As the three continued their steady ascent up the mountain path, they once again entered another winding cave system, one that felt deeper and older than the ones before.
The air inside was colder, and faint echoes bounced against the rocky walls. They did not walk far before encountering a new kind of threat that emerged from the shadows.
"Tatzelwurms!" Atreus shouted in alarm, his voice echoing throughout the cavern as the snake-like creatures slithered from the cracks in the walls.
Zelos sighed, rubbing the back of his neck while glancing at Atreus. "Why are you always yelling every time something new shows up? It's not like we're going to get caught off guard or anything. We can see them at the same time as you, you know."
Atreus blinked in confusion, lowering his bow slightly. "I honestly don't know. There's just… this urge to shout, so I shout," he admitted, still sounding confused by his own instinct.
Before Zelos could respond, Kratos's stern voice cut through their conversation. "Enough. Focus. We have enemies at hand."
He unsheathed his axe with a heavy sound, its faint blue light reflecting off the damp cave walls.
Atreus smirked, wanting to get back at Zelos for teasing him. "Let me guess. You're just going to use Zoltraak again?" he said smugly, raising an eyebrow.
Zelos looked at him with a half-smile, raising one brow in return. "As a matter of fact, no. I won't use Zoltraak or Hollow Purple this time. I'll show you something different, something with a little more range."
He stepped forward, extending his arms outward. The air around him rippled as if the space itself was bending.
Atreus watched as the ripples gathered and formed the shape of a sword made entirely out of shimmering light and condensed mana.
"Partisan," Zelos said clearly, and in an instant, multiple ripples appeared throughout the cavern.
From each ripple emerged a massive greatsword, all suspended mid-air before launching toward the approaching Tatzelwurms at incredible speed.
The blades impaled and sliced through the creatures one by one until the cavern fell silent again.
"Here," Zelos said as he turned back and handed one of the conjured swords to Atreus. "My gift for you."
Atreus, assuming it would be light based on how effortlessly Zelos carried it, reached out casually.
The moment Zelos released his hold, the sword dropped straight to the ground with a loud crash that cracked the stone floor beneath their feet.
"What in the—?" Atreus gasped, startled by the sudden weight.
Kratos, who had already sheathed his axe, turned to look at the weapon with curiosity.
The swords that had killed the Tatzelwurms had already dissolved into particles of light, yet this one remained solid and unmoving.
Kratos stepped forward and picked it up with one hand, feeling its balance. "What kind of magic is this?" he asked, his tone steady but curious.
Zelos crossed his arms, watching him. "It's a combination of metal conjuration and transmutation magic.
I used a bit of my mana to stabilize its structure so it doesn't disappear. You can keep it if Atreus doesn't want it," he said casually.
Kratos studied the sword more closely. Its design triggered a faint recognition in him—it resembled a weapon he had once wielded long ago.
The shape, the length, even the balance reminded him of it, though the coloration was different.
Unlike the one from his past, this sword did not carry the same pull of godly energy or the weakness that came with it.
He swung it downward to test its weight, and when the blade struck the ground, it carved a deep rupture through the stone floor. The power and sharpness were undeniable.
"It's a fine weapon," Kratos said, turning his gaze to Atreus. "You should try it."
Atreus scratched his head awkwardly. "I can't lift it. It's too heavy."
Kratos looked at him with a knowing expression. "It doesn't weigh anything. Zelos is only playing with you. Learn to recognize when someone is tricking you. It will help you avoid being fooled in the future."
He tossed the sword lightly toward Atreus. On instinct, Atreus caught it, and to his surprise, the weapon felt weightless in his hands, exactly as Kratos said.
Zelos grinned. "Would you like me to make it smaller?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
Atreus frowned slightly but nodded. "Fine. Just a little smaller."
With a wave of his hand, Zelos adjusted the sword's size until it matched the proportions of the Ingrid sword that Atreus would one day wield. It fit neatly in his grasp, perfectly balanced.
"You'll grow into it," Zelos said simply. "And like any weapon, it demands practice."
As they continued through the cave, Atreus began to swing his new blade slowly, testing its weight and balance with every step.
Zelos walked behind him, watching carefully to ensure the boy didn't accidentally injure himself. Kratos led the way ahead, remaining silent but observant as always.
Eventually, they entered a wide chamber filled with strange wooden poles that emitted a thick green mist.
The air was foul, heavy with poison. Atreus stopped swinging his sword, covering his nose and coughing from the smell.
"What is that?" he asked, his voice muffled by his sleeve.
"Scorn poles," Zelos said calmly as he raised his hand. "Ice Age."
In an instant, a wave of frost spread across the cavern, freezing the poisonous vapors and sealing the source beneath a thick layer of ice.
Zelos controlled the output precisely, ensuring the spell only affected the corrupted section and nothing more. The air cleared, allowing them to pass through safely.
"One of these days, you're going to have to teach me some of your magic," Atreus said in admiration as he walked through the frost-covered tunnel, glancing at the frozen poles that glittered like blue crystals.
"I've already taught you the basics," Zelos replied, keeping his eyes forward. "Practice those in combat first. When you've mastered them, we can discuss the advanced forms."
Atreus smiled faintly. "Alright. I'll hold you to that."
The three continued walking until the narrow tunnel opened once again to the outside.
What greeted them was a field of heavy fog that hung thick in the air, so dense that they could barely see a few feet ahead.
"Zelos," Kratos said simply, the single word carrying his meaning.
Zelos nodded and exhaled softly, summoning a small burst of wind imbued with primordial energy. The gust swept forward, dispersing the fog completely.
As it cleared, the faint outline of a small figure appeared in front of them—someone bent over a workbench, hammering away at metal.
"Another dwarf," Atreus said aloud, his tone somewhere between surprise and curiosity.
Kratos ignored the comment and continued walking toward the figure, followed closely by Zelos and Atreus.
The dwarf looked up from his work as they approached, his eyes narrowing as they fell upon the weapon strapped to Kratos's back.
"Excuse me," the dwarf said suddenly, stepping forward. "How did you come by that blade?"
Kratos stopped walking and looked down at him. "That is my concern alone," he said firmly, his voice low.
The dwarf frowned but did not back away. "While I will not dispute that, I know that blade. It's one of ours. We forged it, but not for you." His voice trembled slightly as he spoke, but his gaze remained fixed on Kratos.
Kratos took a slow step forward, towering over him. "Step aside," he said in a deep, commanding tone.
"I can't," the dwarf said, his voice faltering but his stance firm. "The woman we crafted that weapon for… I was, well, I am, quite fond of her. And I would be rather displeased if it turned out that you… did something to her."
He raised his fists awkwardly, trying to look ready for a fight, though it was obvious he had little combat experience.
Zelos sighed, shaking his head slightly. "That's enough, Father. You already know who he is. That's Brok's brother."
Kratos looked down again, recognizing the nervous but familiar face of the dwarf in front of him—Sindri. The tension eased slightly as Zelos's remark settled between them.
Sindri, clearly frightened, looked like he was about to collapse under the weight of Kratos's glare.