While following Freya's path, they encountered a creature none of them had seen before—a nightmare.
"NIGHTMARES!" Atreus shouted.
"Be ready," Kratos said, readying the Leviathan Axe. Deimos, standing beside him, transformed his weapon into a bow—the only weapon Kratos allowed him to wield for the time being.
"I'll shoot first," Deimos said, drawing the string. He lost an arrow that struck a nightmare dead center, killing it instantly.
But more came. Countless nightmares spawned around them, shrieking and swarming from the dark corners of the forest.
Kratos began hurling his axe, each throw charged with freezing runic energy, striking multiple targets with precision. Atreus kept his distance, firing arrows from the shadows. Meanwhile, Deimos continued firing with uncanny accuracy—his aim sharper and more calculated than even Atreus', despite having only just begun using a bow.
What they didn't know was that Deimos carried the memories of Heracles, a warrior from another dimension—perhaps one even more skilled than Kratos himself in the art of combat.
After minutes of relentless battle, the last of the nightmares fell.
"Mom used to tell me about them," Atreus said, catching his breath. "Didn't think they were real."
"Then how did you know what to shout when you saw them?" Deimos asked, tilting his head in curiosity.
"I... I don't know. I just knew what they were," Atreus replied honestly.
Kratos narrowed his eyes slightly, watching them. Perhaps this is the beginning… he thought, the beginning of their godhood awakening.
"What kind of creatures are nightmares?" Kratos asked.
"They give people nightmares. Or... maybe they are nightmares? I don't remember which. I wish I could ask her," Atreus said, his voice softening as he thought of Faye.
"Let's finish Mother's request," Deimos said, pointing toward the boat waiting at the dock.
Kratos and Atreus followed him silently.
As they rowed through the vast lake, Atreus looked up at the looming mountain ahead.
"We're almost there. I still can't believe this is real. There was a time I thought I'd never leave our woods… or even my bed some days."
Kratos responded with a low, firm voice. "You were not to blame for your sickness."
Atreus nodded and added, "Oh. I know. I guess I'm just saying… this is great. There's the mountain! Look how close we are."
Deimos turned toward the water. "Is this sea water, Father?"
"Yes," Kratos answered as he continued rowing.
"How did you know?" Atreus asked Deimos.
"Did you not smell the salt?" Deimos said, inhaling deeply. "It reminds me of a sea from before."
"That's the sea? If it is, it stinks," Atreus said, scrunching his nose.
"You're just not used to it," Deimos replied calmly.
Then, Atreus pointed ahead. "Look at that. It's Thor…"
Kratos stared at the massive statue, half-submerged in the lake. "God of Thunder."
"That's right! I didn't think you listened when Mother spoke of the gods," Atreus said with a smile.
"I seldom did. Did she mention one who could feel no pain?" Kratos asked.
"That sounds like Baldur," Atreus answered.
Deimos's eyes narrowed. "That sounds like the stranger who attacked us earlier."
Atreus blinked. "What?"
"The stranger felt no pain. Maybe he was blessed with the same magic," Deimos said, feigning ignorance.
Kratos asked, "Who is Baldur?"
Atreus explained, "An Aesir god. Son of Odin and Frigg."
"And Odin is king…" Kratos said under his breath.
"That's right. Why do you ask?" Atreus questioned, but Kratos didn't answer. He kept rowing in silence.
Suddenly, Deimos noticed something. "Father, look. That statue—there's something written across its chest."
They steered toward the statue. As they drew near, the ancient runes became visible.
Atreus leaned forward. "I know you can read runes, too. Why don't you read it?"
"I'm lazy. Besides, wouldn't it honor Mother more if you used the knowledge she passed down?" Deimos teased.
Atreus rolled his eyes. "You're just saying that. Fine. It says: 'Sacrifice your arms to the center of the water; awaken again the cradle of the world.'"
Deimos furrowed his brow. "Does that mean we have to throw our weapons?"
"Possibly," Kratos said.
"I guess that won't be a problem for either of you, right?" Atreus said slyly.
Kratos silently unarmed his axe, and Deimos summoned the original shape of his weapon. Together, they threw their weapons into the lake.
They waited. Then raised their hands—nothing.
Kratos's voice was low. "It did not return."
Deimos sighed. "Don't tell me I just lost my weapon a few hours after getting it…"
Suddenly, the lake churned violently. The boat rocked.
"Hang on!" Kratos barked.
From beneath them, something vast stirred. The water foamed, the skies darkened—then cleared. A colossal form emerged from the depths.
An enormous eye opened beneath them—glowing a deep, golden-orange. Then, with a low rumble, it returned their weapons, gently bumping the boat.
Kratos's eyes widened. "What… is this?"
"It looks like the World Serpent," Deimos said.
"The what?" Atreus asked.
The great serpent towered over them, its head reaching the clouds. It peered down, massive and ancient.
"THE WORLD SERPENT!" Atreus exclaimed.
"That's what I said," Deimos murmured.
The World Serpent began to speak. The sounds were deep and guttural—indecipherable growls to most. Yet Deimos felt something. He didn't understand it, but it wasn't just noise. He would ask Mimir later.
"It speaks?!" Kratos said.
"Yeah! Mother said he's friendly!" Atreus replied, his voice filled with awe.
"What is it saying?"
"I don't know!"
As the serpent continued to rumble and shift the waters, Atreus suddenly pointed.
"Wait… there's a shipwreck over there! And Thor's statue—it's not as submerged anymore."
The Serpent slid away beneath the waters, but the lake had changed. The waterline had dropped, revealing lands and paths previously hidden.
Their journey could now continue—toward the mountain and deeper into the secrets of Midgard.