The Son of Kratos

Chapter 16

Atreus sat next to Freydis, who leaned her head on his shoulder. He knew there was something he had to do, but didn't know how to tell her. "Freydis, there is something I must tell you." She nodded for him to continue. "Um, I have to go with Bjorn to become what he is, Ironside." "What? Why?" "I don't know if I can defeat them on my own, I need to do this. I'm sorry, I will return." She pulled his head down and kissed him deeply. Their foreheads leaned together as Atreus whispered to her, "I will come back to you, I promise." He left without another word as Freydis fought back her tears. Zoe entered the cabin and saw Freydis sitting against the bed. Realizing that Atreus left, she crouched down next to her and gave her a side hug.

Atreus stood at the base of a mountain, the fur of a wolf wrapped around his shoulders, all his weapons and shield hung from his back and belt, as the bitter winter wind howled around him. But because his father was the god of frost, he felt nothing. He desired revenge against Loki, and he knew he needed help. In Valhalla, many told the tales of Bjorn Ironside, Son of Ragnar, blessed by the gods. Atreus needed that protection. He followed Bjorn up the mountain to claim the Ironside from the gods, Bjorn told him days earlier that the gods had chosen him for it.

As he reached the mountain top at last, the snow and harsh winds stopped as Atreus saw a three people standing in a pond. Bjorn said, "remove your cloak and shirt, and lay down your weapons." Atreus followed his orders as Bjorn bowed down to the three. When they turned around, Atreus saw that it was Odin, Thor and Freyja. He was quick to bow to the gods. "Rise, Son of Kratos," Odin spoke, "Walk to us." Atreus walked closer and into the water. "My grandson, you will be given a gift that only one other has received, Ironside. You will be invulnerable to everything except certain blades," Thor said. Freyja said, "You have been chosen by the gods. You must prevail or everyone you love will die, including my daughter." Atreus clenched his fist at the thought. "You will no longer be Atreus Kratosson, you will be something greater. Something more," Odin told him, "You will be in tremendous agony. You must anchor yourself to your humanity or you will die." Atreus turned to Bjorn, "What was yours?" "My family and my country." Atreus took a deep breath before nodding at the gods. Odin pushed him down into the water, submerging him. Odin, Thor and Freyja spoke in unison, "You are chosen by the gods. You are the King of the Jotnar. You are the defender of Midgard. You are the Survivor of Hel. You are Atreus Járnöxi. The Iron Axe." Atreus screamed and writhed under the water as the gods held him down. He thought about what Odin said. What attached him to his humanity? He thought of Camp. Valhalla. His Father. His Mother. Jake. And finally he thought of Freydis. Images flashed through his mind. The first time they met. Their first quest. Their first kiss. The times they sparred. But new images that he didn't remember started. Them graduating. Them moving in together. Him proposing and her saying yes. Their wedding. Them finding out she is pregnant. Her giving birth to their first child. And finally, them walking through the Gates of Valhalla together. He shot out of the water, his red tattoos appeared, glowing. The red glow contrasted the blue glow that his other tattoos emitted. His breathing was heavy and ragged. He looked up at the gods in his seated position. "Rise, Atreus Ironaxe."

Freydis sat on the beach, making sure not to be too close to the lake, still suffering from her fear of deep water. Her nightmares had gotten worse without Atreus to calm her. Zoe had joined the Hunters of Artemis, so she spent less and less time at camp. Freydis heard people talking and walking to the border. She stood up and followed the noise. Her eyes widened as the campers gathered around Atreus. He had somehow gotten taller, his facial hair had grown, his hair had grown so he pulled it back into a small man bun (just like Bjorn in season 3 of Vikings), he had a wolf's fur attached to his cloak that he had around his shoulders, they noticed he had a new word in runes tattooed near his one of Freydis' name. Freydis read it and realized it said 'The Iron Axe'. Atreus walked towards her and hugged her tightly, she hugged back instantly. They kissed before pressing their foreheads together as everyone returned to what they were doing. "You're back." "I am. And my journey was successful. I am like Bjorn. Odin, Thor and Freyja named me Atreus Ironaxe." He said with a chuckle, "I told your mother you said hello and she wanted me to tell you that she loves you." "Thank you. Now let's see if it really worked, Ironaxe." She said jokingly. "Lead the way, little Valkyrie." Freydis laughed at the nickname he gave her as they walked to the arena to spar. Atreus decided not to tell her of what he saw when he was in the water, but he smiled when he thought of it. Although, he knew that he had to fight for their future and that it would be difficult to reach.

I know I said it would take longer for updates. I didn't lie, I just had free time at school, so I wrote this. There may be some mistakes, sorry, I don't really proof read when I'm done, I just do it while I'm writing. This may or may not be shorter than usual, sorry, I thought of most of this on the spot. Thank you for understanding the stress I'm under. We have now reached over 400 reads so thank you so much, I never thought this many people would like my idea. Thanks. Vote and comment. Stay safe.