvoyance rippled, a sense of something unnatural brushing against his mind — a ripple in fate, dangerous and unknown.

Kratos stood up, every movement tense but controlled. He glanced briefly at Leonidas, who gave a slight nod — ready but waiting.

The knocks came again, harder this time.

Without a word, Kratos moved to the door and opened it slightly.

Outside stood a man — lean but muscular, his skin pale and covered in black runes. He wore no shirt despite the snow, and his eyes were sharp, almost playful.

"I thought you'd be bigger," the stranger said, tilting his head, smirking.

Kratos said nothing, his gaze cold.

Leonidas leaned against the inside wall, one hand near his sword, watching with sharp eyes.

"You gonna let me in?" the stranger asked casually, though there was something beneath his tone — something searching.

Kratos' voice was low, hard as stone.

"No."

The stranger smiled wider.

"Oh, I think you will."

Kratos' hand gripped the door, and with a sharp motion, slammed it shut.

There was a moment of silence —

—Then—

BOOM!

The door shattered inward, wood flying everywhere. Snow whipped into the cabin.

Leonidas instantly stepped in front of Atreus, his body tense but sword still sheathed. This was not yet his fight.

Kratos turned slowly to face the stranger standing in the wreckage of the door.

"Last warning," Kratos growled.

The stranger only chuckled.

"You had to make it hard."

With no more words, he swung a punch straight into Kratos' face.

The Fight

Kratos' head jerked slightly with the impact — but he didn't move otherwise.

Slowly, Kratos turned his head back to face the man.

Then, with an explosive motion, Kratos slammed his fist into the stranger's chest, launching him out of the house and into the snow.

Leonidas' eyes followed their path but remained by Atreus' side, sharp and calculating.

"This is Father's fight."

Outside, Kratos and the stranger collided again, trading earth-shaking blows. Snow erupted, trees cracked and splintered under the force of their strikes.

Kratos grabbed the stranger and threw him over his shoulder, sending him crashing into a large boulder, splitting it in half.

But the man laughed as he rose, blood on his lips but smiling wildly.

"You've got some fight in you! I was hoping for that."

Kratos narrowed his eyes, charging forward, slamming his shoulder into the man and knocking him flying.

"Leave. My. Home."

The stranger stood, wiping blood from his mouth, his grin never leaving.

"I can't. Sorry."

He launched himself at Kratos again.

Blow after blow echoed across the forest. Kratos' muscles bulged with effort, his rage barely contained.

Leonidas stood near the broken door, watching with calm focus, every inch of him ready to move — but he didn't.This was something Kratos had to face, and Leonidas knew it.

"If I intervene now, it will only weaken Father's resolve. This is what will push him to finally act."

Kratos caught the man's punch, twisted, and drove him into the ground, slamming a fist into his face over and over.

Snow sprayed with every strike, but the stranger only laughed, taking each blow.

"You're no ordinary man... are you?"

Kratos grunted but said nothing.

With a roar, Kratos hoisted him up and slammed him into a massive tree, the wood cracking from the impact.

Then, in a burst of raw strength, Kratos seized the stranger and twisted his head — SNAP!

Kratos stood over Baldur's body for a long moment, chest heaving.

The snow continued to fall, quiet and undisturbed, as if the violent battle had never happened.

Without a word, Kratos turned away and made his way back toward the cabin, his massive frame moving heavily through the drifts of snow.

Leonidas, watching silently from the cabin's doorway, stepped aside to let his father pass. His sharp eyes briefly glanced toward the still body lying in the distance, before following Kratos inside.

Atreus looked up from where he sat by the fire, confusion and concern in his young eyes.

Kratos said nothing as he set the Leviathan Axe down by the hearth, sitting heavily on the bench.

For a long moment, there was only the sound of the crackling flames.

Finally, Kratos broke the silence, his voice low and worn:

"Atreus is not ready."

Leonidas glanced over at his father but said nothing.

Kratos' gaze was distant, fixed on the flames, as he added, almost to himself:

"And neither am I."

The room fell silent once more, the weight of unspoken thoughts settling heavily over them.

Outside, the snow continued to fall, covering the evidence of the battle in a white shroud.

Unseen by Kratos, Leonidas, and Atreus — the body of the stranger remained still, lifeless and broken beneath the trees.

Or so it seemed.