To Be A God (God of War Story)

XXIII: Stories Within Helheim

Helheim, also known as the realm of the dead. Mimir explained that it was Norse's version of the Underworld. Except everyone goes there. The warriors and Odin's dead army are in Valhalla. I wonder if Magni made it there, despite dying to...what did he call us? An old man, a stillborn lamb and a she-beast.

- Adoni of Sparta

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I glanced to Kratos and watched as he opened the Travel Room's doors.

"Forgive me for acting like a child."

He scoffed a bit. "Spartan women were known for their words. Your grandmother, Calisto, always told my brother and I to either come back with our shield or on it. But, your mother wasn't as harsh. She often encouraged me, nights before I had to leave for battle. Just as you do now."

I smiled a bit, not realizing how alike Mother and I were.

The world tree stood in front of us, and I watched as Kratos unlocked the Travel Rune.

He glanced down at me, and I closed my eyes a bit, and I heard Mimir speak as I opened them.

"Let me take this moment to tell you what you are about to do is absolutely insane. Not even Odin can survive this cold, so I hope those blades work. You and the lass are insane." He said, causing me to smirk.

"Mimir, I dove into the body of a serpent and cut his head off from the inside out. We have done worse," I say, stretching a bit.

I didn't know how my blades would do in this cold weather. Lightning is basically sky fire, isn't it? I'd have to rely on Hestia's flames and Zeus' lightning. I breathed in slowly but deeply, feeling smoke exhale from my lips.

I remembered how Lyssa would have me transported to the home of Boreas, god of the cold and northern winds. It was the coldest place I've ever been, as he lived in the snowy alps of Borealia. Lyssa had me training to be adapted to the cold, and she showed me how to survive, using Hestia's flame in my body. Though, I learned from submerging my body into either snow or the frozen lakes. I was no more than seven. She said all Spartans did that. She definitely lied. I went through training that I don't even think Spartan men could have done.

Kratos watched me intently.

"What are you doing?"

I closed my eyes, breathing deeply and slowly, causing bits of fire to come from my mouth.

"I'm regulating my body to prepare for the cold of Helheim."

"Are you used to the cold?" He adjusted my fur on my neck, and I smiled.

"Yes, really. Lyssa had me -"

"She is alive?"

I tilted my head. "What do you mean, she's alive?"

"She, along with Ares, was responsible for my Mania. She wasn't supposed to live."

I sighed. They were the ones responsible for all the abuse, the training, and manipulation for so long.

"Lyssa, Nemesis, Eris and Enyo. They will die when I return to Olympus," I said, breathing in slower. "Let us not dwell on my struggles, but come to Atreus' aid. My brother needs us."

We stepped into the door that revealed Helheim. A misty coldness hit us in our faces as we came through. It felt vaguely familiar, but I wasn't struggling to stay warm. It was a cold and empty plain, with spaced out icebergs. The air felt dry, and small fires came from my lips as I breathed. We began crossing a small bridge.